The Biden Presidency - 2020

[Ben E Lou]

Pissing match deleted.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by molson

I endorse grabbing a beer with PilotMan.

Me. too!

[Edward64]

Been a pretty good week so far for Biden on the evacuation, covid and domestic front.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/24/polit...ion/index.html

The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a budget framework that will pave the way for Democrats to spend up to $3.5 trillion on a sweeping economic package to expand the social safety net that President Joe Biden has made a signature agenda item.

The House vote came after painstaking negotiations between Democratic leaders and a group of moderates yielded a compromise that paved the way for passage. But deadlock over the issue led to a standoff that derailed efforts to move forward Monday evening. The issue underscored the challenge leadership faces in attempting to unite the party's moderate and progressive wings.

Ultimately, the House voted on a rule to advance both the budget deal and a separate $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill. Due to a procedural maneuver, passage of the rule also approved the budget resolution, bypassing a separate vote. In a concession to moderates, the rule also directs the House to take up the bipartisan bill by September 27.

[NobodyHere]

Random political thoughy: Why does no party favor getting rid of the car dealership mandate? Why can't I buy straight from car makers? Why do I have to pay for an expensive middle man?

[Edward64]

I'm not sure what Biden can do but leaving up to 1,500 Americans, that want to leave, in Afghanistan after Aug 31 is untenable.

I can understand some wanting to stay for whatever reason, some being left behind because we don't know about them, but leaving a large number (presumably wanting to leave) is not tenable. But then going on a city wide roundup doesn't seem wise either.

Hopefully the negotiations with the Taliban are really doing well. And they can force whatever ISIS elements to behave.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that there are approximately 1,500 people who may be Americans left in Afghanistan as the United States' presence on the ground nears its end.

The State Department has made contact with 500 people and is "aggressively" attempting to reach the other thousand as it continues evacuations from the now-Taliban controlled capital of Kabul.

More than 82,000 people have flown out since evacuation efforts began on August 14, including "at least 4,500 American citizens and likely more," Blinken told reporters at the State Department on Wednesday.

"More than 500 of those Americans were evacuated in just the last day alone," he said, adding that when evacuation operations began, "there was a population of as many as 6,000 American citizens in the country who wanted to leave."

[miami_fan]

Are the 500 who have been contacted actually Americans or did we think they were Americans and realized they were not? Also how are we making the determination that they are actually American in the next 5 plus days if we don't know if they are by now?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by NobodyHere

Random political thoughy: Why does no party favor getting rid of the car dealership mandate? Why can't I buy straight from car makers? Why do I have to pay for an expensive middle man?

For one thing, it's not a federal prohibition, it's regulated state-by-state (in 48 of the 50 anyhow)

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by NobodyHere

Random political thoughy: Why does no party favor getting rid of the car dealership mandate? Why can't I buy straight from car makers? Why do I have to pay for an expensive middle man?

Like Jon said, it is a state prohibition.

And this is one of those areas where you have a policy that most people have lukewarm feelings about--sure we'd all like to pay less for cars, but I can't imagine anyone voting for or against someone based on that. But a small group of people (i.e. car dealers) have VERY strong feelings about and will donate to politicians accordingly.

(It's like how pennies cost more to make than they are worth and we'd all be slightly better off if we got rid of pennies. But no one really cares. So the people who own copper mines make sure we never get rid of pennies.)

The justification I heard supporting dealerships is that they employ a fair number of people at a pretty decent wage, so if you get rid of them, you are hurting the local economies where those people work and just shifting more profits to the shareholders of the manufacturers. Which, IMO, is actually a pretty decent argument. Not sure if I still agree with dealerships, but I do think that most of the savings from getting rid of them will go to the manufacturers and not the buying public.

[Edward64]

More headache for Biden. Not good. Wonder how many civilians.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/26/asia/...ntl/index.html

US service members and Afghans have been killed in two suicide bombing attacks outside Kabul's airport, a Pentagon spokesman said Thursday.

The deadly blasts came as the United States and other Western countries raced to complete a massive evacuation of their citizens and Afghan allies following the Taliban takeover of the country.

"We can confirm that a number of US service members were killed in today's complex attack at Kabul airport. A number of others are being treated for wounds. We also know that a number of Afghans fell victim to this heinous attack," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Thursday. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the loved ones and teammates of all those killed and injured."

[Ksyrup]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two US officials say 11 Marines and a Navy medic were killed in the Afghanistan attacks.

— Nick Riccardi (@NickRiccardi) August 26, 2021

[Vegas Vic]

Originally Posted by Edward64

More headache for Biden. Not good.

The opposition didn't take long to respond.

"If President Trump can be impeached over a phone call, then the time has come to IMPEACH Biden for gross negligence in Afghanistan," said Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas.

Nikki Haley, former ambassador to the United Nations, called for Biden's resignation but worried about leaving Vice President Kamala Harris in charge.

"Should Biden step down or be removed for his handling of Afghanistan? Yes," she tweeted. "But that would leave us with Kamala Harris which would be ten times worse. God help us."

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

... Which, IMO, is actually a pretty decent argument. Not sure if I still agree with dealerships, but I do think that most of the savings from getting rid of them will go to the manufacturers and not the buying public.

Yup. It would definitely be a "cheaper" process, but I doubt hardly any of the savings would go to the consumer.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by Vegas Vic

The opposition didn't take long to respond.

"If President Trump can be impeached over a phone call, then the time has come to IMPEACH Biden for gross negligence in Afghanistan," said Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas.

Nikki Haley, former ambassador to the United Nations, called for Biden's resignation but worried about leaving Vice President Kamala Harris in charge.

"Should Biden step down or be removed for his handling of Afghanistan? Yes," she tweeted. "But that would leave us with Kamala Harris which would be ten times worse. God help us."

It is funny/sad that Republican decisions have cost many hundreds if not thousands more lives than this.

[cuervo72]

Thoughts and prayers? I mean, that would work if this was a school, right?

[AlexB]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

It is funny/sad that Republican decisions have cost many hundreds if not thousands more lives than this.

Am I rememering wrong that it was Trump who negotiated & negotiated the timescale for withdrawal? I thought all Biden did was continue what Trump agreed?

[thesloppy]

It's almost as if we don't have 20 years of previous history in Afghanistan to gauge just how earnest all these concerns are.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by AlexB

Am I rememering wrong that it was Trump who negotiated & negotiated the timescale for withdrawal? I thought all Biden did was continue what Trump agreed?

Trump negotiated a May withdrawal. Biden actually pushed it back to the end of August. Everything was done to make it as difficult as possible for an incoming administration. People can point fingers all around and find some blame, but there's no doubt that the Trump administration played with people's lives in order to put the next administration in a bad spot.

[sterlingice]

Like they're going to let that stop them. Remember how much mileage they got out of Benghazi?

SI

[Vegas Vic]

"We will hunt you down and make you pay." ????

I'm not sure how Biden plans to do that, given that the Taliban is going to let these terrorist organizations flourish again. They'll say they're powerless to do anything to stop it (although they have no problem brutalizing, terrorizing and performing summary executions of their own citizens with impunity).

[JPhillips]

The speed with which the MAGA GOP shifted from, why won't Biden end the forever war, to, why won't Biden continue the forever war, is breathtaking?

It's hard to see a good outcome for the country when so many are willing to be so dishonest and then suffer no consequences for doing so.

[JPhillips]

Originally Posted by Vegas Vic

"We will hunt you down and make you pay." ????

I'm not sure how Biden plans to do that, given that the Taliban is going to let these terrorist organizations flourish again. They'll say they're powerless to do anything to stop it (although they have no problem brutalizing, terrorizing and performing summary executions of their own citizens with impunity).

I believe we still have jets and missiles.

[GrantDawg]

We have been pretty good at blowing people up anywhere without having troops on the ground. It is just like Biden just said, there are countries all over the world that have terror cells much more immediately dangerous, and we haven't invaded those countries.

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[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by Vegas Vic

"We will hunt you down and make you pay." ????

I'm not sure how Biden plans to do that, given that the Taliban is going to let these terrorist organizations flourish again. They'll say they're powerless to do anything to stop it (although they have no problem brutalizing, terrorizing and performing summary executions of their own citizens with impunity).

What's your solution? Another trillion to sit around getting our ass-kicked for awhile? Everyone complaining about this has no solution and is certainly not going to enlist.

And if your concern is terrorism, you should be mad we aren't going after the people and countries that fund and support it. Saudi Arabia plays a MUCH bigger role in international terrorism than the Taliban.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

The speed with which the MAGA GOP shifted from, why won't Biden end the forever war, to, why won't Biden continue the forever war, is breathtaking?

It's hard to see a good outcome for the country when so many are willing to be so dishonest and then suffer no consequences for doing so.

Trump got them to drop 15 years of "War on Terror is good" rhetoric with a few comments during a debate (also destroyed Jeb Bush's career).

They stand for nothing.

[Qwikshot]

Originally Posted by Vegas Vic

"We will hunt you down and make you pay." ????

I'm not sure how Biden plans to do that, given that the Taliban is going to let these terrorist organizations flourish again. They'll say they're powerless to do anything to stop it (although they have no problem brutalizing, terrorizing and performing summary executions of their own citizens with impunity).

Oh man, I mean, These guys are going to get away like Bin Laden, no wait, like Gaddifi, no no, they got him too. Like Saddam Hussein...nope, oh his kids...nope, got them too. Uh.

Well, al-Zarqawi got away...nope, he got blow'd up too. Man, I'm finding it hard to recall all the ones that did get away. Even the head of ISIS got blow'd up, al-Baghdadi was terminated.

So, if there's one thing I know, if there is a mastermind, he'll be targeted...and he'll be wiped off the Earth in a drone strike.

But I guess some people forget this, and just want to bitch about Biden dealing once again with Trump's slash and burn style.

[PilotMan]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

Heading to Germany as we speak to bring a flight back to DC as part of all this.

I can't talk on social media about the trip, but it was eye opening. I've never had a flight that even came close to what that was. There were numerous challenges that tried our patience, but I'm happy to have had the experience. A little piece of history I get to claim and something I can point to and say "I was a part of that."

It was a pretty humbling experience overall. Lots of kids, a set of twins that were maybe 8 weeks old. Lots of families who supported the operation. Maybe 10-15% spoke English. More than one medical issue during that had to be handled, and strict 'you will not divert, unless it's the last resort' orders. Once they were allowed to deplane (all I'll say is that these people were so patient, that they were willing to endure all that was just wow) they were covid tested, then processed. I think after all that the military is housing them on a base. As with most things, it's a lot of waiting, but we did everything we could to make it not suck. We brought 336 back on that flight.

[GrantDawg]

Nice job, Pilotman.

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[ISiddiqui]

What a great story Pilotman. Definitely a part of history with that flight.

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[Swaggs]

On pure politics, I think the Dems are missing a big opportunity to hang this around the necks of all the spineless GOPers that pacified Trump’s ego over losing and made the transition so drawn out and difficult. It seems like a pretty easy sell to say that a peaceful/cooperative change in administrations, with appropriately shared intel could have helped prevent stuff like this and the loss of all the military equipment and weapons. Our government is just pathetic right now.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

I can't talk on social media about the trip, but it was eye opening. I've never had a flight that even came close to what that was. There were numerous challenges that tried our patience, but I'm happy to have had the experience. A little piece of history I get to claim and something I can point to and say "I was a part of that."

It was a pretty humbling experience overall. Lots of kids, a set of twins that were maybe 8 weeks old. Lots of families who supported the operation. Maybe 10-15% spoke English. More than one medical issue during that had to be handled, and strict 'you will not divert, unless it's the last resort' orders. Once they were allowed to deplane (all I'll say is that these people were so patient, that they were willing to endure all that was just wow) they were covid tested, then processed. I think after all that the military is housing them on a base. As with most things, it's a lot of waiting, but we did everything we could to make it not suck. We brought 336 back on that flight.

You're a fucking hero buddy...

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

On pure politics, I think the Dems are missing a big opportunity to hang this around the necks of all the spineless GOPers that pacified Trump’s ego over losing and made the transition so drawn out and difficult. It seems like a pretty easy sell to say that a peaceful/cooperative change in administrations, with appropriately shared intel could have helped prevent stuff like this and the loss of all the military equipment and weapons. Our government is just pathetic right now.

GOP supporters just wont care. They need something to be angry about.

[NobodyHere]

Originally Posted by Lathum

GOP supporters just wont care. They need something to be angry about.

Yeah, the world trade center gets destroyed killing thousands of Americans and the republican president "kept us safe"

A bomb goes off halfway around the world killing a couple Americans and the democratic president should be impeached.

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

I can't talk on social media about the trip, but it was eye opening. I've never had a flight that even came close to what that was. There were numerous challenges that tried our patience, but I'm happy to have had the experience. A little piece of history I get to claim and something I can point to and say "I was a part of that."

It was a pretty humbling experience overall. Lots of kids, a set of twins that were maybe 8 weeks old. Lots of families who supported the operation. Maybe 10-15% spoke English. More than one medical issue during that had to be handled, and strict 'you will not divert, unless it's the last resort' orders. Once they were allowed to deplane (all I'll say is that these people were so patient, that they were willing to endure all that was just wow) they were covid tested, then processed. I think after all that the military is housing them on a base. As with most things, it's a lot of waiting, but we did everything we could to make it not suck. We brought 336 back on that flight.

Glad you are back safely PM, and a big thank you and hug for your part in getting them out of that country.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

Nice job, Pilotman.

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

Amazing work! I salute you!

[PilotMan]

I also need to say that it's the flight attendants who really should be applauded here. They were fantastic with what they had to deal with. I don't know how many 'average' people could have done what they did. It wasn't the cleanest working environment keep in mind. They were fantastic.

[tarcone]

Wow. A quagmire we should have gotten out of 15 years ago. You are not going to fix a stone age culture.

And well done PM, you were a person that saved the day for hundreds. Impressive.

[NobodyHere]

Supreme Court throws out Biden administration eviction moratorium

I'm not sure how this was constitutional in the first place when Trumpy first enacted it.

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

I can't talk on social media about the trip, but it was eye opening. I've never had a flight that even came close to what that was. There were numerous challenges that tried our patience, but I'm happy to have had the experience. A little piece of history I get to claim and something I can point to and say "I was a part of that."

It was a pretty humbling experience overall. Lots of kids, a set of twins that were maybe 8 weeks old. Lots of families who supported the operation. Maybe 10-15% spoke English. More than one medical issue during that had to be handled, and strict 'you will not divert, unless it's the last resort' orders. Once they were allowed to deplane (all I'll say is that these people were so patient, that they were willing to endure all that was just wow) they were covid tested, then processed. I think after all that the military is housing them on a base. As with most things, it's a lot of waiting, but we did everything we could to make it not suck. We brought 336 back on that flight.

Wow. Great work. In addition to you helping so many people, I'm glad you got something personally from it also.

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by NobodyHere

Supreme Court throws out Biden administration eviction moratorium

I'm not sure how this was constitutional in the first place when Trumpy first enacted it.

(1) The moratorium was probably an executive overreach, but it was a close call with good arguments on both sides.

(2) The Supreme Court deciding a close legal issue that will affect millions of people via a shadow docket order without briefing & argument is a huge judicial overreach.

tl;dr They probably reached the right result, but they did it in a norm-eroding way.

[albionmoonlight]

dola--once it became clear that the Dems were not going to make a filibuster exception for Court reform, that really let the GOP activists on the Court off their leash.

Credit to the GOP. They saw the importance of the federal courts for decades, while the Dems only just now woke up to it (and still aren't doing anything meaningful about it).

[Lathum]

So people who were screaming for years we needed out of Afghanistan and applauded Trump for the agreement got mad when we.....pulled out of Afghanistan are now mad because we went back into Afghanistan and soldiers were bombed....

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by Lathum

So people who were screaming for years we needed out of Afghanistan and applauded Trump for the agreement got mad when we.....pulled out of Afghanistan are now mad because we went back into Afghanistan and soldiers were bombed....

There's a reason that Bush, Obama, and Trump didn't do this. It was always going to be messy and painful.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

There's a reason that Bush, Obama, and Trump didn't do this. It was always going to be messy and painful.

absolutely.

It's just amazing how the goalposts shift so fast you can get whiplash.

[Vegas Vic]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

There's a reason that Bush, Obama, and Trump didn't do this. It was always going to be messy and painful.

Regardless of party, their main concern was if terrorism would regain a foothold again in Afghanistan, and if so, how long would it take. We now have an answer, -5 days.

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by Vegas Vic

Regardless of party, their main concern was if terrorism would regain a foothold again in Afghanistan, and if so, how long would it take. We now have an answer, -5 days.

It never left.

[Vegas Vic]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

It never left.

It never really leaves any country, but in this case there are known terrorists holding key positions in the new Taliban “government.”

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Vegas Vic

It never really leaves any country, but in this case there are known terrorists holding key positions in the new Taliban “government.”

Ones released by the Trump administration.

Should we have just stayed there permanently?

[PilotMan]

Originally Posted by Vegas Vic

It never really leaves any country, but in this case there are known terrorists holding key positions in the new Taliban “government.”

Some would say that same about terrorists in the US government.

[Lathum]

After 4 years of trying to cover a monster as if he was a normal human,

The media is monstrously struggling to cover a normal human…

— NeuroPsychoPhD (@SethN12) August 27, 2021

[Vegas Vic]

Originally Posted by Lathum

Ones released by the Trump administration.

5000 Taliban prisoners in Afghanistan were released in the questionable deal made by Trump in 2020. Several now hold positions in the Taliban.

However, the most dangerous threat to the U.S. will come from the pool of 700+ that were released from Guantanamo Bay from the previous administration, with assurances that they would be kept in Qatar, etc. In the face of that concern, Biden is reconsidering his stated goal of closing Gitmo.