US Politics Thread

[SebastianBlue]

Well, I don’t know that we disagree that much really on the young — but I am not one who believes Israel/Gaza will be a hot button issue by the time the election rolls around, especially as Trump can’t differentiate his own view other than to say Biden isn’t supportive of Israel enough for MAGA’s liking. The risk is apathy, I think we agree, but I also expect Biden will focus on drawing distinction enough to ensure his “we must defeat Trump at all costs” base will turn out. And he has reproductive rights as his key stick there. To waver in public support for Israel might risk Jewish democrats, who could be attracted to Trump’s stance. Rock and a hard place publicly (though not morally IMO, and that’s where Biden might be able to make headway via criticism). It’s a trap really — both “sides” have unsavoury associations though really the only “side” that should matter are innocent Palestinians and Jews caught in the crossfire vs. those doing the purposeful or indiscriminate firing.

I think it may not be hot button for the older democrats in 7 months. But I do think it will remain a very important aspect of the voting decisions of young democrats and independents who increasingly see the Israeli government’s actions as indicative of the larger threat to most people on earth: older, right-leaning (or far-right sympathising) megalomaniacs and fascist fanatics, most often “white”, trying to carve up the world for themselves, actual human lives be damned, as it burns and/or sinks around them.

So I suppose that is where we differ. But I appreciate your assessment as equally viable.

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

I will never understand the willingness to throw an election for a far right government foreign government who wants your rival in power….

Long way to go yet, mte.

 

[Mazzarelli's Swiss Cheese]

I will never understand the willingness to throw an election for a far right government foreign government who wants your rival in power….

Especially as presumably a vote for trump or abstention puts trump into office along with his unstinting blinkered support for the more extreme elements in the Israeli govt.

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

Especially as presumably a vote for trump or abstention puts trump into office along with his unstinting blinkered support for the more extreme elements in the world.

 

[KS55]

It could be two different blokes. But maybe he was always just a ****.

This Machiavellian marbles missing geriatric will lose his presidency because he was too weak to tell Israel to stop.

It’s so simple to be POTUS, if you are not POTUS.
While there are left leaning US citizens who are mad at Israel, there are millions of right leaning fundamental Christians who believe Israel has been given the whole of Palestine by god. They have largely driven US policy since 1930. I haven’t even mentioned the powerful Jewish lobbies. Then there is the international dimension, Iran, Russia, Houthi, UAE etc etc.
I‘m glad my biggest problem today is what to cook for dinner.

 

[Mr Kobayashi]

It’s so simple to be POTUS, if you are not POTUS.
While there are left leaning US citizens who are mad at Israel, there are millions of right leaning fundamental Christians who believe Israel has been given the whole of Palestine by god. They have largely driven US policy since 1930. I haven’t even mentioned the powerful Jewish lobbies. Then there is the international dimension, Iran, Russia, Houthi, UAE etc etc.
I‘m glad my biggest problem today is what to cook for dinner.

All of that is true but I know you don't believe that he is doing all he can.

Palestinian civilians don't need to be starved to death to satisfy the satanic death cult of Zionism and Christian fundamentalists.

 

[KS55]

All of that is true but I know you don't believe that he is doing all he can.

Palestinian civilians don't need to be starved to death to satisfy the satanic death cult of Zionism and Christian fundamentalists.

I’m sure the US could do more but, frankly, I don’t know what that might be. No doubt they are weighing up all the options but, at the moment, they don’t appear to be any wiser than me! An unenviable position for them.
Netanyahu is the key, what to do about him? Can you reign in such an extreme player and yet preserve America‘s traditional support for Israel? The demonstrations by Israeli citizens should serve to encourage Biden to act as he can be seen to be supporting them to an extent. Patience is needed by the rest of us.
Meanwhile we are all conscious of the terrible price being paid by Gazans.

 

[The blue phantom]

Was watching on CNN yesterday about the Voters in Michigan, So many Democrats will not be giving Biden their vote because of his continued support of Genocide. They literally couldn't find any younger voter who had a good word about him. They did also state they wouldn't be backing Trump either and just stay at home.

 

[r.soleofsalford]

Was watching on CNN yesterday about the Voters in Michigan, So many Democrats will not be giving Biden their vote because of his continued support of Genocide. They literally couldn't find any younger voter who had a good word about him. They did also state they wouldn't be backing Trump either and just stay at home.

Democrats staying at home is indirectly voting for trump.

 

[BlueMoonAcrossThePond]

According to Meiselas, Special Council Jack Smith may be inches away from dropping the hammer on Aileen Cannon.

As an aside, it's shocking how transparently pro-Trump Cannon is. If she were more canny, she could swing the trial Trump's way little-by-little until it was too late to do anything about it.

 

[KS55]

According to Meiselas, Special Council Jack Smith may be inches away from dropping the hammer on Aileen Cannon.

As an aside, it's shocking how transparently pro-Trump Cannon is. If she were more canny, she could swing the trial Trump's way little-by-little until it was too late to do anything about it.

She’s too stupid to carry that off. Smith has been very clever, avoiding motions to get her off the case in case he lost and then had a judge biased against him, meanwhile giving her just enough rope. Her fundamental legal error in thinking the PR Act could be a defence to his criminal charges will she her off the case, I reckon. Three strikes and you're out, she already has two.

 

[SkyBlueFlux]

According to Meiselas, Special Council Jack Smith may be inches away from dropping the hammer on Aileen Cannon.

As an aside, it's shocking how transparently pro-Trump Cannon is. If she were more canny, she could swing the trial Trump's way little-by-little until it was too late to do anything about it.

This response from Smith is slightly more aggressive than I was expecting, I put this in the Trump thread when her original order was released:

The question is, what do they do now? I don't know... they could decide this is the point at which they ask for extraordinary relief (removal). I don't think they'll do that. I think in likeliness, Smith will basically just ignore this order completely - citing the appellate court's previous ruling, call her bluff - and challenge her to dismiss him for contempt. If she takes that bait then the chances of success for her getting removed will rocket because it's either her or Smith and only one of the two clearly has the law on their side.

In all likelihood she backs down and the circus continues...

I expected him to ignore the order and provide the standard jury instructions, which he has done. I didn’t expect him to then go in with “do you seriously believe what you just wrote? If so, tell us now so we can pot you” as a follow up. That’s very strong language indeed and means Cannon is once again cornered. Though I think my last line will ultimately end up being correct, she will now just back down, having achieved her aim of creating more delay and distraction.

To not back down from this position is to basically sign her own removal from the case.

 

[BlueMoonAcrossThePond]

To not back down from this position is to basically sign her own removal from the case.

Yet backing down is a tacit admission of error - will Cannon's ego get in the way?

 

[BlueMoonAcrossThePond]

Hillary on the undecided voter.


It's too bad that Hillary has extremely poor judgement on what best to do when innocent but under attack. Her instinct is to look for anything that might possibly be interpreted as wrong doing on her part and to attempt to get rid of it, meanwhile engaging in shrill denial in the press.

Hillary, if elected, I think would have been one of our best presidents ever.

 

[BlueMoonAcrossThePond]

Is House Speaker Mike Johnson going to be able to push forward a bill in support of Ukraine?

Republican Speaker Johnson makes fresh push for Ukraine aid

Speaker Mike Johnson has a plan for how to cover costs - but is also trying to hold onto his power.

www.bbc.com

Beats me. But I frankly doubt it as he'd lose speakership should such a bill pass - unless he somehow worked out support of Democrats.

 

[SWP's back]

Was watching on CNN yesterday about the Voters in Michigan, So many Democrats will not be giving Biden their vote because of his continued support of Genocide. They literally couldn't find any younger voter who had a good word about him. They did also state they wouldn't be backing Trump either and just stay at home.

Well fuck them when they lose their reproductive rights and don’t get to vote again in four years.

Nose, face, spite, cunts.

 

[BobKowalski]

Was watching on CNN yesterday about the Voters in Michigan, So many Democrats will not be giving Biden their vote because of his continued support of Genocide. They literally couldn't find any younger voter who had a good word about him. They did also state they wouldn't be backing Trump either and just stay at home.

A voxpop is no barometer of anything other than finding people angry enough to do a TV interview that fits in with the narrative the channel wishes to push.

I have no idea if the current conflict will impact on the elections in November, but a voxpop will tell you nothing of use.

 

[BayernMan]

Hillary on the undecided voter.


It's too bad that Hillary has extremely poor judgement on what best to do when innocent but under attack. Her instinct is to look for anything that might possibly be interpreted as wrong doing on her part and to attempt to get rid of it, meanwhile engaging in shrill denial in the press.

Hillary, if elected, I think would have been one of our best presidents ever.

Christ…let’s not repeat 2016 smh.

 

[Gareth Barry Conlon]

This response from Smith is slightly more aggressive than I was expecting, I put this in the Trump thread when her original order was released:



I expected him to ignore the order and provide the standard jury instructions, which he has done. I didn’t expect him to then go in with “do you seriously believe what you just wrote? If so, tell us now so we can pot you” as a follow up. That’s very strong language indeed and means Cannon is once again cornered. Though I think my last line will ultimately end up being correct, she will now just back down, having achieved her aim of creating more delay and distraction.

To not back down from this position is to basically sign her own removal from the case.

She has done a great job in delaying not just this case but also others by claiming the trial would move forward. Its blatant.

As I understand it Smith needs a reason to appeal and can ask she be removed as part of that. 1st opportunity I think he takes it. Its one shot but he has got nothing to lose as there is clearly sufficient grounds. The appellate are either up for it or not.

 

[SkyBlueFlux]

She has done a great job in delaying not just this case but also others by claiming the trial would move forward. Its blatant.

As I understand it Smith needs a reason to appeal and can ask she be removed as part of that. 1st opportunity I think he takes it. Its one shot but he has got nothing to lose as there is clearly sufficient grounds. The appellate are either up for it or not.

I think if Jack Smith ends up getting a writ of mandamus, as he has explicitly stated he will if Cannon doesn't fall in line, then that could be just as damaging as another appeal.

So in non-legalese, Cannon can no longer afford to 1. do the wrong thing, OR 2. obfuscate/do nothing. She now has one course of action if she wants to stay on the case, which is to do the judicially correct thing. He has her officially on notice.