@17:45, , 6/23/19

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1

White House Is Pressing for Additional Options, Including in Cyberspace, to Deter Iranian Attacks

Julian E. Barnes, Eric Schmitt and Thomas Gibbons-Neff at NYT > Politics - 39 minutes ago

American officials are working on clandestine plans to counter Iranian aggression, pushed by the White House to develop options that would not escalate tensions into a full-out conventional war.

Congress remembers the Tonkin Gulf incident

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXcG3tXYNF8

John R. Bolton doubtlessly remembers.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_R._Bolton

2 

Joe Sestak, Former Pennsylvania Congressman, Becomes the 24th Democratic Candidate for President

Sandra E. Garcia at NYT > Politics - 2 hours ago

Mr. Sestak entered the presidential race later than the 23 other candidates because his daughter had been battling brain cancer.

I would rather an accademic or a diplomat.

3

Trump Shrugs Off Khashoggi Killing by Ally Saudi Arabia

Michael D. Shear at NYT > Politics - 5 hours ago

In an NBC interview, Mr. Trump also said he was “not looking for war” with Iran and lashed out at his Federal Reserve chairman.

The Turks get to prosecute.
Saudi is an asolute monarchy.  It has the power of arbitrary death on its own teritory.

Trump is within his legal rights.

Kashoggi's friends are outraged.

4

Week-end Wrap – Political Economy – June 22, 2019

Tony Wikrent at Ian Welsh - 6 hours ago

Week-end Wrap – Political Economy – June 22, 2019 by Tony Wikrent Economics Action Group, North Carolina Democratic Party Progressive Caucus I apologize for the absence from last week. My computer crashed last Saturday night, and blew away a chunk of the operating system, so could not be rebooted until placed in the hands of […]

Trump has summoned the whirlwind.

5

By Request, and Just For Fun: Stock Market as Barometer of Policy Success

Calculated Risk at Calculated Risk - 6 hours ago

By request, here is an update to the chart showing market performance under Presidents Trump and Obama. Note: *I don't think the stock market is a great measure of policy performance, but some people do - and I'm having a little fun with them*. There are some observers who think the stock market is the key barometer of policy success. My view is there are many measures of success - and that the economy needs to work well for a majority of the people - not just stock investors. However, for example, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin was on CNBC on Feb 22, 2017, and was asked if the... more » 

I see the claim.

6 

Bolton Warns Iran Not to ‘Mistake U.S. Prudence and Discretion for Weakness’

David M. Halbfinger at NYT > Politics - 9 hours ago

The warning by the national security adviser, John Bolton, came after President Trump called off a military strike against Iran for shooting down an American drone.

Bolton wants war with Iran.

7

Who Gets to Sit on the Supreme Court?

Evan Thomas at NYT > Politics - 12 hours agIt

Carl Hulse’s “Confirmation Bias” recounts the recent battles to fill Antonin Scalia’s seat.

The Supreme Court will be a problem.
It will need to be packed for political reasons.

8

How the Democratic Candidates Responded to a Health Care Policy Survey

The New York Times at NYT > Politics - 14 hours ago

When the 2020 Democrats were asked the best way to improve the health care system, a split in the field was revealed. Here are full responses from 19 candidates.

It is not important what good healthcare is called.

9

‘Medicare for All’ vs. ‘Public Option’: The 2020 Field Is Split, Our Survey Shows

Trip Gabriel and Abby Goodnough at NYT > Politics - 14 hours ago

We asked the Democratic presidential candidates how they would improve the health care system. Some want to eliminate private insurance, but many others said that was a step too far.

Leave it to the platform committee.

10

Trump Emphatically Denies Sexual Assault Allegation by E. Jean Carroll

Mihir Zaveri at NYT > Politics - 20 hours ago

President Trump said he had “no idea” who Ms. Carroll was in comments to reporters outside the White House on Saturday.

Trump is known to lie.

11

Biden, in Interview with Sharpton, Tries to Defuse Criticism of Remarks on Segregationists

Jonathan Martin and Katie Glueck at NYT > Politics - 20 hours ago

Mr. Biden said his words about Southern segregationists who served with him in the Senate were misunderstood and stopped just short of an apology.

The stain will remain.

12

U.S. Carried Out Cyberattacks on Iran

Julian E. Barnes and Thomas Gibbons-Neff at NYT > Politics - 22 hours ago

The operation went forward because it was intended to be below the threshold of armed conflict — using the same shadow tactics that Iran has used.

An act of war.

13

Biden Talks Up Support for Abortion Rights at Planned Parenthood Gathering

Jonathan Martin at NYT > Politics - 22 hours ago

Mr. Biden sought to reassure abortion-rights activists about his commitment to protecting access to the procedure and said he would seek to codify Roe v. Wade in federal law.

Required.

14

Trump Says He’ll Delay Deportation Operation Aimed at Undocumented Families

Michael D. Shear and Zolan Kanno-Youngs at NYT > Politics - 1 day ago

Immigration agents had been planning to sweep into several immigrant communities on Sunday in coordinated raids in 10 major cities.

He will turn purple.

15

White House Unveils Economic Portion of Middle East Peace Plan

Mark Landler and David M. Halbfinger at NYT > Politics - 1 day ago

The 38-page plan sets ambitious goals, but there are no concrete dollar commitments from the United States.

Empty talk.

16

Pompeo, a Steadfast Hawk, Coaxes a Hesitant Trump on Iran

Edward Wong and Michael Crowley at NYT > Politics - 1 day ago

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has expanded his power during a vacuum in the Pentagon, but his hard-line policies on Iran are running into President Trump’s isolationist instincts.

Bad advice.

17

At Demand for Roll Call Votes, Colleagues Grouse: ‘This Is So Stupid’

Emily Cochrane at NYT > Politics - 1 day ago

A freshman representative’s exercise of power emphasized how the few tools left to a single member in the House’s minority are mainly the kind that irritates one’s colleagues.

Thinking is hard.

18

The Week in Business: Stocks Hit a Record High, and Facebook Wants to Replace Your Bank

Charlotte Cowles at NYT > Politics - 1 day ago

Plus, tensions with Iran reach a boiling point and Trump’s meeting with China’s president.

More noise.

19

Congressional Veterans Pitch In to Rebuild Oversight Muscle

Carl Hulse at NYT > Politics - 1 day ago

Years of budget cuts and a stream of departures have left Congress lacking in expertise and experience to challenge a recalcitrant Trump White House.

Frustrating Trump is a place to start.

20

Facing Intensifying Confrontation With Iran, Trump Has Few Appealing Options

David E. Sanger at NYT > Politics - 1 day ago

The administration is relying first on economic sanctions to change Tehran’s behavior. But it continues to weigh military or cyberattacks.

Backing off would be good.

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