June 3, 2022

Joe doesn't seem to rule out Ukraine ceding territory, touts "negotiated settlement"

Q Mr. President, does Ukraine have to cede territory to achieve some peace?

THE PRESIDENT: You know, you’ve been always fair with me. The — from the beginning, I’ve said and I’ve been — not everyone has agreed with me — nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. It’s their territory. I’m not going to tell them what they should and shouldn’t do.

But it appears to me that, at some point along the line, there’s going to have to be a negotiated settlement here. And what that entails, I don’t know. I don’t think anybody knows at the time.

But in the meantime, we’re going to continue to put the — the Ukrainians in a position where they can defend themselves.

Thank you all so very much.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2022/06/03/remarks-by-president-biden-on-the-may-jobs-report-2/

I'm okay with this. Keep options open and encouarge a negotiated settlement.

June 3, 2022

There Is Way More Biden Can Do to Lower Prices : Ro Khanna

...To meet the moment, Mr. Biden should convene an emergency task force empowered to lower prices and address shortages. We need an all-out mobilization, not just a few ad hoc initiatives reacting to headlines. The task force should include relevant cabinet members like Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm. It should also have state and local officials, along with business and labor leaders from sectors experiencing significant inflation...

...There is no patience for incrementalism or political spin about economic numbers in these times. Democrats can’t just blame the Republicans for lacking a plan. People elected us to solve problems. We told them that government could improve their lives and they want to see tangible action, movement and energy out of Washington...

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/02/opinion/inflation-biden-congress.html

I like Ro and think this was intended to be constructive and not simply criticizing Biden. There are numerous suggestions in the link and I can't put them all here.

June 3, 2022

Russia now controls 20% of Ukraine, Zelenskyy says

On the eve of the 100th day of the war in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday in an address to the Luxembourg parliament that Russia now controls about 20% of his country.

The startling statement came at a time when Russia is making slow but steady gains in the eastern Donbas region, including taking over most of the key city of Sievierodonetsk.

Zelenskyy's estimate appeared to include not only the Russian conquests during the invasion it launched Feb. 24 but also its 2014 annexation of Crimea and partial command of disputed territory in Luhansk and Donetsk in the east, which he referenced in his speech...

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2022/06/02/ukraine-russia-invasion-live-updates/7480586001/

June 3, 2022

GOP - Guns Over People!

I like it!

https://twitter.com/CowboyPrefab/status/1532511193499303939

June 3, 2022

GOP lawmaker pulls guns during markup

Source: The Hill

Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) pulled out a collection of handguns during a Thursday House Judiciary Committee markup on measures aimed at preventing gun violence, prompting concern from Democrats on the committee.

“I hope the gun is not loaded,” Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) interjected as Steube made a point.

“I’m in my house, I can do whatever I want with my guns,” Steube shot back.

Steube was not at the Capitol with other lawmakers but was attending the hearing remotely via videoconference.



Read more: https://thehill.com/news/house/3510200-gop-lawmaker-pulls-guns-during-markup/

June 1, 2022

Biden says he wasn't informed early on of baby formula woes

Source: ABC News

President Joe Biden on Wednesday said he was not briefed on the prospect of nationwide shortages of infant formula for about two months, and he acknowledged the strain on families as his administration struggles to address the situation.

Yet company executives at a meeting Biden hosted from the White House told the president that they knew the substantial impact that the shutdown of a major production plant in February would have on the U.S. supply almost immediately.

“They did, but I didn’t,” Biden told reporters later, saying he was not made aware of the severity until early April.

The delay, unexplained by Biden or White House aides, undercut the administration's efforts to demonstrate that he has been on top of a problem that has compounded stress and economic difficulties for families with young children at a time when Americans are already struggling with Inflation.

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/biden-meet-baby-formula-makers-easing-shortage-85103994

June 1, 2022

Biden Wouldn't Back Trudeau-Style Handgun Ban in U.S.: White House

Source: Newsweek

As Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau prepares to introduce a bill that would place a national freeze on handgun ownership, the White House clarified that President Joe Biden has no plans to make similar moves south of the border nor does he support such a ban in the U.S.

"He does not support a ban on the sale of all handguns," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters during Tuesday's briefing.

Trudeau proposed new rules to significantly restrict the number of handguns in circulation in Canada on Monday, saying that "what this means is that it will no longer be possible to buy, sell, transfer or import handguns anywhere" in the country.


Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/biden-wouldnt-back-trudeau-style-handgun-ban-us-white-house-1711821

May 31, 2022

Kellyanne Con-way claims she rejected Schumer suggestion of Garland on Supreme Court to Trump

This ****** will take credit for the most disgusting crap. Garland should be on the bench today.

"Schumer brought up his idea that Trump should renominate Garland," she wrote. "Trump looked at him skeptically and then asked what I thought. 'I don't think much of it, sir,' I said, before turning to Schumer: 'Respectfully, senator, why would he do that?'"

Conway inquired if the Democratic leader could potentially back a judge who opposed abortion.

"Isn't he pro-choice?" she asked of Garland. "Is there a pro-life judge you could support?"

She added: "The meeting didn't go much further after Schumer's pipe dream fell flat in the room, though that wouldn't be the last time I heard from Senator Schumer."

https://www.businessinsider.com/kellyanne-conway-trump-schumer-garland-gorsuch-supreme-court-nomination-2022-5

May 31, 2022

Reports of our demise in the Senate are greatly exaggerated

Republicans 48
Democrats 47
Toss up 5

We maintain control with a 50/50 split. Also, this shows AZ as a tossup when I've seen polls with Kelly clearly leading.

https://www.270towin.com/2022-senate-election/

May 31, 2022

How and when does it end in Ukraine?

This is on my mind a lot. Millions displaced and thousands killed. Enormous suffering for a people who did nothing to deserve this. I'd be more than happy to watch Putin get bled by a protracted conflict but I'm also aware of the situation for Ukrainians.

Ukraine forces Russia from it's territory? It's pretty clear we aren't getting directly involved so this doesn't seem realistic.

Russia gets to a point they have captured some eastern territory and hold? The whole thing just smolders for a considerable period of time. This seems like a very realistic possibility.

Russia finds the weight of the sanctions and costs of the invasion too great to bear so they pull back? Time will tell on this one. Sanctions won't work immediately, but it shouldn't take years.

Any other thoughts?