US Politics Thread |OT| SAD TRUMP

[Mandark]

Larry Lessig ran the goofiest presidential campaign, on the premise that he'd enact one law then immediately resign. Not shocking that he's writing fanfiction.

[Raist]

Fucking hell those tweets from the Daou Dynamic Duo read like some cult shit
Are they scientologists?


edit: http://www.newsweek.com/fbi-kept-russian-bribery-plot-under-wraps-obama-approved-nuclear-deal-moscow-686660

FBI agents also gathered documents and a witness account that Russian officials routed millions of dollars to ex-President Bill Clinton’s charitable foundation while Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sat on a committee that gave a nod to the dealings with Moscow.

[benjipwns]

Hey kiddos, that's "Constitutional Law Expert" Lawrence Lessig, not some wackadoo on the internet who comes up with crazy constitutional arguments let alone fan faction just to post on medium.

He files his in court.

Now Lessig is the litigation strategist for Equal Votes, which seeks to use an ambitious lawsuit to tweak the electoral college, the constitutional mechanism by which the U.S. elects its presidents. And this campaign just might work.

...

Equal Votes argues that the “winner takes all” requirement in 48 states effectively disenfranchises millions of Americans, violating the U.S. Constitution’s “one person, one vote” principle. It also means that voters in the handful of states that are more or less evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans -- the famous “battleground states” -- get a greater say in presidential elections. Candidates spend much more time there; the concerns of battleground-state voters receive more attention.

Lessig and the other reformers behind Equal Votes say presidential candidates’ focus on battleground states unfairly tilts the national political agenda. Those states “are substantially different from the United States as a whole,” the group writes on its website. “They are older, and they are whiter. Winner-take-all effectively outsources the selection of our president to a subset of America -- a subset that does not truly or accurately represent America.”

...

Equal Votes, however, argues that the true problem is not that small-state residents get more bang for their votes. It’s that large numbers of voters in many states get no bang at all.

...

Equal Votes insists it’s on firm legal ground and can actually win in court.

“We have identified voters who are perpetually effectively disenfranchised by this system, and we will present their claim that they have been denied representation in presidential elections for decades because of winner-take-all,” Equal Votes states.

[benjipwns]

https://twitter.com/tribelaw/status/920070690153345024

 

[Nola]

Trump offered a grieving military father $25,000 in a call, but didn’t follow through

In his call with Trump, Baldridge, a construction worker, expressed frustration with the military’s survivor benefits program. Because his ex-wife was listed as their son’s beneficiary, she was expected to receive the Pentagon’s $100,000 death gratuity — even though “I can barely rub two nickels together,” he told Trump.

The president’s response shocked him.

“He said, ‘I’m going to write you a check out of my personal account for $25,000,’ and I was just floored,” Baldridge said. “I could not believe he was saying that, and I wish I had it recorded because the man did say this. He said, ‘No other president has ever done something like this,’ but he said, ‘I’m going to do it.’ “

“I opened it up and read it, and I was hoping to see a check in there, to be honest,” the father said. “I know it was kind of far-fetched thinking. But I was like, ‘Damn, no check.’ Just a letter saying ‘I’m sorry

This may the perfect distillation of the Trump presidency(or maybe just Trump in general).

[benjipwns]

Remember that whole Piketty book everyone not from France got excited about for a few months and then Jacobin trashed its central r>g premise, while some other people questioned the data, and then everyone forgot about it because it was Hillary-time. New paper out from Richard Sutch where he actually states that he does not intend for the paper to "question Piketty's integrity" and then more or less says all the data is trash and unable to be reproduced. (Though he concludes that Piketty probably undersold the rise in inequality.)

Trump's leadership yet again debunking politicized junk science promoted by Democrats.

[benjipwns]

my mistake, it was in Dissent, by son of Galbraith: https://www.dissentmagazine.org/article/kapital-for-the-twenty-first-century

after the hacks got out of the way and people actually read the thing a whole bunch of other people across the economics field spectrum took issue with it (and all sorts of other parts...much like in France), even Piketty said it wasn't a useful measure in most ways which raises questions about writing a 700 page book based on it

but can't fault it i suppose

he even sold the film rights to the book

[benjipwns]

when PoliGAF was pushing the book as the most important thing ever and there was an OT and so on, i was reading through it (seemingly the only one it felt like) and i mentioned in a thread the historiography of the one part was terrible because it didn't make any sense (not to mention didn't even need to be in the book for his argument, it was just that page padding) some guy jumped all over me for denying the economic FACTS, then when i questioned him about the argument he claimed it meant something else, then he eventually admitted he hadn't even seen the book and was hoping to get it via books on tape or something

why did i ever post there other to annoy you Jack

reminds me of the PATRIOT'S HISTORY book conservatives were pushing against Zinn's PEOPLE'S HISTORY...that was when i finally realized you aren't supposed to read these books, just buy them in bulk

[Mandark]

Remember that whole Piketty book

Hell yeah. Repost your model of a wealth tax from when that came out.

[benjipwns]

Knew I should have preemptively deflected that cowardly attack from the most vile poster on here. But then again, that would merely be elevating your filth to a level that treats it as if it came from one of the few people here with a functioning mind.

It also would have prevented a perfect illustration of the power of a looming spectre disrupting your safe space at a moment's notice and the fear that fills the vapid place where your souls should be.

[benjipwns]

What I am posting is calm, grown-up shit. You need to reassess.

If you want to be a good person, then I can help you.

[Great Rumbler]

Trump offered a grieving military father $25,000 in a call, but didn’t follow through

Just when I think I can't feel sadder that Trump is President, he drags the bar lower.

[Madrun Badrun]

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-fallen-soldiers-calling-guy-congresswoman/story?id=50568045

[Boredfrom]

Trump hair really seems to be dying.

[etiolate]

nah Mandy is a piece of shit, don't joke

The politics thread is the scum of the scum here. That's why it's the most fun to fuck with and also the most disgusting to deal with.

[curly]

do u talk like this in real life

[VomKriege]

 :'( Never Forget

Not to pick on you Jack, but I mean, how about we wait three years or so before deciding the election still over six months away from that date.

If he wins reelection (...) I'll give you $10,000. Not even looking to make a bet. I'll just give it to you.

[benjipwns]

how is this thread the scum of the scum and most disgusting thread when there's our NeoGAF.com one which sometimes gets overrun with voat-lite dudes who never leave it (which is totes okay)

plus this thread has at minimum 50% less shit posting by me, although the recent success of Verrit, media for the 65.8 million, and new Twitter champion Peter Daou has gotten not only the thread but America so excited that sometimes its groundbreaking journalism and authenticated content can overwhelm the senses

we barely even have anything to really argue about in here anymore with Trump uniting us instead of dividing us like Obama did

[benjipwns]

other than the 2016 democratic primaries that hillary stole of course

[benjipwns]

Senate candidate Roy Moore believes that professional athletes who take a knee during the national anthem are breaking the law.

In an interview with TIME magazine, the Alabama Republican argued that NFL players and others who have protested police violence are violating a section of the U.S. code which outlines how people should conduct themselves when the anthem is played.

"It’s against the law, you know that?" he said. "It was a act of Congress that every man stand and put their hand over their heart. That’s the law."

"I back the President in upholding respect for the patriotism for our country, on two grounds," he said. "One, it’s respect for the law. If we don’t respect the law, what kind of country are we going to have? Two, it’s respect for those who have fallen and given the ultimate sacrifice. I’m surprised that no one brought this up."

He added that it's a matter of the "the rule of law.""If they didn’t have it in there, it would just be tradition. But this is law," he said. "If we disobey this, what else are we going to disobey?

limited government constitutional conservatism

[ToxicAdam]

That guy is a judge? Oh boy.

[Mupepe]

I'd love to hear him reconcile that with his defense of Kim Davis.  The mental gymnastics would be dazzling.

[nachobro]

nah Mandy is a piece of shit, don't joke

The politics thread is the scum of the scum here. That's why it's the most fun to fuck with and also the most disgusting to deal with.

I halfway wish some Nazis would march in the streets again so you'd disappear for another couple of months.

[Mandark]

I'd love to hear him reconcile that with his defense of Kim Davis.  The mental gymnastics would be dazzling.

Or his own defiance of a court order on displaying the Ten Commandments, which is what got him famous in the first place.

It's almost like "respect for the law" is being used as some sort of code.

[Great Rumbler]

That guy is a judge? Oh boy.

He was Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court [an elected position], which he got kicked off of for defying a court order/the law. Several years later, he won re-election as Chief Justice, but was later suspended and facing another expulsion for defying court orders/the law before he resigned to run for the Senate.

[benjipwns]

"Two, it’s respect for those who have fallen and given the ultimate sacrifice. I’m surprised that no one brought this up."

[agrajag]

Give me the $10,000, I want it more

[seagrams hotsauce]

do u talk like this in real life

@ implying people actually talk to etoilet irl

[agrajag]

do u talk like this in real life

@ implying people actually talk to etoilet irl

they're too shook at the thought of taking all those L's irl

[benjipwns]

saw What Happened in the grocery store checkout aisle for 40% off

didn't trust it because simple supply and demand should mean the price of each copy is increasing, also was doubly skeptical about it being a Russian fake as there didn't seem to be any Verrit authentication codes

[Oblivion]

Etoilet spotted handing out L's to college snowflakes :

https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/tpusa-diaper-protest-kent-state/

[benjipwns]

[VomKriege]

Wow Hannity looks like shit. Haven't seen his face in a few years.

[benjipwns]

He's been drinking heavily.

ON LIEBERAL MEDIA TEARS

V. AMUSING!

[Brehvolution]

It's from all those nose shortening surgeries.

https://www.mediaite.com/online/the-media-is-justified-in-ignoring-the-russia-uranium-one-story-theres-nothing-there/

[brawndolicious]

I...I can't even.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DMmfmNNV4AAnGYg.jpg:large

[Great Rumbler]

So, Kelly blatantly lied about Rep. Wilson and now there's video to prove it:

On the facts, it’s exactly as she said. She never said she got the money for the building. She said she sponsored the bill to name it after the fallen FBI agents – at the request of James Comey, who thanked her when he spoke. She wasn’t even in Congress when the money was appropriated. It wouldn’t make any sense. The video is ten minutes long. It’s a very standard Member of Congress speech. She thanks other local members of both parties in attendance. She describes the process of naming the building. She says things you would expect a member of Congress to say about members of law enforcement, the FBI, valor and heroism. It’s all very … well, just normal. You can watch it here.

[Joe Molotov]

Kellyanne, Johnway

[Mandark]

[Great Rumbler]

 

[Brehvolution]

So, Kelly blatantly lied about Rep. Wilson and now there's video to prove it:

On the facts, it’s exactly as she said. She never said she got the money for the building. She said she sponsored the bill to name it after the fallen FBI agents – at the request of James Comey, who thanked her when he spoke. She wasn’t even in Congress when the money was appropriated. It wouldn’t make any sense. The video is ten minutes long. It’s a very standard Member of Congress speech. She thanks other local members of both parties in attendance. She describes the process of naming the building. She says things you would expect a member of Congress to say about members of law enforcement, the FBI, valor and heroism. It’s all very … well, just normal. You can watch it here.

Slamming a congresswoman to discredit a grieving widow's story. 

[stufte]

https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/10/20/presidential-executive-order-amending-executive-order-13223

So um... are we about to go to war?

[benjipwns]

nonsense, only Congress can declare war

[benjipwns]

but to be serious for a moment, i'm not sure how revoking, not delaying (W. and Obama already claimed that power) current members, but revoking past retirements of members of the armed forces could possibly survive in court

maybe he's going to call up Robert E. Lee and the rest to help them redeem their legacy and keep their statues that everyone forgot about being the most important issue facing America in the wake of the NFL Wars

[Great Rumbler]

Hurricane Harvey's floodwaters damaged many homes in the Texas city of Dickinson, and residents are applying for assistance and working to repair their properties.

But Dickinson's application for repair grants is raising eyebrows. Alongside standard items such as project descriptions and grant amounts, the city application reads:

"By executing this Agreement below, the Applicant verifies that the Applicant: (1) does not boycott Israel; and (2) will not boycott Israel during the term of this agreement."

 

[benjipwns]

i mean, what if Congress chooses not to fund the army per the clause in the Constitution requiring them to renew it every two years as we're not allowed a standing army

[Great Rumbler]

Isn't that because of that anti Israeli boycott law they just passed this summer?

Supposedly, but even that bill's sponsor says that it was never meant to apply to situations like this.

[benjipwns]

"We're eating this morning, having my oatmeal, and I see the article in the paper. And it's like, 'Oh no, what could they possibly be thinking?'" King said.

*puts down sandwich*

it's definitely the city's stupid fault, the act is even titled

relating to state contracts with and investments in companies that boycott Israel.

and the first part says:

A governmental entity may not enter into a contract with a company for goods or services unless the contract contains a written verification from the company that it:

i think they made one form and didn't want to make another for individuals, also i imagine this language in the grant application makes it difficult to claim they're contracted companies providing goods and services to the city:

Applicant, acting as an independent contractor and not as an agent of the
City, shall furnish all management, labor, materials, services, supervision, tools, equipment,
licenses and permits necessary to complete the Project. Applicant is solely responsible for all
contracts and payments related to or arising from the Project.

[benjipwns]

The ACLU has also filed a federal lawsuit over a similar Kansas law, "on behalf of a high school math teacher who is being required by the state to certify that she won't boycott Israel if she wants to take part in a teacher training program."

well this is definitely a good use of everyone's time and money

not surprised the milkshake duck ACLU would defend someone who wants to hate Jews though

[benjipwns]

also, this could make a great King of the Hill episode

[Joe Molotov]

Isn't that because of that anti Israeli boycott law they just passed this summer?

Supposedly, but even that bill's sponsor says that it was never meant to apply to situations like this.

If they didn't have it in there, it would just be tradition. But this is law. If we disobey this, what else are we going to disobey?

[Joe Molotov]

It's been a while since I've had any Hebrew National hotdogs, I may be unintentionally boycotting Israel right now. Oh wait, I saw Wonder Woman so I guess I'm good.

[benjipwns]

It's been a while since I've had any Hebrew National hotdogs, I may be unintentionally boycotting Israel right now. Oh wait, I saw Wonder Woman so I guess I'm good.

The Hebrew National Kosher Sausage Factory, Inc., was founded on East Broadway, on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in 1905. The company was founded by Theodore Krainin, who emigrated from Russia in the 1880s.

The site of Hebrew National's manufacturing plant had been New York City for many years; it moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1989. The Indianapolis plant was closed down in 2004 as operations were consolidated with the ConAgra Foods Armour hot dog plant in Quincy, Michigan.

Ironically, Hebrew National beef products cannot be eaten by many observant Jews, despite the fact that Hebrew National is probably one of the most well-known kosher brands among non-Jews. For many years, Hebrew National relied on a body within the company to certify its products kosher. Many Orthodox Jews did not feel that Hebrew National's kosher standards were up to those set in place by groups such as the Orthodox Union, Kof-K, and the like, and as such, would not consume Hebrew National beef-based products. (Standards, and opinions, differed for Hebrew National's poultry.)

i don't know if this makes them more or less Israeli

i have some but the ingredients don't list Palestinian children, they probably use some euphemism for that to get around Michigan's stringent frankfurter laws

[benjipwns]

https://gop.com/stand-for-anthem-petition/

Official Stand for the National Anthem Petition

The President has asked for a list of supporters who stand for the National Anthem. Add your name below to show your patriotism and support:

[benjipwns]

[Joe Molotov]

https://gop.com/stand-for-anthem-petition/

Official Stand for the National Anthem Petition

The President has asked for a list of supporters who stand for the National Anthem. Add your name below to show your patriotism and support:

[Great Rumbler]

Trump Jr. is the Buster of the family.

[Nintex]

I'm not even from the US but I have to say that Trump is the best president ever.

1. He doesn't give a shit about the office.
Past presidents: "The burden of this office. The gravity of decisions"
Trump: "The White House sucks, I'm going to play Golf in Florida lol"

2. He has no clue what he's doing but people pretend he does.
All he does is basically troll on Twitter and roll out his insane ideas. Somehow his staff and now John Kelly turn: "German car companies ripping us off left and right we're going to tax the hell out of them." and "We're going to build a wall and Mexico is going to pay for it" Into some sort of policy. And then there's Mike Pence. Like Trump just literally had a fight with some journalists, called a member of congress wacky and left a turd on McConells desk and Pence comes out and say: "It is my honor to introduce the president of the US"

3. He's Donald Trump and turns the entire thing into reality TV.
North Korea? Who knows right?
Syria? Tune in next time
Rex? We'll see...

4. He always wins
Somehow he convinces his enemies to kneel for him in protest and then calls them out for kneeling.
He basically holds the republican party at gunpoint. "Why are you not doing anything to mess up health care and bomb Iran like you said you would lol?"

5. He possibly scammed the Russians
If you think about it the Russians spend a ton money (allegedly) to elect him to office and they got nothing for it. Only more sanctions.
He's actively abusing their allies (North Korea / Iran) and has turned the US military into a $700 billion monster.

He will go into history as a man who trolled an entire planet. A planet. Not a person, a city but an entire planet has been trolled by Donald Trump.

If a journalist grew a spine in the WH press room and said to Trump: "Please sir stop trolling us" he'd probably take off in his helicopter and leave office.
Hopefully the US renews the season in 3 years because this shit is just too good to be true.

[Tasty]

Petition to change the thread title to "Trumpville."

[Joe Molotov]

Petition to change the thread title to "Trumpville."

delete your account