New Resource Exposes 'Corporate Chieftains' Filling Trump Cabinet
"For those who want to keep tabs on the corporate influences President-elect Donald Trump's uber-wealthy and "horrifying" cabinet picks will be bringing with them, advocacy organization Public Citizen just unveiled a new resource. Trump, whose own conflicts of interest continue to mount, "ran against corruption, cronyism, and insider dealmaking," said Robert Weissman, president of Public Citizen, on Friday. Yet, he "is handing control of the government over to corporate chieftains." The new site, CorporateCabinet.org, so far profiles 14 picks including Rex Tillerson for Secretary of State, Steven Mnuchin for Treasury Secretary, Betsy DeVos for Education Secretary, and well as Vice President-elect Mike Pence. It is slated to be updated as further top officials become known."
Monday, January 9, 2017
GOP Doesn't Want Public To Know How Much Obamacare Repeal Will Cost. Study Shows It Could Be Trillions.
GOP Doesn't Want Public To Know How Much Obamacare Repeal Will Cost. Study Shows It Could Be Trillions.
"Try as they may to conceal the cost of the repeal, an independent study published Thursday estimated that it could cost the states trillions in lost revenue and output."
"Try as they may to conceal the cost of the repeal, an independent study published Thursday estimated that it could cost the states trillions in lost revenue and output."
Corporate Education Nominee DeVos Faces Pushback from Dem Senators
Corporate Education Nominee DeVos Faces Pushback from Dem Senators
"Still, DeVos' confirmation remains likely in the GOP-dominated Congress. And as several news outlets have reported, wealthy DeVos and her family have donated generously to many lawmakers over the years, including several sitting on the committee overseeing next week's confirmation hearing."
"Still, DeVos' confirmation remains likely in the GOP-dominated Congress. And as several news outlets have reported, wealthy DeVos and her family have donated generously to many lawmakers over the years, including several sitting on the committee overseeing next week's confirmation hearing."
10 Trump Fails and Lies from Just This Week @alternet
10 Trump Fails and Lies from Just This Week @alternet:
"Every post-election week with Donald Trump feels like an eternity. The details change but the story stays the same: Trump whines, lies and pleads for attention, scrambling facts, fiction and conspiracy into a fatiguing, but now familiar blend. Last week followed the same formula, with Trump pretending not to know what he knows and to be an expert in everything he doesn’t know, all while waging petty wars using time that could be spent boning up on policy. He ended the week with an intelligence briefing (we’ve sunk so low, PEOTUS doing his job qualifies as news), but it did little to markedly shift the tone. And in that tone is the message, "We are so screwed." So we don’t forget, here’s a look back at just 10 of Trump’s most recent lies and fails."
"Every post-election week with Donald Trump feels like an eternity. The details change but the story stays the same: Trump whines, lies and pleads for attention, scrambling facts, fiction and conspiracy into a fatiguing, but now familiar blend. Last week followed the same formula, with Trump pretending not to know what he knows and to be an expert in everything he doesn’t know, all while waging petty wars using time that could be spent boning up on policy. He ended the week with an intelligence briefing (we’ve sunk so low, PEOTUS doing his job qualifies as news), but it did little to markedly shift the tone. And in that tone is the message, "We are so screwed." So we don’t forget, here’s a look back at just 10 of Trump’s most recent lies and fails."
Blue State Voters Subsidize Southern Red State Voters, Not the Other Way Around
Blue State Voters Subsidize Southern Red State Voters, Not the Other Way Around:
"In essence, the notion that "the government" favors urban areas and poor people of color over rural areas is debunked by statistical analysis. Nonetheless, the continued support for conservatives who advocate cutting safety net programs and other government funding (that actually benefits the denizens of red-state rural areas) remains a conundrum. In 2013, I wrote about Kentucky Republican Congressman Hal Rodgers, who continues to get re-elected in his district by landslide margins even though he is an ardent advocate of drastically reducing government programs such as food stamps -- despite the fact that more than 50 percent of his 98 percent white district is made up of food stamp recipients. The Root reveals that in 2012, "of the 254 counties where the number of food stamp recipients doubled between 2007 and 2011, Republican candidate Mitt Romney won 213." Anybody who still believes that rural white voters are in fact subsidizing people of color in urban areas, I have a Trump Tower to sell you."
"In essence, the notion that "the government" favors urban areas and poor people of color over rural areas is debunked by statistical analysis. Nonetheless, the continued support for conservatives who advocate cutting safety net programs and other government funding (that actually benefits the denizens of red-state rural areas) remains a conundrum. In 2013, I wrote about Kentucky Republican Congressman Hal Rodgers, who continues to get re-elected in his district by landslide margins even though he is an ardent advocate of drastically reducing government programs such as food stamps -- despite the fact that more than 50 percent of his 98 percent white district is made up of food stamp recipients. The Root reveals that in 2012, "of the 254 counties where the number of food stamp recipients doubled between 2007 and 2011, Republican candidate Mitt Romney won 213." Anybody who still believes that rural white voters are in fact subsidizing people of color in urban areas, I have a Trump Tower to sell you."
Mitch McConnell ignoring cabinet confirmation procedure he demanded in 2009
https://thinkprogress.org/mitch-mcconnell-confirmation-ethics-hypocrisy-2c75b671d694#.jdp4cx5e7
"This is not the first time since Trump’s November victory that McConnell has completely reversed himself on the senate’s “advise and consent” process. After refusing to even allow a confirmation hearing for President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland for nearly a year — the longest delay in American history — and refusing to commit to allowing a confirmation vote even if Hillary Clinton won, McConnell said on Wednesday that “the American people simply will not tolerate” it if Democrats refuse to confirm a Trump Supreme Court nominee."
"This is not the first time since Trump’s November victory that McConnell has completely reversed himself on the senate’s “advise and consent” process. After refusing to even allow a confirmation hearing for President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland for nearly a year — the longest delay in American history — and refusing to commit to allowing a confirmation vote even if Hillary Clinton won, McConnell said on Wednesday that “the American people simply will not tolerate” it if Democrats refuse to confirm a Trump Supreme Court nominee."
‘Follow the money’: Robert Reich explains exactly why Trump won’t condemn Russia
‘Follow the money’: Robert Reich explains exactly why Trump won’t condemn Russia
"Trump’s deep financial ties to the country — along with those of his close aides — will dictate how his administration deals with Russia no matter what it may cost the U.S."
"Trump’s deep financial ties to the country — along with those of his close aides — will dictate how his administration deals with Russia no matter what it may cost the U.S."
Government ethics office says Trump keeps ignoring warnings to sell his assets
https://thinkprogress.org/trump-business-ethics-129d508178c9#.hb96subsb
"New emails reveal that the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) reportedly “lost contact” with President-elect Donald Trump’s team during the ongoing transition to power, despite efforts to warn officials about ethical issues posed by nominees and “blind trusts"."
"New emails reveal that the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) reportedly “lost contact” with President-elect Donald Trump’s team during the ongoing transition to power, despite efforts to warn officials about ethical issues posed by nominees and “blind trusts"."
5 Deranged Right-Wing Moments This Week From Trump on Down @alternet
5 Deranged Right-Wing Moments This Week From Trump on Down @alternet:
"The tweeter-in-chief managed to keep the attention largely focused on himself this week with inane, reality-defying statements about hacking, television ratings and being a really "big fan" of intelligence. If he wasn't so scary, he'd be ridiculous, but he is ridiculous as well as being really really scary. Those are the two realities we all need to hold simultaneously in our heads. And it hurts. Discussing fears about his temperament and impending control of the nuclear arsenal, Kayleigh McEnany told a stunned CNN panel , "There hasn't been a nuclear war yet." Is that supposed to make us feel better? Here are five instances of deranged thinking emanating from the right-wing Trump-o-verse this week."
"The tweeter-in-chief managed to keep the attention largely focused on himself this week with inane, reality-defying statements about hacking, television ratings and being a really "big fan" of intelligence. If he wasn't so scary, he'd be ridiculous, but he is ridiculous as well as being really really scary. Those are the two realities we all need to hold simultaneously in our heads. And it hurts. Discussing fears about his temperament and impending control of the nuclear arsenal, Kayleigh McEnany told a stunned CNN panel , "There hasn't been a nuclear war yet." Is that supposed to make us feel better? Here are five instances of deranged thinking emanating from the right-wing Trump-o-verse this week."
Here’s how archivists and coders plan to stop censorship under Trump
Here’s how archivists and coders plan to stop censorship under Trump
"Archivists, coders and other volunteers will gather on the sixth floor of the library at the University of Pennsylvania on Jan. 13 and 14 to preserve federal data that they believe could be at risk after Donald Trump is sworn in."
"Archivists, coders and other volunteers will gather on the sixth floor of the library at the University of Pennsylvania on Jan. 13 and 14 to preserve federal data that they believe could be at risk after Donald Trump is sworn in."
Friday, January 6, 2017
For Head of SEC, Trump Taps Another Fox to Guard Wall Street Henhouse
For Head of SEC, Trump Taps Another Fox to Guard Wall Street Henhouse
"Wall Street lawyer Jay Clayton, who defended big banks against regulators during the financial crisis, is President-elect Donald Trump's pick to head the federal agency charged with policing Wall Street."
"Wall Street lawyer Jay Clayton, who defended big banks against regulators during the financial crisis, is President-elect Donald Trump's pick to head the federal agency charged with policing Wall Street."
Here's What Trump and the GOP Aren't Telling You About the Reversal on Congressional Oversight
Here's What Trump and the GOP Aren't Telling You About the Reversal on Congressional Oversight
"Sorry folks, but there’s absolutely nothing to celebrate here and Trump damn sure wasn’t any sort of “strong leader” who stood up against Republicans trying to make unethical behavior easier to get away with in Congress. Let’s not forget that, aside from being one of the most dishonest human beings on the planet, Trump’s still refused to release his tax returns. That’s rather shady and — dare I say — unethical. The reason why Trump was upset over this move wasn’t because he opposed it, it’s because the optics of it were horrible. It looks really bad when one of the first things a new Congress does is hold a fairly secretive meeting during a holiday where a top priority was to gut an independent watchdog group that oversees the very people voting to get rid of that oversight. Just look at what Trump said, “… as unfair as it may be” — “it” being the independent ethics watchdog. So it’s not as if Trump was taking some sort of a moral stand against members of Congress trying to make getting away with crooked behavior easier. This was Trump trying to make himself look good (what’s new, right?) by appearing to oppose this move, when the truth is Republicans are still going to gut the power this watchdog has. What Republicans will likely do is wait a few months until a story that dominates the headlines for a few days rolls around, then they’ll once again target this group when they think nobody will notice. But make no mistake about it, they will eventually get rid of independent oversight of congressional behavior. This reversal of course was nothing more than smoke and mirrors, an “optics move” for Donald Trump to make himself look better and Republicans to “save face” after miscalculating the backlash they’d receive following this extremely shady vote."
"Sorry folks, but there’s absolutely nothing to celebrate here and Trump damn sure wasn’t any sort of “strong leader” who stood up against Republicans trying to make unethical behavior easier to get away with in Congress. Let’s not forget that, aside from being one of the most dishonest human beings on the planet, Trump’s still refused to release his tax returns. That’s rather shady and — dare I say — unethical. The reason why Trump was upset over this move wasn’t because he opposed it, it’s because the optics of it were horrible. It looks really bad when one of the first things a new Congress does is hold a fairly secretive meeting during a holiday where a top priority was to gut an independent watchdog group that oversees the very people voting to get rid of that oversight. Just look at what Trump said, “… as unfair as it may be” — “it” being the independent ethics watchdog. So it’s not as if Trump was taking some sort of a moral stand against members of Congress trying to make getting away with crooked behavior easier. This was Trump trying to make himself look good (what’s new, right?) by appearing to oppose this move, when the truth is Republicans are still going to gut the power this watchdog has. What Republicans will likely do is wait a few months until a story that dominates the headlines for a few days rolls around, then they’ll once again target this group when they think nobody will notice. But make no mistake about it, they will eventually get rid of independent oversight of congressional behavior. This reversal of course was nothing more than smoke and mirrors, an “optics move” for Donald Trump to make himself look better and Republicans to “save face” after miscalculating the backlash they’d receive following this extremely shady vote."
No Conflict Here: 150 Wall Street Firms Own Over $1.5 Billion of Trump's Debt
No Conflict Here: 150 Wall Street Firms Own Over $1.5 Billion of Trump's Debt
"An analysis by the Wall Street Journal published Thursday found that the incoming president owes at least $1.85 billion in debt to as many as 150 Wall Street firms and other financial institutions. According to the examination of legal and property documents, "Hundreds of millions of dollars of debt attached to Mr. Trump's properties, some of them backed by Mr. Trump's personal guarantee, were packaged into securities and sold to investors over the past five years," thus "broadening the tangle of interests that pose potential conflicts for the incoming president's administration." In May, Trump filed documents with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) that disclosed $315 million owed to 10 companies—but that only included debts for companies that Trump completely controls, "excluding more than $1.5 billion lent to partnerships that are 30 percent owned by him," WSJ reported."
"An analysis by the Wall Street Journal published Thursday found that the incoming president owes at least $1.85 billion in debt to as many as 150 Wall Street firms and other financial institutions. According to the examination of legal and property documents, "Hundreds of millions of dollars of debt attached to Mr. Trump's properties, some of them backed by Mr. Trump's personal guarantee, were packaged into securities and sold to investors over the past five years," thus "broadening the tangle of interests that pose potential conflicts for the incoming president's administration." In May, Trump filed documents with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) that disclosed $315 million owed to 10 companies—but that only included debts for companies that Trump completely controls, "excluding more than $1.5 billion lent to partnerships that are 30 percent owned by him," WSJ reported."
President-Elect Trump Is Historically Unpopular; His Press Coverage Should Reflect That @alternet
President-Elect Trump Is Historically Unpopular; His Press Coverage Should Reflect That @alternet:
"Trump’s contrast with Obama in late 2008 is stunning: Obama entered 2009 with a 68 percent favorable rating. Today, Trump’s favorable rating stands at an anemic 43 percent. And if history is any indication, that rating is almost certain to go down once the new president takes office. A plurality of Americans think he will be a “poor” or “terrible” president."
"Trump’s contrast with Obama in late 2008 is stunning: Obama entered 2009 with a 68 percent favorable rating. Today, Trump’s favorable rating stands at an anemic 43 percent. And if history is any indication, that rating is almost certain to go down once the new president takes office. A plurality of Americans think he will be a “poor” or “terrible” president."
The CEO of a chain that underpays and mistreats workers is about to lead the Labor Department
https://thinkprogress.org/puzder-labor-abuses-f235d772bc8c#.kz0vdbiz6
"The official mission of the Labor Department is to “improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.” But if Puzder is confirmed to run the agency, he will be in charge of enforcing a host of laws his own company has broken, in addition to other policies he has publicly opposed."
"The official mission of the Labor Department is to “improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.” But if Puzder is confirmed to run the agency, he will be in charge of enforcing a host of laws his own company has broken, in addition to other policies he has publicly opposed."
The GOP's Brilliant Plan to Distract from Critical Confirmation Hearings
The GOP's Brilliant Plan to Distract from Critical Confirmation Hearings
"The Republican party appears to be employing a strategy wherein the public—and even lawmakers—will be too distracted to place much needed scrutiny on President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet nominees. Not only are six major confirmation hearings now scheduled for the same day (see below)—"preventing any one nominee from dominating a news cycle," as the Washington Post put it—but Trump himself rescheduled a long-awaited press conference for that very day: January 11. And that same Wednesday also happens to be when Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) plans to begin a so-called vote-o-rama, "in which senators take dozens and dozens of votes on amendments with no clear end," Politico explains. Indeed, as Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) told NPR of secretary of state nominee Rex Tillerson's hearing in particular: "It may well happen on a day where we are literally voting continuously for 24 hours. I don't think that's the right day to hold a hearing where the members of the Foreign Relations Committee who have real concerns—both Republicans and Democrats—want to hear his full answers, not just race in and out." But that could be just what some Republicans are hoping for. "The GOP leadership's approach will minimize unflattering process stories and prevent Trump's nominees from receiving the kind of full airing and scrutiny that they would otherwise," James Hohmann wrote for the Post."
"The Republican party appears to be employing a strategy wherein the public—and even lawmakers—will be too distracted to place much needed scrutiny on President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet nominees. Not only are six major confirmation hearings now scheduled for the same day (see below)—"preventing any one nominee from dominating a news cycle," as the Washington Post put it—but Trump himself rescheduled a long-awaited press conference for that very day: January 11. And that same Wednesday also happens to be when Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) plans to begin a so-called vote-o-rama, "in which senators take dozens and dozens of votes on amendments with no clear end," Politico explains. Indeed, as Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) told NPR of secretary of state nominee Rex Tillerson's hearing in particular: "It may well happen on a day where we are literally voting continuously for 24 hours. I don't think that's the right day to hold a hearing where the members of the Foreign Relations Committee who have real concerns—both Republicans and Democrats—want to hear his full answers, not just race in and out." But that could be just what some Republicans are hoping for. "The GOP leadership's approach will minimize unflattering process stories and prevent Trump's nominees from receiving the kind of full airing and scrutiny that they would otherwise," James Hohmann wrote for the Post."
Check Out How Evangelical Christians Defended Hitler | Crooks and Liars
Check Out How Evangelical Christians Defended Hitler | Crooks and Liars
"Turns out that the language used by Conservative Christians to defend Trump and the language they used to defend Hitler is very, very similar."
"Turns out that the language used by Conservative Christians to defend Trump and the language they used to defend Hitler is very, very similar."
Trump national security adviser partnered with KGB-linked businessman to sell mind-reading gear
https://thinkprogress.org/michael-flynn-kgb-mind-reading-equipment-us-government-9741fc0f80c4#.4apehr3zg
"Trump’s choice for national security adviser, retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, partnered with a man convicted of trying to sell stolen material to the KGB, Russia’s spy agency."
"Trump’s choice for national security adviser, retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, partnered with a man convicted of trying to sell stolen material to the KGB, Russia’s spy agency."
Robert Reich Lays Bare Trump's Four Techniques for Manipulating the Media @alternet
Robert Reich Lays Bare Trump's Four Techniques for Manipulating the Media @alternet:
"Historically, tyrants have tried to control the press using 4 techniques that, worryingly, Donald Trump is already using."
"Historically, tyrants have tried to control the press using 4 techniques that, worryingly, Donald Trump is already using."
This May Be Trump's Most Frightening and Dangerous Tweet Yet
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/12/donald-trump-frightening-tweet-nuclear-weapons
"Trump has suggested in years past that he believes a nuclear war is inevitable. So any tweet from him on this subject deserves great scrutiny—at least as much as his tweets about Alec Baldwin, SNL, and the musical Hamilton. The posting of this tweet, and his staff's inability to explain it, are frightening signs that Trump is not ready for the task of controlling weapons that can destroy the world."
"Trump has suggested in years past that he believes a nuclear war is inevitable. So any tweet from him on this subject deserves great scrutiny—at least as much as his tweets about Alec Baldwin, SNL, and the musical Hamilton. The posting of this tweet, and his staff's inability to explain it, are frightening signs that Trump is not ready for the task of controlling weapons that can destroy the world."
Is Donald Trump a Traitor? @alternet
Is Donald Trump a Traitor? @alternet:
"Donald Trump’s flirtations with Russia and Vladimir Putin are part of a broader pattern of reckless and irresponsible behavior. Trump has numerous conflicts of financial interest that would appear to violate the emoluments clause of the Constitution. His sons, Eric and Donald Jr., were involved in a scheme (since withdrawn) that looked a lot like an attempt to sell access to his administration through million-dollar “charity” donations. Trump has threatened to violate the First Amendment by suppressing freedom of the press, encouraged violence against Clinton and those he deemed his enemies, suggested he would not respect the outcome of the election if he lost and now promoted people widely regarded as white supremacists or white nationalists to senior positions in his administration. Donald Trump has also selected key advisers and cabinet level officials who have close personal and financial relationships with Russian leaders in banking, finance and government. The sum total of these facts leads to a very troubling conclusion. President-elect Donald Trump is a traitor. As suggested by John Shattuck, a Harvard university professor, in the Boston Globe, Trump’s actions may approach the legal definition of treason as defined by U.S. federal law. Members of the Republican Party who knew about Russia’s efforts to interfere with the presidential election and chose to suppress or block such information, for fear of hurting their candidate’s chances, are also traitors."
"Donald Trump’s flirtations with Russia and Vladimir Putin are part of a broader pattern of reckless and irresponsible behavior. Trump has numerous conflicts of financial interest that would appear to violate the emoluments clause of the Constitution. His sons, Eric and Donald Jr., were involved in a scheme (since withdrawn) that looked a lot like an attempt to sell access to his administration through million-dollar “charity” donations. Trump has threatened to violate the First Amendment by suppressing freedom of the press, encouraged violence against Clinton and those he deemed his enemies, suggested he would not respect the outcome of the election if he lost and now promoted people widely regarded as white supremacists or white nationalists to senior positions in his administration. Donald Trump has also selected key advisers and cabinet level officials who have close personal and financial relationships with Russian leaders in banking, finance and government. The sum total of these facts leads to a very troubling conclusion. President-elect Donald Trump is a traitor. As suggested by John Shattuck, a Harvard university professor, in the Boston Globe, Trump’s actions may approach the legal definition of treason as defined by U.S. federal law. Members of the Republican Party who knew about Russia’s efforts to interfere with the presidential election and chose to suppress or block such information, for fear of hurting their candidate’s chances, are also traitors."
The Venerable New England Journal Of Medicine Rips Into Tom Price, Trump's Pick For HHS
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/12/23/1613933/-The-Venerable-New-England-Journal-Of-Medicine-Rips-Into-Tom-Price-Trump-s-Pick-For-HHS
"Tom Price M.D. is Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of Health and Human Services. He would only be the third physician to hold that post. Traditionally, the HHS secretary focused their efforts on improving health care for the poor, the sick and the vulnerable. They tended to champion causes such as decreasing tobacco use, improving Medicare and fighting the HIV-AIDS crisis. In a new editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine, (NEJM) based on his history in politics, Tom Price looks to go in a different direction."
"Tom Price M.D. is Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of Health and Human Services. He would only be the third physician to hold that post. Traditionally, the HHS secretary focused their efforts on improving health care for the poor, the sick and the vulnerable. They tended to champion causes such as decreasing tobacco use, improving Medicare and fighting the HIV-AIDS crisis. In a new editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine, (NEJM) based on his history in politics, Tom Price looks to go in a different direction."
HHS Director Nominee Traded Health Stocks While Moving Legislation Affecting Them | Crooks and Liars
HHS Director Nominee Traded Health Stocks While Moving Legislation Affecting Them | Crooks and Liars
"The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Rep. Tom Price was trading in health stocks at the same time he was moving legislation that directly affected their value."
"The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Rep. Tom Price was trading in health stocks at the same time he was moving legislation that directly affected their value."
‘Never seen such a desperate need to be liked’: Internet mocks Trump’s insecure tweet on A-list celebs
‘Never seen such a desperate need to be liked’: Internet mocks Trump’s insecure tweet on A-list celebs
"Reports abound over word that one Donald J. Trump—president elect, reality TV star, self-described p*ssy grabber—is having a difficult time landing A-list performances for his inauguration day. One source told the Wrap Trump’s transition team is “willing to pay anything” for a Justin Timberlake or Bruno Mars appearance. Another said they offered celebrity bookers ambassadorships in exchange for handing over a vocal sensation to serenade the president-elect on his big day. And yet, so far the only celebrity Trump’s officially landed is 16-year-old “America’s Got Talent” runner-up Jackie Evancho, who will be performing the National Anthem on Jan. 20."
"Reports abound over word that one Donald J. Trump—president elect, reality TV star, self-described p*ssy grabber—is having a difficult time landing A-list performances for his inauguration day. One source told the Wrap Trump’s transition team is “willing to pay anything” for a Justin Timberlake or Bruno Mars appearance. Another said they offered celebrity bookers ambassadorships in exchange for handing over a vocal sensation to serenade the president-elect on his big day. And yet, so far the only celebrity Trump’s officially landed is 16-year-old “America’s Got Talent” runner-up Jackie Evancho, who will be performing the National Anthem on Jan. 20."
Trump Gushes Over Putin After Russian Dictator Sends Him A Christmas Love Note
http://www.politicususa.com/2016/12/23/trump-gushes-putin-russian-dictator-sends-christmas-love-note.html
"America will be putting into office a president who views Putin as a hero and role model."
"America will be putting into office a president who views Putin as a hero and role model."
Trump's Biggest Lender Wants New Terms
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/12/trumps-biggest-lender-looking-new-terms
"Donald Trump's biggest creditor, Deutsche Bank, is seeking to restructure some of the president-elect's debt, Bloomberg reports. Trump's companies owe the German lender at least $364 million, more than half of his total $713 million debt load, and his loans with the bank—a potential source of leverage over the incoming commander-in-chief—pose a significant conflict of interest."
"Donald Trump's biggest creditor, Deutsche Bank, is seeking to restructure some of the president-elect's debt, Bloomberg reports. Trump's companies owe the German lender at least $364 million, more than half of his total $713 million debt load, and his loans with the bank—a potential source of leverage over the incoming commander-in-chief—pose a significant conflict of interest."
Stating the Obvious, Gingrich Confirms 'Drain the Swamp' Was All Talk
Stating the Obvious, Gingrich Confirms 'Drain the Swamp' Was All Talk
"President-elect Donald Trump's campaign trail refrain of "drain the swamp" was "cute" while it lasted—but don't expect to hear much of it from here on out, Newt Gingrich told NPR this week. "I'm told he now just disclaims that," Trump ally Gingrich said to NPR's Rachel Martin of the phrase. "He now says it was cute, but he doesn't want to use it anymore"."
"President-elect Donald Trump's campaign trail refrain of "drain the swamp" was "cute" while it lasted—but don't expect to hear much of it from here on out, Newt Gingrich told NPR this week. "I'm told he now just disclaims that," Trump ally Gingrich said to NPR's Rachel Martin of the phrase. "He now says it was cute, but he doesn't want to use it anymore"."
How You Can Automatically Fact-Check Donald Trump's Lies @alternet
How You Can Automatically Fact-Check Donald Trump's Lies @alternet:
"Since his tiny hands first signed up for the site, President-elect Donald Trump’s Twitter account has been spewing misleading, flat-out inaccurate rants with no end in sight. Before the election, he was slinging racist and plain false statistics about African-American crime rates and his imaginary opposition to the Iraq War; after the election, his so-called “landslide” electoral victory. The bottomline, in case you’re brand-f*cking-new to the internet: Trump tells a lot of lies on Twitter. Seeing through the lies is pretty easy, but with dishonest tweet after dishonest tweet, the laborious task of fact-checking the madman sure adds up, so treat yourself to this delightful new Chrome extension that fact-checks Trump’s tweets for you."
"Since his tiny hands first signed up for the site, President-elect Donald Trump’s Twitter account has been spewing misleading, flat-out inaccurate rants with no end in sight. Before the election, he was slinging racist and plain false statistics about African-American crime rates and his imaginary opposition to the Iraq War; after the election, his so-called “landslide” electoral victory. The bottomline, in case you’re brand-f*cking-new to the internet: Trump tells a lot of lies on Twitter. Seeing through the lies is pretty easy, but with dishonest tweet after dishonest tweet, the laborious task of fact-checking the madman sure adds up, so treat yourself to this delightful new Chrome extension that fact-checks Trump’s tweets for you."
Trump subtweets Putin on nukes
https://thinkprogress.org/trump-putin-subtweet-nuclear-weapons-5d95c32a08e0#.m0zvdueco
"Trump’s tweet comes almost exactly a year after he stumbled through a question about nuclear weapons during a GOP presidential debate, revealing he had no idea what the “nuclear triad” was. Since then, Trump’s made a number of concerning remarks about nukes, including being dismissive about the potential of a nuclear arms race on the Korean peninsula to refusing to rule out using nukes in Europe."
"Trump’s tweet comes almost exactly a year after he stumbled through a question about nuclear weapons during a GOP presidential debate, revealing he had no idea what the “nuclear triad” was. Since then, Trump’s made a number of concerning remarks about nukes, including being dismissive about the potential of a nuclear arms race on the Korean peninsula to refusing to rule out using nukes in Europe."
Trump, white nationalism’s favorite thinker, and America’s premier crackpot make strange bedfellows
https://thinkprogress.org/trump-white-nationalisms-favorite-thinker-and-america-s-premier-crackpot-make-strange-bedfellows-7e57c0b7e6be#.j41es9waz
"Aleksandr Dugin — a Russian theorist sometimes called “Putin’s Rasputin” because of his Kremlin ties — is the white nationalist movement’s favorite philosopher and shares certain ideological affinities with Steve Bannon, a top adviser to President-elect Donald Trump. If this wasn’t worrying enough, Dugin and Bannon share a personal connection with one of America’s foremost crackpot conspiracy theorists: radio host and Infowars.com proprietor Alex Jones."
"Aleksandr Dugin — a Russian theorist sometimes called “Putin’s Rasputin” because of his Kremlin ties — is the white nationalist movement’s favorite philosopher and shares certain ideological affinities with Steve Bannon, a top adviser to President-elect Donald Trump. If this wasn’t worrying enough, Dugin and Bannon share a personal connection with one of America’s foremost crackpot conspiracy theorists: radio host and Infowars.com proprietor Alex Jones."
GOP Plans to Destroy Our Safety Net Will Also Kill Democracy @alternet
GOP Plans to Destroy Our Safety Net Will Also Kill Democracy @alternet:
"Newt Gingrich openly bragged recently at the Heritage Foundation that the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress were going to “break out of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt model.” That “model,” of course, created what we today refer to as “the middle class.” Ever since the election of Ronald Reagan, Republicans have been working overtime to kneecap institutions that support the American middle class. And, as any working-class family can tell you, the GOP has had some substantial successes, particularly in shifting both income and political power away from voters and towards billionaires and transnational corporations."
"Newt Gingrich openly bragged recently at the Heritage Foundation that the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress were going to “break out of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt model.” That “model,” of course, created what we today refer to as “the middle class.” Ever since the election of Ronald Reagan, Republicans have been working overtime to kneecap institutions that support the American middle class. And, as any working-class family can tell you, the GOP has had some substantial successes, particularly in shifting both income and political power away from voters and towards billionaires and transnational corporations."
Trump team boycotts meeting with Israeli official to stand in solidarity with Swedish neo-Nazi
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/12/21/1613313/-Trump-team-boycotts-meeting-with-Israeli-official-to-stand-in-solidarity-with-Swedish-neo-Nazi
"First it was reported that Michael Flynn, Donald Trump’s pick to be national security advisor, had a meeting with the leader of a far-right Austrian political party that was founded by ex-Nazis. And now, a senior member of Trump’s transition team who was in Israel to attend “a gathering of conservative parliamentarians from the US and Europe” joined in a boycott of a high-level briefing with Israel’s deputy foreign minister after Israel refused to allow a Swedish neo-Nazi to attend the meeting"
"First it was reported that Michael Flynn, Donald Trump’s pick to be national security advisor, had a meeting with the leader of a far-right Austrian political party that was founded by ex-Nazis. And now, a senior member of Trump’s transition team who was in Israel to attend “a gathering of conservative parliamentarians from the US and Europe” joined in a boycott of a high-level briefing with Israel’s deputy foreign minister after Israel refused to allow a Swedish neo-Nazi to attend the meeting"
That Drone Skirmish With China? It Was Over Before Donald Trump’s First Mean Tweet.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-drone-china_us_58594304e4b08debb78b0542
"Donald Trump launched his Twitter campaign against China’s seizure of a U.S. Navy research submersible last week to great fanfare ― and, as it turns out, hours after the crisis had already been defused. It’s unclear whether the president-elect or his aides knew that fact ― it would have been included in the intelligence briefing available to him each morning ― before he sent out his misspelled missive of outrage at 7:30 a.m. Saturday. “China steals United States Navy research drone in international waters ― rips it out of water and takes it to China in unpresidented act,” Trump wrote. He deleted that version and replaced it with “unprecedented” spelled correctly at 8:57 a.m. But even his first version came four hours after U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus was informed that the Chinese navy had agreed to return the “underwater unmanned vehicle.” That information would have been known to Trump had he taken the “Presidential Daily Brief” prior to posting his first tweet."
"Donald Trump launched his Twitter campaign against China’s seizure of a U.S. Navy research submersible last week to great fanfare ― and, as it turns out, hours after the crisis had already been defused. It’s unclear whether the president-elect or his aides knew that fact ― it would have been included in the intelligence briefing available to him each morning ― before he sent out his misspelled missive of outrage at 7:30 a.m. Saturday. “China steals United States Navy research drone in international waters ― rips it out of water and takes it to China in unpresidented act,” Trump wrote. He deleted that version and replaced it with “unprecedented” spelled correctly at 8:57 a.m. But even his first version came four hours after U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus was informed that the Chinese navy had agreed to return the “underwater unmanned vehicle.” That information would have been known to Trump had he taken the “Presidential Daily Brief” prior to posting his first tweet."
Goldman Sachs' Stock and Political Influence Are Both on the Rise
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/38812-goldman-sachs-stock-influence-in-trump-administration-both-on-the-rise
"Wall Street behemoth Goldman Sachs has seen its stock prices ascend by 33 percent since Election Day, and is responsible for the lion's share of the gains on the Dow Jones Industrial Average over that time."
"Wall Street behemoth Goldman Sachs has seen its stock prices ascend by 33 percent since Election Day, and is responsible for the lion's share of the gains on the Dow Jones Industrial Average over that time."
Democrats Bust Trump For Rigging His Cabinet With Social Security And Medicare Cutters
http://www.politicususa.com/2016/12/20/democrats-bust-trump-rigging-cabinet-social-security-medicare-cutters.html
"The American people are going to be in for a big shock when Republicans put their agenda into action."
"The American people are going to be in for a big shock when Republicans put their agenda into action."
There is no reason to ever build another coal plant in the United States
https://thinkprogress.org/renewable-cheaper-than-coal-589e43113faf#.9lwxa1m4k
"The scientific community has already announced it is watching closely. At the end of November, more than 2,300 scientists — including 22 Nobel Prize winners — signed an open letter calling on the incoming Trump administration and Congress to respect “scientific integrity and independence.” The letter, organized by the Union of Concerned Scientists, ended with an explicit warning. “We will continue to champion efforts that strengthen the role of science in policymaking,” it concluded, “and stand ready to hold accountable any who might seek to undermine it"."
"The scientific community has already announced it is watching closely. At the end of November, more than 2,300 scientists — including 22 Nobel Prize winners — signed an open letter calling on the incoming Trump administration and Congress to respect “scientific integrity and independence.” The letter, organized by the Union of Concerned Scientists, ended with an explicit warning. “We will continue to champion efforts that strengthen the role of science in policymaking,” it concluded, “and stand ready to hold accountable any who might seek to undermine it"."
New rule protecting waterways from coal mining will be early target of Trump administration
https://thinkprogress.org/interior-department-finalizes-rule-to-protect-streams-from-coal-mining-pollution-1d159d079fc9#.sqbu8vrb7
"The rule would protect thousands of miles of streams, and Trump has vowed to undo it."
"The rule would protect thousands of miles of streams, and Trump has vowed to undo it."
‘Our first crybaby President’: Internet hammers Trump after he again whines about losing popular vote
‘Our first crybaby President’: Internet hammers Trump after he again whines about losing popular vote
"Has any presidential election winner ever complained as much about his victory as President-elect Donald Trump has? Trump took to Twitter on Wednesday to once again rail against people who pointed out that he lost the popular vote to Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton by nearly 3 million votes."
"Has any presidential election winner ever complained as much about his victory as President-elect Donald Trump has? Trump took to Twitter on Wednesday to once again rail against people who pointed out that he lost the popular vote to Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton by nearly 3 million votes."
State Department Worried Trump Is Going to Be a Foreign Policy Madman @alternet
State Department Worried Trump Is Going to Be a Foreign Policy Madman @alternet:
"Now we've got an actual madman going to the White House, a man who appears to have no control over his impulses and no understanding of why following them is dangerous."
"Now we've got an actual madman going to the White House, a man who appears to have no control over his impulses and no understanding of why following them is dangerous."
National Enquirer morphs into propaganda rag for President-elect Trump
https://thinkprogress.org/national-enquirer-morphs-into-propaganda-rag-for-president-elect-trump-237ffcec7700#.to7gytpgm
"Trump’s adoration of the National Enquirer is not new. He has a longstanding friendship with CEO David Pecker, defended the publication as unimpeachable, and has even written articles for the tabloid. The admiration is mutual, too: in August, the Wall Street Journal reported the Enquirer paid $150,000 to prevent a story about Trump’s affair with a former Playboy model from being released, and they were one of the only publications to endorse him."
"Trump’s adoration of the National Enquirer is not new. He has a longstanding friendship with CEO David Pecker, defended the publication as unimpeachable, and has even written articles for the tabloid. The admiration is mutual, too: in August, the Wall Street Journal reported the Enquirer paid $150,000 to prevent a story about Trump’s affair with a former Playboy model from being released, and they were one of the only publications to endorse him."
The 'reasonable' Republican candidate just blocked a democratic vote on $15 minimum wage
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/12/20/1613000/-The-reasonable-Republican-candidate-just-blocked-a-democratic-vote-on-15-minimum-wage
"While Republicans in North Carolina thwart the democratic process of our Constitution by stripping the elected incoming governor of his powers, the Republican governor of Ohio—John “I love war” Kasich—is abusing his powers. Ohio Gov. John Kasich on Monday signed legislation blocking next year's special election vote on whether to raise Cleveland's minimum wage to $15 per hour, according to his office. Senate Bill 331 prohibits communities in the state from raising the minimum wage beyond the state's minimum wage rate, currently set at $8.10 per hour. State lawmakers passed the bill earlier this month at the request of Cleveland city officials and others, who sought to forestall a special election on the wage hike next May. Sounds to me a lot like big government making decisions for local municipalities? Bill 331 had started off as legislation that would allow pet stores to get around local ordinances and buy from inhumane “puppy mills.” Guess what? This bill is still going to be effective in that regard. The good news for Ohioans is that Senate Bill 331 makes bestiality illegal—so they can check that off their list of national problems they’ve handled—but it also limits communities from stopping telecoms from installing microantennas on street lights. What does the Ohio state Constitution have to say about all of these added-on pieces of legislation around a pet store bill? A bill that started out dealing with pet stores now intrudes on municipal decisions about utilities' rights of way and attempts to nullify the potential result of a Cleveland initiative - though the state constitution requires that "no bill shall contain more than one subject." There’s a war being waged in our country and it’s not on Christmas."
"While Republicans in North Carolina thwart the democratic process of our Constitution by stripping the elected incoming governor of his powers, the Republican governor of Ohio—John “I love war” Kasich—is abusing his powers. Ohio Gov. John Kasich on Monday signed legislation blocking next year's special election vote on whether to raise Cleveland's minimum wage to $15 per hour, according to his office. Senate Bill 331 prohibits communities in the state from raising the minimum wage beyond the state's minimum wage rate, currently set at $8.10 per hour. State lawmakers passed the bill earlier this month at the request of Cleveland city officials and others, who sought to forestall a special election on the wage hike next May. Sounds to me a lot like big government making decisions for local municipalities? Bill 331 had started off as legislation that would allow pet stores to get around local ordinances and buy from inhumane “puppy mills.” Guess what? This bill is still going to be effective in that regard. The good news for Ohioans is that Senate Bill 331 makes bestiality illegal—so they can check that off their list of national problems they’ve handled—but it also limits communities from stopping telecoms from installing microantennas on street lights. What does the Ohio state Constitution have to say about all of these added-on pieces of legislation around a pet store bill? A bill that started out dealing with pet stores now intrudes on municipal decisions about utilities' rights of way and attempts to nullify the potential result of a Cleveland initiative - though the state constitution requires that "no bill shall contain more than one subject." There’s a war being waged in our country and it’s not on Christmas."
Lie down with dogs, wake up with fleas: Guess who Trump's national security advisor met up with?
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/12/20/1612991/-Lie-down-with-dogs-wake-up-with-fleas-Guess-who-Trump-s-national-security-advisor-met-up-with
"From the Department of Sure, Why Not? The leader of the Austrian far-right Freedom Party has signed what he called a cooperation agreement with Russia’s ruling party and recently met with Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn, the designated national security adviser to President-elect Donald J. Trump of the United States. And what is this Freedom Party all about? First of all, it was “founded in the 1950s by ex-Nazis.” (Normally, one could stop right there, but ...). And what would have been the governing philosophy of this party had they managed to win its recent election? The Freedom Party presidential candidate, Norbert Hofer, had indicated he might use a little-noticed power of the president to dismiss the federal government, or at least some ministers, a move most observers forecast would precipitate new national elections. Rather like North Carolina on steroids, eh? Anything else? Aside from sowing domestic ferment in Austria, a Freedom Party-led government would press to lift the sanctions imposed on Moscow for its 2014 seizure of Crimea and meddling in war-torn eastern Ukraine. Something Trump’s nominee for secretary of state—and Vladimir Putin—support completely."
"From the Department of Sure, Why Not? The leader of the Austrian far-right Freedom Party has signed what he called a cooperation agreement with Russia’s ruling party and recently met with Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn, the designated national security adviser to President-elect Donald J. Trump of the United States. And what is this Freedom Party all about? First of all, it was “founded in the 1950s by ex-Nazis.” (Normally, one could stop right there, but ...). And what would have been the governing philosophy of this party had they managed to win its recent election? The Freedom Party presidential candidate, Norbert Hofer, had indicated he might use a little-noticed power of the president to dismiss the federal government, or at least some ministers, a move most observers forecast would precipitate new national elections. Rather like North Carolina on steroids, eh? Anything else? Aside from sowing domestic ferment in Austria, a Freedom Party-led government would press to lift the sanctions imposed on Moscow for its 2014 seizure of Crimea and meddling in war-torn eastern Ukraine. Something Trump’s nominee for secretary of state—and Vladimir Putin—support completely."
It's Always About The Oil: Rex Tillerson Edition | Crooks and Liars
It's Always About The Oil: Rex Tillerson Edition | Crooks and Liars
"It would be a mistake to ignore what Trump is trying to do here. When we speak of a coup, we're really talking about how oil billionaires banded together to put a man in office who would let them have their way with energy and foreign policy."
"It would be a mistake to ignore what Trump is trying to do here. When we speak of a coup, we're really talking about how oil billionaires banded together to put a man in office who would let them have their way with energy and foreign policy."
William Rivers Pitt | This Is Real, This Is Happening
http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/38795-this-is-real-this-is-happening
"The sun will rise on January 20 to shine down upon Donald Trump taking the presidential oath of office. The bitter winter wind will raise up his hair flap like a shark fin unless his handlers dog it down like some errant sail, he will complete the oath, and every living organism on Earth will be joined together as we enter the uncharted waters of the terrifying history to come."
"The sun will rise on January 20 to shine down upon Donald Trump taking the presidential oath of office. The bitter winter wind will raise up his hair flap like a shark fin unless his handlers dog it down like some errant sail, he will complete the oath, and every living organism on Earth will be joined together as we enter the uncharted waters of the terrifying history to come."
Can American Fascism Be Stopped? @alternet
Can American Fascism Be Stopped? @alternet:
"Trump’s populism was a total fraud. Every single Trump appointment has come from the pool of far-right conservatives, crackpots, and billionaire kleptocrats. More alarming still is the man himself—his vanity, impulsivity, and willful ignorance, combined with an intuitive genius as a demagogue. A petulant fifth-grader with nuclear weapons will now control the awesome power of the U.S. government."
"Trump’s populism was a total fraud. Every single Trump appointment has come from the pool of far-right conservatives, crackpots, and billionaire kleptocrats. More alarming still is the man himself—his vanity, impulsivity, and willful ignorance, combined with an intuitive genius as a demagogue. A petulant fifth-grader with nuclear weapons will now control the awesome power of the U.S. government."
Texas Begins $350 Million Cut In Medicaid Services That Will Devastate Disabled Children | Crooks and Liars
Texas Begins $350 Million Cut In Medicaid Services That Will Devastate Disabled Children | Crooks and Liars
"The state of Texas this week reportedly began implementing $350 million in Medicaid cuts, which federal agencies have warned will be "devastating" to services provided to disabled children."
"The state of Texas this week reportedly began implementing $350 million in Medicaid cuts, which federal agencies have warned will be "devastating" to services provided to disabled children."
It's Time We Start Calling the Republican Party What It Is: A Domestic Terrorist Organization
It's Time We Start Calling the Republican Party What It Is: A Domestic Terrorist Organization
"Since 2012 we’ve seen Republicans shut down our government when they knew it was never going to accomplish anything; several have praised a Russian dictator who hates this country (because this pro-Putin stance by conservatives has been going on since well before this election); they pushed our country to the brink of default for the first time in history by lying about what the debt ceiling is; and did everything they could to prevent this president from having the power to keep improving on an economy a Republican president spent eight years destroying. And that doesn’t even get into what happened in 2015 when the GOP blatantly attempted to sabotage President Obama’s negotiations with Iran. They took the unprecedented move to sidestep him by inviting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak to Congress and sent a letter directly to the Iranian government basically saying the deal they were working on with the president was pointless because they were going to undo it as soon as they could. But nothing they’ve done over the last few years comes close to what we’re witnessing right now. The vast majority of the GOP is sheepishly lining up to defend and support Donald Trump, a man who the heads of our major intelligence agencies (NSA/CIA/FBI) have said was the beneficiary of a cyber attack against the United States. An attack they say was ordered by a tyrant and murderer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a blatant attempt to undermine our democracy hoping to help the person he wanted to be our next president. This is a party that wasted millions of dollars on bogus investigations into Benghazi, and swore to spend years investigating Hillary Clinton’s emails had she won, that doesn’t seem all that concerned with the fact that our intelligence officials are literally saying that a foreign leader (who hates this country, by the way) did just about everything he could to help the most pro-Russian presidential candidate in our nation’s history get elected."
"Since 2012 we’ve seen Republicans shut down our government when they knew it was never going to accomplish anything; several have praised a Russian dictator who hates this country (because this pro-Putin stance by conservatives has been going on since well before this election); they pushed our country to the brink of default for the first time in history by lying about what the debt ceiling is; and did everything they could to prevent this president from having the power to keep improving on an economy a Republican president spent eight years destroying. And that doesn’t even get into what happened in 2015 when the GOP blatantly attempted to sabotage President Obama’s negotiations with Iran. They took the unprecedented move to sidestep him by inviting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak to Congress and sent a letter directly to the Iranian government basically saying the deal they were working on with the president was pointless because they were going to undo it as soon as they could. But nothing they’ve done over the last few years comes close to what we’re witnessing right now. The vast majority of the GOP is sheepishly lining up to defend and support Donald Trump, a man who the heads of our major intelligence agencies (NSA/CIA/FBI) have said was the beneficiary of a cyber attack against the United States. An attack they say was ordered by a tyrant and murderer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a blatant attempt to undermine our democracy hoping to help the person he wanted to be our next president. This is a party that wasted millions of dollars on bogus investigations into Benghazi, and swore to spend years investigating Hillary Clinton’s emails had she won, that doesn’t seem all that concerned with the fact that our intelligence officials are literally saying that a foreign leader (who hates this country, by the way) did just about everything he could to help the most pro-Russian presidential candidate in our nation’s history get elected."
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)