Political cartoon and meme thread for both sides of the spectrum.

[Cassandros]

The general purpose of this part of the statute is to protect governmental functions from frustration and distortion through deceptive practices. Section 371 reaches "any conspiracy for the purpose of impairing, obstructing or defeating the lawful function of any department of Government." Tanner v. United States, 483 U.S. 107, 128 (1987); see Dennis v. United States, 384 U.S. 855 (1966). The "defraud part of section 371 criminalizes any willful impairment of a legitimate function of government, whether or not the improper acts or objective are criminal under another statute." United States v. Tuohey, 867 F.2d 534, 537 (9th Cir. 1989).

So, this would include interfering with ICE then, correct?

No, States are not required to enforce Federal Law

But they are required to follow federal law.

But not to enforce it

Yeah, the FED is supposed to enforce it.

So, again, this would include those interfering with ICE then, correct.

You can't have it both ways buddy.

[Cassandros]

I can't tell due to the overly long quote monsters, who here thinks that Pence staying in Trump's hotel and commuting to work is ethical and appropriate for the president and his little buddy, Pence?
A simple hand wave will do.

Not appropriate, but also not unethical.

No dude. Its unethical. You can bleat all you want but it's tragically unethical and a slap to the face of the American taxpayer footing the bill for these assholes. Please give me a break

Tragically unethical?

Wow. Bold.

The American tax payer is on the cuff for the trip regardless. Hell, staying at the Trump hotel might have cost taxpayers less money (doubtful, but for the sake of discussion- it is possible. We don't know).

If we have to pay for the trip regardless, where exactly does the ethics (or lack there of) come in?

[CaptQuint]

The general purpose of this part of the statute is to protect governmental functions from frustration and distortion through deceptive practices. Section 371 reaches "any conspiracy for the purpose of impairing, obstructing or defeating the lawful function of any department of Government." Tanner v. United States, 483 U.S. 107, 128 (1987); see Dennis v. United States, 384 U.S. 855 (1966). The "defraud part of section 371 criminalizes any willful impairment of a legitimate function of government, whether or not the improper acts or objective are criminal under another statute." United States v. Tuohey, 867 F.2d 534, 537 (9th Cir. 1989).

So, this would include interfering with ICE then, correct?

No, States are not required to enforce Federal Law

But they are required to follow federal law.

But not to enforce it

Yeah, the FED is supposed to enforce it.

So, again, this would include those interfering with ICE then, correct.

You can't have it both ways buddy.

It's not both ways because you say it is. If I don't assist a Federal Officer in his arrest, I'm not interfering. I'm just not doing his job.

[CaptQuint]

This dude is fucked in the head. What if Pence stayed in a hammock supported by magic hummingbirds?

[Cassandros]

So, this would include interfering with ICE then, correct?

No, States are not required to enforce Federal Law

But they are required to follow federal law.

But not to enforce it

Yeah, the FED is supposed to enforce it.

So, again, this would include those interfering with ICE then, correct.

You can't have it both ways buddy.

It's not both ways because you say it is. If I don't assist a Federal Officer in his arrest, I'm not interfering. I'm just not doing his job.

Unfortunate fact:
When you are alerting illegals to ICE activity and when you are creating sanctuary cities that change their sentencing laws, or refusing to allow federal employees to access areas within the city or state, expressly to hamper ICE --> you are interfering.

[CaptQuint]

No, States are not required to enforce Federal Law

But they are required to follow federal law.

But not to enforce it

Yeah, the FED is supposed to enforce it.

So, again, this would include those interfering with ICE then, correct.

You can't have it both ways buddy.

It's not both ways because you say it is. If I don't assist a Federal Officer in his arrest, I'm not interfering. I'm just not doing his job.

Unfortunate fact:
When you are alerting illegals to ICE activity and when you are creating sanctuary cities that change their sentencing laws, or refusing to allow federal employees to access areas within the city or state, expressly to hamper ICE --> you are interfering.

You are so full of shit, There is no city or state in this country where federal law doesn’t apply and where federal agents can’t go to enforce it.

[DandyDon]

Fuck that, pig-human hybrids is wrong.

In my humble opinion scientist need to start asking 'should we' and not just 'can we'.

They're working toward growing transplantable organs, which would save tens of thousands of lives every year. They aren't just doing it to see if they can.

No shit. And when they were trying to make goats milk produce spider silk- it was to make better armor, you know, to save lives.

Just because you can spin shit to look like a positive---> Doesn't make it ethical.

human-pig hybrids are wrong. Period.

It is literally and explicitly the purpose of the research, to grow transplantable organs. Your ignorance does not change the facts.

No shit. What's your point?

Using human stem-cells to create animal hybrids is not, as it currently form, ethical.

iPSC can potentially affect an animals brain, making more aware. More human. Until that is addressed and resolved- this research really shouldn't continue. But instead we have places taking the next step and mixing humans with something even closer related- monkeys.

Unethical.

The foreign emoluments clause - the only one you were aware existed presumably - applies when he directs foreign business to his hotels, the domestic clause applies when he directs federal revenue to his hotels. He profits from his hotels.

/chuckle.

Carrying water for Spudoc, that's nice of you.

Unfortunately, unless there is evidence that the fees these people are paying are somehow higher than the room fee and the excess is funneling to Trump- you really don't have much of a leg to stand on here. But keep hoping...

Keep hoping.

Nope, that's something you just pulled from your ass to defend your mistake. There's no 'and also charging higher than the usual room rent to increase the profit margin' part.

Oh really, feel free to explain how I am wrong.

Or, just toss insults because you know I am right.

Again.

I have just explained how you are wrong, you're inventing a caveat that is not in the law to try and mask your initial error of not knowing there was a domestic emoluments clause. Didn't work.

Oh, hahaha!! I'm "inventing caveats" now. That's rich.

Unless there is evidence he is forcing people to stay at his hotels, or evidence that the fees these people are paying are somehow higher than the room fee and the excess is funneling to Trump, or both- you really don't have much of a leg to stand on here.

And no amount of insults (veiled or vulgar) changes this reality. (But thanks for the laugh anyway).

Mmmm Hmmm

In early Spring of this year, an Air National Guard crew made a routine trip from the U.S. to Kuwait to deliver supplies.

What wasn’t routine was where the crew stopped along the way: President Donald Trump’s Turnberry resort, about 50 miles outside Glasgow, Scotland.

Since April, the House Oversight Committee has been investigating why the crew on the C-17 military transport plane made the unusual stay — both en route to the Middle East and on the way back — at the luxury waterside resort, according to several people familiar with the incident. But they have yet to receive any answers from the Pentagon.

The inquiry is part of a broader, previously unreported probe into U.S. military expenditures at and around the Trump property in Scotland. According to a letter the panel sent to the Pentagon in June, the military has spent $11 million on fuel at the Prestwick Airport — the closest airport to Trump Turnberry — since October 2017, fuel that would be cheaper if purchased at a U.S. military base. The letter also cites a Guardian report that the airport provided cut-rate rooms and free rounds of golf at Turnberry for U.S. military members.

Taken together, the incidents raise the possibility that the military has helped keep Trump’s Turnberry resort afloat — the property lost $4.5 million in 2017, but revenue went up $3 million in 2018.

[Cassandros]

This dude is fucked in the head. What if Pence stayed in a hammock supported by magic hummingbirds?

Dude is fucked in the head.

But that doesn't mean everything he is doing is illegal, unethical, or wrong.
(At least, not yet).

The more you blue (and red) m&ms embrace raw hatred for the other team (and for you blues, especially your outright hatred for the current POTUS)- you are going to get played by the worst aspects of your party. The country will continue to fragment until it is lost.

This is how divide and conquer works.

[Cassandros]

But they are required to follow federal law.

But not to enforce it

Yeah, the FED is supposed to enforce it.

So, again, this would include those interfering with ICE then, correct.

You can't have it both ways buddy.

It's not both ways because you say it is. If I don't assist a Federal Officer in his arrest, I'm not interfering. I'm just not doing his job.

Unfortunate fact:
When you are alerting illegals to ICE activity and when you are creating sanctuary cities that change their sentencing laws, or refusing to allow federal employees to access areas within the city or state, expressly to hamper ICE --> you are interfering.

You are so full of shit, There is no city or state in this country where federal law doesn’t apply and where federal agents can’t go to enforce it.

You might want to look into deeper than talking head talking points.
https://www.themarshallproject.org/2017 ... outwit-ice

Because what I wrote is reality. And when compared to what you posted about the LAW- seems like some people should be in jail.

[CaptQuint]

This dude is fucked in the head. What if Pence stayed in a hammock supported by magic hummingbirds?

Dude is fucked in the head.

But that doesn't mean everything he is doing is illegal, unethical, or wrong.
(At least, not yet).

The more you blue (and red) m&ms embrace raw hatred for the other team (and for you blues, especially your outright hatred for the current POTUS)- you are going to get played by the worst aspects of your party. The country will continue to fragment until it is lost.

This is how divide and conquer works.

Why did Pence not stay in the city his meetings were in? Why did he stay at a property owned by his boss?

Occam's razor is a principle from philosophy. Suppose there exists two explanations for an occurrence. In this case the one that requires the least speculation is usually correct. Another way of saying it is that the more assumptions you have to make, the more unlikely an explanation.

[CaptQuint]

But not to enforce it

Yeah, the FED is supposed to enforce it.

So, again, this would include those interfering with ICE then, correct.

You can't have it both ways buddy.

It's not both ways because you say it is. If I don't assist a Federal Officer in his arrest, I'm not interfering. I'm just not doing his job.

Unfortunate fact:
When you are alerting illegals to ICE activity and when you are creating sanctuary cities that change their sentencing laws, or refusing to allow federal employees to access areas within the city or state, expressly to hamper ICE --> you are interfering.

You are so full of shit, There is no city or state in this country where federal law doesn’t apply and where federal agents can’t go to enforce it.

You might want to look into deeper than talking head talking points.
https://www.themarshallproject.org/2017 ... outwit-ice

Because what I wrote is reality. And when compared to what you posted about the LAW- seems like some people should be in jail.

Aww, they won't hold ICE's hand, poor poor victims.

[Cassandros]

Mmmm Hmmm

In early Spring of this year, an Air National Guard crew made a routine trip from the U.S. to Kuwait to deliver supplies.

What wasn’t routine was where the crew stopped along the way: President Donald Trump’s Turnberry resort, about 50 miles outside Glasgow, Scotland.

Since April, the House Oversight Committee has been investigating why the crew on the C-17 military transport plane made the unusual stay — both en route to the Middle East and on the way back — at the luxury waterside resort, according to several people familiar with the incident. But they have yet to receive any answers from the Pentagon.

The inquiry is part of a broader, previously unreported probe into U.S. military expenditures at and around the Trump property in Scotland. According to a letter the panel sent to the Pentagon in June, the military has spent $11 million on fuel at the Prestwick Airport — the closest airport to Trump Turnberry — since October 2017, fuel that would be cheaper if purchased at a U.S. military base. The letter also cites a Guardian report that the airport provided cut-rate rooms and free rounds of golf at Turnberry for U.S. military members.

Taken together, the incidents raise the possibility that the military has helped keep Trump’s Turnberry resort afloat — the property lost $4.5 million in 2017, but revenue went up $3 million in 2018.

Good find.

There is missing info here though...

The fuel might be cheaper to buy, but does it remain cheaper when transportation of fuel is considered? If it is, then the fuel is a non-issue.

However, that last line bolded is a serious problem. Par for course, but a serious problem. Trump should NOT be doing any business as a public servant. The fact that his base casts a blind eye to this pisses me off. Even if he is (maybe) 'technically' not funneling tax payer money to his personal coffers, he is indirectly making himself wealthier by use of public funds and personnel.

[Cassandros]

This dude is fucked in the head. What if Pence stayed in a hammock supported by magic hummingbirds?

Dude is fucked in the head.

But that doesn't mean everything he is doing is illegal, unethical, or wrong.
(At least, not yet).

The more you blue (and red) m&ms embrace raw hatred for the other team (and for you blues, especially your outright hatred for the current POTUS)- you are going to get played by the worst aspects of your party. The country will continue to fragment until it is lost.

This is how divide and conquer works.

Why did Pence not stay in the city his meetings were in? Why did he stay at a property owned by his boss?

Occam's razor is a principle from philosophy. Suppose there exists two explanations for an occurrence. In this case the one that requires the least speculation is usually correct. Another way of saying it is that the more assumptions you have to make, the more unlikely an explanation.

The simplest answer is often, but not always correct.

Re-read what I wrote man, your are blinded by hate.

Hell, in 1984 they only practices 5 minutes of hate, you spend hours upon hours on this board in a Trump-rage.

And its blinding you to reality.

[Cassandros]

Yeah, the FED is supposed to enforce it.

So, again, this would include those interfering with ICE then, correct.

You can't have it both ways buddy.

It's not both ways because you say it is. If I don't assist a Federal Officer in his arrest, I'm not interfering. I'm just not doing his job.

Unfortunate fact:
When you are alerting illegals to ICE activity and when you are creating sanctuary cities that change their sentencing laws, or refusing to allow federal employees to access areas within the city or state, expressly to hamper ICE --> you are interfering.

You are so full of shit, There is no city or state in this country where federal law doesn’t apply and where federal agents can’t go to enforce it.

You might want to look into deeper than talking head talking points.
https://www.themarshallproject.org/2017 ... outwit-ice

Because what I wrote is reality. And when compared to what you posted about the LAW- seems like some people should be in jail.

Aww, they won't hold ICE's hand, poor poor victims.

Read the link.

They are impairing, obstructing or defeating the lawful function of ICE.

Which is, as you so elegantly pointed out: is illegal.

[CaptQuint]

If they have a valid arrest warrant, yes. If they have an administrative warrant no. You need a forum tag of "What if" all of your arguments rely on that.

[Cassandros]

If they have a valid arrest warrant, yes. If they have an administrative warrant no. You need a forum tag of "What if" all of your arguments rely on that.

Pro tip:
Read the fucking link before commenting.

It is full of officials impairing, obstructing and/or defeating the lawful function of ICE.

[DandyDon]

Mmmm Hmmm

In early Spring of this year, an Air National Guard crew made a routine trip from the U.S. to Kuwait to deliver supplies.

What wasn’t routine was where the crew stopped along the way: President Donald Trump’s Turnberry resort, about 50 miles outside Glasgow, Scotland.

Since April, the House Oversight Committee has been investigating why the crew on the C-17 military transport plane made the unusual stay — both en route to the Middle East and on the way back — at the luxury waterside resort, according to several people familiar with the incident. But they have yet to receive any answers from the Pentagon.

The inquiry is part of a broader, previously unreported probe into U.S. military expenditures at and around the Trump property in Scotland. According to a letter the panel sent to the Pentagon in June, the military has spent $11 million on fuel at the Prestwick Airport — the closest airport to Trump Turnberry — since October 2017, fuel that would be cheaper if purchased at a U.S. military base. The letter also cites a Guardian report that the airport provided cut-rate rooms and free rounds of golf at Turnberry for U.S. military members.

Taken together, the incidents raise the possibility that the military has helped keep Trump’s Turnberry resort afloat — the property lost $4.5 million in 2017, but revenue went up $3 million in 2018.

Good find.

There is missing info here though...

The fuel might be cheaper to buy, but does it remain cheaper when transportation of fuel is considered? If it is, then the fuel is a non-issue.

However, that last line bolded is a serious problem. Par for course, but a serious problem. Trump should NOT be doing any business as a public servant. The fact that his base casts a blind eye to this pisses me off. Even if he is (maybe) 'technically' not funneling tax payer money to his personal coffers, he is indirectly making himself wealthier by use of public funds and personnel.

99.9% of all of the US military air operations in that part of the world go through Ramstein in Germany. Someone directed these stops to happen in Scotland instead. I wonder who?

[Cassandros]

Mmmm Hmmm

In early Spring of this year, an Air National Guard crew made a routine trip from the U.S. to Kuwait to deliver supplies.

What wasn’t routine was where the crew stopped along the way: President Donald Trump’s Turnberry resort, about 50 miles outside Glasgow, Scotland.

Since April, the House Oversight Committee has been investigating why the crew on the C-17 military transport plane made the unusual stay — both en route to the Middle East and on the way back — at the luxury waterside resort, according to several people familiar with the incident. But they have yet to receive any answers from the Pentagon.

The inquiry is part of a broader, previously unreported probe into U.S. military expenditures at and around the Trump property in Scotland. According to a letter the panel sent to the Pentagon in June, the military has spent $11 million on fuel at the Prestwick Airport — the closest airport to Trump Turnberry — since October 2017, fuel that would be cheaper if purchased at a U.S. military base. The letter also cites a Guardian report that the airport provided cut-rate rooms and free rounds of golf at Turnberry for U.S. military members.

Taken together, the incidents raise the possibility that the military has helped keep Trump’s Turnberry resort afloat — the property lost $4.5 million in 2017, but revenue went up $3 million in 2018.

Good find.

There is missing info here though...

The fuel might be cheaper to buy, but does it remain cheaper when transportation of fuel is considered? If it is, then the fuel is a non-issue.

However, that last line bolded is a serious problem. Par for course, but a serious problem. Trump should NOT be doing any business as a public servant. The fact that his base casts a blind eye to this pisses me off. Even if he is (maybe) 'technically' not funneling tax payer money to his personal coffers, he is indirectly making himself wealthier by use of public funds and personnel.

99.9% of all of the US military air operations in that part of the world go through Ramstein in Germany. Someone directed these stops to happen in Scotland instead. I wonder who?

So?

That in and of itself is a non-issue.

[DandyDon]

And now we have texts from the crew members complaining about and questioning the unusual stop, and how their per diem was not enough to cover the meals at the resort.

[Cassandros]

And now we have texts from the crew members complaining about and questioning the unusual stop, and how their per diem was not enough to cover the meals at the resort.

Again... So?

If you join the military you have to go where you are told.

Still, in and of itself this is a non-issue. (Save the part I already mentioned that is technically not illegal, but absolute bullshit).

[DandyDon]

And now we have texts from the crew members complaining about and questioning the unusual stop, and how their per diem was not enough to cover the meals at the resort.

Again... So?

If you join the military you have to go where you are told.

Still, in and of itself this is a non-issue. (Save the part I already mentioned that is technically not illegal, but absolute bullshit).

It is indeed illegal if directed by the administration. Its a blatant violation of the emoluments clause. It's not like we havent already had plenty of those.

[Cassandros]

And now we have texts from the crew members complaining about and questioning the unusual stop, and how their per diem was not enough to cover the meals at the resort.

Again... So?

If you join the military you have to go where you are told.

Still, in and of itself this is a non-issue. (Save the part I already mentioned that is technically not illegal, but absolute bullshit).

It is indeed illegal if directed by the administration. Its a blatant violation of the emoluments clause. It's not like we havent already had plenty of those.

You blues keep echoing he is violating the emoluments clause, so again I ask: How?

The Commander in Chief can direct the military, and there are no (visible and direct) personal profits to Trump by entities foreign or domestic.

If you have a "blatant" case, fucking present it already. Because the shit the three of you have presented thus far is, unfortunately, not a violation of the emoluments clause.

[DandyDon]

And now we have texts from the crew members complaining about and questioning the unusual stop, and how their per diem was not enough to cover the meals at the resort.

Again... So?

If you join the military you have to go where you are told.

Still, in and of itself this is a non-issue. (Save the part I already mentioned that is technically not illegal, but absolute bullshit).

It is indeed illegal if directed by the administration. Its a blatant violation of the emoluments clause. It's not like we havent already had plenty of those.

You blues keep echoing he is violating the emoluments clause, so again I ask: How?

The Commander in Chief can direct the military, and there are no (visible and direct) personal profits to Trump by entities foreign or domestic.

If you have a "blatant" case, fucking present it already. Because the shit the three of you have presented thus far is, unfortunately, not a violation of the emoluments clause.

Goddamn you fucking moron, he cant direct military operations to change normal operations that have been in place for years to visit his personal businesses that make a profit for him, and patronize businesses that give perks for such diversions. How fucking stupid (or obtuse) are you?

[spudoc]

And now we have texts from the crew members complaining about and questioning the unusual stop, and how their per diem was not enough to cover the meals at the resort.

Again... So?

If you join the military you have to go where you are told.

Still, in and of itself this is a non-issue. (Save the part I already mentioned that is technically not illegal, but absolute bullshit).

It is indeed illegal if directed by the administration. Its a blatant violation of the emoluments clause. It's not like we havent already had plenty of those.

You blues keep echoing he is violating the emoluments clause, so again I ask: How?

The Commander in Chief can direct the military, and there are no (visible and direct) personal profits to Trump by entities foreign or domestic.

If you have a "blatant" case, fucking present it already. Because the shit the three of you have presented thus far is, unfortunately, not a violation of the emoluments clause.

Goddamn you fucking moron, he cant direct military operations to change normal operations that have been in place for years to visit his personal businesses that make a profit for him, and patronize businesses that give perks for such diversions. How fucking stupid (or obtuse) are you?

He is being willingly obtuse. He already has admitted that what Trump is doing is bullshit but the ball washer in him just won't admit that what Trump is doing is a violation of the emoluments clause. Because orange balls taste sooo good.

[Cassandros]

And now we have texts from the crew members complaining about and questioning the unusual stop, and how their per diem was not enough to cover the meals at the resort.

Again... So?

If you join the military you have to go where you are told.

Still, in and of itself this is a non-issue. (Save the part I already mentioned that is technically not illegal, but absolute bullshit).

It is indeed illegal if directed by the administration. Its a blatant violation of the emoluments clause. It's not like we havent already had plenty of those.

You blues keep echoing he is violating the emoluments clause, so again I ask: How?

The Commander in Chief can direct the military, and there are no (visible and direct) personal profits to Trump by entities foreign or domestic.

If you have a "blatant" case, fucking present it already. Because the shit the three of you have presented thus far is, unfortunately, not a violation of the emoluments clause.

Goddamn you fucking moron, he cant direct military operations to change normal operations that have been used for years to visit his personal businesses, and patronize businesses that give perks for such diversions. How fucking stupid (or obtuse) are you?

Actually, he can. But I am very curious why you believe otherwise.

Regardless, how the fuck does that impact the emoluments clause? The emolument clauses are about entities bribing Federal officials. I see no way diverting a plane to get fuel someplace else and making people stay at your hotel as evidence of violating this clause.

So, instead of name calling how about you actually answer the fucking question. Be specific, or stfu.