Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
babylonsister
babylonsister's Journal
babylonsister's Journal
March 17, 2022
Why Democrats should impeach Justice Clarence Thomas
While Ginni Thomas has worked as a GOP operative, her husband has refused to recuse himself.
March 16, 2022, 6:37 PM EDT
By Mehdi Hasan, MSNBC Opinion Columnist
snip//
To recap: These reports showed that the wife of a Supreme Court justice not only took undisclosed money from an activist who filed a brief in front of the court, but that she was also part of a campaign to try to overturn the 2020 election result and attended the rally that preceded the attack on the Capitol. And as Ginni Thomas herself helpfully explained in Monday’s interview: “Like so many married couples, we share many of the same ideals, principles, and aspirations for America.”
snip//
Why should we continue to tolerate his outrageous and unethical behavior? Bear in mind, the nine justices on the Supreme Court are the only federal judges in America not bound by a formal judicial ethics code. Instead, they are supposed to regulate themselves. (Stop laughing.)
Plenty of House Democrats will say there is no point even considering an impeachment of Thomas, correctly — if defensively — pointing out that the current Senate would never vote to convict. Can you imagine Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., or Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz. — let alone 17 Republican senators — agreeing to vote to remove a Supreme Court justice for the first time in our history?
But from a purely political point of view, Democrats should be loudly drawing attention to the fact that the wife of a sitting Supreme Court justice supported Trump’s coup attempt. That justice then refused to recuse himself from a case involving the investigation of that coup attempt. There is a clear value in holding impeachment hearings to draw attention to Thomas and his wife and their inappropriate behavior, especially as an increasingly partisan, conservative-majority court guts voting and reproductive rights. What would Republicans be doing if they had held a House majority and, say, Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s spouse had supported attempts to block a duly elected GOP president from taking office and she refused to recuse herself from related cases?
Perhaps above all else, impeachment by the House is still impeachment, no matter what the Senate decides in the trial. A Supreme Court appointment may be for life. But so, too, are impeachments, as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi aptly put it in 2020. Democrats in the House have both the constitutional authority and moral obligation to put a permanent asterisk next to Justice Clarence Thomas’ name.
Why Democrats should impeach Justice Clarence Thomas
https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/why-supreme-court-justice-clarence-thomas-could-be-impeached-n1292076Why Democrats should impeach Justice Clarence Thomas
While Ginni Thomas has worked as a GOP operative, her husband has refused to recuse himself.
March 16, 2022, 6:37 PM EDT
By Mehdi Hasan, MSNBC Opinion Columnist
snip//
To recap: These reports showed that the wife of a Supreme Court justice not only took undisclosed money from an activist who filed a brief in front of the court, but that she was also part of a campaign to try to overturn the 2020 election result and attended the rally that preceded the attack on the Capitol. And as Ginni Thomas herself helpfully explained in Monday’s interview: “Like so many married couples, we share many of the same ideals, principles, and aspirations for America.”
snip//
Why should we continue to tolerate his outrageous and unethical behavior? Bear in mind, the nine justices on the Supreme Court are the only federal judges in America not bound by a formal judicial ethics code. Instead, they are supposed to regulate themselves. (Stop laughing.)
Plenty of House Democrats will say there is no point even considering an impeachment of Thomas, correctly — if defensively — pointing out that the current Senate would never vote to convict. Can you imagine Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., or Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz. — let alone 17 Republican senators — agreeing to vote to remove a Supreme Court justice for the first time in our history?
But from a purely political point of view, Democrats should be loudly drawing attention to the fact that the wife of a sitting Supreme Court justice supported Trump’s coup attempt. That justice then refused to recuse himself from a case involving the investigation of that coup attempt. There is a clear value in holding impeachment hearings to draw attention to Thomas and his wife and their inappropriate behavior, especially as an increasingly partisan, conservative-majority court guts voting and reproductive rights. What would Republicans be doing if they had held a House majority and, say, Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s spouse had supported attempts to block a duly elected GOP president from taking office and she refused to recuse herself from related cases?
Perhaps above all else, impeachment by the House is still impeachment, no matter what the Senate decides in the trial. A Supreme Court appointment may be for life. But so, too, are impeachments, as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi aptly put it in 2020. Democrats in the House have both the constitutional authority and moral obligation to put a permanent asterisk next to Justice Clarence Thomas’ name.
March 17, 2022
Lindsey Graham Threatened To Have Trump Removed From Presidency On Jan. 6: Book
Graham told the White House counsel he'd press for the 25th Amendment if Trump didn't denounce the Capitol rioters, according to a new book.
Ron Dicker
Mar. 17, 2022, 08:51 AM EDT
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) called the White House during the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection and threatened to have then-President Donald Trump removed from office if he didn’t aggressively condemn the rioters, according to a new book.
Graham phoned White House counsel Pat Cipollone as the Capitol attack unfolded and said, “We’ll be asking for the 25th Amendment,” authors Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns wrote in “This Will Not Pass.” Axios published an excerpt.
The 25th Amendment would have allowed then-Vice President Mike Pence and a majority of the Cabinet to declare the president unfit for office and temporarily promote Pence, CNN previously reported. If Trump were to have objected, then a supermajority of the House and Senate would have been required to strip him of his duties.
snip//
The senator even suggested President-elect Joe Biden was a good fit for the tumultuous time. “I mean, how mad can you get at Joe Biden,” he reportedly said.
more...
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/lindsey-graham-donald-trump-25th-amendment_n_6233091de4b009ab92f3fb89
Lindsey Graham Threatened To Have Trump Removed From Presidency On Jan. 6: Book
Lindsey Graham Threatened To Have Trump Removed From Presidency On Jan. 6: Book
Graham told the White House counsel he'd press for the 25th Amendment if Trump didn't denounce the Capitol rioters, according to a new book.
Ron Dicker
Mar. 17, 2022, 08:51 AM EDT
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) called the White House during the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection and threatened to have then-President Donald Trump removed from office if he didn’t aggressively condemn the rioters, according to a new book.
Graham phoned White House counsel Pat Cipollone as the Capitol attack unfolded and said, “We’ll be asking for the 25th Amendment,” authors Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns wrote in “This Will Not Pass.” Axios published an excerpt.
The 25th Amendment would have allowed then-Vice President Mike Pence and a majority of the Cabinet to declare the president unfit for office and temporarily promote Pence, CNN previously reported. If Trump were to have objected, then a supermajority of the House and Senate would have been required to strip him of his duties.
snip//
The senator even suggested President-elect Joe Biden was a good fit for the tumultuous time. “I mean, how mad can you get at Joe Biden,” he reportedly said.
more...
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/lindsey-graham-donald-trump-25th-amendment_n_6233091de4b009ab92f3fb89
March 17, 2022
Eric Boehlert: Putin-style propaganda now defines Trump's GOP
Putin-style propaganda now defines Trump’s GOP
Fog of Unknowability
Eric Boehlert
Mar 16
Russian president Vladimir Putin stands as one of the most hated world figures in recent history, with a barely-there favorable rating of 4 percent among Americans. Yet his influence within MAGA America grows. The dictator’s unique brand of propaganda and disinformation — dubbed the “Fog of Unknowability” — has been embraced by the Republican Party, Trump and Fox News.
It’s a stunning collective that’s become more pronounced during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The evidence of that alliance was on display when Kremlin forces teamed up with Fox News and GOP players to push the obvious distraction about Ukraine being the home of secret, U.S.-funded bioweapons that target certain ethnicities, thereby producing some sort of justification for Russia’s land war.
It’s shocking to watch an American media outlet such as Fox routinely suggest the U.S. provoked the Ukraine invasion, side with Russia over America, and smear Ukrainians as being unworthy of U.S. support. Still, the anti-democratic, authoritarian bonds are becoming tighter as the Trump movement now turns to the Kremlin for its messaging cues. The overlap is undeniable, and the implications are grave.
Look at how the Washington Post recently described Putin-era propaganda: “Russian disinformation often begins with a speck of fact, which is then twisted into a full-blown conspiracy theory. The technique makes it easier to spread and take root among the country’s supporters.” Sound familiar? They’re describing the foundation of Fox News’ daily programming.
more...
https://pressrun.media/p/putin-style-propaganda-now-defines
March 17, 2022
Mediocre White Guy Mansplains War To Jen Psaki
How did we women EVER get along without these MEN to show us the way???
By Aliza Worthington — March 17, 2022
Video @ link~
Thank our white-haired, white-skinned, blue-eyed, muscle-laden GOD we have MEN to tell us little women with our teensy brains how to do our jobs! I mean, where EVER would we BE without you big, strong men to help us understand how things work in this big, complicated world???
For instance, take Pres. Joe Biden's Press Secretary, Jen Psaki! She sure needs help sometimes, doesn't she? How NICE of this MAN* to explain to her about scary things like "weapons" and "war!"
snip//
That was MAN'S point? So...is his point first that there is no such thing as a defensive weapon if it can be used to harm someone, even if that person is threatening your life? And if so, is the point that the Ukrainians should only have bouncy things, like trampolines and gym mats to repel and absorb the bullets and bombs Putin's army is shooting at their cities and civilians, as opposed to "offensive" weapons they can use to keep themselves from being killed and their cities from being blown up?
And after making that point that there is no such thing as a defensive weapon, is he mad that we aren't sending MORE not-defensive weapons to Ukraine?
Does MAN have the first f*cking clue what he's talking about? Maybe Jen Psaki knows after all.
Oooooh. So, if Putin were not invading, Ukraine wouldn't necessarily need all these weapons in such a dang hurry? If Trump hadn't extorted Ukraine's Pres. Zelenskyy by withholding key defensive systems (that Congress had already pledged to send) Russia might have thought twice about invading in the first place? Because defensive systems reduce the likelihood that an offense will succeed, dontchyaknow?
Sorry, Sparky. Everything — every goddamned thing we are sending Ukraine right now is defensive in nature.
As for the difference between an offensive and defensive weapon, what is it all the second amendment freaks love to declare? That shooting someone while you're (allegedly) afraid for your life is SELF-DEFENSE? That shooting a gun at someone you think might be breaking into your home is DEFENDING your CASTLE? I would like to know what kind of scorpion crawled into this moron's ear to eat his brains to the point where he is sitting in Jen Psaki's press shop, trying to insist that these weapons we're sending Zelenskyy while the entire Russian army is raining hellfire down on his land aren't defensive weapons.
*MAN = Jon Decker of Gray TV. Sorry, but I could only muscle past the gag reflex to type his name once. He deserves no more mention than that.
Mediocre White Guy Mansplains War To Jen Psaki
https://crooksandliars.com/2022/03/jen-psaki-let-me-finishMediocre White Guy Mansplains War To Jen Psaki
How did we women EVER get along without these MEN to show us the way???
By Aliza Worthington — March 17, 2022
Video @ link~
Thank our white-haired, white-skinned, blue-eyed, muscle-laden GOD we have MEN to tell us little women with our teensy brains how to do our jobs! I mean, where EVER would we BE without you big, strong men to help us understand how things work in this big, complicated world???
For instance, take Pres. Joe Biden's Press Secretary, Jen Psaki! She sure needs help sometimes, doesn't she? How NICE of this MAN* to explain to her about scary things like "weapons" and "war!"
snip//
That was MAN'S point? So...is his point first that there is no such thing as a defensive weapon if it can be used to harm someone, even if that person is threatening your life? And if so, is the point that the Ukrainians should only have bouncy things, like trampolines and gym mats to repel and absorb the bullets and bombs Putin's army is shooting at their cities and civilians, as opposed to "offensive" weapons they can use to keep themselves from being killed and their cities from being blown up?
And after making that point that there is no such thing as a defensive weapon, is he mad that we aren't sending MORE not-defensive weapons to Ukraine?
Does MAN have the first f*cking clue what he's talking about? Maybe Jen Psaki knows after all.
"Well, first of all, we are providing a range of rifles, etc," she began, when MAN had decided it was her turn to speak. "There is a difference between a plane, and planes, and massive military systems, I think anybody would recognize this, and what we're talking about, which is giving rifles and pistols to, many of them farmers and people living in countrysides, to defend themselves. I think there's a difference that most people recognize."
Oooooh. So, if Putin were not invading, Ukraine wouldn't necessarily need all these weapons in such a dang hurry? If Trump hadn't extorted Ukraine's Pres. Zelenskyy by withholding key defensive systems (that Congress had already pledged to send) Russia might have thought twice about invading in the first place? Because defensive systems reduce the likelihood that an offense will succeed, dontchyaknow?
Sorry, Sparky. Everything — every goddamned thing we are sending Ukraine right now is defensive in nature.
As for the difference between an offensive and defensive weapon, what is it all the second amendment freaks love to declare? That shooting someone while you're (allegedly) afraid for your life is SELF-DEFENSE? That shooting a gun at someone you think might be breaking into your home is DEFENDING your CASTLE? I would like to know what kind of scorpion crawled into this moron's ear to eat his brains to the point where he is sitting in Jen Psaki's press shop, trying to insist that these weapons we're sending Zelenskyy while the entire Russian army is raining hellfire down on his land aren't defensive weapons.
*MAN = Jon Decker of Gray TV. Sorry, but I could only muscle past the gag reflex to type his name once. He deserves no more mention than that.
March 16, 2022
Biden admin designates Afghanistan for TPS, shielding thousands from deportation
Gabe Ortiz
Daily Kos Staff
Wednesday March 16, 2022 · 11:39 AM EDT
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Wednesday that it is designating Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a welcome move that will shield tens of thousands of Afghans evacuated as part of Operation Allies Rescue, as well as other vulnerable Afghans already in the U.S.
“This TPS designation will help to protect Afghan nationals who have already been living in the United States from returning to unsafe conditions,” DHS Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas said. He added the designation will provide “additional protections and assurances” to Afghans who were quickly evacuated to the U.S. beginning last summer.
more...
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/3/16/2086252/-Biden-admin-designates-Afghanistan-for-TPS-shielding-thousands-from-deportation
Biden admin designates Afghanistan for TPS, shielding thousands from deportation
Biden admin designates Afghanistan for TPS, shielding thousands from deportation
Gabe Ortiz
Daily Kos Staff
Wednesday March 16, 2022 · 11:39 AM EDT
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Wednesday that it is designating Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a welcome move that will shield tens of thousands of Afghans evacuated as part of Operation Allies Rescue, as well as other vulnerable Afghans already in the U.S.
“This TPS designation will help to protect Afghan nationals who have already been living in the United States from returning to unsafe conditions,” DHS Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas said. He added the designation will provide “additional protections and assurances” to Afghans who were quickly evacuated to the U.S. beginning last summer.
"We commend the Biden administration for its designation of Temporary Protected Status for Afghans in the United States,” Afghan American Foundation Board Member Joseph Azam said in a Temporary Protected Status Deferred Enforced Departure Administrative Advocacy Coalition (TPS-DED AAC) statement received by Daily Kos. Azam called the designation, which confers 18-month deportation relief and work permits to eligible applicants who have already been residing here since March 15, “critical progress toward meeting America’s promise to these Afghans.”
more...
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/3/16/2086252/-Biden-admin-designates-Afghanistan-for-TPS-shielding-thousands-from-deportation
March 16, 2022
Americans Are United on Ukraine
March 16, 2022 at 9:47 am EDT By Taegan Goddard
Americans Are United on Ukraine
https://politicalwire.com/2022/03/16/americans-are-united-on-ukraine/Americans Are United on Ukraine
March 16, 2022 at 9:47 am EDT By Taegan Goddard
From Pew Research:
85% of Americans (including 88% of Democrats and 85% of Republicans) want to keep strict economic sanctions on Russia.
77% of all adults (including 81% of Democrats and 75% of Republicans) support keeping large numbers of U.S. forces in NATO countries near Ukraine.
69% of Americans (including 80% of Democrats and 57% of Republicans) favor admitting thousands of Ukrainian refugees into the U.S.
85% of Americans (including 88% of Democrats and 85% of Republicans) want to keep strict economic sanctions on Russia.
77% of all adults (including 81% of Democrats and 75% of Republicans) support keeping large numbers of U.S. forces in NATO countries near Ukraine.
69% of Americans (including 80% of Democrats and 57% of Republicans) favor admitting thousands of Ukrainian refugees into the U.S.
March 16, 2022
14 hours ago
Top Putin Propagandist Says the Ukraine War Is Just the Beginning
A pro-Kremlin TV host warns other nations are next.
David Corn
A key champion in the Russian media of Vladimir Putin’s illegal attack on Ukraine served up a troubling threat on Monday: This war will go beyond Ukraine.
State television host Vladimir Solovyov is well-known as a fanatical pro-Putin propagandist and a top cheerleader for the war with Ukraine. He claims the Russians are acting in self-defense and liberating a Ukraine that poses an existential threat to Russia. Last month he railed against sanctions imposed on Russia, perhaps because they affected his ownership of villas in the Lake Como region of Italy. This week, he said that the sanctions should be answered with nuclear strikes, exclaiming, “I still think that those who took our money should be told, you have 24 hours to unfreeze our funds, or else we’ll send you what you know we’ve got. Your choice. Tactical or strategic, take a pick. You took our money, you’re the thieves, our talk is short with you: a bullet to the head.”
Bluster is his style. And on his broadcast, The Evening with Vladimir Solovyov, he also recently proclaimed that the attempted conquest of Ukraine is only the beginning of Putin’s grand plan. In keeping with Putin’s brazen disinformation campaign, he depicted the Russian invasion as a crusade against Nazism. He compared recent events in Germany in which Ukrainian refugees have shouted, “Glory to Ukraine, glory to the heroes, death to enemies,” to Nazi rallies where Germans once yelled, “Heil Hitler.” He also told the West to stick the next round of sanctions “up your ass.”
He then turned to geostrategy. He reminded viewers that Putin has demanded that NATO return to its 1997 configuration—that is, before the Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, the Baltic states, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Albania, Croatia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia joined the Western military alliance. He suggested that after that occurs, nuclear weapons—presumably under Russian control—would be deployed in former Soviet bloc nations. The goal is the restoration of Russia as a nuclear superpower that dominates much of Europe, far beyond its current borders. That is, this war is about far more than keeping Ukraine from aligning with the West.
Solovyov spelled it out: “And if you think we’re going to stop with Ukraine, think 300 times, I will remind you that Ukraine is merely an intermediate stage in the provision of the safety of the Russian Federation.”
more...
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2022/03/top-putin-propagandist-says-the-ukraine-war-is-just-the-beginning/
David Corn: Top Putin Propagandist Says the Ukraine War Is Just the Beginning
14 hours ago
Top Putin Propagandist Says the Ukraine War Is Just the Beginning
A pro-Kremlin TV host warns other nations are next.
David Corn
A key champion in the Russian media of Vladimir Putin’s illegal attack on Ukraine served up a troubling threat on Monday: This war will go beyond Ukraine.
State television host Vladimir Solovyov is well-known as a fanatical pro-Putin propagandist and a top cheerleader for the war with Ukraine. He claims the Russians are acting in self-defense and liberating a Ukraine that poses an existential threat to Russia. Last month he railed against sanctions imposed on Russia, perhaps because they affected his ownership of villas in the Lake Como region of Italy. This week, he said that the sanctions should be answered with nuclear strikes, exclaiming, “I still think that those who took our money should be told, you have 24 hours to unfreeze our funds, or else we’ll send you what you know we’ve got. Your choice. Tactical or strategic, take a pick. You took our money, you’re the thieves, our talk is short with you: a bullet to the head.”
Bluster is his style. And on his broadcast, The Evening with Vladimir Solovyov, he also recently proclaimed that the attempted conquest of Ukraine is only the beginning of Putin’s grand plan. In keeping with Putin’s brazen disinformation campaign, he depicted the Russian invasion as a crusade against Nazism. He compared recent events in Germany in which Ukrainian refugees have shouted, “Glory to Ukraine, glory to the heroes, death to enemies,” to Nazi rallies where Germans once yelled, “Heil Hitler.” He also told the West to stick the next round of sanctions “up your ass.”
He then turned to geostrategy. He reminded viewers that Putin has demanded that NATO return to its 1997 configuration—that is, before the Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, the Baltic states, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Albania, Croatia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia joined the Western military alliance. He suggested that after that occurs, nuclear weapons—presumably under Russian control—would be deployed in former Soviet bloc nations. The goal is the restoration of Russia as a nuclear superpower that dominates much of Europe, far beyond its current borders. That is, this war is about far more than keeping Ukraine from aligning with the West.
Solovyov spelled it out: “And if you think we’re going to stop with Ukraine, think 300 times, I will remind you that Ukraine is merely an intermediate stage in the provision of the safety of the Russian Federation.”
more...
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2022/03/top-putin-propagandist-says-the-ukraine-war-is-just-the-beginning/
March 16, 2022
People's Convoy Bid for a Permit to Camp on the National Mall Fails Miserably
People’s Convoy Bid for a Permit to Camp on the National Mall Fails Miserably
‘ANTIFA’
While the prospect of “tear[ing] the fence down at the White House and hang[ing] politicians” was “enticing,” one organizer said, he added that isn’t “why we are here.”
Zachary Petrizzo
Media Reporter
Updated Mar. 16, 2022 2:46AM ET / Published Mar. 15, 2022 10:41PM ET
The disorganized group of disgruntled truckers posted up in Hagerstown, Maryland, as part of the so-called “People’s Convoy” just ran into another roadblock as the National Park Service partially denied their application for a permit to turn the National Mall in the heart of Washington, D.C. into a trucker encampment.
In a letter obtained by The Daily Beast on Tuesday night, the agency wrote to lead organizer Brian Brase, whose application made a series of outlandish demands and claims, that they had “partially denie[d]” the request, citing a series of other requests to use the Mall.
Brase wrote that “10,000 to 100,000” supporters would show up for the National Mall encampment. However, when The Daily Beast reported from their Hagerstown encampment at a local speedway two weeks ago, at its peak, no more than 2,000 convoy-goers were present. Since then, the convoy has thinned to about 500 participants sticking it out in the small town nearly two hours north of D.C. proper.
In response to the Park Service’s question—“Do you have any reason to believe or any information indicating that any individual, group, or organization might seek to disrupt the activity for which this application is submitted?”—Brase wrote “Antifa.”
The People’s Convoy, which has infuriated D.C. residents and commuters alike by adding to the already terrible traffic of I-395, sought an absurd amount of space and time for their pop-up trucker camp, requesting all National Mall land between “3rd and 12th streets, Madison and Jefferson Drives” for a demonstration intended to last from March 14 through March 26.
more...
https://www.thedailybeast.com/peoples-convoy-bid-for-a-permit-to-camp-on-the-national-mall-fails-miserably?ref=home
March 15, 2022
Madame Speaker Pelosi.....about Wednesday.....
WineRev
Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)
Tuesday March 15, 2022 · 11:24 AM EDT
Madame Speaker? I rise to put before the House a request from a multi-metric ton of American voters.
Tomorrow, Wednesday morning, Congress will sit in Joint Session to hear an address, via streaming Internet, from Ukrainian President Zelensky. My understanding is such a Session is held in the House Chamber simply for reasons of space, but Madame Speaker, you preside over that space.
Recently President Zelensky addressed the US Senate in a like manner. He requested (for personal safety reasons) that the session NOT be recorded or distributed via phones-smarter-than-many-of-their-owners. Despite this, Senators Rubio and Daines did it anyway, deliberately, callously, and imperiling the President for cheap political points and fund-raising.
Now President Zelensky addresses the American Legislature from a beleaguered capital city under intermittent shelling and bombing, and from an out-gunned, out-manned democratic nation fighting for its political life. Under these wartime conditions, a Ukrainian request for on-line security during this address is prudent in the extreme.
Madame Speaker, I request that you offer those attending tomorrow morning Freedom of Choice.
Respectfully yours,
WineRev
Madame Speaker Pelosi.....about Wednesday.....
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/3/15/2086039/-Madame-Speaker-Pelosi-about-WednesdayMadame Speaker Pelosi.....about Wednesday.....
WineRev
Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)
Tuesday March 15, 2022 · 11:24 AM EDT
Madame Speaker? I rise to put before the House a request from a multi-metric ton of American voters.
Tomorrow, Wednesday morning, Congress will sit in Joint Session to hear an address, via streaming Internet, from Ukrainian President Zelensky. My understanding is such a Session is held in the House Chamber simply for reasons of space, but Madame Speaker, you preside over that space.
Recently President Zelensky addressed the US Senate in a like manner. He requested (for personal safety reasons) that the session NOT be recorded or distributed via phones-smarter-than-many-of-their-owners. Despite this, Senators Rubio and Daines did it anyway, deliberately, callously, and imperiling the President for cheap political points and fund-raising.
Now President Zelensky addresses the American Legislature from a beleaguered capital city under intermittent shelling and bombing, and from an out-gunned, out-manned democratic nation fighting for its political life. Under these wartime conditions, a Ukrainian request for on-line security during this address is prudent in the extreme.
Madame Speaker, I request that you offer those attending tomorrow morning Freedom of Choice.
A) Those attending are FREE to come without your cellphone or any electronic device.
B) You are FREE to check your cellphone and/or electronic devices at the door into the hands of the FBI for security for the duration of the address.
C) Legislative members and aides and staff have the FREEDOM NOT to attend.
D) Those who insist on bringing themselves onto the House floor WITH their cellphones/electronic devices will be FREE to do so if they are gagged, confined in strait-jackets, and duct-taped to their seats for the duration of the address.
E) In honor of yesterday’s Pi Day, supporters of the Ukrainian cause will be issued cream pies for the FREEDOM of flinging at those in the House (cf. Boebert, Gaetz, Greene,Gosar, et. al.) for the occasion deriding Zelensky, democracy, or the fight against autocracy. (Those most flung at to be billed for janitorial services and shampooing the House rug.)
B) You are FREE to check your cellphone and/or electronic devices at the door into the hands of the FBI for security for the duration of the address.
C) Legislative members and aides and staff have the FREEDOM NOT to attend.
D) Those who insist on bringing themselves onto the House floor WITH their cellphones/electronic devices will be FREE to do so if they are gagged, confined in strait-jackets, and duct-taped to their seats for the duration of the address.
E) In honor of yesterday’s Pi Day, supporters of the Ukrainian cause will be issued cream pies for the FREEDOM of flinging at those in the House (cf. Boebert, Gaetz, Greene,Gosar, et. al.) for the occasion deriding Zelensky, democracy, or the fight against autocracy. (Those most flung at to be billed for janitorial services and shampooing the House rug.)
Respectfully yours,
WineRev
March 15, 2022
Posted on Mon, Mar 14th, 2022 by Jason Easley
Biden’s Sanctions Work As Russia Is About To Default On Its Debt
The Biden-led sanctions have caused the Russian economy to collapse and soon default on its debt.
CNN reported:
Putin can’t pay Russia’s debts because most of the country’s dollars are frozen due to Biden’s sanctions.
Russia is brutalizing Ukraine with its military, but the Russian economy is living on borrowed time. President Biden’s sanctions are working. The Russian economy has reached its worst point in the last one hundred years because of Biden’s leadership.
Putin could end the invasion today, but the economic damage will linger on in Russia for years. Putin had one card to play, and that is his military. A crippled Russian economy will not be able to keep its war machine funded.
The Russian dictator may think he is winning the battle, but the world will win the war.
Biden's Sanctions Work As Russia Is About To Default On Its Debt
https://www.politicususa.com/2022/03/14/bidens-sanctions-work-as-russia-is-about-to-default-on-its-debt.htmlPosted on Mon, Mar 14th, 2022 by Jason Easley
Biden’s Sanctions Work As Russia Is About To Default On Its Debt
The Biden-led sanctions have caused the Russian economy to collapse and soon default on its debt.
CNN reported:
Russia has sent the clearest signal yet that it will soon default — the first time it will have failed to meet its foreign debt obligations since the Bolshevik revolution more than a century ago.
….
The default could come as early as Wednesday, when Moscow needs to hand over $117 million in interest payments on dollar-denominated government bonds, according to JPMorgan Chase. Although Russia has issued bonds that can be repaid in multiple currencies since 2018, these payments must be made in US dollars.
….
The default could come as early as Wednesday, when Moscow needs to hand over $117 million in interest payments on dollar-denominated government bonds, according to JPMorgan Chase. Although Russia has issued bonds that can be repaid in multiple currencies since 2018, these payments must be made in US dollars.
Putin can’t pay Russia’s debts because most of the country’s dollars are frozen due to Biden’s sanctions.
Russia is brutalizing Ukraine with its military, but the Russian economy is living on borrowed time. President Biden’s sanctions are working. The Russian economy has reached its worst point in the last one hundred years because of Biden’s leadership.
Putin could end the invasion today, but the economic damage will linger on in Russia for years. Putin had one card to play, and that is his military. A crippled Russian economy will not be able to keep its war machine funded.
The Russian dictator may think he is winning the battle, but the world will win the war.
Profile Information
Gender: FemaleHometown: NY
Home country: US
Current location: Florida
Member since: Mon Sep 6, 2004, 09:54 PM
Number of posts: 171,056
