Say what you will for Biden's regime and his decisions, but at least it was a mostly functional government. This is just a preview of what's to come after January.
Gas Bandit's Political Thread V: The Vampire Likes Bats
- Thread starter GasBandit
- Start date
The Matt Gaetz ethics report has been released, and says pretty much exactly what you'd expect.
Biden has commuted all but three federal death sentences to life sentences - the exceptions being the Boston marathon bomber, the 2018 synagogue shooter, and the 2015 black church shooter.
Biden has commuted all but three federal death sentences to life sentences - the exceptions being the Boston marathon bomber, the 2018 synagogue shooter, and the 2015 black church shooter.
GasBandit
Staff member
Trump has made threats to "take back" the Panama Canal, and now is talking about buying Greenland.
Didn't he do this last time he was in office? Why is he such a fucking moron?
He's already forgotten he ever did that, or why it won't work.
Dave
Staff member
Things Trump has said about other countries:
* Purchase Greenland
* Annex Canada and make them the 51st state (let's ignore that would require an invasion and as a single state Canada would be 5.7 times as big as the current biggest state [Alaska has 665,384 sq. miles while Canada is 3,822,100 sq miles. In fact, considering the US has 3,531,905 sq. miles right now, this would make Canada as a single state bigger than the rest of the US are altogether]).
* Invade Mexico to stop illegal immigration and drug trafficking. How MUCH we would invade he doesn't know yet.
* Buy back the Panama Canal. In retrospect, this one is the LEAST crazy because it's a simple economic transaction.
So yeah. Fucker is nuts.
* Purchase Greenland
* Annex Canada and make them the 51st state (let's ignore that would require an invasion and as a single state Canada would be 5.7 times as big as the current biggest state [Alaska has 665,384 sq. miles while Canada is 3,822,100 sq miles. In fact, considering the US has 3,531,905 sq. miles right now, this would make Canada as a single state bigger than the rest of the US are altogether]).
* Invade Mexico to stop illegal immigration and drug trafficking. How MUCH we would invade he doesn't know yet.
* Buy back the Panama Canal. In retrospect, this one is the LEAST crazy because it's a simple economic transaction.
So yeah. Fucker is nuts.
Did he say he wanted to buy it? The quote I saw was "we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, quickly and without question". That suggests he has no intention of paying Panama for the canal.
Not that Trump has a good track record of paying his bills anyway.
Dave
Staff member
Well then....uh...forget what I said about the least crazy thing. I just heard buy it back. But a shit take like that sure tracks with the Human Dingleberry.
If he could make a profit off of it, he would. He's like electing Quark, but with far less scruples.You think he would be open to a reverse Louisiana purchase and sell half the states to a high bidder? Muskland in return for leaving office with the smallest debt in decades?
Don't do him dirty like that. Quark runs a successful business.
GasBandit
Staff member
1/ The House Ethics Committee report on Matt Gaetz found “substantial evidence” that the former congressman regularly paid women for sex, including with a 17-year-old girl, and used illegal drugs. From at least 2017 to 2020, Gaetz paid tens of thousands of dollars for sex, used or possessed illegal drugs, including cocaine and Ecstasy “on multiple occasions,” and accepted lavish gifts, including transportation to and lodging in the Bahamas, in excess of permissible amounts. The Committee concluded that “Gaetz violated House Rules, state and federal laws, and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, acceptance of impermissible gifts, the provision of special favors and privileges, and obstruction of Congress.” The ethic panel added that Gaetz “knowingly and willfully sought to impede and obstruct” the investigation. The Ethics Committee, however, did not find “sufficient evidence” that Gaetz violated federal sex trafficking laws, which the Justice Department also investigate but did not bring charges. Gaetz resigned from Congress after Trump tapped him to lead the Justice Department. (Politico / Washington Post / Wall Street Journal / New York Times / CBS News / CNN)
2/ A Senate investigation found that Justice Clarence Thomas accepted over $4.75 million in undisclosed luxury trips and gifts since 1991. “The Supreme Court has mired itself in an ethical crisis of its own making by failing to address justices’ ethical misconduct for decades,” the 95-page report said. The report also revealed two additional trips that Thomas failed to disclose, which were funded by billionaire Harlan Crow. “The number, value, and extravagance of the gifts accepted by Justice Thomas have no comparison in modern American history,” the report said, noting that some of Thomas’s benefactors have had business before the court. (NBC News / Washington Post / New York Times / The Guardian)
3/ Trump renewed his call for the U.S. to buy Greenland, and then suggested that the Panama Canal be returned to U.S. control. “For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity,” Trump said. Greenland Prime Minister Múte Egede, however, said the self-ruling territory of Denmark is “not for sale and will never be for sale.” In 2019, Trump mused about buying Greenland, and after his offer was rejected, his visit to Denmark was canceled. Separately, Trump suggested that the U.S. is getting “ripped off” at the Panama Canal and demanded that the Panamanian authorities either lower fees for U.S. ships or return its control to the U.S. “in full, quickly and without question.” While the U.S. built the canal in the early 1900s, it was turned over on Dec. 31, 1999, as part of a treaty signed in 1977 by Jimmy Carter. Previously, Trump suggested that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state and referred to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as “governor” of the “Great State of Canada.” (Associated Press / New York Times / Reuters / Axios / CBS News / Bloomberg)
4/ A former D.C. police officer was convicted of obstruction of justice and lying to authorities about leaking confidential information to Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, including details of a warrant for his arrest. Tarrio is serving 22 years after being convicted of seditious conspiracy in connection with the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. (NBC News / New York Times / Washington Post / Associated Press)
5/ Bill Clinton was hospitalized after developing a fever. The situation is reportedly “not urgent.” (NBC News / CNN / Associated Press / New York Times)
6/ The Senate confirmed Biden’s 235th judicial appointee, which includes one Supreme Court justice, 45 appellate judges, and 187 district judges. This surpasses Trump’s total of 234, but does not match his three Supreme Court appointments. (NBC News)
7/ Biden commuted the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates to life without parole, leaving three to face execution. Biden justified the decision as morally and legally necessary to halt federal executions before Trump, a supporter of capital punishment, resumes them. (Associated Press / Washington Post / New York Times)
8/ Biden withdrew proposed rules to improve access to contraception, leaving in place Trump-era policies that allow employers to deny coverage based on moral or religious objections intact. (The Hill / Politico)
9/ Biden vetoed a bipartisan bill to create 66 new federal judge positions to, in part, prevent Trump from further influencing the judiciary. (Politico)
Previously:
Biden signed a government funding bill on Saturday, to avert a shutdown after Congress passed the spending plan. The legislation extends current fiscal levels until mid-March, includes $100 billion in disaster aid, and $10 billion in direct aid for farmers. The bill, however, does not include Trump’s demand to suspend the debt limit. (NBC News / New York Times / Washington Post / CNN)
2/ A Senate investigation found that Justice Clarence Thomas accepted over $4.75 million in undisclosed luxury trips and gifts since 1991. “The Supreme Court has mired itself in an ethical crisis of its own making by failing to address justices’ ethical misconduct for decades,” the 95-page report said. The report also revealed two additional trips that Thomas failed to disclose, which were funded by billionaire Harlan Crow. “The number, value, and extravagance of the gifts accepted by Justice Thomas have no comparison in modern American history,” the report said, noting that some of Thomas’s benefactors have had business before the court. (NBC News / Washington Post / New York Times / The Guardian)
3/ Trump renewed his call for the U.S. to buy Greenland, and then suggested that the Panama Canal be returned to U.S. control. “For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity,” Trump said. Greenland Prime Minister Múte Egede, however, said the self-ruling territory of Denmark is “not for sale and will never be for sale.” In 2019, Trump mused about buying Greenland, and after his offer was rejected, his visit to Denmark was canceled. Separately, Trump suggested that the U.S. is getting “ripped off” at the Panama Canal and demanded that the Panamanian authorities either lower fees for U.S. ships or return its control to the U.S. “in full, quickly and without question.” While the U.S. built the canal in the early 1900s, it was turned over on Dec. 31, 1999, as part of a treaty signed in 1977 by Jimmy Carter. Previously, Trump suggested that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state and referred to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as “governor” of the “Great State of Canada.” (Associated Press / New York Times / Reuters / Axios / CBS News / Bloomberg)
4/ A former D.C. police officer was convicted of obstruction of justice and lying to authorities about leaking confidential information to Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, including details of a warrant for his arrest. Tarrio is serving 22 years after being convicted of seditious conspiracy in connection with the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. (NBC News / New York Times / Washington Post / Associated Press)
5/ Bill Clinton was hospitalized after developing a fever. The situation is reportedly “not urgent.” (NBC News / CNN / Associated Press / New York Times)
6/ The Senate confirmed Biden’s 235th judicial appointee, which includes one Supreme Court justice, 45 appellate judges, and 187 district judges. This surpasses Trump’s total of 234, but does not match his three Supreme Court appointments. (NBC News)
7/ Biden commuted the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates to life without parole, leaving three to face execution. Biden justified the decision as morally and legally necessary to halt federal executions before Trump, a supporter of capital punishment, resumes them. (Associated Press / Washington Post / New York Times)
8/ Biden withdrew proposed rules to improve access to contraception, leaving in place Trump-era policies that allow employers to deny coverage based on moral or religious objections intact. (The Hill / Politico)
9/ Biden vetoed a bipartisan bill to create 66 new federal judge positions to, in part, prevent Trump from further influencing the judiciary. (Politico)
Previously:
Biden signed a government funding bill on Saturday, to avert a shutdown after Congress passed the spending plan. The legislation extends current fiscal levels until mid-March, includes $100 billion in disaster aid, and $10 billion in direct aid for farmers. The bill, however, does not include Trump’s demand to suspend the debt limit. (NBC News / New York Times / Washington Post / CNN)
GasBandit
Staff member
He didn't pardon them, he commuted their sentences to life in prison.
Yeah, he did also pardon a whole bunch of dipshits (including his son) - I'm not really a fan of pardoning by governors/presidents. The judicial branch is supposed to be independent and all that.
He just commuted nearly all federal death sentences to life sentences. Which I can perfectly live with. It tends to be cheaper, there tend to be "false positives" and racial biases in punishment, etc. Life imprisonment isn't exactly a joke in most cases, either.
He just commuted nearly all federal death sentences to life sentences. Which I can perfectly live with. It tends to be cheaper, there tend to be "false positives" and racial biases in punishment, etc. Life imprisonment isn't exactly a joke in most cases, either.
The guys is the epitome of corruption, and there not being any ethical rules for Supreme Justices is...I suppose an oversight of the Founding Fathers just like not specifying "oh yeah, convicted felons can't be president" because they figured the people wouldn't be so stupid as to allow such things. Impeachment, hah, what a joke.
And both will be pardoned in 26 days.
Like I said earlier - nothing unexpected. The guy was a flippin' candidate for a position as Secretary while he should be rotting in jail.
What is it with corrupt Republicans and boats? There's always a yacht somewhere in the mix.
Dave
Staff member
These guys yes. But there were plenty of others who should never have been pardoned.
Possible update on this today:
OpenAI whistleblower found dead at 26 in San Francisco apartment | TechCrunch
A former OpenAI employee, Suchir Balaji, was recently found dead in his San Francisco apartment, according to the San Francisco Office of the Chieftechcrunch.com
Suchir Balaji's mother Poornima alleges the Open AI researcher was murdered in cold-blood
Suchir Balaji, a 26-year-old Indian American researcher and former OpenAI employee, was found dead in his San Francisco apartment on November 26, 2024. While ruled a suicide by authorities, his family has questioned the circumstances, calling for a comprehensive investigation into the events...
--Patrick
GasBandit
Staff member
1/ A federal appeals court upheld the $5 million verdict against Trump in the sexual abuse and defamation case brought by E. Jean Carroll. Trump had asked for a new trial after a jury unanimously concluded in May 2023 that he sexually abused Carroll in the 1990s – and then defamed her after she went public with her allegations. Trump argued that the trial judge made a mistake by allowing the jury to hear the testimony of two women who accused him of sexual abuse, as well as the 2005 “Access Hollywood” recording in which he described kissing and grabbing women without their consent, saying: “I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything […] Grab ‘em by the pussy. You can do anything.” The court, however, rejected Trump arguments, saying the evidence established a “repeated, idiosyncratic pattern of conduct” consistent with Carroll’s allegations and that “[T]he jury could reasonably infer […] that Mr. Trump engaged in similar conduct with other women — a pattern of abrupt, nonconsensual, and physical advances on women he barely knew.” (NPR / ABC News / New York Times / Washington Post / Wall Street Journal / Associated Press / Politico / NBC News)
2/ Trump endorsed Mike Johnson for another term, saying he has his “complete and total” support. Trump added that Republicans should “NOT BLOW THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY WHICH WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN.” Johnson is running for re-election as speaker on Jan. 3 when the new Congress begins. Trump’s endorsement comes as some House conservatives have warned they’re not committed to backing Johnson after he passed an end of year spending deal that lacked spending cuts and didn’t include Trump’s debt ceiling increase. Johnson can only afford to lose two Republican votes. Democrats are expected to universally oppose him, and Republican Thomas Massie has already signaled his opposition. Failure to elect a speaker by Jan. 6 could delay Trump’s Electoral College certification. (Politico / NBC News / Washington Post / New York Times / Wall Street Journal / ABC News / CNN / USA Today)
3/ Trump sided with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy on H-1B visas over his MAGA acolytes, who want to stop immigration and preserve jobs for American workers. After Trump appointed venture capitalist Sriram Krishnan, an Indian immigrant, to be his senior AI-policy adviser, MAGA activist Laura Loomer condemned the decision and declared it a “not America First policy.” Krishnan has called for increased access to green cards and making it easier for skilled foreign workers to come to the U.S. on H-1B temporary visas. Loomer called such workers “third world invaders” while Steve Bannon called H-1Bs a “scam.” Musk, who was born in South Africa and is a naturalized U.S. citizen, said that the reason he and others who built SpaceX and Tesla are in the U.S. is because of the H-1B program. “Take a big step back and FUCK YOURSELF in the face,” Musk said in a post. “I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend.” Musk also called for “those contemptible fools must be removed from the Republican Party.” Bannon replied to Musk: “Someone please notify ‘Child Protective Services’—need to do a ‘wellness check’ on this toddler.” Ramaswamy also weighed in, arguing that “American culture has venerated mediocrity over excellence.” Trump, meanwhile, weighed in and said: “I’ve always liked the visas. I have always been in favor of the visas. I have many H-1B visas on my properties. I’ve been a believer in H-1B. I have used it many times. It’s a great program.” (New York Times / NBC News / Semafor / Washington Post / Bloomberg / Associated Press / Axios / The Atlantic)
5/ The Treasury Department was hacked by a Chinese state-sponsored actor using third-party software to access to government workstations and unclassified documents. The department called it “a major incident.” The “threat actor” was able to override security measures to remotely access some Treasury workstations and “certain unclassified documents maintained by those users.” (Bloomberg / Washington Post / NBC News)
6/ Trump urged the Supreme Court to block a law that requires TikTok to be sold or shut down by Jan. 19 – the day before his inauguration. The court previously agreed to hear TikTok’s challenge to the potential ban and is set to hear oral arguments on Jan. 10. The bipartisan Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act was passed and signed into law in April. It requires TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the social media platform to an American company or face a ban. (NBC News / New York Times / The Hill)
7/ Biden announced nearly $2.5 billion in security assistance to Ukraine. The package includes $1.25 billion in Presidential Drawdown Authority, which pulls weapons and ammunition from existing U.S. stockpiles, and the final $1.22 billion from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. Separately, the Treasury Department the U.S. will provide $3.4 billion in economic assistance under last year’s Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act. (Associated Press / Bloomberg / Politico / New York Times)
8/ Biden privately regrets dropping out of the presidential race and reportedly believes he could’ve defeated Trump if it wasn’t for his June debate performance and low poll numbers that lead to his own party pressuring him to drop out. Biden has also privately said he shouldn’t have picked Merrick Garland as attorney general, because Garland’s Justice Department was slow to prosecute Trump for his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection while aggressive in prosecuting his son, Hunter. (Washington Post)
9/ Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the U.S., died on Sunday at age 100 – the oldest living U.S. president of all time. Carter was elected president in 1976 and served one term before losing re-election in 1980 to Ronald Reagan. (NBC News / Washington Post / New York Times)
poll/ 46% of Republicans support using the military to put undocumented immigrants into internment camps until they can be deported. Overall, 26% of Americans agree that the military should be used to put immigrants who are in the country illegally into internment camps. (Public Religion Research Institute)
poll/ About 7 in 10 Democrats said they’re stepping back from political news since the election. About 6 in 10 Republicans said the same. (Associated Press)
2/ Trump endorsed Mike Johnson for another term, saying he has his “complete and total” support. Trump added that Republicans should “NOT BLOW THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY WHICH WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN.” Johnson is running for re-election as speaker on Jan. 3 when the new Congress begins. Trump’s endorsement comes as some House conservatives have warned they’re not committed to backing Johnson after he passed an end of year spending deal that lacked spending cuts and didn’t include Trump’s debt ceiling increase. Johnson can only afford to lose two Republican votes. Democrats are expected to universally oppose him, and Republican Thomas Massie has already signaled his opposition. Failure to elect a speaker by Jan. 6 could delay Trump’s Electoral College certification. (Politico / NBC News / Washington Post / New York Times / Wall Street Journal / ABC News / CNN / USA Today)
3/ Trump sided with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy on H-1B visas over his MAGA acolytes, who want to stop immigration and preserve jobs for American workers. After Trump appointed venture capitalist Sriram Krishnan, an Indian immigrant, to be his senior AI-policy adviser, MAGA activist Laura Loomer condemned the decision and declared it a “not America First policy.” Krishnan has called for increased access to green cards and making it easier for skilled foreign workers to come to the U.S. on H-1B temporary visas. Loomer called such workers “third world invaders” while Steve Bannon called H-1Bs a “scam.” Musk, who was born in South Africa and is a naturalized U.S. citizen, said that the reason he and others who built SpaceX and Tesla are in the U.S. is because of the H-1B program. “Take a big step back and FUCK YOURSELF in the face,” Musk said in a post. “I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend.” Musk also called for “those contemptible fools must be removed from the Republican Party.” Bannon replied to Musk: “Someone please notify ‘Child Protective Services’—need to do a ‘wellness check’ on this toddler.” Ramaswamy also weighed in, arguing that “American culture has venerated mediocrity over excellence.” Trump, meanwhile, weighed in and said: “I’ve always liked the visas. I have always been in favor of the visas. I have many H-1B visas on my properties. I’ve been a believer in H-1B. I have used it many times. It’s a great program.” (New York Times / NBC News / Semafor / Washington Post / Bloomberg / Associated Press / Axios / The Atlantic)
- New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu argued that Elon Musk’s wealth negates any potential conflicts of interest and ensures his motivations in advising Trump are driven by a larger vision for America rather than financial gain. (Mother Jones)
- Germany accused Elon Musk of election interference after he endorsed the far-right AfD in a German newspaper op-ed, calling it the “last spark of hope” for the country. “The traditional parties have failed in Germany,” Musk wrote. “Their policies have led to economic stagnation, social unrest, and the erosion of national identity.” The far-right Alternative for Germany party has been designated by Germany’s domestic intelligence service as a “suspected extremist” organization. (Washington Post / Associated Press / New York Times)
- Far-right MAGA supporters are showing increased signs of violent and extremist behavior, driven by Trump’s rhetoric, as they prepare for his potential second presidency. A letter in Oregon urged locals to surveil and report minorities, echoing Nazi-era tactics, while promising material rewards from confiscated property. Trump’s supporters, emboldened by his rhetoric and promises of pardons, have shown increased aggression, including violent incidents and calls for religious and racial homogeneity. Religious and political figures tied to MAGA ideologies have further fueled these sentiments, promoting exclusionary and violent agendas. Analysts worry about the potential for escalating violence as MAGA followers take matters into their own hands. (Salon)
5/ The Treasury Department was hacked by a Chinese state-sponsored actor using third-party software to access to government workstations and unclassified documents. The department called it “a major incident.” The “threat actor” was able to override security measures to remotely access some Treasury workstations and “certain unclassified documents maintained by those users.” (Bloomberg / Washington Post / NBC News)
6/ Trump urged the Supreme Court to block a law that requires TikTok to be sold or shut down by Jan. 19 – the day before his inauguration. The court previously agreed to hear TikTok’s challenge to the potential ban and is set to hear oral arguments on Jan. 10. The bipartisan Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act was passed and signed into law in April. It requires TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the social media platform to an American company or face a ban. (NBC News / New York Times / The Hill)
7/ Biden announced nearly $2.5 billion in security assistance to Ukraine. The package includes $1.25 billion in Presidential Drawdown Authority, which pulls weapons and ammunition from existing U.S. stockpiles, and the final $1.22 billion from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. Separately, the Treasury Department the U.S. will provide $3.4 billion in economic assistance under last year’s Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act. (Associated Press / Bloomberg / Politico / New York Times)
8/ Biden privately regrets dropping out of the presidential race and reportedly believes he could’ve defeated Trump if it wasn’t for his June debate performance and low poll numbers that lead to his own party pressuring him to drop out. Biden has also privately said he shouldn’t have picked Merrick Garland as attorney general, because Garland’s Justice Department was slow to prosecute Trump for his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection while aggressive in prosecuting his son, Hunter. (Washington Post)
9/ Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the U.S., died on Sunday at age 100 – the oldest living U.S. president of all time. Carter was elected president in 1976 and served one term before losing re-election in 1980 to Ronald Reagan. (NBC News / Washington Post / New York Times)
poll/ 46% of Republicans support using the military to put undocumented immigrants into internment camps until they can be deported. Overall, 26% of Americans agree that the military should be used to put immigrants who are in the country illegally into internment camps. (Public Religion Research Institute)
poll/ About 7 in 10 Democrats said they’re stepping back from political news since the election. About 6 in 10 Republicans said the same. (Associated Press)
Look, we've been over this, RACIST is a bad word, and she can't be bad.
The fact that she agrees with everything self described racists espouse is irrelevant...
There's not enough in the article to identify yet if this is coincidental or intentional, but if you ever wanted an omen for 2025:
Tesla Cybertruck explodes at entrance of Trump Hotel in Vegas
Tesla Cybertruck explodes at entrance of Trump Hotel in Vegas
GasBandit
Staff member
That previous CNN article is now saying possible terrorism. The bed of the truck was loaded down with gas and fireworks. And the driver detonated the 'device.'
It is not a good day for Turo. This truck was rented from their service too.
It is not a good day for Turo. This truck was rented from their service too.