Trump: yes, we have no Steve Bannon

[PerkingFaintly]

"If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention."

And as ever It is always the most disadvantaged people in the flimsiest housing who are most vulnerable.

A lot of overnight news - but not happy reading.

Big thanks, on many sides...on many sides, for this shiny new thread, and believe me it's the shiniest...on the 👋 egregious 👌goings-on at the dump White House.

On a lighter note, Alec Baldwin is back and it is funny

www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2017/08/25/alec_baldwin_spoofs_trump_s_charlottesville_comments_in_phoenix_video.html

Hope he got 2 scoops of ice cream as well.

Arpaio told The Arizona Republic he learned of the president's action from his lawyer, who visited him Friday at about 4 p.m. at Arpaio's Fountain Hills home. The lawyer delivered Arpaio's wife, Ava, a birthday gift, and "the other gift was the pardon," said Arpaio, who added that he and his wife planned to celebrate over a dinner of spaghetti with calamari and red wine at a favorite Italian restaurant.

Well, I wake up this morning and it seems everything has gone even more crazy. I might just go back to bed.

And as ever It is always the most disadvantaged people in the flimsiest housing who are most vulnerable.

Right! And they are the ones the Trump Government care least about. I am feeling very sad about the potential loss of life and homes. I just can't imagine the Government are going to bother to hand any money out for those who are going to be in the most trouble. The fact that the reason given for not having an evacuation is not wanting to use police resources doesn't fill me with confidence for the local response either.

I forgot where I read it (NYT?), but if Trump can pardon anyone unchallenged, he is very dangerous. Because his people will be able to do anything.

Arizona congress man

Ruben Gallego‏
@RubenGallego
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I am not surprised @realDonaldTrump pardoned @RealSheriffJoe . Racists always back up racists.

So there's a hurricane - and at that time, Trump pardons the Sheriff and signs the ban on trans troops...How to hide news.

Surprised he hasn't tweeted about trans troops again.

Crikey!
The mayor of Rockport has urged residents who chose to stay to write their social security numbers on their arms to make it easier for rescuers to identify them.

at sheriff Joe's pardon, and the timing of it.

Re Harvey, people were being told to write their name and ss number on their arm with a sharpie if they didn't evacuate (to help identify bodies)- I hope that was a scare tactic to get people moving, and does not become a reality.

Crosspost!

Tornadoes too
Multiple tornado warnings have been issued and one has been spotted at Sienna Plantation just south of Houston. Tornadoes are possible through Saturday in middle and upper Texas and far south-west Louisiana.

He can only pardon for federal crimes, not state crimes. A lot of what mueller is investigating is to do with state crimes.

And anyone accepting a pardon waives their right to the fifth amendment (Im not sure about what implications this has - I think it means they have to answer when asked questions but I don't know what scope the questioning can take and whether there'd be consequences if they lied).

He can only pardon for federal crimes, not state crimes. A lot of what mueller is investigating is to do with state crimes.

Good.
But some very serious crimes are considered federal crimes, aren't they?
And the way they've been pushing the limits of the acceptable is rather worrying.

No news director would turn off the feed in the middle of a Trump-meltdown. This presidency has become the ultimate ratings bonanza. Trump couldn't do better numbers if he jumped off Mount Kilimanjaro carrying a Kardashian.

The Media Is the Villain – for Creating a World Dumb Enough for Trump
www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/taibbi-blame-media-for-creating-world-dumb-enough-for-trump-w499649

CIA sources think Pompeo is now—or will soon be—leaking sensitive probe details to Trump. So: more Trump tampering.
twitter.com/sethabramson/status/901259548677242880

amp.businessinsider.com/cia-director-mike-pompeo-trump-2017-8

Ouch. Outch. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch.

"Teleprompter Trump"

Oh it absolutely is worrying - I wasn't trying to minimise it, just offer hope!

Pompeo kept briefing Flynn when he knew he was compromised so he's already shown himself to be pretty shady.

I wasn't trying to minimise it, just offer hope!

Yes. :) But I don't have much hope ATM.

He's concerned too.
"Rep Ruben Gallego: Donald Trump Is A Racist Pardoning A Racist"

When Presidents had principles.
(yes, even Reagan and Bush Sr)
And those principles drew a line at the KKK and holocaust denials.

Thank you for the new thread, PerkingFaintly. To tell the truth, I am less outraged than demoralised today - the first thing I read when I woke up this morning was this from Dan Rather:

"The decision of President Trump to pardon Sheriff Arpaio is a perversion of justice and demeans the prerogatives of the presidency.

Compared to the impact of sweeping policies, it is a token gesture. But the symbolism is stark, provocative and important. Mr. Trump continues to proudly strut on the global stage as a divisive actor heedless of the shouts of derision and censure from the majority of his audience. He seems only concerned in basking in the lusty cheers of intolerance from his enabled base.

Amidst rumors that Mr. Trump will end the deferred action policy for dreamers, the already glowing embers of racial strife risk bursting into destructive flames. And Mr. Trump appears eager to fan them on."

I might be over-reacting, but I started crying as I read it. It all feels so hopeless.

Some hope, perhaps.

Yes, Trump could pardon all those who could implicate him in Russia, even before they are investigated, I suppose.
BUT, such pardons, implicit or explicit could be part of a case of obstruction of justice, which is another component of the current investigations, if I'm not mistaken.

Keep persisting, Ouais.