July 18, 2019

Sounds like another winner!

https://twitter.com/SenWarren/status/1151866795889967104

Elizabeth Warren
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Our new #StopWallStreetLooting Act would:

✔️Put private investment funds on the hook for their companies' debt & liabilities
✔️End corporate looting through excessive fees & dividends
✔️Protects workers' jobs & severance
✔️Safeguard the markets from risky corporate debt

July 18, 2019

Warren has a plan for Wall Street -- and Wall Street isn't panicking

Elizabeth Warren has another plan — this time to take on Wall Street and reshape the role of finance in the American economy.

And Wall Street isn’t panicking as she climbs in the polls.

The Massachusetts senator, who became known as a leading scourge of big bankers and moneyed elite in the aftermath of the financial crisis, is finding a relatively calm reception among wealthy left-leaning bankers and hedge fund managers.

Most of them don’t love Warren’s economic and regulatory policies. But they generally understand them and appreciate that the Democratic presidential candidate declared herself a “capitalist to my bones” and believer in free markets, albeit with strong cops on the beat.

Politico

July 18, 2019

Symone Sanders

“Basically I think far too many people in the Democratic Party or people who identify as progressive have tied their politics to people and not to values.”

Glamour

Undeniable intelligence. Undeniable progressive credibility. Respected by Democrats of all stripes. A young and powerful coalition builder.

She did great work for Sanders at the ripe old age of 26. Now she is doing great work for Biden at 29. This is a rockstar we are watching promote our values and policies. Know those going after her for who they are. She is no longer a new kid on the block. She is fighting for the right team. Our team.

July 17, 2019

Trump blames Obama as he reluctantly bans F-35 sales to Turkey

President Donald Trump says Turkey will be banned from purchasing American F-35 fighter jets after it acquired a Russian air defense system, but made no mention of sanctions that the US is legally required to impose in response, worrying lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

Trump misrepresented the developments that led Turkey to purchase the Russian system, blaming the Obama administration for the situation and sympathizing with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the "very tough situation that they've been forced in."

"Because they have a system of missiles that's made in Russia, they're now prohibited from buying over 100 planes," Trump said of Turkey during in a Cabinet meeting. "I would say that (F-35 manufacturer) Lockheed isn't exactly happy. That's a lot of jobs. And frankly I've always had a very good relationship" with Erdogan, Trump added.

In the tussle with Turkey over the Russian air defense system, a thorny mix of diplomatic and technological challenges are intersecting with the President's affinity for strongmen leaders and his tendency to execute international diplomacy based on his personal relationships.

CNN

July 17, 2019

Elizabeth Warren grills defense secretary nominee Mark Esper over Raytheon lobbying

Secretary of the Army Mark Esper sailed through a relatively sleepy confirmation hearing for the job of defense secretary — save for one heated exchange with 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) over his ties to a major defense contractor.

The back-and-forth between Esper and Warren was practically advertised ahead of the hearing, after the Massachusetts senator laid out in a July 11 letter her concerns about an “ethics cloud” and potential conflicts of interest regarding Esper’s past position as a top lobbyist for Raytheon, a major defense contractor based in Warren’s state of Massachusetts.

Esper has a long career in public service; but as Vox’s Caroline Houck wrote, “he was perhaps best known in Washington for the seven years he spent as Raytheon’s top lobbyist.” And that’s what Warren jumped on during the confirmation hearing.

Warren challenged Esper to recuse himself from all matters involving Raytheon for the duration of his government service, something his predecessor, Shanahan, agreed to do so with respect to his former employer, Boeing. Esper is recused from making any decisions affecting Raytheon for two years (which Esper was bound to as Secretary of the Army starting 2017), but that expires in four months.

Vox

July 16, 2019

The Sanders campaign compared Bidens healthcare plan to 42 Sept 11th terrorist attacks.

Sanders is telling people that Biden and Trump are the same when it comes to healthcare. A number of his top advisors relentlessly attack the party and direct people to vote for third parties. We know that a couple of them truly helped to elect Trump. There were much bigger reasons that Trump won but they played their own role.

There is no doubt he is running a scorched earth campaign. Biden is their current target.

So how is this going to work? What is his end game? It makes little sense.

Someone posted a link to Sanders website today and it was “who said it, Biden or Trump?”I was taken back a bit by it. I can’t imagine supporting that. I started looking around and his campaign is going after Biden in some highly questionable ways. It’s clearly a strategy from the top.

I wasn’t aware they were being this aggressive. Really interesting seeing this tactic. They no longer seem to be going for a larger audience. I’m guessing that the campaign tactic is simple. Muddy the water.

Note: If there is anything incorrect with my subject line or first paragraph please let me know. I have tried to be fair and accurate with a tactic I’m seeing them use.

July 15, 2019

Trump Administration Implementing '3rd Country' Rule On Migrants Seeking Asylum

The Trump administration is moving forward with a tough new asylum rule in its campaign to slow the flow of Central American migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. Asylum-seeking immigrants who pass through a third country en route to the U.S. must first apply for refugee status in that country rather than at the U.S. border.

The restriction will likely face court challenges, opening a new front in the battle over U.S. immigration policies.

The interim final rule will take effect immediately after it is published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, according to the departments of Justice and Homeland Security.

NPR

July 12, 2019

I like this idea a lot and think it can be used in other areas as well.

Like bags and so forth.

Compostable Wild Grass Straws Are Vietnam's Newest Zero-Waste Straw Option

https://www.greenmatters.com/p/wild-grass-straws-vietnam

July 11, 2019

Please fact check this statement by SouthernProgressive.

"All current Democratic candidates oppose the death penalty except for Biden."

Before I became really involved in politics I strongly opposed the death penalty. It's barbaric, can lead to the death of innocent people, and is completely at odds with my views on where we need to go with the justice system.

Biden is number two on my list. His stance here doesn't change that. I do want to find out if I'm wrong. Does he or does he not support it? Sometimes things are fluid and people can change. I would have great respect for him if he has changed on this issue.

Our party platform position is to end the death penalty. We should be a unified voice on this one. It's one of the easier ones.

TIA

July 10, 2019

Elizabeth Warren reintroduces legislation requiring corporations to disclose climate risk exposure

Sen. Elizabeth Warren reintroduces legislation that would force companies to disclose their exposure to climate-related risks.

The measure requires fossil fuel companies to release even more detailed reports and pushes firms to switch more quickly to cleaner and more efficient energy sources.

The announcement comes amid growing investor concerns that assets are priced insecurely because of certain climate risks that are not being factored in.

CNBC