# The Biden Administration - the first 1,500 days \[NOT an Afghanistan discussion\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 8, 2020, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biden-administration-the-first-1-500-days-not-an-afghanistan-discussion/925057 "2020-11-08T15:09:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 42
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2021, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biden-administration-the-first-1-500-days-not-an-afghanistan-discussion/925057/823 "2021-06-12T14:02:52Z")
I’m just cracking on the horribly-written headline which says ‘Biden taps Senator Manchen’s wife’. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2021, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biden-administration-the-first-1-500-days-not-an-afghanistan-discussion/925057/824 "2021-06-12T14:17:38Z")
Ok, but here’s what the headline is actually about: > **[Biden taps Sen. Manchin's wife to co-chair Appalachian board](https://apnews.com/article/joe-manchin-wife-joe-biden-appointment-5acad530bb9ff8046ab60e756124010c)** > > WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is nominating Gayle Manchin, the wife of West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, to be the co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission, an economic development partnership involving the federal government and 13... > WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is nominating Gayle Manchin, the wife of West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, to be the co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission, an economic development partnership involving the federal government and 13 states. > > Gayle Manchin, 73, has held multiple government positions linked to education in a state where her husband is a political force. > … ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2021, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biden-administration-the-first-1-500-days-not-an-afghanistan-discussion/925057/825 "2021-06-12T14:19:48Z")
Ok, fine, joke withdrawn. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2021, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biden-administration-the-first-1-500-days-not-an-afghanistan-discussion/925057/826 "2021-06-12T15:50:54Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > See, this is what engaging with @Sam_Stone looks like to me…except that those who attempt to be rational are doing it to themselves. Just sayin’. Mod note: Sorry @ThelmaLou but this is getting just a bit out of line. Not a warning, not even close. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2021, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biden-administration-the-first-1-500-days-not-an-afghanistan-discussion/925057/827 "2021-06-12T20:06:15Z")
I think “everyone” is sort of elliptical. Its full translation is “everyone who keeps hearing us say ‘everyone’”. Kind of like that line about megaprevarication that keeps getting attributed to Goebbels. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2021, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biden-administration-the-first-1-500-days-not-an-afghanistan-discussion/925057/828 "2021-06-13T02:21:24Z")
At the G7 meeting: > **[Biden causes sighs of relief among world leaders even as G7 divisions linger...](https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/12/politics/g7-leaders-biden-trump/index.html)** > > When President Donald Trump used his elbows at international summits, it was to throw them -- on trade, on Russia and, once, to help remove the Montenegrin prime minister from his path to a photo-op. And a GOP objection to a Biden sub-Cabinet pick: > **[Biden nominee linked to 1989 sabotage draws Republican ire](https://www.aol.com/news/biden-nominees-1989-logging-sabotage-205112113-172908602.html)** > > President Joe Biden’s nominee to oversee federal lands in the U.S. West is facing Republican pressure to withdraw over her ties to environmental activists convicted of spiking trees to sabotage a national forest timber sale more than 30 years ago. ... ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2021, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biden-administration-the-first-1-500-days-not-an-afghanistan-discussion/925057/829 "2021-06-13T02:23:12Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > And an objection to a Biden nominee:- I guess stuff really **does** go on your Permanent Record Card. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2021, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biden-administration-the-first-1-500-days-not-an-afghanistan-discussion/925057/830 "2021-06-13T03:56:30Z")
Spiking trees is dangerous. It’s a booby trap. The chain saw that hits a spike can kick back and hit the operator. There’s only been one known injury from it in the US, but the operator nearly bled to death. His mates had to use a blow-torch to cut the damaged saw off of him, while trying to keep him from bleeding to death. It was made a federal criminal offence in 1988. Stone-Manning is alleged to have sent the letter in 1989, warning the federal officials about the tree-spiking. If she was involved in the actual spiking or planning, she was committing a federal offence. Yeah, I can see folks getting upset with that. > **[Tree spiking](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_spiking)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > > Tree spiking involves hammering a metal rod, nail or other material into a tree trunk, either inserting it at the base of the trunk where a logger might be expected to cut into the tree, or higher up where it would affect the sawmill later processing the wood. It is used to prevent logging by risking damage to saws, in the forest or at the mill, if the tree is cut, as well as possible injury or death to the worker. The spike can also lower the co... ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2021, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biden-administration-the-first-1-500-days-not-an-afghanistan-discussion/925057/831 "2021-06-13T04:13:49Z")
At her confirmation hearing, I can easily see some of the Senators asking detailed questions about her involvement, and the fact that she was granted immunity to testify against two of her friends who were convicted of the tree-spiking offence. They will ask her if she helpd to spike the trees? Did she plan it? How did she know about it? Why did she send the “profanity-laced letter” to the federal officials? What if, as a result of even one of those questions, she pleads the 5th? I think her nomination is done. Biden just can’t take the risk of an under-Secretary pleading the 5th in the confirmation hearing. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2021, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biden-administration-the-first-1-500-days-not-an-afghanistan-discussion/925057/832 "2021-06-13T04:36:59Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > I think her nomination is done. Biden just can’t take the risk of an under-Secretary pleading the 5th in the confirmation hearing. Apparently she’s a former aide to and protégé of Jon Tester. So Biden can’t just immediately throw her under the bus without risking the ire of one of the few Senate Democrats left from a red state. And Biden and his team had to know this was coming with this nomination. Unlike Trump, they actually vet their nominees and this issue would have been a glaring red flag on her resume. I’m assuming that they have some sort of strategy here. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2021, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biden-administration-the-first-1-500-days-not-an-afghanistan-discussion/925057/833 "2021-06-13T18:53:47Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Spiking trees is dangerous. It’s a booby trap. For that reason, tree spikers typically post warnings in areas where trees are spiked, because killing loggers is not really their goal. A few properly spiked trees accompanied by a warning can take an entire stand out of play if the logging company cannot easily identify the safe trees. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2021, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biden-administration-the-first-1-500-days-not-an-afghanistan-discussion/925057/834 "2021-06-16T18:16:53Z")
[SCotUS asks Biden Administration](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/u-s-supreme-court-seeks-biden-views-harvard-admissions-dispute-n1270882) for advice/views on a Harvard affirmative action case they considering taking up. How often does that kind of thing happen? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2021, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biden-administration-the-first-1-500-days-not-an-afghanistan-discussion/925057/835 "2021-06-16T19:54:23Z")
Now and then. It’s not unheard-of. ---
**Author:** ![Boycott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boycott/32/6741_2.png) [@Boycott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boycott)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2021, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biden-administration-the-first-1-500-days-not-an-afghanistan-discussion/925057/836 "2021-06-16T22:18:31Z")
Looks like Manchin is finally getting off his backside and making some movement towards the party line. Even then he wants some concessions but at least it appears he’s not going to get any support from the Republican side on voting rights > **[READ: Manchin's list of proposed changes for S1 elections bill | CNN Politics](https://edition.cnn.com/2021/06/16/politics/list-manchin-elections-bill-proposed-changes/index.html)** > > Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia said Wednesday he wouldn't rule out supporting S1 -- the sweeping elections overhaul bill Congress is considering -- and is open to backing it as long as some changes are made. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2021, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biden-administration-the-first-1-500-days-not-an-afghanistan-discussion/925057/837 "2021-06-16T23:47:17Z")
Yes, agreed. And on the judicial front: > **[Confirmed to D.C. Court of Appeals, Ketanji Brown Jackson seen as top Biden...](https://www.aol.com/news/confirmed-d-c-court-appeals-184331483.html)** > > The Senate confirmed Ketanji Brown Jackson on Monday to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, an influential court that has been a springboard for future Supreme Court justices. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2021, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biden-administration-the-first-1-500-days-not-an-afghanistan-discussion/925057/838 "2021-06-20T01:18:04Z")
Plenty more to do: > **[Joe Biden wooed many on his tour of Europe. It'll take much more to fix the...](https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/19/politics/biden-europe-tour-analysis-intl-cmd/index.html)** > > Joe Biden's first overseas trip as US President -- a whistle-stop diplomatic tour of Europe -- achieved its primary goal of signaling to America's closest friends that it was ready once more to lead the Western alliance. And some sad news: > **[Bidens announce their 'beloved' German Shepherd Champ has died | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/19/politics/champ-biden-german-shepherd-dog-dies/index.html)** > > The Bidens announced Saturday that Champ, their "beloved" German Shepherd who had been with their family since 2008, has died. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2021, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biden-administration-the-first-1-500-days-not-an-afghanistan-discussion/925057/839 "2021-06-20T06:13:07Z")
I see The Presidential Pug Posse coming - Gomer, Gilligan, Sonny, Cher and John Barrasso. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2021, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biden-administration-the-first-1-500-days-not-an-afghanistan-discussion/925057/840 "2021-06-21T13:06:48Z")
Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill: > **[Biden's agenda enters critical week on Capitol Hill ahead of looming Senate...](https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/21/politics/congress-week-ahead-voting-rights-infrastructure-policing/index.html)** > > Lawmakers will resume a slate of tense negotiations this week over voting rights, infrastructure and police reform as President Joe Biden's agenda enters an important week on Capitol Hill. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2021, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biden-administration-the-first-1-500-days-not-an-afghanistan-discussion/925057/841 "2021-06-22T13:40:48Z")
Ugh ugh ugh: > **[Senate Republicans block signature Democratic election bill in key test vote...](https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/22/politics/senate-democrats-voting-bill/index.html)** > > Senate Democrats suffered a loss on Tuesday when Republican opposition sunk their signature voting and election bill during a key test vote, underscoring the limits of the party's power with the narrowest possible Senate majority. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2021, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biden-administration-the-first-1-500-days-not-an-afghanistan-discussion/925057/842 "2021-06-22T14:36:52Z")
And Krysten Sinema has an op-ed in the Washington Post this morning defending the filibuster as a tool for “compelling moderation” and defends it particularly in regard to the For the People Act. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biden-administration-the-first-1-500-days-not-an-afghanistan-discussion/925057.md?page=41) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biden-administration-the-first-1-500-days-not-an-afghanistan-discussion/925057.md?page=43)