Today, on ABC’s This Week, host George Stephanopoulos asked New Hampshire governor Chris Sununu about his recent switch from supporting former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley for the Republican presidential nomination to supporting former president Trump.
The Washington Post needs a history lesson from Professor Richardson. The paper is featuring Trump press person Kellyanne Conway, the woman who invented “alternative facts,” in a Virtual Program event on April 24. This is the women who lied, misinformed, and lied some more when she worked for the previous president. The WaPo is normalizing and legitimizing her abhorrent behavior while she was representing American policy and programs to America and the world.
The Washington Post led the way to uncover the crimes and immorality of the Nixon administration, and yet apparently believes Conway is worth our attention now. She frequently attacked the WaPo and other respectable news media, so the paper appears to be endorsing someone who forcefully denigrated a free and fair press.
I’m beyond disgusted with what appears to be this shameless pandering to Trump world (or the WaPo shareholders). I encourage subscribers to tell the WaPo what you think of this! Email the Opinions editor at David.Shipley@washpost.com. Send your LTE to letters@washpost.com.
Agreed! How different is this than NBC’s hiring of former Republican Party Chair Rona McDaniel?
WaPo is sucking up. Conway is a con, too. Asking for her opinion is giving an election denier credence. All who buy those “alternative facts” and promulgate those lies are fueling a fire that could well scorch our way of life in facist flames. Would Ben Bradley have stood for such insanity at The Post? I think not.
Thanks for your astute comment.
And as always, HCR?
Wow.
It’s true. Reads so well. And you make it look easy in part because you are so prolific and timely.
This American is grateful for your incredible depth of understanding of our nation’s history, capacity to analyze — contrasting and comparing the past and the present — and to put together these concise, joy-to-read reports. They are a joy to read not because of subject matter — much of what’s reported is hard to stomach and that makes us appreciate you even more, that you report and do not shy away from the heartbreaking and infuriating news — but because of your clear and matter-of-fact style.
Carey, Well said. Sometimes not easy to stomach but it is still the first thing I go to every morning to read. I know I can trust what I am reading to be the truth and I love learning more about the history of our country.
Jeanne, I read it before I went to bed, probably a mistake, as i was awake for awhile. Although I do not usually wish ill or death to people, I have to make an exception here. And it is also clear that he has dementia which is getting worse. So if he does prevail, someone else will actually be making decisions. Every American who is not in the cult should work to see this does not happen. I see many here who are already doing what they can. Also I knew pols are afraid, but now we find out various other entities are as well.
This is the first thorough account of Trump's dementia that I've seen. It's obvious he's quite far gone, and that if he were somehow to end up in the White House, his presidency would have to be managed by others, the way President Wilson's was managed by his wife, after his stroke.
I've been writing down some trump quotes. He is incoherent and delusional. A whole paragraph is a run on sentence. Trees which fall down after 18 months and explode when they get too dry. I guess he forgot about the Sequoias. Exploding trees maybe when they get struck by lightning.
Ding, ding, Ding, ding boom whoosh boom. This is the sound of a nuclear weapon.
Recently, as he grows more detached and erratic, I have wondered--surely his supporters see this, but there is NO ONE that could replace him as a candidate who would get the obscene and blind support as Trump....Well, they are pulling an unthinkable and unforgivable "hoax" on the USA, all citizens, AND the rest of the world. EVERYONE share this as far and wide as you can.
I’d like to see Trump dead (by any cause) but do not think it would help much. We would still have upwards of 74 million people who think the Trump way is the right way, plus a thousand or so billionaires who would buy enough votes to give some other kleptocrat a 50-50 shot at the presidency.
Jeanne, I also read Professor Richardson first thing in the morning. Sometimes I have to almost OD on coffee to help me through the day, knowing that Donald Trump may become our president.
HCR quoted Kennerly- "I mistakenly thought we were better than this."
I have mistakenly thought this for 8 years and am just totally amazed and disheartened by the number of people who are NOT better than this.
I was shocked when Mitch McConnell made it clear that his one focus was on making sure that Obama wasn't President for more than one term -- that made me realize just how arrogant the bigots were to dare to say such a thing out loud, let alone think such a thing in this time after we've been through so much in trying to repair our country's racist mistakes. All that happened regarding Obama prior to McConnell's statement seemed like excessively rough electioneering actions, but his statement revealed the actual evil.
Ally, I have enough trouble falling asleep. I even had a weird dream about that crazy man the other night. I try to take it all in in short spurts. Otherwise my body reacts very negatively to it all. I stopped trying to hear his voice and look at his face for a long time. I made an exception with the links Jay Kuo provided and it seems so obvious now. Even without the expert's explanation. I will tell as many people as possible about this and have already sent it out to others. I told my girlfriend about it last night. She didn't say much after I told her so I will send it to her also. She probably won't read it because she told me she "likes" T. I will have to continue that conversation with her at a later date because my stomach was not up to it.
Well said. HCR is an intellectual asset to our nation. Her calm tone even while delivering reports on dramatic events, coupled with her wealth of footnotes each day is invaluable to me personally.
Let me make a pitch to this Ike minded community of some thousands of readers for two books: “Democracy Awakening” by HCR, and “Prequel” by Rachel Maddow. In Prequel, the book based on the eight episode podcast “Ultra” we learn that the period of the late 30’s / early 40’s had fascism penetration across America, including extension to our elected political representatives. This current outbreak of fascism is equally concerning because of the recognition that fealty to the oath of office is absent from those trusted to govern the country. In Democracy Awakening, we see both the threats and the hopes for salvaging this great American experiment.
HCR's book sounds good. I think it's important to get the hopes for salvaging at the same time one reads about the threats.
Incidentally, the Gartner article on Trump's brain shows that he is truly becoming demented, and in a major way. He is no longer competent to run the country, and frankly, I think it would be a good idea to have a debate between him and Biden, because it would become quite obvious to all watching that he's demented. But if Trump were to win, others would manage his presidency, the way Edith Wilson managed her husband's presidency after he had a stroke. The problem is that they'd probably do a better job of setting up a fascist government than Trump would.
“This is a book about how a small group of people have tried to make us believe that our fundamental principles aren’t true. They have made war on American democracy by using language that served their interests, then led us toward authoritarianism by creating a disaffected population and promising to re-create an imagined past where those people could feel important again. As they took control, they falsely claimed they were following the nation’s true and natural laws.”
“This book is also the story of how democracy has persisted throughout our history despite the many attempts to undermine it. It is the story of the American people, especially those whom the powerful have tried to marginalize, who first backed the idea of equality and a government that defended it, and then, throughout history, have fought to expand that definition to create a government that can, once and for all, finally make it real.”
And for those who wonder how we got here: “Democracy in Chains” by Nancy MacLean, Duke University professor, who assured this INC-CH graduate that she couldn’t get Stephen Miller’s degree rescinded.
If Trump acts up in Court, the appropriate response would be to handcuff him and gag him like Black Panther Bobby Seale was in Judge Julious Hoffman’s court in Chicago in 1968.
This is true. Even better would be, once the Orange Abomination violates the gag order, as he surely will, would be for the judge to recommend he be imprisoned (rather than a meaningless fine) then bring him into court in an orange jumpsuit.
I agree, James. There is no reason any judge in a criminal court should have to put up with Trump's shit. Clearly, 10-15 thousand dollar fines will not prevent him from misbehaving. Maybe 2 weeks at Rikers Island will get Trump's attention.
Daniel, I'm not sure what you mean by "pre-trial intervention". Does that mean his lawyers will beg the judge to warn Trump to shut the fuck up when it's not his turn to talk? This while suggesting that he will have Trump locked up during the trial if he doesn't shut up? Or does it mean they will make some nth frivolous argument to get the trial delayed? I'm not a lawyer and don't know all the jargon.
1. Offer alternative means for people to pay their debt to society that avoid incarceration and aim to set them back on the right path. I never practiced in NY, but in FL, Pa, we had an equivalent system, E.G. Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) Program is supervised by the ARD Chief, who reviews criminal cases for potential admission. Approved by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, generally for first-time offenders who have no prior criminal convictions or prior ARD dispositions. Was limited to nonviolent offenders. Bragg knows that 33 counts are misdemeanors that combined may/may not constitute a felony.
You nailed it, Louis! They don’t really have values of any kind other than a distorted concept of being ‘safe' for the time being…. Not explicitly complicit, but aware enough of the evil being done and not even trying to get help, much less trying to be of help.
Just hand him his sentence... 3 weeks, 2 years, $45 fine.., whatever. Slap him with it, let the Press rerport it on page 44, and move to the next item. Sick of it.
Sadly, he would never appear wearing jail issue clothing in a court proceeding when either a jury is present or he is being sentenced. Trial law prohibits requiring an in-custody inmate to wear jail issue clothing since it is prejudicial to a jury and to a judge (who should know better, but still...)
It appears that way. There's probably enough "appeals" to last him his lifetime. Let's just not see him re-elected. We're on the final lap. Time is now to: Step on the gas!
Given all the new info about his deteriorating mental state (and likely dementia), perhaps a judge could order a mental health exam if Trump violates courtroom rules & gag order. Jay Kuo's interview with Dr. Gartner highlights numerous specific behavioral indicators of Trump's cognitive decline. Worth reading the interview and readers' comments. See the April 11 Status Kuo newsletter- https://thinkbigpicture.substack.com/p/john-gartner-trump-cognitive-decline
A family member was diagnosed with dementia after he had a serious wreck and totaled his truck. He could not remember how to get home and was driving in the opposite direction. Further testing, observation, and a very detailed medical history revealed he had been dealing with dementia for longer than we realized. He was always obstinate and cranky, and everyone just put his behavior down to Tom being Tom. (Sound familiar?) Often, families don't or won't recognize that a person has dementia unless an event happens that makes the situation impossible to deny. Clips of tRump from the past compared to the present show his marked decline. His dementia makes his narcissism even worse. His dementia makes him totally unfit for any kind of office.
Agree JennSH. His decline is quite noticeable if anyone is paying attention....Palmer is (and i say this with the admonition that if people look up Palmer, they will get an inaccurate description). I often see there examples of death star's inability to make sense. In this sense, the trial will be interesting because he is likely to spout off and it may be nonsense.
This is certainly worth a read. In the past week, I have learned that two friends— one in her mid-eighties and another just turned seventy—have confirmed dementia. As Dr. Gartner demonstrates, once pointed out, the symptoms are recognizable. And with Trump, they should have been called out long ago.
Referral for psychological examination in the context of his ability to assist in his own defense, instead of make a shambles of it, could be an effective early consequence to violating a gag order, paired with a fine. Time out (removal to another room where he has a video feed and audio connection to his lawyers, but no connection to the outside - i.e., no phone) for a specified time could be a standard approach that would minimize the gain he experiences from violations and misbehavior. There might be a humiliation factor in being treated like an eight year old.
I've been advocating the judge- ordered mental health exam for a while. As a way for a judge to exercise some power of restraint. Trump would definitely "pass" it, because he's not psychotic. (No. He's not. Be realistic.) But it would cramp his style and interrupt the appearance of invincibility.
I just meant he is oriented x3, able to stand trial. Not delusional in the medical sense. Can't prove loss of self control if the behavior in question benefits him. If he claims intention.
My person opinion of him notwithstanding, and my professional assessment of probable cognitive decline, won't be relevant to anyone but me. But he is competent to stand trial.
Then let him stand it, Susan, if he can. I want him on trial. I want him held accountable. I hope they find a jury dispassionate enough to convict him of the felonious distortion of business records to conceal his attempt to influence the election. There's a mountain of evidence to support Bragg's case.
He'll prove my case that he can't control himself, but like you, that's only relevant to me. Let him disrespect the court and the law. Hopefully that will influence Merchan when it comes to sentencing.
If Tubby acts up in court, one response that would be well within the judge's purview is sentencing Tubby to Community Service. Donny feels safe from being jailed, and monetary fines don't really mean much to him, but he'd just hate picking up trash in Bedford Stuyvesant! Worse yet, if he doesn't apply himself the judge could very well extend his sentence another week.
And just wait till he has to deal with a probation officer!
This is another great suggestion...in fact, I had to laugh at the mental image of Dumpy spearing trash with a pick and a bag, making faces of disgust. Love it!
Is this a cheap shot to Bed Stuy? Sounds like it, my son used to live there, it has its own trash collection service, would not be fair to make them associate with Cheeto Benito and his rants.
Unfortunately, that's just what he wants and what judges like Loose Cannon and DJTs lawyers want are for Mr. Smith to make one tiny legal misstep so they can declare "mistrial" and delay, delay delay until November 4th or one day after the election.
Don't just write WaPo. Write up your opinion and email it to letters to the editor of ALL the major news outlets. That's what these computers and social media are GREAT for. Just do it!!!
“ NEW YORK (The Borowitz Report)—Judge Juan M. Merchan reprimanded Donald J. Trump on the first day of his hush money trial after he rejected a number of prospective female jurors as “not my type.”
When Stormy testifies, I pray to God that one of her boobs pops out by accident, of course. And to make matters worse, being in the courtroom, I stood up and yelled something very nasty at Trump. That autta make it a truely Fredriquo Fallini moment.
How much better if she were totally buttoned up, looking like a respectful and honest witness? As much as I love irreverence, in this case I'd leave the cheap theatrics to the orange menace. Let our side be dignified.
Trump's big lies have his cultists believing that he is being persecuted not prosecuted. Why do so many need to believe all the lies of the likes of TFG?
The problem is if the Judge did order a short respite in jail for Trump's outbursts and bad behaviour (in and out of the courtroom)--which WE all would all understand as just--would bestow upon Trump the cloak of a martyr, which he very clearly wishes to display and wear for his cultists. He is purposefully baiting the Judge to do exactly as you suggest.
This is an awful idea. Judge Hoffman was declared unfit to preside on the bench. This is still America and we as a people have the duty to behave as civil, human, reasoning beings. To encourage lawlessness is a MAGA response beneath contempt
LaurieOregon, thank you for this information. I just canceled my subscription to WaPo and wrote to David Shipley to tell him why. My subscription was due to renew on the very date of this so-called Virtual Program, and I took it as a sign. I said to Shipley, apparently democracy dies in darkness but shining a spotlight on the author of the term “alternative facts” is ok? I told him how disappointed I am in the Post. Scraping up $120 this month was going to be difficult but I was going to do it because I wanted access to good reporting in this election year. But if they’re spotlighting that skanky liar (sorry, I can’t think of a better description of her) my money won’t be buying me accurate reporting, just more BS.
Susan, I love that you reminded him of the "democracy dies in darkness" motto! I'm getting weary of being disillusioned by people and organizations that should know better. "Skanky liar" is way nicer than what I've called her, though not out loud.
WaPo lit some fires. People who canx their subscriptions will do so at their own risk. WaPo won't notice. And, "people" will also 're-subscribe' as WaPo staff evolves. Better to voice ones opinion in a coherent manner.., or just sit tight with what you have already paid for. Besides, you won't need to rely on 'hear-say', because YOU KNOW you'll be curious. Deal with it.
Watch 60 minutes story of the corporate purchase of our news media. The majority of large and local community newspapers have been purchased by media giants who are funneling the same news across the nation. It's devastating for local news as they no longer report on local news events and they pick and choose the news they publish. Thus, narrowing the scope and tenor of the reported news. Our media is/is being hijacked.
The Washington Post needs a history lesson from Professor Richardson. The paper is featuring Trump press person Kellyanne Conway, the woman who invented “alternative facts,” in a Virtual Program event on April 24. This is the women who lied, misinformed, and lied some more when she worked for the previous president. The WaPo is normalizing and legitimizing her abhorrent behavior while she was representing American policy and programs to America and the world.
The Washington Post led the way to uncover the crimes and immorality of the Nixon administration, and yet apparently believes Conway is worth our attention now. She frequently attacked the WaPo and other respectable news media, so the paper appears to be endorsing someone who forcefully denigrated a free and fair press.
I’m beyond disgusted with what appears to be this shameless pandering to Trump world (or the WaPo shareholders). I encourage subscribers to tell the WaPo what you think of this! Email the Opinions editor at David.Shipley@washpost.com. Send your LTE to letters@washpost.com.
Agreed! How different is this than NBC’s hiring of former Republican Party Chair Rona McDaniel?
WaPo is sucking up. Conway is a con, too. Asking for her opinion is giving an election denier credence. All who buy those “alternative facts” and promulgate those lies are fueling a fire that could well scorch our way of life in facist flames. Would Ben Bradley have stood for such insanity at The Post? I think not.
Thanks for your astute comment.
And as always, HCR?
Wow.
It’s true. Reads so well. And you make it look easy in part because you are so prolific and timely.
This American is grateful for your incredible depth of understanding of our nation’s history, capacity to analyze — contrasting and comparing the past and the present — and to put together these concise, joy-to-read reports. They are a joy to read not because of subject matter — much of what’s reported is hard to stomach and that makes us appreciate you even more, that you report and do not shy away from the heartbreaking and infuriating news — but because of your clear and matter-of-fact style.
We here all agree 100+%
Carey, Well said. Sometimes not easy to stomach but it is still the first thing I go to every morning to read. I know I can trust what I am reading to be the truth and I love learning more about the history of our country.
Jeanne, I read it before I went to bed, probably a mistake, as i was awake for awhile. Although I do not usually wish ill or death to people, I have to make an exception here. And it is also clear that he has dementia which is getting worse. So if he does prevail, someone else will actually be making decisions. Every American who is not in the cult should work to see this does not happen. I see many here who are already doing what they can. Also I knew pols are afraid, but now we find out various other entities are as well.
Jeri, I don't know if you've seen this link that another Oregonian shared with us:
https://open.substack.com/pub/thinkbigpicture/p/john-gartner-trump-cognitive-decline?r=3hlhv&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
This is the first thorough account of Trump's dementia that I've seen. It's obvious he's quite far gone, and that if he were somehow to end up in the White House, his presidency would have to be managed by others, the way President Wilson's was managed by his wife, after his stroke.
Unfortunately, in the case of Trumps "others" they are a lot more dangerous than Mrs. Wilson---or Melania. This is terrifying.
trump fell asleep in the courtroom today. Can you imagine the frenzy the right would be displaying if Biden fell asleep in a meeting??
We didn't have the 25th Amendment then... I hope we don't have the opportunity to exercise that option with fpotus.
I've been writing down some trump quotes. He is incoherent and delusional. A whole paragraph is a run on sentence. Trees which fall down after 18 months and explode when they get too dry. I guess he forgot about the Sequoias. Exploding trees maybe when they get struck by lightning.
Ding, ding, Ding, ding boom whoosh boom. This is the sound of a nuclear weapon.
Recently, as he grows more detached and erratic, I have wondered--surely his supporters see this, but there is NO ONE that could replace him as a candidate who would get the obscene and blind support as Trump....Well, they are pulling an unthinkable and unforgivable "hoax" on the USA, all citizens, AND the rest of the world. EVERYONE share this as far and wide as you can.
You're making a damn good point. I sent it out to my email list of 70-plus, and I've posted it in a few comments sections.
His supporters are probably actually rejoicing. All the easier to take over the government.
Thanks for the link, Ally. It's the scariest thing I've read in a long time.
I posted earlier that trump fell asleep in the courtroom today. Imagine if Biden snoozed in a meeting....
The horror!!! <sarcasm font>
Thank you, Ally. We surely don't want this barely functional brain controlling the fate of the world!
Thanks so much for posting this---I'm sharing it one at a time to as many voters I can reach.
I read this the other day and found it to be quite scary. Even the people's expressions sitting or standing behind him noticed it. Yet...
Thank you, Ally House, for this link. Very important information. Easy to understand.
I’d like to see Trump dead (by any cause) but do not think it would help much. We would still have upwards of 74 million people who think the Trump way is the right way, plus a thousand or so billionaires who would buy enough votes to give some other kleptocrat a 50-50 shot at the presidency.
Jeanne, I also read Professor Richardson first thing in the morning. Sometimes I have to almost OD on coffee to help me through the day, knowing that Donald Trump may become our president.
HCR quoted Kennerly- "I mistakenly thought we were better than this."
I have mistakenly thought this for 8 years and am just totally amazed and disheartened by the number of people who are NOT better than this.
I was shocked when Mitch McConnell made it clear that his one focus was on making sure that Obama wasn't President for more than one term -- that made me realize just how arrogant the bigots were to dare to say such a thing out loud, let alone think such a thing in this time after we've been through so much in trying to repair our country's racist mistakes. All that happened regarding Obama prior to McConnell's statement seemed like excessively rough electioneering actions, but his statement revealed the actual evil.
Evil indeed!
You and me both, Jeanne. I saw this had come out before I went to bed, and I know better than to read it before trying to sleep.
I can’t read this before bed! I get so mad I sometimes scream because of the ignorance of Magets😤
A suggestion--instead of screaming and getting yourself more upset, maybe call a friend to discuss it.
Ally, I have enough trouble falling asleep. I even had a weird dream about that crazy man the other night. I try to take it all in in short spurts. Otherwise my body reacts very negatively to it all. I stopped trying to hear his voice and look at his face for a long time. I made an exception with the links Jay Kuo provided and it seems so obvious now. Even without the expert's explanation. I will tell as many people as possible about this and have already sent it out to others. I told my girlfriend about it last night. She didn't say much after I told her so I will send it to her also. She probably won't read it because she told me she "likes" T. I will have to continue that conversation with her at a later date because my stomach was not up to it.
Add me to that list of grateful Americans!
Well said. HCR is an intellectual asset to our nation. Her calm tone even while delivering reports on dramatic events, coupled with her wealth of footnotes each day is invaluable to me personally.
Let me make a pitch to this Ike minded community of some thousands of readers for two books: “Democracy Awakening” by HCR, and “Prequel” by Rachel Maddow. In Prequel, the book based on the eight episode podcast “Ultra” we learn that the period of the late 30’s / early 40’s had fascism penetration across America, including extension to our elected political representatives. This current outbreak of fascism is equally concerning because of the recognition that fealty to the oath of office is absent from those trusted to govern the country. In Democracy Awakening, we see both the threats and the hopes for salvaging this great American experiment.
HCR's book sounds good. I think it's important to get the hopes for salvaging at the same time one reads about the threats.
Incidentally, the Gartner article on Trump's brain shows that he is truly becoming demented, and in a major way. He is no longer competent to run the country, and frankly, I think it would be a good idea to have a debate between him and Biden, because it would become quite obvious to all watching that he's demented. But if Trump were to win, others would manage his presidency, the way Edith Wilson managed her husband's presidency after he had a stroke. The problem is that they'd probably do a better job of setting up a fascist government than Trump would.
David, in Heather’s preface she writes:
“This is a book about how a small group of people have tried to make us believe that our fundamental principles aren’t true. They have made war on American democracy by using language that served their interests, then led us toward authoritarianism by creating a disaffected population and promising to re-create an imagined past where those people could feel important again. As they took control, they falsely claimed they were following the nation’s true and natural laws.”
“This book is also the story of how democracy has persisted throughout our history despite the many attempts to undermine it. It is the story of the American people, especially those whom the powerful have tried to marginalize, who first backed the idea of equality and a government that defended it, and then, throughout history, have fought to expand that definition to create a government that can, once and for all, finally make it real.”
I actually have the book, and will read it probably as soon as I finish the other two books I'm reading. Thanks Gary!
David Holzman, metro Boston: it’s my bad: UNC-CH, first public university in the country vs Johnny come lately tobacco money Duke, of course!🤣
And for those who wonder how we got here: “Democracy in Chains” by Nancy MacLean, Duke University professor, who assured this INC-CH graduate that she couldn’t get Stephen Miller’s degree rescinded.
👍👍
Thank you for suggestions to read more
If Trump acts up in Court, the appropriate response would be to handcuff him and gag him like Black Panther Bobby Seale was in Judge Julious Hoffman’s court in Chicago in 1968.
This is true. Even better would be, once the Orange Abomination violates the gag order, as he surely will, would be for the judge to recommend he be imprisoned (rather than a meaningless fine) then bring him into court in an orange jumpsuit.
I agree, James. There is no reason any judge in a criminal court should have to put up with Trump's shit. Clearly, 10-15 thousand dollar fines will not prevent him from misbehaving. Maybe 2 weeks at Rikers Island will get Trump's attention.
I don't know this as a fact, but behind the scenes, I bet that Trump's lawyers are seeking pre-trial intervention.
Meanwhile we need to sweep. https://www.fieldteam6.org/mission
Daniel, I'm not sure what you mean by "pre-trial intervention". Does that mean his lawyers will beg the judge to warn Trump to shut the fuck up when it's not his turn to talk? This while suggesting that he will have Trump locked up during the trial if he doesn't shut up? Or does it mean they will make some nth frivolous argument to get the trial delayed? I'm not a lawyer and don't know all the jargon.
What is “pre-trial intervention”?
1. Offer alternative means for people to pay their debt to society that avoid incarceration and aim to set them back on the right path. I never practiced in NY, but in FL, Pa, we had an equivalent system, E.G. Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) Program is supervised by the ARD Chief, who reviews criminal cases for potential admission. Approved by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, generally for first-time offenders who have no prior criminal convictions or prior ARD dispositions. Was limited to nonviolent offenders. Bragg knows that 33 counts are misdemeanors that combined may/may not constitute a felony.
2. https://ww2.nycourts.gov/pretrial-release-data-33136
That would cook his goose 😊
Bend over.
Oh no! Can’t do that, it would infuriate the maga cult! Says the wimps!
You nailed it, Louis! They don’t really have values of any kind other than a distorted concept of being ‘safe' for the time being…. Not explicitly complicit, but aware enough of the evil being done and not even trying to get help, much less trying to be of help.
We all would love to see that, for he more than deserves to be treated like anyone else with his track record.
Just hand him his sentence... 3 weeks, 2 years, $45 fine.., whatever. Slap him with it, let the Press rerport it on page 44, and move to the next item. Sick of it.
Better to let him watch the proceedings from jail via video than give him more opportunities to disrupt them.
Sadly, he would never appear wearing jail issue clothing in a court proceeding when either a jury is present or he is being sentenced. Trial law prohibits requiring an in-custody inmate to wear jail issue clothing since it is prejudicial to a jury and to a judge (who should know better, but still...)
That seems right. I was indulging in a fantasy.
That's never going to happen.
It appears that way. There's probably enough "appeals" to last him his lifetime. Let's just not see him re-elected. We're on the final lap. Time is now to: Step on the gas!
clinkety klink..., wellcome to cellblock 13.
Given all the new info about his deteriorating mental state (and likely dementia), perhaps a judge could order a mental health exam if Trump violates courtroom rules & gag order. Jay Kuo's interview with Dr. Gartner highlights numerous specific behavioral indicators of Trump's cognitive decline. Worth reading the interview and readers' comments. See the April 11 Status Kuo newsletter- https://thinkbigpicture.substack.com/p/john-gartner-trump-cognitive-decline
A family member was diagnosed with dementia after he had a serious wreck and totaled his truck. He could not remember how to get home and was driving in the opposite direction. Further testing, observation, and a very detailed medical history revealed he had been dealing with dementia for longer than we realized. He was always obstinate and cranky, and everyone just put his behavior down to Tom being Tom. (Sound familiar?) Often, families don't or won't recognize that a person has dementia unless an event happens that makes the situation impossible to deny. Clips of tRump from the past compared to the present show his marked decline. His dementia makes his narcissism even worse. His dementia makes him totally unfit for any kind of office.
He was totally unfit even before he was demented. If there was such a time.
Monied repubs have a VP candidate already picked out.
Agree JennSH. His decline is quite noticeable if anyone is paying attention....Palmer is (and i say this with the admonition that if people look up Palmer, they will get an inaccurate description). I often see there examples of death star's inability to make sense. In this sense, the trial will be interesting because he is likely to spout off and it may be nonsense.
This is certainly worth a read. In the past week, I have learned that two friends— one in her mid-eighties and another just turned seventy—have confirmed dementia. As Dr. Gartner demonstrates, once pointed out, the symptoms are recognizable. And with Trump, they should have been called out long ago.
Saturday’s rally speech in PA could be used as further evidence of decline.
Oooo...now this is an excellent suggestion! It would avoid Trump's clear desire to be a martyr!
Referral for psychological examination in the context of his ability to assist in his own defense, instead of make a shambles of it, could be an effective early consequence to violating a gag order, paired with a fine. Time out (removal to another room where he has a video feed and audio connection to his lawyers, but no connection to the outside - i.e., no phone) for a specified time could be a standard approach that would minimize the gain he experiences from violations and misbehavior. There might be a humiliation factor in being treated like an eight year old.
That would be a reasonable thing to do. Never going to happen.
I've been advocating the judge- ordered mental health exam for a while. As a way for a judge to exercise some power of restraint. Trump would definitely "pass" it, because he's not psychotic. (No. He's not. Be realistic.) But it would cramp his style and interrupt the appearance of invincibility.
Not psychotic, but of diminished capacity, including the common symptom of loss of self control.
I just meant he is oriented x3, able to stand trial. Not delusional in the medical sense. Can't prove loss of self control if the behavior in question benefits him. If he claims intention.
My person opinion of him notwithstanding, and my professional assessment of probable cognitive decline, won't be relevant to anyone but me. But he is competent to stand trial.
Then let him stand it, Susan, if he can. I want him on trial. I want him held accountable. I hope they find a jury dispassionate enough to convict him of the felonious distortion of business records to conceal his attempt to influence the election. There's a mountain of evidence to support Bragg's case.
He'll prove my case that he can't control himself, but like you, that's only relevant to me. Let him disrespect the court and the law. Hopefully that will influence Merchan when it comes to sentencing.
thanks for this. We all need to share this article far and wide!!!!
Laurie, add to that an MRI of his brain. That is more substantial evidence than a subjective assessment, nonetheless.
Yeah.. and call Atty Aleena Habeena to start his application for a Disabled Card to hang from the rear view mirror.
Thanks for the link, Laurie. Well worth the read.
If Tubby acts up in court, one response that would be well within the judge's purview is sentencing Tubby to Community Service. Donny feels safe from being jailed, and monetary fines don't really mean much to him, but he'd just hate picking up trash in Bedford Stuyvesant! Worse yet, if he doesn't apply himself the judge could very well extend his sentence another week.
And just wait till he has to deal with a probation officer!
This is another great suggestion...in fact, I had to laugh at the mental image of Dumpy spearing trash with a pick and a bag, making faces of disgust. Love it!
The judge would have to direct that his Secret Service detail not help.
Is this a cheap shot to Bed Stuy? Sounds like it, my son used to live there, it has its own trash collection service, would not be fair to make them associate with Cheeto Benito and his rants.
Do you think he'd like picking up trash (other than his white house staff) any better on 5th Ave?
A judge can find him in contempt, but without a conviction, he cannot be sentenced for anything.
Treat him as Eichmann was treated:
https://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=AwrNYtj5sxxmGLU5Bjr7w8QF?p=eichmann+trial+images&type=E210US885G0&fr=mcafee&fr2=p%3As%2Cv%3Av%2Cm%3Apivot#id=0&iurl=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.npr.org%2Fassets%2Fimg%2F2011%2F03%2F24%2Fe-1_custom-5fbb3c33d222dd61b4d674cb62226742d1be6861-s1100-c50.jpg&action=click
I remember when Eichmann was placed in that glass cage. For my parents, it was seeing justice served on behalf of so many of their relatives dying.
Nah. Too stylish. Too see-through.
Transparency is everything.
Yeah, that cage needs bars.
Unfortunately, that's just what he wants and what judges like Loose Cannon and DJTs lawyers want are for Mr. Smith to make one tiny legal misstep so they can declare "mistrial" and delay, delay delay until November 4th or one day after the election.
Don't just write WaPo. Write up your opinion and email it to letters to the editor of ALL the major news outlets. That's what these computers and social media are GREAT for. Just do it!!!
Dallas Morning News stopped printing any of my letters about a year ago. Guess I, all of a sudden, couldn’t put a sentence together.
“ NEW YORK (The Borowitz Report)—Judge Juan M. Merchan reprimanded Donald J. Trump on the first day of his hush money trial after he rejected a number of prospective female jurors as “not my type.”
https://open.substack.com/pub/borowitzreport/p/trump-rejects-several-female-jurors?r=fqsxl&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
haha
When Stormy testifies, I pray to God that one of her boobs pops out by accident, of course. And to make matters worse, being in the courtroom, I stood up and yelled something very nasty at Trump. That autta make it a truely Fredriquo Fallini moment.
How much better if she were totally buttoned up, looking like a respectful and honest witness? As much as I love irreverence, in this case I'd leave the cheap theatrics to the orange menace. Let our side be dignified.
I know I know I know I’m just being funny. Court decorum is important.
It's all a bunch of funny business, Bill. I enjoy your sense of humor, hope you enjoy mine. It's very dark.
Trump's big lies have his cultists believing that he is being persecuted not prosecuted. Why do so many need to believe all the lies of the likes of TFG?
Groupie thinking is better than individualism. I guess.
CULT thinking
That's never going to happen. Listen to Rachel Maddows Bagman podcast. The DOJ was so worried about prosecuting Nixon and Agnew...they almost didn't.
The problem is if the Judge did order a short respite in jail for Trump's outbursts and bad behaviour (in and out of the courtroom)--which WE all would all understand as just--would bestow upon Trump the cloak of a martyr, which he very clearly wishes to display and wear for his cultists. He is purposefully baiting the Judge to do exactly as you suggest.
Exactly. This is a psychological game. Let's not let our moves get trumped by the (R)ss-holes.
This is an awful idea. Judge Hoffman was declared unfit to preside on the bench. This is still America and we as a people have the duty to behave as civil, human, reasoning beings. To encourage lawlessness is a MAGA response beneath contempt
Well said, Jean. Thank you.
LaurieOregon, thank you for this information. I just canceled my subscription to WaPo and wrote to David Shipley to tell him why. My subscription was due to renew on the very date of this so-called Virtual Program, and I took it as a sign. I said to Shipley, apparently democracy dies in darkness but shining a spotlight on the author of the term “alternative facts” is ok? I told him how disappointed I am in the Post. Scraping up $120 this month was going to be difficult but I was going to do it because I wanted access to good reporting in this election year. But if they’re spotlighting that skanky liar (sorry, I can’t think of a better description of her) my money won’t be buying me accurate reporting, just more BS.
Susan, I love that you reminded him of the "democracy dies in darkness" motto! I'm getting weary of being disillusioned by people and organizations that should know better. "Skanky liar" is way nicer than what I've called her, though not out loud.
Very neat description, though.
The WaPo is actively contributing to the darkness that will kill democracy.
WaPo lit some fires. People who canx their subscriptions will do so at their own risk. WaPo won't notice. And, "people" will also 're-subscribe' as WaPo staff evolves. Better to voice ones opinion in a coherent manner.., or just sit tight with what you have already paid for. Besides, you won't need to rely on 'hear-say', because YOU KNOW you'll be curious. Deal with it.
I just don’t read Ross .Douthat in The NY Times. We can go on ignoring the pallid blonde.
Yeah.. agree. Pallid.., :)) That's civil enough.
I will follow your lead this week. Done with them too.
Watch 60 minutes story of the corporate purchase of our news media. The majority of large and local community newspapers have been purchased by media giants who are funneling the same news across the nation. It's devastating for local news as they no longer report on local news events and they pick and choose the news they publish. Thus, narrowing the scope and tenor of the reported news. Our media is/is being hijacked.