@17:55, , 9/21/19

|


1

Standoffs With Iran Test Trump’s Resolve to Use Military Force

Peter Baker, Eric Schmitt and Michael Crowley at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 3 hours ago

President Trump’s decision to call off an airstrike on Iran in June looms large now as he weighs how to respond to attacks on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia blamed on Tehran.

The president has painted himself into a corner.

2 

Trump Calls Reports That He Pressured Ukraine’s President a ‘Witch Hunt’

Katie Rogers at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 3 hours ago

Mr. Trump, intensifying a line of attack his allies have stoked for months, accused the media of covering up the former vice president’s dealings with Ukraine.

Diplomats are useful.

3 

Climate Protesters and World Leaders: Same Planet, Different Worlds

Somini Sengupta at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 3 hours ago

Friday’s global climate protests put the gap between activists and many of the world leaders preparing to meet in New York City next week into stark focus.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children%27s_Crusade

4 

For Biden, Whistle-Blower Complaint Could Cut 2 Ways

Lisa Lerer and Reid J. Epstein at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 6 hours ago

Reports that President Trump sought help from the Ukranian government could offer former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. both opportunities and risks.

The president may have met his match at character assassination.

I hope for mutual  destruction.

5 

Open Thread

Ian Welsh at Ian Welsh - 6 hours ago

As usual, feel free to use the comments to discuss topics unrelated to recent posts.

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

https://www.ianwelsh.net/should-nato-exist-will-it/

Capitalism has an allergy to communism.
This drives the American need to dominate european trade.
The E.U. has the power to compete with American domination.
Trump does not seem able to play diplomacy.
Only the degree of disaster is in doubt. 

********************************************************

6 

Bernie Sanders Calls for Eliminating Americans’ Medical Debt

Margot Sanger-Katz and Sydney Ember at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 10 hours ago

On top of his “Medicare for all” proposal, Mr. Sanders’s new plan would wipe out an estimated $81 billion in existing medical debt and ignore such debt in credit scores.

Unhappy Banks are not good neighbors.

7 

Melania Trump’s Say-Nothing State Dinner Dress

Vanessa Friedman at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 10 hours ago

Her dress at the Australian state dinner wasn’t just understated, it was an absence of statement.

The dress is nineteenth century romantic.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_in_White,_No._1:_The_White_Girl

It is a modernized version.

8 

Bill de Blasio Bows Out, Elizabeth Warren’s Big Speech: This Week in the 2020 Race

Matt Stevens and Maggie Astor at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 12 hours ago

Here are six things that happened on the presidential campaign trail this week.

I continue to favor Elizabeth Warren.

9 

Elizabeth Warren Lost Her Dream Job but Gained a Path to 2020

Alexander Burns at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 12 hours ago

She had a plan to take on big banks. In the fight to get it done, she honed the approach to politics that defines her presidential campaign.

The path is earned.

10 

In Shadow of Ukraine Scandal, White House Hosts Second State Dinner of Trump Era

Katie Rogers at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 17 hours ago

Scrutiny over President Trump’s behavior with world leaders was a hard-to-avoid theme of the day for the Australian prime minister.

Scott Morrison is notably corrupt.

11 

Behind the Whistle-Blower Case, a Long-Held Trump Grudge Toward Ukraine

Kenneth P. Vogel at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 19 hours ago

The president and his allies have been pressing Ukraine for months to investigate Joseph R. Biden Jr., complicating relations between the two countries.

Ukraine is fighting with Putin.
Trump is feeling pinched.

12 

Giuliani Revels in Another Cable Dust-up Defending Trump

Annie Karni and Maggie Haberman at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 21 hours ago

Mr. Giuliani’s unconstrained television appearances have long raised concerns with the rest of Mr. Trump’s legal team, as well as White House officials.

Rudolph Giuliani is a proven liar.

13 

Lawmakers Court Trump on Gun Safety, With Some Appealing to His Ego

Sheryl Gay Stolberg at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 21 hours ago

President Trump is expected to decide next week whether to defy the N.R.A. and embrace a bill expanding background checks for gun buyers.

Trump will stay bought.

14 

Joe Biden Has Tense Exchange Over L.G.B.T.Q. Record

Reid J. Epstein and Lisa Lerer at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 21 hours ago

Pressed about his decades-old opposition to same-sex marriage, Mr. Biden pushed back, saying he didn’t “have to evolve.”

Vote for another candidate in the primary if you can.  There is no reason to trust Biden.

15 

With India, Trump Practices the Art of the Mini-Deal

Ana Swanson and Vindu Goel at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 23 hours ago

The administration’s prospective deal with India could be a boon to some farmers and businesses, but it is much smaller than a traditional trade pact.

India prefers coal.
Australia provides it.

16 

Trump Calls China a ‘Threat to the World’ as Trade Talks Approach

Alan Rappeport at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

The president says he will not accept an interim trade deal and accused China of building up its military with funds earned through unfair trade practices.

China has been behaving itself on matters of trade for years.
China is not a nice government.

17 

U.S. Drone Attacks ISIS Fighters in Southern Libya

Eric Schmitt at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

The American military carried out an airstrike Thursday against Islamic State fighters in southern Libya in a reminder of the terrorist group’s resilience.

The U.S. will be made to pay.

18 

Want to Hold Your Own 2020 Caucus? Now You Can (if You’re an Iowan)

Reid J. Epstein at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

Iowa Democrats are trying to make the state’s first-in-the-nation presidential nominating contest more accessible by allowing some voters to organize satellite caucuses.

Good luck.

19 

Program to Prevent Suicide by Veterans Earns Bipartisan Support

Jennifer Steinhauer at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

More than 6,000 veterans took their own lives each year between 2008 and 2017, and roughly 20 a day since 2014, according to statistics released Friday.

Do the science.

20 

Reporting, Fact-Checking, Sorting Mail ... and a Bid for Citizenship

Chris Cameron at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

My job as a Times news assistant followed me through every step of the naturalization process.

I am happy to hear good news.

The stress has not created unbearable strain.

||