@8:15, , 9/23/19

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1

Beto O’Rourke Wants to Talk Guns With Anyone Who Will Listen

Mark Leibovich at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 2 hours ago

Oh, and he’s running for president too.

Bullets and bombs change no minds.

"Their minds are made up.  Do not confuse them with the facts."

2 

A Year Later, Iran Finds Evaporating Sympathy at the U.N.

David E. Sanger and Farnaz Fassihi at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 4 hours ago

The country’s foreign minister, on the defensive after attacks on Saudi oil facilities, says Iran has lost hope that the Europeans will counterbalance American sanctions.

Power works at the bank.

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3 

Trump’s Hold on Military Aid Blindsided Top Ukrainian Officials

Andrew E. Kramer at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 10 hours ago

The withholding of aid is now at the center of questions about whether President Trump manipulated foreign policy to pressure the Ukrainian government to take action damaging to Joseph R. Biden Jr.

yes

4

Trump, Biden and Ukraine: Sorting Out the Accusations

Kenneth P. Vogel at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 10 hours ago

No evidence has surfaced that the former vice president intentionally tried to help his son by pressing for the ouster of a Ukrainian prosecutor.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/22/us/politics/trump-ukraine-biden.html

https://www.google.com/search?q=the+tweed+ring&client=firefox-b-1-d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjU7uHguOfkAhWEdd8KHT9XBb8Q_AUIEygD&biw=1357&bih=647#imgrc=a4TEi79envePpM:

5

2020 Democrats Go All In on Iowa

Reid J. Epstein at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 12 hours ago

The presidential candidates have embarked on a four-month sprint to a night of caucuses that remains the single biggest prize in American politics.

The next prize.

6

As Trump Confirms He Discussed Biden With Ukraine, Pressure to Impeach Builds

Nicholas Fandos, Jonathan Martin and Maggie Haberman at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 14 hours ago

Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned of a “new chapter of lawlessness” and a turning point in the House investigation of President Trump.

The Republican party remains unbroken.

https://promarket.org/how-powerful-ideas-can-shape-society-aaron-director-and-the-triumph-of-nihilism/

7

At Rally for India’s Modi, Trump Plays Second Fiddle but a Familiar Tune

Michael D. Shear at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 14 hours ago

Mr. Trump treated the giant Houston gathering as his own, seizing on the chance to brag about slashing regulations, lowering unemployment and implementing a tax cut.

"There  aint no such thing as a free lunch"

8

Warren and Biden Join U.A.W. Picket Lines as Democrats Use Strike to Court Labor

Stephanie Saul at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 14 hours ago

Democratic candidates are publicly aligning themselves with union members in hopes of holding onto their support — and winning over those who flipped for President Trump in 2016.

Labor needs the backing of government.
It is part of democracy.

9

Who’s Speaking at the U.N. Climate Summit? Several Champions of Coal

Somini Sengupta at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 17 hours ago

Countries that continue to push coal will take the podium Monday at the United Nations Climate Action Summit.

Comic relief.

10

Trump Acknowledges Discussing Biden in Call With Ukrainian Leader

Peter Baker at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 18 hours ago

President Trump said his call with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine was perfectly appropriate, as Democrats intensified demands for an inquiry into abuse of power.

Confession is bad for the career though ngood for the soul.

11

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

Tony Wikrent at Ian Welsh - 21 hours ago

Week-end Wrap – Political Economy – September 22, 2019 by Tony Wikrent Economics Action Group, North Carolina Democratic Party Progressive Caucus Strategic Political Economy How Powerful Ideas Can Shape Society: Aaron Director and the Triumph of Nihilism Matt Stoller [Pro-Market, via Naked Capitalism 9-18-19] Director is the key founder of what is now known as […]

https://promarket.org/how-powerful-ideas-can-shape-society-aaron-director-and-the-triumph-of-nihilism/

The markets did not collapse today.

It was not for lack of need.

https://promarket.org/how-powerful-ideas-can-shape-society-aaron-director-and-the-triumph-of-nihilism/

12

What to Expect at the U.N. General Assembly This Week

Edward Wong, Lara Jakes, Michael Schwirtz and Rick Gladstone at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

Nearly 200 leaders will converge on the world’s most prominent diplomatic stage for five days of speeches, hundreds of meetings — and clashes over climate change, Iran and trade.

The U.N. talks things to death.

13

Warren Leads in New Iowa Poll With Biden Second

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

The latest poll numbers from The Des Moines Register and CNN were very good for Elizabeth Warren as she and Joseph R. Biden Jr. broke away from the rest of the Democratic pack.

Good.

14

Trump, Biden and a Whistle-Blower Complaint: Here Are the Basics

Michael Crowley and Kenneth P. Vogel at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

President Trump is under intense scrutiny over a classified whistle-blower complaint about some of his behavior.

Trump is an enemy of democracy.

15

Fact-Checking Trump’s Latest Claims About Space and Iran

Linda Qiu at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

The president, in a wide-ranging conversation with the Australian prime minister on Friday in the presence of reporters, falsely claimed NASA facilities “were virtually closed” before he took office.

Trump is incapable of truth.

16

An Abrupt Move That Stunned Aides: Inside Trump’s Aborted Attack on Iran

Peter Baker, Eric Schmitt and Michael Crowley at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day 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.

Nuclear weapons are too big to use.

17

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

Katie Rogers at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day 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.

There are facts in the indictment.

18

Climate Protesters and World Leaders: Same Planet, Different Worlds

Somini Sengupta at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day 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.

The protesters will live into the end times.

19

Ukraine and Whistle-Blower Issues Emerge as Major Flashpoints in Presidential Race

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

The controversy centers on whether President Trump manipulated foreign policy to pressure Ukraine to take action to damage Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s election bid.

It is the latest abuse.

20

Open Thread

Ian Welsh at Ian Welsh - 1 day 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.

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