At a press conference today, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters that U.S. intelligence has determined that the spy balloon was part of a larger Chinese surveillance program operating around the world. On Monday, the U.S. shared the information it gleaned from the wreckage of the balloon with around 150 people from about 40 embassies. China has launched “dozens” of such surveillance balloons since 2018. New information has made U.S. intelligence able to revisit previous objects that were classified as “unknown” and recognize them as part of this balloon program.
I’m so thankful that President Biden does not rise to their bait. He simply addresses issues calmly and competently, and ignores the background noise. We are so fortunate to have him.
First, that tweet by Qevin is a lie. Poor guy, he is trying to be relevant and simply is not. Biden was very successful last night and today also, when he visited Wisconsin. He showed the "pamphlet" which was drawn up by Rick Scott and Ron Johnson stating that Social Security and Medicare should be "sunsetted", to American workers. The old grey fox outsmarted the little piggies! I am totally mesmerized by Biden's ability to do the Ali shuffle!
Something bothers me about the idea of the Speaker of the House sitting behind the real speaker of the occasion and tweeting critiques in real time. Maybe that was why his eyes were cast downward for a good portion of the president's speech, as if what he had to say was more important than the content of the speech itself. Try as we might, we really can't attend to multiple things at once with equal attention. It's a bit disrespectful, albeit not surprising, that doing something other than simply listening would be considered acceptable on an occasion like this. A few months ago, I watched 8 young teens at a high school football game spend the whole time, backs to the game, in parallel play on their phones. They weren't tuned in to the game, only partly tuned in to each other, but glued to their screens. I looked around and saw multiple adults doing the same. I wondered why they even came. We are truly distracted, somehow addicted to constant surveillance of our mobile internet connections. When you're only half there, splitting your attention between the person(s) presenting and some distraction, you'll miss pieces, misinterpret the part you did hear out of context with what you missed, misquote the speaker the next day, demonstrate that you weren't really paying attention. I recall similar behavior in 5th grade when the teacher's back was turned. We thought we were so sophisticated with our subterfuge...
I'm still feeling good about how President Biden played the republicans during his speech on Tuesday. Gonna go into the weekend feeling really really good about where we are.
And I guess the first meeting yesterday in regards to Twitter helping democrats turned out to be a big nothing burger.
Except for the fact that those Twitter people said that it was the drumpf administration that was asking for help. In fact they said they changed their rules just for the orange man baby.
And it looks like more Americans watch President Bidens speech and are now happy with the way things are going.
If we could get rid of fox angertaintment our country would be so much better.
Anyway, not gonna let anything harsh my buzz. President (I didn't type that word during the previous admin) Biden is doing a great job.
So let's all raise a glass and thank President Biden.
The seven sentences below spoken by President Biden are worth rereading multiple times. They are a clear announcement of our policy with China and they are factual -- based on 'reality'. Clear, factual and based on reality. Isn't that refreshing? What did we get from Trump, his administration and the Republican Party? What are we still getting from them? I don't go in for cursing and expletives, although the Republican Party is worthy of such invective. I suggest rereading Biden instead.
'President Joe Biden told reporters Monday that the balloon did not change the developing patterns between the U.S. and China. “We’ve made it clear to China what we’re going to do,” he said. '“They understand our position. We’re not going to back off. We did the right thing. And there’s not a question of weakening or strengthening. It’s just the reality.” (Letter)
reality
the state of things as they are, rather than as they are imagined to be:
a fact:
reality
the actual state of things, or the facts involved in such a state:
Republicans are not interested in governing if any are even capable of doing so. Republicans have become destructive. I would not be surprised to learn that several GOP members of Congress are in the pay of Russia or China.
Today's Letter is a perfect example of how there has been little to no media coverage of so many of the Biden's major accomplishments. I had seen nothing about the Japan/Netherlands/US deal to limit exports of critical chip technology to China--that is a HUGE deal with far-reaching military and security and economic implications. You know that when the Chinese military complains. Similarly with the enhanced cybersecurity initiative. BT (Before Trump) these would have been banner headline worthy.
Instead we get culture war crap coverage At least Biden is hitting back--bringing the "pamphlet" to Wisconsin was a good bit of truth over fiction. I read the Rick Scott "pamphlet" way back when it was released and wrote about it because it scared the sh*t out of me but the media had little coverage of it. After all the pamphlet was the Republican Senatorial Committee's talking points document for the midterms. And Scott was the head of that group.
I am old enough to recall listening to some of FDR’s later Fireside chats, as he spoke with his fellow citizens about the realities of what he was accomplishing and the future societal needs that he planned to address.
I had the same positive feeling when listening to President Biden’s State of the Union address.
Facts supporting well-thought-out plans that are carefully implemented to help the nation in many ways — that's leadership. Read all about it, Republicans, and get a clue.
More on "sick puppy" Santos, MotherJones' Noah Lanard & David Korn report additional details on Santos' multiple campaign violations to wit "dozens" of Santos' donors on listed on his campaign reports "do not appear to exist".
Mother Jones contacted a Santos' family member who was listed on a form as having contributed $5,800 to the campaign stated he was "dumbfounded" by Santos' fraud.
Several prosecutors have active investigations open. Meanwhile a special House [4th] District election is set in Virginia in 13 days.
Now that it’s been shown that TFG’s administration had 3 balloons, it’s crickets from Fix and “friends”.
As far as having concerns about US security, McCarthy has no problem including someone (Santos) who probably wouldn’t qualify for the lowest classified clearance to attend a classified briefing. If that information ends up in the wrong hands, I predict that he will use the tired excuse “I never expected him to do THAT!”
I’m so thankful that President Biden does not rise to their bait. He simply addresses issues calmly and competently, and ignores the background noise. We are so fortunate to have him.
First, that tweet by Qevin is a lie. Poor guy, he is trying to be relevant and simply is not. Biden was very successful last night and today also, when he visited Wisconsin. He showed the "pamphlet" which was drawn up by Rick Scott and Ron Johnson stating that Social Security and Medicare should be "sunsetted", to American workers. The old grey fox outsmarted the little piggies! I am totally mesmerized by Biden's ability to do the Ali shuffle!
I watched SOTU w my family as a young person. Anyone behaving like MTG would have been escorted to the exit. What has happened to my country?
Something bothers me about the idea of the Speaker of the House sitting behind the real speaker of the occasion and tweeting critiques in real time. Maybe that was why his eyes were cast downward for a good portion of the president's speech, as if what he had to say was more important than the content of the speech itself. Try as we might, we really can't attend to multiple things at once with equal attention. It's a bit disrespectful, albeit not surprising, that doing something other than simply listening would be considered acceptable on an occasion like this. A few months ago, I watched 8 young teens at a high school football game spend the whole time, backs to the game, in parallel play on their phones. They weren't tuned in to the game, only partly tuned in to each other, but glued to their screens. I looked around and saw multiple adults doing the same. I wondered why they even came. We are truly distracted, somehow addicted to constant surveillance of our mobile internet connections. When you're only half there, splitting your attention between the person(s) presenting and some distraction, you'll miss pieces, misinterpret the part you did hear out of context with what you missed, misquote the speaker the next day, demonstrate that you weren't really paying attention. I recall similar behavior in 5th grade when the teacher's back was turned. We thought we were so sophisticated with our subterfuge...
Happy Thursday everyone.
I'm still feeling good about how President Biden played the republicans during his speech on Tuesday. Gonna go into the weekend feeling really really good about where we are.
And I guess the first meeting yesterday in regards to Twitter helping democrats turned out to be a big nothing burger.
Except for the fact that those Twitter people said that it was the drumpf administration that was asking for help. In fact they said they changed their rules just for the orange man baby.
And it looks like more Americans watch President Bidens speech and are now happy with the way things are going.
If we could get rid of fox angertaintment our country would be so much better.
Anyway, not gonna let anything harsh my buzz. President (I didn't type that word during the previous admin) Biden is doing a great job.
So let's all raise a glass and thank President Biden.
The seven sentences below spoken by President Biden are worth rereading multiple times. They are a clear announcement of our policy with China and they are factual -- based on 'reality'. Clear, factual and based on reality. Isn't that refreshing? What did we get from Trump, his administration and the Republican Party? What are we still getting from them? I don't go in for cursing and expletives, although the Republican Party is worthy of such invective. I suggest rereading Biden instead.
'President Joe Biden told reporters Monday that the balloon did not change the developing patterns between the U.S. and China. “We’ve made it clear to China what we’re going to do,” he said. '“They understand our position. We’re not going to back off. We did the right thing. And there’s not a question of weakening or strengthening. It’s just the reality.” (Letter)
reality
the state of things as they are, rather than as they are imagined to be:
a fact:
reality
the actual state of things, or the facts involved in such a state:
'Reality', isn't it refreshing?
Republicans are not interested in governing if any are even capable of doing so. Republicans have become destructive. I would not be surprised to learn that several GOP members of Congress are in the pay of Russia or China.
Today's Letter is a perfect example of how there has been little to no media coverage of so many of the Biden's major accomplishments. I had seen nothing about the Japan/Netherlands/US deal to limit exports of critical chip technology to China--that is a HUGE deal with far-reaching military and security and economic implications. You know that when the Chinese military complains. Similarly with the enhanced cybersecurity initiative. BT (Before Trump) these would have been banner headline worthy.
Instead we get culture war crap coverage At least Biden is hitting back--bringing the "pamphlet" to Wisconsin was a good bit of truth over fiction. I read the Rick Scott "pamphlet" way back when it was released and wrote about it because it scared the sh*t out of me but the media had little coverage of it. After all the pamphlet was the Republican Senatorial Committee's talking points document for the midterms. And Scott was the head of that group.
https://thehill.com/homenews/3849304-scott-doubles-down-on-sunsetting-all-federal-programs-after-bidens-jab/
I am old enough to recall listening to some of FDR’s later Fireside chats, as he spoke with his fellow citizens about the realities of what he was accomplishing and the future societal needs that he planned to address.
I had the same positive feeling when listening to President Biden’s State of the Union address.
(My New York Times/Nicholas Kristof comment)
Facts supporting well-thought-out plans that are carefully implemented to help the nation in many ways — that's leadership. Read all about it, Republicans, and get a clue.
More on "sick puppy" Santos, MotherJones' Noah Lanard & David Korn report additional details on Santos' multiple campaign violations to wit "dozens" of Santos' donors on listed on his campaign reports "do not appear to exist".
Mother Jones contacted a Santos' family member who was listed on a form as having contributed $5,800 to the campaign stated he was "dumbfounded" by Santos' fraud.
Several prosecutors have active investigations open. Meanwhile a special House [4th] District election is set in Virginia in 13 days.
[ Hat tip to Lynell in VA just below.]
McCarthy is rapidly becoming low-hanging fruit...
Now that it’s been shown that TFG’s administration had 3 balloons, it’s crickets from Fix and “friends”.
As far as having concerns about US security, McCarthy has no problem including someone (Santos) who probably wouldn’t qualify for the lowest classified clearance to attend a classified briefing. If that information ends up in the wrong hands, I predict that he will use the tired excuse “I never expected him to do THAT!”
So, HCR, what did you do to piss off Elon the Mucker? Tell the truth about something? :-)
It is so “interesting” how a multi-nation plan works so much more effectively. I wish the opposition would recognize that too.
Thank you Heather.
“... actual governance is about a lot more than reacting to a balloon.”
Indeed.