Only because we let King Baby revel in the illusion that he owns the House. Though I do not read liberal journals often, this article from 'Daily Kos' goes a long way toward describing the over-representation of the base M.A.G.A. base as noted before by Dr Richardson.
Only because we let King Baby revel in the illusion that he owns the House. Though I do not read liberal journals often, this article from 'Daily Kos' goes a long way toward describing the over-representation of the base M.A.G.A. base as noted before by Dr Richardson.
People need courage and need to break the stalemate as Dr Richardson hinted with the very statesmanlike stance Representative Jefferies has taken. The concern is why Squeaker Mikey Mouse does not grab the opportunity. Maybe he is rooting for genocide after all.
Ned, I’m of firm belief that this Congress is operated by two presidents. I believe this is probably the first time in history that this country has had two presidents at one time. But, WE have the duly elected president, Joe Biden, who is dealing with everything domestic and foreign, running the government as is necessary. The portion of the Senate and House of Representatives who believe that Joe Biden is the President of the United States are sitting on the Democratic side of the aisle, or, IF they are Republican, have already quit.
All others in Congress are under the belief that Trump is still the president, never lost the ejection, and they are doing exactly what he tells them to do. One step further on this ladder of political leadership. Putin is telling Trump what he needs Congress to do, or not do, as the case is now. Putin is hell bent to take over Ukraine so he can begin his march across the other NATO countries.
"I believe this is the first time in US History the US has had two presidents."
In 2008, during the financial crisis where several "too big to fail" institutions were in peril of, well, failing, candidate Obama and candidate McCain attended a session with the Congressional leadership. President Bush wasn't even there, even though his Secretary of the Treasury was. Anyway, Obama was amazing and McCain was devoid of any ideas or suggestions.
To me, that was a watershed moment and Obama truly was the acting President in my opinion.
I sand corrected, Gary. I had forgotten that incident. But, comparing it to this nonsense the Republican Party , should I say the MAGA Trumpublicans, are pulling isn’t in the same ballpark. They are acting like Biden never won the election, and Frumpy never lost. It’s like Biden isn’t in the Oval Office at all.
The mental gymnastics I've seen in some of the MAGAts is gobsmacking. The most recent blow-mind was the woman telling an interviewer that Biden is evil. When he asked in what way is that so she had sort of a stricken look on her face, like she'd never had push back to her claim, then said, "he just is" and walked away.
I, too, laugh my ass off at these people when they are interviewed by someone who actually knows what questions to ask instead of be a commentator from the lines of FOX News. The bunch are n MSNBC cause these MAGA folks to itch where they can’t scratch, and it is hilarious how they get v bc asked into that dark corner and can’t get themselves out if it. I guess they fail to realize the lines of Joe Scarborough, along with the past head of the RNC, and others used to be devout Republicans!
All this MAGA crowd has become is a bunch of blowhards that listen to this rhetoric that Frumpy’s spewing at his ‘rallies’ and trying to make sense of his gibberish. I have yet to hear a speech of his where he actually discusses issues. Most of his comments make me want to puke.
Very true, they are dangerous. Especially since their cult leader is all about violence to get things the way he wants them.
Actually, I’m laughing thing at these people because of their ignorance. Some of these people are actually well educated, and supposed to be ‘pillars of the community’. Ha!
Saying Obama was acting president in 2008 implies that he was making policy which he was not. Nothing compares to the way Trump is making policy in 2024.
MisTBlu. Earlier I posted a column written by Catherine Rampell of the WAPO about the GOP Senators blocking the renewal of the child-tax credit. This is a quote from Senator Chuck Grassley of IA.
“Passing a tax bill that makes the president look good — mailing out checks before the election — means he could be reelected.”
Regardless of whether Obama acted "Presidential" in 2008, the GOP are major hypocrites for forcing women who have been raped or made pregnant through incest (which, of course is also rape) and then refusing to support the children of this unholy union.
The GOP is not only blocking almost all legislation, much of it at the behest of Trump, but they are also devoid of any new ideas whatsoever.
This is one of the reasons I dub them the REPRESSIVE REGRESSIVE party.
Actually, my view was that Senator McCain had a much better approach than Senator Obama toward the melt-down. He understood micro-incentives in the financial services in a manner that President Obama simply did not.
Ned - There was a lot going in during the financial crisis in 2008 and McCain made several missteps which likely cost him votes. Did they cost him the election? I have no idea. The following is a taking from the Guardian o 9/25/2008
However, it was widely noted that McCain did not even arrive in Washington until after Democratic and Republic leaders announced they had the outlines of a rescue package.
McCain admitted as recently as Tuesday that he had not taken the time to even read the bailout plan, according to an NBC interview transcript distributed by the Obama camp.
But that did not stop the Republican from seizing the headlines for two days in a row. McCain first wrongfooted Obama yesterday with his stunning anouncement that he would suspend his campaign and would not attend the debate in Mississippi.
Today, he struck again, appropriating Obama's conditions for the rescue deal - barely 24 hours after rejecting them.
The Democrat had proposed the conditions during discussions with McCain yesterday about a joint statement from the presidential candidates about the financial crisis.
In their proposals the Obama camp had called for an independent oversight board, a mechanism to protect taxpayers, a curb on outsized payments to Wall Street executives, and relief for homeowners faced with losing homes. The proposal for a joint statement also rejected attaching other measures, or earmarks, to the bill.
In his speech today McCain adopted nearly identical language - as well as the essence of four of the five measures: an oversight board, protection for taxpayers, controls on compensation for Wall Street executives and a ban on earmarks. However, McCain made no mention of relief for homeowners.
McCain's newfound sense of urgency for reaching a deal on the rescue package comes after a number of new polls suggesting that the economic crisis was costing the Republican support.
As I recall, the "too big to fail" institutions were grossly undercapitalized due to changes made in banking regulations from 1980 - 2007. Also, few people understood the dangers posed by sub-prime mortgages many of them issued at 100% of a homes value. Literally people could get into a home with virtually no skin in the game. Another cause of the 2008 financial crisis were derivatives as well as the loose money policy of the Fed, which was led by Alan Greenspan.
I'm a big Senator McCain fan, but during that one meeting he appeared lost and devoid of ideas on how to deal with the crisis and frankly Obama didn't.
Thank you for a well thought out response and the newspaper article. This fact is neither explanation nor excuse about what you are saying: I missed this news as I was in Iraq and really pre-occupied; these insights you provide certainly are eye-opening. Gary, I based my thinking on the research I did the week before the election when I was home on leave. So, I was reading more recent statements and found Senator McCain's struck me as being more nuanced and addressing the basic problems in the financial system more directly (based, of course, on my limited experience and more limited mind).
My thank you letter to President Obama on 20jan17. Well, I am nothing if not consistent, Emerson be damned.
😉
Until that final week -- EDIT: in actuality, the night before -- I was undecided between President Obama and Senator McCain. The joint-statement by President Obama was a statesmanlike initiative for sure. Well, one thing I got right: I felt that the 2008 election was one between two really fine men. Though I knew my next-day vote for Senator McCain would be for the runner-up, I was fine with President Obama. ln the end, for me at least, character matters a whole lot more than one's politics because there will always be occasions that come out of nowhere and do not lend themselves to ideology or political preference for guidance; then, we must rely upon the content of the leader's character.
✌️
President Obama may or may not have been a great President; I am too conservative and time is too soon for me or most others to tell you. (But I will never excuse the way my Party treated him when it held majorities; I should have known, by 2010, that Reaganism was exhausted.) One thing I do know: President Obama had in 2008, 2012, and today an unmistakably impeccable character and remains a great man.
Ned, I too am a fiscal conservative but a social liberal. There is no reason for anyone in the US to be hungry. Since 2020, my wife and I have become more engaged in local food banks to help prevent malnutrition and hunger. We are very fortunate to have lived in Fernandina Beach, FL and Hancock County, ME where there are excellent well stock food banks. I have to give credit to the local grocery stores in each community as well. All of them have stepped up to insure the shelves are stocked.
I too was torn on who to vote for in 2008. In my voting lifetime, it has been rare to have two candidates that would each have made good Presidents. But, in the end I voted for Obama as well.
I agree with you that character matters as well as values (which is part of character I suppose). As a Boy Scout the twelve values were drilled into us as well as what they meant.
Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent. And raised in the church, I was exposed to the words of Jesus Christ and took them to heart. Even though I am a non-theist now, I still try to follow his teachings.
I enjoyed your letter as well. Thank you for including it.
Unfortunately this time there is only one good man out of the two. And the other is likely the worst candidate we've had in my lifetime for President.
Thank you for your patience, Gary. Today, I am in what my sister lovingly refers to as one of my sh*tful moods. I salute what you are doing with your better half. That is walking the walk. I am big on vocal but short on the follow-through.
💓
In actuality, I voted for Senator McCain. I remember the night before, I was talking on a call-in show by Cspan. I felt really content in a way about the 2008 election that I had not since the first time I had voted in 1976. I said so, not about 1976. The moderator basically pointed out that I might lose my position as a political (minor) appointee and I said something like, "That is just a job. I know that the country will be in good hands." And we were.
✌️
America is in good hands now, though I get a bit annoyed in my old age. I cringe at the possibility that Trump may get back in. You implicitly remind me that President Biden sits in the big chair not I. Were I somehow in his place, I suspect my feelings would be different since the consequences of impetuous miscalculation could be catastrophic. President Biden is a good man and I am proud he is the President. If he is re-elected and departs before 2028, a President Harris will be just fine by me.
😇
Well, Gary, I really have a lot of respect for you and thank you for your gracious note to me. I was a brat and a lazy; people like you pull me along, you really do.
And thank you Ned for taking the time to connect with me. My high school composition teacher told us on the first day of class, "You never learn anything when you are talking."
This is why I love this comment section. There are so many regulars that post most days, and many more that post now and again.
I learn so much from reading these comments as well as Dr. Richardson's letters.
P.S., Gary, please see my tribute to Mr Peter Quinn below. I could not tag you. You and Peter seem to think alike and embody the same temperament and values. As I note to Peter, people like you two show me the way. Thank you.
EDIT: that exchange, should you be interested in checking it, follows the assertion I make of President Biden announcing military training exercises in Ukraine. No expectations on my part; just want to make Peter Quinn and you available to each other.
We have had shadow presidencies before. Nixon’s sabotage of President Johnson’s peace negotiations in Hanoi, resulting in many more deaths of our GI’s, was one instance. And there was a time early on when the VP was of the opposing party. Imagine that!
President Nixon committed treason in doing per President Johnson as concurred by Senator Dirksen (R-IL). Funny how Presidents seem tongue-tied in the face of treason.
Then we have too many truly stupid members of Congress if they truly believe that Trump lost the last election. And too many truly stupid people who voted for these ignorant power seekers.
These representatives have no idea how to safely lead our country, to work for all of us, instead of playing bully on their path to destroying our true freedom and democracy.
Pa, you’re preaching to the choir! I’ve been harping this since this bunch of baboons were elected. This is the most irresponsible House of Representatives we’ve ever had! It’s a shame they have forgotten their Oath of Office, or who elected them.
Things have got to change. This bunch of MAGA Trumpublicans have got to go, at ALL levels of government.
I did a 5-Y drill on Ukraine to burrow down to the root cause of my (chicken) hawkishness. Found that, when I feel powerless in action, I often resort to hawkishness in speech.
Only because we let King Baby revel in the illusion that he owns the House. Though I do not read liberal journals often, this article from 'Daily Kos' goes a long way toward describing the over-representation of the base M.A.G.A. base as noted before by Dr Richardson.
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/4/10/2234529/-White-rural-rage
People need courage and need to break the stalemate as Dr Richardson hinted with the very statesmanlike stance Representative Jefferies has taken. The concern is why Squeaker Mikey Mouse does not grab the opportunity. Maybe he is rooting for genocide after all.
Ned, I’m of firm belief that this Congress is operated by two presidents. I believe this is probably the first time in history that this country has had two presidents at one time. But, WE have the duly elected president, Joe Biden, who is dealing with everything domestic and foreign, running the government as is necessary. The portion of the Senate and House of Representatives who believe that Joe Biden is the President of the United States are sitting on the Democratic side of the aisle, or, IF they are Republican, have already quit.
All others in Congress are under the belief that Trump is still the president, never lost the ejection, and they are doing exactly what he tells them to do. One step further on this ladder of political leadership. Putin is telling Trump what he needs Congress to do, or not do, as the case is now. Putin is hell bent to take over Ukraine so he can begin his march across the other NATO countries.
"I believe this is the first time in US History the US has had two presidents."
In 2008, during the financial crisis where several "too big to fail" institutions were in peril of, well, failing, candidate Obama and candidate McCain attended a session with the Congressional leadership. President Bush wasn't even there, even though his Secretary of the Treasury was. Anyway, Obama was amazing and McCain was devoid of any ideas or suggestions.
To me, that was a watershed moment and Obama truly was the acting President in my opinion.
I sand corrected, Gary. I had forgotten that incident. But, comparing it to this nonsense the Republican Party , should I say the MAGA Trumpublicans, are pulling isn’t in the same ballpark. They are acting like Biden never won the election, and Frumpy never lost. It’s like Biden isn’t in the Oval Office at all.
The mental gymnastics I've seen in some of the MAGAts is gobsmacking. The most recent blow-mind was the woman telling an interviewer that Biden is evil. When he asked in what way is that so she had sort of a stricken look on her face, like she'd never had push back to her claim, then said, "he just is" and walked away.
I, too, laugh my ass off at these people when they are interviewed by someone who actually knows what questions to ask instead of be a commentator from the lines of FOX News. The bunch are n MSNBC cause these MAGA folks to itch where they can’t scratch, and it is hilarious how they get v bc asked into that dark corner and can’t get themselves out if it. I guess they fail to realize the lines of Joe Scarborough, along with the past head of the RNC, and others used to be devout Republicans!
All this MAGA crowd has become is a bunch of blowhards that listen to this rhetoric that Frumpy’s spewing at his ‘rallies’ and trying to make sense of his gibberish. I have yet to hear a speech of his where he actually discusses issues. Most of his comments make me want to puke.
I actually don't laugh at the cultists as their beliefs are contagious and thus dangerous.
Very true, they are dangerous. Especially since their cult leader is all about violence to get things the way he wants them.
Actually, I’m laughing thing at these people because of their ignorance. Some of these people are actually well educated, and supposed to be ‘pillars of the community’. Ha!
Saying Obama was acting president in 2008 implies that he was making policy which he was not. Nothing compares to the way Trump is making policy in 2024.
MisTBlu. Earlier I posted a column written by Catherine Rampell of the WAPO about the GOP Senators blocking the renewal of the child-tax credit. This is a quote from Senator Chuck Grassley of IA.
“Passing a tax bill that makes the president look good — mailing out checks before the election — means he could be reelected.”
Regardless of whether Obama acted "Presidential" in 2008, the GOP are major hypocrites for forcing women who have been raped or made pregnant through incest (which, of course is also rape) and then refusing to support the children of this unholy union.
The GOP is not only blocking almost all legislation, much of it at the behest of Trump, but they are also devoid of any new ideas whatsoever.
This is one of the reasons I dub them the REPRESSIVE REGRESSIVE party.
Actually, my view was that Senator McCain had a much better approach than Senator Obama toward the melt-down. He understood micro-incentives in the financial services in a manner that President Obama simply did not.
Ned - There was a lot going in during the financial crisis in 2008 and McCain made several missteps which likely cost him votes. Did they cost him the election? I have no idea. The following is a taking from the Guardian o 9/25/2008
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/sep/25/uselections2008.johnmccain
However, it was widely noted that McCain did not even arrive in Washington until after Democratic and Republic leaders announced they had the outlines of a rescue package.
McCain admitted as recently as Tuesday that he had not taken the time to even read the bailout plan, according to an NBC interview transcript distributed by the Obama camp.
But that did not stop the Republican from seizing the headlines for two days in a row. McCain first wrongfooted Obama yesterday with his stunning anouncement that he would suspend his campaign and would not attend the debate in Mississippi.
Today, he struck again, appropriating Obama's conditions for the rescue deal - barely 24 hours after rejecting them.
The Democrat had proposed the conditions during discussions with McCain yesterday about a joint statement from the presidential candidates about the financial crisis.
In their proposals the Obama camp had called for an independent oversight board, a mechanism to protect taxpayers, a curb on outsized payments to Wall Street executives, and relief for homeowners faced with losing homes. The proposal for a joint statement also rejected attaching other measures, or earmarks, to the bill.
In his speech today McCain adopted nearly identical language - as well as the essence of four of the five measures: an oversight board, protection for taxpayers, controls on compensation for Wall Street executives and a ban on earmarks. However, McCain made no mention of relief for homeowners.
McCain's newfound sense of urgency for reaching a deal on the rescue package comes after a number of new polls suggesting that the economic crisis was costing the Republican support.
As I recall, the "too big to fail" institutions were grossly undercapitalized due to changes made in banking regulations from 1980 - 2007. Also, few people understood the dangers posed by sub-prime mortgages many of them issued at 100% of a homes value. Literally people could get into a home with virtually no skin in the game. Another cause of the 2008 financial crisis were derivatives as well as the loose money policy of the Fed, which was led by Alan Greenspan.
I'm a big Senator McCain fan, but during that one meeting he appeared lost and devoid of ideas on how to deal with the crisis and frankly Obama didn't.
Thank you for a well thought out response and the newspaper article. This fact is neither explanation nor excuse about what you are saying: I missed this news as I was in Iraq and really pre-occupied; these insights you provide certainly are eye-opening. Gary, I based my thinking on the research I did the week before the election when I was home on leave. So, I was reading more recent statements and found Senator McCain's struck me as being more nuanced and addressing the basic problems in the financial system more directly (based, of course, on my limited experience and more limited mind).
🫣
https://nedmcdletters.blogspot.com/2017/01/letter-134-thank-you-letter-to.html
My thank you letter to President Obama on 20jan17. Well, I am nothing if not consistent, Emerson be damned.
😉
Until that final week -- EDIT: in actuality, the night before -- I was undecided between President Obama and Senator McCain. The joint-statement by President Obama was a statesmanlike initiative for sure. Well, one thing I got right: I felt that the 2008 election was one between two really fine men. Though I knew my next-day vote for Senator McCain would be for the runner-up, I was fine with President Obama. ln the end, for me at least, character matters a whole lot more than one's politics because there will always be occasions that come out of nowhere and do not lend themselves to ideology or political preference for guidance; then, we must rely upon the content of the leader's character.
✌️
President Obama may or may not have been a great President; I am too conservative and time is too soon for me or most others to tell you. (But I will never excuse the way my Party treated him when it held majorities; I should have known, by 2010, that Reaganism was exhausted.) One thing I do know: President Obama had in 2008, 2012, and today an unmistakably impeccable character and remains a great man.
Ned, I too am a fiscal conservative but a social liberal. There is no reason for anyone in the US to be hungry. Since 2020, my wife and I have become more engaged in local food banks to help prevent malnutrition and hunger. We are very fortunate to have lived in Fernandina Beach, FL and Hancock County, ME where there are excellent well stock food banks. I have to give credit to the local grocery stores in each community as well. All of them have stepped up to insure the shelves are stocked.
I too was torn on who to vote for in 2008. In my voting lifetime, it has been rare to have two candidates that would each have made good Presidents. But, in the end I voted for Obama as well.
I agree with you that character matters as well as values (which is part of character I suppose). As a Boy Scout the twelve values were drilled into us as well as what they meant.
Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent. And raised in the church, I was exposed to the words of Jesus Christ and took them to heart. Even though I am a non-theist now, I still try to follow his teachings.
I enjoyed your letter as well. Thank you for including it.
Unfortunately this time there is only one good man out of the two. And the other is likely the worst candidate we've had in my lifetime for President.
Thank you for your patience, Gary. Today, I am in what my sister lovingly refers to as one of my sh*tful moods. I salute what you are doing with your better half. That is walking the walk. I am big on vocal but short on the follow-through.
💓
In actuality, I voted for Senator McCain. I remember the night before, I was talking on a call-in show by Cspan. I felt really content in a way about the 2008 election that I had not since the first time I had voted in 1976. I said so, not about 1976. The moderator basically pointed out that I might lose my position as a political (minor) appointee and I said something like, "That is just a job. I know that the country will be in good hands." And we were.
✌️
America is in good hands now, though I get a bit annoyed in my old age. I cringe at the possibility that Trump may get back in. You implicitly remind me that President Biden sits in the big chair not I. Were I somehow in his place, I suspect my feelings would be different since the consequences of impetuous miscalculation could be catastrophic. President Biden is a good man and I am proud he is the President. If he is re-elected and departs before 2028, a President Harris will be just fine by me.
😇
Well, Gary, I really have a lot of respect for you and thank you for your gracious note to me. I was a brat and a lazy; people like you pull me along, you really do.
And thank you Ned for taking the time to connect with me. My high school composition teacher told us on the first day of class, "You never learn anything when you are talking."
This is why I love this comment section. There are so many regulars that post most days, and many more that post now and again.
I learn so much from reading these comments as well as Dr. Richardson's letters.
Copy that, Gary, copy that all the way.
P.S., Gary, please see my tribute to Mr Peter Quinn below. I could not tag you. You and Peter seem to think alike and embody the same temperament and values. As I note to Peter, people like you two show me the way. Thank you.
EDIT: that exchange, should you be interested in checking it, follows the assertion I make of President Biden announcing military training exercises in Ukraine. No expectations on my part; just want to make Peter Quinn and you available to each other.
P.S., Gary, to assure you that I am not a bible-beating troll. Conservative, yes, but I knew what a disaster the 2016 election was.
https://nedmcdletters.blogspot.com/2017/01/letter-135-letter-to-president-trump.html
We have had shadow presidencies before. Nixon’s sabotage of President Johnson’s peace negotiations in Hanoi, resulting in many more deaths of our GI’s, was one instance. And there was a time early on when the VP was of the opposing party. Imagine that!
There was also Reagan’s meddling in the Iranian Hostage crisis to prevent President Carter’s re-election.
President Nixon committed treason in doing per President Johnson as concurred by Senator Dirksen (R-IL). Funny how Presidents seem tongue-tied in the face of treason.
Agree! Russian influence over MAGA elected officials is bringing us to the brink! Great assessment!
Then we have too many truly stupid members of Congress if they truly believe that Trump lost the last election. And too many truly stupid people who voted for these ignorant power seekers.
These representatives have no idea how to safely lead our country, to work for all of us, instead of playing bully on their path to destroying our true freedom and democracy.
Pa, you’re preaching to the choir! I’ve been harping this since this bunch of baboons were elected. This is the most irresponsible House of Representatives we’ve ever had! It’s a shame they have forgotten their Oath of Office, or who elected them.
Things have got to change. This bunch of MAGA Trumpublicans have got to go, at ALL levels of government.
Amazing the power we give to a few macho-mouthed bullies, ¿is it not? 😯
Ned, thx for the link. In a Fishbone diagram, this is certainly a bone of contention
Love that fish-bone reference! Thank you.
The search for root cause is alive
I did a 5-Y drill on Ukraine to burrow down to the root cause of my (chicken) hawkishness. Found that, when I feel powerless in action, I often resort to hawkishness in speech.