We may have just gotten one seat closer to taking the House with Charlie Dent’s retirement. The district is +2 R PVI so not a gimme for Democrats, but Rothenberg at least seems to think Dems have an edge here.
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efgoldman
I thought Dent was supposed to be one if the almost-sane ones. Clearly I was misinformed.
Lizzy L
On the other hand: Joe Manchin has just come out publicly in support of Mr Trump’s repeal of DACA. *insert emoticon of Joe Manchin falling off a cliff here*
John M. Burt
A little and a little and a little….
First we retake the House, and elect a patriot to the Speakership.
Then we impeach Donald and Mike, and the Democratic Speaker becomes President.
We have to pull the trigger from which Nancy Pelosi stayed her hand in 2007. We can’t afford to play it safe this time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zotaRLROtw
TenguPhule
@John M. Burt:
You forgot the part about the Senate.
SiubhanDuinne
O/T, I heard a few minutes of MTP Daily in the car earlier this afternoon, and boy howdy do the Villagers ever hate Hillary!! (I know this comes as no surprise, but it was almost shocking to hear how blatantly they were willing to state their hatred for her.)
I’m still planning to read her book, which I’ve pre-ordered on Amazon. Because fuck the Village.
bluehill
Apparently Trump is pleased with the positive headlines about working with the dems. Maybe this is the “pivot” that dem leadership could enable and leverage for Ocare fixes, DACA support, infrastructure spending etc. Of course it’s ridiculous but so were the last 18 months. Dem twitter bots get on it.
SiubhanDuinne
@Lizzy L:
I said something here mildly critical of Joe Manchin a few weeks ago, and got yelled at because he usually voted with the Dem caucus.
I still don’t trust him as far as I can spit. Didn’t trust him when he was Governor, don’t trust him now, doubt I’ll trust him in future.
mai naem mobile
@TenguPhule: I think Dolt has po’d enough GOP Sens to get himself and Mikey impeached. If Mueller builds a really good case that us simple to understand, the public will be behind the impeachmwnt.
Steeplejack
Aw, hell, no, I can’t let this title slide by without playing the actual song! One of my all-time favorites, from an album that is pretty close to desert island material, but maybe just because of the time when it came out and where I was.
Danny O’Keefe, “Good Time Charlie’s Got the Blues.”
Major Major Major Major
@John M. Burt: is Nancy Pelosi not a patriot?
efgoldman
@SiubhanDuinne:
So, who would you prefer as a Democrat THAT CAN GET ELECTED in West Virginia??
Manchin is better than any conceivable (or inconceivable) RWNJ.
mai naem mobile
@SiubhanDuinne: I don’t trust him but I’ll go along as long as
1/there isn’t a better Den
2/he will vote for a Dem for majority leader.
I also think he may be under pressure because of his daughter and Mylan
efgoldman
@Major Major Major Major:
I believe she is a 49er.
John M. Burt
@TenguPhule: Fair enough.
1) We elect a patriot majority in the House and Senate.
2) House elects a patriotic Speaker who oversees impeachment of traitors in the Executive Branch.
3) A patriot majority in Senate convicts the bastards.
4) Recovery begins. We can take this as our model for how to proceed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJzdgZ1lOTA
dr. bloor
@SiubhanDuinne: No one should. Don’t have to like him, either. Like the Blue Dogs in his political family tree, however, he is useful from time to time.
TenguPhule
In scathing lawsuit, first responders describe vomiting, gasping at Texas chemical plant fire
This sounds eerily familiar.
And in response?
And it gets better.
Oatler.
@SiubhanDuinne: Reminds me of the MTP piece I saw earlier this week where Chucky the Fluff discussed the future of the Democratic Party… with a “panel” that included Michael Steele and NO democrats. It was only the kissoff story near the end of the show so we could indulge ourselves with wry chuckles and shrugs
efgoldman
@John M. Burt:
There is no conceivable (or inconceivable) way to get 66 votes for conviction (2/3) in the senate. None.
Doesn’t mean they shouldn’t give it a shot, but it ain’t gonna’ happen.
Lizzy L
@SiubhanDuinne: Yeah, I remember. I think he and Schumer are playing eleventy-dimension chess. Mr Trump has pretty much said he’ll sign a bill which supports DACA, and I think Manchin would vote for such a bill — there’s nothing in the statement which suggests he wouldn’t. He’s actually being rather clever… Maybe I should rescind my emoticon.
TenguPhule
Fucking Sessions is at it again. Justice Dept sides with Homophobic Baker.
Hard to tell if Trump, Pence or Sessions was the one behind this call.
But let’s be fair and just blame all of them.
germy
Jake Tapper mentions Don Jr.
John M. Burt
@Major Major Major Major: Nancy Pelosi is a patriot, and I will not fault her courage, either. I understand why she decided that impeaching Dick and his Dubya was too risky to consider.
But 2017 is not 2007, and Donald and Mike are not George and Dick.
David ?Canadian Anchor Baby? Koch
Manchin voted to save ACA.
30 million people and their families appreciate it.
?BillinGlendaleCA
OT: I was going to order a night vision monocular to be able to see if anything I need to worry about is out there when I shoot stars alone. Amazon wouldn’t ship it to my address. It seems they’re illegal in California.
TenguPhule
@efgoldman:
Alien zombie invasion.
Major Major Major Major
@TenguPhule: that might get us 60.
TenguPhule
@Major Major Major Major:
Darkskinned Radioactive Zombies?
germy
@?BillinGlendaleCA: Why are they illegal in California?
Davebo
@TenguPhule: True, and there’s a better chance of taking the senate than the house. Not much of a chance, but IMO better.
?BillinGlendaleCA
@germy: Hunters use them for an unfair advantage over game, that seems to be the motivation from reading the Penal Code.
ETA: There’s an exception for military, LEO, educational, and scientific uses.
Major Major Major Major
@?BillinGlendaleCA: damn nanny state.
germy
@?BillinGlendaleCA: Wouldn’t your star shooting qualify as educational or perhaps even scientific?
Mike J
First Reichert, now Dent. Good. Let’s get all of them.
Davebo
@TenguPhule:
While I’m certainly sympathetic to Charlie Craig and David Mullins I really don’t think the case of an obstinate baker is the hill we should be choosing to die on. Also, Charlie Craig and David Mullins pursuing this suit is not much different from so many goofy lawsuits filed by those on the other side.
Seth Owen
@TenguPhule: Even worse, the required number is 67.
?BillinGlendaleCA
@germy: Yes, my purchase and use would be legal; Amazon still won’t ship it to California.
ETA: If I get eaten by a bear, Amazon will be hearing from my estate’s attorney.
Major Major Major Major
@Davebo: the wingers picked this case because it’s a lousy hill to die on.
?BillinGlendaleCA
@Mike J:
Reichert’s going? Good!
TenguPhule
@Davebo:
No offense intended, but you have no fucking idea what you’re talking about. The baker’s legal arguments are the kind of garbage that would get students kicked out of law school.
?BillinGlendaleCA
@Major Major Major Major: Heh.
TenguPhule
@Major Major Major Major: You’re misreading it. The commenter is arguing it from the other side that *the couple* shouldn’t be fighting this case.
Mike J
@?BillinGlendaleCA: Yup. Dingus who ran for gov last time has made noises about running, but even with name rec he’d get blown away.
I think we’ll pick this one up unless Bryant catches a serial killer in the next year.
Major Major Major Major
@TenguPhule: and I agree.
TenguPhule
@Major Major Major Major:
Why?
?BillinGlendaleCA
Looks like the kid managed to fit in High Tea at the Empress in Victoria and Butchart Gardens as well.
ETA: I told her NOT to miss Butchart Gardens, she was uncertain if she could fit it into her limited time in Victoria. Her Facebook post indicates that she was glad she went.
Major Major Major Major
@TenguPhule: the current SCOTUS should not be deciding this.
WaterGirl
I want to give a big shout out to the person who posted the Vincente Fox video today! It made my afternoon!
The only thing worse than being stuck at home waiting for the repair person to come during their 2-hour time period is to be stuck at someone else’s home doing that for them. (My friend who is in California asked me to stand in for her.) Oh, and this guy was an hour late (no surprise there!) so all-in-all I was there for 4 hours. Good times. But I was snorting and laughing out loud at that video. From the hats to the pee tap, he is very funny guy and I adore him for his mockery of the orange one. Do we think it’s possible that Trump has seen any of the videos?
?BillinGlendaleCA
@Mike J: I was up there during the Green River killings.
TenguPhule
@Major Major Major Major:
Its not like we had much of a choice with split circuit court judgments. Those are the cards that were dealt and what we have to work with.
?BillinGlendaleCA
@WaterGirl:
I doubt FOX news plays them. So, no.
Mike J
@?BillinGlendaleCA: Now that we’ve got the insurance issue cleared up, I’m going to sail to Victoria on a non – Race to Alaska or Swiftsure trip.
Although if anyone IS putting together Swiftsure crew already, let me know. (Think I’ve got a r2ak ride if I want it).
Major Major Major Major
@TenguPhule: it wouldn’t have gotten to the point of a circuit split if they hadn’t pursued it.
1stgengirl
Representatve Dave Reichert announced his retirement. His seat will be hotly contested as Dems try to win it back. He represents the conservative eastside, home to Microsoft, Nintendo, and Safeco Insurance.
?BillinGlendaleCA
I was in Hollywood today and I went by Trump’s star on the Walk of Fame twice. The first time there was a person jumping up and down on it, basically stomping on it. I gave it a quick stomp as I passed by. The second time, I made sure to put out my cig on it(gotta make sure those suckers are out, don’t want anymore brush fires).
ETA: Trump’s star looks really beat up, not as bad as the LAPD Hollywood division’s but it’s pretty bad.
Just One More Canuck
@?BillinGlendaleCA: did she do the Hippo tour of the Inner Harbour or the Tally Ho horse drawn carriage?
TenguPhule
@Major Major Major Major:
Were they supposed to predict that America would go completely insane 4 years after they filed the suit?
Major Major Major Major
@TenguPhule: no, but they probably should have known a republican president was possible before they filed.
WaterGirl
@?BillinGlendaleCA: Too bad you didn’t have a bag of dog poop handy.
?BillinGlendaleCA
@Just One More Canuck: She just mentioned High Tea and Butchart(she was blown away, her words), she was only there for a day trip from Seattle.
Davebo
@Major Major Major Major: Of course. But that wasn’t the point I tried (not very well) to make.
Wingers didn’t file the lawsuit, Charlie Craig and David Mullins did.
TenguPhule
@Major Major Major Major:
So back of the bus and takeout for the
colored folksLGBT forever?Major Major Major Major
@TenguPhule: yes, clearly I’m an unsophisticated drooling idiot who hasn’t gamed out the possible ramifications of such lawsuits on the future of his people. Stupid me.
@Davebo: that too, a lot in the LGBT community have been cringing over this lawsuit for years.
Bad communication medals for both of us!
TenguPhule
@Major Major Major Major:
I didn’t say that. What you wanted the couple to do was impossible. They had no way of knowing that the country would go mad years after they filed the lawsuit. Their lawyers clearly saw they had a case to be made and given what they knew then, it was not a stupid or crazy thing to do.
And were they just supposed to sit back and take the discrimination?
Major Major Major Major
@TenguPhule:
This has nothing to do with the legal situation. All they had to foresee was a possible republican president. Any republican would be appointing the exact same judges. ETA and the composition of the court at the date of filing should have given them pause anyway.
You learn to pick your battles. This was a cake in a town with more than one bakery.
Just One More Canuck
@?BillinGlendaleCA: Butchart Gardens is pretty awesome – the Sunday morning gardeners here should all do a pilgrimage.
Every time the owners of the Empress do something to the building, the locals go insane. They took down some really really ugly trees a few years ago, and people are still moaning about it
?BillinGlendaleCA
@WaterGirl: I have lots of dog poop, I have two production modules. Carrying it on MetroLink and the subway might have been a problem.
TenguPhule
@Major Major Major Major:
in 2012 or 2013? After the Republicans put up Mitt Romney and lost?
Fuck, I’m cynical but even I’m not that cynical.
Plenty of room at the back of the bus and the colored folks don’t need to eat at the tables where whites sit at. They can wait their turn.
Stop, just stop digging already.
Major Major Major Major
@TenguPhule: I’m guessing you haven’t had to spend a lot of time as a hated minority?
smintheus
Dent almost certainly would have won re-election without breaking a sweat. The Dems have always run schmoes against him. He’s my Congressman and I’ve long despaired of the Dems ever presenting a credible challenge to him. There has been talk locally among Trumplings of a primary challenge to Dent, which he also probably would have seen off. I wonder if he’s finally fed up with the GOP, or could he have been facing death threats from Trumplings?
Davebo
@TenguPhule:
You mean just accept the cake the other baker offered them, for free?
The ACLU has finite resources. This case is consuming a ton of them and if you think the Supreme Court is going to rule in their favor, well let’s just say I’m skeptical.
Who isn’t getting free legal services for actual important stuff because of this?
Again, idiotic hill to choose to die on, and this case is already dead.
Major Major Major Major
@Davebo:
Trans people who want to pee, for example, which is rather more important than wedding cake.
Davebo
@Major Major Major Major: Don’t even get me started on that!
And what’s enraging is that if some ultra conservative Evangelical saw some of the people he’s forcing into the same restroom as his little girl he’d get even crazier.
WaterGirl
@?BillinGlendaleCA: You make a good point!
Major Major Major Major
@Davebo: I think Buck Angel has some pretty funny memes to that effect.
J R in WV
@SiubhanDuinne:
Joe Manchin is a despicable piece of crap. He will do anything in order to make a buck or gain a gram of power. Don’t trust him behind you.
In fact, don’t trust him right in front of you in broad daylight. He will change his position in a hot second, and tell everyone it was for the best for America, and was the position he always had.
J R in WV
@?BillinGlendaleCA:
Try B&H photo, they cater to photographers, videographers, artists.
mainmata
@efgoldman: Probably still a Ravens fan since she was raised in Baltimore. And speaking of football, the KC Chiefs just upset the champion Pats on the opening game of the 2017 season. A bit of a shocker as Brady didn’t look very impressive.
More to the point, we are in a delicate time politically. The Democrats could show they are more a) unified and b) interested in enacting a positive agenda and that may persuade some voters to give them a chance but the combination of gerrymandering and voter suppression and massive MSM waves for GOP candidates makes it very dicey whether the Democrats can flip the HOR no matter how awful the GOP performs (unless there is a sudden economic nose-dive next year (which could happen, especially if natural disasters keep on happening).