17 votes

Daily thread - United States 2021 transition of power - January 17

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Tags: usa, politics, recurring.daily

This thread is posted daily - please try to post all relevant US political content in here, such as news, updates, opinion articles, etc. Extremely significant events may warrant a separate topic, but almost all should be posted in here.

This is an inherently political thread; please try to avoid antagonistic arguments and bickering matches. Comment threads that devolve into unproductive arguments may be removed so that the overall topic is able to continue.

25 comments

  2. [11]
    kfwyre
    Link
    Temperature check: how’s everyone feeling right now?

    Temperature check: how’s everyone feeling right now?

    10 votes
    1. monarda
      Link Parent
      Since I cannot seem to stop doomscrolling whenever I am up and about, and said doomscrolling puts me in a state of sever anxiety, I've put myself to bed under a nice warm electric blanket with my...
      • Exemplary

      Since I cannot seem to stop doomscrolling whenever I am up and about, and said doomscrolling puts me in a state of sever anxiety, I've put myself to bed under a nice warm electric blanket with my cats and dog by my side while I binge netflix. Currently I get up for a few hours in the morning to get coffee, check the news, and then head back to bed.

      Unfortunately, this is the last day I can do this. A branch took out a window in my car, and I have to drop it off tomorrow morning. The only ride I can get back home and then to pick up the car at closing is a an anti-mask trump supporter. Then on Tuesday I have to drop my dog off for surgery at a specialist that is a 2.5 hour drive from here, then pick her back up on Wednesday. This puts me squarely in red territory on inauguration day. I can't hide that I don't fit in, and frankly, I am super nervous about taking the trip. And then I feel super stupid for feeling afraid and wondering if I should go armed and I would put this all off if I could but I can't so I just want to crawl back into bed.

      14 votes
    2. [2]
      Amarok
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      Curious about the next three days. Crickets or catastrophe? That's the question on my mind. I'm 70/30 for crickets. Also wondering when in the hell the senate will convene to impeach. Mitch's last...

      Curious about the next three days. Crickets or catastrophe? That's the question on my mind. I'm 70/30 for crickets.

      Also wondering when in the hell the senate will convene to impeach. Mitch's last day, Trump's last day - and Mitch strikes me as the vindictive type. I bet he can whip 10 Republicans to lock in the impeachment. The last thing the republican party wants is Trump able to run again in 2024.

      I am going to be pissed if an angry mob trashes our capitol building. If you're bored here's the history lesson.

      8 votes
      1. [2]
        Comment deleted by author
        Link Parent
        1. Amarok
          Link Parent
          Ugh, you're right. That's even more vindictive than just slitting Trump's political throat.

          Ugh, you're right. That's even more vindictive than just slitting Trump's political throat.

          5 votes
    3. [2]
      skybrian
      Link Parent
      Still in news junkie mode, but somewhat more relaxed. Maybe I will be able to spend less time on it.

      Still in news junkie mode, but somewhat more relaxed. Maybe I will be able to spend less time on it.

      7 votes
      1. cfabbro
        (edited )
        Link Parent
        Ditto, and ditto. I honestly doubt I will be able to break away from my recently revived doomscrolling habit until well after the 20th though. :/

        Ditto, and ditto. I honestly doubt I will be able to break away from my recently revived doomscrolling habit until well after the 20th though. :/

        7 votes
    4. Omnicrola
      Link Parent
      Still anxious, still checking the news more than I should. But in contrast to previous months? Feeling much better overall. We're almost though this. I don't expect things to magically become...

      Still anxious, still checking the news more than I should.

      But in contrast to previous months? Feeling much better overall. We're almost though this. I don't expect things to magically become better on Wednesday, but I'll know that the bad man is gone. He'll still have populist-power, but he will lose the protection and resources of one of the most powerful offices on earth.

      And most importantly someone who is both competent and actually wants the job, can actually start doing that job.

      Edit: I do expect there to be some "incidents" with insurrection-related activities around the country, but I don't think it will rise to the same level as the 6th. So I'm not really thinking about that.

      6 votes
    5. [3]
      Kuromantis
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      Morbid, but since many far-righters have said they're gonna try to cause political violence on the 19th and 20th, I'm mostly waiting for the inauguration day to see what they can do. I'm mostly...

      Morbid, but since many far-righters have said they're gonna try to cause political violence on the 19th and 20th, I'm mostly waiting for the inauguration day to see what they can do. I'm mostly checking these megathreads for news, rather than any news outlets. One of the things I've been thinking about is that if these groups are now happy to use violence for political gain, I wonder how likely it is for these groups to try to assassinate Democratic senators (most obviously red state Dems like Manchin) to get Republican legislatures to replace them and end the D Senate majority. So kinda detached and cautiously hopeful.

      4 votes
      1. [2]
        Omnicrola
        Link Parent
        I think if I can say anything for certain about all politicians, it's that they all look after their own self interest (some more so, obviously). I can't fathom any of them looking at what...

        I think if I can say anything for certain about all politicians, it's that they all look after their own self interest (some more so, obviously). I can't fathom any of them looking at what happened on the 6th and not doing everything they can to ensure their own safety, regardless of what they say publicly.

        I expect we'll see some weirdness over the next few days, but I don't expect any to come close to succeeding.

        4 votes
        1. Kuromantis
          Link Parent
          Yeah, I agree. The way an individual deals with crime is protection. I also agree with that, I'm mainly waiting for the inauguration to see if there are any grim headlines about political violence...

          I can't fathom any of them looking at what happened on the 6th and not doing everything they can to ensure their own safety, regardless of what they say publicly.

          Yeah, I agree. The way an individual deals with crime is protection.

          I expect we'll see some weirdness over the next few days, but I don't expect any to come close to succeeding.

          I also agree with that, I'm mainly waiting for the inauguration to see if there are any grim headlines about political violence in the US, hence the morbidity thing. Amarok's comment sums it up pretty well.

          3 votes
    6. Parliament
      Link Parent
      Distracting myself with sports this weekend, mainly premier league and NFL. I'll be back to hawking the news tomorrow I'm sure.

      Distracting myself with sports this weekend, mainly premier league and NFL. I'll be back to hawking the news tomorrow I'm sure.

      4 votes
  3. [5]
    Omnicrola
    Link
    Armed ‘boogaloo boys’ gather at Michigan Capitol, join small group of protesters ...

    Armed ‘boogaloo boys’ gather at Michigan Capitol, join small group of protesters

    By about 1:30 p.m. Sunday, most of the group identifying as ‘boogaloo boys’ had left the state Capitol. Only a small group of demonstrators remained. Michigan State Police Lt. Michael Shaw said there were no arrests made Sunday.

    ...

    Another member of the Michigan-based boogaloo movement gave reporters a false name, identifying himself as a Maryland man who was killed by police during a no-knock raid last year. The man, who said he was from Flint, expressed grievances about the election, COVID-19 orders and “tyrants” in government.

    The Flint man carried an AR-15 and a Glock handgun. He said he understands why people are fearful of gun-toting protesters but said he sees himself in a similar role to police tasked with keeping events safe.

    “Just because they have that badge doesn’t make them any different than me,” he said.

    9 votes
    1. [3]
      patience_limited
      Link Parent
      In my doomscrolling universe today, I've run across: The recent The Expanse episode featuring Marco Inaros' "freedom" speech after he's just machine-gunned Earth with big space rocks and killed...

      In my doomscrolling universe today, I've run across:

      1. The recent The Expanse episode featuring Marco Inaros' "freedom" speech after he's just machine-gunned Earth with big space rocks and killed millions;
      2. This Wired article about DIY military-style tactical assault, and the politics and philosophy thereof;
      3. This charming news about record gun sales; and
      4. The chatter in my Northern Michigan neighborhood's NextDoor, evenly split between worry about COVID-19 deniers or violence against government in our little blue map dot, and frothy rants about deprivation of 2A rights, the Plandemic, microchip vaccines, and the illegitimate overthrow of Trump.

      It's not wholly cheering that the state capitols are seeing few right-wing protesters gathered so far; their capacity to f*ck things up is far greater than their numbers. I'm weary and drained of the capacity for surprise. Intellectually, I know the baddies aren't going to win this time, either, but there's little likelihood of bloodless victory. I feel contaminated just by the moments of thinking, "Who's going to teach me how to defend myself against the gun-crazy neighbors?"

      7 votes
      1. [2]
        JakeTheDog
        Link Parent
        Can you please mark spoilers next time, please? I trusted you...

        The recent The Expanse episode

        Can you please mark spoilers next time, please? I trusted you...

        4 votes
        1. patience_limited
          Link Parent
          That was inexcusable on my part, I'd implicitly assumed everyone here had seen that episode or read the books. 🤦. You have my profound apologies, it won't happen again.

          That was inexcusable on my part, I'd implicitly assumed everyone here had seen that episode or read the books. 🤦. You have my profound apologies, it won't happen again.

          4 votes
    2. [2]
      Comment deleted by author
      Link Parent
      1. FrankGrimes
        Link Parent
        I laughed at first too, but it really is incredibly troubling. This is a group of people who see themselves as the law, but they're deciding what's legal and what isn't.

        I laughed at first too, but it really is incredibly troubling. This is a group of people who see themselves as the law, but they're deciding what's legal and what isn't.

        8 votes
  4. [4]
    cfabbro
    (edited )
    Link
    The New Yorker put out a very long and detailed article a few days ago that I finally got around to reading. It's from a reporter that was present at (and in) the Capitol on the 6th, following a...

    The New Yorker put out a very long and detailed article a few days ago that I finally got around to reading. It's from a reporter that was present at (and in) the Capitol on the 6th, following a group of the rioters around, and I recommend others interested in reading a first-hand account of the events take the time to check it out.

    Among the Insurrectionists

    The Capitol was breached by Trump supporters who had been declaring, at rally after rally, that they would go to violent lengths to keep the President in power. A chronicle of an attack foretold.

    p.s. Another article from today shows some of the crazy video footage he captured too:
    https://www.newyorker.com/news/video-dept/a-reporters-footage-from-inside-the-capitol-siege

    8 votes
    1. [3]
      Omnicrola
      Link Parent
      Watched the video, that was... Intense.

      Watched the video, that was... Intense.

      3 votes
      1. [2]
        cfabbro
        (edited )
        Link Parent
        Yeah, and it also shows just how disconnected from reality, and naive a lot of the rioters are too. <while riffling through random documents left on the Senate floor> "There's gotta be something...

        Yeah, and it also shows just how disconnected from reality, and naive a lot of the rioters are too.

        <while riffling through random documents left on the Senate floor>
        "There's gotta be something in here we can fucking use against these scumbags." 🤦

        4 votes
        1. Omnicrola
          Link Parent
          The entire time in watching them wander around the chamber, I'm thinking of this: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QL5_3JIA0Uw Was also fascinated by the one older guy who told them to not sit in the...

          The entire time in watching them wander around the chamber, I'm thinking of this: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QL5_3JIA0Uw

          Was also fascinated by the one older guy who told them to not sit in the chair, because it's disrespectful. THAT was to far apparently.

          4 votes
  5. [2]
    cfabbro
    Link
    Trump to issue around 100 pardons and commutations Tuesday, sources say

    Trump to issue around 100 pardons and commutations Tuesday, sources say

    President Donald Trump is preparing to issue around 100 pardons and commutations on his final full day in office Tuesday, according to three people familiar with the matter, a major batch of clemency actions that includes white collar criminals, high-profile rappers and others but -- as of now -- is not expected to include Trump himself.

    The White House held a meeting on Sunday to finalize the list of pardons, two sources said.

    Initially, two major batches had been ready to roll out, one at the end of last week and one on Tuesday. Now, officials expect the last batch to be the only one -- unless Trump decides at the last minute to grant pardons to controversial allies, members of his family or himself.

    The final batch of clemency actions is expected to include a mix of criminal justice reform-minded pardons and more controversial ones secured or doled out to political allies.

    The pardons are one of several items Trump must complete before his presidency ends in days. White House officials also still have executive orders prepared, and the President is still hopeful to declassify information related to the Russia probe before he leaves office. But with a waning number of administration officials still in jobs, the likelihood that any of it gets done seemed to be shrinking.

    8 votes
    1. Omnicrola
      Link Parent
      Ultimate irony if one or more of the executive orders or pardons turns out later to be invalid, because all the staff that knew how to properly file such things quit already.

      Ultimate irony if one or more of the executive orders or pardons turns out later to be invalid, because all the staff that knew how to properly file such things quit already.

      5 votes
  6. cfabbro
    Link
    Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene was suspended by Twitter for 12 hours not long after she told Trump supporters to 'mobilize' in a deleted tweet

    Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene was suspended by Twitter for 12 hours not long after she told Trump supporters to 'mobilize' in a deleted tweet

    Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia, has been suspended from using Twitter for 12 hours, her office said in a press release Sunday.

    "Just days after the Silicon Valley Cartel launched a multi-front attack to chill free speech in America by deplatforming President Donald Trump and purging an unknown number of conservatives, Twitter has decided to suspend my personal account without explanation," Greene said in the statement.

    A Twitter spokesperson confirmed to Insider that Greene's account was "locked out for multiple violations" of its civic integrity policy. The company did not immediately answer which tweets violated the policy.

    Greene most recently tweeted just after 11:45 a.m. in Washington, DC. In that post, she criticized Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Trump and his allies have lashed out at Georgia elections officials, namely Raffensperger and Gov. Brian Kemp, both Republicans, for refusing to help him overturn Biden's win in the state.

    On Saturday, Greene tweeted, and soon after deleted, as archived by ProPublica, a message that called for "all Americans," and notably Trump supporters, to mobilize.

    "I encourage all Americans, not just the 75 million people who voted for President Trump, to mobilize and make your voices heard in opposition to these attacks on our liberties," she wrote Saturday in a tweet that was deleted about two hours after she sent it, according to ProPublica.

    5 votes
  7. cfabbro
    Link
    Woman Arrested at Inauguration Checkpoint Said She Was Officer, Cabinet Member: Police

    Woman Arrested at Inauguration Checkpoint Said She Was Officer, Cabinet Member: Police

    Linda Magovern, 63, of Stratford, Connecticut, was arrested near Union Station after she said she was an officer and “a part of the presidential cabinet,” and presented a military police challenge coin, a D.C. police report says.

    An officer ordered Magovern to put the vehicle in park and turn it off. She complied but drove forward after an officer asked for her license.

    Officers repeatedly ordered Magovern to stop the vehicle, but she headed north on Columbus Circle, police said. She was stopped nearby, outside Union Station.

    Magovern was arrested and charged with impersonation of a law enforcement officer, failure to obey and fleeing a law enforcement officer. It wasn’t immediately clear if she had an attorney.

    She was taken to a hospital to be evaluated.

    In another arrest this weekend in the area, a Virginia man carrying an unlicensed gun and ammunition was arrested early Sunday, police say.

    Guy Berry, 22, of Gordonsville, was walking with a handgun “clearly visible in a holster” as he walked in the 200 block of Massachusetts Avenue NE, a D.C. police report says. He was then found with “three high-capacity magazines” and 37 rounds of ammunition.

    It’s illegal to open carry firearms in D.C., and D.C. does not have reciprocity with other states’ concealed pistol licenses.

    3 votes