DL Open Thread: Thursday, August 20, 2020

Obama Lays It On The Line–Our Democracy Is At Stake.  “Do not let them take away your power,” Obama said. “Don’t let them take away your democracy.”

Pundits’ Punditry.  I’m more interested in your thoughts. I really wonder what the Rethugs’ prospective hate-fest will accomplish. Gotta say, knowing in advance that they were going virtual has worked out well for the D’s.

Trump Gives His Seal Of Approval To QAnon.  The Overton Window now applies pretty much only to the Rethuglican Party.

Trump Administration Gives Political Appointees Power To Disburse Funds.  Because they’re, uh, more qualified?

Rethugs: Trump A ‘Wet Hot Mess’ On Postal Service Issue.  He’s hurting himself..and them politically. Big time.

Gas Industry Wages War Against Climate Action.  A snippet:

The documents show the multibillion-dollar gas industry has built crucial local coalitions and hired high-powered operatives to torpedo cities’ anti-gas policies – sometimes assisted by money those same cities have paid into gas trade associations.

In historically conservative states, the gas industry has convinced legislatures to pass laws prohibiting cities from following in Seattle’s footsteps and trying to ban new gas hookups. In the digital world, it has carefully cultivated the fuel’s image, paying Instagram influencers to cook with gas stoves. In the media, it has sought to be quoted in important stories in news outlets like Reuters, according to internal records. In Washington DC, where the industry has strong support from the Trump administration, it has lobbied the federal government on everything from environmental reviews to appliance standards.

“The gas utilities are facing an existential threat, and instead of approaching a decarbonizing economy as an opportunity to reinvent themselves, they’re digging their heels in and going back to the age-old tactics of [the fossil fuel industry],” said Charlie Spatz, a researcher at the Climate Investigations Center. “These public records show just a fraction of a much larger effort to slow down critical climate solutions.”

Delaware Rethugs Sue To End Vote-By-Mail.  Uh, why?  They’re gonna lose pretty much every race outside of Lower Slower anyway. Hey, it’s their money, such as it is.

What do you want to talk about?