(C) Daily Kos
This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered.
. . . . . . . . . .
Good News Roundup for Friday, June 16, 2023: Choosing Hope [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2023-06-16
Welcome 🌻 to Friday’s Roundup of Good News!
Hey, I’m glad that tRump has been indicted (twice) and I’m enjoying the chaos in the R party.
But don’t you wish the media would talk about other things? At least part of the time?
Fox News was rightfully castigated for showing a chryon that implied that President Biden is a “Wannabe Dictator” — but at least they showed a picture of President Biden! Also, given the authoritarian bent of the Fox News audience, that chryon might actually make Biden more appealing to them! (Yes, yes, I know it’s not true; Biden did not order the arrest, it was a grand jury).
This focus on just tRump and the antics of the GOP cannot be good for us. Other things are happening. There are some real accomplistments to celebrate:
INflation is down
tRump is INdicted (again)
INfrastructure is moving along
I understand that weaning the media and the audience of tRump everything everywhere all at once will be hard, and we still have to know enough to fight where needed.
It’s also true that a common enemy is useful in uniting us, in keeping us focused on the threat. With my own sense of urgency / depression being dialed down a bit from fire engine red to some less terrifying color, I’m having to recalibrate my emotions and purpose. I’d say it’s like returning from a war, but I’ve never done that, so I can’t be sure. That’s a good thing, but also a kind of weird thing. Is it OK to be less worried?
The Ds have been doing some good things. For our happiness, for our health, I believe we need to get the world to focus more on team blue.
We don’t have complete control over our emotions. And sometimes we can do nothing about them.
But sometimes we can influence how we feel. Sometimes we can decide to choose happiness, health and hope.
Come in, gnusies, and see what some of the good guys are doing!
Regular Scheduled Programming
No one here is naïve; we are aware of the many who are fighting to destroy our country. Some of us expected it: the cheating, the lying, the chaos, and yes, even the attempts to cling to power despite the clear will of the people. But we are here to read the efforts and the positive results of those (including us and our fellow gnus) who are working so hard to save our country from those very bad people. We are furious with them for what they are doing and we are letting them know. Remember:
💙 There are more of us than there are of them.
💛 They are terrified when we organize. THERE IS LOTS OF EVIDENCE THAT THEY ARE TERRIFIED!
💔 They want us to be demoralized. The best way to keep up your spirits is to fight. So, take the time to recharge your batteries, but find ways to contribute to the well-being of our country and our world.
🗽 Biden as President ! 🗽
Biden, Harris and their administration have been hard at work. Here are the last week’s posts at the White House briefing room.
👎 Out with the Bad, In with the Good 👍
President Biden names some of the companies getting rid of junk fees White House Briefing Room
Junk fees — hidden, surprise fees that companies sneak onto customer bills — are a pervasive problem in industries across the economy. That’s why the President has been calling on federal agencies, Congress, and private companies to take action to address these fees and provide consumers with honest, transparent pricing. A large body of research has shown that fees charged at the back-end of the buying process, along with other types of junk fees, make it harder to comparison shop, impede competition, and lead to consumers paying more. Today, the President is announcing actions by several companies in answer to that call. President Biden will be joined by representatives from Live Nation, SeatGeek, xBk, Airbnb, the Pablo Center at the Confluence, TickPick, DICE, and the Newport Festivals Foundation — companies large and small that currently provide all-in pricing or are announcing a new commitment to do so in the coming months.
Judge allows E Jean Carroll to amend lawsuit Reuters, The Guardian
A federal judge on Tuesday said E Jean Carroll, the New York writer who last month won a $5m jury verdict against Donald Trump for sexual abuse and defamation, can pursue a related $10m defamation case against the former US president. ✂️ The Adult Survivors Act did not exist when Carroll filed her first lawsuit. But she can argue that Trump’s original comments caused her greater reputational and financial harm, including the loss of her job at Elle, justifying greater damages. In Tuesday’s order, Judge Kaplan also gave the US Department of Justice until 13 July to assess whether it could be substituted for Trump as the defendant. A substitution would essentially end Carroll’s $10m lawsuit because the government cannot be sued for defamation.
It’s fairly complicated, but potentially quite good. The DOJ under Barr said Carroll couldn’t sue tRump because he was president. The change in the case would give Garland a good reason to reverse that proceeding.
Also, the Judge Kaplan has set the date of the trial for Jan 15, 2024:
x JUST IN: Judge Kaplan has set E. Jean Carroll's next civil trial against Trump for Jan. 15, 2024, unless it's resolved before then. pic.twitter.com/zMFJA1RAqI — Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) June 15, 2023
💣 Republicans: Party of Crimes and Chaos 💣
What is the Grand Old Potty doing these days? How are they defending this?
Some Rs really want tRump to go away Evan Hurst, Wonkette
One common reaction to Donald Trump's indictment and impending arraignment and imprisonment in Guantanamo among Republican MAGA types has been "HILLARY DID A CLASSIFIED! AND JOE BIDEN DID A CLASSIFIED! ALSO, DOING A CLASSIFIED ISN'T BAD IF IT'S TRUMP!" Or something like that, all their screaming sounds the same after a while. But another amusing reaction is the wailing about "WHERE'S MITCH MCCONNELL?" And the answer, as always, is he is not coming to help you. McConnell is an evil motherfucker, but he's smart, and he ain't going down with that loser ship. After Trump's indictment in Manhattan, McConnell, who had just come back from recovering after a fall, said, “I may have hit my head, but I didn’t hit it that hard,” and "Good try," when asked to comment. He didn't goddamn care. And from the sounds of it, a bunch of Republican senators might not either. ✂️ Here's John Thune, who is the next most powerful Republican in the Senate after McConnell, who is still shutting his yap as far as we can see: “You’re talking about national security secrets, classified information and a very detailed indictment,” he said.
He added, “The president, as he should be under our system, will be presumed innocent until proven guilty, and I think it’ll be a very high burden of proof for the Justice Department, for the special prosecutor to make his case.”
tRump about to have his Wile E. Coyote moment David Rothkopf, The Daily Beast
Donald Trump is rapidly approaching his Wile E. Coyote moment. You know the one I mean, when the constantly scheming but dim-witted Looney Tunes predator races off a cliff only to realize, moments later, that there’s nothing beneath him but a canyon floor far below. This is what is happening to Trump. He’s churning along confident that the MAGA rocket pack that has boosted his political career for the past seven years will continue to carry him forward, intimidating his rivals, and guaranteeing him political relevance and all the grift that goes with it. ✂️ The facts show that Trump’s support is beginning to erode in multiple meaningful ways. The ground is literally giving way beneath his feet, even if he and a goodly chunk of the punditerati don’t know it yet. ✂️ To those who say Trump’s base is being energized by his arrest for endangering U.S. national security, you wouldn’t know it from the sparse MAGA crowd assembled outside the Miami courthouse where Trump was arraigned on Tuesday. ✂️ And if things look bad with the crowds Trump is drawing, they look even worse with his former cabinet. One by one, a really astonishing array of former senior Trump officials have come out criticizing their boss and suggesting that he got himself into a real mess as a result of stealing nuclear secrets and military plans among other highly classified documents. Former Vice President Mike Pence, now running against Trump for the 2024 GOP nomination, said after reading the Trump indictment, “These are very serious allegations. And I can’t defend what is alleged.”
Ken Paxton having slightly better week than tRump Stephen Robinson, Wonkette
Let's take a break from laughing at Donald Trump's terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week to laugh at Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week. You will recall that Paxton, a Republican, has been impeached by the Texas House — a whole bunch of Republicans — for allegedly taking bribes from real estate developer Nate Paul. Paxton was sued by members of his own staff whom he fired after they blew the whistle on him abusing his position to benefit Paul. He reached a $3.3 million settlement to stop the charges being aired in court, but that money had to be appropriated by the Legislature, which instead launched the investigation that led to the impeachment. It cannot have been welcome news to Paxton that Paul was indicted last week in the Western District of Texas on eight counts of making false financial statements. (Who among us hasn't told a bank that we had $31.6 million on hand when the actual figure was less than $500,000?) And as The Dallas Morning News notes, Paul's indictment makes no mention of Paxton at all, suggesting that the FBI intends to flip Paul to get at the AG.
Members of Michigan GOP get fined for baseless election lawsuit Emine Yücel, Talking Points Memo
A judge this week ordered the Michigan Republican Party Chairwoman Kristina Karamo and six others to pay more than $58,000 in legal fees racked up by the Detroit clerk’s office as it fought a lawsuit filed by the party last year claiming — without evidence — that there was wrongdoing in Detroit’s election. In the Monday order, Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Timothy Kenny said the October 2022 lawsuit was “rife with speculation, an absence of facts and a lack of understanding of Michigan election statutes and Detroit absentee ballot procedures.” At the time of the lawsuit, Karamo, who was the lead plaintiff on the case, was running as the Republican nominee for secretary of state. Two weeks after the lawsuit was filed, Karamo lost the election to incumbent Democrat Jocelyn Benson by a double-digit margin. Months later, she was elected as the state GOP chair.
🚚 💙 Democrats Deliver 💙 🚚
Let’s focus on all the good economic news Simon Rosenberg, Hopium Chronicles
Joe Biden Has Been A Good President. Despite Enormous Challenges His Economic Plan Is Working - Under Biden: 7 times as many jobs as last 3 GOP Presidents COMBINED - 13.1m now
In last few months record lows in unemployment, uninsured, poverty rates
US has had the strongest economic recovery in G7
GDP growth under Biden over 3%, 3x what it was under Trump
Last month’s 339,000 jobs = 3 years of job growth under Bushes and Trump
The deficit went up every year under Trump, has come down every year under Biden. New budget deal with Rs keeps it moving downward.
Wages and new business formation continue to come in at very elevated levels. The Black unemployment last month was the lowest ever recorded
The GDNow forecast from the Atlanta Fed has GDP growth coming in at over 2% this quarter, meaning we are not headed towards recession
Job satisfaction is at an all time high Inflation Is Coming Back Down To Pre-Pandamic, Pre-Russian Invasion Levels. This is Very Good News - The twin shocks of COVID and the Russian invasion of Ukraine made inflation a dangerous global phenomenon, which was of course a central tactic Russia used to try to weaken Western resolve against his aggression. Last year at this time, shortly after the Russian invasion, inflation spiked to over 9% on annualized basis. Last month it had come down all the way to 1.2% on annualized basis, and has been at 2.2% annualized over the last 3 months. This is well within the Fed’s traditional inflation target and suggests the economy is on the verge of having gotten to the other side of these twin shocks. It is all very good news. Source: More Good News on Inflation. Not only has America’s recovery from COVID been the best in the G7, but inflation remains 50% higher in Europe and more than double in the UK
🌈 👦 👧 Colorado Democrats won’t ban drag shows but it will expand child tax credits Stephen Robinson Wonkette
Colorado's Democratic Gov. Jared Polis signed into law this month House Bill 1112, which expands the state's Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit to $1200 per child under six for lowest-income households. Colorado's CTC is now the second largest in the country. "Expanding these tax credits will put $170 million back into the pockets of hardworking Coloradans,” said Democratic state Rep. Shannon Bird, who sponsored the bill with Rep. Mary Young, as well as Democratic state senators Chris Hansen and Chris Kolker. "These tax credits have lifted thousands of Coloradans across the state out of poverty, and I’m proud to champion this essential legislation.”
🛌🏻🛌🏻🛌🏻Governor Mills increases the number of beds in Maine for dealing with substance use disorders Press Release
Governor Janet Mills announced today that 140 new residential treatment beds for substance use disorder (SUD) will be created across the state, an increase of nearly 40 percent supported by $6 million in funding awarded by her Administration. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) has awarded funding to six providers for renovation, capital and startup costs related to new or expanded beds for residential SUD treatment and medically supervised withdrawal (detoxification). The projects are at various stages of development, with more than 70 new beds already online or coming online within weeks, and the remainder expected to come online by the end of the year.
💜 Unity? 💜
Motion to table censure of Adam Schiff passes in House. Kristin Wilson, Clare Foran Henry Talbot CNN
A Republican-led effort to censure Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff has failed in a key House vote. The House voted Wednesday on a motion to table – or kill – the resolution, a motion put forward by House Democrats. Enough Republicans crossed the aisle in support for the effort to succeed in blocking the censure. The vote was 225 to 196 with 20 Republicans voting with Democrats to table the resolution. The censure resolution, sponsored by GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, broadly criticizes Schiff with a focus on his role in investigations of the former president. The freshman Republican said after the failed attempt that she would try again next week and would revise her measure to attract more GOP support.
You can check here to see how your rep voted. As I have mentioned before, I have been surprised by the reasonableness of the actions of my R rep — thanks, gerrymandering! — who has vile rhetoric but bipartisan votes. Ciscomani was one of the 20 who crossed the aisle. Of course, I would prefer a D, but as long as that is not possible, it’s better than being represented by Andy Biggs or by Paul Gosar, some of the worst from Arizona. 🌵
It’s weird that the word “table” means to NOT do something. But there you go.
Also, Santos only voted “present”.
Supreme Court acted reasonably again! In case you can’t read the tweet, it’s about the Supreme Court upholding the act that prevents Native American babies from being taken away from their parents to be raised by others.
x My full statement on the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act pic.twitter.com/V8e97j1sgg — Secretary Deb Haaland (@SecDebHaaland) June 15, 2023
Also, Alabama to act! In case you can’t read the tweet, it’s about Alabama’s intention to redraw its congressional district maps, presumably giving blacks (and Ds) another by reduction of gerrymandering.
x 🚨NEW: Following Supreme Court decision, Alabama tells federal court that state legislature "intends to enact a new congressional plan" by July 21. pic.twitter.com/DSiE1WQn7F — Marc E. Elias (@marceelias) June 16, 2023
📥 Actions You Can Take 📤
Tax-exempt organization complaint referrals. 13909. You can fill this out for the NRA and lots of other organizations. How about if some of us white folk go into some of the MAGA churches and video record what they’re saying?
Voting rights. This may be the biggest issue threatening our democracy right now. Besides contacting your representatives at the state and federal level to do the right thing (depending on who they are), you can support and contact these organizations:
ACLU — American Civil Liberties Union
Democracy Docket — founded by Marc Elias, so important in fighting the challenges after the last election.
Fair Fight — founded by Stacey Abrams
🌱Grass roots. Biden and Harris can do the top-down stuff, but we have to support from the bottom. I don’t know how to deprogram 75 million people, but some things have been written about, such as deep canvassing, and lots of people are talking about this. If you know someone (who did not storm the Capitol), then see if you can be pleasant. Instead of trying to reason with them (logic is obviously not their strong point) distract them with something else. We need to remove the sources of lies and to take down the temperature. If we get more of the Rs to wear masks and to get vaccinated and to vote for Ds, the country will be a better place. We need to coax some of them out of the rabbit holes and diffuse the anger and the crazy.
🏃 Run for something. If you want to run for something, but have no idea what to do, these people will help you. They also like money and volunteers to help those people who are running, so even if you’re not in a position to stand for office, you can help. Note: they are especially planning to target the 57 Rs in local governments who participated in the insurrection.
👎 Defund the seditionists. Defund the seditionists. This is a list with companies that sometimes have donated to the seditionists. The list is long. You will recognize many of the corporations, and you probably have a relationship with some — either you are a customer, a shareholder, or maybe even an employee. Contact them and compliment or complain, but let them know you are watching. Forward it to others.
🔎 Want to check out what’s going on with campaign contributions? Check out this diary. 👀
🐍 Schadenfreude 😈
Producer who created “Wannabe Dictator” chryon is gone from Fox News William Vailllancourt, Justin Baragona, Lachlan Cartwright, The Daily Beast
The Fox News producer who authored the network’s chyron Tuesday night labeling President Joe Biden a “wannabe dictator” has parted ways with the company, two sources told The Daily Beast on Thursday. Former Tucker Carlson Tonight managing editor Alexander McCaskill, who features prominently in a toxic work environment lawsuit by a former colleague, is no longer with the network—a topic that Carlson himself discussed in the latest episode of his Tucker on Twitter video series.
Note the source is Tucker Carlson, which means we should take a lot of salt with this.
⚡️ MSNBC won the ratings war last week, beating FAUX news and CNN News Corpse, Daily Kos
Not quoting from the article as you can all visit, but it is in an indication that Ds are happy while Rs are unhappy and demoralized. They are turning away from the news. And this is good, for so many reasons. If they are disengaged, they will be easier to beat in Nov 2024. If they stay away from fox news, the brain cells of some of them may recover.
tRump left his supporters hungry in Versailles Laine Doss, New Miami Times
The local press was on hand to capture footage of the large crowd milling outside to greet their man. Inside the bakery, Trump supporters fawned over their man, regaling the soon-to-turn-77-year-old with a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday" a day early and holding a group prayer. Former MMA fighter Jorge Masvidal, sporting a University of Miami ball cap, hailed Trump as "everybody's favorite president of all time" after embracing the former leader of the free world. A glad-handing Trump was heard to declare, "Food for everyone!" So, New Times wondered, did Trump — who famously fancies his chicken from KFC and his steaks well-done and slathered with ketchup but isn't exactly known for picking up the check — treat his fan club to a spread of croquetas, pastelitos, and cubanos chased with cafecitos?
It turns out no one got anything. Not even a cafecito to-go.
Mueller She Wrote and Joyce Vance on Judge Cannon
Post news doesn’t allow me to copy and repost, but there are reasons why the appointment of Judge Cannon may not be the problem we think it is. Basically, in a case of this sort, involving CIPA, things can get overturned much faster and she can be removed if she is out of line.
Right after the Tuesday arraignment (note, according to DoctorStrange, this was not the actual former guy but someone acting like him — but the little girl was apparently sincere)
x Out of the mouth of babes:
TFG: “You wanna take a picture with me?”
Brilliant little girl: “You are a disgrace to the world.”
Wise and pure truth from a child who saw this con for what he really is where millions didn’t. #TrumpArraignment#ResistanceUnited#DemVoice1#wtp pic.twitter.com/GdRXYq6usb — 💙Maca💙 We Are Not Done #Biden/Harris2024 (@rotterdamvvg) June 13, 2023
More on that, for those who can’t read tweets: Jack Smith has filed "The United States of America vs. Donald J Trump" (doesn't that sound wonderful?) under CIPA or Classified Information Procedures Act. That means that any ruling by Judge Cannon can be immediately appealed to a supervising Judge. So that should further shut down Judge Cannon. Jack Smith will wipe up the floor with Cannon. Even if she dismisses the case on directed verdict on a defense motion. It will either be reviewed or possibly overturned. I think. I have had to take a crash course in the CIPA rules today. Either way. Plug in the toaster. MAGA Judge Cannon and Donald Trump are both toast.
Here’s the tweet:
x Jack Smith has filed "The United States of America vs. Donald J Trump" (doesn't that sound wonderful?) under CIPA or Classified Information Procedures Act. That means that any ruling by Judge Cannon can be immediately appealed to a supervising Judge. So that should further shut…
https://t.co/GhGntqHbED pic.twitter.com/N4mikQb9fO — Marty Taylor (@MartyTa94849826) June 15, 2023
Now, I Am Not A Lawyer (IANAL), and many of the talking heads are not bringing up these points, so I don’t know how valid they are. But I’m pretty impressed by this Smith guy; I think he knows what he’s doing.
🍑 Down in Georgia! In response to New York...
x Letitia James recently appeared to suggest that all state-level cases against Trump would pause until the DOJ was done with Trump. I assumed she misspoke, because she knows that's not how it works. Now Fani Willis in confirming that her Trump case won't be affected by the DOJ. — Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) June 14, 2023
And we don’t know what we don’t know about what Smith may be doing:
x Important article. Jack Smith could have a spying case centered around Bedminster. This one would be even worse than MAL- Trump selling defense secrets to third parties. The public needs to know badly Trump was willing to harm US national defense for money
https://t.co/IaOGLjfcAb — Tom Joseph (@TomJChicago) June 14, 2023
The Atlantic has told me I have no more articles available, but even the tweet says a lot.
Russian soldiers waiting two hours for a motivational speech get blasted by Ukraine Matthew Loh, Yahoo News
Russian military bloggers said a Russian unit suffered heavy casualties from Ukrainian artillery while waiting in formation for a commander to give a motivational speech. The claim triggered a flurry of furious posts on Wednesday from the pro-war bloggers, who slammed the unnamed commander.
The actual casualties are not yet known, and we don’t celebrate loss of life here. But I wonder if the fact that the commander was late gave the Ukrainians the time to plan and execute the attack. Sometimes, punctuality matters! We do enjoy the incompetence of the Rs and the Russians.
📣 Let’s Honor Truth ☀️️
Special Counsel Jack Smith and his team are getting this week’s medal:
Special Counsel Smith was also at the arraignment on Tuesday. Good for him! Apparently some people are intimidated by tfg when meeting him in public.
And, in case you have not read the indictment — it’s not a long read — here it is: PBS pdf of trump indictment. You can even download it! The pictures are only in black and white; they must have issued different versions elsewhere.
Well done, Mr. Smith! And keep at it, please!
🌹 Let’s Celebrate Love ❤️
Love can be just helping a stranger on an escalator:
x The beauty of strangers' kindness warms hearts... pic.twitter.com/DbHBrWTSPY — Tansu YEĞEN (@TansuYegen) June 10, 2023
📎 Odds & Ends 📎
⭐️ 🌙 ☀️ UK announces solar projects in space! Paige Bennett EcoWatch
The UK government has announced £4.3 million ($5.4 million) in funding for space-based solar projects, which will go to UK universities and technology companies. Space-based solar power involves setting up solar panels on satellites sent into space. The panels collect solar energy, and wireless technology can send the power back down to Earth, as explained by the UK government in a statement. Eight projects will be awarded portions of the funding.
🐶 👨 Man saves lots of dogs from fire!
x In Peru, this man risked his life to rescue 25 dogs trapped in a burning building.
His name is Sebastián Arias.
Know his name.pic.twitter.com/7AMHFCbgk8 — Goodable (@Goodable) June 14, 2023
🐦 I do a lot of other writing. A recent offering: Hunters of the Feather, a story about a thinker-linker crow who wants to save birdkind from extinction, and sequels, Scavengers of Mind and the brand-new Familiars of the Flock (They’re really good! They’re really cheap! Buy and review or rate positively! And Hunters is also available on Audible!) Other stories, based on Jane Austen novels — including a new one for lovers of Pride & Prejudice, Mrs. Bennet’s Advice to Young Ladies — and others on Greek mythology, can be found here. All titles are available through Kindle Unlimited, but I only get paid if you turn the pages.
Note that the US Kindle version of Hunters of the Feather is currently being featured on Amazon prime. That means that if you have US Amazon prime, you can download it for free these days!
💙 What You Can Do to Rescue Democracy 💙
It turns out that participation in democracy is not just an every-four-years event but requires active participation, like, whenever you can find time.
Current projects:
Look in the comments for Progressive Muse’s report on Postcards to Voters
And some other ideas:
You can relax and recharge.
You can join protests and freeway blog.
You can help register new voters.
You can smile.
You can say something nice to friend or a stranger.
You can get out the vote for special elections.
You can reach out to upset Republicans. We need to win some back.
You can share your ideas below.
🌻
💙 “Our history has been a constant struggle between the American ideal that we all are created equal and the harsh ugly reality that racism, nativism, fear, demonization have long torn us apart. The battle is perennial, and victory is never assured.” 💙
President Joseph R. Biden
🌹 🌹 🌹
[END]
---
[1] Url:
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/6/16/2174947/-Good-News-Roundup-for-Friday-June-16-2023-Choosing-Hope
Published and (C) by Daily Kos
Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified.
via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds:
gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/
