Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Democracy cannot function without a free press.

Conservatism: there are people the law protects but does not bind and others who the law binds but does not protect.

Never entrust democracy to any process that requires Republicans to act in good faith.

Is it irresponsible to speculate? It is irresponsible not to.

Beware of advice from anyone for whom Democrats are “they” and not “we.”

You don’t get to peddle hatred on saturday and offer condolences on sunday.

We can’t confuse what’s necessary to win elections with the policies that we want to implement when we do.

The cruelty is the point; the law be damned.

You passed on an opportunity to be offended? What are you even doing here?

A snarling mass of vitriolic jackals

I have other things to bitch about but those will have to wait.

A tremendous foreign policy asset… to all of our adversaries.

Whoever he was, that guy was nuts.

The gop is a fucking disgrace.

Lick the third rail, it tastes like chocolate!

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

The current Supreme Court is a dangerous, rogue court.

Never entrust democracy to any process that requires republicans to act in good faith.

So it was an October Surprise A Day, like an Advent calendar but for crime.

Of course you can have champagne before noon. That’s why orange juice was invented.

Republicans do not pay their debts.

It may be funny to you motherfucker, but it’s not funny to me.

Donald Trump found guilty as fuck – May 30, 2024!

“What are Republicans afraid of?” Everything.

You are here: Home / Foreign Affairs / Tuesday Evening Open Thread: Some Good News, If We Can Keep It

Tuesday Evening Open Thread: Some Good News, If We Can Keep It

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Not soon enough, not nearly as many as required… but still good news.

Per the Associated Press, “Senators warn more visas are urgently needed for Afghans who aided the US in the war”:

… In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, more than a dozen Republican and Democratic senators said Congress needs to raise the limit on the number of special immigrant visas the U.S. can process for Afghans. They said an additional 20,000 are needed before the end of the fiscal year in September.

“This critical program has already saved the lives of thousands of Afghans who served with bravery and honor alongside United States troops and diplomats in support of the mission in Afghanistan,” the lawmakers, led by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat, wrote in the letter to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. “We must now uphold our commitment to these individuals and ensure that those qualified applicants are able to find safety in the United States.”

The Biden administration has also called on Congress to act swiftly. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters [last] Thursday that “even though our war in Afghanistan ended, our commitment to Afghans and our commitment to those who helped us in that war has not ended.” …

The special immigrant visa, or SIV, program allows eligible Afghans who helped Americans despite great personal risk to themselves and their loved ones to apply for entry into America with their families. Eligible Afghans include interpreters for the U.S. military as well as individuals integral to the American embassy in Kabul.

While the program has existed since 2009, the number of applicants skyrocketed after the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. With the Taliban now back in power, advocates say Afghans who helped the U.S. are often living in hiding and facing torture and death if they’re found.

Shaheen and her fellow Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware have been focused on this issue since the withdrawal, working closely with advocates — so far with no success — to tailor legislation to the varying needs of allies. In a statement to the AP, Coons pointed to the urgency of the issue, saying that “every day that passes without Congress taking action, we risk the lives of Afghan partners who deserve our thanks.”…

Tuesday Evening Open Thread: Some Good News, If We Can Keep It

Reader Interactions

75Comments

  2. 2.

    Shalimar

    Why did it take this long?  Why only 12,000?  It has overwhelming public support, so who is blocking it from being more?  I’m guessing Mike Lee and Rand Paul, but I am willing to hate more assholes if some reporter will just name names.

  4. 4.

    sab

    Do not tell me that cutting back on Afghan supporters’ visas was a Biden idea, because I was not born yesterday and I was born into a  Republican family.

    Somebody ( RW) tied up funding.

  6. 6.

    comrade scotts agenda of rage

    I would assume such Afghans are still in Afghanistan and if so, are they alive?  I would have assumed the retribution by the Taliban wouldn’t have been nice as referred to in the piece.  And now, if Afghans there trying to hide their previous association with the infidel are expected to come out of the woodwork?

    We don’t even have an open embassy there.

    This is obviously good news and something we shoulda done a while back but man, the proverbial devil is in the details on making this come to fruition.

  8. 8.

    Jeffro

    VERY good news!

    Now that their impeachment BS has failed, look to the GOP to try and resurrect complaints about Biden getting us out of that forever war (instead of just…helping…by raising the # of visas)

  9. 9.

    Rusty

    Senator Shaheen did a solid.  She was considered the most vulnerable senator last cycle, but Sununu didn’t run and the Republicans put up a wack job instead.  Glad we will have her for a while longer.

  10. 10.

    Shalimar

    @Jackie: I am happy for the 12,000, but that line about needing an estimated 20,000 more in the next 6 months really bothers me.  Because this is clearly the compromise to get something done.  I really don’t think there will be more.

  11. 11.

    Jeffro

    OT but a good overall reminder (and well worth putting in your RWNJ relatives’ faces, hint hint): if you want to know what trumpov would do in a 2nd term…just listen to what he’s saying:

    PSYCHO REVENGE TOUR

    One of the most enduring bits of folk wisdom about American politics is the notion that a promise made on the campaign trail is almost never a promise kept. The only thing you can count on from a politician, and especially a presidential candidate, is that you can’t count on anything.

    This isn’t actually true. There is, in fact, a strong connection between what a candidate says on the campaign trail and what a president does in office.  [Clinton, W, Obama examples]…

    …With these truths in hand, let’s look at the rhetoric of Trump’s current campaign for the White House. At rallies and in interviews, the former president rails against his political opponents as enemies of the nation.

    “The threat from outside forces,” Trump said at a rally last year in New Hampshire, “is far less sinister, dangerous and grave than the threat from within.” He said that one critic, Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, deserved to be executed for his actions during Trump’s final month in office*. To Trump, any attempt to contain his authority was tantamount to treason.

    *this has not received nearly the attention it should…we’re talking about an American president having an American general (excuse me, General) executed for being more loyal to the Constitution than to trumpov.

    We may not be able to give an exact accounting of the consequences of Trump’s violent and fascistic rhetoric if he were granted a second term in office, but rest assured, there would be consequences. Given the power of the federal government and the total backing of the Republican Party, invested with the legitimacy granted by the Constitution, freed from the shackles of legal scrutiny and consumed with a thirst for vengeance — “I am your retribution,” he tells his supporters — there is no question that Trump would act on the desires he has expressed on the campaign trail.

    As promised, he would free the Jan. 6 rioters who were prosecuted and imprisoned. As promised, he would unleash federal law enforcement on his political opponents. As promised, he would do something about the people he says are “poisoning the blood of our country.” He would try to be, as he has said to much applause from his supporters, a dictator “only on Day 1.”

    No more double standards for trumpov’s violent rhetoric!

  16. 16.

    Hoppie

    @Jeffro: Yeah, those appallingly hypocritical, craven, lying attacks on Biden for carrying through the lovely parting gift bigly deal tffg had made before leaving office.

  18. 18.

    Bill Arnold

    @Hoppie:

    the lovely parting gift bigly deal tffg had made before leaving office.

    That deal was also a quid pro quo deal, for Trump’s perceived political gain – no attacks on American forces in Afghanistan during the 2020 election cycle, in return for withdrawal of US forces.
    A withdrawal which Trump boasted about Spring 2021; he bragged about tying the hands of his successor.

  19. 19.

    NotMax

    FYI.

    Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been indicted for allegedly falsifying his own COVID-19 vaccination data, marking the first time he faces potential criminal charges since leaving office.

    The embattled leader is accused of entering false information into country’s public health database to make it seem as though he, his 12-year-old daughter, and several others in his inner circle received the COVID-19 vaccine, according to police documents released by the country’s Supreme Court.

    The changes to the database appear to have been made shortly before Bolsonaro traveled to the U.S. in December 2022, when he would have required a vaccination certificate to enter the country.

    If convicted of falsifying the data, Bolsonaro could face up to 12 years in prison, the Associated Press reported. Source

  21. 21.

    Ohio Mom

    There is one Afghani resturant in Cincinnati. It is in a strip mall in an far off (to us) exurb, and when we asked the proprietor how he came to live in Cincinnati, he gave a roundabout answer that suggested he had helped American soldiers.

    It’s good food and reasonably priced. I’m not sure it’s the best neighborhood for him, there weren’t a lot of other customers the two night we were there. But he’s made it this far…

  23. 23.

    Dan B

    I’d hope that LGBT+ Afghans could get Visas.  There are stories of what the Taliban did.  And it wouldn’t be safe for them in Refugee camps.  I believe that there is a group in Canada working to get them to safety.

  24. 24.

    Nukular Biskits

    @rikyrah:

    This is good news.

    Indeed. We owe those Afghans who assisted us a huge debt of gratitude and this is the least we could do.

    @Shalimar:

    Why did it take this long?  Why only 12,000?  It has overwhelming public support, so who is blocking it from being more?  I’m guessing Mike Lee and Rand Paul, but I am willing to hate more assholes if some reporter will just name names.

    Good question.  The AP piece doesn’t say.  I did a quick check on my Congresscritters to see if they had anything to say one way or another but they’re mum.

  25. 25.

    Shalimar

    @Omnes Omnibus: That is my understanding of the story, though I don’t see it noted explicitly.  The new fiscal year starting in October brings a new quota, and new opportunity to increase it to finally cover everyone.  It isn’t hopeless, but Democrats have to win because Republicans cannot be trusted to do anything positive.

  26. 26.

    Martin

    Happy Peter Navarro Reports to Federal Prison Day to all who celebrate. I’ve requested a postage stamp be issued to commemorate.

    It’s an interesting feeling for someone you know personally to go to prison and to be elated by that news, but that’s where I am. I hope his prison stay is free from abuse, and yet still be as miserable as possible.

  27. 27.

    Martin

    @NotMax: Jesus, how committed to the cause do you have to be to face a decade in prison to avoid a very small, free shot.

  31. 31.

    Jeffro

    @Martin:Happy Peter Navarro Reports to Federal Prison Day to all who celebrate

    I’m trying to pace myself – good chance of a LOT of champagne evenings ahead this year – but I did have a second glass of wine this evening with dinner!  ;)

    There will be so very many new holidays on the calendar by the time we’re done here, peeps.  It’s exciting to *hic* think about!

  32. 32.

    Martin

    @schrodingers_cat: He’s emeritus, so no. He did try and come back to teach a summer class (bypasses the typical hiring process) after they lost the election and someone who will remain nameless made sure that everyone who would be outraged by that was notified. That idea lasted about 3 days before enough pressure was applied for it to be cancelled.

  35. 35.

    TS

    @Nukular Biskits:

     so who is blocking it from being more?

    I would assume the man who currently tells GOP members of congress how to vote. He also did some pot/kettle/black in relation to the Australian ambassador

    Donald Trump has insulted Australian ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd as “not the brightest bulb”, and suggested he might not remain in the role if the former president is re-elected.

    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-20/donald-trump-kevin-rudd-aukus-nigel-farage-interview/103608274

    Rudd is not my favorite politician but he is highly educated and intelligent. He’s also a micro manager which was his downfall in Australia.

  38. 38.

    Jeffro

    @Jackie:

    @Hoppie:

    @Bill Arnold:

    to which I can only add, I hope that Biden/Harris 2024 is ready to respond with (and only with) the clip of trumpov bragging about tying Biden’s hands with the withdrawal.

    I know the snooze media will belabor and ‘both sides’ it all, and of course the lying Republicans will lie endlessly, but if even a fraction of the country hears the real truth, it’ll help.

    99% of Americans have no idea of the truth about any of it, I’m sure.

  40. 40.

    Pete Downunder

    @TS: Rudd was always a controversial figure as PM (twice) in Labor governments. He is fluent in Mandarin and definitely smart but has a personal style which annoyed almost everyone who worked with him. He loathes Trump.

  41. 41.

    AlaskaReader

    178. Veronica Escobar
    Texas
    16

    179. Sharice Davids
    Kansas
    03

    180. Mary Sattler Peltola
    Alaska
    00

    181. Dean Phillips
    Minnesota
    03

    182. Katie Porter
    California
    47

     

    If you took Traveler’s advice and wrote your reps about signing discharge petition 9, be advised that these reps signed today.  Thanks for the nudge Traveler

    Full list of signers here.

  42. 42.

    rekoob

    @HumboldtBlue: @Jeffro: (Soon-to-be) Judge Berner will be an excellent addition to the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals!

    Now I wish we could get to 13 Justices (to match the number of circuits). Two to be appointed by the President elected on 5 November 2024, and another two to be appointed by the President elected on 7 November 2028.

  44. 44.

    Jackie

    @Jeffro: Yes! I remember that! “Let’s leave it for the next guy.”

    (Which could also be used as evidence in the Elections Interference trial that TIFG KNEW he’d lost the election!)

  45. 45.

    Jeffro

    @rekoob: 110% on expanding to 13 Justices!

    Here’s hoping that in Biden II (Ice Cream Boogaloo), we get an expanded SCOTUS, an expanded House, and several more states!

  46. 46.

    bbleh

    NYT just called OH Rep Senate primary for the Trumpist crazy.

    i think that counts as good. Iirc Brown does.

  47. 47.

    Kathleen

    Trump endorsed Moreno won primary in Ohio. ETA: I’m curious to see which Rethug won primary in OH#2. 11 candidates ran. One of them would not be bad at all (the son of the doctor who invented the Heimlich maneuver).

  49. 49.

    Another Scott

    Fight for 15!!

    Meanwhile, … RFERL.org:

    Now journalists and at least one election researcher applied Shpilkin’s model to the just-concluded election that officials say Putin won with nearly 87 percent of the vote, a record for Putin in his 25 years as the country’s preeminent leader.

    The Findings?

    Novaya Gazeta Europe said Putin received at least 31.6 million fraudulent votes, out of about 75 million votes cast. Important Stories, meanwhile, concluded that around 22 million bad votes were given to Putin. Important Stories explained its lower estimate by saying it excluded Moscow’s vote tallies because officials combined in-person votes with electronic online voting, and that may have distorted the analysis.

    “Never before have we seen a presidential campaign that fell so far short of constitutional standards,” Golos, a now-banned election watchdog organization, wrote in its summary report.

    I’m shocked, shocked.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  50. 50.

    Ohio Mom

    @Kathleen: Yeah, Pete Heimlich is a proud Never Trumper. Would I have asked for a Republican ballot to support him if I was still in the second district? I am glad I never had to wrestle with that question.

  53. 53.

    Eunicecycle

    @bbleh: I know the theory that Moreno will be easiest to beat, and I guess Democrats were pushing him for this reason. I kinda hate that theory, though, because didn’t we think Trump was the easiest to beat in 2016? We could end up with Moreno winning! I know state politics are different, the electoral college, etc and Sherrod is very popular, but I still don’t like it.

  55. 55.

    Delk

    Jeff Bezo’s ex-wife was in the news today in Chicago. She gave 35 million to various local groups. The article did casually mention it was part of the 640 million* she was handing out. Pocket change to real billionaires not so for you know who.
    * she has given away 16.5 billion

  57. 57.

    Jackie

    I see TIFG won in FL. I’m waiting to see if Haley got more votes than Pudd’n Boots – assuming they were still on the ballot. I’m hoping Nikki got more 😁

  58. 58.

    mrmoshpotato

    @Shalimar:

    but I am willing to hate more assholes if some reporter will just name names. 

    Nominated!  (I really hope it isn’t too long for a rotating tag because LOL!)

  60. 60.

    bbleh

    @Eunicecycle: point taken, but I think there’s a world of difference in this case, including that many (including Brown iirc) think Moreno is most likely to alienate non-MAGA voters and that Dems were indeed complacent in 2016 but definitely are NOT so now.

  61. 61.

    Eunicecycle

    @Delk: a nonprofit in my area received a grant from the former Mrs. Bezos. The organization got a call one day from her staff, and the executive director thought it was a joke!

  62. 62.

    Eunicecycle

    @bbleh: oh I am very hopeful about the outcome but I never want to feel again like I felt that fateful November 2016 day.

  64. 64.

    Lyrebird

    @AlaskaReader: Thanks for the list and for keeping that topic in the comments!  I had called my Rep. a month or so ago, happy to see him on there.  And Tom Suozzi signed on the first day, too, HAH!

    I forget how many signers they need in total, is it 216?

  65. 65.

    mrmoshpotato

    @Jeffro:

    this has not received nearly the attention it should…we’re talking about a traitorous, fascistic, orange shitstain who sucks dictators’ assholes and was elected an American president through Russian electoral interference and misogyny having an American general (excuse me, General) executed for being more loyal to the Constitution than to trumpov. 

    Added details for clarity.

  68. 68.

    mrmoshpotato

    @Martin:

    Happy Peter Navarro Reports to Federal Prison Day to all who celebrate. I’ve requested a postage stamp be issued to commemorate. 

    I’ll continue drinking my beer to that!

  69. 69.

    Harrison Wesley

    @cain: Now, that’s not fair – you’re taking him literally.  And might be thinking of some “woke” definition of “racism.”  It’s these sorts of terrible verbal injuries that FL’s Puddinghands of the White Boots seeks to prevent, so that impressionable white school children don’t have their feelings hurt.

  70. 70.

    Fake Irishman

    @Jeffro: at least two more district court judges this week, maybe as many as four. (Two would be in Texas)

    Biden has gotten 41 appeals court judges through. That’s not as many as Trump, but solid for this point in a presidency.

  72. 72.

    Fake Irishman

    @Jeffro:

    we could probably flip 2-3 appeals courts too, and take some of the crazy out of the fifth and eighth circuits.

  73. 73.

    Quadrillipede

    Just spent about 24 hours travelling with my son to Taiwan to catch up with my wife & her side of the family for a couple weeks, so I get the UTC+8 Balloon Juice experience rather than my traditional UTC-8 one (yes, I know, but PDT is an abomination). I’m sure I’ll have lots of spare time to enjoy Failure To Post Bond Day next week…

    By the way, has anyone seen this tweet? I suppose could be an AI Hoacks Which Hunt, but it  looks a lot like TFG caught on a hot mic praising his BFF Kim Jong-Un:

  74. 74.

    Quadrillipede

    @Harrison Wesley: so that impressionable white school children don’t have their feelings hurt.

    Or develop empathy, but I’m sure that’s just an unfortunate oversight… 😵

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