Sunday, April 26, 2015

GOP Chairman Warns Against Hatred for Hillary Peaking Too Soon



Hillary Clinton. (photo: Andrew Burton/Getty)
Hillary Clinton. (photo: Andrew Burton/Getty)

By Andy Borowitz, The New Yorker
24 April 15
 
The article below is satire. Andy Borowitz is an American comedian and New York Times-bestselling author who satirizes the news for his column, "The Borowitz Report."

n an urgent memo to the field of G.O.P. Presidential candidates, the Republican National Committee chairman, Reince Priebus, praised them for their relentless personal attacks on Hillary Clinton, but warned that their hatred for the former Secretary of State might be “peaking too early.”
Priebus called the candidates’ ongoing evisceration of Clinton “magnificent,” but expressed his concern that “no human beings, even an impressive group like yourselves, could possibly sustain such a high intensity of throbbing hatred for an entire year and a half.”
“Remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint,” he wrote. “You need to leave some hate in the tank.”
In the conclusion of his memo, Priebus advised the candidates to take an occasional day off from hating Clinton so that they could “return to despising her with renewed freshness and vigor.”
Responding to the R.N.C. directive, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said that he understood Priebus’s concerns, but assured him that, at the end of the day, they were groundless. “Anyone who doesn’t think I’m capable of spewing an infinite stream of vitriol and bile doesn’t know what I’m made of,” he said, pointing with pride to his long record of hating President Obama.

De Blasio tells Wisconsin Democrats to fight income inequality

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks during a news conference in the Bronx on Wednesday during an Earth Day event. He appeared in Milwaukee Saturday to speak to Wisconsin Democrats.

Associated Press

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks during a news conference in the Bronx on Wednesday during an Earth Day event. He appeared in Milwaukee Saturday to speak to Wisconsin Democrats.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio told Wisconsin Democrats on Saturday that their struggles are really an opportunity to lead the nation back to "honoring work over wealth," in the state's tradition as a progressive trail blazer.
"We're living through a tough political time, but the great changes were often answers to tough times," he said. "So much has been forged in struggle, in a moment when the pathway wasn't clear."
De Blasio was the keynote speaker in Milwaukee for the party's Founders Day Gala, an event designed to stir members to action, including making donations. It was de Blasio's third recent foray into the Midwest, after speeches in Nebraska and Iowa where he insisted that he is not exploring a presidential run, just promoting his progressive agenda.
That's what he appeared to be doing for the packed ballroom of state Democrats at the Milwaukee Athletic Club, after warm-ups by Mayor Tom Barrett, state Sen. Jennifer Shilling, state Rep. Peter Barca, U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore and U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin.
De Blasio made news recently when he declined to immediately endorse his former boss, Hillary Rodham Clinton, after she announced she was running for president. He said he wanted to wait to see what vision Clinton would articulate. De Blasio served as Clinton's campaign manager for her 2000 U.S. Senate campaign.
He called it unprecedented in America that, accounting for inflation, families today are earning less than they did 25 years ago, and he put the blame on growing income inequality.
"These are seas of change, the deepest kind," he said.
He attributed the situation to leaders like Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. The New York mayor told the crowd that Walker "has gotten by by being the Everyman, then stabbing the Everyman in the back."
But he urged the room to articulate clear messages aimed at working people, people who wonder, if not doubt, that their children won't be better off than they are now.
"The Republicans are on the side of the wealthy and the wealthy alone," he said. "Meet that reality forcefully, and don't forget our core and historic progressive beliefs, and talk in sharp terms of economic reality, then the people will come to us."
"But don't give a muddled message," he warned. "It has to be a truth that's unmistakable."
In New York City, de Blasio has been promoting environmental responsibility, affordable housing, recycling — even calling for an end to garbage. He says income equality, higher minimum wages and other polices will lift 800,000 New Yorkers out of poverty. The first Democratic mayor since 1993, he also vowed to cut back on stop-and-frisk and marijuana arrests, adopt body cameras on police and stepped up police training.
A former public ombudsman under his predecessor Michael Bloomberg, de Blasio focused his 2013 campaign on the growing gap between the city's richest and poorest, a chasm other Democratic Party progressives fear may not get the attention that it deserves from the Clinton campaign.
The New York Post even reported, based on unnamed sources, that de Blasio is secretly positioning himself for his own run.
At the start of his remarks, de Blasio told of going to a Brewers game the night before with Barrett, and how so many people greeted Barrett with compliments.
He said he gets recognized when he goes to stadiums in New York, "but the people offer a different kind of greeting." New Yorkers are so busy, he said, they often just wave, and sometimes with only one finger.
About Bruce Vielmetti
author thumbnail Bruce Vielmetti writes about legal affairs.

Friday, April 24, 2015

In memoriam: Mercedes Barquet, September 25, 1947 to December 17, 2012



Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice

In memoriam: Mercedes Barquet, September 25, 1947 to December 17, 2012

Mercedes Barquet, a national of Mexico, was appointed by the Human Rights Council in May 2011 to serve as one of the first five members of the Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice. She held this position until September 17, 2012, when she resigned because of illness.
In Mexico, Ms. Barquet had a long and distinguished career, including in the academic study of gender, women’s issues and discrimination against women. She was a long-standing member of the Interdisciplinary Program for Women Studies at El Colegio de Mexico (Colmex), an academic center in the fight for women’s rights. Mercedes was also devoted to the strengthening of civil society, participating in multiple non-governmental organizations and in many assignments as a citizen board member of State and national public institutions that implemented gender policies. Over time she gained a reputation for intelligence, politeness, fairness and incorruptibility in her multiple activities.
From 1988 on, Ms. Barquet was a Faculty Member of the Interdisciplinary Program for Women Studies at Colmex. She was appointed to the Editorial Board of the Journal of Women, Politics and Policy. She representedMexico in several key occasions, including as the General Coordinator on Social Issues in the National Coordinating Committee during the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, 1995. She was member of several National Advisory and Citizens’ Boards working to promote women’s rights. Ms. Barquet was trained as an anthropologist/sociologist and received her Masters degree in Social Anthropology from the Universidad Iberoamericana and was a PhD Candidate in Sociology at Colmex.
Throughout her life, Ms Barquet contributed tirelessly to her social and civic environment, including her neighborhood. She was a long standing representative of the professors union at Colmex, helping to obtain substantial improvements in their contractual agreements. She was known for her caring nature and love of family, and for being ready to extend a helping hand to many in need. She was constantly battling destruction and waste, including by calling on the city government and the electricity company. She lived her life by an even-keeled, patient, meticulous, respectful attitude.
The members of the Working Group on discrimination against women in law and in practice express their deep regret at the untimely passing of their valuable colleague and friend. In the short time they had known and worked with her, she was always a source of thoughtful clarity and gentle compassion in the Group’s effort to carry out its mandate. Her unwavering perseverance, generosity of heart, professional commitment and passion in the fight against injustice have left a distinct mark in the Group. Mercedes Barquet’s optimism and standard of what is good and right will continue to guide the Group in carrying forward its work.
Mercedes Barquet’s seat at the Working Group has been filled by Patricia Olamendi Torres, as of December 2012.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Kochs Defend Purchase of Scott Walker

Scott Walker. (photo: Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call/Getty Images)
Scott Walker. (photo: Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call/Getty Images)
By Andy Borowitz, The New Yorker
21 April 15
 
och Industries is defending its acquisition of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker against charges that it overpaid for the Midwestern politician.
After co-owner David Koch revealed that Walker had become a wholly owned subsidiary of Koch Industries, he set off a firestorm of criticism that the company had spent too much for a worthless asset.
“There was absolutely no bidding war for Walker,” an industry analyst familiar with the market value of politicians said. “Even Sheldon Adelson had no interest in acquiring him.”
While Koch Industries did not disclose the purchase price of the Walker subsidiary, it said that Koch Industries would spend nine hundred million dollars between now and November, 2016, for a variety of upgrades to the Wisconsin governor.
In a terse statement, Koch Industries argued, “Scott Walker is a perfect fit with our diversified portfolio of elected officials,” but indicated that, if Walker underperforms, the company would be open to selling him at a later date.
 

Monday, April 13, 2015

New Hillary Clinton Ad Features Just Kittens

Hillary Clinton's new ad features just kittens. (photo: EYEON/UIG/Getty Images)
Hillary Clinton's new ad features just kittens. (photo: EYEON/UIG/Getty Images)
By Andy Borowitz, The New Yorker
13 April 15
 
The article below is satire. Andy Borowitz is an American comedian and New York Times-bestselling author who satirizes the news for his column, "The Borowitz Report."
illary Clinton has followed up the official announcement of her candidacy with a new campaign ad featuring nothing but kittens.
The sixty-second spot stars an assortment of kittens—tabbies, calicoes, Siamese, and a dozen other breeds—in a variety of adorable vignettes.
At various points in the advertisement, the kittens are shown playing in a sock drawer, tangled up in yarn, and chasing a duckling.
Clinton herself appears only in the final seconds of the ad, saying merely, “Hi. I’m Hillary.”
The commercial immediately drew the wrath of the Republican National Committee chairman, Reince Priebus, who called it “woefully short on substance.”
“There’s no mention of what Hillary Clinton would do to grow our struggling economy, fix the disaster of Obamacare, or repair our damaged reputation abroad,” a visibly furious Priebus told Fox News. “It’s just cats.”
In defense of the ad, the Clinton campaign issued the following statement: “America loves kittens. Loving kittens makes America strong. Hillary is ready for kittens. Kittens are ready for Hillary. Meow meow meow meow.”

Saturday, April 11, 2015

Schumer Is Squeezed on Various Sides Over Iran Deal

Senator Charles E. Schumer’s support of a bill that could disrupt a nuclear agreement reflects the political crosscurrents he is facing on the issue.

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Top News

South Carolina Officer Gets Murder Charge in Man’s Death

A white police officer in North Charleston, S.C., has been charged with murder after a video surfaced showing him shooting and killing an apparently unarmed black man while he fled.


Chuck Schumer Defies Obama on Iran, Says Congress Should Have Role



Monday, 06 Apr 2015 09:12 PM
By Joel Himelfarb
  • 0
    Sha
New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, in all likelihood the next Senate Democratic leader, has endorsed passage of a measure opposed by President Barack Obama that would give Congress a chance to reject the administration-brokered nuclear framework deal with Iran.
Schumer, who is also one of the most influential voices in the Iran debate, told Politico on Monday that "I strongly believe that Congress should have the right to disapprove any agreement" dealing with Iran's nuclear program.
Schumer threw his support behind legislation introduced by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker to allow Congress to vote to suspend the lifting of sanctions on Iran.

Schumer's comments "illustrate the enormity of the task ahead for President Barack Obama and his team," Politico noted. While there's no certainty that Congress would reject a nuclear deal with Iran, "there's an increasingly bipartisan consensus that Congress should at least have the ability to do so."

With no Democratic co-sponsors publicly backing away from the Corker bill, some supporters say they have detected a new tone from the White House. They point to comments made by Obama to the New York Times over the weekend in which he suggested finding some kind of legislative compromise "that allows Congress to express itself but does not encroach on traditional presidential prerogatives."

Virginia Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine, usually a stalwart supporter of Obama, called the president's tone in the interview with the Times "a recognition of the reality of the situation" in Congress.
Latest News Update
"They are now in a realistic position," said Kaine, who co-wrote the Corker bill while consulting with the White House on technical issues.

The bill would give Congress 60 days to review the framework agreement with Iran by freezing sanctions relief for the Islamist regime, and would permit lawmakers the ability to formally approve or disapprove of the deal.

"The argument that the Corker bill somehow interferes with the negotiations is a complete red herring," Kaine said. "I did not sign onto this bill because of an anti-diplomacy mindset."

If Republicans are intent on formally rejecting Obama's push to lift sanctions on Iran, and likely killing the nuclear agreement, they face a difficult task.

First, Politico reported, Corker would need to win the support of all 54 Republicans and 13 Democrats for his bill. Obama would presumably veto it and send it back to Capitol Hill for what would be a high-stakes override vote.
After that, the Republicans could file a "motion of disapproval" that would also have to withstand another Obama veto. The entire process "could easily take until late May, and all along the White House would be free to continue ironing out the final technical document governing the deal," Politico said.

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