Just the chairman of the the president's 2016 campaign making a perp walk, nothing to see here, carry on. pic.twitter.com/4LVXWlhFxi
— Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) June 27, 2019
Open Thread
by David Anderson| 40 Comments
This post is in: Open Threads, "Lock Her Up!!", All we want is life beyond the thunderdome, Are these Nazis Walter?
Just the chairman of the the president's 2016 campaign making a perp walk, nothing to see here, carry on. pic.twitter.com/4LVXWlhFxi
— Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) June 27, 2019
Open Thread
by Betty Cracker| 188 Comments
This post is in: Foreign Affairs, Open Threads, Politics, Trump-Russia, Assholes
President National Embarrassment is humiliating us abroad again at the G-20 summit in Japan. This brief exchange is almost as revolting as Trump’s obsequious performance in Helsinki. Trump, goaded by reporters to confront Russia about election interference, briefly wags a finger at the Russians and fulfills that brief with mock-stern sarcasm. So much incompetence, treason, self-pity and hubris is packed into this 20-second clip:
A reporter asks President Trump if he would tell Russia not to meddle in the 2020 US presidential election.
As President Putin, Sec. Pompeo and others smile, President Trump turns to the Russian delegation, points and tells them not to meddle in the election. pic.twitter.com/lfcBwDJ1r6
— NBC News (@NBCNews) June 28, 2019
Putin smirks the whole while, like a blood and feather-coated fox licking its chops outside a newly emptied hen house. And why wouldn’t Putin smirk? The head of a third-rate, failing petrostate, Putin has pulled off perhaps the greatest foreign policy coup in the history of the planet by helping his geopolitical rival render itself utterly ridiculous with the ignorant, malevolent clown seated at his left.
Then the camera pans back, revealing the grin of the lumpish crackpot Pompeo as well as the vapid smirks of Ivanka and Jared, who are now running US foreign policy, dog help us. Truly a repugnant spectacle.
Putin’s toady laughs off election interference againPost + Comments (188)
This post is in: 2020 Elections, I'm With Her, Kamala Harris 2020, Open Threads, Proud to Be A Democrat
Kamala Harris: "As the only black person on this stage, I would like to speak on the issue of race" #DemDebate2 pic.twitter.com/hRgoaSTL47
— Variety (@Variety) June 28, 2019
(Transcript here, courtesy the Washington Post.)
The last two minutes in summary:
Swalwell: Biden, you are old. Gimmie the torch.
Biden: You try to take this torch from my cold dead hands.
Bernie: YELLING
[Everyone starts yelling]Kamala Harris: I will take the torch, now. Thanks.
[silence]— Jackie Kucinich (@JFKucinich) June 28, 2019
Harris isn’t just doing a little better than the others, she’s Secretariat
— Dana Houle (@DanaHoule) June 28, 2019
One reason that Kamala exchange with Biden matters: Dem voters need to be convinced that a woman can face Trump onstage and take him apart. That moment got her a long way.
— Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) June 28, 2019
Trump allies so far viewing Kamala Harris performance warily, see her performance as strongest on the stage.
— Annie Karni (@anniekarni) June 28, 2019
NEW: Kamala Harris crushed @IndivisibleTeam's flash poll of its members. n=4,500
Harris – 65%
Buttigieg – 15%
Biden – 7%
Sanders – 7%
Gillibrand – 2%
Bennet – 1%
Swalwell – 1%
Williamson -1%
Yang – 1%
Hickenlooper – 0%https://t.co/hrXUzOmMU8— Alex Seitz-Wald (@aseitzwald) June 28, 2019
It's been a minute and I am still shocked at Kamala Harris stating the obvious: As a black person, I would like to say a word on race.
That is a stance so many black people have to take in crowded rooms to get heard.
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) June 28, 2019
. @ZerlinaMaxwell on Kamala Harris: "There are three black women total that have ever run. But this is the first time in my adult life I've seen a black woman on stage at this level." #DemDebate2 pic.twitter.com/IZ0xXvJIEi
— NBC News (@NBCNews) June 28, 2019
underrated moment was when Harris had to be like "can the black person pls speak on race"
— Steadman™ (@AsteadWesley) June 28, 2019
Again — Harris is often interpreted as trying to convince progressives, but she's really talking to the constituency who tuned in here to see Biden, expressly moderate or older black voters
— Steadman™ (@AsteadWesley) June 28, 2019
Harris’ fundraising boomed after Thursday night’s debate and her clash with Biden, an aide told CNN.
The campaign, the aide said, raised more money on Thursday – the day of the debate – than any day of the campaign other than Harris’ launch day and the day after the launch.
— Dan Merica (@merica) June 28, 2019
Harris on the ropeline: “I have a great deal of respect for Joe Biden. I think that Joe Biden has lived and worked a very long career of dedicated public service. And there is a lot of work that Joe Biden has done that I – look, this is one issue on which we disagree.”
— Jennifer Epstein (@jeneps) June 28, 2019
I'd have to say if we're playing the fantasy ticket game I'd go with Harris as VP to Warren so we'd stand a shot of locking this thing down for 16 years.
— Schooley (@Rschooley) June 28, 2019
Friday Morning Open Thread: Kamala Harris Had A REALLY Great DebatePost + Comments (214)
by Alain Chamot (1971-2020)| 20 Comments
This post is in: Albatrossity, On The Road, Open Threads, Readership Capture, Travel
Good Morning All,
As we move closer to the new site launch, I wanted to remind you to submit things now via the form or to hold off until the new site is live. The old email address is dead and until the new site is live, there’s no replacement for now. I hope to change that later today.
Ok, it looks like my concern about the new site launching very soon is a bit off, sounds like it will be weeks, not days. I’ve got a bunch of submissions, mostly multiple sets from a few folks. Please do continue to submit pictures, but don’t feel like it must be now.
Have a wonderful day and weekend, enjoy the pictures!
We are once again blessed with some amazing pictures, and though I love the new Friday tradition, I do miss otmar – please come back! ;)
Today, pictures from valued commenter Albatrossity.
The second of 2 sets of five pictures from San Cristobal, and then some from Española. Enjoy!
Taken on 2019-05-30 00:00:00
San Cristobal Island, Galápagos
Did you know that when pelicans yawn, they often bend their neck and then stretch their open pouch on top of that bent neck? Neither did I, but I watched this Brown Pelican do it several times, and it makes for an amusing photo!
Taken on 2019-05-30 00:00:00
San Cristobal Island, Galápagos
The Yellow Warbler of the Galápagos (Setophaga petechia aureola) looks very familiar to North American birders. Other than having a rusty red cap, it is nearly identical to the Yellow Warblers that breed on this continent, including right here in Kansas. Genetic studies indicate that this subspecies is most closely related to Yellow Warblers from the Cocos Islands off the coast of Costa Rica (S. p. xanthotera) and the so-called Mangrove Warbler of Central and South America (S. p. erithachorides). Interestingly, the genetic data indicate that the warblers only arrived in the Galápagos about 250,000-300,00 years ago, compared to the estimated arrival time of the Darwin’s finches (2-3 million years ago) and the Galápagos mockingbirds (2 million years ago). This means that the warblers on different islands have not had time to go through adaptive radiation to generate new endemic species for the various islands. They look pretty much alike, regardless of which island you observe them on. Indeed, even birds on the Cocos Island have no discernible morphological differences from those in the Galápagos, even though the genetic data say that Galápagos birds probably came from mainland populations (erithachorides) rather than from the Cocos Islands. Some interpret these data to indicate either that the Cocos and the Galápogos Islands were colonized by Yellow Warblers at about the same time, or that the Cocos Island birds are actually descendants of wandering Galápagos warblers.
Taken on 2019-05-30 00:00:00
San Cristobal Island, Galápagos
An endemic seabird, the Galápagos Petrel is either a separate species or a subspecies of the Dark-rumped Petrel, depending on which taxonomists you trust. Regardless of that status, the population in the Galápagos is critically endangered, estimated to total about 10,000-20,000 breeding pairs in the entire archipelago.
Taken on 2019-05-30 00:00:00
San Cristobal Island, Galápagos
The Red-billed Tropicbird is a favorite species of many birders, and is found in many places around the world. Nowhere is it considered to be abundant or common, however. It is always in flight, rarely alighting on the sea, and thus is a challenge to photograph. This is the best I’ve managed so far, but I think I will keep trying for a better shot.
Taken on 2019-05-30 00:00:00
San Cristobal Island, Galápagos
This Common Noddy Tern is posing nicely in front of a formation called variously Kicker Rock or Leon Dormido. The rock is a popular scuba and snorkeling destination, and our group found five species of sharks, as well as spotted eagle-rays, in the water there.
Thank you so much Albatrossity, do send us more when you can.
Travel safely everybody, and do share some stories in the comments, even if you’re joining the conversation late. Many folks confide that they go back and read old threads, one reason these are available on the Quick Links menu.
One again, to submit pictures: Use the Form or Send an Email
This post is in: Excellent Links, Immigration, All Too Normal
I do have values, I swear, I just can’t recall what they are – The Washington Post https://t.co/DhV6kl72IK
— Alexandra Petri (@petridishes) June 24, 2019
Alexandra Petri is a national treasure:
Let me make one thing clear: The treatment that children are receiving at the border, reported with horror by those lawyers — this is not against my values. Do not misunderstand! I still have more values than anyone. I am a values voter, with values for days, values that go all the way to the floor, values that wave amberly as far as the eye can see!…
We can clearly see that these are just children by themselves, not families, and they are merely covered in filth and tear stains, not exposed to comprehensive sex education, Darwinism or a textbook implying the reality of climate change. So, yes, what’s going on there is in no way an attack on the family. The family is something to be cherished, as luminous as it is theoretical.
It is important to have these values. But I have lots! All the most important, decorative values are the ones I have…
We must have values because people are flawed and fallen. As the Good Book teaches us (it is no “The Art of the Deal,” but it has some points, if you skim it correctly), if you see someone who is suffering, ask yourself, is it possible that this person did something wrong? Not only is it possible, it is probable. Well, then! Probably what they are getting is a just desert. Cross to the side of the road, and let a Samaritan handle it, or some other foreign entity….
Excellent Read: <em>“FAMILY Values!… “</em>Post + Comments (35)
by Betty Cracker| 143 Comments
This post is in: 2020 Elections, Domestic Politics, Open Threads, Politics
In the “who would you like to have a beer with” primary, I’d pick Kamala Harris. She’s genuinely funny:
Asked if she knows any words in Spanish, Kamala Harris offers one: “Pendejo.” pic.twitter.com/7qfmczQE7Z
— Christopher Cadelago (@ccadelago) June 27, 2019
Tonight’s debate moderators have to do the “show of hands” question about eliminating private health insurance tonight too, right? In a town hall in January, Harris seemed to indicate she was in favor of getting rid of private insurance, but then clarified a couple of months later that she would be in favor of allowing supplemental coverage through private insurance.
I won’t be surprised if Warren does a similar climb-down after coming out in favor of eliminating private insurance last night. She needs to do one of her trademark plans on healthcare and lay it all out there, IMO.
Open thread!
by Betty Cracker| 126 Comments
This post is in: Activist Judges!, Open Threads
Sorry to step on Alain, but it looks like we need a SCOTUS open thread since we may be about to find out if the chief justice openly embraces partisanship in the service of white supremacy. I’m following along at SCOTUSblog.
ETA: The majority punts on partisan gerrymandering. Justice Kagan’s dissent: “the partisan gerrymanders here debased and dishonored our democracy, turning upside-down the core American idea that all governmental power derives from the people.”
ETA 2: Good-ish news on the census question? From SCOTUSblog: “The majority upholds the district court’s remand to the agency for further explanation of its decision.”
ETA 3: “The Chief Justice explains that, although it is fine when an agency has stated and unstated reasons for a decision — and fine with a new administration comes in with policy preferences — here, the only stated reason for the decision to add the citizenship question seems contrived.”
Ya think? It sounds like the Court Republicans are saying the rule change is fine, but the agency needs to come up with a less obvious lie to justify it.