15 votes

Weekly US politics news and updates thread - week of August 18

Automatically posted
Tags: politics.usa, usa, recurring.weekly

This thread is posted weekly - 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.

12 comments

  1. Raspcoffee
    Link
    RFK Jr demanded a vaccine study be retracted — the journal said no - Nature. The fact that I'm posting an article from Nature here alone is unusual. And yes, the context is autism of course....

    RFK Jr demanded a vaccine study be retracted — the journal said no - Nature.

    The fact that I'm posting an article from Nature here alone is unusual. And yes, the context is autism of course. Paired with the autism database and the concentration camps I really fear for my fellow people on the spectrum across the Atlantic.

    If you're one of them, I'm sorry. Please do your best to stay safe. This is terrifying.

    10 votes
  2. [3]
    DefinitelyNotAFae
    Link
    Adams Adviser Suspended From Campaign After Giving Cash to Reporter Do not stop reading here. Because this is hilarious. (Probably in a sad way but like I'm gonna laugh. ) She had already been...

    Adams Adviser Suspended From Campaign After Giving Cash to Reporter

    Do not stop reading here. Because this is hilarious. (Probably in a sad way but like I'm gonna laugh. )

    A close adviser to Mayor Eric Adams was suspended from his re-election campaign on Wednesday after giving a journalist cash tucked inside a potato chip bag.

    She had already been investigated by the federal government for possible Chinese government interference into the 2021 NYC mayoral election.

    Eric Adams's campaign claims they have "always demanded the highest ethical and legal standards.” (lol)

    Ms. Greco’s lawyer, Steven Brill, said that it is common in Chinese culture to give cash to reporters “in a gesture of friendship and gratitude.”

    “I grant you this looks odd,” Mr. Brill said. “But I assure you that Winnie’s intent was purely innocent.”

    He said Ms. Greco’s attempt to give money to the reporter might have been “misconstrued” and that she is “apologetic and embarrassed.”

    The reporter thought she was getting information from Greco, and had a bag of chips foisted on her and then found the cash, immediately called Greco who laughed and then handed it over to her editor.

    After the incident, Honan returned to The City’s office and handed the envelope to her editors. The City then contacted the Department of Investigation. Federal prosecutors retrieved the chip bag and cash, The City reported.

    The publication said in its story that it had asked Ms. Greco about her motivations for giving the money to Ms. Honan and that Ms. Greco replied that it was “cultural” and repeatedly apologized: “Can we forget about this?” she said. “Please don’t do in the news nothing about me.”

    Greco has no excuse for not following the law IMO, even if there's a cultural practice, she's not newly arrived in US culture.

    7 votes
    1. Raspcoffee
      Link Parent
      So, I open this weekly thread again after not following it the past few weeks. I expected the usual doom and gloom. I did not expect to read an article I had to read twice over to make sure I got...

      So, I open this weekly thread again after not following it the past few weeks. I expected the usual doom and gloom. I did not expect to read an article I had to read twice over to make sure I got what happened, 'cause it reads like the plot of some satirical movie where they needed to have one of those obviously corrupt politician who gets their shit handed down over their own stupidity.

      That was weirdly enjoyable to read.

      5 votes
    2. DefinitelyNotAFae
      Link Parent
      Red Envelopes With Cash Are Changing Hands at Adams Campaign Rallies ... Front the NYT in the comment section

      Red Envelopes With Cash Are Changing Hands at Adams Campaign Rallies

      In July, New York Times reporters witnessed other Adams supporters handing out red envelopes with cash at three separate campaign events: one in Flushing, Queens; another in Manhattan’s Chinatown; and a third in Sunset Park in Brooklyn. At those events, Mr. Adams picked up support from leaders of influential Chinese community groups, including several with close ties to the Chinese government.

      Reached by phone on Thursday, Mr. Tin said that the payments to reporters were small and were made not to ensure coverage, but rather as a “courtesy.” He said he would ask the Adams campaign to cover the cost of water and banners for the event, but that he had not yet discussed whether it would reimburse him for the cash payments.

      Five days after the event in Queens, Chinese American community leaders held a rally at Confucius Plaza in Chinatown in Manhattan, where Times reporters again witnessed red envelopes being distributed. Then, on July 27, Times reporters saw more envelopes being passed out at the Sunset Park rally.

      ...

      Mr. Mui, who also heads a local Chinese journalists’ group, told The Times that reporters received red envelopes from Adams supporters at last month’s events as a “form of appreciation” to cover transportation expenses and to “subsidize” their salaries. Mr. Tin “had to” give the reporters cash, he said; “otherwise they don’t write their stories.”

      Front the NYT in the comment section

      The decision about when to publish depends greatly on the amount and quality of reporting we have at any given time. This report is part of our continuing investigation into China's covert influence campaigns in America. It was originally intended to be part of a broader story that we are still working on, but we felt it was important to publish now, given the news on Wednesday about Winnie Greco.

      2 votes
  3. DefinitelyNotAFae
    Link
    Florida will phase out certificates of completion for students with disabilities Not having the formal recognition can impact the ability of adults with intellectual disabilities to get jobs. And...

    Florida will phase out certificates of completion for students with disabilities

    The Florida Board of Education voted to sunset certificates of completion for students with disabilities who attend K-12 schools in the state. These certificates were awarded to students who couldn’t complete the coursework needed for a diploma.

    Under a new Florida law, HB 1105, and the board’s vote, students with disabilities will no longer be able to get a certificate of completion at the end of their school career, starting this year. Students with severe disabilities who can’t earn a standard high school diploma, will leave school without any formal recognition upon graduation.

    Not having the formal recognition can impact the ability of adults with intellectual disabilities to get jobs. And from just a place of cruelty, they don't get recognized alongside their friends and peers? So will they get to attend graduation or only as guests?

    I also think it's odd to me that this article lauds a work credential from a previous bill because it's only being offered to autistic students.

    The badge would attest to the fact that a student has mastered five skills or behaviors needed in most workplaces, which may include workplace safety, and must be signed off on by two of the students’ teachers in special education.

    There's something hinky to me here. There are many students that might need this sort of credential but many autistic students who wouldn't. Perhaps I simply don't trust DeSantis... But why do both of these things separately.

    6 votes
  4. [7]
    hobbes64
    (edited )
    Link
    I could provide a link to this, but it’s a popular enough story that I don’t have to. Anyway, people working for Governor Newsom are posting hilarious content on Twitter in the exact style of...

    I could provide a link to this, but it’s a popular enough story that I don’t have to.

    Anyway, people working for Governor Newsom are posting hilarious content on Twitter in the exact style of Trump. Usually all caps content, sometimes with weird name calling and bragging. Some AI pictures of Newsom which reference similar ones Trump had. For example, a solemn Newsom with Kid Rock, Tucker Carlson, and the ghost of Hulk Hogan laying their hands on him.

    What’s your opinion of this? I think it’s brilliant. Hopefully it will at least wake people up so they pay attention to how abnormal it is for a world leader to forward weird memes and get in fights with Rosie O'Donnell on social media. It’s been especially entertaining that Fox News and other right wing sources don’t have a counter to it, other than pretending that Trump isn’t a big weird baby.

    5 votes
    1. [5]
      DefinitelyNotAFae
      Link Parent
      It's useful and his team is clever, it doesn't make me like him but I'll take him speaking up over silence. I don't want this to become the only way we communicate though. I hate how many things...

      It's useful and his team is clever, it doesn't make me like him but I'll take him speaking up over silence.

      I don't want this to become the only way we communicate though. I hate how many things use the Make X Y Again format, even things that are anti MAGA or unrelated to politics. I want us to stop amplifying that rhetoric and I wish desperately that "this is ridiculous and a lie, the truth is ..." Got the airtime that all caps bullshit did.

      So like it's the tool of the moment, I guess but it doesn't give me confidence in democracy or anything.

      9 votes
      1. [4]
        nic
        Link Parent
        At a surface level, Gavin is soooo unlikeable. He completely fails the "would I want to sit down and have a beer with him" vibe check. The reason this mockery is so effective, is everyone knows...

        At a surface level, Gavin is soooo unlikeable.

        He completely fails the "would I want to sit down and have a beer with him" vibe check.

        The reason this mockery is so effective, is everyone knows Trumps twitter diarrhea is the polar opposite of Gavin's natural communication style.

        The reason this should only be temporary is that Trumps teams are already mocking Gavin for having no authentic personality of his own. And they are right. Gavin lacks any noticeable charisma or personality.

        As much as you or I might find Trumps personality odious, you can't deny he reeks of it.

        I am glad Gavin is leading a vigorous opposition, I am simply sad that he is the only one.

        4 votes
        1. [3]
          DefinitelyNotAFae
          Link Parent
          I think he isn't the only one. But he's who the press is paying attention to. If they don't yell and act foolish, then no one reports on it. I'm in Illinois, Pritzger is actively fighting Trump,...

          I think he isn't the only one. But he's who the press is paying attention to. If they don't yell and act foolish, then no one reports on it. I'm in Illinois, Pritzger is actively fighting Trump, but he's not tweeting like him so who cares apparently.

          2 votes
          1. [2]
            Mendanbar
            Link Parent
            Yep, 100%. Checking in from Washington state: Bob Ferguson has been fighting since before the first Trump term. Here he is in a recent press conference pushing back

            Yep, 100%. Checking in from Washington state: Bob Ferguson has been fighting since before the first Trump term.

            Here he is in a recent press conference pushing back

            2 votes
            1. DefinitelyNotAFae
              Link Parent
              Yeah I'm trying to think of who else. Walz has taken a step back I think since the assassinations - focusing on the statehouse is probably key for him right now.

              Yeah I'm trying to think of who else. Walz has taken a step back I think since the assassinations - focusing on the statehouse is probably key for him right now.

              1 vote
    2. Bet
      Link Parent
      I appreciate that Newsom and his team are being extremely pragmatic in their approach to politics. They are interested in preserving democracy, and that means currently meeting the voters they...

      I appreciate that Newsom and his team are being extremely pragmatic in their approach to politics. They are interested in preserving democracy, and that means currently meeting the voters they need to pass democracy-saving measures where those voters are at, not where they wish those voters would be.

      This is about pushing through in California a counter-measure via the democratic process to balance what has been disrupted by authoritarian dictate in Texas. Force of personality is one of the weapons Newsom is wielding in order to keep the fickle and attention-limited eyes of the public trained on and invested in not sabotaging through disinterest this opportunity he is spearheading to the collective benefit of us all.

      Also, what Newsom’s team is doing has been good for morale. We’ve been stuck watching so many of these powerful players absolutely collapse into such sniveling, sycophantic capitulation for the last eight months, and it has been sickening, but what’s worse is that it has also been terribly frightening.

      Democracy only works when people are willing to physically fight for it, but we are not so far gone yet that we can’t stave off that reality with coordinated and creative political machinations — which Newsom seems to be aware of and publicly acknowledging.

      8 votes