Juliajms

Which we did.

^ Since they won't, I'm sort of enjoying the civil war. Not entirely though, because whatever problems they have they still have two branches of government under their control. God save us if another Justice dies or retires.

All I really knew about Vice was seeing some of its episodes on HBO, so I didn't suspect them. I also wasn't surprised. At this point, the only thing that would surprise me is President Obama or Pope Francis being hit with credible allegations. In the case of Pope Francis it would only be mild surprise.

Why did you think that?

I guess Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell were on Fox saying that SNAP needs to come to an end. There really is no bottom here. I just hope they can't make it happen before they lose power.

^ Seems more likely a coincidence. The tax bill itself didn't even change the rules on who receives benefits as far as I know. No doubt they are coming for those benefits in the new year, but there isn't a direct relationship between that and the bill that wasn't even signed into law until Friday.

^ Is it really possible that people would be kicked off SSI so quickly after the tax bill? That doesn't quite pass the smell test since 45 only signed it into law yesterday. Also the things he said about immigrants is nothing but further proof he is not morally fit to lead us. A reporter on CNN challenged the reporter who wrote the piece asking why we should believe it, when the WH denies it? It's basically a he said/ he said piece. Honestly though, how do you give this guy the benefit of the doubt when the words ring so true? It seems exactly like the kind of thing he would say.

I agree it's an uncomfortable topic, but it has to be the woman's choice and we deserve all of the screening info available. Down's can come with very serious heart complications. It's crazy to force someone to bring a special needs child (or any child) into the world when they aren't up to the task. I do thing the rates of abortion in these cases would go down with generous social programs designed to help. That's true with abortion overall. The Republicans seem pretty determined not to see that connection though. On a similar note I'm enraged that the Trump administration tried to force a teen refugee that was raped to carry to term. They have her in a detention center and yet they want to force her to bring a newborn into those conditions.

In the largest sense I agree, but at this moment in history we could take some of these children and their parents. It's pretty awful that we are in the midst of a terrible refugee crisis just when we have a greying society, but we are led by people too racist/stupid to see the opportunity. I guess immigration is just one more area where Trump has made me move further left. Also, I agree nothing good will come from separating these little ones from their mothers. It's inhumane. Ohio passes a bill that makes aborting a fetus with genetic abnormalities illegal. Just when I start to think Kasich isn't a wingnut. http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/366201-kasich-signs-law-banning-abortions-over-down-syndrome-diagnosis

^ Enough to make them vote? The student lone crisis is looming over that generation. I hope the Dems running have some good ideas about how to handle it.

^ I guess that could be the case with Rubio. Keeping his options open. Ana tweeted about him too and thought now that he's a fading star of the GOP he might want to go to the private sector. If you follow her, sorry for repeating. On that note it's really annoying that these people can screw everything up and then go make wads of cash lobbying and such.

Here's some good news. 5 million + Puerto Ricans on the mainland and they are organizing. Plus Ana Narvarro's recent tweet saying Republicans in Florida better watch out as more people come over from PR and look to vote for the D's. https://www.yahoo.com/news/5-3-million-puerto-ricans-235757485.html

I really need to believe that.

Yes. There is an ugly, spiteful streak among his core supporters. Anyone who has stuck with him this far is beyond hope when it comes to feeling compassion for anyone else. These horrible people want to leave Grandma homeless while the Grandbabies die. Like someone up thread said, I truly hate them all.

It'll be interesting to see where everyone stands. I truly have no idea. If I had to guess I'd say all the republicans and some of the democrats will vote against net neutrality, but I hope I'm wrong. I guess at this point I think all of the Republicans are bought out bastards and there are probably a few dems right there with them. Like you I don't assume we will survive this. We'll see if we get a relatively free and fair election in 2018. If so, there's hope.

What a depressing read. Not just that there are so many people down and out, but that our government is actively making it worse. We should be attacking these problems, but instead the safety net is being further slashed. It's madness. I wondered that too. I don't know for sure, but perhaps he can restrict the language at government institutions. If it's illegal to do so, I'm sure the ACLU or someone will bring suit. Sometimes it's hard to believe this is real life.

Yeah, this is disturbing. I imagine the CDC will lose a lot of their top people soon. What self respecting scientist will work under these conditions? If and when sanity returns to our government checks and balances will have to be strengthened so that this kind of thing doesn't happen again.

He absolutely should. The democratic party overall should. Some of those long lines people where standing in reminded me once again how unfair things are. Charles Barkley was right that the democrats should be doing more for POC and poor white people. I also agree with you that the democratic party should probably give up on some people, poor white evangelicals in particular. If they want to live and die over the abortion issue I don't think anyone can stop them. Hopefully, Jane is right and more people will wake up.

I know, I was responding to Drangonflies. White evangelicals are obsessed with it and I don't see any way to change that. I guess over time there will be fewer of them, but its still a sticking point to progress.

I think it was Carl who mentioned abortion upthread. That issue really is one that holds our political system hostage. At times I forget how many people are stuck on it. Then a couple of days ago someone asked Ben Sasse about Roy Moore and he said "People can be against both partial birth abortion and pedophilia". Basically equating Jones and Moore.

I hope the women who came forward about RM are in a safe place over the next few weeks.

^ Right. This was a victory, but the voter suppression is absolutely shameful.

This one is good too. Hell, yes!!

Yes!!! That's what I think too. If I weren't a Luddite I would post that song September, by Earth, Wind and Fire. The tide has turned.

This really is a miracle brought about by the black women of Alabama and everyone else who had the sense not to sink low enough to vote for someone who put their hands on little girls. My cynical heart is warmed.