What's in the news?

[Cassandra LeMay]

The only thing we can count on elected politicians to do is be selfish and protective of their power+privilege. ...

If I were an elected politician who actually cared I wonder how many comments like this it would take before I stopped caring about my electorate.

[TheGlyphstone]

If I were an elected politician who actually cared I wonder how many comments like this it would take before I stopped caring about my electorate.

And I do recognize that it's a vicious cycle, but the change has to come from the voters. If we show the politicians that they actually have to worry about what we think, either they'll actually start to do so, or they'll end up being replaced by ones who do.

[Trigon]

More nominations by Trump:

Trump has just selected an oil and gas tycoon to lead the EPA: http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_584856f1e4b0b9feb0dab14f

Department of Labor is to be headed by a fast-food executive: http://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-expected-to-name-fast-food-executive-andy-puzder-as-labor-secretary-1481210445

Seriously, it's like he's not even bothering to try anymore...

Can't wait to see who that Kangaroo Supreme Court justice will be when he finally rolls him out  ::) ::)  ::)

[Valerian]

The only thing we can count on elected politicians to do is be selfish and protective of their power+privilege. But that's how the system works, since it gives us (the voters) leverage against them. If enough of us make it clear we'll replace them if they don't do what we want, they'll change their tune very swiftly. But that takes large-scale groundroots effort, and there's not a whole lot of that in the modern political climate when apathy is easier.

There are plenty of grassroots organizations out there, though -- I've volunteered for one in my area.  No doubt there are quite a few people who will just try to duck their heads and ride it out, but Trump has angered a lot of people and he may yet regret that.  This group is organizing a protest and strike on the 12th and I know there are plenty of other demonstrations planned from now until the inauguration.  So while I'm nervous and occasionally very tempted to throw up my hands in despair, there's no reason to give up yet.

I think what worries me the most is that Trump might finally realize that the job will never get him the adulation he was expecting (though why anyone would expect that I have no idea) and will resign, or possibly just get himself impeached... which will leave us with Pence, who is equally unsuited for the office in his own terrible way.  :/  But he is at least predictable in his awfulness and therefore might be easier to deal with through more traditional means.  Maybe.   :P

[TheGlyphstone]

I think what worries me the most is that Trump might finally realize that the job will never get him the adulation he was expecting (though why anyone would expect that I have no idea) and will resign, or possibly just get himself impeached... which will leave us with Pence, who is equally unsuited for the office in his own terrible way.  :/  But he is at least predictable in his awfulness and therefore might be easier to deal with through more traditional means.  Maybe.   :P

That is the greatest fear I have too. A Trump administration is a bad joke, with a President who's only interested in the fame and prestige letting evil advisors run/ruin the country for him. A Pence administration would be downright terrifying - one of those same evil advisors as the actual President, and capable of leveraging his office to push his party agenda.

The GOP establishment would backstab Trump in a heartbeat if that looked like a possibility - they love Pence.

[Trigon]

I think at this point it is like choosing between a leukemia and a brain cancer.

[TheGlyphstone]

I would have gone with brain cancer as the problem, and the choice between chemotherapy and a lobotomy as the solutions, but otherwise agreed.


As for his nominations, I can see the conversation in his penthouse:

"So, uh, Mike, I have to put someone in charge of the EPA. What's the EPA?"
"They...regulate the environment, stuff like drilling and mining regulations."
"Oh! Okay, I'll put an oil and gas guy in charge then, he'll know all about that stuff! Now what's this 'Department of Labor' thing?"
"They...deal with labor and workers, Donald?"
"Oh. So, like an HR department. Andy Putzer has a huge business with a lot of workers, he'd be able to run that good."

[Beguile's Mistress]

Here is another reason to keep an eye on Trump.

   
Trump names Andrew Puzder, a fast-food CEO and critic of substantially raising the minimum wage, to head the Labor Department

[Lustful Bride]

First American to Orbit in space dies at 95.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/former-astronaut-us-sen-john-glenn-of-ohio-has-died-at-95/ar-AAljVFm

[Blythe]

Giraffes are now the latest species to be added to the Endangered list after a large die off.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/giraffe-facing-extinction-after-devastating-decline-experts-warn/ar-AAlicJJ?li=BBnb4R7&ocid=HPCOMMDHP15

I can't believe they've already gone extinct in seven countries; that's awful. I really love giraffes; it's sad to see them endangered.  :-(

[Trigon]

Here is another reason to keep an eye on Trump.

   
Trump names Andrew Puzder, a fast-food CEO and critic of substantially raising the minimum wage, to head the Labor Department

Very worrisome indeed regarding who he is staffing his administration with.

A short commentary by Counterpunch on the story so far with his picks: http://www.counterpunch.org/2016/12/07/team-trump-a-government-of-generals-and-billionaires/

A government of generals and billionaires. So effectively, a filthy rich military junta.

[Anteros]

A firefighter has been charged after allegedly torching his own house and trying to blame it on BlackLivesMatter : http://fusion.net/story/374659/jason-stokes-endicott-black-lives-matter-arson/?utm_campaign=ThisIsFusion&utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=social

Former Texas cop who fed sh*t sandwich to homeless man could get job back: http://www.rawstory.com/2016/12/former-texas-cop-who-fed-sht-sandwich-to-homeless-man-could-get-job-back/

Racists Break In, Vandalize NFL Player’s Home With Swastikas, Epithets: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/nikita-whitlock-racist-vandalism_us_58498199e4b0905b34420c80?

People Want Jennifer Lawrence To Apologize Over This Story About Sacred Rocks: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/jennifer-lawrence-hawaii-sacred-rocks_us_58498a12e4b04002fa801f67

The first Somali-American elected official visited the White House, then was called “ISIS” by her cabbie : http://www.salon.com/2016/12/08/the-first-somali-american-elected-official-visited-the-white-house-then-was-called-isis-by-her-cabbie/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Philadelphia Radio Show Raises 683 Tons Of Food And $75,000 For Food Bank In 5 Days: http://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news/1940/Philadelphia-Radio-Show-Raises-683-Tons-Of-Food-And-75-000-For-Food-Bank-In-5-Days#vVS1zjeHxWFJ8W1V.99

[Lustful Bride]

Looks like we are all in for another Polar Vortex.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/polar-vortex-unleashed-severe-cold-snap-likely-in-us-next-week/ar-AAlgDmx?li=BBnbcA1&ocid=HPCOMMDHP15

*Terrible Vietnam level flashbacks to when the pipes in my home burst 3 separate times thanks to the last Polar Vortex*.........

[Trigon]

Wife of WWE CEO now chosen for Small Business Administator: http://www.forbes.com/sites/katevinton/2016/12/07/linda-mcmahon-wife-of-wwe-billionaire-vincent-mcmahon-is-trumps-pick-to-head-his-small-business-administration/#4d8ef92c4f32

You know what, I'm done. Yes folks, these are our elders right here!  ::)

[TheGlyphstone]

It'd be funny if it weren't so sad.

[MiraMirror]

I swear, he's being told the positions he needs to fill, and is going "Who is the literal WORST person I could choose for the job?"

[TheGlyphstone]

Or just the first person that springs to mind, so he doesn't have to think about it more than necessary - absolute minimum effort that he can invest. WWE started as a small business, therefore its CEO is a good person to run the SBA. Right? Right? ;D

[Lustful Bride]

Well....Iceberg the size of the State of Delaware....is going ot break off Antarctica....
http://www.msn.com/en-us/video/wonder/an-iceberg-the-size-of-delaware-is-dangerously-close-to-breaking-off/vi-AAlioPM?ocid=HPCOMMDHP15

[Beguile's Mistress]

Be afraid.  Be very afraid -- of the man and the power we are giving him if we don't stand up to him.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/this-is-what-happens-when-donald-trump-attacks-a-private-citizen-on-twitter/ar-AAljS3f?li=BBnb7Kz&OCID=AVRES007

[Anteros]

Women’s March on Washington Barred From Lincoln Memorial: http://time.com/4595399/women-march-washington-barred-lincoln-memorial/?xid=tcoshare

Republicans use bestiality bill to fight Ohio minimum wage increases: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/republicans-bestiality-fight-ohio-minimum-wage-increases-article-1.2903338?utm_content=buffer88328&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=NYDailyNewsTw

UPS driver helps free captive woman: http://edition.cnn.com/2016/12/09/us/ups-driver-helps-free-woman/index.html?sr=twCNN120916ups-driver-helps-free-woman1153AMVODtopLink&linkId=32137792

[Lustful Bride]

It seems Radiation from Fukushima has finally reached the US.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/fukushima-radiation-has-reached-us-shores/ar-AAlkXUr?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=HPCOMMDHP15

[Trigon]

It seems Radiation from Fukushima has finally reached the US.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/fukushima-radiation-has-reached-us-shores/ar-AAlkXUr?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=HPCOMMDHP15

Yikes! Who wants to bet that the next administration will do absolutely nothing to assist with cleanup?

[Lustful Bride]

Final hours of Aleppo are upon us. There will be nothing left.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/syria-army-pounds-aleppo-rebels-as-russia-vows-no-let-up/ar-AAlliRf?li=BBnbcA1&ocid=HPCOMMDHP15

[Trigon]

Conflicts of interest continuing to mount still more for Trump; he is confirmed to still be the executive producer for next season's Celebrity Apprentice: http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_5849e504e4b04c8e2baf082b

Never did watch reality TV, and I certainly won't be starting now. I just only hope that some of us at the very least will boycott this show come 2017...

[Lustful Bride]

Female 94 year old Navy veteran jumped and beaten by a thief for the $50 in her purse.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/woman-94-beaten-and-robbed-of-purse-i-just-want-everybody-to-pray-for-her/ar-AAljByE?li=BBnb4R7&ocid=HPCOMMDHP15