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April 21, 2017 10:40 PM UTC

Weekend Open Thread

  • 49 Comments
  • by: Colorado Pols

“Most of our faults are more pardonable than the means we use to conceal them.”

–Francois de La Rochefoucauld

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49 thoughts on “Weekend Open Thread”

  1. Another GOP elected official takes early retirement due to the dangerous combination of racism and stupidity…..  

     

    https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/21/us/florida-senator-frank-artiles-resigns-racist-rant.html?module=WatchingPortal&region=c-column-middle-span-region&pgType=Homepage&action=click&mediaId=thumb_square&state=standard&contentPlacement=11&version=internal&contentCollection=www.nytimes.com&contentId=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2017%2F04%2F21%2Fus%2Fflorida-senator-frank-artiles-resigns-racist-rant.html&eventName=Watching-article-click&_r=0

  2. Hey, trolls, we found your paid protesters right here! The Arizona Republican party paid protesters to attend a "coffee club" for Democratic Representative Kirsten Sinema. The protesters were supposed to question Sinema about campaign donations from individuals associated with Backpage.com.

    Backpage is Craigslist's evil twin, a site  reputed to  promote underage sex trafficking. When Sinema's campaign found out about the donor's affiliations with Backpage, she gave the $53K donations to a group combating child sex abuse.

    But for the AZ GOP, that wasn't enough. They solicited people to show up at Sinema's coffee club to give her hell about the Backpage donations.

    So hey, paid protesting is a thing.Trump’s always relied on paid actors to cheer him on. However, none of the hundreds of dedicated people I know who sacrifice to march and show up at town halls has been paid a dime.

  3. It's the weekend, a time of rest and renewal, brought to you by the heroic sacrifices of the American labor movement, which freed us from the 12 hour, 7 day work week that was so convenient for schedulers in steel and other basic industries.  So think of that today.

     

    Oh. And Trump still stinks!

     

     

     

    1. Hey ACHole — How's your Buffoon-in-Chief and his Band of Bozos doing these days?  Oh yeah, the latest in case you missed it!

      Following another round of protests, Donald Trump once again refused to release his tax returns, potentially putting the next item on the GOP legislative agenda — tax reform — in jeopardy. Will we see Trump’s returns before we see House Republicans try to get a plan off the ground? 
      Of course not! (Nor, I suspect, will House Republicans get a tax bill off the ground.) Our best hope for seeing Trump’s tax returns will be that day when the Kremlin decides that his useful idiocy is no longer useful and leaks them for its own purposes, no doubt via WikiLeaks. There is zero chance that Trump would voluntarily release them to remove a huge political obstacle to his party’s grand plans for tax reform, even if Republicans in Congress try to nudge him (as a few already are). Trump has only one priority, and it’s not the GOP, let alone America; it’s the Trump family kleptocracy. Clearly, releasing the returns poses some existential threat to his bottom line. End of story. He isn’t losing any sleep worrying about Paul Ryan’s agenda to cut taxes for other billionaires.

      Indeed, there’s still no evidence that Trump so much as peeked at the “how a bill becomes a law” diagram while cramming for the final in his ninth-grade civics class. His self-immolating effort to “repeal and replace” Obamacare will remain the template for everything he does. Which is to say, it is quite likely there will be no legislative achievements in his presidency — not tax reform, not a federal infrastructure surge, not a great wall — merely an endless slew of grandiosely announced executive orders that will create a certain havoc (when not struck down by the courts) but advance no consistent or substantive program. Trump doesn’t even heed his own sporadic quasi-governmental decrees. This week’s executive order was devoted to the theme of “Buy American, Hire American,” and surely no one expects that it apply either to his own daughter’s product lines or the menial immigrant workers at Mar-a-Lago and other Trump properties.

      If someone wrote a song titled "Malevolence Tempered by Incompetence" you guys could surely use that in all your campaigns next year! smiley

    2. AC
      I’m not a MD, but from your posts and general attitude, I would recommend you consult your Physician regarding a possible case of craniusanusinsertus.

       I don’t have to tell you how this can interfere with your communication skills  as well as excretatory functions, not to mention the strain on your spine.

      My best wishes for a speedy recovery.

      Peace

       

  7. A Hawaiian (and civil rights) primer . . .

     

    Let’s All Learn About Hawaii

    https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/21/opinion/lets-all-learn-about-hawaii.html

    Hawaii is famous for warm sunshine, beautiful mountains and beaches, and friendly people. Hawaii’s largest city is its capital, Honolulu, which has a population of about 350,000, within a county of about 993,000. By comparison, Birmingham, the largest city in Alabama, has 212,000 people. If you ask, “Where would you like to go on your honeymoon, Honolulu or Birmingham?” many people will not understand why that is a question

    . . .

    Civil rights include the right to vote, to go to decent schools, and not be hanged by mobs. The Southern lawmakers who opposed civil rights were Democrats then, though they later changed parties to become Republicans. They were also known as Dixiecrats. Today we call them racists.

    1. D

      Let's all learn about Democrats and racism

      The Southern lawmakers who opposed civil rights were Democrats.  The Black voters in the South were largely Republican until the 1930's when they realigned with the party of their slave masters, in exchange for the mix of social welfare benefits known as the new deal.  Their Democrat slave masters and KKK members continued as Southern elected officials including Hillary's favorite, Robert (KKK) Byrd.  Southern white Republican politicians tended to be less racists than their Dem counterparts, but such was the choice of the descendants of slaves.  By today's standard both were largely racist.

      1. Alas, history does not end with the passage of the Civil Rights Act, which passed with majority Republican support in 1964.   In 1968, Richard Nixon unveiled his Southern strategy aimed at picking up the white backlash vote.  It succeeded in attracting Dixiecrat segs like Strom Thurmond and in modern times, Carter and Clinton excepted, the South has tended to be Republican based on resentment of black voters.   The Republican party today has a virtual monopoly on racist votes.

        1. One person's trash is another's treasure….

          When Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act and showed Strom Thurmond, Lester Maddox and the rest of their ilk the door, Tricky Dick was only too happy to take them in to the Grand Old Party.

        2. V

          The South is almost all Republican these days and Black politicians like White politicians in the South who want to get elected become Republicans. It is not accurate or fair to say that the South is Republican based on resentment of black voters.  I am sure that Black Republican elected officials like Tim Scott does not see it that way.

          Your statement that the Republican party has a virtual monopoly on racist votes is stupid, but you know that.  Racism of one kind or another is an equal opportunity phenomena.  It's just that Dems who lack ideas, and substitute identity politics for being thoughtful, find it convenient to make the claim.  That is probably one of many reasons they keep losing.

          1. Keep on lying, bigot boy.   David Duke is the naked face of your party.   Tim Scott is the Uncle Tom main chance sellout.   You never Got over your rage at a mixed race president — who you repeatedly called "boy" and even now spew hatred when you think of him.   You are reflexive Republican because the party shares your racism while keeping just a tiny pretence of fairness.

            1. V

              When you lose the argument you revert to lying.

              David Duke is the face of the Republican Party?  You are an idiot.

              Tim Scot is an Uncle Tom?  You are a bigot.

              I called Obama a "boy"? You are a liar.

              You hit the trifecta.

              1. You even lie about your lies.  "Pajama Boy" is your favorite racial slur for President Obama. Everyone on this board has seen you use it , Goebbels Boy. Like your model Goebbels, you prefer the outrageous big lie to the little lie.   You are a racist to the core of your being.   Racist.  Racist.  Racist.  Racist.   Get used to being calledout, racist.  Because racism is your middle name.

                 

                 

                 

      2. Apparently your tuition payment at Trump University wasn't enough to get you into their Gold-level Reading Comprehension class???

        "The Southern lawmakers who opposed civil rights were Democrats then, though they later changed parties to become Republicans. They were also known as Dixiecrats. Today we call them racists."

          1. How about the biggest Dixiecrat of them all, Strom Thurmond?   What party did he switch to, Noodledick?  And how's that black "love child" of his doing?   Number one racist in America, but a liberal between the sheets.   Ain't no hypocrisy in Carnholio's Republican Party, that's for sure.

    1. Nice pictures.  Pretty ignorant.

      The Republicans supported the end of slavery and the passage of the reconstruction era civil rights statutes now codified at 42 USC sec 1981 et seq. That happened well before 1948

      1. So your argument now is that Republicans used to be the good guys? I'm with you on that argument, albeit the fact it's based on evidence from a hundred-and-fifty years ago makes your assertions, uhh, laughable? You’re hanging your hat on 42 USC 1981?

        1. MB

          Your cartoon states "the Democrats were the first of the two major parties to support civil rights or citizen rights for African Americans"

          That assertion is a lie and you admit that.

          I went back 150 years ago because that was when the Republicans supported civil rights and citizen rights for African Americans.  Apparently the cartoon and you by posting it had a memory lapse, or perhaps it does not fit into your false narrative.

          1. ….as a 'party platform'.  Are you incapable of reading the header of that picture, which would inform you of the context of the body? 

      2. Yes, it happened well before 1948.  Then the GOP realized that if they abandoned those principles and appealed to the racist vote, they could start winning elections again in 1968.  Thus pealing off the racist Dixiecrats to join the reborn Republican Party that repudiated the Party of Lincoln.

        Yes Gerbils, we got that.  You embrace fear, hatred and injustice in exchange for power.

        Any other despicable traits you want to confirm about yourself and your colleagues?

      3. 'Sissippi ratifies anti-slavery amendment after 138 years:

        The 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which abolished slavery, was ratified in 1865. Lawmakers in Mississippi, however, only got around to officially ratifying the amendment last month — 148 years later — thanks to the movie "Lincoln."

        The state's historical oversight came to light after Mississippi resident Ranjan Batra saw the Steven Spielberg-directed film last November, the Clarion-Ledger reports.

        After watching the film, which depicts the political fight to pass the 13th Amendment, Batra did some research. He learned that the amendment was ratified after three-fourths of the states backed it in December 1865. Four remaining states all eventually ratified the amendment — except for Mississippi. Mississippi voted to ratify the amendment in 1995 but failed to make it official by notifying the U.S. Archivist.

        P.S. God help us rid the internet of Andrew Carnegie. He is but a brick and mortar library man and only pollutes the intertubes with his paid hacktivism.

  9. Hey, if AC wants to relive the glory days when the Republican party stood for racial justice and really was the party of Lincoln, or even of Dwight Eisenhower, let him. 

    If he wants to use those good old days as a cover and distraction from what the Republican party stands for today, call bs – and you are doing so.

    Labels don't matter. Policy matters. Most people on here identify with the Democratic party – with all of its flaws, faults, and inconsistencies. Because the policies are better for people and for the planet.

    People are still getting hung up on labels. There was loyalist outrage over Bernie Sanders continuing to hold to being an Independent – as he has for 30 years. But Bernie's message, when he refused to put on that Democratic label, but promoted unity with the "Democratic Unity" tour, was that policy matters, and Democrats have better policy.

    I'm still a registered Democrat, although I find the party's DWS-inspired embrace of corporations and lobbyists contradicts the progressive platform HRC embraced to placate the Bernistas. The policies are what matter.

    So that's what I want to see on here – honest debate about policies, not party labels. Not ad hominem insults and rehashing the past. Watch what people do, not what they say, nor what labels they wear.

    1. In the end mj, labels count for a great deal and parties for virtually everything.   If you doubt that, look at the Supreme Court.   If a couple of moderates like Susan Collins put Republicans in control at the margin, then people named "Beauregard" control the courts, wreck EPA, turn our schools over to the 6,000 year old earth crowd and otherwise disgrace America.  Carnholio knows that.  He's happy as a clam with a relative moderate like Mike Coffman because they keep the Kochs in power.  

      In the end, third partyists like Bernie just serve as "useful idiots" to split the vote and keep the Beauregards in power.  Sad but true.

      1. V, obviously, under our current system, it is important to court moderates of both party "labels". If that is your point, I concede it. Because you are agreeing with my point: Policy matters, more than labels.

        The independent (not third party) Bernie Sanders was useful, but not an idiot.

        His behind the scenes, across the aisle negotiation skills tacked many an important amendment onto legislation; for example, community clinic funding. His stance as an independent gave him bargaining power.

        He brought out people who were cynical and disenchanted with bipolar party politics to the largest rallies of any of the 2016 candidates. You say that doesn't matter?

        Those Bernie rally attenders are still "woke"; We  are organizing and  a major part of the massive crowds at most of the marches, rallies, and town halls post Trump election. For the most part, we are organizing outside the Democratic party structure; the Democratic party  has made it clear that while they'd dearly like to have the Bernie crowds, the Bernie small-donor money, and the Bernie mailing list, they have no intention of incorporating Bernie policies into the mainstream Democratic agenda, or even just the DNC rules.

        His negotiations brought the Democratic party to its most progressive platform ever. You say nobody cares about the platform? That sucks. But Sanders' "Our Revolution" continues to fight for universal health care, affordable college, and  progressive candidates. 

        What's HRC doing to resist Trump? I think she's made a couple of speeches and tweeted some stuff. I've seen a meme or two. Leadership? Not so much.

        You'll probably respond with your usual "HRC beat Bernie like a drum!" to attempt to negate these points. Or perhaps attack my intellect, morals, or sanity.

        AC: Of course, your folks would have come up with Russian propaganda to try to defeat Sanders had he been the nominee. So don't bother trying to seem sympathetic to disappointed Berners, or attempt to widen the cracks in the Democratic party. We know where your loyalties lie, and we know who your lies are loyal to.

        I'm still voting Democratic. Because policy matters. The current beautiful activism, however, is fueled by independents like Bernie who work outside of party structures to create change. That's where your real coalition between establishment Dems and independents happens; on the streets and in the town halls. We may vote a Dem ticket, but we don't trust Dems to make change, because they are still too bought off by corporations to do so.

        1. Why would I attack your intellect, morals or sanity, mj?  Sure, Hillary beat bernie like a drum, that's a fact.   It's also fact some bernistas sat on their hands and /or voted for Jill Stein.

        2. Cont.   Mj, you supported hillary in the end, I get that.

          As to leading the fight now, she seems old and tired.  Maybe the Democrats need to look for leaders who aren't on medicare.   That obviously isn't bernie, who would be 87 if elected and served two terms.

          Maybe Clare McCaskill, twice victorious in a red state, can win again and pick up the banner.  Tammy Duckworth?   Amy Klobuchar?

    2. MJ:

      You are stealing my Andrew Carnegie line, but that's OK:

      As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do.

      Peace.

      1. Face it Andy, you're trying to defend the indefensible by going back 150 years.

        Here's a suggestion:  why not acknowledge that a few people in positions of power in your party cut a deal with the devil the 1960's with the southern strategy. You can say that was wrong and that most Republicans do not approve of it. But you can also go on deriving the benefit from it.

        It carries a little more credibility than reaching back to the 1860's when your party did was right.

      2. Gerbils, MJ nailed your ass to the wall with this one sentence:

        We know where your loyalties lie, and we know who your lies are loyal to.

        You seek to use banality as a disguise for the harm you want to do our nation and system of government.

        As John Lennon said so eloquently almost 50 years ago:

  10. NEWS FLASH: Republicans Can't Govern (Denver Post):

    President* Donald Trump’s GOP allies control Congress, but they’ve been unable to send him a single major bill as his presidency faces the symbolic 100-day mark on April 29 — the very day when the government, in a worst-case scenario, could shut down.

    Feeling pressure to deliver results, Trump wants to revive a troubled health care measure from House Republicans to repeal and replace President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act. Trump also hopes to use a $1 trillion catchall spending bill to salvage victories on his promised U.S.-Mexico border wall, a multibillion-dollar down payment on a Pentagon buildup, and perhaps a crackdown on cities that refuse to cooperate with immigration enforcement by federal authorities.

    Congress faces a midnight Friday deadline to avert a government shutdown. But negotiations on the spending measure, a huge pile of leftover business from last year that includes the budgets of almost every federal agency, have hit a rough patch.

    The only successful parts of their governing philosophy are reducing or eliminating as many Americans as possible from voting, gerrymandering district layouts to help them steal victories from almost sure defeats, and using vestigial parliamentary tricks to obstruct the Will of the People.

    Oh, and they lie about it all every step of the way.

    At this point I'm compelled to urge AC to FOAD.

  11. Who'd have thunk? Romney's Bain Capital and their Make American Radio Great Again, has successfully skimmed the cream from the iHeart barrel; bankruptcy looms.  

    The company has almost $350 million of debt coming due this year, part of a massive $20 billion debt load it took on as part of a $24 billion leveraged buyout of then Clear Channel Communications Inc. by private-equity firms Bain Capital and Thomas H. Lee Partners in 2008. It has another $8.3 billion of debt coming due in 2019.

    “I think it will go into Chapter 11 and what will happen is what has happened in most of these LBO cases,” said Chuck Tatelbaum, international bankruptcy expert and senior attorney at the Tripp Scott law firm. “The lender will take back the company as part of a Chapter 11 plan, the other creditors will get nothing and the shareholders will be wiped out.”

     

  12. Cory Gardner has a telephone town hall tomorrow, April 24, at 5:45 pm.

    HomeContact MePress ReleasesVideos

    Dear ___,

    I want to invite you to join my live telephone town hall call tomorrow, Monday, April 24 at 5:45pm MT. You can register for the event by clicking here or by texting SENGARDNER to 828282.

    On the call, you’ll have the opportunity to ask me questions directly. If you can’t be on the call, you can stream the event by clicking here. 

     

    Sign up today and I’ll speak with you tomorrow.

    Sincerely,

    Cory Gardner

    United States Senator

     

     

     

     

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