;)
The Commentariat -- May 1, 2021
Grace Segers of CBS News: "President Biden delivered remarks on Friday to celebrate 50 years of service by Amtrak, arguing that expanding and investing in the country's passenger rail system would help the economy by creating jobs and benefit the environment by cutting down on fossil fuel emissions from commuters.... Mr. Biden's remarks came as he continues to promote his multi-trillion dollar legislative agenda. His infrastructure and jobs proposal, the $2.3 trillion American Jobs Plan, would invest $621 billion in improving transportation infrastructure such as roads, bridges and public transit, including $80 billion dedicated specifically to Amtrak." ~~~
Nick Miroff of the Washington Post: "The Biden administration said Friday it has canceled border wall projects paid for with funds diverted from Defense Department accounts, a widely expected move that follows Biden's decision to suspend construction activity on ... Donald Trump's signature project. Trump diverted about $10 billion from military construction accounts and counternarcotics programs to pay for hundreds of miles of steel barriers along the Mexico border, an effort that Biden has denounced as wasteful and ineffective." An ABC News story is here. ~~~
~~~ Cleaning Up After Trump. Elliot Spagat of the AP: "The Biden administration said Friday that it will begin work to address the risks of flooding and soil erosion from unfinished sections of the wall on the U.S. border with Mexico and will cancel military-funded contracts as it shuts down one of ... Donald Trump's signature domestic projects. Construction under the Trump administration 'blew large holes' into the flood barrier system of low-lying regions in Texas' Rio Grande Valley, the Homeland Security Department said. It said it will 'quickly repair' the flood barrier system without extending the wall.&"
Alex Horton of the Washington Post: "The Army on Friday punished several leaders at Fort Hood after an investigation of a slain soldier's chain of command revealed systemic failures, including ignoring harassment that tormented Spc. Vanessa Guillén, whose killing triggered a wave of reckoning across the military. Other leaders were reprimanded or suspended from their duties following another review in December that found sweeping failures. All told, 21 soldiers, including one general and other officers, have been punished or suspended. Guillén, 20, was bludgeoned to death with a hammer in an arms room on the Texas installation by a fellow soldier, Spc. Aaron Robinson, on April 22, 2020. He dismembered and buried her remains with the help of a girlfriend, investigators have said. The remains were discovered June 30 as investigators zeroed in on Robinson as a suspect. Robinson was put under guard but fled, obtained a firearm and died by suicide, investigators said." The AP's story is here.
The United States of Joe (Manchin, That Is). Madeleine Ngo of the New York Times: "Senator Joe Manchin III, Democrat of West Virginia, told local news reporters on Friday that he would not support a bill to grant statehood to Washington, D.C., saying he believed a constitutional amendment was needed instead of legislation." The Hill's report is here.
If you couldn't read the Daily Beast story, linked yesterday, that advances the Matt Gaetz scandal because the story is firewalled, maybe you can read Aaron Blake's post in the Washington Post, which repeats the central points of the story and is also -- firewalled.
James Brooks of the Anchorage Daily News: "The FBI and an agent from the U.S. Capitol's police department served a search warrant Wednesday at the home of Homer Inn & Spa owners Paul and Marilyn Hueper, who say the search was related to the U.S. Capitol riot in January. The Huepers attended the Jan. 6 pro-Trump rally that preceded the riotous invasion of the Capitol.... Marilyn Hueper said law enforcement officers accused her of entering the Capitol and assisting in the theft of a laptop belonging to Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. But she said she didn't enter the Capitol, and she believes the FBI has mistaken her for another woman."
Jared Kushner, Cruel Slum Landlord. AP: "A judge in Maryland has ruled that an apartment company co-owned by Jared Kushner ... repeatedly violated state consumer protection laws by collecting debts without required licenses, charging tenants improper fees and misrepresenting the condition of rental units. Administrative Law Judge Emily Daneker said in her 252-page decision Thursday that violations by Westminster Management and the company JK2 were 'widespread and numerous,' the Baltimore Sun reports. Kushner and his brother, Joshua, each held 50% interest in JK2. Westminster is the company's successor. Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh, a Democrat, sued Westminster and 25 related companies in 2019, claiming they took advantage of financially vulnerable consumers in the Baltimore area."
Paul Krugman, in what he calls a wonkish post, explains why tax cuts for the rich don't work. However, he explains things even Republicans could understand if they tried (which they won't - [and Krugman explains why that is, too!]): "... at that level people don't seek more money so they can afford more things, since they're already able to afford far more luxury than anyone can enjoy. Instead, it's about keeping score; that is, their goal is to make as much or more than the people they compare themselves with. And raising taxes on rich people in general doesn't eliminate the race to out-earn one's rivals. Even to the extent that the rich seek income for what it can buy, however..., cutting their taxes ... could lead to reduced effort, because it becomes easier for them to afford what they want.... Higher wages have two effects on workers. They have an incentive to work more, because an extra hour gets them more stuff. But they're also more affluent, which lets them consume more -- and one of the things they might choose to consume is more leisure, i.e., they might choose to work less. Historically, in fact, higher wages have generally led to reduced working hours.... While tax cuts for the rich may offer an incentive to work harder, they're also a big giveaway that encourages the elite to work less." ~~~
~~~ Marie: Here's something Krugman doesn't take into account, but that I think is obvious. Most of the super-rich work because they like to work and they like the work they're doing, even when it's extremely challenging and anxiety-producing. Whether they take home $100K a year or $100MM a year, their "incentive" to work is unchanged. Their job is an obsession or a hobby; it's not an onerous obligation best left behind at 5 pm.
Here's a video PD Pepe mentions in today's Comments. It was produced by Meidas Touch, a pro-Democratic PAC:
The Pandemic, Ctd.
Joel Achenbach, et al., of the Washington Post: "The spring wave of coronavirus infections that began in March is subsiding in most of the country, with 42 states and D.C. reporting lower caseloads for the past two weeks. Hospitals in hard-hit Michigan and other Upper Midwest states that were flooded with patients in mid-April are discharging more than they're admitting. The daily average of new infections nationwide has dropped to the lowest level since mid-October. Many cities are rapidly reopening after 14 months of restrictions. The mayor of virus-ravaged New York City, Bill de Blasio (D), said he plans to have the city fully open by July 1."
Lori Aratani & Michael Laris of the Washington Post: "The Transportation Security Administration announced Friday that it has extended through Sept. 13 its orders requiring people to wear masks in transportation settings, including at airports, on commercial aircraft, and on buses and trains. TSA officials said the extension of the mask requirement is consistent with updated policies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The TSA requirement had been set to expire May 11." The AP story is here.
Zeke Miller, et al., of the AP: "The U.S. will restrict travel from India starting Tuesday, the White House said Friday, citing a devastating rise in COVID-19 cases in the country and the emergence of potentially dangerous variants of the coronavirus. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said President Joe Biden's administration made the determination on the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Biden signed a proclamation barring entry to most foreigners who have been in India in the past 14 days, with exceptions for legal permanent residents, spouses and close family members of U.S. citizens, and some others. He cited the spread of the virus and its variants."~~~
~~~ Lazaro Gamio & Alexandria Symonds of the New York Times: "Worldwide, the number of new coronavirus cases has shot upward since the beginning of March, more than doubling in two months. For the past two weeks, new global cases have exceeded their previous high point in early January. The average daily rate of new cases has now been above 800,000 for more than a week. The increase in cases is largely being driven by the uncontrolled outbreak in India.... India now accounts for more than 40 percent of the world's new cases. The country's death rate has followed the same dramatic curve, with more than 3,000 people now dying every day.... After enacting one of the world's strictest lockdowns last March, which kept deaths relatively low, Indian officials relaxed restrictions.... The vaccine rollout in India has been too slow to stem the wave of cases, despite the country's status as one of the world's leading vaccine producers. Less than 2 percent of its residents are fully vaccinated...."
Beyond the Beltway
Arizona. Andrew Oxford of the Arizona Republic: "An Arizona Republic reporter was escorted from the Arizona election audit site on Friday morning after posting a photo showing a former Republican legislator at a ballot-counting table. The photo showed a ballot, with no markings discernible, on a vertical stand in front of former state Rep. Anthony Kern, R-Glendale. The reporter, Ryan Randazzo, was told his press privileges were revoked. He left the building as requested. Randazzo was observing the audit, along with two other Arizona journalists, as part of an agreement with audit organizers to monitor the proceedings. Randazzo had spotted Kern tallying votes at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum as part of the unprecedented review ordered by the Arizona Senate.... Kern, who was defeated in an election bid in November, was active in 'Stop the Steal' efforts. He also signed a letter with several other Republican lawmakers urging Congress not to accept the presidential electors selected by Arizona voters. And he was in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6 to speak to a rally outside the U.S. Capitol on the same day a mob stormed the building." MB: So he seems impartial.
Mississippi. How to Whistle "Dixie." Philip Bump of the Washington Post: Appearing on Fox "News"' Laura Ingraham show, Gov. Tate Reeves (R) of Mississippi said, "'There is not systemic racism in America... We live in the greatest country in the history of mankind. And I'll just tell you in Mississippi, I was very proud of the fact that last year we had, we had peaceful protesters, but we did not have one event in which there was a riot. And the reason for that is because in our state, we back the blue, we support the police.'... In addition to his Fox News appearance, he got Monday off since it was a state holiday: Confederate Memorial Day. In fact, he was speaking to Fox at the tail end of what he on April 7 declared to be Confederate Heritage Month. April, according to the proclamation obtained by the Mississippi Free Press, should be a period in which Mississippians 'honor all who lost their lives in this war.'..."
South Dakota. Raja Razek & Caroline Kelly of CNN: "Republican South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is suing Interior Department officials including Secretary Deb Haaland for declining to grant a permit for a Fourth of July event including fireworks at Mount Rushmore this year, according to a news release from the governor's office....'The 2019 Memorandum of Agreement between the State of South Dakota and the Department of the Interior commits us to work together to bring fireworks back to the Memorial in a safe and responsible manner,' National Park Service Regional Director Herbert Frost, who also is named in Noem's lawsuit, wrote in the March 11 letter. 'Potential risks to the park itself and to the health and safety of employees and visitors associated with the fireworks demonstration continue to be a concern and are still being evaluated as a result of the 2020 event,' he continued. 'In addition, the park's many tribal partners expressly oppose fireworks at the Memorial. These factors, compiled with the COVID-19 pandemic, do not allow a safe and responsible fireworks display to be held at this site.'"
Way Beyond
Afghanistan. AFP: "At least 21 people have been killed and nearly 100 wounded after a car bomb exploded in an Afghan city south of the capital that president Ashraf Ghani has blamed on the Taliban. Friday's blast occurred in a residential area of Pul-e-Alam, capital of Logar province, as people were breaking their Ramadan fast, and came on the eve of the formal start of the US military's withdrawal from Afghanistan."
News Ledes
New York Times: "Olympia Dukakis, the self-assured, raspy-voiced actress who often played world-weary and worldly wise characters, and who won an Academy Award for her role as just such a woman in 'Moonstruck,' died on Saturday at her home in Manhattan. She was 89."
AP: "Medina Spirit has won the 147th Kentucky Derby by a half-length over Mandaloun, giving Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert a record seventh victory in the premier race for 3-year-olds. The bay colt led the $3 million race from start to finish after going off at 12-1 odds from the No. 8 post.... Medina Spirit held strong to the wire for his second career victory, a strong rebound from his runner-up finish to Rock Your World in the Santa Anita Derby. Jockey John Velazquez earned his second consecutive Derby victory and fourth overall. Medina Spirit covered the 1¼ mile in 2:01.02 and paid $26.20, $12 and $7.60.... Thousands of spectators ... gathered in the infield at Churchill Downs, many not wearing face masks required amid the coronavirus pandemic. Hundreds stood in lines that were not spaced out to use ATMs or buy food."
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Reader Comments (12)
Well, what a surprise. A Trump traitor is “counting” ballots in that fake Arizona recount/space lights/ninja/stop the squeal thingy. Former state rep and current traitor Anthony Kern was photographed doing his best to help democracy. Right.
Kern’s credentials are impeccable. He tried to ram through a bill to declare the vote in Arizona null and void. Then he spoke at a Stop the Squeal rally, after which he went to Washington on Jan. 6 for a little insurrectionizing with the rest of the anti-democracy Trump brownshirts and thugs.
Just the guy you want taking part in an “honest” recount.
This whole thing stinks like an algae bloom at low tide. Just what you’d expect of anything connected to the Fat Traitor.
https://www.newsweek.com/ex-state-rep-anthony-kern-who-was-capitol-riot-seen-counting-ballots-arizona-audit-1588010
Oops, just saw that Marie had already posted something about that. That’s what happens you post bleary-eyed comments at 4 in the morning.
And did I mention that Joe Manchin needs a beating? Or at least a very serious wedgie.
And one more thing while I’m still up. Joe Biden is going like a ball of fire. The guy is not even stopping for breath. Looks like he hasn’t adopted the Sleepy Donnie low energy habits: up at 7, breakfasted, back in bed by 8. Then some quality Egg-Zecutive Time, emerging around noon to play with the pencils on the Resolution Desk and hit the Diet Coke button seven or eight times until quittin’ time: 4:30. Remember what Trump staffers used to say to each other on Wednesday afternoon? “Have a nice weekend”.
Joe is just not catching on to the good life at the White House, endless Cokes, Big Macs, and TV watchin’ til it’s time to hit the links.
So here we are again in the lusty month of May and I have one question:
Akhilleus! Why in heavens are you up and writing at four in the morning?
I take great delight in learning that the Great Leader's Wall will not be extended and the ground damage will be fixed. And I wonder, when He hears about this will he care? Was that wall just something he grabbed on to as a signature piece or was he truly committed to it. But as I write that last sentence I see that I'm giving him the benefit of actual feelings and sincere calculations –--a bit of a soul intact; always hard to come to terms with soulless souls.
Whenever we talk about Amtrak remember how Firestone, Goodyear, GM, etc bought and dismantled inner city rail lines throughout this country. They profitted by those actions. Then, disjoint and uncoordinated municipalities spent hundreds of billions to rebuild them in a highly inefficient economic fashion. This is because the efficiency of "capitalism" is privatizing gains while socializing costs. Just watching what happens with the Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Huawei, Tesla side of the economic pie moving forward. History matters so we don't repeat the deleterious errors of the past. Go Joe!
Progressive PAC Meidas Touch has made a powerful video highlighting the harmful influence of Fox News.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/meidas-touch-ad-radicalized-republicans_n_608cf3f9e4b046202707bbfc
John McWhorter, a linguist, gives us this extensive and illuminating essay on the word "Nigger." The history here is extraordinary–-I loved reading this:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/30/opinion/john-mcwhorter-n-word-unsayable.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage
Words this morning. An NPR segment kept talking about President Biden's _spending_ plans when, in fact, they are Investment plans: Investing in our infrastructure and investing in our people.
The other word of the morning is "bipartisan." Manchin says he wants bipartisan plans. The investment plans Biden is proposing are very bipartisan, its just that the elected representatives won't vote fore them because they are spoiled little brats. Look at the Relief package passed earlier this year with no R votes. Now look at those elected Rs continuing to take credit for parts of the bill. Just like the Relief package, the plans on the table now are thoroughly bipartisan except in the chambers of congress.
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/republicans-covid-relief-voted-against-pence-van-duyne
PD,
Fatty’s big, beautiful wall to be paid for by that horrible land of murderers and rapists was just another Trump handy dandy used car sales pitch. “Only 300,000 miles! Just had it washed, you drive it away today, nothing down, and in fact, your gardener will pay for it! Step right up!” As soon as that heap is off the lot, it’s on to a different scam.
Most people get took because they ask for it. The caveat about things looking too good to be true cannot be overstated when talking about a career con man like Trump. But in this case the pull of systemic racism (that thing confederates claim doesn’t exist) was too much to overcome.
Granted, the critical thinking capabilities of most Trump droolers isn’t as advanced as your average ring tailed lemur, but c’mon. A multi billion dollar, thousand mile wall, designed to keep all those nasty browns face down in the desert, paid for by another country? Yeah, that sounds believable. But if you’re told repeatedly that these people are dirty criminals coming to take your job, rape your daughters, and hook your sons on drugs, then you might buy it. And they don’t even speak ENGLISH!! Holy quesadilla, Batman!
And then, as time went on and the Fatty Party tried to help put a stupid idea into action, and the real world intruded on racist wet dreams, it became necessary to up the con and demonstrate that he was “serious” and not a snake oil huckster who gulled the rubes yet again. So enter wanton sadism (aka Stephen Miller). Tear families apart, put babies in cages like animals. To which Trump added his own vicious lagniappe: we’ll paint my wall black so it will burn their hands when they touch it. Bwah-ha-ha!
Remember the Caravan? Fatty screamed bloody murder about brown criminals streaming over the border for months. When that didn’t happen it was “Meh”, on to some new horror to keep the febrile little brains of his clown horde focused on something other than the fact of his incompetence and lies.
And oh, by the way. The remnants of the Trump Save Our White Voters Wall is being easily scaled by guys using homemade five dollar ladders.
Heckuva job, Fatty.
NiskyGuy,
The use of the word “spend” with its connotations of cavalier, irresponsible extravagance with other people’s money, in place of the far more accurate “invest”, is another victory for right wing propaganda. Decades of their screams about “tax n spend Democrats” have taken hold in the media oblongata, so to speak, from which emanate autonomic functions like breathing, blood flow, and mindless repetition of wingnut tropes.
Am thinking about money this AM, not like Akhilleus at four O'
dark....but have to compose the next sermon before I leave town for a few weeks and have to get cracking.
(Have my obligations to the local paper that my own twisted work ethic won't allow me to shirk.)
I'm think that sermon will be about money.
Read the same Krugman column yesterday and was roused enough to send a correction to an idiot commenter who suggested he was wholly unharmed by billionaires, as if he were somehow insulated from the effects of egregious wealth accumulation in realtively few hands. Of course, for many reasons, obvious and otherwise, he was wrong.
But it's the effort factor that Marie raises that interests me this morning. Many of the very wealthy are driven to succeed, to count coup, as Marie says. I have even known a few, enough to conclude that effort and reward are sometimes closely linked.
But beyond a certain numeric, not psychological point, effort has little to do with wealth's growth. As Krugman has pointed out time and again, the very wealthy derive the bulk of their income from rents, not from work, but from ownership of real property or financial instruments that as the economy grows, so does the value of their investments. Automatically.
It's the old cliche about wealthy widows who don't work, sitting in their expensively furnished New York apartments "clipping coupons" writ large across the entirely economy.
Simply adding basic arithmetic to ownership explains it. What one owns is one's base. If that base is large, in the millions let's say, when the economy grows at the current six percent, the wealthy will gain far more in proportion to any hourly wage worker could ever hope to, and the gap between them will become even greater. Gargantuan in fact.
Even leaving inherited wealth aside, that growing and increasingly pernicious gap has nothing at all to do with effort.