Thursday Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Thu Aug 01, 2024 at 04:51:36 PM EST
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Our last open thread is full. Here's a new one. All topics welcome.

I've mostly been following the arrests of El Mayo (Ismael Zambada-Garcia) and El Chapo's Son #3, Joaquin Guzman-Lopez. So far it seems the competing versions of how the pair came to end up in U.S. custody have some truthful details and some inconsistent or implausible details. Too many cooks spoil the broth. (Or, in this case, it's too many unidentified sous-chefs, most of whom are unnamed agents of non-identified government agencies and unnamed current or former cartel members, talking to their favorite journalists). The U.S. Government does not seem inclined at this point to deconstruct the mess for us.

Also of interest: The killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh. [More...]

In my opinion, he was a monster that needed to go. I'll always remember the video of him kneeling alongside other men dressed in suits in his office the day of the attacks on Israel, praying and giving thanks for the attacks. He was killed while staying at a guest house of the Iraq Revolutionary Guard. He was in Iran to attend the sweaaring in of the new Iranian president. (It's more than a bit embarrassing for Iran that they couldn't even protect a guest at in militarily protected premises.)

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan today declared Friday will be a national day of mourning for the Hamas leader.

Israel has not acknowledged responsibility for killing Haniyah. It has acknowledged killing Hesbollah's highest military commander Fu’ad Shukr, whom it claims was responsible for killing the dozen or so children at a soccer field in the Golan Heights. The soccer field was in a Druze neighborhood and the children killed were Israeli Druze. The Druze are are a religious sect that Israel has officially recognized since 1957. Most share an Arab ethnicity but their religion differs from Islam and they do not identify as Muslims. They participate in Israeli politics, including having seats in the legislature. According to Wikipedia and the Pew Research Center, they self-identify first as Druze, then as Israelis, and as Arabs last.

Again, this is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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Thursday Open Thread | 108 comments (108 topical)

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This is interesting (5.00 / 1) (#3)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Aug 01, 2024 at 05:54:07 PM EST

Obama and Bush to Mark America's 250th Anniversary
August 1, 2024 at 1:30 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 137 Comments
"Former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush will join an effort to commemorate America's 250th anniversary in 2026, highlighting the initiative's attempts to build bipartisan momentum in an era of extreme political polarization," the AP reports.
"The former presidents and first ladies Michelle Obama and Laura Bush will serve as honorary national co-chairs of America250, the organization created by Congress in 2016 to oversee the celebration of the the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence."

I will be curious how much MAGA is included in this plan. I think not much.

I (5.00 / 2) (#18)
by FlJoe on Fri Aug 02, 2024 at 08:21:50 PM EST

am starting to think Waltz would be the best pick not so much Shapiro.

: I like Walz (5.00 / 3) (#20)
by jondee on Fri Aug 02, 2024 at 09:55:15 PM EST

"They want to ban books from their schools, we want to ban hunger from ours."

: I didn't know much about Walz. (none / 0) (#35)
by vml68 on Sat Aug 03, 2024 at 09:03:29 PM EST

When I first looked him up and saw his picture, I thought he was in his 70s. Too old to be a running mate. But, he is only a few months older than Kamala!
I've seen a few interviews with him since and I think he would be a good VP.

I have given some additional (5.00 / 3) (#45)
by Chuck0 on Sun Aug 04, 2024 at 04:03:06 PM EST

thought to Vance's ridiculous statements that childless Americans have less a stake in the future of this country than parents. I wish he was around to tell me that the day I swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution when I joined the US Navy. And the thousands and thousands of other "childless" young people who take that oath to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States.

Something that neither member of the GQP/MAGA ticket have EVER done. I spent more time defending this country in the US Navy that JD Vance has spent in the US Senate.

This showed up (none / 0) (#46)
by CaptHowdy on Sun Aug 04, 2024 at 05:27:57 PM EST

in my FB news feed


Even worse (none / 0) (#48)
by Ga6thDem on Sun Aug 04, 2024 at 05:46:45 PM EST

the FOP endorsed Trump. Or one of those big police organizations. The next time one of their organizations calls the office for money I am going to tell them if they can endorse a convicted felon for president they can find money elsewhere.


I pretty much tell them that (none / 0) (#51)
by Chuck0 on Sun Aug 04, 2024 at 07:58:24 PM EST

anytime any LE calls me for donations. They can all pound sand as far as I'm concerned. Better places to put my money.


Must be the Trumpian (5.00 / 1) (#54)
by jondee on Mon Aug 05, 2024 at 03:56:09 PM EST

"Don't worry about not cracking their heads against the doorframe" that they like.

The logical-rational part of me wonders why cops would support an anti-union party that in-effect wants to flood the country with guns. But LE getting behind Trump has nothing to do with rationality and everything to do with Trump manipulating primitive emotions.


The cops union (5.00 / 1) (#71)
by Zorba on Tue Aug 06, 2024 at 08:25:21 PM EST

Seems to be the only Union that they approve of.
(All the other Unions are commies, dontcha know?)


Everybody's a commie lately (5.00 / 1) (#89)
by jondee on Fri Aug 16, 2024 at 12:01:45 PM EST

You check out some of these right-wing sub
reddits and you find out FDR was a commie, Lincoln was a commie..

These people are very far gone.


I got called a commie (5.00 / 1) (#90)
by Chuck0 on Fri Aug 16, 2024 at 04:26:10 PM EST

when I was a kid in Jr. High for reading Quotations from Chairman Mao. Also known as the Little Red Book. I had picked it up in Hong Kong.

I've read parts of Mein Kampf and the Communist Manifesto, and The Greening of America (Charles Reich). I also still own a copy of The Anarchist's Cookbook. I have also read some Kroptkin and Rousseau.

So..., exactly what does that make me? Other than an individual smart enough to discuss various political philosophies.


: An individual.. (5.00 / 1) (#91)
by jondee on Fri Aug 16, 2024 at 05:11:00 PM EST

As much as a lot people throw the words Freedom and Liberty around like magic talismans, in truth, actual individuality, authenticity, and freedom scares the shit out of them.

Vance (none / 0) (#47)
by Ga6thDem on Sun Aug 04, 2024 at 05:45:18 PM EST

enlisted in the Marines but you make a good point. I guess when he was a Marine he had no vested interest in the country since he was childless.


I stand corrected. (none / 0) (#50)
by Chuck0 on Sun Aug 04, 2024 at 07:57:09 PM EST

I confess I did not know he had been a Marine. I thought he had gone straight to college and was another Ivy League jerk conservative (Yale).

You would think those MAGA idiots would play up his Marine Corp service since Orange moron skated with "bone spurs."


It makes (5.00 / 2) (#52)
by Ga6thDem on Mon Aug 05, 2024 at 03:52:28 AM EST

Trump look bad so that is probably why it is rarely mentioned.


: Meanwhile the guy Vance (none / 0) (#94)
by jondee on Sun Aug 18, 2024 at 03:35:07 PM EST

is behind 100%, sold a Medal of Freedom to Miriam Adelson and then declared the Medal of Freedom "better" than the Medal of Honor.
The mind boggles.

University of Florida President Ben Sasse, (5.00 / 4) (#78)
by KeysDan on Tue Aug 13, 2024 at 01:56:55 PM EST

former US Senator (R.NE), and pal of Governor DeSantis, abruptly resigned in July, citing his wife's recent epilepsy diagnosis

In his 17-month stint as president, Sasse more than tripled his office's spending, directing millions into secretive consultations and high-paying positions for his Republican allies.

Two of his former Senate staffers were among the highest-ranking and highest-paying officials at UF, both worked remotely from the D.C. area. His former Senate chief-of-staff, was made UF "Vice president for Innovation", a newly created position starting at $396,000.

Sasse's former Senate communications director became "Vice President of Communications" where he works from home in D.C, at a salary of $432,000, replacing the previous director whose salary was $270,000 and had 30 years of experience in media relations at UF before he was demoted to deputy to Sasse's Republican friend.

An additional four ex-staffers followed Sasse to Florida, as well as Republican Tennessee Commissioner of Education who was appointed as a vice president, worked from home in Nashville, with a starting salary of $367,500.

Also, the former scheduler for Senator Lindsey Graham (R.SC) was hired as Director of Presidential Relations and major events, working from home, at a salary of $205,000.

The University constructed a $300,000 swimming pool behind the president's mansion for Sasse and his family. It was not clear as to why this amount of money was needed for a pool.

Interesting note: the byline for this article is by fourth year journalism student and summer editor of the independent student newspaper, The Alligator.

: Sasse's (5.00 / 1) (#108)
by KeysDan on Tue Aug 27, 2024 at 11:24:12 AM EST

termination agreement: After his 17 month stint as president before quitting, his agreement states that he will serve as President emeritus and external advisor to the chair of the university board of trustees and continue to receive his base salary of $1.04 million per year until February 2028, or until he accepts a full time position elsewhere or otherwise resigns.
Maybe, his external advising from his home in the south of France can focus on food stamp cheats, those culprits have taking an extra loaf of bread, and report such misdeed to the chair of the Board and to DeSantis. Or, be an advisor on Florida book burning.

: A (none / 0) (#79)
by FlJoe on Tue Aug 13, 2024 at 07:22:49 PM EST

whole new definition for Gainesville Green.

55 years ago yesterday (5.00 / 2) (#80)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Aug 15, 2024 at 09:14:06 AM EST

I turned down an offer of a ride to 3 days of peace and music because I had to work.

Lesson learned - take the ride.

Yeah, I was set to go (5.00 / 1) (#83)
by leap2 on Thu Aug 15, 2024 at 12:20:01 PM EST

with a friend of mine. We were both in the Boston area at the time, and were going to ride to Woodstock in his #$!¡*&¿ Triumph convertible. Cool beans! (I didn't have a car.) Except, there we were in the driveway, him trying to start the thing. It wouldn't. He messed with wires and plugs and fuses. It wouldn't start. He tried everything he could, in a surprisingly calm, quiet manner as he poked and pulled things. After several HOURS, he cursed up a storm at the #$!¡*&¿ British automotive electrical systems, as he realized it was never going to start. We never went to Woodstock. :(

#$!¡*&¿ British cars.


Both my (none / 0) (#93)
by Ga6thDem on Sun Aug 18, 2024 at 03:24:26 PM EST

brother and brother in law owned Triumphs. Both of them broke down regularly. My brother in law got his after my brother and I told him you'll only get to drive it 1/4 of the time because it will stay broken down but he didn't listen as usual.


: I used to own an MGA... (none / 0) (#95)
by desertswine on Mon Aug 19, 2024 at 02:18:49 PM EST

which was like a Triumph in that it was English and a two seater. It was also very temperamental, but on the rare occasions when it was running well, it was very fun.

A bad day on the road (none / 0) (#81)
by Chuck0 on Thu Aug 15, 2024 at 11:32:55 AM EST

is still better than a good day at work.

Old biker words of wisdom.


It was a pickle (none / 0) (#82)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Aug 15, 2024 at 12:06:22 PM EST

I really really wanted to go but I had just started a college work study program. Which I had convinced myself was very very important. (It wasn't)

My job was in the county sheriff's office. Unfortunately for me he knew me well having NOT arrested me for a few things by then. Including pot.

He would not have believed I was sick.


I also declined to go up with friends (5.00 / 6) (#96)
by Peter G on Tue Aug 20, 2024 at 01:42:11 AM EST

because I felt I had to work my summer job as a substitute mail carrier (in Northeastern NJ towns near NYC). Not that far from Bethel, NY. Six years later, when I was a young public defender in federal court in Connecticut, I represented a very talented guitarist my own age on a heroin charge, who had been the accompanist for a first-day Woodstock performer (then sort of popular, now forgotten). That client and I are still in touch; he claims my getting him a probationary term with treatment conditions saved his life.


Beautiful! (none / 0) (#97)
by jondee on Tue Aug 20, 2024 at 02:34:02 PM EST

I was guessing (none / 0) (#98)
by jondee on Tue Aug 20, 2024 at 02:47:19 PM EST

it was a Canned Heat guy, but they didn't play the first day. They were known for burning the candle at both ends. RIP Alan 'Blind Owl' Wilson.

Tim Hardin didn't make it. Unfortunately he never 'cleaned up.'

I was looking at the Woodstock first day line-up. I was fascinated to see that Paul Motion, an avant garde jazz musician of some note, was Arlo Guthrie's percussionist.


No, nobody that great. My former client (5.00 / 1) (#102)
by Peter G on Tue Aug 20, 2024 at 04:56:54 PM EST

was the guitar accompanist for Bert Sommer, a pretty-faced singer-songwriter who had been in the cast of Hair (his frizzy 'do is seen backlighted on some of the posters), and who later joined The Left Banke. Sommer played a ten-song, 40-minute set on the first day, and is reported to have received the first standing ovation of the festival. (None of it is seen in the movie or heard on the soundtrack recording.) A few decades later you might have described his style as "emo." Never really "made it." My client/friend also played in groups fronted by Leslie West.


: Loved Leslie West (5.00 / 1) (#104)
by jondee on Tue Aug 20, 2024 at 05:23:38 PM EST

I was guessing (none / 0) (#99)
by leap2 on Tue Aug 20, 2024 at 02:52:29 PM EST

Richie Havens. I believe he started the whole show.


: One of the greats (5.00 / 1) (#100)
by jondee on Tue Aug 20, 2024 at 02:58:09 PM EST

: That was my guess. (none / 0) (#101)
by Chuck0 on Tue Aug 20, 2024 at 04:54:40 PM EST

Richie Havens.
Freedom!!!!!

I was working for an older (none / 0) (#84)
by jondee on Thu Aug 15, 2024 at 01:43:41 PM EST

black lady from the deep south who always knew Instantly if I was taking creative license with the truth.

"I was born with a veil over my face and I always know when people are lying." I believed her. She was like a character out of a Toni Morrison novel. In a good way.


: Still my favorite Woodstock story (5.00 / 1) (#85)
by jondee on Thu Aug 15, 2024 at 02:49:06 PM EST

Alvin Lee from Ten Years After said they had run out of cigs backstage and drew straws to see who would go into the audience to find some. Alvin lost and came back a half-hour later saying "I couldn't get any cigarettes, but I got fourteen joints."

1969 (none / 0) (#86)
by BGinCA on Thu Aug 15, 2024 at 04:19:20 PM EST

I opted for the Atlantic City Pop Festival. Two weeks before Woodstock. Many of the same acts. But no disaster (other than my getting high and licking myself and friends out of my running car. Not discovered for three days when we returned to and empty gas tank and dead battery). Glad th ex didn't make a movie out of that.


RIP Famous Amos (5.00 / 1) (#88)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Aug 16, 2024 at 08:15:25 AM EST

Wally Amos, creator of Famous Amos cookies, has died

Maurice Williams RIP (5.00 / 1) (#92)
by desertswine on Sat Aug 17, 2024 at 01:12:46 PM EST

Stay

The arrest (none / 0) (#1)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Aug 01, 2024 at 05:37:55 PM EST

of the cartel leaders was like a one hour story that should have gotten more attention.

The story of the Hamas leader has gotten a lot of attention. I read and this may not be true that someone had planted a bomb in that house months ago and detonated it remotely when they knew he was there.

They (none / 0) (#4)
by FlJoe on Thu Aug 01, 2024 at 06:15:23 PM EST

are all one hour stories anymore.

To be fair to the media, there is a daily barrage of real bombshells.

Today it's the rightfully huge prisoner swap story crowding out Trump's racist meltdown.

Think about, it has been barely a month since the debate and so much incredible stuff has happened.

The assassination attempt was less then 3 weeks ago, it feels like months.


: I question why the shooting at the Tr*mp rally (5.00 / 2) (#8)
by Peter G on Fri Aug 02, 2024 at 09:03:13 AM EST

is being called an "assassination attempt." No evidence has been disclosed (and I therefore tend to assume none has been found) that Crooks was aiming to kill Tr*mp in particular. It seems from what I have read that he was just another mentally troubled 20-year-old seeking to be perceived as important, to become momentarily famous. I would call it an attempted mass shooting, not an assassination attempt, which happens to have been thwarted after a few seconds by the quick action of the Secret Service sharpshooter.

There has been a bit of a (none / 0) (#2)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Aug 01, 2024 at 05:48:27 PM EST

News blizzard. Probably lots of things fell through the cracks

Latest weasel attempt by Trump (none / 0) (#5)
by jmacWA on Fri Aug 02, 2024 at 06:44:26 AM EST

This column by Lyle Denniston talks about the latest attempt by Trump's lawyers to try and weasel out of the NY verdicts.

Can any of the lawyers on the site weigh in on the chances of this succeeding? It seems to me that this is total nonsense. Actually, the ruling by the majority on the Supreme Court also seems like total nonsense to me, and can only be interpreted as giving a pass to Trump.

Today (none / 0) (#6)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Aug 02, 2024 at 08:05:30 AM EST

A federal judge in Washington is set to regain control over former president Donald Trump's 2020 election obstruction case as early as Friday under a deadline set by the Supreme Court

: If the pundits (5.00 / 2) (#7)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Aug 02, 2024 at 08:31:38 AM EST

are right Chutkhan is going to have to have an evidentiary hearing with people testifying bringing the insurrection back to the top of the news.

I just caught (none / 0) (#9)
by jondee on Fri Aug 02, 2024 at 12:29:53 PM EST

kicked-in-the-head-too-many-times meathead Rogan claiming that Biden's last SOTU speech was prerecorded, (with the full cooperation of Republicans.) Presumably because it went so well.

Meathead's pronouncement got three billion views.

Pretty much an encapsulation of the kind of wildly crack-brained thinking that enables Trump to be in the position to be President.

Joe Rogan. (none / 0) (#10)
by Chuck0 on Fri Aug 02, 2024 at 03:44:51 PM EST

Another box of rocks.


Smart enough to know (none / 0) (#11)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Aug 02, 2024 at 04:57:42 PM EST

which way the wind blows

Joe Rogan Thinks Kamala Harris Will Be the Next President

Because "We are in a time (none / 0) (#12)
by jondee on Fri Aug 02, 2024 at 05:15:28 PM EST

in which people buy into bullsh*t more than they ever have before."

As evidenced by all the people that tune into his show.


"Gaslighting" (none / 0) (#13)
by jondee on Fri Aug 02, 2024 at 05:45:26 PM EST

Coming from the dipsh*t who uses his huge platform to

to amplify every prominent anti-vaxxer and HIV deniers.
whip-up right-wing hysteria about Trans people (1% of the population)
claim 'woke' teachers encourage kids to be furries.
claim the FBI fomented January 6th
attributed Trump's statement about airports in the Revolutionary War to Biden

Etcetera etcetera


I neither praise nor defend (5.00 / 1) (#16)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Aug 02, 2024 at 07:21:13 PM EST

I report.

I do think it's significant he is telling his audience Trump is going to lose.

Because he is. And what happens next is the problem.


: I admit (none / 0) (#28)
by jondee on Sat Aug 03, 2024 at 12:47:12 PM EST

I have a particular bug up my butt about Rogan, because I have to deal with a family member on a regular basis who thinks Joe can do no wrong.
The meme is, "Rogan's neither left nor right and he asks questions no one else is asking blah blah"
BTW, he said Kamala could win, not that she will win. Then he makes it clear that he detests her.

I though (none / 0) (#14)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Aug 02, 2024 at 06:04:26 PM EST

the VP was going to be announced today. I guess I was wrong.

I am on Team Walz (5.00 / 1) (#34)
by Towanda on Sat Aug 03, 2024 at 05:36:48 PM EST

but then, I am an admirer of history teachers.

I have been following his Twitter feed for a while, and he is great -- and funny.

I also am a longtime follower and admirer of Pritzker, also great and funny. He may take the conventioneers to Wiener's Circle. . . .


Well, just looked (none / 0) (#15)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Aug 02, 2024 at 06:07:39 PM EST

it up and it's next week:

Her interview list includes Govs. Andy Beshear of Kentucky, J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Tim Walz of Minnesota, as well as Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, according to two people with knowledge of Harris' selection process. The people were granted anonymity to discuss private campaign deliberations.

So that's the list of six according to the latest news. You could argue any of them would be good but I would pick Beshear to get Trump's rural margins down and put more states in play. But that's me and certainly nobody is gonna listen to my opinion on this.


Sure feels like Shapiro (5.00 / 1) (#17)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Aug 02, 2024 at 07:22:38 PM EST

but I think Tim Waltz might be a dark horse


Hush! (none / 0) (#19)
by Chuck0 on Fri Aug 02, 2024 at 09:10:30 PM EST

Josh Shapiro needs to stay Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He don't need no stinking new job.

There is always this notion that getting a candidate from a certain state will help swing that state. I say poppycock! Stealing my governor might make a person want to NOT vote for that ticket. Hmmmmmm?


It could be that having the first rally (none / 0) (#21)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Aug 03, 2024 at 07:22:41 AM EST

with the new VP in PA could be a head fake. That has some expecting it to be him.

Seems to obvious.

There was also a story about an accidentally released post from some operative that seemed to confirm it. It was quickly removed and denied.

So.....


I (none / 0) (#22)
by FlJoe on Sat Aug 03, 2024 at 09:01:31 AM EST

wouldn't put too much stock in the location, this rally has been planned for a couple of weeks, so if you believe the process is been still ongoing it seems more coincidence then planned.

There is a part of the left (none / 0) (#23)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Aug 03, 2024 at 09:27:13 AM EST

unclear how big, for whom Shapiro is a problem because of Gaza.

I think it's stupid but it's real and I could see her wanting to avoid that or the problems some have with Kelly for whatever reason.

Waltz would be a pretty good "Biden" for her. He could give her some of the same stuff Biden gave Obama. Age, experience, humor...


He's someone (none / 0) (#24)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Aug 03, 2024 at 09:29:33 AM EST

old white people could like.


Governor Beshear (none / 0) (#26)
by KeysDan on Sat Aug 03, 2024 at 10:22:43 AM EST

fits the criterion of "do no harm" and keeps the new and young momentum going. Governor Walz has impressed many but I hope his aw-shucks manner is durable. Governor Shapiro's history on school vouchers and the harassment case by one of his staff may need explaining --not a good way to start. Mark Kelly, as a US Senator places a seat in jeopardy in a couple of years (Mark's appearance reminds me of the fictional character "Mike Ehrmantraut" in Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul). But, all the mentioned possibilities are great--the Vice President has a nice/tough decision to make.


Some vibrant 'male energy' (none / 0) (#30)
by jondee on Sat Aug 03, 2024 at 01:15:30 PM EST

with sufficient macho/patriotic credentials is required to keep the Rogan-adjacent misogynists and incels from getting too hysterical.

An unassertive Tim Caine type ain't going to cut it, imo. No disrespect to Tim Caine.

That's just the world we live in.


: Kaine, excuse me (none / 0) (#31)
by jondee on Sat Aug 03, 2024 at 01:18:47 PM EST

True (none / 0) (#29)
by Ga6thDem on Sat Aug 03, 2024 at 01:06:27 PM EST

and Beshear and possibly Kelly would fit in the liked by old white people lane.


His (none / 0) (#32)
by FlJoe on Sat Aug 03, 2024 at 02:02:52 PM EST

life has been the very opposite of Elite, take that JD.


He only has two children (none / 0) (#33)
by jondee on Sat Aug 03, 2024 at 02:10:04 PM EST

which could mean covert contraceptive use.
And other subversive practices.


: Better (none / 0) (#53)
by FlJoe on Mon Aug 05, 2024 at 08:09:04 AM EST

yet, they were IVF children.

VP Replacement (none / 0) (#27)
by RickyJim on Sat Aug 03, 2024 at 11:25:06 AM EST

Which of the current VP candidates would probably be replaced by a Republican, in their current job, if they were to join the winning presidential ticket? I would eliminate them.


New (none / 0) (#25)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Aug 03, 2024 at 10:07:14 AM EST

Judge Chutkan schedules status conference in Trump Jan. 6 case and denies his motion to dismiss, per docket:

Status conference set for August 16, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. in Courtroom 9; requiring joint status report by August 9, 2024

Big, loud, ex-Navy Seal (none / 0) (#36)
by jondee on Sat Aug 03, 2024 at 09:30:23 PM EST

Jesse Ventura is tearing Tump a new one on the podcast circuit recently and I hope he continues to.

It can't hurt. The young gym-bro types and white working class dudes that follow Joe Rogan like and respect Jesse even more.
It's the big, loud, conspiracy-minded, ex-Seal/wrestler thing.

From what I've heard so far, the DNC should put Jesse on the payroll.


You might be confused about (none / 0) (#37)
by CaptHowdy on Sun Aug 04, 2024 at 07:36:30 AM EST

what he is tearing and why

Ha (none / 0) (#38)
by CaptHowdy on Sun Aug 04, 2024 at 09:07:49 AM EST

I confused my wrestlers

It was very early


The DNC needs to snap (none / 0) (#39)
by jondee on Sun Aug 04, 2024 at 10:34:32 AM EST

out of it, get with the program, take gloves off and fight fire with fire.

That means having 'names' out there smacking Trump down and publicly showing him up for the know nothing punk he is.

No more Mr and Ms Nice Guy. It doesn't work in this country.


I'm expecting (none / 0) (#40)
by CaptHowdy on Sun Aug 04, 2024 at 11:19:51 AM EST

way better celebs than Hulk Hogan and Kid Rock


: People who can actually (none / 0) (#41)
by jondee on Sun Aug 04, 2024 at 11:30:50 AM EST

read and write even.
One thing Jesse talks about is how Trump consciously adopted the WWE 'bad wrestler' persona and turned it against the libs, with the name-calling and stupid nicknames etc.
I think 'sinking to Trump's level' but with some articulateness, facts, and data is exactly what the situation calls for.

I get it. (none / 0) (#42)
by Ga6thDem on Sun Aug 04, 2024 at 11:53:10 AM EST

It's like the worst thing ever said was Michelle Obama's when they go low we go high. It really has never worked, maybe it worked for Obama but that's not the norm.


You can go low (none / 0) (#43)
by jondee on Sun Aug 04, 2024 at 12:12:27 PM EST

and high at the same time is my point. If you're hitting them with data and the actual historical record. And fact-checking in real time their wild-swinging BS.

All Joe had to do in the first debate to turn the tables was to forcefully point out that Trump was skirting every policy question and turning it into a BS soundbite op.


Trump (none / 0) (#49)
by Ga6thDem on Sun Aug 04, 2024 at 05:48:54 PM EST

held up the NABJ meeting because he didn't want to be fact checked in real time. He will never agree to fact checking but the goal is to confuse so many people that they don't know what is facts and what is not therefore making fact checking ineffective.


Whoever sponsors (none / 0) (#58)
by jondee on Mon Aug 05, 2024 at 06:17:38 PM EST

the debates is doing an unpatriotic disservice to the nation to allow un-challenged misinformation to go out over the airwaves. It's that simple.

This isn't Fox Nation. No matter how much the Murdochs and Elon would like it to be.


Yes,Trump (5.00 / 1) (#59)
by KeysDan on Mon Aug 05, 2024 at 06:23:46 PM EST

doesn't really debate, He entertains--insult comedy, deflection and bluster.


Not to belabor it (5.00 / 2) (#61)
by jondee on Mon Aug 05, 2024 at 07:39:41 PM EST

but Dems have to stop being so nice and polite to that schmuck.

Unfortunately, would-be schoolyard bullies require a beat-down sometimes.

He hasn't proven in any way, shape, or form that he's worthy of respect.


: Exactly!!!!!! (5.00 / 2) (#70)
by Chuck0 on Tue Aug 06, 2024 at 04:52:23 PM EST

That's the message I've been putting out for quite some time. Quit being deferential to this schmuck. It doesn't matter that he's an ex-president. He deserves no respect, no deference, no niceties. He burned those bridges himself.
He's a puffed up bully (coward) and needs to be put down.

The (none / 0) (#60)
by FlJoe on Mon Aug 05, 2024 at 06:43:10 PM EST

sad fact is that there is a huge swath of the American electorate would rather be entertained than competently governed competently.


The Supreme Court is More Unpopular Than Trump (none / 0) (#44)
by RickyJim on Sun Aug 04, 2024 at 01:06:06 PM EST

According to recent 538 analysis, Disapprove/Approve ratio for the Supreme Court is 55.1%/35.7%. Trump's Unfavorable/Favorable ratio is 51.9%/43.2%. Harris should immediately make Biden's Supreme Court reforms front and center at her rallies. I think that it is a bigger winner as an issue than Trump himself. And it will have more of an effect down ticket.

I'm very impressed (none / 0) (#55)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Aug 05, 2024 at 04:47:15 PM EST

nothing NOTHING about the VP pick has leaked.

That impressive these days.

Well (none / 0) (#56)
by Ga6thDem on Mon Aug 05, 2024 at 05:31:27 PM EST

there have been leaks but who knows if they are correct? Supposedly it is between Walz and Shapiro.


: A difficult choice (5.00 / 2) (#57)
by KeysDan on Mon Aug 05, 2024 at 06:17:11 PM EST

between the two. The best argument for Shapiro is Pennsylvania, the worry is the harassment case against a staff member. Walz seems the safest choice, has 12 years experience as US Congressman and was re-elected governor of Minnesota. Both come across very well and are impressive.

The DARK HORSE it is (none / 0) (#62)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Aug 06, 2024 at 08:03:31 AM EST

Waltz is the VP

I (5.00 / 3) (#64)
by FlJoe on Tue Aug 06, 2024 at 09:08:18 AM EST

really think it's an awesome pick.

The more I learned about him, the more I like.

He is entertaining, in a sitcom dad kind of way.

True salt of the earth background, he makes JD Vance look like a Rockefeller.


I was just listening to CNN (5.00 / 1) (#65)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Aug 06, 2024 at 09:16:50 AM EST

explain how his "weakness" will be A) the progressive legislation he passed as governor and B) his actions around the George Floyd demonstrations.

As Brer Rabbit might say, pleaseeeee dont throw me in that briar patch!!!


Yes, (5.00 / 4) (#66)
by KeysDan on Tue Aug 06, 2024 at 09:24:38 AM EST

Democrats will need to be ready for attacks on Walz' "progressive" record such as providing food to school children. A good and bold choice.


Yeah (5.00 / 1) (#67)
by FlJoe on Tue Aug 06, 2024 at 09:27:51 AM EST

those childless cat ladies are going to be pissed about their tax money being used to feed other peoples kids.


: He is literally (5.00 / 2) (#68)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Aug 06, 2024 at 09:31:31 AM EST

everything Vance pretends (badly) to be.
Can't wait for the VP debate.

: But, Tim (none / 0) (#69)
by KeysDan on Tue Aug 06, 2024 at 09:47:12 AM EST

has both a dog and a cat. How this will hurt the Harris/Walz ticket--NY Times, probably.

Who is (none / 0) (#63)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Aug 06, 2024 at 08:06:06 AM EST

Who is Tim Walz, Minnesota's governor and Kamala Harris' running mate?

This is really good (none / 0) (#72)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Aug 07, 2024 at 05:35:58 PM EST

Also he is now in a position - full time president - to draw attention to this and prepare for it. In ways he might not be if he was a candidate.

This is a Sunday morning interview.

It won't be J6 again.

Biden `not confident at all' that there will be a peaceful transfer of power if Trump loses election
"He means it, all the stuff about if we lose, there'll be a bloodbath," Biden said in an interview with CBS News.

I hope the Biden admin has plans for this. (5.00 / 1) (#73)
by desertswine on Thu Aug 08, 2024 at 03:52:59 PM EST

We don't want to get caught flat-footed.


My guess would be (5.00 / 1) (#74)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Aug 08, 2024 at 05:30:20 PM EST

Biden is in "make my day" mode about that


I love Joe (none / 0) (#75)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Aug 08, 2024 at 05:33:21 PM EST

I do. But the clip they keep playing makes me laugh every time when he says,
"yes, if Trump wins I don't expect a peaceful transfer."
"Uh, I mean if he LOSES"


: This (none / 0) (#76)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Aug 08, 2024 at 06:04:50 PM EST

video

Donald from Hawaii (none / 0) (#77)
by CaptHowdy on Sun Aug 11, 2024 at 07:37:21 PM EST

Is this good?

Hawaii's longtime House speaker lost his Democratic Party primary election to a former state Board of Education member who campaigned on tackling corruption in government," the AP reports.
"Speaker Scott Saiki was ousted by Kim Coco Iwamoto."

The death toll in Gaza is reported to now... (none / 0) (#87)
by desertswine on Thu Aug 15, 2024 at 06:49:23 PM EST

top 40,000 people. According to my admittedly poor math skills, that amounts to a slaughter of 2% of the population.

I have to find a way to ignore (none / 0) (#103)
by Chuck0 on Tue Aug 20, 2024 at 05:01:58 PM EST

the constant Orange Moron stories in the news. Everyday the anger grows. I really, really despise this POS. I didn't like Reagan or either Bush much, but I did not have the visceral loathing that he brings to bear.

The Medal of Honor/Freedom Medal thing made my blood boil. Now, I'm seeing stories that this repugnant POS is now calling Netanyahu and lobbying against any agreements because it would help Harris.

This POS is worst than Adolph Hitler. I think Hitler genuinely cared about Germany, however misguided and insane he was.

This Orange Moron cares about NOTHING. NO ONE. Except his own aggrandizement. He is the lowest of the low. Wallowing in whale excrement at the bottom of the ocean.

: The Medal of Freedom (none / 0) (#105)
by jondee on Tue Aug 20, 2024 at 05:36:13 PM EST

thing was also about Trump brazenly kissing Bibi's butt.
I wonder if Israel's going to be involved in any 'election interference'?
Nah,they're our allies and would never stoop to such a thing.

: The good news (none / 0) (#106)
by Ga6thDem on Tue Aug 20, 2024 at 06:51:24 PM EST

is that it is in the news. Reagan had Iran hold off on releasing the hostages and we did not find out until decades later.
So as horrible as all this news is there is a silver lining.

Tammy Duckworth (none / 0) (#107)
by jondee on Tue Aug 20, 2024 at 11:09:09 PM EST

kicked some A and took names.

Well done, lady.