MSNBC host says being in US Capitol after Jan. 6 'feels like a visit to an historic battlefield'



Left-wing MSNBC host Lawrence O'Donnell declared in a tweet on Thursday that being in the U.S. Capitol felt like visiting a "historic battlefield."

"Today is my 1st time inside the Capitol since Jan 6. Everything looks the same but it doesn’t feel the same. Maybe I’ll get used to it again but now it feels like a visit to an historic battlefield. Out of every window you see the paths of the attackers," he tweeted.

People on social media responded to O'Donnell's dramatic post with ridicule.

"I don’t want to live in the same country with people like this," one person tweeted.

\u201cI don\u2019t want to live in the same country with people like this\u201d
— Jared Rabel (@Jared Rabel) 1675382739

"Cringe," someone else wrote.

"Get a grip, dude," someone else tweeted.

"Lmao this is so dramatic it's hilarious," another commenter noted.

"How embarrassingly maudlin," someone else wrote.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to impeach then-President Donald Trump in the wake of the January 6 Capitol riot — 10 House Republicans were among the lawmakers who voted in favor of impeachment. The Senate did not vote until after Trump had already departed from office, and the vote fell short of the threshold for necessary for conviction.

"They are still arresting them. If you attacked the Capitol on Jan 6 & you haven't been arrested yet, please be patient," O'Donnell recently tweeted.

\u201cThey are still arresting them. If you attacked the Capitol on Jan 6 & you haven\u2019t been arrested yet, please be patient.\u201d
— Lawrence O'Donnell (@Lawrence O'Donnell) 1675197304

During Trump's tenure, O'Donnell claimed that Trump was "a Russian operative" and suggested that the "Trump regime" might be better described as the "Trump-Putin regime."

\u201cMSNBC\u2019s @Lawrence O\u2019Donnell: "The president is a Russian operative. That sounds like the description of a bad Hollywood screenplay, but it is real, and it is Vladimir Putin\u2019s greatest achievement.\u201d \n\nSays @RichardGrenell nomination came at Putin\u2019s direction.\u201d
— Tom Elliott (@Tom Elliott) 1582379837

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Biden threatens oil companies with new tax over 'war profiteering.' But top Dem economist says it will backfire.



President Joe Biden threatened oil and gas companies with a "windfall tax" on Monday, accusing them of "war profiteering."

What did Biden say?

Speaking at the White House, Biden accused oil companies of netting "outrageous" profits, which he attributed to the exploitation of the war in Ukraine.

Biden said oil companies need to reinvest their profits and reduce the cost of oil — or else.

"If they don’t, they’re going to pay a higher tax on their excess profits and face other restrictions," Biden said. "It’s time for these companies to stop war profiteering, meet their responsibilities to this country, and give the American people a break and still do very well."

The U.S. is not, in fact, at war.

Moreover, Biden claimed that if oil companies were not profiteering, then Americans would be paying, on average, at least 50 cents less per gallon of gas. He did not provide evidence to back that claim.

What was the response?

Larry Summers, the former Treasury secretary who served in the Clinton and Obama administrations, predicted Biden's windfall tax will backfire.

"I’m not sure understand the argument for a windfall profits tax on energy companies. If you reduce profitability, you will discourage investment which is the opposite of our objective," Summers pointed out.

"If it is a fairness argument, I don’t quite follow the logic since even with the windfalls Exxon has underperformed the overall market over the last 5 years," he noted.

\u201cIf it is a fairness argument, I don\u2019t quite follow the logic since even with the windfalls Exxon has underperformed the overall market over the last 5 years.\u201d
— Lawrence H. Summers (@Lawrence H. Summers) 1667297192

As Summers observed, the oil business is highly volatile.

For instance, while Biden emphasizes the industry's current profits, the five biggest oil companies — ExxonMobil, BP, Shell, Chevron, and TotalEnergies – lost $76 billion in 2020. Biden, however, made no mention of that.

Meanwhile, the American Petroleum Institute also pointed out in a response to Biden that the oil industry does not control the price at the pump.

"Oil companies do not set prices—global commodities markets do," API president and CEO Mike Sommers said.

Economists at the Federal Reserve of Dallas have explained why oil companies are not responsible for the high prices of gas at the pump. According to their calculations, less than 60% of the price of gas is directly related to the price of oil. Other costs associated with the price of gas include oil refining, distribution, and taxes.

The truth is that gas stations control the price of gas at the pump.

"Since only 1% of service stations in the U.S. are owned by companies that also produce oil, U.S. oil producers are in no position to control retail gasoline prices," the Dallas Fed explained.

Liberals outraged at Politico because new owner reportedly praised Trump's record



Politico, the go-to political news website for D.C. insiders, is under fire from the left after the Washington Post reported that the company's new German owner wants to focus on "nonpartisan" journalism and once sent an email appearing to endorse former President Donald Trump for re-election in 2020.

Mathias Döpfner is a billionaire media mogul and the new owner of Politico after his publishing company, Axel Springer, bought the website and its affiliate sites in a $1 billion deal last year. In an interview with the Washington Post, Döpfner said he's concerned that American media has become too polarized and sees an opportunity for Politico to "prove that being nonpartisan is actually the more successful positioning."

But the Post questioned how Döpfner "hopes to define nonpartisan journalism," noting that his own political beliefs "have remained something of a mystery." In an apparent attempt to out Döpfner as a secret Trump supporter, the paper reported an email Döpfner sent to his closest executives in 2020 that has now provoked controversy on social media.

In the email, Döpfner reportedly asked his associates, "Do we all want to get together for an hour in the morning on November 3 and pray that Donald Trump will again become President of the United States of America?”

According to the Washington Post, Döpfner argued that Trump's policies on five key issues personally important to the CEO were correct — namely that Trump defended "free democracies" against Russia and China; pushed NATO allies to pay their obligated dues; pursued "tax reforms"; achieved peace deals in the Middle East; and challenged big tech monopolies. A sixth issue where Döpfner reportedly thought Trump fell short was tackling climate change.

“No American administration in the last 50 years has done more,” Döpfner reportedly wrote.

Confronted about the email, Döpfner denied that he had ever written any such praise for Trump.

“That’s intrinsically false,” he told the Post. “That doesn’t exist. It has never been sent and has never been even imagined.”

However, when shown a printed copy of the message, Döpfner conceded that he may have sent it as "as an ironic, provocative statement in the circle of people that hate Donald Trump."

The Post also reported that Döpfner has privately criticized cancel culture and "gripes about identity politics" in conversations with friends. Speaking for himself, Döpfner identified as a "non-Jewish Zionist" with "small-L liberal" tendencies, who is deeply concerned with racism and homophobia.

Progressives on Twitter put Politico on blast over these revelations, accusing Döpfner of lying about his beliefs.

"Dear Politico CEO: If you are going to be a Trump supporter, at least have the courage to admit it," Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) tweeted. "Lying is never a good look for a media organization’s CEO. You didn’t just remain silent or say you didn’t remember. You went above and beyond and embellished your lie. Pathetic."

\u201cDear Politico CEO: If you are going to be a Trump supporter, at least have the courage to admit it.\n\nLying is never a good look for a media organization\u2019s CEO. You didn\u2019t just remain silent or say you didn\u2019t remember. You went above and beyond and embellished your lie. Pathetic.\u201d
— Ted Lieu (@Ted Lieu) 1662471154

Matthew Sheffield, a journalist for the Young Turks, an online progressive news show, referred to Döpfner as "the new, far-right owner of Politico."

"How soon until his dishonesty and extreme views filter into Politico's journalism?" Sheffield asked.

\u201cMathias D\u00f6pfner, the new, far-right owner of Politico urged his employees to pray for Donald Trump's reelection and then lied about it when confronted by a journalist.\n\nHow soon until his dishonesty and extreme views filter into Politico's journalism? https://t.co/awvdQEBOeo\u201d
— Matthew Sheffield (@Matthew Sheffield) 1662476682

"Congrats @politico. You not only worked for a 'neutral' owner who prays for Trump but when confronted with the email confirming it says 'That doesn’t exist. It has never been sent and has never been even imagined' then says...oh yeah maybe that's me," progressive pundit Keith Olbermann jeered.

\u201cCongrats @politico. You not only worked for a "neutral" owner who prays for Trump but when confronted with the email confirming it says "That doesn\u2019t exist. It has never been sent and has never been even imagined" then says...oh yeah maybe that's me \ud83e\udd26\ud83c\udffc\u200d\u2642\ufe0fhttps://t.co/V36l24xDWY\u201d
— Keith Olbermann (@Keith Olbermann) 1662470443

"So Politico is owned by a lying Trump supporter in Germany? How should/can readers factor that in to what they read in Politico?" MSNBC host Lawrence O'Donnell asked.

\u201cSo Politico is owned by a lying Trump supporter in Germany? How should/can readers factor that in to what they read in Politico?\u201d
— Lawrence O'Donnell (@Lawrence O'Donnell) 1662465733

The far-left freakout over Politico's new ownership comes days after liberals fumed at two CNN journalists who offered mild criticisms of President Joe Biden's prime-time speech last week. CNN chief national affairs correspondent Jeff Zeleny and CNN "New Day" anchor Briana Keilar were critical of the presence of Marines behind Biden while he gave a political speech. Fox News reported that reactions ranged from accusations that CNN was trying to appeal to Trump supporters to blistering condemnations of "both sideism nonsense," as one critic said.

Top Dem economist torches Biden's plan for sweeping student loan debt forgiveness: 'Increases inflation'



Larry Summers, a prominent economist who served two Democratic presidents, condemned the Biden administration on Monday for considering sweeping student loan forgiveness.

What is Biden's plan?

On Monday, CNN reported that Biden is considering forgiving $10,000 of student loan debt per American who earns $125,000 per year or less.

Sources also told CNN that "administration officials have also recently discussed the possibility of additional forgiveness for specific subsets of the population," though it is not clear exactly what that means. Biden is also expected to extend the pause on federal student loan payments.

The news outlet said Biden will announce his plan on Wednesday. Numerous other outlets confirmed CNN's reporting on Tuesday.

It's not clear if Biden's plan will address the cost of college education.

What did Summers say?

The former treasury secretary made clear he opposes any plan to cancel student loans in sweeping fashion, suggesting a wide-scale forgiveness plan will drive up inflation.

"I hope the Administration does not contribute to inflation macro economically by offering unreasonably generous student loan relief or micro economically by encouraging college tuition increases," Summer said.

\u201cI hope the Administration does not contribute to inflation macro economically by offering unreasonably generous student loan relief or micro economically by encouraging college tuition increases.\u201d
— Lawrence H. Summers (@Lawrence H. Summers) 1661173637

According to Summers, sweeping "student loan debt relief is spending that raises demand and increases inflation."

"It consumes resources that could be better used helping those who did not, for whatever reason, have the chance to attend college. It will also tend to be inflationary by raising tuitions," Summers explained.

\u201cStudent loan debt relief is spending that raises demand and increases inflation. It consumes resources that could be better used helping those who did not, for whatever reason, have the chance to attend college. It will also tend to be inflationary by raising tuitions.\u201d
— Lawrence H. Summers (@Lawrence H. Summers) 1661173637

Summers added the "worst idea" would be to continue the moratorium on student loan payments, which he said benefits Americans with high-paying jobs like medical doctors and lawyers.

"If relief is to be given it should not set any precedent, it should only be given for the first few thousand dollars of debt, and for those with genuinely middle class incomes," Summers said.

How much would it cost?

The Penn Wharton Budget Model released preliminary analysis on Tuesday that said Biden's plan will cost taxpayers $300 billion.

"We estimate that a one-time maximum debt forgiveness of $10,000 per borrower will cost around $300 billion for borrowers with incomes less than $125,000," the analysis said.

"This cost increases to $330 billion if the program is continued over the standard 10-year budget window," it added. "Eliminating the borrower income limit threshold produces a 10-year cost of $344 billion."

If Biden appeases his far-left Democratic colleagues — who demand he forgive at least $50,000 of student loan debt per borrower — the analysis said it would cost taxpayers $980 billion.

Peter Doocy leaves new WH press secretary stumped with single question he is forced to ask three times



Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy left White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stumbling on her first official day behind the lectern after Jen Psaki's departure.

The topic? Inflation and President Joe Biden's claim that raising corporate taxes will help the ongoing economic crisis.

What happened?

Referring to a tweet that Biden published last week, Doocy lobbed a softball question at Jean-Pierre, "How does raising taxes on corporations reduce inflation?"

But the new press secretary appeared unaware that such a tweet from Biden existed, asking if Doocy was, in fact, referring to a specific tweet.

When Doocy informed her that Biden's official Twitter account made such a connection between corporate taxes and inflation last week, Jean-Pierre stumbled her way through recycling Democratic talking points about taxes and corporations paying their "fair share."

Look, you know, we have talked about — we have talked about this this past year, about making sure that the wealthiest among us are paying their fair share. And that is important to do. And that is something that, you know, the president has been, you know, working on every day when we talk about inflation and lowering costs. And so it’s very important that, you know, as we’re seeing costs rise, as we’re talking about how to, you know — you know, build an America that is safe, that’s equal for everyone, and doesn’t leave anyone behind, that is an important part of that as well.

05/16/22: Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre youtu.be

Because Jean-Pierre did not answer the question, Doocy then asked again, "But how does raising taxes on corporations lower the cost of gas, the cost of a used car, the cost of food for everyday Americans?"

This time Jean-Pierre invoked climate change and collective bargaining rights while injecting several mentions of a "fairer tax code," but she still did not answer the question.

"Look, it is — you know, by not — if — without having a fairer tax code, which is what I’m talking about, then all — every — like manufacturing workers, cops — you know, it’s not fair for them to have to pay higher taxes than the folks that — who are — who are — who are not paying taxes at all or barely have," Jean-Pierre added.

Doocy then asked his question a third time and included criticism from Jeff Bezos. But Jean-Pierre, again, refused to answer the question and instead attacked Bezos and regurgitated debunked talking points about deficit reduction.

"It’s not a huge mystery why one of the wealthiest individuals on Earth — right? — opposes an economic agenda that is for the middle class, that cuts some of the biggest costs families face, fights inflation for the long haul — right? — and that’s what we’re talking about; that’s why we’re talking about lowering inflation here — and adds to the historic deficit reduction the president is achieving by asking the richest taxpayers and corporations to pay their fair share. That is what we’re talking about," she said.

Anything else?

Larry Summers, who has been highly critical of the Biden administration amid the inflation crisis, explained Monday that he actually agrees with Biden that hiking corporate taxes would positively impact inflation.

"I think @JeffBezos is mostly wrong in his recent attack on the @JoeBiden Admin," Summers declared. "It is perfectly reasonable to believe, as I do and @POTUS asserts, that we should raise taxes to reduce demand to contain inflation and that the increases should be as progressive as possible."

He added, "I say this even though I have argued vigorously that excessively expansionary macro policy from the @federalreserve and the government have contributed to inflation. I have rejected rhetoric about inflation caused by corporate gouging as preposterous."

I say this even though I have argued vigorously that excessively expansionary macro policy from the @federalreserve and the government have contributed to inflation. I have rejected rhetoric about inflation caused by corporate gouging as preposterous.
— Lawrence H. Summers (@Lawrence H. Summers) 1652703915

'We are taking these actions today to stand against authoritarianism': Canada's Trudeau decries Russian aggression toward Ukraine



Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday that in response to Russia's behavior toward Ukraine, Canada will levy sanctions as part of a "stand against authoritarianism."

"Russia's flagrant disregard for the independence of a sovereign nation is a serious threat to security and stability in the region and around the world," Trudeau said.

"Canada and our allies will defend democracy. We are taking these actions today to stand against authoritarianism. The people of Ukraine, like all people, must be free to determine their own future. We will continue working with our international partners to safeguard Ukraine's territorial integrity and prevent further Russian aggression," he continued.

Trudeau's comments come not long after he invoked emergency powers to help quash demonstrations in his own country where truckers had been engaging in blockades.

"That's kind of the pot calling the kettle black isn't it?" one person tweeted in response to Trudeau's comments about Russia.

That's kind of the pot calling the kettle black isn't it?https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1496257072706502661\u00a0\u2026
— Lawrence Dockery (@Lawrence Dockery) 1645588981

"This is like North Korea denouncing dictatorships," someone else wrote.

"How in the world did he get through this with a straight face," another person questioned.

"Does he own a mirror?" someone asked.

According to the New York Times, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered troops into separatist regions in Ukraine. Putin has recognized the areas as independent. Reuters reported that according to a decree, Putin has commanded his defense ministry to send forces to engage in "peacekeeping functions."

Top Democratic economist calls out Biden administration for downplaying inflation crisis



Democratic economist Larry Summers, who served as treasury secretary for Bill Clinton and a top adviser to Barack Obama, spoke out against the Biden administration on Monday for its narrative about the inflation crisis.

What is the background?

The Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday that the consumer price index "rose 6.8% for the 12 months ending October, the largest 12-month increase since the period ending June 1982."

November also marked the sixth consecutive month in which year-over-year inflation remained above 5%, meaning Americans are paying significantly more across the board for goods and services.

What did Summers say?

The economic expert knocked the Biden administration for downplaying the seriousness of inflation problems.

"I cannot understand why so many in Admin & out cling to the idea that inflation is caused by bottlenecks & will soon recede to normal levels. Of course there is uncertainty but the idea that inflation will revert soon to levels anywhere near Fed’s target looks like a long shot," Summers said.

I cannot understand why so many in Admin & out cling to the idea that inflation is caused by bottlenecks & will soon recede to normal levels. Of course there is uncertainty but the idea that inflation will revert soon to levels anywhere near Fed\u2019s target looks like a long shot.
— Lawrence H. Summers (@Lawrence H. Summers) 1639404575

Numerous top Biden administration officials have indeed argued that inflation is not a lasting problem.

For example, White House press secretary Jen Psaki claimed last month that "everyone from the Federal Reserve to Wall Street agree with our assessment that inflation [will] substantially decelerate next year." Meanwhile, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said just last week the Biden administration is "quite confident" that high inflation is "short-term problem."

But Summers vehemently disagrees and predicted there will not be a "major deceleration in inflation" as the Biden administration claims.

"Inflation has trended up through 2021 and the economy is growing far more rapidly than potential output. Given housing prices and tightening labor markets, there is no compelling reason to expect major deceleration in inflation," Summers said.

"But, even if inflation subsided to .2 percent a month, the annualized inflation rate would be 6.5% in March 5.1% in June and 4.0% before the election," he explained. "My guess is barring a major recessionary or financial shock next fall, headline inflation will round to 5 percent."

"We are beyond where the Vietnam inflation took us but still have plenty of time to stop a late 1970s situation from developing, if we have the will," Summers added.

My guess is barring a major recessionary or financial shock next fall, headline inflation will round to 5 percent. We are beyond where the Vietnam inflation took us but still have plenty of time to stop a late 1970s situation from developing, if we have the will.
— Lawrence H. Summers (@Lawrence H. Summers) 1639404577

Summers has been sounding the alarm over inflation during the last several months, contradicting the Biden administration's peachy outlook and response to the growing problem.

Average COVID patient now interacting with thirty people before being diagnosed, says Ontario doctor

Dr. Lawrence Loh, the head of public health in Peel Region, mentioned his concern over a huge jump in the amount of contacts on average each person testing positive for the coronavirus has had.