BS: A Changed USA Senate!

Subject: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Ebbie
Date: 06 Jan 21 - 04:10 AM

Slim, slim margins, but the two democrats in their run off elections won their respective election to the Senate. This presents a hopeful scenario- it means that Mitch McConnell is out as Senate leader. He was beyond deplorable- He gave himself the title of the Grim Reaper, "where bills go to die". His was the single most factor that President Obama couldn't get some major bills passed. As a matter of fact, McConnell said that it would be his life's mission to see to it that Obama would be a one-term president. (Sweet irony- his efforts at that didn't work- Obama served two terms- but McConnell's favorite, Trump, was defeated after just one term. Sometimes life is sweet.)

McConnell was also the one who refused to allow a hearing for the Senate to consider Merrick Garland for the US Supreme Court.

So, for at least two years, McConnell will be in a minority role.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 06 Jan 21 - 04:45 AM

Can't help feeling that Trump's recent antics blew it for the Republicans in Georgia...

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: gillymor
Date: 06 Jan 21 - 04:57 AM

This is about the best news a body could wake up to, and yeah, trump's 2 month hissy fit should get a lot of the credit along with his complete dereliction of duty during this pandemic.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: gillymor
Date: 06 Jan 21 - 05:25 AM

If these results stand trump will lose a lot of juice in the GOP.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: gillymor
Date: 06 Jan 21 - 06:38 AM

Stacey Abrams and Fair Fight deserve a big nod for their voter turnout efforts in the runoffs and the presidential election in GA.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 06 Jan 21 - 06:51 AM

Slim, slim margins, but the two democrats in their run off elections won their respective election to the Senate.

Is this actually the case, or just hope getting a bit ahead of facts? All the reports that I read say that the Warnock/Loeffler seat has been called for Warnock by Associated Press but Loeffler has not conceded. In the other seat, Ossoff is leading Perdue by around 12,000 votes but counting has stopped overnight and the result is not expected until mid-day, local time.

DC

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: gillymor
Date: 06 Jan 21 - 06:55 AM

Ossoff is ahead by more than 16,000 and a lot of the votes left to be counted are from blue districts which may put him above the .5% margin which would avoid an automatic recount in GA.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: gillymor
Date: 06 Jan 21 - 07:08 AM

As for Loeffler she's behind by more than 53,000 votes with 98% in. Dead meat.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Jan 21 - 10:26 AM

It doesn't matter of Loeffler doesn't concede. She's toast.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Mrrzy
Date: 06 Jan 21 - 10:54 AM

Only one has definitely won but the other is ahead. Go, GA!

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 06 Jan 21 - 12:18 PM

Mid-day has come and Ossoff/Perdue still hasn't been called. We must be careful not to confuse what is likely to happen with what had happened,

DC

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Ebbie
Date: 06 Jan 21 - 12:56 PM

I know what you mean, Doug Chadwick. When I heard that Warnock had claimed victory but MSNBC had not yet called it, I was afraid that he had jumped the gun. And then again, when 'they' called it for Ossoff but MSNBC had not, again I was afraid. By this time I had left the television and had come to the computer(my wake/sleep cycle is a bit messed up)the amorphous they were calling it for Ossoff.

Now, I am just hopeful.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Donuel
Date: 06 Jan 21 - 02:59 PM

The Senators have been told to shelter in place and put on their anti terrorist gasmasks. I'd say that is a change with thousands of people storming the capitol building.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Jan 21 - 06:28 PM

It appears to be an inside job, the lack of adequate security was something a Trump administrator might just manage to pull off.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Bill D
Date: 06 Jan 21 - 06:41 PM

NYT:
"President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. plans to nominate Judge Merrick B. Garland, whose Supreme Court nomination Republicans blocked in 2016, to be attorney general, placing the task of repairing a beleaguered Justice Department in the hands of a centrist judge, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Strong Republican support for Judge Garland helped secure his place in the incoming Biden administration, which greatly values bipartisan support for cabinet choices even as Democrats secured the necessary seats in the Senate to confirm all of Mr. Biden’s nominees."

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Donuel
Date: 06 Jan 21 - 07:13 PM

an 11 justice court?

Today I saw Republican Senators give a cheering standing ovation when Arizona elector ballots were challenged for voting for the wrong person. Within 30 minutes the Chamber was cleared as the mob approached the senate chamber containing the certified ballots..

Twitter has locked trump's account and he may be suspended.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: keberoxu
Date: 06 Jan 21 - 08:12 PM

It isn't only the Senate that will change.

To what is being broadcast on the news,
the one feeling I don't respond with, is surprise.
This division has been a very long time coming.

I grew up in the part of northwestern Ohio not at all far
from the native town of that young man
who did the Charlottesville shootings.
I'm old enough to remember times of prosperity there,
not far from Detroit, Michigan, and all its industry.
Even then, when all seemed right with the world for
many people in the small towns along the railroad tracks and highways,
there was all this hostility, intolerance, avarice, contained aggression.
I could hear it and see it during recess in the yard outside
the elementary and junior high schools.
The exclusionism and narrowmindedness were hallmarks of civic gatherings inside the local church.
I remember hearing an elder declare,
"People in this country have got too many rights."

There are reasons I don't go back there, even to visit.
Today it doesn't surprise me that generations of people
across the country seduced by fear and hatred
are fighting what reminds me of a family feud at the national level.

I don't know whether or not I will be here to see it,
but someday what is and has been one single nation
will be disunited instead of united;
it is the only way to settle and move forward, sadly.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Ebbie
Date: 07 Jan 21 - 03:54 AM

Donuel, I didn't see that event "where Republican Senators give a cheering standing ovation when Arizona elector ballots were challenged for voting for the wrong person."

It must have happened during the couple of minutes I excused myself for a trip to the ladies room.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: gillymor
Date: 07 Jan 21 - 06:00 AM

The story of the day would be about how trump blew the GA runoffs for the GOP if not for the riot he incited yesterday. This is a game changer for the new administration and a cause for celebration.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Donuel
Date: 07 Jan 21 - 06:10 AM

Of those only 6 of them changed their vote'

Background music- Johnney Cash "I hurt myself today..."

4 people died in the attack. I have no details.
Rudy wants trial by combat.
Q anon suggests that there were antifa goons.
Yeah right, maybe all those people were simply looking for a restroom, afterall they were on the second floor.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: gillymor
Date: 07 Jan 21 - 06:14 AM

Yep, Rudy also has criminal liability for his remarks yesterday.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Mrrzy
Date: 07 Jan 21 - 11:01 AM

There were no Charlottesville shootings. There was an anti-semitic racist tikitorch march, a giant anti-black racist rally, and a bozo ran a car into a group of anti-racism counterdemonstrators, killing one and injuring many. But I know what you mean.

Yesterday: Not surprising, but nonetheless shocking, disturbing, and upsetting. And sad.

And now I am ashamed of having the same feeling of relief, like I used to feel when there was a plane crash soon before a schduled flight of mine. Ok that is out of the way, now I'm safer, as plane crashes are rare. I knew there would be this kind of event, and I am relieved that this is all it was. It could have been sooo muuuch worse. But I feel awful about feeling that way.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: John P
Date: 07 Jan 21 - 01:15 PM

My dream wish list is for the Democrats to make the Republicans face the music for their crimes. We should impeach the last three Supreme Court justices -- Gorsuch because his nomination was against the rules, Kavanaugh because he was installed as part of a conspiracy to obstruct justice, and Barret because her nomination was against the new rules.

We should also expel from Congress anyone who signed onto any of the "legal" efforts to overthrow the election. They are all either seditionists, or incredibly, stupidly ignorant. Either way, they are not qualified to be in Congress.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Donuel
Date: 07 Jan 21 - 01:16 PM

A total security failure, for whatever reason, did save the US from a Tianamon Square massacre display to the world.

The proud boys favorite movies may be White House Down and Olympus has Fallen.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Thompson
Date: 07 Jan 21 - 01:56 PM

My eyebrows rose so high that they ended up on the dimples of my arse, on reading the title of this thread. It was only when I opened the thread that I realised it was about the Georgia election, not the rioters…

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Mrrzy
Date: 07 Jan 21 - 06:42 PM

I am with JohnP.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Ebbie
Date: 08 Jan 21 - 02:22 AM

There are now five deaths attributed to this event. A police officer died in hospital of his injuries.

Subject: RE: BS: How can we restore a reason renaissance
From: gillymor
Date: 08 Jan 21 - 07:29 AM

It will certainly take awhile for the stench of trump to fade.

Josh Hawley bought himself a peck of trouble for supporting trump, the 2 largest newspapers in Missouri, his home state, have called for him to resign (the Kansas City Star declaring that he had blood on his hands after the events of Wed. afternoon) and Simon and Schuster cancelled his book deal. He's earned this, let's hope Cruz gets his just desserts as well.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Thompson
Date: 08 Jan 21 - 08:14 AM

The likelihood of a Tiananmen Square type massacre of white supremacists in America seems a little unlikely, Donuel.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Jan 21 - 12:21 PM

At least fifty officers injured in the melee at the Capitol on Wednesday. Clearly someone left them vulnerable to this assault, so we can expect reports to trickle out. Accounts of individual events have shown up on Twitter, etc.

Hawley and Cruz may have to face down a move to expel them from the Senate, as may some House members. Lots of drama to come.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 11 Jan 21 - 08:35 AM

And now it seems Trump will be impeached a second time. And if Trump does issue a pardon for himself, even if that actually stands up in court, it couldn't get in the way of a trial in the Senate going ahead, presumably after the inauguration. Which, late as it would be, if successful would take away his pension, and the title President, which otherwise he still would have. And they would bar him from ever trying to get reelected.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: gillymor
Date: 11 Jan 21 - 09:14 AM

Rep. James Clyburn, the #3 Democrat in the House, said this weekend that that the Articles of Impeachment may not be sent to the Senate until 100 days into the new administration which seems reasonable in that Biden's got a hell of a big mess to clean up as soon as he takes office and a Senate trial is just going do jam up the works. Hang a 2nd albatross on trump this week and then try him when the critical work of fully engaging the federal government in COVID-19 issues (at long last) is done and then try the bastard.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Ebbie
Date: 13 Jan 21 - 05:09 AM

IF McConnell deems it desirable he can call the Senate back into session. He doesn't HAVE to wait until the 19th.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Pete from seven stars link
Date: 13 Jan 21 - 12:53 PM

I was wondering why the effort to go after an outgoing President , but McGraph just answered it . Love trump or loathe him . I expect they are trying to eliminate the threat of him returning next time round

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Jan 21 - 01:05 PM

If Trump is banned from public office that will clear the way for the rest of his rabble to run for the office on their own, without having to wait for Trump to stop the posturing and threat to run. McConnell is looking at all of the damage he has been able to do in the last four years, all of the conservative judges (he didn't let judges be confirmed during the Obama administration, he saved up these empty posts - it wasn't just the Supreme Court, it was a whole bunch of people on the federal bench). His work here is done, and now as far as he is concerned, it's time to get rid of the toxic leader who he enabled while he took care of his own business. He's getting rid of the Doomsday machine that is Donald Trump.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Jeri
Date: 13 Jan 21 - 01:18 PM

It sounds like McConnell will vote for impeachment. After all, I think true Republicans want to return to being Republicans. He's trashed that party. Whoever goes for appeasement will sadly be remembered for favoring one megalomaniac, sociopath, racist, anti-semite over the Constitution and country.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Donuel
Date: 13 Jan 21 - 02:25 PM

Mitch also accepted million$ from Vladamir Putin for the State of Kentucky https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/how-a-mcconnell-backed-effort-to-lift-russian-sanctions-boosted-a-kentucky-project/2019/

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Donuel
Date: 15 Jan 21 - 07:33 AM

The republican senate is split between Liz Cheney's belief in the truth and the Kevin McCarthys who believe they can make white supremists happy. Even LBJ said "you can pick the pockets of poor white folks all day long as long as they think they have a better deal than the black folks". Time has changed the old racist strategies.

Over the next decade money will dry up for the McCarthys. Corporate America can't afford to fund fascist racists.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 17 Jan 21 - 02:47 AM

I see that though Puerto Ricans were not able to vote in the main elections, they had a referendum on seeking statehood, and voted pretty convincingly in favour.

And the way the District of Columbia authorities stepped up in putting down the Trumpist Coup last week surely earned them a debt of gratitude.

Is there any reason not to expect the new Congress to grant the wishes of both of these, and let them become states?

Which would mean quite a significant change in the Senate, and a rather less precarious majority for the Democrats.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Mr Red
Date: 17 Jan 21 - 04:47 AM

And a change in the flag!

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Donuel
Date: 25 Jan 21 - 10:51 AM

R Senator Portman Ohio, Pat Toumy from PA and others will not run in 2022.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Lighter
Date: 25 Jan 21 - 11:16 AM

For Trump to be convicted of anything, 17 GOP Senators (out of 50) will have to defy their Trumpist constituents in their carefully gerrymandered districts to join the Democrats in an unprecedented move against a former President.

Where more than four or five of those votes might come from, nobody can imagine.

Republican Senators are already claiming (against historical precedent) that you can't try an impeached President after he's left office.

If all else fails, that's their excuse: "protecting the Constitution."

They're also calling for "healing," saying it's "time to move on."
Marco Rubio says that any trial of Trump is "stupid."

I predict one more acquittal for Trump, a consequent surge in his popularity ("See? The Senate proved he did nothing wrong - again!"), and a public divided more deeply than before (if that's even possible).

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: keberoxu
Date: 25 Jan 21 - 07:37 PM

I concur, sadly, with Lighter --
increased depth of division, precisely so.
More than the flag may change.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 25 Jan 21 - 08:37 PM

I agree that there are risks involved. Nailing him for whatever you can get him for may be a justifiable instinct, but it just might be better to let him slowly deteriorate into a lonely and embittered old age. He's a big, fat, unattractive old man who will go into steep decline if you "ignore" him a little and deprive him of the oxygen of publicity. The right-wing media will have a field day if there's constant litigation for months or years and you may end up feeling that you'll never be rid of him.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Donuel
Date: 25 Jan 21 - 09:29 PM

IF the verdict was by secret ballot conviction would be assured but it is not. The Republican angels tremble in fear at the face of their Machiavellian God and his mob.
See Steve we agree. The fat man is one Big Mac Heart Attack away from the ages and
history that will
live only in infamy.
But I disagree
that the road to unity
is allowing the man
to live in impunity.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Lighter
Date: 25 Jan 21 - 09:49 PM

The problem is that the crime - sedition against the United States by the American President - is too egregious to ignore.

Short of treason, it's the worst crime against the Constitution that a President could commit.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Donuel
Date: 25 Jan 21 - 10:19 PM

So true.

Beyond ego, grift and greed why would this guy desperately want to be a fake reality show President?
It really is just ego, grift and greed. But its not for millions of dollars but for a shitload of money and a chance to be 20% part owner of the Russian State Oil company. We're talking billions of dollars to remove sanctions and provide multinational corporations like Exxon to explore and extract.

What makes a person want to be a Trump follower against their best interests? It takes being empty. Empty of core values. Empty of morality and empty of informaion contrary to the party line.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Donuel
Date: 26 Jan 21 - 01:06 AM

The NYT can't show 3 sources so they won't share my deductions and circumstantial editorial evidence. :^\

Its best to convict based on incontravertable facts.
No alternative facts allowed.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 26 Jan 21 - 05:09 AM

It's a crime once he's convicted in a federal court. Until then, it's an alleged crime. Don't jump the gun.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Lighter
Date: 26 Jan 21 - 07:08 AM

I further predict that if Trump is cleared, he won't form a third party. He'll still be King of the Republicans.

For as long as he wants.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Lighter
Date: 26 Jan 21 - 07:24 AM

BTW, a trial convicts or acquits a specific defendant.

Sedition, however, is always a crime. And that's what he's charged with.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 26 Jan 21 - 01:27 PM

You really do need to be clear about this. The impeachment process, right up to conviction by Senate trial (in the unlikely event of that happening), is political, not criminal. He can't come out of this process a criminal, however heinous you regard his behaviour. It's unfortunate that we use words such as trial, crime and conviction for the impeachment process, which are misleading and which have clearly misled many people. There is no jury and, if there are going to be witnesses, which, I emphasise, there don't have to be, they won't be witnesses on the same footing as witnesses in a federal court. Only a criminal trial in an ordinary court of law can make him a criminal and put him behind bars. Good luck with that, also, in my opinion, unlikely to happen. However strongly we feel about his misdeeds, we have to take a deep breath and, as democrats who abide by the rule of law, accept that there are no shortcuts, no matter how animated we may feel about him. Even for sedition. You still have to prove it in court. Until then, you can consider him to be the world's biggest scumbag, but not, in law, a criminal.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Donuel
Date: 28 Jan 21 - 06:14 AM

Yes Steve, apples are not oranges for the 20th time.

At this point to convict, another 11 Republicans will have to decide if they can honorably live with themselves or vote to approve a death cult of intimidation.

Who will be shamed and who will be emboldened? How many will remain in suck up mode? Who sees more advantage with Nazis?

We don't know yet.

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Donuel
Date: 28 Jan 21 - 06:57 AM

Who's sorry now
Who's threatned now
Who's job is taken for breakin each vow
Who's red or blue
Who's crying too
Just like I tried to warn you

Right to the end
You just pretend
I tried to warn you somehow
You had your way
Now you must pay
I'm glad that you're sorry now

Right to the end
You weren't a friend
I tried to warn you somehow
You had your way
Now you must pay
I'm glad that you're sorry now


sung by Pope 'Connie' Francis

Subject: RE: BS: A Changed USA Senate!
From: Donuel
Date: 28 Jan 21 - 07:08 AM

Regarding your death threat