@19:00, , 8/26/20

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1

Iran to Allow U.N. Inspections of Previously Blocked Nuclear Sites

Lara Jakes at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 55 minutes ago

The reversal comes amid a United Nations Security Council split over whether to restore international sanctions against Iran’s economy — and demolish a 2015 accord that limits its nuclear program.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/20/us/politics/trump-iran-nuclear-deal.html

Trump is losing another strong arm attempt.

2 

What to Watch for at R.N.C.: Two of Trump’s Most Faithful Allies Will Headline

Astead W. Herndon at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 55 minutes ago

Vice President Mike Pence and Kellyanne Conway, President Trump’s former campaign manager and longtime adviser, will speak during tonight’s convention.

Paid testimonials.

3 

Did President Trump Violate the Hatch Act at the R.N.C.?

Zach Montague at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 hour ago

The law, which prohibits federal employees from engaging in political activities while on the job, has rarely led to the firing of political appointees.

Probably.

The president is not included in the Hatch Act.

4 

U.S. Troops Injured in Syria After Collision With Russian Vehicles

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

The altercation is the latest clash between Russian and American ground patrols in northeastern Syria after the United States withdrew from much of that area last fall.

"The threat from Russian forces and their Syrian government allies is just one of many dangers confronting American troops in Syria’s northeast.

In his taped remarks from Jerusalem on Tuesday for the Republican National Convention, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo cited the defeat of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria as one of Mr. Trump’s crowning achievements.

“Because of the president’s determination and leadership, the ISIS caliphate is wiped out. It’s gone,” Mr. Pompeo said."

The fight goes on.

5 

Ted Cruz Didn’t Get an RNC Invite. He Still Has Plenty to Say

Matt Flegenheimer at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 2 hours ago

In 2016, the Texas senator addressed his fellow Republicans but declined to explicitly endorse Donald Trump. One close Senate race and many conciliatory public comments later, he is on the sidelines this year.

A "reward" from Trump.

6 

U.S. Sanctions 24 Chinese Companies Over Role in South China Sea

Ana Swanson at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 2 hours ago

The Trump administration moved to cut off two dozen Chinese companies from the American market on Wednesday, saying they had contributed to China’s controversial island-building campaign.

This is a weak action.

7 

After Three Years of Attacking L.G.B.T.Q. Rights, Trump Suddenly Tries Outreach

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

L.G.B.T.Q. advocates say the president has tried to divide their coalition by targeting transgender people in policy rollbacks.

Trump is trying to go forward in all directions.

8 

Border Officials Weighed Deploying Migrant ‘Heat Ray’ Ahead of Midterms

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

Even as the Republican convention tries to soften President Trump’s image, he has made it clear that the extreme immigration policies of his first four years will be central to his re-election pitch.

"But even the president’s fiercest critics concede that on immigration, the president can rightly claim that he did much of what he said he would do.

“The Trump administration, unilaterally, without passing laws in Congress, has radically reshaped immigration in the United States,” said Omar Jadwat, the director of the Immigrants’ Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union. “They have effectively shut down the asylum system at the border. They’ve reintroduced religious, racial and national origin discrimination into our immigration system. These are real, radical shifts.”"

9 

Naturalization and Ponder Pardon Bring Trump's Reality TV to R.N.C.

James Poniewozik at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 9 hours ago

Needing ratings and a reinvention, the president uses the White House as game show set and official acts as the fabulous winnings.

"Of course, putting Donald Trump in a room with other people carries the same risks it did before Covid. Yes, through the magic of pre-taping, his responses can be made more coherent, his attitude easier and more attentive, the same way Mark Burnett imposed structure on his ramblings in the “Apprentice” boardroom."

10 

R.N.C. Day 3: Start Time, Schedule and Speakers

Maggie Astor at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 9 hours ago

Vice President Mike Pence, his wife, Karen Pence, and Kellyanne Conway will all speak during the event’s third night.

The event happened.
The speakers spoke.

11 

Melania Trump's Convention Outfit: Ready for Battle!

Vanessa Friedman at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 9 hours ago

The first lady’s words during her speech at the Republican National Convention said one thing, but her suit said another.

She is married to him.

12 

The G.O.P. Wishes Away the Virus

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

In a convention billed as hopeful and optimistic, Republicans are talking about the pandemic in the past tense.

Wishing has little effect.

13 

G.O.P. Women in Arizona Could Decide an Unexpected 2020 Battle

Elaina Plott at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 13 hours ago

Led by a firebrand loyalist, the state party has lurched to the right under President Trump. That has turned off some Republicans, and Arizona suddenly appears in play for Democrats.

"Winning is the only thing."

14

Should Children Go Back to School? New Surveys Say It Depends in Part on Your Politics

Claire Cain Miller at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 13 hours ago

There’s a large partisan divide in parents’ views on whether it’s safe for students and teachers to return to school, several new surveys find.

Schools are not safe.

15

RNC Night 2: Watch the Moments That Mattered

Jennifer Medina and Adam Nagourney at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 13 hours ago

Two of our reporters break down the key moments from the second night of the Republican National Convention.

I did not bother.

16

The Suffragists Fought to Redefine Femininity. The Debate Isn’t Over.

Alisha Haridasani Gupta at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 13 hours ago

The campaign for the right to vote crystallized notions of femininity and motherhood that women are still expected to navigate.

http://www.kiplingsociety.co.uk/poems_female.htm

17

From Trump’s Shadow, Mike Pence Can See 2024

Alexander Burns and Maggie Haberman at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 14 hours ago

The vice president has grown accustomed to performing certain acrobatics, maneuvering around in private what President Trump bellows in public. It’s one way he is tending to his future.

I hope it is a phantom.

18

How TikTok’s Talks With Microsoft Turned Into a Soap Opera

Mike Isaac and Andrew Ross Sorkin at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 14 hours ago

Neither side wanted a big deal. But what began as talks about a small investment ballooned with interventions from President Trump.

Donald Trump is not a diplomat.

19

The Real Republican Platform

Ian Welsh at Ian Welsh - 15 hours ago

I don’t much like Frum, but he’s 100% right on this and it’s worth reading. Nor is it all “Republican”, some of this is shared by a lot of Democrats. I’m going to summarize, since the Atlantic has a very limited amount of free views. 1) Lower taxation is the most important economic policy. 2) […]

It should not matter what Republicans favor.

20

Highlights From the Republican National Convention: Night 2

Nilo Tabrizy and Dmitriy Khavin at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 18 hours ago

A speech by the first lady touched on race relations as the White House was used for political purposes. It also was the first time a sitting secretary of state addressed a national political convention in at least 75 years.

The noise is over for the moment.

My network has been down. for a day and more.

I have some connectivity for unknown reasons.

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