The Biden Presidency

[SkippedOnce]

OMG - possibly appointing people qualified to undertake the duties of the positions they're going to, rather than simply being compliant acolytes?

'Democratic President-elect Joe Biden on Saturday nominated U.S. foreign policy veteran Wendy Sherman, a key negotiator of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, to be the No. 2 official at the State Department.

'Biden also nominated Victoria Nuland, a retired career foreign service officer who was the top U.S. diplomat for Europe, NATO ambassador and State Department spokeswoman, to be Under Secretary for Political Affairs, effectively the third-ranking U.S. diplomat.'

Biden nominates veteran diplomats for top State posts

Democratic President-elect Joe Biden on Saturday nominated U.S. foreign policy veteran Wendy Sherman, a key negotiator of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, to be the No. 2 official at the State Department.

www.reuters.com

 

[ipso_facto]

The clip is more appropriate here.

 

[tommikka]

The clip is more appropriate here.

Is it more appropriate here because Biden is about to become president ?

 

[Mattb]

The clip is more appropriate here.

Cock.

 

[SkippedOnce]

An intriguing theory.

'While all eyes are on Donald Trump and his Capitol Hill mob, a would-be heir and successor is running riot all by himself, storming citadels, wagging the flag and breaking china. No, it’s not Donald Jr, or Ivanka, or Ted Cruz, and certainly not poor, conflicted Mike Pence.

'Mike Pompeo may not strike many people as presidential material. But Trump lowered the bar. Make no mistake. America’s snarly, bully-boy secretary of state is focusing not on Joe Biden’s inauguration this week but on how to beat him or any other Democrat in 2024. Pompeo, the man who would be king, is playing political hunger games – and, looking ahead, he aims to win.

'In a display of extraordinary chutzpah, Pompeo has spent the time since Trump lost the election setting booby traps and laying diplomatic minefields in global conflict zones. Partly he aims to secure his own and Trump’s “legacy”. Partly it’s to screw Biden. But mostly it’s about winning the White House.

'Pompeo has upended established policies, adopted ultra-hardline positions, and claimed imaginary successes to advance his personal standing with the Trump rump. In fact, he’s trying to out-Trump Trump. Like him, he’s unscrupulous and aggressive, but here’s the difference: he’s not stupid.

'That potentially makes the former Kansas Tea party congressman and CIA chief more dangerous to the Biden presidency, and the progressive cause, than a disgraced Trump may ever be. He showed his political savvy by steering clear of the impeachment fracas. Instead, Pompeo is busy setting future agendas.'

Unscrupulous and aggressive, Pompeo plans to be the next Trump – but smarter

The secretary of state has laid political booby traps for Biden in a diplomatic onslaught – with the aim of winning the White House

www.theguardian.com

 

[HectortheInspector]

An intriguing theory.

'While all eyes are on Donald Trump and his Capitol Hill mob, a would-be heir and successor is running riot all by himself, storming citadels, wagging the flag and breaking china. No, it’s not Donald Jr, or Ivanka, or Ted Cruz, and certainly not poor, conflicted Mike Pence.

'Mike Pompeo may not strike many people as presidential material. But Trump lowered the bar. Make no mistake. America’s snarly, bully-boy secretary of state is focusing not on Joe Biden’s inauguration this week but on how to beat him or any other Democrat in 2024. Pompeo, the man who would be king, is playing political hunger games – and, looking ahead, he aims to win.

'In a display of extraordinary chutzpah, Pompeo has spent the time since Trump lost the election setting booby traps and laying diplomatic minefields in global conflict zones. Partly he aims to secure his own and Trump’s “legacy”. Partly it’s to screw Biden. But mostly it’s about winning the White House.

'Pompeo has upended established policies, adopted ultra-hardline positions, and claimed imaginary successes to advance his personal standing with the Trump rump. In fact, he’s trying to out-Trump Trump. Like him, he’s unscrupulous and aggressive, but here’s the difference: he’s not stupid.

'That potentially makes the former Kansas Tea party congressman and CIA chief more dangerous to the Biden presidency, and the progressive cause, than a disgraced Trump may ever be. He showed his political savvy by steering clear of the impeachment fracas. Instead, Pompeo is busy setting future agendas.'

Unscrupulous and aggressive, Pompeo plans to be the next Trump – but smarter

The secretary of state has laid political booby traps for Biden in a diplomatic onslaught – with the aim of winning the White House

www.theguardian.com

Sejanus does not become Caesar.

 

[gaijin]

The clip is more appropriate here.

Why on earth could that be?

Capitol Police arrest Virginia man who tried to pass security checkpoint with gun, 'unauthorized' inauguration credential

Wesley Allen Beeler was arrested Friday after he tried to pass a security checkpoint with hundreds of rounds of ammunition and multiple guns.

www.usatoday.com

 

[gaijin]

An intriguing theory.

'While all eyes are on Donald Trump and his Capitol Hill mob, a would-be heir and successor is running riot all by himself, storming citadels, wagging the flag and breaking china. No, it’s not Donald Jr, or Ivanka, or Ted Cruz, and certainly not poor, conflicted Mike Pence.

'Mike Pompeo may not strike many people as presidential material. But Trump lowered the bar. Make no mistake. America’s snarly, bully-boy secretary of state is focusing not on Joe Biden’s inauguration this week but on how to beat him or any other Democrat in 2024. Pompeo, the man who would be king, is playing political hunger games – and, looking ahead, he aims to win.

'In a display of extraordinary chutzpah, Pompeo has spent the time since Trump lost the election setting booby traps and laying diplomatic minefields in global conflict zones. Partly he aims to secure his own and Trump’s “legacy”. Partly it’s to screw Biden. But mostly it’s about winning the White House.

'Pompeo has upended established policies, adopted ultra-hardline positions, and claimed imaginary successes to advance his personal standing with the Trump rump. In fact, he’s trying to out-Trump Trump. Like him, he’s unscrupulous and aggressive, but here’s the difference: he’s not stupid.

'That potentially makes the former Kansas Tea party congressman and CIA chief more dangerous to the Biden presidency, and the progressive cause, than a disgraced Trump may ever be. He showed his political savvy by steering clear of the impeachment fracas. Instead, Pompeo is busy setting future agendas.'

Unscrupulous and aggressive, Pompeo plans to be the next Trump – but smarter

The secretary of state has laid political booby traps for Biden in a diplomatic onslaught – with the aim of winning the White House

www.theguardian.com

100-1 on as much money as you want of Pompeo being next President

 

[HectortheInspector]

Why on earth could that be?

Capitol Police arrest Virginia man who tried to pass security checkpoint with gun, 'unauthorized' inauguration credential

Wesley Allen Beeler was arrested Friday after he tried to pass a security checkpoint with hundreds of rounds of ammunition and multiple guns.

www.usatoday.com

I recommend the lawandcrime.com site.
Some of the cases are comedy gold, if it wasn't for people getting killed.

 

[gaijin]

I recommend the lawandcrime.com site.
Some of the cases are comedy gold, if it wasn't for people getting killed.

A quick glance suggests that it is a grimoire of the mentally challenged getting busted for stupidity.


Sounds like entertaining reading

 

[ExAT_69A_Chepstow]

I'm advised that this is going to replace "Hail To The Chief" on US Presidential occasions?

 

[hackle]

I recommend the lawandcrime.com site.
Some of the cases are comedy gold, if it wasn't for people getting killed.

Pro-Trump Woman and QAnon Adherent Who Carried ‘Don’t Tread On Me’ Flag Died at U.S. Capitol After Being Trampled​

 

[lokiuk]

I'm advised that this is going to replace "Hail To The Chief" on US Presidential occasions?

Or maybe this

 

[gaijin]

Pro-Trump Woman and QAnon Adherent Who Carried ‘Don’t Tread On Me’ Flag Died at U.S. Capitol After Being Trampled​

Looking at the pictures she would have been hard to miss

 

[Goatman]

Meanwhile...

SOURCE : CNN

​

January 18, 2021 Stephen Collinson and Caitlin Hu​

Irony is dead at Trump's State Department.

In a statement on Saturday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s spokeswoman praised Ugandans for braving “an environment of intimidation and fear” to cast votes in national elections.

“We are gravely concerned by harassment of and continued threats to civil society,” Morgan Ortagus added, bemoaning reports of election irregularities and violence. “We urge all parties to reject violence and to use constitutional and legal means to address complaints.”


For most of the last 80 years, this would be a pretty standard statement consistent with America’s self-appointed role as a guardian of global democratic norms. But it's awfully bold after the US President himself tried to steal an election he clearly lost and then incited a mob's attack on Congress. US moral authority has been gutted -- but credibility doesn't seem to be a priority for the Pompeo team boasting about renewed American “swagger."

President-elect Joe Biden’s team is well aware of America’s shredded reputation overseas and plans to convince the world that “America is back” as soon as he's sworn in on Wednesday. (Notably it was incoming national security adviser Jake Sullivan who reacted first to the detention of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, tweeting Sunday that “the Kremlin’s attacks on Mr. Navalny are not just a violation of human rights, but an affront to the Russian people who want their voices heard.” Pompeo chimed in on Twitter about four hours later.)



But restoring American clout is not like flipping a switch: Many US partners aren't sure Trumpism is gone for good.

Shortly after winning the leadership of German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s CDU party this weekend, Armin Laschet, warned, “Trust is what keeps us going and what has been broken in America. By polarizing, sowing discord and distrust, and systematically lying, a president has destroyed stability and trust."



In nations historically indebted to the US for the preservation or restoration of their own freedoms, leaders used to cite Washington as a guiding light. Now the US is a case study in how democracy can die.

 

[Tedsson]

Sejanus does not become Caesar.

True.

He does get strangled though.

As do his entire family and seemingly everybody he ever knew.

If only the wholesale slaughter of political dynasties was not generally frowned upon nowadays.

 

[Drlligaf]

100-1 on as much money as you want of Pompeo being next President

An interesting thought. In view of the fact that in the past 5 years neither the Republicans nor the Democrats could come up with anything better than Trump, Hilary Clinton or Biden, all of them left overs from Jurassic Park, then Pompeo would be a change. Whether it would be for the better or not is something else.

 

[Mattb]

Meanwhile...

SOURCE : CNN

​

View attachment 540495​

January 18, 2021 Stephen Collinson and Caitlin Hu​

Irony is dead at Trump's State Department.

In a statement on Saturday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s spokeswoman praised Ugandans for braving “an environment of intimidation and fear” to cast votes in national elections.

“We are gravely concerned by harassment of and continued threats to civil society,” Morgan Ortagus added, bemoaning reports of election irregularities and violence. “We urge all parties to reject violence and to use constitutional and legal means to address complaints.”


For most of the last 80 years, this would be a pretty standard statement consistent with America’s self-appointed role as a guardian of global democratic norms. But it's awfully bold after the US President himself tried to steal an election he clearly lost and then incited a mob's attack on Congress. US moral authority has been gutted -- but credibility doesn't seem to be a priority for the Pompeo team boasting about renewed American “swagger."

President-elect Joe Biden’s team is well aware of America’s shredded reputation overseas and plans to convince the world that “America is back” as soon as he's sworn in on Wednesday. (Notably it was incoming national security adviser Jake Sullivan who reacted first to the detention of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, tweeting Sunday that “the Kremlin’s attacks on Mr. Navalny are not just a violation of human rights, but an affront to the Russian people who want their voices heard.” Pompeo chimed in on Twitter about four hours later.)



But restoring American clout is not like flipping a switch: Many US partners aren't sure Trumpism is gone for good.

Shortly after winning the leadership of German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s CDU party this weekend, Armin Laschet, warned, “Trust is what keeps us going and what has been broken in America. By polarizing, sowing discord and distrust, and systematically lying, a president has destroyed stability and trust."



In nations historically indebted to the US for the preservation or restoration of their own freedoms, leaders used to cite Washington as a guiding light. Now the US is a case study in how democracy can die.

Trump’s actions have enabled dictators, who can easily spin it either way as required:

1. If they lose, the election was stolen - just like in the US, so it doesn’t count and they’re still in power.
2. If they do steal the election, then any opposition complaints are just like Trump’s wibbling in the US, and shouldn’t be taken seriously. They’re still in power.

 

[Themanwho]

Trump’s actions have enabled dictators, who can easily spin it either way as required:

1. If they lose, the election was stolen - just like in the US, so it doesn’t count and they’re still in power.
2. If they do steal the election, then any opposition complaints are just like Trump’s wibbling in the US, and shouldn’t be taken seriously. They’re still in power.

I don't think the dictators needed any USA fig leaf to use these lines.

 

[Mattb]

I don't think the dictators needed any USA fig leaf to use these lines.

Need, no - but it certainly helps. If you’re a dictator at the point where you’re having to have some sort of election, clearly your grip on power isn’t absolute.