Enter Discussion Forums

244,851 user registrations and 75,971,898 posts since 2001

Follow @demunderground

Greatest Threads

Kremlin attacks Morgan Freeman and insists everyone should ignore his Russia Video 135 recs : By UCmeNdc

Ellen let Megyn KELLY pander away from her wingnuttiness, then nicely blew her out of the water 121 recs : By UTUSN

Boom! Trump can't claim he's not under investigation any more. 95 recs : By MelissaB

Fugelsang takes down swastika t shirt guy 94 recs : By jodymarie aimee

A very Presidential photo from yesterday's I will completely destroy Rocket Man speech 77 recs : By Miles Archer

The Left Column

Sgent

Watch Jimmy Kimmel say Bill Cassidy 'lied right to my face' about health care

(Nola.com) Late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel spent almost seven minutes of his opening monologue Tuesday night (Sept. 19) slamming U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, of Louisiana, for Cassidy's latest proposal to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

"This guy, Bill Cassidy, just lied right to my face," Kimmel told viewers watching "Jimmy Kimmel Live" Tuesday.

blogslut

Trump using campaign, RNC funds to pay Russia probe legal bills: Reuters, citing sources

(CNBC) President Donald Trump is using money donated to his reelection campaign and the Republican National Committee to pay for his lawyers in the probe of alleged Russian interference in the U.S. election, according to two people familiar with the matter.

The U.S. Federal Election Commission allows the use of private campaign funds to pay legal bills arising from being a candidate or elected official.

While previous presidential campaigns have used these funds to pay for routine legal matters such as ballot access disputes and compliance requirements, Trump would be the first U.S. president in the modern campaign finance era to use such funds to cover the costs of responding to a criminal probe, said election law experts.

Ptah

Congressman Raul Grijalva Arrested in Front of Trump Tower

(Phoenix New Times) A DACA protest in front of Trump Tower reportedly turned ugly when Tucson congressman Raul Grijalva was arrested for civil disobedience.

Grijalva, who has been a vocal advocate for DACA recipients and openly criticized President Donald Trump's latest plans to dismantle the Obama-era DREAM Act, was part of a large demonstration in New York City this morning.

Reports came out through Grijalva's campaign account that the Arizona congressman was taken into custody along with New York Congressman Adriano Espaillat and Illinois Congressman Luis V. Guiterrez. Espaillat and Guiterrez have also been vocal supporters of the DREAM Act.

turbinetree

GOP senator eyes ban on states single-payer systems

(The Hill) Republican Sen. John Kennedy (La.) is reportedly eyeing a ban on state single-payer health care systems in the new GOP ObamaCare repeal bill.

"I think a single-payer system is a bad idea," the senator said Monday in comments reported by The Washington Examiner.

"I think if you give a big chunk of money to California they're going to go set up a single-payer system run by the state and then come back and say, 'We don't have enough money, we need more.' I think the only way we are going to solve the healthcare problem in America is through the private sector."

DonViejo

Trump choice for Russia ambassador: 'No question' Russia meddled

(Reuters) Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be ambassador to Russia, said on Tuesday there was “no question” that Moscow meddled in the 2016 U.S. election, and pledged to bring up the issue with the Russian government.

“There is no question, underline no question, that the Russian government interfered in the U.S. election last year,” Huntsman, who has also served as U.S. ambassador to China, said at his U.S. Senate confirmation hearing.

“Moscow continues to meddle in the democratic processes of our friends and allies,” Huntsman said.

RandySF

Federal Investigators Wiretapped Manafort

(CNN via PoliticalWire) U.S. investigators wiretapped former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort under secret court orders before and after the election, sources tell CNN, an extraordinary step involving a high-ranking campaign official now at the center of the Russia meddling probe.

The government snooping continued into early this year, including a period when Manafort was known to talk to President Trump.

deminks

NYT: Mueller's prosecutors told Manafort they expect to indict him

(NYT) Paul J. Manafort was in bed early one morning in July when federal agents bearing a search warrant picked the lock on his front door and raided his Virginia home. They took binders stuffed with documents and copied his computer files, looking for evidence that Mr. Manafort, President Trump’s former campaign chairman, set up secret offshore bank accounts. They even photographed the expensive suits in his closet.

The special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, then followed the house search with a warning: His prosecutors told Mr. Manafort they planned to indict him, said two people close to the investigation.

DonViejo

In First Words To UN, Trump Praises Trump-Branded Condo Next Door

(TPM) President Donald Trump opened his first remarks at the United Nations Monday by complimenting the Trump-branded property across the street.

“I actually saw great potential right across the street, to be honest with you, and it was only for the reason that the United Nations was here that that turned out to be such a successful project,” he said, immediately after thanking those in attendance at a meeting on UN reform.

mfcorey1

Hillary Clinton Fought Back Tears Watching Kate McKinnon On SNL After Election Loss

(HuffPo) Kate McKinnon’s portrayal of Hillary Clinton on “Saturday Night Live” won her an Emmy Award Sunday night and a shoutout in the former Democratic nominee’s new book about the 2016 presidential election.

As McKinnon took to the stage to accept her award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, ABC News’ Chris Donovan tweeted a page from Clinton’s recently released memoir, What Happened, that mentioned McKinnon’s award-winning portrayal.

“She sat at a grand piano and played ‘Hallelujah,’ the hauntingly beautiful song by Leonard Cohen, who had died a few days before,” Clinton wrote of McKinnon’s cold open on “Saturday Night Live’s” first show after the Nov. 8 election.

“As she sang, it seemed like she was fighting back tears,” Clinton added. “Listening, so was I.”

muriel_volestrangler

White House officials suspect each other of wearing wires for Mueller

(NYT via TPM) Tension between the two comes as life in the White House is shadowed by the investigation. Not only do Mr. Trump, Mr. Kushner and Mr. McGahn all have lawyers, but so do other senior officials. The uncertainty has grown to the point that White House officials privately express fear that colleagues may be wearing a wire to surreptitiously record conversations for Mr. Mueller.

Cool

It's nearly soup and sammie season! What is your favorite combo? 😋 The DU Lounge : By Floyd R. Turbo

People Do WHAT to Their Whiskey to Make it Taste Better? The DU Lounge : By fleur-de-lisa

Downtown Photography : By alfredo

Firefighters rescue curious kitten trapped inside car engine Texas : By TexasTowelie

Leonard Nimoy, George Takei, DeForest Kelly and James Doohan at the unveiling of the shuttle... The DU Lounge : By demmiblue

Around DU

Good Reads

General Discussion

Topics

Places

Latest Breaking News

Ventriloquist Darci Lynne Farmer wins Americas Got Talent and $1m

59 min ago - Ventriloquist Darci Lynne Farmer has been crowned winner of America’s Got Talent. The 12-year-old blew the judges away with her incredible pipes and will get to star in her own Las Vegas show, as well as taking home $1million. Mel B – who chose Dar ... (http://metro.co.uk/)

Manafort Working on Kurdish Referendum Opposed by U.S.

1 hr ago - Paul J. Manafort, the former campaign chairman for President Trump who is at the center of investigations into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, is working for allies of the leader of Iraq’s Kurdish region to help administer and pro ... (The New York Times)

Hillary Clinton new book sales top 300K

4 hrs ago - BY JOE CONCHA - 09/20/17 11:11 AM EDT Hillary Clinton's new book has sold 300,000 copies since its publication on Sept. 12, according to publisher Simon & Schuster. The memoir, "What Happened," details who and what the Democratic nominee ... (The Hill)

Key senator will evaluate Trumpcare with administrations cooked analysis

5 hrs ago - A key Republican senator, who is likely to decide the fate of her party’s latest effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act and phase-out Medicaid, says she will rely on a Trump administration office with a history of producing cooked figures in order ... (Think Progress)

California sues to stop Trumps proposed border wall with Mexico

5 hrs ago - President Trump’s proposed wall along the Mexican border would violate environmental laws, and the authorization he says he has to build it comes from a federal waiver that expired long ago, Attorney General Xavier Becerra said Wednesday in a lawsuit ... (SF Chronicle)

Jake LaMotta, former boxer whose life was subject of Raging Bull, dies aged 95

5 hrs ago - Jake LaMotta, the Bronx boxer who captured the world middleweight championship in 1949 and whose turbulent life was later the subject of the 1980 film Raging Bull, died on Tuesday because of complications from pneumonia. He was 95. LaMotta’s longtim ... (The Guardian)

Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte orders police to kill eldest son, Paolo, if drug ....(cont)

5 hrs ago - Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte orders police to kill eldest son, Paolo, if drug smuggling 'rumours' are true September 21 2017 - 3:28AM Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte says he has ordered police to kill his eldest son if they can ... (The Age)

Manafort offered to give Russian billionaire private briefings on 2016 campaign

6 hrs ago - By Tom Hamburger, Rosalind S. Helderman, Carol D. Leonnig and Adam Entous September 20 at 5:04 PM Less than two weeks before Donald Trump accepted the Republican presidential nomination, his campaign chairman offered to provide briefings on the rac ... (Washington Post)

Michigan will allow candidates to raise money for super PACs

6 hrs ago - Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder (R) has signed new legislation that will allow candidates running for state office to raise unlimited money for outside political groups, an expansion of campaign finance law likely to be seen in other states in the future. ... (The Hill)

US Strategic Command chief: Iran adhering to nuclear deal

6 hrs ago - BY REBECCA KHEEL - 09/20/17 03:22 PM EDT Iran is adhering to the landmark nuclear deal, the top general of U.S. Strategic Command said Wednesday, hours after President Trump claimed he’s made a decision about whether to withdraw from the agreemen ... (The Hill)

More news...

North Dakota settles with Dakota Access pipeline builder

6 hrs ago - Blake Nicholson, Associated Press Updated 2:43 pm, Wednesday, September 20, 2017 BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota regulators on Wednesday approved an agreement settling allegations that the Texas-based builder of the Dakota Access pipeline viola ... (Associated Press)

Virginia attorney says county cannot remove Confederate flag

6 hrs ago - Updated 2:47 pm, Wednesday, September 20, 2017 STAFFORD, Va. (AP) — Officials in a Virginia county told residents that they cannot force a private property owner to remove a huge Confederate flag that flies on a 90-foot (27-meter) flagpole. Some t ... (Associated Press)

Grassley: Repealing O'Care Is More Important Than Whatever Replaces It

6 hrs ago - By MATT SHUHAM Published SEPTEMBER 20, 2017 2:14 PM Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) said Wednesday he could give “10 reasons why this bill shouldn’t be considered,” referring to the Senate’s final attempt to repeal Obamacare this year—but he’s still ... (Talking Points Memo)

Judge admits stealing from his court office, fire department

6 hrs ago - Updated 2:09 pm, Wednesday, September 20, 2017 READING, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania district judge has pleaded guilty to charges of stealing money from his court office and from a fire department where he served as treasurer. Berks County Magisteria ... (Associated Press)

Health Insurer Trade Group Comes Out Against Graham-Cassidy Repeal Bill

6 hrs ago - By ESME CRIBB Published SEPTEMBER 20, 2017 3:21 PM America’s Health Insurance Plans, the health insurer trade group, came out Wednesday against Republicans’ Hail Mary proposal to repeal Obamacare before the end of September. In a letter to Sena ... (Talking Points Memo)

Polygamous sect leader pleads guilty to escape, fraud

7 hrs ago - Lindsay Whitehurst, Associated Press Updated 3:11 pm, Wednesday, September 20, 2017 SALT LAKE CITY (AP) A high-ranking polygamous sect leader recaptured after a year on the run pleaded guilty Wednesday in a food-stamp fraud and escape case, ending ... (Associated Press)

Witnesses yell 'he can't hear you' as cops shoot deaf man

7 hrs ago - Ken Miller, Associated Press Updated 3:12 pm, Wednesday, September 20, 2017 OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma City police officers who opened fire on a man in front of his home as he approached them holding a metal pipe didn't hear witnesses yelling ... (Associated Press)

New GOP plan could sow health care chaos

7 hrs ago - WASHINGTON — The latest Republican bill to repeal Obamacare would set the stage for a decade of new health care fights as states struggle to cover residents with less money and an unstable source of funding. A new analysis of the Graham-Cassidy bill ... (NBC News)

Drudge Report Linked to Russian Propaganda Sites Nearly 400 Times Since 2012

7 hrs ago - The Drudge Report, the right-wing news-aggregator, has linked to Russian propaganda websites nearly 400 times since 2012, according to a new study by progressive watchdog group Media Matters. While the study found that Drudge promoted dozens of Russi ... (thedailybeast)

Abuse allegations, arrests mount at state mental hospital

7 hrs ago - HARTFORD, Conn. (AP)Thirty-one staff members at the Whiting Forensic Division hospital in Middletown have been suspended, and nine have been arrested. More arrests are expected, police say, and calls are pouring in with more allegations of misconduct ... (AP)

U.S. Attorney General Sessions says marijuana still illegal

7 hrs ago - SEPTEMBER 20, 2017 / 2:43 PM / UPDATED AN HOUR AGO Sarah N. Lynch (Reuters) - U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Wednesday criticized the legalization of marijuana in multiple states and warned that the federal law banning use and sale of th ... (Reuters)

Exclusive: Less than 25% of Republicans in Congress endorse border wall funding in USA TODAY survey

7 hrs ago - Paul Singer, USA TODAY Published 6:07 a.m. ET Sept. 20, 2017 | Updated 7:57 a.m. ET Sept. 20, 2017 President Trump has been adamant that he needs Congress to approve funding to start building his border wall, but Republicans on Capitol Hill are f ... (USA Today)

Nine elephants electrocuted while drinking water from leaked pipe in Botswana

7 hrs ago - Nine elephants were electrocuted by electric power lines while drinking water from a leaked pipe at Dukwi village near Sua Pan in Botswana. The elephants hit the overhead power lines which fell in the pool of water and electrocuted them, a wildlife ... (africanews)

Mueller Seeks White House Documents Related to Trump's Actions as President

8 hrs ago - By MICHAEL S. SCHMIDTSEPT. 20, 2017 WASHINGTON Robert S. Mueller III, the special counsel, has asked the White House for documents about some of President Trumps most scrutinized actions since taking office, including the firing of his national se ... (New York Times)

As number of injured diplomats soared, State Dept. kept Cuba attacks secret

8 hrs ago - An internal Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs document obtained by CBS News shows the State Department was fully aware of the extent of the attacks on its diplomatsin Havana, Cuba, long before it was forced to acknowledge them. State Department S ... (CBS News)

Lafayette, Jeff Davis, Cenla sheriffs' suits against pharma companies allege fraud, deception in the

8 hrs ago - Lafayette, Jeff Davis, Cenla sheriffs' suits against pharma companies allege fraud, deception in the name of profit LAFAYETTE - The makers of opioids like OxyContin, Percocet and fentanyl are the target of four Louisiana sheriffs' separate lawsui ... (ABC)

Artist unveils design for Parliament Square suffragist statue

8 hrs ago - The first female artist to create a statue for Parliament Square in central London has unveiled the final design. Gillian Wearing, who will produce a sculpture of Millicent Fawcett, the suffragist leader, revealed her design on Tuesday, shortly befo ... (The Guardian)

Life-extending lung cancer nivolumab drug approved (for NHS patients in England)

8 hrs ago - A life-extending lung cancer drug will be made immediately available to NHS patients in England, say advisers. In new draft guidance, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has approved nivolumab through the fast-track Cancer D ... (BBC)

Live Hurricane Maria batters Puerto Rico with force 'not seen in modern history' - latest news

9 hrs ago - Hurricane Maria is pummelling Puerto Rico, bringing "catastrophic" 155mph winds and dangerous storm surges, after battering the Virgin Islands. It made landfall in Puerto Rico at 11.15am BST in the southeast coastal town of Yabucoa and is ... (telegraph uk)

In sign of U.S. economy's strength, Fed to start reducing $4.5 trillion balance sheet

9 hrs ago - By Heather Long September 20 at 2:06 PM The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that the U.S. economy is strong enough for the central bank to begin reducing its $4.5 trillion balance sheet in October, gradually unwinding a massive stimulus program st ... (The Washington Post)