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About this blog: The Raucous Caucus shares the southpaw perspectives of this Boomer on the state of the nation, the world, and, sometimes, other stuff. I enjoy crafting it to keep current, and occasionally to rant on some issue I care about deeply...  (More)

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Reflections on the Loss of Hope

Uploaded: Mar 2, 2018

Let’s start with an experiment: think about Hope Hicks, the departing White House Communications chief. What are the first few words that come to mind to describe her? Now, repeat the process, except with Stephen Miller, or Jared Kushner or Gen. John Kelly. What are those words?

I will wager that the terms “model” and “beautiful” were close to the top of most folks’ Hicks list. And while none of those male counterparts won the lottery-of-looks, I’ll guess that physical characteristics were not on the tip of anyone’s tongue.

Okay, one more: which of those four individuals was captain of the lacrosse team in college? If you answered ‘Kelly,’ go to the back of the class. It was Ms. Hicks, who, incidentally, stopped modeling in her mid-teens – half-a-life ago even in her abbreviated tenure on the planet.

At considerable risk of inflaming the eager sensibilities of those who look for any excuse to berate the ‘lame stream media,’ I want to suggest that the press – left, right, and middle – have a long way to go in fairly covering women of accomplishment.

There is a palpable, dismissive tone in articles about Hope Hicks that is too easily adopted and believed. Some bit of it may be contextual, as a beauty* working for a boss with a legendary affinity for extra-marital extra-curriculars (whew!) may come under some suspicion that she serves at his particular pleasure. But I believe there’s far more to it. Every article written about her – even by those who complain about her mistreatment – contains the ‘former model’ reference as a primary descriptor. That, and ‘neophyte.’

Those labels endure, despite the fact that she has survived in the Trumpian Insta-Pot for more than three years – far longer than many, many others who sport Y chromosomes. There’s got to be more than attractiveness to account for that stamina and staying power. After all, in trump-years, that’s an entire career’s (and many affairs) worth of longevity.

Add to that the fact that three years in a total-immersion environment is more than long enough to have gained any substantive expertise that was missing at the outset. Hell, they even let me practice law in public after a similar interlude. The ‘neophyte’ label should have fallen away, long ago.

Contrast, if you will, the press treatment of Jon Favreau, President Obama’s primary speechwriter, who was two years younger than Ms. Hicks. Per Vox, he somehow qualified as a “Wunderkind.” **

It’s true that humans make stereotypical judgments about others in milli-seconds, and that those judgments carry with them dangerous levels of implicit bias (try taking Harvard’s Implicit Bias Test, as described in Malcolm Gladwell’s insightful book “Blink.”)

You may learn unflattering things, as I did. That said, the real point is that there’s little disgrace in understanding things we cannot affect, but great shame in treating it as an end-point of the process. Our implicit biases should be the starting point for considering whether that’s who we want to be. We are not slaves to our instincts, unless we choose to be. We all come with built-in biases, which we can consciously correct via knowledge and attention.

The media need to up-their-games on the self-examination front. It’s also true that the press corps itself would benefit from more equal gender representation. It’s no accident that, in their rush to explain Ms. Hicks’ departure, two very male, very facile explanations have prevailed: that she’s either heart-hurt over the loss of her recent squeeze Rob Porter, or butt-hurt by the verbal spanking she took from the Prez about her interviews with Congress and Mr. Mueller (the ‘white-lies’ issue).

It’s also no coincidence that the Times’ redoubtable Maggie Haberman came through with the actually informed, if mundane and gender-neutral conclusion that she had been contemplating a change for weeks; timing was coincidental. (Of course, then Haberman herself came in for a ration from the boys’ club about whether that was Really it. Yes, these prejudices die hard.)

I also want to say that I do not know a lot about Ms. Hicks’ personal ideologies – and that’s a problem, too. I suspect that I would disagree with her on many things, but that’s not because I know specifics, which are shrouded in all that former-model/neophyte trope. The lack of incisive reporting weakens our understanding of the Trump Administration, which is given to an astounding frequency of prevari … disingen … dissemb … Lying – across the full color spectrum.

To the extent that she as Communications Director is responsible for that pattern, it matters. We do know that she played a role in the initial mis-stat … set of lies about the Trump Tower meeting, and that her early defense of Rob Porter’s conduct and character turned out to be ridiculously, tragically amiss. She’s responsible for those, and perhaps there are many other decisions and positions taken for which the credit or the blame should come to her.

But we’ll never know these things unless/until the media coverage matures. As the proud father of accomplished daughters, I want them evaluated on their considerable merits, and not just because they’re good-lookin’.


* I have to say that she leaves me cold on the pulchritude front. I note the similarities to the First Lady, especially in terms of hair and dark make-up, but I also find that ‘look’ to be way too severe – almost serpentine. And then I must ask myself: would I even notice such similarities if both were men? Have I fallen into my own trap? Yes, here I have – blame that Harvard test.

** That’s to take Nothing away from Mr. Favreau, who is currently a primary host of the insightful, hilarious and wildly popular podcast “Pod Save America.” It’s an hour well-spent, twice a week.

Community.
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Comments

Posted by Scott Hale, a resident of San Ramon,
on Mar 2, 2018 at 7:16 pm

Scott Hale is a registered user.

For somebody you feel is very accomplished she quit because her boss called her name and yelled at her? Really? You are certain nothing else at play?

Kinda more like 'abandon ship' she's sinking......'

Not sure gender played a part in any of it...

Next week entire new set of WH drama. Next up Jared going and Ivanka being very sad, but going right after....


Posted by Doug Miller, a resident of Country Fair,
on Mar 2, 2018 at 9:49 pm

Doug Miller is a registered user.

It is always entertaining to read the latest from Mr. Cushing. He is reliably and consistently always heading down some new yellow brick road that he hopes will lead to happiness.

In the meantime, those who work are looking at their paychecks, those who run businesses are looking at new opportunities and those who are suffering from crime now have hope.

No puns intended.


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Mar 2, 2018 at 11:22 pm

@Doug Miller :"In the meantime, those who work are looking at their paychecks, those who run businesses are looking at new opportunities and those who are suffering from crime now have hope."

You're funny. The steady stream of news of chaos in the Trump administration is showing that Trump can't even competently manage the White House, but yet despite all that evidence you think that he's able to competently manage the country.


Posted by Doug Miller, a resident of Country Fair,
on Mar 3, 2018 at 7:03 am

Doug Miller is a registered user.

Sam: Welcome to the yellow brick road where all those bricks are pieces of the Obama administration that are being demolished while you keep your attention on meaningless dramas.


Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of Danville,
on Mar 3, 2018 at 7:36 am

Tom Cushing is a registered user.

Sam: I had some difficulty tethering Doug's creative writing exercise to, well, anything - but eventually concluded that his yellow brick road is a metaphor for our beloved and Progressive Golden State. And that he holds our Governor in his thoughts and prayers, nightly.

Of course, he also realizes that all that goodness is imperiled a distant manchild who would start an ill-considered, unripe trade war in a fury over the unrelated unraveling of his regime. Web Link Of course, it's a trade war that, even before the inevitable retaliation from our trading partners, would hurt 80 domestic jobs for every One it helps, and wipe out in higher prices any pittance of a temporary tax cut most Americans receive. But never fear, the donor class will still reap $Billions at our grandkids' expense, as evidenced by Warren Buffett's $29Big Ones already.

“If the president goes through with this, it will kill American jobs - that's what every trade war ultimately does," Senator Ben Sasse, Republican of Nebraska, said on Friday. “So much losing." Web Link

Scott - pls reread the blog - I think Haberman's right, as usual - Hicks left because she was planning to leave, and did. I certainly agree that the ship of state is listing badly, as more corruption is exposed and some of the more sober voices - Cohn, McMaster, Kelly? and possibly Hicks - prepare to save themselves. As the tariff flail demonstrates, that makes this a verry dangerous time. A desperate despot is a peril to the world.


Posted by Scott Hale, a resident of San Ramon,
on Mar 3, 2018 at 8:33 am

Scott Hale is a registered user.

Tom: Oh, I did read it more than once....to make sure... What really struck me was all the items that have occurred since your last blog drop was closed you picked Hope leaving? Odd choice. She was a Trump minion through and through. Until, I guess, her boyfriend was ejected (another thread); and then maybe her tolerance for her boss yelling at her was exceeded? And a bunch of talking heads say she was the 'Trump whisperer'. And now he will really let lose.

How does one get from Hope leaving to the tax cuts, or Trump's obsessive nature of undoing everything Obama even looked at?? Even a full red GOP, Trump cheerleader should be embarrassed by now. They need to expand their news consumption from #FoxClownNews....a bit... Who, btw, were still obsessing with Clinton yesterday. Move the *(^ on.


Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of Danville,
on Mar 3, 2018 at 8:54 am

Tom Cushing is a registered user.

Scott - one of the best things about this gig is the complete editorial freedom I've enjoyed. I write about stuff that interests me, which may not be the biggest current headline. I am also moving away from the daily drama beat ("Squirrel"), which is deflecting and exhausting ... and by now boring.

I've always been struck by that 'ex-model' moniker universally attached to Hicks, and, in the age of #metoo, it's well worth examining yet another way women are marginalized. It may be unconsciously done, but that's one of the points of the piece. Unconscious bias damages its object as much as intentional bias - and we're all the poorer for it. I think the 'serious' press should've focused on her work, and left her adolescent pastimes to the adolescent celebrity mongers at People magazine.


Posted by Scott Hale, a resident of San Ramon,
on Mar 3, 2018 at 3:13 pm

Scott Hale is a registered user.

I think just about anybody can do a blog here; just have to request it.... Anyway, yeah, I still think a blog on mostly Hope aka Hicks was an odd choice considering the huge menu of items to chose from.....just in the last week. Your blog, your choice; I get it. Just don't switch to doing full time 'warm n fuzzies' blogs as those are quite easy to read once and never have a comment on....

AS for Hicks being a woman and a model at some point in her very very young life, those were nits for me. She was a loyal Trump minion and that was her choice. Right up until her boyfriend, (with a lot of luggage), got the boot and dear Prez yelled at her and maybe made her cry? She pulls the rip cord. Odd. Oh well. More WH staff seem to be on the verge of going or getting the boot. Buh Bye.

Anybody not embarrassed by our dear President is in need of a wake-up call.


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Mar 3, 2018 at 6:29 pm

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE....DON'T LOSE HOPE. THIS MUSIC WILL HELP YOU REMAIN STABLE AND I MEAN IT!

Web Link


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 4, 2018 at 10:37 am

Re/ bloggers link to “Trade Wars".

What the press and the blogger won't tell anyone about the trade war is this: through loopholes in NAFTA, China and the rest of the international steel producing countries have been able to import cheap steel through Canada and Mexico without paying a dime in tariffs.

“North American Free Trade Agreement" was supposed to benefit NORTH AMERICAN companies, it does not, it benefits multinationals and other countries at the expense of the US labor force.

Don't let the press, billionaires like Buffet and politicians like Ben Sasse tell you anything different. They're only hyping because THEY stand to lose something.


Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of Danville,
on Mar 4, 2018 at 11:50 am

Tom Cushing is a registered user.

Link this stuff, please. Sources matters.

In other news, it must be exhausting trying to make-up excuses for these daily blunders, when there's plenty of evidence that he went-off half-cocked, again, and will end up retreating (NRA, anyone?) and/or shooting us all in the feet. His staff didn't even know about it, there was no internal review beyond the Commerce Dept., etc. - Occam tells us he's out-of-control and out-of-his-depth.

"In a hastily arranged meeting with industry executives that stunned many inside the West Wing, Mr. Trump said he would formally sign the trade measures next week and promised they would be in effect “for a long period of time." Web Link

And by the way, his authority to do this, like so many others of his half-baked moves, is limited by law - and unclear in these circumstances. His lawyers might've told him that - had they even known about his plans. A federal judge may have to - again. He's flailing.

Such precision. Just wait'll the EU slaps sanctions on our ag products. It's a-comin'.


Posted by Righteous Dude, a resident of Birdland,
on Mar 4, 2018 at 12:09 pm

Econ Teacher: "In 1930, the Republican-controlled Congress, in an effort to alleviate the effects of the... Anyone? ... the Great Depression, passed the... the Hawley-Smoot Tariff Act, which ... raised tariffs. Did it work? Anyone? Anyone know the effects? It did not work, and the United States sank deeper into the Great Depression. Today we have a similar debate over this. Anyone know what this is? "

... Bueller?


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 4, 2018 at 2:46 pm

Web Link

Halfway down the report.

You're welcome.

Next up, blogger will say that an Ivy League report is not a good source.


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 4, 2018 at 8:35 pm

Five things Trump did last week: Web Link

Last week...

So keep talking about his behavior while he keeps getting things done.


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Mar 4, 2018 at 9:36 pm

@Resident :"Five things Trump did last week: Web Link"

Who do you think that you're fooling? Trump didn't do any of those things. Those are just things that happened with the government while Trump was busy sending angry tweets at Alec Baldwin and watching ‘Fox and Friends'.


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 4, 2018 at 10:16 pm

And Sam chimes in and faithfully proves my point.


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Mar 5, 2018 at 7:11 am

@Resident

Even when Trump's brain is reduced to the state that he's spending his days running around the White House lawn chasing chipmunks while wearing Melania's dresses, Federal government departments will continue to operate. The day to day normal operations of Federal government departments has nothing to do with Trump.


Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of Danville,
on Mar 5, 2018 at 7:40 am

Tom Cushing is a registered user.

@ Res: let me 'splain you why no thanks are called-for, Lucy. When you make a factual claim on a forum, YOU bear the burden of persuasion that the claim is accurate - nobody else. Nobody should believe anything just because it came from some anonymous guy on the internet. Your sources should be linked, Every time, or else your claim is essentially worthless.

Now as to your concern for the crisis in US steel industry: let's try a few 10-point toss-ups:

1 - what percentage of US steel demand is currently met by domestic production? 10% 30% 50% 70%?

2 - Are imports and domestic production trending up or down?

3 - is the US steel industry plagued with excess capacity?

4 - has US steel production trended up or down since the 1980s?

5 - How much steel does the US export? 0% 5% 10% of its production?

6 - So, is this "national security" argument a mere pretext for the unripe action taken in a fit of pique? Yes Yes

And Res - if you get the first one right, you'll understand why your Wharton factoid, although accurate, lacks meaning.

Answers:

1 - 70+% of domestic demand met by domestic steel. (7.0M MT/mo vs. 2.5M imported)
2 - imports down 11% in 2017; domestic production up 4% in 2017.
3 - US steel industry capacity utilization has been steady since the 1980s.
4 - US production has been steady since the 1980s, as consumers switch to lighter materials.
5 - US EXPORTS 10% of its steel production.
6 - Yes. It's a nonsense make-weight justification. But hey - he had to do Something, as he had a meeting with some steel execs the next day. Chaos.

Web Link


Posted by Carl, a resident of Bridle Creek,
on Mar 5, 2018 at 8:04 am

Haha

Tom and the media pearl clutchers pivoting from Russian collusion to the "chaos" narrative..

Good luck with it guys...Trump derangement


Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of Danville,
on Mar 5, 2018 at 8:24 am

Tom Cushing is a registered user.

Fortunately, folks can carry multiple thoughts simultaneously - this administration gives ample opportunity to practice the skill. Mueller not absent from the front pages, and departures, already at a record pace, likely to increase this month. Dangerous times, but hey - he's saving on payroll.


Posted by Scott Hale, a resident of San Ramon,
on Mar 5, 2018 at 9:59 am

Scott Hale is a registered user.

I wonder if any of the Trump cheerleaders understand why Trump used the phrase 'national security' in his tariffs drivel? The President does not have unlimited ability; in fact, Congress does. The President has like 3 options to do it wo Congress.
Now, steel is NOT a national security issue, so that's out. This is Trump just having another bad hour or his feelings were hurt. He is already backing away by lobbing NAFTA out there.
Trump's base needs to know if he does launch a trade way, their wallet will be hit and will nullify the 'tax reduction'. And also, consumer items that happen to USE steel will become (overnight) more expensive. Quite a 'duh' moment.
And to think other countries won't respond? Yeah, Trump's base will be schooled. His shrinking base. Mueller and mid-terms are coming.......


Posted by Jerry, a resident of San Ramon,
on Mar 5, 2018 at 10:46 am

The Trump Admin is a joke! I have seen a better run fast food restaurant. After the tax cut for the top .01% and those people screaming a success in cutting taxes, well here come the raise in prices to offset. This is a zero sum game for the lower 99% while the top .01% get all the benefits.

But I cannot wait for the stock market to tank 60%! Those of you who are in retirement and voted for Trump, you will be getting it soon. Luckily they are deporting those the illegals, so there are open positions for you at those fast food place. For the others who did not, I am sorry, but you can see a depression coming. The Fed have few options but to raise interest when they see growth in the job market, higher wage, rise in debt for consumers and corporation. After the sugar high from the tax cut, we will see a drop in about 6 quarters... and many Trump's people are going to jail.


Posted by Carl, a resident of Bridle Creek,
on Mar 5, 2018 at 10:52 am

LOL


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Mar 5, 2018 at 11:27 am

@Tom Cushing :"Fortunately, folks can carry multiple thoughts simultaneously - this administration gives ample opportunity to practice the skill."

Tom, between Hope Hicks and now we also completely missed out on talking about the big story of Trump praising Chinese President Xi's tenure-for-life power grab and Trump saying “Maybe we should give that a shot someday". There's no way to keep up with all the madness.


Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of Danville,
on Mar 5, 2018 at 11:46 am

Tom Cushing is a registered user.

@ Sam: I'm surprised that here hasn't been more focus on what he HASN'T done, meaning the sweet-nothing he's authorized his national security folks to do to counteract and discourage Russian meddling in this coming election round. No authorization to Rogers to proceed with it, and not a penny spent from $130M in State Dept., either. Hmmm.

Perhaps he knows how to follow orders, after all?


Posted by Tom T, a resident of Danville,
on Mar 5, 2018 at 1:39 pm

Tom T is a registered user.

This blog is another example of what is wrong with our body politic today.
For some, Trump is pure evil and can do no good. For others he is the chosen one.
I am glad I voted for the guy but at the same time he is an ago maniac child in his behavior sometimes. He gets petty and personal when there is no need and a higher road is available. The press the DNC/Hollywood/Late night talk show hosts/comics/TV Shows are so chained at the hip it is disgusting to watch.
If he committed a crime I will be the first to cheer if he is removed, but remember not so long ago we had a guy that told us it depends what the word "is" means and clearly lied under oath to a grand jury and his party protected him from impeachment.
Once again the DNC will assert that they and they alone will tell us what laws matter......illegal immigration reference intended.


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 5, 2018 at 2:12 pm

“Although accurate, lacks meaning."

So my comment which jibes with Wharton is accurate, and you provided the contextual meaning with your statistics backing up my comment?

Thanks, you're a swell guy!


Posted by Reaident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 5, 2018 at 2:17 pm

I love it when Trump goes off the rails. It keeps people like Scott, Sam and Tom focused on the shiny objects and less on policies that Trump is actually accomplishing.

Note that I linked an article on 5 accomplishments last week alone and all we hear in response is clucking from the above mentioned trio on Trumps tweets and demeanor?

Enjoy the next 7 years boys, I'm looking forward to them.


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Mar 5, 2018 at 3:55 pm

@Tom T :"If he committed a crime I will be the first to cheer if he is removed, but remember not so long ago we had a guy that told us it depends what the word "is" means and clearly lied under oath..."

So you have a problem with a guy who quibbles over the definition of the word “is" and who is clearly lying under oath but you don't have a problem with a guy who quibbles over the definition of the word “handpicked" and who is clearly lying under oath. Is that right?

- - -
“In lawsuits over his Trump University, he testified that he had never met instructors who were described in the university's promotional materials as being “handpicked" by him. “It depends on the definition of what that means, handpicked," Trump said during an exchange with a lawyer in a sworn deposition last December."
USA Today: Web Link
- - -


Posted by Paulsen, a resident of Bonde Ranch,
on Mar 6, 2018 at 9:18 am

Apparently the left is now steadfast defenders of free trade

LMAO, this is such a comedy


Posted by Paulsen, a resident of Bonde Ranch,
on Mar 6, 2018 at 10:13 am

Hi all - I need to correct the record on something I posted a week or two ago. In my post I wrote that Trump's coverage by the media is 95% negative.

Today I read a study that showed that Trump's coverage is only 91% negative. In other words his positive coverage is almost DOUBLE (9% vs 5%) of what I had previously thought.

LMAO


Posted by Jake Waters, a resident of Birdland,
on Mar 6, 2018 at 11:42 am

I love it: Each day brings more revelations of the Clinton/Obama collusion with Russia. You don't hear a peep from the Dems anymore about the Trump/ Russia collusion. Sorry, I had to bring this out because Tom would never post an editorial placing the Democratic Party in a negative light. This blog is just a continuum of CNN and MSNBC propaganda. But hey, have fun being part of the 93% continual negative reporting. Keep that party narrative alive! Oops, I feel the shadow blocking coming.


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Mar 6, 2018 at 11:46 am

@Jake Waters :"You don't hear a peep from the Dems anymore about the Trump/ Russia collusion. "

I think that we're all too busy laughing at all the other things that are coming out of Trump and the White House on an almost daily basis.


Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of Danville,
on Mar 6, 2018 at 11:51 am

Tom Cushing is a registered user.

So, does anybody have anything to say about Hope Hicks' departure?

And we haven't heard from Jake in a while - anybody know if he's okay? Or just embarrassed - anything?


Posted by Paulsen, a resident of Bonde Ranch,
on Mar 6, 2018 at 11:55 am

Jake, just imagine if the Trump administration had done the Uranium One deal..

Jimmy Kimmel woulda really blown his stack over that one


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Mar 6, 2018 at 12:12 pm

@Tom Cushing :"So, does anybody have anything to say about Hope Hicks' departure?"

I dunno, Tom. Seems that the news of Hope Hicks' departure has already become stale with all the other things that have happened like the crazy interview with Trump campaign advisor Sam Nunberg, Trump declaring praise for the Chinese President naming himself President-for-life, and now the US Office of Special Counsel announcing that Kelly Anne Conway violated the Hatch Act on at least two occasions. Time passes by very quickly in Trump-land.


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Mar 6, 2018 at 3:52 pm

Chief Economic Advisor Cohn resigns after strongly disagreeing with Trump about tariffs. The Trump Chaos continues...


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Mar 7, 2018 at 7:50 am

Yet another great week for Trump. It goes on and on and on.....

- - - -
“Here's what happened in Trump's White House the day he said there was 'no chaos'"

Donald Trump tweet: “The new Fake News narrative is that there is CHAOS in the White House. Wrong! People will always come & go, and I want strong dialogue before making a final decision. I still have some people that I want to change (always seeking perfection). There is no Chaos, only great Energy!"

- “Kellyanne Conway violates the Hatch Act"

- “Trump's chief economic adviser, Gary Cohn, resigned in the wake of disagreements over Trump's decision to move forward with aluminum and steel tariff." (... DOW drops 300 points...)

- “Trump gets sued by adult film actress Stormy Daniels"
“A lawsuit filed by the porn star known as Stormy Daniels who claims Trump never signed a hush agreement regarding an alleged sexual encounter between the two and therefore the agreement is void."


Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of Danville,
on Mar 7, 2018 at 8:09 am

Tom Cushing is a registered user.

Well yeah, but at least he didn't wear a brown suit.


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Mar 7, 2018 at 12:21 pm

Hatch Act: Web Link

How likely is it that Conway will be held accountable by Mueller?

Nobody that I know likes her so it doesn't matter to me! Can she placed in jail if Mueller decides that's where she belongs...with other jailbirds...hope so...hahahahahaha...NO MERCY!


Posted by Obstruction, a resident of California Somerset,
on Mar 8, 2018 at 1:37 pm

Is Libby Schaaf getting charged with obstruction of justice?


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Mar 8, 2018 at 2:21 pm

ask her...y crystal ball indicates that perhaps...hahahahahaha...


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Mar 8, 2018 at 2:38 pm

Obstruct: Did you just loose your Binky and your Bawa?

anony


Posted by Obstruct, a resident of California Reflections,
on Mar 8, 2018 at 4:20 pm

Cholo, did you steal it?


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 8, 2018 at 8:14 pm

AG Sessions announced yesterday that he had assigned a prosecutor outside of DC to look at the alleged FISA abuse perpetrated by officials in the Obama administration and FBI/DOJ.

Coupled with the IG report due in the middle of this month and you get a pretty good sense that we'll see something come out of it.

And why, exactly, is the NYT and Washington post uninterested in reporting this development?

One can only guess :)

Tick tock Democrats, tick tock.


Posted by lindathomas, a resident of Danville,
on Mar 9, 2018 at 12:47 am

lindathomas is a registered user.

This was really a good article ... (comment edited ;-) )


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Mar 9, 2018 at 6:25 am

@Resident

Please, Resident, even you know that you're just firing blanks.


Posted by Doug Miller, a resident of Country Fair,
on Mar 9, 2018 at 8:24 am

Doug Miller is a registered user.

Sam: "Yet another great week for Trump. It goes on and on and on....."




Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of Alamo,
on Mar 9, 2018 at 9:10 am

So let's review the bidding. 75% of US steel consumption is domestically produced - its price goes up and the investors make more money. Canada and Mexico, which together account for 1/4 of our imports (see Res - not very much, so your point about Chinese steel is true, but trivial), so their investors will make more money too. But leverage on NAFTA negotiations? Negligible.

Where does that money come from that goes to the steel barons? American consumers, pennies, nickels, dimes and dollars on every purchase - and this is BEfore retaliation against other American exports costs jobs, too.

Call it The Art of the Steel Steal. Idiotic. You could look it up - same source as my above comment post.


Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of Alamo,
on Mar 9, 2018 at 9:18 am

Res - your Keebler comment may be interesting, but once again, it's unlinked - and therefore worthless, every time.


Posted by Doug Miller, a resident of Country Fair,
on Mar 9, 2018 at 9:41 am

Doug Miller is a registered user.

Quick, name a current steel baron. I can only think of Andrew Carnegie. Mr. Cushing is living in the 19th century.

And I love being an investor. So do all those with 401k plans. IRA's were a great invention. Every month, since their creation in 1974, IRA's serve to remind workers that capitalism is an amazing system that can make us all little steel barons.

I would even bet that Mr. Cushing is an investor.


Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of Alamo,
on Mar 9, 2018 at 9:49 am

Mr. Miller doesn't bother to look anything up, so I'M living in the 1800s. Classic dodge.

And Carl Icahn WAS a steel baron until the day BEFORE the tariffs were announced. Hmmm.

Point is that the overwhelming preponderance of the $$ from this will go to the very wealthy, and only make income inequity Worse - like the tax cut pittance to the Dickensian rabble, and Billions to the economic nobility - the investor class, the 1%, the donor class, the Kochs and their ilk.


Posted by Doug Miller, a resident of Country Fair,
on Mar 9, 2018 at 10:07 am

Doug Miller is a registered user.

Calling Carl Icahn a steel baron is a manifestation of Trump Derangement Syndrome. Mr. Icahn's investment in steel was less than a rounding error in his portfolio. And also in terms of his investment history. This is demeaning and disparaging to the term steel baron. Please stop.

Mr. Cushing is living in the 19th century.


Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of Alamo,
on Mar 9, 2018 at 10:19 am

I wonder how much Mr Icahn made on the tax cut - how it compares, say, with Warren Buffett's unwanted $29 Beellion. THAT's the point.

We are ALL living in the 19th century - at least the Gilded age part. The difference between us is that Mr. Miller seems to believe it's good policy to beggar everyone but the wealthiest. It's not. Where have you gone Teddy Roosevelt?


Posted by Doug Miller, a resident of Country Fair,
on Mar 9, 2018 at 10:35 am

Doug Miller is a registered user.

So, we have lurched from tariffs back to the tax cut. Well, Mr. Cushing is behind in the news of the day. Apparently Nancy Pelosi made an attempt this morning to walk back her "crumbs" comment. Apparently it is not polling well.

I repeat my prediction for liberal strategy in 2018 regarding the Trump tax cut: "Don't believe your lying eyes".


Posted by Malcolm Hex, a resident of another community,
on Mar 9, 2018 at 11:32 am

Well my brothers, Trump's tough talk just brought North Korea to the table. Nice job Mr. President. Oh, and because of your tax plan, I just got a nice bump in my paycheck. Than you, Mr. President.

Ramble on now, Tushy.


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Mar 9, 2018 at 12:41 pm

A few bucks is cool...but this is much more interesting:

Web Link

I'm the kinda person that wants to get to the TRUTH!

It ain't over till it's over...like I said, a few bucks is cool...but Miss Stormy is much more fun....hahahahahahahahahahahahhaha...lets all try to be patient...the truth will win out always...


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Mar 9, 2018 at 12:51 pm

@Malcolm Hex :"Well my brothers, Trump's tough talk just brought North Korea to the table. Nice job Mr. President"

If Kim Jong Un has been cowed, I haven't seen evidence of it. He seems to have no problems with firing off missiles whenever he wants and rubbing Trump's nose in it. As for the start of discussions between Kim Jong Un and Trump, that is a new development, but your congratulating Trump over just that without waiting to see the results marks you as just another Trump sycophant. Trump also had a meeting with the President of Mexico about trying to get Mexico to pay for the Wall. How did that go? It ended up with the President of Mexico refusing to pay for the Wall and Trump throwing a tantrum over it. So rather than cheering Trump for just having a meeting with Kim Jong Un, why don't we wait to see how it goes? If Trump is able to secure a lasting peace on terms favorable to the US, I think that a lot of people including myself will give him a lot of credit for that. Don't expect that to happen if Trump's behavior with the President of Mexico is any indication of his negotiating skills, but I'm willing to keep an open mind.


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 9, 2018 at 4:04 pm

“Keebler comment..."

I remember the post where the blogger spoke about wanting civility.

Yawn.

Link to Sessions: Web Link

You're welcome.


Posted by Doug Miller, a resident of Country Fair,
on Mar 9, 2018 at 4:11 pm

Doug Miller is a registered user.

Another fine example of Trump Derangement Syndrome from Sam.

Malcolm makes a simple observation that North Korea wants to talk then expresses gratitude for his improved financial circumstances and Sam becomes unhinged.

It made me think of a famous GEN George S. Patton quote: "God help me, I do love it so."


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Mar 9, 2018 at 4:35 pm

Oh well, looks like the cheering and congratulations to Trump over talks with North Korea were indeed premature after all. Typical Trump: The plan is all collapsing in chaos:

- - - -
“Trump's bold stroke on North Korea dissolves into confusion"

“The White House on Friday appeared to set tougher conditions for a meeting between President Donald Trump and the North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, saying that the North must take “concrete steps" toward denuclearizing."

“The White House also seemed to back away from the two-month timeframe laid out by South Korean officials on Thursday evening during a highly unusual press announcement in the White House driveway."

Politico: Web Link
- - - -


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 9, 2018 at 4:53 pm

Only Sam can take what's clearly positioning on a negotiation, and confuse that with backing off.

It wasn't Trump who came to the table wanting to talk.


Posted by Malcolm Hex, a resident of another community,
on Mar 9, 2018 at 5:25 pm

Poor Sam, along with Lefty Lucy, so wrapped up in their hatred towards our president. And yet, Trump rolls right along.

Say, how is that investigation going brother? I heard the cricket band is beginning to tune up for a grand concert.

Better yet, Sam, Lefty Lucy and Libby Loud Mouth Schaaf can all dance the Gavin "twosome" Newsom together.

Good times are a coming!


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 9, 2018 at 5:36 pm

The democrats and liberals on:

1. Taxes - ‘Raise taxes so we can fund government!programs"
2. Tarrifs - ‘omg! We can't have tariffs because that will cause prices to go up!!!'

If you notice, the two examples above are pretty much the same thing; It's moving money from one pocket to the other.

The only difference is, with the tariffs, you still get something for the exchange. With higher taxes, YOU STILL GET POTHILES ON THE ROAD.


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Mar 10, 2018 at 8:59 am

Interesting chart. See where you get your news information from:
- - -
“How biased is your news source? You probably won't agree with this chart"

“Are we even aware of our biases anymore? If you look at this chart and are convinced your “extreme" source belongs in the middle, you just might be part of the problem plaguing America today."

Marketwatch: Web Link
- - -


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Mar 10, 2018 at 9:32 am

@Malcolm Hex :"Say, how is that investigation going brother? I heard the cricket band is beginning to tune up for a grand concert."

Actually, Malcolm, I'm glad you asked that. Looks like Trump's longtime personal attorney Michael Cohen, the guy who paid off porn star Stormy Daniels with $130K, is now a subject of interest in the Russia investigation because of his pursuit of Russian business deals and other matters. So now this little matter of his possibly illegal $130K payment to buy the silence of an ex-porn star in support of the Trump campaign is falling within the scope of Mueller's investigation. Read all about it. Enjoy! :

“How Stormy Daniels could impact the Russia investigation“
CNN: Web Link
- - -


Posted by Tom Cushing , a resident of Alamo,
on Mar 10, 2018 at 10:11 am

Ah, spring training - the crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd and not a whiff of the comments section.


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Mar 10, 2018 at 11:15 am

I enjoy basketball...signed, Stormy

I'm curious what Repubs think and feel about Miss Stormy...Hmmmmmmmmmmm?


Posted by Doug Miller, a resident of Country Fair,
on Mar 10, 2018 at 5:49 pm

Doug Miller is a registered user.

Here is what Republicans are thinking and feeling right now:

1. Jobs, jobs, jobs, especially in manufacturing and for minorities.
2. Increased wages.
3. Lower taxes
4. Bonuses.
5. Less regulation that has strangled small businesses and farmers
6. A new conservative justice on the Supreme Court with more to follow
7. New conservative justices on lower courts
8. Strengthening the military services
9. Strengthening border security
10 Revised immigration procedures
11. Withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement
12. Repealing the Obamacare mandate and letting individual states and insurance companies create less costly insurance plans
13. Terminating trade agreements that are unfair to the United States
14 The demolition of ISIS
15. The recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel
16. Tighter restrictions on Cuba
17. Freeing up energy production to become the world's leading energy producer
18. Ended "catch and release" of illegal immigrants.

There are many more. Which is why I am so glad that liberals are not focused on these matters as demonstrated by this blog site.


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Mar 11, 2018 at 10:40 am

Good Morning Doug Miller!

Don't know why, there's no sun up in the sky...Stormy weather!

I find it fascinating that there's no mention of Melania Trummp? What's that all about...huh? I wonder how Melania's baby boy is being harmed by all of his daddy's behavior...especially the lies. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

I view Trump as HARMING the world with indifference...and his children as not giving a D...!

Hopefully, when the Mueller investigation is completed we will all have a better understanding how our institutions have been damaged.

Lets all try our best to be patient.








Posted by Doug Miller, a resident of Country Fair,
on Mar 11, 2018 at 6:31 pm

Doug Miller is a registered user.

I continue to be amazed and grateful that liberals only want to talk about conspiracy theories and dramas. As a result they have no agenda and nothing to run on come the fall. A gift that keeps on giving.


Posted by anony, a resident of Canyon Oaks,
on Mar 12, 2018 at 2:58 pm

stormy is her name...


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 12, 2018 at 5:20 pm

The House has just announced the end of their investigation of Russian collusion by Trump:

Web Link

For those of you interested, they found no collusion.

Tom, Scott and Sam hardest hit.

Mueller will be finished shortly.





Posted by Sam Clemens, a resident of Danville,
on Mar 12, 2018 at 6:40 pm

Sam Clemens is a registered user.

"It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to post a comment and remove all doubt ." -- Mark Twain, more or less.


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Mar 12, 2018 at 8:15 pm

@Resident

Hey, that's great, Resident! I guess that Trump can rest easy now.


Posted by Sue Thayer, a resident of Birdland,
on Mar 13, 2018 at 8:23 am

The fascist beat goes on:

The San Francisco spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement resigned after the agency's recent Northern California sweep, saying he couldn't continue to do his job after Trump administration officials made false public statements about a key aspect of the operation.

James Schwab told The Chronicle on Monday that he was frustrated by repeated statements by officials, including U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, that roughly 800 undocumented immigrants escaped arrest because of Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf's Feb. 24 warning to the public about the four-day operation, issued the night before federal officers began staking out homes and knocking on doors.

“I quit because I didn't want to perpetuate misleading facts," said Schwab, 38, who was hired in 2015 and resigned last week. “I asked them to change the information. I told them that the information was wrong, they asked me to deflect, and I didn't agree with that. Then I took some time and I quit."

“I didn't feel like fabricating the truth to defend ourselves against (Schaaf's) actions was the way to go about it," he said. “We were never going to pick up that many people. To say that 100 percent are dangerous criminals on the street, or that those people weren't picked up because of the misguided actions of the mayor, is just wrong."

Just wrong. Lies, piled on top of more lies. Every day. No wonder they hate the free press.
Web Link


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 13, 2018 at 8:50 am

Ah, “fascists" for enforcing the law.

You are special.


Posted by Sue Thayer, a resident of Birdland,
on Mar 13, 2018 at 8:55 am

No, fascists habitually lying to the people they were elected to Serve, to mislead them and keep them in fear.

It is not special to be devoted to truth-telling. It is 'special' to revere Mussolini.


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 13, 2018 at 9:10 am

There's no proof of a lie. You want to believe what this spokesperson says because you hate Trump.

You suffer from confirmation bias. Look it up.




Posted by Sue Thayer, a resident of Birdland,
on Mar 13, 2018 at 9:52 am

I am well-familiar with bias, pedant. The fact that it's your new excuse for hiding from facts does not mean that others are not aware of - and correct for - the concern.

Here are two independent layers of proof:

1 - ICE stated A Month Ago that they get no more than 30% of their raid targets - here, that's 300, not the 800 they wanted this guy to claim.

2 - ICE did not deny the former employee's statements, saying instead "one illegal is too many." Their silence speaks volumes, to those who will listen.

BTW, what institution are you a Resident of?


Posted by Sue Thayer, a resident of Birdland,
on Mar 13, 2018 at 9:57 am

So I don't get scolded by the host: Web Link


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 13, 2018 at 10:21 am

So you think by posting a link to the NYT saying exactly the same thing as your first link means something?

Proof of lying would be, you know, helpful.


Posted by Sue Thayer, a resident of Birdland,
on Mar 13, 2018 at 10:57 am

My, but aren't you just a huge waste of my time!

Had you read, and understood, the second link, you would see that it contained both adequate corroborations referred-to in my comment. You see, that's how this is done.

There are none so blind ...


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 13, 2018 at 2:11 pm

Sue,

“I told them that the information was wrong, they asked me to deflect..."

Does he have any proof of this?

Do you?

I bet you believe that fire doesn't melt steel.

Talk about blind.


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Mar 13, 2018 at 2:33 pm

Southern Poverty Law Center: Web Link

How many Plutonians are member of the Center for Immigration Studies?

Web Link


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Mar 13, 2018 at 4:07 pm

Hey, Resident. I thought that you wrote that the investigation into possible Russian collusion by Trump was over, but I just read some news that Mueller is still continuing the investigation. What gives? Were you just pulling my leg?


Posted by Sue Thayer, a resident of Birdland,
on Mar 13, 2018 at 4:13 pm

Resident: please post your address so I can send you some straws. They are as empty as your arguments, but you might feel better grasping them.


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 13, 2018 at 4:45 pm

Sue,

No straw man argument here, just want to see some proof instead of the ‘old familiar he said/she said bull that you're peddling.

Don't worry, I know you don't have any.


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 13, 2018 at 4:46 pm

Sam,

Read again what I wrote before beclowning yourself once again.


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Mar 13, 2018 at 4:57 pm

@Resident
Here's your quote:

“The House has just announced the end of their investigation of Russian collusion by Trump:
Web Link
For those of you interested, they found no collusion."


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 13, 2018 at 8:05 pm

You forgot this part, clown.

“Mueller will be finished shortly.“


Posted by Malcolm Hex, a resident of another community,
on Mar 13, 2018 at 8:56 pm

Hey Sue, how do you know that this "agent" wasn't just some malcontent? Plenty of those guys out there that can't cut the mustard when it comes to enforcing the law.

Same thing happens in the military. Some guys just can't hack it and they are dropped on request (DOR).

Research your position before opening your mouth about something you know do very little about.


Posted by Sue Thayer, a resident of Birdland,
on Mar 13, 2018 at 9:36 pm

MX unguided missile: if YOU had bothered to read the New York Times link I posted, you would have adequate answers to your 'malcontent' desperate ploy. It ain't so.

I know you were just itching to say that I don't know thus-and-so, but your own lack of diligence has made you look foolish, instead. Nice try, thanks for over-playing your hand, please accept these nice raspberries as a parting gift. Web Link


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Mar 13, 2018 at 10:45 pm

@Resident: "You forgot this part, clown. “Mueller will be finished shortly.“"

Don't know what you're talking about. There has been no announcement that Mueller's investigation is being shut down.


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Mar 14, 2018 at 9:10 am

A Democrat is running neck to neck with a Trump-backed Republican in an election for Congress in a Pennsylvania district which Trump won by a massive 20 points? Regardless of who ultimately wins, don't see any way for Republicans to put a positive spin on this.


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 14, 2018 at 10:03 am

That's odd, when I look at said Democrats platform it oddly looks like Trumps.

I wonder if that could be the reason he's neck and neck?

Lol, the Dems have to lie to win elections.


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Mar 14, 2018 at 10:13 am

@Resident: "That's odd, when I look at said Democrats platform it oddly looks like Trumps."

Oh? Then why did Trump endorse the other guy and not him?

*Kerplunk!*

No way to spin this election to make it look good for Republicans or for Trump.


Posted by Sue Thayer, a resident of Birdland,
on Mar 14, 2018 at 11:08 am

"The big-picture takeaway is this: If Democrats can win districts like Pennsylvania 18, they won't need to stretch and scrape together a House majority. According to FiveThirtyEight's partisan lean measure, 118 Republican-held districts nationwide are less red than the Pennsylvania 18th is. Of course, the entire country is unlikely to shift 22 points to the left in November the way the 18th did �" and the country may not even shift the full 17 points implied by the aggregate of special-election results �" but Republicans should still be very worried." Web Link

And from ol' Abe Lincoln, among others: "You can fool all the people some of the time and people like Res and Malcolm all the time (but, but ... proof! More research is needed!), but you cannot fool all the people all the time."

Loss of Hope, fellas?


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Mar 14, 2018 at 12:01 pm

It's pretty clear that Trump isn't winning over the hearts and minds of most Americans as so many of his supporters seem to think he is. A lot of people voted for Trump simply because they didn't like Hillary and wanted to take a chance on an unconventional candidate. Instead of recognizing that, a lot of hard core Trump supporters thought that most Americans are as solidly behind Trump as they are. But they're not. And they don't find Trump's undignified, un-Presidential, and immature behavior at all befitting the behavior of the President of the United States. When Trump eventually shrugs his shoulders and leaves the White House (perhaps sooner than Trump supporters expect) the Republican Party is going to have a hell of a mess to clean up. They won't be able to wash off the stench left behind by Trump for a long, long time.


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Mar 14, 2018 at 3:17 pm

Democrat Victorious in Penn! Thanks to the Trump endorsement, the R candidate LOST!

hahahahahahahahahhaha...I rest my case!!!


Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of Danville,
on Mar 14, 2018 at 4:12 pm

Tom Cushing is a registered user.

That may be the best $25 I ever donated.


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Mar 14, 2018 at 5:05 pm

VIVA RAND PAUL! Did he do the right thing today...YUP!

My ears just about flapped of my head when I heard this: Web Link

What's going on in our country? C H A N G E! GORA!


Posted by J. Rassick, a resident of Danville,
on Mar 15, 2018 at 11:39 am

J. Rassick is a registered user.

"The subpoena is the latest indication that the investigation, which Mr. Trump's lawyers once regularly assured him would be completed by now, will drag on for at least several more months."

Perhaps Resident meant "shortly" in terms of geologic time?


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Mar 15, 2018 at 12:37 pm

Suddenly very quiet here. Trump supporters could overlook his immaturity, his habitual lying, his narcissism, and his bizarre, un-Presidential behavior as long as they thought that he was a winner. Bu now that they've been shown that the loss by Trump-backed Roy Moore in Alabama was no fluke, they're coming to the realization that they now have an immature, lying, narcissistic loser on their hands.


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Mar 15, 2018 at 2:06 pm

look out...the donald is about to appoint another crazy creature to his goon squad! Web Link

I'm willing to listen up to what the pom-pay-O has to say but not the crazy creature....

signed,

Resident



Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Mar 15, 2018 at 3:24 pm

Amy Goodman interview with John Kiriakou.CIA re: Gina Haspel and Torture of prisoners. tortureWeb Link

GOD HAVE MERCY


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 15, 2018 at 3:42 pm

Boy...two losses on an off-election year...gee...

Enjoy this while you can, you're going to be very disappointed in November.


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Mar 15, 2018 at 3:54 pm

for shor Resident...how's about telling the rest of us where you got your crystal ball...hahahahahahahhahahahhahah!

pleeeeeez...what gonna happen in november? hmmmmmmmm?


Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of Danville,
on Mar 15, 2018 at 4:52 pm

Tom Cushing is a registered user.

Res? Not to quibble, but it's more than two.

Politifact puts the number at 40 state and federal seats taken from Republicans by Dems since the 2016 Trumpocalypse, not counting NJ governor or PA18 just concluded - and not including several significant mayorals. They also don't count races won by the GOP where the Dems dramatically outperformed 2016, like in Georgia and Montana. Web Link

Perhaps you could name even one recent election where the GOP outperformed 2016, even by a little? I'll wait.

In the meantime, I've noticed that you rarely, if ever, back up your boastful predictions with any evidence, or even any reason why you think so. Why is that?


Posted by Tom Cushing, a DanvilleSanRamon.com blogger,
on Mar 16, 2018 at 7:47 am

Tom Cushing is a registered user.

Note - I closed the Comments last evening because posts began to appear celebrating the divorce filings of the Prez' son and his wife. I am not comfortable bringing such private family matters into this forum - I think there's a clear line between the President's governing actions and private happenings among his son's families.

There are things within the intimacies of a marriage that no outsider can know, and the failure of such a relationship might elicit sympathy or a shrug - but not a celebration.

I won't take the time to clearly demark the line - I needn't here, because this stuff is so clearly on the far side of what's proper.

That said, I'll reopen the Comments - please keep that caveat in-mind.


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 16, 2018 at 6:03 pm

Remember, you asked.

“...with any evidence..."

Because to give you evidence that does not come from the New York Times, Huffington Post or Washington Post is to have said evidence ruled inadmissmissable in the court of stupid.

That's why.

You simply have no tolerance nor openness and intellectual thoughtfulness towards looking at the opposing press as being legitimate.

Don't believe me? Go back and read your own words.

The only time you and your kin post something that come from ANY opposing source is when some never-trumper at the National Review says something that agrees with you. Only THEN do you accept an opposing source as, temporarily, legitimate.

It's disingenuous, dishonest and frankly, childish.

I'm being kind.

And when an opposing source is given, you don't read and debate what is linked. You simply have your view and that is that.

I read every link you post and when I question you, your response is always the same ‘I'm not at liberty to explain myself' or some such bull. It's transparent that when your ideas and opinion are challenged by an opposing viewpoint, you run for the hills or you come up with some quip to hide behind. Again, there are numerous examples of this response.

Remember, you asked.





Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Mar 16, 2018 at 6:26 pm

Oh My! I would not be the least bit surprised that Mr. Tom is shaking in his boots!

Resident, you delight in putting down others with different views and understandings. What makes our country GREAT is that we allow for different views. The views that are presented aren't shaped by reading the same sources of information. Fortunately, if others only read what you enjoy reading, Plutonia would get way way boring fasty.

My impression is that you delight in putting others in their place which is smack dab under your food. yup...that's it.

If that suits you, cool...keep on trucking lady!





Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 16, 2018 at 7:29 pm

The number 2 man at the FBI has just been fired, 2 days prior to his collecting his pension.

Wonder why?

Unless the NYT, Huffington Post, and Washington Post reports on the reasons why, I guess we'll never know.


Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of Danville,
on Mar 17, 2018 at 7:15 am

Tom Cushing is a registered user.

Wow, Res - you could've saved yourself all that vituperation by commenting that quaint things like (actual) 'facts' and 'evidence' just don't matter in your world - kind of like your hero admitted when he bragged about making-up trade statistics in negotiation with another head of state. ICYMI: Web Link

Note - I HAD to use the NYT article, because FOX NEWS DIDN'T REPORT IT. BTW, the article indicates that Canadians are "baffled" by the tactic. Me, too. Sorry.

I am really happy to consider opposing viewpoints, and I, for one am not making that up. (Actual) example: your comment about Chinese steel - a little research showed that to be true (hallelujah), but trivial, as imports from Mexico and Canada are such a small percentage of total US consumption. Even if some of that steel is Chinese, it's a piddling amount.

If you really review the bidding, though, you rarely volunteer even a link to your factual claims and your predictions. Propaganda is easy - real fact-based journalism is hard, and crucial to democracy. NYT has proved itself credible - not sure I've ever linked HuffPo because I don't read it. Lumping the two publications together is not a serious comparison.

I continue to await any basis for your bold prediction that "you'll be disappointed in November." Web Link

BTW - I predict McCabe's baseless firing will backfire on your hero - much like Comey's did. Web Link indeed.

Your post did make me pause for some self-reflection - as in "for this I reopened the Comments?"


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 17, 2018 at 9:25 am

“Backfire on your hero"

McCabe was fired by FBI OPR (basically his peers), not by Trump.

How you can claim (without links) it will backfire on my “hero" is a mystery to me.

More to come.


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 17, 2018 at 9:27 am

Correction: he was RECOMMENDED by the FBI OPR for firing and fired by the AG based on the recommendation.


Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of Danville,
on Mar 17, 2018 at 9:34 am

Tom Cushing is a registered user.

I am certain that just like Sergeant Schultz, your hero knew Nothing about it. Web Link

The basis for my prediction was stated - so, how IS that Comey firing, which led to Mueller's appointment, workin' out so far, hmmm?


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 17, 2018 at 9:45 am

“Mueller..."

With process violations and crimes that don't touch POTUS.

Lol...this is fun.


Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of Danville,
on Mar 17, 2018 at 9:48 am

Tom Cushing is a registered user.

Sooner or later, it may occur to you to "stop digging." When you do, I'll offer you a very long rope with which to climb out.


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 17, 2018 at 10:04 am

Same to you Blogger...

Once the senate investigation tells us (and they will) that there was no Collusion, followed by the IG report showing political corruption at the highest levels of government, we'll see what happens to Mueller.


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Mar 17, 2018 at 1:09 pm

Trump is desperate to steer the conversation away from Missy Stormy...goodness.
STORMY DANIELS IS A NAME TO REMEMBER. DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANYTHING TO TELL...SOMETHING UNUSUAL PERHAPS? hmmmmmmmmmmm...

I have a guess that the "T" was involved in kinky stuff...I'll be patient...who knows what happened with the Stormy and in Russia...hahahahahahahahahahahaha...lord have mercy

nota bene: I also have a hunch that the "Resident" has a crush on Mr. Tom?


Posted by Malcolm Hex, a resident of another community,
on Mar 17, 2018 at 3:19 pm

Well, well, well...

Looks like Mr. McCabe is following in Comey's footsteps. Run thy mouth and watch your career go south. The little boys club just got a huge spanking.

Say, Lefty Lucy, come to think of it, you would fit right in.


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Mar 17, 2018 at 3:37 pm

Please esplain how come nobody seems to want to discuss the Stormy?

I think that that's where the money is. I suspect that Plutonians think of the Stormy as waaaay too nasty nasty dirty surly. Afraid of what she has to say?

I would like to know how many Plutonians have enjoyed the delights of a lady or fella of the night? I know that there are lots of good folks about but everybody is not cool all of the time. Nope, Free Stormy. Let her tell her story.

Stormy might also have info as to whether the "T" has rolled with underage human beings? ya think? Perhaps the "hex" or "res" might have a clue...hmmmmmm...they come across as having info that nobody knows about...hahahahahahaha...what about it Lefty Lucy?


Posted by Doug Miller, a resident of Country Fair,
on Mar 17, 2018 at 10:22 pm

Doug Miller is a registered user.

Cudos to Mr. Cushing for his gracious comments about the Trump family.

As to Ms. Daniels, who cares! Bill Clinton made this sort of stuff irrelevant. Today it serves as a nice distraction that keeps liberals focused on things that don't matter. While Trump demolishes the Obama legacy.

And as to the Lamb election, well, after all he is a Marine and a combat vet. He also ran against Pelosi and that is not likely to happen again. He will soon find out how far that gets him in DC.

I predict that come November Republicans hold onto the house and senate, in fact i believe they will pick up about two senate seats. And I predict that Trump will complete his four year term and probably be elected to a second term. He will likely be assigned to janitorial committee.

Finally, Mr. Cushing doesn't have a good predictions track record. I'm thinking about 2016, the last race for governor in Kentucky and some obscure French economist.


Posted by Doug Miller, a resident of Country Fair,
on Mar 17, 2018 at 10:26 pm

Doug Miller is a registered user.

I meant to say that Lamb will be assigned to the House Janitorial Committee.


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Mar 18, 2018 at 9:03 am

Doug Miller is trying to normalize, dismiss Trump's behavior with Stormy. There's no way anybody can make what happened go away...surrender Dorothy!

Who knows, maybe the Stormy works for the Russians and has info related to Trumps sexual abuse of underage children? What's to hide? Hmmmmmmmmm...

There's a large body of research re: how prostitution harms adults and children, any society. It's my prayer that the Trump will be exposed so that our society will be a safer place. Children and families deserve protection to thrive.

Trump is a dangerous President.






Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Mar 18, 2018 at 6:30 pm

Please explain what you know about "Xanax? Explain your professional understanding of "grandiose delusions".

Where did you receive your clinical training and what credentials qualify you to use clinical language? What State of California clinical license to you hold? Board & name please so that I can look it up!

tee hee hee...I'll be respectful and hold off until you can prove that you are qualified to use clinical language. If you are indeed qualified, I tip my hat!

otherwise...ta-ta and tee hee hee...all the way home!



Posted by Malcolm Hex, a resident of another community,
on Mar 18, 2018 at 10:47 pm

Moving on...

Say,

Cushy stated the following in one of his earlier posts:

"...Real fact-based journalism is hard, and crucial to democracy. NYT has proved itself credible."

On May 24, 2017, The New York Times caused outrage among the British police and government when it published leaked photos showing the scene of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing. Counter terror police chiefs said the leak undermined their investigation.


The New York Times trashed the Duke LaCrosse team as a gang of rapists - incorrectly, throwing aside a legal principle dating back to the founding of our country - that suspects are innocent until proven guilty - the "newspaper of record" slimed three Duke LaCrosse players as racist rapists long before they were eventually found to have been falsely accused.

Jonathan Weisman, the Times' deputy Washington editor, was forced to retract a June tweet insinuating Attorney General Jeff Sessions was corrupt.

Weisman asserted that former FBI Director James Comey testified that Sessions asked him directly to call the Russia probe “a matter." But Comey actually testified that Sessions' predecessor in the Obama administration, Attorney General Loretta Lynch, made that request.

Weisman's tweet no longer appears on his Twitter page, but he sent another tweet shortly after in which he reported the news that the request came from Lynch.

I would suggest that Mr. Cushing do a little more "digging" before making such a silly statement.


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Mar 19, 2018 at 9:35 am

oh...


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Mar 19, 2018 at 11:08 am

National Press Club with Senator Flake, Arizona:

Web Link

I must admit that I was taken aback by what Senator Flake said.

I admire him for his honesty and courage. VIVA SENATOR FLAKE! VIVA! Please share this video with friends & foes alike. It's the kind of talk that Americans need...he's a fella to WATCH! HOORAY!

He's not perfect but he is a DECENT MAN.


Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of Danville,
on Mar 19, 2018 at 3:20 pm

Tom Cushing is a registered user.

Malcolm, it's no mystery why you post under an alias - who would put his actual name on such garbage? The fact that you cribbed your post from wikipedia doesn't help. Perhaps you think wikipedia is unimpeachable as a source?

/pause for laughter to subside.

Briefly, because I suspect you've posted this just to waste my time, you've cherry-picked three stories you claim were wrong. Google tells us that the NYTimes runs about 13,900 stories/year. IF we assume all three stories happened in the same year (they didn't), that would put the Times accuracy rate at 99.97%. That's good enough for me, and many times better than you bring to your job, I'll wager.

Analyses that might have meaning would be to capture an actual error rate/time, then compare that to other publications, and also run a trend line, over time. You've done none of that, of course.

Good journalism is hard in part because real credibility is crucial (to most, if not to you), and must be constantly earned. Every News story is subject to pressures of urgency and certainty/accuracy, which cut in opposite ways. The Times does a great job of balancing those factors, and when they fall short, their Public Editor analyzes and explains what went wrong - the better to prevent future occurrences. That's because good journalism, of the kind they consistently produce - is hard.

OTOH, heaving bricks full of stupid from behind a pseudonym - well, that's pretty easy, wouldn't you say?


Posted by Malcolm Hex, a resident of another community,
on Mar 19, 2018 at 9:49 pm

Credibility? You? You mean your biased perception of what you think is credible? How do you know? You rely primarily on what YOU think is credible depending on the news source.

To make matters worse, you rely on some "source" that tells you the news you read is credible. LOL!!!!!

Like I said, do a little "digging" before you fly off your love handles and accuse me of siphoning information solely from Wiki. The information I provided was from a variety of news organizations.

BTW, was it not you who warned people about the name calling? I suggest you follow your own advice before calling me stupid.


Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of Danville,
on Mar 20, 2018 at 7:06 am

Tom Cushing is a registered user.

Malcolm: Here's the wikipedia page: Web Link You drew whole sentences - verbatim - from it, and all three of your purported gotchas came from the article. Busted.

The obvious upshot is that you trusted a crowd-sourced on-line publication enough to plagiarize it - but you reject the nation's most reliable, and accountable, news source. That's your choice, of course, but it also leads to a strong implication that you just don't like reliable messages that fail to reinforce your preconceptions.

Perhaps the problem is your preconceptions?

And for the record, I never called you stupid. I wrote that your post was stupid, because to cherry-pick three alleged incidents out of many, many thousands of articles produced by the NYT doesn't serve the point you were apparently trying to make. Show me error rates, compare those to other publications, and show trends that it's getting worse - THEN we've got something to talk about.

You picked-up three grains of black sand on a white beach - and concluded that the whole beach is black. I think I'll stand by my characterization of your comment.


Posted by Phil Trent, a resident of Blackhawk,
on Mar 20, 2018 at 8:36 am

You are overly defensive of Malcom's comments, and labeling his opinions as "stupid" shows he hit a nerve. The New York Times former public editor Daniel Okrent wrote an article in 2004 in which he stated, "The Times thinks of itself as a centrist national newspaper, but it's more accurate to say its politics are perfectly centered on the slices of America that look and think the most like Manhattan".

The reality is that the days of having an impartial, fair and balanced news organization simply report the news, rather than use their power for their own political views and agenda, is long gone. Moreover, traditional newspaper jobs have largely been eliminated, replaced by internet publishing jobs. Nearly 90% of all internet publishing employees work in a county where Clinton won, and 75% of them work in a county that Clinton won by more than 30 percentage points. Only 7% of the media are registered Republicans.

If you watch "mainstream" television news on CBS, you will see their reporters use the term "alleged" when referring to indiscretions by Democrats, but not so much when referring to indiscretions by Republicans, and constantly referring to President Trump as "Trump", but President Obama was always "President Obama". Coincidence? Nope.

Malcom is right, the Times, like almost every other media outlet, is made up of registered Democrats, who subconsciously, or consciously, ferret the news, with a spin that reflects their political ideology. Treating their stories as the gospel of independent truth is ignorant.


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 20, 2018 at 8:46 am

“...that would put the accuracy rate at 99.7%..."

Got a link to back that up?

Two can play at that game, Blogger.


Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of Danville,
on Mar 20, 2018 at 9:10 am

Tom Cushing is a registered user.

Phil: I would call it "dismissive" of a deeply ridiculous post.

You provide no evidence regarding your perceptions of language differences - it's interesting, because my own perception is that the MSM have been overly cautious in their characterizations, rigorous about "allegations" and solicitous of the Office of the President. I'd really like to see some stats on the subject. And BTW, Fox News is also HQd in Manhattan.

Res: you didn't read carefully, again, or understand the obvious point. That 99+% rate is just arithmetic - 3/13900. It is intended to demonstrate the absurdity of Malcolm's three grains of sand. Try to keep up.


Posted by Phil Trent, a resident of Blackhawk,
on Mar 20, 2018 at 9:35 am

Isn't is a wee bit egotistical to think that you have a more accurate perception of the political bent of the New York Times than their former public editor?

You do not think that the statistics showing that the overwhelming amount of media are Democrats has any affect on the media reporting?


Posted by Resident, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 20, 2018 at 10:01 am

Oh...I see...you throw out a “point" based on someone's example, then process and agree on your own arithmetic perception by saying “that's good enough for me", and then accuse ME of misunderstanding?

Ok Tom...


Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of Danville,
on Mar 20, 2018 at 10:56 am

Tom Cushing is a registered user.

Phil: you are conflating inclination and credibility. Do I trust the NYT to be credible - yes. Is it inclined toward the liberal? A bit. Is NYT to the Left what Fox News is to the Right? Not even a little bit. This chart is not bad, IMoh-soHO: Web Link Other folks' mileage may, and has, varied, but I think she did a good job on inclination and quality.

Res: Forget it. It's Chinatown to you.


Posted by Malcolm Hex, a resident of another community,
on Mar 20, 2018 at 11:52 am

Cushing's lack of objectivity is perilous to his own way of thinking. As I stated before, he gets up in his giddy when one news source tells him that another news source is credible. Huh? Kind of like the blind leading the blind.

Anyhoo, the Cush attempts to side-step the issue by stating that the NY Times admits their mistakes. Yeah, so do other news organizations, big deal. The problem is when the stated news organization continues to make mistakes - as does the "credible" NY Times. Mr. Cushing knows that there are plenty of examples out there to cite from.

I suggest the Cush sample a tasty morsal first before biting all the way in. Then, and only then, will he be able to say that the news he devoured was free of rot.


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Mar 20, 2018 at 2:12 pm

It's my impression that a few posters dislike everything that Tom posts. Hmmmmmmmmmmm...what's so bad about holding different positions on various issues? To disagree is healthy but the shaming and trashing of others with whom they don't agree is a waste of time.

It seems to this one that resident, hex, and a few others enjoy gang banging
Tom and others with whom they disagree. strangeola!

I enjoy reading this blog but in my humble opinion, it's time to moveon.com

ya me fui....ta-ta....

ps...Is it time to start using clinical Dx to try to harm another person?

hahahahahahahahahahha...all the way home!











Posted by Tom Cushing, a DanvilleSanRamon.com blogger,
on Mar 21, 2018 at 11:17 am

Tom Cushing is a registered user.

When cholo says it's time to go, well ... it's time.


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