Odds and Ends — 17 October 2023

The fact that you and I are living in a world where it is at least notionally possible that Jim Jordan would become the speaker of the people’s house and in line to the presidency of the United States is so utterly fantastic, not because Jim Jordan is some, transdimensional warlock. But because he’s an idiot… These Frankensteins were never supposed to get off the table.

https://twitter.com/MuellerSheWrote/status/1713975935631016306?s=20

Trump Plans New Crackdown on Muslim Immigrants

Former president Donald Trump, condemned by his Republican rivals and others last week for calling Hezbollah militants ‘very smart,’ responded Monday by proposing harsher restrictions on immigration based on ideology, targeting Hamas sympathizers and critics of Israel.
In addition to blocking people from entering the country based on ideological screenings, Trump said he would revoke student visas and deport anti-Israel demonstrators. He also pledged to expand his travel ban on people from Muslim-majority countries and refuse refugees.

Fox News Caught Conspiring to Make Jim Jordan Speaker

https://twitter.com/BlackKnight10k/status/1714072662211981455?s=20

https://twitter.com/emptywheel/status/1714023834502791622?s=20

Biden to Launch Account on Truth Social

Said a Biden campaign aide: “There’s very little ‘truth’ happening on TruthSocial, but at least now it’ll be a little fun.”

https://twitter.com/gtconway3d/status/1714045910462722264?s=20

Trump and the Republican War on the Civil Service

James Garfield’s assassination led to the end of the spoils system. Today’s GOP wants to take us back.

Court Settlement Would Bar Separating Migrant Families

The Biden administration on Monday agreed to a court settlement that would bar U.S. authorities from referring migrant parents traveling with children for criminal prosecution for illegally entering the United States, a largely condemned practice used by the Trump administration.
If approved by a judge, this provision in the proposed settlement would remain in effect for eight years, preventing an administration during that time from restoring a “zero tolerance” prosecution policy. That Trump policy forced the separation of thousands of parents and children at the southern border in 2018.

https://twitter.com/FPWellman/status/1713962843396051197?s=20

Hamas fires rockets at Israel cities as Gaza hospitals near collapse

https://twitter.com/PalmerReport/status/1714038765889499260?s=20

FBI crime statistics show anti-LGBTQ hate crimes on the rise

Gym Jordan’s Toxic Baggage

https://twitter.com/JoJoFromJerz/status/1714028381044346937?s=20