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Judge Rules AT&T Can't See Trump White House Communications About Time Warner Merger
The judge presiding over the Justice Department's attempt to block the AT&T-Time Warner merger has ruled that the White House's private communications on the merger will not be released. The Verge reports: When the department said in November that it would sue to block the mega-merger, thoughts immediately turned to the White House. President Trump has made no secret of his disdain for CNN, and some watchers questioned whether the White House's hand was present, guiding the Justice Department as a way to exact revenge on the Time Warner-owned property. The Justice Department has denied any wrongdoing, and said it is only looking to block the merger on the grounds that it is anti-competitive. But to prove the theory, AT&T and Time Warner requested communications between the Justice Department and White House that could have shown the department was engaging in "selective enforcement." In today's decision, the judge on the case said the companies had fallen "far short" of the legal bar required to receive the documents.
This seems very close to a blank check to the White House to engage in selective enforcement of anti-trust rules whenever they please. This ruling says that it is close to impossible to establish a clear line of political influence even when the circumstantial evidence for political retribution influencing it is pretty heavy. I'm in general in favor of stronger enforcement of anti-trust laws, but not if it is going to be done in a capricious fashion for political and personal goals.
The merger between AT&T and Time-Warner should be blocked. This is a case of the president doing the right thing for corrupt reasons, which I suppose we should take as a win.
But ultimately, I suspect the merger will go forward. AT&T and Time-Warner simply have better lawyers than the Trump administration.
You are welcome on my lawn.
Regardless of the reason, the merger shouldn't happen.
Should I be mad dumbass Trump did something good for a bad reason?
Huge companies merging is bad for America. Does no one realize that? Who fucking cares about the presidents motivations. Hyper-consolidation and the resulting lack of competition exacerbates every problem with our countries "free market" (LOL, free market)
Hey, that traitor smells like urine!
Shoulda picked a judge in Hawaii or San Fran. Those judges don't worry about pesky details
The AT&T merger is being blocked on the grounds it is bad for the consumer and AT&T and Time Warner are already on record stating it will allow them to raise prices.
Just because "Trump" does not excuse you for your poor logic on how bad this merger would be for consumers.
AT&T and Time Warner simply should not be merging.
And you thinking the merger would be good just because of "Trump" does not speak well of your ability to think.
More courts need to step in line or get out of the way via impeachment if necessary.
The one best reason not to impeach Trump is named Mike Pence. Last person you want as president is a right-wing fundamentalist fascist Christian controlling all of the nukes.
My ism, it's full of beliefs.
The one best reason not to impeach Trump is named Mike Pence. Last person you want as president is a right-wing fundamentalist fascist Christian controlling all of the nukes.
This, this, a hundred times this.
The one best reason not to impeach Trump is named Mike Pence. Last person you want as president is a right-wing fundamentalist fascist Christian controlling all of the nukes.
Look, I'm no fan at all of Mike Pence (or anyone else in the Trump administration.) However, I'm not sure on all of your claims.
Right wing? Check. Fundamentalist Christian? Most definitely. But fascist? Citation please.
If it weren't for deadlines, nothing would be late.
A lot of people hate Trump and they all want a fishing license.
Just because you can imagine that a crime has occurred, doesn't mean you get to breech Executive Privlege and are owed transcripts of communications you only imagine exists.
If the lawyers demanding transcripts of any/all communication between the White House and DOJ had anything stronger than a 'belief' that something illegal 'may' have happened, they might get what they are asking for.
I seem to recall the previous administration refused to share communications between the White House and DOJ regarding the "Fast 'n Furious" gun-running fiasco when Congress asked for it - remember, Eric Holder was found in contempt of Congress in that case? I'm sure your outrage then, when people's actual lives were lost, not the prospect of possibly higher cable bills...
Ken
But fascist? Citation please.
IMHO
My ism, it's full of beliefs.
Very interesting. Thanks for that.
If it weren't for deadlines, nothing would be late.
1. He is guilty as fuck.
2. The rabbit hole goes much deeper.
Translation: We know we're breaking the law, but want proof that we're being singled out for enforcement due to political reasons.
I frown on selective enforcement in general, but in this case it's a law that shouldn't be violated by anyone.
Corruption is convincing someone that the selfless ideal is the same as their selfish ideal.
Very weak. That just shows Pence being loyal to his boss, which is literally the absolute minimum required of his job. There's not the slightest suggestion of him taking the initiative, nor even of condoning Trump's attacks on the press or the courts.
If that's the best citation you can come up with for "Pence is a fascist", I for one will find for the defendant.
Very interesting. Thanks for that.
You're welcome.
My ism, it's full of beliefs.
The one best reason not to impeach Trump is named Mike Pence. Last person you want as president is a right-wing fundamentalist fascist Christian controlling all of the nukes.
Look, I'm no fan at all of Mike Pence (or anyone else in the Trump administration.) However, I'm not sure on all of your claims.
Right wing? Check. Fundamentalist Christian? Most definitely. But fascist? Citation please.
I'm not a fan of Pence either and I disagree with the GP too. I see the difference between Pence and Trump mostly as being that while Pence is a stuffy conservative Bible thumper at least he is a rational, intelligent and an experienced politician whereas Trump really is just a couple of steps down the skill ladder from an organ grinder's monkey. Pence could, for example, be trusted **not to start a nuclear exchange** with North Korea with a stream of late night rage tweets while sitting on the toilet bowel-moving three Big Macs, he could be trusted to stop the systematic disassembly of the state department since even the Pentagon is on record calling the ongoing state department massacre a huge mistake and he would probably go on a world tour repairing the damage Trump has done to America's network of allies which is pretty much the basis of America's power. For the Chinese the Trump administration is a godsend, I just heard an Asian diplomat describe the situation at various important political and economic events over there. What he said was that while the US downsizes its diplomatic corps and shows up with two guys at various international events in Asia, the Chinese show up with several dozen. Now who do you think is having more influence there? The two guys Rex Tillerson deemed it worth while to send (Starve the beast!! Starve the beast!!!) or the four dozen guys that Beijing sent? The difference between the Pence administration and the Trump administration would be minimal in terms of the odiousness of their policies, the big differences/improvements of a Pence admin. would be that (a) the US would have a stable force governing it, a group of people with something resembling a plan, that commands some kind of respect abroad (b) the systematic disassembly of the US's power base would stop and (c) the USA would cease being the biggest laughing stock on this planet.
Very weak. That just shows Pence being loyal to his boss, which is literally the absolute minimum required of his job.
Like all politicians he is talking like a politician. What he is actually saying is "See what President Crazy Town did? I'm the sane candidate, you can feel confident in my presidency."
There's not the slightest suggestion of him taking the initiative, nor even of condoning Trump's attacks on the press or the courts.
What do you think Trump would do to Pence if he *ever* took the initiative?
If that's the best citation you can come up with for "Pence is a fascist", I for one will find for the defendant.
There are plenty of articles on Pence's relationship with Blackwater. I think if you are comfortable with the Vice President having access to a private militia whilst he can approve government spending then you are probably one of his supporters. Maybe you have time to find a better article you could post?
My ism, it's full of beliefs.
Because in spirit of equality we need an average Muslim(on average they don't believe in democracy and female rights, etc... and also hate USA, on average) who is illegal immigrant to hold this position... What can possibly go wrong?
I am atheist, but at least, I trust christian who believes in Jesus not to kill, as it says in scripture. Not so much for Koran... It explicetly asks to kill non faithful ones.
But fascist? Citation please.
IMHO
There is little arguing that Pence is a dyed-in-the-wool Right-wing fundamentalist Christian. His religious beliefs alone tend to confirm that.
However, the article and examples you've provided here bring for the question; Does Pence himself actually believe the fascist statements he's making, or is he doing nothing more than re-enforcing the beliefs of his boss? Damn near every one of his statements was doing nothing but re-regurgitating exactly what his boss says and believes.
All this talk about impeaching Trump; perhaps we shouldn't overlook the fact that if Pence went against Trump sideways enough, he would likely be removed from office. Perhaps it's just semantics at this point, but it's interesting nonetheless. How valid are any VPs beliefs? If there was ever a position that could be labeled "King Ass Kisser", VP would sure as hell be the one.
More courts need to step in line or get out of the way via impeachment if necessary.
The one best reason not to impeach Trump is named Mike Pence. Last person you want as president is a right-wing fundamentalist fascist Christian controlling all of the nukes.
Fortunately, the US military command has said they wont automatically follow any nuclear launch order... And I've got more faith in a career military officer that must have at least done something to earn their position to do the right thing than any president or prime minister.
Besides, it's 2018, Trump will have finished his term and sunk the Republicans chance for a reelection by the time an impeachment could occur. It took 2.5 years to get Nixon.
Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
The one best reason not to impeach Trump is named Mike Pence. Last person you want as president is a right-wing fundamentalist fascist Christian controlling all of the nukes.
Look, I'm no fan at all of Mike Pence (or anyone else in the Trump administration.) However, I'm not sure on all of your claims.
Right wing? Check. Fundamentalist Christian? Most definitely. But fascist? Citation please.
Things that Fascists believe in:
1. Nationalism.
2. Totalitarianism (police enforced single party state).
3. Enforcement of political doctrines (violence is acceptable).
4. Age and gender roles (also enforced).
Just by being a hard right christian fundamentalist, he's ticked most of the boxes.
Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
The gamification of propaganda took longer than expected to arrive. Folks have been hinting around this for a while, notably FB and Twitter, but an actual game developed expressly for this is new. Orwell would be impressed.
Organization? You must be joking..
Things that Fascists believe in:
1. Nationalism.
2. Totalitarianism (police enforced single party state).
3. Enforcement of political doctrines (violence is acceptable).
4. Age and gender roles (also enforced).
Just by being a hard right christian fundamentalist, he's ticked most of the boxes.
Please provide citations for each of your assertions that Christians believe in the following:
1. Nationalism.
2. Totalitarianism (police enforced single party state).
3. Enforcement of political doctrines (violence is acceptable).
4. Age and gender roles (also enforced).
The contents of this message have been doubly encrypted by ROT13
Go fascism!
You obviously have no idea WTF you're talking about.
The number of diplomats is meaningless. If Chad or Kongo sent 100 then they have more to offer than the US or China? Nigga please.
When Trump sent 50 Tomahawks into Syria as retaliation for the gas attack the world knew that the pussy nigga Obama was gone, and someone who would press the button IF NEED BE is in command.
Asia may talk shit about the US, but they need us more than we need them. We slow down foreign imports and what China's economy crumble. No way Xi wants to deal with 1.7billion unemployed nongers.
Please provide citations for each of your assertions that Christians believe in the following:
The Christians are the ones with the horrified look on their faces that their entire cultural doctrine has be subverted by the "hard right christian fundamentalist". One way to tell the difference is the Christians forgive you for trespassing and the hard right christian fundamentalist's shoot at you.
But those fun fun fundamentalist sure know how to party!!! :)
My ism, it's full of beliefs.
What about a Freedom of Information Act request? Would that work in getting the desired documents?
An opinion piece by Slate? I read it... He doesn't like what Trump says and Pence is quiet about what his boss says... FACISM!!!!
Give me a break.
Can't talk about safety or security because "Elevate fear and bury other considerations!!!". Does that mean the pro-gun control parroting safety and security are creating a fascistic state? After all, they are elevating fear with abused statistics while appealing to emotion and burying other considerations #DoSomething. Also, they are disarming the public and taking away their ability to defend against The Final Solution. Dun dun dunnnn...
The entire article screams confirmation bias. If you already believed what was written you'll probably nod away. "See! Trump is creating Fascist USA. I know because I read about online." Meanwhile in the real world, journalists are being killed and jailed. Let me guess, that is the same as being banned by Trumps twitter because you can't reply with #resist to gain followers? Talk about a bad joke. Fascism my ass.
1) nationalism isn't a bad thing.
2) No where in the US is a single party enforced by the police. The closest you get is a lack of enforcement which promotes mob rule which has mostly protected groups like antifa in Berkley.
3) Violence is rejected nearly universally. It is more common as a platform position for far left groups like antifa and BAMN.
4) when you can arbitrarily change physical classification that has lawful implications there must be some standards. FFS,
You have to first establish that 'nationalism' or taking care of one's own country is bad. Socialists have made that the central failing of National Socialism to avoid casting aspersions on Socialism, but that doesn't mean they're correct. They're so worried about financial inequality that they're surprised by all the times they created a one-party state that went haywire both with Socialism and Communism. They simply find some group to blame for financial inequality and systemically oppress them. When they say "the 1%" now, they used to say "the Jews" and you can even now find plenty of Jews in the 1% due to them being successful, hardworking people that so many love to hate for their success.
Regarding a single party state, I see more danger of a Democratic hegemony as they've found various ways to invoke chilling effects, the heckler's veto and other means of deplatforming while arguing that it's legally okay when they do it so that makes it morally okay because they think of themselves as the good guys. But even the National Socialists though of themselves as the good guys--they were protecting oppressed German workers from the 1% of their day (Jews). We all know how well that went.
I don't see him saying "violence is acceptable." We do have a monopoly on violence in the state, to forbid private vengeance (which is sadly in vogue, though not always violent). The supposedly alt-right people who have committed violence are criminals, they deserve punishment, and they have no real support. I don't see many people on the left disavowing Antifa, and some seem to believe it doesn't exist. I have no interest in a pissing contest over who is worse, ALL of these creeps are criminal scum who belong in jail. So if you want to argue with me here, you'll be saying that some of this violence is okay, which by your own list makes you at least 1/4 fascist.
Regarding enforcement of gender roles, I don't see any enforcement. I also don't see where fascists did that historically, nor have you made a case why this is something terrible that will lead to murdering lots of people, sending people to gulags, or any of the horrible things historical fascists really did.
So you're really just throwing around an emotive word and failing to make the case of why these things deserve that strongly negative an emotion in that case, failing to show that he actually believes those things (show me HIS words, not yours, nor reports of other people who think he thinks that, I don't believe that any of you can read minds). The more likely case is that you've constructed a 'weak man' argument where you found some horrible example and are trying to present it as normal for the category. That's the sort of thing actual National Socialists used to justify the oppression of their various targeted groups, so you'll forgive me if I really dislike that sort of thing, the same as I am disgusted when ugly stereotypes are used against other groups of people, like blacks, by racists and other bigots.
P.S. the subject refers to the names of two fallacies if you're confused. Look up the articles on that subject on the Slate Star Codex if you're interested in understanding how they work and why they apply here.
"Why is @BarackObama spending millions to try and hide his records? He is the least transparent President–ever–and he ran on transparency." — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 6, 2012
Now it's shaping up to be yet another administration lacking in transparency. MAGA my ass.
P.S. - these attacks on Trump are his own fault. If he didn't want this to happen, maybe he shouldn't post his random thoughts on Twitter so much.
Is how high?
What do you think Trump would do to Pence if he *ever* took the initiative?
Pout about it on Twitter?