US Politics Thread |OT| THE DARKEST TIMELINE

[Great Rumbler]

Welp, that's not surprising. It's frustrating that everything has to be needlessly partisan.

You can thank the right-wing media apparatus for that one, and blame the mainstream media for desperately trying to maintain the illusion that every issue has two equally valid stances.

[Phoenix Dark]

Although I do wish Susan Rice and Obama didn't call this dude a "hero" who served with "distinction." I doubt that would have changed much of anything in terms of the reaction, but I could have done without that shit.

[Rufus]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-06-03/jpmorgan-s-100-billion-clo-forecast-shows-volcker-solved.html

(Image removed from quote.)

And round and round it goes.

[Phoenix Dark]

There was a PBS doc about Obama's first term, specifically the moment when CEOs and execs gave themselves huge bonuses months after the (Bush) bailout. Obama called them to the White House...and didn't do anything. I understand not wanting to spook the market but jesus.

[Rufus]

We just need to have a couple more wars to wipe out some excess money.

[Great Rumbler]

 

[Joe Molotov]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-06-03/jpmorgan-s-100-billion-clo-forecast-shows-volcker-solved.html

(Image removed from quote.)

Bubububu Dodd-Frank guys. The end of too big to fail, guys.

Just chill the fuck out, PD. Jamie Dimon's got this.

http://www.afr.com/p/business/financial_services/let_banks_fail_says_jpmorgan_chase_HEDF8LEBsjhhjtE0b3EDyH

[Mandark]

Let the banks fail, say Matt Taibbi, Jamie Dimon, and the ghost of Herbert Hoover.

Who am I to disagree with such a murderer's row of intellect?

[Oblivion]

Let the banks fail, say Matt Taibbi, Jamie Dimon, and the ghost of Herbert Hoover.

Who am I to disagree with such a murderer's row of intellect?

'

 

[Mandark]

You probably missed it, but a few pages ago there was an outburst of "they should have let the banks fail~!~!~!" spurred by a comment Taibbi made in an interview to that effect.

Because that idea is not completely fucking idiotic or anything.

[Oblivion]

Taibbi said that?

That's...surprising.

[Mandark]

Not surprising to me at all.

What's been the focus of Taibbi's writing since the collapse: empathy for those affected, or rage at those who caused it?  If someone comes up with a pithy portmanteau of "revenge" and "progressive" then Taibbi would be the poster boy.

[Steve Contra]

Taibbi can summon the bile better than anyone out there but he's got a weird perspective on what banks primarily do. 

[Phoenix Dark]

Taibbi  just wants to watch the world burn, he doesn't seem concerned about who would get fucked as long as the bad guys go down with the ship.

[benjipwns]

MANU RAJU, POLITICO: Looking back at the way this was rolled out, do you think the White House could have been a better job looping in Congress during these negotiations?

SEN. HARRY REID: Listen, Manu [Raju], and everyone here, the timeline was very, very brief here. This has nothing to do with briefing this down in the classified briefing. We all know that the president had a very short period of time to make a decision. He made the decision to bring him home, and I'm glad he did because in my opinion, based on nothing in the classified briefing, in my opinion, every day that he was there was a day closer to his dying.

RAJU: How come you were the only one who got a heads-up the day before?

REID: I'm not sure I'm the only one. I mean, this is making a big deal over nothing. The whole deal, is it Friday or Saturday? What difference does it make? What difference does it make?

[Phoenix Dark]

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/06/05/1304715/-Racist-Fox-News-guest-attacks-Neil-deGrasse-Tyson-because-he-fit-the-profile

[helios]

Attack on Rush Limbaugh

spoiler (click to show/hide)

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[Great Rumbler]

The best part about the Bergdahl outrage is that only just a few months ago a lot of these same people were ripping Obama for "leaving Bergdahl behind."

[Phoenix Dark]

When I see someone write shit like "Bergdahl looks healthy enough. Another lie from our imperial liar in chief" I feel the urge to throw a haymaker rising.

Dude was a captive and could be killed at any minute. Unless we're supposed to believe the Taliban isn't dangerous

[benjipwns]

I've never been more disgusted with hyper polarized, 24 hour punditry in modern America than I have since the Bergdahl release.

Before this it was annoying. This crap is so offensive I've been in more or less a constant state of rage since it started.

Relax, Obama is only in office for a couple more years. Then we'll hopefully have somebody strong on foreign policy like Ted Cruz. And Majority Leader Rubio and Speaker Ryan to help back him up rather than capitulating to terrorists.

[TVC15]

Fox News: 'Secret Documents' Claim Bergdahl Became A 'Warrior' For Islam
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/fox-news-bergdahl-converted-to-islam

SECRET DOCUMENTS

[Phoenix Dark]

U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl at one point during his captivity converted to Islam, fraternized openly with his captors and declared himself a "mujahid," or warrior for Islam, according to secret documents prepared on the basis of a purported eyewitness account and obtained by Fox News.

What the fuck does that mean? An eye witness came to Fox News, wrote down what he saw, and Fox News declared it a "document?" That sounds deceptive as hell.

[TVC15]

Yep!

Fair warning: don't read the comments on the linked Fox story.  You'll go crazy.

[benjipwns]

I would assume they mean it was an eyewitness account recorded by the military/intelligence/etc. kinda like in police reports, but for foreign jihadi's.

[TVC15]

Sample: "The only difference between Obama and Bergdhal is that Obama didn't need to convert."

[Joe Molotov]

Fox News: 'Secret Documents' Claim Bergdahl Became A 'Warrior' For Islam
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/fox-news-bergdahl-converted-to-islam

SECRET DOCUMENTS

secret documents prepared on the basis of a purported eyewitness account

[Joe Molotov]

U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl at one point during his captivity converted to Islam, fraternized openly with his captors and declared himself a "mujahid," or warrior for Islam, according to secret documents prepared on the basis of a purported eyewitness account and obtained by Fox News.

What the fuck does that mean? An eye witness came to Fox News, wrote down what he saw, and Fox News declared it a "document?" That sounds deceptive as hell.

These real-time dispatches were generated by the Eclipse Group, a shadowy private firm of former intelligence officers and operatives that has subcontracted with the Defense Department and prominent corporations to deliver granular intelligence on terrorist activities and other security-related topics, often from challenging environments in far-flung corners of the globe.

The group is run by Duane R. ("Dewey") Clarridge, a former senior operations officer for the Central Intelligence Agency in the 1980s best known for having been indicted for lying to Congress about his role in the tangled set of events that became known as the Iran-Contra scandal. He was pardoned by the first President Bush in December 1992 while on trial.

Hope this clears it up, PD.

[TVC15]

This guy is Fox's source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duane_Clarridge#Post-CIA_career

Note this part: "He has claimed that he had no involvement in the later illegal diversion of funds to the Contras or the subsequent cover-up. Clarridge was indicted in November 1991 on seven counts of perjury and false statements. On Christmas Eve 1992 in the waning hours of his presidency, George H. W. Bush pardoned Clarridge before his trial could finish. At the same time, Bush pardoned five of Clarridge's associates in the Iran-Contra Affair including former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger, Elliott Abrams, a former assistant secretary of state for Inter-American affairs; former National Security Advisor Robert McFarlane; and former CIA employees Alan Fiers and Clair George."

After that he formed The Eclipse Group that Fox cites as their source.

[benjipwns]

Basically they're the outsourced source gatherers. So you have the same thing as any situation where you call on people to report things. You get all the locals who come in and tell you whatever they think they want you to hear or whatever wild story they saw while drinking or something to get one over on their neighbor. The field office knows 90+% of it is bullshit but they record it anyway and send it in.

I assume that's the SECRET DOCUMENT Fox has, is one of those reports on all the dumb stories they got told by their sources that week or whatever.

Standard disclaimer about the quality of ANY eyewitness testimony too.

[Great Rumbler]

If I was captured by the Taliban and they said they'd let me out of my cage if I converted to Islam and said I was mujahid warrior, I'd probably do it, too.

[Phoenix Dark]

Well the job is done, the FUD has been spread. You say "secret documents" and it's a wrap. Anything that happens from now is either escalation (ie legit bad stuff is revealed) or a "coverup" (Obama lied and got away with it).

[benjipwns]

If I was captured by the Taliban and they said they'd let me out of my cage if I converted to Islam and said I was mujahid warrior, I'd probably do it, too.

I thought dogs were supposed to be loyal.

[TVC15]

Well the job is done, the FUD has been spread. You say "secret documents" and it's a wrap. Anything that happens from now is either escalation (ie legit bad stuff is revealed) or a "coverup" (Obama lied and got away with it).

Yep, this is the "truth" now.

[Great Rumbler]

If I was captured by the Taliban and they said they'd let me out of my cage if I converted to Islam and said I was mujahid warrior, I'd probably do it, too.

I thought dogs were supposed to be loyal.

Dogs also don't like being in cages.

Well the job is done, the FUD has been spread. You say "secret documents" and it's a wrap. Anything that happens from now is either escalation (ie legit bad stuff is revealed) or a "coverup" (Obama lied and got away with it).

Yep, this is the "truth" now.

It really is sickening. Bergdahl isn't even back on American soil yet, he hasn't said a single word about what happened, but he's already been forever branded as a coward and a traitor and a Taliban-sympathizer.

[benjipwns]

It really is sickening. Bergdahl isn't even back on American soil yet, he hasn't said a single word about what happened, but he's already been forever branded as a coward and a traitor and a Taliban-sympathizer.

Uh, look at his dad's beard. I think we know the actual story here already.

[TVC15]

It really is sickening. Bergdahl isn't even back on American soil yet, he hasn't said a single word about what happened, but he's already been forever branded as a coward and a traitor and a Taliban-sympathizer.

Uh, look at his dad's beard. I think we know the actual story here already.

They psychically decided to become muslims at the same time?

[benjipwns]

That it was all planned beforehand, probably by Valerie Jarrett and Susan Rice, so they could "rescue" him later after he's given all the terrorists fist bumps.

[Oblivion]

Speaking of Susan Rice:

#Susan Rice lied 2 American people again (#Bergdahl "taken in battle") Looks like both sides swapees & negotiators are working for Al Qaeda.

http://crooksandliars.com/2014/06/steve-king-states-susan-rice-working-al

I just have two questions:

1. Uh, that whole Bin Laden thing?
2. Ambassador Rice is part of Al Qaeda but Ambassador Stevens wasn't?

[Joe Molotov]

If you play audio from his dad's interview backwards, you can hear him say "Islam is the light".

[Phoenix Dark]

I will say this: you'd think by now they would recognize that Susan Rice+interview don't go well together. Not only did she call him a hero who served with distinction, she also said he was "taken" in battle. At what point do you just say "ok, just stop."

[Oblivion]

I will say this: you'd think by now they would recognize that Susan Rice+interview don't go well together. Not only did she call him a hero who served with distinction, she also said he was "taken" in battle. At what point do you just say "ok, just stop."

Oh come on. What she said in regards to Bergdahl sounds like a clumsy attempt to make him sound more impressive than he actually was. Hardly anything to fire her about. And the dude WAS captured by Taliban forces.

And finally, she didn't say anything wrong with BENGHAZI! BENGHAZI! BENGHAZI! either.

[benjipwns]

And finally, she didn't say anything wrong with BENGHAZI! BENGHAZI! BENGHAZI! either.

We don't know that yet, the House hasn't completed its investigation.

[Phoenix Dark]

http://www.newrepublic.com/article/118006/bowe-bergdahl-perspective-marine-afghanistan?utm_content=buffer2ba7c&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

[Brehvolution]

Secret documents is the new "some people say".

[Great Rumbler]

Secret documents is the new "some people say".

Experts are saying that some people say they are privy to secret documents that show Bergdahl is a traitor, according to social media.

[Phoenix Dark]

The legislation would allow veterans to see private doctors outside the VA system if they experience long wait times or live more than 40 miles from a VA facility. And it incorporates provisions from legislation introduced in the Senate by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) making it easier to fire VA officials.

Similar legislation overwhelmingly passed the House last month and is included in the Sanders-McCain deal with the addition of an appellate process.

The bill also includes the construction of 26 new VA medical facilities in 18 states and uses $500 million in unobligated VA funds to hire additional VA doctors and nurses.

http://www.politico.com/story/2014/06/bernie-sanders-john-mccain-va-deal-107491.html#ixzz33sgbUtEr



Good to hear, and something I figured would happen. There was no way midterms would pass without some type of bipartisan take on this. I've never understood why vets have to use the VA, especially in cases where they're miles away from a facility.

I know people who work at the VA, they work hard and aren't assholes. However as in any facility there are people who are just collecting checks, and higher up folks who don't give a shit about anything but collecting checks.

[Brehvolution]

How different is it from the plan that was submitted in February that was killed in the house? It looks like it is the same one.

[Human Snorenado]

Doomed.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/iowa-senate-poll-ernst-lead-loras

[Oblivion]

Doomed.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/iowa-senate-poll-ernst-lead-loras

You weren't being sarcastic. 

[benjipwns]

Poll presumes the same turn out as 2010 election, which was grasslys guaranteed victory not an open seat, has the rally round the winner effect. It was literally taken the day after all people heard on Iowa news was Ernst name. But doom and gloom all you want.

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[Phoenix Dark]

Braly will probably be fine. Iowa's economy is doing, although the state has REALLY soured on Obama still. He's running against someone who is going to almost certainly be saying outrageous shit once a month.

[Oblivion]

Why has no one mentioned jerbs numbers?

[Oblivion]

Sovereign Citizen shot up a courthouse in Georgia:

http://www.ajc.com/news/news/police-activity-around-forsyth-courthouse/ngFsZ/

Time to start profiling White people!

[benjipwns]

reason interview with Mother Jones editor Daniel Schulman author of Sons of Wichita: How the Koch Brothers Became America’s Most Powerful and Private Dynasty:


WaPo article by Schulman from a couple weeks ago: http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-koch-brothers-can-save-the-republican-party%E2%80%94by-making-it-more-moderate/2014/05/23/e07f4a60-e1bf-11e3-8dcc-d6b7fede081a_story.html

[Joe Molotov]

Common Core sounds pretty awesome, I wish we had that when I was in school.

(Skip ahead to 8:00 in)

[Great Rumbler]

Oh man, what if 17-year-olds find about sex from reading this book?!

[Phoenix Dark]

shitting on Toni Morrison is fine with me


Beloved

[Human Snorenado]

 

[benjipwns]

Common Core sounds pretty awesome, I wish we had that when I was in school.

(Skip ahead to 8:00 in)

They should replace the book passages with his version. 

[Phoenix Dark]

I tend to stay away from Media Matters shit but I have to make an exception today

MCINNES: I hate this guy [...] White liberal nerds love this guy so much, he could defecate on them like Martin Bashir's fantasies and they would dance in the streets. All he does is, he's drunk with adulation. And he talks about things like "when I was young in New York I would get racially profiled when I'd go into stores." Back then he looked like he was in The Warriors. He had a huge afro and a cutoff shirt and New York was a war zone. Sorry, you fit the profile.

http://mediamatters.org/blog/2014/06/05/meet-the-hipster-racist-fox-news-guest-attackin/199617