occupydemocrats--2020-12-09--Biden sparks criticism with nomination of missile maker Raytheon boardmember as Defense Secretary

President-elect Joe Biden rode a wave of anti-Trump support to a decisive victory in the 2020 elections by promising to restore norms , ethics , and transparency to Washington .
But one of his most prominent cabinet appointees is already in violation of that promise — and is provoking criticism from some Democratic Senators .
The appointment of retired U.S. Army General Lloyd J. Austin III , who would be our nation ’ s first Black Secretary of Defense , looks like a slam-dunk at first glance .
But Gen. Austin has only been out of the military for four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven years out of the armed forces under regulations designed to ensure civilian control over the military .
Donald Trump was widely criticized for obtaining a waiver to make Gen. James Mattis his Secretary of Defense , which was happily handed to him by a Republican-controlled Senate for only the second time in our nation ’ s history .
Now Joe Biden looks to flout that norm again and follow in his predecessor ’ s footsteps by obtaining a waiver for Gen. Austin , raising concerns about the implications of yet another waiver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the military .
Senators Tammy Duckworth ( D-IL ) , Elizabeth Warren ( D-MASS ) , and Richard Blumenthal have all already indicated they will not vote to approve a waiver for Austin .
“ I have the deepest respect and admiration for Gen. Austin , and his nomination is exciting and historic .
But I believe that a waiver of the seven-year rule would contravene the basic principle that there should be civilian control over a nonpolitical military , ” said Blumenthal .
Not only is Biden already failing to restore the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but he ’ s also opening up an ethical can of worms by appointing Gen. Austin .
The recently retired military leader currently earns $ 350,000 a year to sit on the board of Raytheon , the defense and military contractor who currently maintains a $ 70 billion contract backlog to the Department of Defense .
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Austin ’ s material ties to a company that reaps enormous profits from the Department of Defense presents an obvious conflict of interests .
Not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dollars to companies like Raytheon for weapons and materiel , but so do our “ allies ” like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia — who have used Raytheon-made missiles to commit war crimes in their murderous war against the Houthi rebels of Yemen , which has killed over 100,000 people .
The flood of American-made weapons to Saudi Arabia began under the Obama-Biden administration and has been lustily expanded by the Trump administration .
While we do not know how a Biden administration would deal with the crisis in Yemen , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man who has spent just four of the past forty-five years out of a military uniform and drew a six-digit salary from a missile company to use his position to stand up to his former patrons on behalf of human rights ?
The Trump administration treated the American military-industrial complex as the world ’ s weapons cabinet , selling deadly munitions and technology to authoritarian regimes left and right while drastically escalating the pace of American bombing campaigns across the Middle East , Africa , and Central Asia , leaving tens of thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If President Joe Biden and his team truly want to prove to the nation that they are committed to washing the corruption and nihilistic cruelty of the Trump administration out of Washington D.C. , they should proudly choose a candidate without the legal and ethical baggage that would accompany Gen. Austin ’ s nomination .
The Defense Secretary of the United States can end countless lives at the drop of a button ; he should not have ties to those that profit from those deaths .

President-elect Joe Biden rode a wave of anti-Trump support to a decisive victory in the 2020 elections by promising to restore norms, ethics, and transparency to Washington. But one of his most prominent cabinet appointees is already in violation of that promise — and is provoking criticism from some Democratic Senators.
The appointment of retired U.S. Army General Lloyd J. Austin III, who would be our nation’s first Black Secretary of Defense, looks like a slam-dunk at first glance. But Gen. Austin has only been out of the military for four years, three less than the required seven years out of the armed forces under regulations designed to ensure civilian control over the military.
Donald Trump was widely criticized for obtaining a waiver to make Gen. James Mattis his Secretary of Defense, which was happily handed to him by a Republican-controlled Senate for only the second time in our nation’s history. Now Joe Biden looks to flout that norm again and follow in his predecessor’s footsteps by obtaining a waiver for Gen. Austin, raising concerns about the implications of yet another waiver for the future of civilian control of the military.
Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Elizabeth Warren (D-MASS), and Richard Blumenthal have all already indicated they will not vote to approve a waiver for Austin.
“I have the deepest respect and admiration for Gen. Austin, and his nomination is exciting and historic. But I believe that a waiver of the seven-year rule would contravene the basic principle that there should be civilian control over a nonpolitical military,” said Blumenthal.
Not only is Biden already failing to restore the norms that he promised he would, but he’s also opening up an ethical can of worms by appointing Gen. Austin. The recently retired military leader currently earns $350,000 a year to sit on the board of Raytheon, the defense and military contractor who currently maintains a $70 billion contract backlog to the Department of Defense.
Add your name to tell Trump: You Lost! Concede!
Austin’s material ties to a company that reaps enormous profits from the Department of Defense presents an obvious conflict of interests.
Not only does the U.S. military funnel billions of dollars to companies like Raytheon for weapons and materiel, but so do our “allies” like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia — who have used Raytheon-made missiles to commit war crimes in their murderous war against the Houthi rebels of Yemen, which has killed over 100,000 people.
The flood of American-made weapons to Saudi Arabia began under the Obama-Biden administration and has been lustily expanded by the Trump administration. While we do not know how a Biden administration would deal with the crisis in Yemen, one must ask if we can trust a man who has spent just four of the past forty-five years out of a military uniform and drew a six-digit salary from a missile company to use his position to stand up to his former patrons on behalf of human rights?
The Trump administration treated the American military-industrial complex as the world’s weapons cabinet, selling deadly munitions and technology to authoritarian regimes left and right while drastically escalating the pace of American bombing campaigns across the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia, leaving tens of thousands of civilians slaughtered in its wake.
If President Joe Biden and his team truly want to prove to the nation that they are committed to washing the corruption and nihilistic cruelty of the Trump administration out of Washington D.C., they should proudly choose a candidate without the legal and ethical baggage that would accompany Gen. Austin’s nomination. The Defense Secretary of the United States can end countless lives at the drop of a button; he should not have ties to those that profit from those deaths.
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Colin Taylor Opinion columnist and former editor-in-chief of Occupy Democrats. He graduated from Bennington College with a Bachelor's degree in history and political science. He now focuses on advancing the cause of social justice and equality in America. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-12-09--Trump provokes avalanche of mockery after citing “bookies” to claim 2020 victory

One would think that after bankrupting his casinos multiple times , Donald Trump would have soured on gambling .
One of his latest tweets , however , demonstrates that the lame-duck loser of a president still places an enormous amount of faith in the parimutuel oddsmakers who determine the betting line for casinos , sporting events , racetracks , and even political races .
Using the “ so-called ‘ bookies ' ” — who determine their payout percentages by the number of bets placed on a given candidate — as the arbiter of election odds rather than the dedicated political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a financial interest in the outcome about their intentions shows just how low Trump is stooping to find some excuse , any excuse , to cast doubts on the results of an election that everyone except himself and those who fear his rapidly receding retaliatory powers have accepted as settled .
As one would expect , Trump ’ s tweet attracted an avalanche of derision on his favorite social media platform .
Add your name to tell Trump : You Lost !
Concede !
At this point , Trump is willing to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he didn ’ t really lose so badly to Joe Biden .
What are the odds , one might ask , that Americans will tire of his ceaseless pity-party of denial and lies anytime soon ?
One doesn ’ t need a “ so-called ‘ bookie ' ” to figure out that the time to place that bet is long past .
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One would think that after bankrupting his casinos multiple times, Donald Trump would have soured on gambling.
One of his latest tweets, however, demonstrates that the lame-duck loser of a president still places an enormous amount of faith in the parimutuel oddsmakers who determine the betting line for casinos, sporting events, racetracks, and even political races.
At 10:00 P.M. on Election Evening, we were at 97% win with the so-called “bookies”. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 9, 2020
Using the “so-called ‘bookies'” — who determine their payout percentages by the number of bets placed on a given candidate — as the arbiter of election odds rather than the dedicated political pollsters who actually survey prospective voters without a financial interest in the outcome about their intentions shows just how low Trump is stooping to find some excuse, any excuse, to cast doubts on the results of an election that everyone except himself and those who fear his rapidly receding retaliatory powers have accepted as settled.
As one would expect, Trump’s tweet attracted an avalanche of derision on his favorite social media platform.
https://twitter.com/worldschanging/status/1336736146915618818?s=20
"A fool and his money are soon parted." — Pé (@4everNeverTrump) December 9, 2020
You couldn’t be more wrong Sir. pic.twitter.com/06d7gGzlG7 — Bobby Thompson (@Just_BobT) December 9, 2020
Add your name to tell Trump: You Lost! Concede!
Trump: TV networks do NOT get to call an election! Also Trump: THE BOOKIES CALLED IT AT 10pm! — Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) December 9, 2020
You lost. Deal with it. — Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) December 9, 2020
Dammit, I was 97% alive before I got struck by that vehicle, and then it 100% hit me, and I was 100% no longer alive. Losing comes at you fast, Spanky. YOU 100% LOST. — BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) December 9, 2020
IT’S ALMOST AS IF YOU FORCED STATES TO DELAY EARLY VOTE COUNTING OF MAIL-IN BALLOTS SO THAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE YOU HAD A STRONG LEAD BEFORE YOUR IMMINENT DEFEAT Oops, I said the quiet part loud. https://t.co/o4oBkl12W8 — Eric Wolfson (@EricWolfson) December 9, 2020
Bravo! — Ann Fowler Avery (@AnnFowlerAvery) December 9, 2020
https://twitter.com/trollBigotry/status/1336734115920572417?s=20
I'll take the over/under that you suck. — Angela Belcamino (@AngelaBelcamino) December 9, 2020
So…the Mob told you they had this under control – and they straight up lied to you, right? When the “most powerful person in the world” resorts to quoting “bookies’” odds for their election prospects, you’re losing. — USED TO BE G.O.P. (@Used_To_Be_GOP) December 9, 2020
https://twitter.com/LeeHolly81/status/1336736765852397568?s=20
Article XXI, the "hit me" clause. — ZZTodd, Partially Moot Antifa President ☣ (@ntoddpax) December 9, 2020
we should let Falcons fans being up 28-3 halfway through the second half of the Super Bowl explain this to him — ⛄Battery-filled Snowman⛄ (@psubeatboxer) December 9, 2020
He never bets with his own money — Anthony DeVito (@AnthonyDeVito) December 9, 2020
https://twitter.com/swingdownbeat/status/1336743839118356482?s=20
It’s weird to know the villain from the third Ocean’s movie got elected President — Jason Vincent (@jasoncvincent) December 9, 2020
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh so what Trump is REALLY mad about is losing his $10,000,000,000 bet that he placed on himself winning….. well no WONDER he filed so many lawsuits! He's buying time to pay off his so-called "bookies"!! https://t.co/qucMDq6YiB pic.twitter.com/6BTg0DrrlH — Brian Anthony Bowen (@BrianAnthonyBo1) December 9, 2020
At this point, Trump is willing to say or do anything to convince people that he didn’t really lose so badly to Joe Biden.
What are the odds, one might ask, that Americans will tire of his ceaseless pity-party of denial and lies anytime soon?
One doesn’t need a “so-called ‘bookie'” to figure out that the time to place that bet is long past.
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Vinnie Longobardo Managing Editor Vinnie Longobardo is the Managing Editor of Occupy Democrats. He's a 35-year veteran of the TV, mobile & internet industries, specializing in start-ups and the international media business. His passions are politics, music, and art. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-12-09--Melania sent her minion to see how much taxpayer money she can milk after leaving White House

The stench of the Trump family will soon be washed out of the White House as President-elect Joe Biden takes his rightful place in the Oval Office on January 20th .
And while the American people will finally be rid of the horror of having a clan of submoronic crooks run their government , one would be a fool to think this is the last we ’ ll hear from the Trumps .
Presuming they don ’ t end up in prison for any number of likely crimes , it seems probable that some of the Trump children , specifically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fixtures within the Republican Party for decades to come .
We may even be unfortunate enough to see one or even both of them launch a bid for the White House .
That said , it appears there is at least one prominent Trump who can not wait to escape the public eye .
CNN reports that First Lady Melania Trump is more than eager to leave 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for good .
In November , she tasked Marcia Lee Kelly—an unpaid volunteer member of her staff—to dig around behind the scenes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and income she could expect as a former First Lady .
One might speculate that her desire to find a revenue stream not tied to her husband ’ s personal checkbook could indicate that she is at least considering the possibility of leaving him .
Add your name to tell Trump : You Lost !
Concede !
What Kelly discovered was that former First Ladies are only given a $ 20,000 yearly pension and it only activates if her husband dies .
While this news was almost certainly a disappointment to Melania , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rest of us .
The last thing this woman deserves after four years of enabling her evil , disastrous husband is to live out a life of luxury subsidized by our hard-earned money .
“ She just wants to go home , ” one source close to Melania told CNN .
She also seems less than enthused about the prospect of her husband running again in 2024 .
When asked what she thinks of such an eventuality the source responded simply : “ That might not go over well.
” The Trumps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where some anticipate Donald Trump will soon go stir-crazy without the eyes of the world constantly upon him .
At this point , the man is little more than a walking ego .
He ’ s incapable of contributing anything meaningful or helpful to the world , so it seems inevitable that he will eventually begin scrounging around for ways to recapture the attention he has enjoyed as president .
“ [ Melania ] is aware he is not the kind of ex-President who will retreat to a quiet life of writing his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” one source told CNN .
The point about the memoir is particularly unsurprising .
Trump can barely read so there ’ s no way he could write a book by himself .
Regardless of what the Trumps choose to ultimately do after leaving the White House , we can all take solace in the fact that Donald J. Trump and his heartless wife will never see the inside of the Oval Office again after January 20th .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
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The stench of the Trump family will soon be washed out of the White House as President-elect Joe Biden takes his rightful place in the Oval Office on January 20th. And while the American people will finally be rid of the horror of having a clan of submoronic crooks run their government, one would be a fool to think this is the last we’ll hear from the Trumps.
Presuming they don’t end up in prison for any number of likely crimes, it seems probable that some of the Trump children, specifically Ivanka and Donald Jr., will be fixtures within the Republican Party for decades to come. We may even be unfortunate enough to see one or even both of them launch a bid for the White House. That said, it appears there is at least one prominent Trump who cannot wait to escape the public eye.
CNN reports that First Lady Melania Trump is more than eager to leave 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for good. In November, she tasked Marcia Lee Kelly—an unpaid volunteer member of her staff—to dig around behind the scenes to find out what kind of taxpayer-funded staff and income she could expect as a former First Lady. One might speculate that her desire to find a revenue stream not tied to her husband’s personal checkbook could indicate that she is at least considering the possibility of leaving him.
Add your name to tell Trump: You Lost! Concede!
What Kelly discovered was that former First Ladies are only given a $20,000 yearly pension and it only activates if her husband dies. While this news was almost certainly a disappointment to Melania, it should come as a relief to the rest of us. The last thing this woman deserves after four years of enabling her evil, disastrous husband is to live out a life of luxury subsidized by our hard-earned money.
“She just wants to go home,” one source close to Melania told CNN. She also seems less than enthused about the prospect of her husband running again in 2024. When asked what she thinks of such an eventuality the source responded simply: “That might not go over well.”
The Trumps intend to move to Mar-a-Lago in Florida where some anticipate Donald Trump will soon go stir-crazy without the eyes of the world constantly upon him. At this point, the man is little more than a walking ego. He’s incapable of contributing anything meaningful or helpful to the world, so it seems inevitable that he will eventually begin scrounging around for ways to recapture the attention he has enjoyed as president.
“[Melania] is aware he is not the kind of ex-President who will retreat to a quiet life of writing his memoir, or taking up oil painting,” one source told CNN. The point about the memoir is particularly unsurprising. Trump can barely read so there’s no way he could write a book by himself.
Regardless of what the Trumps choose to ultimately do after leaving the White House, we can all take solace in the fact that Donald J. Trump and his heartless wife will never see the inside of the Oval Office again after January 20th.
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occupydemocrats--2020-12-09--Trump promises “lesson in courage” in cowardly refusal to concede election

In 1956 , the then-Senator John F. Kennedy famously penned a volume of short biographies describing acts of bravery and integrity by eight U.S.Senators , entitling it Profiles in Courage .
The book told the stories of senators who defied the opinions of their political parties and constituents to follow their consciences and suffered the consequences of their actions .
!
n 2020 , Donald Trump wrote a tweet that redefined the very notion of courage in a way that would surely have John F. Kennedy turning over in his grave , were such a thing possible .
Add your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
Concede !
For Trump , courage seems to be defined not as standing up for one ’ s principles in the face of adversity and tyranny , but as flogging demonstrable falsehoods in a whiny and desperate plea to avoid the loss of his presidential immunity and the subsequent long-delayed accountability for his criminal actions .
The very fact that Trump continues to insist that he “ received hundreds of thousands of legal votes more , in all of the Swing States , than ” Joe Biden when that totally counterfactual claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election officials , including members of his own party , in the states he claims to have won , is a sign not of courage , but of malicious , self-interested duplicity and/or deluded insanity .
There is no courage in Trump ’ s refusing to face up to his loss .
There is no courage in attempting to claim a victory that he hasn ’ t earned .
There is no courage in destroying public confidence in the fairness of an election that has been declared free , fair , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that could transform Trump ’ s massive defeat into a victory for him .
There is only pathos and shame .
The only thing “ FIXED ” about the election is that now the presidency can finally be repaired from all the damage that Trump has inflicted on the institution of the executive branch once he finally leaves office on January 20th .
Tweet all you that want , Mr. Lame-duck President .
It won ’ t make you any more courageous .
If the American people have anything to learn about courage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up a copy of John F. Kennedy ’ s book and reading about some politicians who have truly demonstrated it .
Donald Trump ’ s sniveling is as far from courage as you will find .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

In 1956, the then-Senator John F. Kennedy famously penned a volume of short biographies describing acts of bravery and integrity by eight U.S.Senators, entitling it Profiles in Courage.
The book told the stories of senators who defied the opinions of their political parties and constituents to follow their consciences and suffered the consequences of their actions.
!n 2020, Donald Trump wrote a tweet that redefined the very notion of courage in a way that would surely have John F. Kennedy turning over in his grave, were such a thing possible.
We will soon be learning about the word “courage”, and saving our Country. I received hundreds of thousands of legal votes more, in all of the Swing States, than did my opponent. ALL Data taken after the vote says that it was impossible for me to lose, unless FIXED! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 9, 2020
Add your name to tell Trump: You Lost! Concede!
For Trump, courage seems to be defined not as standing up for one’s principles in the face of adversity and tyranny, but as flogging demonstrable falsehoods in a whiny and desperate plea to avoid the loss of his presidential immunity and the subsequent long-delayed accountability for his criminal actions.
The very fact that Trump continues to insist that he “received hundreds of thousands of legal votes more, in all of the Swing States, than” Joe Biden when that totally counterfactual claim has been disproven time and again by the election officials, including members of his own party, in the states he claims to have won, is a sign not of courage, but of malicious, self-interested duplicity and/or deluded insanity.
There is no courage in Trump’s refusing to face up to his loss.
There is no courage in attempting to claim a victory that he hasn’t earned.
There is no courage in destroying public confidence in the fairness of an election that has been declared free, fair, and lacking in any sort of electoral malfeasance that could transform Trump’s massive defeat into a victory for him.
There is only pathos and shame.
The only thing “FIXED” about the election is that now the presidency can finally be repaired from all the damage that Trump has inflicted on the institution of the executive branch once he finally leaves office on January 20th.
Tweet all you that want, Mr. Lame-duck President.
It won’t make you any more courageous.
If the American people have anything to learn about courage, they would be better off picking up a copy of John F. Kennedy’s book and reading about some politicians who have truly demonstrated it.
Donald Trump’s sniveling is as far from courage as you will find.
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Vinnie Longobardo Managing Editor Vinnie Longobardo is the Managing Editor of Occupy Democrats. He's a 35-year veteran of the TV, mobile & internet industries, specializing in start-ups and the international media business. His passions are politics, music, and art. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-12-09--Trump gloats about Germany’s pandemic deaths to slam his “obnoxious critics”

Over the past four years , thanks to the negligent and often intentionally destructive leadership of Donald Trump , the United States of America has relinquished the mantle of world leadership in countless spheres .
At the same time , our country has picked up newer , far more dubious distinctions , like arguably being the country in the western developed world to botch the COVID-19 pandemic the worst .
Our president long ago showed himself to be woefully incapable of even the most simple forms of good governance so it should come as little surprise that he was deeply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to handle a historic viral crisis .
Of course , the egomaniacal Trump has insisted repeatedly that he masterfully handle the outbreak , even though we know for a fact that he intentionally misled the public about the risks of the coronavirus while publicly downplaying it and even dismissing concerns as a Democratic “ hoax.
” To date , over 280,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 , and cases are once again spiking .
Meanwhile , some countries are returning to normalcy thanks to their government ’ s competent handling of the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus but have managed to lose far fewer of their citizens .
Add your name to tell Trump : You Lost !
Concede !
Germany for example is estimated to have suffered roughly 20,000 deaths to date .
Admittedly , Germany has a smaller population than the United States—about 83 million compared to about 328 million Americans—but if one were to scale down the population of the U.S. while maintaining the same ratio of deaths under Trump , the U.S. would come in at around 70,000 some deaths .
In other words , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failure when it comes to saving Americans .
It ’ s difficult to even comprehend the scale of their failure when one considers the needless loss of human life .
Ever the oblivious egomaniac , Trump retweeted a random Twitter account talking bout Germany reaching a daily high of 590 COVID-19 deaths .
The president gloated , saying that Germany has been held by his “ obnoxious critics ” as an example of how the U.S. should have handled the “ China Virus.
” “ So much for that argument .
I love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
!
” Trump concluded .
One can almost see his self-satisfied smile through the tweet as he relishes the opportunity to delight in human tragedy for political purposes .
It ’ s as cruel as it is clueless .
A rise in German deaths doesn ’ t change the fact that Trump has the blood of perhaps hundreds of thousands of Americans on his hands and at this point , America would be lucky to have the same coronavirus rates as Germany .
We want to hear what YOU have to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our NEW comment section !

Over the past four years, thanks to the negligent and often intentionally destructive leadership of Donald Trump, the United States of America has relinquished the mantle of world leadership in countless spheres. At the same time, our country has picked up newer, far more dubious distinctions, like arguably being the country in the western developed world to botch the COVID-19 pandemic the worst.
Our president long ago showed himself to be woefully incapable of even the most simple forms of good governance so it should come as little surprise that he was deeply unsuited, both psychologically and intellectually, to handle a historic viral crisis. Of course, the egomaniacal Trump has insisted repeatedly that he masterfully handle the outbreak, even though we know for a fact that he intentionally misled the public about the risks of the coronavirus while publicly downplaying it and even dismissing concerns as a Democratic “hoax.”
To date, over 280,000 Americans have died from COVID-19, and cases are once again spiking. Meanwhile, some countries are returning to normalcy thanks to their government’s competent handling of the pandemic. Still others are struggling with the coronavirus but have managed to lose far fewer of their citizens.
Add your name to tell Trump: You Lost! Concede!
Germany for example is estimated to have suffered roughly 20,000 deaths to date. Admittedly, Germany has a smaller population than the United States—about 83 million compared to about 328 million Americans—but if one were to scale down the population of the U.S. while maintaining the same ratio of deaths under Trump, the U.S. would come in at around 70,000 some deaths. In other words, the Trump administration has been an abject failure when it comes to saving Americans. It’s difficult to even comprehend the scale of their failure when one considers the needless loss of human life.
Ever the oblivious egomaniac, Trump retweeted a random Twitter account talking bout Germany reaching a daily high of 590 COVID-19 deaths. The president gloated, saying that Germany has been held by his “obnoxious critics” as an example of how the U.S. should have handled the “China Virus.”
“So much for that argument. I love Germany – Vaccines on the way!!!” Trump concluded. One can almost see his self-satisfied smile through the tweet as he relishes the opportunity to delight in human tragedy for political purposes. It’s as cruel as it is clueless. A rise in German deaths doesn’t change the fact that Trump has the blood of perhaps hundreds of thousands of Americans on his hands and at this point, America would be lucky to have the same coronavirus rates as Germany.
Germany has consistently been used by my obnoxious critics as the country that we should follow on the way to handle the China Virus. So much for that argument. I love Germany – Vaccines on the way!!! https://t.co/hEeKIqDMQn — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 9, 2020
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occupydemocrats--2020-12-09--Trump quietly hands Kellyanne and McConnell’s wife new cushy government “jobs” at last minute

Even in the waning days of the Trump presidency , the administration ’ s corrupt and nepotistic urges remain just as strong as ever .
Four years of using the United States government as a favors-and-influence distributor — and not to mention as his personal expense account — is culminating in the last minute appointment of Trump ’ s right-hand woman Kellyanne Conway and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ’ s wife Elaine Chao for cushy government “ jobs.
” Conway was appointed to the Air Force Academy ’ s advisory body and Chao was made a member of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts .
They were two of the most prominent members of a 30-person list of appointments that the White House quietly announced on Tuesday evening , the majority of which went to Trump donors , their families , and his allies .
Being neither an airperson nor a military member , it ’ s hard to see the Conway appointment as anything but another political handout .
The board was “ established to inquire into the morale , discipline , social climate , curriculum , instruction , physical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other matters relating to the academy , ” and Conway is qualified to do none of that .
Add your name to tell Trump : You Lost !
Concede !
Former board members and Air Force brass reacted with horror in response to the news , questioning the wisdom of appointing America ’ s second-most prolific liar to advise an institution of learning .
“ Having somebody on the board who has — blatantly and publicly , multiple times , for everyone to see , including cadets — said things that are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just an assault on the Air Force Academy as an institution .
It ’ s just a really bad idea to have a notorious liar on the board , ” groused Retired Air Force Major General Irv Halter .
Former Air Force First Lieutenant Kathryn Smith , a 1982 graduate , did not appreciate the board being used to reward the president ’ s political allies .
While it ’ s doubtlessly very low on the list of priorities , with any luck President Biden will replace these swamp creatures with people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an end to the rampant corruption and graft that has flourished in Washington D.C. over the past four years .

Even in the waning days of the Trump presidency, the administration’s corrupt and nepotistic urges remain just as strong as ever. Four years of using the United States government as a favors-and-influence distributor — and not to mention as his personal expense account — is culminating in the last minute appointment of Trump’s right-hand woman Kellyanne Conway and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s wife Elaine Chao for cushy government “jobs.”
Conway was appointed to the Air Force Academy’s advisory body and Chao was made a member of the board of trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. They were two of the most prominent members of a 30-person list of appointments that the White House quietly announced on Tuesday evening, the majority of which went to Trump donors, their families, and his allies.
Being neither an airperson nor a military member, it’s hard to see the Conway appointment as anything but another political handout. The board was “established to inquire into the morale, discipline, social climate, curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, academic methods and other matters relating to the academy,” and Conway is qualified to do none of that.
Add your name to tell Trump: You Lost! Concede!
Former board members and Air Force brass reacted with horror in response to the news, questioning the wisdom of appointing America’s second-most prolific liar to advise an institution of learning.
“Having somebody on the board who has — blatantly and publicly, multiple times, for everyone to see, including cadets — said things that are absolutely untrue — factually untrue — is just an assault on the Air Force Academy as an institution. It’s just a really bad idea to have a notorious liar on the board,” groused Retired Air Force Major General Irv Halter.
Former Air Force First Lieutenant Kathryn Smith, a 1982 graduate, did not appreciate the board being used to reward the president’s political allies.
While it’s doubtlessly very low on the list of priorities, with any luck President Biden will replace these swamp creatures with people who actually deserve the position — and put an end to the rampant corruption and graft that has flourished in Washington D.C. over the past four years.
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occupydemocrats--2020-12-10--Pennsylvania shreds Texas over its “legally indefensible” attempt to deliver election win to Trump

After the way it has conducted itself this election cycle , the Republican Party can no longer be allowed to pretend that it cares one whit about American democracy .
President-elect Biden defeated Donald Trump with an impressive electoral lead and an overwhelming popular vote mandate .
Rather than accept this unassailable fact , Trump has chosen to dispute the results , claiming without evidence or credibility that victory was stolen from him through an insidious mass voter fraud conspiracy .
Forced to choose between abandoning their cult leader or embracing lies that directly undermine the public ’ s faith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP chose the latter .
Trump ’ s attorneys have failed in their efforts to overturn the election results in court and every state has now certified its election results .
Despite the fact that Biden will obviously be sworn in as the 46th president next month , Republican-controlled states are persisting in their anti-democratic efforts to hand Trump a second disastrous term .
Texas has filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court demanding that millions of votes in Pennslyvania , Wisconsin , Michigan , and Georgia be discarded .
All of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a lawsuit , filed by Texas ’ s Attorney General Ken Paxton , is nothing less than a soft coup attempt .
While it seems unlikely that the legal putsch will succeed given the hurdles it would need to clear to achieve its goals and the lack of evidence to support the accusations of “ illegitimate ” votes , it should still alarm every patriotic American .
This is not the way things are supposed to work in this country .
We have elections and then the will of the people is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump : You Lost !
Concede !
Urged on by their criminal president , Texas Republicans are hoping to undo Biden ’ s legitimate victory and install Trump for another four years , destroying our Republic in the process .
Seventeen other red states are supporting the suit , demonstrating that the illiberal , authoritarian strain running through the GOP is not localized to simply Texas and the White House .
106 Republicans in the House have also thrown their support behind the fascist plot .
The party is rotten to its core @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a state some 1300 miles works to disenfranchise its citizens , Pennslyvania has now filed a response to Texas ’ s lawsuit .
The Keystone State slammed Texas for adding “ its voice to the cacophony of bogus claims ” about the election .
“ Its request for this Court to exercise its original jurisdiction and then anoint Texas ’ s preferred candidate for President is legally indefensible and is an afront to principles of constitutional democracy , ” the filing states .
“ Texas has not suffered harm simply because it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and nothing in the text , history , or structure of the Constitution supports Texas ’ s view that it can dictate the manner in which four other states run their elections , ” it later states , perfectly distilling the absurdity of this lawsuit .
If we still live in a democracy the Supreme Court will look at Texas ’ s claim and dismiss it outright .
It represents nothing less than a direct assault on the sanctity of our electoral system .
If Republicans are victorious the United States as we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hear what YOU have to say .
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After the way it has conducted itself this election cycle, the Republican Party can no longer be allowed to pretend that it cares one whit about American democracy. President-elect Biden defeated Donald Trump with an impressive electoral lead and an overwhelming popular vote mandate. Rather than accept this unassailable fact, Trump has chosen to dispute the results, claiming without evidence or credibility that victory was stolen from him through an insidious mass voter fraud conspiracy. Forced to choose between abandoning their cult leader or embracing lies that directly undermine the public’s faith in our elections, much of the GOP chose the latter.
Trump’s attorneys have failed in their efforts to overturn the election results in court and every state has now certified its election results. Despite the fact that Biden will obviously be sworn in as the 46th president next month, Republican-controlled states are persisting in their anti-democratic efforts to hand Trump a second disastrous term. Texas has filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court demanding that millions of votes in Pennslyvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Georgia be discarded. All of these states uncoincidentally went blue.
The farce of a lawsuit, filed by Texas’s Attorney General Ken Paxton, is nothing less than a soft coup attempt. While it seems unlikely that the legal putsch will succeed given the hurdles it would need to clear to achieve its goals and the lack of evidence to support the accusations of “illegitimate” votes, it should still alarm every patriotic American. This is not the way things are supposed to work in this country. We have elections and then the will of the people is enacted.
Add your name to tell Trump: You Lost! Concede!
Urged on by their criminal president, Texas Republicans are hoping to undo Biden’s legitimate victory and install Trump for another four years, destroying our Republic in the process. Seventeen other red states are supporting the suit, demonstrating that the illiberal, authoritarian strain running through the GOP is not localized to simply Texas and the White House. 106 Republicans in the House have also thrown their support behind the fascist plot.
The party is rotten to its core.
https://twitter.com/johnkruzel/status/1337135543373733889?s=20
Not content to simply sit back as a state some 1300 miles works to disenfranchise its citizens, Pennslyvania has now filed a response to Texas’s lawsuit. The Keystone State slammed Texas for adding “its voice to the cacophony of bogus claims” about the election.
“Its request for this Court to exercise its original jurisdiction and then anoint Texas’s preferred candidate for President is legally indefensible and is an afront to principles of constitutional democracy,” the filing states.
“Texas has not suffered harm simply because it dislikes the result of the election, and nothing in the text, history, or structure of the Constitution supports Texas’s view that it can dictate the manner in which four other states run their elections,” it later states, perfectly distilling the absurdity of this lawsuit.
If we still live in a democracy the Supreme Court will look at Texas’s claim and dismiss it outright. It represents nothing less than a direct assault on the sanctity of our electoral system. If Republicans are victorious the United States as we know it is over.
Pennsylvania has filed its response in #SCOTUS to Texas's overturn-the-election suit. It does not mince words:https://t.co/Vws4IVnKXY pic.twitter.com/u4njHs9w9k — Steve Vladeck (@steve_vladeck) December 10, 2020
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occupydemocrats--2020-12-10--Mitch McConnell throws America to the wolves, kills bipartisan relief bill

Donald Trump ’ s seven million vote loss to Joe Biden hasn ’ t taught Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-KY ) a thing about the necessity of compromise in his political maneuvering .
With the United States now experiencing a COVID-19 death toll each day that is equivalent to the number of people killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks , with the American economy in tatters and unemployment at record levels , McConnell is the same obstinate obstructionist trying to single-handedly control which relief legislation even comes up for a vote before the members of the senate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a $ 3 trillion relief bill back in May that would have funneled federal dollars to both individuals and state and locals governments in addition to the corporate welfare clients typically favored by the GOP , McConnell let the bill languish on his desk for months as Trump continued to downplay the effects of the pandemic during his presidential campaign .
Once the election was over , the hope was that Moscow Mitch would relent and quickly pass some form of relief legislation for a citizenry in ever-increasing and desperate need of it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have led the Democrats to agree to a bill that spends just a third of what they originally approved in the House HEROES Act , McConnell is still playing hardball and remains the primary impediment to freeing up federal relief funds to prevent a wave of breadlines , home foreclosures , and evictions for a public devastated by the economic fallout of the pandemic .
The man dubbed Dr. No by his critics told other congressional leaders today that the current bipartisan coronavirus relief package negotiations will be rejected by the Senate Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to tell Trump : You Lost !
Concede !
The line in the sand that divides the two sides all boils down to Mitch McConnell ’ s insistence that no corporation should ever be sued for its failures to protect its workers from the consequences of their negligence in workplace safety and his simultaneous refusal to give federal money to aid state and local governments whose coffers have been bled dry by the falling tax revenues inherent in a massive economic slowdown .
The Kentucky Senator characterizes state and local aid as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in reality , it is the red states that take more dollars from the federal government than they contribute .
Democrats for their part are loathe to give companies that failed to protect their employees a free pass to escape liability for their harmful negligence .
With McConnell signaling that the negotiations will be worthless because he won ’ t agree to bring the bill as currently envisioned to a vote on the Senate floor , Congress is again at an impasse due to the obstinance of a single man .
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ page from the Trump playbook and wondering loudly on social media how McConnell could have won an election in a state where his approval ratings pre-election were at subterranean levels , pointing to electronic voting machines as a possible explanation .
If Mitch McConnell remains Senate Majority Leader in the next Congress — a distinct possibility if Jon Ossoff and Rev .
Raphael Warnock don ’ t succeed in winning their Senate runoff elections in Georgia — then Joe Biden faces the same total obstructionism for his legislative agenda that President Obama faced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After four years of Donald Trump , we need to give Biden a Democratic-controlled Senate in order to reverse the most severe damage that the orange loser has caused to our nation .
Consider making a donation to help Warnock and Ossof win their races here .
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With the United States now experiencing a COVID-19 death toll each day that is equivalent to the number of people killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the American economy in tatters, and unemployment at record levels, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has once again single-handedly blocked relief from reaching the American people.
While the Democratic-led House of Representatives passed a $3 trillion relief bill back in May that would have funneled federal dollars to both individuals and state and locals governments in addition to the corporate welfare clients typically favored by the GOP, McConnell let the bill languish on his desk for months as President Trump continued to downplay the effects of the pandemic during his presidential campaign.
Once the election was over, the hope was that McConnell would relent and quickly pass some form of relief legislation for a citizenry in ever-increasing and desperate need of it.
Now, despite bipartisan negotiations that have led the Democrats to agree to a bill that spends just a third of what they originally approved in the House HEROES Act, McConnell is still playing hardball and remains the primary impediment to freeing up federal relief funds to prevent a wave of breadlines, home foreclosures, and evictions for a public devastated by the economic fallout of the pandemic.
The self-proclaimed grim reaper told other congressional leaders today that the current bipartisan coronavirus relief package negotiations will be rejected by the Senate Republicans that he leads.
According to Politico:
“McConnell’s staff informed House and Senate leadership staffers that the group’s attempts to marry $160 billion in state and local aid and a temporary liability shield probably won’t fly with most of the GOP, the Democrat said. Those two issues have become the primary focus for a bipartisan group of lawmakers that is trying to hammer out a $908 billion compromise.”
Add your name to tell Trump: You Lost! Concede!
The line in the sand that divides the two sides all boils down to Mitch McConnell’s insistence that no corporation should ever be sued for its failures to protect its workers from the consequences of their negligence in workplace safety and his simultaneous refusal to give federal money to aid state and local governments whose coffers have been bled dry by the falling tax revenues inherent in a massive economic slowdown.
The Kentucky Senator characterizes state and local aid as a blue state bailout despite the fact that, in reality, it is the red states that take more dollars from the federal government than they contribute.
Democrats for their part are loathe to give companies that failed to protect their employees a free pass to escape liability for their harmful negligence.
With McConnell signaling that the negotiations will be worthless because he won’t agree to bring the bill as currently envisioned to a vote on the Senate floor, Congress is again at an impasse due to the obstinance of a single man.
No wonder that some Democrats are taking a page from the Trump playbook and wondering loudly on social media how McConnell could have won an election in a state where his approval ratings pre-election were at subterranean levels, pointing to electronic voting machines as a possible explanation.
If Mitch McConnell remains Senate Majority Leader in the next Congress — a distinct possibility if Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock don’t succeed in winning their Senate runoff elections in Georgia — then Joe Biden faces the same total obstructionism for his legislative agenda that President Obama faced ion the last years of his term.
After four years of Donald Trump, we need to give Biden a Democratic-controlled Senate in order to reverse the most severe damage that the orange loser has caused to our nation.
Consider making a donation to help Warnock and Ossof win their races here.
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
Original reporting by Burgess Everett at Politico.
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Vinnie Longobardo Managing Editor Vinnie Longobardo is the Managing Editor of Occupy Democrats. He's a 35-year veteran of the TV, mobile & internet industries, specializing in start-ups and the international media business. His passions are politics, music, and art. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-12-10--Morning meltdown: Trump rants about the “country being stolen” and attacks Republican governor

There are just 41 days left until President-elect Joe Biden takes the oath of office and is finally sworn in as the 46th President of the United States of America and yet the current occupant of the Oval Office is still making his delusional claims that he actually won the election .
Trump insists that there was widespread voter fraud despite a complete lack of evidence and many Republicans , unwilling to accept that their hideous-souled cult leader was rejected by the majority of Americans , are choosing to believe him .
Luckily for our democracy , the half-baked cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been laughed out of courts all across the country .
He has no path to a second term .
Despite that harsh reality , Trump ’ s Twitter account remains a bastion of misinformation and fevered paranoia .
Today , he woke up and unleashed a tidal wave of tweets .
Add your name to tell Trump : You Lost !
Concede !
The president started out his day by tweeting out two personality traits that he has never and will never possess… Trump then immediately pivoted to spewing his ridiculous belief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victory from the jaws of defeat for him because this cycle witnessed “ the greatest Election abuse in the history of the United States.
” As stated before , there is absolutely no evidence of such abuse or fraud and if his team had even a scrap of proof they ’ d be having much better luck in court .
Instead , they ’ re reduced to ranting online and appearing on right-wing news outlets to peddle their lies .
The president followed with a tweet claiming that Biden “ lost the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in each of the swing states.
” Again , the accusation is completely untrue but Trump ’ s toxic ego makes it impossible for him to admit that he lost as badly as he did .
His swipe that his successor will be an “ illegitimate president , ” tips his hand and shows that all of this election nonsense is really just about poisoning the well for the Biden administration .
Trump has been an abject failure as president and he despises the idea of Biden having a successful tenure .
Clearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned his ire on Georgia ’ s Republican Governor Brian Kemp , who he has attacked repeatedly in recent weeks for refusing to illegally overturn the state ’ s election results .
His bizarre conspiracy theory about the state being stolen from him involves some convoluted allegations about ballot signatures and vague references to videos that supposedly show fraud , though no such tapes have been verified .
“ He is finished as governor !
” Trump added , once again proving that he is more than willing to cannibalize loyal members of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal interests .
Perhaps winded from the mental exertion of having to translate his own turgid thoughts into original tweets , he then shifted to simply quoting lies from some of his more loyal minions .
For good measure , he threw in a grainy video that MAGA-heads are convinced proves fraud .
Never much one for originality , he ended his Twitter rampage by reiterating his corruption lies .
This will be his legacy : a disastrous president who let hundreds of thousands of Americans die , lost his reelection bid , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House whining on the internet .
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There are just 41 days left until President-elect Joe Biden takes the oath of office and is finally sworn in as the 46th President of the United States of America and yet the current occupant of the Oval Office is still making his delusional claims that he actually won the election. Trump insists that there was widespread voter fraud despite a complete lack of evidence and many Republicans, unwilling to accept that their hideous-souled cult leader was rejected by the majority of Americans, are choosing to believe him.
Luckily for our democracy, the half-baked cases brought by Trump’s COVID-19-ridden attorneys have been laughed out of courts all across the country. He has no path to a second term. Despite that harsh reality, Trump’s Twitter account remains a bastion of misinformation and fevered paranoia. Today, he woke up and unleashed a tidal wave of tweets.
Add your name to tell Trump: You Lost! Concede!
The president started out his day by tweeting out two personality traits that he has never and will never possess…
WISDOM & COURAGE!!! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2020
Trump then immediately pivoted to spewing his ridiculous belief that the Supreme Court will somehow steal victory from the jaws of defeat for him because this cycle witnessed “the greatest Election abuse in the history of the United States.” As stated before, there is absolutely no evidence of such abuse or fraud and if his team had even a scrap of proof they’d be having much better luck in court. Instead, they’re reduced to ranting online and appearing on right-wing news outlets to peddle their lies.
The Supreme Court has a chance to save our Country from the greatest Election abuse in the history of the United States. 78% of the people feel (know!) the Election was RIGGED. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2020
The president followed with a tweet claiming that Biden “lost the election by hundreds of thousands of legal votes in each of the swing states.” Again, the accusation is completely untrue but Trump’s toxic ego makes it impossible for him to admit that he lost as badly as he did.
His swipe that his successor will be an “illegitimate president,” tips his hand and shows that all of this election nonsense is really just about poisoning the well for the Biden administration. Trump has been an abject failure as president and he despises the idea of Biden having a successful tenure.
How can you give an election to someone who lost the election by hundreds of thousands of legal votes in each of the swing states. How can a country be run by an illegitimate president? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2020
Clearly on a manic roll, Trump then turned his ire on Georgia’s Republican Governor Brian Kemp, who he has attacked repeatedly in recent weeks for refusing to illegally overturn the state’s election results. His bizarre conspiracy theory about the state being stolen from him involves some convoluted allegations about ballot signatures and vague references to videos that supposedly show fraud, though no such tapes have been verified.
“He is finished as governor!” Trump added, once again proving that he is more than willing to cannibalize loyal members of his own party if it serves his personal interests.
How does Governor @BrianKempGA allow certification of votes without verifying signatures and despite the recently released tape of ballots being stuffed? His poll numbers have dropped like a rock. He is finished as governor! @RepDougCollins — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2020
Perhaps winded from the mental exertion of having to translate his own turgid thoughts into original tweets, he then shifted to simply quoting lies from some of his more loyal minions.
“Donald Trump won by a landslide, and they stole it from him!” @seanhannity — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2020
….The fact that our Country is being stolen. A coup is taking place in front of our eyes, and the public can’t take this anymore.” A Trump fan at Georgia Rally on @OANN Bad! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2020
For good measure, he threw in a grainy video that MAGA-heads are convinced proves fraud.
Never much one for originality, he ended his Twitter rampage by reiterating his corruption lies.
Great. Most corrupt Election in history, by far. We won!!! https://t.co/nGMMaRQmz8 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2020
This will be his legacy: a disastrous president who let hundreds of thousands of Americans die, lost his reelection bid, then spent his final days in the White House whining on the internet.
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occupydemocrats--2020-12-10--New Democratic Senator Mark Kelly breaks with party and votes with Trump in first major vote

Democratic voters were jubilant when former astronaut Mark Kelly ousted GOP appointee Martha McSally in the party ’ s sole Senate seat pickup of the 2020 elections .
They will be distinctly less excited to see their new Senator use his first major vote to break with the party and approve one of the last pieces of the outgoing President Trump ’ s bloodstained agenda .
On Wednesday , Sen. Kelly ( D-AZ ) joined his fellow Arizona Senator Krysten Sinema to spurn the efforts of his fellow Democrats to block the Jared Kushner-sponsored sale of F-35 fighter jets and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the United Arab Emirates , delivering one last win to a Trump administration on its way out the door .
“ On a vote of 46-50 , the Senate failed to advance a resolution disapproving of the Reaper sales , with Sen. Rand Paul ( R-Ky. ) joining Democrats and Arizona ’ s Democratic Sens .
Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema joining Republicans .
The second vote , on blocking the F-35 sale , failed 47-49 , with Kelly splitting his votes , ” reports POLITICO .
The $ 23 billion sale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a generous stockpile of missiles , which the Trump team arranged for the UAE as a reward for its normalization of relations with Israel .
The last time the United States delivered these kinds of sophisticated weapons systems to a Middle Eastern petrokingdom , the Saudi Arabian buyers immediately began a gruesome war against the Houthi rebels of Yemen , sending American-bought missiles into markets and weddings with wanton abandon .
Thousands of innocents , including a schoolbus full of kids , have died in the relentless airstrikes .
Up until recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participant in the bloodletting of Yemen , sending both ground troops and fighter jets while training and sponsoring their own militia groups in the area .
This behavior , along with reports that the UAE has been striking secret deals with al-Qaida fighters , has left the few Senators who are not callously indifferent to the real-world consequences of American retail militarism opposed to the sale .
Sen. Rand Paul ( R-KY ) , who is wrong about almost everything , had a rare moment of honesty on the Senate floor on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we intentionally don ’ t want to consider all of these issues .
This is not a country we should be giving our most sophisticated weaponry to.
” Add your name to tell Trump : You Lost !
Concede !
“ There is no doubt that the U.A.E.
’ s recent normalization agreement with Israel is a big deal , and there is a level of arms transfer that could make sense for an important partner in the region .
But the Emiratis ’ recent behavior in Yemen and Libya , where U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ militias , on top of their active and growing defense relationships with China and Russia , should give everyone pause , ” said Sen. Chris Murphy ( D-CT ) .
Mark Kelly has had a previous relationship with the UAE ; earlier this year , he returned $ 55,000 to Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan that he had been paid to give a speech with his brother Scott Kelly in June 2018 .
It does not bode well for the next four years that our newest Senator ’ s first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deliver a win for President Donald Trump and his fellow autocrats in the UAE .
It is hard to understand how the voters of Arizona would be concerned about whether or not a Middle Eastern kingdom that they likely have never heard of has the tools to commit war crimes from the sky .
While Raytheon does operate a large manufacturing facility in Tucson , the company already has a $ 70 billion contract backlog with the Department of Defense — something tells us they will be just fine without this deal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ arms and munitions to a repressive autocracy that foments instability , breaks bread with terror groups , and shows a monstrous disregard for human rights in a region full of similar states jockeying for power and influence .
Time and time again , the American Senate has shown it is appallingly indifferent to the tremendous human cost of distributing weapons to anyone willing to pay , their hands and those of their apathetic voters are permanently stained red with the blood of the world ’ s poor .
Coming on the heels of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missile maker Raytheon board member Gen. Lloyd Austin III as Secretary of Defense , the likelihood that our role in fueling the unending slaughter abates any time soon is very bleak indeed .
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Democratic voters were jubilant when former astronaut Mark Kelly ousted GOP appointee Martha McSally in the party’s sole Senate seat pickup of the 2020 elections. They will be distinctly less excited to see their new Senator use his first major vote to break with the party and approve one of the last pieces of the outgoing President Trump’s bloodstained agenda.
On Wednesday, Sen. Kelly (D-AZ) joined his fellow Arizona Senator Krysten Sinema to spurn the efforts of his fellow Democrats to block the Jared Kushner-sponsored sale of F-35 fighter jets and Reaper drones to the repressive slaver kingdoms of the United Arab Emirates, delivering one last win to a Trump administration on its way out the door.
“On a vote of 46-50, the Senate failed to advance a resolution disapproving of the Reaper sales, with Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) joining Democrats and Arizona’s Democratic Sens. Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema joining Republicans. The second vote, on blocking the F-35 sale, failed 47-49, with Kelly splitting his votes,” reports POLITICO.
The $23 billion sale includes 50 fighters, 18 drones, and a generous stockpile of missiles, which the Trump team arranged for the UAE as a reward for its normalization of relations with Israel.
The last time the United States delivered these kinds of sophisticated weapons systems to a Middle Eastern petrokingdom, the Saudi Arabian buyers immediately began a gruesome war against the Houthi rebels of Yemen, sending American-bought missiles into markets and weddings with wanton abandon. Thousands of innocents, including a schoolbus full of kids, have died in the relentless airstrikes.
Up until recently, the UAE has been an eager participant in the bloodletting of Yemen, sending both ground troops and fighter jets while training and sponsoring their own militia groups in the area. This behavior, along with reports that the UAE has been striking secret deals with al-Qaida fighters, has left the few Senators who are not callously indifferent to the real-world consequences of American retail militarism opposed to the sale.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), who is wrong about almost everything, had a rare moment of honesty on the Senate floor on Wednesday: “It’s as if we intentionally don’t want to consider all of these issues. This is not a country we should be giving our most sophisticated weaponry to.”
Add your name to tell Trump: You Lost! Concede!
“There is no doubt that the U.A.E.’s recent normalization agreement with Israel is a big deal, and there is a level of arms transfer that could make sense for an important partner in the region. But the Emiratis’ recent behavior in Yemen and Libya, where U.S. weapons were misused and given to radical militias, on top of their active and growing defense relationships with China and Russia, should give everyone pause,” said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT).
Mark Kelly has had a previous relationship with the UAE; earlier this year, he returned $55,000 to Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan that he had been paid to give a speech with his brother Scott Kelly in June 2018.
It does not bode well for the next four years that our newest Senator’s first act was to defy his party and deliver a win for President Donald Trump and his fellow autocrats in the UAE. It is hard to understand how the voters of Arizona would be concerned about whether or not a Middle Eastern kingdom that they likely have never heard of has the tools to commit war crimes from the sky. While Raytheon does operate a large manufacturing facility in Tucson, the company already has a $70 billion contract backlog with the Department of Defense — something tells us they will be just fine without this deal.
Nothing good can from pumping yet more arms and munitions to a repressive autocracy that foments instability, breaks bread with terror groups, and shows a monstrous disregard for human rights in a region full of similar states jockeying for power and influence.
Time and time again, the American Senate has shown it is appallingly indifferent to the tremendous human cost of distributing weapons to anyone willing to pay, their hands and those of their apathetic voters are permanently stained red with the blood of the world’s poor. Coming on the heels of Joe Biden’s proposed appointment of missile maker Raytheon board member Gen. Lloyd Austin III as Secretary of Defense, the likelihood that our role in fueling the unending slaughter abates any time soon is very bleak indeed.
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Colin Taylor Opinion columnist and former editor-in-chief of Occupy Democrats. He graduated from Bennington College with a Bachelor's degree in history and political science. He now focuses on advancing the cause of social justice and equality in America. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-12-11--Bernie Sanders calls McConnell’s bluff, threatens shutdown if Americans don’t get relief

As the appallingly mismanaged coronavirus crisis continues to escalate at a terrifying pace and huge swathes of the country prepare to return to lockdown , the American people are reaching a breaking point .
A staggering one in eight Americans — some 26 million people — report that they “ sometimes or often ” do not have enough food to eat during the week ; 20 million are dependent on unemployment benefits that are set to expire at the end of December .
Nearly 7 % of the population is still unemployed ; some nine million jobs have been lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy is recovering them half as fast as it was projected to .
Many of those jobs will never return — and the grim truth is that they likely were never great jobs to begin with in a post-Great Recession economy that largely created insecure , low-paying , and low benefit jobs in the first place .
Efforts to rush desperately needed relief to the American people have been continuously killed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , who reaches new depths of stunning depravity and senseless cruelty with every rejected proposal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill will hit the President ’ s desk without a liability shield for corporations , ensuring that they can not be sued if unsafe working conditions cause their employees to be exposed to COVID-19 .
This is an outrageous demand to make during the middle of a pandemic , especially after we ’ ve already seen companies like Smithfield take no action as a coronavirus outbreak infected 238 of their workers at a South Dakota facility and plant managers at Tyson Foods take cash bets on how many of their workers would fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unwilling to give McConnell and his corporate buddies the shield they want so dearly , but the gamble to delay accepting a relief offer until after the 2020 election in hopes of seizing control of the Senate did not pay off and the Dems have now been backed into a corner .
As the deadline for a must-pass government funding bill and the end of the legislative session looms , Senator Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) is once again doing what he has spent his entire career doing — taking a stand for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hold up the government funding bill unless the rest of his colleagues agreed to send the American people a $ 1200 direct payment , but withdrew his objection to allow a one-week stopgap funding bill to pass .
But he warned his colleagues that he would not do so next week — and warned that nobody would be going home for Christmas until the American people got some desperately needed relief .
“ I am prepared to withdraw my objection at this moment , but I will not be prepared to withdraw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ We will deal with the financial crisis facing tens of millions of Americans…We ’ re not going to go home for the Christmas holidays unless we provide for the millions of families in this country who are suffering !
” said the Vermont Senator in a Friday floor speech .
Sen. Hawley echoed Sanders ’ words in a speech of his own .
“ It would be a dereliction of duty if Congress adjourns for Christmas without having a vote on providing working families with direct payments .
Working people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first people given relief , not last .
The crisis of rising unemployment claims , ever-expanding food lines , evictions , and growing credit card debt has been staring us in the face for months .
It ’ s time we do something about it and provide emergency relief to Americans.
” How the master of brinkmanship Mitch McConnell will respond to Sanders ’ threat remains to be seen .
“ Let ’ s see what happens , ” said Bernie Sanders to reporters following the speech .

As the appallingly mismanaged coronavirus crisis continues to escalate at a terrifying pace and huge swathes of the country prepare to return to lockdown, the American people are reaching a breaking point.
A staggering one in eight Americans — some 26 million people — report that they “sometimes or often” do not have enough food to eat during the week; 20 million are dependent on unemployment benefits that are set to expire at the end of December. Nearly 7% of the population is still unemployed; some nine million jobs have been lost since the start of the crisis while the economy is recovering them half as fast as it was projected to.
Many of those jobs will never return — and the grim truth is that they likely were never great jobs to begin with in a post-Great Recession economy that largely created insecure, low-paying, and low benefit jobs in the first place.
Efforts to rush desperately needed relief to the American people have been continuously killed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who reaches new depths of stunning depravity and senseless cruelty with every rejected proposal. He has made it clear no bill will hit the President’s desk without a liability shield for corporations, ensuring that they cannot be sued if unsafe working conditions cause their employees to be exposed to COVID-19.
This is an outrageous demand to make during the middle of a pandemic, especially after we’ve already seen companies like Smithfield take no action as a coronavirus outbreak infected 238 of their workers at a South Dakota facility and plant managers at Tyson Foods take cash bets on how many of their workers would fall sick with the disease.
Democrats are unwilling to give McConnell and his corporate buddies the shield they want so dearly, but the gamble to delay accepting a relief offer until after the 2020 election in hopes of seizing control of the Senate did not pay off and the Dems have now been backed into a corner.
As the deadline for a must-pass government funding bill and the end of the legislative session looms, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is once again doing what he has spent his entire career doing — taking a stand for working Americans.
Senator Sanders briefly threatened to hold up the government funding bill unless the rest of his colleagues agreed to send the American people a $1200 direct payment, but withdrew his objection to allow a one-week stopgap funding bill to pass.
But he warned his colleagues that he would not do so next week — and warned that nobody would be going home for Christmas until the American people got some desperately needed relief.
“I am prepared to withdraw my objection at this moment, but I will not be prepared to withdraw an objection next week,” Sanders said. “We will deal with the financial crisis facing tens of millions of Americans…We’re not going to go home for the Christmas holidays unless we provide for the millions of families in this country who are suffering!” said the Vermont Senator in a Friday floor speech.
Members of Congress cannot go back to our families for the holidays when children in the richest country on Earth are going hungry and millions are scared to death of eviction. We must pass my amendment with @HawleyMO to get $1,200 direct checks to the working class of America. pic.twitter.com/gIy04xDXqp — Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) December 11, 2020
Sen. Hawley echoed Sanders’ words in a speech of his own. “It would be a dereliction of duty if Congress adjourns for Christmas without having a vote on providing working families with direct payments. Working people are struggling. And they should be the first people given relief, not last. The crisis of rising unemployment claims, ever-expanding food lines, evictions, and growing credit card debt has been staring us in the face for months. It’s time we do something about it and provide emergency relief to Americans.”
How the master of brinkmanship Mitch McConnell will respond to Sanders’ threat remains to be seen. “Let’s see what happens,” said Bernie Sanders to reporters following the speech.
It is beyond frustrating to watch Senate Republicans go to the mat for corporations and the wealthy time and time again while responding with condescension and contempt to the suffering currently facing millions of Americans. Thankfully, at least someone on left side of the aisle is willing to pull out all the stops to get working families the relief they need. Add your name to tell Trump: You Lost! Concede! Original reporting by Griffin Connolly at the Independent.
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Colin Taylor Opinion columnist and former editor-in-chief of Occupy Democrats. He graduated from Bennington College with a Bachelor's degree in history and political science. He now focuses on advancing the cause of social justice and equality in America. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-12-11--AOC torches Republican Rep. after he sends deeply inappropriate tweet to Biden

The Republican Party has become such a Gordian knot of hypocrisies , lies , and bad faith projection that it can often be genuinely impossible to untangle what it is they even pretend to believe in .
We now know for a fact that despite their constant flag-waving they have absolutely no respect for American democracy and are perfectly willing to support Trump ’ s authoritarian bid to overturn President-elect Joe Biden ’ s electoral victory to forward their own political careers .
They claim to be pro-life but support capital punishment and pretend to care about “ average Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handouts to the super-rich .
And while they claim to be the party of “ family values ” and decry liberal “ degeneracy ” they regularly engage in the crudest forms of rhetoric .
On Wednesday , Rep. Chip Roy ( R-TX ) decided to get down in the mud over a perfectly reasonable statement from Biden .
After the president-elect stated his intention to sign an executive order requiring masks on day one of his presidency , Roy retweeted him with incredibly childish commentary .
Demonstrating a total lack of wit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he will tell Biden to kiss his ass .
Why exactly Roy would be opposed to such a simple safety measure is unclear but he wouldn ’ t be the first Republican to downplay the risks of COVID-19 and grandstand as if recklessness with public health is something to be proud of rather than discouraged .
Add your name to tell Trump : You Lost !
Concede !
There is also a deep irony to be found in a member of the GOP—the party that has been whining for the past four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the presidency even as Trump strips it of every last ounce of its dignity—being so directly disrespectful to our 46th president .
These people are the most debased form of hypocrites .
They believe in nothing beyond their own hunger for power and will continue to race towards the bottom as they jockey for attention and funding in a party that has increasingly lost its mind and morality .
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-NY ) , a frequent target of right-wing outrage , retweeted Roy ’ s asinine message and pointed out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans regularly make such inappropriate comments with impunity and yet somehow she still receives negative attention for getting a haircut or wearing any clothing “ better than a rusty bucket.
” She is absolutely right to point out this infuriating double standard but Republicans are so shameless that it ’ s unlikely they ’ ll change any time soon .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

The Republican Party has become such a Gordian knot of hypocrisies, lies, and bad faith projection that it can often be genuinely impossible to untangle what it is they even pretend to believe in.
We now know for a fact that despite their constant flag-waving they have absolutely no respect for American democracy and are perfectly willing to support Trump’s authoritarian bid to overturn President-elect Joe Biden’s electoral victory to forward their own political careers. They claim to be pro-life but support capital punishment and pretend to care about “average Americans” while blocking stimulus bills and giving handouts to the super-rich. And while they claim to be the party of “family values” and decry liberal “degeneracy” they regularly engage in the crudest forms of rhetoric.
On Wednesday, Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) decided to get down in the mud over a perfectly reasonable statement from Biden. After the president-elect stated his intention to sign an executive order requiring masks on day one of his presidency, Roy retweeted him with incredibly childish commentary. Demonstrating a total lack of wit, Roy tweeted that “on day one” he will tell Biden to kiss his ass. Why exactly Roy would be opposed to such a simple safety measure is unclear but he wouldn’t be the first Republican to downplay the risks of COVID-19 and grandstand as if recklessness with public health is something to be proud of rather than discouraged.
Add your name to tell Trump: You Lost! Concede!
There is also a deep irony to be found in a member of the GOP—the party that has been whining for the past four years that we must respect the office of the presidency even as Trump strips it of every last ounce of its dignity—being so directly disrespectful to our 46th president. These people are the most debased form of hypocrites. They believe in nothing beyond their own hunger for power and will continue to race towards the bottom as they jockey for attention and funding in a party that has increasingly lost its mind and morality.
On day one I will tell you to kiss my ass. #StandUpForAmerica https://t.co/1Yqygxcu69 — Chip Roy (@chiproytx) December 9, 2020
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), a frequent target of right-wing outrage, retweeted Roy’s asinine message and pointed out how “weird” it is that Republicans regularly make such inappropriate comments with impunity and yet somehow she still receives negative attention for getting a haircut or wearing any clothing “better than a rusty bucket.” She is absolutely right to point out this infuriating double standard but Republicans are so shameless that it’s unlikely they’ll change any time soon.
Can’t tell you how weird it is to regularly watch my colleagues do and say things like this to little comment, but if I get a haircut or wear anything better than a rusty bucket to the Capitol then it’s considered a national scandal https://t.co/1rlVDOH0Pi — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) December 11, 2020
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occupydemocrats--2020-12-11--Scumbag: probe reveals Rep. Dan Crenshaw helped smear military sex abuse victim

Representative Dan Crenshaw ( R-TX ) , the eyepatched veteran who rocketed to national awareness after he was mocked on Saturday Night Live , is a rising star within the authoritarian organization known as the GOP and one need not be a D.C. insider to recognize that he has his eye set on higher office .
And while Crenshaw may not be the most obviously repugnant politician in a party teeming with literal white nationalists and cryptofascists , it would be a mistake to presume that he should be anywhere near the levers of power .
His support of Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including the wasteful and asinine border wall , is proof enough that when it comes down to the material matters of governance Crenshaw is no better than other far-right figures .
Now , an independent watchdog overseeing the Department of Veterans Affairs has released a new report that sheds light on the true nature of Crenshaw ’ s true character — and it ’ s far from flattering .
The V.A .
Office of Inspector General ’ s 68-page report shows that Crenshaw seems to have willingly participated in a coordinated effort by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump appointee ) to smear Andrea Goldstein , a female veteran who claimed to have been sexually assaulted at the Veterans Affair Medical Center in Washington .
Crenshaw , who was once a Navy SEAL , served in the same unit as Goldstein , making his contributions regarding complaints tendered by Goldstein while on active duty especially valuable to Wilkie ’ s underhanded efforts .
As reported by Newsweek , the OIG report reveals that three witnesses claim that Wilkie told them that Crenshaw had contributed information on Goldstein that he believed would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be believed .
The report shows that Crenshaw ’ s “ information ” on Goldstein may have been falsified and that the V.A .
appears to have grossly mishandled the entire investigatory affair .
Wilkie and Crenshaw have both tried to claim that Goldstein ’ s allegations are in fact a hoax simply because she serves as a staffer for House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mark Takano , a Democrat .
Add your name to tell Trump : You Lost !
Concede !
According to senior VA officials , Wilkie and associates spoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms , openly questioned her credibility , and reportedly ascribed a political motive to her reporting of the incident.
” The report also states that they tried to seed damaging stories about Goldstein in the media , representing a truly cruel violation of her right to have her accusations taken seriously and addressed compassionately .
Crenshaw , demonstrating all the moral courage of a Trump Republican , did not respond when Newsweek reached out for comment , an unsurprising choice given how clearly indefensible his actions were .
Goldstein ’ s attorney reflected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the story , stating : “ silence says it all.
” Wilkie released a statement denying the OIG report ’ s findings .
Michael Missal , the Inspector General for Veterans Affairs , called the manner in which Wilkie ’ s department conducted itself “ troubling.
” “ Scrutinizing the veteran ’ s background is contrary to V.A.
’ s stated goal to serve veterans with respect .
Every V.A .
employee should commit to making V.A .
facilities safe and welcoming places where such complaints are met with the highest standards of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Crenshaw should be ashamed of himself as should the entire Republican Party .
Once again we see that the GOP ’ s screeching about how they “ support the troops ” only applies to troops that support their reactionary agenda .
They are more than willing to disrespect , smear , and belittle brave veterans when they see it as politically advantageous .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

Representative Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), the eyepatched veteran who rocketed to national awareness after he was mocked on Saturday Night Live, is a rising star within the authoritarian organization known as the GOP and one need not be a D.C. insider to recognize that he has his eye set on higher office. And while Crenshaw may not be the most obviously repugnant politician in a party teeming with literal white nationalists and cryptofascists, it would be a mistake to presume that he should be anywhere near the levers of power. His support of Trump’s draconian immigration policies alone, including the wasteful and asinine border wall, is proof enough that when it comes down to the material matters of governance Crenshaw is no better than other far-right figures.
Now, an independent watchdog overseeing the Department of Veterans Affairs has released a new report that sheds light on the true nature of Crenshaw’s true character — and it’s far from flattering.
The V.A. Office of Inspector General’s 68-page report shows that Crenshaw seems to have willingly participated in a coordinated effort by V.A. Secretary Robert Wilkie (a Trump appointee) to smear Andrea Goldstein, a female veteran who claimed to have been sexually assaulted at the Veterans Affair Medical Center in Washington. Crenshaw, who was once a Navy SEAL, served in the same unit as Goldstein, making his contributions regarding complaints tendered by Goldstein while on active duty especially valuable to Wilkie’s underhanded efforts.
As reported by Newsweek, the OIG report reveals that three witnesses claim that Wilkie told them that Crenshaw had contributed information on Goldstein that he believed would help make her claims less likely to be believed. The report shows that Crenshaw’s “information” on Goldstein may have been falsified and that the V.A. appears to have grossly mishandled the entire investigatory affair. Wilkie and Crenshaw have both tried to claim that Goldstein’s allegations are in fact a hoax simply because she serves as a staffer for House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mark Takano, a Democrat.
Add your name to tell Trump: You Lost! Concede!
According to senior VA officials, Wilkie and associates spoke of the alleged victim “in denigrating terms, openly questioned her credibility, and reportedly ascribed a political motive to her reporting of the incident.” The report also states that they tried to seed damaging stories about Goldstein in the media, representing a truly cruel violation of her right to have her accusations taken seriously and addressed compassionately.
Crenshaw, demonstrating all the moral courage of a Trump Republican, did not respond when Newsweek reached out for comment, an unsurprising choice given how clearly indefensible his actions were. Goldstein’s attorney reflected on Crenshaw’s failure to address the story, stating: “silence says it all.” Wilkie released a statement denying the OIG report’s findings.
Michael Missal, the Inspector General for Veterans Affairs, called the manner in which Wilkie’s department conducted itself “troubling.”
“Scrutinizing the veteran’s background is contrary to V.A.’s stated goal to serve veterans with respect. Every V.A. employee should commit to making V.A. facilities safe and welcoming places where such complaints are met with the highest standards of professionalism and responsiveness,” said Missal.
Crenshaw should be ashamed of himself as should the entire Republican Party. Once again we see that the GOP’s screeching about how they “support the troops” only applies to troops that support their reactionary agenda. They are more than willing to disrespect, smear, and belittle brave veterans when they see it as politically advantageous.
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OD STAFF Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-12-11--Trump appears to acknowledge Biden’s win in cryptic tweet

In an abrupt turn of events , Donald Trump appears to have accepted that Joe Biden will be the next president of the United States .
After spending a month hurling legal challenges against the wall in a fruitless attempt to find a judge willing buy into his bullshit and publicly remaining deep in denial , Trump took to Twitter on Friday morning and issued a cryptic demand for the Supreme Court to “ do what everybody knows what has to be done.
” As usual , it is entirely unclear what Trump is asking the Supreme Court to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wisdom.
” Is he asking for a Bush v. Gore-style overturn of the election despite the absence of the necessary conditions requiring such a decision ?
Is he asking them to impeach Biden in the future , despite them not having the power to do so ?
Is he pleading for them to unilaterally declare him the president , which they can not do ?
Or is it just his way of letting the nation know that he ’ s accepted the fact that he lost , which he has up to this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even in private ?
NYMag correspondent Olivia Nuzzi reports that “ several officials I ’ ve spoken to have told me that even though Trump understands he lost , he ’ s still not ready to admit it , even in a private conversation — and that he doesn ’ t want to have people around him who aren ’ t willing to at least to pretend to buy his fiction that there ’ s a path forward to overturn the results.
” Add your name to tell Trump : You Lost !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by pre-emptively calling for his removal is about the Trumpiest way he could go about it , but with any luck , he ’ s finally starting to come around to the truth — and we can get on the Herculeanean task of repairing the damage that this narcissistic sociopath has done to our once-great nation .

In an abrupt turn of events, Donald Trump appears to have accepted that Joe Biden will be the next president of the United States.
After spending a month hurling legal challenges against the wall in a fruitless attempt to find a judge willing buy into his bullshit and publicly remaining deep in denial, Trump took to Twitter on Friday morning and issued a cryptic demand for the Supreme Court to “do what everybody knows what has to be done.”
Now that the Biden Administration will be a scandal plagued mess for years to come, it is much easier for the Supreme Court of the United States to follow the Constitution and do what everybody knows has to be done. They must show great Courage & Wisdom. Save the USA!!! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 11, 2020
As usual, it is entirely unclear what Trump is asking the Supreme Court to do, aside from show “courage and wisdom.” Is he asking for a Bush v. Gore-style overturn of the election despite the absence of the necessary conditions requiring such a decision? Is he asking them to impeach Biden in the future, despite them not having the power to do so? Is he pleading for them to unilaterally declare him the president, which they cannot do?
Or is it just his way of letting the nation know that he’s accepted the fact that he lost, which he has up to this point been entirely incapable of doing, even in private? NYMag correspondent Olivia Nuzzi reports that “several officials I’ve spoken to have told me that even though Trump understands he lost, he’s still not ready to admit it, even in a private conversation — and that he doesn’t want to have people around him who aren’t willing to at least to pretend to buy his fiction that there’s a path forward to overturn the results.”
Add your name to tell Trump: You Lost! Concede!
Accepting that Biden has won by pre-emptively calling for his removal is about the Trumpiest way he could go about it, but with any luck, he’s finally starting to come around to the truth — and we can get on the Herculeanean task of repairing the damage that this narcissistic sociopath has done to our once-great nation.
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