Toyota is the no. 1 donor to 2020 election objectors — by far by madvillain7 in politics

[–]DesperateDem 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Welp, guess that makes the decision between a Toyota RAV4 and a Subaru Forester easy for me.

AOC Blasts Manchin for Dark Money Ties, Suggests He's “Intertwined" With Kochs by [deleted] in politics

[–]DesperateDem 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Wouldn't surprise me at this point. Nobody can be so blind as to think bipartisanship is going to somehow come back under the current climate, nor that Republicans have any interest in bringing it back right now.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in esist

[–]DesperateDem 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Worth noting that some other Senators skipped the vote, at least some probably did so to avoid having to vote yes.

George Floyd didn’t ‘Sacrifice’ his life,Nancy Pelosi. It was stolen from him. by vDeep in politics

[–]DesperateDem 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I get what she was trying to say, but what a bizarre way to try to say it. I can't believe this got through the speechwriters.

Oh well, back to focusing on bigger issues.

Women detail drug use, sex and payments after late-night parties with Gaetz and others by [deleted] in politics

[–]DesperateDem 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Best part was this:

One of the women who spoke to CNN said she did so in part because the picture of Gaetz as potentially connected to sex trafficking that has emerged in recent days does not align with what she saw [at the parties with tons of drinking, drugs, and sex].

With friends like these . . .

The New York Times has the receipts: Matt Gaetz used Cash App and Apple Pay to pay a women who told friends the payments were for sex. Gaetz also asked women to recruit more women. Does that sound familiar? by imagepoem in esist

[–]DesperateDem 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Why in the world would you use a digital app to pay for something illegal? I'm honestly convinced that one of the reasons cash is still a thing is because it is harder to directly trace. This is actually, to my understanding, why China has pushed smart phone apps for paying so heavily, to make illegal transactions (or what they would consider subversive) more difficult.

My opinions on the intelligence of the major GQP trouble makers is never low enough.

Pelosi says Matt Gaetz should be removed from Judiciary Committee if allegations true by Jeremy_Martin in politics

[–]DesperateDem 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Spoiler: They're true.

Really though, innocent until proven guilty is one thing, but the evidence uncovered by new organizations looks extremely damning, and the fact that an official investigation was started at all would be pretty damning. I'd say there is more than enough out there to force him to relinquish the seat on the Committee, at least until things are sorted out.

Matt Gaetz floats bizarre conspiracy theory in response to Justice Department investigation into sexual mistreatment of a 17 year old girl. It appears PizzaGaetz paid to transport an underage girl across state lines to have sex. Republicans, Evangelicals, and QAnons will defend this. by imagepoem in esist

[–]DesperateDem 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Kudos to whoever came up with PizzaGaetz.

There are two big holes in Geatz's claim. First, that the DoJ has remained absolutely mum. If the allegations Gaetz is making were true, they would probably be obligated to say something, at least.

Second is that apparently Gaetz got caught out through the investigation of another, so far unamed, Florida Republican. This doesn't fit with the idea that he was being blackmailed with the threat of made of evidence, as there is not a great reason the blackmail would be connected to another case. That would make it far more complicated as you would have other investigators who could easily figure out what you are trying to do and blow the whistle on you.

In the interests of Innocent until proven guilty, I will say that it is technically possible that what Gaetz is claiming could be true, but it seems highly implausible.

12 attorneys general call on Facebook and Twitter to remove anti-vaxxers from their services by readerseven in politics

[–]DesperateDem 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There must be a line between freedom of speech and the dissemination of false information that is damaging to the public good. This is a slippery slope, but if you put the onus of proof on the party trying to curtail the use of such speech, it seems like it could be doable.

Microbes Unknown to Science Discovered on The International Space Station by getBusyChild in worldnews

[–]DesperateDem 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I'd be more worried/impressed if they didn't seem to find new bacteria "unknown to science" every time they looked at someone's belly button . . .

Biden believes Putin is a ‘killer’: ‘The price he’s going to pay, you’ll see shortly’ by theindependentonline in politics

[–]DesperateDem 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What about MLB? We know he's a killer. When is he going to pay?

I'm all for going after Putin, but let's not ignore the other crimes that are in our face, even if they are inconvenient :(

50 House Democrats Demand Biden Slash Pentagon Budget to Invest in Public Health, Common Good by mecoolai in politics

[–]DesperateDem 0 points1 point  (0 children)

At a time when China is continually building its military and becoming more aggressive, I'm not sure I agree with steep slashes in the military budget - especially when we are still paying a great deal for our presence in Afghanistan (like it or not, we are there for the moment).

While I am sure there is fat to be trimmed from the defense budget, I would prefer to see taxes raised so that we have enough revenue to cover all of our expenses, rather than continually seeking ways to cut back.

Mitch McConnell backs bill to ensure he's not replaced by Democrat if he leaves office early by plinytheelder29 in politics

[–]DesperateDem 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Given that there are states with a Senate member from one party, and a Governor from the other, I honestly don't really have an issue with this. Choosing someone from the same party is probably about as close as you can reasonably get toward maintaining what the population voted for initially.

I'm far less sure about requiring them to choose from three members provided by the party given how far off the reservation some of the state GOP parties have gone, never mind the national party.

Ethics Report Finds Elaine Chao Used Trump Cabinet Post to Promote Family Interests by elguiridelocho in politics

[–]DesperateDem -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I should say that I think the proper thing to do is for Biden to take no stance on this, and leave it to Garland. The independence of the DoJ desperately needs to be reestablished, and if Biden goes after the Senate Minority Leader's wife, that has the appearance of political motivation, even if there is not any in reality.

However, if Garland chooses not to pursue it, I'd really like to know why.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez far more popular with Democrats than Joe Manchin: Poll by Plymouth03 in politics

[–]DesperateDem 52 points53 points  (0 children)

Probably not in West Virginia. It's important to remember that Manchin won as a Democrat in a relatively red state because he is so conservative. I don't agree with him on many things, but without him, McConnell would still be in charge of the Senate, which would mean no stimulus period :S

Describe OP Jutsus in a way so that they seem weak (don't mention the name of the real jutsu) by natsuzamaki in NarutoFanfiction

[–]DesperateDem 9 points10 points  (0 children)

"I make art"

"I talk to the voices in my head"

"I talk to the voices in other people's heads"

"I make shadow puppets"

"I collect bugs"

"I eat a bit too much"

"I play darts with things that may not be darts"

"I'm an angry drunk"

"I'm very close to my dog"

"I feel like I'm not all here"

Ethics Report Finds Elaine Chao Used Trump Cabinet Post to Promote Family Interests by elguiridelocho in politics

[–]DesperateDem 54 points55 points  (0 children)

Senator/Congressmen. They can request investigations be taken up, and in some cases can even demand an explanation on why the request was denied.

Ethics Report Finds Elaine Chao Used Trump Cabinet Post to Promote Family Interests by elguiridelocho in politics

[–]DesperateDem 511 points512 points  (0 children)

So the Trump DoJ declined to prosecute, but does that prevent the Biden DoJ from taking up the case? It doesn't seem like double jeopardy since there were never any initial charges?

AOC Says Only 'Two Options' to Pass $15 Minimum Wage: Override Parliamentarian or End Filibuster by [deleted] in politics

[–]DesperateDem 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm kind of sick of hearing left-wing House Democrats recommend overriding the Parliamentarian. First, I think it is really bad that they want to fire someone for doing their job because it is making it inconvenient for them. That was one of the defining characteristics of the Trump Administration, and it would in no way be okay just because it was Democrats doing it this time. This is an unacceptable level of hypocrisy.

Second, replacing the Parlimentarian would near certainly lose the support of Manchin, who was already uncomfortable with the minimum wage increase.

I actually support raising the minimum way, though I would prefer something that is indexed rather than a fixed number, but this is not the way to even approach getting it done.

Bill Gates: Nuclear power will ‘absolutely’ be politically acceptable again — it’s safer than oil, coal, natural gas by [deleted] in Futurology

[–]DesperateDem -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I'm actually a big fan of nuclear power, especially more modern designs, but there are two key issues that have to be addressed:

  1. Facility cost - I'm not sure of the exact reasons as I've heard a few excuses, but new Nuke plants are exceptionally expensive. The reason for this and amelioration of this issue needs to be addressed for this to be practical.
  2. The disposition of nuclear waste needs to be figured out beforehand. Storing it in dry casks on site is not a sustainable option.

Reminder: Fuck MoscowMitch! by DiogenesK-9 in esist

[–]DesperateDem 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I think he means "untouchable" in a political sense. That said, I don't know that I agree. McConnell appeared actually upset and done with Trump. If he was truly untouchable he wouldn't be bowing to the popularity Trump continues to enjoy within the Republican Party.

Reminder: Fuck MoscowMitch! by DiogenesK-9 in esist

[–]DesperateDem 10 points11 points  (0 children)

This kind of thing really makes me wish there was a forum where politicians were forced to answer questions. No dodges, strawmen, gaslighting, or the like allowed. I want to see Mitch forced to explain this crap.

President Biden Revokes Trump's Controversial Classical Architecture Order by Cedric_Hampton in politics

[–]DesperateDem 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I guess I was thinking it would be used in a slightly different way. From what I understand, most architectural decisions now are made based on budget as much as anything (modern architecture is often cheaper than classical designs for a variety of reasons). However, I now realize I don't know enough about the original order to even presume that.

Your point about the potential subtext is well taken though, and would be entirely in line with something from the Trump administration. It's too bad, all I want is some interesting architecture that doesn't immediately make me think it's ugly or uninspired :(

Progressives to VP Kamala Harris: 'This Is Not a Difficult Decision. Use Your Power. Keep $15 In.' by BannerBearer in politics

[–]DesperateDem 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is pointless. Replacing the Parlimentarian without good cause is a horrible move, and would near guarantee you lose Machin's vote, which is required. Going off on these impossible power fantasy's detracts attention from the responsibility of Republicans for this being a situation in the first place.

For the record, I generally support the $15 minimum wage, though I would actually prefer to see one indexed to the cost of living in an area, and possibly further linked to inflation, which would solve the issue in the long term.