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babylonsister
babylonsister's Journal
babylonsister's Journal
August 30, 2020
Convention Didn’t Boost Trump’s Favorability
August 30, 2020 at 7:59 am EDT By Taegan Goddard
Convention Didn't Boost Trump's Favorability
https://politicalwire.com/2020/08/30/convention-didnt-boost-trumps-favorability/Convention Didn’t Boost Trump’s Favorability
August 30, 2020 at 7:59 am EDT By Taegan Goddard
President Trump’s efforts to build his appeal and define his opponent at the Republican National Convention, using pageantry and the White House as the backdrop, had little apparent impact on the electorate’s impressions of both him and Joe Biden, a new ABC News/Ipsos poll finds.
August 29, 2020
Totally delusional. 
https://politicalwire.com/2020/08/29/quote-of-the-day-2667/
Quote of the Day
August 29, 2020 at 9:47 am EDT By Taegan Goddard
"...They're all saying 'we want Ivanka.' I don't blame them."
Totally delusional.
https://politicalwire.com/2020/08/29/quote-of-the-day-2667/
Quote of the Day
August 29, 2020 at 9:47 am EDT By Taegan Goddard
“You know, I want to see the first woman president also, but I don’t want to see a woman president get into that position the way she’d do it, and she’s not competent. They’re all saying ‘we want Ivanka.’ I don’t blame them.”
— President Trump, quote by The Hill, saying his daughter Ivanka Trump would make a better president than Sen. Kamala Harris.
— President Trump, quote by The Hill, saying his daughter Ivanka Trump would make a better president than Sen. Kamala Harris.
August 29, 2020
August 28, 2020
“I Hope You Can’t Sleep At Night”: My Former High School Teacher Has Some Words for Ron DeSantis
After the coronavirus killed her colleague this summer, she won’t be returning to class next week despite the Florida governor’s demands.
Jackie Mogensen
A few weeks ago, I saw on Facebook that a social studies teacher at my former high school in Sarasota, Florida, had died from COVID-19. His name was Robert Shackelford, or “Shack” for short. He was 61 years old. One of his colleagues, my former economics and government teacher Christy Karwatt, shared the news: “He taught countless children to love history and he will be missed.”
Last week, I decided to reach out to Karwatt. I had seen through social media the impact Shackelford’s death had on her and many of my former classmates, and I wondered how it would influence the reopening plans of Sarasota High, my alma mater.
While state policy demands all Florida schools reopen for in-person learning or risk losing funding (a policy currently in the middle of a fast-moving legal battle), Karwatt, who I remember as one of my most devoted teachers, told me she will not be returning when the school reopens on August 31. That’s in large part because of Shackleford’s death. “Had that not happened,” she said, she might have been open to going back. They were the same age when he passed, and she says going back is “not worth the risk right now.” Instead, she plans to take a temporary medical leave of absence, delaying the start of her 27th year of teaching at the school.
snip//
If you could send a message to Ron DeSantis, to speak directly to him, what would you say?
I would say that politics, the economy, his cozying up to Donald Trump is not worth the sickness and maybe the death that his decisions are going to cause. I get so tired of hearing them say, “Well, the death rate is this low.” And doctors are concerned about kids having long-term health problems [after COVID-19]. We don’t know. So if we don’t know, I think I’d rather be cautious instead of gambling with kids’ lives. I would tell him that I think, if people get sick and die, it’s his responsibility if he’s sending them back to school. I hope you can’t sleep at night because of it.
more...
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2020/08/coronavirus-florida-school-reopening-sarasota-desantis-high-school-teacher/
"I Hope You Can't Sleep At Night": My Former High School Teacher Has Some Words for Ron DeSantis
August 28, 2020
“I Hope You Can’t Sleep At Night”: My Former High School Teacher Has Some Words for Ron DeSantis
After the coronavirus killed her colleague this summer, she won’t be returning to class next week despite the Florida governor’s demands.
Jackie Mogensen
A few weeks ago, I saw on Facebook that a social studies teacher at my former high school in Sarasota, Florida, had died from COVID-19. His name was Robert Shackelford, or “Shack” for short. He was 61 years old. One of his colleagues, my former economics and government teacher Christy Karwatt, shared the news: “He taught countless children to love history and he will be missed.”
“‘Christy, this monster is trying to kill me.’ Those were his exact words.”
Last week, I decided to reach out to Karwatt. I had seen through social media the impact Shackelford’s death had on her and many of my former classmates, and I wondered how it would influence the reopening plans of Sarasota High, my alma mater.
While state policy demands all Florida schools reopen for in-person learning or risk losing funding (a policy currently in the middle of a fast-moving legal battle), Karwatt, who I remember as one of my most devoted teachers, told me she will not be returning when the school reopens on August 31. That’s in large part because of Shackleford’s death. “Had that not happened,” she said, she might have been open to going back. They were the same age when he passed, and she says going back is “not worth the risk right now.” Instead, she plans to take a temporary medical leave of absence, delaying the start of her 27th year of teaching at the school.
snip//
If you could send a message to Ron DeSantis, to speak directly to him, what would you say?
I would say that politics, the economy, his cozying up to Donald Trump is not worth the sickness and maybe the death that his decisions are going to cause. I get so tired of hearing them say, “Well, the death rate is this low.” And doctors are concerned about kids having long-term health problems [after COVID-19]. We don’t know. So if we don’t know, I think I’d rather be cautious instead of gambling with kids’ lives. I would tell him that I think, if people get sick and die, it’s his responsibility if he’s sending them back to school. I hope you can’t sleep at night because of it.
more...
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2020/08/coronavirus-florida-school-reopening-sarasota-desantis-high-school-teacher/
August 29, 2020
The RNC weaponized exhaustion
I'll say; they've beat us all down.
The RNC weaponized exhaustion
The sheer volume of lies and illegal behavior from Trump and the Republicans is what allowed them to get away with it.
By Zack Beauchamp@zackbeauchampzack@vox.com Aug 28, 2020, 12:30pm EDT
The most consistent theme of Donald Trump’s Republican National Convention wasn’t that Joe Biden was a puppet for radicals. It wasn’t even that rioters and looters are coming to your home and only Trump can protect you from the radical left.
The clear theme of the RNC was a flagrant and brutal disregard for the truth.
The first night of the RNC featured more false and misleading claims than all four nights of the DNC put together, according to a CNN fact-check. The second night starred an anti-abortion activist whose tale about the horrors of Planned Parenthood had been exposed as a fraud more than 10 years ago. On the third night, Vice President Mike Pence suggested that the murder of a police officer by a far-right extremist was a crime committed by left-wing rioters. It was all capped off by President Trump’s Thursday night speech, a farrago of falsehoods that even veteran Trump fact-checkers found stunning.
“Basically everything Trump says about Biden’s proposals is false,” the Washington Post’s Philip Bump writes. In a tour-de-force segment, CNN’s Daniel Dale spent three minutes debunking the speech at a rapid clip — and still didn’t cover all the lies:
https://twitter.com/i/status/1299197751373303809
Writing honestly about the RNC requires centering the dishonesty. But adequately describing the sheer breadth and brazenness of the lying that was on display these past four days would take volumes. And after a certain point, the whole thing reaches diminishing returns: Some depressing political science research suggests that pointing out when Trump is lying doesn’t actually change the way voters feel about him.
And that’s the dark brilliance of the RNC, and maybe the entire Trump presidency. If you just lie and break legal rules frequently enough and brazenly enough, the sheer volume of misconduct will overwhelm the systems that are designed to check them.
more...
https://www.vox.com/2020/8/28/21405144/trump-rnc-speech-fact-check-lies-hatch-act
August 29, 2020
Judge orders Texas to allow online voter registration with driver's license renewal
By Marty Johnson - 08/29/20 08:31 AM EDT
A federal judge in Texas ruled Friday that the state was violating federal law by not allowing Texans to register to vote when renewing their driver's license online.
In a lengthy 68-page ruling, U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia concluded that the state's restriction was breaking the National Voter Registration Act, which mandates that states must allow residents to register to vote when applying for or renewing their driver's licenses.
The state's Department of Safety (DPS) follows the federal law when Texans go in-person to a driver's license office. But, when residents go through the state's online portal to register to vote, they are directed to a blank form that must be printed, filled out and then mailed to their county registrar.
more...
https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/514248-judge-orders-texas-to-allow-online-voter-registration-with-drivers
Judge orders Texas to allow online voter registration with driver's license renewal
Judge orders Texas to allow online voter registration with driver's license renewal
By Marty Johnson - 08/29/20 08:31 AM EDT
A federal judge in Texas ruled Friday that the state was violating federal law by not allowing Texans to register to vote when renewing their driver's license online.
In a lengthy 68-page ruling, U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia concluded that the state's restriction was breaking the National Voter Registration Act, which mandates that states must allow residents to register to vote when applying for or renewing their driver's licenses.
The state's Department of Safety (DPS) follows the federal law when Texans go in-person to a driver's license office. But, when residents go through the state's online portal to register to vote, they are directed to a blank form that must be printed, filled out and then mailed to their county registrar.
“DPS encourages Texans to use its online services to renew their driver's license and change their address because it is easier and more convenient,” Garcia, a Clinton appointee, wrote. “It cannot, at the same time, deny simultaneous voter registration applications when those online services are used.”
more...
https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/514248-judge-orders-texas-to-allow-online-voter-registration-with-drivers
August 29, 2020
Secret Service Copes with Coronavirus Cases
Yet another example of how iq45's selfishness affects others. He's a MFer. 
https://politicalwire.com/2020/08/28/secret-service-copes-with-coronavirus-cases/
Secret Service Copes with Coronavirus Cases
August 28, 2020 at 7:43 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard
Washington Post: “In the past two months, dozens of Secret Service agents who worked to ensure the security of the president and Vice President Pence at public events have been sickened or sidelined because they were in direct contact with infected people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe the incidents.”
“Despite that, Trump has continued to hold large gatherings — most dramatically at the White House on Thursday night, when he delivered his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention before a crowd of 1,500 people seated closely together on the South Lawn, with few masks in sight. The vast majority were not tested for the coronavirus ahead of time.”
“Despite that, Trump has continued to hold large gatherings — most dramatically at the White House on Thursday night, when he delivered his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention before a crowd of 1,500 people seated closely together on the South Lawn, with few masks in sight. The vast majority were not tested for the coronavirus ahead of time.”
August 28, 2020
Japan’s Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, Abruptly Quits Over Health Problems
CAN’T GO ON
Jamie Ross, Reporter
Published Aug. 28, 2020 4:36AM ET
Japan's Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, Abruptly Quits Over Health Problems
https://www.thedailybeast.com/shinzo-abe-abruptly-quits-as-japans-prime-minister-over-health-problems?ref=homeJapan’s Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, Abruptly Quits Over Health Problems
CAN’T GO ON
Jamie Ross, Reporter
Published Aug. 28, 2020 4:36AM ET
Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, Shinzo Abe, abruptly quit on Friday, telling the nation that his health has worsened. Abe has suffered for many years from ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease that forced him to end his first stint as PM in 2007. According to the Japan Times, Abe apologized during a televised news conference and explained that his illness has worsened over the past month after years of being able to manage it. He reportedly said a new treatment is working—but the amount of time it will take up in his schedule means he’s unable to continue his job. He’s expected to stay on until a new party leader is elected. The Japanese leader struck up strong ties with President Donald Trump and pulled the country out of recession—but his government has been criticized for a slow response to the coronavirus pandemic, and persistent accusations that official documents were routinely destroyed.
August 28, 2020
Penn Professor Wants Probe of Trump’s Admission
August 28, 2020 at 7:56 am EDT By Taegan Goddard
Penn Professor Wants Probe of Trump's Admission
https://politicalwire.com/2020/08/28/penn-professor-wants-probe-of-trumps-admission/Penn Professor Wants Probe of Trump’s Admission
August 28, 2020 at 7:56 am EDT By Taegan Goddard
A professor at the University of Pennsylvania has renewed a request to investigate how President Trump was admitted to the school in 1966, citing what he called “new evidence” on secretly recorded tapes in which Trump’s sister says a friend took his entrance exam, the Washington Post reports.
August 28, 2020
The Lincoln Project's "Mourning in America" just
aired on an episode of "House Hunters" on HGTV. I'm gobsmacked!! HGTV? They're going places!
https://lincolnproject.us/news/mourning-america/
August 28, 2020
With 1+ million new unemployment claims, White House refuses to budge in COVID-19 negotiations
Joan McCarter
Daily Kos Staff
Thursday August 27, 2020 · 3:44 PM EDT
It is now 27 days since the $600/week unemployment insurance boost included in the CARES Act expired, and the next month of rent is due in five days. The $300/week Donald Trump promised with his executive order is unlikely to show up for anyone for at least another month. More than 1 million people filed new jobless claims last week, with an additional 608,000 filing under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program for independent contractors, self-employed workers, and gig workers. “There are still huge numbers of layoffs taking place.” That's from Julia Pollak, a labor economist at the employment site ZipRecruiter. The Small Business Pulse Survey from the Census Bureau concurs, there is a larger share of small businesses laying off versus hiring employees. So much for the Republican orthodoxy that losing that sweet, sweet $600 would force people back to work. The jobs do not exist.
With that in mind, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows were slated to talk Thursday afternoon to see if Meadows would budge. Pelosi already has, shaving $1 trillion off the $3 trillion HEROES Act the House passed back in May. That bill is dead, having been murdered by Mitch McConnell. Never mind that another three months of severe economic damage has been done and the total needed to help correct is more along the lines of $10 trillion. Pelosi said ahead of the meeting "We're not budging. Understand this, they have to move.[…] They're just going to have to come up with more money."
She added "They aren't trying anything. We have said to them, 'We're willing to meet you in the middle.' […] If they are willing to meet us in the middle, then we can sit down and talk." As for this meeting with Meadows, "So this is, 'You called me? I'm returning your call. Are you ready to bring much more money to the table?'" Following the call, she revealed the answer: “This conversation made clear that the White House continues to disregard the needs of the American people as the coronavirus crisis devastates lives and livelihoods." That would be a "no," then. "The Administration’s continued failure to acknowledge the funding levels that experts, scientists and the American people know is needed leaves our nation at a tragic impasse," she said.
Tragic impasse, indeed, with Pelosi and Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer being the only people in leadership who seem to recognize and acknowledge that. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has taken baby steps, going from saying there wouldn't need to be further stimulus after CARES, to saying that he saw no urgency in May, or in June to take up HEROES, to a half-hearted "skinny" bill offered in July. He's offering that up again, now saying "I can't tell you today we're going to reach an agreement on another rescue package, but here's what I do think, I think we need another one." That's because he's now thinking about November. Literally: "I'm hoping that we can come together once again because the coronavirus is not involved in the American election. It does not care who wins."
Besides the 27 days since expanded UI benefits expired, there's a countdown to keep in mind: 34 days. That's how much longer the government is funded in this fiscal year. That means that the threat of a government shutdown is just 34 days away. It's almost certain at this point that it's that deadline that is going to drive the coronavirus relief negotiations. Congress is out until after Labor Day, and you can almost count on two hands how many working days they will have in September to take care of all this business. Over it hangs increasing unemployment, a U.S. Postal Service crippled by Trump corruption, increasing deaths and infections from coronavirus, and states and localities bleeding money with little in the way of revenue coming in.
That September 30 government shutdown deadline is going to drive the rest of the negotiations because that's how it always has to work with McConnell. He always defaults to brinksmanship over statesmanship, hostage-taking over taking care of the needs of the nation.
With 1+ million new unemployment claims, White House refuses to budge in COVID-19 negotiations
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2020/8/27/1972845/-With-1-million-new-unemployment-claims-White-House-refuses-to-budge-in-COVID-19-negotiationsWith 1+ million new unemployment claims, White House refuses to budge in COVID-19 negotiations
Joan McCarter
Daily Kos Staff
Thursday August 27, 2020 · 3:44 PM EDT
It is now 27 days since the $600/week unemployment insurance boost included in the CARES Act expired, and the next month of rent is due in five days. The $300/week Donald Trump promised with his executive order is unlikely to show up for anyone for at least another month. More than 1 million people filed new jobless claims last week, with an additional 608,000 filing under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program for independent contractors, self-employed workers, and gig workers. “There are still huge numbers of layoffs taking place.” That's from Julia Pollak, a labor economist at the employment site ZipRecruiter. The Small Business Pulse Survey from the Census Bureau concurs, there is a larger share of small businesses laying off versus hiring employees. So much for the Republican orthodoxy that losing that sweet, sweet $600 would force people back to work. The jobs do not exist.
With that in mind, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows were slated to talk Thursday afternoon to see if Meadows would budge. Pelosi already has, shaving $1 trillion off the $3 trillion HEROES Act the House passed back in May. That bill is dead, having been murdered by Mitch McConnell. Never mind that another three months of severe economic damage has been done and the total needed to help correct is more along the lines of $10 trillion. Pelosi said ahead of the meeting "We're not budging. Understand this, they have to move.[…] They're just going to have to come up with more money."
She added "They aren't trying anything. We have said to them, 'We're willing to meet you in the middle.' […] If they are willing to meet us in the middle, then we can sit down and talk." As for this meeting with Meadows, "So this is, 'You called me? I'm returning your call. Are you ready to bring much more money to the table?'" Following the call, she revealed the answer: “This conversation made clear that the White House continues to disregard the needs of the American people as the coronavirus crisis devastates lives and livelihoods." That would be a "no," then. "The Administration’s continued failure to acknowledge the funding levels that experts, scientists and the American people know is needed leaves our nation at a tragic impasse," she said.
Tragic impasse, indeed, with Pelosi and Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer being the only people in leadership who seem to recognize and acknowledge that. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has taken baby steps, going from saying there wouldn't need to be further stimulus after CARES, to saying that he saw no urgency in May, or in June to take up HEROES, to a half-hearted "skinny" bill offered in July. He's offering that up again, now saying "I can't tell you today we're going to reach an agreement on another rescue package, but here's what I do think, I think we need another one." That's because he's now thinking about November. Literally: "I'm hoping that we can come together once again because the coronavirus is not involved in the American election. It does not care who wins."
Besides the 27 days since expanded UI benefits expired, there's a countdown to keep in mind: 34 days. That's how much longer the government is funded in this fiscal year. That means that the threat of a government shutdown is just 34 days away. It's almost certain at this point that it's that deadline that is going to drive the coronavirus relief negotiations. Congress is out until after Labor Day, and you can almost count on two hands how many working days they will have in September to take care of all this business. Over it hangs increasing unemployment, a U.S. Postal Service crippled by Trump corruption, increasing deaths and infections from coronavirus, and states and localities bleeding money with little in the way of revenue coming in.
That September 30 government shutdown deadline is going to drive the rest of the negotiations because that's how it always has to work with McConnell. He always defaults to brinksmanship over statesmanship, hostage-taking over taking care of the needs of the nation.
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