Showing posts with label GOP extremism. Show all posts

Monday, December 2, 2019

C-SPAN's Trump Impeachment Inquiry Collection - days 1,2,3,4,5

Here's a collection of C-SPAN videos covering November's House Impeachment Inquiry Hearings. I'm also including the time signature notes Make-Make has been posting as comments. I think Make-Make has done a wonderful service worth sharing. These notes can be helpful when trying to navigate the hours worth of questions, answers and GOP's rhetorical fancy dancing and diversions, (not to mention their god-awful normalization of out and out criminality and even treasonous behavior). But I digress, this is about creating my own record of what was actually said. As a personal bonus, it would be cool if some others can find it helpful. Feel free to copy and share.

Rev POLITICAL TRANSCRIPTS

https://www.rev.com/blog/category/political-transcripts

For Impeachment Hearing Transcripts link to:

November 13: Bill Taylor, George Kent Testimony Transcript

November 15: Marie Yovanovitch Testimony Transcript

November 19 AM: Alexander Vindman, Jennifer Williams Testimony Transcript

November 19 PM: Kurt Volker, Tim Morrison Testimony Transcript

November 20: Gordon Sondland Testimony Trancript

November 21: Fiona Hill, David Holmes Testimony Transcript

===================================================

Streamed live on Nov 13, 2019, by C-SPAN

House Impeachment Inquiry, Hearing Day 1 - Taylor & Kent Testimony

Ambassador William Taylor and Deputy Assistant Secretary George Kent testify on Impeach Inquiry before House Intelligence Committee. Go to 34:02 for gavel start of hearing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdXAhuHhqUY

also notes from Matthew Caplan and Make-Make

The Roger Stone Collection - November 15, 2019

I’ve been watching that amoral Roger Stone damage American politics all my life. With his love of dirty tricks and hurting people, his prideful contempt for humanity and civility, ethics, dignity, honor, respect, empathy and then the self-worship and his own gluttony - he epitomizes the "Ugly American" as much as Trump does. Winning is all that mattered.

Future of humanity?

Stone's response, Who the fuk cares!? I got mine and fuk you and yours! Too much is never going to be enough for me and it doesn't matter how much carnage I leave in my wake.

He had a hell of run. Roger Stone was tough enough, bullying enough, that Democrats wilted time after time, time after time, and today in many ways our political mess is Roger Stone's legacy as much as anyone’s.

The Republican’s selective acceptance and their normalization of such criminality makes me more fearful for our short term future than ever before. I think Democrats in general simply have no conception of the 'war footing' going on in their god-fearing minds. But, I digress, here I wanted to share a selection of articles to introduce the uninitiated to why Roger Stone is a big deal.

Roger Stone found guilty on all 7 counts | ABC News

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zpk9-pibcEE

ABC News | Nov 15, 2019

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Roger Stone’s New York intrigues

By Zach Williams November 15, 2019

https://www.cityandstateny.com/articles/personality/personality/roger-stone-new-york-arrest.html

The ‘malevolent Forrest Gump’ has never strayed far from his home state.

1960 – Fake news in school …

1972 – Nixon’s reelection campaign …

1980 – John Anderson campaign …

1999 – Trump’s aborted Reform Party campaign …

2000 – The Florida Recount …

2002 – Billionaire Tom Golisano gubernatorial run …

2004 – Al Sharpton campaign …

2007 – The New York state Senate …

2010 – The Kristin Davis for governor campaign …

2015 – Trump campaign …

Why do Liberals Despise Trump? Seriously?

I was reading our local weekly, the Durango Telegraph, and came across a letter from an old letter-to-the-editor sparing mate. His words hit me at the right moment. (They were obviously tongue in cheek, yuck yuck fun'n stuff, as they say. So what?) Since I've been wondering about how that ~35% of Trump believers can justify their steadfast faith in that transparent con-artist. I decided to spent today's free time trying to enunciate why many of us find Trump so unpalatable. Then I couldn't resist weaving nearly seventy links into the lines. Stories and resources for the curious - explore those hot links.

Normally I’d cover the name, but in this case I think he’d feel insulted were I to do that, since he is a local letter writing legend and proud of his wordsmithing.

If you want to fact check that estimate,

see for yourself:

Shan Wells - Editorial Cartoonist

https://www.durangotelegraph.com/opinion/retooned/

Dear Editor of the Durango Telegraph,

Dennis' bit of petty ridicule aimed at your excellent political cartoonist Shan Wells (5/2/19) reflects a sad reality I’ve noticed amongst Trump lovers. All their talking points are built up upon fabricating ridicule and dismissal by reframing their self-made enemies into straw men for easy burning.

He believes liberals are just over the top with their “hatred" for Trump. Don’t suppose he’d ever let himself imagine it’s what Trump stands for, that’s our problem? Not that there isn’t plenty about the person himself to turn the stomach of any freedom loving rationalist.

Lets consider the pre-election decades, we saw a shameless lying self-promoting narcissist. A man-child who’s self-esteem was so rotten he needed a gold plated apartment and toilet to salve his ego, but it wasn’t enough. He needs everyone to know about it.

Me First and he couldn’t care less about anyone but himself. Trump’s promises and contracts were made to be broken, he ran businesses into the ground, and he turned bankruptcy into a braggadocious filled profit driver. Never showing scruples nor empathy towards the honest workers he was robbing out of their fair pay - all the while obsessing over getting his face into the papers.

Then the election years. Trump builds his political base upon hatred and an obvious lie - one that’s about as dirty, underhanded, racist and ruthlessly malicious as it gets - denying President Obama’s citizenship, though the physical proof of Obama’s birth in Hawaii is overwhelming to all who’ve investigated. Add to that he knows little to nothing about our government, except that he despises it.

Then listening to Trump talk, it’s nothing but rambling lines of nonsense. Telling his audience what they want to hear, regardless of the actual reality surrounding the issues. Turns out he lies incessantly, even about stuff he doesn’t need to lie about. But Trumpsters love him and that he’s a lie factory matters not a wit. Why? They like what they hear? Me First, then fear and hatred towards all others. Is that it?

Look at the way he pretends to be Christian, why isn’t that phoniness recognizable by the faithful? Why don’t they care? Me thinks because ethics, morality, honesty actually doesn’t mean squat to them! Dreams of personal prosperity, that’s the key to their Evangelical faith! Now, Trump’s Me First has them cheering on the transformation of Our America into Their Theocracy.

Then the money and the Russians. Turns out Trump lost a billion dollars during the rah rah 80s, 90s when everyone else with money was making more of it. Still his line of credit seems endless. Where did that come from? Especially after he became persona non-gratis at all the New York banks? Yeah, we know, it came from DeutscheBank. The same DeutscheBank that got busted for that huge Russian money laundering scheme. Look it up.

From all Trump says and does it’s obvious he despises American principles of pluralism, democracy, fair play, three branch balance of power, honesty, and constructive debate. Me First seems as far as his vision goes.

A budding totalitarian who makes mortal enemies out of anyone who disagrees with him. He is absolutely self-certain, but educationally, historically about as stupid as they come. A text book example of Dunning-Kruger if there ever was. It’s all about facade.

Well okay that’s going too far, there is substance to Trump - his predatory skills and his passion for no-holds barred dirty fighting. Is that why the Christian right worships the Trump?

Oh and that little matter of trusting and believing in Russia’s Putin more than USA’s national security apparatus. Doesn’t bother them in the least? Why? There’s more, but do you care?’

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Unpaid Bills Pile Up In The Wake Of President

Donald Trump Rallies | All In | MSNBC

The Trump campaign is refusing to pay bills owed to cities all across the country. Aired on 10/25/19.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUjodMR6kLE

MSNBC - Oct 25, 2019

Saturday, January 19, 2019

Dan Rather explains how Trump can get his Wall.

It speaks for itself and its worth sharing with your pals on the faith-shackled side.

For more from Dan:

https://www.newsandguts.com

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

White House quietly issues OMB report vindicating Obama regulations

More facts to help expose the lie behind Libertarians Deregulation Siren’s Song. Here's another example of Enlightened Self-Interest showing itself to be the more rational constructive way to approach our problems. I’ll leave the rest of this story to someone who can explain it better than I can.

These are the facts we need to learn about and share with others.

_______________________________

REGULATIONS

Contradicting Trump, OMB report highlights rule benefits

Maxine Joselow, E&E News reporter

Published: February 26, 2018

https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2018/02/26/stories/1060074795

The White House Office of Management and Budget on Friday evening released its annual report on the costs and benefits of federal regulations, showing that the benefits of major Obama-era rules far exceeded the costs.

E&E News broke the story, but it’s only available to subscribers so I’ll relate David Roberts report from VOX.com:

________________________________________

Trump White House quietly issues report vindicating Obama regulations

It was easy to miss, but OMB demolishes the GOP’s deregulatory claims.

By David Roberts | david@vox.com | Mar 6, 2018, 9:30am EST

https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2018/3/6/17077330/trump-regulatory-agenda-omb

_________________________________________________________________

For a copy of the Report itself, this has been posted by E&E News.net

2017 Draft Report to Congress on the Benefits and Costs of Federal Regulations and Agency Compliance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

https://www.eenews.net/assets/2018/02/26/document_pm_01.pdf\

_________________________________________________________________

President Donald Trump’s administration has been on a deregulatory bender, particularly when it comes to environmental regulations. As of January, the New York Times counted 67 environmental rules on the chopping block under Trump.

Kochs' 400 million dollar assault on our democracy - 2018

Koch and pals are investing 400 million dollars, hoping to dictate this election’s outcome? Why? Because they really and truly want to rob us of our American democratic birthright.

Going forward demands recognizing what we are facing. Allow the reality to scare the bejeezus out of you, because it really is that scary. Don’t kid yourselves, these guys are playing for keeps. But don’t allow the fear to paralyze you, inform yourselves, don’t trust, verify. The more knowledge you acquire the better you will be able to see through their well constructed make-believe alter-reality, which will enable you to better explain the illusion to those around you. We really do need to start thinking about getting people to think of the folly in their uncritical faith dictated world view.

If we don’t defend honesty, truth, constructive intellectual confrontation, the scientific method, along with respecting diverse communities of individuals, and America institutions who will?*

John Lewis, one of our greatest civil rights heroes has a few words worth taking to heart:

John Lewis | CNN | Published March 4, 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR9QhXxx4VI

______________________________________________________

With references to the following articles:

Trump Picks DAPL Lobbyist to Oversee EPA Water Safety in Same Week He Rolls Back Water Safeguards

Billionaire Koch Brothers Have Extracted “Laundry List” of Victories from Trump Admin

Koch Brothers’ Demand for Obamacare Repeal & Lobbyists Flourishing Under Trump

Koch network identifies top 2018 targets and outlines plans for heavy early spending

Koch brothers try to navigate differences with Trump going into 2018 elections

The Koch brothers are “all in” for 2018 with plans to spend up to $400 million

Koch network to spend $400 million during 2018 midterm election cycle

Koch’s, “Efforts in Government: Advancing Principled *Public Policy”

The Koch Brothers Plan to Spend a Record-Setting $400 Million

TIME INC. BUYER HELPED KOCH BROTHERS AIRBRUSH THEIR IMAGE ACROSS THE INTERNET

KOCH DOCUMENT REVEALS LAUNDRY LIST OF POLICY VICTORIES EXTRACTED FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

________________________________________________________

Koch network identifies top 2018 targets and outlines plans for heavy early spending

By James Hohmann January 29, 2018

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2018/01/29/koch-network-identifies-top-2018-targets-and-outlines-plans-for-heavy-early-spending/

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Top strategists for the Koch network briefed their donors Monday about how they’re planning to allocate more than $400 million this election cycle on politics and policy.

¶ Scandal-Ridden Scoundrel - Charles M. Blow - 2/15/18

Easily a third of our fellow citizens seems to be okay with a totalitarian-leaning, racist, sexist president. That's hideous odds for a country full of overwhelmed impotent feeling voters being led by a Democratic Party of Complacency, who seem to spend more time counting their eggs before they hatch, than on doing the ground work needed to inform and engage an electorate to confront deception and dirty tricks. America's future seriously dependents on a big, huge grassroots uprising - both to clean up and invigorate the Democratic Party with young blood - then to energetically oppose the Republican Religious Absolutists and their hostile governmental take-over attempt. What part in this struggle will you play?

"… We patriots and dissidents, we many, we strong, we steadfast, are the last hope the country has of returning to what remains of a pre-Trump America, where porn stars weren’t paid off, accused wife beaters weren’t valorized and our president showed more allegiance to our country than to another." C.M.B.

Is how Charles Blow finished his commentary at the New York Times that starts with about 600 words summarizing highlights of our nightmare at the White House. Then he gets to what needs to be shared, it adds substance to the simmer sense of terror I live with these days. I’ve chopped out much to keep within my allotted word count, please link to the entire article, it’s worth the read.

The bottomline is that nothing less than a truly invigorated movement of progressives and liberal minded citizens getting informed and engaged will be able to confront this Koch/trump juggernaut. {Okay, true enough, it's one thing to constantly bitch about the problems, it's another thing to actually attempt outlining issues and challenges. I finish with one such effort: "14 observations on our dysfunctional public dialogue."}

Scandal-Ridden Scoundrel

Charles M. Blow | February. 15, 2018 | The New York Times | Op-Ed Columnist

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/15/opinion/scandal-ridden-scoundrel.html

...

But the storm is upon us; we are in it.

… This is a fight for the soul of the country.

KOCH EXPOSED - The Center for Media and Democracy Project - 2017

Here's a portal to a virtual library full of details about how Koch and pals are managing their hostile takeover bid on our US democracy. You may think I'm exaggerating. Take a look. See what you think of the evidence.

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https://www.prwatch.org/topics/koch-exposed

PR WATCH HOME ~ SOURCEWATCH ~ ALEC EXPOSED

The Center for Media and Democracy, publisher of ALEC Exposed, brings you this unique wiki resource on the billionaire industrialists and the power and influence of the Koch cadre and Koch cash.

Key Koch Articles

• Americans for Prosperity Foundation

• Stand Together

• Freedom Partners Institute

• Grassroots Leadership Academy

• Concerned Veterans for America

• The Kochs and Criminal Justice Reform

• The Libre Initiative

• New Documents: Like His Dad, Charles Koch Was a Bircher.

• Lisa Graves on Democracy Now!

• Koch Brothers

• Charles Koch