babylonsister
babylonsister's JournalRight-wing pundits are convulsing over one line in Biden's speech
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2021/5/1/2028492/-Right-wing-pundits-are-convulsing-over-one-line-in-Biden-s-speech-that-defines-their-prioritiesRight-wing pundits are convulsing over one line in Biden's speech
Mark Sumner
Daily Kos Staff
Saturday May 01, 2021 · 10:48 AM EDT
In his speech to a joint session of Congress earlier this week, President Joe Biden called for a series of programs to rescue the economy, rebuild the nations infrastructure, and help workers and families reach new levels of success. But a large number of pundits apparently heard none of that, because they were so enraged by one of Bidens opening lines, they could make it no further.
The worst pandemic in a century.
The worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.
The worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War.
Some Republicans have determinedly nitpicked the seriousness of the pandemics threat to the economy, but its really that last line that popped a lot of pressure valves. Because accepting the idea that weve just been through the worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War means accepting that the assault on the Capitol was not a peaceful protest, that it was not patriots knocking on the Capitol, and not just a visit from people who cared more about the election. It was an attempted coupan effort to overthrow a democratic election that featured would-be-assassins out to capture and kill high officials, including Mike Pence and Nancy Pelosi.
The insurgency was an insurgency. But Republicans cant accept that, because to do so would mean admitting theyre on the wrong side of democracy, justice, and history.
snip//
Accepting the real impact of Jan. 6 would mean acknowledging the singular nature of the event. This wasnt an assault by an outside power, off-keel gunman, or even a collection of underground extremists. This was an assault on democracy that was nourished and fed, right out in the open, by the highest levels of the Republican Party. It was the biggest threat to our democracy because, unlike any other moment, it very well could have succeeded. Forgetting for a moment how incomparable the events actually are, neither 9/11 or Pearl Harbor was an essential threat to American democracy. The Jan. 6 insurrection was.
The second reason that the right (and pseudo-left Greenwald) are so focused on this line is that they hope to prevent people from looking too much at the rest of Bidens speech. And it was a helluva speech. Its filled with not just promises, but promise. It defines a decades worth of projects that could undo four decades of sloth. Its ambitious. Its progressive. Its good. Go read it again.
That leads directly to the final reason that the right keeps pointing at this line: They have no plan. Thats not quite true, of course. They do have a plan to limit the ability of Americans to cast votes. They do have a plan to keep up the attacks on trans youth. They do have a plan to vote against everything Biden proposes, while complaining that makes him not bipartisan. They do have a plan to keep using the word socialism as if its a magical charm.
They just dont have any plan to do a single thing positive for the American people. The party of outrage has nothing but outrage left. And even that is looking very small.
Michael Cohen: Rudy Giuliani Will "Absolutely" Rat Out Ivanka, Don Jr., and Trump to Save Himself
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/04/michael-cohen-rudy-giuliani-trump-snitchingLevin Report
Michael Cohen: Rudy Giuliani Will Absolutely Rat Out Ivanka, Don Jr., and Trump to Save Himself
According to his ex-lawyer, Donald Trump should be very, very afraid.
By Bess Levin
April 30, 2021
Ask Rudy Giuliani, or his son, Andrew, if the former mayor of New York City is in legal trouble at the moment, and youll undoubtedly get an eye-bulging, hands-flailing response that Donald Trumps personal attorney has done nothing wrong in his life and that the only person who should be worried about his legal exposure is Hunter Biden. Obviously, that is not true at all given that (1) Giulianis multiyear quest to dig up dirt on the presidents son uncovered nothing, and (2) experts say Rudy is very much in trouble. Calling Wednesdays raid on Giulianis apartment and office an extremely significant escalation of the federal investigation into his Ukraine dealings, former U.S. attorney Preet Bharara said this week that there is a strong chance the former New York City mayor will be charged. At that point, prison could be in his future.
All of which makes Michael Cohen, who was once in a very similar situation, think Giuliani is absolutely going to turn on Trump to save himself. Appearing on CNN on Thursday, the ex-presidents former fixer, who was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to tax evasion and campaign-finance violations, predicted that Rudy is sweating profusely at the moment, and despite whatever he and his son claim, knows that hes in trouble. Why? For starters, he ran the Southern District of New York, which is currently investigating him, from 1983 to 1989 and knows what kind of power it holds. Theres no doubt that hes nervous . And its rightfully so that hes nervous, because he knows the power of the SDNY is unlimited, and they use that power, Cohen told Alisyn Camerota. Noting that Giuliani likely has no interest in going to prison and spending the golden years of his life behind bars, Cohen said, Do I think Rudy will give up Donald in a heartbeat? Absolutely. He certainly doesnt want to follow my path down into a 36-month sentence.
Which, of course, would be an unfortunate turn of events for the ex-president who is already facing all kinds of legal trouble, not to mention potentially bad news for his children. Whats ironic here, Cohen told Camerota, is the fact that these tactics of the Southern District of New York, in terms of bullying you into a plea deal, were created by Rudy Giuliani going back 30 years ago. And its just ironic that the tactics that he created for that office are now going to be employed against him, in terms of making him plead guilty and, certainly, at the least, turning over information about Jared, Ivanka, about Don Jr., about Donald himself, about all of these individuals in that garbage can orbit of Donald Trump. He added that one cannot even imagine the trove of shadiness the Feds may uncover as a result of seizing Giulianis electronic devices:
snip//
Asked if he thinks Donald Trump is scared about what may come out of the Rudy situation, Cohen said there was no question the ex-president is currently soiling himself. He was afraid even when they raided my home and my law office, Cohen said. Because Donald Trump cares about only one person, and I say it all the time. He cares about only himself. So, he doesnt care that they raided Rudys home. He doesnt care that they raided Rudys law office. What is it going to do to affect me, is all that hes thinking right now. What did stupid Rudy do? What did stupid Rudy write? What sort of text messages or emails? What sort of stupid things was Rudy up to thats now going to implicate me? Because Donald knows he has enough trouble right now between Tish James and the attorney generals office, as well as Cy Vance and the district attorneys office here in New York . He knows that he has all sorts of legal issues. He didnt need more. Thats one thing I can assure you. He definitely didnt need more. And Rudy is going to be, you know, a treasure trove. In all fairness, Merrick Garland is like Santa Claus, and Rudys devices are going to be like the presents that are waiting for you on Christmas day . And what do I think? I think Rudy knows that he has trouble. I think Donald understands that Rudy will provide whatever information that he has to the SDNY.
Asked if he thought his dad would, indeed, throw Trump under the bus to save himself, Andrew Giuliani gave a not entirely convincing answer before changing the subject toyou guessed itHunter Biden.
Merrick Garland rapidly erasing Trump effect at Justice Department
8 hours ago - Politics & Policy
Merrick Garland rapidly erasing Trump effect at Justice Department
Zachary Basu
Attorney General Merrick Garland is quickly negating the Trump administrations law enforcement legacy, dismaying conservatives with a burst of aggressive reversals and new policies.
Why it matters: As a former prosecutor and respected federal judge, Garland's devotion to the rule of law has always been core to his identity. That reputation has taken on new importance in his first 50 days on the job, after four years of allegations that Trump's DOJ was improperly politicized.
DOJ's broad authority also overlaps with many of the issues at the top of President Biden's agenda, including restoring faith in government, promoting racial justice and police reform, and curbing gun violence.
snip//
Other major steps taken in Garland's first 50 days include:
A 30-day "expedited review" into how DOJ can better prosecute and track hate crimes amid a surge in violence against Asian Americans.
The revocation of a Trump-era policy that restricted federal funding for "sanctuary cities."
Responsibility for five of the six executive actions on gun control ordered by Biden.
more...
https://www.axios.com/merrick-garland-justice-department-giuliani-15af1522-83fd-43e3-9d9d-1331873c9058.html
Rep. Lieu Calls for Rep. Gaetz's Removal From Judiciary Committee After Daily Beast Expos
https://www.thedailybeast.com/rep-ted-lieu-calls-for-rep-matt-gaetzs-removal-from-judiciary-committee-after-daily-beast-expose?ref=homeRep. Lieu Calls for Rep. Gaetzs Removal From Judiciary Committee After Daily Beast Exposé
UNTENABLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Blake Montgomery, Reporter/Editor
Published Apr. 29, 2021 11:07PM ET
After Railing Against Science, Trump Wants To Be Remembered As 'The Father Of The Vaccine'
Yeabut, how many did he kill?
After Railing Against Science, Trump Wants To Be Remembered As The Father Of The Vaccine
By Zoë Richards
April 29, 2021 9:57 a.m.
Former President Donald Trump on Thursday called himself the father of the vaccine, and declared that his administration had saved tens of millions of lives in its efforts to push for the quick development of COVID-19 shots.
Theyre very ungracious people, Trump said of the Biden administration during a Fox Business interview on Thursday morning, bemoaning what he believed was undue credit attributed to his successor for the coronavirus vaccines development. I did the vaccine.
The comments from an embittered former president striving to claim enduring relevance in the sector of public health which he spent months undermining come on the heels of President Joe Biden on Wednesday addressing a joint session of Congress, touting his administrations successful vaccine rollout.
more...
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/after-railing-against-science-trump-wants-to-be-remembered-as-the-father-of-the-vaccine
David Corn: The First 100 Days: How Joe Biden Is Giving Big Government a Big Shot in the Arm
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2021/04/the-first-100-days-how-joe-biden-is-giving-big-government-a-big-shot-in-the-arm/7 hours ago
The First 100 Days: How Joe Biden Is Giving Big Government a Big Shot in the Arm
He is demonstrating that bold federal action is not just effectiveits essential.
David Corn
snip//
Biden, as many have noted, has spent his first 100 days as president acting in a bolder and more progressive manner than might have been expected. He has proposed three huge packages of pandemic relief, economic stimulus, infrastructure development, and expanded social programs that total about $6 trillion. These proposals seek to expand government action to confront the consequences of the pandemic, income inequality, persistent poverty, crumbling infrastructure, systematic racial and gender inequities, stagnant wages, and more.
His American Rescue Plan, which was signed into law in March, increased unemployment assistance and included tax credits that are projected to raise millions of children out of poverty. His proposed American Jobs Plan, which made infrastructure week a real thing, would rebuild 20,000 miles of road, repair bridges, eliminate lead pipes from the nations water supplies, expand broadband, and finance a shift to cleaner energy sourcesand create millions of jobs. In his speech to Congress, Biden boasted this is the largest jobs plan since World War II.
The American Families Plan Biden proposed in that speech aims to establish universal pre-school education and provide all American students two years of free community college. It also expands access to child care, enhances Obamacare, and mandates paid family and medical leave. And to pay for all of his new initiatives, Biden has not been shy in proposing tax hikes that only hit the well-off and corporations. He also wants $80 billion to revive and build out the IRS so it can capture about $800 billion from tax cheats.
Whether Biden anticipated this when he began his third run for the presidency, his message is now clear: This is the moment for government to go big. And that does mean taxing the wealthy more so these priorities can be sufficiently financed. This is the approach that Republicans and right-wingers have traditionally denounced as socialism and big-government-running-amok. And in recent weeks they have started revving those engines. Hours before Bidens Wednesday night address, the Republican Party zapped out a fundraising email exclaiming that Bidens address shows he has fully embraced the radical socialist left of the Democrat Party. After the speech, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), delivering the Republican response, decried Bidens plans as big-government waste and dismissed them as Washington schemes and socialist dreams.
snip//
With these examples, Biden and the Democrats are well positioned to champion and advance the argument for big government. (They know not to call it socialism.) In the past year, government has been a huge part of the solution to the deadly crisis and the massive problems the nation has confronted. And the 46th president, by competently overseeing the vaccination program, has given the case for government a big shot in the arm.
Hundreds of 'Jeopardy!' Players Demand Apology for Contestant's Alleged 'White Power' Symbol
https://www.thedailybeast.com/jeopardy-players-demand-apology-for-contestants-alleged-white-power-symbol?ref=homeHundreds of Jeopardy! Players Demand Apology for Contestants Alleged White Power Symbol
NOT OK
Jamie Ross, News Correspondent
Published Apr. 29, 2021 5:46AM ET
GOP response to Biden address credits Trump on COVID-19 success
This is when I changed the channel, lying sos. Credit them with killing people.
8 hours ago - Politics & Policy
GOP response to Biden address credits Trump on COVID-19 success
Ursula Perano
Sen. Tim Scott's (R-S.C.) response to President Biden's joint address to Congress on Wednesday argued that former President Trump deserves credit for the current administration's victories, including on COVID-19.
Why it matters: Biden's joint address was his most significant attempt yet to sell members of Congress on his policy priorities. Scott's response offered no concessions.
"Our best future will not come from Washington schemes or socialist dreams," Scott said, adding, "It will come from you the American people."
more...
https://www.axios.com/tim-scott-biden-response-joint-address-9579fa34-9e5b-4d63-aa45-60287a92d974.html
D.C. Cop Assaulted by MAGA Mob Blasts 'Whitewashing' of Capitol Riots
https://www.thedailybeast.com/dc-cop-michael-fanone-who-was-assaulted-by-maga-mob-blasts-whitewashing-of-capitol-riots?ref=homeD.C. Cop Assaulted by MAGA Mob Blasts Whitewashing of Capitol Riots
DANGEROUS
Justin Baragona, Contributing Editor
Published Apr. 27, 2021 11:43PM ET
CNN
Fanone found himself needing to pause and collect himself throughout the lengthy interview, apologizing for getting emotional. I experienced the most brutal, savage hand-to-hand combat of my entire life, let alone my policing career, which spans almost two decades, he starkly noted.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1387235207355543557
Boy Calls Child Protective Services After Catching Parents Watching Tucker Carlson
Boy Calls Child Protective Services After Catching Parents Watching Tucker Carlson
By James Schlarmann
April 27, 2021
SMITHVILLE, GEORGIA Two parents are in custody, and authorities in their small Georgia berg arent sure exactly what the next stop in the process will be, according to several sources close to the situation. At approximately 8:30pm last night, police responded to a call placed by Child Protective Services, asking them to investigate a report sent to them by a child, whose name is being withheld as he is a minor.
Apparently, the boy was afraid that if his parents watched Carlsons Fox News program, theyd end up angry, rabid racists and might participate in a failed coup attempt, or embarrass him in public by shouting at people for wearing masks to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
more...
https://www.politicalgarbagechute.com/child-protective-services-tucker-carlson/
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