Donald Trump addressed the UN this morning and with his limited oratorical skills did his best to read what should have been a stirring defense of religious freedom — had it been delivered by an American president who had the respect and admiration of other world leaders rather than being an international laughing stock.
In the monotone that he usually reserves for those times when he is forced to read what other people have placed in front of him, Trump called for an end to discrimination and oppression towards people on account of their religious beliefs.
Trump’s dubious commitment to the words he uttered before the global assembly was made even more obvious when he departed from his carefully scripted address to adlib thanks to evangelical preacher Franklin Graham, who cloaks his bigotry towards Muslims and LGBTQ people in an interpretation of the Christian Bible that ignores Christ’s central message of “love thy neighbor.”
Post by basilosaurus on Sept 23, 2019 15:51:13 GMT -5
In the fundagelical world, religious freedom means a barely veiled freedom to discriminate. They've been at that line for years. It does not mean freedom to have a mosque in your neighborhood. To deliver a non Christian invocation before a public meeting (which shouldn't happen at all, but if it does, it needs to include all and often does not). To refuse to bake a cake or provide flowers. So, no, I'm not the least surprised Trump would praise religious freedom and praise a discriminatory nut like Graham. They go together.
NYT publisher says the Trump administration was prepared to sit back and allow one of its journalists to be arrested in Egypt. So the paper turned to the reporter's native Ireland for help, and it was those diplomats who got him out -- not the US.
Trump told acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney to hold back almost $400 million in military aid for Ukraine at least a week before a phone call in which Trump is said to have pressured the Ukrainian president to investigate Biden's son.
Post by curbsideprophet on Sept 24, 2019 6:01:14 GMT -5
Based on things I saw on Twitter it sounds like Pelosi is meeting with the entire Dem House caucus today. Based on Maddow last night Dems who did not support impeachment or at a minimum an investigation now do. Some are saying Pelosi now has the votes in the House.
I am hopeful that something actually happens this time.
Post by biscoffcookies on Sept 24, 2019 7:43:30 GMT -5
I feel not good about impeachment. I feel like all that is going to happen is more stonewalling by the WH (so nothing gets revealed, with the bonus that apparently there are no consequences for blatantly defying subpoenas and overclaiming executive privilege) which plays into the narrative of witch hunt which will energize base. I almost think that the WH *wants* impeachment because they know nothing will come of it (Senate will never vote to convict) and they think it will help them electorally.
Not to say that it shouldn't be done. I just...I feel like this whole thing is a no win situation.
I feel not good about impeachment. I feel like all that is going to happen is more stonewalling by the WH (so nothing gets revealed, with the bonus that apparently there are no consequences for blatantly defying subpoenas and overclaiming executive privilege) which plays into the narrative of witch hunt which will energize base. I almost think that the WH *wants* impeachment because they know nothing will come of it (Senate will never vote to convict) and they think it will help them electorally.
Not to say that it shouldn't be done. I just...I feel like this whole thing is a no win situation.
And you know what? I’m not even mad about it if it’s truly a matter of people living their values and standing up for law and order. I think that is defensible and even necessary.
But what it isn’t is a way to score cheap political points. I dont think this benefits us electorally. Not saying that should be the goal, but I see a lot of people pretending that it will do that, and I cannot see a real upside politically for democrats on this. Let’s all be at least a little worried about how the chips will fall if this moves forward.
I'm all for impeachment. I feel like failing to do so at this point is saying that everything he is doing is acceptable. What I don't understand is how this will work. They will hold hearings and the witnesses will refuse to show up. They will refuse to turn over documents. They will claim executive privilege. So, what happens then?
I'm all for impeachment. I feel like failing to do so at this point is saying that everything he is doing is acceptable. What I don't understand is how this will work. They will hold hearings and the witnesses will refuse to show up. They will refuse to turn over documents. They will claim executive privilege. So, what happens then?
They can hold people in contempt. I don’t think all of donnys people will be happy in jail.
I'm all for impeachment. I feel like failing to do so at this point is saying that everything he is doing is acceptable. What I don't understand is how this will work. They will hold hearings and the witnesses will refuse to show up. They will refuse to turn over documents. They will claim executive privilege. So, what happens then?
They can hold people in contempt. I don’t think all of donnys people will be happy in jail.
And that's the crux, isn't it? They have to be willing and able to use their force to the full extent of the law. They haven't shown a willingness to do that so far. If they're in, they have to be all in.
I'm all for impeachment. I feel like failing to do so at this point is saying that everything he is doing is acceptable. What I don't understand is how this will work. They will hold hearings and the witnesses will refuse to show up. They will refuse to turn over documents. They will claim executive privilege. So, what happens then?
They can hold people in contempt. I don’t think all of donnys people will be happy in jail.
I thought that the problem with holding people in contempt is that the Justice Dept is the one to enforce things. And they won't enforce anything. Do I have that wrong? I hope so!
Impeach the motherfucker. I'm tired of all this hand wringing.
My pub trivia team name on Sunday was Impeach the Motherfucker Already. And for the first time ever, we won. So I’m taking this as a sign that the universe wants us to impeach the motherfucker.
They can hold people in contempt. I don’t think all of donnys people will be happy in jail.
I thought that the problem with holding people in contempt is that the Justice Dept is the one to enforce things. And they won't enforce anything. Do I have that wrong? I hope so!
I’m ok with going forward with the impeachment. I just hope the public is aware of how frustrating it will get when the GOP decides to play dirty.
What then? I can already see the public getting upset, blaming the Dems, blaming Nancy Pelosi, and blowing a gasket once they see how it won’t necessarily go our way.
I thought that the problem with holding people in contempt is that the Justice Dept is the one to enforce things. And they won't enforce anything. Do I have that wrong? I hope so!
This is the impression I have got also.
No, the judicial branch handles this. You petition a court to throw them in jail. The justice department has nothing to do with it.
I don’t really know why they aren’t using this power, except maybe they are afraid they will get a Trump loyalist judge (judges are randomly assigned) and set a bad precedent. It’s a coward’s approach To governing.
I am pro impeachment simply because I am so fucking sick of this asshole ADMITTING to bullshit and everyone being like, zOMG!
It’s like the Lester Holt interview all over again. He fucking admits what he does and his cult followers defend him and I feel like I’m taking crazy pills and living in the upside down. ENOUGH.
I am pro impeachment simply because I am so fucking sick of this asshole ADMITTING to bullshit and everyone being like, zOMG!
It’s like the Lester Holt interview all over again. He fucking admits what he does and his cult followers defend him and I feel like I’m taking crazy pills and living in the upside down. ENOUGH.
No, the judicial branch handles this. You petition a court to throw them in jail. The justice department has nothing to do with it.
I don’t really know why they aren’t using this power, except maybe they are afraid they will get a Trump loyalist judge (judges are randomly assigned) and set a bad precedent. It’s a coward’s approach To governing.
Well now I'm pissed at the Dems for doing nothing about all this stone walling.