American Politics Thread V: We're Just Biden Our Time ...

[Galloism]

(Image)

i'm just...confused

I would like to learn more about these sex blimps.

[Cannot think of a name]

This is perhaps the worst I’ve ever seen Tariq Nasheed sink.

Is this what it's like when a Karen posts their videos to social media all triumph that they broke a service employee like they're the hero? What the fuck even is this? I've never heard of this cat but holy hell that was uncomfortable.

[Galloism]

This is perhaps the worst I’ve ever seen Tariq Nasheed sink.

Is this what it's like when a Karen posts their videos to social media all triumph that they broke a service employee like they're the hero? What the fuck even is this? I've never heard of this cat but holy hell that was uncomfortable.

He is semi-famous. Made some films. Bills himself as the world’s #1 race baiter. Has a quarter million followers or so.

[Cannot think of a name]

Is this what it's like when a Karen posts their videos to social media all triumph that they broke a service employee like they're the hero? What the fuck even is this? I've never heard of this cat but holy hell that was uncomfortable.

He is semi-famous. Made some films. Bills himself as the world’s #1 race baiter. Has a quarter million followers or so.

There's this guy on youtube, Emergency Awesome, just makes videos breaking down MCU movies and shows and he has close to a million followers. I think we need to adjust the threshold of how many followers someone has as an excuse to give a shit about who they are or what they say. I did in fact look this guy up after trying to figure out why he posted this and why he thought he was the hero. He made a series of documentaries I also haven't heard of, which I'm rather glad because I've seen some pretty cutting and raw documentaries about the history and influence of racism and it would have been a bummer to find out this was the dude who made one of them.

But I guess stunting like this is why he's really 'famous', which puts me on the hook as much as anyone.

[Kowani]

Ted Cruz claims he will no longer accept money from any corporate PAC


does anyone expect this to last?

[National Capitalist United States]

Ted Cruz claims he will no longer accept money from any corporate PAC


does anyone expect this to last?

6.9 hours at most

[San Lumen]

Ted Cruz claims he will no longer accept money from any corporate PAC


does anyone expect this to last?

it wont last.

[San Lumen]

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/20 ... n-spend-2/

DNC chairman announces plan to spend $20 million on 2022 races
'This ain't your grandmama's DNC. We are planning to play a bigger role than ever before in midterm elections.'

[Postauthoritarian America]

Louisiana seems like a longshot. Regardless, if the maps are drawn more fairly, it will give Democrats a better chance- especially since they'll be losing a seat in both PA and MN. And by "they", I mean the people in the State.

They aren't losing any seats in Minnesota, that's Michigan.

The story is that Minnesota got the last remaining House seat but no one in Minnesota believes it as No True Minnesotan would ever take the last cookie on the plate.

In 2010 Democratic Minnesota Governor and former US Senator Mark Dayton vetoed the redistricting proposed by the Republican-controlled legislature, sending the process to a committee named by the state judiciary. In 2020 Democrats control the state house and House of Representatives but Republicans held on to the Senate, so look for a reprise of 2010 there.

[San Lumen]

They aren't losing any seats in Minnesota, that's Michigan.

The story is that Minnesota got the last remaining House seat but no one in Minnesota believes it as No True Minnesotan would ever take the last cookie on the plate.

In 2010 Democratic Minnesota Governor and former US Senator Mark Dayton vetoed the redistricting proposed by the Republican-controlled legislature, sending the process to a committee named by the state judiciary. In 2020 Democrats control the state house and House of Representatives but Republicans held on to the Senate, so look for a reprise of 2010 there.

Which court names the committee? PA will likely go the state supreme court since any Republican gerrymander will be vetoed by outgoing governor Wolf and they will draw both the Congressional and State legislative maps which could be very favorable to Democrats given it will be a much fairer map.

[Lady Victory]

Ted Cruz claims he will no longer accept money from any corporate PAC


does anyone expect this to last?

Now this is what I call "fake news".

[Genivaria]

So has anyone brought up the PRO-Act yet?

[San Lumen]

https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing ... -lawmakers

A supporter of former President Trump has been found guilty of threatening to kill lawmakers before President Biden’s inauguration in January.

A jury in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn handed down the verdict for Brendan Hunt, a Queens resident, on Wednesday, The Washington Post reported. Hunt could face up to 10 years in prison.

Authorities said Hunt had posted a video on social media shortly after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot titled “KILL YOUR SENATORS: Slaughter them all.”

[Kowani]

Idaho state representative Aaaron von Ehlinger (R) accused of raping a 19 year-old intern

A 19-year-old intern at the Idaho Legislature testified during a Wednesday ethics hearing that Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger raped her in his apartment last month, despite her repeatedly telling him "no" and that she did not think they should have sex.The woman, identified as Jane Doe, functions as a main witness in the hearing in which a committee of von Ehlinger's fellow lawmakers will determine whether he acted inappropriately and can recommend sanctions including expulsion from the Legislature.

A criminal investigation by Boise Police is also underway into the alleged rape, though no charges have been filed as of Wednesday.

Members of the ethics committee stressed repeatedly that the proceeding is separate from any criminal trial: At issue is not whether the encounter was consensual, legislators say, but whether von Ehlinger's actions towards Doe and other female employees at the Statehouse amount to "conduct unbecoming to a legislator."

In previous testimony, von Ehlinger (R-Lewiston) admitted to taking the House staffer out to dinner and having a sexual encounter with her, but argues the incident was consensual.

Doe testified that she met Von Ehlinger when he gave her some cookies and invited her back to his office. The lawmaker took to stopping by her office after that as many as ten times for personal conversations, she said, and at one point gave her his cell phone number.

"I was impressed by her story and her demeanor at the time, and I basically let her know that 'hey, if you ever need anything just let me know,'" von Ehlinger said.

Von Ehlinger said the two exchanged texts, and he ultimately asked the 19-year-old out on a date, picking her up at the Statehouse the evening of March 9 and taking her to a Boise restaurant.

After dinner, according to the police report, von Ehlinger offered to drive the woman back to her vehicle, but then said he needed to make a detour to pick up a handicap placard for his housemate's car. The lawmaker then drove Doe to his own apartment, opened her car door, and asked her to come inside with him, according to the report. Once inside von Ehlinger's apartment, Doe told police, the legislator picked her up and carried her into his bedroom, putting her on the bed and forcefully kissing her. The 19-year-old said von Ehlinger began to touch her sexually and pull her clothes off.

In the police report, Doe described saying "no, I don't want to," "no, this is wrong," and "I don't want to, I don't want to, this isn't right" but said that von Ehlinger did not stop. She testified Wednesday that he grabbed her head and briefly forced oral sex, then straddled her and masturbated onto her.

Doe told the committee Wednesday that she told von Ehlinger no "multiple, multiple" times, even trying to convince him to stop by telling him she was not on birth control and had not shaved.

"He just continued," she said.

Doe said she reported the incident to the House Sergeant-at-Arms on March 11, and went to police that same day.

During the Wednesday hearing, von Ehlinger declined at his counsel's direction to answer questions about the sexual encounter or whether he and Doe went back to his apartment after dinner, invoking his right against self-incrimination.

Von Ehlinger's counsel, Edward Dindinger repeatedly noted that there were no laws or formal legislative rules that forbid sex or dating relationships between lawmakers and other adult employees at the Idaho Capitol.

The 38-year-old lawmaker also said that he did not believe it was inappropriate to pursue a 19-year-old intern.

"Her age had no bearing as far as me thinking it would O.K. to date anyone," he said.

Von Ehlinger went on to say he would not have a relationship with a House page - who are typically high schoolers - even if she was 18.

"There are children in this world and there are adults in this world and clearly no representative should be, according to law, dating or being in any personal situations with a House page," he said.

Von Ehlinger previously romantically pursued at least three other women who worked in the Capitol, according to testimony, including a lobbyist who confided in another representative that he had made her uncomfortable and she feared he had rifled through her purse for her home address. Von Ehlinger also asked out a clerk in January - who rejected him in an email, telling him she was married - and took a Capitol security officer out on two dates before inviting her up to his apartment and having sex with her in early March.

The security employee testified Wednesday that she had willingly gone to von Ehlinger's apartment and that the sex had been consensual, although she felt "awkward" and "obligated" about it at the time.

Several representatives said they had warned von Ehlinger about dating within the Statehouse or exhibiting behavior that could be taken out of context.

Speaker of the House Scott Bedke testified that although no rules explicitly spell out that having sex with Statehouse staff is frowned upon, representatives understand that they are held to a high standard.

"I have been not bashful in explaining the relationship between elected officials and all of the staff in the building," he said. "It is not a big stretch to conclude that extra, that sexual relations from one that is at a higher power differential than one that is not, would be out of bounds as per normal protocols."

The committee recessed for the day shortly before 3 p.m. and is expected to reconvene at 10 a.m. Thursday to vote.

[San Lumen]

Idaho state representative Aaaron von Ehlinger (R) accused of raping a 19 year-old intern

A 19-year-old intern at the Idaho Legislature testified during a Wednesday ethics hearing that Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger raped her in his apartment last month, despite her repeatedly telling him "no" and that she did not think they should have sex.The woman, identified as Jane Doe, functions as a main witness in the hearing in which a committee of von Ehlinger's fellow lawmakers will determine whether he acted inappropriately and can recommend sanctions including expulsion from the Legislature.

A criminal investigation by Boise Police is also underway into the alleged rape, though no charges have been filed as of Wednesday.

Members of the ethics committee stressed repeatedly that the proceeding is separate from any criminal trial: At issue is not whether the encounter was consensual, legislators say, but whether von Ehlinger's actions towards Doe and other female employees at the Statehouse amount to "conduct unbecoming to a legislator."

In previous testimony, von Ehlinger (R-Lewiston) admitted to taking the House staffer out to dinner and having a sexual encounter with her, but argues the incident was consensual.

Doe testified that she met Von Ehlinger when he gave her some cookies and invited her back to his office. The lawmaker took to stopping by her office after that as many as ten times for personal conversations, she said, and at one point gave her his cell phone number.

"I was impressed by her story and her demeanor at the time, and I basically let her know that 'hey, if you ever need anything just let me know,'" von Ehlinger said.

Von Ehlinger said the two exchanged texts, and he ultimately asked the 19-year-old out on a date, picking her up at the Statehouse the evening of March 9 and taking her to a Boise restaurant.

After dinner, according to the police report, von Ehlinger offered to drive the woman back to her vehicle, but then said he needed to make a detour to pick up a handicap placard for his housemate's car. The lawmaker then drove Doe to his own apartment, opened her car door, and asked her to come inside with him, according to the report. Once inside von Ehlinger's apartment, Doe told police, the legislator picked her up and carried her into his bedroom, putting her on the bed and forcefully kissing her. The 19-year-old said von Ehlinger began to touch her sexually and pull her clothes off.

In the police report, Doe described saying "no, I don't want to," "no, this is wrong," and "I don't want to, I don't want to, this isn't right" but said that von Ehlinger did not stop. She testified Wednesday that he grabbed her head and briefly forced oral sex, then straddled her and masturbated onto her.

Doe told the committee Wednesday that she told von Ehlinger no "multiple, multiple" times, even trying to convince him to stop by telling him she was not on birth control and had not shaved.

"He just continued," she said.

Doe said she reported the incident to the House Sergeant-at-Arms on March 11, and went to police that same day.

During the Wednesday hearing, von Ehlinger declined at his counsel's direction to answer questions about the sexual encounter or whether he and Doe went back to his apartment after dinner, invoking his right against self-incrimination.

Von Ehlinger's counsel, Edward Dindinger repeatedly noted that there were no laws or formal legislative rules that forbid sex or dating relationships between lawmakers and other adult employees at the Idaho Capitol.

The 38-year-old lawmaker also said that he did not believe it was inappropriate to pursue a 19-year-old intern.

"Her age had no bearing as far as me thinking it would O.K. to date anyone," he said.

Von Ehlinger went on to say he would not have a relationship with a House page - who are typically high schoolers - even if she was 18.

"There are children in this world and there are adults in this world and clearly no representative should be, according to law, dating or being in any personal situations with a House page," he said.

Von Ehlinger previously romantically pursued at least three other women who worked in the Capitol, according to testimony, including a lobbyist who confided in another representative that he had made her uncomfortable and she feared he had rifled through her purse for her home address. Von Ehlinger also asked out a clerk in January - who rejected him in an email, telling him she was married - and took a Capitol security officer out on two dates before inviting her up to his apartment and having sex with her in early March.

The security employee testified Wednesday that she had willingly gone to von Ehlinger's apartment and that the sex had been consensual, although she felt "awkward" and "obligated" about it at the time.

Several representatives said they had warned von Ehlinger about dating within the Statehouse or exhibiting behavior that could be taken out of context.

Speaker of the House Scott Bedke testified that although no rules explicitly spell out that having sex with Statehouse staff is frowned upon, representatives understand that they are held to a high standard.

"I have been not bashful in explaining the relationship between elected officials and all of the staff in the building," he said. "It is not a big stretch to conclude that extra, that sexual relations from one that is at a higher power differential than one that is not, would be out of bounds as per normal protocols."

The committee recessed for the day shortly before 3 p.m. and is expected to reconvene at 10 a.m. Thursday to vote.

Holy cow!!! If true I hope hes expelled and faces charges.

[Zurkerx]

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/apr/28/dnc-chairman-jaime-harrison-announces-plan-spend-2/

DNC chairman announces plan to spend $20 million on 2022 races
'This ain't your grandmama's DNC. We are planning to play a bigger role than ever before in midterm elections.'

That honestly does not sound like a lot and given Republicans are well-entrenched, they should spend more.

[San Lumen]

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/apr/28/dnc-chairman-jaime-harrison-announces-plan-spend-2/

DNC chairman announces plan to spend $20 million on 2022 races
'This ain't your grandmama's DNC. We are planning to play a bigger role than ever before in midterm elections.'

That honestly does not sound like a lot and given Republicans are well-entrenched, they should spend more.

That's only by April.

[Eahland]

Ted Cruz claims he will no longer accept money from any corporate PAC


does anyone expect this to last?

Translated to English: "I'm going to pretend that the fact that I'm not getting any money from corporate PACs anymore is my decision, and not because they stopped giving it to me because fomenting insurrection is bad for business."

[Shrillland]

So has anyone brought up the PRO-Act yet?

Not really, mostly because no one expects it to pass.

[Kowani]

Biden currently giving joint address to congress

[Postauthoritarian America]

The story is that Minnesota got the last remaining House seat but no one in Minnesota believes it as No True Minnesotan would ever take the last cookie on the plate.

In 2010 Democratic Minnesota Governor and former US Senator Mark Dayton vetoed the redistricting proposed by the Republican-controlled legislature, sending the process to a committee named by the state judiciary. In 2020 Democrats control the state house and House of Representatives but Republicans held on to the Senate, so look for a reprise of 2010 there.

Which court names the committee? PA will likely go the state supreme court since any Republican gerrymander will be vetoed by outgoing governor Wolf and they will draw both the Congressional and State legislative maps which could be very favorable to Democrats given it will be a much fairer map.

In MN the Chief Justice of the state Supreme Court names five of his judicial colleagues to a panel that draws up the final maps. For the 2010 cycle the judicial branch's maps put 46 incumbents in districts with another incumbent and created 23 districts with no incumbent. (MN has 67 state Senators and 134 state Representatives for a total of 201.) Not the kind of result one would expect from maps drawn by the legislative branch.

[Picairn]

Biden currently giving joint address to congress

I'm listening to it right now.

[Dresderstan]

Ted Cruz claims he will no longer accept money from any corporate PAC


does anyone expect this to last?

6.9 hours at most

4 days, 20 hours.

[Postauthoritarian America]

https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/550799-trump-supporter-found-guilty-of-threatening-to-kill-lawmakers

A supporter of former President Trump has been found guilty of threatening to kill lawmakers before President Biden’s inauguration in January.

A jury in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn handed down the verdict for Brendan Hunt, a Queens resident, on Wednesday, The Washington Post reported. Hunt could face up to 10 years in prison.

Authorities said Hunt had posted a video on social media shortly after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot titled “KILL YOUR SENATORS: Slaughter them all.”

What with this and the warrant served on Giuliani today I have the Dragnet theme playing in my head. da da DAAAA da da DA DA DAAAAAAA

[Shrillland]

Feds indict three men suspected responsible for Ahmaud Arbery's shooting death with attempted kidnapping and infringement of civil rights