The CNN thing is bad. 'Fake news. I'm coming to gun you all down' is the eye grabber in the 22 calls he made to CNN. 22 calls, clearly not the brightest chap to think someone, like the corrupt FBI, might take notice, even if that was simply peeling the caller ID logs, because I am sure he did something tricky like call from his cell phone. The danger of the messaging from the bully pulpit is terrifying, and now that there are years of saturation without repercussion, the locals feel that they are immune to criticism, much less percussion. Someone is going to go all cosmic ping pong, and have a body count to show.

This has to stop!

Echoing the presidents general theme, Griesemer is reported to have said, "I'm smarter than you, More powerful than you. I have more guns than you. More manpower. Your cast is about to get gunned down in a matter of hours."

Of course he was already on the radar of law-enforcement officials after he called in threats to a mosque in Ann Arbor, Michigan, last September.

Yeah, I don't think the democrats lost (yet). Shutting down the government over DACA would look worse and worse for Democrats (to the public at large) the longer it went on before the March deadline. It's barely a 2 week CR at this point so I wouldn't be surprised if this just happens again. Maybe twice.

thephan wrote:The CNN thing is bad. 'Fake news. I'm coming to gun you all down' is the eye grabber in the 22 calls he made to CNN. 22 calls, clearly not the brightest chap to think someone, like the corrupt FBI, might take notice, even if that was simply peeling the caller ID logs, because I am sure he did something tricky like call from his cell phone. The danger of the messaging from the bully pulpit is terrifying, and now that there are years of saturation without repercussion, the locals feel that they are immune to criticism, much less percussion. Someone is going to go all cosmic ping pong, and have a body count to show. This has to stop!

turns out this dude also called a local mosque to make derogatory comments and has posted anti-black and anti-jewish comments on FB.

pacino wrote:

thephan wrote:The CNN thing is bad. 'Fake news. I'm coming to gun you all down' is the eye grabber in the 22 calls he made to CNN. 22 calls, clearly not the brightest chap to think someone, like the corrupt FBI, might take notice, even if that was simply peeling the caller ID logs, because I am sure he did something tricky like call from his cell phone. The danger of the messaging from the bully pulpit is terrifying, and now that there are years of saturation without repercussion, the locals feel that they are immune to criticism, much less percussion. Someone is going to go all cosmic ping pong, and have a body count to show. This has to stop!

turns out this dude also called a local mosque to make derogatory comments and has posted anti-black and anti-jewish comments on FB.

Trump's base, full of economic anxiety.

Kimberly-Clark (Huggies, Scotts, etc.) is cutting 5000 jobs, and closing 10 factories.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, while US exports rose, US imports are significantly higher, up ~9% in 2017 over 2016. Largest gap since like 2008.

Where's your promises?

East Wing communications director Stephanie Grisham confirmed to CNN that the first lady's decision to forgo the trip was based on "scheduling and logistical issues."

She has to go see her lawyer, who thought it would send the wrong message if she went on the trip while exploring legal options (this is completely fake news).

Isn't CHIP off the table now, also? No more "choosing between American children or illegal immigrant" memes. Repubs can't hold CHIP as a bargaining chip anymore which helps gets DACA signed, I think.

Old Jeff voluntarily talked to the Special Council, for several hours.

thephan wrote:Kimberly-Clark (Huggies, Scotts, etc.) is cutting 5000 jobs, and closing 10 factories.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, while US exports rose, US imports are significantly higher, up ~9% in 2017 over 2016. Largest gap since like 2008.

Where's your promises?

Reported over $4 billion in 2017 EBITDA with $616 million in cash on balance sheet. Oh, and BTW, had an effective tax rate of 25.9% for the full fiscal year so, presumably, they will generate even more operating cash flow in fiscal 2018.

Pa. Sen: Congressman Lou Barletta (R-Luzerne) announced the endorsement of over 100 members of the Republican State Committee. "Put simply, Lou is one of us. We are excited to give our time, our energy, and our votes to make sure that Lou becomes our next United States Senator," the endorsement letter read.

when people tell you who they are, believe them.

protests in Bensalem opposing 287(g) program:

A federal program could be the newest crime prevention tool in keeping the community safe, according to Bensalem’s top cop. But, members of the public told the township council Monday they fear it would be a divisive element that could lead to distrust in law enforcement and a potential for racial profiling.

Those were just two interpretations of the controversial 287(g) program, which deputizes local police officers as U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) agents, that emerged during the council meeting. It was standing room only inside with dozens more chanting and watching the proceedings from the lobby as a large group of passionate detractors urged officials not to bring the program to Bensalem.

The program has been pushed by the Trump administration, and township Director of Public Safety Fred Harran has been advocating for Bensalem police to become the first department in the state to join. Federal immigration officials have also reached out to other area departments, such as Plumstead and Warminster, to gauge interest in participating.

After receiving specialized training, the officers would have access to ICE software, enabling them to conduct immigration checks on suspected illegal aliens in custody for suspicion of unrelated misdemeanor or felony offenses. The program already exists in 60 agencies in 18 states.

Harran said without access to ICE’s technology and databases, checking immigration status and contacting federal agent, which the department has been doing since 2009, takes about three hours per case. With 287(g) in place, he said, the process would take about 10 minutes, allowing officers to get back on street.

Diversity training is provided to local and county agencies selected to take part in the program and ICE officials say any agreement would be terminated if racial profiling is uncovered.

how would an officer decide who is and is not undocumented and check their status?

Trump campaign cut a $130k check to his businesses after the election.

Random amount..

pacino wrote:Trump campaign cut a $130k check to his businesses after the election.

Random amount..

I know I've seen that amount somewhere... strange.

slugsrbad wrote:I don't hate the deal as long as Democratic Senators are willing to shut the government down again if Paul Ryan doesn't move the vote to the floor, or if the bill that Mitch offers is purposefully bad. This is the last strike though, DACA is ending.

if the dems help shut it down again, maybe the GOP will use the nuclear option, saying the dems will keep shutting down the govt if they don't assert total control.

Also maybe we'll all grow wings and be able to fly

Monkeyboy wrote:

slugsrbad wrote:I don't hate the deal as long as Democratic Senators are willing to shut the government down again if Paul Ryan doesn't move the vote to the floor, or if the bill that Mitch offers is purposefully bad. This is the last strike though, DACA is ending.

if the dems help shut it down again, maybe the GOP will use the nuclear option, saying the dems will keep shutting down the govt if they don't assert total control.

I think the GOP realizes that within a matter of two decades they will be the permanent minority party so that such a move would be cutting off their nose to spite their face

i say this with only the slightest hyperbole but ending the legislative filibuster would completely ruin the country. it won't happen.

jerseyhoya wrote:Also maybe we'll all grow wings and be able to fly

How I translate this, McConnell is a snake, but he's not an idiot. He knows what he can and cannot get away with. He took a calculated risk in holding up Garland's nomination, and knows that with the nuclear option already in place for the lower courts, that doing it for SCOTUS won't hurt as much. As we can see, the Trump administration is already stuffing the courts with right wing, young (and in some notable cases highly unqualified) candidates. Even if Trump doesn't appoint another Justice, the lower courts will be so different by 2020 that Dems being able to 50-vote SCOTUS Justices will not be the end of the world.

If McConnell bombs the legislative threshold, than he's staring down the prospects of every Progressive wet dream in 2020 if the GOP loses control. It also puts the country on an even stranger path where large, sweeping changes can happen (and be erased) much easier.

slugsrbad wrote:

jerseyhoya wrote:Also maybe we'll all grow wings and be able to fly

How I translate this, McConnell is a snake, but he's not an idiot. He knows what he can and cannot get away with. He took a calculated risk in holding up Garland's nomination, and knows that with the nuclear option already in place for the lower courts, that doing it for SCOTUS won't hurt as much. As we can see, the Trump administration is already stuffing the courts with right wing, young (and in some notable cases highly unqualified) candidates. Even if Trump doesn't appoint another Justice, the lower courts will be so different by 2020 that Dems being able to 50-vote SCOTUS Justices will not be the end of the world.

If McConnell bombs the legislative threshold, than he's staring down the prospects of every Progressive wet dream in 2020 if the GOP loses control. It also puts the country on an even stranger path where large, sweeping changes can happen (and be erased) much easier.

McConnell likes the legislative filibuster and thinks it is essential to the institution. There might be a couple senators who publicly support ending the filibuster, but I don't know of any off the top of my head. It's a complete non starter.