politicususa--2020-12-17--Joe Biden Will Get COVID Vaccine Publicly Sometime in the Next Week

Leadership is about setting the right example .
With that thought in mind , former president ’ s Bill Clinton , George W. Bush and Barack Obama all plan on getting a COVID vaccine while being filmed .
The reason is obvious .
It is exciting that there are multiple strains of the vaccine available , they will not hit their objective if enough people don ’ t take advantage of it .
There are multiple groups that are seemingly leery about getting vaccinated .
Republican voters are cautious after the entire party has been spreading misinformation about COVID-19 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ African Americans , a group that has been hit incredibly hard by COVID , also have a history of worry about inoculations .
Survey ’ s have shown they very few of them plan on getting the vaccine .
So Joe Biden also plans on showing leadership by publicly getting vaccinated .
He told reporters on Wednesday , “ I don ’ t want to get ahead of the line , but I want to make sure we demonstrate to the American people that it is safe to take .
When I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publicly , so you can all witness my getting it done.
” This is set to happen next week .
But Mike Pence will be getting a public vaccine before Biden .
The Vice President , his wife Karen and Surgeon General Jerome Adams will all be getting vaccinated on Friday afternoon at the White House .

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
Leadership is about setting the right example. With that thought in mind, former president’s Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama all plan on getting a COVID vaccine while being filmed.
The reason is obvious. It is exciting that there are multiple strains of the vaccine available, they will not hit their objective if enough people don’t take advantage of it.
There are multiple groups that are seemingly leery about getting vaccinated. Republican voters are cautious after the entire party has been spreading misinformation about COVID-19 and downplaying the danger of the virus.
African Americans, a group that has been hit incredibly hard by COVID, also have a history of worry about inoculations. Survey’s have shown they very few of them plan on getting the vaccine.
So Joe Biden also plans on showing leadership by publicly getting vaccinated. He told reporters on Wednesday, “I don’t want to get ahead of the line, but I want to make sure we demonstrate to the American people that it is safe to take. When I do it, I’ll do it publicly, so you can all witness my getting it done.”
This is set to happen next week. But Mike Pence will be getting a public vaccine before Biden. The Vice President, his wife Karen and Surgeon General Jerome Adams will all be getting vaccinated on Friday afternoon at the White House.


politicususa--2020-12-16--Trump Is Throwing A Temper Tantrum And Thinking About Not Leaving The White House On January 20

Trump is slipping deeper into denial about the election results and considering not leaving the White House on January 20 .
CNN reported : ‘ Trump is steadfastly refusing to acknowledge that he lost .
In his moments of deepest denial , Trump has told some advisers that he will refuse to leave the White House on Inauguration Day , only to be walked down from that ledge .
The possibility has alarmed some aides , but few believe Trump will actually follow through .
“ He ’ s throwing a f***ing temper tantrum , ” an adviser said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He ’ s just lashing out.
” Trump will leave the White House .
There is no doubt about it .
Even if he tried to stay , at noon on January 20 , 2021 , Joe Biden will become president and the military will be happy to escort Trump off of the White House grounds .
Being a squatter is not the way to stay in the White House and keep presidential power .
Trump doesn ’ t get to be president by his physical presence in the White House .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t belong to a person just because they are standing in the White House .
Donald Trump is leaving .
It is clear that he doesn ’ t want to because there is a world of debt and potential felony convictions waiting for him , but staying in the White House and refusing to leave is not an option .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .
Follow and Like PoliticusUSA on Facebook

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
Trump is slipping deeper into denial about the election results and considering not leaving the White House on January 20.
CNN reported:
‘
Trump is steadfastly refusing to acknowledge that he lost.
In his moments of deepest denial, Trump has told some advisers that he will refuse to leave the White House on Inauguration Day, only to be walked down from that ledge. The possibility has alarmed some aides, but few believe Trump will actually follow through.
“He’s throwing a f***ing temper tantrum,” an adviser said. “He’s going to leave. He’s just lashing out.”
Trump will leave the White House. There is no doubt about it. Even if he tried to stay, at noon on January 20, 2021, Joe Biden will become president and the military will be happy to escort Trump off of the White House grounds.
Being a squatter is not the way to stay in the White House and keep presidential power. Trump doesn’t get to be president by his physical presence in the White House. The powers of the presidency don’t belong to a person just because they are standing in the White House.
Donald Trump is leaving. It is clear that he doesn’t want to because there is a world of debt and potential felony convictions waiting for him, but staying in the White House and refusing to leave is not an option.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow and Like PoliticusUSA on Facebook


politicususa--2020-12-16--Dem. Congressman Jared Huffman Destroys Betsy DeVos in Brutal Tweet

A lot of Donald Trump ’ s cabinet members have been objects of ridicule .
Oreo Cookies made fun of Ben Carson after a HUD gaffe .
Late night news hosts ripped Wilbur Ross for his physical and behavioral similarities to Mr. Burns from the Simpsons .
But no figure has been the figure of more disdain than Education Secretary Betsy DeVos .
Even in committee hearings , the billionaire Trump donor is insulted right to her face .
And back when DeVos had a disastrous 2018 60 Minutes interview , California Democrat Jared Huffman couldn ’ t resist taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dear President Trump , ” Huffman wrote .
“ If you want to meet someone who has an actual IQ problem ( as opposed to just being black ) , meet your Education Secretary Betsy DeVos .
Rich , white , and dumber than a bag of hammers.
” Huffman , though , felt like he had to revise the tweet after recent comments from DeVos were leaked .
According to Politico , the Education Secretary recently told staffers , “ Let me leave you with this plea : Resist .
Be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from doing what ’ s right for students .
In everything you do , please put students first — always.
” The congressman shared the Politico article and wrote , “ I once took heat for calling Betsy DeVos ‘ dumb as a bag of hammers.
’ But after her 4 years as our Education Secretary , I now realize an apology is owed .
To hammers .
”

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
A lot of Donald Trump’s cabinet members have been objects of ridicule. Oreo Cookies made fun of Ben Carson after a HUD gaffe. Late night news hosts ripped Wilbur Ross for his physical and behavioral similarities to Mr. Burns from the Simpsons.
But no figure has been the figure of more disdain than Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. Even in committee hearings, the billionaire Trump donor is insulted right to her face.
And back when DeVos had a disastrous 2018 60 Minutes interview, California Democrat Jared Huffman couldn’t resist taking a huge shot at her. “Dear President Trump,” Huffman wrote. “If you want to meet someone who has an actual IQ problem (as opposed to just being black), meet your Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. Rich, white, and dumber than a bag of hammers.”
Dear President Trump, if you want to meet someone who has an actual IQ problem (as opposed to just being black), meet your Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. Rich, white, and dumber than a bag of hammers. https://t.co/hrkNuF1OQW — Rep. Jared Huffman 🤳 (@JaredHuffman) March 12, 2018
Huffman, though, felt like he had to revise the tweet after recent comments from DeVos were leaked. According to Politico, the Education Secretary recently told staffers, “Let me leave you with this plea: Resist. Be the resistance against forces that will derail you from doing what’s right for students. In everything you do, please put students first — always.”
The congressman shared the Politico article and wrote, “I once took heat for calling Betsy DeVos ‘dumb as a bag of hammers.’ But after her 4 years as our Education Secretary, I now realize an apology is owed. To hammers.”


politicususa--2020-12-16--Mitch McConnell And Senate Republicans Cause Poverty To Grow At Highest Level Since 1960s

New real-time research revealed that poverty jumped 2.4 % in five months , which is the highest annual increase since the 1960s .
New research from economist Bruce Meyer , from the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy , and James Sullivan of the University of Notre Dame ’ s Department of Economics and the Lab For Economic Opportunities ( LEO ) showed that poverty is increasing to levels not seen in nearly 60 years .
The findings for November paint a dire picture of a struggling nation : – Poverty rose by 2.4 percentage points from 9.3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November , adding 7.8 million to the ranks of the poor since June .
– The 2.4 percentage point rise in poverty in the five months since June is nearly double the largest annual increase in poverty since the 1960s .
– Poverty has risen each month since June , even though the unemployment rate has fallen by 40 percent ( from 11.1 percent to 6.7 percent ) over this period .
– With Pandemic Unemployment Assistance ( PUA ) due to expire this month and near all-time high coronavirus cases continuing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to continue to rise in the absence of additional relief .
-The rise in poverty over the past five months is most noticeable for certain disadvantaged groups such as Blacks ( poverty up 3.1 percentage points ) and those with a high school education or less ( poverty up 5.1 percentage points ) .
House Democrats passed the HEROES Act on May 15 .
Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans have refused to vote on the bill .
Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans are the reason why poverty is growing at a rate that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States .
McConnell and his Republican caucus are causing a poverty epidemic in the nation , and the small pre-Christmas deal will not be enough to undo the damage that Republicans have done by blocking real COVID relief for months .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .
Follow and Like PoliticusUSA on Facebook

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
New real-time research revealed that poverty jumped 2.4% in five months, which is the highest annual increase since the 1960s.
New research from economist Bruce Meyer, from the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, and James Sullivan of the University of Notre Dame’s Department of Economics and the Lab For Economic Opportunities (LEO) showed that poverty is increasing to levels not seen in nearly 60 years.
The findings for November paint a dire picture of a struggling nation:
– Poverty rose by 2.4 percentage points from 9.3 percent in June to 11.7 percent in November, adding 7.8 million to the ranks of the poor since June.
– The 2.4 percentage point rise in poverty in the five months since June is nearly double the largest annual increase in poverty since the 1960s.
– Poverty has risen each month since June, even though the unemployment rate has fallen by 40 percent (from 11.1 percent to 6.7 percent) over this period.
– With Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) due to expire this month and near all-time high coronavirus cases continuing to strain the economy, poverty is likely to continue to rise in the absence of additional relief.
-The rise in poverty over the past five months is most noticeable for certain disadvantaged groups such as Blacks (poverty up 3.1 percentage points) and those with a high school education or less (poverty up 5.1 percentage points).
House Democrats passed the HEROES Act on May 15. Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans have refused to vote on the bill. Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans are the reason why poverty is growing at a rate that has been seen in decades in the United States.
McConnell and his Republican caucus are causing a poverty epidemic in the nation, and the small pre-Christmas deal will not be enough to undo the damage that Republicans have done by blocking real COVID relief for months.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow and Like PoliticusUSA on Facebook


politicususa--2020-12-16--Dick Durbin Warns That Russia Has Virtually Declared War On The US And Trump Is Totally Compromised

Sen. Dick Durbin ( D-IL ) warned that the massive Russian hack on the US was a virtual declaration of war and Trump is completely compromised .
Durbin said on CNN , “ Let ’ s put it on the line here .
We need an honest reset in terms of relationships between the United States and Russia .
We can ’ t be buddies with Vladimir Putin and at the same time having him making this kind of cyberattack on America .
This is virtually a declaration of war by Russia on the United States and we should take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to say that Trump is completely compromised , “ On one hand , we knew what the Russians were doing for the past four years and how they put America ’ s security completely at risk , and what it means to our own personal privacy , and the President with his arm around the shoulders of Vladimir Putin as if to call him his best friend , so we can ’ t have that kind of dichotomy between policy and reality.
” It is clear that the nation is only beginning to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has done to both individual and national security by allowing Putin to run wild for the last four years .
Sen. Durbin was correct .
Trump is compromised .
One of the first things that the Biden administration must do is make America secure again by standing up to Russia and not allowing Putin ’ s aggression against the United States to go unpunished .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .
Follow and Like PoliticusUSA on Facebook

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) warned that the massive Russian hack on the US was a virtual declaration of war and Trump is completely compromised.
Video:
🚨BREAKING: Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) calls Moscow's alleged hack of U.S. government agencies—including the Pentagon, DHS and Treasury—"virtually a declaration of war by Russia on the United States." Adds that the Trump administration is "completely compromised." pic.twitter.com/ea8V9FlKq4 — John Kruzel (@johnkruzel) December 16, 2020
Durbin said on CNN, “Let’s put it on the line here. We need an honest reset in terms of relationships between the United States and Russia. We can’t be buddies with Vladimir Putin and at the same time having him making this kind of cyberattack on America. This is virtually a declaration of war by Russia on the United States and we should take that seriously.”
Sen. Durbin went on to say that Trump is completely compromised, “On one hand, we knew what the Russians were doing for the past four years and how they put America’s security completely at risk, and what it means to our own personal privacy, and the President with his arm around the shoulders of Vladimir Putin as if to call him his best friend, so we can’t have that kind of dichotomy between policy and reality.”
It is clear that the nation is only beginning to scratch the surface of the damage that Trump has done to both individual and national security by allowing Putin to run wild for the last four years. Sen. Durbin was correct. Trump is compromised.
One of the first things that the Biden administration must do is make America secure again by standing up to Russia and not allowing Putin’s aggression against the United States to go unpunished.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow and Like PoliticusUSA on Facebook


politicususa--2020-12-16--Biden Makes History For The 9th Time By Nominating Pete Buttigieg For Transportation Secretary

President-Elect Joe Biden is shattering barriers as he made his ninth historic cabinet nomination by picking Pete Buttigieg for Secretary of Transportation .
But compared to its predecessors , the Biden-Harris Cabinet is first among Cabinets for all of the firsts it represents .
The first ever woman , the first Black woman , and woman of South Asian descent , as Vice President .
The first ever Black Secretary of Defense .
The first ever Latino head of DHS and the first ever Latino head of HHS .
The first woman and South Asian American to lead OMB .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead USTR .
The first Black woman to chair the President ’ s Council of Economic Advisors .
And the first ever woman to hold Alexander Hamilton ’ s position as Treasury Secretary .
Our Cabinet does not just have one first or just two of these firsts , but eight precedent-busting appointments .
And today , a ninth : the first ever openly gay nominee to lead a Cabinet department , and one of the youngest Cabinet members ever .
The Biden-Harris Cabinet will be a historic Cabinet .
A Cabinet that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taps into the best of America .
A Cabinet that is opening doors and breaking down barriers and accessing the full range of talent we have in this nation .
A Cabinet that is up to the immediate crisis we ’ re in , and the long-term challenges this nation faces in the future .
Cabinets are reflections of who presidents are and what they prioritize .
Trump prioritized money , loyalty to him , lawlessness , and appearances .
Trump wanted people who looked like him and only cared about him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ looks like America .
Biden ’ s cabinet is full of experienced experts who value public service and see themselves as working for the country first .
President-Elect is using his power to break barriers and the government back to the American people .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .
Follow and Like PoliticusUSA on Facebook

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
President-Elect Joe Biden is shattering barriers as he made his ninth historic cabinet nomination by picking Pete Buttigieg for Secretary of Transportation.
Video:
Biden has now made 9 historic cabinet picks with the nomination of Pete Buttigieg to be Transportation Secretary. pic.twitter.com/6KzrXd9vfj — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) December 16, 2020
President-Elect Biden said:
But compared to its predecessors, the Biden-Harris Cabinet is first among Cabinets for all of the firsts it represents.
The first ever woman, the first Black woman, and woman of South Asian descent, as Vice President.
The first ever Black Secretary of Defense.
The first ever Latino head of DHS and the first ever Latino head of HHS.
The first woman and South Asian American to lead OMB.
The first woman and Asian American to lead USTR.
The first Black woman to chair the President’s Council of Economic Advisors.
And the first ever woman to hold Alexander Hamilton’s position as Treasury Secretary.
Our Cabinet does not just have one first or just two of these firsts, but eight precedent-busting appointments.
And today, a ninth: the first ever openly gay nominee to lead a Cabinet department, and one of the youngest Cabinet members ever.
The Biden-Harris Cabinet will be a historic Cabinet.
A Cabinet that looks like America.
A Cabinet that taps into the best of America.
A Cabinet that is opening doors and breaking down barriers and accessing the full range of talent we have in this nation.
A Cabinet that is up to the immediate crisis we’re in, and the long-term challenges this nation faces in the future.
It’s a Cabinet that’s battle-tested.
Qualified. Experienced. Creative. Innovative. Forward-looking.
And yes — representative.
Cabinets are reflections of who presidents are and what they prioritize. Trump prioritized money, loyalty to him, lawlessness, and appearances. Trump wanted people who looked like him and only cared about him.
Joe Biden is building a cabinet that looks like America. Biden’s cabinet is full of experienced experts who value public service and see themselves as working for the country first.
President-Elect is using his power to break barriers and the government back to the American people.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow and Like PoliticusUSA on Facebook


politicususa--2020-12-16--Fewer Than 70 People Showed Up to Mike Pompeo’s Christmas Party. He Invited More Than 900.

Hundreds of invitees chose to skip Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ’ s Christmas party .
Pompeo invited more than 900 people , flouting CDC guidance on limiting personal gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic .
Fewer than 70 showed up after public health officials and politicians warned the potential “ superspreader ” event would worsen an already precarious situation .
According to two officials familiar with the event who spoke to The Washington Post , canceled a speech he was slated to give and found a substitute speaker .
“ The State Department did not respond to questions about why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was due to his own health concerns about holding a large indoor event , ” the Post reported , noting that the statements from the two officials and photographs of the event showed it “ featured drinks , boxed meals and a masked Santa who walked around from table to table to chitchat with adults and children.
” Pompeo had chosen to hold the event despite gatherings in Washington , D.C. being limited to no more than 10 people and even after Senator Robert Menendez ( D-N.J. ) , the top Democrat on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this month called on him to cancel it and others the State Department had on its schedule .
“ I am concerned that these parties pose a significant health risk , not only to attendees , but to the employees and workers who must staff these events , as well as to State Department employees who may feel pressured to attend , ” Menendez wrote .
Earlier this morning , the State Department announced Pompeo had chosen to quarantine himself after coming into contact with an individual who tested positive for Covid-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ having come into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID , ” the department said .
“ The Secretary has been tested and is negative .
In accordance with CDC guidelines , he will be in quarantine .
He is being closely monitored by the Department ’ s medical team .
”

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
Hundreds of invitees chose to skip Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s Christmas party. Pompeo invited more than 900 people, flouting CDC guidance on limiting personal gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic. Fewer than 70 showed up after public health officials and politicians warned the potential “superspreader” event would worsen an already precarious situation.
According to two officials familiar with the event who spoke to The Washington Post, canceled a speech he was slated to give and found a substitute speaker.
“The State Department did not respond to questions about why Pompeo canceled the speech and whether it was due to his own health concerns about holding a large indoor event,” the Post reported, noting that the statements from the two officials and photographs of the event showed it “featured drinks, boxed meals and a masked Santa who walked around from table to table to chitchat with adults and children.”
Pompeo had chosen to hold the event despite gatherings in Washington, D.C. being limited to no more than 10 people and even after Senator Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who earlier this month called on him to cancel it and others the State Department had on its schedule.
“I am concerned that these parties pose a significant health risk, not only to attendees, but to the employees and workers who must staff these events, as well as to State Department employees who may feel pressured to attend,” Menendez wrote.
Earlier this morning, the State Department announced Pompeo had chosen to quarantine himself after coming into contact with an individual who tested positive for Covid-19.
“Secretary Pompeo has been identified as having come into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID,” the department said. “The Secretary has been tested and is negative. In accordance with CDC guidelines, he will be in quarantine. He is being closely monitored by the Department’s medical team.”


politicususa--2020-12-18--Adam Schiff Blasts Trump For Getting Played By Putin As Russia Hacks U.S. Nuclear Agency

Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff – chairman of the House Intelligence Committee – said on Thursday that Vladimir Putin is playing Donald Trump “ like a fiddle ” after it was revealed that hackers linked to Russia breached a U.S. nuclear weapons agency .
As Bloomberg reported on Thursday , “ The U.S. nuclear weapons agency and at least three states were hacked as part of a suspected Russian cyber-attack that struck a number of federal government agencies.
” Politico added , “ The Energy Department and National Nuclear Security Administration , which maintains the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile , have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of an extensive espionage operation that has affected at least half a dozen federal agencies , officials directly familiar with the matter said.
” Rep. Schiff said that Trump is the worst person to be leading the country in the midst of a serious Russian cyber attack on the United States .
“ Putin understands Donald Trump very well .
He plays him like a fiddle , ” the Democratic lawmaker said .
“ We have not had a deterrent because Donald Trump has been so sycophantic toward Vladimir Putin.
” Putin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plays him like a fiddle .
And one of the things he understands … is if he can somehow tie this hack to their hack of the democratic institutions and the leaking of documents that helped elect Donald Trump and suggest it ’ s all part of the same hoax , that none of it happened , he can really appeal to Donald Trump where he lives .
And this may be why Donald Trump has remained silent .
Now I can ’ t confirm what the attribution is here .
I can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make public attribution .
That ’ s part of establishing a deterrent .
It will need to go beyond that and impose sanctions .
I don ’ t have a lot of expectation Donald Trump is going to do that , particularly if the public reports are accurate and there are Russian actors behind this .
Trump has shown no willingness to confront Putin .
I wouldn ’ t say that he has deliberately set down our cyber guard because we have good people at the agencies that are really trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had one very fundamental weakness , and that is we have not had a deterrent because Donald Trump has been so sycophantic toward Vladimir Putin .
The country is in crisis – and Donald Trump is silent The United States is in the mist of a raging public health crisis that appears to be getting worse and more deadly with each passing day .
On Wednesday , the U.S. saw more than 3,600 new COVID deaths – another record .
Trump has remained silent .
It was also reported Thursday that the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – the highest number reported in more than three months .
Trump has remained silent on that front as well .
And now , as Russia again targets America , Trump is remaining silent and allowing Putin to get away with it .
It ’ s abundantly clear that Donald Trump has completely checked out since Joe Biden decisively defeated him in last month ’ s presidential election .
What ’ s not so clear is why he is waiting until Jan. 20 , 2021 to leave a job he is so clearly @ @ @ @

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff – chairman of the House Intelligence Committee – said on Thursday that Vladimir Putin is playing Donald Trump “like a fiddle” after it was revealed that hackers linked to Russia breached a U.S. nuclear weapons agency.
As Bloomberg reported on Thursday, “The U.S. nuclear weapons agency and at least three states were hacked as part of a suspected Russian cyber-attack that struck a number of federal government agencies.”
Politico added, “The Energy Department and National Nuclear Security Administration, which maintains the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile, have evidence that hackers accessed their networks as part of an extensive espionage operation that has affected at least half a dozen federal agencies, officials directly familiar with the matter said.”
Rep. Schiff said that Trump is the worst person to be leading the country in the midst of a serious Russian cyber attack on the United States.
“Putin understands Donald Trump very well. He plays him like a fiddle,” the Democratic lawmaker said. “We have not had a deterrent because Donald Trump has been so sycophantic toward Vladimir Putin.”
Video:
With the U.S. being hacked by Russia, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) says Vladimir Putin is playing Donald Trump “like a fiddle.” pic.twitter.com/8S0IsOovIf — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) December 18, 2020
Rep. Schiff said:
Putin understands Donald Trump very well. He plays him like a fiddle. And one of the things he understands … is if he can somehow tie this hack to their hack of the democratic institutions and the leaking of documents that helped elect Donald Trump and suggest it’s all part of the same hoax, that none of it happened, he can really appeal to Donald Trump where he lives. And this may be why Donald Trump has remained silent. Now I can’t confirm what the attribution is here. I can say that I think the administration ought to make public attribution. That’s part of establishing a deterrent. It will need to go beyond that and impose sanctions. I don’t have a lot of expectation Donald Trump is going to do that, particularly if the public reports are accurate and there are Russian actors behind this. Trump has shown no willingness to confront Putin. I wouldn’t say that he has deliberately set down our cyber guard because we have good people at the agencies that are really trying to do their best. But we have had one very fundamental weakness, and that is we have not had a deterrent because Donald Trump has been so sycophantic toward Vladimir Putin.
The country is in crisis – and Donald Trump is silent
The United States is in the mist of a raging public health crisis that appears to be getting worse and more deadly with each passing day. On Wednesday, the U.S. saw more than 3,600 new COVID deaths – another record. Trump has remained silent.
It was also reported Thursday that the number of jobless claims totaled 885,000 last week – the highest number reported in more than three months. Trump has remained silent on that front as well.
And now, as Russia again targets America, Trump is remaining silent and allowing Putin to get away with it.
It’s abundantly clear that Donald Trump has completely checked out since Joe Biden decisively defeated him in last month’s presidential election. What’s not so clear is why he is waiting until Jan. 20, 2021 to leave a job he is so clearly uninterested in doing.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-12-18--‘Enough To Actually Put Him In Jail’: Doctor Calls Trump’s COVID Response Medically Criminally Negli

‘Enough To Actually Put Him In Jail’: Doctor Calls Trump’s COVID Response Medically Criminally Negligent

During an interview with MSNBC ’ s Joy Reid on Thursday night , Dr. Kavita Patel said that Donald Trump ’ s negligent response to the pandemic would be grounds for a malpractice lawsuit or even time behind bars if he were in the medical field .
“ If he were actually a clinician , his license would be taken away , ” the doctor said .
“ He would be stripped of any privileges to do anything , not only sued for medical malpractice but enough to actually put him in jail.
” Dr. Patel called the “ death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic “ mind-boggling.
” Honestly , [ Trump ] would be — if he were actually a clinician , his license would be taken away .
He would be stripped of any privileges to do anything , not only sued for medical malpractice but enough to actually put him in jail .
And why am I not surprised ?
We ’ ve now known , Joy , that it ’ s not just covid .
He ’ s done this on the border where there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not look kindly on the president and the administration and the people that have kind of led this and that ’ s exactly where it deserves to be .
But the toll of death and destruction on its way there is just mind-boggling .
The Trump administration was pushing for ‘ herd immunity ’ Dr. Kavita Patel ’ s criticism of the outgoing president comes after a report in Politico revealed that one of Donald Trump ’ s appointees called for millions of Americans to be infected with COVID-19 as a way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , kids , teens , young people , young adults , middle aged with no conditions etc .
have zero to little risk … so we use them to develop herd…we want them infected… ” former HHS adviser Paul Alexander said in an email , according to the report .
Donald Trump seemed to agree with Alexander ’ s position because he repeatedly downplayed the virus , mocked the use of masks and urged his supporters to come to his rallies and other events where there was no social distancing .
Nearly a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 317,000 Americans have died in no small part because of Donald Trump ’ s negligence .

During an interview with MSNBC’s Joy Reid on Thursday night, Dr. Kavita Patel said that Donald Trump’s negligent response to the pandemic would be grounds for a malpractice lawsuit or even time behind bars if he were in the medical field.
“If he were actually a clinician, his license would be taken away,” the doctor said. “He would be stripped of any privileges to do anything, not only sued for medical malpractice but enough to actually put him in jail.”
Dr. Patel called the “death and destruction” caused by the Trump administration’s response to the coronavirus pandemic “mind-boggling.”
Video:
Dr. Kavita Patel shreds Donald Trump’s negligent COVID response: “If he were actually a clinician, his license would be taken away.” pic.twitter.com/QwMGD07SJZ — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) December 18, 2020
Dr. Patel said:
Honestly, [Trump] would be — if he were actually a clinician, his license would be taken away. He would be stripped of any privileges to do anything, not only sued for medical malpractice but enough to actually put him in jail. And why am I not surprised? We’ve now known, Joy, that it’s not just covid. He’s done this on the border where there was forced hysterectomies. Unfortunately, history will not look kindly on the president and the administration and the people that have kind of led this and that’s exactly where it deserves to be. But the toll of death and destruction on its way there is just mind-boggling.
The Trump administration was pushing for ‘herd immunity’
Dr. Kavita Patel’s criticism of the outgoing president comes after a report in Politico revealed that one of Donald Trump’s appointees called for millions of Americans to be infected with COVID-19 as a way to develop “herd immunity.”
“Infants, kids, teens, young people, young adults, middle aged with no conditions etc. have zero to little risk … so we use them to develop herd…we want them infected…” former HHS adviser Paul Alexander said in an email, according to the report.
Donald Trump seemed to agree with Alexander’s position because he repeatedly downplayed the virus, mocked the use of masks and urged his supporters to come to his rallies and other events where there was no social distancing.
Nearly a year into this pandemic, more than 317,000 Americans have died in no small part because of Donald Trump’s negligence.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-12-17--Mitch McConnell Has Confirmed 1 Judge For Every 1,340 Americans Dead Of COVID

Senate Republicans still have not agreed to a pandemic relief package , but they have confirmed 1 judge for every 1,340 Americans dead of COVID .
McConnell ’ s priorities are clear .
He wants to fill the Judicial Branch with right-wing judges so that the unpopular Republican ideology will still influence American life even if Republicans are out of power in the Legislative and Executive Branches .
A Senate Majority Leader who worked for and cared about the American people would have passed more COVID relief before poverty began climbing to levels that have not been seen since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and you think poverty , suffering , and death are an appropriate tradeoff for right-wing judges , then Mitch McConnell is your guy .
America could have a Senate that puts the needs of the American people first , and that Senate can become a reality if the Democratic candidates win the Georgia Senate runoffs .
Thousands of Americans are dying daily because Mitch McConnell is more interested in confirming judges than saving their lives .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .
Follow and Like @ @ @

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
Senate Republicans still have not agreed to a pandemic relief package, but they have confirmed 1 judge for every 1,340 Americans dead of COVID.
Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) tweeted:
235 rightwing judges
0 new covid relief
0 new stimulus checks
0 new unemployment
314,991 dead Americans One more judge today. That’s one judge for every 1,340 dead Americans. pic.twitter.com/ulKPJI0Rcx — Bill Pascrell, Jr. (@BillPascrell) December 17, 2020
McConnell’s priorities are clear. He wants to fill the Judicial Branch with right-wing judges so that the unpopular Republican ideology will still influence American life even if Republicans are out of power in the Legislative and Executive Branches.
A Senate Majority Leader who worked for and cared about the American people would have passed more COVID relief before poverty began climbing to levels that have not been seen since the 1960s. If you live in Georgia and you think poverty, suffering, and death are an appropriate tradeoff for right-wing judges, then Mitch McConnell is your guy.
America could have a Senate that puts the needs of the American people first, and that Senate can become a reality if the Democratic candidates win the Georgia Senate runoffs.
Thousands of Americans are dying daily because Mitch McConnell is more interested in confirming judges than saving their lives.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow and Like PoliticusUSA on Facebook


politicususa--2020-12-17--4 Counties Sued For Trying To Rig Georgia Senate Runoffs By Not Providing Early Voting

Lawsuits were filed by the New Georgia Project against Bibb , Clarke , Houston , and Paulding Counties for illegally not offering early voting .
The lawsuits were filed by Marc E. Elias on behalf of the New Georgia Project against the four counties because each of them has no intention of offering early voting on the legally required days .
Joe Biden won Bibb and Clarke counties , and Trump won Houston and Paulding counties .
“ Every day of advance voting provided under Georgia law matters and helps ensure voters are not disenfranchised because of inadequate access to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right of every eligible Georgian to cast a ballot early , and we will hold counties accountable for violating the law , ’ said Nsé Ufot , CEO of the New Georgia Project in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA .
“ The record turnout we are witnessing should be applauded , not undermined .
We will not idly sit by while Georgia voters are punished for their robust , enthusiastic , historic participation in our elections.
” The lawsuits request a temporary restraining order requiring the counties to : 1 ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19 , 2020 , Thursday , December 31 , and Monday , January 4 , 2021 , 2 ) .
Prohibit the counties from closing the polls on any of the above dates , and 3 ) .
Direct Defendants to permit any eligible voters to cast their ballots on those dates .
The Georgia Senate runoff elections are going to be very close .
Denying early voting in these four counties would disproportionately impact Democratic voters .
Republicans are going to everything imaginable to suppress the vote and lower election turnout because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large numbers , Republicans lose .
The GOP isn ’ t hiding it .
They are worried about too many Democrats voting in the runoff elections .
The fight for voting rights continues , and lawsuits such as the four above may help determine who controls the US Senate .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .
Follow and Like PoliticusUSA on Facebook

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
Lawsuits were filed by the New Georgia Project against Bibb, Clarke, Houston, and Paulding Counties for illegally not offering early voting.
The lawsuits were filed by Marc E. Elias on behalf of the New Georgia Project against the four counties because each of them has no intention of offering early voting on the legally required days.
Joe Biden won Bibb and Clarke counties, and Trump won Houston and Paulding counties.
“Every day of advance voting provided under Georgia law matters and helps ensure voters are not disenfranchised because of inadequate access to the polls. We will fight for the right of every eligible Georgian to cast a ballot early, and we will hold counties accountable for violating the law,’ said Nsé Ufot, CEO of the New Georgia Project in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA. “The record turnout we are witnessing should be applauded, not undermined. We will not idly sit by while Georgia voters are punished for their robust, enthusiastic, historic participation in our elections.”
The lawsuits request a temporary restraining order requiring the counties to:
1). Allow advance voting on Saturday, December 19, 2020, Thursday, December 31, and Monday, January 4, 2021,
2). Prohibit the counties from closing the polls on any of the above dates, and
3). Direct Defendants to permit any eligible voters to cast their ballots on those dates.
The Georgia Senate runoff elections are going to be very close. Denying early voting in these four counties would disproportionately impact Democratic voters.
Republicans are going to everything imaginable to suppress the vote and lower election turnout because when people are allowed to vote in large numbers, Republicans lose. The GOP isn’t hiding it. They are worried about too many Democrats voting in the runoff elections.
The fight for voting rights continues, and lawsuits such as the four above may help determine who controls the US Senate.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow and Like PoliticusUSA on Facebook


politicususa--2020-12-17--Constitutional Lawyers Urge Firms Not To Hire Trump Attorneys Due To Abuses Of People

Free Speech For People , a nonpartisan group of Constitutional lawyers , released a statement calling on top law firms not to hire Trump administration lawyers who participated in abuses of power .
Free Speech For People wrote in part : As fellow members of the legal bar , we collectively bear great responsibility for the enduring integrity of our profession and the principles that undergird our system of democratic governance .
The rule of law is built upon democratic norms and legal ethics .
These principles do not exist in the abstract , but are reinforced through the conduct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our legal community .
We urge you now to exercise great caution before welcoming former Trump administration appointees and officers into your ranks .
With rare exception , these attorneys have discredited and disqualified themselves from positions at honorable , diverse , and forward-looking law firms .
We are often called upon to represent and defend unfavorable persons and interests from affirmative attack .
But while this aspect of the lawyer ’ s role may include defending ex-Trump officials from criminal investigations , it surely does not extend to hiring them .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the administration ’ s corruption , abuses of power , and illegal activity become publicly known .
In the meantime , any politically-appointed attorneys who served the Trump administration , whether in a counsel position or otherwise , should be scrutinized with great care , even if their names or agencies have not yet been linked to scandal or corruption during their time in office .
Your firms have spent many decades diligently establishing reputations for professionalism , probity , and pragmatism , as you provide your clients honest counsel and zealous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your firms with ex-Trump lawyers would dishonor your partners , your employees , and your firm ’ s good name .
Lawyers in the Trump administration worked on child separation policies .
They obstructed justice for Trump , cracked down on peaceful protesters , and enabled Trump ’ s attacks on democracy and the Postal Service .
These individuals shouldn ’ t be rewarded for crimes against their profession with high profile and well-paying jobs at big law firms .
They should be held accountable for their actions , and be viewed as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future employer .

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
Free Speech For People, a nonpartisan group of Constitutional lawyers, released a statement calling on top law firms not to hire Trump administration lawyers who participated in abuses of power.
Free Speech For People wrote in part:
As fellow members of the legal bar, we collectively bear great responsibility for the enduring integrity of our profession and the principles that undergird our system of democratic governance. The rule of law is built upon democratic norms and legal ethics. These principles do not exist in the abstract, but are reinforced through the conduct and deliberate self-policing of each member of our legal community. We urge you now to exercise great caution before welcoming former Trump administration appointees and officers into your ranks. With rare exception, these attorneys have discredited and disqualified themselves from positions at honorable, diverse, and forward-looking law firms.
…..
We are often called upon to represent and defend unfavorable persons and interests from affirmative attack. But while this aspect of the lawyer’s role may include defending ex-Trump officials from criminal investigations, it surely does not extend to hiring them. It may be years before the full depths of the administration’s corruption, abuses of power, and illegal activity become publicly known.
In the meantime, any politically-appointed attorneys who served the Trump administration, whether in a counsel position or otherwise, should be scrutinized with great care, even if their names or agencies have not yet been linked to scandal or corruption during their time in office. Your firms have spent many decades diligently establishing reputations for professionalism, probity, and pragmatism, as you provide your clients honest counsel and zealous but honorable advocacy. Associating yourselves and your firms with ex-Trump lawyers would dishonor your partners, your employees, and your firm’s good name.
Lawyers in the Trump administration worked on child separation policies. They obstructed justice for Trump, cracked down on peaceful protesters, and enabled Trump’s attacks on democracy and the Postal Service.
These individuals shouldn’t be rewarded for crimes against their profession with high profile and well-paying jobs at big law firms.
They should be held accountable for their actions, and be viewed as a liability not an asset to any future employer.


politicususa--2020-12-17--Trump Takes Another Shot at Section 230, Once Again Threatening to Veto Defense Bill

President Donald Trump has once again threatened to veto a national defense bill if it doesn ’ t include legislation to terminate Section 230 of the Communications Act , which protects internet providers and tech companies from liability for content posted on their platforms .
“ I will Veto the Defense Bill , which will make China very unhappy .
They love it , ” the president wrote .
“ Must have Section 230 termination , protect our National Monuments and allow for removal of military from far away , and very unappreciative , lands .
Thank you !
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that the defense bill passed with a veto-proof majority in Congress .
Advisors have urged Trump not to veto the bill because he has little to gain from the action , especially with his term ending in little more than a month .
They have also advised against vetoing the bill because “ it could , ” as Reuters reported , “ hurt Republicans ’ ability to hang on to two U.S. Senate seats from Georgia , the source said , speaking on condition of anonymity .
Critics have noted that repealing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after his political opponents and anyone who has spoken out against him .
Eliminating Section 230 would also change communication on the internet as we know it , according to free speech advocates .
Without Section 230 , tech companies would have to police the information on their platforms or abandon user-generated content altogether .
Section 230 ’ s “ Good Samaritan ” protections allow the removal of obscene or offensive speech , which , as the Brookings Institution observes , “ provides the primary legal basis for today ’ s content-moderation regimes @ @

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
President Donald Trump has once again threatened to veto a national defense bill if it doesn’t include legislation to terminate Section 230 of the Communications Act, which protects internet providers and tech companies from liability for content posted on their platforms.
“I will Veto the Defense Bill, which will make China very unhappy. They love it,” the president wrote. “Must have Section 230 termination, protect our National Monuments and allow for removal of military from far away, and very unappreciative, lands. Thank you!”
I will Veto the Defense Bill, which will make China very unhappy. They love it. Must have Section 230 termination, protect our National Monuments and allow for removal of military from far away, and very unappreciative, lands. Thank you! https://t.co/9rI08S5ofO — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 17, 2020
What the president doesn’t mention is that the defense bill passed with a veto-proof majority in Congress. Advisors have urged Trump not to veto the bill because he has little to gain from the action, especially with his term ending in little more than a month. They have also advised against vetoing the bill because “it could,” as Reuters reported, “hurt Republicans’ ability to hang on to two U.S. Senate seats from Georgia, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Trump has called eliminating Section 230 “a National Security and Election Integrity MUST.”
Looks like certain Republican Senators are getting cold feet with respect to the termination of Big Tech’s Section 230, a National Security and Election Integrity MUST. For years, all talk, no action. Termination must be put in Defense Bill!!! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2020
Critics have noted that repealing it would allow the president to go after his political opponents and anyone who has spoken out against him.
Eliminating Section 230 would also change communication on the internet as we know it, according to free speech advocates. Without Section 230, tech companies would have to police the information on their platforms or abandon user-generated content altogether. Section 230’s “Good Samaritan” protections allow the removal of obscene or offensive speech, which, as the Brookings Institution observes, “provides the primary legal basis for today’s content-moderation regimes.”


politicususa--2020-12-18--Rachel Maddow: Trump Is Botching Vaccine Rollout As Millions Of Doses Are Stuck In A Warehouse

Rachel Maddow called out Donald Trump on Thursday for botching the COVID-19 vaccine rollout as thousands of Americans die from the virus each day .
The MSNBC host pointed out that millions of doses of the vaccine are sitting in a warehouse waiting for the Trump administration to tell Pfizer where to ship them .
“ The reason their doses of vaccine are piled up in a warehouse is because the government won ’ t tell them where they want these doses shipped , ” Maddow said .
“ They have no idea why the government isn ’ t telling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doses sitting in our warehouse , but we get shipment directions from the U.S. government , and they haven ’ t give us any shipment instructions for what we should do with the millions of doses that we have just sitting here .
More than 3,000 Americans are dying every day now , and the vaccine that keeps people from dying from this thing is piled up in a warehouse .
And that ’ s per the company that makes it , so they ’ re in a position to know .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine are piled up in a warehouse is because the government won ’ t tell them where they want these doses shipped , and they have no idea why the government isn ’ t telling them that .
They ’ re ready to go .
As Laura Bassett noted on Thursday night , “ Pfizer says the Trump Administration has stopped giving them directions on where to send the vaccines , so the vaccines are just sitting there .
They simply do not give a sh*t. ” Trump had one job , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical professionals have been tirelessly working to develop a safe and effective vaccine as COVID-19 wreaked havoc across the globe .
With the FDA issuing an emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine last week , light was finally beginning to appear at the end of this long , dark tunnel .
But the moment it was handed over to the Trump administration , it all fell apart .
As GOP strategist Rick Wilson often says , “ Everything Trump touches dies.
” Donald Trump had one job – to quickly and competently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that desperately needs it – and he ’ s already fumbling the football .

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
Rachel Maddow called out Donald Trump on Thursday for botching the COVID-19 vaccine rollout as thousands of Americans die from the virus each day.
The MSNBC host pointed out that millions of doses of the vaccine are sitting in a warehouse waiting for the Trump administration to tell Pfizer where to ship them.
“The reason their doses of vaccine are piled up in a warehouse is because the government won’t tell them where they want these doses shipped,” Maddow said. “They have no idea why the government isn’t telling them that.”
Video:
Rachel Maddow reports on Trump’s already-bungled vaccine rollout: “The reason their doses of vaccine are piled up in a warehouse is because the government won’t tell them where they want these doses shipped.” #maddow pic.twitter.com/qNaDRO8QoJ — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) December 18, 2020
Maddow said:
We have millions more doses sitting in our warehouse, but we get shipment directions from the U.S. government, and they haven’t give us any shipment instructions for what we should do with the millions of doses that we have just sitting here. More than 3,000 Americans are dying every day now, and the vaccine that keeps people from dying from this thing is piled up in a warehouse. And that’s per the company that makes it, so they’re in a position to know. And they say the reason their doses of vaccine are piled up in a warehouse is because the government won’t tell them where they want these doses shipped, and they have no idea why the government isn’t telling them that. They’re ready to go.
As Laura Bassett noted on Thursday night, “Pfizer says the Trump Administration has stopped giving them directions on where to send the vaccines, so the vaccines are just sitting there. They simply do not give a sh*t.”
Pfizer says the Trump Administration has stopped giving them directions on where to send the vaccines, so the vaccines are just sitting there. They simply do not give a shit https://t.co/JCt2ZwxBPh — Laura Bassett (@LEBassett) December 18, 2020
Trump had one job, and he failed
For months, scientists and medical professionals have been tirelessly working to develop a safe and effective vaccine as COVID-19 wreaked havoc across the globe.
With the FDA issuing an emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine last week, light was finally beginning to appear at the end of this long, dark tunnel.
But the moment it was handed over to the Trump administration, it all fell apart. As GOP strategist Rick Wilson often says, “Everything Trump touches dies.”
Donald Trump had one job – to quickly and competently distribute the COVID-19 vaccine to a country that desperately needs it – and he’s already fumbling the football.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-12-19--Chris Hayes: Rupert Murdoch and Fox News Have “Waged War on Public Health”

On Friday , News Corp Chairman Rupert Murdoch was vaccinated against COIVD-19 .
The media mogul received the inoculation in England , where due to his age , he qualified to get the vaccine early on .
The 89 year-old man receiving the treatment would not be a big deal if Murdoch didn ’ t own Fox News .
He is , however , is in charge of a network that has done everything in its power to spread misinformation about the coronavirus .
During his Friday night broadcast , Chris Hayes ripped into Murdoch and Fox for the hypocrisy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For the past nine months or so , Rupert Murdoch-owned media entities have by and large waged a war against public health and the scientific consensus on containing the coronavirus.
” Hayes continued , “ And what makes it all the more infuriating is that , as we have noted , while Fox hosts have been dismissing the experts and suggesting that lockdowns don ’ t work and ridiculing people that avoid the office , and follow public health guidelines , many Fox News employees have been working remotely , literally at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the segment , “ Murdoch even thanked essential workers and the staff of the National Health Service , an institution that is held up as this absolutely demonic specter by Fox News in American healthcare debates , and Murdoch also strongly encouraged people around the world to get the vaccine .
Precisely the kind of group think tyrannical propaganda his network was railing against .
”

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
On Friday, News Corp Chairman Rupert Murdoch was vaccinated against COIVD-19. The media mogul received the inoculation in England, where due to his age, he qualified to get the vaccine early on.
The 89 year-old man receiving the treatment would not be a big deal if Murdoch didn’t own Fox News. He is, however, is in charge of a network that has done everything in its power to spread misinformation about the coronavirus.
During his Friday night broadcast, Chris Hayes ripped into Murdoch and Fox for the hypocrisy. The MSNBC host began, “For the past nine months or so, Rupert Murdoch-owned media entities have by and large waged a war against public health and the scientific consensus on containing the coronavirus.”
Hayes continued, “And what makes it all the more infuriating is that, as we have noted, while Fox hosts have been dismissing the experts and suggesting that lockdowns don’t work and ridiculing people that avoid the office, and follow public health guidelines, many Fox News employees have been working remotely, literally at the same time.”
Chris Hayes blasts Rupert Murdoch for getting COVID vaccine as his Fox anchors push misinformation. pic.twitter.com/7ZmBnijj63 — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) December 19, 2020
The MSNBC host closed the segment, “Murdoch even thanked essential workers and the staff of the National Health Service, an institution that is held up as this absolutely demonic specter by Fox News in American healthcare debates, and Murdoch also strongly encouraged people around the world to get the vaccine. Precisely the kind of group think tyrannical propaganda his network was railing against.”


politicususa--2020-12-19--NY Times Maggie Haberman Has a Theory as To Why Trump Won’t Get Vaccinated on TV

Now that there are multiple COVID vaccines available , lawmakers want to make sure people are taking the shot .
If enough Americans don ’ t get inoculated , it will be difficulkt to completely eradicate the coronavirus .
So a number of prominent figures have promised to get the shot live on TV .
This includes former presidents Bill Clinton , George W. Bush and Barack Obama .
On Friday , Vice President and head of the Coronavirus Task Force , Mike Pence , had his inoculation broadcast live .
He told viewers : “ We gather here today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to affirm to the American people that hope is on the way .
Karen and I were more than happy to step forward before this week was out to take this safe and effective coronavirus vaccine that we have secured and produced for the American people .
It ’ s truly an inspiring day.
” Donald Trump , though , has not made any plans to get a live vaccine .
During a recent appearance on CNN , the New York Times ’ Maggie Haberman had a theory as to why he hasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theory… I don ’ t think that he wants to be jabbed with a needle on live television , ” she said .
“ I just don ’ t .
I think that he considers that to be some kind of an act of weakness.
” The scribe continued , “ This is one of those moments where none of us particularly want to roll up our arms and have our arms jabbed on television , necessarily , but it is important .
And he is choosing not to do something that could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the segment below , courtesy of CNN :

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
Now that there are multiple COVID vaccines available, lawmakers want to make sure people are taking the shot. If enough Americans don’t get inoculated, it will be difficult to completely eradicate the coronavirus.
So a number of prominent figures have promised to get the shot live on TV. This includes former presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
On Friday, Vice President and head of the Coronavirus Task Force, Mike Pence, had his inoculation broadcast live. He told viewers:
“We gather here today at the end of a historic week to affirm to the American people that hope is on the way. Karen and I were more than happy to step forward before this week was out to take this safe and effective coronavirus vaccine that we have secured and produced for the American people. It’s truly an inspiring day.”
Donald Trump, though, has not made any plans to get a live vaccine. During a recent appearance on CNN, the New York Times’ Maggie Haberman had a theory as to why he hasn’t.
“I have a theory… I don’t think that he wants to be jabbed with a needle on live television,” she said. “I just don’t. I think that he considers that to be some kind of an act of weakness.”
The scribe continued, “This is one of those moments where none of us particularly want to roll up our arms and have our arms jabbed on television, necessarily, but it is important. And he is choosing not to do something that could help save lives.”
Watch a clip of the segment below, courtesy of CNN:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdjrF3XaKsU&feature=emb_title


politicususa--2020-12-19--Eric Bolling: Because of the GOP, Donald Trump May be the Last Republican President

The GOP really stood behind Donald Trump for a long time considering how absurd his election fraud claims were .
While a few lawmakers were willing to refer to Joe Biden as the president-elect , most gave Trump time to stew and and grieve .
But after Joe Biden was awarded 306 Electoral College votes this week , Mitch McConnell congratulated Biden and Kamala Harris on their win .
And this move opened the floodgates for other Republicans to acknowledge that Trump had , in fact , lost the 2020 election .
There are still plenty of true believers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s lies .
One of these believers is Eric Bolling , from the Sinclair Media network .
During a recent broadcast , Bolling claimed that , because of the GOP ’ s willingness to stop fighting , there will never be another Republican president .
“ Donald Trump will be the last Republican president in my lifetime , ” the host began .
“ He may be the last GOP president ever again.
” Bolling continued , “ The Republican Party is in disarray .
They are split between the pro-Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , old-school wing .
Meanwhile , the left is united , laughing all the way to the White House.
” The host closed the segment , “ Turncoat republicans like Mitt Romney , Anthony Scaramucci , Mr. Kellyanne Conway , and many more are the reason there will never be another Republican president .
These Benedict Arnolds are ignoring the fact that 74 million people voted for Trump .
He is a very popular president.
” Watch a clip of the segment below , courtesy of Sinclair Broadcasting :

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
The GOP really stood behind Donald Trump for a long time considering how absurd his election fraud claims were. While a few lawmakers were willing to refer to Joe Biden as the president-elect, most gave Trump time to stew and and grieve.
But after Joe Biden was awarded 306 Electoral College votes this week, Mitch McConnell congratulated Biden and Kamala Harris on their win. And this move opened the floodgates for other Republicans to acknowledge that Trump had, in fact, lost the 2020 election.
There are still plenty of true believers in the Conservative media world willing to push Trump’s lies. One of these believers is Eric Bolling, from the Sinclair Media network. During a recent broadcast, Bolling claimed that, because of the GOP’s willingness to stop fighting, there will never be another Republican president.
“Donald Trump will be the last Republican president in my lifetime,” the host began. “He may be the last GOP president ever again.”
Bolling continued, “The Republican Party is in disarray. They are split between the pro-Trump wing of the party and the establishment, old-school wing. Meanwhile, the left is united, laughing all the way to the White House.”
The host closed the segment, “Turncoat republicans like Mitt Romney, Anthony Scaramucci, Mr. Kellyanne Conway, and many more are the reason there will never be another Republican president. These Benedict Arnolds are ignoring the fact that 74 million people voted for Trump. He is a very popular president.”
Watch a clip of the segment below, courtesy of Sinclair Broadcasting:


politicususa--2020-12-18--Not a Joke: Mike Pence Announces Members of Space Force Will be Called Guardians

Over the last five years , it has basically been impossible to tell if Donald Trump was joking or not .
He has claimed that noise from windmills causes cancer .
Trump told reporters that Barack Obama left the military with no ammunition .
He even alleged that Ted Cruz ’ s father was involved in the Kennedy assassination .
But one thing that sounded outlandish but turned out to be true was the creation of The Space Force .
The new branch of the military has now become one of Trump ’ s signature accomplishments .
Today , Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the new branch will be referred to .
He said in a statement , “ It is my honor , on behalf of the president of the United States , to announce that henceforth the men and women of the United States Space Force will be known as guardians.
” “ Sailors , soldiers , airmen , Marines and guardians will be defending our nation for generations to come .
On behalf of your commander in chief , let me urge each and every one of you guardians to keep pushing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the mission of the United States Space Force , which is to ensure that America remains as dominant in space … as we are on land and sea and air.
” Plans for the Space Force are currently moving along .
Against the wishes of military heads , it was recently announced that two Air Force bases will be incorporating the branch ’ s name .

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
Over the last five years, it has basically been impossible to tell if Donald Trump was joking or not. He has claimed that noise from windmills causes cancer. Trump told reporters that Barack Obama left the military with no ammunition. He even alleged that Ted Cruz’s father was involved in the Kennedy assassination.
But one thing that sounded outlandish but turned out to be true was the creation of The Space Force. The new branch of the military has now become one of Trump’s signature accomplishments.
Today, Mike Pence announced the name that the members of the new branch will be referred to. He said in a statement, “It is my honor, on behalf of the president of the United States, to announce that henceforth the men and women of the United States Space Force will be known as guardians.”
The Vice President continued:
“Sailors, soldiers, airmen, Marines and guardians will be defending our nation for generations to come. On behalf of your commander in chief, let me urge each and every one of you guardians to keep pushing, keep pushing, keep pushing the vision and the mission of the United States Space Force, which is to ensure that America remains as dominant in space … as we are on land and sea and air.” https://twitter.com/SpaceForceDoD/status/1340054052894326785
Plans for the Space Force are currently moving along. Against the wishes of military heads, it was recently announced that two Air Force bases will be incorporating the branch’s name.


politicususa--2020-12-18--Jared Kushner And Trump Basically Stole $617 Million Of Trump Campaign Funds

There is an answer to how Trump managed to blow $ 1 billion in campaign funds .
Jared Kushner created a shell company and paid the Trump family $ 617 million .
President Donald Trump ’ s most powerful advisor , Jared Kushner , approved the creation of a campaign shell company that secretly paid the president ’ s family members and spent almost half of the campaign ’ s $ 1.26 billion war chest , a person familiar with the operation told Insider .
The shell company — incorporated as American Made Media Consultants Corp. and American Made Media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign to skirt federally mandated disclosures .
The tactic could attract scrutiny from federal election regulators .
The Trump family appears to have violated campaign finance laws by creating a shell company , and then paying themselves funds that were not disclosed and odds are properly documented .
The problem could much deeper than campaign finance violations .
There is the possibility of potential money laundering and conspiracy charges if investigators find that the Trump family wasn ’ t just trying to skirt campaign finance laws , but were engaging in even more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confident that he would beat Joe Biden that he spent half of the money that his campaign raised paying himself and his family .
If Trump and Kushner thought that what they were doing was above board , they would not have created a shell company to hide their activities .
Donald Trump will stay in politics , because bilking his followers and the taxpayers is his main source of revenue .
The Trump campaign was a con , and all of those red hat wearing believers who donating money were lining Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .
Follow and Like PoliticusUSA on Facebook

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
There is an answer to how Trump managed to blow $1 billion in campaign funds. Jared Kushner created a shell company and paid the Trump family $617 million.
Business Insider reported:
President Donald Trump’s most powerful advisor, Jared Kushner, approved the creation of a campaign shell company that secretly paid the president’s family members and spent almost half of the campaign’s $1.26 billion war chest, a person familiar with the operation told Insider.
…..
The shell company — incorporated as American Made Media Consultants Corp. and American Made Media Consultants LLC — allowed Trump’s campaign to skirt federally mandated disclosures. The tactic could attract scrutiny from federal election regulators.
The Trump family appears to have violated campaign finance laws by creating a shell company, and then paying themselves funds that were not disclosed and odds are properly documented. The problem could much deeper than campaign finance violations.
There is the possibility of potential money laundering and conspiracy charges if investigators find that the Trump family wasn’t just trying to skirt campaign finance laws, but were engaging in even more serious criminal activity.
Trump was so confident that he would beat Joe Biden that he spent half of the money that his campaign raised paying himself and his family. If Trump and Kushner thought that what they were doing was above board, they would not have created a shell company to hide their activities.
Donald Trump will stay in politics, because bilking his followers and the taxpayers is his main source of revenue.
The Trump campaign was a con, and all of those red hat wearing believers who donating money were lining Trump’s pockets.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow and Like PoliticusUSA on Facebook


politicususa--2020-12-18--Army Rejects Mike Flynn’s Call For Trump To Declare Martial Law And Overturn The Election

After Mike Flynn called for Trump to declare martial law and overturn the election , Army leadership flatly rejected the idea .
The Army response to Flynn ’ s fascist idea was to reject it : The military has made it very clear that they will not be participating in any last-ditch attempts by Trump to destroy democracy to stay in power .
Flynn ’ s idea that Trump should overturn the election shows that Trump and his associates have always been anti-democratic .
They don ’ t respect democracy or view it as their role to uphold and promote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is not going to be any declaration of martial law .
Trump isn ’ t going to overturn the election .
Trump is not going to get help from the military to stay in power .
The soon to be former president was the face of the fascist threat , but he has converted the Republican Party into an anti-democratic movement for autocracy .
Donald Trump lost , but the authoritarian impulse behind Trumpism still must be defeated for democracy in the United States to be saved .
For more discussion about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MSNBC group .
Follow and Like PoliticusUSA on Facebook

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
After Mike Flynn called for Trump to declare martial law and overturn the election, Army leadership flatly rejected the idea.
The Army response to Flynn’s fascist idea was to reject it:
Just in: @SecArmy Ryan McCarthy and @ArmyChiefStaff Gen. McConville respond to former Gen. Flynn's remarks urging Trump to declare martial law to overturn the election results: “There is no role for the U.S. military in determining the outcome of an American election.” — Lara Seligman (@laraseligman) December 18, 2020
The military has made it very clear that they will not be participating in any last-ditch attempts by Trump to destroy democracy to stay in power.
Flynn’s idea that Trump should overturn the election shows that Trump and his associates have always been anti-democratic. They don’t respect democracy or view it as their role to uphold and promote democratic institutions in the United States.
There is not going to be any declaration of martial law. Trump isn’t going to overturn the election. Trump is not going to get help from the military to stay in power.
The soon to be former president was the face of the fascist threat, but he has converted the Republican Party into an anti-democratic movement for autocracy.
Donald Trump lost, but the authoritarian impulse behind Trumpism still must be defeated for democracy in the United States to be saved.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow and Like PoliticusUSA on Facebook


politicususa--2020-12-18--Sen. Ron Johnson Blocks $1,200 Stimulus Checks 1 Week Before Christmas

Sen. Ron Johnson ( R-WI ) blocked a bill that would have provided $ 1,200 stimulus checks to every American one week before Christmas .
Johnson blocked cash aid to Americans who are in dire need during the pandemic : Here is Johnson on the Senate floor claiming that tax cuts and deregulation help the economy more than stimulus checks : Unemployment benefits and eviction moratoriums are running out .
Millions of unemployed Americans could soon have no money and no home .
Poverty is growing at a rate that hasn ’ t been seen since the 1960s .
Instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that help is on the way before Christmas , Republicans are blocking aid and telling the American people that they will be saved by deregulation and tax cuts for corporations .
Senate Republicans have turned what should have been an easy political win into a campaign ad for Warnock and Ossoff in Georgia .
The Republican Senate majority is trying to use the pandemic relief bill to lay landmines that will sink Joe Biden ’ s presidency , but it is backfiring on them and reminding every American of why Democrats need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate runoffs .
Senate Republicans are harming Americans a week before Christmas , which is why the GOP majority has got to go .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .
Follow and Like PoliticusUSA on Facebook

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) blocked a bill that would have provided $1,200 stimulus checks to every American one week before Christmas.
Johnson blocked cash aid to Americans who are in dire need during the pandemic:
BREAKING: Senator Ron Johnson blocks $1,200 checks for Americans sought by Senator Josh Hawley. Johnson cites the deficit. — Steven Dennis (@StevenTDennis) December 18, 2020
Here is Johnson on the Senate floor claiming that tax cuts and deregulation help the economy more than stimulus checks:
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) objects to a relief bill, saying stimulus bills don't stimulate the economy. He instead proposes “lower regulation” and “a competitive tax system.” pic.twitter.com/tp7CYLY3mk — The Recount (@therecount) December 18, 2020
Unemployment benefits and eviction moratoriums are running out. Millions of unemployed Americans could soon have no money and no home. Poverty is growing at a rate that hasn’t been seen since the 1960s.
Instead of providing the American people with reassurance that help is on the way before Christmas, Republicans are blocking aid and telling the American people that they will be saved by deregulation and tax cuts for corporations.
Senate Republicans have turned what should have been an easy political win into a campaign ad for Warnock and Ossoff in Georgia.
The Republican Senate majority is trying to use the pandemic relief bill to lay landmines that will sink Joe Biden’s presidency, but it is backfiring on them and reminding every American of why Democrats need to win the two seats in the Georgia Senate runoffs.
Senate Republicans are harming Americans a week before Christmas, which is why the GOP majority has got to go.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow and Like PoliticusUSA on Facebook


politicususa--2020-12-20--Opinion: Biden’s Cabinet Choices Point To New American Future Through Promise to Confront American P

Opinion: Biden’s Cabinet Choices Point To New American Future Through Promise to Confront American Past

To perhaps state the obvious , it ’ s hard to correct the errors of the past and chart new directions for the future without actually confronting that history and processing and acknowledging the results of past behaviors so one can see and assess other options moving forward .
That ’ s Therapy 101 .
It ’ s not just a quasi-religious ritual of self-castigation for one ’ s sins .
Indeed , such confessions tend merely to offer momentary absolution and grant license to continue in one ’ s sinful ways until the next confession .
Rather , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather pragmatic one aimed at coming to terms with the harmfulness and lack of efficacy in those behaviors , for oneself and others , so one can create a healthier life and engage in practices that serve oneself and others more optimally .
As a nation , we have , on the whole , had a pretty tough time coming to terms with the myriad and savage inhumanities upon which the nation was founded and which arguably fueled its development .
Back in 1998 , you may recall , President Bill Clinton , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offered a muted apology for the U.S. ’ s “ shameful legacy ” in Africa , including its role in the slave trade and its support of harsh dictatorships .
Earlier , though , he had considered and rejected apologizing to African Americans for slavery as part of proposed campaign to foster racial reconciliation .
America , particularly White America , behaves like a stubborn child , with arms folded , declaring , “ I ’ m not sorry.
” In 2008 , the House put forward a resolution apologizing for slavery , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but no joint resolution ever passed .
Last summer , of course , Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton proposed legislation that would deny federal funding to schools that in any way used the The New York Times controversial 1619 project in its curriculum .
This Pulitzer-prize-winning series in The New York Times , of course , explored the history of the United States through the lens of slavery , premised on the fact that accounts of slavery have not been expansively , roundly , and fully incorporated into accounts of U.S. history , particularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of course , in the wake of the police murders of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd , Donald Trump railed against the removal of Confederate monuments celebrating a violent racist past .
Unless we let go of this past , stop clinging to historical practices that further violence and death rather than affirm and nurture life , we can ’ t create a healthier and more humane future , a more perfect union .
President-elect Joe Biden has praised his Cabinet as one of “ firsts , ” asserting that when all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the most representative of any Cabinet in American history .
We ’ ll have more people of color than any Cabinet ever .
We ’ ll have more women than any Cabinet ever .
We ’ ll have a Cabinet of barrier-breakers .
A Cabinet of firsts.
” Being representative is , without question , a step forward .
In itself , however , it is no guarantee .
Just consider the actions of Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson , an African American .
He actually instituted policies that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thwarting policy that encouraged desegregation .
So , no , one ’ s identity , forged through history though it might be , does not necessarily dictate one ’ s politics .
But Biden ’ s team seems different .
They seem to recognize the ways the nation ’ s history of discrimination , violence , and exploitation has not just been inhumane but held us all back from achieving not only justice but our full potential to create a healthy and wealthy society and economy that serve all .
Take Congressperson Deb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to serve as Secretary of the Interior .
When she spoke at the Democratic Convention last summer , she was not afraid to address the nation ’ s history directly and neutrally in order to underscore our obstacles and envision a real path for overcoming them .
Introducing herself as Pueblo Indian speaking on indigenous land , she gave us a broader view of history , letting us know that , “ The promise of this country is older than our constitution .
Over 500 years ago , thousands of Indian tribes were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traditions and communities that had sustained them for millennia on lands they loved and respected .
My people , the Pueblo Indians , migrated to the Rio Grande Valley in the late 1200s to escape droughts .
We were led to the great river and its tributaries , where we established an agricultural tradition that continues to this day.
” The nation has much to draw on from these traditions , in terms of surviving devastation and finding new ways to live : “ My people survived centuries of slavery , genocide and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past , tribal nations have fought for and helped build this country.
” I can ’ t really remember slavery and genocide being addressed at a major U.S. political convention , making us confront our history while proclaiming hope rooted in the history of survival and ingenuity of those most brutalized in this history .
“ I ’ m a symbol of our resilience as the embodiment of America ’ s progress as a nation , ” she told us , “ I know we can ’ t take our democracy for granted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dying , as our land is abused , as our constitution is under attack.
” The survivors ’ perspectives highlight the obstacles we face and the real possibility of overcoming them .
Pete Buttigieg , the first openly gay man nominated for Secretary of Transportation , recalled as a 17 year-old watching a gay man Bill Clinton nominated for an ambassador position denied by the Senate because of his sexuality .
The experiential knowledge contained in these perspectives provides privileged insight into what holds us back as a nation .
While these perspectives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ historical experience , the politics they yield serve us all .
Debates over reparations , for example , while centered on African Americans , also draw attention to the larger history of labor exploitation of all peoples , especially working-class people , in U.S. history , asking us to make amends and find new ways of organizing labor in non-exploitive ways .
While the stand-offs at Standing Rock over the Keystone pipeline might have centered on Native Americans ’ struggle for their land rights , the struggle was also to protect the destruction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of all of our lives .
Haaland and Buttigieg , as just two examples from Biden ’ s Cabinet choices , aren ’ t looking for apologies necessarily ; when they speak , they are diagnosing what holds us all back so we can move beyond these past and persistent repressions to give full life , to create an optimal society and economy , for all Americans .

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
To perhaps state the obvious, it’s hard to correct the errors of the past and chart new directions for the future without actually confronting that history and processing and acknowledging the results of past behaviors so one can see and assess other options moving forward.
That’s Therapy 101. It’s not just a quasi-religious ritual of self-castigation for one’s sins. Indeed, such confessions tend merely to offer momentary absolution and grant license to continue in one’s sinful ways until the next confession. Rather, this confrontation, this process, is a rather pragmatic one aimed at coming to terms with the harmfulness and lack of efficacy in those behaviors, for oneself and others, so one can create a healthier life and engage in practices that serve oneself and others more optimally.
As a nation, we have, on the whole, had a pretty tough time coming to terms with the myriad and savage inhumanities upon which the nation was founded and which arguably fueled its development.
Back in 1998, you may recall, President Bill Clinton, speaking to a crowd in Uganda, offered a muted apology for the U.S.’s “shameful legacy” in Africa, including its role in the slave trade and its support of harsh dictatorships. Earlier, though, he had considered and rejected apologizing to African Americans for slavery as part of proposed campaign to foster racial reconciliation.
America, particularly White America, behaves like a stubborn child, with arms folded, declaring, “I’m not sorry.”
In 2008, the House put forward a resolution apologizing for slavery, followed by the Senate in 2009, but no joint resolution ever passed.
Last summer, of course, Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton proposed legislation that would deny federal funding to schools that in any way used the The New York Times controversial 1619 project in its curriculum. This Pulitzer-prize-winning series in The New York Times, of course, explored the history of the United States through the lens of slavery, premised on the fact that accounts of slavery have not been expansively, roundly, and fully incorporated into accounts of U.S. history, particularly in its earliest stages.
And, of course, in the wake of the police murders of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, Donald Trump railed against the removal of Confederate monuments celebrating a violent racist past.
Unless we let go of this past, stop clinging to historical practices that further violence and death rather than affirm and nurture life, we can’t create a healthier and more humane future, a more perfect union.
President-elect Joe Biden has praised his Cabinet as one of “firsts,” asserting that when all the positions are filled his Cabinet “will be the most representative of any Cabinet in American history. We’ll have more people of color than any Cabinet ever. We’ll have more women than any Cabinet ever. We’ll have a Cabinet of barrier-breakers. A Cabinet of firsts.”
Being representative is, without question, a step forward. In itself, however, it is no guarantee. Just consider the actions of Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson, an African American. He actually instituted policies that eroded previous fair housing legal provisions, thwarting policy that encouraged desegregation.
So, no, one’s identity, forged through history though it might be, does not necessarily dictate one’s politics.
But Biden’s team seems different. They seem to recognize the ways the nation’s history of discrimination, violence, and exploitation has not just been inhumane but held us all back from achieving not only justice but our full potential to create a healthy and wealthy society and economy that serve all.
Take Congressperson Deb Haaland, the first Native American nominated to serve as Secretary of the Interior. When she spoke at the Democratic Convention last summer, she was not afraid to address the nation’s history directly and neutrally in order to underscore our obstacles and envision a real path for overcoming them. Introducing herself as Pueblo Indian speaking on indigenous land, she gave us a broader view of history, letting us know that, “The promise of this country is older than our constitution. Over 500 years ago, thousands of Indian tribes were vibrant democratic societies with rich cultures and traditions and communities that had sustained them for millennia on lands they loved and respected. My people, the Pueblo Indians, migrated to the Rio Grande Valley in the late 1200s to escape droughts. We were led to the great river and its tributaries, where we established an agricultural tradition that continues to this day.”
The nation has much to draw on from these traditions, in terms of surviving devastation and finding new ways to live: “My people survived centuries of slavery, genocide and brutal assimilation policies. But throughout our past, tribal nations have fought for and helped build this country.”
I can’t really remember slavery and genocide being addressed at a major U.S. political convention, making us confront our history while proclaiming hope rooted in the history of survival and ingenuity of those most brutalized in this history. “I’m a symbol of our resilience as the embodiment of America’s progress as a nation,” she told us, “I know we can’t take our democracy for granted, especially now, as people are dying, as our land is abused, as our constitution is under attack.”
The survivors’ perspectives highlight the obstacles we face and the real possibility of overcoming them.
Pete Buttigieg, the first openly gay man nominated for Secretary of Transportation, recalled as a 17 year-old watching a gay man Bill Clinton nominated for an ambassador position denied by the Senate because of his sexuality.
The experiential knowledge contained in these perspectives provides privileged insight into what holds us back as a nation. While these perspectives may inhere in an identity and particular historical experience, the politics they yield serve us all.
Debates over reparations, for example, while centered on African Americans, also draw attention to the larger history of labor exploitation of all peoples, especially working-class people, in U.S. history, asking us to make amends and find new ways of organizing labor in non-exploitive ways.
While the stand-offs at Standing Rock over the Keystone pipeline might have centered on Native Americans’ struggle for their land rights, the struggle was also to protect the destruction of our environment, the ecological foundation of all of our lives.
Haaland and Buttigieg, as just two examples from Biden’s Cabinet choices, aren’t looking for apologies necessarily; when they speak, they are diagnosing what holds us all back so we can move beyond these past and persistent repressions to give full life, to create an optimal society and economy, for all Americans.


politicususa--2020-12-19--FEC To Be Sued If They Don’t Act On Trump And Kushner Illegally Taking $617 Million In Campaign Fund

FEC To Be Sued If They Don’t Act On Trump And Kushner Illegally Taking $617 Million In Campaign Funds

The Campaign Legal Center is threatening to sue the FEC if they do not take action on Trump and Kushner ’ s $ 617 million illegal campaign finance scheme .
Adav Noti who is the Senior Director of the Campaign Legal Center ( CLC ) tweeted : Here is the CLC complaint : It is clear that the purpose of the shell company that Trump and Kushner created was to siphon off funds from the presidential campaign and give them to Trump family members and other associates .
The shell company was a method of avoiding disclosure laws and engaging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focused on the idea that Kushner created the shell company , but they are overlooking the fact that everything the Trump/Kushner/Pence family members did was very illegal .
The movement of the funds to a shell company was a criminal conspiracy , and it would be shocking if the Biden administration Department of Justice did not also conduct a full investigation , because the activity appears to have gone beyond campaign finance violations .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .
Follow and Like PoliticusUSA on @

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
The Campaign Legal Center is threatening to sue the FEC if they do not take action on Trump and Kushner’s $617 million illegal campaign finance scheme.
Adav Noti who is the Senior Director of the Campaign Legal Center (CLC) tweeted:
This “company” was formed purely to hide where the Trump campaign’s money was going. Very very illegal. We filed a formal @FEC complaint months ago and will sue the FEC soon if they don’t act on it. https://t.co/QIBjCMOFUo — Adav Noti (@AdavNoti) December 19, 2020
Here is the CLC complaint:
It is clear that the purpose of the shell company that Trump and Kushner created was to siphon off funds from the presidential campaign and give them to Trump family members and other associates. The shell company was a method of avoiding disclosure laws and engaging in illegal spending.
The media is focused on the idea that Kushner created the shell company, but they are overlooking the fact that everything the Trump/Kushner/Pence family members did was very illegal. The movement of the funds to a shell company was a criminal conspiracy, and it would be shocking if the Biden administration Department of Justice did not also conduct a full investigation, because the activity appears to have gone beyond campaign finance violations.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow and Like PoliticusUSA on Facebook


politicususa--2020-12-19--Trump Loses It And Falsely Claims That China Hacked Voting Machines

Trump showed that he remains in the back pocket of Putin by falsely blaming China for the Russian hack of the US .
Remember the good old days of roughly six weeks ago when Trump spent months ranting that mail-in voting was going to rig the election ?
It turns out that the threat , according to Trump , wasn ’ t mail-in voting , but voting machines .
The Chinese didn ’ t hack critical US systems and stay there for months .
The Russians did , and the Chinese didn ’ t hack the voting machines .
Audit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ machines functioned correctly .
Trump ’ s tweets are an example of his delusional his thinking has grown .
Trump refuses to admit that he lost the election .
He has embraced fringe conspiracy theories and has even thought about not leaving the White House on January 20 , 2021 .
Donald Trump is proving Sen. Dick Durbin ( D-IL ) correct .
He and his administration are completely compromised .
Trump is making excuses for Putin , as Russia engages in virtual acts of war against the United States .
For more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maddow and MSNBC group .
Follow and Like PoliticusUSA on Facebook

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
Trump showed that he remains in the back pocket of Putin by falsely blaming China for the Russian hack of the US.
Trump tweeted:
….discussing the possibility that it may be China (it may!). There could also have been a hit on our ridiculous voting machines during the election, which is now obvious that I won big, making it an even more corrupted embarrassment for the USA. @DNI_Ratcliffe @SecPompeo — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 19, 2020
Remember the good old days of roughly six weeks ago when Trump spent months ranting that mail-in voting was going to rig the election?
It turns out that the threat, according to Trump, wasn’t mail-in voting, but voting machines.
The Chinese didn’t hack critical US systems and stay there for months. The Russians did, and the Chinese didn’t hack the voting machines. Audit after audit has shown that the voting machines functioned correctly.
Trump’s tweets are an example of his delusional his thinking has grown. Trump refuses to admit that he lost the election. He has embraced fringe conspiracy theories and has even thought about not leaving the White House on January 20, 2021.
Donald Trump is proving Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) correct. He and his administration are completely compromised. Trump is making excuses for Putin, as Russia engages in virtual acts of war against the United States.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow and Like PoliticusUSA on Facebook