Sessions confirmed as AG

[Blackjack200]

What exactly did everyone win? Hating the left might keep you warm at night, but it's not really a positive agenda for the rest of us. What is Sessions going to do as AG besides pissing off Democrats?

I'm not sure if you're joking but he's going to continue to erode voting protections. You have states across the union implementing policies like voter ID, removing early voting, removing same day registration, reducing polling locations etc.

It's all designed to allow the Republicans to stay in power as the demographics of this country shift against them. The effects were already powerfully illustrated in 2016 when you have almost complete control of government, despite an electorate that was much more balanced or even in favor of democrats. The social unrest that you've seen in this country will only get worse as the representation gets worse.

 

[dainthomas]

I'm not sure if you're joking but he's going to continue to erode voting protections. You have states across the union implementing policies like voter ID, removing early voting, removing same day registration, reducing polling locations etc.

It's all designed to allow the Republicans to stay in power as the demographics of this country shift against them. The effects were already powerfully illustrated in 2016 when you have almost complete control of government, despite an electorate that was much more balanced or even in favor of democrats. The social unrest that you've seen in this country will only get worse as the representation gets worse.

One wonders how long the strategy of gerrymandering and impediments to voting is going to allow them to remain in power? Those two things are the only reason they're relevant at all.

 

[Blackjack200]

One wonders how long the strategy of gerrymandering and impediments to voting is going to allow them to remain in power? Those two things are the only reason they're relevant at all.

There's no natural limit to this. It could get better, but there's no reason it can't just get worse and worse until the US is a completely unrepresentative state.

Look at the rhetoric coming from the administration about illegal voting. Very simple to clamp down on voting by purging voter rolls etc. As people realize that they no longer have a say in their government, some will actively resist, others will give up. If enough people give up, the resisters are easily dealt with. The open vilification of immigrants and minorities will continue, and if you want to see what it looks like when a majority of people are being oppressed by a small, unrepresentative ruling class, look at Israel today or Apartheid in South Africa. That's where we could go.

The most important thing preventing all of this was the justice department checking the voting laws. Now that's gone.

 

[Vic]

I'm not sure if you're joking but he's going to continue to erode voting protections. You have states across the union implementing policies like voter ID, removing early voting, removing same day registration, reducing polling locations etc.

It's all designed to allow the Republicans to stay in power as the demographics of this country shift against them. The effects were already powerfully illustrated in 2016 when you have almost complete control of government, despite an electorate that was much more balanced or even in favor of democrats. The social unrest that you've seen in this country will only get worse as the representation gets worse.

I understand the Democrats' concerns, and how the Republican party might benefit, but what I was looking for is how does PokerGuy benefit? How does the average person who voted for Trump get anything out of this?
Reading through the thread, it seems like the only thing they're getting out of this is schadenfreude. And while that might motivate some people, it does nothing for me.

 

[Blackjack200]

I understand the Democrats' concerns, and how the Republican party might benefit, but what I was looking for is how does PokerGuy benefit? How does the average person who voted for Trump get anything out of this?
Reading through the thread, it seems like the only thing they're getting out of this is schadenfreude. And while that might motivate some people, it does nothing for me.

Absolutely, the election of Trump was rooted in hatred and contempt. That's why they like it when he handcuffs children in airports, that's why they like it when he undermines the constitution.

That's also why all this talk about America needing to come together is such a joke (Not referring to anything you said here). The election of Trump was out of pure spite. It doesn't have to motivate everyone, just the small minority that have been empowered.

 

[mect]

Its funny seeing all these people who think republicans won by silencing Warren. Sessions was going to be voted in regardless of anything Warren said. If McConnel was smart, he would have just let her say her piece and it would have all stayed in the void of CSPAN. Instead, he blows it up into a national story. Republicans sure seem to think this past election means they are invincible and will rule forevermore. You'd think losing the popular vote would have given them a little more self awareness.

 

[HomerJS]

Another prediction...

Civil Rights prosecutions will go down to practically zero.
Support for voting rights will go down to absolute zero

 

[Blackjack200]

Its funny seeing all these people who think republicans won by silencing Warren. Sessions was going to be voted in regardless of anything Warren said. If McConnel was smart, he would have just let her say her piece and it would have all stayed in the void of CSPAN. Instead, he blows it up into a national story. Republicans sure seem to think this past election means they are invincible and will rule forevermore. You'd think losing the popular vote would have given them a little more self awareness.

I've seen a lot of speculation about why McConnell did what he did. My own, admittedly uniformed speculation:

- McConnell and Southern Republican really hate Warren. Like almost to Obama/Clinton levels. Someone on MSNBC said that she makes their blood boil like none other. That would explain why she was rebuked while the 4 white men the next day were not.

- McConnell saw that there would be absolutely zero political price for shutting her down, so he did it. It wasn't some grand calculation to elevate Warren's profile or anything like that. He just knew that there wouldn't be any price to telling her to shut up, and doing it during a reading of a Coretta Scott King letter emphasized how unafraid he and the R senators were of repercussions.

 

[mect]

- McConnell saw that there would be absolutely zero political price for shutting her down, so he did it. It wasn't some grand calculation to elevate Warren's profile or anything like that. He just knew that there wouldn't be any price to telling her to shut up, and doing it during a reading of a Coretta Scott King letter emphasized how unafraid he and the R senators were of repercussions.

This is where I think they're wrong. While there won't be an immediate price to pay, they seem to be pushing for record turnout among democrats at the midterm elections.

 

[dainthomas]

http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/318870-potential-solicitor-general-pick-withdraws-name

Can't really blame him.

 

[ivwshane]

http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/318870-potential-solicitor-general-pick-withdraws-name

Can't really blame him.

I don't care what the reasoning is, this is good news! Check the guys resume, he's not someone I'd want near anything giving him power.

 

[Blackjack200]

I don't care what the reasoning is, this is good news! Check the guys resume, he's not someone I'd want near anything giving him power.

Yeah, I think this is the guy that Rachel Maddow did a pretty devastating takedown on a couple days ago. He's a ghoul.

 

[ivwshane]

Yeah, I think this is the guy that Rachel Maddow did a pretty devastating takedown on a couple days ago. He's a ghoul.

Yep

 

[zinfamous]

http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/318870-potential-solicitor-general-pick-withdraws-name

Can't really blame him.

After witnessing the treatment that my friend Jeff Sessions, a decent and honorable man who bears only good will and good cheer to everyone he meets, had to endure at the hands of a partisan opposition that will say anything and do anything to advance their political interests, I am unwilling to subject myself, my family, and my friends to such a process,” he said.

Uh huh, sure. that's right, snowflake. it was the dishonorable democrats doing their jobs that upset you so much, and not the career-ending burden of having to defend President Bannon's fever-dream legislation in front of SCOTUS for the next 0.5-3 years.

 

[Blackjack200]

Uh huh, sure. that's right, snowflake. it was the dishonorable democrats doing their jobs that upset you so much, and not the career-ending burden of having to defend President Bannon's fever-dream legislation in front of SCOTUS for the next 0.5-3 years.

I say we take him at his word and see how many other dickshits we can keep out of the federal government by reminding the Senate and the American people of who Jeff Sessions is.

From now on, the Democrats open every debate in the Senate with someone reading the Coretta Scott King letter.

 

[kage69]

I've seen a lot of speculation about why McConnell did what he did. My own, admittedly uniformed speculation:

- McConnell and Southern Republican really hate Warren. Like almost to Obama/Clinton levels. Someone on MSNBC said that she makes their blood boil like none other. That would explain why she was rebuked while the 4 white men the next day were not.

No, you nailed it. She ruffled a lot of bank and bank shareholder feathers with her Consumer Protections work. Her views on predatory capitalism make her a target of opportunity for those who work to enshrine it. She is more hated than Clinton, by far I'd say. Clinton had friends on Wall Street.

- McConnell saw that there would be absolutely zero political price for shutting her down, so he did it. It wasn't some grand calculation to elevate Warren's profile or anything like that. He just knew that there wouldn't be any price to telling her to shut up, and doing it during a reading of a Coretta Scott King letter emphasized how unafraid he and the R senators were of repercussions.

Agreed, with the caveat the price will just be taking awhile to arrive at the table. Like, another year and a half. The attention this has gotten is a boon to the Dems, Warren in particular. Turtle and our new racist munchkin AG look like the tender snowflakes the Trump voters like to portray non Trump voters as. The mention of rules and etiquette seems weak coming from the party of "You lie!" and Cheney telling another Congressman to 'go fook yourself' in session. Typical double standard coming from the ethically bankrupt.


Should mention a hat's off to Collins(R) and Murkowski(R) for showing themselves to have functioning spines. Strong women from two of my favorite States. Different nominee but still have to say it.

 

[hal2kilo]

I don't care what the reasoning is, this is good news! Check the guys resume, he's not someone I'd want near anything giving him power.

Not with this crowd. It will only be as bad if not worse. I will give this guy a few points for having enough brain cells to rub together to realize he wants no part of this shit show.

 

[PokerGuy]

What exactly did everyone win? Hating the left might keep you warm at night, but it's not really a positive agenda for the rest of us. What is Sessions going to do as AG besides pissing off Democrats?

Well, I believe he's a very qualified good man for the job, so we win in that respect. Just because you (or anyone) thinks he's a terrible choice doesn't mean that he is. We're all entitled to our opinions.

One thing I find interesting about these nominations is that the left appears to have not learned anything from their election failure (losing to the most unpopular guy ever). Instead of focusing on actual issues and areas of concern with candidates, they choose to go right to demonizing them and character assassination. Just as with Trump, they keep thinking that if you attack their character enough and just keep saying they are evil, racist, blah blah blah, that everyone will just agree that it's a bad candidate. That's just not going to happen.

 

[bshole]

Well, I believe he's a very qualified good man for the job, so we win in that respect. Just because you (or anyone) thinks he's a terrible choice doesn't mean that he is. We're all entitled to our opinions.

One thing I find interesting about these nominations is that the left appears to have not learned anything from their election failure (losing to the most unpopular guy ever). Instead of focusing on actual issues and areas of concern with candidates, they choose to go right to demonizing them and character assassination. Just as with Trump, they keep thinking that if you attack their character enough and just keep saying they are evil, racist, blah blah blah, that everyone will just agree that it's a bad candidate. That's just not going to happen.

It will be interesting to see what happens when Sessions goes after pot users/sellers in Colorado and other legalized states. Time to build some new federal prisons I guess. Freedom in America is just about to get freedomier.

Poker, Trump did NOT run on a platform of ramping up the drug war. Apparently the ONLY thing this fucktard of a human (Sessions) cares about is prosecuting a disgraceful war on the basic freedom of a person to control their own body.

 

[PokerGuy]

It will be interesting to see what happens when Sessions goes after pot users/sellers in Colorado and other legalized states. Time to build some new federal prisons I guess. Freedom in America is just about to get freedomier.

Poker, Trump did NOT run on a platform of ramping up the drug war.

That's my point. They could have gone after Sessions on actual issues: does the country really want renewed zeal in the war on marijuana? Does the country want more war on drugs with tons more incarcerations etc? What about his stance on civil forfeitures? Etc. Instead, they choose to just start screaming "he raaaaaacis" at the top of their lungs, drowning out any legitimate concerns.

 

[Blackjack200]

That's my point. They could have gone after Sessions on actual issues: does the country really want renewed zeal in the war on marijuana? Does the country want more war on drugs with tons more incarcerations etc? What about his stance on civil forfeitures? Etc. Instead, they choose to just start screaming "he raaaaaacis" at the top of their lungs, drowning out any legitimate concerns.

I don't believe in the drug war at all, but the protection of voting rights is way more important, and in this country that is a racial issue.

What exactly was stopping Republicans from asking about those things? I'd like to know.

 

[dainthomas]

That's my point. They could have gone after Sessions on actual issues: does the country really want renewed zeal in the war on marijuana? Does the country want more war on drugs with tons more incarcerations etc? What about his stance on civil forfeitures? Etc. Instead, they choose to just start screaming "he raaaaaacis" at the top of their lungs, drowning out any legitimate concerns.

These other issues are concerns. But so is having a raging racist for AG. Pretty sure the wife of MLK knows more about systemic racism, what it entails, and who perpetrates it than you do.

 

[werepossum]

In her defense, how can you debate someone's qualifications if you're only allowed to say nice things? There should really be a waiver for nominations like this.

I think this is the crux of the matter. I disagree with Warren about Sessions, but character should be the very first requirement for confirming a nominee. If she believes other than I - and we have to take her at face value here rather than assuming that she has the same conclusion but is playing partisan politics - then she has an absolute obligation as a Senator to put forth this information, no matter any Senate rules.

 

[werepossum]

Regarding Sessions and Coretta Scott King, thought this was interesting:
http://www.snopes.com/coretta-scott-king-thanked-jeff-sessions/

The video itself is real, recording a speech King delivered at the dedication of the Rosa Parks Library and Museum at Troy University in Montgomery, Alabama, in December 2000. However, King didn’t actually thank or praise Sessions during her speech.

King’s only mention of Sessions came at the very beginning of her talk, when she listed off the politicians, civil rights activists, and other dignitaries who were in attendance at the event:

To President Martindale, to Sen. Sessions, Mayor Bright, Troy State Chancellor, Jack Hawkins Jr., Dr. Dorothy Height, Ms. Johnnie Carr, Juanita Abernathy, Mammie Till-Mobley, to all of the distinguished program participants and guests in this audience today, it’s a great honor and a privilege for me to join you in celebrating the grand opening of the Rosa Parks Library and Museum.

King didn’t single out Sessions for praise or specifically thank him during her speech.

Cameron Martindale, the President of Troy University Montgomery, did thank Sessions, however. As Martindale introduced Sessions, she said that the establishment of the Rosa Parks Library would not have been possible without his support:

This project has been doubly blessed by having the support of both Alabama Senators. Senator Jeff Sessions and Senator Richard Shelby. They have worked tirelessly over the last two years to secure funding for this project and I cannot adequately thank them for what they mean to us. This project would not be possible without the support of Senator Shelby and Senator Sessions.

I suppose Senator Sessions thought the Rosa Parks Library would be the ideal place to exercise his "racism, sexism, and bigotry", eh?

 

[Vic]

That's my point. They could have gone after Sessions on actual issues: does the country really want renewed zeal in the war on marijuana? Does the country want more war on drugs with tons more incarcerations etc? What about his stance on civil forfeitures? Etc. Instead, they choose to just start screaming "he raaaaaacis" at the top of their lungs, drowning out any legitimate concerns.

If you were still sane, you'd realize that this is another strike against Sessions (and Trump), instead of using it as another excuse to be partisan.