Juliajms

Even if Trump finds some way of coercing Mexico into paying for the wall (and I don't completely rule out that possibility), that will make us terrible bullies. I find it so ironic that the kids at that middle school got in trouble for shouting "build the wall" at their Latino classmates when all they were doing is imitating the adults around them, including the President! I just can't...ugh!

Jim Sciutto: CNN's @Acosta reports Trump spokesman @seanspicer told him he'll be kicked out of future press confs if he presses hard for ques again He was pretty aggressive. I know a lot of people hate the press but I find Trump's efforts to control and intimidate them very concerning.

^ I keep seeing that it's "unconfirmed", not sure how that can be if they documents are out there. Hopefully, we'll know more tomorrow. I think this is somehing that actually has legs though unlike so many of the previous scandals that Trump outlived. Here's hoping anyway.

I completely agree.

The weird part of that is his obsession with the Obama's. WTAF??

I'll confess I didn't. It seemed like too much of a conspiracy theory to me. Also, I didn't think it could be hidden if true, which I suppose it's coming out now, if this report has legs. Damn, things just keep getting stranger and stranger.

Yeah, but the sad thing is there are people including children who can't be vaccinated due to cancer and other illnesses. Those people rely on herd immunity, which the anti-vexxers are compromising.

Read this, it will blow your mind. It's in large part wealthy, educated parents who are the problem. http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2008/09/vaccine-skeptics-vs-your-kids

Oh goody. A new bad thing I didn't consider has popped up. Trump is an antivaxxer and RFK Jr. is on his side. http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/01/donald-trump-rfk-steamy-on-set-romance

I think the major problem here is that it would take a pretty big transfer of wealth to make the ACA work for more people. People up thread have asked why we can't make single payer work in the US and that's basically the reason. Europe has a much higher tax rate. The rich obviously don't want to be taxed more in the US. Don't get me started on the middle and lower classes who refuse to band together and make the rich pay more. So truly, if we can't tax the rich to make the ACA affordable to anyone but the poor, were does the money come from? I'd much rather see the debt increase then kick people off their health care. Maybe we can hope that's the direction the Republicans will go in rather than take away a benefit that people have become accustomed to and facing the political fallout.

I know you're right, but my mind keeps defaulting to this idea that that kind of pure evil can't keep winning. I guess I have to knock it into my head that it can and it has.

In something like 20 years. That's a long time to wait. A lot of irrevocable damage can be done in that time. Not to mention when 29% of Latino men vote for Trump, that tells me that as they move up the economic ladder they aren't necessarily going to stick with Democrats on mass. Not that I necessarily blame people for voting their own interests, I'm just saying I think it's a huge mistake to take anyone for granted.

A NY Jew who was clearly ok with Trump using anti Semitic symbolism to wink and nod to the white supremacist because he knew his family would be safe. F*ck everyone else who attends synagogue or the JCC without the secret service and body guards. I have no doubt he's behind this idea of moving the US embassy to Jerusalem too. Sure, that seems pro Israel, but it's not going to be doing anyone any favors if it sets off another Middle East war. Still if it were just Kushner I wouldn't really object, but Trump's whole cabinet is filled with awful people. He's got a labor secretary who doesn't even think there should be a minimum wage! An attorney general who hates gays, and made a point of blocking black judges in Alabama. It's ludicrous. Anyway, good to see you around Q.

I think we are seeing people focus on that demo because the Clinton campaign made the conscious decision not to go after them, which was clearly a mistake in retrospective. There's no reason it has to be either or. The key is to try to convince this block of people that they have more in common with poor and middle class non whites than they do with millionaires and billionaires. Shouldn't be that hard because it's clearly true. I have a feeling four years of Trump might make it a lot easier, but who ever is in charge is going to have to actually try.

Yes! For a while I was thinking of new terrible things every day. Either terrible things that will happen or all the good things that won't. I think 10 years ago I would have thought "we just have to get through this hard time", but now I'm 42 and I feel like I don't have endless time to see the good things I hope for society happen.

I'm still completely disgusted. I have to find a way to let go of the anger I feel about what's happening.

Pretty sure there isn't a laugh track. I follow Mike Royce on twitter and he made a comment that made it sound like there wasn't one. Found it: Mike Royce ‏@MikeRoyce Jan 5 "It's not a laugh track!" - The Multi-Cammer's Lament

I love the theme song. Also, agree that they are touching on important topics in a thoughtful way. The pay gap, the VA, immigration. All well done, with more than one perspective shown.

I've always hoped that China's potential would be tapped. It could really be good for the entire world. They have the potential to make great strides in areas like healthcare and technology. But yeah, I'm not too worried they are going to usurp the US, even though I'm not sure that would be the worst thing ever. Not only has their economy stagnated recently, but investors are hesitant to trust the numbers their government gives out in the first place. Add to that a repressive government that is a human rights disaster. It's really a shame because China could truly be great.

I've watched the first couple of episodes and I really like it. The theme song is well done and I've always loved Rita Moreno.

He is just the worst.

This is what it's like to have an unstable leader. It's terrifying. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that this is happening in the U.S. I honestly don't think the Russians have anything on him. In fact if we are at war or on the brink of war with Russia in a year or two, I won't be surprised. Trump likes people until he doesn't. Right now he admires Putin because he's a "strong leader". Soon enough Putin will do something Trump doesn't like.

I honestly feel like some Republicans enjoy punishing poor people, even poor children. It looks like it's going to come to that.

Ugh. I'm sure in a few years the only place a person will be able to get an abortion is on the coasts. Once Trump gets a couple of justices nominated this bill will look downright generous.

@Khan I'm not sure anyone is pro abortion except Lena Dunham. I'm actually right of the Democratic plank on abortion, which is needlessly provocative, imo. There is so much we could do to prevent abortion (access to birth control, access to childcare, more financial support to single parents), but it seems to me Republicans are basically against all of them.