President Biden’s speech:
Open thread.
Open Thread (and President Biden’s Remarks on the Attacks In Israel)Post + Comments (93)
by WaterGirl| 93 Comments
This post is in: Biden Administration in Action, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Open Threads, Politics
President Biden’s speech:
Open thread.
Open Thread (and President Biden’s Remarks on the Attacks In Israel)Post + Comments (93)
This post is in: Biden Administration in Action, Proud to Be A Democrat, Space, World's Best Healthcare (If You Can Afford It)
All the drugmakers that make the 10 prescription medicines subject to the first-ever price negotiations for the U.S. Medicare health program, including Amgen and Novartis , said they signed on to participate in the talks by the Oct. 1 deadline. https://t.co/vHywKTaIGL
— Reuters Health (@Reuters_Health) October 3, 2023
Yep, looks like it’ll be nothing but backstage maneuvers and kabuki for the next week…
HOUSE leaving town now for a week. Speaker elections next Wednesday
— Erik Wasson (@elwasson) October 3, 2023
Today, @LaphonzaB made history as she was sworn into the United States Senate.
Senator Butler has never backed down from a tough fight on behalf of working people. I'm honored to serve alongside my friend and champion for Californians. pic.twitter.com/QCwvteFroq
— Senator Alex Padilla (@SenAlexPadilla) October 3, 2023
New: Number of job openings at US employers unexpectedly surged in August, a sign of continued strength in the labor market, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics. There were an estimated 9.61m open jobs in August up from July's upwardly revised estimate of 8.92m
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) October 3, 2023
Mute your phone, if you can’t shut it off this afternoon…
“THIS IS A TEST."
If you have a cell phone or are watching television Wednesday that message will flash across your screen as the federal government tests its emergency alert system used to tell people about emergencies. https://t.co/LrmNLM4l1T
— The Associated Press (@AP) October 4, 2023
… And check your ear protection (and your dog’s) if your neighbors are anti-vaxxers:
NGL, I TOTALLY had "trigger the vaxx Zombie apocalypse with drones and 5g" on my 2023 bingo card. pic.twitter.com/Vw9kQdCeGo
— Fr. Robert Ballecer, SJ (@padresj) October 4, 2023
Wednesday Morning Open Thread: In *Other* News…Post + Comments (234)
This post is in: Biden Administration in Action, COVID-19 Coronavirus, Open Threads, Proud to Be A Democrat, Science & Technology
Actor and activist Selma Blair helped President Joe Biden mark the legacy of the Americans with Disabilities Act on Monday.
Blair, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2018, walked with Biden to a White House ceremony with her cane and her service dog, Scout. pic.twitter.com/ofNLEbTL9T
— The Associated Press (@AP) October 2, 2023
President Biden and Vice President Harris are making important progress. Let's send them back to the White House in 2024 so they can finish the job. pic.twitter.com/pis6RSNbLO
— Greg Howard Jr (He/Him/His) (@ThatPodcastGuy1) October 2, 2023
Today, two trailblazing researchers received the Nobel Prize in Medicine for work that enabled the development of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.
Dr. Katalin Karikó and Dr. Drew Weissman, congratulations.
You have the admiration of an indebted nation.
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 2, 2023
BREAKING NEWS
The 2023 #NobelPrize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman for their discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/Y62uJDlNMj— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) October 2, 2023
Reminder that @Penn told Dr. Karikó years ago they were demoting her off the tenure track because her work "wasn't faculty level," so she left, did pathbreaking work to develop the COVID-19 vaccine, and now they're trying to ride her coattails. What a sleazy tweet this is. https://t.co/ZQEd0hdqs7
— Kevin Gannon (@TheTattooedProf) October 2, 2023
Our latest Nobel winner knew how to leave a room. Congratulations to Kati Kariko. https://t.co/DLZNlDaWqU pic.twitter.com/gUwmLdEVbB
— mattie kahn (@mattiekahn) October 2, 2023
From 2021, Glamour on “The Scientist Who Saved the World”:
In 2013—after enduring multiple professional setbacks, one denied grant after another, and a demotion at the institution to which she’d been devoted for decades—Katalin Karikó, Ph.D., walked out of her lab at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Medicine for the last time.
For decades the Hungarian biochemist had been fixated on the possibilities of mRNA, the genetic messenger that delivers DNA instructions to the protein-making infrastructure in each of our cells. Karikó—with her collaborator, immunologist Drew Weissman, M.D., Ph.D.—believed in its potential to treat stubborn and fatal conditions like strokes and even cancer, hoping that mRNA could be used to program cells to produce their own cures. The two were evangelizers, but their work attracted few converts. Those who knew about it tended to be dismissive: fanciful, nice concept, dead end…
Back in 2013 pandemics were the subjects of big-budget blockbusters like Contagion and books about the great influenza of 1918. Few people expected to experience one, and even fewer knew the name of the scientist whose marginalized research would go on to serve as the foundation for some of the most effective vaccines ever made.
Karikó has never craved fame, nor did she spend decades toiling at the bench for prizes (although she and Weissman have received the Lasker Award, the Horwitz Prize, the Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research, and the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences in just the past few months). But fine, she has started to take a little pleasure in certain aspects of worldwide renown. First there’s the dream turned real—for her, scientific progress is measured in actual impact. With millions inoculated and the path out of the pandemic charted on the foundation of her research, she has lived to see the purpose in her work. And second, there’s the small, modest delight she takes in the fact that a few weeks before our interview, she ran into the man who’d led her out of her beloved lab at Penn eight years earlier. He told her he was preparing to give a lecture about her.
“You will talk about me?” she asked him. What about?
The focus, he said, would be on how he’d missed it—one of the greatest scientific and humanitarian achievements in their lifetimes, and he’d let the woman responsible for it walk out the door…
Tuesday Morning Open Thread: Knowing One’s WorthPost + Comments (106)
This post is in: Biden Administration in Action, GOP Death Cult, Open Threads, Proud to Be A Democrat, Religion, Republican Venality
Eyes to the skies: it's Harvest Moon time!
Folklore tells us that the nearest full moon to the autumn equinox is so-called because it rises soon after sunset, allowing farmers to harvest their crops.
The last supermoon of 2023 peaks on Fri, Sep 29.#HarvestMoon #FolkloreThursday pic.twitter.com/SQf9MLQVfe— Mark Rees (@reviewwales) September 28, 2023
Not that our, shall we say, alternatively sane neighbors need any more excuses, but IMO it’s not a good omen for getting anything useful accomplished this weekend.
“Democracies don't have to die at the end of a rifle. They can die when people are silent; when they fail to stand up and condemn threats to #democracy…The answer to the problems we face is engagement.” @POTUS offering hope and possibility — not MAGA’s#ExtremeRepublicanShutdown pic.twitter.com/eiOHWS6Oml
— Christine Pelosi (@sfpelosi) September 28, 2023
House Republicans have turned their backs on the bipartisan budget deal that two-thirds of them voted for just a few months ago and are marching us toward a shutdown.
It’s time for them to stop playing political games with peoples’ lives and keep the government open. pic.twitter.com/pz7HaA3RWz
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 28, 2023
New ad just dropped pic.twitter.com/q3fTHZFOSJ
— Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) September 28, 2023
Everyone needs to see this. President Biden blasted Tommy Tuberville today: “The strongest military in the history of the world… accused of being weak and ‘woke’? Frankly, these extremists have no idea what the hell they’re talking about.” pic.twitter.com/DlagxTjdzp
— Biden’s Wins (@BidensWins) September 28, 2023
Pelosi on MSNBC on Trump musing about Milley being executed: "It should be something that would eliminate someone as a prospect for any public office." pic.twitter.com/sZkVE77JvZ
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 26, 2023
GOP grifters gonna grift… guess somebody figures he’ll need another sycophant job shortly:
What’s funny about this photo?
The House is holding important votes in DC tonight, people are scrambling to avoid a shutdown, but this Republican Congressman decided to skip town to joyride with a billionaire when his own party has just a single-digit margin and needs his vote. https://t.co/A9f6OO4mWm
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) September 29, 2023
Probably a better way of coping, since nobody expects public holidays to go smoothly…
Many millions of Chinese tourists are expected to travel within their country, splurging on hotels, tours, attractions and meals in a boost to the economy during the 8-day autumn holiday period that began Friday. https://t.co/mnGV5iHs8Z
— The Associated Press (@AP) September 29, 2023
======
Hot off the wire — may her memory be a blessing:
BREAKING: Senator Dianne Feinstein, an "icon for women in politics," has died at 90 years old, ABC7 Insider Phil Matier has confirmed. Here's a look back at her life and legacy: https://t.co/Af2qoPCv2W pic.twitter.com/R8bEnTKQya
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) September 29, 2023
Friday Morning Open Thread: Be Aware of the Autumn SupermoonPost + Comments (91)
This post is in: Biden Administration in Action, President Biden, Proud to Be A Democrat, Vice-President Harris, War in Ukraine
Biden: You may have noticed, a lot of people have focused on my age. I get it. I know better than anyone but there’s something else I know… When I came to office and this nation was on its back, I knew what to do. I vaccinated the nation and rebuilt the economy. pic.twitter.com/xN7kX2Xmhv
— Acyn (@Acyn) September 24, 2023
Senator Klobuchar, with a timely reminder:
The House must pass a budget bill that reflects the bipartisan agreement that the Senate and House made in June. Americans cannot afford a government shutdown.
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) September 24, 2023
As I look toward the future, I am hopeful because of young leaders like the @CHCI interns and fellows. They care deeply about our nation — and stand prepared to fight for all that is good and right. pic.twitter.com/xQbrMx479I
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) September 24, 2023
This week's @VP schedule:
Mon: Meeting with POTUS Board of Advisors on Historically Black Universities and Colleges.
Tues: Morehouse College, part of "Fight for Our Freedoms” college tour.
Thursday- Florida Intl University
Fri: Attend Armed Forces honors Gen Milley, Gen Brown Jr— KAMALA NATION (@KamalaNation) September 25, 2023
I also talked about why the pundits and columnists are wrong to call on VP Harris to drop out. The fact is that she remains popular among young people, nonwhite voters, & women — and she will be key in pushing Joe Biden ahead of the finish line in 2024. Biden & Harris WILL win. pic.twitter.com/nNbLwiMU8p
— Victor Shi (@Victorshi2020) September 24, 2023
Health care is a right, not a privilege. No one has fought harder to make that principle a reality than my friend, @AdyBarkan.
It was an honor to be with you and your beautiful family at the FDR Four Freedoms Awards. Ady, you urge us all to #BeAHero — you are mine! -NP pic.twitter.com/jrqKfeo3Au
— Nancy Pelosi (@TeamPelosi) September 23, 2023
Not sure how they are advertising this as some sort of gotcha. Almost half the Congressionally authorized Ukraine funds were earmarked for humanitarian and economic purposes.
This is literally what Congress approved it for. https://t.co/N30SmCP980
— It's Biden AND Harris 2024. Deal with it. (@What46HasDone) September 25, 2023
First (probably?) sh*tshow of the morning:
New: U.S. Senator Bob Menendez will hold a press conference on Monday morning. He's expected to be defiant and repeat that he won't resign.
https://t.co/mEf67h6ljH— David Wildstein (@wildstein) September 24, 2023
… The location for Menendez’s press conference is still undetermined. Menendez had asked to use the Colin Powell Elementary School in Union City, where he grew up and served as mayor, but school officials didn’t want the distraction since the school is open tomorrow. Menendez’s office had initially invited people to the school and are now looking for a new location.
It’s also not clear how many elected officials Menendez will be able to muster to stand with him at the press conference…
Maybe his staff can bus in some Repubs!
Monday Morning Open Thread: Let’s F**king Go!Post + Comments (232)
This post is in: Biden Administration in Action, Gun Issues, Open Threads, Proud to Be A Democrat, Show Us on the Doll Where the Invisible Hand Touched You
Big crowd in the Rose Garden for ?@POTUS? ?@VP? unveiling of a new White House Office of Gun Violence Protection. No Republican leaders were present, according to a spokewoman. pic.twitter.com/55fJBqq3RM
— Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) September 22, 2023
An ‘impossible’ shift in the gun-safety argument, and also a refutation of Old people have a death grip on the Democratic party! meme…
The age span of Democrats in federal office is on stage here. 55 years between the president at 80 years 10 months and the youngest Member of Congress and first Gen Z House member @MaxwellFrostFL at 26 years and 8 months. pic.twitter.com/Jw6qgyS8QY
— Kelly O'Donnell (@KellyO) September 22, 2023
Promise kept. pic.twitter.com/JZcgFh8DSx
— President Biden (@POTUS) September 22, 2023
======
Yes. pic.twitter.com/xgKhfKXBKa
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 22, 2023
Tuesday, I’ll go to Michigan to join the picket line and stand in solidarity with the men and women of UAW as they fight for a fair share of the value they helped create.
It’s time for a win-win agreement that keeps American auto manufacturing thriving with well-paid UAW jobs.
— President Biden (@POTUS) September 22, 2023
This means Biden would get out to Michigan ahead of former President Donald Trump, who plans to be there the next day — Wednesday, Sept. 27 …
— Asma Khalid (@asmamk) September 22, 2023
As I remember it, the idea of Trump ‘visiting a picket line’ was originally floated by his handlers as potential counter-programming to the second RNC debate next Wednesday, at the Ronald Reagan Library. I suspect TFG is not happy that he’s (possibly) been roped into physically travelling to the Midwest just to stand in front of a bunch of uppity workmen with jumped-up ideas of their own importance. Depending on the reaction to President Biden’s visit, I wouldn’t bet so much as a store-bought cookie that Trump will actually show up in Michigan, although he’ll probably drop a semi-coherent video clip…
For the budget-conscious, looks like the President’s UAW visit (c’mon, he’s not walking the picket line, the Secret Service would stroke out and/or shoot some poor guy wearing deer season camo) may have been added to a previously-scheduled swing:
Biden will head to Arizona next week to deliver a speech on "the work we must do together to strengthen our democracy" while honoring John McCain, the White House says https://t.co/wckL0i0gzN
— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) September 21, 2023
New: California Gov. Gavin Newsom, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison and Biden campaign manager Julie Chávez Rodriguez will lead next week’s counter-programming for the GOP debate in LA. Details here: https://t.co/Ry113To93g
— Courtney Subramanian (@cmsub) September 22, 2023
Saturday Morning Open Thread: Gradually, Then All At OncePost + Comments (223)
This post is in: Biden Administration in Action, gun safety, Open Threads, Proud to Be A Democrat, War in Ukraine
“I think I can beat him again,” @JoeBiden said of Donald Trump tonight at a fundraiser.
The president has more recently been criticizing Trump by name. He has preferred to use euphemisms for the former president, often referring to him as "the last guy." https://t.co/bGAKbP0556
— Akayla Gardner (@gardnerakayla) September 20, 2023
NEWS: Biden administration announces a crackdown on medical debt and a key tool hospitals and others use to enforce it: reporting patients to credit agencies.
By @NoamLevey, who's been investigating this issue for more than a year.https://t.co/CG3W9VNXF4
— Alex Wayne (@aawayne) September 21, 2023
"Harris, who has played a leading role in gun safety policy, will oversee the office, according to a White House statement. Longtime Biden aide @StefFeldman, who has worked on gun policy for more than a decade, will serve as its director."
— Herbie Ziskend (@HerbieZiskend46) September 21, 2023
Republican Rep. Tim Burchett criticizes McCarthy and then compliments Pelosi, saying "she was pretty successful … a lot of work goes into that. But I'm not seeing that work right now." pic.twitter.com/xevmzsPjoz
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 22, 2023
SCOOP: The Pentagon has decided to exempt Ukraine operations from a potential shutdown if lawmakers can’t agree on a deal by the end of the month, allowing key training and other activities in support of Kyiv’s forces to move ahead uninterrupted. https://t.co/u2REWCROag
— Lara Seligman (@laraseligman) September 21, 2023
Hope this holds up:
The Pentagon will exempt its Ukraine operations from a potential shutdown if lawmakers can’t agree on a deal to fund the government by the end of the month, allowing key training and other activities in support of Kyiv’s forces to move ahead uninterrupted, according to a Defense Department spokesperson…
But if lawmakers fail to reach an agreement and government appropriations lapse, DOD has decided to continue activities supporting Ukraine, DOD spokesperson Chris Sherwood told POLITICO Thursday — just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Mark Milley and other senior leaders at the Pentagon.
“Operation Atlantic Resolve is an excepted activity under a government lapse in appropriations,” Sherwood said, referring to the named operation for DOD’s activities in response to the Russian invasion.
The move means that the U.S. military’s activities related to the war, such as training of Ukrainian soldiers on American tactics and equipment, as well as shipments of weapons to Kyiv, will continue despite any potential shutdown. As recently as Tuesday, Sherwood had said the shutdown could halt those activities, as POLITICO first reported…
By law, the Pentagon chief can make exceptions to activities suspended under a government shutdown, Sherwood said, noting that the decision to exempt Ukraine operations was just made…
And… Trending on Twitter: Senator Mike Lee(… roy Jenkins!) is BIG MAD, you guys:
1) create nonsense poll
2) lose to NAFO
3) seethe and rage publicly about cartoon dogs https://t.co/oFYoJYmW9O— Abandoned BMP Tïcketer ?? (@st_javelin_stan) September 22, 2023
Outstanding from #NAFO.
Two US Senators (who are not on the right side of history) wondering who pays us.
Seeing this happen to BustedMikeLee is especially funny.Well done #Fellas.Cheque’s in the post, right @Official_NAFO? pic.twitter.com/mhHsWaCioL
— Benjamin Tallis ???? (@bctallis) September 22, 2023
Goodnight Fellas,
I just spent the past 2 hours tweeting explanations about what NAFO does to two US Senators who were complaining that NAFO ruined their polls. I bet the Senators already knew what NAFO does. The Senators were probably just rage-farming with their MAGA followers. pic.twitter.com/SASYBTGVFn— F e l l a Historian ?? (@thisuser_isdumb) September 22, 2023
TGIFriday Morning Open Thread: Some *Good* News, Too!Post + Comments (158)