NEW THINGS: @11:55, , 9/25/20

Trump Promises Drug Discount Cards as an Expensive Pre-election Gift

Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Margot Sanger-Katz, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 hour ago

The $200 cards for prescription drugs, intended for 33 million older Americans, are part of a $6.6 billion promise offered to a key constituency.

It is a trivial amount for those who who need perscription drugs.

How the Times Made a 2020 Voter Guide

Adriana Balsamo, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 3 hours ago

In creating a special guide for voters, a team of reporters, editors and designers worked under one guiding principle: Make sense of the muddle.

By state and district. and incumbent with party affiliations.

Why Arizona Is Tilting Blue: ‘The State’s Clearly in Motion’

Giovanni Russonello, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 4 hours ago

If Joe Biden wins the state, it would be only the second time a Democratic presidential candidate has done so since 1952. But Arizona has been trending more friendly to the party for years.

https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2020-election-forecast/

https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2020-election-forecast/arizona/

At Pentagon, Fears Grow That Trump Will Pull Military Into Election Unrest

Jennifer Steinhauer and Helene Cooper, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 6 hours ago

Defense Department officials said top generals could resign if Mr. Trump ordered the active-duty military into the streets to quell election protests.

If the orders are confused the military is confused.

The American military is not skilled at building in other cultures.

Trump and Biden Court Catholic Vote, in Very Different Ways

Katie Glueck, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 6 hours ago

Joseph Biden’s supporters are highlighting his Catholic faith and values while President Trump, with a Supreme Court selection looming, is operating on the culture-war turf he prefers.

Too much information.

There is no revealed truth.

As Trump Considers Amy Coney Barrett, He Faces a Tightrope

Jonathan Martin and Maggie Haberman, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 6 hours ago

His pick is likely to galvanize Democrats while bringing him few new voters, and could hurt some Republican Senate incumbents. But the president needs to steer the debate away from the virus.

The politics of distraction are not working for Trump.

For People With Disabilities, Voting Is Always Hard. This Year, It Can Be Almost Impossible.

Maggie Astor, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 6 hours ago

An estimated 38 million eligible voters have disabilities. It has always been hard for them to vote, and this year has brought even more obstacles.

The aid must come from the board of elections rather than party agents.

Tammany Hall is remembered.

From All-Star Flop to Astute Satire in Just 50 Years

Adam Langer, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 6 hours ago

“The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer” involved major names like John Cleese and Harold Pinter and anticipated U.S. and British politics. Why didn’t it catch on?

We could not imagine a world so without self examination.

Battles Over Voting Rules Fuel Concern About Postelection Fights

Nick Corasaniti and Kenneth P. Vogel, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 8 hours ago

Even as early voting has gotten underway, some pivotal states are still litigating how ballots should be cast and counted, creating uncertainty that is being fanned by President Trump.

The Republicans are fighting the vote.

Trump Again Sows Doubt About Election as G.O.P. Scrambles to Assure Voters

Reid J. Epstein, Emily Cochrane and Glenn Thrush, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 9 hours ago

President Trump declined for a second day to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he lost the election, while Republicans, including Mitch McConnell, implicitly rebuffed him, promising an “orderly transition.”

The usual practices are not working.

McConnell would like to survive.

Delusion Regarding the Fall of Neoliberalism and Globalization

Ian Welsh, Ian Welsh - 11 hours ago

So, the article below was published December 8th, 2015. The pull quote is: Neo-liberalism is nearing the end of its cycle. It will kill a lot of people dying, but its death is now ordained and can only be slowed by fanatical levels of police state repression in a few countries. And its death convulsions […]

Ian Welsh takes a dim view of the future.

If the fanatical political puritans can be removed from control there will be no existential wars.

Education can continue.

Death camps can be avoided.

Trump Booed as He Pays Last Respects to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Michael Crowley, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 14 hours ago

The president was within shouting distance of angry protesters who chanted “Vote him out!” and “Honor her wish!”

Trump has earned his rejection.

Justice Dept. Discloses Pa. Ballot Inquiry, Prompting Fears of Politicization

Nick Corasaniti and Michael S. Schmidt, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 15 hours ago

A federal prosecutor said he was releasing the information because of its “vital public importance” in the weeks before the presidential election.

Don't agonize.

Fix the problem so it does not continue.

Facebook Takes Down Networks Linked to Russian Disinformation

David E. Sanger and Julian E. Barnes, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 15 hours ago

The social network said it was moving proactively to dismantle infrastructure Russia could use against the American presidential election.

It is time.

Democrats Prepare New Stimulus Plan as Time Wanes for a Compromise

Emily Cochrane, Alan Rappeport and Jeanna Smialek, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 16 hours ago

Speaker Nancy Pelosi, under pressure from moderate Democrats to redouble efforts to strike a deal with the White House, laid the groundwork for action on a stimulus bill.

I wish them luck.

The Republicans have decided against relief.

‘Election Stress Disorder,’ the Sequel

Lisa Lerer, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 16 hours ago

Is political anxiety souring your relationship? We talked to a couples therapist who is seeing more and more of that problem.

"The environment’s going to get worse, right? You have to build coping mechanisms for it that empower you, that make your life better, rather than trying to control the environment or control what other people think. You’re always going to be powerless when you want to control how other people think and feel."

Sooner is better. As soon as you can is best.

Ohio is a dead heat, with Biden having an edge in Pennsylvania and Trump in Texas, polls show.

Neil Vigdor, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 17 hours ago

https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2020-election-forecast/ohio/

https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2020-election-forecast/

F.B.I. Director Sees No Evidence of National Mail Voting Fraud Effort

Adam Goldman and Zolan Kanno-Youngs, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 17 hours ago

The comments undercut the president’s claims about mail-in ballots.

He is looking.

U.S. Commandos Use Secretive Missiles to Kill Qaeda Leaders in Syria

Eric Schmitt, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 17 hours ago

The specially designed missiles use sharp blades and blunt force, rather than explosive warheads, to kill terrorist leaders.