US Politics Thread 2021-24

[les green01]

what i can't figure out is them antijewish protesters took over the capital where the arrest and threats of arrest

[Rockstar]

I’m sure if anyone broke the law they will be tracked down and either arrested or subpoenaed to appear. It makes no sense to politicize it because all that will do is motivate those Islamic terrorist sleeper cells who infiltrated our country through our southern border.

[em2nought]

Originally Posted by les green01

what i can't figure out is them antijewish protesters took over the capital where the arrest and threats of arrest

Two words: Banana Republic

[mapuc]

Originally Posted by em2nought

Two words: Banana Republic

The condition on these bananas ? Fresh or rotten ?

Markus

[Jimbuna]

[vienna]

Originally Posted by Rockstar

I’m sure if anyone broke the law they will be tracked down and either arrested or subpoenaed to appear. It makes no sense to politicize it because all that will do is motivate those Islamic terrorist sleeper cells who infiltrated our country through our southern border.

Actually, in the past, almost all of the "sleeper" terrorists entered the US the old fashioned way: legally; taking advantage of US immigration laws giving visas willy-nilly to seemingly just about anybody, terrorists have entered easily through the airports of the US as tourists, students, etc, and set up camp before they have acted (a few even sauntered across the Canadian border); no need for them to dodge US ICE officials on the Southern Border or mix with the other immigrants; it is one of the great myths of the Far Right that terrorist are teeming across the Rio Grande: they just don't need to do it and they have the added advantage of seeming to be here on legitimate reasons; it has been one of my long time pet peeves that, while the Far Right yowls and whines about the Southern Border, they do next to nothing to address the gaping hole in the "legitimate" immigration schemes, such as giving long term visas to foreign businesspersons (the purported intent being to foster better 'business relationships'), allowing pregnant women to travel to the US specifically for the purpose of having their children become automatic US citizen (giving the parents and other near relatives the ability to also stay long term in the US without having to go through extensive measures used on other immigrants), and a host of other loopholes and exceptions woven into the current US immigration laws; the real existential danger to the US is not from some guy or gall illegal who wants to just get a job at minimum (or less) wage, its from the educated, intelligent agents of those organizations and nations seeking to cause havoc and destruction against the US and its interests...

Added to the terrorism threat, an awful lot of the imported highly dangerous illegal drugs coming into the US are being brought through the regular ports and airports across the US, and very little, relatively, by person trying to cross the Southern borders illegally; again, there is very little need for the illegal drug importers, who deal in rather high volumes of product, to jeopardize their shipment by having it split up into carry-able portion, parse that out to ground "mules" and risk having their product lost during crossing; the fewer persons involved in the actual transportation, the fewer persons to likely turn state's evidence against the wholesalers; if you are a Chinese drug exporter, it is a logistical pain in the butt to direct your shipments to Mexico, break it down, an then have to depend on a bunch of :coyotes" to some how get it across the Southern Border, especially not when you can just lump your product into, say, a shipping container loaded with knock of product or other such goods and pass it along through a very porous dock or airport; and as for the product coming up from or through Mexico, its again easier to have the product just piggyback on trucks carrying legitimate products being pretty much waved through the official boarder points...

Bottom line: you can build all the walls you want, as high and long as you want, but if you don's also address the sieve in the immigration enforcement for "legitimate" immigration, the real problems and danger will continue to exist...


As an example of the porousness of immigration laws an their enforcement other than at the Southern Border, here is the assessment by the official US National Commission on Terrorist Attacks detailing the pats of the 9/11 hijackers into the US:


Entry of the 9/11 Hijackers into the United States
Staff Statement No. 1 -

https://govinfo.library.unt.edu/911/...tatement_1.pdf


One more thing: as an example of how idiotic the existing 'legitimate' immigration policy really is, let's look at the O-1 Visa, commonly known as the "Genius Visa"; the purported intent was to facilitate the migration of highly specialized foreign individuals who may have the capability to contribute to the betterment of the US; here is the actual introductory text from the USCIS website describing the nature of the O-1 Visa:

The O-1 nonimmigrant visa is for the individual who possesses extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or who has a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry and has been recognized nationally or internationally for those achievements.

The visa can grant up to an initial three (3) years of stay in the country withe a possible open-ended extension after that period; however good the initial intentions of the O-1 Visa program, it has devolved into a sham individuals who either outright do not meet the criteria, or have very little of the requirements, are getting O-1 Visas mainly through political patronage, financial backing, or other means of circumvention, so basically the wealthy and/or the connected can pretty much get some undeserving people into the country; a case in point: a US billionaire got his foreign born fiance into the US (who would otherwise have had to stand in line like the rest of the law-abiding hopefuls seek legal residency in the US) by having her declared eligible under the provisions of the "Genius Visa", in spite of the fact she was totally lacking when it came to even remotely satisfying the criteria for an O-1 Visa; the name of the couple who used the husband's connections and perceived financial power to finagle the visa: Melania Knauss, and her future husband, Donald Trump...

Try as one might to finesse the language of the intent of the Law, it seems highly improbable Melania, or anyone else with her background, would really be an eligible candidate for an O-1 Visa...


Here is a link to USCIS web page specifically about the o-1 Visa


O-1 Visa: Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement -

https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the...or-achievement




<O>

[Rockstar]

Just in today IMO I think everyone is starting a CYOA campaign of “see we told you so” so as to deflect blame when some terrorist who crossed an open border commits an act of terrorism. As for the 9-11 hijackers they pursued legal entry in order to get training and jobs here.

Feds warn Hamas terrorists may enter US through southern border, report says

https://americanmilitarynews.com/202...r-report-says/

Federal officials are increasingly concerned that members of Hamas could soon be entering the United States through the southern border.

Having a wall and a secure border would be really nice right about now.

According to an internal memo from the San Diego Field Office Intelligence Division of Customs and Border Protection, the Israel-Hamas war may cause terror-linked individuals to cross through the southern border into the United States.

The memo, which was obtained by the Daily Caller, specifically told agents to be on the lookout for "Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)" and other groups.

"San Diego Field Office Intelligence Unit assesses that individuals inspired by, or reacting to the current Israel-Hamas conflict may attempt travel to or from the area of hostilities in the Middle East via circuitous transit across the Southwest border," the memo said.

"Foreign fighters motivated by ideology or mercenary soldiers of fortune may attempt to obfuscate travel to or from the US to or from countries in the Middle East through Mexico."

[em2nought]

Originally Posted by Rockstar

Just in today IMO I think everyone is starting a CYOA campaign of “see we told you so” so as to deflect blame when some terrorist who crossed an open border commits an act of terrorism. As for the 9-11 hijackers they pursued legal entry in order to get training and jobs here.

Feds warn Hamas terrorists may enter US through southern border, report says

I guess they're not so worried about us fat ol' Trump voters anymore.

[Rockstar]

Inflation expectations jump the most since Biden's disastrous 2022. This means Americans are starting to "build in" higher prices to their future plans. Which becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. People raise prices to account for future inflation, and that leads to yet more inflation. It can become a feedback loop with the Fed losing all control.

[Jimbuna]

Hopefully matters will soon come to a swift conclusion.

[Rockstar]

Originally Posted by em2nought

I guess they're not so worried about us fat ol' Trump voters anymore.

No, because any conservative, Republican or independent voter wanting to strengthen a border with a good’ ol fashion wall in their state still makes them a racist, a fascist, and an extremist. Only states run by the saintly, caring, Democrats are allowed to have a wall built along their border.


Once you make it on the ‘lookout list’ you stay on it.

[Rockstar]

Spending billions more to support military action in the Middle East will benefit the military industrial complex. It will harm most Americans by accelerating the growth of our government’s over $33 trillion in debt.

Spending billions supporting Sanctuary Cities isn’t much different. Somebody is making an awful lot of money from it and it ain’t you or the migrants.

You just foot the bill. GO TEAM D! GO TEAM R! Not much difference between them or their fanboys.

[Buddahaid]

Now Jenna Ellis has pled guilty making it three lawers and one other turning State’s evidence in the Georgia RICO case. Also it has been confirmed Mark Meadows has been given immunity for testimony in Jack Smith’s J6 case. The circle is getting tighter around Trump.

[Jimbuna]

Three key moments from Trump's court reunion with Michael Cohen

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-67212196

[Rockstar]

Progressives rebel against Biden’s handling of Israel-Gaza crisis

Story by Marisa Iati, Colby Itkowitz • 7h

Cordell Cox has volunteered for a Democrat in every presidential race since Barack Obama’s 2008 run. Next year, he might sit it out.

Cox, a 33-year-old in Michigan, said he’ll probably still cast a ballot for President Biden if he’s the Democratic nominee. But, Cox said, he won’t work to increase turnout and fears that some of his friends will choose a third-party candidate or decline to vote altogether.

To them, Biden’s handling of the violence in Israel and Gaza has been unacceptable. As the White House advocates for sending $14 billion in aid to Israel, Cox and his like-minded friends commiserate in a group text about their shared belief that, as Cox said in an interview, “we should stop sending money and bombs to other countries while we can’t fix the water crisis in Flint, [Mich.,] or feed our homeless.”

That sentiment reflects a surge of pro-Palestinian feelings on the part of progressives, especially younger ones, that could jeopardize the fragile alliance Biden has carefully nurtured with the left over the past three years. From climate change to student loans to labor activism, Biden’s policies and rhetoric have won over many liberals who have long been suspicious of him, and several prominent progressive leaders vowed last summer to back Biden for another term.

But in recent days, former staffers to congressional Democrats have criticized Biden’s refusal to call for a cease-fire in Gaza. Hundreds of demonstrators were arrested after protesting at the White House and the Capitol making the same demand. A State Department official and a staff member for Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) resigned. Crowd members booed a Muslim White House official who spoke at the funeral of a Palestinian American boy killed in what authorities say was a hate crime.

Former president Barack Obama released a statement on Monday that defended those on the left worried about the plight of Palestinians, writing, “it is possible for people of good will to champion Palestinian rights and oppose certain Israeli government policies in the West Bank and Gaza without being anti-semitic.”

The growing schism over Israel is especially evident as the war has been front-and-center in Biden’s public appearances since Oct. 7, when Hamas militants crossed the border and killed at least 1,400 Israelis, prompting Israel to respond with airstrikes. The debate threatens to complicate Biden’s bid for another term, especially since some younger Democrats are already expressing hesitation or anxiety about his candidacy.

With the election a year away, the war could well fade into the background by the time Americans cast their ballots. But in interviews, progressive voters and younger activists said they will not forget Biden’s full-throated support of Israel, and Arab and Muslim groups have also expressed anger about U.S. backing for Israel’s airstrikes on Gaza, which Palestinian officials say have killed about 5,800 people.

Democrats' unity starts to splinter on Israel-Gaza

“You can want Israel to be safe, you can condemn what Hamas did — and you can not want Palestinian civilians to be killed,” said a Democratic aide who signed a letter supporting a cease-fire, speaking on the condition of anonymity out of fear of a backlash. “All of those things aren’t in conflict. They aren’t morally in conflict. Yet the dynamic on the Hill has reached this place where those are in conflict and you have to pick a side.”

Josiah Wampfler, who worked for Sen. Bernie Sanders’s 2020 presidential campaign, said he reluctantly voted for Biden in the general election that year. A videographer in Wisconsin, Wampfler said he was pleasantly surprised by Biden’s foreign policy in office — until the president’s response to the Israel-Gaza violence, which he called “atrocious.”

Wampfler said he probably would still vote for Biden next year, especially if former president Donald Trump is the Republican nominee, but that he understands that others with his viewpoint might not. “To see the blatant destruction that is happening right now and to see my president fully supporting it … it’s unconscionable,” Wampfler said.

Biden’s initial reaction to the Hamas attacks was to call them “sheer evil” and emphasize that Israel had a right to defend itself against the militant group. Since then, he has also emphasized that Israel should abide by international law, urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to be “consumed by rage,” and repeatedly pushed for humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza.

“We can’t ignore the humanity of innocent Palestinians who only want to live in peace and have an opportunity,” Biden said Thursday in an Oval Office address, drawing a distinction between Hamas and innocent Palestinians.

Asked about the dissent, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden supports Americans’ right to speak out if they feel the administration is missing the mark. “As it relates to protests, peaceful protests, people have the right to do that,” she said Monday.

Ammar Moussa, a spokesman for Biden’s campaign, said the president has been unequivocal in opposing Islamophobia. Moussa also sought to contrast Biden’s handling of issues affecting Muslim and Palestinian communities with that of Trump, who leads in polls for the Republican presidential nomination.

As president, Trump banned travel from several predominantly Muslim countries. Last week, he proposed restrictions on immigration for Hamas sympathizers and critics of Israel. Trump has vowed that if elected, he would expand his travel ban and reject refugees from Gaza.

“As MAGA Republicans continue to run on an openly [Islamophobic] platform — including renewed support for Donald Trump’s Muslim ban — the stakes of next year’s election could not be more consequential,” Moussa said in a statement. “President Biden continues to work closely and proudly with leaders in the Muslim and Palestinian communities in America, to listen to them, stand up for them, and fight back against hate.”

State Dept. official resigns, citing objection to Israel arms transfers

But some activists argue that Biden and other Democratic leaders are making a political miscalculation if they assume young liberals will support them regardless of their position on Israel.

“I think that they are taking all that for granted, believing that those people will inevitably vote for President Biden over anything else,” said Usamah Andrabi, a spokesman for Justice Democrats, an organization that seeks to elect liberals to Congress. “When that is actually a failure of Democratic leadership, to not actually listen to those voters and see what they are demanding.”

Polling on Israel and the U.S. response to the current crisis reveals a significant generational divide. In a Quinnipiac University poll released this month, about half of voters ages 18 to 34 expressed disapproval of the United States sending weapons to Israel. In contrast, 59 percent of voters ages 35 to 49 said they approve, with even stronger support among older age groups.

In part, those figures reflect an evolution of attitudes on Israel, especially in the Democratic Party. Many Democrats of Biden’s generation — who witnessed Israel’s early days, when it was a vulnerable and left-leaning country founded in the aftermath of the Holocaust — view it as an indispensable haven for Jews. (“I think without Israel, there’s not a Jew in the world who’s secure,” Biden said on his recent trip to Israel.)

Younger Democrats, in contrast, know Israel as a powerful country that has severely restricted the lives of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, and visible solidarity with Palestinians has grown within the party. That is reflected in the 400 congressional staff members who anonymously signed a letter to their bosses appealing for a shift in the U.S. approach to the war.

The signatories asked the lawmakers to demand a cease-fire and cessation of hostilities, the safe return of nearly 200 Hamas-held hostages, and the provision of additional humanitarian aid to Gaza…

The U.S. economy is crashing, consumer prices inflating, people’s savings are being wiped out, deficit spending continues to add TRILLIONS of debt, no control over the southern border, supporting two proxy wars with no real clear objective AGAIN and adding even more debt, major metropolitan cities crumbling under the weight of unabated immigration, drug use, and crime.

And this is what Democrats and those padding post counts fear the most. vvv.

One Democratic aide who signed the letter said they feared that the White House and the Biden campaign were underestimating the “sea change” in public opinion toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Many young voters might sit out the election if they feel disappointed in Biden, said the aide, who spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear of backlash.

“We’re worried the decisions are empowering Trump and making people leave the Democratic Party,” the aide said.

Calls for cease-fire divide Democrats

More than 250 people who worked on the 2020 presidential campaign of Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) sent a separate letter to their former boss expressing disappointment that she had not advocated for a cease-fire. A smaller group of people who worked on the campaign of Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) sent him a similar letter.

Progressive activist Max Berger, who worked on Warren’s campaign, said he signed the letter because elected Democrats’ response to the war has felt disconnected from many Democratic voters. He said he was disappointed that the White House castigated as “disgraceful” the statements of liberal Democratic lawmakers who called for a cease-fire without publicly supporting Israel.

“On the politics, I think they’re really messing this up,” said Berger, who co-founded IfNotNow, a group that organizes Jewish people to help “end U.S. support for Israel’s apartheid system.” He added that there are already many young voters that “Biden is already going to have trouble turning out in ’24 and really needs. He can’t afford to lose enthusiasm among marginal voters in that demographic.”

A spokesman for Warren, Alex Sarabia, pointed to a response she gave last week, when she said “I respect my former staffers, who are doing exactly what I have always encouraged them to do — stand up and fight for what they believe in.”

Marianela D’Aprile, a writer who previously volunteered with the Democratic Socialists of America, attributed the shift in opinion among younger Americans to a broader awareness of oppression in the United States. She said social media has made it particularly easy to see other people’s pain.

“I think that the kind of imagination leap that it might take for the average American to empathize and be kind of understanding of what’s going on with people and what’s happening to people in Gaza, that leap is a lot smaller than it was maybe 20 years ago,” D’Aprile said.

When are they going to finally figure it out that it is the above stupidity that gave us Trump in the first place. VOTERS are tired of a crap U.S. economy, consumer prices inflating, people’s savings are being wiped out, deficit spending continues to add TRILLIONS of debt, no control over the southern border, supporting two proxy wars with no real clear objective AGAIN and adding even more debt, major metropolitan cities crumbling under the weight of unabated immigration, drug use, and crime.