[Where is the GOP headed?] Senate GOP pans ‘immaturity’ by House Republicans with omnibus threat

By artappraiser on Tue, 12/20/2022 - 6:34pm |

GOP senators had a message for a group of current and incoming House Republicans threatening to stop any bill supported by someone who votes for the omnibus spending package in its tracks: We don’t care.

Thirteen Republican representatives and representatives-elect on Monday sent a letter calling for any legislative priorities backed by a GOP senator who supports the $1.7 trillion year-end spending bill to be thwart ed in the 118th Congress. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who is trying to lock down enough votes to be elected Speaker, endorsed the letter on Tuesday.

That message was met with dismissiveness and some derision from across the Capitol.

“It’s not [good]. … I mean, really? If you just think about what they’re suggesting, it flies in the face of maturity and the ability to lead,” said Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), who plans to vote against the omnibus spending bill. “The reality is this kind of chest thumping and immaturity doesn’t instill confidence in their ability to lead. Now, maybe it helps Kevin get elected Speaker — I hope it does. I hope he becomes Speaker. I want him to become Speaker, but it’s not a good start to leading.”

Cramer, a former member of the lower chamber, added that the 13 House Republicans are putting the GOP leader in a “horrible spot.” [....]

URL:

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/3782615-senate-gop-pans-immaturity-by-house-republicans-with-omnibus-threat/

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There’s been some rumors/reporting that Boebert and Greene don’t particularly like each other, interesting to see it spill into public view https://t.co/3ryrdcfBel
— bryan metzger (@metzgov) December 20, 2022

By now, Boebert surely knows that she reps a swing district. If she's not a complete fool, she'll be inching slowly toward the center over the next two years.

(Disclaimer: She may be a complete fool. I haven't been following.)

MTG of course has a safe seat. https://t.co/S7fu25eaeJ
— Alice is over it (@AliceFromQueens) December 20, 2022

by artappraiser on Tue, 12/20/2022 - 6:38pm

McConnell gave a pep talk about Ukraine this afternoon - attempting to do an end run around any Trump types bitching about the Ukraine welfare state before Zelensky's possible visit tomorrow?

McConnell: "Providing assistance for Ukrainians to defeat the Russians is the number one priority for the United States right now according to most Republicans. That's how we see the challenges confronting the country at the moment." pic.twitter.com/NPmzWRzoz1
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) December 20, 2022

by artappraiser on Tue, 12/20/2022 - 6:52pm

NEWSMAX CEO Christopher Ruddy (@ChrisRuddyNMX) on Volodymyr Zelenskyy: "It's really important for people to understand that 70-80% of that money doesn't go to Ukraine, it goes into U.S. defense contractors..."

MORE: https://t.co/yjOzQUqFaQ pic.twitter.com/B4hIg30QcJ
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) December 21, 2022

by artappraiser on Wed, 12/21/2022 - 6:29pm

Maybe "US military production" is less pejorative - US weapons and equipment manufacturers get the bulk of our largesse, meaning jobs and food on the table for Americans - right, MTG? (Bitch.)

by PeraclesPlease on Wed, 12/21/2022 - 6:44pm

This is fucking insane https://t.co/G5Wql6zbr9
— Jon (@JonnyMicro) December 21, 2022

by artappraiser on Tue, 12/20/2022 - 11:39pm

An Early Trump Backer’s Message to the Republican Party: Dump Him

Tom Marino, one of the first members of Congress to support Trump, now says the G.O.P. “has to do whatever it has to do” to get away from him.

By Blake Hounshell @NYTimes.com, Dec. 20, 2022

The greatest threat to Donald Trump’s grip on the Republican Party has always come from the ranks of his own supporters, rather than those who disliked him all along. So it’s significant that one of his earliest backers is coming out swinging against him.

In February 2016, when Representative Tom Marino became one of the first Republican members of Congress to endorse Trump, he called the decision “one of my life-changing moments” and hailed the presidential candidate as a fresh voice who was not beholden to Wall Street.

At the time, Trump was still locked in a tight nomination battle with Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, and he was struggling to attract support from elected officials. Marino, a former prosecutor who represented a rural district in northern Pennsylvania, didn’t just endorse him. He was a loud and proud Trump booster who helped steer his campaign in the state and joined his presidential transition team after he won.

Trump expressed fondness for Marino and Lou Barletta, a fellow member of Congress and co-chairman of Trump’s campaign in Pennsylvania, calling them “thunder and lightning.”

As president, Trump tapped Marino to be director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, though Marino withdrew after questions about his record on opioids. He resigned from Congress in 2019 soon after beginning his fifth term, citing recurring kidney problems.

During this year’s Republican primary for governor in Pennsylvania, Marino sharply criticized Trump for refusing to endorse Barletta, who lost that race to Doug Mastriano. Now, he is urging his fellow Republicans to move on.

“I think the Republican Party has to do whatever it has to do to get away from Trump,” Marino said in an interview. “He certainly, I think, has cost the party losses in this election that we had in November. I’m deeply disappointed in him.”

In an unpublished letter that he shared with The New York Times, Marino castigated Trump for “acting like a childish bully” by attacking Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, whom the former president ripped as “Ron DeSanctimonious” as Republicans began to coalesce around a possible alternative for 2024.

To secure his support, Marino wrote, Trump would have had to “grow up and act presidential and refrain from calling potential candidates derogatory names.”

Trump, he added, “has thrown several people that were close to him under the bus”; “has no idea what loyalty means”; and “severely lacks character and integrity.”

“I will not support Trump, in fact, I will campaign against him,” Marino’s letter concluded. “Our country deserves a person who is mature, respects others and is honest to lead our nation.”

Trump’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

Trump keeps sinking

The evidence that Trump is getting weaker within the Republican Party is mounting by the day, and Marino’s letter is just the latest indicator.

“G.O.P. primary voters are moving,” said Mike DuHaime, a Republican strategist, nodding to Trump’s worsening poll numbers in hypothetical 2024 matchups. “They are exhausted having to defend his every word and action,” he added, and want “similar policies and fight without all the drama.”[....]

by artappraiser on Thu, 12/22/2022 - 12:54am

We chatted with folks at the Capitol today about Trump's tax revelations, but the best is Chuck Grassly, who ran into the elevator when asked if he'd support bipartisan transparency

Lindsey Graham threatens to go after Dems' taxes — Dems say bring it on https://t.co/eDBk1pmnE8
— Sarah Burris (@SarahBurris) December 21, 2022

by artappraiser on Thu, 12/22/2022 - 3:39am

This is quite simply true:

I'll take President Zelensky's cargo pants over the January 6th attackers who smeared feces on the walls of the Capitol and carried the Confederate flag through the Capitol halls any day. pic.twitter.com/JQI0hvutWg
— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) December 22, 2022

What are wingers thinking that they can use that old Geo. Bush canard about Clintonite types not respecting the Federal government offices by not wearing a suit and tie? That just won't fly anymore! They are branded with disrespecting the Federal government! Can't use two opposing narratives!

by artappraiser on Thu, 12/22/2022 - 1:56pm

this guy doesn't sound happy about it:

You hear that, guys? Ukraine is the number one priority. Not gas prices, or 7% inflation, or spikes in violent crime or even the 20,000 illegals per day the Southern Border is expecting. It’s Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/8933rRQnaF
— Eric Matheny (@EricMMatheny) December 21, 2022

by artappraiser on Thu, 12/22/2022 - 8:25pm

saw this only because @asteadHW retweeted it

SCHUMER says he he has spoken to middle-of-the-road House Republicans and believes they will pull McCarthy to the middle.
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) December 22, 2022

Astead Herndon is not any old political opinionator: I host a politics podcast from The New York Times. It's called The Run Up. I'm also a CNN political analyst. [email protected]

by artappraiser on Thu, 12/22/2022 - 8:55pm

FTX co-CEO Ryan Salame worked with Kevin McCarthy to funnel about $700K to a SuperPAC that ousted/defeated Representative Madison Cawthorn. This was not disclosed until well after the election was over. pic.twitter.com/WOsh1vBo1m
— Steven Steele (@MrStevenSteele) December 22, 2022

by artappraiser on Fri, 12/23/2022 - 5:23pm

Ok, this is classic Republicanism, the majority is clearly going there:

Build Back Better America: https://t.co/DgHYBDb3Kf
— Daniel Steinmetz-Jenkins (@daniel_dsj2110) December 23, 2022

by artappraiser on Fri, 12/23/2022 - 5:26pm

Outgoing Republican congressman Peter Meijer speaks with @tarapalmeri about “Team Crazy,” the GOP’s primary problem, and the DeSantis alternative. https://t.co/DKGkyS2L6o
— Puck (@PuckNews) December 30, 2022

by artappraiser on Thu, 12/29/2022 - 8:47pm

Rep. Kinzinger (R) not holding back on Charlie Kirk (and others) using this #DamarHamlin tragedy to push their anti-vaccine agenda pic.twitter.com/wDlLb25law
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) January 3, 2023

by artappraiser on Tue, 01/03/2023 - 12:26am

House Republican Member of Congress goes off against @GOPLeader McCarthy’s GOP detractors: pic.twitter.com/ZtdnBeltcp
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) January 3, 2023

by artappraiser on Tue, 01/03/2023 - 12:28am

Class act. We would all be a lot better off if we had more Doucey’s in our political lives. https://t.co/7JuSUCBZ2N
— SlingshotPeriwinkle (@White_Shadow81) January 3, 2023

by artappraiser on Tue, 01/03/2023 - 12:29am

cspan airing marjorie taylor greene bashing fellow freedom caucus members
— Laura Rozen (@lrozen) January 3, 2023

Pretty funny that Marge Green has turned out to be one of the more reliable supporters of GOP Leadership
— Michael Tracey (@mtracey) January 3, 2023

There is nothing McCarthy can give those people. NOTHING!
— Kristy Yamacoochie (@brownandbella) January 3, 2023

Looks like two stragglers got their votes in late and out of alphabetical order, so the final count is:

Jeffries 212
McCarthy 203
Biggs 10
Jordan 6
Zeldin 1
Banks 1
Donalds 1
— Jacob Rubashkin (@JacobRubashkin) January 3, 2023

Say Jordan swings a few of his voters (Boebert lol). Now you’re 14-15 votes short. Is that a sign of strength? Just shows how tough the climb is. And then maybe the third vote is a jailbreak. https://t.co/I7YVwuBPBQ
— Conor Sen (@conorsen) January 3, 2023

by artappraiser on Tue, 01/03/2023 - 2:15pm

it's a day of strange bedfellows?

AOC and Gosar…a match made in heaven.. pic.twitter.com/7LKLRpiv7k
— Joe Gabriel Simonson (@SaysSimonson) January 3, 2023

by artappraiser on Tue, 01/03/2023 - 2:25pm

scenes via Getty Images of George Santos's first day in DC pic.twitter.com/ZJ6aeaehjt
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 3, 2023

by artappraiser on Tue, 01/03/2023 - 3:11pm

"Carl" and Josh Marshall:

True believers want more extremism. More extremism is why the Republicans did so dismally in the midterms (combined with Dobbs, which was more extremism). As a moderate Democrat, I want Republicans to be moderate because it's good for my party. They ain't listening. https://t.co/42e1cZiAHw
— Carl (@HistoryBoomer) January 3, 2023

All 19 Republicans who rejected McCarthy on 1st ballot reject him again on 2nd ballot.

1st ballot, they split.

2nd ballot, all 19 vote Jim Jordan.

Biggs
Bishop
Boebert
Brecheen
Cloud
Clyde
Crane
Gaetz
Good
Gosar
Harris
Luna
Miller
Norman
Ogles
Perry
Rosendale
Roy
Self
— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) January 3, 2023

by artappraiser on Tue, 01/03/2023 - 3:20pm

Let's keep in mind: they are only 19 members - which does not define "the Republican party" - there are 203 other Republicans in the House and I wish more online Democratic activists would acknowledge that nuance! Those that push the narrative that they are "all the same" are just further pushing the simplistic, stupid divisiveness in our country. I have learned to just skip over anyone that starts out talking about "the Republicans" as if they are unified.

But people not paying as much attention buy into the simplistic manichean narratives. Which results in: further divisiveness. This is detrimental to democracy. I know Biden, for one, wouldn't approve.

by artappraiser on Tue, 01/03/2023 - 3:34pm

omen of the future?

Ohio's House of Representatives delivered an upset today as a coalition of Repubs and Dems voted to elect House Speaker Jason Stephens (R) over Rep. Derek Merrin, who won the vote among House Repubs last month - https://t.co/oLnpUGctaf
— Reid Wilson (@PoliticsReid) January 3, 2023

message reminder: quit with the extremism already and work together

by artappraiser on Tue, 01/03/2023 - 4:32pm

another omen! - an Independent Speaker in Pennsylvania!

A big WOW in the Pennsylvania state House. Dem leader Joanna McClinton stood aside and Dems and some Reps supported moderate Dem Mark Rozzi for speaker, who will govern as an independent in the closely divided chamber. https://t.co/1u9djFdSUt
— Nathaniel Rakich (@baseballot) January 3, 2023

by artappraiser on Tue, 01/03/2023 - 5:13pm

Yglesias suggests Kasich! Who suggested the omen thing for the US House:

Unironically, John Kasich would be a good choice for this https://t.co/QwDulLPPmu
— Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias) January 3, 2023

by artappraiser on Tue, 01/03/2023 - 5:17pm

note Kasich sez moderate the House and marginalize the extremists

by artappraiser on Tue, 01/03/2023 - 5:20pm

uh oh?

The incoming Republican majority in the House of Representatives removed metal detectors outside of the chamber floor today, just three days before the second anniversary of the deadly Jan. 6 riot.https://t.co/4VRMtxsinZ
— Citizens for Ethics (@CREWcrew) January 3, 2023

by artappraiser on Tue, 01/03/2023 - 5:01pm

bout time someone mentioned this!

Some Democrats fear a mass shooting on House floor — by a QAnon-Republican https://t.co/MtQgRb8zOf
— Heal the Planet (@fwtoney) January 6, 2023

by artappraiser on Fri, 01/06/2023 - 12:24pm

good reminder that it's not all about Trump:

Two books that will help you understand the forces in the House GOP that brought us to this point:

“American Carnage” by @TimAlberta

“The Hill to Die On” by @JakeSherman & @apalmerdc

Both excellent reads with insightful portraits of all the characters involved today. https://t.co/Qe5lGbJhUf
— Gabe Fleisher (@WakeUp2Politics) January 4, 2023

by artappraiser on Tue, 01/03/2023 - 9:19pm

worthwhile:

James Carville torches GOP rebels for 'political suicide' https://t.co/Wywu5YOEAj via @YouTube #GOPClownShow #GOP
— Charles Heenalu (@SurfCharlesNot) January 4, 2023

by artappraiser on Tue, 01/03/2023 - 10:53pm

Dark Brandon: https://t.co/bNkBHDlXDB
— Max Jordan Nguemeni (@MaxJordan_N) January 4, 2023

by artappraiser on Wed, 01/04/2023 - 1:57pm

The camaraderie between Biden and the Senate's top Republican in Kentucky provided a striking contrast to the House's bitter fight over electing a Speaker https://t.co/OUmiyx7j3k
— TIME (@TIME) January 4, 2023

by artappraiser on Wed, 01/04/2023 - 5:49pm

Who is Byron Donalds?

BY STEPHEN NEUKAM @ TheHill.com- 01/04/23 1:36 PM ET

The group of House Republicans who have refused to back Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) Speaker bid on Wednesday switched their votes to Rep. Byron Donalds (Fla.), a second-term congressman and one of two Black Republicans currently in the chamber.

The 20 GOP members voted for Donalds in the fourth round of Speaker voting, which saw no hopeful secure a majority

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) won 212 votes from Democrats, and 201 GOP members backed McCarthy. Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.), who previously voted for McCarthy, voted “present” on the fourth ballot.

Donalds, a 44-year-old former businessman and state representative in Florida, is seen in the party as a rising star. A fiery conservative, he has been outspoken about his anti-abortion views and support for gun rights. And while he has been considered a supporter of former President Trump, the strength of his loyalty there has been called into question since the 2022 midterm elections.

In November, he challenged Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) for conference chair; the fourth-highest ranking position in leadership, but lost in a closed-door vote. The contest between Donalds and Stefanik illustrated an emerging dichotomy in the Republican Party: Stefanik, a strong supporter of Trump, endorsed the former president ahead of his 2024 presidential bid. Donalds has not.

The catapult of Donalds to Speaker consideration is a quick ascent from 2020, when he won his nine-way Republican primary by just over 700 votes [....]

by artappraiser on Wed, 01/04/2023 - 2:07pm

^ a Pence supporter? just wondering aloud...

by artappraiser on Wed, 01/04/2023 - 2:10pm

Cori Bush:

This is pathetic. The jokes write themselves. https://t.co/MDGuFMEKCk
— Barrington Martin II (@_BarringtonII) January 4, 2023

by artappraiser on Wed, 01/04/2023 - 4:02pm

Republicans from swing districts might prefer a speaker of the House with integrity, says @fdwilkinson. But do they want one badly enough to sacrifice their careers and their families? https://t.co/qsgbOAyAla via @opinion
— Bloomberg (@business) January 4, 2023

by artappraiser on Wed, 01/04/2023 - 2:10pm

“This is not about policy. This is not about advancing our conservative agenda. This is about ego and fundraising and a bunch of other bullshit,” @RepNancyMace tells reporters about the speaker’s stalemate.
— Kadia Goba (@kadiagoba) January 4, 2023

Where the *Trumpism* really comes in!!!

by artappraiser on Wed, 01/04/2023 - 2:46pm

will wonders never cease?

'I'm sick of these people!' Marjorie Taylor Greene unloads on 'lying' Matt Gaetz and his pals https://t.co/FCKcFZnouX

Wow, that's EXACTLY the way most Americans feel about you!!!
— Heal the Planet (@fwtoney) January 4, 2023

by artappraiser on Wed, 01/04/2023 - 2:52pm

Trump’s endorsement proves worthless to Kevin McCarthy in his speaker bid

via @jonallendc: https://t.co/Y9VxYze4G1
— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) January 4, 2023

by artappraiser on Wed, 01/04/2023 - 5:58pm

but wait

This is an embarrassing statement. Trump thinks he is always the reason why people get elected. It’s funny. pic.twitter.com/eEbTME7n7C
— Sultan Oz (@Sultan4Oz) January 4, 2023

by artappraiser on Wed, 01/04/2023 - 6:00pm

retweeted by Matthew Yglesias, so bipartisan and multi-gender reaction:

This is actually really awesome to see these Congressman dad’s taking care of their babies during all of this… and just adorable content. https://t.co/4vKiSpylQH
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) January 5, 2023

by artappraiser on Wed, 01/04/2023 - 7:40pm

Michelle Goldberg op-ed headline Leopards Eat Kevin McCarthy’s Face

"By bowing first to Trump and then to Greene, all McCarthy has done is show other Republicans how much there is to gain from pushing him around."https://t.co/1uJNMFF0UE
— Alex Wagner Tonight (@WagnerTonight) January 5, 2023

Also

Spot on piece by @MollyJongFast.

"The Republican Party isn’t really a governing party anymore. It’s an incubator for right-wing celebrities" is probably the perfect synopsis I've heard on, well, anything.https://t.co/NNXCWyQR46 #KevinMcCarthy
— Patrick Pipino (@pp8010) January 5, 2023

by artappraiser on Wed, 01/04/2023 - 10:49pm

Kinzinger has formally joined CNN:

Happy to join the team @CNN! https://t.co/ypkns5pfEY
— Adam Kinzinger #fella (@AdamKinzinger) January 5, 2023

interesting tweets before that announcement:

The world can now see what we had to deal with for years https://t.co/BpWlWFz8bg
— Adam Kinzinger #fella (@AdamKinzinger) January 4, 2023

This ain’t new. He did in 2015 too https://t.co/rUXcDWco3M
— Adam Kinzinger #fella (@AdamKinzinger) January 4, 2023

So Matt Gaetz doesn’t want a house of reps.

Wonder if he will sacrifice his pay too since a functional government isn’t in his priorities. https://t.co/TSHLhMgGGv
— Adam Kinzinger #fella (@AdamKinzinger) January 4, 2023

Really? Haven’t noticed https://t.co/f5MLMMZKvC
— Adam Kinzinger #fella (@AdamKinzinger) January 4, 2023

by artappraiser on Wed, 01/04/2023 - 11:09pm

just learned that a lot of populist/MAGA type activists judge a leader not trustworthy/not on their side if they have something to do with the World Economic Forum (which would signify a globalist agenda)

trending on Twitter right now

"He's a WEF"

examples of hundreds of tweets -

He’s a WEF member. Take a look at their agenda. Eating bugs and owning nothing are not American values.
— Deborah Beatty (@DeborahBeatty14) January 4, 2023

He’s a WEF young leader. How is anyone surprised?
— iLostmysharpie (@Ftwatter12) January 5, 2023

He’s a WEF puppet.
— Mr. Scott (@SCforestbrook) January 4, 2023

and tne real wacko ones go here

McCarthy....He's a WEF puppet....a Klaus Schwab trainee...

Pedophilia is “nature’s gift” to humanity.
--Klaus Schwab

Wake up, people!https://t.co/QDrsqtDwL3
— Rednae (@Rednae1) January 5, 2023

or here

Zelensky has proved he’s a WEF viper https://t.co/O4OnTxQKlE
— Abby (@SiameseAbby) January 4, 2023

keep in mind this would make all NeoCons part of the enemy of course

Sure some could be Russian trolls stirring the pot but there's plenty enough of them seem genuine and it synchs with similar movements internationally like the Yellow Jackets in France, for example.

This is something Trump sensed that other GOP didn't. It was there, i.e., Pitchfork Pat Buchanan, they just wouldn't acknowledge it.

Edit to add: this would also fit some Obama/Trump voters in that Obama ran the first time as "not for stupid wars' and Trump of course ran in 2016 as an "America first" isolationist.

by artappraiser on Thu, 01/05/2023 - 12:28am

check out a new "trending" on Twitter "WE DO NOT WANT MCCARTHY"

kind of different from the group above, interesting how spintered this is

by artappraiser on Thu, 01/05/2023 - 10:07pm

Incoming Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is crossing party lines to name a Republican as the state’s top election official — the Republican who as a Philadelphia elections official pushed back on Trump’s claims in 2020https://t.co/Y2eDjY7ut4
— Edward-Isaac Dovere (@IsaacDovere) January 5, 2023

by artappraiser on Thu, 01/05/2023 - 10:23am

Dark Brandon knows his future lies with Mitch:

"I said I'd campaign for him or against him, whichever would help him the most" -- Biden jokes about Mitch McConnell pic.twitter.com/30DXsWKyEf
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 4, 2023

We don't know how lucky we are to have a president with such experienced wisdom at this time, he is so good at his job. Few realize how much so, and I suspect even the downplaying of his skills is part of his plan. He used to have personal ambition that could wreak havoc, but now that's all over, next stop is meeting his maker. Really we are so lucky to have him, see evidence every day in every way.

by artappraiser on Thu, 01/05/2023 - 11:34am

As they didn't change but arguably got worse after the night of negotiations, it's starting to look like the House kook caucus are anarchists, want to prove the poor approval ratings for Congress, to make it clear to Americans that nothing can be done about that, and that it should be pulled down:

Gaetz is not a serious person. All Republicans own this. None of you are serious people. https://t.co/bxwnnVo91O
— Mark Aldrich @[email protected] (@Mark_S_Aldrich) January 5, 2023

It's like Jan. 6 Chapter II. They won't have jobs if successful, though, have they thought of that?

by artappraiser on Thu, 01/05/2023 - 1:55pm

Nihili-narcissistic https://t.co/j5jTTbIz1q
— George Conway (@gtconway3d) January 6, 2023

by artappraiser on Thu, 01/05/2023 - 9:34pm

Yeah I am also confused as to why weakening leadership control of the floor is a rightist factional demand rather than a moderate one. https://t.co/2u5hJs0uDE
— Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias) January 6, 2023

The rightists are more focused on winning primaries than on legislating, open rules mean they can make members in safe GOP districts take a bunch of show votes on, like, abolishing the income tax and banning all abortions.
— MHendi (@MHendi35) January 6, 2023

Yep. Part of the craft of being a moderate politician is appearing to be as many things to as many people as possible, and the hard right would love to blunt one of its key tools: using arcane rules and proceduralism to avoid having to take a hard stance when you don't want to.
— Commentariat (@Commentariat_) January 6, 2023

Because they're more about being "anti-establishment" than they are in persuing policy.

(or maybe they naively believe their own hype that they speak for the people and that openness would lead to more of their preferred policies)
— Daniel (@Strafio) January 6, 2023

seems obvious to me. leadership wants to suppress unpopular right wing pushes like banning abortion and contraception since they care about winning national elections. matt gaetz just cares about winning his district and wants to be able to do the desantis thing.
— Allen Shonberg (@spaceship_nova) January 6, 2023

by artappraiser on Thu, 01/05/2023 - 10:37pm

OMG!

NEW: The emerging deal Kevin McCarthy is discussing to make him House speaker would propose a roughly $75 billion cut in defense spending https://t.co/UxK7yUu6Y3
— Bloomberg (@business) January 6, 2023

by artappraiser on Fri, 01/06/2023 - 12:31pm

tonight's late night festivities in the House got me remembering how NCD had a habit of ranting about how all Republicans think and vote the same:

As tensions boiled over on the House floor during the speaker votes, Republican Mike Rogers of Alabama started to charge toward Matt Gaetz before Richard Hudson physically pulled him back.

Full coverage:https://t.co/rT1rrJ7Ayy pic.twitter.com/klMbHN02iV
— The Associated Press (@AP) January 7, 2023

Wild scene as Rep. Mike Rogers has to be physically restrained by another member while going after Gaetz as McCarthy tries to secure final votes pic.twitter.com/c0u2lZxgYr
— Cabot Phillips (@cabot_phillips) January 7, 2023

Person close to Trump says he placed a call to Gaetz and other members at a key time, right after they had voted to adjourn; a number of those members switched their votes after Trump began reaching out, the person says.
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) January 7, 2023

Lmao @RepKatiePorter is amazing pic.twitter.com/PSubOELcSO
— Andrew Wortman (@AmoneyResists) January 7, 2023

^apparently that's real/unaltered - and it's extremely viral

Voting for Speaker of the House. https://t.co/bUeBQTerTO
— Pradheep J. Shanker (@Neoavatara) January 7, 2023

A wild fact about all this: Nancy Pelosi figured out how to win the speakership on the first ballot in 2021 with a 222-seat majority identical to what McCarthy has now. And she faced 15 Democratic defections (albeit under a larger majority) in 2019.
— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) January 7, 2023

by artappraiser on Sat, 01/07/2023 - 12:51am

oh I should throw up an example from much earlier today - variants of this one of the new "don't just lie but also make crazy shit up" caucus were extremely popular:

George Santos points out his shiny Jew-ish Space Laser to Qanon follower Marjorie Greene as a jealous Jim Jordan looks on. pic.twitter.com/UUf0svC56u
— (@mk_indy) January 6, 2023

by artappraiser on Sat, 01/07/2023 - 1:02am

Almost like kids in Congress

(this one keeps pointing out stuff above too)

Day 4: Gonna chill in the office with Hodge between votes.

It’s been a long week! #SpeakerVote #HeyHodge pic.twitter.com/UEHS0nJa7N
— Rep. Jimmy Gomez (@RepJimmyGomez) January 6, 2023

by PeraclesPlease on Sat, 01/07/2023 - 2:12am

Thrump still calling the shots disturbing enough.

Maggie still acting like Trump whisperer even when CNN already reported it is pure charade.

by PeraclesPlease on Sat, 01/07/2023 - 12:23pm

by artappraiser on Mon, 01/09/2023 - 6:22pm

two contrary views - that Trump NOT 'calling the shots'

Trump Humiliated When No One Wants to Talk to Him When Marjorie Taylor Greene Hands Phone to Reps https://t.co/m3Kcb4ofB2 via @NicoleJames
— Heal the Planet (@fwtoney) January 9, 2023

Cynical, amoral coward @GOPLeader @kevinomccarthy made a deal with the bloated orange devil, and was still publicly humiliated today by the @HouseGOP Nazi #MAGAts.

Sad! #ETTD #HouseSpeaker #Karma https://t.co/c22qJX4tpF
— Mindful Primate (@MichellesDude) January 4, 2023

Aside: Actually I noticed that the word 'humiliated" is quite popular right now with talking heads; example -

Matt Gaetz humiliated himself to keep Donald Trump happy. @farronbalanced pic.twitter.com/mLmC7286xL
— The Ring of Fire (@RingOfFireMedia) January 6, 2023

by artappraiser on Mon, 01/09/2023 - 6:28pm

I never thought I’d see this duo having a keekee—Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee & Matt Gaetz. pic.twitter.com/gIoIUaSS0r
— AWORKINGWARDROBE (@barredwithbars) January 7, 2023

just has to be fake because it doesn't fit the political internet's narrative where he's evil racist Rapey McForehead who would never in a million years be recognized by the saintly Shelia Jackson Lee much less make her laugh

by artappraiser on Sun, 01/08/2023 - 2:14am

he certainly pegged their problem here:

‘The Constitution over the cult,’
‘Democracy over demagogues,’
‘Maturity over Mar-a-Lago,’
‘Quality-of-life issues over QAnon’

Watch House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) school Republicans in a speech from A to Z pic.twitter.com/ZWdZku59dR
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) January 7, 2023

by artappraiser on Sat, 01/07/2023 - 1:41pm

The whole thing

FULL SPEECH:

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries opens the 118th Congress of The United States with one of the most amazing speeches I've ever heard.

CLICK https://t.co/RshHp0puqC pic.twitter.com/3IKOXEO7Fj
— StandForBetter.org (@StandForBetter) January 7, 2023

And then there's Kevin.

https://youtu.be/pb_gA0009b4

A gauntlet's been laid down.

by PeraclesPlease on Sat, 01/07/2023 - 2:11pm

a reminder, though, of the Dec. 20 story at the top of this thread: Senate GOP pans ‘immaturity’ by House Republicans with omnibus threat.

Senate minority GOP not set up to tolerate the same old same old childish antics. AND BIDEN KNOWS THAT, and I suspect that's why he's been cozying up to Mitch. If they continue the same old same old, they're just going to be ignored. The gauntlet really is: grow up. I would say if they are really into Trump-type celebrity narcissism, they'd be better off resigning and getting into media, because: witness the fate of Trump, his endorsements in the last election and how he's losing popularity as a celeb every day.

by artappraiser on Sat, 01/07/2023 - 2:33pm

Kevin McCarthy: "I know the night is late, but when we come back, our very first bill will repeal the funding for 87,000 new IRS agents." pic.twitter.com/vuEkmIYJ9O
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) January 7, 2023

Is a no brainer as few constituents or donors are going to complain (until of course they need to communicate with a human rather than a computer at the IRS, that is)

by artappraiser on Sat, 01/07/2023 - 2:14pm

Andrew Yang retweeted; Vance is a Former Republican. Now a proud member of the Forward Party -

My thoughts on what is happening, and what should happen next. @Fwd_Party @FWD_Washington @AndrewYang @DavidJollyFL @MilesTaylorUSA @Joel_Searby pic.twitter.com/R6Ewh2sc33
— Chris Vance (@Chrisvance123) January 7, 2023

by artappraiser on Sat, 01/07/2023 - 5:18pm

compare The Tories; he's just sayin'

Triumph of centrism, by @George_Osborne via @RSylvesterTimes https://t.co/CvaNiLGcoy pic.twitter.com/m6nLJ3S0BU
— John Rentoul (@JohnRentoul) January 7, 2023

by artappraiser on Sat, 01/07/2023 - 5:48pm

see here's the wrong way to go:

Media: @RonBrownstein to @Acosta: "People like @mtgreenee, @RepMattGaetz are going to be at the center of the imagery in many of the investigations that @SpeakerMcCarthy agreed to ... It's to greatly facilitate the ability of the #Democrats to say, 'This is the face of the @GOP'" pic.twitter.com/8nvm1imNcf
— Porter Anderson (@Porter_Anderson) January 7, 2023

stop giving them air.which allows Dems to paint your party as extremist

by artappraiser on Sat, 01/07/2023 - 5:52pm

gees the Trumpie nut cases are certainly not currently supporting one another:

Mike Lindell Throws Marjorie Taylor Greene All the Way Under MAGA Bus Over Speaker Vote: ‘Oh, I Let It Slip Out!’ https://t.co/oNVaTpsccf
— Heal the Planet (@fwtoney) January 7, 2023

by artappraiser on Sat, 01/07/2023 - 6:17pm

If Tucker gets his way the new McCarthyism will be fighting the FBI. https://t.co/kD6OnHiWeS
— Jennifer Mercieca (@jenmercieca) January 4, 2023

by artappraiser on Sat, 01/07/2023 - 6:09pm

NEW: Inside the House GOP's speakership crisis — how they first had to lower the temp before they could even see if there was room for negotiations.

From me ⁦@sarahnferris⁩ and ⁦@jordainc⁩ https://t.co/eqjqqDTGJq
— Olivia Beavers (@Olivia_Beavers) January 7, 2023

by PeraclesPlease on Sun, 01/08/2023 - 8:32pm

thanks, good reporting. Among other things I noted this, which means the majority of them including McCarthy will stand behind Jim Jordan through anything stirred up by Geo. Clooney's documentary about Ohio State:

...Jordan worked behind the scenes with McCarthy to bring members of the House Freedom Caucus into the fold and threw his weight behind some of the rules changes they were advocating for. Underscoring Jordan’s importance to the new speaker, one aide to a McCarthy ally, said the victory “wouldn’t have been possible without him.”....

I also thought this was important

...in the end, the holdouts were reassured of no punishment for their initial no votes.

“Anybody who thinks that bullying the holdouts is going to deliver victory doesn’t understand how this town works anymore,” said Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), who leads the Main Street Caucus and helped tamp down tensions over potential anti-McCarthy payback.

“This is not the machine politics of the 1800s,” Johnson added.....

by artappraiser on Sun, 01/08/2023 - 9:10pm

1800s? No memory of Jeffords under Bush?

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-jun-24-mn-14081-story.html

by PeraclesPlease on Sun, 01/08/2023 - 9:23pm

I don't see the comparison at at, it's right here, he basically operated as an independent without fear

Since his first election to Congress in 1974, Jeffords often found himself at odds with his party.

He was the sole member of the House to vote against the Reagan tax cut in 1981; he was pro-choice; he favored public funding for the arts; he was the only Republican senator to co-sponsor President Clinton’s 1994 health care reform plan; he opposed Clinton’s impeachment and voted against the nomination of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court.

But Jeffords was unpredictable. Neither the Republicans nor the Democrats could count on him as a sure vote. In 1994, for example, he opposed the GOP position 68% of the time, but in 1999 he favored it 67% of the time.

not getting the White House to go along with his favored program is not the same thing as party leadership bullying him to stay in line

by artappraiser on Sun, 01/08/2023 - 10:16pm

Good analysis here; scroll up and down -> https://t.co/JPotoQJIOZ
— Christopher Federico (@ChrisPolPsych) January 9, 2023

by artappraiser on Sun, 01/08/2023 - 11:22pm

Nate Cohn summed up the GOP's big picture situation quite nicely in Dec.

Republicans enjoyed a superior turnout this fall, based on authoritative data on turnout by party from NC, AZ, GA, NV, NY and FL, but lost high-profile races because of defections from Republican-leaning voters https://t.co/fFYmIuzOOg
— Nate Cohn (@Nate_Cohn) December 9, 2022

So the whole new situation with a Speaker that has to figure out how to cowtow to extremists is really potentially 'suicidal' as Carville and many others have noted. House elections again in two years, along with the presidential race.

by artappraiser on Mon, 01/09/2023 - 6:41am

Even more important to see, at FiveThirtyEight.com: Kevin McCarthy's Job Just Got Harder

In becoming Speaker, he may have made it difficult to do anything else.

By Nathaniel Rakich, JAN. 7, 2023, AT 9:35 AM

If Rep. Kevin McCarthy didn’t have a lucky number before, it’s surely 15 now. Just after midnight on Saturday morning, the House of Representatives finally voted to make McCarthy speaker of the House on the 15th ballot — the resolution of an historic, multi-day staredown with conservative hardliners who will now wield tremendous power in the House.

For a while there, McCarthy looked like he might never gain the speaker’s gavel at all. At the height of opposition to him — between the third and 11th ballots — 20 Republicans voted for a non-McCarthy candidate, putting him far away from the majority of votes necessary to win. As I wrote on Wednesday, those dissenters were among the most conservative, most anti-establishment Republicans in the House. The chart below uses incumbents’ DW-NOMINATE scores (ideology scores based on their congressional voting records) to plot them along two axes: left vs. right and pro-establishment vs. anti-establishment.1 Notice how McCarthy’s opponents are all in the lower-right part of the chart. It’s almost like they are their own political party (more on that in a bit).

[....]

He goes on to discuss, among other things, the RULES CHANGES THAT MCCARTHY CAVED TO, and why they matter so much.

by artappraiser on Mon, 01/09/2023 - 6:57am

'Jim Jordan needs to shut the hell up': Former GOP adviser buries 'insurrectionist' lawmaker over his latest comments https://t.co/dWZFHLjMUb
— Raw Story (@RawStory) January 9, 2023

"Jim Jordan is potentially under investigation by the Department of Justice. He is now about to become the chairman of the Judiciary Committee which has direct oversight of the DOJ; there's something incredibly wrong with that." https://t.co/VfV7uDssqO
— thismomentonly (@thismomentonly) January 9, 2023

That committee DOES NOT have oversight over the Department of Justice! WTF! Why is everyone on this site so clueless?
— anyoneelse2020 (@anyoneelse20201) January 9, 2023

by artappraiser on Mon, 01/09/2023 - 9:05am

The Tucker Carlson wing now hates Rep. Crenshaw for sure, who has been labeled a (evil; globalist) "NeoCon"

Unclutch your pearls. It’s a figure of speech. You can’t insult, slander, and hold everyone hostage with no way out - and not expect me to punch back.

Grow thicker skin. https://t.co/gmwDmfCney
— Dan Crenshaw (@DanCrenshawTX) January 5, 2023

and Kinzinger (sell out to Jan. 6 Commission and now the evil globalist CNN too) has Crenshaw's back:

Tucker is special Dan. He’s never exerted an ounce of energy on behalf of his country but somehow thinks he’s a hero. https://t.co/KNNwOWxrWJ
— Adam Kinzinger #fella (@AdamKinzinger) January 5, 2023

by artappraiser on Mon, 01/09/2023 - 6:52pm

Don't know for sure what MTG is babbling about here because her video was taken down but Kinzinger uses her tweet for a more general assessment of the House situation -

They can stop it with 4 votes. https://t.co/PTiAcFtj6G
— Adam Kinzinger #fella (@AdamKinzinger) January 9, 2023

by artappraiser on Mon, 01/09/2023 - 6:59pm

Little Orphan Annie singing "Tomorrow", I'm sure.

by PeraclesPlease on Mon, 01/09/2023 - 8:43pm

actually, believe it or not, turns out it was Dr. Dre

Marjorie Taylor Greene has been locked out of her Twitter account and her new video has been removed after Dr. Dre took legal action against her for using his music without permission.

His letter is amazing. pic.twitter.com/Vk12JSRByK
— No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen (@NoLieWithBTC) January 9, 2023

by artappraiser on Mon, 01/09/2023 - 11:47pm

So here's a new bipartisan House vote on China which only 65 Dems voted against, so if you see spin that the new situation has totally divided the parties,you know it's simply not true:

People voted against this? https://t.co/krUPis9tfD
— Joe Gabriel Simonson (@SaysSimonson) January 10, 2023

by artappraiser on Tue, 01/10/2023 - 5:02pm

on why "progressives" voted no:

House progressives link their opposition to a China select committee to concern over anti-Asian violence.

Is there any country imprisoning more Asians on the basis of their religious or ethnic background than China? https://t.co/lYhOdZrXQZ
— Zaid Jilani (@ZaidJilani) January 11, 2023

from his earlier tweets on topic

Something I noticed about this vote, the Democrats who voted no are mostly the staunch progressives, with an exception, Ilhan Omar, who voted with most Dems and GOP on establishing the China committee.
— Zaid Jilani (@ZaidJilani) January 10, 2023

by artappraiser on Wed, 01/11/2023 - 1:04am

Famous GOP pollster & focus-group covener just pointing this out, what a surprise NOT:

The #1 complaint I hear from voters (on both sides) is that politicians seem to care more about preserving their power than serving the people. https://t.co/4yGwUw7vi4
— Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) January 10, 2023

by artappraiser on Tue, 01/10/2023 - 5:12pm

More evidence DeSantis only does culture wars cynically, when it benefits him politically:

Interesting deep read on how a top DeSantis aid worked on a proposed tax break that would have benefitted Disney (it didn't pass). This was before the more recent spat between Disney and DeSantis. Via Florida reporter @jason_garcia https://t.co/yUtRe4d6VA
— Zaid Jilani (@ZaidJilani) January 10, 2023

by artappraiser on Wed, 01/11/2023 - 1:02am

so now 'both sides do it" is going to resound with more people; politically the case against Trump for Mar-a-Lago docs will more easily look like the FBI (deep state) picking on him:

Latest from @NBCNews: https://t.co/7V60phwk7k
— Jesse Rodriguez (@JesseRodriguez) January 11, 2023

I was going to post this on the Trump thread in reply to this, my last comment there, showing the previous difference between Trump and Biden on docs

Thank you, CNN, for those distinctions. Via @ashtonpittman https://t.co/aQ86C95KBs
— Jay Rosen (@jayrosen_nyu) January 11, 2023

but I see PP has locked the thread without starting a new one, so I plopped it here.

The news certainly does make it easier for the GOP to convince people that the possiblity of unfair targeting of Trump and other conservatives is going on

by artappraiser on Wed, 01/11/2023 - 5:18pm

Out with the old, in with the new.

Through every thread turn, turn, turn /

It is the season...

But yes, start a new one to replace the 3-4 month old ones

by PeraclesPlease on Thu, 01/12/2023 - 2:21am

BOEBERT: “I am not going to support McCarthy.”

HANNITY: “So you lied to Trump?”

BOEBERT: “I love Trump. You’re not going to pit him against me.”

HANNITY: “They’re your words.”

pic.twitter.com/mrQbl7wkEb
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) January 5, 2023

by artappraiser on Wed, 01/11/2023 - 5:53pm

Although McCarthy and his GOP allies insist that no back-room deals were made to land his gavel, the debate about the existence of such a document has exposed a trust problem days into McCarthy’s speakership. https://t.co/OmDlFZobQC
— POLITICO (@politico) January 12, 2023

by artappraiser on Thu, 01/12/2023 - 4:14pm

In the News

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

submitted by PeraclesPlease 8 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 9 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 10 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 11 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 11 months 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 11 months 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 11 months ago

Read the article at

3 comments

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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 11 months 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

38 comments

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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 11 months 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 11 months 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

58 comments

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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 11 months 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

6 comments

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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 11 months 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

10 comments

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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 11 months 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

15 comments

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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 11 months 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/

3 comments

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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 11 months 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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