Here is a list of Politics Blogs ordered by Most Commented, posted by members. A Blog is a journal you may enter about your life, thoughts, interesting experiences, or lessons you've learned. Post an opinion, impart words of wisdom, or talk about something interesting in your day. Update your blog on a regular basis, or just whenever you have something to say. Creating a blog is a good way to share something of yourself with others. Reading blogs is a good way to learn more about others. Click here to post a blog.
Trump wants to be re-elected to fix the problems that he 'helped' create, but is NOT doing so now.
Today from The New York Times;
(continued below)
In response to:
On Politics
August 28, 2020
By Lisa Lerer and Nick Corasaniti
In 2016, Donald J. Trump accepted his party’s nomination at the Republican National Convention, painting a dark and angry vision of a nation under siege.
“Our convention occurs at a moment of crisis for our nation. The attacks on our police, and the terrorism in our cities, threaten our very way of life,” he said. “Beginning on Jan. 20, 2017, safety will be restored. The most basic duty of government is to defend the lives of its own citizens.”
At the end of the speech came a promise to voters: “Nobody knows the system better than me, which is why I alone can fix it.”
Four years later, President Donald J. Trump described an America now under attack from “anarchists, agitators, rioters, looters and flag burners.” And once again, Mr. Trump argued that only he can stop the destruction.
“Always remember: They are coming after me, because I am fighting for you,” he said.
It’s a confusing argument, given the obvious question raised: If Mr. Trump can fix the chaos, why hasn’t he? After all, he is the president, and one who views his office as having expansive powers.
Though his speech had an uncharacteristically staid tone, Mr. Trump returned to his central political play: a Nixonian reliance on the dark politics of fear and lawlessness. There was also some political strategy in his tactics, though perhaps not the kind of 3-D chess that his opponents often believe Mr. Trump is playing.
We generally think of presidential elections through two different models: either a referendum on the incumbent or a choice between the policies, personalities and positions of two candidates.
Right now, this race is a referendum on Mr. Trump and his leadership. For months, Joe Biden has kept a lower profile, allowing the president’s inability to stay away from controversy to drive the race.
But given Mr. Trump’s low job-approval ratings, the president desperately needs this election to be a choice. He also needs voters not to focus on what polls say a majority believes to be true: that Mr. Trump responded inadequately to a pandemic that still rages across the country, upending American life.
So when violent protests break out in cities, which are largely led by Democratic politicians, Mr. Trump throws up his hands. The commander in chief proclaims himself to be powerless, in an effort to highlight what he sees as weakness on the part of his opponents. Even as he occupies the highest office in the land, Mr. Trump still considers himself “an outsider,” blaming a political establishment that he now leads for the nation’s problems.
“There is violence and danger in the streets of many Democrat-run cities throughout America. This problem could easily be fixed if they wanted to. Just call,” he said. “We have to wait for the call.”
This is not a tightly held strategy. The departing White House counselor, Kellyanne Conway, laid it out in fairly blunt terms on Thursday morning: “The more chaos and anarchy and vandalism and violence reigns, the better it is for the very clear choice on who’s best on public safety and law and order,” she said on “Fox and Friends.”
That’s why far more of the Republican convention was devoted to attacking Mr. Biden than laying out what, exactly, Mr. Trump would do if elected for a second term and why he isn't doing it now.
For months, Republicans toggled between attacking Mr. Biden as weak, corrupt and unfit for the role. In this speech, Mr. Trump seemed to settle on a clear line of attack: Mr. Biden is a secret socialist, lacking “the strength to stand up to wild-eyed Marxists like Bernie Sanders and his fellow radicals.” The fact that Mr. Biden ran against Mr. Sanders as an ideological moderate was left out of the narrative.
On Politics
August 28, 2020
By Lisa Lerer and Nick Corasaniti
In 2016, Donald J. Trump accepted his party’s nomination at the Republican National Convention, painting a dark and angry vision of a nation under siege.
“Our convention occurs at a moment of crisis for our nation. The attacks on our police, and the terrorism in our cities, threaten our very way of life,” he said. “Beginning on Jan. 20, 2017, safety will be restored. The most basic duty of government is to defend the lives of its own citizens.”
At the end of the speech came a promise to voters: “Nobody knows the system better than me, which is why I alone can fix it.”
Four years later, President Donald J. Trump described an America now under attack from “anarchists, agitators, rioters, looters and flag burners.” And once again, Mr. Trump argued that only he can stop the destruction.
“Always remember: They are coming after me, because I am fighting for you,” he said.
It’s a confusing argument, given the obvious question raised: If Mr. Trump can fix the chaos, why hasn’t he? After all, he is the president, and one who views his office as having expansive powers.
Though his speech had an uncharacteristically staid tone, Mr. Trump returned to his central political play: a Nixonian reliance on the dark politics of fear and lawlessness. There was also some political strategy in his tactics, though perhaps not the kind of 3-D chess that his opponents often believe Mr. Trump is playing.
We generally think of presidential elections through two different models: either a referendum on the incumbent or a choice between the policies, personalities and positions of two candidates.
Right now, this race is a referendum on Mr. Trump and his leadership. For months, Joe Biden has kept a lower profile, allowing the president’s inability to stay away from controversy to drive the race.
But given Mr. Trump’s low job-approval ratings, the president desperately needs this election to be a choice. He also needs voters not to focus on what polls say a majority believes to be true: that Mr. Trump responded inadequately to a pandemic that still rages across the country, upending American life.
So when violent protests break out in cities, which are largely led by Democratic politicians, Mr. Trump throws up his hands. The commander in chief proclaims himself to be powerless, in an effort to highlight what he sees as weakness on the part of his opponents. Even as he occupies the highest office in the land, Mr. Trump still considers himself “an outsider,” blaming a political establishment that he now leads for the nation’s problems.
“There is violence and danger in the streets of many Democrat-run cities throughout America. This problem could easily be fixed if they wanted to. Just call,” he said. “We have to wait for the call.”
This is not a tightly held strategy. The departing White House counselor, Kellyanne Conway, laid it out in fairly blunt terms on Thursday morning: “The more chaos and anarchy and vandalism and violence reigns, the better it is for the very clear choice on who’s best on public safety and law and order,” she said on “Fox and Friends.”
That’s why far more of the Republican convention was devoted to attacking Mr. Biden than laying out what, exactly, Mr. Trump would do if elected for a second term and why he isn't doing it now.
For months, Republicans toggled between attacking Mr. Biden as weak, corrupt and unfit for the role. In this speech, Mr. Trump seemed to settle on a clear line of attack: Mr. Biden is a secret socialist, lacking “the strength to stand up to wild-eyed Marxists like Bernie Sanders and his fellow radicals.” The fact that Mr. Biden ran against Mr. Sanders as an ideological moderate was left out of the narrative.
(continued below)
online today!
Comrade three residences fiddler on the roof drops out.
"If I were a rich man, bida, biddy, bida, bida, bida, biddy I'm a BUM!" Clearing the way for creepy, sniffy, disoriented/cognitively challenged Joe Biden. Which way? For him to be summarily thrown under the bus at the brokered convention, where three time criminal losers are born. Will only take a brief neurological examination, for justification. Hilary, and Bubba Cigar in 2020. The dems' shameless plan all along. First cut Bernie's throat, for Hilary, again. Then really have the party jump from frying pan into the flames, again. Can't make this stuff up folks.
A tear for USA
In the midst of the worst ever global depression which has seen unprecedented worldwide job losses, with the US alone notching over 40 million, a murder takes place in Minneapolis, Minnesota which triggered nationwide demonstrations, some riots, the deployment of the National Guard and curfews all bracketed by a deadly pandemic which calls for social distancing, no crowds or mass gatherings in the first instance.
But in America, racial injustice is boiling over once again. Had it ever been quelled?
Anger, frustration and pain following the tragic death of George Floyd – an African American who suffocated while in custody from having a police officer’s knee pressing on his neck. Floyd died pleading “don’t kill me” and “I cannot breathe”. The officer Derek Chauvin has since been charged with third degree murder and manslaughter, even as his wife is reportedly filing for a divorce.
Then we see the contrast to this ugliness with the elation created by Elon Musk’s SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket which successfully launched at 20.10h GMT yesterday, putting two NASA astronauts and best friends – Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley – on their way to the International Space Station. A first by a private spaceship owned by a private company, watched by the world and by Donald Trump, who made the specific trip to the Kennedy Space Centre.
The US President needs a positive boost in this crucial election year given his handling of, and the misguiding tweets on, the coronavirus. But he's not helping himself with such tweets
Donald J. Trump
?
@realDonaldTrump
· 17h
Replying to @realDonaldTrump
....got too frisky or out of line, they would quickly come down on them, hard - didn’t know what hit them. The front line was replaced with fresh agents, like magic. Big crowd, professionally organized, but nobody came close to breaching the fence. If they had they would....
Donald J. Trump
?
@realDonaldTrump
....have been greeted with the most vicious dogs, and most ominous weapons, I have ever seen. That’s when people would have been really badly hurt, at least. Many Secret Service agents just waiting for action. “We put the young ones on the front line, sir, they love it, and....
Not exactly a catalyst for unifying a USA looked upon as the leader of the free world. Political and commercial issues with several countries, the abandonment of the World Health Organisation during this unprecedented pandemic and the withdrawal from the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change are only some issues among others that has dropped Trump’s home and worldwide ratings to their lowest ever for a serving President.
The free world doesn’t need a narcissist for a leader, but one with empathy and extending a hand of friendship. Iron fists and power threats do not encourage anything but violence. Not for a 'united' States, not for a prosperous and peaceful people and certainly not for a global leadership’s role and an example. A pity.
Stay safe.
But in America, racial injustice is boiling over once again. Had it ever been quelled?
Anger, frustration and pain following the tragic death of George Floyd – an African American who suffocated while in custody from having a police officer’s knee pressing on his neck. Floyd died pleading “don’t kill me” and “I cannot breathe”. The officer Derek Chauvin has since been charged with third degree murder and manslaughter, even as his wife is reportedly filing for a divorce.
Then we see the contrast to this ugliness with the elation created by Elon Musk’s SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket which successfully launched at 20.10h GMT yesterday, putting two NASA astronauts and best friends – Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley – on their way to the International Space Station. A first by a private spaceship owned by a private company, watched by the world and by Donald Trump, who made the specific trip to the Kennedy Space Centre.
The US President needs a positive boost in this crucial election year given his handling of, and the misguiding tweets on, the coronavirus. But he's not helping himself with such tweets
Donald J. Trump
?
@realDonaldTrump
· 17h
Replying to @realDonaldTrump
....got too frisky or out of line, they would quickly come down on them, hard - didn’t know what hit them. The front line was replaced with fresh agents, like magic. Big crowd, professionally organized, but nobody came close to breaching the fence. If they had they would....
Donald J. Trump
?
@realDonaldTrump
....have been greeted with the most vicious dogs, and most ominous weapons, I have ever seen. That’s when people would have been really badly hurt, at least. Many Secret Service agents just waiting for action. “We put the young ones on the front line, sir, they love it, and....
Not exactly a catalyst for unifying a USA looked upon as the leader of the free world. Political and commercial issues with several countries, the abandonment of the World Health Organisation during this unprecedented pandemic and the withdrawal from the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change are only some issues among others that has dropped Trump’s home and worldwide ratings to their lowest ever for a serving President.
The free world doesn’t need a narcissist for a leader, but one with empathy and extending a hand of friendship. Iron fists and power threats do not encourage anything but violence. Not for a 'united' States, not for a prosperous and peaceful people and certainly not for a global leadership’s role and an example. A pity.
Stay safe.
First Bill Maher, now Matt Taibbi - even Liberals are Waking Up
You might recall how that long-time Ultra Liberal Bill Maher was a bane against all things American, Conservative and Trump.
and then he comes up with this:
Bill Maher: The Media Needs To Stop With The Panic Porn & Fear Mongering
But, in some Liberals, or Progressives, or Leftists, whatever they might be called, there is still a sense of standards which apply across the board. When this happens, and they challenge their own, say for hypocrisy, they have strayed from the reservation, they have committed secular apostasy and are marked for punishment, or virtual un-personing, like Trotsky's fall from Communist grace and ensuing ice-picking in Mexico.
Now, another Liberal journalist, in the old style of "For the Little Guy" activism, realizes now that something is very wrong, and starts to turn his spotlight against Big Pharma:
When the Covid-19 crisis struck, the scolding utopia was no longer abstraction. The dream was reality! Pure communism had arrived! Failure to take elite advice was no longer just a deplorable faux pas. Not heeding experts was now murder. It could not be tolerated. Media coverage quickly became a single, floridly-written tirade against “expertise-deniers.”* For instance, the Atlantic headline on Kemp’s decision to end some shutdowns was, “Georgia’s Experiment in Human Sacrifice.”
Indeed, he is writing on the subject which has largely dominated our lives over the past two years.
The Cult of the Vaccine
"The jab" is just the latest story to be reported as mantra
And, in keeping Party Discipline, Taibbi has been marked as a Reactionary, just another Trostkyite, who has violated the Party Line.
What the Hell Happened to Matt Taibbi?, Carl Peterson
I used to think if we had more journalists like Matt Taibbi we could make some headway against the prevailing currents of the corporate media. What an accomplishment that would have been! A 21st century outburst of the irreverent spirit of pragmatic, democratic American straight-talking.
I remember how clearly Taibbi explained the causes and mechanisms of the 2008 economic meltdown triggered by a greed-crazed and opportunistically criminal American financial “elite,” (who, as it turned out, escaped from their self-made catastrophe with scarcely a rebuke, but plenty of reward, while regular Americans, the ones who keep this country alive [and maintain the elite on their golden perches despite repeated depredations by and systemic failures of the ruling plutocracy]--trudged on, predictably battered again.)
...
But Matt Taibbi’s recent article, The Inevitable Coronavirus Censorship Crisis Is Here *, published on RSN on about May 2, 2020, like a lot of his recent work, does not uphold the standard of excellence he set and maintained years ago. It seems that Taibbi is no longer attempting to speak truth to power, but is up to something else. What that is? Hard to say exactly.
* https://taibbi.substack.com/p/temporary-coronavirus-censorship
("As the Covid-19 crisis progresses, censorship programs advance, amid calls for China-style control of the Internet")
I would urge the Readership to read both of Taibbi's articles and see how they *do* speak truth to power, and how the Presstitute Luegenpresse has largely abandoned their job as the Watchdog of the public trust. Instead, they are covering for the unholy cabal of Big Media, Big Pharma, Big Social Media, the CCP, and others.
and then he comes up with this:
Bill Maher: The Media Needs To Stop With The Panic Porn & Fear Mongering
But, in some Liberals, or Progressives, or Leftists, whatever they might be called, there is still a sense of standards which apply across the board. When this happens, and they challenge their own, say for hypocrisy, they have strayed from the reservation, they have committed secular apostasy and are marked for punishment, or virtual un-personing, like Trotsky's fall from Communist grace and ensuing ice-picking in Mexico.
Now, another Liberal journalist, in the old style of "For the Little Guy" activism, realizes now that something is very wrong, and starts to turn his spotlight against Big Pharma:
When the Covid-19 crisis struck, the scolding utopia was no longer abstraction. The dream was reality! Pure communism had arrived! Failure to take elite advice was no longer just a deplorable faux pas. Not heeding experts was now murder. It could not be tolerated. Media coverage quickly became a single, floridly-written tirade against “expertise-deniers.”* For instance, the Atlantic headline on Kemp’s decision to end some shutdowns was, “Georgia’s Experiment in Human Sacrifice.”
Indeed, he is writing on the subject which has largely dominated our lives over the past two years.
The Cult of the Vaccine
"The jab" is just the latest story to be reported as mantra
And, in keeping Party Discipline, Taibbi has been marked as a Reactionary, just another Trostkyite, who has violated the Party Line.
What the Hell Happened to Matt Taibbi?, Carl Peterson
I used to think if we had more journalists like Matt Taibbi we could make some headway against the prevailing currents of the corporate media. What an accomplishment that would have been! A 21st century outburst of the irreverent spirit of pragmatic, democratic American straight-talking.
I remember how clearly Taibbi explained the causes and mechanisms of the 2008 economic meltdown triggered by a greed-crazed and opportunistically criminal American financial “elite,” (who, as it turned out, escaped from their self-made catastrophe with scarcely a rebuke, but plenty of reward, while regular Americans, the ones who keep this country alive [and maintain the elite on their golden perches despite repeated depredations by and systemic failures of the ruling plutocracy]--trudged on, predictably battered again.)
...
But Matt Taibbi’s recent article, The Inevitable Coronavirus Censorship Crisis Is Here *, published on RSN on about May 2, 2020, like a lot of his recent work, does not uphold the standard of excellence he set and maintained years ago. It seems that Taibbi is no longer attempting to speak truth to power, but is up to something else. What that is? Hard to say exactly.
https://migrate.readersupportednews.org/pm-section/78-78/62899-what-the-hell-happened-to-matt-taibbi
* https://taibbi.substack.com/p/temporary-coronavirus-censorship
("As the Covid-19 crisis progresses, censorship programs advance, amid calls for China-style control of the Internet")
I would urge the Readership to read both of Taibbi's articles and see how they *do* speak truth to power, and how the Presstitute Luegenpresse has largely abandoned their job as the Watchdog of the public trust. Instead, they are covering for the unholy cabal of Big Media, Big Pharma, Big Social Media, the CCP, and others.
Somebody went to Jared.....far too often, and I don't mean only for wedding rings
Courtesy of The Lincoln Project;
online now!
oregon farming laws
i was surprised that i do not see anyone talking about this. your well will not belong to you and be public. you will need permits for everything, the only water you can use to grow will be rainwater you collect but even that can change. if a person plans to live off grid oregon is not the place for you.
online today!
Why have Democrats become so Hateful and Destructive as of late?
I used to be a Dem......for years......... but now with all of the HATRED - Democrats beating women over wearing a Republican hat; wishing for the economy to be 'trashed' so that they can get more votes (this was stated by one of their East Coast Spokeswomen on National television)???? refusing to help families and small business so drastically hit by the COVID situation: ! I'm a small businessman and my fire protection system must be inspected yearly. The Inspection Company is a small business that services city businesses and their Agent told me they have seen THIRTEEN of their clients go under in the last week!
Whatever happened to "Government by and for the People"???
I'm not a Republican either because there are definitely things that have been voted through that are NOT for the Environment OR the People.
I'm now an Independent and deeply saddened by the whole Party System. I've NEVER seen it become what it has now. It's not supposed to be like this. I'm sure the "Founding Fathers" are 'turning over in their graves'.
Whatever happened to "Government by and for the People"???
I'm not a Republican either because there are definitely things that have been voted through that are NOT for the Environment OR the People.
I'm now an Independent and deeply saddened by the whole Party System. I've NEVER seen it become what it has now. It's not supposed to be like this. I'm sure the "Founding Fathers" are 'turning over in their graves'.
Trump's biggest FEARS about releasing his tax returns.
Today in Salon;
Check out the video;
In response to:
Michael Cohen reveals Trump’s "biggest fear" about having his tax returns released
Brad Reed
Salon Wed, September 16, 2020, 12:51 PM EDT
President Donald Trump's former personal attorney told CNN's Alisyn Camerota on Tuesday that President Donald Trump has much to fear about having his tax returns released.
During an interview to promote his new book, titled "Disloyal,"Cohen was asked by Camerota why Trump is so reluctant to release his tax returns despite pledging for years to make them public.
Cohen replied that, for one thing, they would reveal Trump isn't nearly as rich as he pretends to be.
"He doesn't report the income he claims," the former Trump attorney explained. "His wealth is not as significant, and I imagine they were probably lenient in how they took deductions."
However, Cohen also said that being exposed for not being as wealthy as he has claimed is not the president's biggest worry.
"His biggest fear is, if that tax return was released, there's a whole slew of accountants and forensic accountants that will rip through it and he will end up with a massive tax bill, penalties, fines and possibly even tax fraud," he said.
Michael Cohen reveals Trump’s "biggest fear" about having his tax returns released
Brad Reed
Salon Wed, September 16, 2020, 12:51 PM EDT
President Donald Trump's former personal attorney told CNN's Alisyn Camerota on Tuesday that President Donald Trump has much to fear about having his tax returns released.
During an interview to promote his new book, titled "Disloyal,"Cohen was asked by Camerota why Trump is so reluctant to release his tax returns despite pledging for years to make them public.
Cohen replied that, for one thing, they would reveal Trump isn't nearly as rich as he pretends to be.
"He doesn't report the income he claims," the former Trump attorney explained. "His wealth is not as significant, and I imagine they were probably lenient in how they took deductions."
However, Cohen also said that being exposed for not being as wealthy as he has claimed is not the president's biggest worry.
"His biggest fear is, if that tax return was released, there's a whole slew of accountants and forensic accountants that will rip through it and he will end up with a massive tax bill, penalties, fines and possibly even tax fraud," he said.
Check out the video;
Wake up! The Winds Have Shifted!
I am surprised to see how many here are still fighting the outdated battle of Democrats vs Republicans. That is so outdated. Many Democrats are abandoning their party to side with President Trump. Some Republicans are undercutting President Trump, putting their own economic interests far above party loyalty. The two opposing party system is desolving into chaos, with only out of touch and ill informed voters blindly following party line voting.
After over 1,000 major corporations pressured Facebook to limit pro-Trump posts, it seems the old idea of who is the party of the common man vs who is the party of Big Business has shifted too. As Pepsi, the NFL, Facebook, Apple, and other mega corporations "take a knee" and support Biden, it becomes obvious that the Republicans are no longer the "Party of Big Business" as they were seen to be in the past.
The new reality is that the battle is between globalists and Nationalists. The international opportunists who are getting rich off the China trade, from both parties, are attacking President Trump for limiting China's plundering of our economy. Some want the US Public Health to guard American health, while others want to follow the lead of the World Health Organization. Globalists want to dissolve National borders, and provide health services, welfare, and education to anyone who walks into the USA and demands them. But they never say who will pay for all that. But we know it is the American tax payer.
That roughly corresponds to political Elite vs the average citizen, those who would revoke Constitutional rights against believers in American democracy. Profiteering against freedom. Regardless of which Constitutional right is attacked first, it will not stop there, but continue to destruction of other rights.
What do you think? Do you think? Opposing views welcomed, but rudeness will be deleted.
After over 1,000 major corporations pressured Facebook to limit pro-Trump posts, it seems the old idea of who is the party of the common man vs who is the party of Big Business has shifted too. As Pepsi, the NFL, Facebook, Apple, and other mega corporations "take a knee" and support Biden, it becomes obvious that the Republicans are no longer the "Party of Big Business" as they were seen to be in the past.
The new reality is that the battle is between globalists and Nationalists. The international opportunists who are getting rich off the China trade, from both parties, are attacking President Trump for limiting China's plundering of our economy. Some want the US Public Health to guard American health, while others want to follow the lead of the World Health Organization. Globalists want to dissolve National borders, and provide health services, welfare, and education to anyone who walks into the USA and demands them. But they never say who will pay for all that. But we know it is the American tax payer.
That roughly corresponds to political Elite vs the average citizen, those who would revoke Constitutional rights against believers in American democracy. Profiteering against freedom. Regardless of which Constitutional right is attacked first, it will not stop there, but continue to destruction of other rights.
What do you think? Do you think? Opposing views welcomed, but rudeness will be deleted.
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