US Politics Thread |OT| SAD TRUMP

[Mandark]

Remember when people were acting like he could implement a Scandinavian welfare state if he just tried?

Going back and looking at some of the Senators who voted for the ACA, shit looks like a miracle in retrospect.

[chronovore]

Guys, guys! It's cool, we can stop worrying about Trump:

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/12/nasa-scientist-earth-is-due-for-extinction-level-event.html

[El Babua]

In four years I went from being a light MMT'er with the belief in the possibility of an effective government to doubting the legitimacy of the state.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

Thanks Benji!

[close]

[Syph]

The GOAT, on the GOAT

My President Was Black

A history of the first African American White House—and of what came next
(Image removed from quote.)

have you read his most recent book? was thinking about picking it up

[VomKriege]

Listening to the latest Keepin' it 1600 (aka Democratic party insiders the podcast) and must say I am pleasantly surprised they don't succumb to the current hysteria : they're skeptical about flipping the College (and weary of the precedent), called out the bullshit of the DNC defence (over that whole phising of Podesta's mail anecdote), said Harry Reid had an history of being outrageous and wrong etc... Overall I tend to agree that unless US intelligence is sitting on evidence establishing a direct link between Russian authorities and the Trump campaign, it will probably be more of a lingering long-term discussion throughout Trump's mandate rather than a gamechanger turning the electoral process on its head.

Also Tillerson is sitting on a massive amount of Exxon stock that he obviously needs to divest.

[benjipwns]

The funny thing is how people keep pulling out the "17 agencies" figure when that was for an earlier event. The recent statements are just the CIA. The FBI-GOP and the DNI have refused to go as far. And James Clapper has proven himself to have no problem with lying for political benefit.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-intelligence-idUSKBN14204E

The overseers of the U.S. intelligence community have not embraced a CIA assessment that Russian cyber attacks were aimed at helping Republican President-elect Donald Trump win the 2016 election, three American officials said on Monday.

While the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) does not dispute the CIA's analysis of Russian hacking operations, it has not endorsed their assessment because of a lack of conclusive evidence that Moscow intended to boost Trump over Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton, said the officials, who declined to be named.

The position of the ODNI, which oversees the 17 agency-strong U.S. intelligence community, could give Trump fresh ammunition to dispute the CIA assessment, which he rejected as "ridiculous" in weekend remarks, and press his assertion that no evidence implicates Russia in the cyber attacks.

"ODNI is not arguing that the agency (CIA) is wrong, only that they can't prove intent," said one of the three U.S. officials. "Of course they can't, absent agents in on the decision-making in Moscow."

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, whose evidentiary standards require it to make cases that can stand up in court, declined to accept the CIA's analysis - a deductive assessment of the available intelligence - for the same reason, the three officials said.

The CIA conclusion was a "judgment based on the fact that Russian entities hacked both Democrats and Republicans and only the Democratic information was leaked," one of the three officials said on Monday.

If Russia's goal was merely to undermine the election and targeted Hillary because like everyone else they assumed she'd be the winner and wanted to harm her before she got into office, everyone's gone and done their job for them on the far less predictable outcome of Trump winning.

Many Democrats and media talking heads who spent the last weeks of the campaign talking about how it's impossible for the election to be rigged and how dangerous to democracy it is for Trump to even suggest it are now falling all over themselves to suggest that very thing be it their new RUSSIAN HACKER friends or the ol' popular vote or both.

[chronovore]

https://mobile.twitter.com/ericgarland/status/808045818024497157?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Nice rant. Inspirational.

[Samson Manhug]

Damn manthreading 

[Samson Manhug]

The funny thing is how people keep pulling out the "17 agencies" figure when that was for an earlier event. The recent statements are just the CIA. The FBI-GOP and the DNI have refused to go as far. And James Clapper has proven himself to have no problem with lying for political benefit.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-intelligence-idUSKBN14204E

The overseers of the U.S. intelligence community have not embraced a CIA assessment that Russian cyber attacks were aimed at helping Republican President-elect Donald Trump win the 2016 election, three American officials said on Monday.

While the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) does not dispute the CIA's analysis of Russian hacking operations, it has not endorsed their assessment because of a lack of conclusive evidence that Moscow intended to boost Trump over Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton, said the officials, who declined to be named.

The position of the ODNI, which oversees the 17 agency-strong U.S. intelligence community, could give Trump fresh ammunition to dispute the CIA assessment, which he rejected as "ridiculous" in weekend remarks, and press his assertion that no evidence implicates Russia in the cyber attacks.

"ODNI is not arguing that the agency (CIA) is wrong, only that they can't prove intent," said one of the three U.S. officials. "Of course they can't, absent agents in on the decision-making in Moscow."

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, whose evidentiary standards require it to make cases that can stand up in court, declined to accept the CIA's analysis - a deductive assessment of the available intelligence - for the same reason, the three officials said.

The CIA conclusion was a "judgment based on the fact that Russian entities hacked both Democrats and Republicans and only the Democratic information was leaked," one of the three officials said on Monday.

If Russia's goal was merely to undermine the election and targeted Hillary because like everyone else they assumed she'd be the winner and wanted to harm her before she got into office, everyone's gone and done their job for them on the far less predictable outcome of Trump winning.

Many Democrats and media talking heads who spent the last weeks of the campaign talking about how it's impossible for the election to be rigged and how dangerous to democracy it is for Trump to even suggest it are now falling all over themselves to suggest that very thing be it their new RUSSIAN HACKER friends or the ol' popular vote or both.

Has the CIA even officially said anything or is it still just "sources"? I don't think it's unusual for these agencies to not go on record saying they know the intent for the same reason that guy says in his quote. But if anyone actually has agents in Moscow it would be the CIA, not the FBI. If only the Bush Admin was around to leak some agents and clear this up.

[chronovore]

Damn manthreading 

Jesus, that's arrogant, entitled, and dumb. I mean, it's not in the Top 100 Dumb Things I've Read Since November, but... you know, Trump's been pretty active.

[james]

Damn manthreading 

I though Gizmodo was a tech website?

[Nola]

Damn manthreading 

Trump's getting 8 years isn't he?

[Samson Manhug]

Damn manthreading 

Trump's getting 8 years isn't he?

Her Twitter's gone protected. Really dumb opinion piece aside, I can't imagine the awful tweets she was getting in response to it.

[headwalk]

one of those arguments where everyone is wrong. it's not misogyny to have a coherent thought that takes longer to read than the average fart, but twitter is a terrible place to attempt to deploy it. 

twitter is a terrible place for everything really. a true detriment to society in a depressingly sincere way.

[Samson Manhug]

I enjoy a Twitter thread. Since Twitter blue lines them now and hides the middle ones it's not like it destroys your feed. Read the thread below and tell me threading is bad:

https://twitter.com/patricklenton/status/717163582115307521

[Freyj]

Damn manthreading 

Jesus, that's arrogant, entitled, and dumb. I mean, it's not in the Top 100 Dumb Things I've Read Since November, but... you know, Trump's been pretty active.

Twitter is absolutely not the best medium for this, but good luck getting anywhere near as many people to read your blog post. "Check this out: <link>" gets maybe a few hundred likes.

Or pizzagate can dominate social media.

[VomKriege]

Damn manthreading 

Jesus, that's arrogant, entitled, and dumb. I mean, it's not in the Top 100 Dumb Things I've Read Since November, but... you know, Trump's been pretty active.

Twitter is absolutely not the best medium for this, but good luck getting anywhere near as many people to read your blog post. "Check this out: <link>" gets maybe a few hundred likes.

Or pizzagate can dominate social media.

1. I want to talk about why Canadian fiction has so many stories about people having sex with animals & vegetables.

[Samson Manhug]

Yeah, threading started because the click-through rate on tweets is awful. For example, a particular tweet with a link to one of my most read and shared articles ever got 32,000 impressions and 400 clicks. That's a good one.

[Phoenix Dark]

Damn manthreading 

What the fuck is this shit?

[james]

So shes listed as editor but this is her first and only article?

[Samson Manhug]

Damn manthreading 

What the fuck is this shit?

250,000 ad impressions and climbing, baby.

[james]

Damn manthreading 

What the fuck is this shit?

250,000 ad impressions and climbing, baby.

Tech website = 90% male audience, many of whom (most?) are fedora wearing nice guys

Throw in this bomb and you've got yourself a stew going.

Good way to meet end of year forecast numbers.

I wouldnt be surprised if she was the one who posted it on r/tumblrinaction

[Samson Manhug]

For those, like Tucker Carlson in that video Syph likes, who demand "proof" from the intelligence community (about DNC hacks or anything else):

According to IC doctrine, the phrase “high confidence” is roughly correlated with a 80 to 95 percent probability of something having occurred. Interestingly, 100 percent (and zero percent) judgments are not even allowed for IC analysts; no analytical judgements are an absolute fact or certainty, which is why they are always phrased in terms of probability.

https://foreignpolicy.com/2016/12/14/trumps-war-against-intelligence/

[brawndolicious]

Which means that they can only be 95% confident in the methods/facts that gave them 95%  confidence in the methods/facts that gave them 95%  confidence in the methods/facts that gave them 95%  confidence in the methods/facts that gave them 95%  confident in the methods/facts that gave them 95%  confidence in the methods/facts that gave them 95%  confidence in the methods/facts that gave them 95%  confidence in.....

Fucking liberal math.

[PlayDat]

they're skeptical about flipping the College (and weary of the precedent)

It may be unlikely, but I love the precedent it sets.  Let faithless electors overturn the results a couple times and every state in the union'll want to dump the EC.  If it happens just this once there might be enough support for a constitutional amendment or at the very least to put the interstate compact into effect.

Damn manthreading 

This is really surprising given that the vast majority of twitter threads I read are by women of color shedding light on really important stuff.  Before threads were built into Twitter, they were already doing them with Storify.  I wonder how many white bois she's following.  Her account's set to private at the moment (presumably because men are harassing her) so I can't check. 

[Raist]

So now we've got mansplaining, manspreading and manthreading, huh. I wonder what's next.

[james]

So now we've got mansplaining, manspreading and manthreading, huh. I wonder what's next.

Manhandling came first

[Joe Molotov]

Manscaping still the GOAT.

[helios]

Manfiling
Mandriving
Mansteering
Manmaneuvering
Manmanufacturing

[Great Rumbler]

Manhole

[Brehvolution]

Manwhich

[Steve Contra]

There's a weird trend I see where Bernie fans are basically co-opting the Trump defense of Russia (that it's unknowable so why bother) because it makes Hillary look better.

[Samson Manhug]

There's a weird trend I see where Bernie fans are basically co-opting the Trump defense of Russia (that it's unknowable so why bother) because it makes Hillary look better.

Are you reading my Facebook feed at this very moment?

[Steve Contra]

There's a weird trend I see where Bernie fans are basically co-opting the Trump defense of Russia (that it's unknowable so why bother) because it makes Hillary look better.

Are you reading my Facebook feed at this very moment?

Interesting time we live in where progressives believe that the vast US Intelligence service is colluding with the DNC to make Hillary look like a better candidate in hindsight.

[Samson Manhug]

I just had a guy arguing that the Russian election hacks were no harm no foul because they did the American people a service by exposing DNC corruption. I get where he is coming from, but this is exactly what Russia wants the average American to think. They have already released altered documents along with legitimate ones with the Open Society Foundation and will undoubtedly continue to do it. The Russian government will tell you it is not invading Ukraine while it is invading Ukraine and these certain types of progressives think Russia is on our side?

[studyguy]

I just had a guy arguing that the Russian election hacks were no harm no foul because they did the American people a service by exposing DNC corruption. I get where he is coming from, but this is exactly what Russia wants the average American to think. They have already released altered documents along with legitimate ones with the Open Society Foundation and will undoubtedly continue to do it. The Russian government will tell you it is not invading Ukraine while it is invading Ukraine and these certain types of progressives think Russia is on our side?

Hey man why stop at Russia, next time maybe China can get in on the shitpost/hacking so we end up being a proxy battleground for foreign nations to try their hands at mobilizing the dankest memes in order to flip public opinion. The problem isn't so much that they helped 'expose' anything in so much that we let them walk in and wave their dicks around long enough to have it weigh down disproportionately on one side.

[etiolate]

I just had a guy arguing that the Russian election hacks were no harm no foul because they did the American people a service by exposing DNC corruption. I get where he is coming from, but this is exactly what Russia wants the average American to think. They have already released altered documents along with legitimate ones with the Open Society Foundation and will undoubtedly continue to do it. The Russian government will tell you it is not invading Ukraine while it is invading Ukraine and these certain types of progressives think Russia is on our side?

I don't think people making that argument think Russia is on our side. It's an argument against shooting the messenger. The problem with the message is us, our country and our problem.

You can be wary of Russian interference and want better security of US information and intel. You can also realize that the US has been doing this to other country's elections and laugh at the exceptionalism. You can also see the spin and hold the DNC/Clintons accountable.

None of these views are in conflict with each other.

[Samson Manhug]

I don't think people making that argument think Russia is on our side. It's an argument against shooting the messenger. The problem with the message is us, our country and our problem.

I know for a fact you aren't reading my Facebook so how do you know what the argument people are making on my Facebook is?

[etiolate]

I am responding to the view itself, not the individuals on your facebook nor can I. Your facebook isn't news.

[Samson Manhug]

The view itself that is expressed in my Facebook comments that you have not read?

[Brehvolution]

Guys, trump doesn't know putin and has never met him. Never mind that he just wants his cabinet full of putin's buddies. There is no there there.

[studyguy]

I am responding to the view itself, not the individuals on your facebook nor can I. Your facebook isn't news.

But I get all my news from macedonianfreebeacon.com's feed! 


Also Obama doesn't get nearly enough credit for the small stuff.


Where will you be when bear's natural environment disappears and they descend upon humanity in retribution?

[Joe Molotov]

http://money.cnn.com/2016/12/14/media/reince-priebus-trump-administration-white-house-press/index.html

CNNMoney asked Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks what changes the incoming administration might be considering, and whether the president-elect was at all concerned with any chilling effect the changes might have on the press.

"Chilling effect? How do you know these are not positive changes that will delight the press?" Hicks responded in an email.

Hicks did not immediately respond to a follow-up email asking again what those changes could be.

 

[studyguy]

http://money.cnn.com/2016/12/14/media/reince-priebus-trump-administration-white-house-press/index.html

CNNMoney asked Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks what changes the incoming administration might be considering, and whether the president-elect was at all concerned with any chilling effect the changes might have on the press.

"Chilling effect? How do you know these are not positive changes that will delight the press?" Hicks responded in an email.

Hicks did not immediately respond to a follow-up email asking again what those changes could be.

 

I mean look at the GOP right now, most of them have been absolutely delighted in Trump nutting all over them as he jerks himself off. Hell, the press should be delighted that he gives them the time of day, right?

[Raist]

I am responding to the view itself, not the individuals on your facebook nor can I. Your facebook isn't news.

But I get all my news from macedonianfreebeacon.com's feed! 


Also Obama doesn't get nearly enough credit for the small stuff.
(Image removed from quote.)

Where will you be when bear's natural environment disappears and they descend upon humanity in retribution?

So he basically committed a bearocide? Thanks Obama.

[Boredfrom]

http://money.cnn.com/2016/12/14/media/reince-priebus-trump-administration-white-house-press/index.html

CNNMoney asked Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks what changes the incoming administration might be considering, and whether the president-elect was at all concerned with any chilling effect the changes might have on the press.

"Chilling effect? How do you know these are not positive changes that will delight the press?" Hicks responded in an email.

Hicks did not immediately respond to a follow-up email asking again what those changes could be.

 

I mean look at the GOP right now, most of them have been absolutely delighted in Trump nutting all over them as he jerks himself off. Hell, the press should be delighted that he gives them the time of day, right?

Ryan deserves to be mocked if only how spinless has shown to be. Trump is a cynical ego driven oportunistic asshole without principles, but deep down he knows Ryan is not much better. 

[Take My Breh Away]

https://twitter.com/rcsanchez93/status/809137171592577025

 

[VomKriege]

Trump endorses Romney niece Ronna Romney McDaniel for RNC chair

http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN1432ZF?il=0

The Don taketh and the Don giveth bigly.

That they want to shed away the press briefings is not a surprise frankly. A lot of the protocol is gonna be tossed by the window too.
But heh, stock market is doing great and plenty of people went to kiss the ring. I wouldn't be surprised if Trump became more popular at first, especially if they move fast with the border wall ordeal.

[Atramental]

http://www.forbes.com/powerful-people/list/#tab:overall

[Boogie]

http://www.forbes.com/powerful-people/list/#tab:overall

Theresa May being #13 on the list, but not having a photo.

 

[chronovore]

one of those arguments where everyone is wrong. it's not misogyny to have a coherent thought that takes longer to read than the average fart, but twitter is a terrible place to attempt to deploy it. 

twitter is a terrible place for everything really. a true detriment to society in a depressingly sincere way.

The thing for me is her "Get this off my feed" -- My response would be "Fuck you. Unsubscribe if you're not enjoying it. I didn't ask you to follow me."

But that's probably mansplaining how Twitter works.

[Samson Manhug]

https://twitter.com/nbcnews/status/809181708205621249

[Vertigo]

Personally involved?

That is arch villain status

[chronovore]

Personally involved?

That is arch villain status

Yeah, that's full-on, "No, Mr. Bond -- I expect you to die" status.

[james]

How much of a spineless little bitch is Obama?

Shouldn't he be doing a prime time address to the nation declaring an embargo on Russia and the arrests of all those who assisted Putin in America?

Or is he involved? How deep does this go?

[james]

Democrats:
Eliminate fillibuster? No that would set a bad precedent
Appoint garland? No that would set a bad precedent
Announce Russian interference? No that would set a bad precedent

Republicans:
Our guy lost so we'll call a special session to make sure he cant do anything? FUCK YES

Expanding beyond the disaster recovery legislation the General Assembly approved Wednesday, Republican lawmakers quickly proposed sweeping changes to state government, including proposals that would diminish the governor’s authority to make appointments.

Lawmakers want to hobble the incoming Democratic governor, Roy Cooper, before he takes office Jan. 1 by making his Cabinet appointments subject to approval by the state Senate and cutting his ability to appoint members to UNC schools’ boards of trustees and the state Board of Education.

Another proposal in the mix would equally divide election boards between the two major political parties, ending control by the governor’s party.

Yet another provision would cut the number of employees who serve at the governor’s pleasure from 1,500 to 300, reversing an expansion approved for Republican Gov. Pat McCrory at the start of his term.

Of the two dozen bills filed by both Republicans and Democrats on Wednesday night, only a handful are likely to be voted on during this special session. Those that are likely to move forward represent a significant shakeup by the Republican-controlled legislature.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article120847418.html#storylink=cpy

[brawndolicious]

Since I'm starting a new job and I'm not a permanent employee yet, I signed up for California's Obamacare for the first time. My initial estimate was something like $70/month premium but then when I entered in all my detailed info, it dropped to $1/month.

Yes a buck a month. Or $50/month for silver and $100/month for gold but seriously, employers deduct $100/month for regular ass health insurance plans. Now obviously this is the cheapest insurance plan I've ever had but my question is what kind of voter is the GOP appealing to now? I do live in an expensive rent area and make a bit below the median but normal for my age. I'm genuinely confused.

[Raist]

http://www.forbes.com/powerful-people/list/#tab:overall

Theresa May being #13 on the list, but not having a photo.

 

http://tiny.cc/71drhy

[recursivelyenumerable]

good links on the Russia stuff:

https://www.emptywheel.net/2016/12/10/evidence-prove-russian-hack/ (analyzing what the claims and the evidence that we know about  actually are)

http://thebaffler.com/blog/russia-house-sawicky (why/how u should care about this from a leftish pov)

[Joe Molotov]

How much of a spineless little bitch is Obama?

Shouldn't he be doing a prime time address to the nation declaring an embargo on Russia and the arrests of all those who assisted Putin in America?

Or is he involved? How deep does this go?

James, this can't be good for your blood pressure breh. Trump will eventually be gone, but you gotta survive the inauguration first.