NEW THINGS: October 2021

Sunday, October 31, 2021

@20:00, , 10/30/21

How the Shooting on the Alec Baldwin Set Happened

A reconstruction of the events leading up to the fatal shooting of the cinematographer of “Rust,” the Alec Baldwin western, reveals a troubled production and a series of errors. read more

The report is incompetently amplified.

NYT > U.S. > Politics4 hours ago

What the Virginia Election Result Will Mean for Democrats and Republicans

Republicans hope to hit on a recipe for renewal, while Democrats worry that a loss could force them to defend seats in blue states next year. read more

The results in Virginia are unknown.

NYT > U.S. > Politics4 hours ago

John Eastman Blamed Pence for Violence at Jan. 6 Riot

John Eastman, the author of a memo that some in both parties liken to a blueprint for a coup, sent a hostile email to the vice president’s chief counsel as the mob attacked. read more

John Eastman dreamed a wish fulfilment dream.

NYT > U.S. > Politics5 hours ago

Biden Eases Fray With France and Savors Meeting With Pope as Europe Trip Begins

Mr. Biden sought to mend ties with France’s president over a sabotaged French submarine contract, and expressed gratitude toward Pope Francis after a 90-minute meeting. read more

Biden is removing the Trump program.

NYT > U.S. > Politics6 hours ago

Pressure Grows on G20 Nations to Get Covid Vaccines to the Poor

The world’s leaders are focusing on preventing future pandemics, but experts say rich nations are not doing enough to help the poor survive the current one. read more

Vaccine technology should be open sourced.

NYT > U.S. > Politics6 hours ago

Biden Finds Raising Corporate Tax Rates Easier Abroad Than at Home

As the Group of 20 seals a new global minimum tax for companies, the president has scaled back his plans to tax U.S. corporations more. read more

The League of Nations is recrudescent.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recrudescence

NYT > U.S. > Politics7 hours ago

How Venture Capitalists Think Cryptocurrency Will Reshape Commerce

From banking to gaming, investors are sending billions of dollars to crypto inventors who seek to disrupt industries. Here’s a look at some of those bets. read more

Deflation looks good if one owns some assets.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deflation

NYT > U.S. > Politics13 hours ago

Court Filing Lists Documents Trump Seeks to Withhold From Jan. 6 Inquiry

The National Archives says the former president is asserting executive privilege over phone logs, notes and other records concerning the attack on the Capitol. read more

Executive Privilege cannot be maintained in relation to an attempted executive coup.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_privilege

NYT > U.S. > Politics13 hours ago

Tsar Bomba Nuclear Test 60 Years Ago Didn't Make J.F.K. Flinch

A new study offers insights into how the United States reacted to Tsar Bomba, a planet shaker that made the deadly Hiroshima blast look tame. read more

Alfred Nobel had a desire.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Nobel

Thermonuclear weapons made it real.

NYT > U.S. > Politics19 hours ago

What the Democrats’ Plan Would Do for Parents

Paid family leave was dropped. Public pre-K and subsidized child care remain, and could substantially lower the cost of raising children. read more

Feral children are very expensive for any society.

NYT > U.S. > Politics19 hours ago

Origin of Virus May Remain Murky, U.S. Intelligence Agencies Say

A declassified report said a clearer answer would require more information from Beijing or new discoveries and reiterated divisions over natural causes vs. a lab leak. read more

The world must deal with the current facts.

Blame is of the past.

NYT > U.S. > Politics22 hours ago

Democrats’ Plan to Overhaul Legal Immigration Focuses on Green Card Backlog

A proposal in President Biden’s social spending bill would make hundreds of thousands of unused green cards available for immigrants. But it faces an uncertain future under Senate rules. read more

Republicans appear to love the lash.

NYT > U.S. > Politics22 hours ago

Biden Eases Fray with France and Savors Meeting with Pope as Europe Trip Begins

Mr. Biden sought to mend ties with France’s president over a sabotaged French submarine contract, and expressed gratitude toward Pope Francis after a 90-minute meeting. read more

Biden is removing the Trump program.

He is doing it by talking.

NYT > U.S. > Politics23 hours ago

Green Card Backlog Focus of Democrats' Latest Immigration Effort

A proposal in President Biden’s social spending bill would make hundreds of thousands of unused green cards available for immigrants. But it faces an uncertain future under Senate rules. read more

Republicans appear to love the lash.

NYT > U.S. > Politics23 hours ago

A Global Tax Deal Is at Hand. Here’s How It Would Work.

President Biden will sign on to an international pact aimed at ending profit-shifting by large companies. Here’s a look at what it means. read more

A race to the bottom collects no taxes.

NYT > U.S. > Politics23 hours ago

A Global Tax Deal Is at Hand. Here’s How It Would Work.

President Biden will sign on to an international pact aimed at ending profit-shifting by large companies. Here’s a look at what it means. read more

A race to the bottom collects no taxes.

Republicans do not do arithmatic.

NYT > U.S. > Politics1 day ago

Garland Revives Effort to Expand Access to Legal Aid

The attorney general acted to reverse a Trump administration decision to cut off funding for the Office for Access to Justice, an Obama-era program to give poor defendants legal representation. read more

Republicans appear to love the lash.

NYT > U.S. > Politics1 day ago

Trump’s $300 Million SPAC Deal May Have Skirted Securities Laws

The former president began discussing a deal with a ‘blank check’ company early this year. Investors weren’t told. read more

Trump would be entering a crowded field with his reputation for failure.

There seems to be no Koch money involved.

NYT > U.S. > Politics1 day ago

Inflation Remains High, the Fed's Favored Inflation Index Shows

The Federal Reserve is closely watching inflation, and the numbers have been sharply elevated in recent months. read more

The Federal Reserve has not threatened to raise rates.

NYT > U.S. > Politics1 day ago

Biden Declared 'America is Back' in June. The World Is About to Test Him.

Arriving in Europe with an unfinished economic and environmental spending plan, the president will confront new challenges, some self-inflicted, at two major summits. read more

The world is not challenging Biden.

The Republicans in the senate are another matter.

Saturday, October 30, 2021

@14:35, , 10/29/21

NYT > U.S. > Politics52 minutes ago

Letitia James Declares Her Candidacy for N.Y. Governor

The attorney general, who oversaw the inquiry into sexual harassment allegations against Andrew Cuomo, will challenge Gov. Kathy Hochul for the Democratic nomination. read more

I have no preference among Democrats.

NYT > U.S. > Politics56 minutes ago

Another Attempt to End 'Remain in Mexico' Immigration Policy

A court ordered the administration in August to reinstate the program, which forces some migrants to wait in Mexico while their asylum cases are pending. read more

The Republican party cannot abandon the Trump policy.

NYT > U.S. > Politics1 hour ago

Big Hires, Big Money and a D.C. Blitz: A Bold Plan to Dominate Crypto

The Silicon Valley firm Andreessen Horowitz, whose founders played big roles in the development of the internet, aims to own a huge part of the digital currency world — and set the rules for it, too. read more

The dollar is a digital currency.

It is not a "hard" currency.

"Hard" currencies are inherently deflationary.

Deflation is a bad condition.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deflation

NYT > U.S. > Politics2 hours ago

Adam Kinzinger, a Republican Trump Critic, Won’t Seek Re-election in House

Illinois Democrats eliminated Mr. Kinzinger’s district in a new congressional map. He was one of 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach former President Donald J. Trump. read more

He is no loss.

NYT > U.S. > Politics2 hours ago

F.D.A. Expected to Clear Pfizer Coronavirus Vaccine for Young Children

Experts said the shot could bring relief to parents anxious about their children getting sick, though some worry that those most at risk may slip through the cracks. read more

Done.

NYT > U.S. > Politics2 hours ago

In This House, We List Our Beliefs in the Yard

How a lawn sign inspired by mom décor became a liberal mantra — and a symbol of a political battle over white womanhood. read more

A banner of racism is white womanhood.

NYT > U.S. > Politics4 hours ago

The President's Gamble: Biden Implores Democrats to Support His Agenda

“The House and Senate majorities and my presidency will be determined by what happens in the next week,” President Biden told lawmakers on Thursday. read more

Joe Manchin is a Republican.

NYT > U.S. > Politics5 hours ago

Glenn Youngkin Was a Traditional Republican. Then He Became a Culture Warrior.

As he runs for governor of Virginia, Mr. Youngkin has built a coalition, as one prominent conservative described it, of Trump voters and angry parents. read more

Mr. Youngkin has the taint of Trump.

NYT > U.S. > Politics5 hours ago

Climate Change Became the Largest Part of Biden Spending Bill

As paid family leave and other priorities were taken out of the president’s plan, the largest piece became a $555 billion plan to fight climate change. read more

The other parts are removed.

Ian Welsh5 hours ago

I Was Shocked To Find Out How Many People The Terror Killed

[image: Story 498524140] Twenty-seven thousand. Seventeen thousand executed, ten thousand died in prison. This is slightly less than 1/1000th of the French population. This was the Terror? A higher percentage of Americans died in WWII, the Civil War, this pandemic (1 in 500) and nothing compared to, say, the Great Irish famine or hell, tons of other geopolitical events. Now I’m not saying it was good, but the shadow it throws over our imagination is HUGE and I genuinely thought far more people had died because of it. Perhaps it’s who mostly died: first aristocrats then various ra... read more

Every year is a new beginning.

NYT > U.S. > Politics6 hours ago

Nuclear-Powered Submarines for Australia? Maybe Not So Fast.

Australia’s plan to build the submarines with U.S. and British help faces big hurdles. Supporters say they can be overcome. Critics say they may be too much. read more

There is opposition to the concept of Austrailian nuclear submarines.

The opposition comes from the political side in all the parties.

NYT > U.S. > Politics8 hours ago

A Social Policy ‘Framework’ Fails to Secure a Biden Victory

President Biden went to the Capitol to detail a compromise on social safety net and climate legislation, but he couldn’t break the liberal blockade on another priority, infrastructure. read more

The Republican party objects to any change in social policy.

NYT > U.S. > Politics11 hours ago

‘America Is Back,’ Biden Declared in June. The World Is About to Test Him.

Arriving in Europe with an unfinished economic and environmental spending plan, the president will confront new challenges, some self-inflicted, at two major summits. read more

People are still fighting Woodrow Wilson.

NYT > U.S. > Politics14 hours ago

For First Time in Public, a Detainee Describes Torture at C.I.A. Black Sites

In a sentencing hearing, Majid Khan, a Pakistani who lived in suburban Baltimore before joining Al Qaeda, detailed dungeonlike conditions and episodes of abuse. read more

Denial does not change events.

NYT > U.S. > Politics16 hours ago

An Immigration Overhaul is Part of Biden's Spending Framework

Included in the plan is a proposal to protect millions of undocumented immigrants who are longtime residents of the country from deportation. read more

Immigration is an event and not a crime.

NYT > U.S. > Politics16 hours ago

Families Separated at Border Under Trump Policy May Each Receive Up to $450,000

After the Trump administration separated migrant parents from children at the southern border, President Biden pledged to make it up to the families. read more

Money will not make the separated whole.

It will anesthetize the separators.

NYT > U.S. > Politics17 hours ago

Families Separated Under Trump Policy Could Get Compensated

After the Trump administration separated migrant parents from children at the southern border, President Biden pledged to make it up to the families. read more

Grief is not fungible.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fungibility

NYT > U.S. > Politics18 hours ago

Program to Lend Billions to Aid California’s Supply-Chain Infrastructure

The Transportation Department and the state are teaming up on the program, which aims to prevent a repeat of the supply-chain crisis by bolstering ports and other sources of bottlenecks. read more

Build more rail capacity.

NYT > U.S. > Politics18 hours ago

Biden Implores Democrats to Support His Transformative Agenda

“The House and Senate majorities and my presidency will be determined by what happens in the next week,” President Biden told lawmakers on Thursday. read more

Partially true.

NYT > U.S. > Politics20 hours ago

Will We See Red or Blue Mirages in Election Results on Tuesday?

Mail-in ballots skewed early returns in some states in 2020. Will the trend repeat itself on Tuesday? read more

There is no trend yet.

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/trend

Thursday, October 28, 2021

@19:25, , 10/27/21

NYT > U.S. > Politics22 minutes ago

State Department Eases Restrictions for Diplomats Abroad

The State Department is easing some restrictions after employees said that their jobs overseas were harder than they needed to be. read more

The attempt to muzel the state department is a failure.

NYT > U.S. > Politics33 minutes ago

Briefs Draw Battle Lines as Texas Abortion Law Nears Supreme Court

The justices, who will hear arguments on Monday in two cases challenging the state’s near-total ban, required the parties to file their briefs with extraordinary speed. read more

The public has no standing to sue under Texas S.B. 8.

NYT > U.S. > Politics35 minutes ago

Democrats Aim for Climate Provisions Biden Can Promote at U.N. Summit

Some U.S. lawmakers say they have not given up on the idea of a tax on planet-warming carbon dioxide pollution, which would help meet the president’s promise to sharply cut U.S. emissions. read more

Joe Manchin is a Republican.

NYT > U.S. > Politics38 minutes ago

Paid Family Leave Plan Is Likely to Be Cut From Budget Bill

Democrats had already scaled back the proposal to four weeks from 12 weeks as they worked to shrink the cost of the bill amid resistance from centrist holdouts. read more

Joe Manchin is a Republican.

NYT > U.S. > Politics1 hour ago

Manchin Denounces Billionaires Tax as Divisive

The plan stakes out new territory by putting levies on unrealized gains in the value of billionaires’ liquid assets, such as stocks, bonds and cash. read more

Joe Manchin is a Republican.

NYT > U.S. > Politics2 hours ago

Transgender Athletes Face Bans From Girls’ Sports in 10 U.S. States

Over the past two years, nine states have enacted laws to bar transgender girls and women from competing in girls’ and women’s sports. Another relied on an executive order for a ban. read more

"Men are men and sheep are nervous"

NYT > U.S. > Politics2 hours ago

Shut Out on Budget Bill, Republicans Take Shots From the Sidelines

The party is stepping up its attacks on the safety net measure that Democrats are shaping entirely on their own. read more

The inter party debate is over.

NYT > U.S. > Politics3 hours ago

China’s Weapon Test Close to a ‘Sputnik Moment,’ U.S. General Says

Gen. Mark A. Milley said the Chinese test of a hypersonic missile “has all of our attention.” read more

"Mutual assured destruction" still works.

NYT > U.S. > Politics4 hours ago

Where Do I Vote? We Answer This and Other Election Day 2021 Questions

Local and statewide elections are being held around the country on Tuesday. Here are some of the Election Day basics. read more

It is late to vote by mail most places.

NYT > U.S. > Politics4 hours ago

Biden Bars Immigration Enforcement in 'Protected Areas’

The Biden administration included schools, hospitals, parades and places of worship on a list of areas off limits to immigration arrests or other types of enforcement. read more

ICE agents are not police.

NYT > U.S. > Politics4 hours ago

Biden Bars Immigration Enforcement in 'Protected Areas’

The Biden administration included schools, hospitals, parades and places of worship on a list of areas off limits to immigration arrests or other types of enforcement. read more

Cheap labor is vital.

NYT > U.S. > Politics5 hours ago

8 Black Women Who Are Mayors in Some of the U.S.'s Biggest Cities

Black women achieved a historic milestone as mayors of eight major American cities this year. Political analysts say the record number points to “the age of Black women in politics.” read more

Years of effort are effective.

NYT > U.S. > Politics6 hours ago

In Virginia, Early Voting Has an Impact. And a Long Run.

The pandemic has helped convert more and more voters into early voters, as hundreds of thousands of Virginians have made clear in recent weeks. read more

Off year elections have been the Republican power base.

NYT > U.S. > Politics8 hours ago

This May Be Democrats’ Best Chance to Lower Drug Prices

For patients with certain cancers, out-of-pocket spending can exceed $15,000 a year. Legislation could take aim at prices and the amounts Medicare patients are charged. read more

Move drugs to generic status by changing patent law.

NYT > U.S. > Politics9 hours ago

Oil Executives to Face Congress on Climate Disinformation

The heads of Exxon Mobil, Shell, Chevron and BP will testify Thursday in the first congressional inquiry into industry efforts to hinder action on climate change. read more

Oil is less profitable than it has been.

NYT > U.S. > Politics14 hours ago

How Democrats Would Tax Billionaires to Pay for Their Agenda

The plan stakes out new territory by putting levies on unrealized gains in the value of billionaires’ liquid assets, such as stocks, bonds and cash. read more

Billionaires have accountants.

NYT > U.S. > Politics14 hours ago

Pastries and Persuasion: How a Global Tax Deal Got Done

Over Zoom calls from basements and a breakfast in Brussels, faltering negotiations to remake the world’s tax architecture were revived. read more

The Republican party will need to sign off on this tax deal.

That is doubtful.

NYT > U.S. > Politics14 hours ago

Pastries and Persuasion: How a Global Tax Deal Got Done

Over Zoom calls from basements and a breakfast in Brussels, faltering negotiations to remake the world’s tax architecture were revived. read more

Happy news to carry to international meetings.

NYT > U.S. > Politics14 hours ago

In Virginia, Early Voting Has an Impact. And a Long Run.

The pandemic has helped convert more and more voters into early voters, as hundreds of thousands of Virginians have made clear in recent weeks. read more

Glenn Youngkin may be losing.

Ian Welsh22 hours ago

How To Predict If The Shortages Will Be A Priority To Fix

[image: Story 497455071] Covid has not been a priority to fix in many countries for a simple reason: it’s making the rich a lot richer. U.S. Billionaires have seen their wealth increase by 70% during the pandemic. Man, people dying and getting sick and having to buy much more online is good for Billionaires! What a time to be a peon! So, as for the shortages, the question is how much they are inconveniencing people with power. If shortages are actually making the rich, richer, how can they be a problem politicians or anyone else with any power in most Western countries will take s... read more

Ian Welsh is depressed.

He has reason to be depressed.

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

@18:30, , 10/25/21

NYT > U.S. > Politics30 minutes ago

Manchin Pushes for More Climate Cuts from the Budget Bill

He has already effectively succeeded in stripping the bill of its most powerful climate change provision. read more

Coal is not coming back as a viable business.

Natural gas will be regulated.

NYT > U.S. > Politics1 hour ago

Border Patrol Repeatedly Gave Agents Light Punishments, Report Finds

After an inquiry into a private Facebook group where racist memes were shared, 60 employees were found to have violated the agency’s code of conduct. Two were fired. read more

The Border Patrol is racist in concept.

NYT > U.S. > Politics1 hour ago

How Biden’s Visit to New Jersey Highlights an Ongoing Debate over SALT

The SALT limit helped Democrats capture some House seats previously held by Republicans in New Jersey, California and elsewhere. Many of those representatives are pushing to lift the cap now. read more

I would like the sources on these reports.

NYT > U.S. > Politics2 hours ago

Some From Nations With Low Rates and Unvaccinated Children to Be Exempted From U.S. Travel Rules

The Biden administration has announced that it would lift travel restrictions on Nov. 8 and reopen the United States to fully vaccinated international travelers. read more

The U.N. meets in New York.

NYT > U.S. > Politics3 hours ago

Biden Delays Release of Some J.F.K. Records, Citing Pandemic

The National Archives require additional time to work on redactions, a White House statement on Friday said. read more

Facts have little influence on conspiracy theories.

NYT > U.S. > Politics4 hours ago

Proposed Tax on Billionaires Raises Question: What’s Income?

Democrats are homing in on unrealized capital gains raises as a way to help fund their social spending bill. read more

The "pay fore" arguments are a useless distraction.

A low rate of inflation is necessary.

Inflation drives investment.

NYT > U.S. > Politics4 hours ago

Missing Foreign Workers Add to Hiring Challenges

Fewer foreign people have been able to work in the U.S. amid the coronavirus, leaving a hole in the potential labor force. read more

Everyone likes cheap labor.

NYT > U.S. > Politics5 hours ago

How 4 Weeks of U.S. Paid Leave Would Compare With the Rest of the World

The U.S. is one of six countries with no national paid leave. The Democrats have cut their plan to four weeks, which would still make it an outlier. read more

I want sources of this report.

NYT > U.S. > Politics6 hours ago

Biden's Compromise on Spending Bills Could Have Consequences

The president pushed for an expansive agenda knowing that he would most likely have to pare it back, leaving a sense of disappointment that could hurt his party at the polls. read more

This is Republican propaganda.

NYT > U.S. > Politics6 hours ago

Biden Meets With Manchin and Schumer to Iron Out Spending Bill

Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she hoped to pass an infrastructure bill and have a deal in hand on the social policy bill by the end of the week. read more

It is not Friday.

Congress is never prompt without an existential threat.

NYT > U.S. > Politics8 hours ago

Ignoring Sanctions, Russia Renews Broad Cybersurveillance Operation

The new campaign came only months after President Biden imposed sanctions on Moscow in response to a series of spy operations it had conducted around the world. read more

Microsoft is not secure.

Ian Welsh12 hours ago

[image: Story 496667405] …people recognize that their problems aren’t personal, but social. Oh this isn’t the only requirement for change, but it is a requirement for a group to want political change. In “normal” times most people see their problems as personal: if they’re poor it’s because of somethisng they did or didn’t do, or is related to people around them. “That damned boss.” It isn’t seen as political or structural. The line for much of the 80s-2000s was that Americans saw themselves as “temporarily embarrassed rich people.” If they weren’t making it, the problem wasn’t the... read more

Ian Welsh thinks he sees the world wide depression.

NYT > U.S. > Politics19 hours ago

How Misinformation Threatened a Montana National Heritage Area

Civic boosters in central Montana hoped for some federal money to promote tourism. A disinformation campaign got in the way. read more

Confirmed fears are the basis of faith.

NYT > U.S. > Politics23 hours ago

Biden Meets With Manchin and Schumer as Democrats Race to Finish Social Policy Bill

Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she hoped to pass an infrastructure bill and have a deal in hand on the social policy bill by the end of the week. read more

The Republicans are threatening.

NYT > U.S. > Politics1 day ago

F.D.A. Says Pfizer Vaccine’s Benefits Outweigh Key Risks in Children 5 to 11

The findings could add momentum for F.D.A. authorization of the pediatric dose, perhaps as early as next week, a long-awaited development that would affect 28 million children. read more

The F.D.A. is satisfied.

Ian Welsh1 day ago

Week-end Wrap – Political Economy – October 24, 2021

[image: Story 496449093] Week-end Wrap – Political Economy – October 24, 2021 *Strategic Political Economy* Brazilian senators recommend Bolsonaro be charged with crimes against humanity over pandemic [CNN, via Naked Capitalism 10-22-2021] Brazilian Leader’s Pandemic Handling Draws Explosive Allegation: Homicide [New York Times, via Naked Capitalism 10-20-2021] Why China’s Lead on EVs Has Been a Long Time Coming [Bloomberg, via Mike Norman Economics 10-19-2021] When it comes to green manufacturing, China is now a clean-energy powerhouse. Its market dominance from solar pan... read more

Tony Wikrent is frustrated.

There seems to be no dominant theme.

NYT > U.S. > Politics1 day ago

Inside the Decade-Long U.S. Fight Against Al Shabab in Somalia

The hunt for an elusive Somali militant illustrates why Al Shabab, despite a decade of American covert action, are at their strongest in years. read more

Somalia is a religious campaign.

There is no central command.

NYT > U.S. > Politics2 days ago

Letitia James Hires Staff Ahead of a Possible Bid for Governor

Ms. James, the New York attorney general, has recently recruited several advisers and fund-raisers ahead of a possible run for the state’s top office. read more

Letitia James can run for governor if she wants to.

Ian Welsh2 days ago

Open Thread

[image: Story 496201788] Use the comments for topics unrelated to recent posts. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp LinkedIn read more

Live negotiation comes first.

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

NYT > U.S. > Politics2 days ago

Biden Bolsters Senate Filibuster Foes, but a Fight May Wait

The president’s criticism of the Senate tactic was a recognition that legislating has become nearly impossible when the filibuster is routine. read more

The filibuster rule must change.

Sunday, October 24, 2021

@13:30, , 10/24/21

NYT > U.S. > Politics4 hours ago

How Misinformation Threatened a Montana National Heritage Area

Civic boosters in central Montana hoped for some federal money to promote tourism. A disinformation campaign got in the way. read more

Confirming fears produces faith.

NYT > U.S. > Politics20 hours ago

The Pessimistic Electorate Behind Biden’s Approval Ratings

In the era of modern polling, only Donald J. Trump has had a lower approval rating than President Biden’s at this early stage of his term. read more

Confirmed fears in both parties.

Different fears for each party.

NYT > U.S. > Politics21 hours ago

Facebook Papers Show Employees Raised Concerns About Misinformation

Company documents show that the social network’s employees repeatedly raised red flags about the spread of misinformation and conspiracies before and after the contested November vote. read more

Facebook insists that editing is not their job.

Its business model edits.

NYT > U.S. > Politics1 day ago

Letitia James Hires Staff Ahead of a Possible Bid for Governor

Ms. James, the New York attorney general, has recently recruited several advisers and fund-raisers ahead of a possible run for the state’s top office. read more

Leticia James is seriously considering running.

NYT > U.S. > Politics1 day ago

Letitia James Isn’t Saying Whether She’s Running for Governor. But She Is Hiring.

Ms. James, the New York attorney general, has recently recruited several advisers and fund-raisers ahead of a possible run for the state’s top office. read more

Leticia James is seriously considering running.

Same text with a different headline.

NYT > U.S. > Politics1 day ago

U.S. Struggles With Afghan Evacuees Weeded Out, and Now in Limbo

No final decisions have been made, but dozens red-flagged for apparent criminal pasts or links to militants have been sent to a base in Kosovo, where their fate is uncertain. read more

They are refugees.

Let them in.

NYT > U.S. > Politics1 day ago

Biden's Compromise on Spending Bills Could Have Consequences

The president pushed for an expansive agenda knowing that he would most likely have to pare it back, leaving a sense of disappointment that could hurt his party at the polls. read more

Injuring the Democratic party at the polls is the Republican objective.

NYT > U.S. > Politics1 day ago

Biden the Dealmaker Finds That Compromise Can Have Consequences

The president pushed for an expansive agenda knowing that he would most likely have to pare it back, leaving a sense of disappointment that could hurt his party at the polls. read more

Injuring the Democratic party at the polls is the Republican objective.

A change of headline.

Ian Welsh1 day ago

Open Thread

[image: Story 496201788] Use the comments for topics unrelated to recent posts. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp LinkedIn read more

Changes start with live negotiations.

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

NYT > U.S. > Politics1 day ago

Biden Crafts a Climate Plan B: Tax Credits, Regulation and State Action

The new strategy could deeply cut greenhouse gases that are heating the planet but it will still face considerable political, logistical and legal hurdles. read more

Mitch McConnell and the Republican Party have stopped most congressional actions.

NYT > U.S. > Politics1 day ago

Illegal Border Crossings Soar to Record High, New Data Shows

Migrants were encountered 1.7 million times in the last 12 months, the highest number of illegal crossings recorded since at least 1960. read more

The world recession continues.

The U.S. wants the cheap labor.

NYT > U.S. > Politics1 day ago

Biden Said the U.S. Would Protect Taiwan. But It’s Not That Clear-Cut.

After the president’s remarks at a CNN event, the White House quickly declared that the American policy of “strategic ambiguity” over the island’s defense had not changed. read more

Sending the military would not help.

The Diplomats must win the day.

NYT > U.S. > Politics1 day ago

Democrats Consider Billionaires Tax

Senator Kyrsten Sinema’s refusal to raise rates on high earners and major corporations has led Democrats to consider proposals once championed only by the party’s most liberal flank. read more

The burden must land where it can be carried.

NYT > U.S. > Politics1 day ago

Supreme Court Again Refuses to Block Texas Abortion Law

But the court said it would hear arguments on Nov. 1 on challenges to the law from the Biden administration and abortion providers in the state. read more

Texas SB 8 is unconstitutional.

The supreme court may back it.

NYT > U.S. > Politics1 day ago

After Dropping Free Community College Plan, Democrats Explore Options

Expanded tuition assistance remains an option for the budget bill, but how much it would help students — and economic competitiveness — remains to be seen. read more

Joe Manchin will not be reelected.

Tuition will be paid though not next year.

NYT > U.S. > Politics1 day ago

Bye, Maryland? Lawmakers in 3 Counties Float a Plan to Secede From the State.

The proposal to join West Virginia seems destined to go nowhere. But it has tapped into deep-seated feelings of alienation in western Maryland, a mountainous panhandle wedged against the Mason-Dixon line. read more

Secession is not OK.

NYT > U.S. > Politics1 day ago

‘American Veteran’ Honors the Many Faces of the U.S. Soldier

On the heels of America’s longest war, a new PBS documentary series sits down with nearly 50 veterans in hopes of helping to bridge a growing gap. read more

All wounds are not visible.

Ian Welsh2 days ago

Stopping Sinema and Manchin From Electing Donald Trump

[image: Story 495655719] So, these two Senators, between them, have managed to absolutely gut all of Biden’s signature efforts, from climate change to helping people in need. It is days like this where one wishes LBJ was President. Progressives have tried bargaining with them and failed, repeatedly. Fine. The way to handle them is simply to find something they care about and kill it. Progressives also have veto power (in the House in particular.) Then find something else and kill that. Then kill something else. As for Biden, well, Manchin’s family has a coal company, I bet he care... read more

Ian Welsh is not a diplomat.

Neither am I.

NYT > U.S. > Politics2 days ago

Woman Charged in Submarine Secrets Case Will Stay in Custody

Prosecutors used text messages to argue that Diana Toebbe and her husband had discussed leaving the country years ago. read more

The woud be traitors are just a distraction.

NYT > U.S. > Politics2 days ago

Biden Names Neera Tanden as White House Staff Secretary

The move comes after her nomination as budget director was pulled earlier this year over her frequent caustic remarks on social media. read more

The president gets his choice of staff.