Random Politics & Religion #11

[Breaking news update, published at 6:58 a.m. ET ]
Three people who were arrested Tuesday morning in Germany -- suspected of being members of ISIS -- are being investigated in connection with November's deadly terror attacks in Paris, German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said in Berlin.

An investigation seems to indicate that the same organization of smugglers that brought in the Paris attackers also brought in these three suspects, and their travel documents appear to have originated from the same forger, de Maiziere said.
[Original story, published at 5:57 a.m. ET]
German authorities say that they have arrested three young Syrian nationals who they claim are members of ISIS.
The German Federal Prosecutor's Office said in a statement that they apprehended two Syrian teenagers and one man in his 20s, identified as Mohamed A. They were arrested Tuesday morning in the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein by special police forces.
The prosecutor's office says that investigations suspect the three men of coming to Germany on the orders of ISIS in November 2015, to either commit an act of terror or to wait for further instructions. They were charged with being members of a foreign terrorist organization.
One of the accused, a 17-year-old that CNN is not naming, joined ISIS at the end of September 2015 in Raqqa, the terror organization's de facto capital in Syria. He is suspected of receiving training there, including the handling of weapons and explosives. In October 2015, the three accused pledged to go to Europe, the prosecutor's office alleges.
The three were given passports provided by ISIS and received thousands of US dollars as well as mobile phones. The three came to Germany in the middle of November 2015 via Turkey and Greece, the office said.

European officials told CNN they believe ISIS is ratcheting up its planning for international attacks to retaliate for losses in Syria, Iraq and Libya.
Security officials estimate that 30 to 40 suspected ISIS terrorists who helped support the November 13 Paris terror attacks are still at large, it emerged last week. It is not clear if the men apprehended in Germany were part of the planning of those attacks and thus part of this larger group.
In 2015 and 2016, several European countries have experienced atrocities linked to ISIS-affiliated terrorists and "lone wolf" actors who have pledged fealty to the jihadist group, including the Paris attacks which killed at least 128 killed in gunfire and blasts.
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls warned Sunday that France remains a target for terror and the country will suffer new attacks.
"The threat is maximal," Valls said in an interview with the Europe 1 radio station. "We have seen it again in the past few days, the past few hours, and even as we speak. Every day intelligence services, police and gendarmerie thwart attacks and dismantle Iraqi-Syrian networks."

Defying a seemingly united Congress and risking a public backlash, President Obama will veto legislation allowing relatives of the 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia in U.S. courts, the White House confirmed on Monday. Obama’s rejection of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act will trigger what seems likely to be the first-ever successful congressional vote to override his veto.

“The president feels strongly about this, and I do anticipate that the president will veto the legislation when it’s presented to him,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters at his daily briefing.

The legislation never explicitly mentions Saudi Arabia, which was home to most of the 9/11 hijackers, but that American ally is widely understood to be the main target. The bill would change federal law to allow lawsuits against foreign states or officials for injuries, death or damages stemming from an act of international terrorism. Current law recognizes “sovereign immunity,” which protects governments and government officials from civil cases.

The White House has argued that eroding the legal principle of sovereign immunity could lead other countries to change their laws to permit their courts to try cases against the U.S. government or its diplomats and military personnel.

Clinton, Trump and Stein answer 20 science policy questions

Very long read, but also interesting in my opinion.

I admittedly skimmed and did not get into details.

I don't think people realize the can of worms that would be opened....

Speaking of that override vote, it's funny. They can't even override him to repeal the ACA, and they somehow think they have a chance on this? Yeah, not happening.

Speaking of that override vote, it's funny. They can't even override him to repeal the ACA, and they somehow think they have a chance on this? Yeah, not happening.

No, I do understand. It's hilarious the repubs are pinning their hopes on dems that know better for an override vote. Dems are good with two things: Foreign policy and social issues. This dabbles in both. They'll shut down the override attempt. Just watch.

Obama doesn't have any votes left to win, and he's straight-up doing what he thinks is right in the grand scheme

Clinton, Trump and Stein answer 20 science policy questions

Very long read, but also interesting in my opinion.

Once all the personality politics and endless discussion on gaffe moments is removed, there's an incredibly stark contrast between who has fully realized policies and who just checking off the list of talking points. Really sad that list will never make it on a major news outlet.

Also, the Prince picture before the section on opioids. TOO SOON

I don't believe Trump is capable of directly answering 20 questions on any subject, least of which science.

And Jill Green may as well just be an anthropomorphized copy of the DNC platform, as far as I can tell.

And yet he holds press conferences and Hillary doesn't. Hillary can't handle unscripted questions without lying her face off.

And yet he holds press conferences and Hillary doesn't. Hillary can't handle unscripted questions without lying her face off.

It doesn't really work in football, either.

I assume her not holding press conferences while he does is some version of football's prevent defense. Play it super-conservative (ironnnnny) while letting your opponent take the gambles and make the mistakes.

It doesn't really work in football, either.

The thing is, an article like this isn't going to change anyone's mind on anything. To people supporting Trump, Hillary's answers are just hyperverbal messages produced by a roomful of speech writers and consultants who know exactly what to say, and Trump is speaking in plain language about things he really believes.

And Jill Green may as well just be an anthropomorphized copy of the DNC platform, as far as I can tell.

Once all the personality politics and endless discussion on gaffe moments is removed, there's an incredibly stark contrast between who has fully realized policies and who just checking off the list of talking points. Really sad that list will never make it on a major news outlet.

Also, the Prince picture before the section on opioids. TOO SOON

Don't think I'd want to appeal to the TL;DR crowd anyway.

Meanwhile, Johnson faked a stomachache to skip the test.