@7:23. , 8/16/19

|


1

Obama and Biden’s Relationship Looks Rosy. It Wasn’t Always That Simple.

Glenn Thrush at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 33 minutes ago

Their partnership is the stuff of buddy-movie lore, but those who saw it up close described a more difficult, complicated dynamic.

Biden should not be president.  

He is not interested in fixing administration for the general good.

 '

2 

Israel Says Rashida Tlaib Can Visit to See Her Grandmother

David M. Halbfinger at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 33 minutes ago

Israel had denied entry to two Congress members, Ms. Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, for supporting a boycott movement. The government now says Ms Tlaib can enter.

"JERUSALEM — Israel relented slightly on Friday after barring Representative Rashida Tlaib under pressure from President Trump, and said she could visit her 90-year-old grandmother, who lives in the occupied West Bank.

Israel acted after Ms. Tlaib, an outspoken Palestinian-American in her first term, agreed in writing not to promote boycotts against Israel during the trip. But Ms. Tlaib, facing criticism by Palestinians and other opponents of the Israeli occupation, quickly reversed course herself, saying she could not make the trip under “these oppressive conditions.”

“Silencing me & treating me like a criminal is not what she wants for me,” she said of her grandmother in a Twitter post. “It would kill a piece of me.”"

Israel can offer no more and no less than justice to the Palestinians.

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

Israel is faced with years of debate.

God does not appear to be interested in justice.

Justice does not need to be fair.

3 

Citing Economy, Trump Says That ‘You Have No Choice but to Vote for Me’

Maggie Haberman and Peter Baker at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 6 hours ago

As the markets wobble over fears of a slowdown amid an escalating trade and currency war with China, the president defended policies that are rattling many businesses and investors.

"The best government money can buy." 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_in_the_Twenty-First_Century

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

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

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

"The greatest good for the greatest number"

4  

On Politics: Israel’s Decision on Omar and Tlaib Inflames Politics in 2 Countries

NYT > U.S. > Politics - 6 hours ago

In an extraordinary step, President Trump had urged Israel to bar Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar from entering the country and visiting the West Bank.

Trump likes riots.

5 

Trump Is Said to Ask: Can We Buy Greenland?

Maggie Haberman and Michael D. Shear at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 6 hours ago

At a meeting last spring in the Oval Office, President Trump joked about buying Greenland for its resources, according to a person who was in attendance.

The U.S. leases Greenland.
The Danes like the income.

6 

Fact-Checking Trump’s New Hampshire Rally

Linda Qiu at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 6 hours ago

President Trump on Thursday repeated inaccurate claims about energy, China and his predecessor.

Trump is weak on facts.

7 

Trump’s Hong Kong Caution Isolates Him From Congress, Allies and Advisers

Michael Crowley and Edward Wong at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 10 hours ago

In his showdown with Beijing over trade and tariffs, Mr. Trump is ignoring his hawkish advisers, who believe China threatens American interests worldwide.

China is sovereign over Hong Kong.
Trump would have to try to act through the U.N.
China has a veto in the Security Council.

Silence is better than appearing helpless.

8 

Economic Trouble Signs Hang Over Trump’s Trade War

Jim Tankersley, Jeanna Smialek and Ana Swanson at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 10 hours ago

White House advisers discount warnings of a possible recession. But the president may be gambling that the Federal Reserve can ward off that prospect.

Trump's trade war is a lost cause,

9 

Trial Opens for Former Obama Aide Accused of Lying About Foreign Lobbying

Sharon LaFraniere at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 10 hours ago

Lawyers for Gregory B. Craig said their client never intended to deceive Justice Department officials about his work on behalf of Ukraine’s government.

No verdict yet.

10 

Labor Dept. Moves to Expand Religion Exemption for Hiring and Firing

Noam Scheiber at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 10 hours ago

The policy director for a gay-rights group said the “proposed rule would permit taxpayer-funded discrimination.”

Separation of church and state is necessary.

11 

A Cory Lewandowski Senate Run Would be a Test Case for Trump World

Lisa Lerer at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 10 hours ago

As associates of the president consider running for office, a potential bid by his former campaign manager could serve as a trial balloon.

Trump world would not stand the strain.

12 

The Law Israel Used to Bar Omar and Tlaib

Niraj Chokshi at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 13 hours ago

Israel has used the law, passed in 2017, to deny entry to outspoken foreign supporters of a movement to boycott the country.

https://www.juancole.com/2019/08/recognizes-usurpation-palestinian.html

13

The Complex History of the Women’s Suffrage Movement

Jennifer Schuessler at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 13 hours ago

As the 19th Amendment turns 100, three exhibitions in Washington explore the contentious — and unfinished — struggle for voting rights.

Yes

14

The U.S. Has Joined Secret Talks With Israel and the U.A.E. The Topic? Iran.

Lara Jakes and Edward Wong at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 15 hours ago

The three-sided talks grew out of a February conference in Warsaw. Since then, the three allies have met twice.

"If it aint broke, don't fix it."

15 

Overstock C.E.O. Takes Aim at ‘Deep State’ After Romance With Russian Agent

Michael Corkery at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 15 hours ago

Patrick Byrne said in an interview that he was still “quite fond” of Maria Butina, who is now in prison, and that she “should go home and be president of Russia one day.’’

http://investors.overstock.com/news-releases/news-release-details/overstockcom-ceo-comments-deep-state-withholds-further-comment
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_le_Carr%C3%A9
David John Moore Cornwell named it a honey trap.

16 

House Panel Subpoenas Corey Lewandowski and Trump Aide in Obstruction Case

Nicholas Fandos at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 17 hours ago

The summons set up another potentially high-stakes public hearing around the findings of the former special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/15/us/politics/on-politics-corey-lewandowski.html

17

Trump Administration Asks Congress to Reauthorize N.S.A.’s Deactivated Call Records Program

Charlie Savage at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 17 hours ago

The White House is seeking reauthorization of a law that lets the N.S.A. gain access to logs of Americans’ phone and text records — while acknowledging that the program has been indefinitely halted.

I suspect the N.S.A. never stopped.
An authorization would allow them to present the information publicly.

18

Trump Thinks Corey Lewandowski Would Be a ‘Fantastic’ Senator From New Hampshire

Maggie Haberman at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 19 hours ago

President Trump all but endorsed his former campaign manager, who is weighing a Senate bid. “He’s terrific on television,” Mr. Trump said. “I like everything about him.”

New Hampshire Republican leadership think Landowski is a nonstarter.

19

Beto O’Rourke’s New Approach to 2020: ‘Taking the Fight to Donald Trump’

Alexander Burns at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 21 hours ago

After the shooting in El Paso, Mr. O’Rourke decided to abandon his focus on early primary states and more directly confront the president over immigration and gun control.

Try for the House again.

20

How One Billionaire Could Keep Three Countries Hooked on Coal for Decades

Somini Sengupta, Jacqueline Williams and Aruna Chandrasekhar at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

The story of a mining project in Australia helps to explain why the world keeps burning coal despite the profound risk it poses to the future.

He has help from corrupt politicians.

||