“Less than three hours after President Trump called on NFL owners to suspend or fire players who protest during the national anthem, the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars — the first teams to play on Sunday — linked arms or took a knee during the playing of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ before the teams 9:30 a.m. EDT kickoff in London’s Wembley Stadium,” the Washington Post reports.
“Ravens Coach John Harbaugh joined his players, linking arms, and Ravens Hall of Famer Ray Lewis took a knee. Jaguars owner Shahid Khan, who had contributed $1 million to the Trump inauguration, locked arms with his players in what is believed to be the first visible participation in relation to anthem protests by a league owner.”
Mike Allen quoted former Clinton advisor Doug Sosnik on what President Trump is trying to accomplish by attacking professional athletes who protest during the national anthem: “One of Trump’s typical moves is to toss a bomb out of nowhere to deflect what is really bothering him, in the hopes that the press will be distracted.”
He added: “There is a good chance that the candidate he endorsed and campaigned for will lose in the Alabama Senate primary. On top of that, it looks like … another failed Republican attempt to repeal Obamacare. So he figures that the shows on Sunday focusing on his fights with professional athletes is more appealing than a discussion about how he is becoming a loser.”
How Trump bungled the politics of football https://t.co/aMJdGN53lp pic.twitter.com/tysdOoRCjH
— Jonathan Chait (@jonathanchait) September 24, 2017
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said the GOP would manage to round up the 50 votes necessary to pass Obamacare repeal through the Senate by the end of the next week, Politico reports. Said Graham: “I think we’re going to get the votes next week.”
But his path to 50 votes is unclear.
“Among the Senate’s 52 Republicans, Rand Paul of Kentucky and John McCain of Arizona have already said they will vote against the proposal, which would repeal Obamacare and replace it with block grants to the states. Maine Sen. Susan Collins said Sunday she would have a difficult time voting for the bill, and Senate Republicans also expect Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski to vote against it.”
Yeah, me thinks Lindsay is bluffing.
Jared Kushner has used a private email account he created in December to talk with White House officials. My story: https://t.co/BHYRexyq6Z
— Josh Dawsey (@jdawsey1) September 24, 2017
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) told the Texas Tribune that he’s not ready to vote for the Graham-Cassidy health care bill which would repeal the Affordable Care Act. Said Cruz: “Right now they don’t have my vote, and I don’t think they have Mike Lee’s either.”
A GOP operative explains to HuffPost why Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) probably can’t be convinced to vote for the Graham-Cassidy health care bill by letting Alaska keep Obamacare while it’s repealed for nearly every other state.
Said the operative: “So Lisa Murkowski votes for this bill, she gets to keep the benefits of the Affordable Care Act in Alaska. She votes against the bill, she keeps them as well. Why would she go for that? The only cost is political in terms of a high profile flip-flop that results in irritating all the constituents who aren’t already angry.”
It’s not Trump’s flag. It’s not Trump’s anthem. He wants you to cede him those symbols. Don’t. https://t.co/J2Ptkqfs2f
— David Frum (@davidfrum) September 24, 2017
“President Trump and Republican leaders plan to cut the top tax rate for the wealthiest Americans to 35% and dramatically reduce taxes on big and small businesses,” according to details leaked to Axios.
“The GOP leaders and the White House plan to cut the top tax rate for small businesses — known as ‘pass-throughs’ — from 39.6% to 25%. (Currently small businesses pay the same tax rates as individuals, and this puts them at a disadvantage to larger corporations, which pay lower rates.)”
Perspective | How Trump is helping to save our democracy https://t.co/qBRQWOOvrS
— Frank Rich (@frankrichny) September 24, 2017
David Remnick: “In these performances, Trump is making clear his moral priorities. He is infinitely more offended by the sight of a black ballplayer quietly, peacefully protesting racism in the United States than he is by racism itself. Which, at this point, should come as no surprise to any but the willfully obtuse…”
“What Trump is up to with this assault on athletes, particularly prominent black ones, is obvious; it is part of his larger culture war. Divide. Inflame. Confuse. Divert. And rule. He doesn’t care to grapple with complexity of any kind, whether it’s about the environment, or foreign affairs, or race, or the fact that a great American sport may, by its very nature, be irredeemable. Rather than embody any degree of dignity, knowledge, or unifying embrace, Trump is a man of ugliness, and the damage he does, speech after speech, tweet after tweet, deepens like a coastal shelf. Every day, his Presidency takes a toll on our national fabric. How is it possible to argue with the sentiment behind LeBron James’s concise tweet at Trump: “U Bum”? It isn’t.”
Kneeling. Locked arms. Raised fists. Today, NFL players showed unity in defiance of Trump https://t.co/peCx206iUX pic.twitter.com/tuzlbyOR9g
— CNN (@CNN) September 24, 2017
Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price told Fox News that he’ll stop his taxpayer-funded travel on private jets, pending a formal review by the inspector general.
Said Price: “We’ve heard the criticism. We’ve heard the concerns. We take that very seriously and have taken it to heart.”
Some of the U.S’s creepiest anti-abortion men are running for office in Alabama. https://t.co/fZOlXPHzip pic.twitter.com/aBT35suSVk
— Slate (@Slate) September 24, 2017
A new Washington Post-ABC News poll finds most Americans see President Trump as a divisive figure who has yet to fulfill his campaign promise to positively change the way Washington works.
“More than twice as many Americans say Trump is doing more to divide the country than to unify it, 66% vs. 28%. The margin is significantly more negative than those recorded for Obama and Bush; at most, 55 percent of Americans said Obama or Bush was dividing the country.”
“Trump’s overall job approval rating has stabilized at 39% in the new poll after slipping to 36% in July. The shift is within the poll’s margin of sampling error but is mirrored in the small rise in other recent national polls.”
Public opinion on protests during the Civil Rights Era, in 3 graphs https://t.co/jb6kMtFCv5 pic.twitter.com/fPXrFn8hAQ
— Elahe Izadi (@ElaheIzadi) September 24, 2017
A new CNN poll finds that just 29% of Americans hold a favorable view of the Republican Party. That is down 13 percentage points from March and is the lowest mark for the GOP since CNN began asking the question in 1992. The Democrats lead the generic Congressional ballot 50% to 41%. 68% say that most congress members do not deserve reelection. Only 33% say President Trump deserves reelection. 61% say he does not.
Bradshaw blasts Trump: "If our country stands for anything, it's freedom. People die for that freedom" #TakeTheKnee pic.twitter.com/JKDDpK6J8u
— The Daily Edge (@TheDailyEdge) September 24, 2017
Politico: “When John McCain cast the decisive vote against Obamacare repeal two months ago, Chuck Schumer waved an arm to quiet fellow Democrats as they burst into audible elation. Don’t gloat or cheer over the GOP’s failure, Schumer signaled — a move he made again on Friday in a statement, after McCain delivered what looks like a fatal blow to his party’s seven-year drive to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. Far from celebrating, Democrats tempered their responses to McCain with reminders of the bipartisan health care talks that Republicans had walked away from when they took one last shot at repealing Obamacare.”
“And even as their liberal base turned a rally to pressure McCain into a thank-you celebration, Democrats stopped far short of declaring repeal dead… Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s office did not immediately respond to questions about whether he will still hold the vote on the bill.”
Regardless of the outcome of Operation Endless Repeal this week the Republicans will continue to try to destroy the ACA, that they do so at their peril seems unimportant compared to the destruction of Obama’s legacy. As for athletes “taking a knee” I find it a grand display of peaceful protest and free speech, that and their winning in the court of public opinion. Noticed that the master plan for the alleged “tax reform” has now settled to 35% for the all important rich and a whopping near 15 point reduction for businesses, also notice no loopholes have been singled out for closing. If your surprised try to wake up as this should be no surprise. Should be interesting to hear the Republicans try to justify yet more goodies for the rich and the corporations they own. But as we’ve seen this game for almost 40 years the cover story will be “jobs, jobs, jobs!”, “rocket fuel for the economy” and perhaps the ultimate in Reaganomics “the tax cuts will pay for themselves with increased revenue!”. In politics never let the truth, the real world or what’s right and needed get in your way.
Not sure I agree with the Frum article. I’m behind the sentiment, but it sounds like another white guy telling black people who to protest. Kaepernick did this before Dumpy became president, and I have a feeling the horrific problems will exist after Dumpy is shipped off to exile (if only).
I think the message white America (at least those of us with a fucking soul) needs to send is “do what you feel is appropriate, Im behind you… or wherever you need me to be”
A truth bomb about Trump vs. the NFL:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/jealous-right-wingers-dont-like-black-stars-making-millions
Joe Biden comes out against the Universal Basic Income.
https://www.sppa.udel.edu/bideninstitute/research-policy/biden-institute-blog/Let%E2%80%99s-Choose-a-Future-That-Puts-Work-First
Let’s look at a scenario: There is a company (30 employees), you make widgets for the military. You take Harry the Engineer to a baseball game; with clients from the military. Harry doesn’t stand for the National Anthem. The clients are disappointed. They end up going with a different company, but someone fills you in, that they didn’t want to work with a unpatriotic company. You have to layoff some people. Should Harry be fired? Or is it his right to protest, while on business time?
Does Harry do his job well? That would be the No. 1 question. But then I don’t spend my time dreaming up scenarios to excuse my racism, either.
@Alby
You can’t just answer the question. But, I’ll be civil and try to answer your questions.
From the NFLPA:
“Players Injured while playing for their club maybe entitled to benefits under state workers’ compensation laws. Although there are differences from state-to-state, workers’ compensation benefits generally take three different forms (some or all of which may be available to you):
Disability pay or wage loss benefits: to provide compensation for any wages lost as the result of injury;
Lump-sum benefits: to provide compensation for permanent loss of function. This may be available even if you are still being paid salary in some states;
Medical benefits: for medical expenses related to the work injury. This may be your most important benefit as the Club will not pay for medical treatment after you leave the team and private insurance may not cover a work-related injury.
YOU: must act to protect your right to workers’ compensation for your injury. Failing to act will result in the loss of these important benefits. There are time limitations for filing and the time limitations begin to run in many states from the date of injury, whether you are being paid or not!
Therefore, if you have not already done so, you should immediately contact a member of the NFLPA Workers’ Compensation Panel Attorneys in your team city to discuss your injury and potential claim for benefits.”
“treating those injuries instead with addicting painkillers, the way the players have the NFL?”
YOU, are probably not on the sidelines or locker room. Maybe, they player wants to get a needle, so he can go back onto the field or try to play through an injury with pain killers. So, I really can’t answer that question. I have no proof. but, you probably do and your involved with the lawsuit because you know SO much!
I’m not a racist, I was just trying to start a discussion. Thank you for playing!
Did you really just call out someone for not answering a question? Funny how you ignored my question to you on this Open Thread.
Since you’re big on answering questions, I expect you to answer mine.
@Pandy Done
Other questions for your scenario: Does Harry’s boss refuse to pay workers’ comp for his employees who have been injured on the job, the way the NFL does? Did Harry’s co-workers sue Harry’s employer for treating those injuries instead with addicting painkillers, the way the players have the NFL?
And, perhaps most saliently, is Harry represented by a union? Because NFL players are, and any owner trying to fire any for refusing to stand for a staged display of patriotism would end up in court and paying a lot of money in settlement fees.
Did you read what you posted? The club “may” have to pay. Check out how many lawsuits there are against the NFL for their failure to care for ex-players. Perhaps you’ve heard about the CTE situation? I’d provide links for each of the things I say, but I’m not sure the comment would post that way. You could always do the research on your own, but I have a feeling you won’t.
I don’t just “answer the question” because it’s what’s known as a “leading question” — you have made explicitly clear what the only acceptable answer was. I was demonstrating that this stupid conservative excuse for thinking — devising an analogy that has superficial similarities, instead of discussing the issue as it is in reality.
In real life, the players are not just risking their health and well-being, they are giving it up. They KNOW they will spend the rest of their lives in pain. They are not compensated for this. The average NFL career lasts less than three years. The majority of NFL players are broke within 24 months of the end of their careers.
Your comment about the players being willing to take shots (they’re mostly pills) to keep playing shows your lack of empathy, along with your lack of critical thinking ability. Yes, obviously they agree to take the meds, because that’s the only way to keep their jobs. Just BTW, I’ve been on the sidelines covering college games, but not pro, and they don’t give people shots or pills on the sidelines at any level.
Funny how obsessive conservatives are about their own freedoms and how cavalier they are about everybody else’s. In fact, it’s pretty much the defining characteristic of conservatives. Certainly of you.
@ Alby you continue to put words in my mouth, when I haven’t said something. But, that is your style!
https://firstquarterfinance.com/nfl-pension-plan-retirement-plan/
Plus they do get shots, not on the field of course. I’ve had two friends, who were fortunate to make it to the NFL. So, yes they do gets shots in the locker room. You like to ASSume. Emphasis on A_ _ for you!
Once again, do you even read what you linked to? That’s the same set of health benefits you get if you retire as a pipefitter — actually, many trade unions have better health plans than that (remember, players have a union. They wouldn’t even get these benefits if they didn’t.)
The health problems of retired NFL players are legion, to the point where even you must have heard about it.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/feature/wp/2013/05/16/do-no-harm-retired-nfl-players-endure-a-lifetime-of-hurt/?utm_term=.bb9d9d357ca7
Am I supposed to be impressed that you know people who played football? Or are you under the misimpression that this makes you an expert?
Yes, corticosteroids are administered by injection. Painkillers are pills.
@Alby That is their benefits, you idiot! Union? Yes, they have a union. You like like to be the liberals, liberal.
Did you READ their benefits, you imbecile?
Yes, Imbecile, back at you. I don’t approve what the NFL is doing! But, that is what their union negotiated. and the players, don’t have to play. Go scratch Alby!