2023 Republican House Follies

[GreenGoo]

What are the chances he's not getting his paycheque direct deposited? This is so dumb, I can't even.

Could he have some sort of convoluted financial system in place where nothing stays in his person account (or any account with his name on it) for longer than a day? Sure. But the purpose of asking about finances isn't because we want the account numbers. We want to know what and where your finances are so that it is easier to detect corruption and/or potential weak points that can be compromised.

And he's hiding that from the public. Does he have any accounts with his name on it with more than 5k in it? I don't give a crap. Where is your money dude. Telling us used to be part of the agreement to work in public office. Now it's like, who knows? Am I receiving personal cheques from Putin? No one knows! Am I donating all my paycheques to scientology? None of your business, public who have entrusted me with the governance of the country and its finances!

Of course Drumpf was president so it's a free for all now.

edit: This goes for Pelosi et al as well, I just particularly hate holy rollers who are dishonest because it's practically guaranteed that they are corrupt in some fashion at that point, particularly in the US.

[malchior]

This is the case for so many of the backbenchers flying under the radar - there are no consequences generally for not complying. He wasn't expecting to get the big bump so he hadn't been prepared and vetted like someone groomed for power ordinarily would. At the very least if he was on the ordinary path he'd have disclosed a basic checking account to make it look like there is a semblance of compliance with the law. This and the preposterous response are just the usual fuck you flip to good governance that we've come to expect.

[El Guapo]

This is the case for so many of the backbenchers flying under the radar - there are no consequences generally for not complying. He wasn't expecting to get the big bump so he hadn't been prepared and vetted like someone groomed for power ordinarily would. At the very least if he was on the ordinary path he'd have disclosed a basic checking account to make it look like there is a semblance of compliance with the law. This and the preposterous response are just the usual fuck you flip to good governance that we've come to expect.

Is he breaking the law, or is he just breaking sensible norms of governance?

[malchior]

As far as I know not filing an accurate report only can result in civil penalties. I did not find any instance where DOJ ever filed such a lawsuit. I didn't do any exhaustive search to any extent but I doubt the law here has any teeth. Maybe it's always been performative since the bar is so low. No one is investigating these reports after all (except the press/NGOs for big names at least). It's not hard to disclose a checking account though so in this particular case it does feel pretty much like a fuck you to good governance at the least.

[GreenGoo]

Is he breaking the law, or is he just breaking sensible norms of governance?

Hilarious that the GOP are ignoring norms that they don't like while encoding into law in red states norms they like based on their religious beliefs.

"I'll ignore your norms but ignore mine and we'll get the power of government involved".

edit: Yes, I am aware of Ohio encoding abortion rights into the constitution.

[Unagi]

They are so fucking dumb that they probably believe it. I seriously just can't stand the conversations I overhear. How worried they are about WOKE nonsense etc. Ya that's our biggest freaking problem.

Woke about porn!

Morning wood!

[raydude]

There's nothing more wholesome than monitoring your father's porn intake...unless it's monitoring your son's porn intake.

COMPROMISE ALERT: Speaker Mike Johnson uses software Covenant Eyes (learned about at a Promise Keepers retreat) that scans all his electronic devices & gives a weekly report an "accountability partner" his 17 yr old son (so basically don't watch porn or your son/dad will know)

Hi, sorry, it's been a long day and I'm having trouble parsing the sentence here. Is Covenant Eyes giving the weekly report TO his "accountability partner" who is his 17 year old son, or is the report called "an accountability partner" or what? I'm serious, this is a poorly worded sentence (though not Hep's fault, that was in the original post). Someone help me make sense of this.

[ImLawBoy]

I think it's missing a "to". It should read, "gives a weekly report to an 'accountability partner'." You and your partner get each others' reports so that you see what porn the other has been watching. It's probably great for finding new stuff and expanding one's kinks.

[Unagi]

Is there a way to form an anonymous 'accountability group'? A friend just asked me, and I said I'd pass it on.

[Smoove_B]

Hi, sorry, it's been a long day and I'm having trouble parsing the sentence here. Is Covenant Eyes giving the weekly report TO his "accountability partner" who is his 17 year old son, or is the report called "an accountability partner" or what? I'm serious, this is a poorly worded sentence (though not Hep's fault, that was in the original post). Someone help me make sense of this.

You install the software on your electronic devices and it then sends a weekly report of your online activity to someone you've identified as being responsible for holding you accountable. In this case the Speaker apparently designated his son as his accountability partner and his son reciprocated. And I guess every week they meet and discuss the not-porn they're clearly using the internet for. Except for whatever government devices the Congressman is using to look at porn because we've established there's no way Covenant Eyes could be installed on devices belonging to the federal government.

Also, a guy that has no bank accounts totally isn't using secret laptops to download porn.

[LordMortis]

Also, a guy that has no bank accounts totally isn't using secret laptops to download porn.

That's my first thunk, only I don't care if he downloads porn and don't doubt that he doesn't. There are plenty enough of people out there who aren't interested that I don't think that everyone has a electronic disposal instructions for the sake of not being remembered as a porn addict.

Now the no bank accounts thing, red flags everywhere for lots of reasons, ranging from having a total mistrust of his financial affairs to 'destroy the Federal Reserve central banking system' doomsday prepper.

[Carpet_pissr]

Credit Suisse had a recent promotion: with the opening of any new account, get a free year’s subscription to a choice of several premium porn sites (limit 3 per person).

[Alefroth]

Very serious people-

https://www.businessinsider.com/house-r ... ar-2023-11

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives moved to cut Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg's salary to just $1 per year.

[GreenGoo]

Is there a way to form an anonymous 'accountability group'? A friend just asked me, and I said I'd pass it on.

[Jaymann]

Very serious people-

https://www.businessinsider.com/house-r ... ar-2023-11

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives moved to cut Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg's salary to just $1 per year.

He must scare the piss out of them. Dems should not block it, to allow for election fodder. He would probably make more from a go fund me.

[LordMortis]

And here Butigeg has become my favorite candidate for president since not that long after Biden took office. If I had been exposed to him during the 2020 primaries like have been since he's become the Secretary of Transportation, he would have had my vote in the primary.

Also what does this say about all the serious talking heads that now that there is a Speaker of the House, the Senate will be the roadblock to good governance, budgets and some sort of grail for a fixed economy that is Biden is totally responsible for destroying.

[Holman]

Now the no bank accounts thing, red flags everywhere for lots of reasons, ranging from having a total mistrust of his financial affairs to 'destroy the Federal Reserve central banking system' doomsday prepper.

I haven't looked into it, but it makes sense to assume that there's some weird Evangelical reason at play here.

If I had to guess, I'd imagine he's part of a religious group that pools their money in some sort of credit union? All about avoiding greed and LARPing the first-century church and probably benefiting from some church's tax exemption.

[malchior]

They also voted down a measure to defund the Office of the Vice President. There is a lot of performative energy out there.

[malchior]

Split vote on whether to drop this here or the shutdown thread because we are barreling towards a shutdown with everyone leaving early for Veteran's Day and then a very short time next week to pass anything resembling a CR.

Meanwhile, the process concessions the radicals got for Mike Johnson are already amping up the dysfunction. Now that the amendment process is opened up a bit, they are seem to be loading poison pills into bills that can't survive floor votes. Super. In this case, it would be the IRS defunding which has a negative CBO score and opens GOP members to arguments they have increased the deficit. It'd be funny if it wasn't so goddamn fucking stupid.

[Smoove_B]

Well, they were very busy yesterday voting to censure Rashida Tlaib. After that, they needed to propose legislation prohibiting funding for anything that uses "Latinx" in their materials. I'm sure they'll get around to funding the entire government when it's important.

[hepcat]

Christ, I'm so goddamn tired of republicans being more concerned with culture wars than they are starving Americans.

[Pyperkub]

In this case, it would be the IRS defunding which has a negative CBO score and opens GOP members to arguments they have increased the deficit. It'd be funny if it wasn't so goddamn fucking stupid.

Eh, if one places oneself and the grift, as well as powerful donors and the party before the Country, this isn't "Stupid", it's rationally expected.

And predictable.

As to the Culture Wars, those are only there to accomplish the above nowadays. Of course, there are those in the GOP who are **also** Stupid, and just go along with it because it works for them, and don't really understand what they are doing, just that if they parrot the propaganda, they get rewarded.

[Skinypupy]

Well, they were very busy yesterday voting to censure Rashida Tlaib. After that, they needed to propose legislation prohibiting funding for anything that uses "Latinx" in their materials. I'm sure they'll get around to funding the entire government when it's important.

If they reduce every government employee's salary to $1 (which seems to be their thing du jour), just think of the cost savings!

[Carpet_pissr]

Very serious people-

https://www.businessinsider.com/house-r ... ar-2023-11

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives moved to cut Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg's salary to just $1 per year.

Maybe I'm an outlier, but does ANYone think they are serious anymore, or have thought they were "serious" for a very long time? I see this a lot on here, but...who even in the recent past, thought these assholes were "serious" people? They are mostly assholes, behaving like assholes.

I suspect even THEY realize they are not "serious people" if you believe the stories from people that have known many of the more outspoken ones, and how they act in private, vs how they vote and how they act and speak on TV.

[Zaxxon]

The folks voting these dudes in are not looking for serious people with serious ideas for competent governance. They're looking for goons that will do whatever they can to preserve the good parts of America while simultaneously owning the libs.

[Carpet_pissr]

The folks voting these dudes in are not looking for serious people with serious ideas for competent governance. They're looking for goons that will do whatever they can to preserve the good parts of America while simultaneously owning the libs.

Exactly, which is why I'm kind of scratching my head that it still comes up...even tongue in cheek. But there I go again, being pedantic, and/or hyperbolic, as is my wont.

[Blackhawk]

This isn't about governance. This is the bully beating up the straight-A student for the popularity boost.

[Pyperkub]

More in their own words (and some are actually allowing themselves to be quoted, so you know it's getting bad):

"I don't think the Lord Jesus himself could manage this group," said Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas. He added that he would pray for the new speaker as the House adjourned for a long weekend.

"We’re still dealing with the same divisions we always have had," said another House Republican. "We’re ungovernable."

[Zarathud]

And here Butigeg has become my favorite candidate for president since not that long after Biden took office. If I had been exposed to him during the 2020 primaries like have been since he's become the Secretary of Transportation, he would have had my vote in the primary.

My wife’s aunt used to live in Delaware and knew Joe Biden, even having him at her house for an event. She said he’s authentic and believes he can help people by playing politician but has to work at it. She thought the world of Beau Biden and his integrity as Attorney General.

But once she moved to South Bend, Indiana, she was convinced by Buttigieg’s leadership before he started running. She said: “Mayor Pete can talk to Red State Republicans and the MAGAs will hate him so much they’ll miss that he’s a real person who can get people to listen.” She thought Pete could make Trump look like a blowhard and steal his support, even though she loved Joe too. I think she’s right, and every time he goes on FOX News he chips away at the illusion of hatred. I can see him stepping in if Biden and Kamala Harris stumble.

[Carpet_pissr]

Welp, he stumbles pretty regularly.

[GreenGoo]

I love watching Pete rebut GOPs. I could do that all day. That guy is an absolute legend. I'd marry him myself if I wasn't already married and straight (Pete has me double checking this).

He's smart, articulate, fast on his feet and most importantly rational. The GOP should be absolutely ashamed every time he smashes them to pieces.

Definite man-crush.

Trying to reduce his salary is unbelievably hilarious. Out of all the weak, petty, embarassing things the GOP does to show their true colours, I find this one of the best.

[Freyland]

I love watching Pete rebut GOPs. I could do that all day. That guy is an absolute legend. I'd marry him myself if I wasn't already married and straight (Pete has me double checking this).

I'd start with the marriage certificate to be the most efficient.

[Smoove_B]

They're very, very busy during this final week before the looming shutdown.

In a private meeting with moderates this week, the new Speaker appeared to agree with members who argued that since Biden’s polling numbers have been weaker, there is less of a political imperative to impeach him >

[Zaxxon]

'Moderates.'

[Skinypupy]

They're very, very busy during this final week before the looming shutdown.

In a private meeting with moderates this week, the new Speaker appeared to agree with members who argued that since Biden’s polling numbers have been weaker, there is less of a political imperative to impeach him >

Again proving that their impeachment effort is super-duper-serious and not just performative nonsense.

[Carpet_pissr]

I'm starting to think these guys are unserious!

[Smoove_B]

I'm starting to think these guys are unserious!

I didn't even see this:

House speaker Mike Johnson sent the House home early this weekend, despite a government shutdown looming next week, and will speak at an oversees gathering of right-wing leaders and influencers from Europe and North America.

The group Republicans Overseas will host the World Freedom Initiative on Friday and Saturday in Paris, France, where Johnson will join 22 speakers, including South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Rep. Alex Mooney (R-WV), former Donald Trump campaign manager David Bossie and various right-wing figures from France, Hungary and other European nations, reported KELO-TV.

[Blackhawk]

Prior orities!

[Smoove_B]

I guess I'll put this here as a primer for when the topic eventually ends up in the Domestic Violent Extremism thread:

The American public has had much to learn about Mike Johnson over the past two weeks. Until his surprise elevation to House speaker, the Louisiana representative was an obscure, mild-mannered, and bookish four-term back-bencher.

...

He’s also a dyed-in-the-wool Christian conservative, and there’s a flag hanging outside his office that leads into a universe of right-wing religious extremism as unknown to most Americans as Johnson was before he ascended to the speakership.

The flag — which Rolling Stone has confirmed hangs outside his district office in the Cannon House Office Building — is white with a simple evergreen tree in the center and the phrase “An Appeal to Heaven” at the top.

...

To understand the contemporary meaning of the Appeal to Heaven flag, it’s necessary to enter a world of Christian extremism animated by modern-day apostles, prophets, and apocalyptic visions of Christian triumph that was central to the chaos and violence of Jan. 6. Earlier this year we released an audio-documentary series, rooted in deep historical research and ethnographic interviews, on this sector of Christianity, which is known as the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). The flag hanging outside Johnson’s office is a key part of its symbology.

...

Sheets and his fellow New Apostolic Reformation leaders were the tip of the spear of Christian Trumpism, endorsing Donald Trump’s candidacy early on and championing his cause to their fellow Christians. Over the course of the 2016 campaign, the Appeal to Heaven flag and the NAR’s vision of a Christianity-dominated America became entwined with Trump, a potent-though-covert symbol.

Since 2015, you can find these Appeal to Heaven flags popping up over and over: in the background of pictures of far-right politicians and election deniers like Doug Mastriano; as wall decorations in state legislators’ offices; at right-wing rallies. It even flew over the Illinois State Capitol for a time at the instigation of the Illinois Apostolic Alliance, a local NAR activist group.

...

This is why, if you look closely at the panopticon of videos and pictures of the Capitol insurrection, Appeal to Heaven flags are everywhere. There are dozens, perhaps hundreds, of them punctuating the crowd, including even on the front lines of clashes between rioters and Capitol police officers — a powerful signal of the spread of Sheets’ ideas and influence.

...

It is simply untenable to think that Johnson is unaware of what the Appeal to Heaven flag signals today. It represents an aggressive, spiritual-warfare style of Christian nationalism, and Johnson is a legal insurrectionist who has deeply tied himself into networks of Christian extremists whose rhetoric, leadership, and warfare theology fueled a literal insurrection.

[Carpet_pissr]

Ohhhhh GOODY. :/

“vision of a Christianity-dominated America became entwined with Trump”
That only makes sense if viewed in a “white is right” context.

Before he was coached, he probably couldn’t have named one book of the Bible.