DramatistDreamer

People have been trying to write obits for the ACA/Obamacare for years now and last year the shrillest voices got the most coverage but when you actually read the stats, the research doesn't bear out all the negative hypotheses. The biggest obstacles have to do with the greed of insurance companies as well as their investors that have no interest in any form of healtcare that moves the populace that much closer to wanting a univeral/single payer type of care. As much as many economists have been sounding like a broken record in emphasizing that Obamacare is not collapsing, people were still falling for the political hype that the sky is falling. We all know that the GOP and their backers want to take the law apart but the amazing irony is that their sheer incompetence is helping to boost the law's prominence and necessity. If only many of these GOP bumblers/intransigents can be forced out of office, we may even get some public servants interested in strengthening and improving the ACA so that its benefits are boosted and perhaps even fix the loopholes and flaws. If the GOP continues on their path, this outcome could be a real possibility.

Seriously? This has to be a joke. What are these folks smoking?? White House: OK for Trump to go on long summer vacation because he’s “crushing it”

It is!

A former assistant special prosecutor on the Watergate case is using the C word (Collusion) in regards to Donald Jr. e-mail/meeting with a Kremlin connected lawyer.

Shades of Halliburton and Iraq? Trump Aides Recruited Businessmen to Devise Options for Afghanistan

So now it's about Junior's e-mails! Trump Jr. Was Told in Email of Russian Effort to Aid Campaign

Looks like the Feds are stepping up their investigation into the land deal brokered by Jane Sanders. Just yesterday I was wondering why things were so quiet about this. Federal prosecutors step up probe of land deal pushed by wife of Bernie Sanders

Russia certainly doesn't care one way or the other about North Korea other than the usual self-preservation concerns, like every other country that doesn't want to be subject to the whims of the Kim regime. China is different-as I've mentioned in a previous post, China shares a border with North Korea, China is North Korea's biggest trading partner and China is interested in whatever stability prevents a migrant flow across the border into China and they are not about to risk any of that perceived stability for the likes of the U.S. or the Trump administration's non-policy on North Korea. Seems like the GOP and Tea Party (remember them?) have grown silent on a few issues that they were once vehemently vocal about. Why Obamacare’s Loudest Critics Aren’t as Loud Anymore

I slightly disagree with you because these are two countries whose economies are no longer as strong as they once were when oil and steel were powerhouses for their respective economies. If both leaders, Xi and Putin want to stanch any possibilities of unrest at home (people stay afraid of authoritarians for only so long and there have been modest protests in each country as of late), they've got to keep their economies steady, and trade is a major component of every economy around the globe. Only the U.S. leadership thinks they can pursue a mainly isolationist stance and benefit from it. No one else believes this. Not even Russia. China cares about anything that will show themselves superior to the U.S. If it is climate change (which China is the leading exporter of solar panels), then so be it. Russia's economy is in and out and in recession, so they need trade and they know that it is not just going to be with the U.S. and trying to pressure former Eastern European blocs (and possibly a few Baltic states) to join their Eurasian trade group is not going to 'cut it', so as they defy the West, they are also trying to trade with them.

Hundreds of Coloradans have withdrawn their voter registration in response to the request for voter information. Hundreds withdraw Colorado voter registrations in response to compliance with commission request

Yeah, a lot of people on social media have been complaining about the same thing! For once, livestreaming it has been a blessing despite its obvious drawbacks. There is a Wimbledon Channel on the WatchESPN player but it's a separate channel and for the most part, you get to watch the matches with little to no interruption. There are even some matches without commentary.

This is why having a full investigation into a matter is important.

Insert sarcasm here:

So basically, the economic trajectory now is the same as it was under President Obama, except the Consumer Confidence forecast is dipping lower. Can someone remind me of what the supposed benefits are of having this loudmouth in Chief in the White House? Hopes of ‘Trump Bump’ for U.S. Economy Shrink as Growth Forecasts Fade

To the surprise of no one, Walter Shaub, the director of the Office of Government Ethics has resigned. One of his reasons is that after requesting that Trump liquid his assets, Trump has still not done it, to this day, leaving the appearance of a constant conflict of interest. Here is his letter of resignation.

It's really not good that we have a current administration seemingly unconcerned with being technologically safe and up to date. It's doubtful that the man who has promised to shift this country back to the era of coal being the top energy resource would even care about proper cybersafety or being ahead of the hackers. This should be worrisome to people. Hackers are Targeting Nuclear Facilities, Homeland Security Dept. and F.B.I. Say

This is an interesting take too on the whole 'Bernie cares'(not) issue.

Well, add Jack Sock to the list of departing American men today. Who just beat him? I've only just heard of Ofner today!

This is why Cirstea recoiled after she walked over to BMS to try to help. It wasn't just emotion. The pain was real.

Just saw the horrendous BMS injury video. It looked like a painful and panicked scene. I don't know what was worse, Bethanie's bloodcurdling screams, Cirstea looking to help then recoiling in horror or Safarova crying. Just an entirely bad scene.

This is in keeping with what I read on The Hill website that apparently operatives in the Polish government planned to bus in 'Trump supporters'.

LOL.

The Western Australia Police posted this.

I hear ya @Juliajms Still, I think of my Mom who worked in a factor for over twenty years, got her citizenship in the '90s yet she recognizes the Declaration of Independence and knows the three branches of government. Probably because she had to study the for the citizenship test--I remember quizzing her on questions related to civics. When I used to commute for two hours on a train, I used to see people read, books, even the Bible. I cannot help but think that when people really want to learn about something, there's very little to stop them but the desire has to be there, I guess.