General politics

Champuckett · November 17, 2017

There's certainly a reason Republican members of Congress aren't coming at Franken especially strong.
Like I said earlier, what he did is going to seem like small beer once the dam breaks.

Best post in this thread. The dam will be breaking soon and both political parties will indeed be impacted.

Hosken Bombo Disco · November 18, 2017

Statement from staff who have worked for Franken:

Many of us spent years working for Senator Franken in Minnesota and Washington. In our time working for the Senator, he treated us with the utmost respect. He valued our work and our opinions and was a champion for women both in the legislation he supported and in promoting women to leadership roles in our offices.

Call me an ogre, but I hope he doesn't miss a beat and keeps doing the job I voted him to do. Hard to picture him running again in 2020 obviously, though that is an eternity from now in political terms.

Hosken Bombo Disco · November 18, 2017

Another Supreme Court justice knocks it out of the park

https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_5a0f7f87e4b0dd63b1aa6ee4

Thinking about it more, I'm kind of disturbed by this one in ways I can't put to words.

ashbury · November 18, 2017

Another Supreme Court justice knocks it out of the park

https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_5a0f7f87e4b0dd63b1aa6ee4

Thinking about it more, I'm kind of disturbed by this one in ways I can't put to words.

He tried, IMO, to raise the point that nuance is possible in this national conversation. And, he did it so ineptly, revealing a huge blind spot, that the point is beyond lost and now likely results in even more polarization.

ashbury · November 18, 2017

It is truly disappointing to hear this stuff about Franken. I have to be honest, I thought we were a lot further along in a positive way in our society a couple years ago. I was very, very wrong. I think Franken needs to tip his cap and bid us a farewell. If that is the case, hopefully Dayton will appoint a guy like RT Rybak to replace him. I don't see the need for Franken to delve into the scum-**** realm of Trump or Roy Moore. Just walk away.

FWIW, Nate Silver went through about exactly the same political calculus that we've been doing. "In other words, I thought the Democrats had an opportunity to maintain the moral high ground without having to pay a political price for it." He even totted up the numbers of male Democrats and Republicans in Congress.

Of course, real high ground would be if there were a significant price, and not seen as merely trying to put pressure on "the other side".

In any case I still think Franken should recognize he's not indispensable, and resign.

Hosken Bombo Disco · November 19, 2017

Here's a good opinion in the Washington Post from a woman and feminist on why Franken should not resign.

I am now on the fence about whether Franken should resign or not. A lot depends on if my side can keep that seat in the hands of someone good and qualified. NewsCut has a good summary here of what a Franken resignation would mean (in short, it means a special election next November). Franken is not indispensable, but I might take my chances with Franken for 3 more years than over a weak appointee and an open election next year.

Hosken Bombo Disco · November 20, 2017

Someone else came out to say Franken was groping her during a photo at the fair in 2010. No reason to believe it's not true. Really disappointed in the guy.

It's true that men of a certain age grew up not realizing there was anything wrong with this sort of behavior. In a conflicted way, I can accept that. (Criticize away--I would like to hear other points of view.) But by 2010, as a sitting Senator, you should have it figured out that you don't just grab a stranger's butt when the opportunity arises, even if it's crowded or you are both joking around or it's a nice sunny day or whatever.

drjim · November 20, 2017

Someone else came out to say Franken was groping her during a photo at the fair in 2010. No reason to believe it's not true. Really disappointed in the guy.

It's true that men of a certain age grew up not realizing there was anything wrong with this sort of behavior. In a conflicted way, I can accept that. (Criticize away--I would like to hear other points of view.) But by 2010, as a sitting Senator, you should have it figured out that you don't just grab a stranger's butt when the opportunity arises, even if it's crowded or you are both joking around or it's a nice sunny day or whatever.

I think an accusation while he was a Senator is the nail for him. He might have survived a one time accusation before being in office, but not this.

I suspect this will be a pattern for many people in Congress over the next period of time. One accusation will get out and then many will follow.

Badsmerf · November 22, 2017

I can't believe I'm actually writing this, but it's worth the conversation.

Really? He is accused of grabbing her butt while her husband takes the picture? I'm having a real hard time with this one. I realize women have been constantly degraded and sexually assaulted without justice for years. However, it seems that now would be the time to grab the spotlight add an accuser. I am not convinced this is real. She has no reaction in the picture. Her husband didn't beat Franken down (and apparently didn't see anything). I'm just not convinced. Plus, I could see this as an accident.

I think it is worth noting that the fame some of these accusers are getting could be an attractive way to get attention.

PseudoSABR · November 22, 2017

I can't believe I'm actually writing this, but it's worth the conversation.

Really? He is accused of grabbing her butt while her husband takes the picture? I'm having a real hard time with this one. I realize women have been constantly degraded and sexually assaulted without justice for years. However, it seems that now would be the time to grab the spotlight add an accuser. I am not convinced this is real. She has no reaction in the picture. Her husband didn't beat Franken down (and apparently didn't see anything). I'm just not convinced. Plus, I could see this as an accident.

I think it is worth noting that the fame some of these accusers are getting could be an attractive way to get attention.

If it's not true, Franken's non-response is probably the most appropriate response, rather than denial.

Hosken Bombo Disco · November 25, 2017

Democratic Party, laying low..

https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_5a18212ce4b0cee6c04f404f?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009

laying very, very, very low. Nothing wrong with this.

Otto von Ballpark · November 30, 2017

I can't believe I'm actually writing this, but it's worth the conversation.

Really? He is accused of grabbing her butt while her husband takes the picture? I'm having a real hard time with this one. I realize women have been constantly degraded and sexually assaulted without justice for years. However, it seems that now would be the time to grab the spotlight add an accuser. I am not convinced this is real. She has no reaction in the picture. Her husband didn't beat Franken down (and apparently didn't see anything). I'm just not convinced. Plus, I could see this as an accident.

I think it is worth noting that the fame some of these accusers are getting could be an attractive way to get attention.

She commented on the incident, contemporaneously, on Facebook.

2 other women have reported similar incidents with Franken now too.

PseudoSABR · November 30, 2017

She commented on the incident, contemporaneously, on Facebook.

2 other women have reported similar incidents with Franken now too.

He needs to go.

Mike Sixel · November 30, 2017

You do realize Alabama is about to elect an accused pedophile and Constitution hater to the Senate? Again, I say we divide the union.

Craig Arko · November 30, 2017

You do realize Alabama is about to elect an accused pedophile and Constitution hater to the Senate? Again, I say we divide the union.

I think someone has beat you to it.

Mr. Brooks · November 30, 2017

You do realize Alabama is about to elect an accused pedophile and Constitution hater to the Senate? Again, I say we divide the union.

Haven't you heard? The accusers were all paid for by George Soros. That's what the voters are sticking to, anyway.

drjim · November 30, 2017

What is possibly gained by Al Franken staying in the Senate? Get out now.

Craig Arko · November 30, 2017

At the moment, I think the main concern should be about the Hwasong 15.

Doomtints · November 30, 2017

Today the GOP will vote as to whether or not it's time to start the next Great Depression.

I think we know how this will go.

Craig Arko · November 30, 2017

Today the GOP will vote as to whether or not it's time to start the next Great Depression.

I think we know how this will go.

I'm greatly depressed already.

Hosken Bombo Disco · November 30, 2017

At the moment, I think the main concern should be about the Hwasong 15.

HS-15.jpg

I tell people all the time, and only half jokingly: As long as every one of us dies quickly, painlessly, together, and at the same time, where's the problem?

Craig Arko · November 30, 2017

I tell people all the time, and only half jokingly: As long as every one of us dies quickly, painlessly, together, and at the same time, where's the problem?

"If this is to end in fire
Then we should all burn together
Watch the flames climb high into the night
Calling out for the rope, sent by and we will
Watch the flames burn on and on the mountain side hey."

"And if we should die tonight
Then we should all die together
Raise a glass of wine for the last time
Calling out for the rope
Prepare as we will
Watch the flames burn on and on the mountain side
Desolation comes upon the sky."

Squirrel · November 30, 2017

I'm greatly depressed already.

Me, too ... I'm never going to be able to retire ... this is just the set up to gut SS and Medicare. I haven't been counting on SS for a while, so that may be fine ... but without Medicare ... no way.

Craig Arko · November 30, 2017

Me, too ... I'm never going to be able to retire ... this is just the set up to gut SS and Medicare. I haven't been counting on SS for a while, so that may be fine ... but without Medicare ... no way.

A moment of levity. When my wife was setting me up on the Social Security site, it asks:

How long do you expect to work? I say 67.

How long do you expect to live? I say 65.

Zombie Craig...

Craig Arko · December 1, 2017

https://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/kim-jong-un-fears-that-gop-tax-bill-makes-his-plan-to-destroy-us-redundant

PseudoSABR · December 2, 2017

https://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/kim-jong-un-fears-that-gop-tax-bill-makes-his-plan-to-destroy-us-redundant

Why don't we just kill the Onion all together?

Badsmerf · December 2, 2017

Yay. The gop finally found a way to come together to pass a bill for their donors. Unfortunately, it will negatively impact 50% or more of their voting base, but at least they fought the democrats. Still has to pass reconciliation, so there is still a chance of failure.

Loving listening to the trickle down economics argument from people. Tough to explain why corporations need more money when they're pulling in huge profits though. Haven't seen anyone able to articulate why increasing those profits would lead to anything but money for shareholders...

gunnarthor · December 2, 2017

This bill is pretty bad but it also isn't bad for two or three years so we might see a positive economic impact right before the 2018 elections. The GOP ain't dumb.

drjim · December 2, 2017

This bill is pretty bad but it also isn't bad for two or three years so we might see a positive economic impact right before the 2018 elections. The GOP ain't dumb.

I doubt it does much economically in the short run. The genius of the bill is that the pain for most of the population comes after the 2020 election. But it is already plenty unpopular and as the last minute giveaways become more known, it will look worse.

It could be an opportunity fir Dems when they retake control. The hard work of small middle class tax increases was done in this bill, now they just have to reverse the cuts to corps amd wealthy and create Medicare for all and fund other priorities (paid leave, etc).

jimmer · December 2, 2017

To help pay for the rich people's tax cuts, the middle class will have their taxes more than doubled in five years.

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Oh, and since it will add 1 trillion to our debt over the next 10 years, now they are going to make cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid to try and offset it.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/gop-eyes-post-tax-cut-changes-to-welfare-medicare-and-social-security/ar-BBG1mXp?li=BBnb7Kz

Trump becoming president is even more of a nightmare than I thought it would be.