11/22 News Roundup – Bernie In Concord, What Tulsi Told Trump, Standing Rock Blackout & More
Good morning all. I am super busy before the upcoming holiday break so I’ll keep the intro down to that hello and the usual reminder to new users who are experiencing problems to email me at the helpdesk address listed on the sidebar.
The first thing I have for you is Bernie speaking in Concord, and then the rest of the news will be in the comments.
Sanders returns to New Hampshire, vowing to fight for the working class
The two chairs set up for Bernie Sanders and event moderator Josh McElveen sat empty onstage for the first half hour of Sanders’s appearance on Monday at the Capitol Center for the Arts.
Instead, Sanders had resumed his familiar spot behind a lectern, with his signature glasses, wispy white hair and wild gesticulations as he talked about the need to take power away from big corporations and lobbyists and return it to the working class of America.
Sanders was in Concord to promote his new book Our Revolution but the event felt more like a subdued version of one of his presidential campaign rallies.
A year ago, Sanders himself was running for president – winning by a landslide in the New Hampshire primary before going on to run a competitive national race against Hillary Clinton.
The senator was a little-known entity in the early days of the primary, traveling between campaign town halls in a black sedan with Vermont license plates and a bumper sticker from an old senate campaign.
With a chuckle, Sanders remembered that one of his first campaign events was in Concord. A longtime staffer was driving him to the venue, when they realized they had screwed up the directions.
“We began the campaign pulling into the wrong town,” Sanders said, prompting a hearty laugh from the audience. “It was more or less uphill from there.”
Democrat Tulsi Gabbard Defends ‘Frank and Positive’ Trump Meeting
https://consortiumnews.com/2016/11/21/trumps-tulsi-gabbard-factor/
Gabbard Statement on Meeting with President-Elect Donald Trump
http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/307136-sanders-warren-face-tough-decision-on-trump
Juxtaposition? Hasn’t MoveOn heard what Gabbard has to say about Syrian refugees?
Syria is one thing, but with the group Trump is assembling, it appears that the chances of conflict with Iran could be on the upswing
Maybe, maybe not. The Syrian Civil War is one of the biggest areas of conflict between us and Iran, and Trump seems to want to move us closer to Iran’s position on that.
Then again, who knows?
Bernie Sanders Rails Against Donald Trump’s Infrastructure ‘Scam’
Good for Sanders! It is a scam.
And Bernie is probably the only Democrat in the country at this point who could put forward an infrastructure plan and have it get enough attention to influence public debate.
It’s not different from what Clinton’s would have been.
No, it really wasn’t. It was, like most of what she ran on, similar to Bernie’s infrastructure plan, but smaller and weaker.
Big public works projects funded through the public treasury is actually one of the few issues on which Clinton’s faction and Bernie’s are in close agreement.
Clinton had planned to offer repatriation of companies for a lower tax rate, which would add up to $1T.
https://theintercept.com/2016/06/27/hillary-clinton-hints-at-giant-trump-like-giveaway-to-corporate-america/
I suspect this is what will happen, except the tax holiday will be greater than what is reserved for the spending. Thus, it will be another band-aid project.
I read on another blog that it IS a bandaid. That real infrastructure improvements would run at least 4 times that amount, and it is being used as an excuse to allow the giveaway repatriation and grants to corps(e) for the work.
Which is quite different from Trump’s plan, which isn’t even about public infrastructure spending, but about investors building privatized infrastructure.
Hillary’s plan was a band-aid in the wound. Bernie’s was a doctor providing appropriate treatment. Trump’s plan to treat the wound is to pimp the patient and let him pay for medical treatment out of his cut.
Why Is Bernie Sanders The Only Politician Speaking Out About Standing Rock?
my opinion as too why only Bernie is speaking out…
he is the only one not bought and paid for by Big Oil and Gas.
Amen. Hope you all getting ready to have a good Turkey Day Holiday. T and R, LD and JLD!!
You too, Orlbucfan!
Its a little late Senator Al Franken but thanks for finally speaking up about the extreme violence being used against Water Protectors.
…to bad you didn’t step up to the plate earlier, but then you were busy campaigning and supporting all of HRC’s policies and they didn’t include Indigenous People’s Human Rights.
..its something I’ll keep in mind, as one of your constituents, when you come up for re-election.
Echoes of Sanders in District 6
“This is a continuation of that,” Treviño said. “I am primarily interested in representing the needs of the poor and the working people of District 6.”
How the Democratic Party can become a labor party again
Bernie Sanders promotes book in South Portland
Democratic presidential electors revolt against Trump
North Carolina governor alleges voter fraud in bid to hang on
There has been fraud, but it was in African American communities who were witnessing election fraud. Rev Barber was monitoring this situation carefully the night of the election as I saw him on Democracy Now.
Broken Promises: Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Cites History of Government Betrayal in Pipeline Fight
Medics Describe How Police Sprayed Standing Rock Demonstrators With Tear Gas and Water Cannons
Live audio from Water Protector’s Legal Collective as the attack happened…horrific description
Standing Rock Police Attack Protesters Again: ‘He Just Smiled and Shot Both My Kneecaps’
Dakota Access pipeline protester seriously hurt during police standoff
As mentioned elsewhere, the DOJ needs to be on this.
Standing Rock Rising Inside the Movement to Stop the Dakota Access Pipeline
I love it that Bernie still relies on handwritten notes instead of a “book” that has been crafted for 6 weeks (ie Clinton).
Sunoco Logistics to Buy Energy Transfer Partners
This benefits Trump as it may remove the situation away from him politically.
Locals Head To Standing Rock To Join Protestors
Inside the Dakota Access pipeline protesters’ campground: Burning Man-style photographs capture everyday life for the hundreds of activists fighting to save Standing Rock Reservation
Winnipegger at Standing Rock recalls people getting hosed and hit with tear gas
Hundreds Injured, Some Seriously, in Dakota Access Pipeline Protest
Sanders, Warren face tough decision on Trump
It’s not a tough decision for the Bernster; Liz Warren, who knows?
In the end I don’t think they will have many tough decisions to make because I don’t think there will many areas in which Trump will put out anything positive. No problem though with expressing a willingness to work with Trump on common ground. That only makes it easier to attack Trump for being a fraud when he fails to deliver.
Infrastructure projects looked like one of the few areas of possible agreement, but not with Trump standing pat on his privatization plan.
GOP rep calls out Trump for business ties to foreign countries
Amash (who appears to be on the libertarian-leaning side of the Republicans) is definitely not a fan of Trump
http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/10/calley_joins_other_michigan_re.html
Young, restive Dems want change in House
Second House Dem publicly backs Pelosi’s challenger
This is an unusual move by him considering his superdelegate vote went to Clinton at the Convention. http://www.coloradoindependent.com/158852/sanders-wins-colorado-dem-leaders-still-back-clinton
I think it would be a mistake to look at Ryan’s challenge to Pelosi in terms of the how the party split during the primary. It’s about different matters than those that drove Sanders’ support.
I think I understand where you are coming from, but I’m just pointing out that some may believe he was a Bernie supporter first, and that is why EP is supporting someone else besides Pelosi, who was a Clinton supporter, and also who became the Speaker under Dean’s leadership.
You do understand where I’m coming from; that’s my point exactly.
It is sort of strange that this challenge isn’t coming from a Berniac. Most people are going to assume that’s where Ryan is coming from, because that’s where all the other challenges to the established party figures are coming from. But not this one.
Perhaps this is evidence of what the Bernie supporters who know Nancy Pelosi best – the ones who work with her every day – think about her. Sometimes, Dr. Watson, it’s the dog that doesn’t bark. Ryan himself is very complimentary towards her.
Wow, Mrs. Greenspan (Andrea Mitchell) on MSNBC to Ryan: But is Nancy Pelosi responsible for the Democrats’ losses, or is that the fault of the Clinton team?
You know, that’s a good question. We have a tendency to view the Democratic establishment as a monolith, but it’s not. They have their own internal factions and differences of opinion.
Media Stars Agree to Off-The-Record Meeting with Trump, Break Agreement, Whine About Mistreatment
Apparently Trump brought up how the networks’ coverage of him contributed to ratings increases.
Mr. Trump is meeting with representatives of several news organizations this week, including The New York Times, where he is scheduled to speak on Tuesday with editors, reporters, columnists and the newspaper’s publisher.
Reince Priebus, Mr. Trump’s chief of staff; Ivanka Trump, Mr. Trump’s daughter; and Ms. Conway are expected to accompany the president-elect to The Times, according to a person with direct knowledge of the meeting.
Trump cancels meeting with NYT, claims ‘conditions’ changed
As usual, you’re way ahead of me! 🙂
Drama!
I bet it increases the NYT ratings. Looks like they feed off each other.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-idUSKBN13H1DZ
When is he having lunch with Moonves?
Many are the same ones who met with the Clinton campaign at John Podesta’s house for cocktail/dinner parties “to get their thoughts” before announcing their bid. And they were Off the Record.
Double chin?–God help us
Mr. Reich weighs in:
https://www.facebook.com/RBReich/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED&fref=nf
Speaking of a “free and independent media” (I wish!) this from Chris Faraone at Moyers & Co:
And Now a Word From the Alt-Left
As Americans look for better sources of news, a member of the underground press recommends some grass-roots publications outside the mainstream media.
What Standing Rock Needs Obama to Do Quickly—Before Trump Takes Over
The First 100 Day Resistance Agenda by Robert Reich
He was making a point about media reporting and the reporter did not wish to hear the criticism.
One of the Medics reports that she had a difficult time rescuing a front line Protector that was shot in the head with a tear gas canister
from Wikipedia:
As with all non-lethal, or less-lethal weapons, there is some risk of serious permanent injury or death when tear gas is used.[5][ This includes risks from being hit by tear gas cartridges, which include severe bruising, loss of eyesight, skull fracture, and even death.[7]
A case of serious vascular injury from tear gas shells has also been reported from Iran, with high rates of associated nerve injury (44%) and amputation (17%),[8] as well as instances of head injuries in young people.[9]
We’re talking permanent blindness here
It’s one of the strangest things in international law; you can legally use tear gas against peaceful protestors, but not against invading troops on the battlefield.
Also, you can shoot those troops and napalm them and blow them up and bury them alive with bulldozers…but no tear gas.
No. If she does, it better be a cozy House seat in a real rich$$$ district.
It would probably be a district that is cozy and rich (NY-17 made up of Westchester and Rockland Counties, including Chappaqua) She would run to replace the possibly retiring Nita Lowey.
Bad idea whereever she runs.
How about, maybe, after she wins a city council seat or serves a couple terms as a state rep?
For Many Dakota Access Pipeline Protesters, The Fight Is Personal NPR w/ Audio
Amnesty International steps into Dakota Access pipeline row
I can’t believe Obama or someone in the DOJ isn’t looking at this more closely. I don’t care that he needs donors for his POTUS library. A woman lost one of her arms due to attacks on her and the protestors who are completely without weapons.
Theranos Whistleblower Shook the Company—and His Family
Tyler Shultz says he wanted to shield reputation of former Secretary of State George Shultz, a Theranos director and his grandfather; $400,000 in legal fees
Whenever I read the name David Boies I think of The Pelican Brief.
Cops Are Watching Your Facebook Feed
Rand Paul Will ‘Do Whatever It Takes’ to Block Donald Trump’s Hawkish Secretary of State Picks
Perhaps the libertarian leaning Republicans can team up with progressive Dems in some areas. (See Rep. Amash above)
First John Bolton then Mitt Romney. That makes zero sense. The guy is just fucking with the media at this point.
You know what would be a really smart move for him? Dick Lugar. Competence, outreach to the party leadership, instant credibility from the press.
I’m glad Rand Paul is speaking up. Bolton is the worst of the lot. He doesn’t believe in having a UN.
Didn’t I read that Nikki Haley is also being considered? I can’t imagine she’d want to work for Trump, but…
Trump Won’t Pursue Further Investigation of Hillary Clinton’s E-mail Server or Clinton Foundation
Source: NYT http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/22/us/politics/donald-trump-hillary-clinton-investigation.html
When Clinton conceded so quickly two weeks ago over the phone with Trump, my own thought was that she and the Donald made a deal that he would leave her business affairs alone. Given that Trump is first a businessman, then POTUS-Elect second, he agreed to do so.
I also have wondered if Trump’s money was tied up somewhere with the Clinton Foundation (yes he donated but in exchange for what).
There has been a lot of talk by the Establishment Media (EM) concerning Trump’s selections for his cabinet and advisory, how loyalty is most important qualification. It bothers me that the EM hasn’t reported that this is always the case and Clinton would have been the same in her process, except many of her picks do have more experience with national governing (good and/or bad).
I don’t think Clinton’s choices would have included quite the same number of racists, xenophobes, misogynists, and homophobes that Trump is choosing
Good point.
Jeff. Fucking. Sessions.
Appalling. A man too racist to be confirmed 30 years ago.
Sounds like Obama moving forward instead of going after the Bush/Cheney war crimes. They ALWAYS go forward, because that is what the PTB desire.
Injustice At Standing Rock
Wisconsin rules GOP gerrymandering violates Democrats’ rights
http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2016/11/22/13708648/democrats-won-popular-vote
The electoral college system stinks! It’s outrageous that a candidate can win the popular vote by 2.5 million votes and not win.
https://twitter.com/Redistrict?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
There are good things and bad things about the electoral process. I would like to see more candidates in debates and cut out the superdelegates in all parties (hint the Dems). I’d also like to get rid of the Presidential Debates group and return the debates to the League of Women Voters.
Having said that, the Electoral College should have theoretically kept Bush and Trump out, but gerrymandering is a huge issue.
Of course, any other Dem candidate for President would probably have won by at least 5 million votes, entered the White House and brought along with him or her many other Dems in Congress.