http://thinkprogress.org/education/2016/05/31/3783202/trump-university-playbook-revealed/
"Documents detailing exactly how Trump University convinced students to enroll in its real estate classes were made public on Tuesday after a federal court ordered their release. The business, which began operating in 2005 and is now defunct, was actually never an accredited university. Instead, students paid thousands of dollars for advice from professors whom they believed were handpicked by Trump. In reality, the professors were not chosen by Trump, something the real estate mogul has admitted in depositions. Now, Trump University is facing three lawsuits, including a lawsuit brought by the New York Attorney General and two class-action lawsuits brought by students in California who said they were swindled. These “playbooks,” which show the script recruiters used to sign up prospective students, are being released as evidence in one of the ongoing class action lawsuits in California. The Washington Post requested that the documents be made public, which the Trump legal team fought by arguing the playbook constituted “trade secrets.”
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
‘They will find the money’: Docs reveal how Trump U pressured students to reveal retirement savings
‘They will find the money’: Docs reveal how Trump U pressured students to reveal retirement savings
"Trump University salespeople were to ask prospective students about their financial situation to assess just how much money they’re worth. What’s particularly notable here is that the page asks students to reveal how much they have in retirement savings, which suggests the university saw dipping into your retirement money as a good way to “find the money” to pay Trump University"
"Trump University salespeople were to ask prospective students about their financial situation to assess just how much money they’re worth. What’s particularly notable here is that the page asks students to reveal how much they have in retirement savings, which suggests the university saw dipping into your retirement money as a good way to “find the money” to pay Trump University"
WATCH: A retired veteran tells CNN how Trump University scammed him out of $26,000
WATCH: A retired veteran tells CNN how Trump University scammed him out of $26,000
"after five days of “instruction,” he says that he didn’t learn any useful information and was constantly pressured by instructors to pay even more money than what he’d already forked over."
"after five days of “instruction,” he says that he didn’t learn any useful information and was constantly pressured by instructors to pay even more money than what he’d already forked over."
Donald Trump's Hiding Something in Those Unreleased Tax Returns
Donald Trump's Hiding Something in Those Unreleased Tax Returns:
"Voters have the right to know if Donald dodged taxes every year, just like he did in 1978 and 1979, while he routinely used public services like bankruptcy court that other taxpayers faithfully paid for with their IRS payments."
"Voters have the right to know if Donald dodged taxes every year, just like he did in 1978 and 1979, while he routinely used public services like bankruptcy court that other taxpayers faithfully paid for with their IRS payments."
Monday, May 30, 2016
Republicans decide best way to end Net Neutrality is to defund the FCC in new bill
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/5/26/1531336/-Republicans-decide-best-way-to-end-Net-Neutrality-is-to-defund-the-FCC-in-new-bill
"The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made a ruling in February that consumers need not be forced to use the cable box rented out by your cable provider. This was great news for consumers and sad news for cable giants who haven’t had to create a competitive business plan for decades. The sounds of happy consumers is anathema to Republicans and their cable company overlords. Earlier this month, 60 Republicans wrote a very stern admonishment to the FCC. Coincidentally, the letter said all of the same things that the cable companies have been saying—creating competition will somehow hurt consumers and so no regulations, yada yada yada."
"The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made a ruling in February that consumers need not be forced to use the cable box rented out by your cable provider. This was great news for consumers and sad news for cable giants who haven’t had to create a competitive business plan for decades. The sounds of happy consumers is anathema to Republicans and their cable company overlords. Earlier this month, 60 Republicans wrote a very stern admonishment to the FCC. Coincidentally, the letter said all of the same things that the cable companies have been saying—creating competition will somehow hurt consumers and so no regulations, yada yada yada."
ARE THEY SERIOUS? Here’s The Insane Thing Republicans Did Instead Of Passing Zika Funding Last Week
http://addictinginfo.org/2016/05/28/are-they-serious-heres-the-insane-thing-republicans-did-instead-of-passing-zika-funding-last-week/
"The sheer heartlessness astounded even some among the Republican Party. Senator Marco Rubio, whose state of Florida is ground zero for the Zika virus, gave a strongly worded condemnation of his colleagues’ actions on Capitol Hill. The rest of the country merely braced for what is going to be a very scary summer. But while Republicans once again proved they have absolutely no interest in fulfilling even basic levels of governance, they were busy wasting everyone’s time on something else. Given the stakes of the spending bill they didn’t pass, what they did do is especially offensive. Just as the House was derailing the Zika funding (and an energy and water bill for that matter), they were drafting up a petition to demand the Library of Congress go back to using the degrading term “Illegal Alien” to refer to undocumented immigrants. That’s how they spent their work week."
"The sheer heartlessness astounded even some among the Republican Party. Senator Marco Rubio, whose state of Florida is ground zero for the Zika virus, gave a strongly worded condemnation of his colleagues’ actions on Capitol Hill. The rest of the country merely braced for what is going to be a very scary summer. But while Republicans once again proved they have absolutely no interest in fulfilling even basic levels of governance, they were busy wasting everyone’s time on something else. Given the stakes of the spending bill they didn’t pass, what they did do is especially offensive. Just as the House was derailing the Zika funding (and an energy and water bill for that matter), they were drafting up a petition to demand the Library of Congress go back to using the degrading term “Illegal Alien” to refer to undocumented immigrants. That’s how they spent their work week."
Surprise, Surprise. Trump's Been Lying About His Opposition To Cutting Social Security
Surprise, Surprise. Trump's Been Lying About His Opposition To Cutting Social Security
"It should come as a shock to no one that Trump's been saying one thing to his supporters on the campaign trail, while telling the Zombie-Eyed Granny-Starver from Wisconsin something else in private."
"It should come as a shock to no one that Trump's been saying one thing to his supporters on the campaign trail, while telling the Zombie-Eyed Granny-Starver from Wisconsin something else in private."
It Is Time to Phase Out 9 Unnecessary Oil and Gas Tax Breaks
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/report/2016/05/26/138049/it-is-time-to-phase-out-9-unnecessary-oil-and-gas-tax-breaks/
"The investment tax credit, or ITC, and production tax credit, or PTC, for clean energy have played an essential role in expediting the deployment of wind, solar, and other forms of clean energy in the United States. In December 2015, the U.S. Congress voted to extend the PTC and ITC. As part of the agreement, however, Congress decided to phase out these tax credits over time. This raises an important question, one asked by Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) in February: If policymakers phase out tax credits for clean energy, shouldn’t they do the same for the billions of dollars in tax breaks for the oil and gas industry? This fact sheet highlights nine tax breaks that should be phased out. They subsidize the oil and gas industry’s operations from beginning to end—from acquisition of the resource to extraction."
"The investment tax credit, or ITC, and production tax credit, or PTC, for clean energy have played an essential role in expediting the deployment of wind, solar, and other forms of clean energy in the United States. In December 2015, the U.S. Congress voted to extend the PTC and ITC. As part of the agreement, however, Congress decided to phase out these tax credits over time. This raises an important question, one asked by Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) in February: If policymakers phase out tax credits for clean energy, shouldn’t they do the same for the billions of dollars in tax breaks for the oil and gas industry? This fact sheet highlights nine tax breaks that should be phased out. They subsidize the oil and gas industry’s operations from beginning to end—from acquisition of the resource to extraction."
Threatened By Climate Change, National Parks And World Heritage Sites Draw Millions
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/30/3782869/national-parks-world-heritage-climate-change/
"With spring now in full gear throughout most of the United States, it’s a good bet that Memorial Day Weekend will again be the busiest of the whole year at many national parks, including the Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and Utah’s Mount Zion. Last year, 305 million people visited National Park Service-administered sites, signifying the parks’ appeal to millions of Americans and world tourists. They’d better hurry. A report released Thursday from the United Nations and the Union of Concerned Scientists found that the threats posed by climate change particularly endanger the unique and fragile places on the planet: World Heritage Sites."
"With spring now in full gear throughout most of the United States, it’s a good bet that Memorial Day Weekend will again be the busiest of the whole year at many national parks, including the Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and Utah’s Mount Zion. Last year, 305 million people visited National Park Service-administered sites, signifying the parks’ appeal to millions of Americans and world tourists. They’d better hurry. A report released Thursday from the United Nations and the Union of Concerned Scientists found that the threats posed by climate change particularly endanger the unique and fragile places on the planet: World Heritage Sites."
The Battle Over Public Drinking Water Has Just Begun
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/27/3782302/who-needs-public-water-when-we-have-nestle/
"the company announced it would build a bottled water facility in Phoenix, of all places, which prompted local outcry and a change.org petition to get Nestle out of the desert city, which pipes nearly all its water from the Colorado River. Ironically, Lake Mead, one of the Colorado’s largest reservoirs serving Phoenix, recently hit its lowest point ever, another marker in the Western United States’ multi-year drought."
"the company announced it would build a bottled water facility in Phoenix, of all places, which prompted local outcry and a change.org petition to get Nestle out of the desert city, which pipes nearly all its water from the Colorado River. Ironically, Lake Mead, one of the Colorado’s largest reservoirs serving Phoenix, recently hit its lowest point ever, another marker in the Western United States’ multi-year drought."
Donald Trump Only Believes in Global Warming When It Affects His Bottom Line—and His Golf Course @alternet
Donald Trump Only Believes in Global Warming When It Affects His Bottom Line—and His Golf Course @alternet:
"there is one instance when Trump is willing to acknowledge the acute impact of rising sea levels as a result of global climate change: when it threatens his golf course."
"there is one instance when Trump is willing to acknowledge the acute impact of rising sea levels as a result of global climate change: when it threatens his golf course."
Memorial Day: Trump’s War On Climate Action Would Ensure A World Of Wars
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/30/3782673/memorial-day-trump-climate/
"On Thursday, Donald Trump declared that if elected President, he would wage an all-out war against national and global climate action. On Friday, he went so far as to to deny the reality of California’s devastating drought. Because Trump gave his big energy and climate speech right before Memorial Day, it is altogether fitting and proper that we look at what Trump’s plans to destroy a livable climate would mean for the future of war."
"On Thursday, Donald Trump declared that if elected President, he would wage an all-out war against national and global climate action. On Friday, he went so far as to to deny the reality of California’s devastating drought. Because Trump gave his big energy and climate speech right before Memorial Day, it is altogether fitting and proper that we look at what Trump’s plans to destroy a livable climate would mean for the future of war."
On Climate, Trump Promises To Let The World Burn
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/26/3782434/trump-let-the-world-burn/
"In a speech laying out his energy agenda for the United States, Trump promised to undo essentially every major policy developed in the last decade intended to slow human-caused global warming."
"In a speech laying out his energy agenda for the United States, Trump promised to undo essentially every major policy developed in the last decade intended to slow human-caused global warming."
Donald Trump Tells Drought-Stricken Californians There Is No Drought
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/28/3783022/donald-trump-drought/
"Trump, who has a long history of making flat-out untrue assertions about environmental issues, said he would quickly fix California’s water issues if he becomes president."
"Trump, who has a long history of making flat-out untrue assertions about environmental issues, said he would quickly fix California’s water issues if he becomes president."
Fact-Checking Donald Trump’s Low-Octane Energy Policy
Fact-Checking Donald Trump’s Low-Octane Energy Policy
"Trump’s display of fealty to the oil, gas and coal lobbies was an exercise in crass opportunism."
"Trump’s display of fealty to the oil, gas and coal lobbies was an exercise in crass opportunism."
Trump Quote Is True: He Really Wouldn’t Lose These Idiots If He Shot Someone (VIDEO)
http://www.liberalamerica.org/2016/05/28/trump-quote-is-true-really-wouldnt-lose-these-idiots-he-shot-someone-video/
"Kimmel’s staff did some interviews with Trump supporters for a segment called “Lie Witness News.” They made up a completely outrageous fake quote and attributed it to Trump, multiple times. Then they asked Trump voters on the street what they thought. It’s completely hilarious, I swear. These people didn’t bat an eye. They just smiled their big old vacant smiles and gushed about how cool it was that the candidate for president had “leg wrestled Vladimir Putin” or “shot a gun into the ceiling” during a press conference."
"Kimmel’s staff did some interviews with Trump supporters for a segment called “Lie Witness News.” They made up a completely outrageous fake quote and attributed it to Trump, multiple times. Then they asked Trump voters on the street what they thought. It’s completely hilarious, I swear. These people didn’t bat an eye. They just smiled their big old vacant smiles and gushed about how cool it was that the candidate for president had “leg wrestled Vladimir Putin” or “shot a gun into the ceiling” during a press conference."
58 Donald Trump Conspiracy Theories (And Counting!): The Definitive Trump Conspiracy Guide
58 Donald Trump Conspiracy Theories (And Counting!): The Definitive Trump Conspiracy Guide:
"Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump not only surrounds himself with conspiracy theorists, he has spent years pushing conspiracy theories himself, much to the delight of his supporters. At times, Trump tries to remain evasive about whether he actually believes these conspiracy theories, insisting that he simply “heard” or “read” them somewhere or is just asking a question."
"Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump not only surrounds himself with conspiracy theorists, he has spent years pushing conspiracy theories himself, much to the delight of his supporters. At times, Trump tries to remain evasive about whether he actually believes these conspiracy theories, insisting that he simply “heard” or “read” them somewhere or is just asking a question."
Trump, the GOP and Media Are Trying to Make Trump Seem ‘Normal’ @alternet
Trump, the GOP and Media Are Trying to Make Trump Seem ‘Normal’ @alternet:
"the bigger problem with the MSM normalizing him is that they are also normalizing the values he purveys — the anger and violence, the racism, sexism, nativism, misogyny, the ignorance and the hatred of the democratic process. Throughout modern history, these were generally, and rightfully, considered shameful. Major candidates dared not declaim them. But power can extirpate the shame. That is exactly what happened in Germany, where there was, as in many segments of America, a predisposition to the worst instincts of humanity."
"the bigger problem with the MSM normalizing him is that they are also normalizing the values he purveys — the anger and violence, the racism, sexism, nativism, misogyny, the ignorance and the hatred of the democratic process. Throughout modern history, these were generally, and rightfully, considered shameful. Major candidates dared not declaim them. But power can extirpate the shame. That is exactly what happened in Germany, where there was, as in many segments of America, a predisposition to the worst instincts of humanity."
Trump Rails Against 'Mexican' Judge In Trump Univ. Case
Trump Rails Against 'Mexican' Judge In Trump Univ. Case
"This is the presumptive GOP nominee, folks. A thin-skinned liar and bigot. But you knew that already."
"This is the presumptive GOP nominee, folks. A thin-skinned liar and bigot. But you knew that already."
12 Fringe Conspiracy Theories Embraced By A Man Who Might Be The Next President
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/05/29/3783087/incomplete-list-fringe-conspiracy-theories-embraced-man-might-next-president/
"Generally, presidential candidates tend to shy away from conspiracy theories. They involve a mixture of paranoia and gullibility that seems ill-suited for someone seeking access to America’s nuclear codes. But Donald Trump is a different kind of candidate. He has embraced a wide range of fringe conspiracy theories."
"Generally, presidential candidates tend to shy away from conspiracy theories. They involve a mixture of paranoia and gullibility that seems ill-suited for someone seeking access to America’s nuclear codes. But Donald Trump is a different kind of candidate. He has embraced a wide range of fringe conspiracy theories."
Trump Didn’t Want These Secrets To Get Out, But A Judge Just Said ‘No’
http://addictinginfo.org/2016/05/28/trump-didnt-want-these-secrets-to-get-out-but-a-judge-just-said-no/
"Trump University is among the many failed businesses Trump has been involved in over the years. Other companies that failed include Trump Steaks, Trump Air, and Trump Magazine. Trump’s business and casinos have filed for bankruptcy several times. Yet despite these failures, Trump has regularly presented himself as a “winner” who is unfamiliar with losing."
"Trump University is among the many failed businesses Trump has been involved in over the years. Other companies that failed include Trump Steaks, Trump Air, and Trump Magazine. Trump’s business and casinos have filed for bankruptcy several times. Yet despite these failures, Trump has regularly presented himself as a “winner” who is unfamiliar with losing."
How Megyn Kelly’s Softball Interview With Trump Signaled Fox News’ Complete Surrender @alternet
How Megyn Kelly’s Softball Interview With Trump Signaled Fox News’ Complete Surrender @alternet: "We’re done here folks. Pack up your spectacles because the show is over. All’s that left on stage now are Ailes and Kelly, searching for their pride."
'Idiocracy' Realized: How Our Current Situation Is Worse Than the Film Predicted @alternet
'Idiocracy' Realized: How Our Current Situation Is Worse Than the Film Predicted @alternet:
"Donald Trump's political ascendancy has made Idiocracy seem like prophecy."
"Donald Trump's political ascendancy has made Idiocracy seem like prophecy."
The Trump energy plan—burn it down, burn it all down
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/5/27/1531596/-The-Trump-energy-plan-burn-it-down-burn-it-all-down
"If there is a person in America for whom the Supreme Court nominations are not enough leverage to send them to the polls, surely this action list from Trump should be a motivator."
"If there is a person in America for whom the Supreme Court nominations are not enough leverage to send them to the polls, surely this action list from Trump should be a motivator."
While Trump Touts His Properties as a Measure of Success, His Property Tax Filings Tell a Different Story @alternet
While Trump Touts His Properties as a Measure of Success, His Property Tax Filings Tell a Different Story @alternet:
"Trump has a history of making dishonest financial filings, varying the values of his properties based on who the Republican presidential frontrunner is trying to appeal to, with swings of significantly more than 75 percent. As Johnston points out, while some range in real estate property valuations is to be expected, the range most assessors expect hovers in the single digits, “not 97.3 percent or even 82 percent.” The discrepancies between Trump’s boasts about his financial success and what he reports for tax purposes are not just a measure of his propensity to bend the truth, they also have implications for other property owners, as Johnston notes. Trump recognized that “the system is easily manipulated to shift the tax burden off grand properties and onto those whose estates are not so well endowed.” While Trump plays fast and loose with his property valuations, those without access to teams of lawyers and tax experts have little recourse as the tax burden shifts to them, along with the rest of the public."
"Trump has a history of making dishonest financial filings, varying the values of his properties based on who the Republican presidential frontrunner is trying to appeal to, with swings of significantly more than 75 percent. As Johnston points out, while some range in real estate property valuations is to be expected, the range most assessors expect hovers in the single digits, “not 97.3 percent or even 82 percent.” The discrepancies between Trump’s boasts about his financial success and what he reports for tax purposes are not just a measure of his propensity to bend the truth, they also have implications for other property owners, as Johnston notes. Trump recognized that “the system is easily manipulated to shift the tax burden off grand properties and onto those whose estates are not so well endowed.” While Trump plays fast and loose with his property valuations, those without access to teams of lawyers and tax experts have little recourse as the tax burden shifts to them, along with the rest of the public."
Donald Trump Went Full Hillary Clinton Conspiracist ... Because of Course He Did
http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/36193-donald-trump-went-full-hillary-clinton-conspiracist-because-of-course-he-did
"Every one of the so-called theories regarding his end have been slapped down and stomped, and the only people who still believe them exist in that far-right netherworld where John Birch is a saint and the moon landings were faked... and hey, anything that harms a Clinton has to be good, right? Even if it grossens society and civil discourse beyond recognition. Barack Obama was born in Kenya. The father of Ted Cruz had a hand in the assassination of John Kennedy. The Clintons had Vince Foster killed. This is what orbits the bowl beneath Donald Trump's comb-over like feces that won't flush. He is the presumptive Republican nominee for president, and he is a fool. Worse, he is a cunning fool who knows what buttons to push and when to push them for maximum effect. If he doesn't win in November, he has still lessened us all. Trump is a disgrace, and yet somehow he remains idealized within a segment of the US population as the Maximum American, the ideal man, the savior. He is milk gone to curds, a fart in the elevator. That he would reach down through the oozing slime of history to grasp the sad refrain of Vince Foster's death only reinforces what many already know: He is a ruthless, remorseless wrecker capable of anything. His soul is a vat of pus."
"Every one of the so-called theories regarding his end have been slapped down and stomped, and the only people who still believe them exist in that far-right netherworld where John Birch is a saint and the moon landings were faked... and hey, anything that harms a Clinton has to be good, right? Even if it grossens society and civil discourse beyond recognition. Barack Obama was born in Kenya. The father of Ted Cruz had a hand in the assassination of John Kennedy. The Clintons had Vince Foster killed. This is what orbits the bowl beneath Donald Trump's comb-over like feces that won't flush. He is the presumptive Republican nominee for president, and he is a fool. Worse, he is a cunning fool who knows what buttons to push and when to push them for maximum effect. If he doesn't win in November, he has still lessened us all. Trump is a disgrace, and yet somehow he remains idealized within a segment of the US population as the Maximum American, the ideal man, the savior. He is milk gone to curds, a fart in the elevator. That he would reach down through the oozing slime of history to grasp the sad refrain of Vince Foster's death only reinforces what many already know: He is a ruthless, remorseless wrecker capable of anything. His soul is a vat of pus."
Donald Trump Secures GOP Nomination - And Fox Has Two Prime Time Specials About Him Ready
Donald Trump Secures GOP Nomination - And Fox Has Two Prime Time Specials About Him Ready
"What a coincidence that on the same day that Donald Trump clinched enough delegates to secure the Republican presidential nomination, Fox News just happens to have two prime time specials scheduled to promote him."
"What a coincidence that on the same day that Donald Trump clinched enough delegates to secure the Republican presidential nomination, Fox News just happens to have two prime time specials scheduled to promote him."
Masculine insecurities are driving Trump’s train of lies — according to science
Masculine insecurities are driving Trump’s train of lies — according to science
"Trump’s lies are so blatant and so self-aggrandizing, it’s difficult not to pathologize the man."
"Trump’s lies are so blatant and so self-aggrandizing, it’s difficult not to pathologize the man."
Fox News' Obscene And Ridiculous Trump Infomercial
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2016/05/27/fox-news-obscene-and-ridiculous-trump-infomercial/210616
"On May 26, Fox News aired an hour-long special, Meet The Trumps, in which On The Record host Greta Van Susteren spent the hour asking flattering questions of presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump and his immediate family. Multiple critics compared the special to the state-run media of a dictatorship."
"On May 26, Fox News aired an hour-long special, Meet The Trumps, in which On The Record host Greta Van Susteren spent the hour asking flattering questions of presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump and his immediate family. Multiple critics compared the special to the state-run media of a dictatorship."
Trump Attacks Judge Overseeing The Case Against His Fake University: ‘He’s A Hater’
http://thinkprogress.org/education/2016/05/28/3782986/trump-university-federal-judge/
"Trump also said he believes Curiel is "Mexican." The crowd -- which had previously shouted "build that wall" -- booed loudly."
"Trump also said he believes Curiel is "Mexican." The crowd -- which had previously shouted "build that wall" -- booed loudly."
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