House Democrats delay vote on infrastructure bill after late-night negotiations

By artappraiser on Thu, 09/30/2021 - 11:14pm |

Centrist Democrats want to pass the $550 billion bill, but progressives want to delay a vote to gain leverage for a larger safety net package.

By Sahil Kapur, Dareh Gregorian, Garrett Haake and Frank Thorp V @ NBCNews.com, Sept. 30

WASHINGTON — House Democrats delayed a planned vote on Thursday on a major infrastructure package, heading home for the night after intra-party fighting hamstrung their ability to pass the legislation.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., announced after a series of late-night negotiations that the vote was postponed indefinitely as Democrats battle over the way forward on President Joe Biden's agenda.

The party's centrist wing wanted to see the infrastructure bill passed quickly, painting the $550 billion package as a bipartisan win. But the left wing of the party is resisting, arguing the House should delay passing the infrastructure bill to gain leverage over the Senate and force them to pass a larger $3.5 trillion social safety net package.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spent hours trying to broker a deal, with lawmakers shuffling in and out of her office, but eventually gave up in the 10 p.m. hour [....]

URL:

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/house-braces-infrastructure-vote-progressive-democrats-vow-block-n1280379

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Bernie:

2 senators cannot be allowed to defeat what 48 senators and 210 House members want. We must stand with the working families of our country. We must combat climate change. We must delay passing the Infrastructure Bill until we pass a strong Reconciliation Bill.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) October 1, 2021

by artappraiser on Fri, 10/01/2021 - 12:43pm

"I hope the progressives stand their ground, so that nothing happens. That would be the best result" -- Sen. Ron Johnson pic.twitter.com/F97pLUrexF
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 1, 2021

by artappraiser on Fri, 10/01/2021 - 3:30pm

Manchin responded to WV activists from his yacht

Joe Manchin Preaching Fiscal Responsibility From His Yacht Feels a Bit on the Nose

We've got a new offering from the Department of On-the-Nose Metaphors courtesy of Joe Manchin, his yacht, and some activists on kayaks. There's been a sense throughout the extended infrastructure saga that key players therein are beyond the reach of their constituents and the public, striding the marble halls of the Capitol fielding the occasional question about the reconciliation bill's price tag or intra-Democratic Party squabbling. Rarely is the West Virginia senator—or Arizona's Kyrsten Sinema, for that matter—asked why he is blocking the most significant investment in everyday American families in generations, or why he opposes a critical framework to begin decarbonizing our transportation and energy systems in earnest. There is seldom much discussion of what's actually in the $3.5 trillion bill, a list that includes changes to the tax code that would ensure the bill does not actually cost $3.5 trillion. There is almost never any mention of the fact that we spend vastly more on bombs and bullets and planes that don't work every year without even a moment's hesitation over inflation or The National Debt. Made-up nonsense like the filibuster or the reconciliation process itself are taken for granted.

Sometimes, it just takes some activists in kayaks, I guess. They floated up to Manchin's sprawling yacht in Washington, D.C. on Thursday and asked some questions that need to be asked, creating a visual in the process that speaks just as loudly. Here's one of 100 senators, imbued with superpowers thanks to the quirks of our constitutional system, leaning over the ramparts to speak to the common folk below as they ask, with no little desperation, why we can't fund dental coverage as part of Medicare.

https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a37824383/joe-manchin-yacht-activists-reconciliation-bill/

When questioned about her position on the bills that make up the core of the Biden agenda, Sinema gives her position as

"I'm in the Senate" and "I'm by the elevator"

The trainwreck of Sen. Kyrsten Sinema is the cost of not getting money out of politics | Will Bunch

https://www.inquirer.com/columnists/attytood/kyrsten-sinema-blocks-biden-agenda-money-politics-20210930.html

Moderates wanted the two bills separated. Biden says the two bills are bound together

In a closed-door meeting with Democrats on Capitol Hill, Mr. Biden told Democrats for the first time that keeping his two top legislative priorities together had become “just reality.” And he conceded that reaching a deal between the divided factions on his domestic agenda could take weeks.

“I’m telling you, we’re going to get this done,” Mr. Biden told reporters Friday afternoon, appearing hand-in-hand with Speaker Nancy Pelosi after he left the closed-door gathering with Democrats. He added: “It doesn’t matter when. It doesn’t matter whether it’s in six minutes, six days or six weeks. We’re going to get it done.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/01/us/politics/biden-democrats-infrastructure.html

The Progressives are the ones pushing the Biden agenda.

by rmrd0000 on Sat, 10/02/2021 - 1:40am

Reality-based commentary about Manchin, Sinema & "progressives":

I mean if a progressive primary challenger had beaten Joe Manchin, Mitch McConnell would be majority leader https://t.co/mwvpDv3bcl
— Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias) October 3, 2021

The woman who challenged Manchin in 2018 actually got the nomination in 2020 and the results were not great. pic.twitter.com/LOC3XnUdKt
— Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias) October 3, 2021

Progressives have to deal with "them others" in their country and vicey-versa. If "progressives" became a majority of voters in this country then they could complain more rationally about such things.

A reminder that Lincoln supported fighting a Civil War to insure the Union would stay together instead of split into two countries. and "progressives" are stuck living with and dealing with everyone else in it, unless they plan to move to a more lefty country, that is.

But good luck finding one that fits American progressive dreams. There's really something bugging a lot of people worldwide about "progressives"; gosh I wonder that is.

by artappraiser on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 3:33am

She sucks but don’t do this. Counterproductive. https://t.co/19UtUBZ7a4
— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) October 3, 2021

by PeraclesPlease on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 4:26am

What Sinema did was counterproductive

She needs to inform the public what she finds objectionable

No one cares about her Ironman competitions.

Sinema's dismissive attitude and Manchin's yacht, while both meet with rich donors, handed the upper hand to the Progressives.

by rmrd0000 on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 12:25pm

This doesn't sound like the upper hand to me

And BTW, Manchin's "yacht" cost less than what many Congresspersons spend to stay in DC, it's right on this thread

Got any other unconvincing faux narratives to argue? Thank god you're not a political advisor to anyone with power. Your spin would be countered in less than a NY minute. Why don't you get politics? You commonly support counterproductive protests, this is not the first time.

by artappraiser on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 1:34pm

I have it under good authority you can pay $36k a year for a drafty townhouse in a fixer-upper neighborhood, tenant in basement, on-street parking, etc. Not sure how luxury the yacht was.

by PeraclesPlease on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 3:03pm

My "faux narrative" is backed up by the fact that Arizona Democrats threatened a "no confidence vote" targeting Sinema.

The Arizona Democratic Party on Saturday passed a resolution threatening a no-confidence vote against Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., if she does not support the party's agenda and the elimination of the filibuster.

https://www.salon.com/2021/09/27/arizona-democrats-threaten-no-confidence-vote-against-sinema-as-she-blocks-hikes/

by rmrd0000 on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 3:30pm

Chris Cillizza elaborates at length on Marshall's point: Kyrsten Sinema and when confrontation culture goes too far; excerpt:

[....] Sinema said in a statement Monday that the activist group involved in the video is "one that both my team and I have met with several times" and their "behavior was not legitimate protest."

"Yesterday, several individuals disrupted my class at Arizona State University. After deceptively entering a locked, secure building, these individuals filmed and publicly posted videos of my students without their permission -- including footage taken of both my students and I using a restroom," she said.

Consider this: If following Sinema to the bathroom is rationalized by those who oppose her policy decisions, what then would be off limits? Would forcing open the stall door to even more directly confront her be OK with you? If not, why not? I mean, you've already followed her into the bathroom, right?

Unfortunately, as long as we reward behavior like this -- and 4.7 million views is plenty of a reward, not to mention all of the publicity this episode has attracted -- the more we encourage it. And this is simply not the sort of thing that, societally, we should stand for.[....]

by artappraiser on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 12:56pm

John Oliver did a great takedown of Sinema last night.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/john-oliver-unloads-on-dem-traitors-kyrsten-sinema-and-joe-manchin?ref=home

Sinema is a public servant who thinks that she can meet in secret with donors, but doesn't have to make a clear statement to her constituents about her objections to Senate bills.

She just needs to talk to the public and stop worrying about Ironman competitions.

Edit to add:

Sinema needs to act like a Senator and state her objections to the bills. She refused to answer direct questions from the press. She treated the questions as if she were in a comedy skit. Frustrated citizens demanded answers. If Sinema acts like an adult, Arizona citizens will act like adults. She is paid the serve the public.

by rmrd0000 on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 1:36pm

And what did that John Oliver rant accomplish in the real world? Besides feeding your anger and gaining ratings that way?

A reminder that Manchin IS for taxing the rich. He's just not for spending as much as the bill on liberal desires. Probably because he knows his constituents down the line will be bitching about money going to some elitist artists or some such

Manchin's constituents live in this country with you, you have to deal with their representative in the Senate. If it's not him, it would no doubt be a Republican.

Sinema is the one who is playing wild card right now. It remains to be seen whether this will reflect the desires of her constituents. The majority there may or may not like a more Independent representation. It is highly likely, though, that the majority will not like what she's doing about prescription drugs, it was a flip flop from what she said in her campaigning. So it is productive for media and activists to stress that flip flop on her promises to them.

by artappraiser on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 1:54pm

People are suffering. The Biden agenda would help. Sinema is acting like a spoiled child. A Senator should state their objections.

Edit to add

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s support for the Senate filibuster appears to be doing real damage to her political brand back home. The first-term Arizona Democrat has often defended the Senate’s 60-vote supermajority requirement as a necessary check on partisan whiplash, arguing that it forces the chamber to put together “durable” coalitions. But according to a new survey shared with Mother Jones from the progressive polling and policy firm Data for Progress, her stance has left her far less popular in Arizona than either President Joe Biden or her recently elected Senate colleague, Mark Kelly—and perhaps even vulnerable to a primary challenge.

According to the survey, which was conducted from June 28 to July 6th, Sinema is viewed favorably by 38 percent of voters, compared to 47 percent for Kelly and 51 percent for Biden—all of whom were elected in recent years by similar margins to Sinema. (Republican Gov. Doug Ducey’s favorability sits at 44 percent.) The numbers are more stark when you look at the partisan breakdown. Sinema is viewed favorably by just 42 percent of Democrats (with 39 percent viewing her unfavorably), while Kelly, who was elected narrowly last fall, is at 75 percent favorability with just 17 percent viewing him unfavorably. Biden? He’s doing just fine according to Arizona Democrats, with 95 percent viewing him positively.

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2021/07/new-poll-arizona-democrats-love-biden-and-kelly-kyrsten-sinema-not-so-much/

by rmrd0000 on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 2:24pm

That's more like it, a reality-based poll showing dissatisfaction among her constituents. Rather than protesters in a bathroom, and generalized slurs and rants about her and Manchin that end up to be nothingburgers.or even counterproductive when they end up being untrue.

by artappraiser on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 2:43pm

The bathroom incident occurred because Sinema is focused on Ironman

Another point, Manchin is relaxing on his yacht with his big business friends, representing a poor state.

His constituents need to consider people other than themselves

Nationally, the Biden agenda is popular

by rmrd0000 on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 2:47pm

You and John Oliver should ponder this, just a suggestion

One interesting insight from FB whistleblower @FrancesHaugen_’s interview last night was her relaying a comment from an EU politician about how optimizing for Facebook’s algorithms was causing political leaders to take more partisan positions. That’s the populist feedback loop.
— Kate Starbird (@katestarbird) October 4, 2021

We often focus on the effects of social media and its algorithms on the audiences, but it’s a two-way dynamic, and we should perhaps be more focused on the effects on our political candidates and leaders.
— Kate Starbird (@katestarbird) October 4, 2021

Should we expect continual rage the rest of our lives while at the same time nearly everyone says they hate it? Who's brave enough to break the rage cycle? Some brilliant coder, maybe?

by artappraiser on Tue, 10/05/2021 - 12:48am

The focus is on her own actions.

Sinemaa can tell us what parts of the bills she feels are problematic.

There is no way to tell if social media factors in to her behavior.

Edit to add:

Michelle Goldberg does another Sinema takedown in the NYT

Sinema is described as an obstructionist.

A “Saturday Night Live” skit this weekend captured her absurdist approach to negotiating the reconciliation bill that contains almost the entirety of Biden’s agenda. “What do I want from this bill?” asked the actress playing Sinema. “I’ll never tell.” It sometimes seems as if what Sinema wants is for people to sit around wondering what Sinema wants.

When Sinema ran for Senate, the former left-wing firebrand reportedly told her advisers that she hoped to be the next John McCain, an independent force willing to buck her own party. Voting against a $15 minimum wage this year, she gave a thumbs down — accompanied by an obnoxious little curtsy — that seemed meant to recall the gesture McCain made when he voted against repealing key measures of the Affordable Care Act in 2017.

But people admired McCain because they felt he embodied a consistent set of values, a straight-talking Captain America kind of patriotism. Despite his iconoclastic image, he was mostly a deeply conservative Republican; as CNN’s Harry Enten points out, on votes where the parties were split, he sided with his party about 90 percent of the time.

Sinema, by contrast, breaks with her fellow Democrats much more often. There hasn’t been a year since she entered Congress, Enten wrote, when she’s voted with her party more than 75 percent of the time. But what really makes her different from McCain is that nobody seems to know what she stands for.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/04/opinion/sinema-kyrsten.html

Sinema needs to tell us what she wants

Edit to add:

Another article, this time from. MSNBC wondering what happened to Sinema

Kyrsten Sinema's bathroom protest was a long time coming

https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/kyrsten-sinema-s-bathroom-protest-was-long-time-coming-n1280763

by rmrd0000 on Tue, 10/05/2021 - 12:46pm

Regarding Manchin, he is a wealthy man. He says his money is in a blind trust, but he obviously receives dividends.

He expresses concerns about the expense of the bills, but knows that the cost is defrayed in part by increasing taxes on the wealthy.

Perhaps this is all about Manchin not wanting to pay taxes.

by rmrd0000 on Tue, 10/05/2021 - 12:41pm

That's like saying "perhaps rmrd has a phobia about cops". Yes and no.

And actually, nobody wants to pay taxes.

by artappraiser on Tue, 10/05/2021 - 1:40pm

The point here is that Manchin cares more about himself and his rich donors than he does about the constituents of his poor state.

by rmrd0000 on Tue, 10/05/2021 - 2:41pm

Well, if she was transgender or transitioning, for sure the stall would be off limits, but not sure the justification here...

by PeraclesPlease on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 2:58pm

Joe Manchin is in favor of taxing the rich more, he put it down in his agreement with Chuck Schumer and he's never said otherwise. Many people laying out criticisms don't even know his position.
— Zaid Jilani (@ZaidJilani) October 2, 2021

He laid out 3 different ways he wants to increase taxes: cap gains, income, and corporate tax.
— Zaid Jilani (@ZaidJilani) October 2, 2021

Do you think you could characterize his area of concern?
— pdpd (@pauladavy) October 2, 2021

I think 1) Total spending 2) Climate 3) He wants to means test some of the new programs although he hasn't publicly put out the limits
— Zaid Jilani (@ZaidJilani) October 2, 2021

The other thing is that the only time these people feign any interest in WV is when it's time to be mad at Joe Manchin for not doing what national progressives want. https://t.co/IDpqyA5Nsb
— Zaid Jilani (@ZaidJilani) October 2, 2021

by artappraiser on Sat, 10/02/2021 - 2:24am

AOC:

The Speaker didn’t break any promises. The arbitrary date 9 people insisted on was in the Aug rule vote to proceed on a $3.5T bill. That bound $3.5T w/ Sept date. Challenging $3.5 also challenged their date.

That’s ok! Right > rushed. We can still Build Back Better… together! https://t.co/DQQCSpRVrf
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) October 2, 2021

by artappraiser on Sat, 10/02/2021 - 2:38am

Interesting, here's what two far left lefties think:

Democrats are out here acting like Manchin & Sinema are the only corrupt politicians in their party who are owned and controlled by corporate interests when their entire damn party is. Manchin & Sinema are doing exactly what party leadership wants them to do.
— Ryan Knight (@ProudSocialist) October 1, 2021

if it wasn't Manchin and Sinema it'd be one of the other 48 https://t.co/E4KHoXSjoG pic.twitter.com/R0kMRToDMp
— Innuendo Turn of the Screwdios (@InnuendoStudios) October 1, 2021

by artappraiser on Sat, 10/02/2021 - 3:25am

Josh Marshall researched Manchin's houseboat. He really did pay only $220K for it, here's how:

Almost Heaven, Joe Manchin’s yacht has a total Behind the Music backstory. Life started well. Built in North Carolina. Purchased for $700k. But it all went bad. The company which owned it seemed to have gone bankrupt and the boat was repossessed. Manchin bought it out of
— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) October 2, 2021

2/ forclosure for a mere $220k in 2013 after the previous owner, Delancey Developments, Inc, defaulted on the boat loan. It’s not clear to me what this company did or whether it was just a pass through for the actual owner, David Delancey. (Yes, I’ve actually spent a bunch of ..
— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) October 2, 2021

3/ time figuring this all out.)
— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) October 2, 2021

by artappraiser on Sat, 10/02/2021 - 3:28am

Report on how they are all working to make sausage:

Progressives Offer to Cut Spending Short to Save Biden Plan https://t.co/6MT35lq0hf
— Heal the Planet (@fwtoney) October 4, 2021

by artappraiser on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 12:40pm

6 days ago: Sanders says infrastructure bill "must be defeated" and calls efforts to cut last-minute deal "absurd"

From CNN's Manu Raju and Lauren Fox, 9:29 p.m. ET, September 30, 2021

by artappraiser on Tue, 10/05/2021 - 4:13pm

Sinema's approval rating among all Arizona voters and especially among Arizona Democrats is tanking.

https://www.newsweek.com/kyrsten-sinema-approval-rating-democrats-plummets-infrastructure-fight-arizona-1635619

by rmrd0000 on Tue, 10/05/2021 - 7:08pm

President Biden says there is a “real possibility” that Democrats invoke the “nuclear option” and change the filibuster rules to raise the debt limit pic.twitter.com/lBSYlWKm8P
— JM Rieger (@RiegerReport) October 5, 2021

President Biden tells reporters 'that’s a real possibility" about Democrats changing Senate rules to pass a debt limit increase over GOP filibuster. Increasing talk among Dems about this idea. WH has to endorse since VP Harris would play important role as Senate president.
— Carl Hulse (@hillhulse) October 5, 2021

by artappraiser on Tue, 10/05/2021 - 7:58pm

ROMNEY makes clear he will filibuster the debt ceiling increase on vote tomorrow. “We’re not voting in any way to help raise the debt ceiling. As a group we are all together “
— Erik Wasson (@elwasson) October 5, 2021

by artappraiser on Tue, 10/05/2021 - 8:06pm

Just to be clear, Manchin OPPOSES a filibuster carve out. But in the rest of the caucus, the idea of a filibuster carveout is actually more popular that reconciliation at the moment https://t.co/TrdvLyTARA
— Burgess Everett (@burgessev) October 5, 2021

New: Republicans are split over just how far to push their debt ceiling fight.

“I mean, I’m not going to be a complete asshole about it,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham. "But I’m going to make them take some tough votes.”

w/ @burgessev https://t.co/khVgB7sDJD
— Caitlin Emma (@caitlinzemma) October 5, 2021

Pending a change in Manchin’s position, real news here might be that Biden is agnostic on whether Hyde amendment abortion restrictions included in reconciliation bill https://t.co/I2tsVJMDYP
— Burgess Everett (@burgessev) October 5, 2021

Looks like Senate vote to advance debt ceiling suspension through the midterms will be around 3 pm tomorrow. Needs 60, and at least 10 Republicans. GOP seems to think all members will oppose.
— Burgess Everett (@burgessev) October 5, 2021

by artappraiser on Tue, 10/05/2021 - 8:46pm

Manchin is an old fool who demands that Republicans must agree will a bill that Republicans oppose because it fights voter suppression.

He doing the work of the Republicans who are crafting voter suppression bills.

by rmrd0000 on Tue, 10/05/2021 - 9:52pm

Biden Scales Back His Agenda in Hopes of Bringing Moderates Onboard

The president has conceded that his $3.5 trillion collection of spending programs and tax cuts will need to shrink substantially

By Jim Tankersley & Emily Cochrane @ NYTimes.com, Oct. 5, 2021

WASHINGTON — President Biden and Democratic leaders in Congress in recent days have slashed their ambitions for a major expansion of America’s social safety net to a package worth $2.3 trillion or less, which will force hard choices about how to scale back a proposal that the president hopes will be transformational.

The figure is substantially less than Mr. Biden’s earlier plan, which called for $3.5 trillion in new spending and tax cuts to spur a generational expansion of government in Americans’ lives, including efforts to fight climate change and child poverty, increase access to education and help American companies compete with China.

Democratic leaders will probably need to narrow their plans for free community college, child tax credits and universal prekindergarten so they are offered only to lower- and middle-income Americans, according to party members involved in the negotiations.

The White House is also debating whether to try to keep as many programs as possible, by cutting their duration or reach, or to jettison some initiatives entirely to keep others largely intact, according to people familiar with the discussions.

The cuts represent a blow to Mr. Biden’s agenda, but the remaining plans would still deliver significant benefits to a wide range of Americans. Mr. Biden and his aides have known for months that they would most likely need to reduce the size and scope of his plans to satisfy moderates in his party. But the president has stressed, in public and in private conversations with Democrats, that even a smaller bill could shift the landscape of the American economy and help the party hold power in midterm elections next year.

“These bills are about competitiveness versus complacency,” Mr. Biden said Tuesday in Michigan, where he spoke at a union hall to promote not only the policies in his spending bill, but a smaller, bipartisan infrastructure bill that has passed the Senate but not the House. “They’re about opportunity versus decay.” [....]

by artappraiser on Wed, 10/06/2021 - 4:20pm

Warnock:

Speaking with @federalreserve Chairman Jerome Powell today was another reminder of the high stakes we face if we default on our debts and obligations.

We must act now and come together to ensure Georgia and our nation move forward—not backward into crisis. pic.twitter.com/IfJu8Cvu4B
— Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (@SenatorWarnock) October 6, 2021

Sounds like "yes, let's compromise" to me.

by artappraiser on Wed, 10/06/2021 - 8:55pm

Lindsey Graham bashes McConnell plans on debt ceiling — as GOP leaders struggle to get 10 votes to break a filibuster. “Why the hell would I make it easier for them to raise the debt ceiling through regular order? We had a strategy and we abandoned it.”
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) October 7, 2021

It’s not often Rs have two meetings on the same topic on same day, but Senate Rs are again meeting behind closed doors to talk about the upcoming procedural vote to raise the debt ceiling. GOP leaders have been struggling to get 10 Republican senators to advance short-term hike
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) October 7, 2021

Many GOP senators really don’t want to vote for the debt ceiling hike to add $480B to the borrowing limit. Because there will be objections, there almost certainly will be a 60-vote threshold — meaning 10 GOP senators will be needed to get to final passage. GOP meeting now
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) October 7, 2021

GOP having a bad week https://t.co/lQczPLaZro
— Eric Boehlert (@EricBoehlert) October 7, 2021

DC press did *not* see this coming
— Eric Boehlert (@EricBoehlert) October 7, 2021

quick explainer: GOP had told Dems we oppose raising debt, and vote is filibustered, so you need 10 GOP votes instead of straight Dem vote

then McConnell blinked said ok to temp debt deal, but vote still technically filibustered and he can’t find 10 GOP’s to vote yes.
— Eric Boehlert (@EricBoehlert) October 7, 2021

by artappraiser on Thu, 10/07/2021 - 5:48pm

If this two-month bill to prevent a self-imposed economic calamity was this dramatic and difficult, December should be lots of fun.
— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) October 8, 2021

by artappraiser on Thu, 10/07/2021 - 9:26pm

Why do people hate federal budget deficits? (Or at least, why do they say they hate deficits?)

Four theories.https://t.co/o5gsUwVT3Y
— Noah Smith (@Noahpinion) October 8, 2021

Definitely worthwhile; he is, after all, a columnist on economics for Bloomberg. No paywall for me (if you've read his substack often, maybe you'll get one?)

by artappraiser on Fri, 10/08/2021 - 1:41am

In the News

Russia plays weak hand in Palestine
Russia plays weak hand in Palestine

submitted by PeraclesPlease 9 months ago

The intra-Palestinian meeting in Moscow has precedent

Russia's hosted such meetings in the past, most recently Feb 2019

Russia has long lamented the US' "monopolization" of the peace process & tried to carve out a niche for itself: mediating among the disunited Palestinians/2
— Hanna Notte (@HannaNotte) February 29, 2024

Read the article at https://twitter.com/HannaNotte/status/1763116222256701787

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Mother Jones is Reaching out to Alternative Party Voters
Mother Jones is Reaching out to Alternative Party Voters

submitted by HSG 10 months ago

Here's what I told them: https://halginsberg.com/vote-for-jill-stein-again/

Read the article at https://halginsberg.com/vote-for-jill-stein-again/

2 comments

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Controversial Brazil law curbing Indigenous rights comes...
Controversial Brazil law curbing Indigenous rights comes into force

submitted by artappraiser 12 months ago

Controversial Brazil law curbing Indigenous rights comes into force https://t.co/pCoDg05irX
— Gareth Harris (@garethharr) December 28, 2023

Read the article at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/28/brazil-law-indigenous-land-rights-claim-time-marker?CMP=share_btn_tw

1 comment

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Security Alert: U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince, Haiti (...
Security Alert: U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince, Haiti (December 25, 2023)

submitted by artappraiser 12 months ago

Location: U.S. Embassy and residential compounds

Events: Heavy gunfire is occuring around the area of the U.S. Embassy and residential compounds adjacent to the Trutier area of Tabarre. All Embassy personnel have been instructed to remain indoors and shelter-in-place until further notice. All others should avoid the area.

Actions to take:

Avoid the area;

Avoid demonstrations and any large gatherings of people;

Do not attempt to drive through roadblocks; and

If you encounter a roadblock, turn around and get to a safe area.

Read the article at https://ht.usembassy.gov/security-alert-u-s-embassy-port-au-prince-haiti-december-25-2023/

3 comments

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Pakistan Is Creating the World’s Next Refugee Crisis
Pakistan Is Creating the World’s Next Refugee Crisis

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

By The Editorial Board @ Bloomberg.com, December 8, 2023

A mass expulsion of Afghan migrants could destabilize the region and fuel radicalization. The West should pressure Islamabad to change course.

Read the article at https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2023-12-08/pakistan-s-expulsion-of-afghan-refugees-risks-another-crisis

6 comments

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Internet shut down in Chad
Internet shut down in Chad

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

All eyes on #Chad right now
Chad has two internet trunks coming into the country: One from the Red Sea via Sudan; the other from Cameroon. Not possible for the totality of the country's internet network to be shut unless done centrally. A lot of rumors swirling; few facts. https://t.co/N6bDJZ2ixO

Read the article at https://x.com/_hudsonc/status/1732891968709992511?s=20

2 comments

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[Economy] where Joe's success falls short
[Economy] where Joe's success falls short

submitted by PeraclesPlease 1 year ago

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[CRIME News] 3 loss-prevention employees in Macy’s across...
[CRIME News] 3 loss-prevention employees in Macy’s across the street from Philadelphia City Hall stabbed

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

BREAKING: Three loss prevention employees in Macy’s across the street from Philadelphia City Hall stabbed, one of them has died from stab wounds, @PhillyPolice sources tell me. Police converged on the store as the three workers were rushed to Jefferson Hospital. pic.twitter.com/4U1eKycL4W

Read the article at https://x.com/KeeleyFox29/status/1731713272942940365?s=20

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Former U.S. Ambassador Arrested, Charged With Working As...
Former U.S. Ambassador Arrested, Charged With Working As Secret Agent For Cuba

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

Former US Ambassador Arrested, Charged With Working As Secret Agent For Cuba https://t.co/LDwo4ZJI1K
— HuffPost (@HuffPost) December 4, 2023

Read the article at https://www.huffpost.com/entry/manuel-rocha-ambassador-arrested-cuba_n_656d1e2ae4b028b0f3d07478

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[War in Israel, Chapter II] UNRWA under scrutiny
[War in Israel, Chapter II] UNRWA under scrutiny

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

[Chapter I news is HERE, Oct. 7 til today]

You don’t get it.
It’s not about an UNRWA teacher who held an Israeli kid hostage in his house.
It’s all about how for 75 years you have destroyed the future of generations of Palestinians, including my family.
My cousins in Arab countries are still not citizens - not even the… https://t.co/nv6anubGhc
— George Deek (@GeorgeDeek) December 2, 2023

Note 'Community Notes' attached to UNWRA's statement.

Read the article at https://x.com/GeorgeDeek/status/1731020551328579863?s=20

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Maduro, Under Pressure, Holds Vote to Annex Territory From...
Maduro, Under Pressure, Holds Vote to Annex Territory From a Neighbor

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

Imperialism for me but not for thee?

It's wild that Venezuela is now holding a vote on whether 2/3 of Guyana actually belongs to them! Analysts suggest that Modoru may want military action to pump up his sinking popularity.

Could we have a war in South America?!?

"The people who live in Essequibo are largely… pic.twitter.com/QvMEjkkgwy

Read the article at https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/03/world/americas/maduro-vote-essequibo-guyana.html

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[Where is the GOP headed?] Divisions leave Florida’s House...
[Where is the GOP headed?] Divisions leave Florida’s House Republicans powerless

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

The lack of a cohesive delegation has allowed attention-seeking lawmakers to act on their own.

McCarthy: “You have [Rep. Matt] Gaetz, who belongs in jail…”

Gaetz: “Tough words from a guy who sucker punches people in the back. The only assault I committed was against Kevin’s fragile ego.”https://t.co/LctPuz6Pcf

Read the article at https://www.politico.com/news/2023/11/29/divisions-leave-floridas-house-republicans-powerless-00129200

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‘She got so mad at me’: book on the ‘Squad’ details AOC-...
‘She got so mad at me’: book on the ‘Squad’ details AOC-Pelosi clashes

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

By Martinn Pengelly in Washington DC for TheGuardian.com, Nov. 30

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tells Ryan Grim life in Congress ‘completely transformed’ after Democratic leader stepped down

Read the article at https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/nov/30/squad-book-aoc-nancy-pelosi?CMP=share_btn_tw

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US health insurers Humana, Cigna in talks to merge -source
US health insurers Humana, Cigna in talks to merge -source

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

@ Reuters, Nov. 29

Read the article at https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/us-health-insurers-humana-cigna-talks-merge-wsj-2023-11-29/

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Central Africa’s dinosaur regimes and the art of coup-...
Central Africa’s dinosaur regimes and the art of coup-proofing

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

"Both the AU and the intl community place more weight on whether elections are held than whether they are free and fair. Sanctions/expulsions occur when there is a coup but not necessarily when elections are rigged or if an “institutional coup” occurs." https://t.co/m9dNimJP0D
— Cameron Hudson (@_hudsonc) November 28, 2023

Read the article at https://africanarguments.org/2023/11/central-africas-dinosaur-regimes-and-the-art-of-coup-proofing/

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