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Changing of the Guard

By Jeralyn, Section Colorado News
Posted on Wed Jan 20, 2021 at 10:55:23 AM EST
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America, we survived. Today is a day for celebration.

I thought Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez were both terrific. How nice to see normal people like the Obamas and Clintons on center stage instead of toxic outliers.

There will be plenty of time to disagree with the policies of the new Administration for not going far enough, but for today, I'm happy to have my country back. We made it through the worst four years of history.

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    Changing of the Guard | 199 comments (199 topical)

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    It is a very surreal thing (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 20, 2021 at 10:59:28 AM EST
    with no people  
    It's great.  I like everything so far.  It's jus so strange with no crowds  

    Patriot Party (none / 0) (#14)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 21, 2021 at 09:15:58 AM EST
    Search interest for terms like "Third Party," "New Party," or "Patriot Party"--the name Trump has reportedly floated for a party offshoot--spiked on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the media intelligence platform Zignal Labs.
    From January 19-January 20, there were 131,000 mentions of a new party led by Trump across social media, broadcast, traditional media and online sites

    Several prominent Republicans condemned creating a new party Wednesday, arguing it would only splinter the GOP ahead of the midterms in 2022. Asked about "Patriot Party" rumors during an interview with Fox News on Wednesday, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) replied, "I hope he doesn't. I hope he stays the leader of the party." Graham added, however, that Republicans who wanted to "erase" Trump would eventually "be erased" themselves. Dan Bongino, a well-known conservative commentator, rejected the idea for a new political party on his show last week. "Remember the Mike Tyson line," Bongino told his viewers. "Everybody's got a plan until they get punched in the face? The third party plan will punch you in the face as we get routed nationwide."

    link




    Parent

    Really Graham ? (none / 0) (#15)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Jan 21, 2021 at 09:35:36 AM EST
    I hope he stays the leader of the party.


    Parent
    Teds time in the barrel (none / 0) (#16)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 21, 2021 at 09:36:28 AM EST
    Lincoln Project co-founder Rick Wilson said that now that former President Trump is out of office, he intends to turn the super-PAC's attention to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), The Hill reports.

    Said Wilson: "We all know Ted Cruz is sort of a political force of nature. He is what he is. You either hate him or you hate him. And he is a guy who went so far over the edge, not just to appease Donald Trump and Trump's base, but because he felt like Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) had gotten out ahead of him on it."



    Parent
    This is very funny (none / 0) (#17)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 21, 2021 at 10:19:42 AM EST
    Witless Ape Rides Helicopter

    Parent
    Interesting (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Jan 21, 2021 at 10:28:59 AM EST
    Donald Trump is, in fact, the first president since Herbert Hoover to lead his party to losing the presidency, the House, and the Senate all in a single term.

    This needed storing for future use.

    Parent

    There is something wrong (5.00 / 4) (#30)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 22, 2021 at 02:46:40 PM EST

    With the comments

    I assume others are having the same problem since there has been an open thread with no comments fir two days.

    You can not leave a comment.  When you try you are directed

    to this page

    You can only reply to a comment which is why I'm doing this as a reply

    Parent

    Also... (none / 0) (#31)
    by ScottW714 on Fri Jan 22, 2021 at 03:21:05 PM EST
    ...I tried to logout so I could log back in, it won't let me.

    I had emailed Jeralyn yesterday.

    Parent

    Yes I can't seem to post anything. (none / 0) (#32)
    by desertswine on Fri Jan 22, 2021 at 03:21:19 PM EST


    Parent
    testing (none / 0) (#33)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Jan 22, 2021 at 03:26:08 PM EST


    Parent
    Seems fine now (none / 0) (#34)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Jan 22, 2021 at 03:26:38 PM EST
    for me at least

    Parent
    actually, no. I can only reply to a comment (none / 0) (#35)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Jan 22, 2021 at 03:28:32 PM EST
    there is some glitch going on

    Parent
    Do comment replies work reliably? (none / 0) (#95)
    by hillct on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 09:58:11 AM EST
    hey seem to... That narrows things down a bit...

    Parent
    Changing the guard has resulted (none / 0) (#36)
    by MO Blue on Fri Jan 22, 2021 at 03:46:15 PM EST
    in daily press conferences which gets my enthusiastic approval. Jen Psaki is very good.

    Guess we have to rely to comments in order to post.

    Parent

    It's funny (none / 0) (#37)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 22, 2021 at 03:54:28 PM EST
    Part of me loved not thinking I have to worry about what might happen next for the last couple of days

    Then I realized how much following the crazy has kept me busy and to an extent amused for the last year.

    Still.   Bored is better.

    Parent

    It actually (none / 0) (#38)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Jan 22, 2021 at 06:09:53 PM EST
    is still kind of stressful for me but not nearly so. Still need to find out who all was behind the attempted coup and hold them accountable.

    The worst thing for me is normal got distorted. A press secretary that actually has a normal press conference seems almost weird after the last 4 years.

    Parent

    This nut (none / 0) (#39)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Jan 22, 2021 at 07:58:15 PM EST
    they arrested from down the road in Americus GA, ironically Jimmy Carter territory, said he received Facebook messages from people telling him where the legislators were hiding (the tunnels) and for him to turn the gas on. Obviously more evidence of an inside job. I hope we get to find out who it is soon.

    Parent
    A good team. (none / 0) (#46)
    by KeysDan on Sat Jan 23, 2021 at 12:07:33 PM EST
    While the senate confirmation hearing for Secretary of Transportation was neither fascinating nor riveting in content, it was compelling never-the-less.  Mayor Pete fielded both friendly and hostile questions knowledgeably and with aplomb.

    Senator Cruz was, of course, smarmy. But, Mayor Pete deftly answered his green new deal trickery inquiries, leaving Cruz in his own dust.. Mr Buttigieg was said, by several senators of both parties, to be a model for confirmation nominees.

    Parent

    Mayor Pete has a way (5.00 / 1) (#61)
    by MO Blue on Sat Jan 23, 2021 at 06:29:27 PM EST
    of very politely cutting the knees out from under people who try to attack him. They get mowed down while he comes away as that nice guy. Great talent to have.

    Parent
    Jeralyn is temporarily directing us (none / 0) (#80)
    by Peter G on Sun Jan 24, 2021 at 08:05:39 PM EST
    to "the Wordpress site," which I believe refers to the "premium" site, is that right?

    Parent
    yes, premium.talkleft.com (5.00 / 1) (#81)
    by Jeralyn on Sun Jan 24, 2021 at 09:20:33 PM EST
    I just put an open thread at the top

    Parent
    and Colin is already working on (none / 0) (#82)
    by Jeralyn on Sun Jan 24, 2021 at 09:21:20 PM EST
    fixing whatever went wrong here, although he says it is a very uncommon error and he may or may not get it finished tonight

    Parent
    So I left this comment (none / 0) (#84)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 08:52:12 AM EST
    CaptHowdy says:
    January 25, 2021 at 7:22 am
    Your comment is awaiting moderation.

    Question
    When it says "awaiting moderations" is it actually waiting for someone to moderate it or is this just the period when you can correct or delete it?

    Reply

    It's still awaiting moderation.  If that means you personally have to moderate every comment before it appears it can't work the way this site has.

    I come here, and I think others do, do discuss current events in real time.  That simply won't work if you have to be clearing every comment.

    My 2 cents.

    Parent

    That is not how it is supposed to work (none / 0) (#85)
    by Peter G on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 08:59:55 AM EST
    I posted a comment on the new/premium/Wordpress site last night and it appeared immediately, along with a visible 5-minute countdown for editing.

    Parent
    I did not think so (none / 0) (#86)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 09:05:21 AM EST
    It would not make much sense

    That said, it's still awaiting.

    Parent

    PS (none / 0) (#87)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 09:08:39 AM EST
    I saw the countdown.

    I left the comment above because I thought you, and leap,  might have been moderated in almost real time  J was on the site last night.

    Parent

    Also (none / 0) (#89)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 09:10:31 AM EST
    They appeared immediately for me.  I assume not for you.  You could check.  If the thread still has 7 comments mine are still waiting.

    Parent
    Yeh, it looks like (none / 0) (#88)
    by Zorba on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 09:08:56 AM EST
    Your comment is still not there.

    BTW, I trust you will be working hard to elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders as your new governor.  /s

    Parent

    Eeeuuu (none / 0) (#90)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 09:11:12 AM EST
    Try a comment yourself

    Parent
    Perhaps (none / 0) (#91)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 09:13:45 AM EST
    a commenter must be moderated or cleared once?

    Parent
    I think new commenters (none / 0) (#92)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 09:17:29 AM EST
    Had to be cleared in that other Wordpress site we all had.

    Parent
    I (none / 0) (#93)
    by FlJoe on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 09:25:54 AM EST
    have the same problem.

    Parent
    Interesting (none / 0) (#99)
    by jmacWA on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 11:20:48 AM EST
    IT worked for me and showed up immediately.  There are tradeoffs... The ability to edit is GREAT, but It does not seem to show [new] on posts that have just been added... this was my favorite feature on this blog, just being able to search for w] using the browser find to get to new comments

    Parent
    It show up to you (none / 0) (#100)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 12:01:02 PM EST
    Only you.  I just checked

    Parent
    I don't see (none / 0) (#101)
    by Zorba on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 12:13:24 PM EST
    his comment, either. I commented and it shows up to me, but don't know about if it shows up to others.
    Your comment is still not showing, Howdy.
    Looks like that site also needs a bit of work, especially if J. is considering migrating her blog over there.

    Parent
    There is a comment count number (none / 0) (#102)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 12:16:14 PM EST
    At the top.  It has not changed since last night.  There are probably several comments in the pipeline.

    Parent
    I think they (none / 0) (#103)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 12:17:38 PM EST
    Are being processed.

    We both have one showing now.

    Parent

    Correction (none / 0) (#104)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 12:19:28 PM EST
    Zorba  now has a comment showing.  

    Parent
    One interesting difference (none / 0) (#105)
    by Zorba on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 12:26:47 PM EST
    Is that the other site shows our avatars if we have one.  Which I do on Wordpress.

    Parent
    Site rejecting my PW (none / 0) (#94)
    by MO Blue on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 09:44:50 AM EST
    requested a link to change yesterday but didn't receive anything.

    Parent
    That part worked fine for me (none / 0) (#96)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 09:59:01 AM EST
    Did you check the spam folder?

    That's where mine went.

    After thinking about it, I think each new commenter has to be cleared.  Maybe.

    Parent

    Thanks for your help (none / 0) (#108)
    by MO Blue on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 02:28:34 PM EST
    The email was in my junk file. Oh dopey me, it didn't occur to me to look there. Changed my PW and was able to log in and post right away.

    Parent
    Captain, (none / 0) (#109)
    by KeysDan on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 03:18:17 PM EST
    can I use the same password or do I need to start a new one with all those letters etc.  So far, word press does not like what I am doing.  Thanks.

    Parent
    I tried to login (none / 0) (#110)
    by jmacWA on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 03:31:00 PM EST
    with my Wordpress id/pw and it didn't like it, so I registered as a new user.  Interesting (to me anyway) that it did pick up my avatar from my existing wordpress account.  

    My Guess is that the Captain also registered as a new user, while Zorba (PeterG too) may have registered when Jeralyn first put up the site, thus her user was approved whilst mine, the Captains and likely others are awaiting approval

    Parent

    I don't really recall, (none / 0) (#112)
    by Zorba on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 03:42:06 PM EST
    jmac, but I'm pretty sure I did register when J. first put the other site up.  I used the same name and password as here, and it came up with my Wordpress avatar, which I've had for awhile.

    Parent
    My avatar is also there (none / 0) (#117)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 04:05:41 PM EST
    For only me to see.

    Parent
    Could be (none / 0) (#116)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 04:04:36 PM EST
    I did register as a new user.

    I though we were supposed to.  We are still locked out.

    Dan, I used the nonsense PW it gave me?

    Parent

    The premium site (none / 0) (#113)
    by MO Blue on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 03:44:33 PM EST
    required me to change my PW to the more complicated format. It would not accept my simpler 6 digit PW. I used the 12 digits, a combination of lower case and upper case, a number and unique symbol.

    Parent
    I still have three comments (none / 0) (#115)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 03:57:46 PM EST
    "Awaiting moderation"

    I know at least one other person has said they left a comment that is not showing up.

    Parent

    Howdy, (5.00 / 1) (#122)
    by Zorba on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 05:40:03 PM EST
    What the heck did you do to tick off the other Talk Left site? ;-)

    Parent
    I am (none / 0) (#126)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 07:05:13 PM EST
    still awaiting "moderation" for my one comment.

    Parent
    Did you use your old (none / 0) (#128)
    by MO Blue on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 09:03:08 PM EST
    account or create a new one? I changed my PW but I'm using the old account I set up when the premiere site was first established. Once I changed my password, I could post a comment right away.

    Just guessing, establishing  a new account may need "moderation" or you you made the internet gods angry. LOL

    Parent

    I have the new site set to (none / 0) (#129)
    by Jeralyn on Tue Jan 26, 2021 at 12:49:53 PM EST
    me having to manually  approve the first comment by a newly registered commenter. that keeps spam down and avoids captchas and the like. I approved all the comments by people here  last night when I saw "awaiting moderation".
    It's  only the first comment, after that your comments will automatically appear.

    Parent
    Your senator (none / 0) (#40)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jan 23, 2021 at 11:03:15 AM EST
    Tom Cotton apparently faked the fact that he was an army ranger. Does this make any difference to voters?

    Parent
    Rolling Stone says this (5.00 / 1) (#65)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jan 24, 2021 at 08:48:57 AM EST
    Attending that training let him wear a tab on his arm that says "Ranger," but that did not qualify him as a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment, the Army's elite special operations force.

    I don't think this little semantic snafu will move many in this state.

    I'm sure I don't need to list the many more crazy things they eagerly believe.

    As far as his political ambitions beyond AR, who knows.  It might.  There are complaints from actual Army Rangers now.

    Parent

    I like (5.00 / 1) (#68)
    by KeysDan on Sun Jan 24, 2021 at 09:36:18 AM EST
    Rangers, real or ersatz, who are not fascists.

    Parent
    His WIKI has been massaged (5.00 / 1) (#69)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jan 24, 2021 at 10:12:23 AM EST

    Cotton has been criticized for describing himself as an "Army Ranger" despite having never served in the Army's 75th Ranger Regiment. As a graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger School, Cotton is authorized to wear the Ranger tab on his uniform. A spokesperson for Cotton said, "To be clear, as he's stated many times, Senator Cotton graduated from Ranger School, earned the Ranger Tab, and served a combat tour with the 101st Airborne, not the 75th Ranger Regiment."[16]

    I don't care enough to search but I would bet he was not as clear with his words as that blurb suggests.

    Parent

    He wasn't (none / 0) (#70)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Jan 24, 2021 at 10:26:57 AM EST
    He claimed he served as a Ranger in Iraq and Afghanistan which is a flat out lie.

    Basically if you graduate you are admitted to a Ranger unit. What probably happened with Cotton is he washed out of Ranger school. There is no way if he graduated he would not be serving as a Ranger unless the Army found some psychological or physical  problem with him that they would not let him be a Ranger.

    Parent

    Couple of assumptions there (5.00 / 1) (#71)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jan 24, 2021 at 10:36:17 AM EST
    As I said, I don't know much about this or care to but, I believe I have read that the Ranger School is open to anyone.  But it does not make you a Ranger.  You get a patch.  Like a boy scout.  

    I've never heard anything about his washing out or the rest of what you said.

    AFAIK he went to the school, graduated, got the patch and then either intentionally or by omission allowed it to be said he was an Army Ranger.

    I think the facts are bad enough.  But more are always welcome.  Not personally worth the google.

    Parent

    This stuff that started coming out last week (5.00 / 1) (#72)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jan 24, 2021 at 10:46:16 AM EST
    seems very bad.  Witness will make this impeachment more interesting than the last one.

    "In his last weeks in office, former President Trump considered moving to replace the acting attorney general with another official ready to pursue unsubstantiated claims of election fraud, and he pushed the Justice Department to ask the Supreme Court to invalidate President Biden's victory," the Wall Street Journal reports.

    "Those efforts failed due to pushback from his own appointees in the Justice Department, who refused to file what they viewed as a legally baseless lawsuit in the Supreme Court. Later, other senior department officials threatened to resign en masse should Mr. Trump fire then-acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen, according to several people familiar with the discussions."

    link

    Parent

    I have been trying to decide whether (none / 0) (#73)
    by Peter G on Sun Jan 24, 2021 at 01:18:44 PM EST
    this seems rather important to me just because I am a lawyer, or whether it really is a whole new level of attempted coup. (I think it reasonable to use the term "coup" to describe an effort by sitting government officials/operatives to engineer a future power structure contrary to the authentic results of the election.) It pains me to have to recognize that most of the reactionaries and proto-fascists in leadership of DoJ come off as the heroes of the story. Even for them, this was a bridge too far.

    Parent
    Peter, do you agree with this (none / 0) (#74)
    by oculus on Sun Jan 24, 2021 at 01:24:07 PM EST
    characterization of Clark.?

    " a relatively obscure Justice Department official, Jeffrey Clark, the acting chief of the civil division,...". [NYT.]

    Parent

    Well, yes, I suppose the Civil Division and (none / 0) (#75)
    by Peter G on Sun Jan 24, 2021 at 01:30:42 PM EST
    its leadership can fairly be described as "relatively obscure," but that is by no means to say it is unimportant or anything less than very powerful in fact.

    Parent
    To me (none / 0) (#76)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Jan 24, 2021 at 03:00:55 PM EST
    it is just evidence that January 6th was put in action deeper than we realized. There was a bunch of things going on behind the scenes probably immediately after the election.

    I can't help but think Trump had instructions from Vladimir Putin on this since Trump doesn't appear to understand the most basic tenets of how government works.

    But since I'm not a lawyer maybe I am wrong on this.

    Parent

    It's just (none / 0) (#77)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jan 24, 2021 at 03:51:11 PM EST
    "one more thing". But it's a pretty big thing.  It's said Mitch and Chuck are working together to get Trump convicted in the senate and that the delay was really agreed to allow as much stuff to come out as possible before they go for it.

    If they can't do it with evidence of the kind in the WSJ I can't imagine what it would take.   If Trumps hand picked boys  testify to this stuff 67 senators seems attainable.


    Parent

    On the other hand (none / 0) (#78)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jan 24, 2021 at 03:56:50 PM EST
    New York Times: "The 10 House Republicans who voted for impeachment are already facing a fleet of primary challengers, censures and other rebukes from their hometown Republican Party organizations, an indication that the battle over Mr. Trump will play a defining role in shaping the direction of the party during the next two years."

    link

    Parent

    Michael (none / 0) (#79)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Jan 24, 2021 at 06:04:23 PM EST
    Cohen said the hammer is coming down on Trump within 30 days. So if that comes to fruition those anti-Trump Republicans are going to look like brave heros and the crackpot Trumpers are going to look like stupid cult members. Of course, if they have a bunch of Trumpers running in the same primary then they will split the vote and the house member doesn't have much to worry about.

    Parent
    Secret Pardons (none / 0) (#83)
    by RickyJim on Sun Jan 24, 2021 at 10:55:47 PM EST
    Michael Cohen agrees with the theory I posted here a few days ago that Trump has secretly issued pardons.  He guesses that the recipients are himself, his children and Giuliani.

    Parent
    Stolen Valor (none / 0) (#62)
    by MKS on Sat Jan 23, 2021 at 09:27:20 PM EST


    Parent
    Heh, I can post again! (none / 0) (#63)
    by MKS on Sat Jan 23, 2021 at 09:27:34 PM EST


    Parent
    The site has been allowing (none / 0) (#64)
    by MO Blue on Sat Jan 23, 2021 at 09:52:33 PM EST
    you to reply to other comments. Site is still broken since you can't post new parent comments.


    Parent
    Agree completely (none / 0) (#106)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 12:27:53 PM EST


    Parent
    The Inaugaral format (none / 0) (#41)
    by KeysDan on Sat Jan 23, 2021 at 11:03:48 AM EST
    of necessity became one of richness.  Its egalitarianism permitted all Americans to join, in real time, the celebrations.  No elitist Balls.  Entertainment offered for the enjoyment of all  President Biden's address, too, was big-hearted providing olive branches embedded in admonition for "lies told for power and profit" and a call " that we must end this uncivil war".

    Parent
    It would be nice (none / 0) (#43)
    by MO Blue on Sat Jan 23, 2021 at 11:26:22 AM EST
    if the majority of the people in ALL states united to demand their Congresscritters provided the necessary policies and funding to defeat this pandemic. As we can see, left to pursue their own agenda, the Republicans are going to continue their normal policies of obstructing legislation that would help people.

    Parent
    Yes, (none / 0) (#45)
    by KeysDan on Sat Jan 23, 2021 at 11:53:59 AM EST
    the normal policy: obstruction.  That is what Republicans do.  "Elect Me And I Promise To Do Nothing"does  not make a good bumper sticker,  So. How about conspiracy theories.   Alien lizards taking away our guns, Hugo Chavez coming to life to eat ballots, criminal rings working out of pizza parlors. That gets them votes.

    Parent
    Joe is rising to the occasion (5.00 / 4) (#2)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 20, 2021 at 11:01:52 AM EST
    he even looks better.  

    And Clinton is Taking a Nap (none / 0) (#3)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Jan 20, 2021 at 11:05:50 AM EST
    Joe is putting me to sleep as well.  I hope Joe can bring us together but my confidence level is very low.  The people that need to hear this message won't.

    Parent
    Unity would be great (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by MO Blue on Wed Jan 20, 2021 at 11:57:03 AM EST
    The past kumbaya attempt which gave too much away for no return, not so much.

    Parent
    I am not (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jan 20, 2021 at 02:12:15 PM EST
    sure there is anybody on this earth right now that could bring "unity". What Joe should do IMO is just go ahead and start passing his agenda. The GOP can vote or not vote for it.

    Parent
    Dogs bark, and the caravan passes. (none / 0) (#8)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jan 20, 2021 at 04:39:59 PM EST
    If you've extended the hand of good will and it's rebuffed, that's on them and not you. Sometimes, it's best to simply let the dogs bark and move on. Once they see that they've been left behind, they'll figure out soon enough that the world doesn't revolve around them. The primary problem these past few decades is that for far too long, we've allowed the right to both define the dance floor perimeters and call the tunes. That needs to end. The right's not interested in governance, only power for its own sake.

    Parent
    Have you read Barack Obama's new memoir? (none / 0) (#22)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 21, 2021 at 04:14:13 PM EST


    Parent
    I didn't hear a word (none / 0) (#9)
    by Jeralyn on Wed Jan 20, 2021 at 07:38:24 PM EST
    he said and I had the sound on. I just naturally tune him out, since he's not going say anything momentous. He definitely lacks charisma. And speaks in generalities before getting to the point. His voice doesn't modulate enough.

    That said, I'm still in a dancing (or Peloton) mood tonight because I'm so happy his predecessor is gone. I guess I'm just happy not to be living on the eve of destruction anymore.

    Parent

    Garth Knocked it Out of the Park as Well (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Jan 20, 2021 at 11:16:07 AM EST


    I loved the diversity of the (5.00 / 2) (#5)
    by MO Blue on Wed Jan 20, 2021 at 11:53:01 AM EST
    entertainment. Garth Brooks performing was his act of patriotism and an attempt to encourage unity.

    Parent
    I am semi-alarmed at the lack of classical (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 21, 2021 at 04:15:52 PM EST
    music. An under-appreciated minority.  

    Parent
    exactly (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by leap on Thu Jan 21, 2021 at 05:38:40 PM EST
    Guess Joe-Joe didn't completely go with the Obama inaugural show routine. Remember the quartet at Obama's, with Yo Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Anthony McGill, and Gabriela Montero? Although it was "scandalous" since, of course, there had to be some sort of scandal with an in-coming Democrat. Turns out what they played had been recorded previously, so they were "lip-syncing." Ha ha ha. It was freezing-aff cold. Imagine trying to keep those instruments in tune when it's below freezing.

    Parent
    Yo Yo Ma (5.00 / 2) (#27)
    by MO Blue on Thu Jan 21, 2021 at 09:06:52 PM EST
    did perform in the concert segment. He played a rendition of Amazing Grace. Here is a link to the performance and a description of it by a ClassicFM music station.

    ClassicFM

    Parent

    ooooo, I missed that (none / 0) (#28)
    by leap on Thu Jan 21, 2021 at 09:34:30 PM EST
    Thank you. I just couldn't watch everything all day long, although I came close. I was just so relieved and happy this $h!†-storm is over, and had to make sure it was real. But I missed Yo Yo Ma. Wonder what else...

    Parent
    he performed (none / 0) (#29)
    by MO Blue on Thu Jan 21, 2021 at 09:41:28 PM EST
    in the evening concert. As alwsys with Yo Yo Ma, it was a beautiful performance. He gave a very brief speech before he played and was so happy that Biden won.

    Parent
    Presidential Classical Music Fans (none / 0) (#26)
    by RickyJim on Thu Jan 21, 2021 at 06:58:38 PM EST
    The most recent, I think, were Truman (he and Bess actually attended concerts) and Nixon.  For some reason, most Supreme Court justices like to listen to classical music according to the late RBG.

    Parent
    I thought his wearing (none / 0) (#10)
    by Jeralyn on Wed Jan 20, 2021 at 07:40:42 PM EST
    jeans was disrespectful to the occasion. Same for his cowboy hat. I had never heard him sing before and was not really impressed with his singing today until the last line of his song when his voice showed some range. But that's just me.

    Parent
    Now do Lady Gaga. (none / 0) (#21)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 21, 2021 at 04:12:38 PM EST


    Parent
    Lady Gaga's (5.00 / 2) (#42)
    by KeysDan on Sat Jan 23, 2021 at 11:23:16 AM EST
    ensemble  was epic.   A patriotic exclamation point---platinum white hair, blue bodice, and red skirt.  Accented with a peace dove carrying an olive branch.

    Not attire for traveling by public transportation, difficult by limo, too.  Probably, best by flat-bed.

    Parent

    The performance (5.00 / 1) (#48)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jan 23, 2021 at 12:42:48 PM EST
    Was pretty epic too.  It was exactly weird enough to say I'm taking this seriously but I'm in on the joke.

    Parent
    Yes, (5.00 / 1) (#50)
    by KeysDan on Sat Jan 23, 2021 at 01:26:25 PM EST
    a theatrical rendition of the Star Spangled.Banner.  I liked it a lot.

    Parent
    I prefer singers just sing the song sans (none / 0) (#52)
    by oculus on Sat Jan 23, 2021 at 01:48:11 PM EST
    embellishment.  Even at baseball games.  

    Parent
    Good thing (none / 0) (#53)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jan 23, 2021 at 01:53:12 PM EST
    Those opera people never embellish anything.

    Parent
    Renee Fleming. Super Bowl. (none / 0) (#55)
    by oculus on Sat Jan 23, 2021 at 02:11:59 PM EST


    Parent
    I was (none / 0) (#44)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jan 23, 2021 at 11:47:32 AM EST
    wondering how she got there with that dress on. I guess she had a dressing room somewhere nearby.

    Parent
    I think Lady Gaga (none / 0) (#47)
    by MO Blue on Sat Jan 23, 2021 at 12:32:37 PM EST
    has had a lot of practice getting around in "challenging" outfits.

    Parent
    such as (none / 0) (#49)
    by leap on Sat Jan 23, 2021 at 01:09:12 PM EST
    her meat dress. Stay away from dog parks.

    Parent
    Where's the Beef... (none / 0) (#107)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 01:17:36 PM EST
     ...Dress ?  

    The dress weighted 35 lbs and is currently on display at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame after it was preserved by a taxidermist.

    Parent

    Dominion Voting Systems sues Giuliani (5.00 / 2) (#114)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 03:57:11 PM EST
    1.3 Billion Dollars

    I think Giuliani has fried his own brain:

    The amount being asked for is, quite obviously, intended to frighten people of faint heart. It is another act of intimidation by the hate-filled leftwing to wipe out and censor the exercise of free speech, as well as the ability of lawyers to defend their clients vigorously.

    As such, we will investigate a countersuit against them for violating these constitutional rights.

    There is so much to unwrap, but I feel like this is more of a call for help than anything.  If that is his defense, he's gonna die a poor man.

    Parent

    Sure. But, compared to Garth, was her (none / 0) (#51)
    by oculus on Sat Jan 23, 2021 at 01:45:37 PM EST
    grandstanding costume appropriate for this occasion?

    Parent
    If you don't want a costume (5.00 / 2) (#54)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jan 23, 2021 at 01:58:01 PM EST
    you don't invite Lady Gaga

    Parent
    If you don't want jeans (none / 0) (#60)
    by MO Blue on Sat Jan 23, 2021 at 06:25:35 PM EST
    and a cowboy hat, probably best not to invite Garth Brooks. The jeans and the hat are every much his trademark costume as Lady Gaga's unusual costumes are hers.

    Parent
    Now (5.00 / 1) (#66)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jan 24, 2021 at 08:51:04 AM EST
    if Gaga showed up in jeans and a cowboy hat and Garth had been in that getup  it would be worth discussing.

    Parent
    Lady (none / 0) (#67)
    by FlJoe on Sun Jan 24, 2021 at 08:54:56 AM EST
    Brooks and Gaga Garth?

    Parent
    If you have fireworks (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by KeysDan on Sat Jan 23, 2021 at 03:57:01 PM EST
    don't be surprised if there is a spectacle.

    Parent
    From today's NYT (none / 0) (#58)
    by BGinCA on Sat Jan 23, 2021 at 04:10:41 PM EST
    The 22-year-old Gorman read her poem "The Hill We Climb" after performances by Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and Garth Brooks -- the great, the good and the well-intentioned.

    Parent
    I thought Garth Brooks' phrasing and (none / 0) (#11)
    by Peter G on Wed Jan 20, 2021 at 08:09:19 PM EST
    voice modulation was awful. AhAhMay ... Zing Grace ...How Sweet ... the Sound.  No feeling for the meaning of the words at all. Give me Obama singing it a Emanuel AME Charleston, or even Arlo Guthrie.

    Parent
    A unity gesture, perhaps. (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by oculus on Wed Jan 20, 2021 at 11:31:08 PM EST


    Parent
    A unity gesture and an (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by MO Blue on Thu Jan 21, 2021 at 06:03:13 AM EST
    Inauguration tradition. Brooks has performed at every inauguration since Jimmy Carter, except for Trump and Ronald Reagan. His statement on unity to a conservative audience was worthwhile.

    Brooks doubled down on unity when asked what he would say to conservative country music listeners unwilling to accept election results. Invited to perform by Dr. Jill Biden, Brooks said he's focused on "that bridge that brings us together" ahead of his appearance.  

    "In this case, you must rise beyond red and blue," Brooks said. "You must rise beyond Black and white, gay-straight, male-female. Look at it from above, look at it from America. That's always kind of been my thing. You are all welcome at a Garth Brooks concert, and the whole mission of a Garth Brooks concert is for the people that come watch the show to leave the show lovin' each other more than when they came in.

    Tennessean

    Parent

    I made no comment on the gesture or (5.00 / 2) (#19)
    by Peter G on Thu Jan 21, 2021 at 11:46:27 AM EST
    the idea of having Garth Brooks sing. My only comment was on how badly he actually sang.

    Parent
    Everyone's a critic! (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 21, 2021 at 04:11:51 PM EST


    Parent
    Nat Hentoff, is that you? (none / 0) (#25)
    by jondee on Thu Jan 21, 2021 at 06:44:53 PM EST
    For what it's worth, I would've preferred Hubert Laws's flute rendition.

    Parent
    Salisbury Poisonings (none / 0) (#56)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jan 23, 2021 at 02:46:35 PM EST
    The open is broken so....

    I've been streaming this all day

    It's really good.  It's the story of the nerve agent attack in the UK a couple of years ago.  I thought I followed it pretty closely but there is a lot here I did not know.

    The big takeaway form the series, in fact I think the thing Putin  wanted everyone to take away, is how incredibly easy it would be to cause a horrific mass casualty event with almost no effort at all.

    It starts on AMC on Monday (I think) and is streaming on AMC+.

    Parent

    Timely (5.00 / 1) (#59)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jan 23, 2021 at 04:51:19 PM EST
    Protests Swell Across Russia Calling For The Release Of Kremlin Critic Alexei Navalny



    Parent

    Told ya so (none / 0) (#97)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 10:41:52 AM EST
    MyPillow Guy Mulling Run for Minnesota Governor

    January 25, 2021 at 11:21 am EST By Taegan Goddard 35 Comments

    MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell (R) may run for Minnesota governor, Axios reports.

    He has no choice.  Nobody want to sell his pillows.

    Parent

    It just gets worse (none / 0) (#98)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 11:11:13 AM EST
    Just Security published a collection of videos from the Capitol siege on January 6, which were scraped from Parler.

    The collection contains footage that has not been widely seen before (including the audience's immediate reactions to President Trump's most potent remarks at the Ellipse; Trump supporters' statements about Vice President Pence during the unfolding events).

    link

    Parent

    Senator Patrick Leahy, as president pro tempoire (none / 0) (#111)
    by KeysDan on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 03:36:46 PM EST
    of the senate, will preside at the impeachment trial of the former president, rather than Chief Justice Roberts.  Apparently, it is necessary for the Chief Justice to preside only for a sitting president.

    The presiding officer rules only on procedure issues and may still vote on the issue of conviction.  While this may be permitted, it seems that having a Democratic senator presiding opens up issues that need not be, especially, in a clear-cut case such as this Article of Impeachment.  Hopefully, this will be given more thought.

    Parent

    A lot of stuff about this feels weird (5.00 / 2) (#118)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 04:50:26 PM EST
    it feels like some surprises are coming.  But who knows.

    It seems impossible he will be convicted.  And impossible that he would not be.  There is a thing happening in this country that is starting to feel like open sedition and insurrection.  I want the believe that will move enough safe and retiring senators to call this out now.

    If they don't it becomes officially part of the politics that there is a fascist party in America.

    Parent

    Reading the NYT article (5.00 / 1) (#121)
    by KeysDan on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 05:20:53 PM EST
    about Jeffrey Bossert Clark conspiring with Trump to over throw Acting AG Rosen and make Rosen Clark's deputy made me think of the old "Seven Days of May".coupled with Saturday massacre    So many questions unanswered, including the note that there were no names because of fear of retaliation.   All scary, even the odious Bill Barr resigned to escape the plotting, it seems. Yet, Barr left saying nothing leaving a sickening toady resignation letter.  

    It is past time to acknowledge the Republican Party is a fascist party. One DOJ supporter of Clark argued this is much about nothing--- after all Rosen was not replaced and the DOJ did not use its resources to participate in one of the coup plots.  (Or is there one coup with several plot components)

    Parent

    I think people need to start saying the word (5.00 / 1) (#123)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 05:43:40 PM EST
    It's like early in Trumps term when it took months for people to say "he's a liar" in polite company and news coverage because that's not how you talk about a president.  

    It took months but eventually it happened.  I'm not sure we have months to start calling them fascists.  Fascists tried to overthrow an election at every level of government.  And they are all still here.  They haven't said it was a bad idea.

    Parent

    Sad republicans (5.00 / 1) (#125)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 05:53:06 PM EST
    FiveThirtyEight: "It's only January 2021, but three Republican senators have already announced their intentions to retire in 2022. Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina said back in 2016 that his current term would be his last, and Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania revealed last October that he would not run for reelection either. Then, on Monday morning, Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio joined them, saying in a statement that `It has gotten harder and harder to break through the partisan gridlock and make progress on substantive policy.'"

    "These retirements could be a helpful development for Democrats, too, as they provide the party with potential openings on what was already a decently favorable Senate map for them. Although the Senate's rural bias still makes the chamber advantageous to Republicans overall, the 2022 Senate map doesn't force Democrats to compete on red turf nearly as much as the 2020 map or killer 2018 map did. In fact, no Democratic senators are running for reelection in states won by former President Donald Trump in 2020, while Republicans are defending two seats in states won by President Biden: the open seat in Pennsylvania and Sen. Ron Johnson's seat in Wisconsin. (To make matters worse for Republicans, Johnson is considering retirement as well.)"



    Parent
    Ron Johnson, if I'm (none / 0) (#127)
    by MO Blue on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 08:28:15 PM EST
    Being polite, is a useless human being. The only problem with him retiring is that the Republicans will probably nominate someone even worse. If the Dems could get another Sherwood Brown, that would be great. The Dems need to have at least 52 or 53 seat majority in the Senate to get around the conservative members of the Dem party.  

    Parent
    RoJo aka Senator Sunspots (5.00 / 2) (#130)
    by Towanda on Tue Jan 26, 2021 at 02:22:17 PM EST
    previously promised that this is his final term.

    Of course, he lies.

    Parent

    one (5.00 / 1) (#124)
    by FlJoe on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 05:52:49 PM EST
    coup, multiple avenues of attack.
    Pre-election rhetoric
    Pre and post election right wing media propaganda
    The courts
    State legislatures
    State executives
    The Congress
    Mike Pence
    The Doj
    and finally
    the mob.
    Lucky for us that they all said no except the mob.

    Don't give me that mens rea crap, this has been a full court press to overthrow the election from day one and everybody knows it.

    Parent

    Maybe if there's enough death threats (none / 0) (#119)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 05:01:54 PM EST
    they will decide it would be wise to put down a marker.

    "Federal law enforcement officials are examining a number of threats aimed at members of Congress as the second trial of former President Donald Trump nears, including ominous chatter about killing legislators or attacking them outside of the U.S. Capitol," the AP reports.

    "The threats, and concerns that armed protesters could return to sack the Capitol anew, have prompted the U.S. Capitol Police and other federal law enforcement to insist thousands of National Guard troops remain in Washington as the Senate moves forward with plans for Trump's trial, the official said."



    Parent
    To be clear (none / 0) (#120)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 25, 2021 at 05:14:11 PM EST
    We don't encourage death threats

    Parent
    Biden needs to stick with it (none / 0) (#131)
    by MO Blue on Sun Jan 31, 2021 at 05:44:17 PM EST
    Biden Flips the Script

    "Biden has outlined the most liberal agenda in a generation."

    "On top of Biden's expansive agenda, add Speaker Pelosi -- a progressive who always wants to go big, and is thinking about her legacy -- and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who worries about a primary from his left."

    Seems Schumer works harder to get what people need when he worries about a primary from the left. They all need to stay the course and stay away the lure of Lucy's Football.

    They should remind Manchin (5.00 / 3) (#132)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jan 31, 2021 at 06:32:07 PM EST
    and anyone else in no uncertain terms they might be in a right leaning state but they were elected by democrats.  Democrats who will not vote for them again if they screw this up.

    I have already heard more than enough from Manchin.

    Parent

    What do you PA guys (none / 0) (#133)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jan 31, 2021 at 06:38:19 PM EST
    Think about Bruce Castor


    Castor is the former Pennsylvania district attorney who declined to prosecute Bill Cosby in 2005 over an encounter with Andrea Constand the year before. Cosby was convicted of sexually assaulting Constand in 2018 after a different prosecutor pursued the case.

    Schoen is a civil and criminal defense lawyer with offices in Alabama and New York.

    He says lawyers David Schoen and Bruce Castor will lead his defense and came after a "mutual decision" to part ways with two other attorneys.

    Think he will follow Trumps instructions and argue the election was stolen?

    If he does it could be a major headache for senate republicans.

    Until less than two weeks ago, Castor's office (5.00 / 1) (#142)
    by Peter G on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 11:10:22 AM EST
    was located around the corner from ours, maybe 150 yards away. He and his former partner (both local Republican die-hard politicos in a now overwhelmingly Democratic Philadelphia suburb) renovated an old house into very lovely offices (note how they have cleverly repurposed the "R&C" logo for a new firm name), conveniently located between the funeral parlor and the animal hospital. Why Castor recently left the partnership and joined a small law firm in the county seat, I don't know. Anything else I might have to say about him is best left unsaid, or at least unwritten.

    Parent
    I really really wish Rudy (none / 0) (#134)
    by jondee on Sun Jan 31, 2021 at 07:42:25 PM EST
    was doing it. He's got the goods on everyone and the whole world needs to hear about it.

    Now he's got proof that along with Antifa, Lincoln Project people were behind the Capital insurrection.

    Parent

    I was kind of thinking (none / 0) (#141)
    by Zorba on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 08:56:13 AM EST
    He would hire Lin Wood and Sidney Powell.   ;-)

    Parent
    I thought the My Pillow (none / 0) (#155)
    by Chuck0 on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 01:51:42 PM EST
    guy had the evidence.

    Parent
    My understanding (none / 0) (#135)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Jan 31, 2021 at 07:55:05 PM EST
    is that lawyers cannot argue that the election is stolen since that would be fraud or something. Elie Mistal was on CNN explaining this. If the lawyers were to argue election fraud they would probably be disbarred. I'm sure one of our legal experts can explain this better than I can or correct me where I may be wrong on this.

    Doesn't seem like Trump will have much of a defense with just hiring attorneys and I believe i read briefs are due on Tuesday. That is if both of these attorneys don't quit before Tuesday.

    Parent

    This story (none / 0) (#138)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jan 31, 2021 at 10:08:16 PM EST
    says they will argue the constitutionality

    I think they should subpoena Trump.  He would probably jump at the chance.

    Parent

    I agree. (none / 0) (#140)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 05:46:38 AM EST
    And then Trump could sit there and tell lie after lie under oath.

    Parent
    And I'm reading (none / 0) (#136)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Jan 31, 2021 at 08:00:30 PM EST
    that this lawyer was the last attorney to see Jeffrey Epstein alive. Trump has hired Epstein's lawyer.

    Parent
    Weird Al (none / 0) (#137)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jan 31, 2021 at 10:04:50 PM EST
    Former White House senior adviser Jared Kushner and his deputy, Avi Berkowitz, were nominated on Sunday for the Nobel Peace Prize for their role in negotiating four normalization deals between Israel and Arab nations known as the "Abraham Accords," Reuters reports.

    They were nominated by law professor Alan Dershowitz.
    Oh, barf. (5.00 / 1) (#139)
    by desertswine on Sun Jan 31, 2021 at 11:39:12 PM EST


    Parent
    Ronna's Regrets (none / 0) (#143)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 11:16:32 AM EST
    Chapter 1

    RNC chair Ronna Romney McDaniel told the New York Times that she regrets letting former President Trump's lawyers -- Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell -- spread unproven claims about the 2020 election from the organization's headquarters.

    Said McDaniel: "When I saw some of the things Sidney was saying, without proof, I certainly was concerned it was happening in my building. There are a whole host of issues we had to deal with -- what is the liability of the RNC, if these allegations are made and unfounded?"
    PleaZe... (none / 0) (#145)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 11:49:58 AM EST
    ...what she was really thinking, "Donald Trump is the greatest human being to ever walk the Earth, I will do whatever to take to keep him on top."

    I'm sure the regrets started rolling int he same time the cease and desist letters did.  I am guessing her only true regret is that it didn't work and now she looks like they all look, hopeless Trump devotees who in the light of day look like a bunch of idiots.

    Parent

    This (none / 0) (#146)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 11:52:58 AM EST

    There are a whole host of issues .......  what is the liability of the RNC

    Yes, there is and we'll find out

    Parent

    This is Special (none / 0) (#144)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 11:40:34 AM EST
    They are figuring out that some of the people storming the capital because they election was stolen, didn't do this.... drum role.... vote.

    If it weren't damn damn pathetic it would be hilarious.  

    One has to wonder how many people didn't vote because Trump stated that there was going to be fraud before the election.

    Whats the point of voting (none / 0) (#157)
    by jondee on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 02:08:15 PM EST
    when the hidden puppet masters of the New World Order, the Deep State, the Elders of Zion, and Soros have everything (but Trump) under control?

    Parent
    Pretty smart I think (none / 0) (#147)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 12:00:50 PM EST
    I think Biden is going to give the republicans a gift of limiting  the direct payments to those who actually need them - people who need it enough to spend it immediately which IMO is entirely reasonable - and call it bipartisanship.  

    Which it will be.  He will be the king of bipartisanship and the republicans really didn't get that much.  

    Very smart

    Bad for me (none / 0) (#150)
    by Peter G on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 01:00:13 PM EST
    but good for America. I agree.

    Parent
    It is, (none / 0) (#152)
    by Zorba on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 01:33:12 PM EST
    If, and it's a big if, the Democrats keep pounding the message that they wanted to give people more, but the Republicans didn't.
    The Republicans will try and blame the Democrats, but the Dems need to fight back.  A lot.

    Parent
    Today is a payday (none / 0) (#148)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 12:08:20 PM EST
    so I was out doing stuff I try to do infrequently. Like get gas.  I was in CASEYs general store (no relation) and a woman walked in without a mask and the guy says, starting tomorrow you have to wear a mask to come in here.

    Mic drop.

    When she left I said, really?
    Yes. The CDC "came here" and said starting tomorrow if we allow an unmasked person in we can lose our license.

    So I think it's about the executive order on Transportation.  It specifically say "roads" are part of public transportation?  I guess?

    At Most Places... (5.00 / 1) (#156)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 02:00:32 PM EST
    ...in Arkansas and Missouri I feel out of place with a mask because no one is wearing them, including employees.  Grocery stores being the big exception and when I go to the big town of Rogers, more people are wearing them, like 50%.

    The more you wear them, the more you miss it when you are walking in.  I bet I am at 30 times I have gotten to a front door at a place of business and did a 180 to get my mask.  One time I was in Walgreens at the Pharmacy in line wondering why I was getting the evil eyes.  I got out of line and went to my vehicle to get my mask.

    I think all it's going to do is really tick people off.  There are going to be fights if the penalty is losing a business license.

    Parent

    Around here it depends (none / 0) (#158)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 02:21:05 PM EST
    Walmart 90+ usually masked.  Everywhere else it's hit or miss.  Usually more than 50% masked almost anywhere.

    But there is a hard core. I don't envy the counter guy.

    Parent

    St. Louis County has a (none / 0) (#167)
    by MO Blue on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 03:51:49 PM EST
    mask mandate. The county executive has gotten a lot of grief about it from Republican members of the county commission but he has stuck to his guns. People in the parts of the county that I frequent comply with the mandate I estimate around 90%. The few who don't wear them tend to be older seniors and in my neighborhood primarily male. Just the people who should be wearing them the most.

    Parent
    In Texas... (none / 0) (#173)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 05:21:41 PM EST
    ...it's like 98%, but of those at least 25% are not covering their noses.  I'm not entirely sure if we are under a mandate, I think Houston proper is, which is in a different county than me.

    In our travels, the cheapest gas is at a place called Buc-ees, which is pretty famous, but the crowds are unreal and no one pays attention to social distancing when there are crowds.

    I only stop there now if it's way off hours, like Tuesday at 11.  On the weekends, if they were trying to design a place to spread the virus, it would look like a Buc-ees.
    ----------------------

    Fun fact I just thought of, in Missouri you can still smoke at a bar.  Yeah, talk about shock, I have never really been bothered by smoke, but to see it, was like going back in time by about a decade.

    Parent

    Here is a link to the strange (none / 0) (#175)
    by MO Blue on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 06:25:48 PM EST
    Laws in MO about smoking in bars casinos, etc.

    link

    Most bars in my area are non smoking since there are a lot of people who are rabidly opposed to being around smoking. We do have a bar in my area that smokers congregate in mass. It is really a shame, since non COVID they employ several really good local bands where you can dance for several hours Saturday afternoon. As a previous smoker, I'm not offended by the smell of smoke but smoke indoors including fire places bother my allergies to the point I can't tolerate that high concentration of smoke.

    Parent

    I guess it's about gas's stations? (none / 0) (#149)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 12:14:26 PM EST
    Roads,  gas station.

    Parent
    Did she (none / 0) (#151)
    by Zorba on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 01:30:17 PM EST
    Pitch a fit or give them any kind of grief?  If not, I wonder if she will, next time she comes in and the tell her "Mask up!"

    Parent
    She seemed pretty dim (none / 0) (#153)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 01:33:54 PM EST
    motioned to the door and said "I got one in the car".  And just stood there.  The counter guy and I shared an eye roll.

    But he was very clear.  I agree there will be conflict.  CASEYS can afford security.  

    Parent

    I thanked him (none / 0) (#154)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 01:35:10 PM EST
    And told him it was a great idea

    Parent
    That is interesting (none / 0) (#159)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 02:22:13 PM EST
    I wonder how many people are going to now have meltdowns in gas stations?

    Parent
    I can't find anything about this (none / 0) (#160)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 02:28:22 PM EST
    Relating to gas stations.  Airports, busses and bus stations.

    But that's what the guy said.  And he is a person I know to be some kind of manager.

    Parent

    I assume we know (none / 0) (#161)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 02:29:44 PM EST
    what CASEYS is?  It's a big chain convenience gas station.

    Parent
    I Think the Manager at Casey's... (none / 0) (#163)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 03:22:19 PM EST
    ...is full of it.

    The mandate is for federal buildings and federal lands.  
    Here is the Executive Order.

    It really isn't about transportation, but train stations and airports are federal buildings. So is the manager trying to tick people off on purpose or just regurgitating someone else's BS.

    Parent

    Could be he doesn't want people (5.00 / 1) (#164)
    by jondee on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 03:28:24 PM EST
    coming in without masks, but he doesn't want people to think he's one of 'them', so he's putting on the government.

    Parent
    That could be (none / 0) (#165)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 03:39:28 PM EST
    But what I know of that guy it would surprise me.  And I don't think he would have let a customer have it, two customers actually while I was there, if he did not believe it to be true.  And he's not stupid.

    That's all I know..  

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    Reuter's (5.00 / 1) (#166)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 03:45:33 PM EST
    The order, which takes effect at 11:59 p.m. EST on Monday (0459 GMT Tuesday), requires face masks to be worn by all travelers on airplanes, ships, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares and at transportation hubs like airports, bus or ferry terminals, train and subway stations and seaports.

    Transportation hubs seems pretty broad.  He did say, "starting tomorrow's"

    link

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    Train stations and airports are not (none / 0) (#169)
    by Peter G on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 04:06:04 PM EST
    "federal buildings" like post offices, but the federal government has lot of power under the Constitution to regulate the "instrumentalities of interstate commerce," even if they are privately owned or local-government run.

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    Having to live down Trump (none / 0) (#162)
    by jondee on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 02:53:57 PM EST
    and January 6th would be enough, but the right's relentless politicizing and conspiracy theorizing about Covid, would, in any remotely sane country, be a stake right through the heart of the conservative movement..

    And they're still doing it.

    It really is as if sometime around 2016, someone slipped a mega-dose of acid in the right's drink and they never came back from it.

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    What some of us (none / 0) (#168)
    by jondee on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 03:55:05 PM EST
    have deal to with in times like these..

    So the other day, my four-year-old nephew told me, out of the blue, "Lady Gaga's mean!" so I asked his father about it later and dad launches into a loony, Alex Jonesian diatribe about how Lady Gaga had recently been "filmed" at a dinner eating food molded into the shape of human beings..implying I guess, some sort of secret elite, cannibalistic ritual that certain Biden voters engage in..

    All I could say was "Dude, it's the holidays, those were gingerbread men." Dad slams down the phone. He cooled-out later, as I figured he would.


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    Yes (none / 0) (#174)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 05:59:18 PM EST
    I had to hear about Paw Patrol being canceled when it wasn't and the conspiracies against law enforcement.

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    Your (none / 0) (#181)
    by Zorba on Tue Feb 02, 2021 at 07:37:54 AM EST
    Poor nephew!  
    And poor you, dealing with such a crazy brother!
    I'm so glad my siblings are all sane.  (And politically liberal.)  

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    As the old song from South Pacific (5.00 / 1) (#188)
    by jondee on Tue Feb 02, 2021 at 01:41:16 PM EST
    says, you've got to be carefully taught..

    Interestingly, just to show the crazy never stops in this country, Rogers and Hammerstein came under scrutiny in some quarters for having a "communist agenda" because of that song.

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    It's like they've all been eating (none / 0) (#180)
    by desertswine on Tue Feb 02, 2021 at 12:22:09 AM EST
    the same moldy rye bread.

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    All the time I lived in NY (none / 0) (#170)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 04:11:17 PM EST
    Only once did it snow enough to completely shut down the city.  It was pretty magical actually.

    Senate Republicans, (none / 0) (#171)
    by KeysDan on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 04:18:39 PM EST
    lead by Susan Collins, are meeting with President Biden on the COVID relief bill.  The Republican's proposal is a third less than the Democratic bill and the media is.claiming this is a "test" for Biden's unity/bipartisanship.  Apparently, this "test" means adopting the Republican proposal.  

    There may be some compromise along the edges (e.g., income levels) but Susan Collins et al.. who had no difficulty supporting the tax cuts of the previous "Administration". will wind up being troubled when the Democratic plan is moved along, essentially, in tact.  The unity is in the needs and support of the American people.  

    Joe Manchin is getting hit from (5.00 / 2) (#172)
    by MO Blue on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 04:49:33 PM EST
    all sides for him trying to deny people in West Virginia needed help. VP Harris was did interview in West Virginia (which ticked him off). The WV Governor put more pressure on him today.

    West Virginia governor urges Congress to 'go big' on COVID-19 relief

    We need to understand that trying to be, per se, fiscally responsible at this point in time, with what we've got going on in this country -- if we actually throw away some money right now, so what?" Justice told CNN in an interview.

    "We have really got to move and get people taken care of," he said.



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    Oh, poor, poor (none / 0) (#176)
    by Zorba on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 07:07:51 PM EST
    DINO Joey.  He got his fee-fees hurt because the Vice President did an interview in "his" state.

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    I hope his constituents (5.00 / 1) (#179)
    by MO Blue on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 08:07:54 PM EST
    are hurting his fee-fees a whole lot more. It is disgusting that the Republican Governor is backing Biden's much needed legislation and Manchin does not.

    Even someone who is mentally challenged would realize that it is political suicide not to provide the $2,000 promised payments.

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    The Mitch & Margie Show (none / 0) (#177)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 07:19:20 PM EST
    Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) blasted Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's (R-GA) embrace of "loony lies and conspiracy theories" as a "cancer for the Republican Party," The Hill reports.

    Sid McConnell: "Somebody who's suggested that perhaps no airplane hit the Pentagon on 9/11, that horrifying school shootings were pre-staged, and that the Clintons crashed JFK Jr.'s airplane is not living in reality."

    He added: "This has nothing to do with the challenges facing American families or the robust debates on substance that can strengthen our party."

    link

    Our governor is not the worst (none / 0) (#178)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Feb 01, 2021 at 07:23:55 PM EST
    We may miss him one day.  If you know what I mean.

    Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) said the distribution of the coronavirus vaccine has been "seamless" under the administration of President Joe Biden, the AP reports.

    Said Hutchison: "In terms of the vaccine distribution, it's been seamless. And I was delighted that we had a 14% increase in vaccine supply last week. This is going to be very, very important for us."
    Sen Quisling (none / 0) (#182)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Feb 02, 2021 at 12:17:33 PM EST
    Manchin Doesn't Support Minimum Wage Hike

    February 2, 2021 at 1:14 pm EST By Taegan Goddard 9 Comments

    Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) said that he does not support increasing the minimum age to $15 an hour--a critical roadblock to including the proposal in the final coronavirus relief bill, The Hill reports.
    Of course, he does. (5.00 / 2) (#183)
    by MO Blue on Tue Feb 02, 2021 at 12:26:02 PM EST
    West Virginia might lose its designation as one of the poorest states in the country if we raise the minimum wage.

    We desperately needed to elect a couple more Dem Senators.

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    Manchin will (none / 0) (#185)
    by KeysDan on Tue Feb 02, 2021 at 01:00:37 PM EST
    support the rest of the Covid relief bill, although he says he wants it "targeted", which, apparently, means modifying the income eligibility.  

    Depending on the ruling of the parliamentarian, the increase in minimum wage to $15/hr may not qualify for reconciliation. This may be a way for the wily Manchin to seem independent of Democrats for local consumption.

     From my perspective, the increase in minimum wage is a necessary  part of Covid relief, providing long-needed economic relief for low paid, but essential workers.

     From Manchin's perspective, it would seem that this is critical for his state, but then, we know the issue is not "economic anxiety" for even poor white voters.

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    They drop dead from (none / 0) (#187)
    by jondee on Tue Feb 02, 2021 at 01:24:36 PM EST
    opioid ods at an alarming rate in WV..

    For people to be willing to risk death just to get some temporary relief from whatever they're experiencing in the moment, certainly points to some kind of anxiety people are experiencing.

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    Yes, (5.00 / 1) (#189)
    by KeysDan on Tue Feb 02, 2021 at 02:03:17 PM EST
    root causes of opioid abuse are generally due to anxiety and mood disorders such as depression or PTSD.  And, certainly economic distress is among .reasons for these clinical manifestations.   It would seem that economic anxiety of the citizens of WVA would readily transport to voting patterns, but , apparently, many  see their interests as lying elsewhere.

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    Mayor Pete confirmed by Senate, (none / 0) (#184)
    by KeysDan on Tue Feb 02, 2021 at 12:43:08 PM EST
    as Secretary of Transportation. Vote: 86-13, No: Cotton, Cruz, Cassidy, Marshall, Scott (FL), Tuberville, Shelby, Hawley, Blackburn, Rubio, Scott (SC), Haggerty, Lankford.

    That will almost certainly (5.00 / 1) (#186)
    by Chuck0 on Tue Feb 02, 2021 at 01:12:49 PM EST
    be the candidate list for the first GOP debate in the 2024 primary.

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    Also confirmed (none / 0) (#190)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Feb 02, 2021 at 03:37:13 PM EST
    The U.S. Senate confirmed Alejandro Mayorkas as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, 56-43, Axios reports.



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    Not a minute too soon (none / 0) (#191)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Feb 02, 2021 at 03:40:05 PM EST
    The Intercept: "Tensions ran so high at the Department of Homeland Security's oversight wing that one senior official fantasized about Arya Stark, the fictional assassin in Game of Thrones, `taking care of' the agency chief."

    "The investigation, conducted in 2020 by an outside law firm, reveals bureaucratic infighting so bitter that it drove out an agency head and led to an array of startling allegations, including that a high-level official made threatening comments about a concealed weapon during a meeting. The investigation paints a picture of DHS's Office of Inspector General in chaos."



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    How novel, (none / 0) (#192)
    by KeysDan on Tue Feb 02, 2021 at 04:58:46 PM EST
    a senate confirmed Secretary of Homeland Security.. The first since April 2019.  And 56-43 --a Republican signal of unity.

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    No Surprise (none / 0) (#197)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Feb 03, 2021 at 12:01:41 PM EST
    Josh Hawley Is the Only Republican Senator to Vote Against All of Biden's Cabinet Nominees So Far

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    He's trying to (none / 0) (#198)
    by Zorba on Wed Feb 03, 2021 at 02:33:32 PM EST
    Set himself up as the next, younger, Donald Trump and a QAnon and Proud Boy darling.

    I am absolutely embarrassed at this point that I was born in Missouri.  What the heck happened to it?  MOBlue?  Can you answer this?  I haven't lived there in 50 years, although we do visit every two years or so to see our remaining relatives (cousins and one brother).

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    Haven't the slightest idea (none / 0) (#199)
    by MO Blue on Wed Feb 03, 2021 at 04:01:21 PM EST
    how Missouri turned from purple to deep red. Not only deep red but crazy deep red.

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    Senate budget (none / 0) (#193)
    by KeysDan on Tue Feb 02, 2021 at 05:04:54 PM EST
    resolution passed 50-49 (Toomey not present).  A move to maneuver around filibuster and act by reconciliation.

    I have been (none / 0) (#194)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Feb 02, 2021 at 05:12:06 PM EST
    pleased that Biden has decided to just move forward. I am guessing the GOP expected for Biden to just take up their policy and then they would vote against it. There are some concessions but mostly to Manchin. Maybe the 10 Republicans got some crumbs in that bill but they were willing to let their states go down the drain with their bill.

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    According to (none / 0) (#195)
    by KeysDan on Tue Feb 02, 2021 at 06:37:46 PM EST
    Senator Sherrod  Brown (D.0H) : Biden and Yellen spoke with the Democratic caucus and told them to go big. To help the American people.  From Bernie to Manchin he said, on board.

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    Yes (5.00 / 2) (#196)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Feb 02, 2021 at 06:54:22 PM EST
    and it can always be paid for by rescinding the Trump tax reform.

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    Changing of the Guard | 199 comments (199 topical)

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