Op-ed: Buttigieg shows solid judgment on key issues

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/06/17/buttigieg-shows-solid-judgment-key-issues/?utm_term=.cb482f6f0967&wpisrc=nl_most&wpmm=1

[cwydro]

1. But, but, but...he's gay omg.

Sarcasm obviously.

Good read. K and r.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. He sure does, and that's one of the reasons he's my candidate. n/t

[Celerity]

3. some excerpts for those paywall blocked DU'ers

South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg has gotten praise for his lucid, articulate remarks on virtually any topic presented to him. That pattern continued as he fanned out on multiple talk shows on Sunday.

Unlike some Democrats who sound dismissive of border security (Beto O’Rourke has said he wants to take down some existing barriers), Buttigieg is careful to stick to an holistic approach. He had this to say on CNN:

I'm not against directing more funds in order to help with the issue at the border. But I think part of the reason why there's such frustration and concern and even resistance among congressional Democrats is that it's not doing anything about the bigger problem.

We have got a president who got elected on a promise to fix immigration, whatever that meant to him. And what we have seen is that all of the issues that were with us then are with us now, and issues at the border, including a humanitarian crisis, created by this president through cruel policies, like family separation, are only getting worse.

Meanwhile, the one thing that would really help the issue of increased migration flows from Central America ― the words of one migrant, who said: “I’m not here to seek the American Dream. I’m here because I’m fleeing the nightmare in Honduras.” We’re actually, under this president, seeing a threat to take funds away from stabilizing those Central American countries. We have got this completely upside down.

And measures that are designed to put out fires in the near term would be a lot more convincing if they were set up in the context of an actual immigration reform, which, by the way, if you’re talking about Americans, people on both parties want to ― in both parties want to do it. If you’re talking about Congress, not so much.

That’s a response that isn’t going to seem off-putting to most Americans ― who, after all, favor border security and a path to citizenship. Lesson for other Democrats: Don’t talk down border security.

snip

CNN "State of the Union" - Mayor Pete Buttigieg (06/16/2019) (full interview)

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. Sorry, I shoulda done that. Forgot about the paywall. So here's more:

On Iran:

PETE BUTTIGIEG: Any negotiation is going to have to meet the needs and the realities of the moment. Unfortunately, the moment we’re in is one where the United States’ influence in this region has diminished because of the way that we have withdrawn. So what we’re going to have to do is reengage with our partners, reengage with anybody who has an interest in stability in the region and do whatever we can to once again meet the objective of stopping Iran from developing nuclear capabilities, which is exactly what that deal was doing. Even this administration certified that that was the case.

This is crucial. His job is not to defend the Obama legacy but to see where we go now that we are out of the JCPOA. Thanks to Trump’s incoherent approach, we have the worst of all worlds: We have isolated ourselves from our allies, handed Tehran a prize in Syria and made no progress on curtailing its support for terrorist groups and its monstrous human rights violations ― all while Iran now ramps up nuclear fuel production.

We will need a new policy (which may include rejoining the JCPOA with conditions), and Buttigieg is right that we’ll need our allies’ help this time. Caution to Democrats (especially Joe Biden): You’ll sound smart if you don’t reflexively promise (with no conditions) to rejoin the JCPOA; you’ll impress voters and get to the right of Trump by pointing out that Trump’s Iran policy has been a colossal failure.

[Celerity]

5. yw! and yes, I am a WaPo member so post a lot from them and got people complaining

Opening an icoginito window for the link can work too, up to the point that reaches its limit as well.

I pay 5 USD a month (student rate) for WaPo and 2 USD a month (student rate) for the NYT. I consider it money well spent. They both offer very rich content, not just on politics. I give to the Guardian in the UK as well, to help keep them free for all others.

[True Dough]

8. Good on ya, Celerity

So many people express disdain for WaPo and NYT, along with other sites, having paywalls. But the reality is print (and online) journalism is on its last legs. The Guardian posts a reminder with its articles that it's relying on the goodwill of the public to keep it funded. Google and Facebook command approximately 80% of the online advertising market. It's hard for news outlets to compete.

For the record, I would be a star member of the DU as well but in my almost 3 years here, this site has been hacked a few times. I don't trust that my personal information would be safe so I just can't take that chance.

[Celerity]

10. Yes, I have talked to people who told me about the hackings.

I do not trust my info here, which is very sad.

WaPo, NYT, and the Guardian are not perfect, far from it, BUT they are also a vital resource to help fight fascism, homophobia, racism, sexism, climate change denialists, antiscience in general etc. They also are always held to account when they make errors. So much of the internet and other forms of media are not.

I get plenty of 'free' from the net. I have zero issue paying a more than fair price for great content.

Now,... if only I can find a way to make FUX NOOZ to PAY ME simply because they exist!!

We desperately need to bring back the Fairness Doctrine.

[MBS]

6. Yup, that's a key reason why he is my favorite candidate

Now, more than ever, we need someone with sound judgment, someone knowledgeable and thoughtful enough to size up a problem quickly (as he had to do repeatedly in yesterday's talk show blitz), and still resist simplistic responses.

In short, now more than ever, we need someone who can make good decisions.

He continues to impress me.

[oldsoftie]

7. As of now, He's my #2. nt

[True Dough]

9. That answers a question I had for you the other day, oldsoftie

I have even more respect for you now!

[oldsoftie]

11. Why, thank you! HArd to come by these days!