Sorry to expose you to Trump’s hideous orange visage, but even after all the lawlessness and bigotry and fuckery, it seems like this is crossing a Rubicon of some sort — a notorious antisemite defining who is and who is not a Jew in America:
Donald Trump: “Schumer is a Palestinian as far as I am concerned. He has become a Palestinian. He used to be Jewish. He is not Jewish anymore. He is a Palestinian.”
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona.bsky.social) March 12, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Fuck that fucking racist-as-fuck fuck!
Oh, and have we talked about how the aforementioned fucking-fuck has declared Tesla dealership protesters “domestic terrorists” yet?
Haven’t joined a #TelsaTakedown protest yet because I’m old and sick and the closest event is about 70 miles away. After hearing Dumbfuck Hitler* and his drug addled pal slander patriotic Americans, fuck all that — I’m in!
— Betty Cracker of Florida (@bettycrackerfl.bsky.social) March 12, 2025 at 6:45 AM
The sumbitch has inspired me to stand on a goddamn sidewalk waving a protest sign in Gainesville, Florida again. The fucker! I haven’t done that since 1988.
Now for what I’m tentatively regarding as qualified good news: (NYT)
Senate Democrats balk at funding extension, raising the risk of a shutdown.
The Senate Democratic leader said on Wednesday that Democrats would refuse to back a stopgap bill to fund the government through Sept. 30, significantly raising the chances of a government shutdown at the end of the week.
After a private party meeting, Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York, instead urged Republicans to consider another extension to allow time to consider individual spending bills…
Democrats have been dubious about the Republican-drafted bill passed by the House on Tuesday, which would keep federal spending going at roughly current levels for the next six months, saying it would give the Trump administration too much leeway to continue efforts to drastically overhaul the government. The bill would need the support of at least eight Democrats to overcome procedural hurdles and come to a final vote.
Federal funding is set to lapse at 12:01 a.m. on March 15 if Congress does not act before then to extend it.
Any changes in the House bill or another extension would require the House to return and approve it, which is highly unlikely. Republican leaders deliberately adjourned the chamber and left town after passing the legislation on Tuesday to effectively force the Senate to accept their funding legislation.
The standoff puts Senate Democrats at risk of being blamed for any shutdown even as they complain about Trump administration disruptions to federal agencies. But they are under pressure from House Democrats and activists to stand against President Trump and Elon Musk as the new administration seeks to dismantle broad swaths of the federal bureaucracy.
Because it’s the FFTNYT, the next paragraph is this:
With two days left before the shutdown, there is still time for a reversal by Democrats when the potential implications of a shutdown become clearer.
Oh for fuck’s sake!
Anyway, the article says Hakeem Jeffries called the CR “a power grab that further unleashes and entrenches Elon Musk’s efforts,” which it is, and that he and other House leaders “pleaded with their Senate counterparts to follow their lead and oppose the government funding bill.” I don’t know what’s going to happen, but good for them.
Open thread.
*Belated H/T: different-church-lady
Are You Doing Everything You Can?
Baud
DougJ bait there.
tobie
From Aaron Fritsch:
tobie
@tobie: here’s the link:
https://bsky.app/profile/fritschner.bsky.social/post/3lk7e46lry22c
I like the framing. Republicans failed to get the 60 votes they need for cloture. They own the economic mess.
Trollhattan
Good on ya, Betty!
Trump’s Schumer insult is a re-work of his Harris insult, “Used to say she’s Indian, now she says she’s Black, I don’t know!” {shrugs}
Baud
I’m looking forward to the Executive Order redesignating Schumer’s identity.
J. Arthur Crank
Sigh, I have but one knee* and there are so many groins that need knees in them. What should I do?
*I actually have two knees, but I only use the dominant one for the activity specified above.
Trollhattan
CA’s two senators are no votes.
At some point if enough federal workers are dismissed, how do we know there’s a shutdown?
Trollhattan
@J. Arthur Crank:
A useful related expression: busier than a one-legged man at a buttkicking convention.
Butch
Exsqueeze me, NYT, it does not fund the government at “roughly current levels.” There’s a big increase in defense and cuts to everything else. Get your story straight.
danielx
Executive order telling government to buy Teslas coming right up.
Baud
Now I am wondering if the reporting on Schumer whipping yes votes was misinformation.
MattF
Trump here is a modern version of Karl Lueger, a 19th century Austrian antisemite, who was famous for saying “Werein Jude ist, bestimme ich” (“It is up to me to decide who is a Jew”).
Old School
And we here at the New York Times will be more than happy to put the blame on them!
Scout211
Some things are too crazy to be believed. But that’s the Trump administration in a nutshell.
OMFG. Click through to see her videos.
Betty Cracker
@Baud: Same.
Enhanced Voting Techniques
@Trollhattan: “Trump, they used to say he’s white, but now he is Umpa Lompa.”
Steve LaBonne
@Baud: It was as accurate as the stories describing the bill as a clean extension of current funding.
WaterGirl
@Baud: Or a head fake.
Steve LaBonne
Schumer has the right simple message: Republicans don’t have the votes. Republicans don’t have the votes. Keep repeating that.
Old School
@Scout211:
She had to use her office. The White House lawn was already booked for a different promotion.
Steve LaBonne
@WaterGirl: Or the caucus baulking, IF there was actually any truth in the claim that Schumer was pushing for yes votes. But I see no reason to believe he was.
Jeffro
Before the week is out, I hope everyone will call their Rep and Senators and either berate or thank them accordingly. (Especially if you have a Dem Senator who wasn’t/isn’t going to vote for the House GOP’s CR – please thank them)
Btw I have been out all day so I don’t know if folks have already noted it, but as usual, Jamelle Bouie is on point at the NYT, talking about the sheer Constitutional rot we are currently enduring.
I like the framing. A Constitutional ‘crisis’ seems like a one-off, a temporary thing. We have an increasingly rotten foundation and perhaps we need to think about how to build a new house…
WaterGirl
@Scout211: It gave me at least 3 ads before giving me the video I was pressing play on, so I said fuck it. Assholes.
Donald
I gather it doesn’t matter that he is using “ Palestinian” as a slur.
B1naryS3rf
Schumer heard the base and understood the stakes. That’s good if so, because he would’ve been the most blood lusted after out of touch Dem leader of all time if he hadn’t. This and the debt limit are all the leverage we have. It’d be dirt dumb and suicidal to surrender more power which is what the dumbfuck brunch lords in the SCLMSM want us to do.
VFX Lurker
You’re a good soul, Betty Cracker.
(…and a superb writer).
Betty Cracker
@Donald: Hell yes, that matters.
TBone
Today’s Tiedrich treasure, for all who celebrate
https://www.jefftiedrich.com/p/elderly-rage-baby-melts-down-because
Steve LaBonne
@Donald: It’s not some horrible obscenity like Clinton saying half of Trump’s supporters were deplorable, so there’s no reason for the media to make a big deal about it.
Old School
@Steve LaBonne:
It was from a Bluesky post from someone at The Hill. I went back and looked at his account and he says Axios confirmed his reporting by saying:
But, of course, that doesn’t say Schumer is whipping for yes votes.
Steve LaBonne
My wife decided today to start flying our US flag upside down. She was not terribly political in the past, but might be even angrier now than I am.
hells littlest angel
This isn’t even the first time Krasnov has said this.
Butch
Very much off topic but I think people will enjoy this story: someone stole 44 tires off unsold Teslas parked at a lot in Texas. Security cameras weren’t working so there’s no clue who did it:
https://www.joemygod.com/2025/03/texas-thieves-steal-44-wheels-from-unsold-teslas/
Kelly
The need for 60 Senate votes, survival of the filibuster, has astonished me for 20 years or so. A few carveouts but still there.
scav
@TBone: His DOGE-style Federal Government will no doubt soon announce charges of terrorism and treason against all firms not advertising on X.
TBone
@VFX Lurker: that standing on a street corner with a sign feels really good, especially when you’re given a soapbox to stand on! And there is a crowd of like-minded citizens with you! Highly recommend!
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@Steve LaBonne:
I thought about buying one of these operator hats and wearing the American flag patch upside down. Or wearing a Canadian or Mexican flag patch if the upside down American flag is too subtle for the MAGAts
TBone
@Butch: bwahahaha!
Steve LaBonne
@TBone: We will be doing that on Sunday here in Medina OH. I believe there will be a very healthy turnout.
Jeffro
TBone
@scav: you know it’s coming. I plan on being as insubordinate as humanly possible, and I’m a stubborn, old, obstinate mule about it. It’s a specialty. Resist!
hells littlest angel
@Butch:
That is amusing. Sadly, the proprietary tires have a resale value of $0.
TBone
@Steve LaBonne: YAY🎉
LFG
gratuitous
This is definitely one of those times when our elected officials need to know that we have their backs. Call offices, leave voice mails, send e-mails, post your support on the social media platforms. Let the Senators know we’re behind them, and let people (particularly in Republican-dominated areas) know that they aren’t alone. Senate Democrats are putting on the line for them, even in the face of schoolmarmish tut-tutting from the mighty New York Times.
dmsilev
CyberTruck: Despite Elon Musk’s claims, it’s as bad a boat as it is a truck:
‘Oh great’: Tesla Cybertruck sinks in Ventura Harbor after botched Jet Ski launch
(“CyberTruck + JetSki = Pure Concentrated Douchebag” is the equation of the day)
tobie
@Baud: that would be awful because it would be disinfo coming from within the Democratic ranks. AOC posted this afternoon that Dems were caving. That’s not cool, if untrue. Who knows?
TBone
Some LFG deguello! 🎶
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yWCcLW08dsU
eclare
@Steve LaBonne:
The rangers at Yosemite hung a huge US flag upside down on El Capitan a few weeks ago.
Ohio Mom
I have two really stupid Republican Senators. I called their offices anyway this morning, telling them not to to touch Social Security, Medicaid, etc. What surly interns they have.
I also called my Democratic Rep to say thank you and keep up the good work. Complimented his intern on her lovely telephone presence.
Mai Naem mobil
@Scout211: who names their kid McLaurine? Also too, I think her clothing choices might decrease the chances that the outfits get sold.
We had a Tesla protest here with a pretty decent turnout. The Tesla dealership or whatever it’s called is down the street from a popular outdoor shopping mall so it’s a good spot for a protest. I remember seeing the original Teslas years ago and I was somehow expecting something special looking but they just look like your average mid to high end sedan. Basically a Toyota Avalon or Acura. I have a feeling a lot of Tesla owners will end up rebadging them.
Ohio Mom
@MattF: I’ve never heard of him before, thank you for this history lesson.
Jay
@hells littlest angel:
$1200 to $1500 for a set of 4 tires, with 100 miles or less on them. Toss in the rims, mounted and balanced, $2k up.
Steve LaBonne
@Ohio Mom: I’m impressed that someone actually answered, which hasn’t been my experience.
Steve LaBonne
@eclare: I remember seeing that. It did me good.
Mai Naem mobil
Sen Jeanne Shaheen has decided not to seek reelection. I did not realize she’s 78. Part of me hopes Sununu doesn’t run for the seat and part of me hopes he does run because I have a feeling 2026 is going to be a bad year for the GOP and it would be good to hand that particular used car salesman a loss.
Jay
@tobie:
https://bsky.app/profile/aoc.bsky.social/post/3lk6rmsh7pk2m
eclare
@dmsilev:
Oops!
Caustictity.acerbity
Hate to rain on everyone’s parade, but Josh at tpm, greg sargent, and others are reporting in the last 30 minutes or so that their sources are telling them Schumer’s speech earlier about there not being votes for the unclean CR was actually a song and dance aimed at democratic constituents. The plan appears to be have a couple of meaningless votes on the shorter dem proposed CR then give approval to the House generated crap before Friday. I hope this turns out untrue but people may want to double calls to their democratic senators…
Mai Naem mobil
@Butch: I’m kind of surprised they didn’t have trackers on them.
mrmoshpotato
Throw the Kremlin’s orange Nazi bitchass into the Sun.
sab
@Ohio Mom: I am amazed anyone answered.
Time to update my speed dial. Portman rarely responded but at least his guys answered the phone.
chemiclord
@Caustictity.acerbity: Marshall especially has been pushing so much “trust me bro” anonymous reporting lately that I no longer particularly trust him.
He doesn’t want to appear like the boy who cried wolf, so he’s crying wolf again.
chemiclord
Now, do I think people like Marshall are lying? No. I think they ARE getting comments and statements about (x) or (y), but that these guys are in such a rush to get “the scoop” that they aren’t being entirely diligent that these reports are coming from people that would know Jack shit or are passing on these reports in good faith.
I recall Marshall’s reporting about Sen. Whitehouse voting for RFK Jr. was actually pushed by GOP staffers, for example.
Baud
@Caustictity.acerbity:
I don’t do strategy, but that seems like a dumber strategy than just caving now. We’ll see.
chemiclord
@Baud: Which is why you should question the validity of these reports.
Baud
@chemiclord:
I don’t put any stock in any predictions. But if the Dems hold firm, some decent people are going to have egg on their face.
Baud
I do wonder whether we’ll have a weekend shutdown. They’ll negotiate something and then the House passes it on Monday, if they can.
A woman from anywhere (formerly Mohagan)
@TBone: Thank you so much for turning me on to Jeff and his posts! His link is one of my favorites on my internet links bar.
Enhanced Voting Techniques
@Baud: Consider this quote from Schumer
“Our caucus is unified on a clean April 11 CR that will keep the government open and give Congress time to negotiate bipartisan legislation that can pass,” he said. “I hope our Republican colleagues will join us to avoid a shutdown on Friday.”
Baud
@Enhanced Voting Techniques:
What am I considering?
Geminid
Donald Tusk, the Prime Minister of Poland, visited Ankara today to discuss developments regarding Ukraine with Turkish President Erdogan. Clash Report described his reception:
Clash Report showed video of Erdogan striding down a blue carpet to greet Tusk. After exchanging warm handshakes and greetings, the two leaders walked past Turkish soldiers standing at parade rest before Erdogan helped the limping Tusk up the stairs. Two files of soldiers awaited them, standing at attention. Stirring piano music indicated that the video was provided by the official Andalou news agency.
The soldiers were all in dress uniform, which for Turkiye’s Army is a sky blue, knee length coat, white belt, white helmet and white gaiters over their shoes. They looked like glorified traffic cops! I could say this is a very un-martial look– and it is– but I’ve learned that the Turks have no insecurities in this area.
President Erdogan is on a roll. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazloum Abdi just signed a framework agreement for integrating SDF forces into the Syrian Army. If implemented as written, the agreement will satisfy Turkiye’s stated interests in Northeast Syria, after three months of uncertainty and conflict.
On Sunday Hakan Fidan, Erdogan’s trusted Foreign Minister, led a “Five-State Security Summit” in Amman, Jordan where top officials from Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Turkiye agreed to and began implementing a common plan to ensure regional stability.
Perhaps most importantly of all, the settlement of the 40-year war between the Tukish government and the Kurdish PKK and its leader Abdullah Ocalan is still proceeding as hoped.
So now Erdogan and Fidan can give fuller attention to the war across the Black Sea, which is what they were talking about with Prime Minister Tusk today.
chemiclord
@Enhanced Voting Techniques:
That’s exactly the angle Dems have been pushing all along… it’s definitely performative politics, just not the malicious backstabbing the voters that the rumor mongers are pushing.
Almost Retired
I am visiting my mother in Kansas. I’m calling her Senators and House Creature from her cellphone, so that a local area code will display. I am not identifying myself as a constituent, but I am letting them jump to conclusions. Or would if they answered the phone.
I’ll keep trying Brave Senator Sir Marshall – ducker of town halls. He’s right to be afeared. I suppose angry Kansas ranchers know their way around pitchforks.
Tim C.
@Baud: Likely. Honestly, I also want *MORE* from the Democratic leadership too, but it feels like there’s a lot of either astroturf or misinformed folks saying “The Democrats aren’t doing anything! They are controlled opposition!” which is frankly nonsense.
Ohio Mom
@Steve LaBonne: This is the first time a person answered Husted’s phone, I congratulated them on finally putting the office in operation.
I was lucky with the other Republican Senator, getting a person when calling his office is hit or miss.
My lucky day, I guess.
My Democratic Rep’s office always answers the phone. That’s not luck, that’s them being responsible.
The Pale Scot
At the weather is nice Betty
Steve LaBonne
@chemiclord: I think it’s not a bad strategy. There was no realistic possibility they could actually get Republicans to give Elmo the heave-ho in exchange for their votes, so this is an opportunity to have floor time to make their case for the badness of this bill and to specify what they want to do better.
rikyrah
That quote about Schumer 😡😡😡😡😡
John S.
Here’s how this will likely play out:
1. Dems get a clean CR to the floor in exchange for cloture vote.
2. Clean CR fails.
3. Dems vote for cloture.
4. House CR passes on majority.
5. End scene.
I really want to be wrong. I haven’t wanted to be this wrong in a very long time.
chemiclord
@John S.: If Step 2 happens, why would any of them follow along with Step 3?
Stella
@Steve LaBonne: This says that it will cost them all their leverage to “make their case”.
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/after-heated-dem-meeting-schumer-says-dems-will-push-for-vote-on-short-term-cr-first
Truly hope it’s wrong, but I’d be honestly surprised if it was.
John S.
@chemiclord:
Because that will be the condition for bringing the clean CR to the floor. It’s possible that steps 2 and 3 are reversed, but that’s the gist of things.
The Democrats are not going to filibuster and have the government shut down.
chemiclord
@John S.: The only way that makes sense is if 2 and 3 are reversed. But that’s not even politics, that’s not even being feckless. That would be Wile E. Coyote over the cliff stupid.
On top of that, I don’t think you can bait and switch bills like that. If the GOP tries to push a different bill, then they’d need to vote for cloture on THAT.
Steve LaBonne
@Stella: I just don’t agree with Marshall that they have the kind of leverage that could conceivably bring the DOGE atrocities to a halt. That seems like a big leap from a normally careful thinker.
Baud
@Steve LaBonne:
Agree. I don’t think they can fix everything here, even if they decide to exercise what leverage they have.
ETA: Absent the type of overwhelming mass movement that I don’t think we can produce.
John S.
@chemiclord:
That’s exactly what shitty political consultants who want to keep the corporate cash flowing would advise.
Make a performative effort to paint an alternative, and then ultimately vote for cloture which means the House CR passes. The consultants tell them they can go home to the constituents and say they tried without running the risk of getting blamed for a shutdown.
Geminid
@Steve LaBonne: Democrats might actually get Republicans to agree to giving Elon Musk the heave-ho. The question is, can they give that OMB head and all the Heritage Foundation goons scattered around various agencies the heave-ho as well?
Or maybe more to the point, can they get Repulicans to agree to airtight legislation limiting discretion on the part of the Executive Branch to frustrate legislative enactments? That seems to me to be the crux of the problem.
At this point, Musk’s personal unpopularity outweighs his utility to the Trump administration. Fundamentally, Elon Musk is an airhead who would make an excellent scapegoat. But the radical political transformation that’s being attempted is driven by people much harder-headed than Musk, and I think they are the ones who are the bigger threat.
Stella
@Steve LaBonne: Then they should hold out for something, anything at all, other than a symbolic vote. I just don’t see the use of that right now.
Baud
@Geminid:
Legislature can’t tell a president who to listen to for advice.
Martin
@chemiclord: Because that was the deal to get the clean CR, and Democrats still operate as though if they act in good faith, that they’ll win.
YY_Sima Qian
I don’t think this will pass Senate, at less for now, but another sign of things to come.
If this does pass, & w/ all the funding cuts to universities, it will collapse almost all of the state university systems.
chemiclord
@Martin: So… your contention isn’t that Dems are feckless. Your contention is that they are brain dead Lloyd Christmas level stupid?
John S.
@chemiclord:
We’re all going to find out in less than 48 hours.
YY_Sima Qian
@Geminid: I say Dems take that scalp to energize the unify the opposition. & use that established leverage to take more scalps the next round.
Peke Daddy
@YY_Sima Qian: The Chinese will simply stay home and get their education there. Reverse brain drain.
YY_Sima Qian
@Peke Daddy: Already happening, every week there is report of prominent Chineses academics (leaders in their fields) leaving US universities for ones in the PRC.
Has been happening since Trump 45 launched the China Initiative, but seems to be accelerating, & will accelerate further w/ the rising Sinophobia & Fed. funding cuts.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@John S.:
How could you possibly know that?
ETA:
What’s to stop them (Dems) from simply refusing to vote for cloture if that clean CR fails?
different-church-lady
HEY, I DON’T EVEN GET A HAT TIP?!?
Geminid
@Martin:
@chemiclord: So far as I know, there has not been a deal to put a “clean CR” on the floor, which is the “Step One” of the hypothetical scenario that is being discussed.
But maybe there has been a deal and I missed it. I guess it’s time to check out veteran Capitol Hill reporter Jaime Dupree and see what he says. Dupree follows this stuff a lot more closely than I do. He’s on BlueSky and has no particular ax to grind.
PaulWartenberg
Go Gators!
F-ck Tesla!
Betty Cracker
@different-church-lady: Belated H/T added. I didn’t remember where I heard it first, but it’s accurate — thanks!
different-church-lady
BC adopts one of my coinages and sends it into the world? I could not be more proud! Go forth an multiply it.
RevRick
@Trollhattan: Antisemitism is a goy defining a Jew to the detriment of an actual Jewish person.
RevRick
@Kelly: The filibuster is obstruction but also useful obstruction. Majorities hold preserve it, because they know no majority is ever permanent. But they also keep it, because it allows the minority to keep them from doing what they say they want to do but know that doing it would be a disaster. Thune will likely make noises to the press harrumphing about the Democrats, but secretly sighing in relief that the CR abomination won’t happen.
Glidwrith
@Geminid: As I recall, the Senate passed a CR that’s nothing like the House bill, but I haven’t seen any further reporting.
catclub
@Butch: Yeah, It is not an actual continuing resolution.
It changes things,
catclub
@YY_Sima Qian:
A plan with no downside to the GOP.
catclub
My server yesterday was Javanna
chemiclord
@Glidwrith: You’ve seen no further reporting because no such thing happened.
It’s a bunch of speculation and “unnamed” “anonymous sources” that are stirring up discontent on social media.
Now, they very well may be right and there’s some nefarious backstabbing plot by the Democratic Party to give the Republicans everything they want (because they’re weak and feckless and no different from Republicans, dontcha know?), but that’s not something I’m taking Josh Marshall’s “trust me bro” method of reporting at face value.
Rusty
@Mai Naem mobil: I hope Sununu doesn’t run, he is widely liked in New Hampshire and even in a bad year for Republicans could very well win. Better to let the NH Republicans nominate yet another right wing crazy who teens off swing voters. Democrats have held the two congressional and senate seats because it’s helped a lot that the Republican candidates have been uniformly awful.
Kayla Rudbek
@Scout211: that would get your average federal employee disciplined if not fired
Paul in KY
@Geminid: Some Turkish units actually fought in Vietnam. Man I served with, his brother was over there and worked with them. Said one saying about them was ‘When the Turks enter the valley, the only thing that leaves the valley are the Turks’.
Geminid
@Paul in KY: My older brother served in the Marine Corp from 1970-74. He said Turkish soldiers had a reputation among Marines for their fighting capabilities. I think it started in Korea. The Turkish Republic sent troops to Korea in 1950, two years before it joined Nato in 1952.