August 16, 2017
‘He’s delusional – he’s paranoid’: Former GOP Sen. who switched parties demands Congress invoke the 25th
‘He’s delusional – he’s paranoid’: Former GOP Sen. who switched parties demands Congress invoke the 25th:
"When former Sen. Gordon Humphrey (I-NH) left the Republican Party he said it was because he couldn’t in good conscience be part of what President Donald Trump was doing to the United States, and indeed, the world."
"When former Sen. Gordon Humphrey (I-NH) left the Republican Party he said it was because he couldn’t in good conscience be part of what President Donald Trump was doing to the United States, and indeed, the world."
New analysis shows sharp decline in environmental enforcement under Trump
https://thinkprogress.org/penalties-against-polluters-down-60-percent-under-trump-ea0bd62b4435/
"A new report from the Environmental Integrity Project charts how EPA enforcement has fallen in the Trump era."
"A new report from the Environmental Integrity Project charts how EPA enforcement has fallen in the Trump era."
Here’s what’s actually in Alex Jones’ miracle supplements
http://www.salon.com/2017/08/10/alex-jones-infowars-supplements/"Alex Jones isn’t just an “expert” conspiracy theorist, he’s an “expert” snake-oil salesman, too!"
Trump Is So Needy He Has Staff Prepare a Special Folder for Him Twice a Day @alternet
Trump Is So Needy He Has Staff Prepare a Special Folder for Him Twice a Day @alternet:
"Possibly the best part of this wonderful, hilarious, deeply terrifying story is that they have to do it twice a day. They can't just pop in each morning with a collection of news clippings that paint Donald in a positive light—they have to go in twice, because just once a day isn't enough. And augment it with tweets praising him. And printed-out pictures of himself."
"Possibly the best part of this wonderful, hilarious, deeply terrifying story is that they have to do it twice a day. They can't just pop in each morning with a collection of news clippings that paint Donald in a positive light—they have to go in twice, because just once a day isn't enough. And augment it with tweets praising him. And printed-out pictures of himself."
The Toxic Ideology at the Heart of Evangelicals' Alliance with the Republican Party @alternet
The Toxic Ideology at the Heart of Evangelicals' Alliance with the Republican Party @alternet:
"New research published in the Journal of Religion and Health suggests that Christian evangelical voters are more likely to support Donald Trump and the Republican Party because they have been conditioned by their religion to be irrational and thus inherently suspicious of empirical reality and reason."
"New research published in the Journal of Religion and Health suggests that Christian evangelical voters are more likely to support Donald Trump and the Republican Party because they have been conditioned by their religion to be irrational and thus inherently suspicious of empirical reality and reason."
European Officials Say That Unstable Trump Is Obsessed With Barack Obama
http://www.politicususa.com/2017/08/09/european-officials-unstable-trump-obsessed-barack-obama.html
"They also believe Trump’s foreign policy is chiefly driven by an obsession with unravelling Barack Obama’s policies. “It’s his only real position,” one European diplomat said. “He will ask: ‘Did Obama approve this?’ And if the answer is affirmative, he will say: ‘We don’t.’ He won’t even want to listen to the arguments or have a debate. He is obsessed with Obama.” The officials also described meetings between Trump and other world leaders as useless because Trump doesn’t know anything, and all he does is bombard the world leader with questions about their GDP."
"They also believe Trump’s foreign policy is chiefly driven by an obsession with unravelling Barack Obama’s policies. “It’s his only real position,” one European diplomat said. “He will ask: ‘Did Obama approve this?’ And if the answer is affirmative, he will say: ‘We don’t.’ He won’t even want to listen to the arguments or have a debate. He is obsessed with Obama.” The officials also described meetings between Trump and other world leaders as useless because Trump doesn’t know anything, and all he does is bombard the world leader with questions about their GDP."
August 12, 2017
‘Fight or die white man’: Confederacy advocates proclaim they intend to secede — again
‘Fight or die white man’: Confederacy advocates proclaim they intend to secede — again:
"The League of the South wants to secede again and restore the Confederate States of America, potentially triggering a second Civil War. The group has erected billboards that said “SECEDE” in several states, and it even has its own banner — a black and white version of the familiar Confederate battle flag, minus the stars,” the Associated Press reports. “Secession also finds support on some websites that support white nationalism, including Occidental Dissent, run by a Hill associate, and the openly racist, anti-Semitic Daily Stormer.” In a Facebook post titled, “fight or die white man,” League of the South President Michael Hill wrote, “what we Southern nationalist seek is nothing less than the complete reconquest and restoration of our patrimony–the whole, entire South. And that means the South will once again be in name and in actuality White Man’s Land"."
"The League of the South wants to secede again and restore the Confederate States of America, potentially triggering a second Civil War. The group has erected billboards that said “SECEDE” in several states, and it even has its own banner — a black and white version of the familiar Confederate battle flag, minus the stars,” the Associated Press reports. “Secession also finds support on some websites that support white nationalism, including Occidental Dissent, run by a Hill associate, and the openly racist, anti-Semitic Daily Stormer.” In a Facebook post titled, “fight or die white man,” League of the South President Michael Hill wrote, “what we Southern nationalist seek is nothing less than the complete reconquest and restoration of our patrimony–the whole, entire South. And that means the South will once again be in name and in actuality White Man’s Land"."
‘Any insinuations we are planning an invasion are baseless’: Pentagon shuts down Trump talk on Venezuela
‘Any insinuations we are planning an invasion are baseless’: Pentagon shuts down Trump talk on Venezuela:
"The Department of Defense issued a statement to CNN Pentagon Reporter Barbara Starr refuting President Donald Trump’s press conference Friday night."
"The Department of Defense issued a statement to CNN Pentagon Reporter Barbara Starr refuting President Donald Trump’s press conference Friday night."
GOP Rep: Trump Shouldn’t Be Held Accountable for Campaign Promises (Video)
https://forwardprogressives.com/gop-rep-trump-shouldnt-be-held-accountable-for-campaign-promises-video/
"In the end, this is what the Republican Party has been reduced to. Since they decided to sell their souls by backing the most dishonest, corrupt, and incompetent candidate to ever run for office, they’re now having to dismiss campaign promises as “metaphors” and “hyperbole” in a desperate attempt to avoid admitting that he’s a liar who never had a plan to accomplish anything he said he would."
"In the end, this is what the Republican Party has been reduced to. Since they decided to sell their souls by backing the most dishonest, corrupt, and incompetent candidate to ever run for office, they’re now having to dismiss campaign promises as “metaphors” and “hyperbole” in a desperate attempt to avoid admitting that he’s a liar who never had a plan to accomplish anything he said he would."
That Time A Heritage Shill Tried To Give Trump Credit For The Economy | Crooks and Liars
That Time A Heritage Shill Tried To Give Trump Credit For The Economy | Crooks and Liars
"Just watch the whole thing. If you enjoy watching facts beat assertions, you'll enjoy this."
"Just watch the whole thing. If you enjoy watching facts beat assertions, you'll enjoy this."
Lyin' Ryan Lies Through 'Safe' Town Hall Meeting | Crooks and Liars
Lyin' Ryan Lies Through 'Safe' Town Hall Meeting | Crooks and Liars
"instead of having to deal with the general public, he holds "safe" town halls at select sites, like certain companies or even telephonic town halls, so that they can keep the commoners from confronting him with reality."
"instead of having to deal with the general public, he holds "safe" town halls at select sites, like certain companies or even telephonic town halls, so that they can keep the commoners from confronting him with reality."
Tom Price is coming after Medicare, Obamacare under the guise of helping doctors
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/8/5/1686394/-Tom-Price-is-coming-after-Medicare-Obamacare-under-the-guise-of-helping-doctors
"Everything Price is doing to help out his old colleagues is almost certainly something that is going to undermine actual patient care or weaken Medicare. He's trying to do it retroactively, too, "reversing certain Medicare rules to ensure some physicians no longer face penalties they would otherwise have had to pay." He's doing it all unilaterally, in his own little kingdom. It's just one more way the Trump administration isn't just sabotaging Obamacare, but the whole health system."
"Everything Price is doing to help out his old colleagues is almost certainly something that is going to undermine actual patient care or weaken Medicare. He's trying to do it retroactively, too, "reversing certain Medicare rules to ensure some physicians no longer face penalties they would otherwise have had to pay." He's doing it all unilaterally, in his own little kingdom. It's just one more way the Trump administration isn't just sabotaging Obamacare, but the whole health system."
We analyzed 17 months of Fox & Friends transcripts. It’s far weirder than state-run media.
https://www.vox.com/2017/8/7/16083122/breakfast-club-fox-and-friends
"The hosts are basically telling Trump what they would do in this situation. They are covering the news by advising him. It's something the show's hosts and guests have done with far more frequency since Trump has been in office. An analysis of the show's transcripts reveal that about 8 to 9 percent of sentences before Trump's election were imperative sentences, which instruct or advise. In the first few months of his presidency, that number increased more than 50 percent."
"The hosts are basically telling Trump what they would do in this situation. They are covering the news by advising him. It's something the show's hosts and guests have done with far more frequency since Trump has been in office. An analysis of the show's transcripts reveal that about 8 to 9 percent of sentences before Trump's election were imperative sentences, which instruct or advise. In the first few months of his presidency, that number increased more than 50 percent."
Fox News’ Eric Bolling has been suspended pending investigation for sexual harassment: report
Fox News’ Eric Bolling has been suspended pending investigation for sexual harassment: report:
"The conservative anchor allegedly sent unsolicited “d**k pics” to three female colleagues — two at Fox Business and one at Fox News. The network has had a reoccurring problem with sexual harassment scandals and lawsuits."
"The conservative anchor allegedly sent unsolicited “d**k pics” to three female colleagues — two at Fox Business and one at Fox News. The network has had a reoccurring problem with sexual harassment scandals and lawsuits."
Sen. Tammy Duckworth introduces legislation to protect immigrant vets from deportation
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/8/4/1686899/-Sen-Tammy-Duckworth-introduces-legislation-to-protect-immigrant-vets-from-deportation
"Nearly 11,000 non-citizens currently serve in the U.S. military, according to the most recent data from the Immigration Policy Center. At least 119 immigrants posthumously earned their citizenship after dying in combat, including Lance Cpl. Jose Gutierrez, who was a formerly undocumented immigrant and among the first Americans to die in action in Iraq."
"Nearly 11,000 non-citizens currently serve in the U.S. military, according to the most recent data from the Immigration Policy Center. At least 119 immigrants posthumously earned their citizenship after dying in combat, including Lance Cpl. Jose Gutierrez, who was a formerly undocumented immigrant and among the first Americans to die in action in Iraq."
22 ways Sean Hannity has tried to undermine the Russia probes
https://www.mediamatters.org/blog/2017/08/04/22-ways-Sean-Hannity-has-tried-to-undermine-the-Russia-probes/217516
"Here are 22 examples of Hannity ignoring facts, promoting falsehoods and conspiracies, and attempting to cast blame on others in order to defend, deflect, and downplay accusations that Trump's campaign colluded with Russia to interfere in the U.S election."
"Here are 22 examples of Hannity ignoring facts, promoting falsehoods and conspiracies, and attempting to cast blame on others in order to defend, deflect, and downplay accusations that Trump's campaign colluded with Russia to interfere in the U.S election."
Secret Service leaves Trump Tower after feud with the president’s business over a lease: report
Secret Service leaves Trump Tower after feud with the president’s business over a lease: report:
Secret Service has left the building — literally, because Trump was trying to make money off of them
Secret Service has left the building — literally, because Trump was trying to make money off of them
House Republican says Trump was just joking when he repeatedly vowed Mexico would pay for the wall
https://thinkprogress.org/house-republican-says-trump-was-just-joking-when-he-repeatedly-vowed-mexico-would-pay-for-the-wall-8e598652760c/
"Writing off serious (and seriously offensive) comments as jokes or metaphors has been a favorite tactic used by Trump and his surrogates."
"Writing off serious (and seriously offensive) comments as jokes or metaphors has been a favorite tactic used by Trump and his surrogates."
Leaked transcripts offer a peek behind the Oval Office curtain
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/leaked-transcripts-offer-peek-behind-the-oval-office-curtain
"Of course, in this case, Trump’s deal-making abilities involved pleading with a foreign president not to acknowledge reality, facing resistance, and not knowing what to do next. Trump seemed to realize that he’d painted himself into a corner by making promises he couldn’t keep, and he apparently expected the Mexican president to rescue him. In the same conversation, Trump told Pena Nieto, in reference to the addiction crisis, “Up in New Hampshire – I won New Hampshire because New Hampshire is a drug-infested den – is coming from the southern border.” It’s worth noting that Trump lost New Hampshire. Let’s also not forget that it’s not altogether normal for an American president to blast an American state to a foreign leader."
"Of course, in this case, Trump’s deal-making abilities involved pleading with a foreign president not to acknowledge reality, facing resistance, and not knowing what to do next. Trump seemed to realize that he’d painted himself into a corner by making promises he couldn’t keep, and he apparently expected the Mexican president to rescue him. In the same conversation, Trump told Pena Nieto, in reference to the addiction crisis, “Up in New Hampshire – I won New Hampshire because New Hampshire is a drug-infested den – is coming from the southern border.” It’s worth noting that Trump lost New Hampshire. Let’s also not forget that it’s not altogether normal for an American president to blast an American state to a foreign leader."
Donald Trump is on a lying binge and his press team is lying some more to cover up for him
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/8/3/1686574/-Donald-Trump-is-on-a-lying-binge-and-his-press-team-is-lying-some-more-to-cover-up-for-him
"Donald Trump’s lying, and his White House’s insistence on pretending he’s not lying, should scare us. Trump keeps talking about phone calls in which important people tell him he’s wonderful, only to have those people deny that any such phone call ever happened. And he’s got press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on the job, denying that Trump lied."
"Donald Trump’s lying, and his White House’s insistence on pretending he’s not lying, should scare us. Trump keeps talking about phone calls in which important people tell him he’s wonderful, only to have those people deny that any such phone call ever happened. And he’s got press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on the job, denying that Trump lied."
Kushner subpoenaed for issuing green cards while the administration takes them away
https://thinkprogress.org/as-white-house-pushes-new-restrictions-kushner-under-scrutiny-for-issuing-green-cards-to-investors-27c8ad600b5e/
"Federal prosecutors in New York subpoenaed the company of President Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner late Wednesday over their use of the EB-5 federal visa program. The program issues green cards to immigrants who invest $500,000 in U.S.-based developments, 85 percent of which are Chinese. The irony of the subpoena is difficult to ignore. The Kushner family company is in trouble for essentially selling green cards at the same time the Trump administration is pushing a plan to curtail the number of green cards issued each year."
"Federal prosecutors in New York subpoenaed the company of President Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner late Wednesday over their use of the EB-5 federal visa program. The program issues green cards to immigrants who invest $500,000 in U.S.-based developments, 85 percent of which are Chinese. The irony of the subpoena is difficult to ignore. The Kushner family company is in trouble for essentially selling green cards at the same time the Trump administration is pushing a plan to curtail the number of green cards issued each year."
Pro-Trump outlet Sinclair is turning local news into Trump TV. Here's what it looks like.
https://www.mediamatters.org/blog/2017/08/03/pro-trump-outlet-sinclair-turning-local-news-trump-tv-heres-what-it-looks/217482
"The latest Sinclair profiles often focus on the “Bottom Line with Boris” segments starring former Trump aide Boris Epshteyn, who is now employed as Sinclair’s chief political analyst. Epshteyn has been producing 60- to 90-second commentary segments several times a week since Sinclair hired him in April. Last month, Sinclair announced it would be upping Epshteyn’s segments from airing three times per week to nine. Employees at Sinclair stations across the country, from Seattle, WA, to Washington, D.C., are expressing concerns about the clearly conservative must-run segments pushed by Sinclair executives."
"The latest Sinclair profiles often focus on the “Bottom Line with Boris” segments starring former Trump aide Boris Epshteyn, who is now employed as Sinclair’s chief political analyst. Epshteyn has been producing 60- to 90-second commentary segments several times a week since Sinclair hired him in April. Last month, Sinclair announced it would be upping Epshteyn’s segments from airing three times per week to nine. Employees at Sinclair stations across the country, from Seattle, WA, to Washington, D.C., are expressing concerns about the clearly conservative must-run segments pushed by Sinclair executives."
“Deadbeat-in-chief”: Samantha Bee takes on Donald Trump and the GOP’s plan to sabotage Obamacare
http://www.salon.com/2017/08/03/deadbeat-in-chief-samantha-bee-takes-on-donald-trump-and-the-gops-plan-to-sabotage-obamacare/
"For years, Obamacare opponents have taken drastic steps to sabotage the current health care system. From filing countless lawsuits to attaching riders to random, non-health care related bills, Republicans have been steadfast in their efforts to sabotage Obamacare."
"For years, Obamacare opponents have taken drastic steps to sabotage the current health care system. From filing countless lawsuits to attaching riders to random, non-health care related bills, Republicans have been steadfast in their efforts to sabotage Obamacare."
There’s One Thing That Infuriates Me More Than Anything Else About Trump and Most Republicans
https://forwardprogressives.com/theres-one-thing-that-infuriates-me-more-than-anything-else-about-trump-and-most-republicans/
"We’re witnessing firsthand possibly the most irresponsible, corrupt, and incompetent administration to ever preside over a major nation — yet Trump and the majority of Republicans are acting like this is all normal."
"We’re witnessing firsthand possibly the most irresponsible, corrupt, and incompetent administration to ever preside over a major nation — yet Trump and the majority of Republicans are acting like this is all normal."
Sarah Huckabee Sanders Says It’s Not ‘Appropriate To Lie,’ But ...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/sarah-huckabee-sanders-lies_us_59822da5e4b00f0084add859?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009
"Sanders’ job is to defend President Donald Trump’s actions, and defend she does. But despite her saying that her job is to “communicate the president’s agenda” and “answer questions as honestly” as she can, Sanders has a history of not doing that with complete truth."
"Sanders’ job is to defend President Donald Trump’s actions, and defend she does. But despite her saying that her job is to “communicate the president’s agenda” and “answer questions as honestly” as she can, Sanders has a history of not doing that with complete truth."
Stephen Miller attacks Statue of Liberty poem, echoing popular white nationalist talking point
https://thinkprogress.org/stephen-miller-attacks-statue-of-liberty-poem-echoing-popular-white-nationalist-talking-point-f90c2ae0be48/
"Stormfront, a popular website among white supremacists that boasts the tagline, “Every month is White history month,” has a numerous discussion threads on the topic"
"Stormfront, a popular website among white supremacists that boasts the tagline, “Every month is White history month,” has a numerous discussion threads on the topic"
Amid Trump's Chilling War on Media, Press Freedom Groups Expose Threats to US Journalists
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/08/02/amid-trumps-chilling-war-media-press-freedom-groups-expose-threats-us-journalists
"The Committee to Protect Journalists and the Freedom of the Press Foundation are among more than 20 groups partnering to introduce a new website which tracks threats to press freedom in the United States. The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker launched Wednesday to gather data on arrests of journalists, physical attacks on reporters, equipment searches and seizures, prosecutions of the legal spreading of information (recently denounced as "leaks" by the Trump administration), and other threats to the free press. So far in 2017, the site has tracked 19 arrests of journalists; 12 equipment searches and seizures; 11 physical attacks; and four cases of journalists who were detained, questioned, or denied entry at borders. "With the Trump administration ramping up its war on journalism, this initiative could not come at a more important time," Trevor Timm, executive director of the Freedom of the Press Foundation, said. "We hope it will be vital to highlighting the threats to press freedom in the U.S. and the important work journalists do to hold the government accountable." In an interview with ABC News, the new website's managing editor, Peter Sterne, noted that American concerns over press freedom have historically been focused on other countries. "The U.S. is often seen as a beacon of press freedom in the world," he said. "When freedom of the press in the U.S. is weakened, that has an effect around the world where other countries feel more emboldened to crack down on their own journalists"."
"The Committee to Protect Journalists and the Freedom of the Press Foundation are among more than 20 groups partnering to introduce a new website which tracks threats to press freedom in the United States. The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker launched Wednesday to gather data on arrests of journalists, physical attacks on reporters, equipment searches and seizures, prosecutions of the legal spreading of information (recently denounced as "leaks" by the Trump administration), and other threats to the free press. So far in 2017, the site has tracked 19 arrests of journalists; 12 equipment searches and seizures; 11 physical attacks; and four cases of journalists who were detained, questioned, or denied entry at borders. "With the Trump administration ramping up its war on journalism, this initiative could not come at a more important time," Trevor Timm, executive director of the Freedom of the Press Foundation, said. "We hope it will be vital to highlighting the threats to press freedom in the U.S. and the important work journalists do to hold the government accountable." In an interview with ABC News, the new website's managing editor, Peter Sterne, noted that American concerns over press freedom have historically been focused on other countries. "The U.S. is often seen as a beacon of press freedom in the world," he said. "When freedom of the press in the U.S. is weakened, that has an effect around the world where other countries feel more emboldened to crack down on their own journalists"."
11 Batty Quotes from Trump's Latest Interview That Will Make You Disgusted He's President All Over Again @alternet
11 Batty Quotes from Trump's Latest Interview That Will Make You Disgusted He's President All Over Again @alternet:
"On Tuesday, Politico published what the Wall Street Journal wouldn't: a full transcript of the newspaper's interview with Donald Trump. The Rupert Murdoch-run outlet knew what it was doing. Missing from the Journal's piece were indications of a certain familiarity between the Trump family and Editor-in-Chief Gerald Baker. In the past, Baker and the Journal have taken hits for going too soft on the Trumps. (In January, Baker announced the paper would never refer to Trump falsehoods as “lies” because it would imply “a deliberate intent to mislead.”) The transcript isn't likely to mitigate those accusations. As with every setting in which Trump is allowed to ramble freely, the exchange is filled with the absurd self-aggrandizement, specious reasoning, and lies galore we've come to expect from the president."
"On Tuesday, Politico published what the Wall Street Journal wouldn't: a full transcript of the newspaper's interview with Donald Trump. The Rupert Murdoch-run outlet knew what it was doing. Missing from the Journal's piece were indications of a certain familiarity between the Trump family and Editor-in-Chief Gerald Baker. In the past, Baker and the Journal have taken hits for going too soft on the Trumps. (In January, Baker announced the paper would never refer to Trump falsehoods as “lies” because it would imply “a deliberate intent to mislead.”) The transcript isn't likely to mitigate those accusations. As with every setting in which Trump is allowed to ramble freely, the exchange is filled with the absurd self-aggrandizement, specious reasoning, and lies galore we've come to expect from the president."
Trump didn't lie about the Boy Scouts calling him when he lied about the Boy Scouts calling him
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/8/2/1686375/-Trump-didn-t-lie-about-the-Boy-Scouts-calling-him-when-he-lied-about-the-Boy-Scouts-calling-him
"Here’s White House propaganda minister Sarah Huckabee Sanders saying a lie isn’t a lie if you lie that it’s not a lie. By the way, she’s lying."
"Here’s White House propaganda minister Sarah Huckabee Sanders saying a lie isn’t a lie if you lie that it’s not a lie. By the way, she’s lying."
These 21 facts explain exactly who Stephen Miller is — and why the Trump mouthpiece does what he does
These 21 facts explain exactly who Stephen Miller is — and why the Trump mouthpiece does what he does:
"He’s been writing racist, anti-immigrant rants for half his life and he’s only 31. He’s worked for some of the most deplorable U.S. politicians out there, only to become the voice for the worst of all. By all accounts, he is as terrible—and dangerous—as he seems, which is why he’s no laughing matter. And in that way, he is exactly like his boss."
"He’s been writing racist, anti-immigrant rants for half his life and he’s only 31. He’s worked for some of the most deplorable U.S. politicians out there, only to become the voice for the worst of all. By all accounts, he is as terrible—and dangerous—as he seems, which is why he’s no laughing matter. And in that way, he is exactly like his boss."
30-Year EPA Veteran Writes Farewell Letter, Warns of Environmental Catastrophe Under Pruitt @alternet
30-Year EPA Veteran Writes Farewell Letter, Warns of Environmental Catastrophe Under Pruitt @alternet:
"A 30-year U.S. Environmental Protection Agency senior official is leaving federal service today convinced that her agency is being steered in a disastrously wrong direction, according to her farewell message posted today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). She is an eyewitness to the wreckage wreaked by Administrator Scott Pruitt and his cadre of political appointees."
"A 30-year U.S. Environmental Protection Agency senior official is leaving federal service today convinced that her agency is being steered in a disastrously wrong direction, according to her farewell message posted today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). She is an eyewitness to the wreckage wreaked by Administrator Scott Pruitt and his cadre of political appointees."
The Cronies Behind the Energy Industry's Deliberate Misinformation Campaigns @alternet
The Cronies Behind the Energy Industry's Deliberate Misinformation Campaigns @alternet:
"Tillerson, his predecessor Lee Raymond, and their cronies knew the truth about the fate of the planet. And yet they lied, and they paid others to lie. They lied as global temperatures began rising at record rates. They lied as droughts and wildfires swept across the American West, and as California started running out of water. They lied as tornadoes and hurricanes and snowfall levels intensified in unprecedented ways. They lied as thousands died in European heat waves, and thousands more perished in Asian floods. They lied as Greenland’s ice turned liquid, and sea levels began to rise two-and-a-half times faster than anyone thought possible, and the oceans became increasingly acidic and filled with disease-causing bacteria. They lied and sacrificed future generations for their short-term profits."
"Tillerson, his predecessor Lee Raymond, and their cronies knew the truth about the fate of the planet. And yet they lied, and they paid others to lie. They lied as global temperatures began rising at record rates. They lied as droughts and wildfires swept across the American West, and as California started running out of water. They lied as tornadoes and hurricanes and snowfall levels intensified in unprecedented ways. They lied as thousands died in European heat waves, and thousands more perished in Asian floods. They lied as Greenland’s ice turned liquid, and sea levels began to rise two-and-a-half times faster than anyone thought possible, and the oceans became increasingly acidic and filled with disease-causing bacteria. They lied and sacrificed future generations for their short-term profits."
The Trump Administration Has Begun Censoring Use of the Term 'Climate Change' @alternet
The Trump Administration Has Begun Censoring Use of the Term 'Climate Change' @alternet:
"New emails indicate the USDA has been directed not to acknowledge the dangers of global warming."
"New emails indicate the USDA has been directed not to acknowledge the dangers of global warming."
We Would Need 1.7 Earths to Sustain Humanity's Current Rate of Resource Consumption @alternet
We Would Need 1.7 Earths to Sustain Humanity's Current Rate of Resource Consumption @alternet:
"We're overfishing, overharvesting forests and emitting more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than natural sinks like forests can sequester."
"We're overfishing, overharvesting forests and emitting more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than natural sinks like forests can sequester."
$100 million a month in weed sales is the new normal in Colorado
http://www.newsweek.com/colorado-marijuana-sales-legalization-2017-637126
"Marijuana sales in Colorado are soaring. The state, which legalized adult pot use in 2014, achieved a milestone in May, when pot sales topped $100 million for the 12th consecutive month, according to a Thursday report by marijuana news site The Cannabist. Colorado sold over $127.7 million worth of cannabis flower, edible products and concentrates in May, according to The Cannabist’s analysis of the state’s marijuana tax data. More than $35.7 million of sales stemmed from medical marijuana purchases, and recreational-use items generated $90.1 million in sales. Bethany Gomez, director of research for marijuana market research firm Brightfield Group, told the site that hitting the $100 million mark has become “the new norm” in Colorado, with some $1.4 billion in sales between May 2016 and May 2017. During that time, Colorado racked up over $233 million in taxes and license fees."
"Marijuana sales in Colorado are soaring. The state, which legalized adult pot use in 2014, achieved a milestone in May, when pot sales topped $100 million for the 12th consecutive month, according to a Thursday report by marijuana news site The Cannabist. Colorado sold over $127.7 million worth of cannabis flower, edible products and concentrates in May, according to The Cannabist’s analysis of the state’s marijuana tax data. More than $35.7 million of sales stemmed from medical marijuana purchases, and recreational-use items generated $90.1 million in sales. Bethany Gomez, director of research for marijuana market research firm Brightfield Group, told the site that hitting the $100 million mark has become “the new norm” in Colorado, with some $1.4 billion in sales between May 2016 and May 2017. During that time, Colorado racked up over $233 million in taxes and license fees."
The Cutting Edge of Marijuana Medical Research Will Leave You Wondering What It Can't Help Cure @alternet
The Cutting Edge of Marijuana Medical Research Will Leave You Wondering What It Can't Help Cure @alternet:
"New findings highlight CBD’s therapeutic potential for cancer, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, high blood pressure, and other disorders."
"New findings highlight CBD’s therapeutic potential for cancer, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, high blood pressure, and other disorders."
Crime Task Force Report Leaves Sessions Without Ammo in His War on Weed @alternet
Crime Task Force Report Leaves Sessions Without Ammo in His War on Weed @alternet:
"His own hand-picked task force found no change needed for marijuana enforcement."
"His own hand-picked task force found no change needed for marijuana enforcement."
Blowing Up the Big Marijuana IQ Myth—The Science Points to Zero Effect on Your Smarts @alternet
Blowing Up the Big Marijuana IQ Myth—The Science Points to Zero Effect on Your Smarts @alternet:
"Debunking one of the oldest theories about cannabis."
"Debunking one of the oldest theories about cannabis."
Did Boy Scouts Call Trump To Say 'Speech Was Greatest Ever'? No | Crooks and Liars
Did Boy Scouts Call Trump To Say 'Speech Was Greatest Ever'? No | Crooks and Liars
"The Boy Scouts responded to Trump's lie, "We are unaware of any such call." Neither of the organization's two top leaders — President Randall Stephenson and Chief Scout Executive Mike Surbaugh — had placed such a call, the Scouts said." Trump wasn't done lying about fictitious phone calls though. He says he received a call from the Mexican president, congratulating him on his border wall, which Enrique Pena Nieto has refuted."
"The Boy Scouts responded to Trump's lie, "We are unaware of any such call." Neither of the organization's two top leaders — President Randall Stephenson and Chief Scout Executive Mike Surbaugh — had placed such a call, the Scouts said." Trump wasn't done lying about fictitious phone calls though. He says he received a call from the Mexican president, congratulating him on his border wall, which Enrique Pena Nieto has refuted."
Fox & Friends Lies: Inflates Stock Market Gains Under Trump | Crooks and Liars
Fox & Friends Lies: Inflates Stock Market Gains Under Trump | Crooks and Liars
"Reality check: On January, 20th 2017, the DOW closed at 19,827.25. Which rounded up would be 20,000. That's a far cry from the 16,000 Morris claimed it was at the time of Trump's inauguration. Why the lies? It's very simple. They are all trying to cover for Trump's nightmare first six months as president by taking credit for Obama's job creation and market growth. I've talked with a high-level Wall Street analysis/money manager who told me the belief on The Street was that even Trump couldn't slow the stock market run when he took office so they were all calm and poised to continue as if they Obama was still in office. When President Obama won the presidency, during the global financial collapse, the DOW bottomed out: "The Dow climbed to 9,034.69 on January 2, 2009, before screeching down to 6,594.44 on March 5, 2009. As the market climbed its way back, the stock market TV propaganda arm (CNBC/FBN) of the GOP constantly attacked the growth as phony and predicted a catastrophe based on high inflation, the FED -- you name it. When jobs began to come back they then cited newly created stats to cancel out the gains and attacked the unemployment numbers that we've used for decades as fraudulent. During the campaign, Trump called Obama's under 5% unemployment rate a sham and even said unemployment was as high as 42 %. "Don’t believe those phony numbers when you hear 4.9 and 5 percent unemployment. The number is probably 28-29 as high as 35. In fact, I even heard recently the number may be as high as 42%. Do you think we’d have a gathering like? If we had 5% unemployment, do you think we’d have gatherings like this?,” Trump said. Now, of course, they are reveling in the numbers they attacked Obama for. Liars and hypocrites, all of them."
"Reality check: On January, 20th 2017, the DOW closed at 19,827.25. Which rounded up would be 20,000. That's a far cry from the 16,000 Morris claimed it was at the time of Trump's inauguration. Why the lies? It's very simple. They are all trying to cover for Trump's nightmare first six months as president by taking credit for Obama's job creation and market growth. I've talked with a high-level Wall Street analysis/money manager who told me the belief on The Street was that even Trump couldn't slow the stock market run when he took office so they were all calm and poised to continue as if they Obama was still in office. When President Obama won the presidency, during the global financial collapse, the DOW bottomed out: "The Dow climbed to 9,034.69 on January 2, 2009, before screeching down to 6,594.44 on March 5, 2009. As the market climbed its way back, the stock market TV propaganda arm (CNBC/FBN) of the GOP constantly attacked the growth as phony and predicted a catastrophe based on high inflation, the FED -- you name it. When jobs began to come back they then cited newly created stats to cancel out the gains and attacked the unemployment numbers that we've used for decades as fraudulent. During the campaign, Trump called Obama's under 5% unemployment rate a sham and even said unemployment was as high as 42 %. "Don’t believe those phony numbers when you hear 4.9 and 5 percent unemployment. The number is probably 28-29 as high as 35. In fact, I even heard recently the number may be as high as 42%. Do you think we’d have a gathering like? If we had 5% unemployment, do you think we’d have gatherings like this?,” Trump said. Now, of course, they are reveling in the numbers they attacked Obama for. Liars and hypocrites, all of them."
State Department won't take money to fight Russian propaganda ... because Russia might get mad
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/8/2/1686285/-State-Department-won-t-take-money-to-fight-Russian-propaganda-because-Russia-might-get-mad
"By this logic, the U.S. better not try to stop Russia from straight-up hacking our 2018 elections—it might make them mad."
"By this logic, the U.S. better not try to stop Russia from straight-up hacking our 2018 elections—it might make them mad."
Trump makes up 2 phone calls in one week
https://thinkprogress.org/trump-makes-up-2-phone-calls-in-one-week-b0f8ebef646c/
"The man who popularized the term “many people are saying” has developed a new way to concoct support for his dubious claims. But this one is even easier to debunk. In the past week, President Trump has apparently made up two phone calls during which he claims officials called the White House to offer him praise."
"The man who popularized the term “many people are saying” has developed a new way to concoct support for his dubious claims. But this one is even easier to debunk. In the past week, President Trump has apparently made up two phone calls during which he claims officials called the White House to offer him praise."
Trump is about to make America much crueler to unionized workers
https://thinkprogress.org/trump-unionized-workers-9bd4ee89346d/"Since Election Day, unions have lived on borrowed time. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which has exclusive authority over many key questions of labor law, is still controlled by Democrats — thus shielding workers and their unions from attacks that became far likelier the moment Donald Trump was declared the winner of the 2016 election."
After Russians Buy A President, Trump And Tillerson Refuse To Counter Putin Propaganda
http://www.politicususa.com/2017/08/02/russians-buy-president-trump-tillerson-refuse-counter-putin-propaganda.html
"Given the close relationship that Tillerson and Putin share, it is most likely that he is helping his friend Vlad out by not challenging Russian propaganda. The evidence of this administration’s submission to Russia is everywhere. Trump refuses to admit that the Russians interfered in the election. Trump has not done anything to punish Russia for election interference. The White House tried to kill the Russia sanctions bill that Congress overwhelmingly passed. Trump has shown no interest in standing up to Russia around the world, and now, and administration that owes its victory to Putin refuses to counter Russian propaganda. It all adds up to a president who ran on making America great, but is owned by Russia."
"Given the close relationship that Tillerson and Putin share, it is most likely that he is helping his friend Vlad out by not challenging Russian propaganda. The evidence of this administration’s submission to Russia is everywhere. Trump refuses to admit that the Russians interfered in the election. Trump has not done anything to punish Russia for election interference. The White House tried to kill the Russia sanctions bill that Congress overwhelmingly passed. Trump has shown no interest in standing up to Russia around the world, and now, and administration that owes its victory to Putin refuses to counter Russian propaganda. It all adds up to a president who ran on making America great, but is owned by Russia."
Tillerson rejects $80 million to fight Russian and ISIS propaganda — and his reasons are alarming
Tillerson rejects $80 million to fight Russian and ISIS propaganda — and his reasons are alarming:
"President Barack Obama expanded the unit’s mission at the end of his term after intelligence agencies concluded Russia had flooded social media with fake news and phony Twitter accounts to influence the 2016 elections, and lawmakers from both parties want a stronger U.S. response. President Donald Trump wants to cut State Department funding, so Tillerson is trying to spend less of it — not more. “They use the reorganization as an excuse to not act on anything,” one former State official told Politico. “That’s why people doubt the motivations of the reorganization. They think it’s all about starving the beast.” But a former senior State Department official told Politico that Tillerson aide R.C. Hammond suggested the secretary of state doesn’t want to fully fund the unit for fear of angering Putin. Tillerson, the former CEO of ExxonMobil, was awarded the Russian Order of Friendship from Putin after signing deals with the state-owned Russian oil company Rosneft."
"President Barack Obama expanded the unit’s mission at the end of his term after intelligence agencies concluded Russia had flooded social media with fake news and phony Twitter accounts to influence the 2016 elections, and lawmakers from both parties want a stronger U.S. response. President Donald Trump wants to cut State Department funding, so Tillerson is trying to spend less of it — not more. “They use the reorganization as an excuse to not act on anything,” one former State official told Politico. “That’s why people doubt the motivations of the reorganization. They think it’s all about starving the beast.” But a former senior State Department official told Politico that Tillerson aide R.C. Hammond suggested the secretary of state doesn’t want to fully fund the unit for fear of angering Putin. Tillerson, the former CEO of ExxonMobil, was awarded the Russian Order of Friendship from Putin after signing deals with the state-owned Russian oil company Rosneft."
August 8, 2017
Interactive Timeline: Everything We Know About Russia and President Trump
http://billmoyers.com/story/trump-russia-timeline/
"the timeline has grown from 24 entries to more than 400 — and the saga is far from over."
"the timeline has grown from 24 entries to more than 400 — and the saga is far from over."
Why on Earth Is Trump Attacking Nation's Nursing Home Population?
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/08/07/why-earth-trump-attacking-nations-nursing-home-population
"the effort to roll back protections from some of society's most vulnerable people is just part of "a disturbing trend of the Trump administration attempting to reverse critical protections against forced arbitration," which prevents individuals or groups of people from filing lawsuits or seeking damages for fraud, abuse, neglect, medical malpractice and other forms of wrongdoing. As Jason P. Steed, an appellate lawyer, kindly translated on Twitter: "Translation: Trump Admin making it easier for nursing homes to abuse elderly and not be held accountable for it." With Monday the last day for the public to weigh in on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposal to ditch an Obama-era rule prohibiting use of forced arbitration "ripoff clauses" in nursing home admission agreements, lawmakers and advocacy groups are trying to draw attention to the effort and also filing official objections to the rule with the agency."
"the effort to roll back protections from some of society's most vulnerable people is just part of "a disturbing trend of the Trump administration attempting to reverse critical protections against forced arbitration," which prevents individuals or groups of people from filing lawsuits or seeking damages for fraud, abuse, neglect, medical malpractice and other forms of wrongdoing. As Jason P. Steed, an appellate lawyer, kindly translated on Twitter: "Translation: Trump Admin making it easier for nursing homes to abuse elderly and not be held accountable for it." With Monday the last day for the public to weigh in on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposal to ditch an Obama-era rule prohibiting use of forced arbitration "ripoff clauses" in nursing home admission agreements, lawmakers and advocacy groups are trying to draw attention to the effort and also filing official objections to the rule with the agency."
Trump Just Helped Prove How Fake His Twitter Following Is @alternet
Trump Just Helped Prove How Fake His Twitter Following Is @alternet:
"Like pretty much everything else about his presidency, Donald Trump’s Twitter following is a lie. His social media fan base is mostly made of fake accounts; his legion of followers overwhelmingly comprised of automated bots. This weekend, Trump inadvertently reminded us how phony his social media popularity is when he shined a light on what he erroneously believed was an adoring supporter. That Trump booster turned out be a Twitter bot—just one of the millions of fake accounts that exist solely to bolster the popularity of the most unpopular president in American history. On the heels of the president basically catfishing himself, Twitter has since suspended the fake account and a slew of others just like it."
"Like pretty much everything else about his presidency, Donald Trump’s Twitter following is a lie. His social media fan base is mostly made of fake accounts; his legion of followers overwhelmingly comprised of automated bots. This weekend, Trump inadvertently reminded us how phony his social media popularity is when he shined a light on what he erroneously believed was an adoring supporter. That Trump booster turned out be a Twitter bot—just one of the millions of fake accounts that exist solely to bolster the popularity of the most unpopular president in American history. On the heels of the president basically catfishing himself, Twitter has since suspended the fake account and a slew of others just like it."
Donald Trump makes his money the old-fashioned way—he launders it
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/8/7/1684597/-Donald-Trump-makes-his-money-the-old-fashioned-way-he-launders-it
"As oligarchs secured their control over former Soviet states and learned to suppress opposition to their monopolized industries, the money they were raking in was growing by leaps and bounds. But turning that money into US assets was not keeping up. They needed a new route. Many oligarchs had already started turning to real estate as the primary means of shifting funds. Real estate laws in the United States offer unparalleled flexibility and freedom from reporting. The value of real estate is all but arbitrary, so developers could post any price they wanted on a luxury condo, mansion, or even entire building. If someone will pay $100 million for a home in Florida … then the home is worth $100 million. Even if it was listed for a third of that the day before. And shell companies hadn’t completely lost their worth. Real estate developers could collect massive over payments from offshore sources, then turn around and feed that money back into “partnerships” and other arrangements. In a very real sense, the real estate developers stepped in to take the place of banks once regulators were watching banks. They were bringing in funds for a fee. The real estate itself was almost an afterthought. The shift from shell-companies to real estate as the means of moving funds came barely in time for Donald Trump. Trump was already bleeding from a string of bad decisions that left him with with a cascade of bankruptcies and a $916 million loss on his 1995 taxes. Trump’s massive Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City opened in 1990, but proved to be a disaster from before opening day. Within a year of its founding, Trump required an extra infusion of over $3 million from his father to keep the doors open — a jolt of ready cash delivered in the form of an illegal loan for which Trump later had to pay a fine. Even that wasn’t enough to keep the Taj Mahal from having to reorganize under Chapter 11 by July 1991. With his bid to monopolize Atlantic City failing, Trump was forced to declare bankruptcy at his two other casinos in 1992."
"As oligarchs secured their control over former Soviet states and learned to suppress opposition to their monopolized industries, the money they were raking in was growing by leaps and bounds. But turning that money into US assets was not keeping up. They needed a new route. Many oligarchs had already started turning to real estate as the primary means of shifting funds. Real estate laws in the United States offer unparalleled flexibility and freedom from reporting. The value of real estate is all but arbitrary, so developers could post any price they wanted on a luxury condo, mansion, or even entire building. If someone will pay $100 million for a home in Florida … then the home is worth $100 million. Even if it was listed for a third of that the day before. And shell companies hadn’t completely lost their worth. Real estate developers could collect massive over payments from offshore sources, then turn around and feed that money back into “partnerships” and other arrangements. In a very real sense, the real estate developers stepped in to take the place of banks once regulators were watching banks. They were bringing in funds for a fee. The real estate itself was almost an afterthought. The shift from shell-companies to real estate as the means of moving funds came barely in time for Donald Trump. Trump was already bleeding from a string of bad decisions that left him with with a cascade of bankruptcies and a $916 million loss on his 1995 taxes. Trump’s massive Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City opened in 1990, but proved to be a disaster from before opening day. Within a year of its founding, Trump required an extra infusion of over $3 million from his father to keep the doors open — a jolt of ready cash delivered in the form of an illegal loan for which Trump later had to pay a fine. Even that wasn’t enough to keep the Taj Mahal from having to reorganize under Chapter 11 by July 1991. With his bid to monopolize Atlantic City failing, Trump was forced to declare bankruptcy at his two other casinos in 1992."
Wall Street Fines Down 66% Under Trump's Goldman Sachs-Filled Administration
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/08/07/wall-street-fines-down-66-under-trumps-goldman-sachs-filled-administration
"Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump has chosen ex-Goldman Sachs bankers to fill several key positions within his administration. According to a Wall Street Journal analysis published Sunday, it appears that the nation's largest financial institutions are benefiting greatly from having their friends in government. "Wall Street regulators have imposed far lower penalties in the first six months of Donald Trump's presidency than they did during the first six months of 2016, a comparable period in the Obama administration," the Journal reported. Throughout his campaign for the presidency, Trump promised to loosen regulations on big banks by dismantling Dodd-Frank, which was established following the financial crisis of 2008. But the Journal's report indicates that the Trump team has found another way to ease up on Wall Street: namely, by not levying hefty fines for wrongdoing."
"Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump has chosen ex-Goldman Sachs bankers to fill several key positions within his administration. According to a Wall Street Journal analysis published Sunday, it appears that the nation's largest financial institutions are benefiting greatly from having their friends in government. "Wall Street regulators have imposed far lower penalties in the first six months of Donald Trump's presidency than they did during the first six months of 2016, a comparable period in the Obama administration," the Journal reported. Throughout his campaign for the presidency, Trump promised to loosen regulations on big banks by dismantling Dodd-Frank, which was established following the financial crisis of 2008. But the Journal's report indicates that the Trump team has found another way to ease up on Wall Street: namely, by not levying hefty fines for wrongdoing."
Here is why the obstruction case against Trump could be even stronger than we think
Here is why the obstruction case against Trump could be even stronger than we think:
"As many as ten of the nation’s top law enforcement officials could be questioned about the case. Notes taken by the officials are also likely to be used as evidence."
"As many as ten of the nation’s top law enforcement officials could be questioned about the case. Notes taken by the officials are also likely to be used as evidence."
Tweet first, read later: Trump shares article blaming his policies for health care price increases
https://thinkprogress.org/trump-retweets-story-blaming-his-policies-for-obamacare-price-increases/
"the story, published Tuesday, makes clear that the Trump administration’s attempts to sabotage Obamacare are the primary culprit."
"the story, published Tuesday, makes clear that the Trump administration’s attempts to sabotage Obamacare are the primary culprit."
Somebody in the White House Thought We Needed to Know This Stuff. Remember That.
http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/news/a56799/trump-phone-call-transcripts-leak/
"Before we go into how doomed we are as a species because of this guy, let's ponder the fact of what a blessed sieve this White House is."
"Before we go into how doomed we are as a species because of this guy, let's ponder the fact of what a blessed sieve this White House is."
A Chilling Theory on Trump’s Nonstop Lies
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/08/trump-nonstop-lies/"Trump’s chronic duplicity may be pathological, as some experts have suggested. But what else might be going on here? In fact, the 45th president’s stream of lies echoes a contemporary form of Russian propaganda known as the “Firehose of Falsehood"."
‘U need 2 work on your begging skills’: Internet rips Trump’s pathetic wall plea to Mexican president
‘U need 2 work on your begging skills’: Internet rips Trump’s pathetic wall plea to Mexican president:
"After leaked transcripts revealed that President Donald Trump begged Mexican President Peña Nieto to stop saying that Mexico won’t pay for Trump’s border wall, Twitter exploded in mockery and disgust."
"After leaked transcripts revealed that President Donald Trump begged Mexican President Peña Nieto to stop saying that Mexico won’t pay for Trump’s border wall, Twitter exploded in mockery and disgust."
Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be White Supremacists | Crooks and Liars
Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be White Supremacists | Crooks and Liars
"The last two days should be recorded for historical purposes to teach future generations what happens when we don't learn our history and we allow white supremacists to grow in the dark."
"The last two days should be recorded for historical purposes to teach future generations what happens when we don't learn our history and we allow white supremacists to grow in the dark."
August 5, 2017
Tangled web connects Russian oligarch money to GOP campaigns
https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2017/08/03/tangled-web-connects-russian-oligarch-money-gop-campaigns
"Party loyalty is often cited as the reason that GOP leaders have not been more outspoken in their criticism of President Donald Trump and his refusal to condemn Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election. Yet there may be another reason that top Republicans have not been more vocal in their condemnation. Perhaps it's because they have their own links to the Russian oligarchy that they would prefer go unnoticed."
"Party loyalty is often cited as the reason that GOP leaders have not been more outspoken in their criticism of President Donald Trump and his refusal to condemn Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election. Yet there may be another reason that top Republicans have not been more vocal in their condemnation. Perhaps it's because they have their own links to the Russian oligarchy that they would prefer go unnoticed."
Why the Scariest Nuclear Threat May Be Coming from Inside the White House
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/07/department-of-energy-risks-michael-lewis?mbid=nl_th_5977c39b7c67a060584ba939&CNDID=36849623&spMailingID=11559140&spUserID=MTMzMTgyOTAzNDE4S0&spJobID=1202330385&spReportId=MTIwMjMzMDM4NQS2
"Donald Trump’s secretary of energy, Rick Perry, once campaigned to abolish the $30 billion agency that he now runs, which oversees everything from our nuclear arsenal to the electrical grid. The department’s budget is now on the chopping block. But does anyone in the White House really understand what the Department of Energy actually does? And what a horrible risk it would be to ignore its extraordinary, life-or-death responsibilities?"
"Donald Trump’s secretary of energy, Rick Perry, once campaigned to abolish the $30 billion agency that he now runs, which oversees everything from our nuclear arsenal to the electrical grid. The department’s budget is now on the chopping block. But does anyone in the White House really understand what the Department of Energy actually does? And what a horrible risk it would be to ignore its extraordinary, life-or-death responsibilities?"
As the Russia scandal intensifies, Trump moves the goalposts
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/the-russia-scandal-intensifies-trump-moves-the-goalposts
"The original line from Trump World was that Russia didn’t intervene in the American election. When that position was no longer sustainable, Trump and his team said Russia may have intervened, but no one from the Republican campaign was in communications with Russia during the foreign adversary’s espionage operation. When that line was discredited, Trump World changed gears again, saying members of Trump’s team may have connected with Putin’s government during the attack, but there was no collusion between Russia and Trump’s campaign. After this was also proven to be wrong – top members of Trump’s inner circle met with a Kremlin-linked lawyer in order to receive campaign assistance from Putin’s government – the president delivered a new line to a supportive West Virginia audience last night."
"The original line from Trump World was that Russia didn’t intervene in the American election. When that position was no longer sustainable, Trump and his team said Russia may have intervened, but no one from the Republican campaign was in communications with Russia during the foreign adversary’s espionage operation. When that line was discredited, Trump World changed gears again, saying members of Trump’s team may have connected with Putin’s government during the attack, but there was no collusion between Russia and Trump’s campaign. After this was also proven to be wrong – top members of Trump’s inner circle met with a Kremlin-linked lawyer in order to receive campaign assistance from Putin’s government – the president delivered a new line to a supportive West Virginia audience last night."
“The opposite of Teddy Roosevelt”: Donald Trump’s leaked transcripts have made him an international laughingstock
http://www.salon.com/2017/08/04/the-opposite-of-teddy-roosevelt-donald-trumps-leaked-transcripts-have-made-him-an-international-laughingstock/
"The fallout from leaked transcripts of Donald Trump’s phone calls from two world leaders — Australia and Mexico — hasn’t just been limited to New Hampshire, which the president described as a “drug-infested den.” Internationally, diplomats saw the transcripts. And they laughed."
"The fallout from leaked transcripts of Donald Trump’s phone calls from two world leaders — Australia and Mexico — hasn’t just been limited to New Hampshire, which the president described as a “drug-infested den.” Internationally, diplomats saw the transcripts. And they laughed."
Trump’s State Deptartment finds new ways to make Russia happy
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/trumps-state-deptartment-finds-new-ways-make-russia-happy
"The article added that R.C. Hammond, a Tillerson aide, “suggested the money is unwelcome because any extra funding for programs to counter Russian media influence would anger Moscow, according to a former senior State Department official.” By this reasoning, the U.S. Secretary of State has made a conscious decision not to counter Russian disinformation because he believes Russia wouldn’t like it."
"The article added that R.C. Hammond, a Tillerson aide, “suggested the money is unwelcome because any extra funding for programs to counter Russian media influence would anger Moscow, according to a former senior State Department official.” By this reasoning, the U.S. Secretary of State has made a conscious decision not to counter Russian disinformation because he believes Russia wouldn’t like it."
Donald Trump’s Pick For Key Bank Regulator Is A Foreclosure Kingpin, Of Course
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/joseph-otting-foreclosure-donald-trump_us_5980b189e4b0d6e28a10fb05?3lc&ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009
"President Donald Trump’s choice to lead a key bank regulation agency spent the first half of this decade running a bank that illegally foreclosed on hundreds of thousands of Americans, often using forged and fraudulent documents."
"President Donald Trump’s choice to lead a key bank regulation agency spent the first half of this decade running a bank that illegally foreclosed on hundreds of thousands of Americans, often using forged and fraudulent documents."
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