crooksandliars--2020-08-05--FINALLY: Missouri Passes Constitutional Amendment Approving Medicaid Expansion

There were a few shockers in last night 's elections , and the best one is that Missouri voters became the 38th state to expand Medicaid , approving a constitutional amendment by 52-48 % .
Via Politico : The ballot initiative ’ s organizers focused on similar messages from other successful Medicaid expansion campaigns .
They highlighted the federal support it would bring to cash-strapped rural hospitals , after 10 have closed since 2014 and others face financial peril .
The federal government provides 90 percent of funding for Medicaid expansion , more generous than the 65 percent rate Missouri @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Quite frankly , Missourians are sick and tired of not getting their fair share .
They pay their taxes , they 've seen now 37 other states use that money to expand access to health care .
Meanwhile , our economy 's clearly ailing here , ” Jack Cardetti , the campaign ’ s spokesperson , said last week .
The ballot measure adds the Medicaid expansion into the state ’ s constitution , effectively barring Republican lawmakers from adding conservative elements to the program — like work requirements and premiums — as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initiatives .
Missourians also turned out a long-time Democratic incumbent congressman in favor of a primary challenger and Justice Dems candidate .
From the Intercept : In an upset that will rock the House Democratic caucus , Ferguson activist Cori Bush on Tuesday unseated Rep. Lacy Clay , whose family has represented the St. Louis-area congressional district for more than 50 years .
Clay dominated Bush among mail-in and absentee ballots , leading some outlets to prematurely call the race , but Bush surged back with a commanding election day lead , narrowly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were counted .
Bush was among the original Justice Democrat recruits in 2018 , but lost her first challenge by 20 points .
A registered nurse and pastor , she made a second run this cycle , again with the backing of Justice Democrats , the progressive group best known for recruiting Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez .
“ It is historic that this year , of all the years , we are sending a Black , working-class , single mother , who ’ s been fighting for Black lives since Ferguson , all the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bush said in a victory speech .
Kris Kobach lost the Republican primary in Kansas -- too bad , he would have been so easy for the Democratic candidate to run against !
But this biggest surprise of the night is that Arizona Republicans rejected Joe Apaio as candidate for sheriff -- by a razor-thin margin .
Jerry Sheridan took 36.70 % to Joe Arpaio 's 36.53 % .
Arizona , what does it take for you to wake up ?

There were a few shockers in last night's elections, and the best one is that Missouri voters became the 38th state to expand Medicaid, approving a constitutional amendment by 52-48%. Via Politico:
The ballot initiative’s organizers focused on similar messages from other successful Medicaid expansion campaigns. They highlighted the federal support it would bring to cash-strapped rural hospitals, after 10 have closed since 2014 and others face financial peril. The federal government provides 90 percent of funding for Medicaid expansion, more generous than the 65 percent rate Missouri receives for its existing program. “Quite frankly, Missourians are sick and tired of not getting their fair share. They pay their taxes, they've seen now 37 other states use that money to expand access to health care. Meanwhile, our economy's clearly ailing here,” Jack Cardetti, the campaign’s spokesperson, said last week. The ballot measure adds the Medicaid expansion into the state’s constitution, effectively barring Republican lawmakers from adding conservative elements to the program — like work requirements and premiums — as other states sought to do following similar initiatives.
Ten years after Claire McCaskill cast the deciding vote to pass the ACA Missourians vote to fully implement Obamacare!
Congrats to EVERYONE who’s fought for Medicaid Expansion for more than a decade 🇺🇸 #YesOn2 pic.twitter.com/IgA9JmD2GW — Stephen Webber (@s_webber) August 5, 2020
Missourians also turned out a long-time Democratic incumbent congressman in favor of a primary challenger and Justice Dems candidate. From the Intercept:
In an upset that will rock the House Democratic caucus, Ferguson activist Cori Bush on Tuesday unseated Rep. Lacy Clay, whose family has represented the St. Louis-area congressional district for more than 50 years. Clay dominated Bush among mail-in and absentee ballots, leading some outlets to prematurely call the race, but Bush surged back with a commanding election day lead, narrowly topping Clay by three points when all were counted. Bush was among the original Justice Democrat recruits in 2018, but lost her first challenge by 20 points. A registered nurse and pastor, she made a second run this cycle, again with the backing of Justice Democrats, the progressive group best known for recruiting Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. “It is historic that this year, of all the years, we are sending a Black, working-class, single mother, who’s been fighting for Black lives since Ferguson, all the way to the halls of Congress,” Bush said in a victory speech.
Lacy Clay, who might lose his primary tonight, had a part in getting the current Republican gerrymander passed so that he could get a safer seat. Screwed over then-Democratic Rep. Russ Carnahan.
See what Claire McCaskill had to say about it! https://t.co/GsB6paNnmy — Aseemru (@Aseemru) August 5, 2020
Kris Kobach lost the Republican primary in Kansas -- too bad, he would have been so easy for the Democratic candidate to run against!
Trump ally Kris Kobach loses Kansas GOP Senate primary by a wide margin https://t.co/kUsmKeErWk — The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) August 5, 2020
But this biggest surprise of the night is that Arizona Republicans rejected Joe Apaio as candidate for sheriff -- by a razor-thin margin. Jerry Sheridan took 36.70% to Joe Arpaio's 36.53%.
Arizona, what does it take for you to wake up?


crooksandliars--2020-08-05--‘That’s Not True’: Poppy Harlow Calls Out Ex-Trump Adviser On Lies About ‘Typical’ Family And Unempl

‘That’s Not True’: Poppy Harlow Calls Out Ex-Trump Adviser On Lies About ‘Typical’ Family And Unemployment

Former White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett claimed on Tuesday that a “ typical median family ” is being paid $ 90,000 to stay home during the pandemic if they are receiving the $ 600 weekly federal unemployment benefits .
In an interview on CNN , host Poppy Harlow challenged the former Trump adviser when he downplayed the urgency of extending the unemployment benefits .
“ You and I don ’ t rely on $ 600 a week to pay our rent or feed our family , ” Harlow explained .
“ That ’ s not our situation .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And they stopped getting those checks on Friday and that ’ s why I don ’ t think it ’ s too far to say that it ’ s a failure [ of government ] .
” Harlow pointed to a recent analysis by Moody ’ s that concluded nearly 1 million jobs could be lost by the end of the year if the $ 600 benefit is slashed to $ 200.Harlow pointed to a recent analysis by Moody ’ s that concluded nearly 1 million jobs could be lost by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 600 benefit is slashed to $ 200 .
“ If you pay people a lot more to stay home than to go to work , then the idea that there are going to be more people going to work , it just doesn ’ t add up , ” Hassett insisted .
“ But that ’ s not true , ” Harlow interrupted , pointing to a Yale study which found “ no evidence ” for Hassett ’ s claim .
“ It is wrong , ” Hassett replied .
“ Just think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you take a typical median family , say in Tennessee , that if they don ’ t go to work under the $ 600 plan then they get about $ 90,000 a year .
And if they do go to work , they get about $ 50,000 a year.
” “ And so the assertion that staying home and getting $ 90,000 and going to work and getting $ 50,000 that that ’ s not going to have an effect on your decisions , it just doesn ’ t add up , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not economics.
” “ That ’ s not true , ” Harlow observed .
“ I believe and have heard from so many Americans that they want to go back to work and they want to feel safe.
” The maximum weekly unemployment benefit in Tennessee is $ 275 .

Former White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett claimed on Tuesday that a “typical median family” is being paid $90,000 to stay home during the pandemic if they are receiving the $600 weekly federal unemployment benefits.
In an interview on CNN, host Poppy Harlow challenged the former Trump adviser when he downplayed the urgency of extending the unemployment benefits.
“You and I don’t rely on $600 a week to pay our rent or feed our family,” Harlow explained. “That’s not our situation. But for millions of Americans, it is. And they stopped getting those checks on Friday and that’s why I don’t think it’s too far to say that it’s a failure [of government].”
Harlow pointed to a recent analysis by Moody’s that concluded nearly 1 million jobs could be lost by the end of the year if the $600 benefit is slashed to $200.
“If you pay people a lot more to stay home than to go to work, then the idea that there are going to be more people going to work, it just doesn’t add up,” Hassett insisted.
“But that’s not true,” Harlow interrupted, pointing to a Yale study which found “no evidence” for Hassett’s claim.
“It is wrong,” Hassett replied. “Just think about the logic of it. If you take a typical median family, say in Tennessee, that if they don’t go to work under the $600 plan then they get about $90,000 a year. And if they do go to work, they get about $50,000 a year.”
“And so the assertion that staying home and getting $90,000 and going to work and getting $50,000 that that’s not going to have an effect on your decisions, it just doesn’t add up,” he continued. “It’s not economics.”
“That’s not true,” Harlow observed. “I believe and have heard from so many Americans that they want to go back to work and they want to feel safe.”
The maximum weekly unemployment benefit in Tennessee is $275.


crooksandliars--2020-08-05--Nuclear Bibles Cause Blow Up At Charleston Navy Base

Like most heroes in the fight for religious freedom in the military , he—or she—remains anonymous .
But on July 31 , a naval officer at Naval Weapons Station , Joint Base Charleston , home to the Nuclear Power Training Unit , emailed the Military Religious Freedom Foundation seeking help for an all-too-common violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment : `` Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion . ''
`` I noticed a few months back that at my base , NWS Charleston , there are often Christian flyers and handouts on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the officer wrote .
`` I generally ignored it , but recently I noticed that they have full Bibles being distributed , that are labeled 'NPTU Bible ' ( NPTU is our command ) .
It seems like a clear promotion of Christianity by our command to have the label `` NPTU Bible '' , coupled with the exclusive access to being distributed at the table .
I looked into it , and I believe the Bibles to be distributed either by something called Operation Worship or Gideon 's International .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a designated space for proselytizing to sailors . ''
Boy , was ( s ) he right !
The flyers that had been there for months are the sort of violation of the Establishment Clause that ’ s commonplace throughout the military—innocent seeming to some , perhaps , but it subtly works to erode morale and unit cohesion that are central to the military mission , the distinct importance of which is why the Supreme Court ’ s 1974 decision in Parker v. Levy draws a significant distinction between how the First Amendment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situations—and why a large body of military regulations—including the Navy Core Values Charter have further enshrined the importance of creating an inclusive atmosphere to promote that core mission .
The Navy ’ s core values are “ Honor , Courage , and Commitment.
” Under “ Commitment ” the charter states , “ I will : …Show respect toward all people without regard to race , religion or gender , '' as well as `` Care for the personal and spiritual well-being of my people , ” neither of which are done when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just allowed in public spaces .
Such so-called “ minor ” violations—not so minor for those who feel the weight of exclusion—also serve to normalize more acute violations , such as the Bibles that followed , and finally led this officer to do something .
“ The Bibles are located in the westmost of the four main buildings on site .
This is the building where all students and staff enter and exit from the site , ” the officer wrote .
There could not be a more prominent location , giving the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official endorsement .
“ It is just so unconstitutional and so horribly manifests itself in the rapid destruction of good order , morale , discipline in unit cohesion among our service members , ” MRFF Founder and President , Mikey Weinstein told Crooks and Liars .
He quickly took action , speaking with the NPTU Commander , Capt .
Stephen Mongold for about 12 minutes that afternoon .
Mongold seemed unaware of the situation , and non-committal about what he might do , he told Crooks and Liars .
But the next time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behold !
—the Bibles were gone .
But that doesn ’ t solve the problem .
The problem was what put them there in the first place , and would do so again , in a heartbeat .
“ Preposterous !
” is how Weinstein described Mongold ’ s shoulder-shrugging response in email sent to his superior , Vice Admiral William J. Galinis , the next day : The NPTU branding flies directly in the face of another regulation , MRFF ’ s Research Director Chris Rodda pointed out to Crooks and Liars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes the following provision , with emphasis added by Rodda : “ The Bible is an ‘ Operation Worship '' ’ Bible , so the use of the organization name on it endorsing the non-federal entity .
‘ Operation Worship , ’ '' Rodda explained .
She provided the image at the top of this story , showing a stack of similarly branded Bibles .
“ Our first encounter with Operation Worship was way back around 2008 or so , if my memory serves me correctly .
They 're definitely been doing it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ They 've always done that .
That 's why I assumed it was an Operation Worship one.
” Rodda said , but she also added a caveat .
“ The client actually said the Bible was either from Operation Worship or Gideon 's International .
I assumed it 's Operation Worship because they are the organization that personalizes their military Bibles with the unit name .
Either way , even if it was Gideon 's , it 's still in violation of the regulation because Gideon 's is also a non-federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the situation for the admiral , Weinstein painted a vivid , but most improbable picture : By the time of his letter , just one day after the initial complaint , an additional 24 clients had joined the initial officer,18 of them practicing Christians .
“ Justly fearing reprisal , retribution , revenge , and retaliation from their U.S. Navy chain of command , they came to MRFF to make their demands that this ‘ NPTU ’ Christian bible ‘ ministry ’ , and associated Christian flyers , handouts and pamphlets be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
” Weinstein wrote , adding : While MRFF ’ s clients come from a diverse range of backgrounds , the initial client ’ s experience reflects common themes across MRFF ’ s years of advocacy .
In a long post-script to the initial email , supplied with redactions by MRFF , the client wrote : I was sworn into the Navy in 20 ( XX ) , and since then , I have been often surprised by the degree to which Christian religious identity is center stage .
I went to public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , and great lengths were taken to maintain a clear line between religion and a government institution .
I expected the military would be even more strict about this .
I was wrong .
Between the prayers at graduation ceremonies ( in one case the requirement to bow our heads in unison during the prayer ) , closing the oath of enlistment/office with `` so help me god '' , and more subtle references , like leaders saying that we are `` doing god 's work '' , the Navy seems to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I 've generally been quiet about stuff like this besides discussion with friends .
The military is n't generally a place that praises disruption of systems or norms .
The Bibles were a breaking point .
Placing a stack of Bibles in the most high traffic location on sight is a clear and exclusive promotion of Christianity .
The title `` NPTU Bible '' is even more bold .
Young sailors in the Navy 's nuclear pipeline take a lot of pride in being a nuke and are beginning to adjust to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ title sends the message that part of that culture is being Christian .
And that ’ s a message that ’ s clearly at odds with Navy ’ s own core values .

Like most heroes in the fight for religious freedom in the military, he—or she—remains anonymous. But on July 31, a naval officer at Naval Weapons Station, Joint Base Charleston, home to the Nuclear Power Training Unit, emailed the Military Religious Freedom Foundation seeking help for an all-too-common violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."
"I noticed a few months back that at my base, NWS Charleston, there are often Christian flyers and handouts on a table as you leave the building," the officer wrote. "I generally ignored it, but recently I noticed that they have full Bibles being distributed, that are labeled 'NPTU Bible' (NPTU is our command). It seems like a clear promotion of Christianity by our command to have the label "NPTU Bible", coupled with the exclusive access to being distributed at the table. I looked into it, and I believe the Bibles to be distributed either by something called Operation Worship or Gideon's International. It seems wrong that we should be providing a designated space for proselytizing to sailors."
Boy, was (s)he right!
The flyers that had been there for months are the sort of violation of the Establishment Clause that’s commonplace throughout the military—innocent seeming to some, perhaps, but it subtly works to erode morale and unit cohesion that are central to the military mission, the distinct importance of which is why the Supreme Court’s 1974 decision in Parker v. Levy draws a significant distinction between how the First Amendment can be applied in military vs. civilian situations—and why a large body of military regulations—including the Navy Core Values Charter have further enshrined the importance of creating an inclusive atmosphere to promote that core mission.
The Navy’s core values are “Honor, Courage, and Commitment.” Under “Commitment” the charter states, “I will:…Show respect toward all people without regard to race, religion or gender," as well as "Care for the personal and spiritual well-being of my people,” neither of which are done when religious proselytizing is officially promoted or even just allowed in public spaces. Such so-called “minor” violations—not so minor for those who feel the weight of exclusion—also serve to normalize more acute violations, such as the Bibles that followed, and finally led this officer to do something.
“The Bibles are located in the westmost of the four main buildings on site. This is the building where all students and staff enter and exit from the site,” the officer wrote. There could not be a more prominent location, giving the unit-branded Bibles another layer of de facto official endorsement.
“It is just so unconstitutional and so horribly manifests itself in the rapid destruction of good order, morale, discipline in unit cohesion among our service members,” MRFF Founder and President, Mikey Weinstein told Crooks and Liars. He quickly took action, speaking with the NPTU Commander, Capt. Stephen Mongold for about 12 minutes that afternoon. Mongold seemed unaware of the situation, and non-committal about what he might do, he told Crooks and Liars. But the next time the officer to returned to duty—Lo and behold!—the Bibles were gone.
But that doesn’t solve the problem. The problem was what put them there in the first place, and would do so again, in a heartbeat.
“Preposterous!” is how Weinstein described Mongold’s shoulder-shrugging response in email sent to his superior, Vice Admiral William J. Galinis, the next day:
He’s the COMMANDER of NPTU, and he is apparently UNAWARE that Christian bibles (often several dozen at a time) with the “NPTU" acronym CLEARLY visible on their hard front cover have been on blatant display (as well as an array of sectarian Christian flyers, handouts and pamphlets) for distribution and proselytizing RIGHT UNDER HIS NOSE for at least the last few MONTHS??!!
The NPTU branding flies directly in the face of another regulation, MRFF’s Research Director Chris Rodda pointed out to Crooks and Liars. Joint Ethics Regulation - DoD 5500.07-R includes the following provision, with emphasis added by Rodda:
3-209. Endorsement. Endorsement of a non-Federal entity, event, product, service, or enterprise may be neither stated nor implied by DoD or DoD employees in their official capacities and titles, positions, or organization names may not be used to suggest official endorsement or preferential treatment of any non-Federal entity ...
“The Bible is an ‘Operation Worship"’ Bible, so the use of the organization name on it endorsing the non-federal entity. ‘Operation Worship,’" Rodda explained. She provided the image at the top of this story, showing a stack of similarly branded Bibles. “Our first encounter with Operation Worship was way back around 2008 or so, if my memory serves me correctly. They're definitely been doing it for many years,” she said.
“They've always done that. That's why I assumed it was an Operation Worship one.” Rodda said, but she also added a caveat. “The client actually said the Bible was either from Operation Worship or Gideon's International. I assumed it's Operation Worship because they are the organization that personalizes their military Bibles with the unit name. Either way, even if it was Gideon's, it's still in violation of the regulation because Gideon's is also a non-federal entity.”
To bring home the impact of the situation for the admiral, Weinstein painted a vivid, but most improbable picture:
Imagine the unbridled chaos, indignation, and infuriation if, instead of that unconstitutional “NPTU” Christian bible, there was an official “NPTU” Koran, or “NPTU” Satanic bible, or “NPTU” Book of Mormon or “NPTU” Torah or “NPTU” Bhagavad Gita, or, in point of fact, an official “NPTU” front book cover label on Richard Dawkins’ “The God Delusion,” Christopher Hitchens’ “God is Not Great,” or Sam Harris’ “The End of Faith"!? Why, sir, had THAT occurred there would have FREAKING been blood in the street and you know it!
By the time of his letter, just one day after the initial complaint, an additional 24 clients had joined the initial officer,18 of them practicing Christians. “Justly fearing reprisal, retribution, revenge, and retaliation from their U.S. Navy chain of command, they came to MRFF to make their demands that this ‘NPTU’ Christian bible ‘ministry’, and associated Christian flyers, handouts and pamphlets be ordered to immediately cease and desist forthwith!” Weinstein wrote, adding:
Quite a telling and sad commentary, Admiral, on the NPTU Command Climate when so many of its constituent Naval personnel are too fearful to reach out to their own NPTU/Naval Sea Systems chain of command with such grievances and are, consequently, left with no reasonable alternative but to come to MRFF for this advocacy aid and support.
And Weinstein laid out three demands:
(1) immediately order the cessation of any further “NPTU” Christian bible and related Christian flyer, handout and pamphlet displays/distributions/proselytizing at the NPTU building complex and anywhere else in Naval Sea Systems Command; (2) immediately order a thorough investigation (including under NCIS auspices) into this matter to include how and why an “NPTU”-emblazoned Christian bible ever came to exist in the first place; (3) swiftly, visibly and aggressively punish all Navy personnel who are either directly for indirectly responsible for allowing these repugnant, unconstitutional matters to ensue.
The Navy has yet to respond.
While MRFF’s clients come from a diverse range of backgrounds, the initial client’s experience reflects common themes across MRFF’s years of advocacy. In a long post-script to the initial email, supplied with redactions by MRFF, the client wrote:
I was sworn into the Navy in 20(XX), and since then, I have been often surprised by the degree to which Christian religious identity is center stage. I went to public school in (U.S. State name withheld), and great lengths were taken to maintain a clear line between religion and a government institution. I expected the military would be even more strict about this. I was wrong. Between the prayers at graduation ceremonies (in one case the requirement to bow our heads in unison during the prayer), closing the oath of enlistment/office with "so help me god", and more subtle references, like leaders saying that we are "doing god's work", the Navy seems to make clear where it stands on religion. I've generally been quiet about stuff like this besides discussion with friends. The military isn't generally a place that praises disruption of systems or norms. The Bibles were a breaking point. Placing a stack of Bibles in the most high traffic location on sight is a clear and exclusive promotion of Christianity. The title "NPTU Bible" is even more bold. Young sailors in the Navy's nuclear pipeline take a lot of pride in being a nuke and are beginning to adjust to the Nuclear Navy culture. Seeing this title sends the message that part of that culture is being Christian.
And that’s a message that’s clearly at odds with Navy’s own core values.


crooksandliars--2020-08-05--Stephanie Ruhle: Trump's Kodak Bailout 'Stinks To The High Heavens'

I ’ ve written twice about the scandal lurking behind Trump ’ s very suspicious use of the Defense Production Act to loan Kodak $ 765 in taxpayer money to reconfigure itself as a pharmaceutical company – and , coincidentally greatly enrich its CEO at the same time , via well-timed stock options .
It also just so happens that Kodak was a big sponsor of Trump 's Celebrity Apprentice show .
Monday night , Joy Reid asked business correspondent Stephanie Ruhle , “ What the heck is going on with this deal ?
” RUHLE : Here ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filed for bankruptcy in 2011 .
Yes , it ’ s a huge storied company , with a huge American brand that squandered it .
And in the age of digital , they lost their groove .
They filed in 2012 .
They tried to get their groove back and failed .
They tried to get into the cryptocurrency space .
But even in the last year , executives have been guiding Wall Street , saying , “ We might not be able to continue much longer.
” They issued a deal in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough money .
So , here we are , a company with no pharmaceutical experience .
Yes , they ’ ve got experience in making chemicals that had to do with developing film .
No experience .
So , if this administration wanted to say we 're too dependent on getting drug ingredients from China , we want to bring it here , that makes a lot of sense .
Guess what we have though , Joy ?
All sorts of viable drug companies that could do this .
Eastman Kodak sure ai @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my problem .
The supposed collateral for the loan is suspect , too .
Although the company has emerged from bankruptcy , Ruhle questioned whether there 's real assets protecting the public money given that the stock was trading at $ 2 a share before the loan was announced ?
“ Every lawmaker out there should be on the side of , at the very least , asking questions , as well as the SEC , ” Ruhle said .
Reid raised the obvious question : Is there some kind of financial benefit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called it “ premature ” to draw such a conclusion but definitely time to start investigating .
RUHLE : Listen , it stinks to the high heavens .
But is it premature to officially link the president or the executives of this company or their very large shareholders to the Trump administration ?
It 's premature to say anything like that .
But it is not premature to be asking the question and start digging .
I promise you , Joy Reid , this story is not going away and we will continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sense .
UPDATE : The SEC is investigating .
While I was writing this up , I found this further bit of stink , in an article about that in USA Today : An earlier report said that Kodak had carelessly leaked the news .
I 'm not sure which is worse .
And then there 's Trump :

I’ve written twice about the scandal lurking behind Trump’s very suspicious use of the Defense Production Act to loan Kodak $765 in taxpayer money to reconfigure itself as a pharmaceutical company – and, coincidentally greatly enrich its CEO at the same time, via well-timed stock options. It also just so happens that Kodak was a big sponsor of Trump's Celebrity Apprentice show.
Monday night, Joy Reid asked business correspondent Stephanie Ruhle, “What the heck is going on with this deal?”
RUHLE: Here’s why this deal stinks. Eastman Kodak filed for bankruptcy in 2011. Yes, it’s a huge storied company, with a huge American brand that squandered it. And in the age of digital, they lost their groove. They filed in 2012. They tried to get their groove back and failed. They tried to get into the cryptocurrency space. But even in the last year, executives have been guiding Wall Street, saying, “We might not be able to continue much longer.” They issued a deal in the spring because they didn't have enough money. So, here we are, a company with no pharmaceutical experience. Yes, they’ve got experience in making chemicals that had to do with developing film. No experience. So, if this administration wanted to say we're too dependent on getting drug ingredients from China, we want to bring it here, that makes a lot of sense. Guess what we have though, Joy? All sorts of viable drug companies that could do this. Eastman Kodak sure ain't one of them. That's my problem.
The supposed collateral for the loan is suspect, too. Although the company has emerged from bankruptcy, Ruhle questioned whether there's real assets protecting the public money given that the stock was trading at $2 a share before the loan was announced?
“Every lawmaker out there should be on the side of, at the very least, asking questions, as well as the SEC,” Ruhle said.
Reid raised the obvious question: Is there some kind of financial benefit to Trump in this deal?
Ruhle called it “premature” to draw such a conclusion but definitely time to start investigating.
RUHLE: Listen, it stinks to the high heavens. But is it premature to officially link the president or the executives of this company or their very large shareholders to the Trump administration? It's premature to say anything like that. But it is not premature to be asking the question and start digging. I promise you, Joy Reid, this story is not going away and we will continue to dig. It don't make sense.
UPDATE: The SEC is investigating. While I was writing this up, I found this further bit of stink, in an article about that in USA Today:
The details of the loan deal were revealed to local media outlets by the White House the day before the official announcement, which contributed to Kodak shares surging above $60. Shares of Kodak closed at $14.40 on Tuesday.
An earlier report said that Kodak had carelessly leaked the news. I'm not sure which is worse.
And then there's Trump:


crooksandliars--2020-08-05--'President' 'Trump' Endorses Susan Collins

The CNN host flat out flagged Kevin Hassert 's lies about how much a typical family gets on unemployment , @ @ @ @ @ claimed they do n't want to work .

Can you help us out?
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crooksandliars--2020-08-05--Teacher Protests Erupt As #DemandSafeSchools Takes Off

The hashtag # DemandSafeSchools lit up Twitter on Monday as teachers and students in districts across the country took part in protests over plans for in-person learning in fall despite safety concerns from Covid-19 .
Actions took place in dozens of major cities including Milwaukee , Chicago , Phoenix , and New York , with some advocates joining the day of action with virtual displays of support .
New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio has called for a hybrid learning model—a plan students and teachers taking part in Monday 's march said is n't safe , especially given school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We do n't have a cure , we do n't have a vaccine for Covid , and I do n't think the plans that have been presented by the mayor or the chancellor are safe , '' parent Dr. Kaliris Salas told local ABC7 .
A group of about 20 teachers in Columbus , Ohio on Monday put in clear terms the potential consequences of staff and students physically returning to schools while the pandemic still rages .
Messages on their cars windows included `` One dead child is one too many '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experiment . ''
To truly ensure safety in schools safe , the Demand Safe Schools coalition , a group that includes United Teachers Los Angels and the Center for Popular Democracy , laid out far-reaching demands : • No reopening until the scientific data supports it • All schools must be supported to function as community schools with adequate numbers of counselors and nurses and community/parent outreach workers • Safe conditions including lower class sizes , PPE , cleaning , testing , and other key protocols Equitable access to online learning • Support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ canceling rents and mortgages , a moratorium on evictions/foreclosures , providing direct cash assistance to those not able to work or who are unemployed , and other critical social needs • Moratorium on new charter or voucher programs and standardized testing • Massive infusion of federal money to support the reopening funded by taxing billionaires and Wall Street The Monday demonstrations came as a new Gallup poll revealed fewer parents want schools to have in person learning .
The survey conducted July 13-July 27 showed just 36 % of parents want full-time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's May 25-June 8 survey .
Support for full-time remote learning , meanwhile , spiked from just 7 % to 28 % .
Feelings about hybrid learning were relatively unchanged , with support dropping slightly from 37 % down to 36 % —though that learning model represents what Dr. William Hanage , an associate professor of epidemiology at Harvard 's T.H .
Chan School of Public Health , described last month as `` probably among the worst that we could be putting forward , if our goal is to stop the virus getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , meanwhile , continues to push for school reopenings .
That 's despite new estimates from researchers out of the University of Texas at Austin that showed , as the New York Times reported , `` Based on current infection rates , more than 80 percent of Americans live in a county where at least one infected person would be expected to show up to a school of 500 students and staff in the first week , if school started today . ''
Andrea Parker , a Chicago elementary school teacher , says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simply too great .
`` I do not want to put my students or myself in harm 's way , '' she said .
`` I do not want to be an experiment . ''
The Democratic Socialists of America ( DSA ) , which endorsed the Demand for Safe Schools campaign , said in a statement Monday that the problems schools are currently facing are exacerbated by years of inadequate funding .
`` Teachers across the country are being crushed by an international pandemic , years of austerity , and the shameful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said DSA national political committee member and parent Jen McKinney .
`` In this crisis , politicians have abandoned our children while families like mine lose their incomes .
We need economic support so our kids can stay home and safe , '' McKinney said , adding that she refuses to `` be pitted against school staff being forced back to work with inadequate PPE and no hazard pay while corporations are reaping untold billions of dollars in aid . ''

The hashtag #DemandSafeSchools lit up Twitter on Monday as teachers and students in districts across the country took part in protests over plans for in-person learning in fall despite safety concerns from Covid-19.
Actions took place in dozens of major cities including Milwaukee, Chicago, Phoenix, and New York, with some advocates joining the day of action with virtual displays of support.
New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio has called for a hybrid learning model—a plan students and teachers taking part in Monday's march said isn't safe, especially given school buildings' poor ventilation systems.
"We don't have a cure, we don't have a vaccine for Covid, and I don't think the plans that have been presented by the mayor or the chancellor are safe," parent Dr. Kaliris Salas told local ABC7.
“I want to be back in school when it’s safe,” says Annie Tan, a fifth-grade special-ed teacher in Sunset Park. “But I also don’t want kids to feel in a year’s time that their presence killed someone. I honestly think that’s going to happen” https://t.co/cVXesS83ky — New York Magazine (@NYMag) August 3, 2020
A group of about 20 teachers in Columbus, Ohio on Monday put in clear terms the potential consequences of staff and students physically returning to schools while the pandemic still rages.
Messages on their cars windows included "One dead child is one too many" and "We are not your science experiment."
To truly ensure safety in schools safe, the Demand Safe Schools coalition, a group that includes United Teachers Los Angels and the Center for Popular Democracy, laid out far-reaching demands:
No reopening until the scientific data supports it
Police-free schools
All schools must be supported to function as community schools with adequate numbers of counselors and nurses and community/parent outreach workers
Safe conditions including lower class sizes, PPE, cleaning, testing, and other key protocols Equitable access to online learning
Support for our communities and families, including canceling rents and mortgages, a moratorium on evictions/foreclosures, providing direct cash assistance to those not able to work or who are unemployed, and other critical social needs
Moratorium on new charter or voucher programs and standardized testing
Massive infusion of federal money to support the reopening funded by taxing billionaires and Wall Street
Equitable access to online learning
The Monday demonstrations came as a new Gallup poll revealed fewer parents want schools to have in person learning.
The survey conducted July 13-July 27 showed just 36% of parents want full-time, in-person schooling—a 20% drop from Gallup's May 25-June 8 survey. Support for full-time remote learning, meanwhile, spiked from just 7% to 28%. Feelings about hybrid learning were relatively unchanged, with support dropping slightly from 37% down to 36%—though that learning model represents what Dr. William Hanage, an associate professor of epidemiology at Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health, described last month as "probably among the worst that we could be putting forward, if our goal is to stop the virus getting into schools."
The Trump administration, meanwhile, continues to push for school reopenings. That's despite new estimates from researchers out of the University of Texas at Austin that showed, as the New York Times reported, "Based on current infection rates, more than 80 percent of Americans live in a county where at least one infected person would be expected to show up to a school of 500 students and staff in the first week, if school started today."
Andrea Parker, a Chicago elementary school teacher, says the health risks of in-person leaning are simply too great.
"I do not want to put my students or myself in harm's way," she said. "I do not want to be an experiment."
The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), which endorsed the Demand for Safe Schools campaign, said in a statement Monday that the problems schools are currently facing are exacerbated by years of inadequate funding.
"Teachers across the country are being crushed by an international pandemic, years of austerity, and the shameful, growing inequalities of our rigged economy," said DSA national political committee member and parent Jen McKinney.
"In this crisis, politicians have abandoned our children while families like mine lose their incomes. We need economic support so our kids can stay home and safe," McKinney said, adding that she refuses to "be pitted against school staff being forced back to work with inadequate PPE and no hazard pay while corporations are reaping untold billions of dollars in aid."
Republished from Common Dreams (Andrea Germanos, staff writer) under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License.


crooksandliars--2020-08-05--President Stupid Repeats Dangerous Lie That Covid Is 'Going Away', Children Are 'Virtually Immune'

Trump proved once again that he 's dangerously untethered to reality during a phone-in interview with is favorite morning show on his propaganda network .
Trump was asked about how we can safely reopen schools from cohost Pete Hegseth , and once again pretended that the coronavirus is going to just magically go away , and then lied about children being `` virtually immune '' to the virus .
TRUMP : My view is the schools should open .
This thing is going away .
It will go away like things go away .
And my view is that school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at children , children are almost , and I would almost say definitely , but almost immune from this disease .
So few ... and they ’ ve gotten stronger .
Hard to believe .
I don ’ t know how you feel about it , but they have much stronger immune systems than we do , somehow , for this .
And they do it ... they don ’ t have a problem .
They just don ’ t have a problem .
Here 's more on that from CNN : The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minor had died from coronavirus in the state of New Jersey and that he suspected the child was diabetic .
He also suggested that children under the diabetic child ’ s age were also even more immune .
Remember : But at least two children have died from coronavirus in New Jersey and both were under the age of five .
The President also said older teachers should wait out the pandemic before returning to work in classrooms .
Last month , Trump asserted that children do not catch or spread the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his children and grandchildren returning to school .
What we know about kids and coronavirus : CNN previously reported that researchers in South Korea have found that children between the ages of 10 and 19 can transmit Covid-19 within a household just as much as adults , according to research published in the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention journal Emerging Infectious Diseases .
They also found that children ages 9 and under transmitted the virus within their household at rates that were a lot lower .
US Surgeon General Jerome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though the risk to children getting coronavirus is low , they can still transmit it to others .
`` We know the risk is low to the actual students .
But we know they can transmit to others .
… We need to take measures to make sure we protect those who are vulnerable either because they are older or they have chronic medical conditions , '' Adams said .
And as The Guardian recently documented , Trump has been repeatedly been making the claim that the virus is going to just disappear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 January : ‘ We have it under control ’ And now we can add today to that list .

Trump proved once again that he's dangerously untethered to reality during a phone-in interview with is favorite morning show on his propaganda network.
Trump was asked about how we can safely reopen schools from cohost Pete Hegseth, and once again pretended that the coronavirus is going to just magically go away, and then lied about children being "virtually immune" to the virus.
TRUMP: My view is the schools should open. This thing is going away. It will go away like things go away. And my view is that school should be open. If you look at children, children are almost, and I would almost say definitely, but almost immune from this disease. So few... and they’ve gotten stronger. Hard to believe. I don’t know how you feel about it, but they have much stronger immune systems than we do, somehow, for this. And they do it... they don’t have a problem. They just don’t have a problem.
Here's more on that from CNN:
The President also brought up that only one minor had died from coronavirus in the state of New Jersey and that he suspected the child was diabetic. He also suggested that children under the diabetic child’s age were also even more immune. Remember: But at least two children have died from coronavirus in New Jersey and both were under the age of five. The President also said older teachers should wait out the pandemic before returning to work in classrooms. Last month, Trump asserted that children do not catch or spread the coronavirus easily and that he’s comfortable with his children and grandchildren returning to school. What we know about kids and coronavirus: CNN previously reported that researchers in South Korea have found that children between the ages of 10 and 19 can transmit Covid-19 within a household just as much as adults, according to research published in the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. They also found that children ages 9 and under transmitted the virus within their household at rates that were a lot lower. US Surgeon General Jerome Adams told CBS News last month that though the risk to children getting coronavirus is low, they can still transmit it to others. "We know the risk is low to the actual students. But we know they can transmit to others. … We need to take measures to make sure we protect those who are vulnerable either because they are older or they have chronic medical conditions," Adams said.
And as The Guardian recently documented, Trump has been repeatedly been making the claim that the virus is going to just disappear for the last six months:
20 January: ‘We have it under control’
26 February: ‘It’s going to disappear’
10 March: ‘It will go away’
29 April: ‘It’s gonna be gone’
11 May: ‘We have prevailed’
17 June: ‘It’s fading away’
19 July: ‘I’ll be right eventually’
And now we can add today to that list.


crooksandliars--2020-08-05--George Floyd Death-erism: Tucker Carlson 'Doubts' How Floyd Died

On Tuesday 's Tucker Carlson Tonight , the Fox host introduced us to a new low in racist propaganda : Deatherism .
It 's like birtherism , but casts doubt on the cause of death of George Floyd , rather than the birth of Barack Obama .
What 's the connection ?
Oh yeah Black men .
Transcript via Media Matters : TUCKER CARLSON ( HOST ) : On Memorial Day weekend of this year , a man called George Floyd died in police custody in Minneapolis , and America has not been the same since .
It may never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following that incident , Floyd 's death has been used to justify a nation-wide convulsion of violence , destruction , looting , and in some cases killing .
And all of that in addition to unprecedented levels of political upheaval , the wholesale reordering of our most basic institutions .
Floyd 's death changed everything .
It was a pivot point in American history .
No matter what your side you 're on , that is very clear at this point .
So with all of that in mind , the significance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ striking how little we really know months later about how exactly George Floyd died .
If only there were some medical record like an autopsy .
Or TWO .
Fox News allows this despicable racism .
Tucker should be off the air forever .

I thought Tucker Carlson fired his racist scriptwriter.
On Tuesday's Tucker Carlson Tonight, the Fox host introduced us to a new low in racist propaganda: Deatherism.
It's like birtherism, but casts doubt on the cause of death of George Floyd, rather than the birth of Barack Obama. What's the connection? Oh yeah Black men. Transcript via Media Matters:
TUCKER CARLSON (HOST): On Memorial Day weekend of this year, a man called George Floyd died in police custody in Minneapolis, and America has not been the same since. It may never be the same. In the months following that incident, Floyd's death has been used to justify a nation-wide convulsion of violence, destruction, looting, and in some cases killing. And all of that in addition to unprecedented levels of political upheaval, the wholesale reordering of our most basic institutions. Floyd's death changed everything. It was a pivot point in American history. No matter what your side you're on, that is very clear at this point. So with all of that in mind, the significance of the event in mind, it's striking how little we really know months later about how exactly George Floyd died.
If only there were some medical record like an autopsy. Or TWO.
Just a reminder that BOTH coroners agreed that the cops killed Floyd. Not the drugs, not the 'rona, not his panic attack.
2/2 Coroners believe that Geprge Floyd died as a direct result of the cops putting their knee on his neck for 8:36https://t.co/rSYcJZUyd9 — Weird Word Wyrd (@TomDI19) August 4, 2020
Fox News allows this despicable racism. Tucker should be off the air forever.


crooksandliars--2020-08-05--Cori Bush Pulls Off Stunning Upset In Missouri

This is amazing news .
The old guard of the Democratic party are falling by the wayside and a new , hopefully modern party is emerging .
Cori Bush lost to Rep. William Lacy Clay in 2018 .
Lacy Clay , and his father , Bill Clay , have represented Missouri 's first district since 1969 .
Cori Bush , a onetime homeless woman who led protests following a white police officer ’ s fatal shooting of a Black 18-year-old in Ferguson , ousted longtime Rep. William Lacy Clay Tuesday in Missouri ’ s Democratic primary , ending a political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half-century .
Bush ’ s victory came in a rematch of 2018 , when she failed to capitalize on a national Democratic wave that favored political newcomers such as Bush ’ s friend , Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez .
But this time around , Bush ’ s supporters said protests over the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis and outrage over racial injustice finally pushed her over the edge .
An emotional Bush , speaking to supporters while wearing a mask , said few people expected her to win .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ They called me — I ’ m just the protester , I ’ m just the activist with no name , no title and no real money .
That ’ s all they said that I was .
But St. Louis showed up today.
” And the final word to Cori Bush herself on what this means .

This is amazing news. The old guard of the Democratic party are falling by the wayside and a new, hopefully modern party is emerging. Cori Bush lost to Rep. William Lacy Clay in 2018.
Lacy Clay, and his father, Bill Clay, have represented Missouri's first district since 1969.
Source: Associated Press
Cori Bush, a onetime homeless woman who led protests following a white police officer’s fatal shooting of a Black 18-year-old in Ferguson, ousted longtime Rep. William Lacy Clay Tuesday in Missouri’s Democratic primary, ending a political dynasty that has spanned more than a half-century. Bush’s victory came in a rematch of 2018, when she failed to capitalize on a national Democratic wave that favored political newcomers such as Bush’s friend, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. But this time around, Bush’s supporters said protests over the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis and outrage over racial injustice finally pushed her over the edge. An emotional Bush, speaking to supporters while wearing a mask, said few people expected her to win. “They counted us out,” she said. “They called me — I’m just the protester, I’m just the activist with no name, no title and no real money. That’s all they said that I was. But St. Louis showed up today.”
This is a huge deal in St. Louis politics. Cori Bush (once homeless with two kids) ousts 20-year incumbent William Lacy Clay (whose dad also held the seat for three decades before him) on second try. First try was 2018, covered in Knock Down the House. https://t.co/z0XgNkv3jk — Jennifer 8. Lee (@jenny8lee) August 5, 2020
Cori Bush is one of the four candidates from the Netflix doc KNOCK DOWN THE HOUSE — well worth a watch. (Another is @AOC.) https://t.co/Yc8GtzNtiq — Alissa Wilkinson (@alissamarie) August 5, 2020
And the final word to Cori Bush herself on what this means.


crooksandliars--2020-08-05--Mike's Blog Round Up

Mike's Blog Round Up

Juanita Jean ’ s : It would probably be illegal to call a male “ Karen ” anything other than @ @ @ @ @ “ @ Sciencing_Bi ” is dead , but not from Coronavirus .
Calculated Risk : @ @ @ @ @ five percent compared to June 2019 .
How long can that last ?
Mock , @ @ @ @ @ now for the latest episode of “ What ’ s the Matter with Kansas ?
@ @ @ @ @ your quote of the day : `` My focus is to create a red-state model @ @ @ @ @ to say , 'See , we 've got a different way , and it works @ @ @ @ @ GOP Governor Sam Brownback , February 4 , 2013 . )
Guest blogging Mike 's @ @ @ @ @ is Jon Perr from Perrspectives .
Send your tips , recommendations , comments and angst @ @ @ @ @ com .

Juanita Jean’s: It would probably be illegal to call a male “Karen” anything other than “Tucker.”
Pharyngula: “@Sciencing_Bi” is dead, but not from Coronavirus.
Calculated Risk: House prices jumped by almost five percent compared to June 2019. How long can that last?
Mock, Paper, Scissors: And now for the latest episode of “What’s the Matter with Kansas?”
Speaking of which, your quote of the day:
"My focus is to create a red-state model that allows the Republican ticket to say, 'See, we've got a different way, and it works.'" (Kansas GOP Governor Sam Brownback, February 4, 2013.)
Guest blogging Mike's Blog Round Up this week is Jon Perr from Perrspectives. Send your tips, recommendations, comments and angst to mbru AT crooksandliars DOT com.


crooksandliars--2020-08-05--FINALLY: Missouri Voters Pass Constitutional Amendment Approving Medicaid Expansion


crooksandliars--2020-08-05--Poppy Harlow Calls Out Ex-Trump Adviser Who Says Extra $600 Will 'Stop Work'

Former White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett claimed on Tuesday that a “ typical median family ” is being paid $ 90,000 to stay home during the pandemic if they are receiving the $ 600 weekly federal unemployment benefits .
In an interview on CNN , host Poppy Harlow challenged the former Trump adviser when he downplayed the urgency of extending the unemployment benefits .
“ You and I don ’ t rely on $ 600 a week to pay our rent or feed our family , ” Harlow explained .
“ That ’ s not our situation .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And they stopped getting those checks on Friday and that ’ s why I don ’ t think it ’ s too far to say that it ’ s a failure [ of government ] .
” Harlow pointed to a recent analysis by Moody ’ s that concluded nearly 1 million jobs could be lost by the end of the year if the $ 600 benefit is slashed to $ 200 .
“ If you pay people a lot more to stay home than to go to work , then the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more people going to work , it just doesn ’ t add up , ” Hassett insisted .
“ But that ’ s not true , ” Harlow interrupted , pointing to a Yale study which found “ no evidence ” for Hassett ’ s claim .
“ It is wrong , ” Hassett replied .
“ Just think about the logic of it .
If you take a typical median family , say in Tennessee , that if they don ’ t go to work under the $ 600 plan then they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And if they do go to work , they get about $ 50,000 a year.
” “ And so the assertion that staying home and getting $ 90,000 and going to work and getting $ 50,000 that that ’ s not going to have an effect on your decisions , it just doesn ’ t add up , ” he continued .
“ It ’ s not economics.
” “ That ’ s not true , ” Harlow observed .
“ I believe and have heard from so many Americans that they want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to feel safe.
” The maximum weekly unemployment benefit in Tennessee is $ 275 .


crooksandliars--2020-08-06--Cartoon: The Grim Reaper's Harvest

Cartoon: The Grim Reaper's Harvest

Jerry Falwell Jr. sure sounded drunk Wednesday morning when he came up with a rambling , bizarre explanation for an @ @ @ @ @ a young woman , not his wife , each with their pants unzipped and folded @ @ @ @ @ up .


crooksandliars--2020-08-06--Looks Like Deutsche Bank Already Handed Over Documents To Cy Vance

The walls are closing in around Donald Trump , his kids and his company and he ca n't pardon his way out of this .
These are state charges and they will stick .
The New York Times is reporting that New York prosecutors subpoenaed his longtime bank , Deutsche Bank and that their investigation appears to be even more broad than initially thought based on the Supreme Court testimony from just a few months back .
The Manhattan D.A.
, Cy Vance , issued the subpoena last year , seeking financial records that Trump and his company gave to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applications for loans .
It was intitally suspected that Vance 's office was seeking documents related to the hush money payments to Trump 's mistresses .
Now it appears to be significantly broader .
In a court filing earlier this week , Vance 's office cited “ public reports of possibly extensive and protracted criminal conduct at the Trump Organization ” , which was a clear indication that they were also looking into crimes related to the bank and insurance fraud .
Although Deutsche Bank has been the subject of many investigations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the target directly on Donald Trump 's back .
And this investigation is a criminal inquiry .
The real issue for Donald Trump is this : Deutsche Bank COMPLIED .
They handed over documents and records .
They did not go to court to stop it .
Did Donald Trump know or is he just finding out today ?
It is very possible that only a limited amount of people at the bank were involved in providing documents .
All it takes is a dropbox link and this could be handled in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bank responded without a fight is a serious problem for Donald Trump .
This is a SERIOUS threat to Trump and his family .
These would be state charges , not protected by a presidential pardon .
It is not clear how far along they are in the investigation and it is possible that nothing may come out of it , but that is unlikely based on testimony given by Trump 's former `` personal fixer '' , Michael Cohen .
He told Congress that Trump `` exaggerated the value of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in dealings with his insurance company . ''
The public should not get overly excited , though , as these financial records would be subject to grand jury secrecy rules and will not be released publicly .
The only time we would get more information is if charges are filed and if documents are introduced during a trial .
Then , those would become public unless sealed by a judge .
Keep an eye on this .
State charges are the only way Trump or his family will ever be convicted of @ @

The walls are closing in around Donald Trump, his kids and his company and he can't pardon his way out of this. These are state charges and they will stick. The New York Times is reporting that New York prosecutors subpoenaed his longtime bank, Deutsche Bank and that their investigation appears to be even more broad than initially thought based on the Supreme Court testimony from just a few months back.
The Manhattan D.A., Cy Vance, issued the subpoena last year, seeking financial records that Trump and his company gave to the bank, probably as part of applications for loans. It was intitally suspected that Vance's office was seeking documents related to the hush money payments to Trump's mistresses. Now it appears to be significantly broader. In a court filing earlier this week, Vance's office cited “public reports of possibly extensive and protracted criminal conduct at the Trump Organization”, which was a clear indication that they were also looking into crimes related to the bank and insurance fraud.
Although Deutsche Bank has been the subject of many investigations, this is the most direct one placing the target directly on Donald Trump's back. And this investigation is a criminal inquiry.
The real issue for Donald Trump is this:
Deutsche Bank complied with the subpoena. Over a period of months last year, it provided Mr. Vance’s office with detailed records, including financial statements and other materials that Mr. Trump had provided to the bank as he sought loans, according to two of the people familiar with the inquiry.
Deutsche Bank COMPLIED. They handed over documents and records. They did not go to court to stop it. Did Donald Trump know or is he just finding out today? It is very possible that only a limited amount of people at the bank were involved in providing documents. All it takes is a dropbox link and this could be handled in a matter of hours.
The fact that the bank responded without a fight is a serious problem for Donald Trump. This is a SERIOUS threat to Trump and his family. These would be state charges, not protected by a presidential pardon. It is not clear how far along they are in the investigation and it is possible that nothing may come out of it, but that is unlikely based on testimony given by Trump's former "personal fixer", Michael Cohen. He told Congress that Trump "exaggerated the value of his real estate assets as he sought loans and in dealings with his insurance company."
The public should not get overly excited, though, as these financial records would be subject to grand jury secrecy rules and will not be released publicly. The only time we would get more information is if charges are filed and if documents are introduced during a trial. Then, those would become public unless sealed by a judge.
Keep an eye on this. State charges are the only way Trump or his family will ever be convicted of anything.


crooksandliars--2020-08-06--Never-Trumpers Smack Down His Cynical Use Of Religion For Political Gain

Donald Trump 's stump speech is a long list of grievances , real and imagined .
But the one that is the most cynical is his slam on Biden , a lifelong Catholic , as someone who will `` hurt the Bible , hurt God . ''
At an event in Cleveland , he told his audience that Biden will `` take away your guns , destroy your 2nd amendment '' before launching into the meat and potatoes list of canned and bogus grievances .
`` No religion , no anything , '' he droned .
`` Hurt the Bible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God , he 's against guns , he 's against energy , our kind of energy . ''
Like I said , a perfunctory list of button-pushing issues with no real passion behind it .
Or facts , given that Joe Biden is a lifelong Catholic who lives his life according to those beliefs .
It turns out that Republican Voters Against Trump , a group of Never-Trumpers with some money behind them , are n't willing to sit back and let that list of grievances go unanswered .
( Yes , Bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guy .
I 'm not extolling his virtues but it 's still a good smackdown ) He does n't care about God any more than he cares about guns .
He may care about energy to the extent that Texas oil money is backing him , but that 's about it .
It 's about time he was called out for it .
Believers for Biden is a real thing , and Jill Biden is doing a National Call-to-Action with them tonight .
But do n't tell Trump .
Let him stew in @ @ @ @

Donald Trump's stump speech is a long list of grievances, real and imagined. But the one that is the most cynical is his slam on Biden, a lifelong Catholic, as someone who will "hurt the Bible, hurt God."
At an event in Cleveland, he told his audience that Biden will "take away your guns, destroy your 2nd amendment" before launching into the meat and potatoes list of canned and bogus grievances.
"No religion, no anything," he droned. "Hurt the Bible, hurt God. He's against God, he's against guns, he's against energy, our kind of energy."
Like I said, a perfunctory list of button-pushing issues with no real passion behind it. Or facts, given that Joe Biden is a lifelong Catholic who lives his life according to those beliefs.
It turns out that Republican Voters Against Trump, a group of Never-Trumpers with some money behind them, aren't willing to sit back and let that list of grievances go unanswered. (Yes, Bill Kristol is their political director. That guy. I'm not extolling his virtues but it's still a good smackdown)
I assume some people in this photograph are going to step forward and caution the president against the presumptuous, not to say blasphemous, claim that a political rival is "against God." Or is that the kind of religion, is that the kind of Christianity, they embrace? pic.twitter.com/fRgzRmtguo — Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) August 6, 2020
Trump: Biden is “against the Bible.”
Six Republican voters against Trump respond eloquently to Trump’s attempt to use the Bible and Christianity for his own, un-Christian, benefit.@RVAT2020 pic.twitter.com/lAZLHvyJWd — Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) August 6, 2020
He doesn't care about God any more than he cares about guns. He may care about energy to the extent that Texas oil money is backing him, but that's about it. It's about time he was called out for it.
Believers for Biden is a real thing, and Jill Biden is doing a National Call-to-Action with them tonight. But don't tell Trump. Let him stew in his own delusion.


crooksandliars--2020-08-06--Pelosi: You've Mistaken Republicans For 'Someone Who Gives A Damn'

As we all wait with bated breath to see if the Senate will crater the economy by yanking boosted unemployment benefits out from under working people and allow them to be evicted from their homes , thereby sparking a large-scale meltdown and possibly worse depression than the Great Depression , Jim Cramer is there on CNBC to fight for the little guy .
Or so he claims , anyway .
I 'm skeptical .
Earlier this morning while speaking to Nancy Pelosi he asked why SHE could n't reach across the aisle to see if they 'd agree to honor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who most need help .
He was passionate , as if he was ready to launch yet another `` populist uprising '' like 2009 , with Pelosi barely suppressing a laugh as he went on .
`` Perhaps you mistook them for somebody who gives a damn for what you just described , '' she replied coolly .
`` That 's the problem . ''
`` The thing is , they do n't believe in governance .
They do n't believe in governance and that requires some acts of government to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That is all .
She knows she 's got the leverage and she 's using it .

As we all wait with bated breath to see if the Senate will crater the economy by yanking boosted unemployment benefits out from under working people and allow them to be evicted from their homes, thereby sparking a large-scale meltdown and possibly worse depression than the Great Depression, Jim Cramer is there on CNBC to fight for the little guy.
Or so he claims, anyway. I'm skeptical. Earlier this morning while speaking to Nancy Pelosi he asked why SHE couldn't reach across the aisle to see if they'd agree to honor John Lewis by taking care of the people who most need help. He was passionate, as if he was ready to launch yet another "populist uprising" like 2009, with Pelosi barely suppressing a laugh as he went on.
"Perhaps you mistook them for somebody who gives a damn for what you just described," she replied coolly. "That's the problem."
"The thing is, they don't believe in governance. They don't believe in governance and that requires some acts of government to do that," she continued.
QUEEN. That is all. She knows she's got the leverage and she's using it.


crooksandliars--2020-08-06--Jaime Harrison: 'I Think Lindsey Graham Is Scared'

If Lindsey Graham is n't scared of losing to Democrat Jaime Harrison he probably should be by now .
Harrison is well-financed , and is said to be running the most grassroots campaign South Carolina has ever seen .
A poll released today by Quinnipiac has Harrison 44 - Graham 44 , backing up the poll released two days ago by Morning Consult that had Graham with a 1 point lead .
Three months away from the general election and Democratic candidate Jaime Harrison 's eye is on Capitol Hill .
The former South Carolina Democratic Party chairman is fighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November .
`` Even in this current crisis , that folks realize that Lindsey Graham has been in Washington , DC for well over 25 years and he 's not addressing the issues that are really important , '' said Harrison .
A Morning Consult poll showed Tuesday the Democratic challenger trailing Graham by one percent .
Seven-hundred and fifty people took the survey and marked that they would be likely to vote in the upcoming election cycle .
`` I think Lindsey Graham is scared .
I think he 's worried .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ play Washington 's political games .
I 'm in this race to address the issues that people are dealing with on a day-to-day basis .
And so I think we are seeing in these poll results that people are ready for a change , '' said Harrison .
WACH FOX News also reached out to Graham 's campaign team for a statement .
Because this poll is conducted entirely online and excludes the opinions of numerous voters , the results are far different than what our internal polling shows .
But one thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more voters find out about how radically liberal Jaime Harrison is , the less they support him .
You know they 're in trouble when they have to resort to whining about polling methodology .
Instead of just whining , Graham 's campaign should be more concerned that was once a double-digit cakewalk is now essentially tied , and that he 's in a fight for his political life .

If Lindsey Graham isn't scared of losing to Democrat Jaime Harrison he probably should be by now. Harrison is well-financed, and is said to be running the most grassroots campaign South Carolina has ever seen.
A poll released today by Quinnipiac has Harrison 44 - Graham 44, backing up the poll released two days ago by Morning Consult that had Graham with a 1 point lead.
Source: WACH, Fox57
Three months away from the general election and Democratic candidate Jaime Harrison's eye is on Capitol Hill. The former South Carolina Democratic Party chairman is fighting to unseat Republican Senator Lindsey Graham this November. "Even in this current crisis, that folks realize that Lindsey Graham has been in Washington, DC for well over 25 years and he's not addressing the issues that are really important," said Harrison. A Morning Consult poll showed Tuesday the Democratic challenger trailing Graham by one percent. Seven-hundred and fifty people took the survey and marked that they would be likely to vote in the upcoming election cycle. "I think Lindsey Graham is scared. I think he's worried. I'm not in this race to play Washington's political games. I'm in this race to address the issues that people are dealing with on a day-to-day basis. And so I think we are seeing in these poll results that people are ready for a change," said Harrison. WACH FOX News also reached out to Graham's campaign team for a statement. Because this poll is conducted entirely online and excludes the opinions of numerous voters, the results are far different than what our internal polling shows. But one thing is consistent in all polling: the more voters find out about how radically liberal Jaime Harrison is, the less they support him.
You know they're in trouble when they have to resort to whining about polling methodology.
Instead of just whining, Graham's campaign should be more concerned that was once a double-digit cakewalk is now essentially tied, and that he's in a fight for his political life.
Third consecutive poll: Lindsey Graham is in trouble. https://t.co/PYPOzwKRSm — Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) August 4, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-08-06--As Florida Nursing Home Residents Died, Trump Donors Raked In Federal Handouts

Florida facilities connected to Eliezer ( `` Lazer '' ) Scheiner of New York have the worst outbreaks of COVID in the state , yet with the $ 3mil Scheiner raised for Trump , he was able to get much more than what he paid for .
A few months after the fundraising event , Trump would relax oversight of nursing homes , right in time for the devastation of COVID-19 .
Couple that with the tens of millions in federal handouts from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services .
And they want still more , including liability from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negligence .
( Their point man is Mitch McConnell . )
All in all , a pretty healthy return on investment , even if that meant more nursing home residents would die .
The day before Williams learned that her mother had COVID , Southern Oaks reported that 92 residents and 15 employees at the 210-bed facility had tested positive for the virus — the most cases of any nursing home in the state at that point .
It ’ s one of a number of troubled Florida facilities connected to Eliezer Scheiner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has made headlines for the poor quality of care in his homes in other states , although the connections are obscured in records .
He is also known for his fundraising for President Donald Trump .
Nursing homes , which rely almost exclusively on state and federal payments from Medicaid and Medicare , are heavy political spenders and not shy about flexing that political muscle .
As COVID-19 has led to more than 150,000 cases and more than 40,000 deaths nationwide in nursing homes , owners have pushed for immunity from lawsuits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That is despite the fact that problems at some homes predate the virus and that industry insiders acknowledge many nursing homes didn ’ t have sufficient infection controls to stop the spread of the highly contagious COVID-19 .
While they ’ ve had mixed success in winning immunity , nursing homes have gotten nearly $ 10 billion in federal funds from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services to help offset COVID-19 costs .
Late last year , Scheiner organized a fundraiser that brought in roughly $ 3 million to support Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 750,000 himself .
“ I want to thank Eli Scheiner for doing such an incredible job , ” Trump said at last year ’ s fundraiser .

Florida facilities connected to Eliezer ("Lazer") Scheiner of New York have the worst outbreaks of COVID in the state, yet with the $3mil Scheiner raised for Trump, he was able to get much more than what he paid for. A few months after the fundraising event, Trump would relax oversight of nursing homes, right in time for the devastation of COVID-19. Couple that with the tens of millions in federal handouts from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services. And they want still more, including liability from an potential lawsuits due to their gross negligence. (Their point man is Mitch McConnell.) All in all, a pretty healthy return on investment, even if that meant more nursing home residents would die.
Source: McClatchy
The day before Williams learned that her mother had COVID, Southern Oaks reported that 92 residents and 15 employees at the 210-bed facility had tested positive for the virus — the most cases of any nursing home in the state at that point.
It’s one of a number of troubled Florida facilities connected to Eliezer Scheiner, a New York nursing home operator who has made headlines for the poor quality of care in his homes in other states, although the connections are obscured in records. He is also known for his fundraising for President Donald Trump.
Nursing homes, which rely almost exclusively on state and federal payments from Medicaid and Medicare, are heavy political spenders and not shy about flexing that political muscle. As COVID-19 has led to more than 150,000 cases and more than 40,000 deaths nationwide in nursing homes, owners have pushed for immunity from lawsuits stemming from their handling of the virus. That is despite the fact that problems at some homes predate the virus and that industry insiders acknowledge many nursing homes didn’t have sufficient infection controls to stop the spread of the highly contagious COVID-19.
While they’ve had mixed success in winning immunity, nursing homes have gotten nearly $10 billion in federal funds from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services to help offset COVID-19 costs.
Late last year, Scheiner organized a fundraiser that brought in roughly $3 million to support Trump’s re-election bid, giving $750,000 himself.
“I want to thank Eli Scheiner for doing such an incredible job,” Trump said at last year’s fundraiser.


crooksandliars--2020-08-06--Fox Follows Trump In Desperate Attack On Biden: 'Mentally Impaired'

A running theme over on Fox `` news , '' a.k.a .
State-TV , or Trump-TV for months on end now has been to try to project one of Trump 's biggest problems -- the fact that the man babbles incoherently and has trouble pronouncing so many words that I 've lost count of how many of these gaffes he 's made -- which has caused many have questioned whether he 's suffering from the early stages of Alzheimer 's or has some other sort of cognitive issue -- and accuse his opponent Joe Biden of the same thing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their projection this week with a mash-up of just a few of those gaffes : On this morning 's Fox & Friends , cohost Brian Kilmeade actually has the gall to say this about Joe Biden during yet another segment where they were attacking his mental acuity : This Is no time for someone that ca n't find a vowel in a sentence , let alone make a coherent statement on policy .
This was after they played maybe ten or so seconds out of a longer two minute back and forth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News .
You can watch the entire exchange below , where you can see that Biden 's response was quite coherent .
Biden overcame a stutter he had as a child , and still struggles with it on occasion .
Fox has shamefully been playing Trump 's game and showing clips like the one in the clip at the top of this post in an endless loop on the network .
Here 's the transcript of Biden 's response to the question on China that Fox took out of context in a disgusting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : LULU GARCIA-NAVARRO : President Trump is not the first president to say China is ripping off the United States .
President Obama made similar complaints .
Some have said Trump 's stance is a good one to counter China 's influence .
Would you keep the tariffs ?
JOE BIDEN : No .
Hey , look , who said Trump 's idea is a good one ?
Who said Trump 's idea is a good one ?
JOE BIDEN : Some .
Two or three people .
Manufacturing has gone in recession @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taxpayers had to pay .
We 're going after China in the wrong way .
China is stealing intellectual property .
China is conditioning being able to do business in China based on whether or not you have 51 % Chinese ownership .
That 's got to end .
I 've spent a fair amount of time when I was vice president with President Xi , because the president wanted me to get to know him .
He 's no democrat with a small D at all .
But here 's the deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LULU GARCIA-NAVARRO : So if he scraps those tariffs , what do you want in return ?
Or are you just going to scrap them without any concessions ?
JOE BIDEN : No , no , no .
Here 's the deal .
The question is , what is the appropriate behavior that they have to engage in in international trade with us ?
And they have to play by the international rules .
And what we have done is we have disarmed ourselves .
We make up 25 % of the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finger in the eye of all of our allies out there .
The way Trump -- the way China will respond is when we gather the rest of the world that in fact [ INAUDIBLE ] in open trade , and making sure that we 're in a position that the world -- that we deal with WHO the right way .
In fact , that 's when things began to change .
That 's when China -- that 's when China 's behavior is going to change .

A running theme over on Fox "news," a.k.a. State-TV, or Trump-TV for months on end now has been to try to project one of Trump's biggest problems -- the fact that the man babbles incoherently and has trouble pronouncing so many words that I've lost count of how many of these gaffes he's made -- which has caused many have questioned whether he's suffering from the early stages of Alzheimer's or has some other sort of cognitive issue -- and accuse his opponent Joe Biden of the same thing.
The Daily Show did a brilliant parody of their projection this week with a mash-up of just a few of those gaffes:
On this morning's Fox & Friends, cohost Brian Kilmeade actually has the gall to say this about Joe Biden during yet another segment where they were attacking his mental acuity:
This Is no time for someone that can't find a vowel in a sentence, let alone make a coherent statement on policy.
This was after they played maybe ten or so seconds out of a longer two minute back and forth of an interview Biden gave to Yahoo News. You can watch the entire exchange below, where you can see that Biden's response was quite coherent.
Biden overcame a stutter he had as a child, and still struggles with it on occasion. Fox has shamefully been playing Trump's game and showing clips like the one in the clip at the top of this post in an endless loop on the network.
Here's the transcript of Biden's response to the question on China that Fox took out of context in a disgusting attempt to paint him as mentally impaired:


crooksandliars--2020-08-06--NY Attorney General Sues National Rifle Association

Florida facilities connected to Eliezer Scheiner of New York have the worst outbreaks of COVID in the state , yet @ @ @ @ @ raised for Trump , he was able to get restrictions relaxed on nursing homes and @ @ @ @ @ ... ]

We are seeking to dissolve the NRA for years of self-dealing and illegal conduct that violate New York’s charities laws and undermine its own mission.
The NRA diverted millions of dollars away from its charitable mission for personal use by senior leadership.
— NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) August 6, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-08-06--Peter Navarro Relies On Dilbert Cartoonist For Hydroxychloroquine Expertise

Peter Navarro is like a QVC host when it comes to Hydroxychloroquine .
One has to assume his personal investments in this drug are so massive that he is impelled to promote the fake cure as if his entire fortune depends on it .
In the latest sales pitch , Navarro told CNN 's Erin Burnett that a video by Dilbert cartoonist ( and right winger ) Scott Adams would answer all her questions and definitely seal the deal on this great offer !
Free shipping !
Call now !
PETER NAVARRO : I reach out to all your viewers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right ?
He ’ s the guy who wrote the Dilbert cartoon .
He did a beautiful ten-minute video on Twitter , and the thesis of the video is that CNN might be killing thousands because of the way they ’ ve treated that .
So , I would just ask—I ’ ll let Scott Adams ’ video be my defense on this .
Erin Burnett was n't buying .
`` I find that to be offensive because he ’ s a comic strip writer . ''
She then name-checked actual doctors : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Dr. Deborah Birx , none of whom have endorsed hydroxychloroquine as a cure for COVID .
Navarro barked back .
Birx had not “ come out against hydroxychloroquine , ” and then Burnett played an actual video of Birx saying “ no evidence that the drug improves those patients ’ outcomes , whether they have mild-to-moderate disease or whether they ’ re seriously ill in the hospital.
” And then the truth comes out : NAVARRO : Let me tell you why I got involved with this .
I got involved with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coordinator I ’ m literally sitting on 63 million tablets , 63 million tablets , of hydroxychloroquine that would help possibly four million Americans stay alive .
And so I ’ ve got that stake in the game .
You BET on this drug and you LOST , Peter .
All the right-wing cartoonists in the world ca n't help you now .

Peter Navarro is like a QVC host when it comes to Hydroxychloroquine. One has to assume his personal investments in this drug are so massive that he is impelled to promote the fake cure as if his entire fortune depends on it.
In the latest sales pitch, Navarro told CNN's Erin Burnett that a video by Dilbert cartoonist (and right winger) Scott Adams would answer all her questions and definitely seal the deal on this great offer! Free shipping! Call now!
PETER NAVARRO: I reach out to all your viewers. Scott Adams—you know Scott Adams, right? He’s the guy who wrote the Dilbert cartoon. He did a beautiful ten-minute video on Twitter, and the thesis of the video is that CNN might be killing thousands because of the way they’ve treated that. So, I would just ask—I’ll let Scott Adams’ video be my defense on this.
Erin Burnett wasn't buying. "I find that to be offensive because he’s a comic strip writer."
She then name-checked actual doctors: Dr. Fauci, Dr. Brett Giroir, and Dr. Deborah Birx, none of whom have endorsed hydroxychloroquine as a cure for COVID.
Navarro barked back. Birx had not “come out against hydroxychloroquine,” and then Burnett played an actual video of Birx saying “no evidence that the drug improves those patients’ outcomes, whether they have mild-to-moderate disease or whether they’re seriously ill in the hospital.”
And then the truth comes out:
NAVARRO: Let me tell you why I got involved with this. I got involved with this because as a Defense Production Act coordinator I’m literally sitting on 63 million tablets, 63 million tablets, of hydroxychloroquine that would help possibly four million Americans stay alive. And so I’ve got that stake in the game.
You BET on this drug and you LOST, Peter. All the right-wing cartoonists in the world can't help you now.
Exactly. So he should leave dispensing medical advice to the professionals like Drs. Birx and Fauci and stop spreading misinformation. — Cedric Robert (@Robert6Cedric) August 6, 2020
These people are highly invested in hydroxychloriquine (sp) - it’s always about the money. — susan trappe (@sjtrappe) August 6, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-08-06--Pence Calls Chief Justice John Roberts A ‘Disappointment To Conservatives’

Conservatives dismayed that Trump has n't ended Obamacare , DACA , rolled back anti-discrimination laws , and ended safe and legal abortion yet .
Or put another way , conservatives dismayed to find that they 're still in the twenty-first century and not the 1950s .
Pence spoke to Christian Broadcast Network 's David Brody in an interview to be published today .
Vice President Pence said in an interview scheduled to be broadcast Thursday that Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. has been a “ disappointment to conservatives , ” as he sought to elevate the importance of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... .
“ Look , we have great respect for the institution of the Supreme Court of the United States , but Chief Justice John Roberts has been a disappointment to conservatives , ” Pence said .
He cited Roberts ’ s role in upholding the Affordable Care Act and “ a spate ” of more recent decisions , including one last month in which the court rejected a Nevada church ’ s request to block the state ’ s cap on attendees for religious services amid the coronavirus pandemic .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court are a reminder of just how important this election is for the future of the Supreme Court , ” Pence said .
“ We remember the issue back in 2016 , which I believe loomed large in voters ’ decisions between Hillary Clinton and the man who became president of the United States .
”

Conservatives dismayed that Trump hasn't ended Obamacare, DACA, rolled back anti-discrimination laws, and ended safe and legal abortion yet. Or put another way, conservatives dismayed to find that they're still in the twenty-first century and not the 1950s. Pence spoke to Christian Broadcast Network's David Brody in an interview to be published today.
Source: Washington Post
Vice President Pence said in an interview scheduled to be broadcast Thursday that Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. has been a “disappointment to conservatives,” as he sought to elevate the importance of the high court in the coming presidential election....
“Look, we have great respect for the institution of the Supreme Court of the United States, but Chief Justice John Roberts has been a disappointment to conservatives,” Pence said. He cited Roberts’s role in upholding the Affordable Care Act and “a spate” of more recent decisions, including one last month in which the court rejected a Nevada church’s request to block the state’s cap on attendees for religious services amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“I think several cases out of the Supreme Court are a reminder of just how important this election is for the future of the Supreme Court,” Pence said. “We remember the issue back in 2016, which I believe loomed large in voters’ decisions between Hillary Clinton and the man who became president of the United States.”


crooksandliars--2020-08-06--Professor Allan Lichtman, Who's Always Right, Predicts Biden Will Win. But...

He could be right -- but this is 2020 , where just about anything could happen ( and has ) @ @ @ @ @ betting the bank .
Via USAToday : WASHINGTON – American University Professor Allan Lichtman , @ @ @ @ @ predicting American presidential elections , says former Vice President Joe Biden will beat President Donald @ @ @ @ @ .
Lichtman , a political historian who has correctly predicted the outcomes of all presidential @ @ @ @ @ an asterisk , was one of the few forecasters who projected in 2016 Trump would @ @ @ @ @ also correctly predicting Trump would be impeached as president .
He uses a `` 13 @ @ @ @ @ designed to decide who will emerge victorious .
It includes factors like the advantage of @ @ @ @ @ economic figures , scandals , social unrest , and more .
`` The keys predict @ @ @ @ @ White House , '' Lichtman stated Wednesday in a New York Times video op-ed .

He could be right -- but this is 2020, where just about anything could happen (and has), so I'm not betting the bank. Via USAToday:
WASHINGTON – American University Professor Allan Lichtman, who is well-known for accurately predicting American presidential elections, says former Vice President Joe Biden will beat President Donald Trump in the November election.
Lichtman, a political historian who has correctly predicted the outcomes of all presidential elections since 1984, with an asterisk, was one of the few forecasters who projected in 2016 Trump would become the 45th president while also correctly predicting Trump would be impeached as president.
He uses a "13 key factors" system he designed to decide who will emerge victorious. It includes factors like the advantage of incumbency, long and short-term economic figures, scandals, social unrest, and more.
"The keys predict that Trump will lose the White House," Lichtman stated Wednesday in a New York Times video op-ed.


crooksandliars--2020-08-06--GOP Ratfckers Are Back, Using Kanye West To Try To Split The Vote

Chris Hayes called out the Republican hacks who are working hard to get Kanye West on ballots around the country .
“ At least five Republicans are involved in trying to get West on the ballot in various states , including a convention delegate for Donald Trump and a guy under who was under consideration to be Trump ’ s campaign manager in 2015 , ” Hayes said .
“ Basically , most everyone involved in Kanye West ’ s kind of , sort of presidential campaign — if you can call it that — they ’ re all just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be used the same way Jill Stein , Gary Johnson , and Evan McMullin were .
He pointed out that Johnson pulled more than four million votes .
Stein got over a million .
“ The Republican party has to do this kind of thing , ” Hayes said .
“ It ’ s been doing it since Nixon and probably before .
But particularly now , it is not a majoritarian party .
It is not even close .
And when you start strategizing how to keep the presidency with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you represent a minority , this is what it starts to look like .
`` Voter suppression , improper influence from cronies in government , and that cynical effort to use Kanye West to your advantage.
” More coverage from Wednesday 's The ReidOut :

Chris Hayes called out the Republican hacks who are working hard to get Kanye West on ballots around the country.
“At least five Republicans are involved in trying to get West on the ballot in various states, including a convention delegate for Donald Trump and a guy under who was under consideration to be Trump’s campaign manager in 2015,” Hayes said.
“Basically, most everyone involved in Kanye West’s kind of, sort of presidential campaign — if you can call it that — they’re all just Republican hacks.”
Hayes explained how West would be used the same way Jill Stein, Gary Johnson, and Evan McMullin were. He pointed out that Johnson pulled more than four million votes. Stein got over a million.
“The Republican party has to do this kind of thing,” Hayes said.
“It’s been doing it since Nixon and probably before. But particularly now, it is not a majoritarian party. It is not even close. And when you start strategizing how to keep the presidency with a minority of voters, when you accept you represent a minority, this is what it starts to look like.
"Voter suppression, improper influence from cronies in government, and that cynical effort to use Kanye West to your advantage.”
More coverage from Wednesday's The ReidOut:


crooksandliars--2020-08-07--In Poland, The Left Proudly Wears The Rainbow

Fox 's Pete Hegseth did his best to lay the blame for creating uncertainty for businesses on governors and the @ @ @ @ @ country , rather than Dear Leader for allowing the coronavirus pandemic to get out of @ @ @ @ @ ]

Today in #Sejm @AndrzejDuda is being sworn in as Polish president. Members of Left coalition came in rainbow mask and... look ❤🧡💛💚💙💜 The kind of solidarity we need after campaign of hate, thank you! Rainbow is not an offence, #LGBT are human beings #Poland pic.twitter.com/dj26Y9UTJd
— Magda Dropek (@magdadropek) August 6, 2020


Trump Hoaxed America

`` Donald Trump is the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on America , '' says the new ad by the Meiselas @ @ @ @ @ with that .
President Donald Trump ’ s penchant for crying “ hoax ” gets @ @ @ @ @ ad from the progressive PAC MeidasTouch .
The spot released Friday starts by defining “ @ @ @ @ @ intended to deceive or defraud.
” It cuts to footage of Trump dismissing the climate @ @ @ @ @ and the coronavirus pandemic as such .
But “ the hoax is coming from inside @ @ @ @ @ on the screen concludes .
Someone who is definitely not a fan of their new @ @ @ @ @ He tweeted this out this morning , unprompted .
You know he 's seen it @ @ @ @ @ millions of other people .

"Donald Trump is the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on America," says the new ad by the Meiselas brothers. Hard to disagree with that.
Source: Huffington Post
President Donald Trump’s penchant for crying “hoax” gets the treatment in a new ad from the progressive PAC MeidasTouch.
The spot released Friday starts by defining “hoax” as “something intended to deceive or defraud.” It cuts to footage of Trump dismissing the climate crisis, the Russia investigation and the coronavirus pandemic as such.
But “the hoax is coming from inside the house,” text on the screen concludes.