Gas Bandit's Political Thread V: The Vampire Likes Bats

drifter

drifter

Dubyamn said:
With the facts laid out I think that he definitely gets to say


Yeah because blaming the running back is idiotic. The idea that the left is responsible for Harris losing is a fucking stupid opinion. The left was saying that the Harris campaign strategy was a bad idea.
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Moving this here since I don't think it's welcome in the other thread.

I think we may have been talking past each other, to a point. When I say blame the running back, I don't mean pin the majority of blame on the running back. I mean, blame them for being irresponsible with their vote. I don't know if you saw my edit, but I listed what I think are the main factors to Harris losing. I do maintain that if you don't vote, you don't get to point fingers.

Dubyamn said:
Disagree on pointing fingers being pointless. After a defeat this fucking catastrophic is when you need to get rid of things holding the party back. To just come together and say “we’ll get em next time champ” is what happened in 2016 and set up the current catastrophe. No now’s the perfect time for recriminations and deciding on who needs to get the fuck out of the drivers seat cause they’re driving off the cliff and their idiocy has been fully exposed.
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This is something I've been musing over. I don't think the results of this last election are going to move the Democrats to the left. The amount of minorities who decided economic matters supersede social matters is somewhat surprising, and I think Democrats are more likely to work to get them back than they are to getting closer to progressives.
 
D

Dubyamn

drifter said:
Moving this here since I don't think it's welcome in the other thread.

I think we may have been talking past each other, to a point. When I say blame the running back, I don't mean pin the majority of blame on the running back. I mean, blame them for being irresponsible with their vote.
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Except it’s entirely pointless to blame the running back and you look like a fool doing it. Either they are important enough to be part of the strategy or you don’t get to blame them for the loss.

I don't know if you saw my edit, but I listed what I think are the main factors to Harris losing. I do maintain that if you don't vote, you don't get to point fingers.
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Saw it, responded meanly and then deleted my mean response. Didn’t really see anything to discuss in it.

This is something I've been musing over. I don't think the results of this last election are going to move the Democrats to the left. The amount of minorities who decided economic matters supersede social matters is somewhat surprising, and I think Democrats are more likely to work to get them back than they are to getting closer to progressives.
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Oh I’m under no delusions that the democrats will move to the left. They didn’t after they lost to Bush and Trump. Fuck they didn’t even move left when Obama ran a lefty campaign and won huge.
But if there is a time to cut out the cancerous idiots always pulling the democrats rightward it’s now when their entire strategy has been exposed as worthless.
 
PatrThom

PatrThom

Dubyamn said:
...democrats will move to the left...
...pulling the democrats rightward...
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I could be wrong, but I don't think anything "moves" (individual) Democrats to the right/left, it's more about the quantity of people who identify as right-/left-leaning that decide to register as Democrats/leave the Democratic Party.

--Patrick
 
Ravenpoe

Ravenpoe

"Right leaning democrat" is really a redundant statement. Neoliberalism is a right wing ideology, they are only left of the GOP who have become outright fascists. Margaret fucking Thatcher favored neoliberalism, if you need any more proof. There is no left among the major American political parties, there's only the illusion of it because the extremes of the right have been steadily advancing further right for the past 40 years.
 
D

Dubyamn

PatrThom said:
I could be wrong, but I don't think anything "moves" (individual) Democrats to the right/left, it's more about the quantity of people who identify as right-/left-leaning that decide to register as Democrats/leave the Democratic Party.

--Patrick
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You are wrong. You can look at Harris herself to see how she in particular ran in the primary vrs how she ran in the general. Which couldn’t possibly have been based on any kind of indepth analysis of the number of people who joined the Democratic Party vrs. How many people left the Democratic Party. It was a strategy that was chosen based off where the country is at. And it was a strategy that has show itself as unfounded in reality.
 
GasBandit

GasBandit

Staff member
1/ Trump confirmed that he plans to declare a national emergency “on day 1” to use the military to carry out “the largest deportation program in American history.” Trump responded “TRUE!!!” at 4:08 am to a post on his personal social media network that his incoming administration is “prepared to declare a national emergency and will use military assets to reverse the Biden invasion through a mass deportation program.” There are an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. – about 3% of the total U.S. population. (Politico / New York Times / ABC News / Bloomberg / Washington Post / Axios)
  • ACLU sues ICE for transparency on Trump’s mass deportation plans and private deportation flights. The ACLU filed a lawsuit against ICE, accusing the agency of withholding information about its deportation operations, including contracts with private airlines and conditions on deportation flights. The lawsuit comes as Trump prepares to implement mass deportations, a campaign promise with few disclosed details. Advocates seek to uncover ICE’s practices, citing concerns over human rights abuses and misuse of taxpayer dollars. ICE has faced criticism for opaque operations and mistreatment of detainees, including shackling families and inadequate oversight of private contractors. (Washington Post)
2/ The Trump transition team is compiling a list of current and former U.S. military officers involved in the withdrawal from Afghanistan for possible court-martial. A 2022 independent review by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction blamed both the Trump and Biden administrations for the chaotic 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. Nevertheless, the Trump team reportedly wants to create a commission to investigate the withdrawal, determine who was directly involved in the decision-making for the military and whether the military leaders could be charged with treason for following Biden’s order to withdraw all U.S. forces from Afghanistan. Trump has called the withdrawal a “humiliation” and “the most embarrassing day in the history of our country.” (NBC News)

3/ House Speaker Mike Johnson said he’d “strongly request” that the House Ethics Committee not release its report into allegations of sex trafficking, corruption, and drug use by Matt Gaetz, Trump’s nominee for attorney general. “That is not the way we do things in the House,” Johnson said. “I think that would be a terrible precedent to set.” Gaetz resigned from Congress days before a House panel was set to vote on releasing a report on the allegations against Gaetz. His resignation ended the Ethics panel’s jurisdiction over him. The House Ethics Committee, meanwhile, will meet Wednesday to discuss and potentially vote to release the report anyway. Both Republican and Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee want the report released for Senate consideration on whether to confirm Gaetz for attorney general. House Ethics Chair Michael Guest said the Ethics Committee will make its own decision about releasing the report, regardless of Johnson’s opinion. (CNN / CBS News / Politico / CNBC / Politico / Axios)
  • A woman who attended a 2017 party with Matt Gaetz told the House Ethics Committee she witnessed him having sex with a minor. The account corroborates the testimony of the then-minor, who told the committee that she had sex with Gaetz when she was 17 years old. (CBS News)
4/ Trump’s pick for secretary of defense paid a woman who accused him of sexual assault as part of a nondisclosure agreement. Pete Hegseth denied any wrongdoing, and maintains that he is innocent and the sexual encounter was consensual. Neverthless, Hegseth agreed to pay an undisclosed amount to the woman as part of a confidentiality settlement to deter his accuser from going forward with a lawsuit. Hegseth believed a lawsuit could have gotten him fired from Fox News, where he was then a host. The alleged sexual assault took place after midnight on Oct. 8, 2017, at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa. The woman filed a complaint with the Monterey Police Department four days later alleging that she had been sexually assaulted by Hegseth. The city of Monterey said investigators found the woman had “contusions” on her right thigh. No charges were filed. Hegseth reportedly was not vetted before Trump tapped him to be Defense Secretary. (Washington Post / CBS News / Politico)
  • Trump’s Pentagon pick flagged over extremist-linked tattoo and dismissal of military extremism concerns. Pete Hegseth was flagged in 2021 as a potential “insider threat” due to a tattoo associated with white supremacist groups. Hegseth has dismissed concerns about extremism in the military as fabricated and has criticized efforts to remove extremists from the ranks. His controversial views and past actions, including defending convicted war criminals and minimizing the role of veterans in the January 6 Capitol attack, raise alarm about his fitness to lead the Pentagon. (Associated Press)
5/ Trump’s transition team is skipping the traditional FBI background checks to vet some Cabinet nominees. Instead, Trump is using private companies, claiming the traditional process can be slow, which sometimes reveals embarrassing and politically damaging information. The protocol was established after World War II to make sure nominees don’t have unknown foreign ties or other national security concerns. (CNN)
  • Why does this matter? Bypassing FBI vetting for high-level government appointments sets a concerning precedent for national security. FBI background checks are designed to identify potential risks, including undisclosed foreign ties or ethical breaches, ensuring that appointees are fit for sensitive roles. Circumventing these safeguards exposes critical government operations to vulnerabilities, undermining public trust in the integrity of the administration. Additionally, such actions could embolden future administrations to disregard institutional checks and balances, weakening the framework of accountability essential for democratic governance.
  • Who’s in Trump’s new administration so far:
  • Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
    Pete Hegseth, Defense
    Matt Gaetz, Attorney General
    Doug Burgum, Interior
    Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Health and Human Services
    Chris Wright, Energy
    Dough Collins, Veterans Affairs
    Kristi Noem, Homeland Security
    Mike Waltz, National Security
    Lee Zeldin, EPA
    Elise Stefanik, UN Ambassador
    Susie Wiles, Chief of Staff
    Elon Musk, Department of Government Efficiency
    Vivek Ramaswamy, Department of Government Efficiency
    Tulsi Gabbard, National Intelligence
    John Ratcliffe, CIA director
    Mike Huckabee, Ambassador to Israel
    Steve Witkoff, Special Envoy to the Middle East
    Bill McGinley, White House Counsel Tom Homan, “Border Czar”
    Dan Scavino, Deputy Chief of Staff
    Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy
6/ House Speaker Mike Johnson said “there may be a function” to facilitate the use of recess appointments so Trump can appoint his Cabinet nominees outside of the Senate confirmation process. Johnson noted that there’s “a very partisan atmosphere” in Washington, which could hinder the process of Senate confirmations. “But if this thing bogs down, it would be a great detriment to the country, to the American people.” A recess appointment is when a president unilaterally bypasses the Senate to confirm Cabinet nominees when both the House and Senate are not in session for at least 10 days. “We’ll evaluate all that at the appropriate time, and we’ll make the appropriate decision,” Johnson added. “There may be a function for that. We’ll have to see how it plays out.” (NBC News / Axios)
  • Why does this matter? If Trump proceeds with this constitutional maneuver, it would mark a significant escalation in the expansion of presidential power. The Senate’s confirmation authority is a cornerstone of the system of checks and balances designed to limit executive overreach. Undermining this process could set a precedent for future presidents to bypass legislative oversight, weakening a critical safeguard against authoritarian tendencies. It reflects broader challenges to institutional norms under Trump’s leadership.
✏ Notables.
  1. A group of armed, masked individuals waving flags with swastikas on them marched through the streets of Columbus, Ohio. Police said the individuals were “armed with firearms.” The White House, city, state, and Jewish community leaders in Ohio condemned the group. (Washington Post / WBNS 10TV / ABC News / NBC News)
  2. Trump’s allies were told to stop using the word “camps” during the current presidential transition because “apparently some people think it makes us look like Nazis.” Trump’s team is steering clear of describing proposed migrant detention centers as “camps” due to negative historical connotations, despite prior use of the term by his advisers like Stephen Miller. The incoming administration plans a significant expansion of detention facilities, potentially involving military construction, to support mass deportations. Critics draw parallels to fascist regimes, while Trump’s allies seek to reframe the narrative by emphasizing “targeted arrests” and downplaying the scale of operations. (Rolling Stone)
  3. Haitians flee Springfield, Ohio, after Trump win fuels deportation fears and economic uncertainty. After Trump’s re-election and his promise to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrants, many are leaving out of fear of deportation. The exodus threatens local businesses and the economy, as the Haitian community has revitalized neighborhoods and filled essential jobs. False rumors, heightened anti-immigrant rhetoric, and neo-Nazi activity have exacerbated tensions, leading many to seek safer locations. Experts note that immediate deportations are unlikely due to legal processes, but the economic and social impacts on Springfield are already being felt. (The Guardian)
  4. Trump team targets Biden’s EV tax credit, potentially reshaping U.S. electric vehicle market. Trump’s transition team, led by oil executive Harold Hamm, plans to eliminate the $7,500 EV tax credit as part of broader tax reforms, arguing it reduces government costs and helps extend expiring Trump-era tax cuts. Tesla supports the move, as Elon Musk believes it will harm competitors more than his company. Critics, including automakers and unions, warn this could cripple the U.S. EV industry, harm efforts to compete with China’s heavily subsidized EV market, and jeopardize thousands of auto jobs tied to Biden’s pro-EV policies. (Reuters)
  5. Trump team prioritizes easing federal restrictions on self-driving vehicles to boost Tesla and autonomous tech rollout. Trump’s transition team is pursuing a federal framework for self-driving cars, a move that could accelerate autonomous vehicle adoption and directly benefit Tesla. Elon Musk has made autonomous technology a cornerstone of his business. Current regulations limit manufacturers to deploying 2,500 self-driving cars annually, hindering mass production of vehicles without human controls. The proposed changes aim to eliminate regulatory hurdles, though safety concerns and past legislative failures suggest challenges ahead. (Bloomberg)
  6. Biden authorized Ukraine to use American long-range weapon for strikes inside Russia. The missiles, known as the Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS, can travel about 190 miles. Ukraine is authorized to use the weapons to target in and around Kursk — the same region where some 10,000 North Korean troops were deployed. The policy shift, influenced by North Korea’s involvement and escalating Russian aggression, aims to bolster Ukraine’s defenses two months before Trump takes office. (NPR / Wall Street Journal / New York Times)
Dept. of Context and Consequence.

News analysis and opinions on today’s key headlines – why they matter and what’s at stake.
  1. Democrats face messaging challenges as Trump leverages “ambient information” to shape public opinion. The Democrats’ reliance on detailed policy and micro-targeting was outpaced by Trump’s strategy of spreading broad, resonant narratives across national platforms. By tapping into “ambient information” — ideas and beliefs that circulate widely regardless of truth — Trump shaped public perceptions in ways Democrats struggled to counter. Harris’s campaign, while policy-focused and community-oriented, failed to break through a media environment dominated by Trump’s broad and sometimes misleading messaging, highlighting the power of vibes over data in modern elections. (New Yorker)
  2. Democrats struggle with lack of partisan social media platforms as online discourse shifts right. Right-wing platforms like Truth Social, Gab, and Parler have grown in influence, while X under Elon Musk has amplified Trump’s agenda, leaving Democrats with fewer social media avenues for political discourse. Major platforms like Facebook and Instagram have de-emphasized politics, creating an online imbalance that favors conservative messaging. Efforts to create left-leaning spaces, like Bluesky, remain in their infancy, putting Democrats at a disadvantage in shaping public opinion online. (New York Times)
  3. Social media influencers redefine news, engaging 20% of Americans, led by 37% of under-30s. Pew Research Center’s report explores the growing influence of social media news influencers, revealing that 1 in 5 Americans—37% among young adults—rely on them for current events. These influencers operate primarily on platforms like X and Instagram, with 77% unaffiliated with traditional media. Content trends lean toward political discourse, with slightly more right-leaning voices (27%) than left (21%). The study underscores their critical role in reshaping media consumption, especially among digitally native audiences. (Pew Research Center)
  4. Democrats’ inflation gamble backfires as economic missteps fuel political defeat. Biden’s aggressive $1.9 trillion stimulus, designed to avoid past recovery mistakes, contributed to post-pandemic inflation, undermining Democrats’ political standing. Rising costs of living outpaced voter appreciation for job growth and economic recovery efforts, allowing Trump to exploit economic dissatisfaction. Internal debates over spending and messaging, combined with external factors like global supply chain disruptions, further hindered Democrats’ ability to address inflation effectively, sealing their electoral losses. (Wall Street Journal)
  5. Trump’s campaign against the media mirrors autocratic strategies, reshaping U.S. press freedoms. Trump has used tactics like regulatory threats and leadership pressure to influence media outlets, including CNN and The Washington Post, making them more cautious in their coverage. These actions, combined with shifts in social media policies, have reduced media independence and raised concerns about press freedom and accountability. (Columbia Journalism Review)
  6. Trump’s proposed appointments signal deliberate attempts to dismantle core democratic institutions. Timothy Snyder argues that Trump’s proposed Cabinet appointments are strategically chosen to destabilize essential pillars of American democracy, including health, law, administration, defense, and intelligence. Figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Matt Gaetz, Elon Musk, and Tulsi Gabbard represent a coordinated effort to undermine the government by eroding public trust, compromising national security, and dismantling critical systems. Snyder warns that this “decapitation strike” could irreparably damage the United States, urging bipartisan resistance to prevent national collapse. (Timothy Synder)
 
GasBandit

GasBandit

Staff member
Wow, I never thought I'd find common ground with her. Of course, it's only because she's so stupid she thinks this is a threat that won't backfire.
 
Vrii

Vrii

I don't understand why so many of you still seem to have the idea that there are consequences to their actions. What do you think they could have done that would result in anything happening?
 
Bubble181

Bubble181

PatrThom said:
www.latintimes.com

Marjorie Taylor Greene Suggests Releasing All Ethics Reports, Not Just Gaetz's: "If We're Going to Dance, Let's All Dance In The Sunlight'

The report on Gaetz has been dominating the conversation given his contentious nomination for attorney general
www.latintimes.com www.latintimes.com
Oh no.
stop.
don't.

--Patrick
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The phrase looking for is "oh no, presse dont throw me into that there briar bush" I think.

Dave said:
I don’t give a shit what party they belong to. If Bernie was a sexual predator I’d say burn him to the ground. Release everything and fuck ‘em all.
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Many Republicans really still don't grasp or understand this reasoning. "we" have got to protect "our own" at all cost. Tribalism is more important than any sort of "universal" values or rights or whatever.
In the meantime, progressives will happily tear each other down over what comes down to minor differences in exactly how far to go how fast or what particular issue to give priority.
 
Dave

Dave

Staff member
I don’t think sexual predation is a minor offense. Well, unless it’s an offense against minors. Then I guess technically it was.
 
GasBandit

GasBandit

Staff member
1/ Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg asked to postpone Trump’s criminal sentencing in his hush money case. In a letter to Judge Juan Merchan, the district attorney’s office acknowledged that Trump is not likely to be sentenced “until after the end of Defendant’s upcoming presidential term,” but prosecutors said they oppose any effort to dismiss Trump’s felony conviction. Prosecutors faced a Tuesday deadline to advise Merchan on how to proceed after the “unprecedented circumstances” of Trump’s re-election following his conviction on 34 felony counts of orchestrating an illegal conspiracy to influence the 2016 presidential election by falsifying business records. Trump faces as many as four years in prison. Prosecutors instead asked for a Dec. 9 deadline for the next filing, focused on whether the case should be dismissed. (New York Times / Washington Post / NPR / Associated Press / Wall Street Journal / USA Today / CNN / NBC News / ABC News / Bloomberg)
  • Georgia court halts arguments in Trump election case as legal challenges shift post-election win. The Georgia Court of Appeals has indefinitely canceled oral arguments regarding efforts by Trump and co-defendants to remove Fulton County DA Fani Willis from the state election interference case against them. This development follows Trump’s presidential election victory, which has led to delays or dismissals in multiple federal and state criminal cases against him, including charges tied to overturning the 2020 election and retaining classified documents. The Department of Justice is expected to dismiss two federal cases against Trump, as legal processes adjust to his incoming presidency. (CNBC)
2/ An unidentified hacker gained access to files containing containing unredacted sworn testimony from a woman who said Matt Gaetz paid her for sex when she was 17. The file contains 24 exhibits of sworn statements, including the corroborating testimony by a second woman who said that she witnessed Gaetz having sex with the minor at a drug-fueled party in July 2017. The material has not been made public, yet. (New York Times / Washington Post / ABC News / USA Today / Wall Street Journal)

3/ Trump will nominate celebrity TV doctor Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. “America is facing a Healthcare Crisis, and there may be no Physician more qualified and capable than Dr. Oz to Make America Healthy Again,” Trump said. “Dr. Oz will work closely with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to take on the illness industrial complex, and all the horrible chronic diseases left in its wake.” As the administrator for CMS, Oz would report to Kennedy and be responsible for shaping the health coverage for more than 160 million Americans enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and plans obtained through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. In 2020, Oz promoted the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine to treat Covid-19 despite the lack of scientific evidence that it was an effective treatment. The FDA also revoked emergency use of the drug, citing “known and potential risks.” The position requires Senate confirmation. (Associated Press / CNN / Axios / Washington Post / Politico / New York Times / NBC News / Bloomberg / Wall Street Journal / CNBC)
  • Trump will nominate veteran Wall Street financier Howard Lutnick to lead the Commerce Department. (Wall Street Journal)
  • Trump named former “The Real World: Boston” reality TV star, congressman and Fox Business host Sean Duffy his pick for transportation secretary. (USA Today)
4/ Republican Nancy Mace introduced a resolution to ban transgender women from using women’s bathrooms at the Capitol after Sarah McBride became the first transgender woman to be elected to Congress. Mace’s resolution would amend House rules to block McBride and any other trans person visiting the Capitol from using bathrooms associated with their gender identity. And while the resolution doesn’t specifically name McBride, Mace said that “it’s 100 percent because of McBride” and that “McBride doesn’t get a say.” Speaker Mike Johnson told Republican lawmakers that the House will welcome “all new members with open arms,” “accommodate the needs of every single person,” and “treat all persons with dignity and respect.” Later, however, Johnson clarified his view that “a man is a man, and a woman is a woman, and a man cannot become a woman.” McBride called the resolution “a blatant attempt from far right-wing extremists to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing,” McBride said. “We should be focused on bringing down the cost of housing, health care, and child care, not manufacturing culture wars.” Marjorie Taylor Greene, meanwhile, threatened to fight any “biological men” who try to use the woman’s bathroom. (Washington Post / Bloomberg / Politico / CNN / ABC News / Wall Street Journal)

✏ Notables.
  1. House Democrats voted unanimously to reelect House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Alongside Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Jeffries will focus on countering Republican policies and defending democratic principles in a politically divided government. (Axios)
  2. Ukraine fired at least six U.S.-made ATACMS missiles at a weapons depot in Russia. The Russian Defense Ministry said air defenses shot down five ATACMS missiles, but fragments of another “fell on the technical territory of a military facility in the Bryansk region, causing a fire that was quickly extinguished. There were no casualties or damage.” Putin, meanwhile, approved an updated nuclear doctrine that now says Russia can launch a nuclear attack against a country assisting a non-nuclear country in aggression against Russia – a reference to NATO. (ABC News / NBC News / CNN / Bloomberg / Axios / Associated Press / Washington Post / Wall Street Journal)
  3. Texas board advances Bible-based curriculum for public schools despite controversy over religion’s role in education. The Texas State Board of Education has preliminarily approved an optional K-5 curriculum incorporating Bible-based lessons into reading and language arts, sparking debates about religion in public education. Advocates argue the curriculum enriches cultural and historical literacy, while critics say it risks violating the First Amendment and lacks balance, disproportionately favoring Christianity. (New York Times)
  4. Far-right militia “Veterans on Patrol” escalates anti-government threats over baseless claims of hurricane manipulation. A far-right militia group is promoting baseless conspiracy theories claiming Hurricane Helene was caused by U.S. military weather manipulation to advance a government agenda, such as land seizures and “smart city” projects. The group’s online chats reveal plans to target military equipment they allege is used for weather control, escalating anti-government rhetoric and raising fears of violence, particularly with Trump’s re-election. The militia has a history of spreading conspiracy theories, anti-government sentiment, and engaging in unlawful activities under the leadership of Michael “Lewis Arthur” Meyer. (The Guardian)
Dept. of Context and Consequence.
News analysis and opinions on today’s key headlines – why they matter and what’s at stake.
  1. Trump escalates attacks on Iowa pollster in continued assault on critics and institutions, fueling fears of state weaponization. Trump has targeted Ann Selzer, a prominent pollster, accusing her of “election fraud” after a poll inaccurately predicted Harris leading in Iowa. Despite Selzer announcing her exit from polling, Trump’s calls for investigations into her work highlight a troubling pattern of retaliatory behavior against critics. Scholars warn that such actions signal authoritarian governance, weaponizing state resources against perceived adversaries. (New Republic)
  2. Trump’s transition sparks turbulence with extreme government cuts, controversial appointments, and sweeping policy reversals. The Biden administration secured significant advancements, such as a $65 billion semiconductor investment and clean energy initiatives, but Trump’s incoming administration plans dramatic changes. These include deep government cuts inspired by Argentina’s economic “shock therapy,” rescinding climate action, and reversing worker protections. Trump’s proposed controversial appointees and mass deportation plans raise legal and financial concerns, while his claim of a mandate is contradicted by electoral realities and narrow Republican control. Economic shifts, including falling gas prices, highlight stark contrasts in governance priorities. (Heather Cox Richardson)
  3. Trump’s AI policies prioritize speed over safety. Trump’s expected AI policies emphasize minimal regulation, aligning with accelerationist movements advocating rapid technological advancement. His administration is likely to roll back Biden-era AI safety measures and prioritize competitiveness with China, particularly in semiconductor manufacturing. However, concerns over AI risks, including bias, misuse, and existential threats, persist among both Republicans and safety advocates. Key figures, including Elon Musk and Ivanka Trump, may influence the administration’s nuanced stance as the AI era unfolds. (Bloomberg)
 
GasBandit

GasBandit

Staff member
Oh it gets even juicier. Apparently when MTG was trying to threaten the release of ALL ethics reports... she specifically addressed her threat AT the other republicans. No mention of democrats at all. So basically, yeah... she is threatening other REPUBLICANS with exposure to prevent them from exposing Gaetz.

 
GasBandit

GasBandit

Staff member
1/ Trump nominated Linda McMahon, the co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment, to lead the Education Department that he has repeatedly vowed to dismantle. Like Betsy DeVos, Trump’s first-term education secretary, McMahon has no significant background working in public schools, teaching, or education policy outside of an appointment in 2009 to the Connecticut State Board of Education, where she served for just over a year. McMahon, a major Republican donor who has given tens of millions of dollars in support of pro-Trump causes, co-founded the America First Policy Institute, which advocates for school choice and the use of public funds — through vouchers and tax credits — for private schools. In his statement announcing the pick, Trump said McMahon “will fight tirelessly to expand ‘Choice’ to every State in America, and empower parents to make the best Education decisions for their families.” Trump added: “We will send Education BACK TO THE STATES, and Linda will spearhead that effort.” (NPR / Wall Street Journal / New York Times / CBS News / Washington Post / NBC News / CNN / Axios / Politico / ABC News)
  • Trump will nominate Matthew Whitaker as the U.S. ambassador to NATO. Whitaker is a conservative attorney who spent four months serving as acting attorney general in Trump’s first term. (NPR / Politico / Associated Press)
2/ Robert F. Kennedy Jr. previously said the Covid-19 pandemic, which killed more than 1.2 million Americans, felt “very planned” and suggested the government intentionally caused it. In August 2020 at a press conference to mark a newly formed European chapter of Children’s Health Defense, his anti-vaccination nonprofit, Kennedy said that he was open to the possibility that the Covid-19 pandemic was a “plandemic” – a term coined by conspiracy theorists who believe the government deliberately spread an infectious disease to accomplish authoritarian goals. “Many people argue that this pandemic was a ‘plandemic,’ that it was planned from the outset, it’s part of a sinister scheme,” Kennedy said. “I can’t tell you the answer to that. I don’t have enough evidence. A lot of it feels very planned to me.” He added: “I don’t know. I will tell you this: If you create these mechanisms for control, they become weapons of obedience for authoritarian regimes no matter how beneficial or innocent the people who created them.” Trump has nominated Kennedy for Secretary of Health and Human Services. (The Bulwark / Daily Beast / Politico / Mediate)

3/ The House Ethics Committee voted against releasing its report into allegations of sex trafficking, corruption, and drug use by Matt Gaetz, Trump’s pick for attorney general. Members, however, agreed to meet again on Dec. 5 “to further consider this matter.” Several Senate Republicans and Democrats have asked to review the report before the Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings next year. Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats have also asked FBI Director Christopher Wray for “the complete evidentiary file” from the Justice Department probe into whether Gaetz engaged in child sex trafficking. The House Ethics Committee reportedly obtained records, including a check and Venmo payments, that show Gaetz paid more than $10,000 to two women who later testified before the committee that some of the payments were for sex. The committee also heard from a woman who testified that Gaetz had sex with her when she was 17 years old. (New York Times / Politico / ABC News / NBC News / Wall Street Journal / ABC News / Washington Post / The Hill / Politico / Bloomberg)

4/ House Speaker Mike Johnson banned transgender individuals from using bathrooms on the House side of the Capitol that do not correspond with their sex assigned at birth. The move follows Nancy Mace’s resolution to restrict Sarah McBride, who is set to be the first transgender member of Congress, from using women’s bathrooms and gym facilities in the Capitol. “We have single-sex facilities for a reason,” Johnson said. “Women deserve women’s only spaces. We’re not anti-anyone. We’re pro-woman. I think it’s an important policy for us to continue. It’s always been, I guess, an unwritten policy, but now it’s in writing.” (Axios / Politico / Washington Post / ABC News)
 
GasBandit

GasBandit

Staff member
1/ Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration for attorney general following scrutiny over allegations of sex trafficking an underage girl and drug use that threatened his confirmation. The minor who said she had sex with Gaetz told the House Ethics Committee she had two sexual encounters with him at one party in 2017, and it included another adult woman. Two other women testified to the committee that Gaetz paid them for sex, with one witnessing him having sex with the 17-year-old at a drug-fueled party in 2017. Gaetz paid the two women over $10,000 through PayPal and Venmo. Some payments were for sex. “It is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” Gaetz said. “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General.” Michael Guest, chairman of the House Ethics Committee, said Gaetz’s decision to withdraw from consideration for attorney general ends “the discussion of whether or not the Ethics Committee should continue to move forward” on deliberations about releasing the report on its investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against Gaetz. “He has withdrawn his nomination, he is no longer a member of Congress, so I think that this settles any involvement,” Guest said. Trump, meanwhile, praised Gaetz’s decision, saying the decision has his “respect” and that “Matt has a wonderful future.” (Axios / Politico / NPR / Washington Post / New York Times / CNN / NBC News / Wall Street Journal / ABC News / Bloomberg / Associated Press)
  • Federal investigation links Matt Gaetz to payments for sex, but no charges filed. Federal investigators tracked payments made by Gaetz and associates, revealing connections to drug-fueled parties and women allegedly hired for sex, including one who was 17 at the time. While no charges were filed, a House Ethics Committee obtained documents showing Venmo and PayPal transactions between Gaetz and others, corroborating testimony from women who claimed to have been paid. Despite Gaetz’s denial of wrongdoing, the case raises questions as he faces confirmation challenges as Trump’s attorney general pick.(New York Times)
2/ A woman told police that Pete Hegseth – Trump’s pick for defense secretary – sexually assaulted her in 2017, according to an investigative report released by the Monterey Police Department. The woman, identified as Jane Doe in the documents, told police she consumed more alcohol “than normal” and that she approached Hegseth in a hotel bar after noticing he was behaving “inappropriately” toward other women. Doe said Hegseth told her he was a “nice guy.” Her next memory was being in an unknown room with Hegseth, who “took her phone from her hands” and blocked the door. Doe said she “remembered saying ‘no’ a lot” and that her next memory was of lying on a couch or bed with Hegseth standing over her with his dog tags dangling, the report states. Hegseth served in the National Guard. Days after the alleged incident, Doe went to the hospital to ask for a sexual assault examination. She told the attending nurse “something may have been slipped into her drink, as she cannot remember most of the night’s events” and that she thought she had been sexually assaulted by a man she later identified as Hegseth. The nurse reported Doe’s account to the police. Hegseth, who was never charged with a crime, said the encounter was consensual. He entered into a nondisclosure agreement with the woman in 2020. (Associated Press / CNN / New York Times / Mediate / Washington Post / Wall Street Journal / Axios / Politico / ABC News / NBC News)
  • Three of Trump’s Cabinet selections have faced allegations of sexual misconduct: Matt Gaetz, Pete Hegseth, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (NBC News)
3/ The Republican-led House Oversight Committee will establish a new subcommittee to work with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy on Trump’s so-called “Department of Government Efficiency.” The committee will be chaired by Marjorie Taylor Greene. The subcommittee “will align with the Trump administration’s priorities to eliminate government waste, streamline the federal government’s operations and cut red tape that’s stifling jobs and increasing costs for the American people.” (NBC News / CNBC / Politico / USA Today / Bloomberg / CNN)

4/ The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the war in Gaza. It’s the first time the ICC has issued warrants for the leader of a democratic country. The warrants require enforcement by the court’s 124 member states. Both Israel and the U.S., however, do not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC. The court also issued a warrant for the arrest of Muhammad Deif, Hamas’s military chief, accusing him of crimes against humanity, including murder, hostage taking, and sexual violence. Israel said they already killed Deif. Netanyahu, meanwhile, rejected what he called an “absurd and false accusations.” (Axios / NPR / Associated Press / New York Times / Washington Post / NBC News / ABC News / Wall Street Journal)

5/ The House passed legislation that allows the Treasury Department unilateral authority to strip the tax-exempt status of nonprofits it accuses of supporting terrorism. The bill passed 219-184, with all but one Republican in support and all but 15 Democrats opposed. The bill revokes the tax-exempt status of any “terrorist-supporting organization” the Treasury Department designates as having provided “material support or resources” to a group designated as a terrorist entity in the past three years. A nonprofit designated as “terror-supporting” has 90 days to appeal, though the bill doesn’t require the Treasury disclose all the evidence used to make the designation. The legislation passed largely along party lines, and now goes to the Democratic-controlled Senate where its fate is uncertain. (Associated Press / New York Times)
 
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