Revolting At State

I don't know what this means but it looks like T Rex is losing the house:

State Dept revolt: Tillerson accused of violating U.S. law on child soldiers

OK, Tillerson is not recruiting child soldiers. He is declining to include Iraq, Afghanistan and Myanmar on the bad actors list of countries that use child soldiers.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A group of about a dozen U.S. State Department officials have taken the unusual step of formally accusing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson of violating a federal law designed to stop foreign militaries from enlisting child soldiers, according to internal government documents reviewed by Reuters.

A confidential State Department “dissent” memo not previously reported said Tillerson breached the Child Soldiers Prevention Act when he decided in June to exclude Iraq, Myanmar, and Afghanistan from a U.S. list of offenders in the use of child soldiers. This was despite the department publicly acknowledging that children were being conscripted in those countries. [tmsnrt.rs/2jJ7pav]

Keeping the countries off the annual list makes it easier to provide them with U.S. military assistance. Iraq and Afghanistan are close allies in the fight against Islamist militants, while Myanmar is an emerging ally to offset China’s influence in Southeast Asia.

So wait, haven't we been providing military support to Iraq and Afghanistan for years? Well, yes - under Obama the countries would be listed and then granted a waiver.

Documents reviewed by Reuters also show Tillerson’s decision was at odds with a unanimous recommendation by the heads of the State Department’s regional bureaus overseeing embassies in the Middle East and Asia, the U.S. envoy on Afghanistan and Pakistan, the department’s human rights office and its own in-house lawyers. [tmsnrt.rs/2Ah6tB4] “Beyond contravening U.S. law, this decision risks marring the credibility of a broad range of State Department reports and analyses and has weakened one of the U.S. government's primary diplomatic tools to deter governmental armed forces and government-supported armed groups from recruiting and using children in combat and support roles around the world,” said the July 28 memo.

There may be a good reason for Tillerson to handle it this way but I am not coming up with it.  

Comments

[anonamom]

Ya know, I just can't keep up with every single policy decision. Think I'll go pack.
The link goes to Charles Manson story though TM.

[Wait, he shot elephants didn't he? Or did they shoot horses?
I can't keep up either. TM]

[anonamom]

Happy holiday to you! I'm grateful for JOM.
Thank you.

[Dave (in MA)]

Tillerson has a helter skelter foreign policy?

[RattlerGator]

The good reason, TM, may very well be putting an exclamation point on a new path for the State Department that gives *no* AUTOMATIC credence to a "unanimous recommendation by the heads of the State Department’s regional bureaus overseeing embassies in the Middle East and Asia, the U.S. envoy on Afghanistan and Pakistan, the department’s human rights office and its own in-house lawyers."

For all we know, the new approach that provides American leadership but defers to the local nations on the ground requires a step back from a human rights sledgehammer that has much less utility than it seems.

[RattlerGator]

Love you, Clarice.

* * *

JiB, I think the Gator Boosters by and large love the hire. What is going on, though, is this: a significant subset of boosters, especially some in Central Florida, and apparently including Steve Spurrier, seriously wanted Scott Frost -- head coach at the University of Central Florida.

He's, at best, third on my list. Most of us have been impressed with our new Athletic Director from Mississippi State, Scott Stricklin. He has been savvy as hell in how he has handled all of this. If he pulls off the Chip Kelly hire, this will be his announcement to our old guard -- new rules, new Sheriff, deal with it.

[Tom Bowler]

A group of about a dozen U.S. State Department officials have taken the unusual step of formally accusing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson of violating a federal law designed to stop foreign militaries from enlisting child soldiers, according to internal government documents reviewed by Reuters.

How unusual that a group of deep state swampers would take issue with a Trump Cabinet head's executive decision! I'm shocked. Shocked.

And isn't it ISIS that's been pressing children into military service? How does the law discourage that?

[henry]

"unanimous recommendation by the heads of the State Department’s regional bureaus overseeing embassies in the Middle East and Asia, the U.S. envoy on Afghanistan and Pakistan, the department’s human rights office and its own in-house lawyers."

These guys complain about the Iran free nukes deal? ::tumbleweeds::

Shows how good their advice is right there.

[anonamom]

Hey RG, one of my partner's brothers had to get in his pick up with his dog and his rifle, and drive here from TX to persuade her no good lazy ass parasite of a husband to vacate the premises.
He got the message and moved out, and on.

She's got red hair, freckles, green eyes and alabaster skin.

Soooooo NOT "colored people's problems."

[Duda rides again!]

RG's kinda pretentious.

Although, in the last thread watching an African-American speak out against minority rights was....different!

[Marlene]

Roy Moore's team has been talking for several minutes. One of them just called out McConnell and fake news. The idiot Shep cut away from the news conference.

[JimNorCal]

Grandma says ...

[Duda rides again!]

"Dudu,Names please"

--Jane

I don't have any names, but I have a recommendation for your NETFLIX viewing. Watch the first 30 seconds of 'Happy Valley'.

Just 30 seconds.

[Duda rides again!]

"Roy Moore's team has been talking for several minutes"

Alright,even I'll concede that there are flaws in Rapey Roy's accusers stories.

Fair is fair.......untill those flaws are addressed I'll call him by his name,Judge Roy moore.

I may have made a mistake.

[JimNorCal]

An unscientific poll gives Moore the lead, roughly 60/40.
http://www.trussvilletribune.com/2017/11/20/tribune-readers-poll-moore-leads-jones-for-us-senate-seat/

[Appalled]

Jane:

The names are all here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump_sexual_misconduct_allegations

I don't have an opinion on the validity of any of these, but clearly. Duda needs some help in upping his game.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

(Sung to the Tune of "Camptown Ladies":

Who's the troll I just have blocked?

Duda! Duda!

Trump's has cleaned Crooked Hillary's clock!

Duda! Duda!

MAGA all the night, MAGA all the day!

Thanksgiving's coming and Deplorables won,

Trump is our President today!

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Mark Knoller‏Verified account @markknoller
10m10 minutes ago

Pres says Roy Moore “totally denies” sexual misconduct allegations. Urges voters not to support Democratic candidate Doug Jones, citing him as bad on crime and the border.

[dudaIntoTheSunset]

"I may have made a mistake."
In fact, given the weight of Dem and Progressive assaults on women versus the much reduced (both quantity and quality) rate on the Conservative side, maybe I'll just drop this issue.
In the name of my Mother (did I mention she died 3 years ago?).
Also, I'm leaving and won't post on this blog until December 3rd.

(not really duda. but we can dream!)

[Duda rides again!]

"Duda needs some help in upping his game"

Firstly,I get this Trojan mind game you're playing with these folks...be reasonable, be nice,maybe you'll get through.......and as a token of trust throw the Liberal troll under the bus, yada yada yada. Puke!

We've seen this strategy a million times.
It's horse shit. This is a cult. Albeit, a cult of personality, but it's still a cult.Critical thinking does not exist here...that's the gag!!!!!!

Jane can google for herself,I'm not her confirmation bias therapist.

Happy Valley is a stunning drama(cc required).

[Duda rides again!]

"Who's the troll I just have blocked"

There are 2 women that I could seriously fall for in a heartbeat.The first is Jane...alas,I like her too much to inflict my Irish skanky unemployed loser colin farrel-esque self on her.
I'm sex on wheels, but my monetary prospects are zero.

The other is the illustrious Miss Marple.Queen of the cult!

Cult chicks are hot....cause they're so into it!!!!

I don't know......if you lose Ms Marple(so the troll handbook says) you've lost the group.

[Davod]

Regarding Tillerson and child soldiers.

"In a written response to the dissent memo on Sept. 1, Tillerson adviser Brian Hook acknowledged that the three countries did use child soldiers. He said, however, it was necessary to distinguish between governments “making little or no effort to correct their child soldier violations ... and those which are making sincere - if as yet incomplete - efforts.” Hook made clear that America’s top diplomat used what he sees as his discretion to interpret the law."

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-tillerson-childsoldiers/state-dept-revolt-tillerson-accused-of-violating-u-s-law-on-child-soldiers-idUSKBN1DL0EA

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/john-lasseters-pattern-alleged-misconduct-detailed-by-disney-pixar-insiders-1059594

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/john-lasseter-taking-leave-absence-pixar-missteps-1057113?utm_source=twitter&utm_source=Direct&utm_source=Direct&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral

That was quick.

[derwill]

Liberals--many of whom haven't moved on from the 1960s--have in their heads this caricature of a conservative voter, and two of the traits that they ascribe to this voter is that he/she is repressed sexually and that they see red Russians under every bed.

That's why they were so sure they could depress turn out for Trump with the pussy tape and Allred's parade of liars; along with the accusation that Trump was some kind of Russian stooge.

They still can't quite come to grips with the fact that their brilliant plan didn't work, which is why they keep coming back to it over and over.

Once again I will try to make this very simple for Appalled, and duda, and all you liberals out there. We. Don't. Care. About any of it--Russia, the pussy tape, whether or not Trump may have coped a feel with some wanna-be at a party 20 years ago. We figure it's probably all lies anyway, because you guys always lie. But that's beside the point.

The real point is you're wasting your time. We're operating under new rules now. And these are the new rules. We. Don't. Care.

[Rocco]

This Moore BS is part of the coup. If they can get Moore to drop out now or resign after he wins, then they go after Trump likewise...that's what I think.

[Tom Maguire]

'Happy Valley' looks gritty, intense and very working-class rural Brit. I wonder if the audience overlaps with one of my faves, "Justified".

Bonus Query: I watched the first episode of 'Punisher' and thought maybe I was on the receiving end of the punishment. It was at best atmospheric shading strongly to inert. But my devoted daughter insists it picks up and is great. Anyone else?

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

The President spoke with Vladimir Putin for over an hour today. Here is the readout of the call:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DPLqsqHV4AILrN1.jpg:large

[Duda rides again!]

"In the name of my Mother (did I mention she died 3 years ago?).
Also, I'm leaving and won't post on this blog until December 3rd."

Why are you so hurtful? Duda is just a person.An uneducated Liberal who gets things wrong.I was man enough to admit that there are genuine flaws in the Moore accusers story.Serious enough that they that merit further investigation.

Why is Duda so despised at this group.....kilfiled at every turn and prevented from going to JOM functions(I would steal your valuables and bang your wife so...good call on that one.I am actually a Criminal IRL ).

Duda is honest to a fault(within this context). I'm a troll with an agenda. Unlike Appalled....sneaky and a fake. you can't trust AppaLLED.

At least you know where you stand with Duda!

[Appalled]

Duda:

I see occasional moments when you are looking to be taken seriously (something I did not see until recently). If you are going to do that, you need to take your commenting compatriots seriously. Even if you think their opinions are quite mad. The JOM commentariat is really quite bright, and well read in both current events and Western Culture.

Critical thinking does exist here, but it's arising from entirely different premises than you or I might think appropriate. (Read Old Lurker sometime. He takes great pleasure in not reading me, but he may be the smartest tactician here.) And it's always kind of fun to see our esteemed host post something that is 2011 GOP state of the art, with a hint to his comment section that they've gotten lost, and watch the mind of the section proceed onward, only somewhat noticing that the host went and cited David Brooks and the failing New York Times again)

[Duda rides again!]

Communicate this message to Miss Marple..............YOU KNOW WHERE YOU STAND WITH DUDA.I AM A SCUMBAG LIBERAL TROLL.......BUT AT LEAST YOU KNOW WHERE ALL LIBERALS STAND WHEN YOU LISTEN TO DUDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!YOU MAY NOT LIKE IT.....BUT IT'S LIBERALISM IN IT'S UN-POLITICAL CORRECTNESS-ISATION FORM.

[Porchlight]

We think it's cute that our gracious host still reads and seems to appreciate David Brooks, Appalled.

Call it a conversation starter.

[JimNorCal]

Posted by: derwill | November 21, 2017 at 03:58 PM
Hear! Hear!
Though, to be fair, probably no one other than duda or Appalled cares what we think.
Most likely, duda, doesn't care-care. He's a foot soldier assigned in some way inscrutable to us.

Appalled, what is your motivation, if one may ask?

[Appalled]

derwill:

There's always a good 30-35% of the population that doesn't care that their political hero has been caught in some nasty. You might win some states (like Alabama) with that 30%, but you won't keep a majority in the House and the Senate with it.

[Davod]

Tom:

"'Happy Valley' looks gritty, intense and very working-class rural Brit."

I started watching Happy Valley some time ago. However, I am not a fan of gritty working-class Brit shows. I get depressed watching them.

[Duda rides again!]

'"I wonder if the audience overlaps with one of my faves, "Justified"'

Was there ever a better show than 'Justified'?Ever???

For some bizarre reason the movie 'Wind river' comes close. Renner doesn't do Olyphant's stunningly brilliant laconisms, but there are moments.

Happy Valley is phenomenal(cc required).

[JimNorCal]

duda: "Duda is honest to a fault(within this context). I'm a troll with an agenda. Unlike Appalled....sneaky and a fake. you can't trust AppaLLED."

First, I think we need a SurveyMonkey post so we can vote on our favored troll.

Second, I'm just now noticing that duda's typing resembles narciso's. Hmmm. Has anyone ever seen the two of them together in one room at the same time? Could this be a monumental misdirection by our beloved narc?

[Appalled]

JNC:

I used to think duda was a conservative posing as a liberal for entertainment value. I've noticed some real moral anger lately, so I finally do think he's real, even if he's definitely put on a persona for our benefit.

As for me, I was here before almost any of the rest of you, and I have refused to move. (I think the only people who predate me who still appear are narciso and boris) This was back in the day when the comment section was much more bipartisan.

[derwill]

--here's always a good 30-35% of the population that doesn't care that their political hero has been caught in some nasty. You might win some states (like Alabama) with that 30%, but you won't keep a majority in the House and the Senate with it.--

So the rapist Bill Clinton's eight years in the WH and the murderer Ted Kennedy's decades of tenure as the "Lion of the Senate" was all just a bad dream.

See, Appalled, those were the old rules. Democrat politicians got to break all sorts of laws and commit all sorts of immoral acts, but you all kept voting for them anyway, because they were liberals and that excused everything else. Whereas all some some conservative had to do was be accused of something--no proof necessary--and we were supposed to shy away in horror.

The new rules are 1) we don't believe you about anything anymore, because you've been caught in too many lies; and because we don't really believe you anymore anyway about anything, 2) we don't care what you claim, accuse, suggest, or pontificate on.

[Duda rides again!]

Look,Duda in a nutshell:I'm a fake crappy uneducated liberal troll who should be kilfiled or ignored.

But APPALED......MMMMMMMMM....now that's some fancy trolling right there.

That's old school shit...with the ingratiating and whatnot. That's smooth.

[Rapey Al Frankenstien]

I stand with Duda!

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/21/doj-moves-to-strip-citizenship-for-immigrant-child-sex-abusers.html

[Jim Eagle]

Went to Diplomad to get his take on Child Soldiers but he is in process of moving (actually unpacking and setting up his tech) so no posts since 11/17 but asked him anyway for his take.

http://www.thediplomad.com/2017/11/moores-pity.html?showComment=1511299013150#c719044416073064193

This is his note on the Moore kerfuffle.

The only time DuDa shows up is when Soros is worried he is losing and needs more hysterical interference with the truth and power we possess here at JOM, including our ability to invoke KillFile anytime we want. Imagine if all the pubs in Ireland had a version of KillFile once a Irishman has had too many Guinnesses (that would be north of 8).

We'd have peace and reconciliation in the North.

[derwill]

You only come here, Appalled, when you're trying to get us to care about the latest OMG Trump! Look what he just said, did, tweeted, Russia, pussy tape, Russia, pussy tape, blah, blah, blah. Have you ever got us to care once?

We knew exactly who Trump was when we elected him. In fact we elected him exactly because he is who he is--primarily not being either Hillary or a liberal.

[Appalled]

derwill:

If you put robbers and rapists in charge, prepare to be robbed and raped. Maybe you'll get by by not believing it's happening to you.

[henry]

Appalled, "robbers and rapists in charge". 8 years of Slick, 8 year of Obama. We're done being robbed and raped.

Keep stepping on every rake in sight. I never tire of that gag.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/21/melania-gobbles-up-media-attention-in-leather-skirt-during-white-house-turkey-pardon/?utm_campaign=atdailycaller&utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social

The leather skirt is nice, but that coat is unbelievably beautiful! It looks like a recreation of 18th century embroidery style which was done in imitation of Chinese lacquer work. I can't tell from the photo if it is embroidered or a print. Beautiful colors, though.

[Tom R]

From the previous thread:

Thus, if you think Roy Moore has already lost, you are certifiably clueless about that race and about Alabama, among other matters. Something additional may arise that makes Moore a loser but if it doesn't, he's easily going to win this vote -- in part, because he's clearly the victim of a political hit job that doesn't stand up to even minimal scrutiny.

I live in Alabama and I think its going to be a close race. I wouldn't use the term "easily win" to describe Moore's chances at this point. George Soros is spending a lot of money to help Doug Jones win and his ads are being shown nonstop on multiple channels to include Fox News. I know my wife, a Christian conservative, has reservations about voting for Moore. She thinks some of the accusers are telling the truth. I am concerned that sentiment is common among a lot of Alabama women voters who supported Trump.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Speaking of rapists, OAN is reporting this:

'GITMO' BAMA
🎗‏ @President1Trump
14m14 minutes ago

The Bill Clinton Presidential library refuses to handover documents related to Bill Clinton’s dealings with convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein!

[derwill]

--f you put robbers and rapists in charge, prepare to be robbed and raped. Maybe you'll get by by not believing it's happening to you.--

We did put robbers in charge. That is the damn swamp that you liberals and faux independents put in place and that Trump was elected to drain. As for rapists, so far the only men who've been accused of actual rape are big powerful Democrats. One of whom is Bill Clinton, whom I've no doubt at all that you voted for. Twice.

So get down off your high horse and look in the mirror. Because you are why you got Trump.

[Duda rides again!]

"The only time DuDa shows up is when Soros is worried he is losing and needs more hysterical interference with the truth and power we possess here at JOM, including our ability to invoke KillFile anytime we want. Imagine if all the pubs in Ireland had a version of KillFile once a Irishman has had too many Guinnesses (that would be north of 8)"

If every poster at JOM kilfiled me I would disappear in a matter of days. I'm only here because people respond.

Stop responding to Duda and APPALLED and we'll be gone in days.

But watch Happy valley and windriver!!!!!!! That's all I ask!!!

[Jim Eagle]

TM,

Any series with Sarah Lancaster has to be a must watch. Especially if it takes place in West Yorkshire:) One of my favorite places on earth.

Appalled,

Bipartisan? You mean when Ben aka Semiticleo and Anduril dominated the other side of the aisle you seem unable to straddle since your left leg is longer than your right leg.

[anonamom]

I stand with derwill!

Once again I will try to make this very simple for... all you liberals out there. We. Don't. Care. About any of it--Russia, the pussy tape, whether or not Trump may have coped a feel with some wanna-be at a party 20 years ago. We figure it's probably all lies anyway, because you guys always lie. But that's beside the point.

The real point is you're wasting your time. We're operating under new rules now. And these are the new rules. We. Don't. Care.

You betcha, sweetheart.

THAT'S what they still just don't get.Their decades of accusations--racists, bigots--coupled with their endless lies---have gotten them Trump.
And I think will get them Moore as well, even though my guru Scott Adams doesn't.

[Duda rides again!]

--f you put robbers and rapists in charge, prepare to be robbed and raped. Maybe you'll get by by not believing it's happening to you.--

I love that I was able to take an old school troll off his game.

It's a brand new world,Grandpa. These bullshit KGB tactics no longer work.

There's a new right-wing political voter in town and they ain't got time for your shite!

This group is done with you,Appaled.

[derwill]

That is a beautiful coat. I have a question of the other JOM ladies here, though. Have you ever been able to wear your coat like she so often does, just hanging on the shoulders, without your arms in the sleeves. Because I think I couldn't walk five steps without it sliding off and onto the ground.

[anonamom]

Re: Christian conservatives.

When my good friend and her husband, CCs of the strongest faith, decided they were supporting Trump in June, I figured he'd win. I think Roy Moore is still in the election because of his genuine faith, not because of his ego.

[cathyf]

Liberals--many of whom haven't moved on from the 1960s--have in their heads this caricature of a conservative voter, and two of the traits that they ascribe to this voter is that he/she is repressed sexually and that they see red Russians under every bed.

I will add to derwill's other excellent points, that it is laughably obvious that liberals believe that conservatives are motivated by prudery and sexual repression rather than any coherent ethical position on sex.

In fact, when sociologists study Americans, it is clear that married people have a lot more sex than single people. And there is a very strong correlation between conservative religious married people and having lots of sex. Evangelical Protestant spouses have sex most often, with conservative Catholics a close second.

It's really pretty funny -- liberals believe that conservatives will get the vapours over any hint that a candidate has a sex life. That would be the liberals who are seeing action once or twice a month vs conservatives who are getting it a couple of times per week...

[henry]

We shouldn't count our chickens before they hatch on Moore. Tom R. has local observations that some Moore support is shaky. We see Soros burning cash (probably Steyer as well), and Trump speaking up. That tells me it will be close. (But no worries for either side because I don't have time travel so don't know).

[Marlene]

Melania's coat is beautiful! I kept saying to hubby,oh that coat! I have a pretty tapestry vest that I usually wear for the holidays,but it is in my closet in Maine.

[Appalled]

JIB:

Actually, long before those two almost demolished the blog -- I've been here since 2004. (andruil wasn't exactly left -- he was just an all purpose troll)

derwill:

Yes. We got Trump. I think James Comey's got more to do with that than anybody.

But how long have we really got Trump if he maintains that 38% popularity? Guess we'll find out.

[Old Lurker]

4:52. Where Cathy gives me one more reason to leave the Episcopal Church.

[RattlerGator]

Hey RG, one of my partner's brothers had to get in his pick up with his dog and his rifle, and drive here from TX to persuade her no good lazy ass parasite of a husband to vacate the premises.
He got the message and moved out, and on.

She's got red hair, freckles, green eyes and alabaster skin.

Soooooo NOT "colored people's problems."

Posted by: anonamom | November 21, 2017 at 03:17 PM

My, my, my. I likes the sound of that guy!

[Duda rides again!]

In light of the flaws in some of the allegations by the accusers......Moore deserves some.....some breathing space.

Any liberal who says no is being intellectually dishonest.

[Tom R]

Well it definitely helps Moore that Trump just publicly endorsed him today. If Trump comes to Alabama again for a Moore rally that would really help a lot.

[Old Lurker]

And 4:54 where Henry makes good sense.

[Appalled]

Note.

If you watch Happy Valley you will be depressed. And you need to be prepared for perhaps the most violent episode ever.

Does Happy Valley remind you of home?

[Old Lurker]

Plus the money from Soros and Steyer does not count what McConnell and GOPe are chipping in to defeat Moore.

[Porchlight]

If you put robbers and rapists in charge, prepare to be robbed and raped. Maybe you'll get by by not believing it's happening to you.

History of the Democratic Party, from a Democrat. Pfft.

[derwill]

Trump's re-election will depend in large part on the economy. If the economy performs next year like the economists are predicting and continues along in that vein, he'll be re-elected. Especially, if a booming economy is felt in places like WI and PA.

Also, Rasmussen, which was one of the polls that was closest to the actual election results, had him at 46% a couple of days ago.

[Duda rides again!]

"If you watch Happy Valley you will be depressed. And you need to be prepared for perhaps the most violent episode ever.

Does Happy Valley remind you of home"

Ha ha, I like your moves,Appalled. Very 80's.

I honestly cannot think of a more uplifting t.v show than 'Happy valley' ,but like life......to get there you've got to go to a really dark place,it's true.

It's 40 miles of bad road.

If on the other hand you do decide to stream 'wind river' the "flanking scene"will go down as one of the creepiest,uneasy scenes in any thriller since Lawrence Olivier's "is it safe?" scene in Marathon man.

Duda can only recommend.

[RattlerGator]

Henry, Trump speaking up says to me he sees a winning horse and that the political hit job has failed.

Tom R, Trump seems to be saying come on in, y'all, the water is fine. Unless they come up with something substantive, Moore will win easily.

I said on Twitter that Moore violated no laws as best I can tell. It's truly stunning to me how many people act as if they don't know guys who were in their late 20s, early 30s who preferred late teens, early 20s women. Hell, at my largest in North Florida high school in the late 70s we had teachers who fit in that age group messing around with Juniors and Seniors and eventually marrying them. White teachers, white students.

I'm pretty sure that was (and still is) replicated around the country.

Moore, apparently, didn't do anything quite like that. But, close enough. In a free country you have a right to be odd and make choices that strike most of us as odd. None of that, however, is disqualifying for the United States Senate.

This is especially true for events that supposedly occurred 40 years ago for a 70-year-old man married for 30+ years.

[Janet 🚬]

related to derwill's 3:58 -

zombie: "I assume that everyone here understand that the ENTIRE "Russiagate" scandal is a massive exercise in "concern trolling" -- pretending to be upset about something you assume is upsetting to your political opponents.

In realityland, the Left are all crypto-commies, and for 70 years hopes and prayed that Russia (i.e. the USSR) would win the Cold War and turn Earth communist.

And they mocked right-wingers who were afraid of "the Rooskies!"

Fast forward to today, an the Left STILL has a completely dated misperception of conservatives and how we think and feel, and the Left falsely assumes that we are all stuck in the past and that we are all still triggered by "the Rooskies!" and that we crouch in our nuclear bunkers mumbling about precious bodily fluids.

So they thought, "How can we (the Left) make right-wingers disenchanted with Trump? Bingo! We'll associate him with "the Russians," which the stupid paleo-cons will think that he's in bed with the commies!"

So the Left went on this elaborate masquerade to pretend that THEY were upset that Trump was a Russian commie spy -- for the sole purpose of making US upset that he's a Russian commie spy.

Of course, the Left would in reality LOVE IT if Trump was a traitor and a commie spy (::coughObamacough:. But they are only pretending otherwise as part of a gigantic theater production to make us join them in their faux "concern."

The whole charade has failed spectacularly, but that is the origin of it."

[anonamom]

derwill, those coats are heavy and made out of a significant amount of fabric. That one today looked like a piece of tapestry.
They well may be weighted at the hem too.

FLOTUS does have spectacular posture.

And today, she did look like she was sporting pregnant boobs, if I may so crude. Would that not just be THE BEST EVER!?! A Trump baby in the White House!

She's no spring chicken, but they do incredible things with hormones these days at the infertility clinics.

[Extraneus]

The head of Pixar is out because of an "unwanted advance."

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

I am not sure how much money helps. I don't know.

Some people may think that Trump semi-endorsing Moore is a sign the race is close. On the other hand, it could be a sign that the election is pretty much a win for Moore. I don't think any of us can say for sure.

I place credence in Tom's local report, but Beasts has reported a different take. Again, who knows?

You know what would really be great? If Jones turns up on the democrat creep list with several accusers. LOL!

[derwill]

RG--I had a friend who was a high school teacher in her late 20s who fell in love with a boy in her senior class. They waited until after he graduated before they started dating, eventually married and had three children. Tragically, she died young of breast cancer. I admit I thought it odd that one could fall in love with someone so much younger, especially when the younger person was still a teenager, but I never thought it was immoral. And she did respect the teacher/student relationship by waiting until he graduated to act on her attraction.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

anonamom!

I noticed her boobs the other day and thought they looked fuller, but I thought maybe I was imagining things. Your professional opinion is a stunner!

OMG!! That would be the best thing EVER!!!

The Left would collapse in a pile of ashes!

Now I am going to start paying attention to her and Trump both. If he has that pleased as punch look, I will notice!

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Reminder: When John Conyers was elected to Congress at age 36, his current wife was 0. He is 36 years older than she is.

[James D.]

I stand with derwill!

Me, too!

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Wictor thinks something is up. Here is a reformatted edition of his thread today about this:

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/933068519532503040

[derwill]

If she is pregnant the MSM will accuse him of making her do it, because of his low approval ratings.

[anonamom]

MM, I remember you noted that--it was her visit to The Smithsonion, I believe.

I think she's been looking pretty relaxed lately---smiling much more than before. We'll see...

[anonamom]

maybe not--this is a youTube from June---

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNZBtqafJdo

[Porchlight]

Melania sure is gorgeous in that coat. I love the way she wears them. I couldn't do it. I can't even keep a purse on my shoulder, lol.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

anonamom,

I now have something ELSE to watch. I tell you, elections, sex scandals, Saudis, China, economy, etc. It's sure a lot!

After reading that Wictor thread, I got to thinking back to the Raid on Entebbe, which happened on the July 4th weekend when our media was all busy covering Bicentennial celebrations and the tall ships.

Walter Cronkite broke into his coverage of the ships to announce that the Israelis had rescued those hostages.

I made ChiTown Lurker promise me he would text me if the Iranian mullahs fall on Thanksgiving, since we won't have a TV on at my brother's house.

[Porchlight]

Do not read the comments on anonamom's 5:31 link. ;)
I think the slight tummy is her natural look.

[Comanche Voter]

The cookie pushers in striped pants at State have not taken Our New Light Worker's [emphasis on the light--he was one lazy guy] statement to heart. Elections have consequences. There is a New Sheriff in Town at State. Now if the boys and girls at State can't get behind their new leader--who looks at their past track record and isn't all that impressed--then maybe they ought to get out.

In the real world (like say Exxon) when you tell the boss man to drill here and invest there, and he doesn't take your advice, you suck it up buttercup. Just maybe he's smarter than you are--or to qoute Donna Brazile, at least he's got the biggest ding dong in the room.

[Beasts of England]

Moore is starting to bang on Jones' anti-gun, pro-immigration and pro-abortion stances. Moore has retained the support of the governor, the state GOP and Mo Brooks. The last is very important because Mo represents the most liberal part of the state - those who might be looking to bail.

[anonamom]

me too porch, re: tummy
If it was a baby, she'd be close to delivering by now.

So the boobs are just midlife well endowed peasant boobs on someone who stayed slender. Her equivalent of matronly.

Good for her!

[JimNorCal]

In my first incarnation at JOM, I saw anduril and that some people were really irritated by him.
But I never paid enough attention to put him into a bucket category. I was left with the impression that perhaps he was not consistently right/left due to being devout or something.

[Marlene]

anonamom,Melania probably is pre-menopausal (she's 47) so she might be going thru hormonal changes. I'll defer to your opinion,you're the doctor. :) She'll be the most stylish and beautiful First Lady to go thru menopause. :)

[derwill]

From Insty: John Lasseter Takes Leave of Absence From Disney/Pixar, Apologizes for Unwanted Hugs

Unwanted hugs . . . Seriously. And complete with a groveling apology and a promise to make use of his leave of absence by becoming sufficiently re-educated.

What the liberals are doing to themselves is a sight to behold. So reminiscent of the Cultural Revolution. All that's missing, at least so far, is that the accused haven't been made to wear placards around their necks declaring them "enemy of the vulvas."

[Jane - not "in"]

Appalled,

That is pretty thin gruel. Nothing there to prove at all.

Dudu I'm on your side usually. You are a good troll.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Donald J. Trump‏Verified account @realDonaldTrump
17m17 minutes ago

Today, we continued a wonderful American Tradition at the White House. Drumstick and Wishbone will live out their days in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains at Gobbler’s Rest...

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/933105158275325952

(Video at link. Be sure to click on the sound.)

[henry]

"Live out their days" as in both of them before Thursday. Yum.

[Skoot]

So glad to see Trump taking a stand on Moore. Moore up 6 in new poll

"The poll from WT&S Consulting of 11,641 likely voters conducted from November 18 to November 20, with a margin of error of 1.2 percent, has Moore at 46.4 percent—towering six points over Jones, who is stuck down at 40.5 percent"

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Fox News had the Governor of West Virginia on this morning, talking about the YUGE trade deal that President Trump worked out with Cina, of which West Virginia will be a major recipient:

https://twitter.com/FoxNews/status/932969621514158080

Video at link. Be sure to turn on sound.

This is one of his campaign promises being fulfilled.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Larry Elder‏Verified account @larryelder
9h9 hours ago

You wouldn't know it from the 24/7 Trump bashfest on cable, but Britain's May, Germany's Merkel, France's Macron and Canada's Trudeau ALL have LOWER approval ratings than "failure" @realDonaldTrump.

[maryrose]

If Tillerson thinks it is ok than I am happy with it.
TM:
For future clarification just check which people disapprove than support the opposite.
I enjoy lurking and learning in the various discussions.
RG:
I so enjoy your posts.
MM:
I feel hopeful tax reform will pass.
Ryan was quoted as saying how helpful President Trump was in getting tax reform done in the House.
All Dems sex abuse and deviation is so definitive of who they really are
Franken remaining in the Senate neuter the effort to prevent pore from taking his rightful seat in the Senate if he wins.
The timing is most fortuitous.
President Trump continues to do a wonderful job.
Appalled can’t help but engage in wishful thinking that somehow he won’t be able to finish his term.
He will finish and be re- elected because the economy and everyone’s lives will be better.
My only disappointment is the justice denied in bringing down the Clintons and revealing the unmasking perpetrators

[maryrose]

Should be Moore.

[Porchlight]

>11,641 likely voters

That's the biggest sample I've seen in the whole AL Senate race, Skoot. I think the second largest was around 3K and the rest are well under $1K

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

maryrose,

I still think somehow President Trump orchestrated all of this sex scandal stuff. All he would really have had to do is have one of the boys tell the accusers that they would protect them. As I have said, he KNOWS things.

AND, along with that, we have this statement President Trump gave to the chief correspondent to OANN:

Trey Yingst‏Verified account @TreyYingst
3h3 hours ago

NEW: President Trump tells me he believes Congress should release the names of lawmakers who have settled sexual harassment claims