@19:44, , 5/15/20

|

1

The Justice Dept.’s Attempt to Drop the Michael Flynn Case, Explained

Charlie Savage and Sharon LaFraniere at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 2 hours ago

The move is highly unusual and has prompted a judge to appoint an outsider to argue against the department.

I needed the explanation.

2 

U.S. Urges Afghanistan to Stay the Course With Peace Deal as Violence Resurges

Lara Jakes at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 2 hours ago

The chief American negotiator is scrambling to keep a tentative peace deal intact as violence inflames tensions between the Taliban and the Afghan government.

Getting shot is not a good thing.

The Salafi  are happy to shoot unbelievers.

3 

‘Geriatric,’ ‘China’s Puppet’: Trump Campaign Unleashes Ads Attacking Biden

Nick Corasaniti and Maggie Haberman at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 4 hours ago

President Trump’s re-election team has launched a long-promised barrage of negative ads against Joseph R. Biden Jr., focusing on his age and his past comments on China.

Trump is having trouble being believed.

4 

With Move to Remote Voting, House Alters What It Means for Congress to Meet

Nicholas Fandos at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 4 hours ago

The House’s planned vote on Friday to allow lawmakers to work from afar will fundamentally change how Congress operates.

No.

The chamber is often empty.

5 

How the Biden Campaign Aims to Win Battleground States

Katie Glueck at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 5 hours ago

The campaign pledged to expand its operation, and expects on-the-ground organizing to take place sometime this year. But when the candidate leaves his home will be determined by public health guidance, officials said.

Private chat rooms work.

6 

Why Armed Right Wingers Were Able To Shut Down Michigan’s Legislature

Ian Welsh at Ian Welsh - 5 hours ago

As you may have heard, Michigan has canceled its legislative session: Michigan closed down its capitol in Lansing on Thursday and canceled its legislative session rather than face the possibility of an armed protest and death threats against Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer… The gathering, meant to advocate opening the state for business despite the coronavirus […]

Ian Welsh is a socialist puritan.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper_Country_strike_of_1913%E2%80%9314

Death ends the discussion.

It is undemocratic.

7

May 15th US Covid Data

Ian Welsh at Ian Welsh - 5 hours ago

The seven day moving average continues its downward trend. A reminder, again, that outside of a few major metropolitan centers, which are showing large declines, Covid is growing and as restrictions are eased, it is likely that a second wave will occur. Note that the raw data and the 3 day moving average has a […]

The mortality rate is 6.1%

8 

A Drug Company Wagers the U.S. Won’t Dare Charge It With Crimes

Katie Benner, David Enrich and Katie Thomas at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 7 hours ago

Teva, the world’s largest maker of generic drugs, recently pulled out of settlement talks with the Justice Department.

Government prosecutors are not paid to think about consequences.

9 

Coronavirus Vaccince Czar Says Finding One by January Is a 'Credible' Goal

Maggie Haberman and Noah Weiland at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 8 hours ago

Moncef Slaoui, a former pharmaceutical executive the White House chose to lead a crash development program, acknowledged that the 12-18 month timeline cited by Dr. Anthony Fauci was already “very aggressive.”

January is not soon enough.

10 

Trump’s Ratings on the Virus Are Sagging. Why Isn’t Biden Surging?

Giovanni Russonello at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 12 hours ago

Joe Biden may have a lead in most polls, but it’s not anywhere close to a comfortable one.

Republican solidarity is real.

11 

Why Nils Lofgren, Bruce Springsteen's Guitarist, Took On Nursing Homes

Nick Corasaniti at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 12 hours ago

After his mother-in-law was infected with the coronavirus, the guitarist for Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band became determined to make nursing homes accountable.

Nursing homes have a mission different from maximum profit.

12 

‘We’re Just Horrified’: Why a Springsteen Sideman Took On Nursing Homes

Nick Corasaniti at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 13 hours ago

After his mother-in-law was infected with the coronavirus, the guitarist for Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band became determined to make nursing homes accountable.

The people paying the bills must be kept happy.

13 

Trump vs. Biden in the Polls: The Myth of 'But 2016'

Jonathan Martin at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 13 hours ago

There are members of both parties who believe the president has the ability to defy the normal rules of politics. That view ignores electoral trends of recent years.

People do not enjoy a self image of deplorables.

14 

DeVos Funnels Coronavirus Relief Funds to Favored Private and Religious Schools

Erica L. Green at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 13 hours ago

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, using discretion written into the coronavirus stabilization law, is using millions of dollars to pursue long-sought policy goals that Congress has blocked.

The separation of church and state is constitutionally mandated.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_church_and_state_in_the_United_States

15 

Economists Want to Put Stimulus on Autopilot. Congress Has Other Ideas.

Neil Irwin at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 13 hours ago

The idea is to link government aid to certain indicators, like the jobless rate, so it shrinks or grows without further action by politicians.

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

"The U.S. Congress established three key objectives for monetary policy in the Federal Reserve Act: maximizing employment, stabilizing prices, and moderating long-term interest rates.^{[14][failed verification]} The first two objectives are sometimes referred to as the Federal Reserve's dual mandate."

Congress wants all credit for its current membership.

16 

Biden on Assault Allegation: ‘I Wouldn’t Vote for Me if I Believed Tara Reade’

Katie Glueck and Maggie Astor at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 18 hours ago

Joseph R. Biden Jr. said Americans should “vote their heart,” but also sharpened his criticism of Ms. Reade’s claim. And he made appearances on Thursday with two women in the running to be his vice president.

Trump wants a coronation.

17 

Trump to Name Brooke Rollins as Domestic Policy Adviser

Maggie Haberman at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 20 hours ago

As the acting director of the Domestic Policy Council, which oversees the president’s domestic agenda, Ms. Rollins will lead one of the least visible but most crucial bodies during the president’s tenure.

The president selects his cabinet.
The officers serve at his pleasure.

18 

Trump Turns to an Old Ploy During Coronavirus Pandemic: Blame Obama

Peter Baker at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 22 hours ago

After pressure from the president, Senator Lindsey Graham agreed to hold a hearing, but he rebuffed Mr. Trump’s suggestion that his predecessor be called to testify.

"President Trump has embarked on an aggressive new drive to rewrite the narrative of the Russia investigation by making dark and unsubstantiated accusations that former President Barack Obama masterminded a sinister plot to bring him down."

The current president is responsible for the executive actions of the government.

19 

Your Questions: Voting by Mail, Tara Reade, Congressional Travel

Lisa Lerer at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 22 hours ago

It’s time to open the mailbag.

There should be no difficulty with voting by mail.
The records Tara Reade wants to show are controlled  by the senate which is controlled by the Republican party.

20 

Trump’s Ad Team Blitzes Biden, Spending Millions to Define Him Early in the Race

Nick Corasaniti and Maggie Haberman at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 22 hours ago

President Trump’s campaign has launched a long-promised barrage of attack ads against Joseph R. Biden Jr., focusing on his age and his past comments on China.

Donald Trump is impeached.


||