Dying Harry Reid on Trump: He's Amoral, Has No Conscience

[babylonsister]

WHAT?


https://www.thedailybeast.com/dying-harry-reid-on-trump-hes-amoral-has-no-conscience?ref=home

Dying Harry Reid on Trump: He’s Amoral, Has No Conscience

Harry Reid, the former Senate Majority Leader who is suffering from pancreatic cancer, has given a rare interview in which he compares a “weird” President Trump unfavorably to mafia bosses who “are really good with what they do.” He told The New York Times: “Trump is an interesting person. He is not immoral but is amoral. Amoral is when you shoot someone in the head, it doesn’t make a difference. No conscience.” When the writer Mark Leibovich suggested there was a hint of grudging respect in Reid’s words, he added: “I think he is without question the worst president we’ve ever had… We’ve had some bad ones, and there’s not even a close second to him.” Reid refused to say whether he backed his successor Chuck Schumer’s tactics in dealing with Trump. “I do not call Schumer,” he said. “I call him once in a while—not weekly… I talk to Nancy often. I love Nancy Pelosi.” The Times piece states, bluntly, that Reid “does not have long to live.”

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I am really sad to read this. Harry Reid is dying.

What a loss that will be.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

37. Yeah, this is first time I heard this too. Sad news

[DownriverDem]

47. Me too.

I had no idea. RBG had it and beat it.

[Maxheader]

2. Harry..my man...

1. Health Care

The Affordable Care Act may be better known as Obamacare, but the law could just as easily have received a Harry Reid nickname as well. The senator made passing the health care bill a top priority and negotiated with politicians on both sides of the aisle to ensure it would have enough votes to pass. According to political analysts, it’s no exaggeration to say that the legislation was unlikely to pass without Reid’s efforts.

2. Downgrading the Filibuster

With partisanship running strong in the Senate, Reid grew tired of the incessant filibustering that blocked the legislative body from accomplishing even the most routine of tasks. In order to minimize future obstructions, Reid helmed a controversial decision to change the way presidential appointments and judicial nominees are approved. Now, rather than needing a hard-to-obtain 60 votes to get approved, a simple majority is all it takes.

3. Reproductive Issues… in a Roundabout Way

While most Democrats support a woman’s right to choose, Reid actually considers himself “pro-life.” Unlike most politicians who oppose abortion, however, he’s not anti-woman’s reproductive health altogether. It’s crazy when the same people who gripe about abortions also vote to block birth control, sex education and other ideas that would help women avoid having unwanted pregnancies in the first place.

In 2006, Reid teamed with (then) Senator Hillary Clinton to launch the Prevention First Amendment. The law acknowledged that people on both sides of the abortion debate have deeply held convictions, and called on the government to put forward more money to expand access to family planning programs and emergency contraception

He may not be pro-choice, but at least Reid is a man who understands that decreasing abortion means starting to eliminate the reasons women have abortions. His 92 percent approval rating from Planned Parenthood proves that a politician can have personal objections to abortions and still not be a jerk when it comes to reproductive health.

4. Environment

When it comes to the environment, Reid has never waivered, earning a perfect score from the League of Conservation Voters. He may not be the most vocal politician on this issue, but that doesn’t stop him from always doing the right thing.

Reid’s office includes three energy/environmental staffers so that he can help safeguard the EPA’s powers. He’s voted to close coal plants, protect public lands, maintain clean water, slow the effects of climate change, and even give extra consideration to endangered species. The planet will miss having his consistent vote, un-swayed by private interests.

[pintobean]

11. Downgrading the Filibuster

How has that worked out over the last two years? How will it work out over the next two?

[Tom Rinaldo]

24. Like the Republicans wouldn't have done it anyway when they got control?

There is no way they would have allowed Democrats to filibuster Judicial nominees. Reid left the filibuster in place for Supreme Court nominees, Republicans ditched that when it mattered to them.

Reid acted to partially lift the filibuster after Republicans started using it routinely to block almost all of Obama's lower court nominees, as well as filibustering appointments to Obama's cabinet. Had Reid not acted Republicans had an easy veto over Obama's entire Administration, and we never would have filled many open judicial slots with Democrats. Those slots would have remained open until Republicans took control over the Senate, and then they too would have been filled by Trump.

[Marie Marie]

48. Exactly!

[Blue_true]

36. Reed had to do that to get legistlation passed.

If he had not done that, no President Obama initiatives would have passed and republicans STILL would have downgraded the fillabuster if that fit their purposes.

[onit2day]

46. If only he had done it sooner huh. Grant him courage serenity focused on present moment

[hibbing]

3. That took my dad, it's a fast one n/t

[babylonsister]

6. Took my uncle.

[ooky]

23. Took my mom too.

3 horrible months from diagnosis she was gone.

[GrapesOfWrath]

42. My mom too

Diagnosed on Thanksgiving 2010, dead by January 2011...about six weeks 😔

[Liberal In Texas]

30. My brother

It's horrible and the surgery doesn't seem to really do much good.

[question everything]

40. But, keeping fingers crossed, RBG is holding on (nt)

[calimary]

4. Very sorry to hear this. Harry Reid served our country well.

It’s good to hear from him again, even if it’s the last time. It’s good to hear him confirm our conclusions about trump’s so-called “presidency.” WORST EVER.

[ZeroSomeBrains]

5. Stay strong Harry

I won't forget that he went out of his way before the 2016 election to say there was an FBI investigation into Drumpf and the FBI had to lie that there wasn't. This is the hardest part of anyone's life when you have to look death in the face. You were a great Senator and your legacy will be larger than the orange blob in the White House or McTurtle in the Senate.

[peggysue2]

7. First I've read about Harry Reid's . . .

health issues. Though I wondered after he retired if there was something beyond that fall he'd taken. Pancreatic cancer is awful. By the time a diagnosis is made it's frequently too late for any effective treatment.

to the man. He's been a fighter extraordinaire.

[babylonsister]

8. He had surgery in May which I don't remember reading about...

https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/14/politics/harry-reid-cancer-surgery-pancreas/index.html

Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has surgery for pancreatic cancer
By Manu Raju, CNN Senior Congressional Correspondent

Updated 4:57 PM ET, Mon May 14, 2018
Harry Reid treated for pancreatic cancer

[peggysue2]

22. I missed it, too, babylonsister

Sad news for sure. My sister-in-law is struggling with the same disease. Prognosis not good despite the treatments. RBG is the exception to the rule; she's managed to fend off 3 cancers (including pancreatic cancer) and is still standing. Remarkable when you look at the stats.

Harry Reid was a bulldog during his tenure in the Senate. He'll be sorely missed.

[malaise]

26. He has lasted long for pancreatic cancer

Hope you're not in pain Harry

[samnsara]

9. :(

[Judi Lynn]

10. So, so sorry. What horrible news.

He worked so hard for this country while republicans tore everything apart and blocked such necessary changes needed by 98 percent of the population.

[nycbos]

12. I must have missed this diagnosis.

Very sad.

[Fla Dem]

13. Will there be a long good-bye for him as there was for John McCain?

Harry Reid served in the US Senate for 40 years, as the Democratic Senate Leader for 12 years, and Senate Majority Leader for 8 years. Hopefully he'll be as honored at least as much as John McCain was when he passed away.

[pazzyanne]

20. I would hope so!

Harry Reid was a tough and grounded legislator who did a lot for this country. He deserves a great send off when his time comes. In the meantime, may he receive the best medical care available to him. I watched helplessly while my Grandmother died from this horrible form of cancer.

[liberal from boston]

29. Harry Reid

So sad today to read the news about Harry Reid. Thank your pazzyanne for your beautiful post about Senator Reid.

[Hekate]

57. I hope so -- we need reminders in these dark times that is greatness still in public service.

[rusty quoin]

14. I struggled with that question about Trump.

And I’m glad Harry solved it for me. Trump is amoral. There’s nothing there.

[mcar]

15. I am sorry to hear this

Harry Reid was a great public servant and a great Democrat. I wish him a gentle, dignified passage.

[Towlie]

16. Reid's words about Trump remind me of "The emperor has no clothes."

“I think he is without question the worst president we’ve ever had… We’ve had some bad ones, and there’s not even a close second to him.”

Just like the child who announced that the emperor has no clothes, Harry Reid stated something that virtually everyone can plainly see and which is obviously true, but many politicians are afraid to say.

Now Trump will calculate the repercussions of his possible responses and choose the one that's the most politically cost-effective, sort of like the way The Terminator responded to "Hey, buddy. You got a dead cat in there?" And when he does that, it'll amount to a perfect example of what it means to be amoral.

[Soxfan58]

17. Thanks for everything Senator!

[bluestarone]

18. Losing a GREAT man here

[turbinetree]

19. I believe that Nancy Pelosi loves Harry Reid......................

they see a lot in each other ...........

[highplainsdem]

21. Devastating news about Harry Reid. He's a great man who's done so much for this country. Unlike

Trump. Kudos to Harry for being so blunt now about Trump being the worst president we've ever had.

[ooky]

25. Why couldn't it be Trump instead of Harry?

I liked Harry Reid. He was a fighter, a good man and a good American.

[Tom Rinaldo]

27. A greqt man, a great Leader

I have always deeply respected Harry Reid. We are a better nation for his efforts on behalf of all of us. He and Nancy were quite a team. I hope all of his remaining days are filled with love.

[gademocrat7]

28. Very sad news.

[PatSeg]

31. That made me so sad

I had no idea he was dying.

[BlueStater]

32. So sad to hear that he's dying.

Meanwhile, Trump lives on. Fuck the world.

[smirkymonkey]

58. Life is so unfair sometimes.

Why does it seem like the evil live forever? Dick Cheney is still alive FFS and Trump will probably live to be in his 90's (I really hope not, but it wouldn't surprise me if he is around to torture us for another 20 years).

[2naSalit]

33. Oh dear!

*sigh*

I've been getting a lot of "notices" that people close to me are dying soon and then there's the famous people I admire in some form dying in large numbers too. Of the ones I didn't know personally, this one saddens me.

[the_sly_pig]

34. Sad news.... but....

Thanks Captain Obvious. Typical Harry Reid.

[dalton99a]

35. My favorite Mormon.

This is very sad.

[SunSeeker]

38. OMG I had no idea he had pancreatic cancer.

They obviously did not catch it early like RBG's.

[oasis]

39. Thank you, Harry, for being a beautiful human being and great patriot.nt

[niyad]

41. I am so sorry to hear that HArry is dying --and of pancreatic cancer. I have a friend who is

dying of it as well. my deepest sympathies to him and his family.

[Vinca]

43. Poor Harry. Damn pancreatic cancer is so hard to beat.

[cate94]

44. I'm sorry to hear this.

Pancreatic cancer took my sister, less than a month ago. Horrible disease, too fast, too mean.

[Lifelong Protester]

45. I am so sorry to hear this.

I didn't know about this.

[BigmanPigman]

49. That is the definition of a sociopath and trump IS a huge one

as well as a malignant narcissist and a sadist. Add being a president to that mix of crazy and he is not only the worst POTUS ever but also a very dangerous person to have in that position.

Harry is a good person and should not have to die this way, it should be reserved for evil, corrupt traitors (especially orange ones).

[Honeycombe8]

50. Oh, no. I hate to hear this. Pancreatic cancer. That's a bad one. nt

[uponit7771]

51. 79 is young for a US Congress person

[Different Drummer]

52. Sorry to hear this. I had no idea. n/t

[Raine]

53. Sorry to hear

that he's so sick and doesn't have long..

[sheshe2]

54. I didn't know he was sick.

Love the man.

He walked softly and carried a big stick.

[YOHABLO]

55. We have such good, upstanding people on our side of the aisle. Makes me proud.

We've just got to do more research on pancreatic cancer treatment and cure. Thank you Harry for your service.

[Hekate]

56. I am so sorry to hear this. Harry Reid served us all well in the Senate, imo --

He gave us long years of public service.

Thank you, sir, and go gently.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

59. I didn't know he was fighting cancer. 😞

[Scurrilous]

60. K&R