Why were Trump’s adult children on his state visit to the U.K.?

Donald Trump Jr.  and Eric Trump, who are handling the president’s business affairs while he’s in office, as well as Tiffany Trump, showed up at the state banquet and for other parts of the president’s visit, with no explanation for their presence from the White House. 

…Asked why the president’s three adult children who aren’t in the administration were on the state visit, and who paid for their travel and related expenses, a White House official didn’t address why they were there. “They are personally paying,” the White House official responded. 

Why were Trump’s adult children on his state visit to the U.K.? – CBS News

hmmmm

Senate to Amtrak: Explain What You’re Doing To Rail Passenger Service In Kansas

Long-running frustration about Amtrak’s willingness to keep a rail passenger line running through remote parts of the country has politicians threatening to block new directors to the agency.

…In February, Congress gave $50 million for upkeep of the route to Amtrak to keep the line working through September. Last year, Amtrak proposed replacing service from Dodge City to Albuquerque with buses, but the federal budget prohibits the use of buses to replace long-distance train service along the route.

In early April, a group of 11 senators sent Amtrak a letter demanding more detail about its plans for the Southwest Chief and how, more broadly, it decides which long-distance routes are worth operating.

…Over the last year, Amtrak has removed ticket agents from many stations. But Assistant City Manager for Dodge City Melissa Mccoy said the city employs staff at its train depot.

“We have few options in terms of public transportation,” McCoy said. She said ridership jumps with tourists in the summer.

Without the Southwest Chief route, McCoy says some Dodge City residents wouldn’t be able to travel long distances.

“We have a lot of working class folks, and they have limited income,” she said. “Amtrak provides them a way to visit family and go on vacation and without that they might not have it all.”

Senate to Amtrak: Explain What You’re Doing To Rail Passenger Service In Kansas | KCUR

 

hmmmm

US announces new travel restrictions on Cuba, banning cruise ships

The Trump administration announced plans to further restrict travel to Cuba in April, when White House national security adviser John Bolton said the Treasury Department would “implement further regulatory changes to restrict non-family travel to Cuba.”

…The State Department announced that “going forward, the United States will prohibit US travelers from going to Cuba under the previous ‘group people-to-people educational’ travel authorization. In addition, the United States will no longer permit visits to Cuba via passenger and recreational vessels, including cruise ships and yachts, and private and corporate aircraft.”

…Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, who reopened the Cuban embassy in Washington in 2015, called the new restrictions “an attack on international law.”

US announces new travel restrictions on Cuba, banning cruise ships – CNNPolitics

Rep. Duncan Hunter admits to questionable acts to defend Navy SEAL

The Republican member of Congress, who is accused of misusing campaign funds, has rallied to the support of Special Warfare Operator Chief Gallagher, who is accused of stabbing a teenage prisoner to death and then conducting a re-enlistment ceremony next to his body. Gallagher, who has pleaded guilty to all charges in the high profile trial, is also accused of gunning down innocent civilians with a sniper rifle.

…Hunter, a Marine Corps vet who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, has repeatedly rushed to Gallagher’s defense, in some cases admitting to troubling actions from his own time in uniform. Last week, for instance, the former Marine major confessed to posing with a dead combatant.

Rep. Duncan Hunter admits to questionable acts to defend Navy SEAL – Business Insider

hmmm

Why Narcissists And Gaslighters Blatantly Lie — And Get Away With It

Why is it so effective when gaslighters/narcissists continue their lie, even when there is easily accessed evidence to the contrary?  Because it tends to work.  First, [people can] get confused as to why someone would blatantly lie.  It goes against what you know as normal human behavior.  Most people, when caught in a lie, will admit to it and apologize. (Most people also tend to not blatantly lie in the first place.)  The more confusion [a person] feel[s] upon hearing the gaslighter/narcissist’s blatant lie, the more [they] start to remember the gaslighter’s defense or continued lying, not the actual truth that [the gaslighter] is lying about.

…Do gaslighters/narcissists believe what they are saying? It’s hard to tell. Is it possible that a lie has been told so much that the gaslighter/narcissist no longer knows the truth? It’s possible. …They act as if they really don’t care what you think about them. But at the same time, they are deeply concerned about being criticized.

…A simple “You are lying,” and then stating the facts is sufficient. Expect the gaslighter/narcissist to retaliate by calling you names, or another of their other personal favorites, ignoring you all together.

Why Narcissists And Gaslighters Blatantly Lie — And Get Away With It

hmmmm

Mexico had planned on most actions in border deal before Trump tariff threat

Mexico had already promised to take many of the actions agreed to in Friday’s immigration deal with the US — months before President Donald Trump’s tariff threat, officials from both countries who are familiar with the negotiations.

…On Saturday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi accused Trump in a statement of having “undermined America’s preeminent leadership role in the world by recklessly threatening to impose tariffs on our close friend and neighbor to the south.”

Congress, she said, will hold the White House “accountable for its failures to address the humanitarian situation at our southern border.”

New York Times: Mexico had planned on most actions in border deal before Trump tariff threat – CNNPolitics

hmmmm

Everett Palmer, an Army vet, died in police custody and some organs are missing

He wanted to resolve an outstanding DUI warrant from an incident in 2016 in Pennsylvania to make sure his license was valid for the drive to see his family.

…On April 9, 2018, two days later, the family was told that Palmer had died in police custody at the York County Prison. Fourteen months later, the Palmers say they still don’t know what really happened. But they are suspicious because when Palmer’s body was returned to them, his throat, heart and brain were missing.

“This entire case smacks of a cover-up.”

…An initial autopsy by the York County Coroner’s Office stated Palmer died after an incident “following an excited state” during which he “began hitting his head against the inside of his cell door” and was restrained. The report says Palmer became agitated as a result of “methamphetamine toxicity.” A probable “sickling red cell disorder” as listed as a contributing factor.

…”He would have had to receive (the meth) in the jail itself. We don’t believe that happened,” Merritt said.

Palmer’s body was returned to his family, but it was only after the family hired their own independent forensic pathologist that they discovered Palmer’s body was missing three body parts.

“It’s not unusual to take organs out of a body during an autopsy, especially if you believe they were subject to trauma. The highly unusual part is to misplace them,” Merritt said.

…They were later told by the coroner that the body parts were at an independent lab. However, the lab, Merritt says, has refused to hand over the parts, citing an ongoing investigation.

…[York County District Attorney’s Office] did not answer when asked why, more than one year after Palmer’s death, there is still no official determination about his cause of death.

…”If he was being processed for something that he did wrong in terms of the DUI — he should be held accountable for that — but it shouldn’t be a death sentence, certainly inside of a jail,” his brother added. “We know that there are good people in that prison system. We appeal to them to come forward and share what they know.”

Everett Palmer, an Army vet, died in police custody and some organs are missing – CNN

A few things…

Sickle cell  was part of what made him hit his own head against the wall? WTF?! If you were going to lie on an official document, why would you slip in a completely unscientific and racist trope????!

Also, Sorry Mr. Palmer, if no one has come forward in a year, then you can be sure there are no good people working in that prison system. None. Period. You can also be sure that it seems like at least the ones involved in his brother’s case should be in jail for murder and fraud.

Trump enjoys playing the role of the American president — but he will never stop being Trump

Trump enjoys playing the role of the American president — but he will never stop being Trump – The Washington Post

In today’s edition of just reacting to the headline:

Love the WP but just like the vast majority of media sources they have gotten too caught up in recent trends towards blurring the line between reality and reality TV and all of the gossip that is generated by all the little birdies tweeting in the echo chamber that they neglect the most obvious journalism.

Like, say… Enough focusing on what the big Cheeto says. Start zooming in on the details of the impact on his policies. It’s not news when Cheeto tweets but the state of affairs in every department of the Federal Government should talked about (and since we are in the age of cable news) and repeatedly and endlessly, all the time.

Stop pretending you are commentators on the Bachelor or a Kardashians special and report on domestic affairs already.

“Trump enjoys playing the role of the American president — but he will never stop being Trump”

No shit, Sherlock? Jeesh.. Hard-hitting journalism that is not…

Trump administration announces major expansion of hunting and fishing access on federal lands

“This proposal is executing on that directive by opening and increasing more access to hunting and fishing by the Fish and Wildlife Service at more stations and across more acres than ever before,” Interior Secretary David Bernhardt said.

….The Interior Department under President Trump has put a premium on weakening restrictions on hunting on national park land, reversing a slew of Obama-era regulations.

Trump administration announces major expansion of hunting and fishing access on federal lands | TheHill

short-sighted asswipes.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Border Patrol Kicked, Punched Migrant Children, Threatened Some With Sexual Abuse, ACLU Alleges

Mitra Ebadolahi, ACLU Border Litigation Project staff attorney, said the allegations describe a law enforcement system “marked by brutality and lawlessness.” The organization also accused Border Protection officials of failing to “meaningfully investigate” the allegations detailed in the public records.

…“The misconduct demonstrated in these records is breathtaking, as is the government’s complete failure to hold officials who abuse their power accountable.”

Border Patrol Kicked, Punched Migrant Children, Threatened Some With Sexual Abuse, ACLU Alleges

This was existing culture before things were ramped up….

Extending ‘Zero Tolerance’ To People Who Help Migrants Along The Border : NPR

[Warren] believes the government is violating his right to religious freedom by criminalizing his spiritual belief that mandates he help people in distress.

“For the government, it’s kind of been an expansion of the interpretation of what it means to harbor,” he suggested.

…Thousands have died of dehydration and exposure in the Arizona borderlands.

“It is life or death here. And a decision not to give somebody food or or water could lead to that person dying,” Warren said.

*****

…Under current law, once a migrant steps onto U.S. soil, he or she can request asylum. [But….]

Extending ‘Zero Tolerance’ To People Who Help Migrants Along The Border : NPR

sigh…