In a normal world, I think his apology and suspension is appropriate. However, with what Biden said about "firing on the spot" for this type of behavior, I think he should be let go.

But even if they did that now, damage is done ... one tick down on credibility. My question is why did they let this slide? I think Psaki said this was discussed with chief-of-staff but not Biden himself ... so that may be the angle.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/12/media...ded/index.html

But where will they find someone who has a cursory knowledge of public relations. No choice but to keep him.

Chuckled at this. Remembered the recent posts about this.

I have no idea what Biden did today.

Putting this in a political thread just to make sure. I have gotten a chuckle at the faux arguments about local governments taking away people's rights by forcing them to stay home due to the weather conditions compared to telling them to stay home with COVID restrictions. I am calling them faux arguments but the people making them on both sides are incredibly serious from what I can tell.

I just can't quite believe the conservative line on the TX blackouts is that it's green energy's fault.

I'll watch some of Biden's town hall tonight but think it'll be more of the same "I feel your pain" or "Coronavirus is Job 1" etc.

According to CDC website ... 71M sent and 55M jabs. I think the 77% ratio is higher/better than 2-3 weeks ago so that shows some progress.

Still want to see a simple report showing Pharmas planned production & delivery of vaccines by week (or semi-monthly). Something more tangible than Fauci's generic May/June statement.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/tru...-new-statement

I would love a GOP civil war if it didn;t mean that the Democrats turn to the far left.

Biden is doing okay but he does ramble on.

Right wing news is bitching about the positive spin the media is putting on his presidency and comparing it to the constant negative coverage Trump received. At what point do you accept that being completely unlikable and a shitstain on humanity plays a role in it?

Presidents generally get a honeymoon period with the media and the general public. This is normal. This is how it has always been.

Trump was the aberration. What was the media supposed to do with a WH who's first act was to lie about an easily provable fact (inauguration crowd size) that was also not relevant to anything? Just let them lie? Say it was awesome that Dear Leader was lying to us?

When it comes to editorializing, yes. When it comes to news, no. The job of a journalist to report news and be as unbiased as possible.


Regarding news media, neither. Just report the best facts they have.

Sure. But if the fact is X, and the White House is saying "Not X," then how do you report that without saying that the White House is lying?

Biden's approval rating is above 60%. He is getting a nice little honeymoon period. Let's just hope they can get stuff done.

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Reporting a lie is what news should do. That is reporting the facts. Opinions are opinions, but facts are facts. I know the last four years have tried hard to destroy that.

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I think the media was actually soft on Trump's lies at times. Rarely would straight out say he was lying till the end when they tried to save face.

There's a meme going around, which is total boomer member berry shit, about how Cronkite just reported the news and he was the standard bearer at night and how current media news is so fucked up..blah blah blah. Cronkite editorialized on the news just like anyone else. It's such a fallacy that the news used to be completely neutral. The news has never, ever, never been completely neutral. There's always been a slant, or agenda. Now, that doesn't make the shit on cable news right, the way we have it now, but it should lend some color to a situation that isn't black and white as it's used in arguments memes.

CNN reported a poll yesterday that had it at 63 percent

You definitely should say that. I also agree with RainMaker that there were times media didn't do that enough. But that's not what media bias is really about. PilotMan is correct that neutrality has never fully existed, but there have been times far better than now. I think it's actually much harder to be unbiased right now than at most times in American history, because of how more polarized the climate is.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/17/polit...nes/index.html

Given the fact I have made at least eight trips to Lakewood Ranch in the last month, this is LOL funny.

Under the current proposal, stimulus checks would not be reduced for single Americans earning up to $75,000, head-of-household filers making up to $112,500, and married couples with a combined income up to $150,000. As with previous stimulus checks, they would get a full payment. But for singles with an AGI above $75,000, stimulus checks would be gradually phased-out until they reach zero for anyone making $100,000 or more. For head-of-household filers, the phaseout range would be from $112,500 to $150,000. For married couples filing a joint return, the phase-out range would be $150,000 to $200,000. Plus, the phase-out range's ceiling would be a hard cap that applies to all people, regardless of how many dependents they have. As a result, third stimulus checks would be reduced to zero for all taxpayers at or above the $100,000, $150,000, and $200,000 AGI levels (depending on your filing status).

Seems odd to me that a married couple making $150k with three kids get $7k while a couple with three kids making $200k get $0.

Dunno if this is the right thread for it, but didn't see any discussion of Bob Dole here. Announced stage 4 cancer diagnosis yesterday. He's 97. Another of the old lions who appears to be nearing the end of his run.

May not agree with him politically, but Bob Dole is a pretty amazing guy. Bronze Star and Purple Heart winner from WW2. The man has definitely lived a life of distinction.

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Dole lived a great life and distinguished life for sure, regardless of which side of the aisle he populated.

Newsmax on the attack against Biden's dog looking dirty and unpresidential.

they're working out a few kinks, but surely will get things sorted out... savage the stutter, maybe find an unbuttoned button, perhaps he will mis-pronounce a name at some point

Biden approved aid for Texas without blaming state leadership for causing the problem, without blaming the proud boys for sabataging the power grid, and without making any threats at all. I'm not sure how I'm supposed to react to this.

Are we supposed to feel badly for the families that are now going to be getting power bills in the thousands that are a direct result of the deregulation in Texas? The very thing that they say they are so proud of?

Texas households face massive electricity bills, some as high as $17K, after winter storm | TheHill

Adjustable rate electricity where you pay as you use is one of the craziest and most red state things I can imagine.

I'm sure they'll be bailed out by Biden.

He'll probably see it as a chance to turn Texas Blue and perform a coup de grâce on the Republicans electorally.

I'm talking to a friend in San Antonio. His electric company has offered to spread the bill spikes out over the next 10 years of billing.

How about they just forgive the bill.....

Georgia House Republicans just introduced a bill to ban early voting on Sundays prior to election, when Black churches do Souls to the Polls get out the vote drives

— Ari Berman (@AriBerman) February 18, 2021

In the Year of Our Lord 2021, there are still people who are open supporters of a party that is straight up against Black people voting.

The protests of "I'm a Republican because [mumble mumble something about burdensome regulations]" is becoming harder and harder to hear without laughing.

Kick the dang racists out of your party, be fine with Black people voting, and get back to actually being the party about personal freedom, etc, then we can talk.

Because Rick Perry said Texans would rather freeze than accept Socialistic policies.

Its not socialist if it you. We need to bail out everyone everywhere. That's Joe Biden's way!!!!!

It is almost like the party only stands for a bunch of racist grievances.

I think its the party that stands for rich, white people.

Well, to tie it to Biden, the President went to visit his good friend, Bob Dole:

Biden visits 'good friend' Bob Dole following cancer diagnosis | TheHill

Agreed.

SI

Merrick Garland hearing going on now. He is such boss. I hope he tells McConnell to eat shit when his turn comes up.

Biden has announced a new PPP only for companies under 20 employees

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Democrats plan major stimulus bill 'very soon' after COVID spending package

Maybe they should get one stimulus out the door before preparing another one? Jesus Christ.

Or better yet, just focus on getting vaccines into peoples' bloodstreams.

How many trillions does Biden plan on spending in his first year? Maybe he should consider how we're going to pay for all this?

It really depends on what they are suggesting, but a well crafted infrastructure plan would largely pay for itself.

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Cut them some slack, they had to take a vacation first.

It is better than it was, but it still can be better.

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Give Biden some credit for refusing the $50K student debt cancellation. That would have cost another $1.5T or so.

But I agree that Stimulus 2 and inoculations should be the key focus. We shouldn't worry about infrastructure right now.

It was literally a Biden campaign promise. They aren't going to forget about Build Back Better while they have the momentum of the first 100 days.

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So was $1400 stimulus checks.

I don't know if there's the same level of think tank power behind it, but it looks like the Dems are starting to play the opposite game of the GOP in regards to the buget. For decades the GOP has said, cut taxes every time you can and that will eventually force a crisis that will drown the government. They go with the popular, easy stuff first and then use it to force the unpopular stuff.

What if Dems try to spend money on popular things first and use that popular opinion to force tax increases to keep the popular stuff? Do the popular spending first and use it to force the unpopular stuff.

edit: And the GOP has made it possible by saying since 1980 that deficits don't matter.

If you're trying to get some quality jobs out there, a huge infrastructure and green energy deal is a great way to do it. Or we could just wait until some more bridges collapse and kill people and global warming worsens even more. That's fine too. Then we can spend 20 years figuring out "how to pay for it".

Infrastructure was his literal slogan--build back better. Agree or disagree with it, but people voted for Biden knowing that this was going to be the centerpiece of his first term.

The Dems seem to have figured out what the GOP figured out a little while ago. When surveyed, huge majorities of voters claim to care about the deficit and bipartisanship. But no one actually votes based on those things.

If the GOP had decided to cut spending and raise taxes when they had power instead of increasing spending and cutting taxes, they would have lost even harder than they did in 2018 and 2020.

It's like people saying that a buffet should have lots of good fresh vegetable options. Everyone says that b/c it makes you feel good and virtuous for caring about health. But when we go to serve a plate, we all put on that symbolic one sprig of broccoli and then load up on triple helpings of chicken fried steak and hash browns with gravy.

Best analogy ever

Damn, now I'm hungry for a giant helping of chicken fried steak and one piece of overdone broccoli soaked in butter

SI

Maybe don't spend trillions on planes that can't fly in the rain.

The U.S. Air Force Just Admitted The F-35 Stealth Fighter Has Failed

Also when it comes to student loan forgiveness, the idea that it's a 1 off things is ridiculous. People who aren't stuck with $1000/month loan bills for 30 years may not need food stamps or other government help. They may be able to spend money on other things in our economy. They can buy homes and so on. That money doesn't disappear into a void, it goes back into the economy.

And that doesn't account for the innovation we may bring. How many brilliant minds couldn't start their own business or put time into an invention because they needed a second job to pay off debt they took out at 19?

Stifling innovation is the best arguement for universal Healthcare and UBI as well. People being stuck in dead end jobs because of fear of losing their insurance or having absolutely no money coming in, stops people from starting businesses, creating inventions, going back to college etc etc.

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People in power consider that a feature, not a bug. Less competition for them.

Sounds like the B-1 bomber has a little brother now.

The A-10 was supposed to be retired in the late 80's. Still around, because defense contractors just blow money. Every military order is just a "jobs" program.

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Just weird how we spend trillions on military equipment that doesn't work or we don't need. Essentially socialism for defense contractors and no one bats an eye. Use it to eliminate student debt and create an age of innovation? Too expensive.

I doubt we'll get into a large scale war, but if we did, I have serious concerns about the reliability of our equipment. We've lost the lesson of WW2 that the most advanced doesn't necessarily equal the best fighting force.

This is the problem with just churning out new and innovative equipment without manpower or resources to maintain what you have. One of our son deployments included body armor that was broken and 2 years past date of retirement.

I have no problem with balanced military spending between innovation and renovation which would lead to a smaller, more effective fighting force. But just buying shiny new toys for the sake of saying you have shiny new toys is stupid and a waste of resources.

We have a massive budget and can't beat the Taliban. Just tossing money into a void.

oh believe me it isn't going to a void....it's going into pockets

And I just saw something yesterday where they are thinking that the B-52 service life will be continued to at least the 2050s or something like that. Seems like tax payers got their money's worth out of that aircraft.

We’ve run the numbers and here’s your receipt, @SpeakerPelosi @SenSchumer. pic.twitter.com/e2cAG8st8W

— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) February 24, 2021

So $500,000,000 of objections in a $1,900,000,000,000 bill?

That's really all they are finding objectionable?

Hell, I'm a Democrat and I could probably find more than half-a-billion worth of things that sound bad.

So on brand to list arts, museums, and library services first.

We definitely need to consider our military spending (and probably cut it in half) and decide what is the proper size.

But really anyone with a loan can make the argument that "If my loan that I took voluntarily was paid off then I could contribute more to the economy". Should the government pay off every debt in America?

Ok, what is Pelosi's Subway? Is she planning on buying a few franchises in the DC area?

You forgot to add the $$$ from "Much, much, more"

No, just the ones tied to education. We should strive to be an educated society.

Winner, winner chicken dinner!

Minimum wage increase imperiled in covid relief bill by Senate official’s ruling
By Erica Werner

https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-po...icials-ruling/

Well shit. Parliamentarian says min wage hike can't be included in reconciliation until reconciliation rules.

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It was always a bit of a stretch.

Dems can overrule the parliamentarian. But leave it up to them to fail on passing an extremely popular measure.

I don't think that the Dems have 50 votes for a $15 wage on its own.

If it were part of the whole "must pass" package, it had a better shot.

Of course, the more popular stuff that gets piled behind the filibuster . . .

Just a worthless party that has a fetish for losing.

Or they could just fire him like Trent Lott did in 2001 for Bush's tax cuts.

That implies the Dems want to get a $15/hr minimum wage.

They just want the political cover to say they tried

SI

All day and twice on Tuesday

Y'all act like it isn't 50-50 in the Senate and one of the Democratic 50 is Joe Manchin..

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Force Manchin to vote against a wildly popular stimulus bill because of the wildly popular minimum wage increase in it.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/25/polit...ran/index.html

Looks like Biden isn't afraid to lob a few missiles into the Middle East.

Force Manchin by gun? Kidnap him, and beat him with hoses? If it were easy, it would be done. It benefits Biden way more to get this through complete than not. Push Manchin too hard, and he could leave the party. Would that help things get passed?

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Manchin won't leave the Dems, but he might vote against the bill or vote against other things. There's simply no way to bully him into doing anything, so take a smaller win rather than a loss.

Manchin would "never" leave? Theaten to take him off committees. Threaten to withhold Federal funds from West Virginia. Shut down favored projects. These are all suggestions I have seen, and I bet any of them would drive him out of the parry.

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There is a way. See if he would like his daughter to answer questions under oath.

So be just as shitty as republicans then?

It's also counterproductive as that kind of intimidation will flip control of the Senate.

It's frustrating, especially that enough Dems won't drop the filibuster even for voter protections, but getting smaller isn't the answer.

Exactly and in states that are balanced senators have to walk a thin line and in spirit at least work for all their constituents, not just those in their party.

Not doing this is exactly why Arizona is blue now, enough independents finally got sick of the craziness that is a large piece of the states republican party.

I think he's absolutely wrong in terms of the filibuster and I don't think it's really an issue voters care about. However, he is the king of the Senate right now. Get to 53 or 54 in 2022 and he no longer matters.

I guess the same is true about shrinking to 49, but the outcomes are a lot less favorable.

You're a worthless party of moderate shills unless you're willing to blackmail someone to produce a desirable political outcome.

Do what works. His daughter is a despicable person so it's not like you're doing something unethical. The only reason she has gotten off the hook till now is because of her Dad.

Kind of like how he blackmails us for pork for his state.

That is sort of every Senator's job, improving things for the people that elected them. You know what isn't their job? Threatening family members of other Senators if they don't vote the way they want.


edit: and no doubt his daughter is scum. But you either investigate her or you don't.

WTF?

Then lets investigate her. Drag her ass out in front of the cameras and lets ask some questions under oath.

Not a good look that people eligible for stimulus under Trump won’t get stimulus from Biden. Again, income != wealth, especially given cost of living differences. You would think Dems would know that given all the complaining they have done about SALT deduction limits.

Means testing just results in voters being against policies that would help the poor.

I saw this online:

Let’s take Biden’s own metric of “folks making $300,000.” The US Census found that roughly 7.7 million households made $250,000 or more in 2019 (the nearest available number to Biden’s figure). Giving all of these high-earning households the full stimulus check would cost roughly $10.8 billion — or about one-half of one percent of the proposed legislation’s cost.

SALT deductions help rich people a lot so it's an issue that they care about a lot. Stimulus doesn't.

And this is why this country is so fucked up right now.