Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

It’s always darkest before the other shoe drops.

But frankly mr. cole, I’ll be happier when you get back to telling us to go fuck ourselves.

Anyone who bans teaching American history has no right to shape America’s future.

Proof that we need a blogger ethics panel.

Red lights blinking on democracy’s dashboard

Come on, man.

The GOP is a fucking disgrace.

Speaking of republicans, is there a way for a political party to declare intellectual bankruptcy?

It’s all just conspiracy shit beamed down from the mothership.

When someone says they “love freedom”, rest assured they don’t mean yours.

American History and Black History Cannot Be Separated

Nothing worth doing is easy.

Why is it so hard for them to condemn hate?

Everyone is in a bubble, but some bubbles model reality far better than others!

After roe, women are no longer free.

“Squeaker” McCarthy

Damn right I heard that as a threat.

I’d hate to be the candidate who lost to this guy.

Their freedom requires your slavery.

The arc of history bends toward the same old fuckery.

Following reporting rules is only for the little people, apparently.

“Jesus paying for the sins of everyone is an insult to those who paid for their own sins.”

Come on, media. you have one job. start doing it.

They’re not red states to be hated; they are voter suppression states to be fixed.

You are here: Home / Politics / Biden Administration in Action / President Biden Summarizes The Meetings

President Biden Summarizes The Meetings

by | 76 Comments

This post is in: ,

He does a better job than I would have. This is from his remarks before he got on Air Force One.

The question he is responding to is an explicit variant of Kaitlan Collins’s question, to which he had responded curtly earlier. It’s a silly question, like the other “killer” question the media are obsessed with. I’ll paraphrase it: Mr. President, we just heard Vladimir Putin say the same things he always says. Why haven’t you changed his behavior? My even curter answer would be “That’s because it’s not how this works.” But Biden was much kinder. [There are cuts between the quote boxes. Bolding mine.]

I started on working on arms control agreements back all the way during the Cold War.  If we could do one when the Cold War, why couldn’t we do one now?  We’ll see.  We will see whether or not it happens. 

But what do you — I mean, the thing that always amazes me about the questions — and I apologize for having been short on this before.

If you were in my position, would you say, “Well, I don’t think, man, anything is going to happen.  This is going to be really rough.  I think it’s going to really be bad”?  You’d guarantee nothing happens.  You’d guarantee nothing happens.

There’s a value to being realistic and put on an optimistic front, an optimistic face.

He then goes through a litany (I’ve edited generously): “Look, you said the G7 wouldn’t buy my stuff. Did that happen?

When I went to meet with NATO — “Oh boy, they’re not going to be happy.  They’re all going to be against Biden meeting with Putin.  They’re not going to want that.”  Did you hear a single, solitary syllable?

And the same way when I met with the EU.  “The EU is not going to like the way Biden is operating.” 

Now, what would have happen if I had said, before I went into those negotiations, “You know, I think it’s going to be really hard.  I think it’s going to be really difficult.  I’m not so optimistic about — I don’t see anybody really changing”? 

I don’t have to trust somebody — we didn’t have to trust somebody to get START II.  It wasn’t a about our trust — “Well, I trust the Russians.  I can tell, man, they’re really — they’re — I can look in his eye, and they’re really very, very truthful.”  It’s not that at all. 

You have to figure out what the other guy’s self-interest is.  Their self-interest.  I don’t trust anybod- — look, I’ve got to get in the plane, but I’ll say it — you’ll hear me say this more than once.

It makes no sense for me to negotiate with you.  It makes no sense for me to tell you what I’m about to do.  It makes — not because I want to hide anything from you.  Why would I telegraph that?

I’m of the view that, in the last three to five years, the world has reached a fundamental inflection point about what it’s going to look like 10 years from now.  I mean it literally.  It’s not hyperbole.  It’s not like I’m trying to pump it up.  I think it’s a genuine reality. 

 And so each of the countries in — around the world, particularly those who had real power at one time or still do, are wondering: What — how do I maintain and sustain our leadership in the world?  That’s what the United States is going through right now.  How do we sustain us being the leading, the most powerful, and most democratic country in the world?  A lot is going on. 

I don’t know about you, I never anticipated, notwithstanding no matter how persuasive President Trump was, that we’d have people attacking and breaking down the doors of the United States Capitol.  I didn’t think that would happen.  I didn’t think we’d — I’d see that in my lifetime.  But it’s reinforced what I’ve always known and what I got taught by my political science professors and by the senior members of the Senate that I admired when I got there: that every generation has to re-establish the basis of its fight for democracy.  I mean, for real, literally have to do it. 

So, there’s a lot at stake.  Each of the countries, we have our own concerns and problems, but we still — as long as I’m President, we are going to stick to the notion that we’re open, accountable, and transparent.  And I think that’s an important message to send the world. 

Open thread!

Reader Interactions

76Comments

  1. 1.

    japa21

    And this is why I supported him and voted for him. And he really told off the media, but with his usual Uncle Joe charm.

  2. 2.

    brantl

    I liked other people better than Joe, before he was elected, I don’t believe that there is anyone I like better, now.

  3. 3.

    Baud

    That’s really great.  Also too, good message for Twitter.  Biden isn’t going to negotiate with you or through you.

    look, I’ve got to get in the plane, but I’ll say it

    Glad he didn’t miss his flight.  LOL.

  4. 4.

    David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch

    Juneteenth Holiday passes House 415-14

    Every Democrat voted for it. 14 republicans voted against it. BOTH SIDES!

  6. 6.

    David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch

    @debbie:
    The 14 no votes were all from Republican members of Congress. They include:

    • Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala.
    • Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz.
    • Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn.
    • Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Wis.
    • Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif.
    • Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala.
    • Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C.
    • Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas
    • Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz.
    • Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif.
    • Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont.
    • Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas
    • Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky.
    • Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga.
  8. 8.

    lollipopguild

    Trump got down on his knees and kissed Putin’s ass in public, but the press thinks that Biden is not being tough enough on Putin?

  9. 9.

    Chetan Murthy

    I read Joe’s comments, and …. wow, I mean, real evidence there of senile dementia …. NOT.  Sigh.

  11. 11.

    Mark in Algarrobos

    Joe said that? I’m impressed, really. Of course the wingnuts will spin that into some shit, so he  should just keep doing it. Make their stupid pinheads spin right off.

  13. 13.

    Wapiti

    @debbie: Wow, Ronny Jackson, doctor and admiral, isn’t wasting any time in jumping on the bigot train. One wonders just how bad the command climate was in the medical units he was with.

  14. 14.

    debbie

    I cannot imagine, whining that it should be named Emancipation, not Independence Day. ?

  15. 15.

    Another Scott

    As I said downstairs, Biden’s really good at this public leadership stuff. Really, really good.

    Maybe the press will get the message, but they didn’t when Obama tried to explain things clearly too (“Why would I do that??”). If they won’t get the message, at least the message is getting out to the public.

    Thanks.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  16. 16.

    Uncle Cosmo

    @debbie:  I admit to being surprised that Gym wasn’t on the list.

    The name that surprised me by its absence was Asshole Andy Harris (RWNJ – MD-01), anesthesiologist high on his own supply.

  18. 18.

    dmsilev

    That’s one thing that both Obama and Biden do: give long answers that assume a certain level of maturity and intelligence from their audience,

    Lets just say that there’s a certain degree of contrast with the guy who held the position in between them.

  20. 20.

    Another Scott

    MVP had a meeting with Texas state legislators at the White House today.:

    Roosevelt Room

    11:18 A.M. EDT

    THE VICE PRESIDENT: So let me begin today by saying thank you to all of you. You are courageous leaders and you’re American patriots.

    And so, I’m very pleased to welcome you — and for many of you, welcome you back — to the White House to have yet another very important conversation, and this time about one of the most important pillars of our democracy, which is about the fundamental right to vote.

    And when we look at what has happened in Texas, we look at what’s happening around the country, I think it’s important to remember: We talk about the right to vote, and the right to vote is a given. All citizens have the right to vote. Constitutionally, it is their right.

    What we are seeing are examples of an attempt to interfere with that right and attempt to marginalize and take from people a right that has already been given. We are not asking for the bestowal of a right; we are talking about the preservation of a right that is the right of citizenship. And it’s that fundamental. It is that fundamental.

    And so, when I look at that and the fact that Americans are at risk of losing their access to their right — they still have the right, but losing access to that right — we know we have a great challenge in front of us, and therefore, a fight, which is to fight for every American’s right — meaningful right to vote.

    And so that’s where we are. And, of course, since 2013 and the gutting of Shelby — in the Shelby v. Holder case, we have seen exactly what we fear when that case came down in 2013. Because that case was an opening of a door to allow states to do what otherwise we have protected against, which is states putting in place laws that are designed, in many cases quite intentionally, to make it difficult for people to vote.

    And so this is what we’ve seen over and over again, and what’s happening right now in Texas is, of course, a very clear and current example of that. So, to the — to the point of what we must do collectively to ensure that every American retains their right to vote, our administration — President Biden and myself and our administration are here to make very clear that we will do everything in our power as an administration to lift up the voices of those who seek to preserve the right of the people to vote.

    We’re not telling people how to vote. And, frankly, this is not a Democratic or a Republican issue; this is an American issue. This is an American issue.

    When we look at these attempts to infringe on people’s access to voting, we know that it is going to impact people — Americans with disabilities, seniors, students, people of every walk of life.

    When we look at these laws that are designed to interfere with poll workers — well, let’s think about that for a moment. I have voted and been — and visited with these wonderful American volunteers, the poll workers, when I’ve gone to vote at the local elementary school, when I’ve gone to vote at the local church. This is who we’re talking about, and interfering with them in what they are doing as part of their civic duty.

    These are some of the issues that are at play. And so, I welcome you. I welcome you on behalf the President and myself. As you know, he’s in Europe right now. But we wanted to greet you here in the Roosevelt Room as an extension of the importance of the work you are doing, not only on behalf of the people of Texas, but the people of our country and our nation as a whole.

    And while we will meet, we will also talk about the administration’s absolute commitment to seeing Congress — the United States Congress — pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and to pass the For the People Act to, again, put back in place the protections that existed before and to ensure, as we go forward, that as there are new attacks on the access to the polls and voting, that we head them off in a way that ensures again that the people retain their right to vote however they choose, but unimpeded.

    So with that, I want to thank all of you, and we will talk about [Texas] Senate Bill 7 and how it clearly has been written in a way that will make it difficult for people and what you all are doing as courageous leaders that, again, speak up for the people. And that is what you are doing.

    So, thank you all, and I look forward to our discussion. And let us begin. Let us begin. So, thank you.

    11:24 A.M. EDT

    (Emphasis added.)

    They’re continuing the very important work. Good, good.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  21. 21.

    dmsilev

    @debbie:

    Republican Montana Rep. Matt Rosendale released a statement on his vote against S.B. 475.
    “Let’s call an ace an ace.“

    Guessing some staffer had to talk him out of the original version which used the word ‘spade’ instead.

  22. 22.

    Steve in the ATL

    @billcinsd: nor Jody Hice, which means that the two most abominable reps in Georgia—possibly in Georgia history—didn’t vote against it.  What the hell is going on down here?

  23. 23.

    West of the Rockies

    On behalf of my CA district, I apologize for Doug LaMalfa. He is arrogant and dreadful in equal measure.  He has authored no even vaguely useful bills.  Yucko.

  24. 24.

    Raoul Paste

    As an extemporaneous statement at the end of a long day, I thought Biden’s parting remarks were pretty remarkable

  25. 25.

    Skepticat

    @brantl: I liked other people better than Joe before he was elected; I don’t believe that there is anyone I like better now.

    I was thinking very much the same thing today. As a matter of fact, I’ve thought pretty much the same thing since he took office.

  26. 26.

    Eunicecycle

    It looks like my worthless congressperson Bob Gibbs voted for it. Will wonders never cease.

  27. 27.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch:

    Did you see Sheila Jackson Lee presiding and announcing the vote count/bill passage? She was smiling so broadly I thought she’d gobble me right up through the TV screen. What a sweet, sweet moment for her as the Juneteenth bill’s chief sponsor.

  28. 28.

    rikyrah

    Watching the Olympic trials.

     

    Ledecky winning the 1500 meters. You couldn’t even see anyone in the pool as she was coming in for the win
    I mean, it was like she was swimming in the pool by herself.??
    I was like…’ where the phuck are the rest of the swimmers’

  30. 30.

    David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch

    BBC had a right of center think tank analyst on and he gave Uncle Joe highest marks on the summit.

    Max Boot, similar in outlook, also tipped his hat.

    Joe had a great week:  G-7, Queen Elizabeth II, NATO, facing down “Pootie Poot” (as Dubya affectionately called him)​​​

  35. 35.

    Suzanne

    Joe Manchin looks freakishly like my OBGYN and every time I see his picture, I expect to put my feet in stirrups.

    For that and many other reasons, I want him to find a new career in private life.

  36. 36.

    Ohio Mom

    I guess voting for Juneteenth is an easy way for Republicans to
    disguise the extent to which they’re in thrall to white supremacy.

    They aren’t fooling me, but I’ll take them doing the right thing for the wrong reason.

  37. 37.

    NotMax

    @SiubhanDuinne

    Even being aware the extent of her illness at the time and thus might refuse, I so-o-o-o-o wanted Clinton to nominate her for the Supreme Court.

  38. 38.

    WaterGirl

    @Wapiti:The Obama bros were talking on one of their podcasts this week about how hard trips like this are, but that they are also great.

    Then I swear they started laughing and talking about they pills Ronny Jackson would give them on these long trips so they could keep going.

  39. 39.

    Another Scott

    Yet more stuff happened today. brown.senate.gov:

    JUNE 16, 2021

    BROWN LEADS SENATORS IN INTRODUCING HISTORIC LEGISLATION TO UPDATE LONG-NEGLECTED SOCIAL SECURITY PROGRAM TO ENSURE OLDER ADULTS & PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ARE NO LONGER TRAPPED IN POVERTY

    Lifeline for Millions has been Forgotten by Washington for Over 30 years

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) led Senate Democrats in re-introducing the Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act to bring the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program into the 21st Century and ensure disabled and elderly Ohioans are able to live with dignity. An often-forgotten part of America’s Social Security system, SSI is a federal program that provides vital income assistance to nearly 8 million elderly and disabled Americans with low-incomes and limited resources, including over 1 million disabled children. But due to decades of shameful federal neglect, the program now consigns millions to deep and enduring poverty, when it should instead offer a lifeline out of it.

    “The promise of Social Security is to ensure that no one in America should live in poverty – least of all our nation’s seniors and people with disabilities. By updating SSI we can deliver on this promise and ensure disabled and elderly Ohioans are able to live with dignity. Congress must prioritize these long-overdue reforms as part of upcoming recovery legislation,” said Brown.

    The SSI Restoration Act would:

    Raise SSI’s sub-poverty-level monthly benefits, currently $794 per month, to 100% of the federal poverty level–a 31% increase–and index them to inflation;

    Update and index the assets individuals or couples may have up to $10,000 and $20,000, respectively. The current limit of $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple has not been updated since 1989;

    Update and index SSI’s income rules — which have never been updated since the program was signed into law in 1972. These reforms will allow individuals to earn up to $399 a month from working, and up to $123 a month in assistance from other sources: including Social Security, veterans’ benefits, and pension payments without being subject to a benefit reduction.

    These reforms will reward, not penalize, SSI recipients who want to earn additional income to provide for themselves and their families;
    Eliminate the marriage penalty and increase the benefit for married couples to double the individual rate, to put marriage equality within reach for SSI beneficiaries; and

    Eliminate benefit reductions that penalize beneficiaries who receive in-kind help from friends or family, such as groceries or a place to stay.

    In April, Brown, along with Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), led colleagues in calling for the Biden administration to make historic and much-needed expansions and improvements to the SSI program as part of “building back better.” Several key elements of the SSI Restoration Act were endorsed by President Biden during the campaign.

    Right now, eligible individuals may receive a maximum benefit of $794 ($1,157 for couples) per month. The average current monthly benefit is $585 for individuals. For approximately 60% of recipients, SSI is their only source of income.

    Brown’s bill is cosponsored by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) Robert Casey (D-PA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ed Markey (D-MA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Tina Smith (D-MN).

    The bill has been endorsed by: Justice in Aging, AARP, AFL-CIO, AFSCME Retirees, Easter Seals, United Auto Workers (UAW), Leading Age, Homeless Action Center, Medicare Rights Center, National Alliance to End Homelessness, National Center for Law & Economic Justice, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM), National Council on Aging, National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Women’s Law Center, New York Legal Assistance Group, Social Security Works, Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Elders (SAGE), Strengthen Social Security Coalition, the Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement, and over 87 national organizations.

    Last month, Members of Congress, advocates, and supporters of SSI benefits gathered in a virtual event making the case for strengthened SSI benefits to be part of the next recovery package. Click here to watch a recording of the event.

    Good, good. We’re a huge, rich country. And we will be richer when we have far fewer people suffering. It’s good politics, too, because there are lots and lots of people in Ohio (and everywhere) who could claim these benefits. Businesses would sell more goods and services to people who got more money…

    (via LOLGOP)

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  42. 42.

    Subsole

    @Ohio Mom: Don’t kid yourself. They’ll be on Fox whining about “why we gotta teach race theory? We already gave them a national holiday!”

    Or, expect Tickytuck to throw a fit about how we can give ‘the Blacks’ Juneteenth but don’t celebrate Easter, or some other asininity.

  43. 43.

    Betsy

    @brantl: That is exactly  what I was just about to write.

    I rolled my eyes at his name eighteen months ago.

    He is the best person for the job. Just right.

  44. 44.

    Ohio Mom

    Another Scott @39:

    And I thought I couldn’t love my Senator Brown any more than I did.

    It’s a long way from introduction to passing, but Wow! Everything in that bill is NEEDED! It’s good to see it all laid out, giving the issue of support for disabled people the recognition it deserves.

    In tandem with the American Jobs Plan (aka Biden’s infrastructure bill), which would increase the pay for direct support professionals (“personal aides”) — and now I am getting carried away — I could spend my final years in relative peace, knowing that that there would be a stronger safety net for Ohio Son after I’m gone.

    I’ll get back to earth shortly.

  45. 45.

    AWJ

    @billcinsd: There’s actually a kind of fascinating (in a train wreck way) civil war going on at this very moment on Trumpy Twitter over the Juneteenth vote. Half of the chuds (led by the likes of Nick Fuentes and Scott Greer) are roasting Greene for selling out to the libs, while the other half are defending her on grounds of “optics” and “picking the wrong hill to die on”.

  48. 48.

    Mike in NC

    @AWJ: It costs these nitwits in the US House exactly nothing to vote on popular issues which may not be resolved for years.

  50. 50.

    Tim C.

    Yeah,  I was very lukewarm on Joe last year.  I felt he could win the November election, so I was basically “Fine… Biden…”   but the dude is honestly exceeding my expectations on most levels.   Also as a huge fan of electric cars, watching him drive the new Ford truck was a blast for me too.

    Hell yeah,  I’m now liking Uncle Joe.

  51. 51.

    NotMax

    @AWJ

    Anticipating The Onion.

    “”Trump Announces ‘New Evidence Proves’ Birthdate of June 19th, Claims Holiday Is Really In His Honor”

  52. 52.

    Ohio Mom

    Subsole:

    Oh, I don’t expect Republicans to drop the rest of their hateful stuff — you are right, they’ll be moaning and groaning forever that they aren’t getting credit for being unbigoted enough to vote for Juneteenth. It will be a perverse sort of humble brag.

    I’m just enjoying that they twisted themselves into pretzels just this once. In a small way, they’ve admitted they know they are on the wrong side of history and everything that is good and right.

    I’m only sad that school in most places is out way before June 19 so children won’t be celebrating in class. Nobody loves making a fuss about holidays as much as an elementary school teacher.

  54. 54.

    Enhanced Voting Techniques

    @Ohio Mom: disguise the extent to which they’re in thrall to white supremacy.

    Or are they trying to drive them away again? It’s not like white supremacists are reliable voters.  It’s like GOP really has turned into InSoc in 1984 with all the Double Speak.

  56. 56.

    Chief Oshkosh

    @Subsole: Actually, I always thought spade referred to shovel. In fact, I think working class Brits changed to the phrase to “call a spade a bleedin’ shovel” because only hoity-toity gardeners called the implement a spade. Come to think of it, though, my grandma called a shovels spades. She was a gardener, but pretty down to earth…

  60. 60.

    NotMax

    Shocked, shocked.

    Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes spent thousands of dollars that belonged to the group on things like guns and food, disgruntled members told the Wall Street Journal.
    [snip]
    Citing specific bank records, the Journal listed Oath Keepers funds spent near the town of Rhodes’ former Montana residence: $12,424 in auto repairs, $83.50 at a pet store, $504 at a dentist, $886 at a bar, $9,974 at a gun store, and $229 at Alley Katz Nighties N Naughties….

    The Oath Keepers also spent $275 on phone games and $256 at Fragrancenet.com, the Journal reported. The Oath Keepers’ former IT manager, Ed Wilson, told the Journal he left the organization after alerting the board to the spending issues and seeing no change.

    “He used that thing as a piggy bank,” Wilson said of Rhodes.

    Another former Oath Keeper, Billy Simmons, said he discovered upon calling the Oath Keepers’ credit card company that Rhodes had bought an AR-10 rifle for around $1,000, spreading the payment across three days to avoid crossing the card’s daily spending limit.

    Former Oath Keepers director Scott Dunn said the group’s board set the $350 daily limit after Rhodes spent $800 on groceries — including more than a dozen steaks — and kettlebells at Walmart. Dunn said Rhodes separately suggested the pair go on Tinder dates and bill the Oath Keepers.

    Yet another former board member, Rick Moon, recalled the directors confronting Rhodes about spending Oath Keepers’ money on gas purchases and a “train car load” of rice and beans. Source

  61. 61.

    JoyceH

    Got to say that Biden certainly won the visuals this summit! That photo op in the chairs – he’s sitting upright, looking engaged and affable, while Putin is slumped in his chair looking sulky and definitely pot-bellied. What an improvement over Helsinki, when Trump comes out shuffling with his head down like he’d just been switched by the principal.

    And maybe trivial, but I’m so glad that Trump left office before he could carry out his scheme to repaint AF1 in gaudy Trump colors.

  65. 65.

    JoyceH

    @Jackie: The last I heard, the new Trump paint job was still approved, but come on. I confidently expect that the classic paint scheme will continue.

  67. 67.

    NotMax

    @JoyceH

    Not of any immediate concern (emphasis added).

    The new Air Force One planes aren’t slated to be ready for operations until 2024. That gives the new administration time to determine a final paint scheme for the VC-25B and deliver its decision to Boeing, which will then begin painting the aircraft.

    “The Air Force coordinates appearance options for VC-25B external paint livery and interiors with the White House Military Office. The Air Force will not speculate on VC-25B decisions to be made by the new administration or potential costs associated with unknown future decisions,” a service spokeswoman said, adding that “the Air Force is prepared for discussions with the new administration about the VC-25B program.”

    Another source with knowledge of the program clarified further that the paint for the plane has not been ordered, as the Air Force has not provided contractual guidance to Boeing on a final livery design. Source

  68. 68.

    PJ

    @NotMax: ​
      No. A spade can have a flat edge, and, in fact, many do. The difference between a spade and a shovel is that a spade is designed to cut (primarily into the soil) while a shovel is designed to push or carry (like a snow shovel).

  71. 71.

    NotMax

    @Jackie

    The two planes being readied are sort of factory seconds, having originally been built for but never delivered to a Russian airline which went bankrupt.

  73. 73.

    Uncle Cosmo

    @brantl: @Skepticat: @David ? ☘The Establishment☘? Koch: @Betsy: @Tim C.: These sorts of comments are welcome, but they remind me of the famous one liner attributed (probably erroneously) to Churchill:

    The Americans Jackals at Balloon Juice will always do the right thing support the right candidate – after they’ve exhausted all the alternatives.

    I don’t frequent this blog for profound political insight, as I would be repeatedly disappointed. Political capability here hovers around the level of stuffing envelopes, handing out flyers and answering the phone at campaign headquarters[1] – somewhat below “talking to and persuading other voters” inasmuch as most Jackals would quickly lose patience with people who don’t immediately see the complete correctness of their views [2, 3].

    FTR I come here for Anne Laurie’s invaluable daily summations of the State of the Pandemic, outbursts of insight from the resident Subject Matter Experts[4], and the occasional post that sends me back down Memory Lane to explore a side path I’d overlooked for many years.

     

    [1] And, most notably, raising $$$$ for organizations that (occasionally) do have the political acumen to use it to good effect. That ain’t chopped liver.

    [2] Just like the radical Left I heard arguing furiously over minor doctrinal points in the Moratorium meetings of the antiwar days. I wonder how many of the more politically narrow-minded posters here are those selfsame “activists” after half a century of losing a few steps and a fistful of brain cells.

    [3] Fortunately for the cause of liberal democracy, there seems to be no one here who has actually risen to a high enough level in a critical political campaign to fuck it up royally.

    [4] So long as they stay in their lanes. Few are more arrogantly mistaken than SMEs certain that their acknowledged understanding of one narrow field permits them to assert authority over (and pontificate loudly about) unrelated areas of knowledge. (You know who you are, even if you’re too arrogant to admit it.)

  75. 75.

    lurkypants

    @Steeplejack:  Two Not Voting votes, Dan Crenshaw and Patrick McHenry.  https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2021170

    I imagine there are still some vacancies yet to be filled which account for the other four.

    The Senate didn’t have a roll call vote.  Ron Johnson dropped his opposition to unanimous consent, though there were 60 cosponsors, so a filibuster would have not done anything but made him look more like an ass.

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