@ChrisMurphyCT's Threads
14 added
I am constantly in awe of how the Sandy Hook families, amidst their grief, are making positive change.
In doing so, they keep the memories of those we lost alive.
I encourage you to share the stories of those lost, and, if you can, help support their work.
In doing so, they keep the memories of those we lost alive.
I encourage you to share the stories of those lost, and, if you can, help support their work.
Six-year old Emilie Parker loved art and reading.
Her legacy lives on through the emilieparkerfund.com, which funds art programs in communities and schools, and safeandsoundschools.org
Her legacy lives on through the emilieparkerfund.com, which funds art programs in communities and schools, and safeandsoundschools.org
After Daniel Barden lost his life, his parents started whatwoulddanieldo.com to inspire others to share his kindness, compassion, selflessness, gratitude and appreciation for life.
Daniel’s father, Mark, co-founded sandyhookpromise.org – a group I work closely with.
Daniel’s father, Mark, co-founded sandyhookpromise.org – a group I work closely with.
I want to tell you a story. An important story.
And then I want you to share it.
To help people understand why the small things we do matter - amidst all the big things that seem so insurmountable and scary.
1/ I want to tell you what 7 yr old Daniel did, 7 yrs ago today.
And then I want you to share it.
To help people understand why the small things we do matter - amidst all the big things that seem so insurmountable and scary.
1/ I want to tell you what 7 yr old Daniel did, 7 yrs ago today.
2/ Daniel never awoke before his beloved older brother, who got on the bus at 6:20 each morning.
But on Dec.14, 2012, implausibly, he did. He hustled down the driveway in his pjs and flip flops, and hugged his brother goodbye.
“The only time that ever happened”, said his dad.
But on Dec.14, 2012, implausibly, he did. He hustled down the driveway in his pjs and flip flops, and hugged his brother goodbye.
“The only time that ever happened”, said his dad.
3/ Back inside, his dad told him he could go back to bed, but Daniel wouldn’t. He wanted to cuddle with his dad.
When his sister left for school, and his mom left for work, they got big hugs too. So nice, they remember, because often Daniel was still asleep when they left.
When his sister left for school, and his mom left for work, they got big hugs too. So nice, they remember, because often Daniel was still asleep when they left.
Here's some back of the napkin math on China deal:
China agrees to buy $50B of ag products next year, increase of $29B from pre-tariff trade.
Tariffs cost U.S. farmers $11B. Then taxpayers put up $28B in emergency ag payouts.
So...we lost/spent $39B. Gained $29B.
Nice work!
China agrees to buy $50B of ag products next year, increase of $29B from pre-tariff trade.
Tariffs cost U.S. farmers $11B. Then taxpayers put up $28B in emergency ag payouts.
So...we lost/spent $39B. Gained $29B.
Nice work!
Yes, it's a lot more complicated than that. For instance:
- Trump tariffs are broader than ag sector
- Trump isn't ending all tariffs, meaning we keep losing jobs in other sectors
- subsides and lost imports are a little apples/oranges
- Trump tariffs are broader than ag sector
- Trump isn't ending all tariffs, meaning we keep losing jobs in other sectors
- subsides and lost imports are a little apples/oranges
But it's a bad deal no matter how you score it. Devil will be in the details of the text, but the pain Trump inflicted on American workers and consumers does not appear to come close to the relatively minor concessions he got from China.
FYI some data:
factcheck.org/2019/10/trump-…
FYI some data:
factcheck.org/2019/10/trump-…
THREAD: I'm reading the Afghanistan Papers tonight. Important but unsurprising.
The attached excerpt reminded me of a story from my 2011 trip there where I saw up close how hopeless our over-reliance on military power is in faraway foreign places.
washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/…
The attached excerpt reminded me of a story from my 2011 trip there where I saw up close how hopeless our over-reliance on military power is in faraway foreign places.
washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/…
DoD took us out to a small town in western Afghanistan to see the Afghan "surge". A few dozen Commandos had moved into a small town - Parmakan - to protect the locals from the Taliban. These guys were bright and brave.
The locals walk us through the town, and we notice it is blanketed by fields covered in beautiful flowers. It is, of course, poppy. Everywhere the eye can see.
"Who do you sell it to?" we ask.
"The Taliban," says a village leader.
"Who do you sell it to?" we ask.
"The Taliban," says a village leader.
UPDATE: On my way back from Lebanon. People there are shaking their heads as Trump still refuses to send congressionally mandated security aid. Lebanon may become the next Ukraine or Kurds.
Let me tell you how dangerous this moment is. It’s important and you need to know.
Let me tell you how dangerous this moment is. It’s important and you need to know.
The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) is the most popular, most important multi-ethnic institution in the nation. It helps hold the fractious country together. Abandoning the LAF is akin to giving up on Lebanon.
Today anti-corruption, anti-elite (inc Hezbollah) protests are erupting all over Lebanon. It’s an exciting moment. But Iranian backed Hezbollah is fighting back, confronting the young, often female led protest movement. The LAF is the only force that can protect the protesters.
THREAD: 1/ I’ve met few better, more capable and courageous ambassadors than Marie Yovanovitch. I got to see her in action during a 2017 trip to Ukraine (I’ve made a bunch). Here’s a a quick story from the trip, indicative of her talent.
2/ She met me Lviv, in western Ukraine, my jumping off point to go see the US soldiers sent to train Ukrainian forces. She recommended we have dinner w Lviv’s Mayor Andriy Sadovyi, a major player in national politics and a likely presidential candidate.
3/ He is a reformer, but it’s all relative in Ukraine. He starts complaining about wanting the US to do more about the Kiev government’s control of the media. I can see Marie getting uncomfortable.
Today I'll be asking questions at the nomination hearing of our new Amb. to Russia.
Probably a good day to run down the mindblowingly long list of ways that Trump's foreign policy has been one giant wet kiss to Russia.
Hard to fit it all in one thread, but let's give it a shot!
Probably a good day to run down the mindblowingly long list of ways that Trump's foreign policy has been one giant wet kiss to Russia.
Hard to fit it all in one thread, but let's give it a shot!
May 2016: Announces his support for Brexit. Who benefits from a weaker EU? Russia.
May 2016: Questions U.S. commitment to NATO (aka the defense pact that prevents against Russian aggression).
1/ Quick important thread: For months I and others have warned State Dept that their diplomatic pull out in Iraq was going to have grave consequences for US security.
They didn’t listen, and now events are spiraling.
They didn’t listen, and now events are spiraling.
2/ I know all eyes are on Syria right now, but we shouldn't take our eye off the ball in Iraq.
The reports over the last few weeks of Iraqi security forces violently targeting protestors are deeply alarming.
reuters.com/article/us-ira…
The reports over the last few weeks of Iraqi security forces violently targeting protestors are deeply alarming.
reuters.com/article/us-ira…
3/ Brutal suppression of protests has killed 149 people and wounded 6,000. That's the highest # killed in demonstrations since immediately after the 2003 invasion.
Democratic countries don't turn their weapons on peaceful protesters.
Democratic countries don't turn their weapons on peaceful protesters.
1 / THREAD: Syria is a case study in how obsolete our foreign policy toolkit has become. Our only options today are troops or sanctions.
As we rightly eviscerate Trump for abandoning the Kurds, we must also work to make sure the next president has more options.
Let me explain.
As we rightly eviscerate Trump for abandoning the Kurds, we must also work to make sure the next president has more options.
Let me explain.
2 / The vast majority of our national security budget goes to the military and intel. We're talking over $600 billion year.
To put that in perspective, we spend 20 times as much on the military and intel agencies as we do on diplomacy, democracy promotion and smart power.
To put that in perspective, we spend 20 times as much on the military and intel agencies as we do on diplomacy, democracy promotion and smart power.
3 / The problem? Most of the threats we face abroad are no longer conventional military threats. Syria, at it's heart, is a political, not military, quagmire.
But we could only deploy 20 year old soldiers there, when we needed a massive diplomatic and political investment.
But we could only deploy 20 year old soldiers there, when we needed a massive diplomatic and political investment.
1/ This isn't a ceasefire - it's a total capitulation to Turkey and the capstone of our abandonment of the Kurds. Don't pay attention to the headline - read the actual agreement. It's effectively surrender.
2/ The pause is to "allow" the Kurds to leave the territory Turkey intends to occupy. So the upside is that the Kurds don't get shot (for 120 hours) as they get doublecrossed by Trump? The agreement basically cements Turkey's long term occupation of Kurdish land.
3/ But the Kurds aren't even a party to the agreement! Parties to a "ceasefire" normally negotiate over it, so that both sides' needs are met. And so now it sets up the Turks to carry on their offensive when they claim the Kurds didn't "comply" w a "ceasefire" they didn't sign.
1 / NEWS: I just introduced the Workforce Mobility Act, bipartisan non-competes legislation with @SenToddYoung.
A quick thread on what this does and why getting it passed would be a huge boon for American workers.
A quick thread on what this does and why getting it passed would be a huge boon for American workers.
@SenToddYoung 2 / First off: what are non-competes? Provisions employers sometimes sneak into contracts to prevent people from working at competing firms or starting new companies.
1 in 5 American workers - or ~32 million Americans - are bound by such agreements.
1 in 5 American workers - or ~32 million Americans - are bound by such agreements.
@SenToddYoung 3 / This is a bad deal for workers and our economy at large.
These agreements suppress wages, stifle entrepreneurship and reduce competition.
These agreements suppress wages, stifle entrepreneurship and reduce competition.
1/ NEWS: Responding to my questioning today at the Foreign Relations Committee, the top Iran expert at State, Brian Hook, confirmed for the first time that he met twice with Rudy Giuliani about a Giuliani client who wanted to avoid prosecution for evading Iran sanctions.
2/ In and of itself this isn't extraordinary. But there is also reporting that Trump personally intervened with Hook's then boss, Sec. Tillerson, to get the Giuliani client off the hook, despite solid evidence that the guy violated Iran sanctions.
3/ Trump's choice of Giuliani's personal interests over national security interests is damning. Especially because Giuliani claims to be acting as Trump's lawyer for free. So maybe the compensation comes another way.
1/ Is America’s security or Trump’s pocketbook guiding our foreign policy? Now we need to ask that question about Turkey, and evidence is increasing that something really fishy might be going on.
2/ In 2015, Trump admitted to having a conflict of interest in Turkey. These business interests have led to big questions about his unusual relationship with Erdogan: washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/…
3/ Or what about Reza Zarrab, who conspired with Turkey’s Halkbank to violate U.S. sanctions against Iran. This conspiracy was allegedly run out of Trump Towers Istanbul, but when the Treasury Dept recommended sanctions, Trump refused.
2 concerns re Turkey sanctions:
1. Trump, not sanctions, can save the Kurds. So shouldn't GOP be using the MASSIVE leverage they have over him right now to get him to change course, instead of passing sanctions he'll ignore anyway?
2. Splitting NATO is a huge win for Russia.
1. Trump, not sanctions, can save the Kurds. So shouldn't GOP be using the MASSIVE leverage they have over him right now to get him to change course, instead of passing sanctions he'll ignore anyway?
2. Splitting NATO is a huge win for Russia.
Sanctions are worth talking about, but we shouldn't do it because Republicans don't want to use the leverage they have to make Trump change course.
And if Trump won't implement them anyway (he's ignored other Turkey sanctions), then is it worth giving a gift to Russia?
And if Trump won't implement them anyway (he's ignored other Turkey sanctions), then is it worth giving a gift to Russia?
Bottom line - right now, only Trump can fix this. Congress can't.
I'm willing to discuss sanctions legislation, but not at the cost of taking the pressure off the President to do the right thing.
I'm willing to discuss sanctions legislation, but not at the cost of taking the pressure off the President to do the right thing.
1/ Trump's abandonment of the Kurds is the precipitating cause of this pending disaster in Syria, but we shouldn't let the foreign policy establishment gloss over years of hubris and bad policy in Syria (that all led to this moment) and avoid a real accounting of what went wrong.
2/ First, contrary to the belief of much of the establishment, there was no magic moment in 2011/12 when U.S. could have put our muscle behind the rebels to topple Assad. From the start, Iran/Russia had more at stake than us, & they were always going to do more than us to win.
3/ But our hubris led to us to believe that tepid, mostly secret support to the rebels could do the job. All it did was prolong the war, without ever being enough to help them win. We dragged the war on needlessly, and misled the rebels about what we were prepared to do.
1/ So there doesn’t need to be an explicit quid pro quo (aid for interference) for this all to be fundamentally corrupt, but let me make the case to you, in just a few tweets, that there is plenty of evidence that a quid pro quo was on the table.
2/ in the July 25th call, Zelensky asks for more security aid. Trump doesn’t say yes. Instead he asks for two things, immediately. First help to destroy Clinton. Second, help to destroy Biden.
Zelensky asks for help. Then Trump says what he wants. Pretty simple, right?
Zelensky asks for help. Then Trump says what he wants. Pretty simple, right?
2/ In the July 25th call, Zelensky asks for more security aid. Trump doesn’t say yes. Instead he asks for two things, immediately. First help to destroy Clinton. Second, help to destroy Biden.
Zelensky asks for help. Then Trump says what he wants. Pretty simple, right?
Zelensky asks for help. Then Trump says what he wants. Pretty simple, right?
A few weeks ago in Ukraine, I met w President Zelensky and we discussed the surprise cut off of aid and the inappropriate demands the Trump campaign was making of him. The obvious question everyone in Kiev was asking was - were the two things connected? washingtonpost.com/national-secur…
Zelensky did not explicitly connect the two in our meeting, but he was VERY concerned about the cut off of aid, and VERY aware of the conversations that Rudy Giuliani was having with his team. I told him it was best to ignore requests from Trump’s campaign operatives. He agreed.
I don’t know what is in the whistleblower complaint, but it was clear to me that Ukraine officials were worried about the consequences of ignoring Giuliani’s demands. And of course they were. That’s why presidents shouldn’t have their campaigns talking to foreign leaders.
1/ Okay, in a few tweets I'm going to try to explain what's going on in Yemen today, so you have some knowledge to counter this claim that America needs to bomb Iran because the Houthis bombed Saudi Arabia. It's complicated, but now you need to know.
2/ The conflict btwn Saudi Arabia and Yemen roughly dates from the 1932 founding of Saudi Arabia, when the new kingdom took territory from Yemen in a war set off by a border dispute. The Saudis has attempted to influence Yemeni affairs every since.
3/ The Houthis are a group of Shia tribes in northern Yemen who practice a distinct form of Islam called Zaidism. In the 1980s, the Saudis began a campaign to push Sunni Wahabism into Houthi areas, creating massive friction with Houthi communities.
You're right, Ted, it's hard to do this issue justice on twitter, but I commend you for trying. Here's my side of the argument, on why the 2nd Amendment is about collective, not personal defense, and allows the government to reasonably condition firearms ownership. 1/x
2/x First, you selectively quoted the Amendment. It actually reads: "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." It references militias - not personal defense - for a reason.
3/x The founders were strongly opposed to America having a standing army. Madison called it an "instrument of tyranny". But a young America needed to defend itself. This is where militias come in, and the need to make sure citizens were armed in order to serve.
Short THREAD on Ukraine: 1/ Trump’s decision to hold back security assistance is a bad idea, but once again Washington is caught in this trap of acting like the best way to help Ukraine is to load them up with more weapons.
2/ Putin is in the process of testing the new Ukrainian president, seeing if he can be bullied. Zelesnky has stood tall so far. But now, at this critical moment, it’s a terrible time for us to suggest we are drawing back our support for this new, western oriented leader.
3/ At the same time, for years, the Washington establishment has acted like Russia is actually going to march on Kiev (they aren’t) and that our military assistance is saving Ukraine.
The only way we change our gun laws is by taking back the Senate in 2020. This week, I'll be raising money every day for candidates who can help us do that.
Up first, @ShuttleCDRKelly running in Arizona. No one has done more for the anti-gun violence cause than Mark and his wife @GabbyGiffords.
This seat is a must-win and it's one we can win. Chip in here 👇
secure.actblue.com/donate/csm-kel…
This seat is a must-win and it's one we can win. Chip in here 👇
secure.actblue.com/donate/csm-kel…
@ShuttleCDRKelly @GabbyGiffords The single biggest obstacle to passing universal background checks is Mitch McConnell.
Want to change our gun laws? Let's get @AmyMcGrathKY elected to the U.S. Senate. Donate now to her campaign 👇
secure.actblue.com/donate/csm-mcg…
Want to change our gun laws? Let's get @AmyMcGrathKY elected to the U.S. Senate. Donate now to her campaign 👇
secure.actblue.com/donate/csm-mcg…
1/ This article reflects 15 years of backwards thinking of Afghanistan policy. The Administration is debating whether ISIS's growth is a threat to U.S. or just Afghanistan. But if our presence there is what's feeding ISIS, then the answer to that question doesn't really matter.
2/ If ISIS is growing bc fighting the U.S. is a massive recruitment tool (as it was for both Shia and Sunni insurgencies in Iraq), then isn't the most important question - why are we debating staying at all if we are making the situation worse?
3/ Policymakers and journalists often get sucked into this assumption that more special operations patrols and more drones and more air strikes will beat the enemy. But for every ISIS and Taliban fighter we kill, they recruit two more.
1/ THREAD: Over the past few months, I've heard from hundreds of people in Connecticut about how the ACA has impacted their lives. They are terrified that the GOP lawsuit to overturn the ACA will succeed. Here are just a few stories of #WhatsAtStake for families in our state.
2/ Becky, from Storrs - “If the Affordable Care Act is struck down, and insurance companies are allowed to kick people with pre-existing conditions off of their parents’ insurance, we'd lose everything. We would have to declare bankruptcy.”
3/ Claudia from Coventry - “I have survived breast cancer (five years in June), and I was diagnosed just as my COBRA coverage was expiring. If I hadn't had coverage through the ACA, my retirement savings would have been wiped out.”
1/ THREAD: Tomorrow the Trump admin is going to court to argue that the entire ACA should be overturned.
They are going to argue that insurance companies should be able to charge the 130 million Americans with pre-existing conditions higher rates or deny them coverage outright.
They are going to argue that insurance companies should be able to charge the 130 million Americans with pre-existing conditions higher rates or deny them coverage outright.
2/ They're going to argue that insurance companies should be able to charge women more.
That young adults should be kicked off their parents' plans.
That insurance companies shouldn't even have to cover basics like prescription drugs, maternity care or hospital trips.
That young adults should be kicked off their parents' plans.
That insurance companies shouldn't even have to cover basics like prescription drugs, maternity care or hospital trips.
3/ If they succeed, millions of Americans will lose their insurance coverage overnight. This would be a humanitarian catastrophe.
The stakes are high, and we need to pay attention.
The stakes are high, and we need to pay attention.
