Donald Trump loves Hispanics, but the feelings aren’t mutual: If he makes it to November, they won’t forget his toxic hate speech
"Hispanics are an increasingly important voting bloc. Every presidential election, it becomes harder and harder to win without the support of Hispanic voters. The Republican establishments knows this, which is why they’re trying desperately to appeal to Hispanic Americans – with little success. And although Trump insists the Hispanics love him, it’s pretty clear they don’t. According to the poll cited above, Trump has the highest negative ratings among Hispanic voters of any of the major Republican candidates. Eighty percent of respondents said they have an unfavorable opinion of Trump."
Saturday, February 27, 2016
Thin-Skinned Bully Donald Trump Says He Wants To Do Away With the First Amendment
http://thedailybanter.com/2016/02/donald-trump-first-amendment/
"Now it just about goes without saying that taking control of the media is the kind of thing a dictator does, particularly one who from the very start is as childish and insecure as Trump. But it’s still fascinating to throw this onto the pile of pie-in-the-sky promises Trump is making to those stupid enough to believe him. No, he’s not going to frog-march 11 million people out of the country. No, he’s not going to make Mexico pay for a f*cking wall along our border. And no, he’s absolutely not going to adjust the Constitution so that he can sue anyone who writes something negative about him. But the fact that all of these represent his vision of an America under President Donald Trump should be a stark reminder that we can’t let this rampaging a**hole anywhere near the White House."
"Now it just about goes without saying that taking control of the media is the kind of thing a dictator does, particularly one who from the very start is as childish and insecure as Trump. But it’s still fascinating to throw this onto the pile of pie-in-the-sky promises Trump is making to those stupid enough to believe him. No, he’s not going to frog-march 11 million people out of the country. No, he’s not going to make Mexico pay for a f*cking wall along our border. And no, he’s absolutely not going to adjust the Constitution so that he can sue anyone who writes something negative about him. But the fact that all of these represent his vision of an America under President Donald Trump should be a stark reminder that we can’t let this rampaging a**hole anywhere near the White House."
Former KKK Grand Wizard Urges Followers to Get Off Their "Rear End" and Support Trump
http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2016/02/david-duke-comes-out-support-donald-trump
"David Duke, a white supremacist and former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard, added his name to Donald Trump's ever-growing list of racist supporters when he urged listeners of his radio show on Wednesday to volunteer to help elect the real estate magnate to the White House."
"David Duke, a white supremacist and former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard, added his name to Donald Trump's ever-growing list of racist supporters when he urged listeners of his radio show on Wednesday to volunteer to help elect the real estate magnate to the White House."
How the Republican Elite Created Frankentrump
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/02/how-gop-elite-set-stage-for-donald-trump
"To rouse its voters, the GOP exploited hate, anger, and paranoia—and set the stage for the tycoon."
"To rouse its voters, the GOP exploited hate, anger, and paranoia—and set the stage for the tycoon."
Trump May Have To Take A Break From Campaigning To Handle Fraud Case Against Trump University
http://thinkprogress.org/education/2016/02/24/3753052/trump-university-civil-suit/
"The “university,” which first began operating in 2005 and no longer exists, was not accredited and did not have a campus. It also did not give students degrees. Instead, students went to the website and bought expensive CDs and DVDs; some of them paid as much as $35,000 for their Trump University education. There are 72 witnesses on both sides of the case concerning Trump University, which has been going on for five years. Trump’s lawyers have denied charges that Trump University defrauded students. Lawyers also argued the plaintiffs can’t successfully claim that the online classes didn’t have value, according to the Financial Times. But students aren’t the only ones to question Trump University’s tactics. In 2010, the New York State Department of Education sent a letter to Trump University asking it to stop using the word “university,” leading it to change the name to “Trump Entrepreneur Initiative.” New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman also sued the company for false claims about its classes and the case is still pending."
"The “university,” which first began operating in 2005 and no longer exists, was not accredited and did not have a campus. It also did not give students degrees. Instead, students went to the website and bought expensive CDs and DVDs; some of them paid as much as $35,000 for their Trump University education. There are 72 witnesses on both sides of the case concerning Trump University, which has been going on for five years. Trump’s lawyers have denied charges that Trump University defrauded students. Lawyers also argued the plaintiffs can’t successfully claim that the online classes didn’t have value, according to the Financial Times. But students aren’t the only ones to question Trump University’s tactics. In 2010, the New York State Department of Education sent a letter to Trump University asking it to stop using the word “university,” leading it to change the name to “Trump Entrepreneur Initiative.” New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman also sued the company for false claims about its classes and the case is still pending."
Watch Trump supporters duped by fake “blonde Fox News robots” into endorsing the most vile anti-immigrant positions
Watch Trump supporters duped by fake “blonde Fox News robots” into endorsing the most vile anti-immigrant positions
"On last week’s episode of the Hulu series based on Conan O’Brien’s bit “Triumph the Insult Comic Dog,” the titular canine sent out a group of fake “blonde Fox News robots” to talk to crowds gathered outside of rallies for GOP candidates. Not surprisingly, no matter what the fake reporters said, the supporters of Trump were more than happy to go along with it. “Donald Trump announced plans to sterilize Puerto Ricans, until quote ‘until we figure this thing out,'” one reporter told a Trump partisan. “What do you think of this statement?” “I don’t know,” one camouflage-bedecked Trumpeter replied, “I think he’s just saying what everyone else believes.” “I don’t think he’s gone far enough,” another said. “I honestly don’t"."
"On last week’s episode of the Hulu series based on Conan O’Brien’s bit “Triumph the Insult Comic Dog,” the titular canine sent out a group of fake “blonde Fox News robots” to talk to crowds gathered outside of rallies for GOP candidates. Not surprisingly, no matter what the fake reporters said, the supporters of Trump were more than happy to go along with it. “Donald Trump announced plans to sterilize Puerto Ricans, until quote ‘until we figure this thing out,'” one reporter told a Trump partisan. “What do you think of this statement?” “I don’t know,” one camouflage-bedecked Trumpeter replied, “I think he’s just saying what everyone else believes.” “I don’t think he’s gone far enough,” another said. “I honestly don’t"."
The Trump family’s troubled past: Donald’s grandfather was an illegal immigrant and pimp
The Trump family’s troubled past: Donald’s grandfather was an illegal immigrant and pimp
"If Donald Trump wins his party’s nomination, historians will have many a field day digging out the contradictions between his anti-immigrant rhetoric and his family background."
"If Donald Trump wins his party’s nomination, historians will have many a field day digging out the contradictions between his anti-immigrant rhetoric and his family background."
Exposing How Donald Trump Really Made His Fortune: Inheritance from Dad and the Government's Protection Mostly Did the Trick @alternet
Exposing How Donald Trump Really Made His Fortune: Inheritance from Dad and the Government's Protection Mostly Did the Trick @alternet:
"It is critical to note, however, that his father’s success, which granted Donald Trump such a great advantage, was enabled and buffered by governmental financing programs. In 1934, while struggling during the Great Depression, financing from the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) allowed Fred Trump to revive his business and begin building a multitude of homes in Brooklyn, selling at $6,000 apiece."
"It is critical to note, however, that his father’s success, which granted Donald Trump such a great advantage, was enabled and buffered by governmental financing programs. In 1934, while struggling during the Great Depression, financing from the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) allowed Fred Trump to revive his business and begin building a multitude of homes in Brooklyn, selling at $6,000 apiece."
How the U.S. Went Fascist: Mass Media Make Excuses for Trump Voters (Video) (from @Truthdig)
How the U.S. Went Fascist: Mass Media Make Excuses for Trump Voters (Video) (from @Truthdig):
"what is really being said is that Trump supporters resent that sexist and racist discourse and policies have been banned from the public sphere. There is ample proof that Trump’s use of ‘political correctness’ identifies it with sexist and racist remarks and actions."
"what is really being said is that Trump supporters resent that sexist and racist discourse and policies have been banned from the public sphere. There is ample proof that Trump’s use of ‘political correctness’ identifies it with sexist and racist remarks and actions."
Boston Globe: Please Help Save The Republican Party From Itself!
Boston Globe: Please Help Save The Republican Party From Itself!
"The Republican Party should be embarrassed. The party is a cancer on America's body politic, and would be even if Donald Trump had stuck to reality TV and never joined the presidential race -- look at the spectacle in Washington right now, as Establishment Republicans announce their unwavering refusal even to consider, even to speak with, a Supreme Court nominee chosen by President Obama. Republican voters spend their days listening to Rush Limbaugh and Michael Savage and spend their nights watching Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity. They've been in a state of total war with the rest of America for years -- if you're not white, or not heterosexual, or not Christian or Jewish, if you fear gun violence or want a rise in the minimum wage or believe that human beings cause climate change, Republicans hate you. Donald Trump has merely taken a portion of that hatred and talked about it out loud. He's the culmination of the last few decades of Republicanism -- and the Republican Party should not be saved from him. The world should see that this is what the Republican Party is. It's not up to us to save the party from the consequences of its own actions."
"The Republican Party should be embarrassed. The party is a cancer on America's body politic, and would be even if Donald Trump had stuck to reality TV and never joined the presidential race -- look at the spectacle in Washington right now, as Establishment Republicans announce their unwavering refusal even to consider, even to speak with, a Supreme Court nominee chosen by President Obama. Republican voters spend their days listening to Rush Limbaugh and Michael Savage and spend their nights watching Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity. They've been in a state of total war with the rest of America for years -- if you're not white, or not heterosexual, or not Christian or Jewish, if you fear gun violence or want a rise in the minimum wage or believe that human beings cause climate change, Republicans hate you. Donald Trump has merely taken a portion of that hatred and talked about it out loud. He's the culmination of the last few decades of Republicanism -- and the Republican Party should not be saved from him. The world should see that this is what the Republican Party is. It's not up to us to save the party from the consequences of its own actions."
Evangelical voters like Donald Trump because he hates the same people they do
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/2/24/1490377/-Evangelical-voters-like-Donald-Trump-because-he-hates-the-same-people-they-do
"That's Perkins explaining why evangelicals who support Trump instead of his own preferred immigrant-bashing hatemonger Ted Cruz are wrong. It may also have something to do with Donald Trump's insufficient hatred of The Gays, a hatred which is Perkins' sole reason for existing on this earth. But he's not wrong. Evangelicals that are flocking to Trump are doing so for the same reasons other Republicans are. They don't like immigrants, they're mortified that the sitting president is a black man and they are absolutely beside themselves with panic at the thought there are Muslims among us, and Donald Trump is the shouty, red-faced man who promises flat-out that he'll be getting rid of people like that. No muttering about checks and balances or working within the confines of the Constitution, like wimpy Marco Rubio. No nonsense about how immigrants aren't all rapists and drug dealers, like the doomed Jeb Bush piped up quietly with from time to time. Nope. Just good ol' fashioned, white-hot racism with its own private jet. And he's rich, so you know God loves him. That's how it works, right?"
"That's Perkins explaining why evangelicals who support Trump instead of his own preferred immigrant-bashing hatemonger Ted Cruz are wrong. It may also have something to do with Donald Trump's insufficient hatred of The Gays, a hatred which is Perkins' sole reason for existing on this earth. But he's not wrong. Evangelicals that are flocking to Trump are doing so for the same reasons other Republicans are. They don't like immigrants, they're mortified that the sitting president is a black man and they are absolutely beside themselves with panic at the thought there are Muslims among us, and Donald Trump is the shouty, red-faced man who promises flat-out that he'll be getting rid of people like that. No muttering about checks and balances or working within the confines of the Constitution, like wimpy Marco Rubio. No nonsense about how immigrants aren't all rapists and drug dealers, like the doomed Jeb Bush piped up quietly with from time to time. Nope. Just good ol' fashioned, white-hot racism with its own private jet. And he's rich, so you know God loves him. That's how it works, right?"
It’s official: ‘Idiocracy’ writer says his satire about a dumber America has become a reality
It’s official: ‘Idiocracy’ writer says his satire about a dumber America has become a reality
"The co-writer of the cult sci-fi comedy Idiocracy confirmed what many of the film’s fans probably felt about the current political climate, The Hill reported. “I never expected Idiocracy to become a documentary,” Etan Cohen posted on Twitter on Wednesday. The 2006 film centered around two people who awaken from a cryogenic sleep to learn that the country is awash in anti-intellectualism."
"The co-writer of the cult sci-fi comedy Idiocracy confirmed what many of the film’s fans probably felt about the current political climate, The Hill reported. “I never expected Idiocracy to become a documentary,” Etan Cohen posted on Twitter on Wednesday. The 2006 film centered around two people who awaken from a cryogenic sleep to learn that the country is awash in anti-intellectualism."
Glenn Beck: Donald Trump Is 'Grooming Brownshirts'
Glenn Beck: Donald Trump Is 'Grooming Brownshirts':
"Beck said that he is facing severe repercussions for his criticism of Trump, noting that his fellow radio host Dana Loesch “is going to the FBI because she’s getting death threats” and “another very famous media reporter” is now “on the highest level of security because of the death threats that’s coming in on them"."
"Beck said that he is facing severe repercussions for his criticism of Trump, noting that his fellow radio host Dana Loesch “is going to the FBI because she’s getting death threats” and “another very famous media reporter” is now “on the highest level of security because of the death threats that’s coming in on them"."
Here are six things Trump did in the last month that prove ‘Idiocracy’ is already here
Here are six things Trump did in the last month that prove ‘Idiocracy’ is already here
"it can be hard to distinguish at times between the real estate mogul and the movie’s boisterous — and belligerent — President Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho."
"it can be hard to distinguish at times between the real estate mogul and the movie’s boisterous — and belligerent — President Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho."
Jimmy Kimmel unveils hilarious Donald Trump spoof ad for his ‘poorly educated’ supporters
Jimmy Kimmel unveils hilarious Donald Trump spoof ad for his ‘poorly educated’ supporters
"Sure, it’s a gag, but with 20 percent of Trump backers going on record with their belief that slavery was a good thing this country gave up on way too soon, it’s probably not so far off the mark."
"Sure, it’s a gag, but with 20 percent of Trump backers going on record with their belief that slavery was a good thing this country gave up on way too soon, it’s probably not so far off the mark."
Pro-Trump robocalls warn the ‘white race is dying out’
Pro-Trump robocalls warn the ‘white race is dying out’
"The xenophobic robo calls were produced the American Freedom Party, a pro-Trump PAC and white nationalist group"
"The xenophobic robo calls were produced the American Freedom Party, a pro-Trump PAC and white nationalist group"
An Astonishing Amount of Donald Trump Supporters Disapprove of Lincoln Freeing Slaves
An Astonishing Amount of Donald Trump Supporters Disapprove of Lincoln Freeing Slaves
"Then again, this is a candidate who’s openly admitted that he knows his supporters are mindless sheep – twice! "
"Then again, this is a candidate who’s openly admitted that he knows his supporters are mindless sheep – twice! "
Fomer KKK Grand Wizard Issues Strong Trump Endorsement
Fomer KKK Grand Wizard Issues Strong Trump Endorsement
"go out, call the Republican Party, but call Donald Trump’s headquarters, volunteer,” he said. “They’re screaming for volunteers.” Duke continued: “You’re gonna meet people who are going to have the same kind of mindset that you have. Educate them"."
"go out, call the Republican Party, but call Donald Trump’s headquarters, volunteer,” he said. “They’re screaming for volunteers.” Duke continued: “You’re gonna meet people who are going to have the same kind of mindset that you have. Educate them"."
Why the Trump University debacle is exactly what his fan base needs to finally understand he’s a predator
Why the Trump University debacle is exactly what his fan base needs to finally understand he’s a predator
"The suits focus mainly on the deceptive marketing tactics and false promises of Trump U that left many of the plantiffs tens of thousands of dollars in debt. In court filings last Friday, lawyers in one of the civil suits named Trump as one of their witnesses, meaning the candidate will be cross-examined and the problem will almost certainly become a major campaign issue. No trial date has been set for the suit, but Yahoo News reports it will be “moving forward” soon. Rubio isn’t the only one hammering the issue. Texas senator Ted Cruz, third in the polls behind Rubio and Trump, has been bringing it up more as of late, telling an audience in Houston, Texas, “It’s a fraud case. I want you to think that if this man is the nominee, having the Republican nominee on the stand in court being cross-examined about whether he committed fraud: you don’t think the mainstream media won’t go crazy on that?” The university was, of course, anything but. It existed mainly in the form of obscenely expensive real estate seminars, CDs and DVDs. It had no classes, teachers or buildings. The scam had to eventually change its name to the Trump Entrepreneur Initiative, after New York state education regulators objected to the use of the term “university"."
"The suits focus mainly on the deceptive marketing tactics and false promises of Trump U that left many of the plantiffs tens of thousands of dollars in debt. In court filings last Friday, lawyers in one of the civil suits named Trump as one of their witnesses, meaning the candidate will be cross-examined and the problem will almost certainly become a major campaign issue. No trial date has been set for the suit, but Yahoo News reports it will be “moving forward” soon. Rubio isn’t the only one hammering the issue. Texas senator Ted Cruz, third in the polls behind Rubio and Trump, has been bringing it up more as of late, telling an audience in Houston, Texas, “It’s a fraud case. I want you to think that if this man is the nominee, having the Republican nominee on the stand in court being cross-examined about whether he committed fraud: you don’t think the mainstream media won’t go crazy on that?” The university was, of course, anything but. It existed mainly in the form of obscenely expensive real estate seminars, CDs and DVDs. It had no classes, teachers or buildings. The scam had to eventually change its name to the Trump Entrepreneur Initiative, after New York state education regulators objected to the use of the term “university"."
Mitch McConnell: Republicans will drop Trump ‘like a hot rock’ if he wins the nomination
Mitch McConnell: Republicans will drop Trump ‘like a hot rock’ if he wins the nomination
"In private meetings in Washington, Republicans are preparing for their latest worst case 2016 election scenario: Donald Trump might be their presidential nominee. Normally at this point in the election cycle the GOP would be gearing up for attacks on their anticipated Democratic rival for the White House. But party leaders are so distraught at the idea of the blustery businessman heading the ticket, that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has taken to advising candidates to keep their distance from Trump."
"In private meetings in Washington, Republicans are preparing for their latest worst case 2016 election scenario: Donald Trump might be their presidential nominee. Normally at this point in the election cycle the GOP would be gearing up for attacks on their anticipated Democratic rival for the White House. But party leaders are so distraught at the idea of the blustery businessman heading the ticket, that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has taken to advising candidates to keep their distance from Trump."
These are your Trump voters: 1 in 5 wish the slaves were never freed
These are your Trump voters: 1 in 5 wish the slaves were never freed
"almost a fifth of Trump voters believe it was not a good idea to free the slaves in the Southern states following the Civil War. Five percent of Rubio’s voters hold this view."
"almost a fifth of Trump voters believe it was not a good idea to free the slaves in the Southern states following the Civil War. Five percent of Rubio’s voters hold this view."
Friday, February 26, 2016
How an Army of Pharma Lobbyists in Washington Have Locked in One of the Biggest Corporate Ripoff Schemes in America @alternet
How an Army of Pharma Lobbyists in Washington Have Locked in One of the Biggest Corporate Ripoff Schemes in America @alternet:
"Drug companies have devised elaborate schemes for drug sales to states. The Texas attorney general's office charged Janssen with bribing Texas' mental health officials with trips, perks and kickbacks. Janssen also paid drug company-funded front groups, disguised to look like patients, to "give state mental health officials and lawmakers the perception that the drug had widespread support," reported Bloomberg. Many alleged patient groups agitating for approval of expensive new drugs or fighting so-called "barriers" to treatment and mental illness "stigma" are actually slick drug company marketing creations. Many are entrenched in schools and on college campuses to capture "psychiatric patients" at an early age, often ensuring decades of sales. In Texas, a Medicaid "decision tree" called the Texas Medical Algorithm Project was instituted that mandates doctors prescribe the newest and most expensive psychiatric drugs first. The program was funded, not surprisingly, by the Johnson & Johnson-linked Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Another tactic drug companies use is "helping" states buy their own brand-name drugs. No conflict of interest there! An Eli Lilly-backed company named Comprehensive Neuroscience "helped" 24 states use Zyprexa "properly," reported the New York Times."
"Drug companies have devised elaborate schemes for drug sales to states. The Texas attorney general's office charged Janssen with bribing Texas' mental health officials with trips, perks and kickbacks. Janssen also paid drug company-funded front groups, disguised to look like patients, to "give state mental health officials and lawmakers the perception that the drug had widespread support," reported Bloomberg. Many alleged patient groups agitating for approval of expensive new drugs or fighting so-called "barriers" to treatment and mental illness "stigma" are actually slick drug company marketing creations. Many are entrenched in schools and on college campuses to capture "psychiatric patients" at an early age, often ensuring decades of sales. In Texas, a Medicaid "decision tree" called the Texas Medical Algorithm Project was instituted that mandates doctors prescribe the newest and most expensive psychiatric drugs first. The program was funded, not surprisingly, by the Johnson & Johnson-linked Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Another tactic drug companies use is "helping" states buy their own brand-name drugs. No conflict of interest there! An Eli Lilly-backed company named Comprehensive Neuroscience "helped" 24 states use Zyprexa "properly," reported the New York Times."
The Defunct Trump University Was an Education in Fleecing Students
The Defunct Trump University Was an Education in Fleecing Students:
"In court filings last Friday, lawyers for both sides in a long-running civil lawsuit over the now defunct Trump University [reborn as The Trump Entrepreneur Institute] named Trump on their witness lists. That makes it all but certain that the reality-show star and international businessman will be forced to be grilled under oath over allegations in the lawsuit that he engaged in deceptive trade practices and scammed thousands of students who enrolled in his “university” courses in response to promises he would make them rich in the real estate market...."
"In court filings last Friday, lawyers for both sides in a long-running civil lawsuit over the now defunct Trump University [reborn as The Trump Entrepreneur Institute] named Trump on their witness lists. That makes it all but certain that the reality-show star and international businessman will be forced to be grilled under oath over allegations in the lawsuit that he engaged in deceptive trade practices and scammed thousands of students who enrolled in his “university” courses in response to promises he would make them rich in the real estate market...."
New Poll Illustrates the GOP's Successful Disinformation Campaign and the Stupidity of American Voters
http://thedailybanter.com/2016/02/a-new-polls-illustrates/
"Yes, 73 percent of Americans think the deficit has grown under Obama, even though when all is said and done, it's gone down by more than a trillion dollars. Hell, the pollsters even explained what the deficit is, and they still didn't get it. Indeed, the deficit stood at $1.4 trillion by late 2009 as a consequence of George W. Bush's authorization of that year's spending, which occurs the October before the end of the year. In other words, Bush approved $1.2 trillion of 2009's deficit spending in October, 2008. The balance, $200 billion, was Obama's responsibility. Nevertheless, in the years since, Obama has presided over the reduction of the deficit down to $400 billion. That's the biggest cumulative reduction of deficit in American history. And no one knows. Why? Too many people are dumbstupids. That's the main thing. And the GOP has seized upon the less-than-informed status of the American people by deliberately confusing them. The game goes like this: conflate the deficit, which has gone down, with the national debt, which has gone up. The GOP, along with its accomplices at Fox News and AM talk radio, has successfully convinced people that the debt and the deficit are interchangeable. Until Obama was elected, no one really harped on the national debt. But when the deficit began to drop, the disinformation campaign began. It hit its high water mark in 2012 when the Republican presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, routinely mixed up the deficit and the debt."
"Yes, 73 percent of Americans think the deficit has grown under Obama, even though when all is said and done, it's gone down by more than a trillion dollars. Hell, the pollsters even explained what the deficit is, and they still didn't get it. Indeed, the deficit stood at $1.4 trillion by late 2009 as a consequence of George W. Bush's authorization of that year's spending, which occurs the October before the end of the year. In other words, Bush approved $1.2 trillion of 2009's deficit spending in October, 2008. The balance, $200 billion, was Obama's responsibility. Nevertheless, in the years since, Obama has presided over the reduction of the deficit down to $400 billion. That's the biggest cumulative reduction of deficit in American history. And no one knows. Why? Too many people are dumbstupids. That's the main thing. And the GOP has seized upon the less-than-informed status of the American people by deliberately confusing them. The game goes like this: conflate the deficit, which has gone down, with the national debt, which has gone up. The GOP, along with its accomplices at Fox News and AM talk radio, has successfully convinced people that the debt and the deficit are interchangeable. Until Obama was elected, no one really harped on the national debt. But when the deficit began to drop, the disinformation campaign began. It hit its high water mark in 2012 when the Republican presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, routinely mixed up the deficit and the debt."
This, Ladies and Gentlemen, is Your Frontrunner For the Republican Nomination
http://thedailybanter.com/2016/02/this-ladies-and-gentlemen-is-your-frontrunner-for-the-republican-nomination/
"Regardless of Trump's positions on any political or economic issue, his views about women should automatically disqualify him from the White House."
"Regardless of Trump's positions on any political or economic issue, his views about women should automatically disqualify him from the White House."
New White Supremacist PAC Robocalls: 'Don’t Vote For A Cuban,' Vote Trump! (AUDIO)
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/trump-robocall-super-tuesday-william-daniel-johnson
"A white supremacist super PAC is rolling out a fresh robocall campaign this week in Vermont and Minnesota telling voters, “Don’t vote for a Cuban. Vote for Donald Trump"."
"A white supremacist super PAC is rolling out a fresh robocall campaign this week in Vermont and Minnesota telling voters, “Don’t vote for a Cuban. Vote for Donald Trump"."
Former KKK head David Duke to followers: Voting against Donald Trump is “treason to your heritage”
Former KKK head David Duke to followers: Voting against Donald Trump is “treason to your heritage”
"the white nationalist hailed Trump’s victories in Nevada and South Carolina as a “historic day,” urging his listeners to help the Trump campaign in order to meet people with “the same kind of mindset"."
"the white nationalist hailed Trump’s victories in Nevada and South Carolina as a “historic day,” urging his listeners to help the Trump campaign in order to meet people with “the same kind of mindset"."
7 Astounding Confessions From Conservatives About the Dismal State of the GOP and Likely Nominee Trump @alternet
7 Astounding Confessions From Conservatives About the Dismal State of the GOP and Likely Nominee Trump @alternet:
"5. Get through to the “morons.”At The Federalist, Bill James, cites all the rational reasons why Trump is unqualified to be president, but then notes his party’s base is filled with “morons” supporting him. On the brainy side of this ledger, James said, “Trump is more interested in what is good for Donald Trump than in what is good for America… I don’t think Trump’s background in business prepares him… Trump’s hard-ass approach to problems would be very dangerous for our nation… (And) everything he says is either an outright lie, or something he is merely saying because it is convenient.” James, who says Trump’s message comes down to standing up for yourself, blames the media—“you can’t get away from this egomaniac”—and says the GOP’s pro-Trump base has become a lost and ignorant tribe. “I don’t think that Trump can win, frankly, because I don’t think there are enough morons to elect him. A certain percentage of the American public is just morons; that’s the way it is"."
"5. Get through to the “morons.”At The Federalist, Bill James, cites all the rational reasons why Trump is unqualified to be president, but then notes his party’s base is filled with “morons” supporting him. On the brainy side of this ledger, James said, “Trump is more interested in what is good for Donald Trump than in what is good for America… I don’t think Trump’s background in business prepares him… Trump’s hard-ass approach to problems would be very dangerous for our nation… (And) everything he says is either an outright lie, or something he is merely saying because it is convenient.” James, who says Trump’s message comes down to standing up for yourself, blames the media—“you can’t get away from this egomaniac”—and says the GOP’s pro-Trump base has become a lost and ignorant tribe. “I don’t think that Trump can win, frankly, because I don’t think there are enough morons to elect him. A certain percentage of the American public is just morons; that’s the way it is"."
The racist history of evangelicals proves they’re a perfect match with Trump: Why the religious right’s love for The Donald makes sense
The racist history of evangelicals proves they’re a perfect match with Trump: Why the religious right’s love for The Donald makes sense
"Ronald Reagan gets a lot of credit, for understandable reasons, for helping shape the religious right into a definable and powerful Republican voting bloc. He did this in part by feeding them the anti-feminist rhetoric they wanted to hear, but he also did it by pumping out an endless stream of race-baiting that fed directly into the political style of the religious right, which leans heavily on urban legends and rejects empirical evidence."
"Ronald Reagan gets a lot of credit, for understandable reasons, for helping shape the religious right into a definable and powerful Republican voting bloc. He did this in part by feeding them the anti-feminist rhetoric they wanted to hear, but he also did it by pumping out an endless stream of race-baiting that fed directly into the political style of the religious right, which leans heavily on urban legends and rejects empirical evidence."
Jim Hightower: Why Should You and I Have to Keep Paying Mitch McConnell's Salary? @alternet
Jim Hightower: Why Should You and I Have to Keep Paying Mitch McConnell's Salary? @alternet:
"What a silly old squirrel McConnell is! Article II of the U.S. Constitution plainly states that the president "shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint ... Judges of the Supreme Court." Note that the Constitution says the president "shall" do this -- as a duty to the nation. Nothing in the founding document suggests that this power and duty is voided in an election year. In fact, 13 Supreme Court nominations have been made in presidential election years, and the Senate took action on 11 of them. McConnell's assertion is bogus (and silly), for history and the Constitution clearly back Obama. Ironically, one who would have nailed McConnell for such a slapstick political perversion of plain constitutional language is Scalia himself. He practiced what he called "originalism" in his official judgments, insisting that the Constitution must be interpreted only by the words in it and only by the original meaning those words had for the founders when they wrote them into the document. McConnell's squirrelly stall tactic is as ridiculous as it is shameful. It's also totally hypocritical, since Mitch himself voted in February 1988 to confirm a Supreme Court nominee put forth by Ronald Reagan -- in the last year of his presidency. This leads me to ask, why should you and I have to keep paying McConnell's salary? Not only is he a Senate majority leader who doesn't lead; the lazy right-wing lawmaker really doesn't do anything, refusing to pick up the legislative tools he's been given and go to work on the many things that We The People -- and America itself -- need Congress to do. Imagine if you tried doing nothing on your job -- just drawing your paycheck after ignoring your workload! Repeatedly, this senatorial slug says no to every task at hand."
"What a silly old squirrel McConnell is! Article II of the U.S. Constitution plainly states that the president "shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint ... Judges of the Supreme Court." Note that the Constitution says the president "shall" do this -- as a duty to the nation. Nothing in the founding document suggests that this power and duty is voided in an election year. In fact, 13 Supreme Court nominations have been made in presidential election years, and the Senate took action on 11 of them. McConnell's assertion is bogus (and silly), for history and the Constitution clearly back Obama. Ironically, one who would have nailed McConnell for such a slapstick political perversion of plain constitutional language is Scalia himself. He practiced what he called "originalism" in his official judgments, insisting that the Constitution must be interpreted only by the words in it and only by the original meaning those words had for the founders when they wrote them into the document. McConnell's squirrelly stall tactic is as ridiculous as it is shameful. It's also totally hypocritical, since Mitch himself voted in February 1988 to confirm a Supreme Court nominee put forth by Ronald Reagan -- in the last year of his presidency. This leads me to ask, why should you and I have to keep paying McConnell's salary? Not only is he a Senate majority leader who doesn't lead; the lazy right-wing lawmaker really doesn't do anything, refusing to pick up the legislative tools he's been given and go to work on the many things that We The People -- and America itself -- need Congress to do. Imagine if you tried doing nothing on your job -- just drawing your paycheck after ignoring your workload! Repeatedly, this senatorial slug says no to every task at hand."
We're Getting Fleeced: Privatized Water Is 58% More Expensive Than Tap Water, Major New Study Finds @alternet
We're Getting Fleeced: Privatized Water Is 58% More Expensive Than Tap Water, Major New Study Finds @alternet:
"The most affordable water systems in the U.S. are publicly owned and operated by the government, an exhaustive study reveals. At the same time, for-profit private water companies charge 58 percent more than publicly owned ones."
"The most affordable water systems in the U.S. are publicly owned and operated by the government, an exhaustive study reveals. At the same time, for-profit private water companies charge 58 percent more than publicly owned ones."
The Republican Senate Thrusts A Stake Into the Heart of the Republic
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/2/23/1490011/-The-Republican-Senate-Thrusts-A-Stake-Into-the-Heart-of-the-Republic
"Republicans long ago abandoned a role as a partner in Government, but emerged as the enemy within; resisting democracy on all fronts. They have shut down the Government; suppressed voting rights; advocated refusals to implement the law and clearly violated its terms, all with an arrogant zeal that if the country was not as they thought it should be, they would rather destroy it. It seems that the only thing that somewhat kept things together was the Court and rule of law. They have now taken their Hun-like behavior to the Court itself; the arbiter of rules and the umpire of the republic. By refusing to perform their Constitutional duty and place country ahead of politics, they have mortally wounded the only institution holding everything together as we wait for saner times."
"Republicans long ago abandoned a role as a partner in Government, but emerged as the enemy within; resisting democracy on all fronts. They have shut down the Government; suppressed voting rights; advocated refusals to implement the law and clearly violated its terms, all with an arrogant zeal that if the country was not as they thought it should be, they would rather destroy it. It seems that the only thing that somewhat kept things together was the Court and rule of law. They have now taken their Hun-like behavior to the Court itself; the arbiter of rules and the umpire of the republic. By refusing to perform their Constitutional duty and place country ahead of politics, they have mortally wounded the only institution holding everything together as we wait for saner times."
Constitutional Crisis on the Horizon: GOP Leaders Pledge No Hearing on SCOTUS Nominee
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/34965-constitutional-crisis-on-the-horizon-gop-leaders-pledge-no-hearing-on-scotus-nominee
"Although Senate Republicans claim to be acting within the confines of the constitution, they could be leading the country into uncharted waters, if successful in their stonewalling. The founding document stipulates no recourse for what should happen, if the Senate opts to continuously refuse the President's pick to fill a Supreme Court vacancy. When an eight-justice Supreme Court votes 4-4, the ruling in that case that preceded the split stands. The longest wait-time for a nominee to receive a vote was 125 days."
"Although Senate Republicans claim to be acting within the confines of the constitution, they could be leading the country into uncharted waters, if successful in their stonewalling. The founding document stipulates no recourse for what should happen, if the Senate opts to continuously refuse the President's pick to fill a Supreme Court vacancy. When an eight-justice Supreme Court votes 4-4, the ruling in that case that preceded the split stands. The longest wait-time for a nominee to receive a vote was 125 days."
Let's get real: Democrats confirmed Reagan's Supreme Court nominee during the IRAN-CONTRA SCANDAL!
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/2/24/1489992/-Let-s-get-real-Democrats-confirmed-Reagan-s-Supreme-Court-nominee-during-the-IRAN-CONTRA-SCANDAL
"Not only did a Democratic Senate confirm Justice Anthony Kennedy during Reagan’s final year, but Democrats did so in the midst of the Iran-Contra scandal and Senate hearings — an investigation that ultimately led to the indictment of 14 Reagan staffers and 11 convictions, and included consideration of whether President Reagan should be impeached. That is the true precedent for today’s debate. For those to young to remember, the Iran-Contra Scandal involved an illegal scheme by the Reagan administration to secretly sell arms to Iran (in violation of an arms embargo) in an effort to ransom the release of several U.S. hostages, and to use the proceeds connected from such unlawful arms sales to illegally and secretly fund the “Contra” militias in Nicaragua. This “arms-for-hostages” deal with a terrorist state, and the funding of a covert illegal war, led to serious talk of whether President Reagan should be impeached and removed from office. In the March 4, 1987 video above, President Reagan confessed to, and took responsibility for, (some of) his administration’s illegal conduct in the Iran-Contra Scandal."
"Not only did a Democratic Senate confirm Justice Anthony Kennedy during Reagan’s final year, but Democrats did so in the midst of the Iran-Contra scandal and Senate hearings — an investigation that ultimately led to the indictment of 14 Reagan staffers and 11 convictions, and included consideration of whether President Reagan should be impeached. That is the true precedent for today’s debate. For those to young to remember, the Iran-Contra Scandal involved an illegal scheme by the Reagan administration to secretly sell arms to Iran (in violation of an arms embargo) in an effort to ransom the release of several U.S. hostages, and to use the proceeds connected from such unlawful arms sales to illegally and secretly fund the “Contra” militias in Nicaragua. This “arms-for-hostages” deal with a terrorist state, and the funding of a covert illegal war, led to serious talk of whether President Reagan should be impeached and removed from office. In the March 4, 1987 video above, President Reagan confessed to, and took responsibility for, (some of) his administration’s illegal conduct in the Iran-Contra Scandal."
PERRspectives: GOP's Unprecedented Obstruction of Obama's Judges Began in 2009
PERRspectives: GOP's Unprecedented Obstruction of Obama's Judges Began in 2009
"In the immediate aftermath of the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, Senate Republicans led by Mitch McConnell (R-KY) unveiled another unprecedented tactic in their once-unimaginable campaign of obstructionism. The GOP's immaculate rejection of any Court nominee in the final year of Obama's presidency isn't just belied by Supreme Court history. As it turns out, McConnell himself was among those both denouncing that so-called "Thurmond Rule" and voting for the confirmation of Justice Anthony Kennedy in the last year of Ronald Reagan's tenure. But largely overlooked in the Republicans' Supreme sabotage is this. The GOP hasn't just erected never before seen roadblocks to judicial nominees in the last year of Barack Obama's presidency; Republicans did it in year one as well."
"In the immediate aftermath of the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, Senate Republicans led by Mitch McConnell (R-KY) unveiled another unprecedented tactic in their once-unimaginable campaign of obstructionism. The GOP's immaculate rejection of any Court nominee in the final year of Obama's presidency isn't just belied by Supreme Court history. As it turns out, McConnell himself was among those both denouncing that so-called "Thurmond Rule" and voting for the confirmation of Justice Anthony Kennedy in the last year of Ronald Reagan's tenure. But largely overlooked in the Republicans' Supreme sabotage is this. The GOP hasn't just erected never before seen roadblocks to judicial nominees in the last year of Barack Obama's presidency; Republicans did it in year one as well."
All The Arguments Against Obama Nominating The Next Supreme Court Justice, Debunked
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2016/02/17/3750335/all-the-arguments-against-obama-nominating-the-next-supreme-court-justice-debunked/
"Republicans have advanced a number of arguments to defend their position. None of them hold up to scrutiny."
"Republicans have advanced a number of arguments to defend their position. None of them hold up to scrutiny."
How Republicans turned the unprecedented into the new normal
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/2/21/1486973/-How-Republicans-turned-the-unprecedented-into-the-new-normal
"As it has turned out, during the Obama years Republicans have made sure the Senate rarely has the capacity to do any business at all. By 2013, the GOP had filibustered 27 of Obama's executive branch nominees, compared to just seven during Dubya's eight years in office. As Texas Sen. John Cornyn, who once demanded an “up-or-down vote” on President Bush’s nominees, proclaimed three years ago during the confirmation process for Republican Chuck Hagel as Obama’s new Secretary of Defense: “There is a 60-vote threshold for every nomination.” If that seems at odds with the traditional understanding that a simple majority wins in the Senate, that’s because Mitch McConnell’s Republicans simply did away with tradition for nominations and just about everything else. When they weren't filibustering people, the GOP was blocking legislation at more than twice the rate of any previous Congress. (The GOP Senate minority actually started that practice during the last two years of President Bush's tenure. As Republican Sen. Trent Lott put it in 2007, "The strategy of being obstructionist can work or fail. So far it's working for us.")"
"As it has turned out, during the Obama years Republicans have made sure the Senate rarely has the capacity to do any business at all. By 2013, the GOP had filibustered 27 of Obama's executive branch nominees, compared to just seven during Dubya's eight years in office. As Texas Sen. John Cornyn, who once demanded an “up-or-down vote” on President Bush’s nominees, proclaimed three years ago during the confirmation process for Republican Chuck Hagel as Obama’s new Secretary of Defense: “There is a 60-vote threshold for every nomination.” If that seems at odds with the traditional understanding that a simple majority wins in the Senate, that’s because Mitch McConnell’s Republicans simply did away with tradition for nominations and just about everything else. When they weren't filibustering people, the GOP was blocking legislation at more than twice the rate of any previous Congress. (The GOP Senate minority actually started that practice during the last two years of President Bush's tenure. As Republican Sen. Trent Lott put it in 2007, "The strategy of being obstructionist can work or fail. So far it's working for us.")"
Supreme Court Snub Is Ultimate Delegitimization Of First Black President
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/supreme-court-snub-is-ultimate-delegitimization-of-our-first-black-president
"the effort to challenge Obama's office began immediately. On January 20, 2009, just hours after the president took his oath of office on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, House and Senate Republicans, including current House Speaker Paul Ryan and former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA), gathered at the Caucus Room in Washington to brainstorm all of the ways they could make Obama a one-term president. Absent from the meeting was now-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, but he would say publicly in 2010 that "the single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president"."
"the effort to challenge Obama's office began immediately. On January 20, 2009, just hours after the president took his oath of office on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, House and Senate Republicans, including current House Speaker Paul Ryan and former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA), gathered at the Caucus Room in Washington to brainstorm all of the ways they could make Obama a one-term president. Absent from the meeting was now-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, but he would say publicly in 2010 that "the single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president"."
The right’s SCOTUS unreality: Republicans are justifying obstructionism by just making stuff up
The right’s SCOTUS unreality: Republicans are justifying obstructionism by just making stuff up
"The problem they encounter is that there is no actual principle that justifies blocking a Supreme Court nominee for nearly a year and denying them so much as a confirmation hearing. To get around this hurdle, they appear to have settled on a novel tactic: They’re just going to make stuff up. Not surprisingly, much of this nonsense is coming from Senate Republicans themselves."
"The problem they encounter is that there is no actual principle that justifies blocking a Supreme Court nominee for nearly a year and denying them so much as a confirmation hearing. To get around this hurdle, they appear to have settled on a novel tactic: They’re just going to make stuff up. Not surprisingly, much of this nonsense is coming from Senate Republicans themselves."
Trump Vows To Terminate 22 Million Americans Healthcare In SC Victory Speech
http://www.politicususa.com/2016/02/20/trump-vows-terminate-22-million-americans-healthcare-south-carolina-victory-speech.html
"The election isn’t about a reality television star leading the Republican Party. 2016 is really about the unrelenting Republican quest to harm as many non-wealthy Americans as possible with a destructive agenda. For tens of millions of Americans, the 2016 election could be a matter of life and death."
"The election isn’t about a reality television star leading the Republican Party. 2016 is really about the unrelenting Republican quest to harm as many non-wealthy Americans as possible with a destructive agenda. For tens of millions of Americans, the 2016 election could be a matter of life and death."
Republican Redux: Governor Bruce Rauner Brings Ruin to Illinois
http://www.politicususa.com/2016/02/19/republican-redux-bruce-rauner-ruin-illinois.html
"Sound familiar? It should. Rauner’s playbook isn’t his own. Rather he is simply falling in with the larger Republican national strategy we have seen Sam Brownback in Kansas, Scott Walker in Wisconsin, and Rick Snyder in Michigan, among other governors, pursue and implement to their citizenry’s detriment. The strategy is that articulated back in the day by Grover Norquist, namely that of “starving the beast,” the beast supposedly being government itself, although in reality the effect of this strategy is that the people are starved in Illinois, just as the people in Flint are poisoned. The impulse behind this strategy—or at least the looming prospect to result from it—is to destroy the public sphere, privatize all that can be privatized, and, of course, re-distribute wealth back to the wealthiest by cutting their taxes because there will be no public sphere to fund—and no sense of a public good."
"Sound familiar? It should. Rauner’s playbook isn’t his own. Rather he is simply falling in with the larger Republican national strategy we have seen Sam Brownback in Kansas, Scott Walker in Wisconsin, and Rick Snyder in Michigan, among other governors, pursue and implement to their citizenry’s detriment. The strategy is that articulated back in the day by Grover Norquist, namely that of “starving the beast,” the beast supposedly being government itself, although in reality the effect of this strategy is that the people are starved in Illinois, just as the people in Flint are poisoned. The impulse behind this strategy—or at least the looming prospect to result from it—is to destroy the public sphere, privatize all that can be privatized, and, of course, re-distribute wealth back to the wealthiest by cutting their taxes because there will be no public sphere to fund—and no sense of a public good."
N Carolina GOP Caught In Racial Gerrymandering
N Carolina GOP Caught In Racial Gerrymandering
"the Republican-led state legislature of North Carolina has been scrambling to redraw their 1st and 12th congressional districts in time for this year's election. Why? Because in February, a federal court ruled the current boundaries to be unconstitutional due to the glaringly obvious attempt at racial gerrymandering."
"the Republican-led state legislature of North Carolina has been scrambling to redraw their 1st and 12th congressional districts in time for this year's election. Why? Because in February, a federal court ruled the current boundaries to be unconstitutional due to the glaringly obvious attempt at racial gerrymandering."
WATCH: John Oliver’s hilarious ad tells Senate to ‘Do your f*cking job’ and vote to replace Scalia
WATCH: John Oliver’s hilarious ad tells Senate to ‘Do your f*cking job’ and vote to replace Scalia
"Oliver ripped into Republicans for their ever-evolving reasons for trying to hold off voting on a new U.S. Supreme Court justice to replace the late Antonin Scalia."
"Oliver ripped into Republicans for their ever-evolving reasons for trying to hold off voting on a new U.S. Supreme Court justice to replace the late Antonin Scalia."
Paul Krugman: Why GOP Establishment Darling Marco Rubio Is Actually a Fringe Crackpot @alternet
Paul Krugman: Why GOP Establishment Darling Marco Rubio Is Actually a Fringe Crackpot @alternet:
"But not to worry: Mr. Rubio insists that his tax cuts would pay for themselves, by unleashing incredible economic growth. Never mind the complete absence of any evidence for this claim — in fact, the last two Democratic presidents, both of whom raised taxes on the rich, both presided over better private-sector job growth than Mr. Bush did (and that’s even if you leave out the catastrophe of Mr. Bush’s last year in office)."
"But not to worry: Mr. Rubio insists that his tax cuts would pay for themselves, by unleashing incredible economic growth. Never mind the complete absence of any evidence for this claim — in fact, the last two Democratic presidents, both of whom raised taxes on the rich, both presided over better private-sector job growth than Mr. Bush did (and that’s even if you leave out the catastrophe of Mr. Bush’s last year in office)."
Yes, Republican Audience Actually Booed Debate Moderator For Fact Checking Ted Cruz
http://thedailybanter.com/2016/02/yes-republican-audience-actually-booed-debate-moderator-for-fact-checking-ted-cruz/
"if you are considering voting for any of the Republican candidates in this election season, you probably have a very serious aversion to things like facts and reality."
"if you are considering voting for any of the Republican candidates in this election season, you probably have a very serious aversion to things like facts and reality."
Ohio Charter School Scandal Grows as Kasich Ascends National Stage
http://www.prwatch.org/news/2016/02/13045/ohio-charter-school-scandal-grows-while-john-kasich-ascends-national-stage
"Ohio state education officials are now admitting that Ohio has almost ten times as many failing charter schools as the state initially claimed. This revelation comes as Ohio tries to hang onto a $71 million federal charter school grant in the wake of scandals over misleading the grant application reviewers and breaking state law by altering charter school performance statistics. That was the largest grant award by the U.S. Department of Education last year. Ohio newspapers and the Center for Media and Democracy reported last October that the Ohio Department of Education's claims about the excellence of the state's charter-school system were intentionally misleading."
"Ohio state education officials are now admitting that Ohio has almost ten times as many failing charter schools as the state initially claimed. This revelation comes as Ohio tries to hang onto a $71 million federal charter school grant in the wake of scandals over misleading the grant application reviewers and breaking state law by altering charter school performance statistics. That was the largest grant award by the U.S. Department of Education last year. Ohio newspapers and the Center for Media and Democracy reported last October that the Ohio Department of Education's claims about the excellence of the state's charter-school system were intentionally misleading."
Cambridge Analytica: The Data Lords Who Want To Make Ted Cruz President
Cambridge Analytica: The Data Lords Who Want To Make Ted Cruz President
"According to this profile, "Alexander James Ashburner Nix is financial analyst and a Director at the Strategic Communication Laboratories, a military propaganda company." In other words, Nix specializes in controlling information to shape public perceptions to order for his customers, which include police agencies, militaries, and the United Nations. The term 'PsyOps,' short for psychological operations, is a common catch-all for this business. The missions vary. Sometimes SCL and its partner, Behavioural Dynamics Institute, are employed to counter someone else's propaganda; at other times, clients hire them to muddy the waters with disinformation. Ideas like 'truth' and 'democracy' are entirely relative at SCL, which branched out of its original commercial business into military/government ventures and "election management" about 20 years ago."
"According to this profile, "Alexander James Ashburner Nix is financial analyst and a Director at the Strategic Communication Laboratories, a military propaganda company." In other words, Nix specializes in controlling information to shape public perceptions to order for his customers, which include police agencies, militaries, and the United Nations. The term 'PsyOps,' short for psychological operations, is a common catch-all for this business. The missions vary. Sometimes SCL and its partner, Behavioural Dynamics Institute, are employed to counter someone else's propaganda; at other times, clients hire them to muddy the waters with disinformation. Ideas like 'truth' and 'democracy' are entirely relative at SCL, which branched out of its original commercial business into military/government ventures and "election management" about 20 years ago."
Poll Fails To Support McConnell’s Motivations For Blocking Supreme Court Nominees
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2016/02/17/3750542/obama-mcconnell-supreme-court-poll/
"The poll found that 51 percent of likely voters believe that Obama nominate Scalia’s successor, and 53 percent believe the Senate should not “reject or refuse to consider” the nomination. In fact, only 35 percent favor the kind of obstruction advocated by McConnell."
"The poll found that 51 percent of likely voters believe that Obama nominate Scalia’s successor, and 53 percent believe the Senate should not “reject or refuse to consider” the nomination. In fact, only 35 percent favor the kind of obstruction advocated by McConnell."
Surprise, Mitch McConnell Is Total Hypocrite On SCOTUS Noms
Surprise, Mitch McConnell Is Total Hypocrite On SCOTUS Noms
"There is no Thurmond Rule, said McConnell. "Senator Specter has researched that thoroughly"."
"There is no Thurmond Rule, said McConnell. "Senator Specter has researched that thoroughly"."
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Marco Rubio Busted At CNN Town Hall For Lie Behind Blocking Obama SCOTUS Nominee
http://www.politicususa.com/2016/02/17/marco-rubio-repeats-80-year-tradition-lie-scotus-nominations.html
"Rubio’s talking point has already been debunked by reality and fact checkers over and over again, but he said it again anyway."
"Rubio’s talking point has already been debunked by reality and fact checkers over and over again, but he said it again anyway."
Sandra Day O'Connor: President Obama Should Fill The Supreme Court Vacancy
Sandra Day O'Connor: President Obama Should Fill The Supreme Court Vacancy
"Some common sense, at a time when it's been noticeably absent from the conversation."
"Some common sense, at a time when it's been noticeably absent from the conversation."
Americans Tell Senate GOP To Let President Obama Pick Supreme Court Nominee (IMAGE)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2016/02/18/americans-tell-senate-gop-to-let-president-obama-pick-supreme-court-nominee-image/
"All told, 51 percent of Americans say President Obama is still the commander-in-chief, therefore he should get to replace Scalia, while only 43 percent say he shouldn’t. An even bigger percentage of people, 53 percent, say Senate Republicans should not stand in his way. Only 35 percent say Senate Republicans should remain the obstructionist a**holes they are."
"All told, 51 percent of Americans say President Obama is still the commander-in-chief, therefore he should get to replace Scalia, while only 43 percent say he shouldn’t. An even bigger percentage of people, 53 percent, say Senate Republicans should not stand in his way. Only 35 percent say Senate Republicans should remain the obstructionist a**holes they are."
Milwaukee Co Exec Abele: Make The Poor Pay For Bucks Arena!
Milwaukee Co Exec Abele: Make The Poor Pay For Bucks Arena!
"Last summer, Scott Walker and his little mini-me, the plutocrat and Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, wanted to help build a new Bucks arena. Even though the new owners are worth more than $5 billion, Walker and Abele promised that the taxpayers would pay for half of the arena."
"Last summer, Scott Walker and his little mini-me, the plutocrat and Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, wanted to help build a new Bucks arena. Even though the new owners are worth more than $5 billion, Walker and Abele promised that the taxpayers would pay for half of the arena."
Southern Poverty Law Center: Republican Party Is Now A Hate Group
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/2016/02/18/southern-poverty-law-center-republican-party-is-now-a-hate-group/
"86% of Americans killed by terrorists since 9/11 were the victims of right-wing terror. Right-wing terrorists have killed over 350 Americans since 9/11, while Islamic terrorists have killed 89."
"86% of Americans killed by terrorists since 9/11 were the victims of right-wing terror. Right-wing terrorists have killed over 350 Americans since 9/11, while Islamic terrorists have killed 89."
Kansas Supreme Court Orders Lawmakers To Fix School Funding That’s Biased Against Poor Districts
http://thinkprogress.org/education/2016/02/17/3750219/kansas-supreme-court-school-funding/
"Kansas’ temporary school funding law is biased against poorer school districts, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled Thursday, aligning with a lower court’s decision. The ruling was the result of a lawsuit from four school districts that cited “wealth-based disparities” as the reason for poorer school districts’ insufficient school funding."
"Kansas’ temporary school funding law is biased against poorer school districts, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled Thursday, aligning with a lower court’s decision. The ruling was the result of a lawsuit from four school districts that cited “wealth-based disparities” as the reason for poorer school districts’ insufficient school funding."
John Kasich Will Create A Government Agency To Promote Christianity (VIDEO)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2016/02/17/john-kasich-will-create-a-government-agency-to-promote-christianity-video/
"While all of the 2016 republican candidates may be well-suited to open their own mega-churches or launch a right wing radio program, not a single one of them is fit to become the next president of the United States."
"While all of the 2016 republican candidates may be well-suited to open their own mega-churches or launch a right wing radio program, not a single one of them is fit to become the next president of the United States."
Idaho Republicans Push Bill To Let Teachers Use Bible In Science Class
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2016/02/17/idaho-republicans-push-bill-to-let-teachers-use-bible-in-science-class/
"Students in Idaho are one vote away from having the Bible shoved down their throats in every subject in school."
"Students in Idaho are one vote away from having the Bible shoved down their throats in every subject in school."
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Mitch McConnell Is Already Threatening To Block The Next President’s Supreme Court Nominee Too
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2016/02/23/3752703/mitch-mcconnell-is-already-threatening-to-block-the-next-presidents-supreme-court-nominee-too/
"Now, however, McConnell appears to be having second thoughts — not about blocking Obama’s nominee; he’s fully committed to that position — but about whether it is a good idea to allow the next president to fill the seat either"
"Now, however, McConnell appears to be having second thoughts — not about blocking Obama’s nominee; he’s fully committed to that position — but about whether it is a good idea to allow the next president to fill the seat either"
Senate GOP Refuses To Hold Hearings For Obama SCOTUS Nominee
Senate GOP Refuses To Hold Hearings For Obama SCOTUS Nominee
"Mitch McConnell announced that the Senate will refuse to consider any nominee to the United States Supreme Court that our current President nominates."
"Mitch McConnell announced that the Senate will refuse to consider any nominee to the United States Supreme Court that our current President nominates."
It’s The Kochs, Not Republicans Prohibiting A SCOTUS Nominee Vote
http://www.politicususa.com/2016/02/23/its-kochs-republicans-prohibiting-scotus-nominee-vote.html
" if anyone thinks the Koch brothers are not behind the “let the people decide” who is the new Supreme Court justice they are not just outrageously ignorant; they are stupid. For example, a Koch-founded organization, the Wellspring Committee funds another Koch 501(c)4 social welfare organization, the “Judicial Crisis Network.” The Judicial Crisis Network’s only purpose is issuing Koch propaganda to influence public opinion, and to either reward or punish Republican Senators depending on whether or not they vote in lockstep to advance the Koch Brothers’ interests. Since the Kochs’ interests are founded on abolishing all federal regulations as “unconstitutional,” specifically those affecting the oil, gas and coal industries, it is crucial that the Kochs maintain control of the Supreme Court; it is why they desperately want to keep their conservative majority intact. It is also why Republicans immediately obeyed the Kochs and began telling Americans it was their right to decide who nominates the “right kind of prospective Justice"."
" if anyone thinks the Koch brothers are not behind the “let the people decide” who is the new Supreme Court justice they are not just outrageously ignorant; they are stupid. For example, a Koch-founded organization, the Wellspring Committee funds another Koch 501(c)4 social welfare organization, the “Judicial Crisis Network.” The Judicial Crisis Network’s only purpose is issuing Koch propaganda to influence public opinion, and to either reward or punish Republican Senators depending on whether or not they vote in lockstep to advance the Koch Brothers’ interests. Since the Kochs’ interests are founded on abolishing all federal regulations as “unconstitutional,” specifically those affecting the oil, gas and coal industries, it is crucial that the Kochs maintain control of the Supreme Court; it is why they desperately want to keep their conservative majority intact. It is also why Republicans immediately obeyed the Kochs and began telling Americans it was their right to decide who nominates the “right kind of prospective Justice"."
Americans Demanded Obama Pick Next Justice And Republicans Just Gave Them A Massive Middle Finger
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2016/02/23/americans-demanded-obama-pick-next-justice-and-republicans-just-gave-them-a-massive-middle-finger/
"Senate Republicans, led by their Obstructor-in-Chief Mitch McConnell, have repeatedly made the astounding claim that they will refuse to hold nomination hearings for any person Obama may choose. Sight unseen. Instead, they will spend the next 340 days with an empty seat on the Supreme Court – a glowing middle finger neon sign built in the way of the democratic process. For their part, the American people have made it absolutely clear that this sort of political point scoring is inappropriate, offensive, and unwanted. When Fox News (Fox News!) ran a poll asking if Americans supported Obama naming a new justice, an overwhelming majority said yes."
"Senate Republicans, led by their Obstructor-in-Chief Mitch McConnell, have repeatedly made the astounding claim that they will refuse to hold nomination hearings for any person Obama may choose. Sight unseen. Instead, they will spend the next 340 days with an empty seat on the Supreme Court – a glowing middle finger neon sign built in the way of the democratic process. For their part, the American people have made it absolutely clear that this sort of political point scoring is inappropriate, offensive, and unwanted. When Fox News (Fox News!) ran a poll asking if Americans supported Obama naming a new justice, an overwhelming majority said yes."
Republicans Spit On The American People By Denying Obama SCOTUS Nominee A Hearing
http://www.politicususa.com/2016/02/23/republicans-unified-deny-hearing-obama-scotus-nominee.html
"Republicans will play anarchists for $100, and gamble losing the Senate just to deny President Obama his Constitutional duty and right, as well as deny the American people their input, which they gave twice in 2008 and again in 2012 when they re-elected President Obama by five million votes."
"Republicans will play anarchists for $100, and gamble losing the Senate just to deny President Obama his Constitutional duty and right, as well as deny the American people their input, which they gave twice in 2008 and again in 2012 when they re-elected President Obama by five million votes."
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Your Daily “The System Is Rigged” Reminder: Big Bank CEOs Getting Massive Raises While Wages Stagnate
http://trofire.com/2016/02/16/your-daily-the-system-is-rigged-reminder-big-bank-ceos-getting-massive-raises-while-wages-stagnate/
"And what exactly do these financial Lords of the Universe do in exchange for such outsized paychecks? Not much, apparently – at least, not nearly as much as is expected from the rest of us. CEOs themselves like to boast that their excessive compensation is well-deserved because they “work” to improve the performance of their companies. However, research indicates that there is virtually no connection between CEO pay and company performance. In fact, many of America’s largest corporations rig the system by exaggerating reported profits and setting growth projections at ridiculously low levels. According to Columbia University law professor Robert Jackson, Jr., corporate directors are “deliberately setting performance targets low so the management doesn’t have to meet market expectations in order to get paid.” Not only does this gaming of the system put tens of millions of dollars into the pockets of overpaid CEOs who really do little more than spend mornings on the phone and afternoons on the back nine with fellow executives, it robs the U.S. Treasury – and by extension, we, the taxpayers of this country – of billions of dollars every year. Part of the problem is the tax code itself, which has long been rigged to favor the wealthy and corporations. Attorney Michael Donan, who served in the Treasury Department’s Office of Tax Policy under Clinton and Bush, points out that IRS rules are ambiguous. They allow a corporation to make its own definition of what constitutes performance, “more or less as it chooses.” Essentially, obscene CEO compensation constitutes a major corporate tax write-off. Donan says, “Officers can receive payments that satisfy the exemption even if the stock price is falling, revenues are falling and earnings are falling. Failure can be treated as success for purposes of the exemption"."
"And what exactly do these financial Lords of the Universe do in exchange for such outsized paychecks? Not much, apparently – at least, not nearly as much as is expected from the rest of us. CEOs themselves like to boast that their excessive compensation is well-deserved because they “work” to improve the performance of their companies. However, research indicates that there is virtually no connection between CEO pay and company performance. In fact, many of America’s largest corporations rig the system by exaggerating reported profits and setting growth projections at ridiculously low levels. According to Columbia University law professor Robert Jackson, Jr., corporate directors are “deliberately setting performance targets low so the management doesn’t have to meet market expectations in order to get paid.” Not only does this gaming of the system put tens of millions of dollars into the pockets of overpaid CEOs who really do little more than spend mornings on the phone and afternoons on the back nine with fellow executives, it robs the U.S. Treasury – and by extension, we, the taxpayers of this country – of billions of dollars every year. Part of the problem is the tax code itself, which has long been rigged to favor the wealthy and corporations. Attorney Michael Donan, who served in the Treasury Department’s Office of Tax Policy under Clinton and Bush, points out that IRS rules are ambiguous. They allow a corporation to make its own definition of what constitutes performance, “more or less as it chooses.” Essentially, obscene CEO compensation constitutes a major corporate tax write-off. Donan says, “Officers can receive payments that satisfy the exemption even if the stock price is falling, revenues are falling and earnings are falling. Failure can be treated as success for purposes of the exemption"."
You Simply Can't Earn a Living in America on the Minimum Wage @alternet
You Simply Can't Earn a Living in America on the Minimum Wage @alternet:
"Keep in mind that not raising wages costs you money. Those minimum wage workers who can't make enough and need to go on food assistance? Well, Walmart isn't paying for those food stamps (now called SNAP), you are. The annual bill that states and the federal government foot for working families making poverty-level wages is $153 billion. A single Walmart Supercenter costs taxpayers between $904,542 and $1.75 million per year in public assistance money, and Walmart employees account for 18% of all food stamps issued. In other words, those everyday low prices at the chain are, in part, subsidized by your tax money. If the minimum wage goes up, will spending on food benefits programs go down? Almost certainly. But won't stores raise prices to compensate for the extra money they will be shelling out for wages? Possibly. But don't worry -- raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour would mean a Big Mac would cost all of 17 cents more."
"Keep in mind that not raising wages costs you money. Those minimum wage workers who can't make enough and need to go on food assistance? Well, Walmart isn't paying for those food stamps (now called SNAP), you are. The annual bill that states and the federal government foot for working families making poverty-level wages is $153 billion. A single Walmart Supercenter costs taxpayers between $904,542 and $1.75 million per year in public assistance money, and Walmart employees account for 18% of all food stamps issued. In other words, those everyday low prices at the chain are, in part, subsidized by your tax money. If the minimum wage goes up, will spending on food benefits programs go down? Almost certainly. But won't stores raise prices to compensate for the extra money they will be shelling out for wages? Possibly. But don't worry -- raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour would mean a Big Mac would cost all of 17 cents more."
KY Gov. Matt Bevin Slashes Funding For Ethics Investigations, Elections Oversight
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2016/02/14/ky-gov-matt-bevin-slashes-funding-for-ethics-investigations-elections-oversight/
"The cuts are clearly designed to give corrupt Tea Party politicians like himself free reign in the state, without fear of political or legal repercussions."
"The cuts are clearly designed to give corrupt Tea Party politicians like himself free reign in the state, without fear of political or legal repercussions."
Why Our Government Isn't Listening: How Greed Is at the Root of US Suffering
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/34791-why-our-government-isn-t-listening-how-greed-is-at-the-root-of-us-suffering
"This political system - the organization that dictates the rules that control people's lives - is, as Sen. Elizabeth Warren says, "rigged." There is a reason corporate profits are at an 85-year high, while workers' pay is at a 65-year low. There is a reason Congress is a millionaires' club. US legislators and corporate executives are tied together in a reciprocal, remunerative relationship. A handful of individuals and their corporations openly spend millions in political campaign contributions (and millions more anonymously in dark money), as well as $2.6 billion every year to lobby Congress (more than the Senate and House budget combined). Corporate executives profit from this investment in corporate welfare (subsidies, grants, incentives, tax breaks and tax loopholes), the preservation of the destructive status quo, and beneficial (or the lack of detrimental) legislation that their lobbyists actually help to write."
"This political system - the organization that dictates the rules that control people's lives - is, as Sen. Elizabeth Warren says, "rigged." There is a reason corporate profits are at an 85-year high, while workers' pay is at a 65-year low. There is a reason Congress is a millionaires' club. US legislators and corporate executives are tied together in a reciprocal, remunerative relationship. A handful of individuals and their corporations openly spend millions in political campaign contributions (and millions more anonymously in dark money), as well as $2.6 billion every year to lobby Congress (more than the Senate and House budget combined). Corporate executives profit from this investment in corporate welfare (subsidies, grants, incentives, tax breaks and tax loopholes), the preservation of the destructive status quo, and beneficial (or the lack of detrimental) legislation that their lobbyists actually help to write."
One Percenters Get Their Own Special Social Welfare Deal @alternet
One Percenters Get Their Own Special Social Welfare Deal @alternet:
"The IRS declared that an association called Crossroads GPS is a nonprofit social welfare group. That makes Crossroads GPS a sibling to agencies like Little Sisters of the Poor, the American Red Cross and the Humane Society. Except that Crossroads, spawned by Republican strategist Karl Rove, spends every clandestine million dollars it collects to benefit the rich, not to help hurricane victims or homeless veterans or abandoned puppies."
"The IRS declared that an association called Crossroads GPS is a nonprofit social welfare group. That makes Crossroads GPS a sibling to agencies like Little Sisters of the Poor, the American Red Cross and the Humane Society. Except that Crossroads, spawned by Republican strategist Karl Rove, spends every clandestine million dollars it collects to benefit the rich, not to help hurricane victims or homeless veterans or abandoned puppies."
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