Mailwatch(ed) Forum

Good article on the problems facing blue cities* and how to fix them.

https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/the-blue- ... t-be-fixed

Donald Trump’s victory last week wasn’t the only important election result. Big cities in California shifted away from so-called “progressive” governance. In San Francisco, progressive champion Aaron Peskin was soundly defeated in the mayoral race, and his vacated seat was won by a moderate. Peskin’s close ally, Dean Preston, was unseated by moderate challenger Bilal Mahmood, and the Board of Supervisors is expected to lose its progressive majority. In Los Angeles progressive district attorney George Gascón lost his reelection bid, while Oakland’s Pamela Price was recalled. This followed a national trend of progressive DAs getting the boot; meanwhile, San Francisco’s moderate DA Brooke Jenkins, who succeeded the notorious Chesa Boudin after the latter was recalled, easily cruised to reelection.

It’s possible to interpret these victories as part of a general revolt against progressive governance in big cities. At the local level that’s a good thing, since that governance has proven remarkably poor. But at the national level, the urban revolt against probably helped usher in another four years of Donald Trump. Although large metros still voted for the Democrats overall, they swung harder towards Trump than any other geographic region:

*Cities that heavily vote Democratic.

MAGA-Elmo have had a bit of a knock back. Rick Scott failed to get elected as Senate Majority Leader. It's to be John Thune who's got many faults but has strongly supported Ukraine.

I think some of them may have less than complete faith in Trump.

If you wonder who Rick Scott is, this is a bit of his previous.

Scott was pressured to resign as chief executive of Columbia/HCA in 1997. During his tenure as chief executive, the company defrauded Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal programs. The Department of Justice won 14 felony convictions against the company, which was fined $1.7 billion in what was at the time the largest healthcare fraud settlement in U.S. history.

Absolute madness.

Trump picks Tulsi Gabbard for top intelligence post and Matt Gaetz as attorney general

Surely, she won't pass security checks, unless they are being conducted by the FSB.

Can a USA president just appoint whoever (s)he likes to government posts ? I mean they don’t seem to have to be Senators or Representatives in the way that government appointees in the UK must be members of parliament (whether in the Commons of the Lords). Musk is just Musk. A squillionare.

They can make "recess appointments" which don't require security clearance. They are supposed to be temporary. Don't know what can be done to stop it being long term.

Abernathy wrote: ↑Wed Nov 13, 2024 8:55 pm Can a USA president just appoint whoever (s)he likes to government posts ? I mean they don’t seem to have to be Senators or Representatives in the way that government appointees in the UK must be members of parliament (whether in the Commons of the Lords). Musk is just Musk. A squillionare.

Cabinet positions by convention require Senate approval. Musk has an advisory job, so he wouldn't needing confirming.

I don't know who the four horsemen are.

If they were as well known as the Beatles, then I might understand the observation.

I know Project 2025 requires the military to swear an oath to defend the President rather than the constitution but I'm unclear if this extends to civilian law enforcement, sources do not concur. Anybody know?

Fuck you



Because at the end ratings are what matter. American journalism for you everyone.

Just to be on the safe side, any intelligence that Putin would want on his desk, shouldn't be shared with Washington anymore.

President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Tulsi Gabbard to serve as his director of national intelligence, a shock move that would place an intelligence novice some see as sympathetic to Moscow in charge of the country’s $70 billion spy apparatus. https://www.politico.com/news/2024/11/1 ... p-00189370

Matt Gaetz is under investigation for trafficking a minor.

Tell me again, QAnon twats, who the dangerous predators are.

RedSparrows wrote: ↑Wed Nov 13, 2024 11:34 pm Matt Gaetz is under investigation for trafficking a minor.

It'll be fine, he'll get a Presidential pardon.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/202 ... e-majority

Well there goes one small kernel of hope

Fuxake. Trump has gone ahead and nominated Kennedy as Health Secretary.

Abernathy wrote: ↑Thu Nov 14, 2024 10:40 pm Fuxake. Trump has gone ahead and nominated Kennedy as Health Secretary.

Are we having a sweeper on which epidemic will be first to sweep the US once Kennedy outlaws those evil liberal vaccines?

Abernathy wrote: ↑Thu Nov 14, 2024 10:40 pm Fuxake. Trump has gone ahead and nominated Kennedy as Health Secretary.

The guy with a worm in his head?

Trump is now just interested in what happens in the next two years because that will define his legacy. If he can cut government spending in the next two years he will be happy because that will mean he can cut taxes and cut interest rates sparking a temporary rise in growth and jobs. Once he has bucked the economy and pardoned himself of any crimes he can then conveniently fuck off citing serious health issues and doctors advice.

Tubby Isaacs wrote: ↑Wed Nov 13, 2024 8:59 pm

Abernathy wrote: ↑Wed Nov 13, 2024 8:55 pm Can a USA president just appoint whoever (s)he likes to government posts ? I mean they don’t seem to have to be Senators or Representatives in the way that government appointees in the UK must be members of parliament (whether in the Commons of the Lords). Musk is just Musk. A squillionare.

Cabinet positions by convention require Senate approval. Musk has an advisory job, so he wouldn't needing confirming.

We've seen on both sides of the Atlantic what that lot thinks of conventions.