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

[Cannot think of a name]

Doesn't everyone feel a lot calmer these days?

Maybe under duress, for some. But not to worry.

...no
the long-term structural threats have gotten worse, imo
they're just not being perpetuated by a buffoon who actively sabotaged the largest public health crisis in decades
there's a lot to worry about
it's just not as visible or eye-catching

I mean, on one hand, our system proved resilient enough to withstand an idiot coup. On the other hand, we left a disturbing amount of things up to assuming the person who sought the highest office in the land would have an ounce of fucking decorum and it's easy to imagine someone more clever is examining all the cracks to make sure the next opportunity comes around they succeed.

[Kowani]

...no
the long-term structural threats have gotten worse, imo
they're just not being perpetuated by a buffoon who actively sabotaged the largest public health crisis in decades
there's a lot to worry about
it's just not as visible or eye-catching

I mean, on one hand, our system proved resilient enough to withstand an idiot coup. On the other hand, we left a disturbing amount of things up to assuming the person who sought the highest office in the land would have an ounce of fucking decorum and it's easy to imagine someone more clever is examining all the cracks to make sure the next opportunity comes around they succeed.

i mean
that wasn't what i'm really worried about
but it's true that trump exposed all the weaknesses of a norms-based presidency
now if only the anti-democratic political party would stop blocking any reform from happening (oh wait that's part of the plan)

[Glamour]

Doesn't everyone feel a lot calmer these days?

Maybe under duress, for some. But not to worry.

I mean, the fires aren't necessarily contained, but at least there isn't someone going down to the fires and tossing napalm on it because someone published a photo he didn't like.

MY SON OF A BITCH DIED IN VIETNAM!

[Glamour]

I mean, on one hand, our system proved resilient enough to withstand an idiot coup. On the other hand, we left a disturbing amount of things up to assuming the person who sought the highest office in the land would have an ounce of fucking decorum and it's easy to imagine someone more clever is examining all the cracks to make sure the next opportunity comes around they succeed.

i mean
that wasn't what i'm really worried about
but it's true that trump exposed all the weaknesses of a norms-based presidency
now if only the anti-democratic political party would stop blocking any reform from happening (oh wait that's part of the plan)

Now listen here, Jack:

[...]

[Kowani]

Oregon State Rep. Mike Nearman (R) expelled from the State House for helping far-right mob break into the State Capitol (59-1)

the 1 was Nearman himself

[Senkaku]

Doesn't everyone feel a lot calmer these days?

Maybe under duress, for some. But not to worry.

The western half of the country is so dry there’s about to be a water war

[Washington Resistance Army]

Doesn't everyone feel a lot calmer these days?

Maybe under duress, for some. But not to worry.

The western half of the country is so dry there’s about to be a water war

Gimme some powered armor and I'm ready for the resource wars baby!

[Kowani]

MIssouri Gov. Mike Parsons (R) signs law limiting who can inspect dairy, egg, livestock, & poultry producing facilities, as well as who can offer testimony in criminal prosecution of such facilities

Gov. Mike Parson on Thursday signed legislation placing limits on inspections of large agricultural facilities such as concentrated animal feeding operations, known as CAFOs.

Parson, a Republican, signed the bill despite concerns from Democrats and others that it would further erode local control and make it more difficult to police bad actors.

The governor was scheduled to attend a ceremonial bill signing Thursday in Trenton, Missouri, according to a news release.

The legislation “protects producers and supports Missouri’s agriculture industry,” Parson said in a statement. During debate over the measure this spring, Sen. Jeanie Riddle (R), said Missouri needed to clearly define who could inspect facilities, adding she wanted to prevent out-of-state actors from inspecting Missouri farms.

The bill allows the Missouri Department of Agriculture, the state Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a county sheriff or any other state or federal agency with regulatory or statutory authority to inspect a facility. Despite allowing county sheriffs to inspect, opponents said it would further restrict local officials, who are already operating under a 2019 law Parson signed nullifying local health ordinances that impose environmental rules on large farming operations. The new law, which will take effect in late August, doesn’t apply to high-population charter counties, such as St. Louis, Jefferson and Jackson. It also doesn’t apply to the city of St. Louis, but does apply to St. Charles County.

In addition, the law limits who may offer evidence during a criminal prosecution.

Evidence at a criminal prosecution must be offered by an authorized individual, someone on the property with the permission of the landowner, an official serving a search warrant, or a person who “observed a condition or event at the grounds or facilities” from public land or land owned by the person.

Democrats in the Missouri Senate were able to force some concessions from Republicans before the measure advanced to Parson’s desk.

For example, the law doesn’t apply to dog breeding facilities.

billtext here

[The Black Forrest]

Always comedic relief, I must say. Props to the military guy for not laughing after hearing that one. I would’ve just died laughing.

I would have ended up burning his time trying to get to the bottom of why he thinks that islands float.

I was that guy is stoned or this has to be the onion. Wow. Georgia eh?

I loved the guys face as he was trying to be polite t0 the rep. Also, the typhoon comment was priceless.

[The Black Forrest]

MIssouri Gov. Mike Parsons (R) signs law limiting who can inspect dairy, egg, livestock, & poultry producing facilities, as well as who can offer testimony in criminal prosecution of such facilities

Gov. Mike Parson on Thursday signed legislation placing limits on inspections of large agricultural facilities such as concentrated animal feeding operations, known as CAFOs.

Parson, a Republican, signed the bill despite concerns from Democrats and others that it would further erode local control and make it more difficult to police bad actors.

The governor was scheduled to attend a ceremonial bill signing Thursday in Trenton, Missouri, according to a news release.

The legislation “protects producers and supports Missouri’s agriculture industry,” Parson said in a statement. During debate over the measure this spring, Sen. Jeanie Riddle (R), said Missouri needed to clearly define who could inspect facilities, adding she wanted to prevent out-of-state actors from inspecting Missouri farms.

The bill allows the Missouri Department of Agriculture, the state Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a county sheriff or any other state or federal agency with regulatory or statutory authority to inspect a facility. Despite allowing county sheriffs to inspect, opponents said it would further restrict local officials, who are already operating under a 2019 law Parson signed nullifying local health ordinances that impose environmental rules on large farming operations. The new law, which will take effect in late August, doesn’t apply to high-population charter counties, such as St. Louis, Jefferson and Jackson. It also doesn’t apply to the city of St. Louis, but does apply to St. Charles County.

In addition, the law limits who may offer evidence during a criminal prosecution.

Evidence at a criminal prosecution must be offered by an authorized individual, someone on the property with the permission of the landowner, an official serving a search warrant, or a person who “observed a condition or event at the grounds or facilities” from public land or land owned by the person.

Democrats in the Missouri Senate were able to force some concessions from Republicans before the measure advanced to Parson’s desk.

For example, the law doesn’t apply to dog breeding facilities.

billtext here

I am you have to be kidding. Am I missing something?

I guess we can trust the free market not to pass one bad good eh?

[The United Confederacy of Texas]

Greg Abbott has declared that he will authorize the construction of a border wall between Texas and Mexico

Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday that Texas will build a border wall along the state’s boundary with Mexico — but provided no details on where or when.

Abbott declared his plans during a press conference in Del Rio. He said he would discuss the plans next week. The Biden administration issued a proclamation that stopped border wall construction on his first day of office.

Abbott announced the news while discussing a slew of border initiatives, such as a $1 billion allocation for border security in the state budget lawmakers just passed and a plan to establish a Governor’s Task Force on Border and Homeland Security with public safety and state government officials.

“It will help all of us to work on ways to stem the flow of unlawful immigration and to stem the flow of illegal contraband,” Abbott said, while seated next to officials from the National Guard, Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Division of Emergency Management.

At the conference, Abbott also announced plans to increase arrests along the border — and increase space inside local jails.

"They don't want to come to across the state of Texas anymore because it's not what they were expecting," Abbott said before being met with applause from those at the conference. "It's not the red carpet that the federal administration rolled out to them."

He also announced an interstate compact with Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey to resolve the border "crisis," and called on other states to do the same.

Abbott's announcement comes after Republican former state Sen. Don Huffines said he will challenge the governor in next year's GOP primary — and as part of his campaign also promised to finish border wall construction in Texas.

"We will completely shut down the border until the crisis is solved and eliminate all taxpayer-funded subsidies to illegal aliens," Huffines tweeted earlier this month. "I am not afraid to take on the federal government."

Building a wall along the Texas-Mexico border was a key element of former President Donald Trump's successful 2016 election campaign plan that can be dated to when he was preparing his bid for a Republican nomination in 2014. His promise that Mexico would pay for it remained unfulfilled for the entirety of his administration.

During his term, Trump built 450 miles of barrier — mostly in Arizona and far less in the Rio Grande Valley, according to The Washington Post.

Earlier this month, Trump backed Abbott for reelection in the 2022 Texas gubernatorial election.

On Thursday, Abbott didn’t address the ongoing conflict between himself and the Biden administration that escalated this week after federal officials threatened to sue Texas over Abbott’s order to strip certain shelters for migrant children of their state licenses, which could force the shelter operators — which operate under contracts with the federal government — to move the children elsewhere.

The 52 state-licensed shelters house roughly 8,600 children, according to data from the state. In a letter to Texas officials Monday, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services attorney Paul Rodriguez asked Texas to clarify Abbott’s order and said it could violate the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, which states that federal law overrides state laws. He gave Texas until Friday to respond.

However, he did call on the federal government to pay for the "damages" brought on by immigration to the border, claiming landowners are left to foot the bill for people that migrate.

"The border crisis is no laughing matter," Abbott said. "This is something that also is not a tourism site for members of Congress to make an annual pilgrimage to and see the border, and then go back and do absolutely nothing at the federal government level to solve the crisis."

Abbott has blamed the recent surge of migrants to the Texas-Mexico border on the Biden administration’s immigration policies, claiming in a disaster declaration this week that new federal policies have paved the way for “dangerous gangs and cartels, human traffickers, and deadly drugs like fentanyl to pour into our communities.”

Two weeks ago, Abbott deployed more than 1,000 Texas Department of Public Safety troopers and National Guard members to the border as part of Operation Lone Star — an initiative he announced in March aimed at beefing up security at the border. Abbott later expanded those efforts to also tackle human trafficking at the border, including a plan for DPS troopers and Texas Rangers to interview unaccompanied minors that cross the border to identify potential human trafficking victims.

During his first months in office, Biden ordered a review of the Trump administration’s Migrant Protection Protocols, which required asylum seekers to wait in Mexico until their cases could be heard in U.S. immigration courts.

The Biden Administration has referred to its new policies as a way to be more humane toward migrants.

After Vice President Kamala Harris visited Guatemala and Mexico this week, she told NBC’s Lester Holt, “We have to understand that there’s a reason people are arriving at our border and ask what is that reason and then identify the problem so we can fix it.”

During her trip, she faced backlash from progressives after she told Guatemalans: “Do not come.”

It amazes me how much Greg Abbott can make me hate him even more than the last time he does something completely idiotic.

[Kowani]

second time i've been ninja'd literally seconds before i posted an article today


also, abbot continues to suck

[The Black Forrest]

Greg Abbott has declared that he will authorize the construction of a border wall between Texas and Mexico

Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday that Texas will build a border wall along the state’s boundary with Mexico — but provided no details on where or when.

Abbott declared his plans during a press conference in Del Rio. He said he would discuss the plans next week. The Biden administration issued a proclamation that stopped border wall construction on his first day of office.

Abbott announced the news while discussing a slew of border initiatives, such as a $1 billion allocation for border security in the state budget lawmakers just passed and a plan to establish a Governor’s Task Force on Border and Homeland Security with public safety and state government officials.

“It will help all of us to work on ways to stem the flow of unlawful immigration and to stem the flow of illegal contraband,” Abbott said, while seated next to officials from the National Guard, Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Division of Emergency Management.

At the conference, Abbott also announced plans to increase arrests along the border — and increase space inside local jails.

"They don't want to come to across the state of Texas anymore because it's not what they were expecting," Abbott said before being met with applause from those at the conference. "It's not the red carpet that the federal administration rolled out to them."

He also announced an interstate compact with Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey to resolve the border "crisis," and called on other states to do the same.

Abbott's announcement comes after Republican former state Sen. Don Huffines said he will challenge the governor in next year's GOP primary — and as part of his campaign also promised to finish border wall construction in Texas.

"We will completely shut down the border until the crisis is solved and eliminate all taxpayer-funded subsidies to illegal aliens," Huffines tweeted earlier this month. "I am not afraid to take on the federal government."

Building a wall along the Texas-Mexico border was a key element of former President Donald Trump's successful 2016 election campaign plan that can be dated to when he was preparing his bid for a Republican nomination in 2014. His promise that Mexico would pay for it remained unfulfilled for the entirety of his administration.

During his term, Trump built 450 miles of barrier — mostly in Arizona and far less in the Rio Grande Valley, according to The Washington Post.

Earlier this month, Trump backed Abbott for reelection in the 2022 Texas gubernatorial election.

On Thursday, Abbott didn’t address the ongoing conflict between himself and the Biden administration that escalated this week after federal officials threatened to sue Texas over Abbott’s order to strip certain shelters for migrant children of their state licenses, which could force the shelter operators — which operate under contracts with the federal government — to move the children elsewhere.

The 52 state-licensed shelters house roughly 8,600 children, according to data from the state. In a letter to Texas officials Monday, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services attorney Paul Rodriguez asked Texas to clarify Abbott’s order and said it could violate the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, which states that federal law overrides state laws. He gave Texas until Friday to respond.

However, he did call on the federal government to pay for the "damages" brought on by immigration to the border, claiming landowners are left to foot the bill for people that migrate.

"The border crisis is no laughing matter," Abbott said. "This is something that also is not a tourism site for members of Congress to make an annual pilgrimage to and see the border, and then go back and do absolutely nothing at the federal government level to solve the crisis."

Abbott has blamed the recent surge of migrants to the Texas-Mexico border on the Biden administration’s immigration policies, claiming in a disaster declaration this week that new federal policies have paved the way for “dangerous gangs and cartels, human traffickers, and deadly drugs like fentanyl to pour into our communities.”

Two weeks ago, Abbott deployed more than 1,000 Texas Department of Public Safety troopers and National Guard members to the border as part of Operation Lone Star — an initiative he announced in March aimed at beefing up security at the border. Abbott later expanded those efforts to also tackle human trafficking at the border, including a plan for DPS troopers and Texas Rangers to interview unaccompanied minors that cross the border to identify potential human trafficking victims.

During his first months in office, Biden ordered a review of the Trump administration’s Migrant Protection Protocols, which required asylum seekers to wait in Mexico until their cases could be heard in U.S. immigration courts.

The Biden Administration has referred to its new policies as a way to be more humane toward migrants.

After Vice President Kamala Harris visited Guatemala and Mexico this week, she told NBC’s Lester Holt, “We have to understand that there’s a reason people are arriving at our border and ask what is that reason and then identify the problem so we can fix it.”

During her trip, she faced backlash from progressives after she told Guatemalans: “Do not come.”

It amazes me how much Greg Abbott can make me hate him even more than the last time he does something completely idiotic.

More important. Mexico is going to pay for it; right?

[Kowani]

Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden (D-OR) says he will vote against a bipartisan infrastructure deal insufficient to addressing the climate crisis

[Senkaku]

Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden (D-OR) says he will vote against a bipartisan infrastructure deal insufficient to addressing the climate crisis

On the one hand, good for him; on the other hand, now there’s going to be some insufferable Politico pieces saying “did The Left push too hard?” or whatever when the deal goes up in smoke because the GOP won’t support it and Manchin and his silent partners in centrism for its own sake in the Democratic caucus inevitably get cold feet

[Kilobugya]

Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden (D-OR) says he will vote against a bipartisan infrastructure deal insufficient to addressing the climate crisis

This whole worship of "bipartisan" is just sick. The democrats won. The popular vote, the EC, the House despite gerrymandering, the Senate despite the 50 Republicans representing like 35% of the population while the 50 Democrats represent 65% of it. And their proposals, be it HR1 or a big infrastructure bill, are supported by a large majority of the population. It's time to stop a small minority from blocking all progress from the majority. And yes, I know, Manchin and SInema and the "centrist" are a problem. But you don't win in politics by just always giving up and carving.

[Kilobugya]

Redefining "majority" to mean anything but 51/100 is futile.

Well, it's technically 51/101 with VP Harris, which is a majority.

Nor is appeal to popular opinion going to get you far. Compared to the filibuster, all the other things are barely even a problem.

Because the democrats are bad at mobilizing said popular opinion. They should organize mass protests. Have voters swarm the Senators who block popular agenda with tons with e-mails, phone calls and snail mails. Organize protests in front of their office. Nothing violent, nothing "off limit" like harassing them during their family time, sure, but organize public opinion to act as pressure on Senators who block things. Organize a referendum, even if it's non-binding since the US Constitution doesn't allow them.

Politics is most of all a struggle of power. You don't achieve anything by saying "ah yeah but Manchin so I'll just give up".

[Kowani]

Redefining "majority" to mean anything but 51/100 is futile.

Well, it's technically 51/101 with VP Harris, which is a majority.

Nor is appeal to popular opinion going to get you far. Compared to the filibuster, all the other things are barely even a problem.

Because the democrats are bad at mobilizing said popular opinion. They should organize mass protests. Have voters swarm the Senators who block popular agenda with tons with e-mails, phone calls and snail mails. Organize protests in front of their office. Nothing violent, nothing "off limit" like harassing them during their family time, sure, but organize public opinion to act as pressure on Senators who block things. Organize a referendum, even if it's non-binding since the US Constitution doesn't allow them.

Politics is most of all a struggle of power. You don't achieve anything by saying "ah yeah but Manchin so I'll just give up".

There is actually a "march on manchin" planned for June 14

[Senkaku]

Well, it's technically 51/101 with VP Harris, which is a majority.



Because the democrats are bad at mobilizing said popular opinion. They should organize mass protests. Have voters swarm the Senators who block popular agenda with tons with e-mails, phone calls and snail mails. Organize protests in front of their office. Nothing violent, nothing "off limit" like harassing them during their family time, sure, but organize public opinion to act as pressure on Senators who block things. Organize a referendum, even if it's non-binding since the US Constitution doesn't allow them.

Politics is most of all a struggle of power. You don't achieve anything by saying "ah yeah but Manchin so I'll just give up".

There is actually a "march on manchin" planned for June 14

https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-democ ... oe-manchin <<< not sure if it's already been posted but... pressure on Manchin alone is not enough. The reason they're not organizing the kind of intense mass campaign Kilo wants? It's because it would actually end up targeting a lot of Democrats-- there's enough who are tacitly with him that it's not actually clear that the party apparatus as a whole disagrees with him (for a variety of their own reasons I'm sure), even if polls may show the mass base does.

[Picairn]

There is actually a "march on manchin" planned for June 14

In my opinion, that is not enough. We need Progressive Era-level of mass protests and organized events from the middle class and the poor. Democracy is only as strong as the engagement of citizens in it.

[Kowani]

There is actually a "march on manchin" planned for June 14

https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-democ ... oe-manchin <<< not sure if it's already been posted but... pressure on Manchin alone is not enough. The reason they're not organizing the kind of intense mass campaign Kilo wants? It's because it would actually end up targeting a lot of Democrats-- there's enough who are tacitly with him that it's not actually clear that the party apparatus as a whole disagrees with him (for a variety of their own reasons I'm sure), even if polls may show the mass base does.

noting that the people organizing this march aren't actually affiliated with the dems for a moment
i'm not actually certain this is as true as its made out to be
ever since we've heard this story, of some sort of "shadow cabal" behind manchin, there's been a lot of pressure-and you've seen moderates who were previously silent or opposed-tester, king, rosen- come out and say "i don't want to, but if it comes down to it, i'll vote to remove/reform the filibuster" (with the caveat that that means different things to different people)
the only counterexample i can think of is feinstein
but uh
that's not really a representative example

[San Lumen]

https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/08/politics ... index.html

Harris invites all female senators for dinner at Naval Observatory amid infrastructure negotiations

[Kilobugya]

https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/08/politics/vice-president-female-senators-dinner/index.html

Harris invites all female senators for dinner at Naval Observatory amid infrastructure negotiations

We had our government doing a sh*tstorm because of a local NGO organizing occasional "non-mixity" (female only) bike repair workshop was referenced on the city of Paris website. And you've your VP making a female-only dinner. Sometimes US politics is less insane than French politics. That tells a lot how low French politics sank

[Borderlands of Rojava]

https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/08/politics/vice-president-female-senators-dinner/index.html

Harris invites all female senators for dinner at Naval Observatory amid infrastructure negotiations

We had our government doing a sh*tstorm because of a local NGO organizing occasional "non-mixity" (female only) bike repair workshop was referenced on the city of Paris website. And you've your VP making a female-only dinner. Sometimes US politics is less insane than French politics. That tells a lot how low French politics sank

Tbh why should there be a female only bike repair shop? I'm not cool with a male only bar, so the idea of a female only anything seems kinda...strange.

[Borderlands of Rojava]

https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/08/politics/vice-president-female-senators-dinner/index.html

Harris invites all female senators for dinner at Naval Observatory amid infrastructure negotiations

Maybe they can discuss how they can meld feminism with blowing up black and brown women and kids. It's like a puzzle where if piece don't fit, you jump on the puzzle till you make them fit.