Linkee-poo down the rabbit hole we go

It's alligators as far as the eye can see.

"The US inquiry into alleged Russian meddling during the 2016 election could be under threat after President Donald Trump fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions, top opposition Democrats say." So the question is, will Whitaker take the hit and end the Mueller investigation before Trump sends a new appointment to the Senate, or will he just hold course and prepare the field for Trump's appointee to do the firing. Another question is how far along is Mueller's investigation and what the fall out will be if leaks start appearing in a more earnest way? In the press conference yesterday the president threatened the House to keep them at bay from investigating him (charges also echoed by the Senate Majority Leader). The results of the investigation (the parts we don't know right now, as compared to the charges already filed) will eventually become public. The only question there is it within a week, next year, or 5-10 years from now. So right now the difference between a Constitutional Crisis and the current state is so minor as to not be relevant.

"A Texas poll worker was charged with assault today after yelling racist remarks at a black voter who she didn't think should be voting, then shoulder-checking her." (Grokked from Xeni Jardin)

"Voter turnout on Tuesday was massive: More than 47 percent of the voting-eligible population cast a ballot in the midterm elections on Tuesday. That's according to early estimates from the United States Election Project… That's the highest turnout for a midterm since 1966, when 49 percent of the population showed up to vote."

"Wisconsin's Republican Governor Scott Walker lost a very narrow race for reelection to Democratic challenger Tony Evers on Tuesday. But it wasn't close enough to qualify for a recount — thanks to a law he signed himself last year." I'm not sure that's a karma bitch slap, more like a karma round-house kick to the head.

"Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams is refusing to accept Republican rival Brian Kemp's declaration of victory in the Georgia gubernatorial race and is considering legal action in the high-profile contest." If he hadn't been such a dick before in his attempts to suppress minority voting, it probably wouldn't be such a problem. But Kemps has consistently tried to steal this election. He should have recused himself from anything involving governor's race and let his deputies handle it.

"Following the mixed-results of this week’s midterm elections, President Trump held a news conference that quickly descended into a full-contact grudge match against Democrats, failed Republicans candidates and the press." This is the news conference with the confrontation with Jim Acosta.

The White House used edited (speed) video of Jim Acosta and the intern trying to take away his microphone. (Grokked from Daniel J Hogan).

"Sarah Sanders is slammed for retweeting conspiracy theorist's 'DOCTORED' video of Jim Acosta's exchange with White House intern that shows CNN reporter 'KARATE CHOPPING' her arm"

Us and Them. On the Media podcast… "Last week on our show, Bob spoke with Lilliana Mason, a University of Maryland political psychologist and author of Uncivil Agreement: How Politics Became Our Identity, about the reasons behind the tribalism and enmity that characterize our politics. The conversation covered a lot of ground, and much of it — including the political decisions that have shaped the two major parties over the past 50 years, as well as the distinct ways that Republicans and Democrats deploy partisan rage — didn’t make it into our tightly packed show. But, it’s too interesting and important to leave on the cutting room floor, so we’re sharing it as this week’s midterm edition podcast extra." With, without, and who'll deny it's what the fighting's all about?