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babylonsister
babylonsister's Journal
babylonsister's Journal
July 6, 2020
Trump-connected lobbyists are reportedly popular in helping businesses win the designation of “essential” or “critical,” a title that “can allow businesses to continue operating despite the pandemic and may give them some defense against lawsuits for unreasonably endangering workers or the public,” per the AP. LaundryLux, a supplier of commercial laundry machines, looked to lobbyist Brian Ballard in March, after the Department of Homeland Security did not include laundry services as an essential business to operate during the coronavirus crisis. Eight days after his firm, Ballard Partners, was hired, the DHS issued follow-up guidance deeming laundry services essential. Ballard was part of Trump’s presidential transition and is the finance chair for the Republican National Committee; he has reportedly bundled more than $1 million for Trump’s fundraising committees.
Lobbyists thriving under the Trump administration want to keep it that way, which is why they’re invested in getting Trump reelected. The New York Times reported that at least eight lobbyists and operatives with ties to lobbying firms are assisting Trump’s campaign “in various paid and unpaid capacities, like fund-raising and strategy.” According to congressional and Justice Department filings analyzed by the Times, “those eight have been paid a total of nearly $120 million through their firms to influence the United States government from the beginning of 2017, as Mr. Trump prepared to take office, to the end of March.” Ballard, along with Texas operative Jeff Miller, are two of the top three earners of the group—neither had lobbied at the federal level until Trump’s election, and, according to Public Citizen, Ballard Partners now has the most clients of all federal lobbying firms.
more...
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/07/surprise-trumps-drain-the-swamp-promise-was-a-load-of-hot-garbage
Surprise: Trump's "Drain the Swamp" Promise Was a Load of Hot Garbage
Trump Administration
Surprise: Trump’s “Drain the Swamp” Promise Was a Load of Hot Garbage
Two new reports find that Trump-connected lobbyists are thriving under his administration.
By Charlotte Klein
July 6, 2020
Lobbyists who have thrived under Donald Trump’s administration continue to do so in the throes of a pandemic, according to a new report from watchdog group Public Citizen. At least 40 lobbyists with ties to Trump—through his campaign, his inaugural committee, his transition team, or his administration—have either lobbied or registered to lobby on COVID-related issues, helping clients secure more than $10.5 billion in federal coronavirus aid in total. “The crisis offered an especially lucrative opportunity for those lobbyists who enjoy close ties to President Donald Trump and his administration—and they seized it,” noted Mike Tanglis and Taylor Lincoln, who wrote the report.
Ironically, Trump himself issued an executive order early-on in his administration that theoretically prevents former administration officials from lobbying the agency or office where they worked for a period of five years. It’s also supposed to prohibit political appointees from lobbying the administration while Trump is in office—all part of his “drain the swamp” campaign promise. Shockingly, that’s not quite how things have played out. Per the AP, at least five former members of the Trump administration are potentially in violation of the rule, including the wife of ex-White House counsel Don McGahn:
Shannon McGahn...worked in 2017 and 2018 as a counselor to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. She then joined the National Association of Realtors as its top lobbyist and is listed on disclosures as part of a team that has lobbied both houses of Congress, plus six agencies, including the Treasury Department. The Realtors association did not respond to a request for comment.
Trump-connected lobbyists are reportedly popular in helping businesses win the designation of “essential” or “critical,” a title that “can allow businesses to continue operating despite the pandemic and may give them some defense against lawsuits for unreasonably endangering workers or the public,” per the AP. LaundryLux, a supplier of commercial laundry machines, looked to lobbyist Brian Ballard in March, after the Department of Homeland Security did not include laundry services as an essential business to operate during the coronavirus crisis. Eight days after his firm, Ballard Partners, was hired, the DHS issued follow-up guidance deeming laundry services essential. Ballard was part of Trump’s presidential transition and is the finance chair for the Republican National Committee; he has reportedly bundled more than $1 million for Trump’s fundraising committees.
Lobbyists thriving under the Trump administration want to keep it that way, which is why they’re invested in getting Trump reelected. The New York Times reported that at least eight lobbyists and operatives with ties to lobbying firms are assisting Trump’s campaign “in various paid and unpaid capacities, like fund-raising and strategy.” According to congressional and Justice Department filings analyzed by the Times, “those eight have been paid a total of nearly $120 million through their firms to influence the United States government from the beginning of 2017, as Mr. Trump prepared to take office, to the end of March.” Ballard, along with Texas operative Jeff Miller, are two of the top three earners of the group—neither had lobbied at the federal level until Trump’s election, and, according to Public Citizen, Ballard Partners now has the most clients of all federal lobbying firms.
more...
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/07/surprise-trumps-drain-the-swamp-promise-was-a-load-of-hot-garbage
July 6, 2020
Calls for GOP Governors to resign for their handling of Covid-19
Matthew Silvan 41 mins ago 3 min read
snip//
One Texas doctor reports that young patients are dying, and hospital beds are quickly running out.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1279924971146485760
Abbott’s failure to listen to health experts cost lives in Texas, and #AbbottResign trended on Twitter. However, in Ector County, Republican leaders met to censure the Governor on the 4th of July. They claim the Governor used constitutional overreach in his executive orders by enforcing mask-wearing.
So, Gov. Abbott is facing calls to resign both for enforcing mask-wearing and for failing to act.
In Arizona, Gov. Doug Ducey, also Republican, reopened businesses in early May. Now, the state of 7 million people is reporting around as many new cases each day as the whole European Union, with some 446 million people.
Meanwhile, in Florida, the total coronavirus cases are over 200K as the Sunshine State added 40K new cases in four days. Once again, a Republican Governor, Ron DeSantis, rushed to reopen the state.
Rubin calls for the resignation of these Republican governors whose “recklessness and incompetence” imperils all Americans. Of course, they are following Trump’s lead in rejecting science. (and common sense)
Today, Trump continues to blame the numbers of cases on testing, throwing in his usual racist rhetoric for his base. If anybody should resign first, it’s Trump for endangering Americans in more ways than one.
Calls for GOP Governors to resign for their handling of Covid-19
https://thegamut.blog/2020/07/06/calls-for-resignations-of-republican-governors/Calls for GOP Governors to resign for their handling of Covid-19
Matthew Silvan 41 mins ago 3 min read
snip//
One Texas doctor reports that young patients are dying, and hospital beds are quickly running out.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1279924971146485760
Abbott’s failure to listen to health experts cost lives in Texas, and #AbbottResign trended on Twitter. However, in Ector County, Republican leaders met to censure the Governor on the 4th of July. They claim the Governor used constitutional overreach in his executive orders by enforcing mask-wearing.
So, Gov. Abbott is facing calls to resign both for enforcing mask-wearing and for failing to act.
In Arizona, Gov. Doug Ducey, also Republican, reopened businesses in early May. Now, the state of 7 million people is reporting around as many new cases each day as the whole European Union, with some 446 million people.
Meanwhile, in Florida, the total coronavirus cases are over 200K as the Sunshine State added 40K new cases in four days. Once again, a Republican Governor, Ron DeSantis, rushed to reopen the state.
“Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), a Trump fanboy who dragged his feet after receiving warnings to issue a stay-at-home order and then rushed to reopen despite advice from health experts, blames the media and protesters for the frightful increase in cases. The responsibility is his. As of now, DeSantis has not canceled his invitation for Trump’s Republican convention in Jacksonville. (Cases are soaring in Duval County, as they are around the state.),” writes Rubin.
Rubin calls for the resignation of these Republican governors whose “recklessness and incompetence” imperils all Americans. Of course, they are following Trump’s lead in rejecting science. (and common sense)
Today, Trump continues to blame the numbers of cases on testing, throwing in his usual racist rhetoric for his base. If anybody should resign first, it’s Trump for endangering Americans in more ways than one.
July 6, 2020
Country Music Hall of Fame member Charlie Daniels dies at 83
Dave Paulson
Matthew Leimkuehler
Nashville Tennessean
Charlie Daniels, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame best known for "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," died Monday morning after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke. He was 83.
Daniels' death was confirmed by his publicist, Don Murry Grubbs. He is survived by his wife, Hazel, and son Charlie Daniels Jr.
By the time the Charlie Daniels Band topped the charts with “Devil” in 1979, the instrumentalist, singer and songwriter had long established a remarkable, multifaceted career in Music City. As a session musician, he played on three of Bob Dylan’s albums — including the revolutionary “Nashville Skyline” — as well as recordings for Ringo Starr and Leonard Cohen.
In 1974, he launched the first “Volunteer Jam,” a regun all-star concert that has continued for nearly 50 years. Daniels joined the Grand Ole Opry in 2008, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016.
This is a developing story.
Country Music Hall of Fame member Charlie Daniels dies at 83
https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/07/06/charlie-daniels-country-music-dies/5384087002/Country Music Hall of Fame member Charlie Daniels dies at 83
Dave Paulson
Matthew Leimkuehler
Nashville Tennessean
Charlie Daniels, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame best known for "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," died Monday morning after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke. He was 83.
Daniels' death was confirmed by his publicist, Don Murry Grubbs. He is survived by his wife, Hazel, and son Charlie Daniels Jr.
By the time the Charlie Daniels Band topped the charts with “Devil” in 1979, the instrumentalist, singer and songwriter had long established a remarkable, multifaceted career in Music City. As a session musician, he played on three of Bob Dylan’s albums — including the revolutionary “Nashville Skyline” — as well as recordings for Ringo Starr and Leonard Cohen.
In 1974, he launched the first “Volunteer Jam,” a regun all-star concert that has continued for nearly 50 years. Daniels joined the Grand Ole Opry in 2008, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016.
This is a developing story.
July 6, 2020
Speaking of Protecting Our History
Truly appalling.
https://politicalwire.com/2020/07/06/speaking-of-protecting-our-history/
Speaking of Protecting Our History
July 6, 2020 at 11:15 am EDT By Taegan Goddard
Philip Rucker: “With Trump’s newfound determination to preserve and celebrate history, I can’t help but recall his 2017 visit to the USS Arizona Memorial. The president had to ask John Kelly what happened at Pearl Harbor and its significance, as Carol Leonnig and I report in A Very Stable Genius.”
July 6, 2020
‘Is the Statue Shit Going to Work?’
July 6, 2020 at 11:30 am EDT By Taegan Goddard
'Is the Statue Shit Going to Work?'
https://politicalwire.com/2020/07/06/is-the-statue-shit-going-to-work/‘Is the Statue Shit Going to Work?’
July 6, 2020 at 11:30 am EDT By Taegan Goddard
“Two individuals close to the president told the Daily Beast last week that they believe devoting so much time and energy to defending lifeless statues—a kick that started with sticking up for ones honoring racist dead Confederates—will likely fail to help rejuvenate his sagging 2020 campaign and close the wide polling deficits that former Vice President Biden has opened up.”
“Both sources independently said they intended to gently implore Trump to take a different approach. One of the sources said they had already told Trump in recent days that making statue fetishization a cornerstone of the re-election pitch amounted to a ‘distraction’ that wouldn’t help move the necessary votes into the president’s column by the election in November.”
Said one: “The question now is: Is the statue shit going to work?”
“Both sources independently said they intended to gently implore Trump to take a different approach. One of the sources said they had already told Trump in recent days that making statue fetishization a cornerstone of the re-election pitch amounted to a ‘distraction’ that wouldn’t help move the necessary votes into the president’s column by the election in November.”
Said one: “The question now is: Is the statue shit going to work?”
July 6, 2020
Trump identifies a new enemy: Americans he doesn't like
Over the holiday weekend, Trump largely ignored the pandemic and instead sought to exploit national divisions to boost his struggling candidacy.
July 6, 2020, 8:00 AM EDT
By Steve Benen
snip//
As the New York Times put it, Trump used the 4th of July weekend "to mount a full-on culture war against a straw-man version of the left that he portrayed as inciting mayhem and moving the country toward totalitarianism."
That assessment wasn't hyperbolic in the slightest. "Our nation is witnessing a merciless campaign to wipe out our history, defame our heroes, erase our values and indoctrinate our children," the president declared. "Angry mobs are trying to tear down statues of our founders, deface our most sacred memorials and unleash a wave of violent crime in our cities."
Happy Independence Day, one and all. What used to be a non-partisan day of celebration has become the latest arrow in Trump's quiver.
The broader political context was far from subtle: against a backdrop of a public-health crisis he has no idea how to address, the president largely ignored the deadly pandemic ravaging his own country and instead sought to exploit national divisions to boost his struggling candidacy.
more...
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/trump-identifies-new-enemy-americans-he-doesn-t-n1232942
Trump identifies a new enemy: Americans he doesn't like
Trump identifies a new enemy: Americans he doesn't like
Over the holiday weekend, Trump largely ignored the pandemic and instead sought to exploit national divisions to boost his struggling candidacy.
July 6, 2020, 8:00 AM EDT
By Steve Benen
snip//
As the New York Times put it, Trump used the 4th of July weekend "to mount a full-on culture war against a straw-man version of the left that he portrayed as inciting mayhem and moving the country toward totalitarianism."
That assessment wasn't hyperbolic in the slightest. "Our nation is witnessing a merciless campaign to wipe out our history, defame our heroes, erase our values and indoctrinate our children," the president declared. "Angry mobs are trying to tear down statues of our founders, deface our most sacred memorials and unleash a wave of violent crime in our cities."
Far from trying to unify the country or honor American traditions, Trump told his followers, "In our schools, our newsrooms, even our corporate boardrooms, there is a new far-left fascism that demands absolute allegiance. If you do not speak its language, perform its rituals, recite its mantras, and follow its commandments, then you will be censored, banished, blacklisted, persecuted, and punished.... Make no mistake: this left-wing cultural revolution is designed to overthrow the American Revolution."
As part of the same tirade, Trump added, "One of their political weapons is 'Cancel Culture' -- driving people from their jobs, shaming dissenters, and demanding total submission from anyone who disagrees. This is the very definition of totalitarianism."
As part of the same tirade, Trump added, "One of their political weapons is 'Cancel Culture' -- driving people from their jobs, shaming dissenters, and demanding total submission from anyone who disagrees. This is the very definition of totalitarianism."
Happy Independence Day, one and all. What used to be a non-partisan day of celebration has become the latest arrow in Trump's quiver.
The broader political context was far from subtle: against a backdrop of a public-health crisis he has no idea how to address, the president largely ignored the deadly pandemic ravaging his own country and instead sought to exploit national divisions to boost his struggling candidacy.
more...
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/trump-identifies-new-enemy-americans-he-doesn-t-n1232942
July 5, 2020
7/05/20 11:08am
Fox & Friends Promotes Kanye West's Presidential Bid: 'The Unifying Force We’ve All Been Waiting For'
The hosts of "Fox & Friends" argued on Sunday that Kanye West could unite the country by running for president in 2020.
By David
The hosts of Fox & Friends argued on Sunday that Kanye West could unite the country by running for president in 2020.
During a segment on the Fox News morning show, host Jedidiah Bila noted that West had recently hinted on Twitter that he may be a candidate in 2020.
more...
https://crooksandliars.com/2020/07/fox-friends-promotes-kanye-wests
Fox & Friends Promotes Kanye West's Presidential Bid: 'The Unifying Force We've All Been Waiting For
7/05/20 11:08am
Fox & Friends Promotes Kanye West's Presidential Bid: 'The Unifying Force We’ve All Been Waiting For'
The hosts of "Fox & Friends" argued on Sunday that Kanye West could unite the country by running for president in 2020.
By David
The hosts of Fox & Friends argued on Sunday that Kanye West could unite the country by running for president in 2020.
During a segment on the Fox News morning show, host Jedidiah Bila noted that West had recently hinted on Twitter that he may be a candidate in 2020.
"I think that expectation of unity can exist somewhere and should exist somewhere, but you also have to expect that you're not going to agree on this stuff," Bila explained. "So it's very, very challenging to find unity."
"Now, one person who has been talked about a lot about potentially being able to bring some unity is Kanye West," she continued. "That's right. Kanye West might be running for president."
"Could Kanye be the unifying force that we have all be waiting for?" Bila wondered.
"That is the question that I woke up, of course, thinking this morning," co-host Todd Piro replied. "Who knows what this means for the upcoming election."
"Now, one person who has been talked about a lot about potentially being able to bring some unity is Kanye West," she continued. "That's right. Kanye West might be running for president."
"Could Kanye be the unifying force that we have all be waiting for?" Bila wondered.
"That is the question that I woke up, of course, thinking this morning," co-host Todd Piro replied. "Who knows what this means for the upcoming election."
more...
https://crooksandliars.com/2020/07/fox-friends-promotes-kanye-wests
July 5, 2020
'We've got to do something': Republican rebels come together to take on Trump
A slew of organized Republican groups have sprung up to do all they can to defeat Trump in November. Will their effort work?
Daniel Strauss in Washington
Published on Sun 5 Jul 2020 05.00 EDT
snip//
The latest prominent Republican anti-Trump organization made its debut in early July. It’s a Super Pac called 43 Alumni for Biden, and aims to rally alumni of George W Bush’s administration to support the Democrat.
The new Super Pac was co-founded by Kristopher Purcell, a former Bush administration official; John Farner, who worked in the commerce department during the Bush administration; and Karen Kirksey, another longtime Republican operative. Kirksey is the Super Pac’s director.
“We’re truly a grassroots organization. Our goal is to do whatever we can to elect Joe Biden as president,” said Farner.
The Super Pac is still in its early stages and isn’t setting expectations on raising something like $20m. Rather, 43 Alumni for Biden is just focused on organizing.
more...
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jul/05/republican-rebels-trump-biden-november-election
'We've got to do something': Republican rebels come together to take on Trump
'We've got to do something': Republican rebels come together to take on Trump
A slew of organized Republican groups have sprung up to do all they can to defeat Trump in November. Will their effort work?
Daniel Strauss in Washington
Published on Sun 5 Jul 2020 05.00 EDT
snip//
The latest prominent Republican anti-Trump organization made its debut in early July. It’s a Super Pac called 43 Alumni for Biden, and aims to rally alumni of George W Bush’s administration to support the Democrat.
The new Super Pac was co-founded by Kristopher Purcell, a former Bush administration official; John Farner, who worked in the commerce department during the Bush administration; and Karen Kirksey, another longtime Republican operative. Kirksey is the Super Pac’s director.
“We’re truly a grassroots organization. Our goal is to do whatever we can to elect Joe Biden as president,” said Farner.
The Super Pac is still in its early stages and isn’t setting expectations on raising something like $20m. Rather, 43 Alumni for Biden is just focused on organizing.
“After seeing three and a half years of chaos and incompetence and division, a lot of people have just been pushed to say, ‘We have got to do something else,” Purcell said. “We may not be fully on board with the Democratic agenda, but this is a one-issue election. ‘Are you for Donald Trump, or are you for America.’”
more...
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jul/05/republican-rebels-trump-biden-november-election
July 5, 2020
https://www.thedailybeast.com/deadly-brain-eating-amoeba-confirmed-in-florida?ref=home
Deadly Brain-Eating Amoeba Confirmed in Florida
WHAT’S NEXT?
Allison Quinn, News Editor
Published Jul. 04, 2020 10:09PM ET
Deadly Brain-Eating Amoeba Confirmed in Florida
https://www.thedailybeast.com/deadly-brain-eating-amoeba-confirmed-in-florida?ref=home
Deadly Brain-Eating Amoeba Confirmed in Florida
WHAT’S NEXT?
Allison Quinn, News Editor
Published Jul. 04, 2020 10:09PM ET
Health officials in Florida have sounded the alarm over the discovery of a rare, brain-eating amoeba in the county that encompasses Tampa and several other cities. The Florida Department of Health announced the news Friday that a person in Hillsborough County had suffered a confirmed infection of naegleria fowleri, a single-celled living amoeba that can lead to a dangerous infection of the brain called primary amebic meningoencephalitis. Such an infection “destroys the brain tissue and is usually fatal,” health officials warned. The amoeba is usually found in lakes, rivers, and ponds, particularly when the water is warm. There have only been 37 confirmed cases of the amoeba since 1962, and health officials say the best way to prevent an infection is by “avoiding nasal contact with the waters, since the amoeba enters through the nasal passages.” Of the 143 documented cases of brain infection caused by naegleria fowleri in the U.S., only four people have survived.
July 5, 2020
Kansas newspaper's post equates mask mandate with Holocaust
Kansas newspaper's post equates mask mandate with Holocaust
Associated Press
Updated 3 hrs ago | Posted on Jul 4, 2020
Pix @ link~ I'd post them if I knew how.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A weekly Kansas newspaper whose publisher is a county Republican Party chairman posted a cartoon on its Facebook page likening the Democratic governor's order requiring people to wear masks in public to the roundup and murder of millions of Jews during the Holocaust.
The cartoon on the Anderson County Review's Facebook page depicts Gov. Laura Kelly wearing a mask with a Jewish Star of David on it, next to a drawing of people being loaded onto train cars. Its caption is, “Lockdown Laura says: Put on your mask ... and step onto the cattle car.”
The newspaper posted the cartoon on Friday, the day that Kelly's mask order aimed at stemming the spread of the coronavirus took effect. It's drawn several hundred comments, many of them strongly critical.
Publisher Dane Hicks, who is also Anderson County's GOP chairman, told The Associated Press on Saturday that he would answer emailed questions about the cartoon once he could reach a computer. His newspaper is based in the county seat of Garnett, about 65 miles (105 kilometers) southwest of Kansas City and has a circulation of about 2,100, according to the Kansas Press Association.
more...
https://www.kctv5.com/coronavirus/kansas-newspapers-post-equates-mask-mandate-with-holocaust/article_bc38f964-be3e-11ea-bcfe-eb7512ef9090.html
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Member since: Mon Sep 6, 2004, 09:54 PM
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