The Biden Presidency - 2020

[bronconick]

Originally Posted by cartman

This administration did not divert money from the FEMA relief funds to use on immigrants. But there was another administration that did.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...order-n1046691

Every accusation is a confession.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

They did go on record. There's plenty of quotes out there from House GOPers saying they won't increase FEMA funding. Funding bills start in the House and the President doesn't have the power to just make them vote on everything he wants.

He didn't formally propose it. He didn't declare it as emergency spending. He didn't spend months promoting it to the media and taking an hour in prime time to sell it to the publc. He didn't offer up Trump's immigration bill in return for its passage. He did do that with the foreign aid bill.

It's not all his fault but he did choose which spending was more important. It's fair to question why he cared more about bombing an orphanage halfway around the globe as opposed to making sure there was enough disaster relief and kids could eat in this country.

[JPhillips]

How exactly does that all work during the summer? Biden is willing to shut down the government over FEMA funds when there aren't any major disasters? He calls a prime time address to discuss FEMA funding when maybe 1% of the country gives a shit about it?

[RainMaker]

If no one cares about FEMA funds, there is nothing to be upset about. I'm just saying that when you prioritize spending for foreign countries over your own, don't be upset if people get mad about it.

[RainMaker]

There was some other stuff in the plan like money for child care, substance abuse programs, and access to the internet for low income families. Sure it's not as important as drone striking the World Central Kitchen, but I think would have been worth putting some effort into.

[JPhillips]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

If no one cares about FEMA funds, there is nothing to be upset about. I'm just saying that when you prioritize spending for foreign countries over your own, don't be upset if people get mad about it.

It's always the same disingenuous nonsense.

If only something had happened between summer and now that would make FEMA funds more important and more politically expedient.

[Dutch]

Blinken announces USA will send $156 million to Lebanon for their disaster of a state that allows Hezbollah to shoot thousands of rockets at Israeli farmers, women and kids because Hezbollah’s allies down south started a war by targeting, raping and killing thousands of Jewish kids.

Meanwhile, OUR allies literally wouldn’t mind if we transferred that money to FEMA instead since Mayokras said his agency is broke.

I know what you’re going to say already. Let me give it a go. ABC News will report that this money will save many lives in Beirut and they will gush over Blinken for looking out for Lebanese families in need. CBS News will say the move is ‘heroic’ though they will acknowledged they’re not sure why, exactly, NBC News will blast Trump for not sending that money 6 years ago, and MSNBC will say something about how helping people in North Carolina is a threat to democracy.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

It's always the same disingenuous nonsense.

If only something had happened between summer and now that would make FEMA funds more important and more politically expedient.

Who could have predicted a hurricane hitting the United States?

[cuervo72]

Well, that’s it then I guess. No money for anything until every last house is rebuilt!

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by Dutch

Blinken announces USA will send $156 million to Lebanon for their disaster of a state that allows Hezbollah to shoot thousands of rockets at Israeli farmers, women and kids because Hezbollah’s allies down south started a war by targeting, raping and killing thousands of Jewish kids.

The people targeting, raping, and killing kids aren't Hezbollah. And by farmers, you mean illegal settlers (which is where they are lobbing missiles at).

I wonder why Lebanon is such a disaster. It's almost like an ethnostate to the South keeps invading them every decade. Should really look into that.

[NobodyHere]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Should really look into that.

Can you please give a short biased report on that? I'm sure we're all looking forward to that.

[cuervo72]

It’s an oversimplification, but there were about thirty years where Syria occupied half the country, and 20 years where Israel occupied another half of the country. So yeah, Lebanon hasn’t exactly had an easy time of things.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by NobodyHere

Can you please give a short biased report on that? I'm sure we're all looking forward to that.

Israel has invaded Lebanon like 4 or 5 times in the past 50 years. It even occupied a chunk of its land for like 20 years. They created a doctrine where they intentionally target civilians (Dahiya doctrine, look it up). Even Reagan thought what they were doing was too fucked up to support.

All stuff you can look up to confirm.

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Israel has invaded Lebanon like 4 or 5 times in the past 50 years. It even occupied a chunk of its land for like 20 years. They created a doctrine where they intentionally target civilians (Dahiya doctrine, look it up). Even Reagan thought what they were doing was too fucked up to support.

All stuff you can look up to confirm.

Specific to Dahiya, see below wiki

In other words, it intentionally targets civilian infrastructure and not civilians. And it does that because Israel believes the baddies are hiding themselves/weapons in/under/near the civilian infrastructures.

If Hamas/Hezbollah is so worried about it, the answer is for them stop using civilian infrastructures to hide, keep hostages, launch attacks etc.

Dahiya doctrine - Wikipedia

The Dahiya doctrine, or Dahya doctrine,[1] is an Israeli military strategy involving the large-scale destruction of civilian infrastructure, or domicide, to pressure hostile governments.[2] The doctrine was outlined by former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of General Staff Gadi Eizenkot. Israel colonel Gabi Siboni wrote that Israel "should target economic interests and the centers of civilian power that support the organization".[3] The logic is to harm the civilian population so much that they will then turn against the militants, forcing the enemy to sue for peace.[3][4]

A little more context

What happened in the Dahieh quarter of Beirut in 2006 will happen in every village from which shots will be fired in the direction of Israel. We will wield disproportionate power and cause immense damage and destruction. From our perspective, these are military bases. [...] This isn't a suggestion. It's a plan that has already been authorized. [...] Every one of the Shiite villages is a military site, with headquarters, an intelligence center, and a communications center. Dozens of rockets are buried in houses, basements, attics, and the village is run by Hezbollah men. In each village, according to its size, there are dozens of active members, the local residents, and alongside them fighters from outside, and everything is prepared and planned both for a defensive battle and for firing missiles at Israel.

[GrantDawg]

There goes this thread.

[GrantDawg]

It doesn't matter how many govenors, how many local leaders, how many people actually living in the region tells you how great the responses has been, how massive the presence of rescuers, how hard and rapidly they are all working, people with agendas that have nothing to do with actually helping anybody in North Carolina or any other state affected by this hurricane are going to continue to lie and try to make political brownie points. Not one dollar sent to Lebanon, or Israel, or Ukraine takes away one dollar for disaster relief. If Republicans want to help the people affected in those communities, then the GOP that leads congress can come back right now and add funds to disaster relief. Nothing is stopping them but their own desire to spread lies.

[Ksyrup]

And apparently hinder relief efforts (assuming there really is no more money which is what they are saying) to hurt a political opponent instead of help people. Same thing we saw with the failed bill to help ease the BORDER CRISIS!!

[GrantDawg]

I watched dozens of videos last night from people in the region pleading for the lies to end. They are telling people that the government are seizing their land, that their hiding bodies in mass graves, that they having "town meetings" in severely damaged communities and if you are not there you won't get relief money. Meanwhile there is hardly one video where you can't hear the helicopters overhead bringing relief, doing rescues.


It is all so evil.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by Edward64

In other words, it intentionally targets civilian infrastructure and not civilians.

You post some dumb stuff man but this has to be a troll.

[Edward64]

We think differently and see the world with different lenses.

[JPhillips]

Originally Posted by cuervo72

Well, that’s it then I guess. No money for anything until every last house is rebuilt!

Rebuilt even before they are damaged!

[flere-imsaho]

Edit: this made more sense on the previous page. Carry on, nevermind, nothing to see here.

[Edward64]

Joe, I don't disagree with your decision but why bring it up 30 days to election? A "too little, too late" so don't even bring it up. I don't see this helping Kamala but possibly discouraging some of the more progressive Dem voters.

Biden administration won’t extend legal status for certain migrants from four countries | CNN Politics

The Biden administration won’t extend legal permissions for certain migrants from Nicaragua, Cuba, Venezuela and Haiti provided through a temporary humanitarian program designed to curb illegal border crossings, requiring them to seek other legal means to remain in the United States, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

The decision comes nearly two years after the administration rolled out a program geared toward Venezuelans seeking to come to the United States, allowing them to temporarily live and work in the US as a way to mitigate surges at the border. The program required that these migrants have a sponsor in the US, undergo screening and vetting, and complete vaccinations.

The administration later extended the program to Nicaraguans, Cubans and Haitians, describing it as a way for migrants to come to the US in an orderly manner.

But the program became a political flashpoint as Republicans have argued the administration was misusing parole authority and have frequently cited the program in their criticism of President Joe Biden’s immigration policies.

By the end of August, nearly 530,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans had flown into the US under the policy, according to federal data. The program is still available to new applicants from the four countries, though the administration briefly paused it this summer over concerns about fraud.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by cuervo72

Well, that’s it then I guess. No money for anything until every last house is rebuilt!

As unrealistic as this dig is, no one would argue it’s a better strategy than the opposite unrealistic dig, which would be, “Let’s give our money to terrorists untilthey can bomb all the houses of our allies.”

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by Dutch

As unrealistic as this dig is, no one would argue it’s a better strategy than the opposite unrealistic dig, which would be, “Let’s give our money to terrorists untilthey can bomb all the houses of our allies.”

Except that they aren't giving it to terrorist, unless you think everyone brown and talks funny are terrorist. Lebanon has a huge Christian population, how very Christ-like to not give them aid.

[JPhillips]

Pew estimates that 43% of the population in Lebanon is Christian. Even if you want to say all Muslims are terrorists, there are lots of Christians there.

[cuervo72]

Yeah, but they're slightly brown Christians.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

Except that they aren't giving it to terrorist, unless you think everyone brown and talks funny are terrorist. Lebanon has a huge Christian population, how very Christ-like to not give them aid.

I hate to break it to you, but the population doesn’t distribute the money. Not sure what you’re hearing, but the money goes to the government and the Lebanese government cannot get rid of Hezbollah even when Hezbollah uses Lebanese territory every day to fire rockets into Israel.

If there is any racism here, it’s allowing Hezbollah to build their bunkers under civilian buildings in what I assume is predominantly “Brown skinned” civilians territory and allowing them to fire those rockets at Jewish people…and you not giving a shit about it. That appears more and more like a projection of your own issues.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

Pew estimates that 43% of the population in Lebanon is Christian. Even if you want to say all Muslims are terrorists, there are lots of Christians there.

Well, I’ve never said that and you’ve probably accused me of it many times like you are right now. The message appears to be that you want this to be about race, but it’s not logical and certainly not my message. You are the ones broadcasting this repeatedly, not me.

We have a friend in Israel and we will help them against terror. We will do whatever it takes to help them. Lebanon should do the same and if they can’t or won’t, then we’ll back our key alliance member in the region. I would hope the people of Lebanon would support the destruction of Hezbollah and the removal of those terrorists from their soil, but it’s not up to them, it’s up to their government. Lebanon needs to step up to the plate and show some resolve in ending this war.

[JPhillips]

That's roughly the same as saying it would be okay to bomb New Orleans because of crime and if the people didn't want to be bombed they should have stopped all the crime.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by cuervo72

Yeah, but they're slightly brown Christians.

And other one. You’re barking up the wrong tree as usual.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

That's roughly the same as saying it would be okay to bomb New Orleans because of crime and if the people didn't want to be bombed they should have stopped all the crime.

Hehe, no, it’s not roughly the same. We’re talking about a war where organized terrorists are dedicated to the genocide of the people of the Jewish religion. And you think that’s the same as stealing money from parked cars?

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by cuervo72

Yeah, but they're slightly brown Christians.

And other one. You’re barking up the wrong tree as usual.

[JPhillips]

Originally Posted by Dutch

Hehe, no, it’s not roughly the same. We’re talking about a war where organized terrorists are dedicated to the genocide of the people of the Jewish religion. And you think that’s the same as stealing money from parked cars?

You're saying everyone in Lebanon shares equal guilt and shouldn't be helped.

[RainMaker]

Nah, they got it right. You're defending an ethnostate that is actively committing genocide. A country that has killed hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians funded by a country that has killed millions of innocent civilians in the region.

Lebanon is not doing that. Nor is Iran. There are terrorists in the region, but they're mostly us and our close allies (Saudi, ISIS, Israel).

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by Dutch

I hate to break it to you, but the population doesn’t distribute the money. Not sure what you’re hearing, but the money goes to the government and the Lebanese government cannot get rid of Hezbollah even when Hezbollah uses Lebanese territory every day to fire rockets into Israel.

If there is any racism here, it’s allowing Hezbollah to build their bunkers under civilian buildings in what I assume is predominantly “Brown skinned” civilians territory and allowing them to fire those rockets at Jewish people…and you not giving a shit about it. That appears more and more like a projection of your own issues.

The money is distributed through the UN World Food bank, which buys food, blankets and hygiene products to distrinute to people who are displaced. Same thing with money to Palestine. We aren't writing blank checks. The people being displaced aren't Hezbollah, but victims of Hezbollah.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Nah, they got it right. You're defending an ethnostate that is actively committing genocide. A country that has killed hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians funded by a country that has killed millions of innocent civilians in the region.

Lebanon is not doing that. Nor is Iran. There are terrorists in the region, but they're mostly us and our close allies (Saudi, ISIS, Israel).

Terrorism is in the eye of the beholder. One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter. I get that. I will obviously disagree on Israel being the problem here. ISIS, of course I will agree. Saudi Arabia… yeah we could probably reach a good compromise on them.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

The money is distributed through the UN World Food bank, which buys food, blankets and hygiene products to distrinute to people who are displaced. Same thing with money to Palestine. We aren't writing blank checks. The people being displaced aren't Hezbollah, but victims of Hezbollah.

So the UN could step up here for sure then.

UN: “We understand you have run out of money to support disasters, as friends, we got you. We’ll cover places like Lebanon that you have done so much for, so you can hold that money to help your own people during this time of need.”

Does that sound awful to you? It shouldn’t if it does.

[JPhillips]

There's no legal way to shift this money to hurricane relief without legislation. At best it could go unspent.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

You're saying everyone in Lebanon shares equal guilt and shouldn't be helped.

No, to be clear, you’re saying I’m saying that, but I’m not saying that at all.

[JPhillips]

Blinken announces USA will send $156 million to Lebanon for their disaster of a state that allows Hezbollah to shoot thousands of rockets at Israeli farmers, women and kids because Hezbollah’s allies down south started a war by targeting, raping and killing thousands of Jewish kids.

How else should this be interpreted?

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

There's no legal way to shift this money to hurricane relief without legislation. At best it could go unspent.

Then make it legal through legislation.

[JPhillips]

The GOP Speaker has so far refused to call Congress back to work and says he won't for another five weeks.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

How else should this be interpreted?

There isn’t, that’s the point. It’s not about the Lebanese people. They aren’t in charge.

[JPhillips]

You're saying:

There are terrorists in Lebanon
The government of Lebanon hasn't stopped them
Therefore, it's wrong to provide aid to civilians

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

The GOP Speaker has so far refused to call Congress back to work and says he won't for another five weeks.

If it’s the GOP’s fault then I can’t image the democrats not standing on their chairs during their pressers on MSNBC and ABC demanding they get back to work right now for the people in NC. Unless you’ve been seeing that, which would be encouraging.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by Dutch

There isn’t, that’s the point. It’s not about the Lebanese people. They aren’t in charge.

They're the ones being bombed though.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

You're saying:

There are terrorists in Lebanon
The government of Lebanon hasn't stopped them
Therefore, it's wrong to provide aid to civilians

I said the money would be better spent on aid in America during our crisis and Mayorkas has said there is nothing left. Does that help?

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

They're the ones being bombed though.

They are human shields, yes. And that is illegal. The Israelis have not bombed them for a year straight like Hezbollah has done to Israelis. They look to me like they are fixing the problem. The reality is, if people are being bombed because they are human shields, the world needs to recognize this and make sure they are not held in eternal bondage by the terrorists. If the Lebanese government won’t fix this and the world won’t fix it and the USA won’t fix it, who’s left to fix it if not the nation that is being bombed daily by the terrorists?

[JPhillips]

The money literally can't be spent on hurricane relief.

You could do this with anything in the budget. Biden is literally more concerned with copier maintenance at HHS than he is with hurricane relief. Why is MTG's pay more important than hurricane relief? Why does Trump charge the Secret Service to stay in his resorts instead of helping the people impacted by the hurricane?

There's no reason to get into an argument about this is more important than that if the two things are in no way connected.