@22:00, 5/9/19

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1

Allies of Trump’s Son Declare War on G.O.P.-Led Senate Panel After Subpoena

NICHOLAS FANDOS, MAGGIE HABERMAN and ALEXANDER BURNS at NYT > Politics - 1 hour ago

After the Intelligence Committee subpoenaed Donald Trump Jr., his allies are forcing Republican senators to choose between the panel and the president’s family.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/09/us/politics/on-politics-don-jr-subpoena.html

Attorney General William Barr decide and Senator Richard M. Burr of North Carolina

have  been confused.

2 

With Insurance Bill Passage, House Democrats Begin Health Care Blitz

GLENN THRUSH at NYT > Politics - 1 hour ago

The House on Thursday passed legislation to roll back waivers on the coverage mandates under the Affordable Care Act, the first of a dozen health care bills coming.

These actions are pointless while the Republicans hold the Senate and the Presidency.

They do build morale.

3 

On Politics With Lisa Lerer: How Donald Trump Jr.’s Subpoena Caused a Rift in the G.O.P.

LISA LERER at NYT > Politics - 1 hour ago

In the On Politics newsletter: A surprising split between two Republican senators from North Carolina, and what it says about the party.

The Republican party is a gang.

4 

Friday: CPI

Calculated Risk at Calculated Risk - 2 hours ago

Merrill on US-China Trade: As the US-China trade war enters a decisive phase, we outline three scenarios to help clients navigate the economic and market implications. The most favorable outcome is a near-term trade deal, with no additional tariffs. ... in our second scenario there is another round of tit-for-tat tariffs. After a brief period of uncertainty, an agreement is reached. The last and most unlikely scenario is a full-blown trade war. An imminent trade deal should allow the global economy to continue to grow above trend. ... In the brinkmanship scenario we see downside ri... more » 

Trump jumped the gun.  

https://www.bloomberg.com/markets/stocks

The markets like it  now.  Uncertainty is over.

5

Trump Suggests Mueller May Testify; Pelosi Declares ‘Constitutional Crisis’

ANNIE KARNI and SHERYL GAY STOLBERG at NYT > Politics - 3 hours ago

The president also said he was “pretty surprised” his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., was subpoenaed to testify before the Senate about contacts with Russians in the 2016 campaign.

Trump is teasing. 

6 

Trump Said He Wanted to Work With Democrats on Surprise Medical Bills. Then He Attacked Democrats.

KATIE ROGERS at NYT > Politics - 3 hours ago

The president attacked individual Democrats as he rolled out what his administration hoped would be a bipartisan initiative.

There is no bipartisanship on healthcare.

7 

Trump to Nominate Patrick Shanahan as Pentagon Chief

HELENE COOPER and THOMAS GIBBONS-NEFF at NYT > Politics - 3 hours ago

The decision followed a monthlong ethics investigation that found that Mr. Shanahan, a former Boeing executive, had not acted improperly in official meetings when discussing military contractors.

Trump favors "Money for the rich".

8  

What Do New State Abortion Laws Really Mean for Women?

PAM BELLUCK at NYT > Politics - 3 hours ago

The so-called fetal "heartbeat" laws ban abortion before many women even know they're pregnant.

Another attempt on the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision.

More dead girls.

9  

‘Tariffs for a Country Are Very Powerful,’ Trump Says

NYT > Politics - 3 hours ago

President Trump praised the effects of tariffs, on the same day United States and Chinese officials were scheduled to meet to negotiate a trade deal.

Tariffs are toxic

10 

Trump Speaks on Donald Jr.’s Subpoena and Mueller Testifying

NYT > Politics - 3 hours ago

President Trump came to his son’s defense and said he would let Attorney General William Barr decide whether Robert Mueller should testify before Congress.

Mueller will not be allowed to testify. 

11 

Valerie Plame, Outed C.I.A. Agent, Will Run for Congress in New Mexico

STEPHANIE SAUL at NYT > Politics - 3 hours ago

“My career in the C.I.A. was cut short by partisan politics, but I’m not done serving our country,” said Ms. Plame, who is running for the House as a Democrat.

I would vote for her if I lived there.

12 

California Bay Area Home Sales Decline 4% YoY in April, Inventory up 18% YoY

Calculated Risk at Calculated Risk - 5 hours ago

From Pacific Union chief economist Selma Hepp: Bay Area markets heating up in anticipation of IPOs • IPO expectations are already showing up in home sales activity, particularly in San Francisco and San Mateo • Sales of homes in San Francisco, San Mateo and Alameda have solidly exceeded last year – up 7 percent, 4 percent and 2 percent respectively year-over-year in April • Santa Clara, Wine Country and Contra Costa remain slower compared to last year • Homes priced between $1 million and $2 million continue to struggle, except in San Francisco and San Mateo, likely a result of ta... more » 

The bay area housing market is saturated.

13 

Trump Welcomes the Red Sox to the White House, but Not All of Them Are There

MICHAEL TACKETT at NYT > Politics - 6 hours ago

Among those who boycotted the celebration were Alex Cora, the manager, and two of the team’s stars, Mookie Betts and David Price.

Trump can't get a photo op.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/10/us/politics/disaster-relief-house-trump-puerto-rico.html

14 

Who Do You Want To Win An Iranian/American War?

Ian Welsh at Ian Welsh - 6 hours ago

Yeah, so let’s say it does happen. Who do you want to win? I’ll lay my cards on the table. I don’t like the Iranian government. Their policies, generally speaking, are abominable to me. I believe in full equality between the sexes, don’t believe in religious states and so on. Ideologically, these people are my […]

Iran is a sovereign nation.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_R._Bolton is obsesed.
So is Steve Bannon.

15 

Trump Says Barr May Decide Whether Mueller Testifies Before Congress

ANNIE KARNI at NYT > Politics - 8 hours ago

The president also said he was “pretty surprised” his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., was subpoenaed to testify before the Senate about contacts with Russians in the 2016 campaign.

Not happening.

16 

Many Hospitals Charge Double or Even Triple What Medicare Would Pay

REED ABELSON at NYT > Politics - 8 hours ago

A study of 25 states provides a rare glimpse of the stark disparities between what private insurers and the federal government paid for inpatient and outpatient care.

"Follow the money"

17 

U.S. Seizes North Korean Ship for Violating Sanctions

EILEEN SULLIVAN and BENJAMIN WEISER at NYT > Politics - 8 hours ago

The Justice Department said it was the first time the United States has seized a North Korean cargo vessel for international sanctions violations.

No peace.

18 

Hotels: Occupancy Rate Increased Year-over-year

Calculated Risk at Calculated Risk - 9 hours ago

From HotelNewsNow.com: STR: U.S. hotel results for week ending 4 May The U.S. hotel industry reported positive year-over-year results in the three key performance metrics during the week of 28 April through 4 May 2019, according to data from STR. In comparison with the week of 29 April through 5 May 2018, the industry recorded the following: • *Occupancy: +1.2% to 69.1%* • Average daily rate (ADR): +2.3% to US$133.43 • Revenue per available room (RevPAR): +3.6% to US$92.21 emphasis added The following graph shows the seasonal pattern for the hotel occupancy rate using the four week ... more » 

I am beginning to fret.

19 

Facing a Trump Stonewall, Democrats Struggle for Options to Compel Cooperation

SHERYL GAY STOLBERG at NYT > Politics - 10 hours ago

House Democrats, frustrated by President Trump’s blanket refusal to cooperate, seek new ways to compel White House compliance as impeachment looms.

Halting the Trump administration is the best that can happen.

20 

Pelosi Declares Nation Is in a ‘Constitutional Crisis’

SHERYL GAY STOLBERG and NICHOLAS FANDOS at NYT > Politics - 10 hours ago

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that the nation is in a constitutional crisis, with the executive branch of government broadly refusing to cooperate with the legislative branch.

Nancy Pelosi is correct.

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