Speakers' Corner

Open Thread

July 6, 2009

Feel free to post any comments on any topic here. Also, this is where you’ll find any off topic comments that have been moved from other posts, those conversations can continue here.

A Tale of Two Vancouvers But Mostly Mine, the Best One

In Memory of Fergie

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TOP NEWS

As Trump Looks for Distraction on Epstein, Justice Dept. Rushes to His Aid

The department was deployed, in effect, as an arm of the president’s rapid-response operation to help him muscle through a damaging news cycle over Jeffrey Epstein, former and current officials said. [...]

Judge Says Justice Dept. May Have Committed Misconduct in Comey Case

The magistrate judge raised the question of whether “government misconduct” in the case might require dismissing the charges against the former F.B.I. director, James B. Comey, altogether. [...]

David Richardson, Acting FEMA Administration, Resigns

David Richardson had been on the job for six months. FEMA employees had questioned his ability to lead the agency. [...]

E.P.A. Drastically Limits Protections for Wetlands

The proposal could strip federal protections from most U.S. wetlands, some of which feed drinking water systems. [...]

A Plan for Private Jet Taxes Would Fund Climate Measures

A small group of countries is aiming to impose a fee on private jets and premium commercial fares. The revenue would help nations adapt to warming. [...]

A Councilwoman Intervened During an ICE Arrest. Then She Faced the Voters.

Months before the election, Etel Haxhiaj, a councilwoman in Worcester, Mass., was charged with assaulting an officer when she stood between the police and an immigrant family. [...]

Andy Baraghani’s Thanksgiving Menu Is Bright, Colorful and Delicious

Andy Baraghani’s bright, brilliant menu is a feast for the eyes, too. [...]

After Marshawn Kneeland’s Death, Cowboys Prepare to Take the Field Again

Marshawn Kneeland spent nearly all of his 24 years working to get to the N.F.L. He died two days after scoring his first touchdown. [...]

A.I. Chatbots Are Changing How Patients Get Medical Advice

Frustrated by the medical system, some patients are turning to chatbots for help. At what cost? [...]

Europe Begins Rethinking Its Crackdown on Big Tech

European policymakers are crafting changes to scale back and simplify landmark rules for A.I. and data privacy, in a shift from an aggressive regulatory period. [...]

How Kyrsten Sinema's decision makes Democrats' 2024 Senate map tighter

Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema decided to shake up the political world on Friday by becoming an independent. The former Democrat is still caucusing with the party in the Senate, so the Democratic caucus still has 51 members. Now, instead of 49 Democrats and two independents within their ranks, the caucus has 48 Democrats and three independents. [...]

Meet the woman steering Biden's bipartisan winning streak on Capitol Hill

The Biden administration managed to rack up a long list of major legislative wins in its first two years despite facing one of the most closely-divided Congresses in history. From bipartisan action on infrastructure, gun safety and same-sex marriage to party-line bills tackling climate change and expanding health care coverage, it's a record President Joe Biden and Democrats on the ballot were all eager to tout on the campaign trail during the midterms. [...]

CNN Political Briefing

The political news you need to know, in 10 minutes or less. Hosted by David Chalian. [...]

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

Go beyond the soundbites and get to know some of the most interesting players in politics. [...]

Margins of Error

Look closely at almost anything and you'll find data—lots of it. But what are those numbers really saying about who we are and what we believe? Harry Enten is on a mission to find out. [...]

The notable legal clouds that continue to hang over Donald Trump

All eyes are on former President Donald Trump, who has launched another White House bid. [...]

The fine print of the Respect for Marriage Act

Let's start with the positive: Republicans and Democrats are coming together to protect same-sex marriage from the Supreme Court. [...]

Everything you need to know about Biden's student loan forgiveness program

President Joe Biden's federal student loan forgiveness program, which promises to deliver up to $20,000 of debt relief for millions of borrowers, is on hold indefinitely as legal challenges work their way through the courts. [...]

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day [...]

0% intro APR until 2024 is 100% insane

Ukraine to get up to 100 French-made Rafale fighter jets

President Volodymyr Zelensky hails a "historic" deal aimed at boosting Ukraine's defences against deadly Russian air attacks. [...]

South Africa to refuse charter flights of Palestinians over fears of 'cleansing agenda'

Israel says South Africa had previously agreed to receive the 153 Palestinians who arrived last week. [...]

Louvre closes gallery due to structural issue

The Campana Gallery, which host Greek ceramics, will remain closed as beams supporting the floor above are checked. [...]

Sheikh Hasina: The pro-democracy icon who became an autocrat

Sheikh Hasina is credited for the country's economic progress but also accused of authoritarianism. [...]

Lost Bach pieces performed for first time in 320 years

Germany's Culture Minister calls the discovery a "great moment for the world of music". [...]

Australia revokes visa of South African seen at neo-Nazi rally

The civil engineer was seen in the front row of a protest organised by the National Socialist Network. [...]

France investigating Vinted over alleged links to pornographic content

Some sellers were found to be luring viewers to their personal pages on adult platforms such as OnlyFans. [...]

Trump calls on House Republicans to vote to release Epstein files

"We have nothing to hide," the US president writes - a reversal after previously resisting publishing the documents. [...]

Man who grabbed Ariana Grande at premiere jailed in Singapore

"Serial intruder" Johnson Wen was given nine days in jail for being a public nuisance. [...]

Ukraine to import US liquefied natural gas via Greece

Vital supplies are due to start flowing from the Balkans as energy infrastructure faces sustained Russian attack. [...]

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It was quite energizing to be among thousands of my neighbors in this city who reflect how informed, creative, and principled they are. It was a real antidote to the ignorance, bigotry, and hateful cruelty that oozes every day from Trump and his MAGA cultists.