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How is the DoJ supposed to lay the cards on the table without making an investigation? From a political perspective, the necessity of a federal probe is already a punishment in and of itself, if the DoJ initiates an investigation, it's by definition public (at the very least some info will leak to the press). The large-scale investigation was prompted by the results of the DoJ looking into one specific case.
That sounds pretty reasonable: instead of making wild accusations, they started with one specific case where the misconduct could have been due to just one individual. But the investigation brought facts to light that indicated a pattern, which initiated a larger investigation. Session's argument seems to be that just looking into wrongdoing has a negative impact on morale and should therefore be avoided.
I didn't say there shouldn't be an investigation. An investigation (or investigations) leaking to the press is different than the DoJ going to the press.
I used a hypothetical because the meaning behind what people say in a hearing is rarely contained within a single interpretation.
From some of clips I watched Devos didn't come off all that well prepared. Her answer on disabilities education rights was falling but underscores my problem with charter schools: Taxpayer money with little to no oversight or responsibility.
Her dodging for-profit colleges responsibility for giving out degrees that get employment was predictable.
Her main defense of voucher programs was extremely troubling; Essentially she sees having choice as more important than actual outcome.
Kaine: “If confirmed, will you insist upon equal accountability in any K-12 school or educational program that receives taxpayer funding whether public, public charter or private?”
DeVos: “I support accountability.”
Kaine: “Equal accountability?”
DeVos: “I support accountability.”
Kaine: “Is that a yes or a no?”
DeVos: “I support accountability.”
Kaine: “Do you not want to answer my question?”
DeVos: “I support accountability.”
Kaine: “Let me ask you this. I think all schools that receive taxpayer funding should be equally accountable. Do you agree?”
DeVos: “Well they don’t, they are not today.”
Kaine: “Well, I think they should. Do you agree with me?"
DeVos: “Well, no.”
...and that's a big reason why charter schools are bullshit.
When President-elect Donald J. Trump offered Rick Perry the job of energy secretary five weeks ago, Mr. Perry gladly accepted, believing he was taking on a role as a global ambassador for the American oil and gas industry that he had long championed in his home state.
In the days after, Mr. Perry, the former Texas governor, discovered that he would be no such thing — that in fact, if confirmed by the Senate, he would become the steward of a vast national security complex he knew almost nothing about, caring for the most fearsome weapons on the planet, the United States’ nuclear arsenal.
Great, so Perry selected another Devos, completely under qualified for his job, only this time job is being in charge of nukes.
Well this is the same dude that offered Dr. Ben Carson ... a world renowned neurosurgeon ... the Housing & Urban Development position instead of Health & Human Services or even Surgeon General. Imagine that.
To be fair I wouldn't let Carson operate on an action figure, let alone my brain. I don't care how good people say he is.
Its becoming clearer that that Trump's plan is to install his capitalist cronies, destroy the public sector, privatise it all to "fix it", and award all the contracts to their own companies and interests.
I have plenty of more important things to do, if only I could bring myself to do them....
To be fair I wouldn't let Carson operate on an action figure, let alone my brain. I don't care how good people say he is.
That's not surprising, you take your religion too seriously.
"I have a dream, that my four little children will one day live in a
nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin,
but by the content of their character." - M.L.King Jr
It goes to full Senate now, but I don't have much hope. Susan Collins...
(also, just saying the sign of the cross doesn't mean you're not deplorable. Lots of people make themselves feel better about being horrible by going to church.)
If true, that's plagiarism, as well as off the charts irony considering the position she's been nominated for. If this were school she'd get a failing grade.
Apparently if it goes 50/50, Pence is the tiebreaker. So the dems need to find one more sane person.
Word now seems to be she was never in danger of losing. The GOP reps were 'allowed' to rebel since they had the votes. I'm skeptical of the latter, but it is worth noting at least one of the most gave devos a yes in committee despite agreeing she was unqualified.
I've also seen at least one senator comment that he has serious reservations but she should get a chance because the president should get his first choice. My eyes about rolled out of their sockets.
Dumb question but is it fairly common for nominees to have donated to several of the people voting on them?
Certainly Devos' donation amounts aren't heart stopping but they're not nothing, either.
I think for someone that rich it's pretty easy for her/her family to spray around $50k per senator just to have them in pocket. Probably lots of rich people do. The total I saw just for the senators was around $950k. Then there's what she donated to Trump himself, superPacs, etc...
For all you folks who cried out BUT SOROS PAID THEM (protesters, not that it's true), how do you feel about DEVOS PAYING THEM (senators)?
For all you folks who cried out HILLARY PAY FOR PLAY, how do you feel about DEVOS PAY FOR PLAY?
Past accomplishments don't guarantee future results, I'm not claiming that she excelled in her HHS position, but past accomplishments are better than nothing. What are Devos' accomplishments in the education realm?
Honestly dude, do you think for yourself or just defend whatever your party and/or religion does/says? It's okay to have political opinions that stray from the Republican base. It's okay to say that Donald Trump is a shitty human being, incompetent, and his nominees suck? This doesn't even require making the concession that Hillary would have been a better choice for president.
- Michigan comitteewoman and chairwomen: okay, not specific to education, but something
- fundraising: not a thing
- business connections: not a thing
- advocacy for voucher programs and school choice: okay, but grounded in what educational background?
Sebelius:
- Kansas house: not specific to HHS, but something
- Kansas Insurance Commissioner for nearly 10 years: a definite thing
- Governor of Kansas: also a thing, and a higher political ranking than comitteewoman/chairwoman
As always you dodge the question and/or do a false equivalency. It's a yes/no question, though you're welcome to add caveats.
Is Devos qualified for her position?
yes
Originally Posted by besson3c
Devos' background:
- Michigan comitteewoman and chairwomen: okay, not specific to education, but something
- fundraising: not a thing
- business connections: not a thing
- advocacy for voucher programs and school choice: okay, but grounded in what educational background?
Sebelius:
- Kansas house: not specific to HHS, but something
- Kansas Insurance Commissioner for nearly 10 years: a definite thing
- Governor of Kansas: also a thing, and a higher political ranking than committeewoman/chairwoman
Also, you are deflecting Chongo.
DeVos advocacy of vouchers is what set the NEA on her. Word is they worked on Murkowski and Collins.
Sibelius' main qualification for HHS sec was she is hard core pro abortion, so much she is one of the few politicians that has been publicly barred from reception of Communion.
Here I thought you were being sarcastic with your NEA comments, you are serious? Does NEA stand for something aside from National Endowment for the Arts? If not, you mean dancers and artists are behind the scenes manipulating government?
Wha?
Anyway...
What are DeVos qualifications? Education? Experience? or does the only issue, skill, or qualification that matters to you, is abortion?
Sibelius' main qualification for HHS sec was she is hard core pro abortion
I'm assuming you have some evidence to support this?
Originally Posted by Chongo
so much she is one of the few politicians that has been publicly barred from reception of Communion.
I understand that you disagree with her morally and politically, but we do not live in a theocracy. Being barred from communion has no bearing on her qualifications for office.
I do not like Jeff Sessions one bit. I don't respect his morals or his politics. I, however, recognise that due to his experience, he is qualified for the office of Attorney General.