I believe that Held v. Montana will one day be regarded as the more significant legal event of the day. The Georgia case is against a handful of criminals and, like Watergate, will be a distant memory to future generations. But Held v. Montana has the potential to put the US and the world on a path to a more livable future. This is especially significant given the Maui disaster, which is partly the result of the climate crisis.
Held vs Montana is about defining and coming to grips with American Industrial Empire. This is radically good reporting. Thank you Heather Cox Richardson.
But the reality of forever is so esoteric. Not true but the blather confuses those who can’t think past the next election cycle. Nothing confuses the master manipulators who rake in the money from the current focus on business as usual.
people be aware!!! MT is a red state. We have one democratic Senator who is running for re election, JOn Tester. MT Republican Party has vowed to replacement him with an import Navy Seal mouthing sound bites from Maga etc. We also have a strong woman Monica Tranel running against Zinke.
I have trouble why an ex-military man could be republican especially when they have Tuberville showing no respect. What adds insult to injury is he hasn't even served.
There's so much misogyny in the military that it's not surprising that Tuberville has fans in the armed services. It's not about respect, it's about keeping women out of the military.
Marycat ! GOD BLESS !, Every WOMAN ! , That IS ! , Serving ! In Our MILITARY !! Their COMPASSION, Love ! and TENACITY Pulled MANY of OUR Young Men, Out of The FIRE !, ,,,, Of DEATH ! ,,,, During ALL, of VIETNAM ( AGAIN !,,,,, BLESS THEM !)
Oil and gas companies will fight this tooth and nail because they only care about money and profits . If it goes to court I'm sure they already have bought a judge like they have so many senators ( looking at you Manchin )
What a novel idea - giving a legal voice to those who stand to suffer from the actions of the fat cats who won't live to see the results of their greed.
Most of us bear some responsibility in that greed. As my son-in-law the financial expert reminds me, almost every American has some interest in the stock market through retirement funds, and we are the "lucky" ones. That alone is a strong reason to defend Social Security.
Yes, our generation is the "lucky" one. In 1982 the national debt was less than $1 trillion. Today it is $32 trillion. It is as though we ran up this humongous bill on our credit card and then, instead of paying it off, we turned it over to our children and grandchildren to pay. My goal (at 83 years of age) is to leave enough to my two daughters to offset what they won't be getting in Social Security and Medicare (they're 39 and 41, respectively.)
I respect your sentiments and your goals for your daughters. But I would substitute the "we" for a "they". It wasn't "our" plan to run up that debt and it wasn't our plan to give that money to the oligarchs. It wasn't our plan to disenfranchise the poor and the hard working middle class so the uber rich could have a bigger yacht.
I don't buy the generational generalizations. This hasn't been a battle between Boomers and X, Y or Z. This has been a class war. The rich have an insatiable desire to preserve their wealth, grow it and pass it on. They have bought the House of Representatives. And they have bought the Supreme Court. They are the nobles. We are the serfs.
So while I agree that "we" as a generation lost the class war when it comes to the economy, the fight continues on to Gen X who isn't doing any better on the battlefield. Just like we boomers, too many of them went to college and entered "finance" just like their parents. Making money by moving it around.
I am glad you will have the resources to pass on some help to your daughters. I truly am. But most of us in this generation will actually die broke. I don't want to be remembered as being part of the "we" you refer to.
May the fight continue. May our kids and grand kids turn the tide.
I would add: Even though I have heard BS about "tax cuts" from Republicans all my life, my taxes have gone UP every time Republicans "cut taxes". Even when I was a grad student under Reagan. Before his tax bill I paid NO tax on my fellowship. After Reagan's tax "cut" I had to start paying tax on my tiny $500 a month stipend. All part of Reagan's plan to make the poor more poor.
So, all of my life I have paid a fairly large fraction of my income to the government and the state (NY) as tax. I never really minded because I felt lucky and I drove on reasonable streets (until lately anyway) and felt like I should pay to support public schools etc.
So, I DO NOT feel that I have added a burden to my children. I feel that Republicans, with totally IRRESPONSIBLE, huge, spending on wars and military contractors and campaign donors plus huge tax cuts for the same have robbed my kids.
Not me.
Plus, the Federal Reserve has added to the irresponsible acquisition of assets with printed money to the tune of $10 TRILLION dollars since late 2007. I did not vote for that, I would not have voted for that and I do not think it will work out well when the Fed sells those back into the market.
Richard is right in a very general sense. His overall assessment is actually spot on. But it lumps us. And I never liked being grouped. In fact, I don't even like clubs.
And all the attempted education and exposure to "critical thinking" skills doesn't change the hearts and minds of selfish bigots trained from birth to hate "others". They are the soldiers sent to battle US by the oligarchs. They are the puppets that have become MAGAts.
One of the problems we (Democrats, Progressives, Liberals, Inclusive Humans) continually confront is the logical but flawed concept that if we could only explain ourselves better, that we could win over the the religious nutcases, the white supremacists, the selfish "me" people, the bigots, the paternalistic thieves of women's rights...the list is so long. But we can't. We can't change their thinking with facts. They are solid in their hate. And they will always be there.
It's just a question of how many of us (from any generation) show up to vote and repel the fascist oligarch funded armies of idiots.
I agree with everything that you say, but it did happen on our watch. The book by Thomas Frank, "What's the Matter with Kansas," [2004] helps to explain how the wealthy used wedge issues to sucker working class Americans, and particularly white Christians, into voting against theire own best economic interests. We needed to be teaching critical thinking skills in our schools, but we didn't, and we're all paying the price for that. This website https://thinkingispower.com/ is run by Melanie Trecek-King, an associate professor of biology at Massasoit Community College in Massachusetts. She should be at Harvard or MIT. Brilliant.
Richard, thank you for the title, “What’s the Matter With Kansas?” And to add to the library with copyright and publication dates from decades ago, yes the warnings are not new: add Barbara Ehrenreich, “Nickel and Dimed…”, (2001), and Stephanie Coontz, “The Way We Never Were, American Families and the Nostalgia Trap”(1992) and in 1997, she wrote “The Way We Really Are, Coming to Terms with America’s Changing Families.”
Notice the attorneys and authors. Many women in “high places.” Not enough. Here in the USA we are playing catch-up. Author recognition, Attorneys making decisions that will echo through the centuries. Add educated historian writers, Heather Cox Richardson, Joyce Vance, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Jessica Craven…you can add to this now unlimited list, who not only publish but take us every day back to the future. And into our children’s future.
Thank you for the link to Prof. King’s website. I wish the Florida Board of Education would mandate her website for public schools and universities. Instead, they have instituted Prager U. So much for critical thinking in Florida’s public schools.
I'm so glad to hear "I don't buy the generational generalizations. This hasn't been a battle between Boomers and X, Y or Z. This has been a class war. ." Everytime I hear, read an insult to boomers, which I am one, I think how stupid and distracting from the real problem. Being a boomer has been a problem most of my life starting with crowded classrooms on to being blamed for a rise in crime.
Senate also bought and paid for. Wealth runs our government and industry sets our policy, while the people surf social media in the fast food drive through. Toss in our hyperconsumerism, our military empire and our very weird religiosity = I think we are doomed (but will keep hoping otherwise).
I agree. Despite our voting and political activities, we (Boomers) still ended up with crooks at the top, and thugs on Wall Street creating an untenable situation due to their short sighted greed. Of course there are also those who have been engaged in the "good" fight in Congress, but their voices are often drowned out by the self-serving.
Thank you for your stand. I agree completely. The national debt went out of control especially during 45’s term. Few of our oligarchs think about the future. Why should they care?
Laurie , ALL the MAMMONITES !, Want ALL The MONEY !, . " YESTERDAY " !! ( AND !, ,,,,, FOREVER ! ) . P.S. ,,,,, "THEY, Can NOT !, Take IT !, ,,,WITH THEM !"
One dollar in 1982 is worth $3.17 today, making the $32 trillion less scary. With the Reagan, Bush, and Trump tax cuts for the wealthy and cost of wars, it is a less surprising leap in total debt but not acceptable.
be damned. Evil (Industrial) Empire White Patriarchy, it seems, wish to hasten the destruction and evoke “the rapture” the not-Christ-like CINO (Christians in Name Only; not true followers) are yearning for. With brains hopped up on adrenaline and cortisol, fear juice coursing through their veins and the claim of God being on their side these old White men (and some women) have wrought unparalleled destruction with environmental racism, desecration of Native American lands, wage theft by leading the charge to keep the minimum wage at the 2009 rate of $7.25 an hour. These old criminals create disease, child abuse and neglect, poverty, racism, addiction, homelessness, inequity. And yet they stay in power. Until now.
Godspeed to these young Montanans. May they inspire fellow youthful protectors across the nation and around the world to file similar suits.
Long live and prosper David Hogg in your quest to see more people in science and more women run for office.
Long live and write HCR. Your tireless efforts inspire, uplift, and motivate our daily commitment to keep the faith, support local journalism (a must!) and fight the best fight: for our Democracy.
Everyone in my generation, Boomer and older, has allowed the world to fall into a state of disrepair. Some of us were aware and made gestures such as recycling and heat pumps. Others are vegans. But we all drive cars, heat our homes, and most of us eat food that is grown or raised in ways that have depleted the world’s resources. Did we stop using fossil fuels? Did we demand that electricity come from renewable sources? Did we protect the use of water? Maybe a little, but not enough to stop the obvious deterioration of our living conditions.
HUGE win for our planet. “As fires rage in the West, fueled by fossil fuel pollution, today's ruling in Montana is a game-changer that marks a turning point in this generation's efforts to save the planet from the devastating effects of human-caused climate chaos," said Olson, the executive director of Our Children's Trust.
One abiding truth shines through this entirely benighted affair, and that is taking a job for Donald Trump will end very badly for many more people than just the employee. The big mystery is, knowing what everybody who reads now knows only too well, why any folks in their right minds would ever consider working for him. But they do, eyes wide open, and end up paying a steep price for their blind misjudgment.
The key statement in today's newsletter is "while claiming to investigate voter fraud, they [the alleged racketeers] ... committed election fraud". Another truism worth remembering about the Trump cabal is, if you want to know what mischief they are up to, simply listen to what they accuse all their legitimate political opponents of doing.
Projection of their own misdeeds and criminal actions onto others IS MAGA's calling card. I notice it every time I hear one of them speak. They consider it so normal! They can't even concieve of someone acting honorably for good government because to them, there is no such thing. There is only venal self-interest.
MANKIND !, Keep Your HEADS DOWN ! ,,,, Their " Plan B,, Will BE ! , HEATIN ' uP !, The Barrels, ( ! ) of Their AR- 15s !! " { LORD HAVE MERCY ! ,,,,, on ME ! }
This may be true for the extremist and simple minded people who have been jaded by hatred and violence by a mad man.
But I believe for people who are on the fence about supporting Trump, it might change their minds , if it is televise. The majority of us who believe in democracy what the truth to be told.
Anyone who still wants to work for this Orange Clown should demand a contract that includes any and all legal expenses associated with working for him.
I hardly care what Trump "honestly" believed or didn't believe. I care about what he did, and that was knowingly shred the constitutional fabric of our -- and my -- country.
Exactly right, Tom. IF the trial court's ruling withstands the imminent filing of well funded appeals up the chain to the Montana Supreme Court by the fossil fuel industries.
That's my concern, too. A la Trump, when you have the money, you can appeal until you reach oblivion. Except now, the spotlight is on his evil-doing, finally. That is what is needed: exposure of the conniving, bullying, greed-induced self-righteousness and oppression that begins in the boardrooms of 'empire' and trickles down to their henchmen, including lawyers, law enforcement and militias.
Pray you are correct. Love these young Montanans. They, joined by Parkland shooting survivor, Harvard grad and now Democratic Party activist David Hogg —working for women and scientists to be Democratic nominees — bring great hope! Grateful.
I hope your prediction is correct, but Montana will appeal this ruling, and if the case makes it to the US Supreme Court? Even if the SCOTUS upheld the decision, what prevents the State of Montana from ignoring that decision the way the State of Alabama ignored its Supreme Court's ruling regarding voting districts?
Watergate's historical significance was dulled - until Trump came along - by Ford's pardon of Nixon, thus short-circuiting a process that should have resulted in a former President of the United States being impeached and convicted by the US Congress, then convicted and sentenced in a criminal court.
Mitchell Pressman, your post reminds of President Jackson's famous statement: "Chief Justice Marshall has made his decision. Now let him enforce it."
Georgians had violated the sovereignty of the Cherokee Nation by entering Cherokee land and seizing a missionary who was accused of a crime. (The Cherokee have never given up sovereignty over their land; "everybody" knew and still knows that the so-called Treaty of New Echota was fraudulent.)
My whole philosophy is that most people are basically decent, and want to do right in one way or another. However, most people are also not that smart, lack real principles of their own, and pretty much just think what those around them seem to. So, if they haven't been propagandized against something first, and you are the first person giving them information about something, they will tend to take a more reasonable and empathetic view. If the propaganda has been in full swing for a couple months... then not so much.
So, "on the street" interviews *now,* would probably be encouraging. In a year... who knows?
You've made some good points, Will. There's a need to speak up as things are happening, before people start getting influenced by Fox (not really news) and their Fox-watching friends. I've seen it here in Florida way too often.
I also agree with Tom. Hawaii also has a early 70’s constitutional clause about protecting the environment. Perhaps the youth of Montana are showing the way to get the funding for the recovery on Maui in a way that guards against overbuilding, and proper management of the former sugar and pineapple lands that generate fires every year.
What's really sad about the Maui disaster is local developers and political operatives are already trying to stack the deck in their favor for rebuilding. The elite/rich shenanigans and political grifting ploys never end.
With all due respect, I believe that saving Democracy from the challenge of Trump and conspirators is the more significant legal event of the day. Without Democracy we cannot save the planet.
'Former President Trump and 18 others, including Rudy Giuliani and Mark Meadows, were indicted in what prosecutors called a' “criminal enterprise.” (NYTimes)
We elected a conman as president of the United States of America in 2016. Consequential issues roiled the country for two and a half centuries before that error in judgement, but we survived.
What now?
What is the future of the US?
What is the future of equality in the US?
What is the future of Democracy?
In Congress, July 4, 1776
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --.' (Declaration of Independence)
Constitution of the United States
Written in 1787, ratified in 1788.
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." (US Constitution: Preamble)
Actually, Fern, DJT was elected not by the people, but by the Electoral vote. Russia media interference also diluted the vote for HRC, but she won the popular vote. Same with Al Gore. To me, these games played on the margins by the right wing are just plain wrong.
Hope, The Founding Fathers established The Electoral College in the Constitution, in part, as a compromise between the election of the President by a vote in Congress and election of the President by a popular vote of qualified citizens.
'In the United States, the presidency is decided not by the national popular vote but by the Electoral College — an outdated and convoluted system that sometimes yields results contrary to the choice of the majority of American voters. On five occasions, including in two of the last six elections, candidates have won the Electoral College, and thus the presidency, despite losing the nationwide popular vote.'
'The Electoral College has racist origins — when established, it applied the three-fifths clause, which gave a long-term electoral advantage to slave states in the South — and continues to dilute the political power of voters of color. It incentivizes presidential campaigns to focus on a relatively small number of “swing states.” Together, these dynamics have spurred debate about the system’s democratic legitimacy.'
'To make the United States a more representative democracy, reformers are pushing for the presidency to be decided instead by the national popular vote, which would help ensure that every voter counts equally.' (Tim Lau, Brennan Center for Justice) See link below.
Hope, I think that eliminating the Electoral College, which will be very difficult, is one of the important changes to be made if we are to be a democracy as in 'a more perfect union'.
While I agree that the Electoral College needs to go, there is a certain justice in letting those states that are considered more important bear the brunt of election bombardment.
The fact that our Founding Fathers established the Electoral College for only 13 colonies and not for 50 States, is enough reason to either eliminate or make drastic changes to it. We have not questioned its validity until these past years.
We've had a case in Oregon that has been moving through the courts of appeals, Juliana v. US. The case originated in Eugene. I got to do courthouse security for the hearing that got it into the US Appellate system.
I see them more as equals. Comparing Watergate to the Fulton County indictments is not a comparison between equals, much like comparing the sins of Hunter and Trump. So, comparing the Montana and Georgia decisions share a date where 2 important things happened and that should never dissipate over time.
The Montana decision was decided by a federal judge and will most likely end up in front of an SCOTUS with an abominable record on the environment . It is a good start and will depend on other red states doing the same.
I imagine we'll being seeing comparisons between the Montana teens mocking Greta Thunberg and all the rightwing pollution they can dump on it.
Ending on a happier note, I'm hopeful for the good start that will be inspiration for other environmentally minded people to duplicate.
"It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends on his not understanding it." -Upton Sinclair 1878–1968. American novelist and social reformer.
One would hope so! However, we still have a big uphill climb. The powers that be - Big Oil, the Republican Party, most of our country's billionaires, our amazingly corrupt Supreme Court - will have much to say.
But remember when we fought and won against tobacco companies that refused to admit there was any relationship between tobacco and cancer? It can be done.
The problem is that America wants to have its cake and eat it too. Biden was all set last winter to start drilling for oil in at least one pristine ecosystem in Alaska. We cannot continue to pig out on fossil fuel by driving big SUVs and supporting the post WW2 car culture. But we want to. We're killing the earth and all its creatures with plastic. The Held case will hopefully make us stop kicking the can down the road.
"That is, while claiming to investigate voter fraud, they allegedly committed election fraud."
There is a disturbing pattern there, creepily consistent with the overarching modern "Republican" M.O. of vociferously claiming ownership of the high road while transparently traveling the lowest of the low.
"Those trying to intimidate election worker and witness Ruby Freeman" have FINALLY been indicted and I hope they go to jail for the rest of their lives, no visitation, no parole, no pardon, and nobody to clean their toilet but themselves.
Today, my hat is off to Fani Willis out of sheer, unadulterated respect for her bravery, tenacity and willingness to defend truth and law.
Fani Willis is a true American Hero. She is, without doubt, the bravest person I have ever been exposed to in my life.
Also, today we see real time who in America has CHANGED America as time has passed. Fani Willis will go down in history as one of those change agents.
"Rudy Giuliani conceded in a court filing that he made false statements when he said two Georgia election workers mishandled ballots during the 2020 election."
When Trump is convicted, can ALL of his holdings be confiscated to pay for all these investigations? When he’s incarcerated I predict he will die within months. If not, seeing his assets disappear will hasten his demise.
I agree. Fani is steadfast. She obviously has an equally dedicated staff who have helped elevate her. She doesn’t crave the notoriety but she cares about rules and laws AND the people she represents. Those indicted were black and white people. They thought they could get away with their diabolical plan but they never met Fani Willis.
Interesting that we refer to people who do the right and courageous thing as adults in the room. When ,in my experience , children and adolescents tend to behave with more integrity. Perhaps the lyrics from “ South Pacific’s You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught “ applies.
As 30-year resident in a swing state, I have always found the GOP screeching about “Voter Fraud” to be very disturbing. They always seemed to have very VERY specific conspiracy theories in place — minus any actual evidence.
The ultra conservative Heritage Foundation has searched for widespread voter fraud for over 25 years and has admitted that it has no evidence of fraud. Same with the George W Bush Foundation.
More recently lifelong GOP conservatives like Bill Barr, Brad Raffensperger and Gabriel Sterling have testified REPEATEDLY that there was no wide-spread voter fraud in Georgia.
A GOP long term playbook. If i didnt know better, id say much of the distrust in US federal politics can mainly be planted at their rather soiled feet. New Gingrich and all.
Indeed, where is that arse in the roster of indictments. He sloshed in the muck way back there, but, gee Newt, you just didn't have the mob boss credentials. All you can do is sign on to the cretin who did. And, if you don't rewrite history, you and such as you, are toast. Therein explains your traitorous behavior.
The authoritarian master plan was laid out by smarmy Reagan. The evil genius in the party wide propaganda blitz was to attack the credibility and value of "government of the people, by the people, for the people" by decrying the legitimacy of "Government" in general. Yet Republicans have used every trick in the book to BE the government, in a lopsided, plutocratic, authoritarian way, and greatly undermined egalitarian features of this one; attacking voting rights, equal protection, civil rights, the general welfare, and fair campaign financing; trading "liberty and justice for all" for "the love of money".
Let's not forget the self-appointed Car of Voter Fraud, Kris Kobach. After many years and who knows how many $$, he's managed to prosecute five cases. Ironically, all of the perps were Republicans
From what I gather, "background noise" of actual, intentional instances voter fraud is dominated by Trumpers, not even counting the "Stop the Steal" steal.
Ginni and Clarence Thomas do appear to be involved. Eastman was sure that he has Thomas in his pocket. There must be reasons that he believed that. If a paper trail appears or Eastman flips on Thomas that will be the end of a story of corruption.
The psychologists call it projection. The GQP "leaders" can convince the morally corrupt that the enemy (libtards, Yankee elitists, etc) has done something awful because they are fully capable of doing just that. All to preserve power and fend off the "others" who look different.
"He's making himself a martyr, and a lot of the American people are going behind him because they feel like some of these things are a little bit of a stretch," said Gabe Sterling, chief operating officer in the Office of the Georgia Secretary of State, in an interview on ABC News' "This Week" ahead of the indictment.
"Second, an unprecedented and dangerous situation in the U.S. military: Thanks to the hold by Senator Tommy Tuberville"
Obviously Sen. Tuberville is an (expletive deleted expletive deleted), but something is clearly out of whack when a single (expletive deleted) individual pointedly neglecting his assigned duties can damage the orderly progress of key government functions so profoundly.
I remember when tRump took office, he didn’t fill any of the positions that are normally filled by the incoming President. Gradually it dawned on people that was his plan - to hollow out the government. That news faded into the background but I’ve always wondered about it.
Excellent book that also gave a deeper picture into what our unsung public servants (civil service, non-political jobs/careers) actually do in service of all of us. Reading about how those serving in the Obama admin had prepared information/guidelines/manuals for those coming in……only to never be contacted or asked about the functioning of their departments. Also his book Premonition about the pandemic (and front-line public servants yet again) is also excellent—and scary if we don’t learn our lessons!
He employed "acting" heads of government that didn't require Senate approval. That way he could run the place the way he did his empire and his stupid fracking TV show.
I think if we reflect on the TV show and how many of us loved hearing him say "You're Fired" we should have some serious agita.
That show was so popular for a hot minute when I was a kid. I remember being totally weirded out that actual adults were getting off watching other adults do pointless tasks just as a setup to being berated by a typical middle-school bully in a grown-up's body. No one could ever explain to me what he was rich FOR (buildings? or something?), or HOW he was going to make these other people rich, or WHY they would want to compete just to be his weird little minion. It make me vaguely sick, and one year my Grandma's boyfriend got me an entire stupid cash-grab board game with his face on it for Christmas, and I was so grossed out I literally threw it in the outdoors garbage can with the wrapping paper. My parents thought I was being a bit rude and precocious (I was, in general), but turns out I was also JUSTIFIED. *takes bow*
👏👏👏👏 Good for you. I saw it once, because a friend referred to the show. I thought it the most disgusting trash I'd ever seen and wondered what any sane human being could see in it. I could never understand how anyone got pleasure watching people be humiliated by someone who was clearly a pig.
My sister who (through dyslexia) was never a good student, but has always had a good and caring heart, absolutely LOVED "The Apprentice" (she was also big into TV shows, etc.)
Mom died on a Friday, which was (apparently) the night "The Apprentice" was on. Mom was in a "nursing home" (we couldn't get her into hospice because her doc thought she could "recover"; she "just" had pneumonia) and had been unconscious for several days. My sister left just before 8 so she could go home and watch that show. I called her at 8:30 when Mom started having agonal breathing, and told her to get back. She did leave at the final commercial break, and got back just after Mom was pronounced.
I have to say that since then, she's become a community activist. She has, in her late 50's, actually become a local political activist through her volunteer work putting on a community dinner twice a month that has led to a position on the Planning Commission in her town of Phoenix, OR. Her experience going through the Almeda Fire has galvanized her (she did not lose either her home or her church--a 110 year old wooden building-- but had buildings both across the street and on the same block be completely destroyed.
Bill, I avoided his “show” at all cost. Never saw an episode. The corporate bully show. I never understood how treachery, backstabbing and ruthless authority could be entertaining. Perhaps exposure to Corporate America made me woke.
Bill, I read this Greg Olear interview with Noel Casler (he worked on The Apprentice”) back when it was posted and…OMG…I was gobsmacked. I already knew, based on his real life business acumen, that he messed up most business endeavors & was mostly famous for being famous. Anyway, if you haven’t read it, keep a barf-bag nearby: https://gregolear.substack.com/p/full-disclosure-an-interview-with
Here is more information from Michael Lewis’s “Fifth Risk.” I’ve added a gift link below for those who don’t subscribe to the New York Times:
Michael Lewis Wonders Who’s Really Running the Government -
“The risk a society runs when it falls into the habit of responding to long-term risks with short-term solutions. … ‘Program management’ is the existential threat that you never really even imagine as a risk. … It is the innovation that never occurs and the knowledge that is never created, because you have ceased to lay the groundwork for it. It is what you never learned that might have saved you.” It is myopia. It is the absence of leadership. It is democracy without citizenship. Enter Donald Trump…Donald Trump appointed the former Texas governor Rick Perry as energy secretary. Perry, who once said he wanted to abolish the department (he also wanted to abolish Commerce and Education)… Perry didn’t ask for a briefing on any D.O.E. program when he arrived. The real work of sorting out the department was given to Thomas Pyle, a lobbyist funded by the carbon-addled Koch Industries and ExxonMobil. Trump’s goal was to rid the place of Obama supporters and climate change analysts, and to aggrandize the oil and coal sectors.
Lewis quotes Tarak Shah, chief of staff for the department’s $6 billion basic-science program: “We had tried desperately to prepare them … but that required them to show up. And bring qualified people. But they didn’t. They didn’t ask for even an introductory briefing. Like, ‘What do you do?’” “After Trump took office, D. J. Patil watched with wonder as the data disappeared across the federal government.” The disappearing data concerned phenomena that the Trumpers opposed, like climate change or food safety regulations, or that they didn’t care about, like poverty, or stuff that they assumed were government boondoggles, which was most everything not involving the Pentagon. They cut funding for data collection across the board...”
Here is a gift link, please read this article, and then the book:
Kristen, I responded to your earlier post giving and hearty “I second that!” to your recommendation about the book. What he shares is much deeper than just the Obama-Trump transition….it explains a lot about how our gov’t functions and WHY IT SHOULD NEVER BE RUN LIKE A BUSINESS (sorry for “shouting”, but this is a critical point to comprehend & sadly many do not).
Here is more information from Michael Lewis’s “Fifth Risk.” I’ve added a gift link below for those who don’t subscribe to the New York Times:
Michael Lewis Wonders Who’s Really Running the Government -
“The risk a society runs when it falls into the habit of responding to long-term risks with short-term solutions. … ‘Program management’ is the existential threat that you never really even imagine as a risk. … It is the innovation that never occurs and the knowledge that is never created, because you have ceased to lay the groundwork for it. It is what you never learned that might have saved you.” It is myopia. It is the absence of leadership. It is democracy without citizenship. Enter Donald Trump…Donald Trump appointed the former Texas governor Rick Perry as energy secretary. Perry, who once said he wanted to abolish the department (he also wanted to abolish Commerce and Education)… Perry didn’t ask for a briefing on any D.O.E. program when he arrived. The real work of sorting out the department was given to Thomas Pyle, a lobbyist funded by the carbon-addled Koch Industries and ExxonMobil. Trump’s goal was to rid the place of Obama supporters and climate change analysts, and to aggrandize the oil and coal sectors.
Lewis quotes Tarak Shah, chief of staff for the department’s $6 billion basic-science program: “We had tried desperately to prepare them … but that required them to show up. And bring qualified people. But they didn’t. They didn’t ask for even an introductory briefing. Like, ‘What do you do?’” “After Trump took office, D. J. Patil watched with wonder as the data disappeared across the federal government.” The disappearing data concerned phenomena that the Trumpers opposed, like climate change or food safety regulations, or that they didn’t care about, like poverty, or stuff that they assumed were government boondoggles, which was most everything not involving the Pentagon. They cut funding for data collection across the board...”
Here is a gift link, please read this article, and then the book:
It is unbelievable that one complete idiot can block the entire progression of ALL US Military Leadership. We need to completely reform how something of this magnitude is approved. STAT.
It still has not been explained fully ( for me) why he is able to continue this dangerous ploy with no intervention. Adding his living in Florida, rather than Alabama, seems to be reason for another indictment.
Every one of these clownish saboteurs are backed by the overarching bad faith of the "Republican" Party. Anyone with any trace of "decency" has been banished from the party.
As with the debt crisis, puerile expensive, and harmful partial shutdowns of government, indifference to the law and republican (SMALL "r") these idiots choose their own self-serving hubis over national security and the common good.
Sue, I’m surprised Mitch hasn’t swatted him like a fly….and brought him in line. Seems to me the R party keeps shooting themselves in the foot SO MUCH that even they would vote to gun control to curb the damage.
Running a country is a critical and serious responsibility; not much room for game-playing. Lives depend on it. A place to put away childish things if there ever was one.
Tuberville is an ignorant hick. He is just like the other MAGAT's in the Senate and House, he is not qualified for anything.. I only wish the Congress would require IQ tests to qualify for Congress. Tuberville, Maggot Traitor Goon, Lauren Boebert and all of the MAGAT scum would not be there right now. By their actions, i would say their IQ's would average about 5 or maybe 10. These scumbags are incredibly ignorant and just plain stupid.
Yes! The fact that the United States legalized bribing our elected leaders as “free speech” is disgusting. Citizens United was the biggest grift the mega rich and corporations was ever gifted.
Unfortunately, Christianity is a term with multiple interpretations. Jesus showed no xenophobia towards the Samaritan, nor disrespect for women, considering their prominence in his teachings. But I agree with your description of many self-described Christians and their tendency to throw stones at people unlike themselves.
I read a piece recently that some uber Christian nationalists now think that JC was “too woke and liberal” and are openly rejecting some of his teachings (as they have been actually “doing” for some time)….but they are saying it out loud! I do not have a religious bone in my body (and think God, g-d, gods are an evolving construct of man), but like what someone said to me about JC many years ago…. calling him “a good man”…yeah, that I totally agree with.
I wouldn't equate a high IQ with character, I know several intelligent folks who happen to live outside the normal sphere and would be a disaster in governance. Who would be comfortable voting for them? Not the hoi polloi certainly. "Genius" isn't always a number on a test, genius is how DJT was elected, by being able to read the landscape and use his persona to create what we are moaning about here.
Does the name MIchael Dukakis ring a bell? Herschell Walker? His poll numbers were right up there for a long time, he lived in TX and who cared about that?
" Tuberville is an ignorant hick. " Well then he appealed to the ignorant hicks who can't distinguish Congress from a football field, and sometimes I can't either.
Every voter has a different ideal candidate profile, and sometimes that means voting against someone else on the ballot.
John T. Phillips, I would prefer a civics lesson and a class on “Our Country, Our Republic,” or some such subject over IQ tests. Tuberville needs one on the three branches of government, since he did not know what they were when he was elected.
There is a problem of "old ageism," thinking of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Dianne Feinstein. They should should have retired earlier. It looks as though Mitch may be getting his just rewards by developing mental incompetentcy to go along with his moral vacuity. He will simply fill an "empty suit."
Every time I hear another Repub decry how the DOJ or its state/county equivalents have become "weaponized" against Cheeto and his Cruddy Cronies I do an eye roll so huge I give myself vertigo. The standard Democratic response going forward is clearly going be calmly emphasizing the framing of equal treatment under the law, the presence of multiple juries of ordinary Americans, yadda yadda yadda. That is probably the wisest framing.
But y'all know me... I have my own loopy ideas about messaging, informed by my own persistent incorrigibleness. My contrarian response to the supposedly "weaponized" DOJs is simpler: HECK YEAH! DERN TOOTIN'! A scrupulous, ruthlessly determined legal system is a modern society's best weapon against the ever-present bad actors aiming to undermine or disregard the social contract for their own ill-gotten gains. Whaddaya think these big-shot prosecutors and investigators do with their time? Wait until they just stumble across something iffy and then poke around a bit? Puh-leez. Their whole job - if they are doing it properly - is to seek out any sign of crimminality in their district, find it, identify those responsible, then zealously pursue all evidence until they have the scumbags dead to rights. Boom boom pow pow. And since there are more people playing fast and loose with something-or-other than you can possibly whack-a-mole at once, ya gotta prioritize. The bigger the crime, the more those entrusted with the law are inclined to bring out the big guns. But the modern legal system is, ideally, about takin' down the bad guys without firing a single actual shot. The SEALs puts down terrorist cells with an armed raid, but the Legal Eagles put down insurrectionists with a mountain of paperwork. How cool! I'M ALL FOR IT.
Imagine the archetypical scene out of the mythical Old West: the Bandito, after ransacking the town and attempting to escape scot-free, it suddenly blindsided from behind the old oak tree by the Loyal Sherriff. A shot rings out! The Bandito tumbles off his horse. As the Loyal Sherriff nears, a placid expression on his face, the Bandito croaks out his last words... "Ay yi yi! Why would this guy not stop coming after me? I can't believe the law has become so *weaponized*!"
Easiest way to stop having your party's candidate campaigning from court? Stop picking the guy who does all the crime. Amirite, you guys?
Lynell, I like you a lot, your suggestion has a delightful zip, and you said please. Therefore, your requested edit has been granted (see above). Cheers!
So....you are saying that law enforcement should do its job using the legal weapons that we provided them with? What a novel idea! I'm all in on that. Let's give our government all the weapons it needs to hold high the rule of law and preserve democracy.
Fani Willis is saying my vote, your vote, and ALL our votes matter. Trump and team are saying nyah...only if I win. Maybe "Orange will be the new GQP color" - not red, white and blue.
Well, to be abundantly clear, I vociferously oppose what I view as the current militarization of the police in this country, on all levels. Itchy trigger fingers and an ethos of physical dominance in the name of law enforcement have caused harm to untold lives, and it must end. But I cannot resist the golden opportunity to point out the rich hypocrisy of those who yell "law and order," idolize the man with the gun, rough and ready cowboy, thin blue line, etc... yet become the martyrs to their own metaphors the second some grand jury paperwork gets filed that makes their favored shysters squirm.
Anyway, Bill, you are damn right that all are votes matter. I'm prepared to use mine without a moment's hesitation. And I brought friends with me!
This trend is very scary, especially the giving of excess military supplies to police depts…what could possibly go wrong?! Once upon a time, long long ago in a land that we (used to) live in….(at least in my small town experience) there were the beat cops that everybody knew…and we respected one another and the public knew their job was sometimes hard and dangerous. I know my experience is likely atypical and unlike more urban areas (but what do I know?). I recall once, years ago, I was driving a 1949 Studebaker truck near sunset and trying to make it home ASAP because I knew the headlights/taillights didn’t work). Well, I was stopped by the CHP & the fellow (it was now getting darker) approached the driver’s side door with caution…to find this young hippie girl (who was also a state employee!) at the wheel. We ended up having a very nice conversation & he said he was trying to get used to being w/ the CHP in a rural area…that most everybody he stopped was really nice and he was starting to dial-down his fear of getting shot at he approached the car. That conversation made me think of those who go into law enforcement as a true public servant (protect and defend) and how the very real danger they put themselves in day after day can impact and, perhaps change their outlook and behavior. Dunno, but it’s something that comes to me when I see in shock and horror some of the egregious behaviors of those “public servants”.
Hi Will, good to hear from you. My take on why our autocratic-wannabe Republican neighbors think the DOJ and other government institutions are "weaponized" against them is because they are. For over 200 years now, they have been set up to protect our constitutional republic against the very thing that is being attempted now, the non-democratic take over of this country by a minority who intends to stay in power, will of the people be damned. Thanks for being our 'will of the people' Will. :)
The Montana environmental decision is absolutely the most inspiring thing that happened today, by leaps and bounds.
The commitment, altruism, and wisdom of these kids to spend so much of their time and energy on something bigger than themselves, and to conduct themselves with such discipline and confidence in a court of law, should be an example to everyone in the whole country. Their bravery, too, most of all: they live in an area typically unreceptive to their cause, and put themselves up against very powerful actors who do not hold back when it comes to silencing those challenging their power.
By definition, youth lacks in experience, and typically the nuance that comes with it. That is true. Yet the one advantage youth undoubtedly has is *clarity.* All the smoke and mirrors that people get lost in trying to navigate this complicated world can too often prevent them from seeing what really matters, what is really possible, what is really NECESSARY. Necessary for true happiness, for true fairness, for true well-being. Youth hasn't had the time to get lost in so much of the nonsense. Too often they are dismissed, when in reality, they are who can see clear as day.
I'm happy their clarity of cause met the experience that their lawyers provided, and reached a likely game-changing result, courtesy of a judge who did her job (imagine that). If nothing else, it made my heart grow a size. May we all recommit ourselves to doing what we can for the planet and our fellow inhabitants as well. If they can do it, so can we, simple as that.
Will from Cal, Thank you for lifting up the young ones who are thinking on their own and working for the good of our country and planet. Thanks also to the young black men serving in the government in Tennessee. Thanks to those working in Florida for voting rights and for truth and honesty within the education system.
While so many are working to take away our freedoms, I am so thankful for those who are coming along standing for freedom and honesty. My vote will go to such as these!!!
Thanks, Emily! There really are good, inspiring people everywhere. While I know these sorts of folks do not do the good work for attention... I still wish that more widespread attention was paid. Think how much more motivated people would be if the news was filled with good examples for a change!
Hello again Will! I have spent a large chunk of my career working with teenagers. There are no better BS detectors on the planet. They often don't know what to do about the BS once they've detected it, however.
Apparently, the group of young people from Montana did know what to do about it. Maybe they were guided by some adults who knew how to empower them, maybe not. Either way, the ability to detect BS and take effective action is a very powerful combination.
And what if a certain defendant does not surrender to authorities on the 25th? Will anything actually happen to him (beyond more gratuitous publicity that is)?
Yes. S/he will get an unfriendly visit from the gendarmes who will put them on a plane (or maybe the Midnight Train) to Georgia and slap their arses in jail.
Dani Willis does not strike me as the kind of person who sit on her thumbs while the world turns. I’m sure she has a plan of action waiting to be executed.
Perhaps I am ignorant, but I don't associate triple digit heat with Oregon. I saw that weather prediction in the news, and when I did, I wondered how you are faring, Ally.
I took a couple friends over to the coast yesterday (my dear friend and her 91 year old mother. They just had to put one of their dogs down, and we just went for cooler temperatures and a change of scenery). It was still in the upper 70’s there, but it was a wonderful day.
Thank you Heather -I'm grateful to awaken with coffee, The Guardian, and your research, citations, and analysis.
I'm so pleased the young plaintiffs earned a decision in Montana. Nevertheless the Montana State Legislature is controlled by the GOP. Until voters in Montana and across the United States understand we are living in a climate emergency in which the evidence is readily available, whether catastrophic fire, major metropolitan areas covered in smoke and ash, flooding, hurricanes, and extreme temperatures -the world will continue to burn. In fact, in Montana -voters not elevating a governor who assaults reporters would be a big step in the right direction. (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/may/24/greg-gianforte-bodyslams-reporter-ben-jacobs-montana)
And grateful for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. And while the indictment now charges some key players in the Trump criminal organization, I have yet to see some elected members of Congress charged as accessories after the fact. The Senators (including Tuberville) who voted to oppose the electoral college result, and the 147 House members should all be expelled from Congress and barred from any public office.
George, thank you....and agree "yet to see some elected members of Congress charged as accessories after the fact..." " ....and the 147 House members expelled from Congress and barred from any public office."
Fani Willis ....Thank you.....I know there is much more to do but WOW!!!! you have worked hard to do your job.......to follow the law!!!......you have served your state and our country well!!!
It would be great to have two political parties filled with men and women who loved this country (and this world) more than themselves .....okay to have various ideas to build up our country ...work with leaders of other countries for the betterment of this world :space, land and oceans....the children of this world, health for all....education that meets the needs of as many as possible.....respect and continued opportunities for our older citizens who have so much wisdom and experience to share.....
There are always job opportunites available to meet the needs of this country and world.....whether we like it or not, we belong to one another!
On 8/14/23 in Fulton County GA this particular "criminal organization" of 19 named Defendants has been indicted on multiple counts of making "False Statements & Writings". What I like about those counts is that is exactly how this "criminal enterprise" will be held to account for all to see. The proceeding in transparent GA will apparently be televised.
Think you are right MisTBlu, Mafia Don Trump. But, I think this Mafia Don "has been made" even though the Perp is of German descent. Given tfg's media abuse, Mafia Don certainly did NOT take a "vow of silence".
My daughter said if TUMP is tried and convicted and imprisoned, we will have a huge cook out and party at my house, and rub it in the faces of our TUMP worshiping neighbors.
"They pointed to a Montana law forbidding the state and its agents from taking the impact of greenhouse gas emissions or climate change into consideration in their environmental reviews."
Ummm. Isn't that like forbidding all mention of boats and water in maritime law?
I think it's time to stop calling him tfg (which seems popular) or even the Duck (which nobody does but me!) and give him instead the name of The Defendant.
Apparently not. What is happening with Tuberville is a Senate rule, and Unconstitutional Rule, but apparently no one in the Senate is going to challenge it.
Okay... just because a rule isn't in the Consititition does not mean it is unconstitutional. This is the sort of narrow thinking that feeds the "originalism" we are typically against here. Also, something can be constitutional while also being stupid and self-defeating. The two are unfortunately not mutually exclusive.
Also, the inability of the current Senate majority to get around "unanimous consent" (the rule that Senator Pigskin is exploiting), has nothing to with any lack of willpower or cleverness. Like all things legislative, it is a numbers game and nothing more.
Follow me, here: unanimous consent is pretty much the filibuster by another name. Instead of requiring 60 votes to stop a Senator from filibustering and end debate, 60 votes are required to stop a Senator from "holding" an appointment. So shutting down Alabummer would require 9 Republicans to join the Democrats. They will never do this because the base is in support of the troublemaker, would view such an action as treason, and primary them to kingdom come. So the other alternative would be changing the rules entirely. Awesome, much overdue! Except - just like with the filibuster - THERE ARE NOT YET A MAJORITY OF SENATORS WILLING TO CHANGE THE RULES. There are currently 49. No "pressure" or "will" or "leadership" will change that. We need one more. Our next chance to do so would be in November '24, by holding all Democratic incumbent seats and replacing a certain kooky AZ "independent." So this is not likely to get resolved until the January following.
Plus, the Democratic leadership really has no cold political reason for pushing on this. They will never say so publicly, but this makes the clearest and best case possible to the public why the rules of the chamber need to be overhauled if given the chance, and makes it almost impossible for anyone to back out from doing so when the chance arises. Which will be fantastic, because that shoves open the long-sealed-shut door not just to ending this debacle but also to restoring voting rights, ending gerrymandering, curtailing dark money, restoring reproductive rights, codifying LGBT rights, tackling the climate crisis, gun control, crimminal justice reform, court ethics, strengthening unions, doubling the minimum wage, instituting progressive taxation, universal childcare and eldercare, free community college, debt relief, family and medical leave, negotiating drug prices, possibly a public healthcare option, and all the other policies that have died in the Senate as a result of the antiquated chamber rules.
But that will require 1 more anti-filibuster Senator. Elections have major consequences. Until then...
Will...WOW....I enjoyed reading your comments so much....and along with your comments , I saw openings for jobs for Americans who could contribute with their gifts and talents...and it also reminded me of our need for excellent teachers and professors, and companies to provide training for our younger citizens to grow into the possibilites that will be made available in order to meet the needs for the growth and development of our country and world!!!!
President Biden proves over and over again, his ideas fit perfectly within your "comments"!...."Building Back Better" must continue! AND this includes caring for and encouraging one another in this human family.
Well said, Will. I think I'd like for us to gain three senate seats, so that the WV Senator can stop being a factor in getting anything done. Keep Jon Tester, lose Krysten Sinema, and gain at least one more elsewhere.
Oh, yeah. Senator Pigskin and Alabummer are priceless nicknames! Well done, sir.
As I laid out above, I think it is rather self-evident at this point that the idea that "everyone is loathe to mess with" the Senate rules to be totally inaccurate. We *already had* a highly-publicized vote in January of last year where 47 currently-serving Senators publicly voted to change the chamber rules, and since then an additional two skeptics have been elected. So, to be factually correct, there are currently only 51 Senators who are on the record as refusing to change the rules, but they are not just "loathe;" they are adamantly opposed.
If he was actually elected, his constituents don't seem bothered by the fact that he has nothing to do with them., residentially or otherwise... Surprising, in a place like Florida, so loyal, industrious and upright.
Who would have thought it would be Montana to strike the first blow! I have heard that Fani Willis’s case is complex but it comprehensively recognize the whole ecosystem of those responsible for committing Fraud. Bravo Georgia, Bravo Heather!
It almost seems surreal hearing those words spoken so succinctly by DA Willis. I’m so relieved to have heard such competence at work. It is only a beginning, I understand. But, one that sheds a glimmer of hope that a Just system really exists somewhere in this country.
This truly is an extraordinary event. Along with the news out of Marion, KS, there is much to ponder.
May more reflection commence, rational thinking persist, and a mature sense of TRUTH prevail.
As always, I’m grateful for your texts Heather, and continue to be hopeful for an enlightened, more informed public that grasps the full extent of just what is at stake here. Not just for this country, but, humanity as a whole. Thank you to all who helped DA Willis get to this point in our history.
I would be willing to bet that DA Willis will be getting death threats about this from the deluded MAGA'S here in Georgia. There are some wingnuts that can be dangerous here.
I believe that Held v. Montana will one day be regarded as the more significant legal event of the day. The Georgia case is against a handful of criminals and, like Watergate, will be a distant memory to future generations. But Held v. Montana has the potential to put the US and the world on a path to a more livable future. This is especially significant given the Maui disaster, which is partly the result of the climate crisis.
Held vs Montana is about defining and coming to grips with American Industrial Empire. This is radically good reporting. Thank you Heather Cox Richardson.
American Industrial Empire is confined to the blind Wall Street 90 day reality vs the reality of forever.
But the reality of forever is so esoteric. Not true but the blather confuses those who can’t think past the next election cycle. Nothing confuses the master manipulators who rake in the money from the current focus on business as usual.
You’re right about forever but I like the impact. It’s the best I could do at that hour. Thanks for the critique.
No criticism, you nailed the bastards at that hour. Is American Industrial Empire synonymous with Military Industrial Complex, or more inclusive.
Much more inclusive.
Should be “the blinders of the Wall Street 90 day reality…”
I love your term "American Industrial Empire"
people be aware!!! MT is a red state. We have one democratic Senator who is running for re election, JOn Tester. MT Republican Party has vowed to replacement him with an import Navy Seal mouthing sound bites from Maga etc. We also have a strong woman Monica Tranel running against Zinke.
I have trouble why an ex-military man could be republican especially when they have Tuberville showing no respect. What adds insult to injury is he hasn't even served.
There's so much misogyny in the military that it's not surprising that Tuberville has fans in the armed services. It's not about respect, it's about keeping women out of the military.
Marycat ! GOD BLESS !, Every WOMAN ! , That IS ! , Serving ! In Our MILITARY !! Their COMPASSION, Love ! and TENACITY Pulled MANY of OUR Young Men, Out of The FIRE !, ,,,, Of DEATH ! ,,,, During ALL, of VIETNAM ( AGAIN !,,,,, BLESS THEM !)
Families of active service personnel are equally affected.
Yes they are. If you were a woman, would you sign up to serve knowing that reproductive health care wasn't available? For you or your family?
There's a lot of macho BS in the military and the republicans play to it.
Karen ! THOSE MILITARY ! , Need a SNAKE ! , ,,, in Their " JACKBOOTS ! "
( it IS ! , TRULY INSANE !)
So the contest will be between a farmer/rancher and a Navy Seal. Go Tester!!
Oil and gas companies will fight this tooth and nail because they only care about money and profits . If it goes to court I'm sure they already have bought a judge like they have so many senators ( looking at you Manchin )
Oil, gas, coal, copper, gold, etc. - "extractive industries"
What a novel idea - giving a legal voice to those who stand to suffer from the actions of the fat cats who won't live to see the results of their greed.
Most of us bear some responsibility in that greed. As my son-in-law the financial expert reminds me, almost every American has some interest in the stock market through retirement funds, and we are the "lucky" ones. That alone is a strong reason to defend Social Security.
Yes, our generation is the "lucky" one. In 1982 the national debt was less than $1 trillion. Today it is $32 trillion. It is as though we ran up this humongous bill on our credit card and then, instead of paying it off, we turned it over to our children and grandchildren to pay. My goal (at 83 years of age) is to leave enough to my two daughters to offset what they won't be getting in Social Security and Medicare (they're 39 and 41, respectively.)
I respect your sentiments and your goals for your daughters. But I would substitute the "we" for a "they". It wasn't "our" plan to run up that debt and it wasn't our plan to give that money to the oligarchs. It wasn't our plan to disenfranchise the poor and the hard working middle class so the uber rich could have a bigger yacht.
I don't buy the generational generalizations. This hasn't been a battle between Boomers and X, Y or Z. This has been a class war. The rich have an insatiable desire to preserve their wealth, grow it and pass it on. They have bought the House of Representatives. And they have bought the Supreme Court. They are the nobles. We are the serfs.
So while I agree that "we" as a generation lost the class war when it comes to the economy, the fight continues on to Gen X who isn't doing any better on the battlefield. Just like we boomers, too many of them went to college and entered "finance" just like their parents. Making money by moving it around.
I am glad you will have the resources to pass on some help to your daughters. I truly am. But most of us in this generation will actually die broke. I don't want to be remembered as being part of the "we" you refer to.
May the fight continue. May our kids and grand kids turn the tide.
Excellent thoughts Bill. Thank you.
I would add: Even though I have heard BS about "tax cuts" from Republicans all my life, my taxes have gone UP every time Republicans "cut taxes". Even when I was a grad student under Reagan. Before his tax bill I paid NO tax on my fellowship. After Reagan's tax "cut" I had to start paying tax on my tiny $500 a month stipend. All part of Reagan's plan to make the poor more poor.
So, all of my life I have paid a fairly large fraction of my income to the government and the state (NY) as tax. I never really minded because I felt lucky and I drove on reasonable streets (until lately anyway) and felt like I should pay to support public schools etc.
So, I DO NOT feel that I have added a burden to my children. I feel that Republicans, with totally IRRESPONSIBLE, huge, spending on wars and military contractors and campaign donors plus huge tax cuts for the same have robbed my kids.
Not me.
Plus, the Federal Reserve has added to the irresponsible acquisition of assets with printed money to the tune of $10 TRILLION dollars since late 2007. I did not vote for that, I would not have voted for that and I do not think it will work out well when the Fed sells those back into the market.
Richard is right in a very general sense. His overall assessment is actually spot on. But it lumps us. And I never liked being grouped. In fact, I don't even like clubs.
And all the attempted education and exposure to "critical thinking" skills doesn't change the hearts and minds of selfish bigots trained from birth to hate "others". They are the soldiers sent to battle US by the oligarchs. They are the puppets that have become MAGAts.
One of the problems we (Democrats, Progressives, Liberals, Inclusive Humans) continually confront is the logical but flawed concept that if we could only explain ourselves better, that we could win over the the religious nutcases, the white supremacists, the selfish "me" people, the bigots, the paternalistic thieves of women's rights...the list is so long. But we can't. We can't change their thinking with facts. They are solid in their hate. And they will always be there.
It's just a question of how many of us (from any generation) show up to vote and repel the fascist oligarch funded armies of idiots.
I agree with everything that you say, but it did happen on our watch. The book by Thomas Frank, "What's the Matter with Kansas," [2004] helps to explain how the wealthy used wedge issues to sucker working class Americans, and particularly white Christians, into voting against theire own best economic interests. We needed to be teaching critical thinking skills in our schools, but we didn't, and we're all paying the price for that. This website https://thinkingispower.com/ is run by Melanie Trecek-King, an associate professor of biology at Massasoit Community College in Massachusetts. She should be at Harvard or MIT. Brilliant.
Maybe Melanie should be at Texas A&M where the brightest minds really are!
Not Harvard. Harvard is not where the best minds are.
It is just where the richest kids are placed to stay rich.
Richard, thank you for the title, “What’s the Matter With Kansas?” And to add to the library with copyright and publication dates from decades ago, yes the warnings are not new: add Barbara Ehrenreich, “Nickel and Dimed…”, (2001), and Stephanie Coontz, “The Way We Never Were, American Families and the Nostalgia Trap”(1992) and in 1997, she wrote “The Way We Really Are, Coming to Terms with America’s Changing Families.”
Notice the attorneys and authors. Many women in “high places.” Not enough. Here in the USA we are playing catch-up. Author recognition, Attorneys making decisions that will echo through the centuries. Add educated historian writers, Heather Cox Richardson, Joyce Vance, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Jessica Craven…you can add to this now unlimited list, who not only publish but take us every day back to the future. And into our children’s future.
Thank you for the link to Prof. King’s website. I wish the Florida Board of Education would mandate her website for public schools and universities. Instead, they have instituted Prager U. So much for critical thinking in Florida’s public schools.
Great resource, thanks.
I'm so glad to hear "I don't buy the generational generalizations. This hasn't been a battle between Boomers and X, Y or Z. This has been a class war. ." Everytime I hear, read an insult to boomers, which I am one, I think how stupid and distracting from the real problem. Being a boomer has been a problem most of my life starting with crowded classrooms on to being blamed for a rise in crime.
Senate also bought and paid for. Wealth runs our government and industry sets our policy, while the people surf social media in the fast food drive through. Toss in our hyperconsumerism, our military empire and our very weird religiosity = I think we are doomed (but will keep hoping otherwise).
I agree. Despite our voting and political activities, we (Boomers) still ended up with crooks at the top, and thugs on Wall Street creating an untenable situation due to their short sighted greed. Of course there are also those who have been engaged in the "good" fight in Congress, but their voices are often drowned out by the self-serving.
So well said Bill. I concur wholeheartedly and would have written similarly, but perhaps not as well as you did. Thx.
Well said
Thank you for your stand. I agree completely. The national debt went out of control especially during 45’s term. Few of our oligarchs think about the future. Why should they care?
Laurie , ALL the MAMMONITES !, Want ALL The MONEY !, . " YESTERDAY " !! ( AND !, ,,,,, FOREVER ! ) . P.S. ,,,,, "THEY, Can NOT !, Take IT !, ,,,WITH THEM !"
One dollar in 1982 is worth $3.17 today, making the $32 trillion less scary. With the Reagan, Bush, and Trump tax cuts for the wealthy and cost of wars, it is a less surprising leap in total debt but not acceptable.
Most of that debt is debt the GOP created.
YES. The “Rapture”
be damned. Evil (Industrial) Empire White Patriarchy, it seems, wish to hasten the destruction and evoke “the rapture” the not-Christ-like CINO (Christians in Name Only; not true followers) are yearning for. With brains hopped up on adrenaline and cortisol, fear juice coursing through their veins and the claim of God being on their side these old White men (and some women) have wrought unparalleled destruction with environmental racism, desecration of Native American lands, wage theft by leading the charge to keep the minimum wage at the 2009 rate of $7.25 an hour. These old criminals create disease, child abuse and neglect, poverty, racism, addiction, homelessness, inequity. And yet they stay in power. Until now.
Godspeed to these young Montanans. May they inspire fellow youthful protectors across the nation and around the world to file similar suits.
Long live and prosper David Hogg in your quest to see more people in science and more women run for office.
Long live and write HCR. Your tireless efforts inspire, uplift, and motivate our daily commitment to keep the faith, support local journalism (a must!) and fight the best fight: for our Democracy.
Everyone in my generation, Boomer and older, has allowed the world to fall into a state of disrepair. Some of us were aware and made gestures such as recycling and heat pumps. Others are vegans. But we all drive cars, heat our homes, and most of us eat food that is grown or raised in ways that have depleted the world’s resources. Did we stop using fossil fuels? Did we demand that electricity come from renewable sources? Did we protect the use of water? Maybe a little, but not enough to stop the obvious deterioration of our living conditions.
https://open.substack.com/pub/oldandintheway45/p/america-made-me-do-it?r=3qbw9&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Thank you for pinpointing this exactly.
Totally agree!!
HUGE win for our planet. “As fires rage in the West, fueled by fossil fuel pollution, today's ruling in Montana is a game-changer that marks a turning point in this generation's efforts to save the planet from the devastating effects of human-caused climate chaos," said Olson, the executive director of Our Children's Trust.
One abiding truth shines through this entirely benighted affair, and that is taking a job for Donald Trump will end very badly for many more people than just the employee. The big mystery is, knowing what everybody who reads now knows only too well, why any folks in their right minds would ever consider working for him. But they do, eyes wide open, and end up paying a steep price for their blind misjudgment.
The key statement in today's newsletter is "while claiming to investigate voter fraud, they [the alleged racketeers] ... committed election fraud". Another truism worth remembering about the Trump cabal is, if you want to know what mischief they are up to, simply listen to what they accuse all their legitimate political opponents of doing.
If you want to know what mischief they are up to, simply listen to what they accuse all their legitimate political opponents of doing. 1000% Correct.
Projection of their own misdeeds and criminal actions onto others IS MAGA's calling card. I notice it every time I hear one of them speak. They consider it so normal! They can't even concieve of someone acting honorably for good government because to them, there is no such thing. There is only venal self-interest.
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/august-14-2023/comment/22881748
When this case comes to trail, it must be televised. The American people have a right to know the truth. It would also put an end to the
the lies, that mega Republicans have been telling the people.
Not certain it will “put an end to the lies” but it will make a big dent in their bubble that they live in.
MANKIND !, Keep Your HEADS DOWN ! ,,,, Their " Plan B,, Will BE ! , HEATIN ' uP !, The Barrels, ( ! ) of Their AR- 15s !! " { LORD HAVE MERCY ! ,,,,, on ME ! }
This is definitely true. I am tried of them mimniputing people in this country.
For these seditionists, nothing will ever put an end to their lies.
This may be true for the extremist and simple minded people who have been jaded by hatred and violence by a mad man.
But I believe for people who are on the fence about supporting Trump, it might change their minds , if it is televise. The majority of us who believe in democracy what the truth to be told.
Anyone who still wants to work for this Orange Clown should demand a contract that includes any and all legal expenses associated with working for him.
Which he would refuse to honor anyhow.
Just saying.
Prepaid legal expenses.
SO !, RIGHT ON ! John !
John LeBaron, you seem to be committed to the belief that Trump did NOT honestly believe the election was stolen.
I'm inclined to wait and see what comes up at the trials.
I hardly care what Trump "honestly" believed or didn't believe. I care about what he did, and that was knowingly shred the constitutional fabric of our -- and my -- country.
Your accusation is different from what Trump has been charged with.
Yes it is, this is wonderful news and a step in the right direction.
Exactly right, Tom. IF the trial court's ruling withstands the imminent filing of well funded appeals up the chain to the Montana Supreme Court by the fossil fuel industries.
Let's keep the searchlight trained on that one.
That's my concern, too. A la Trump, when you have the money, you can appeal until you reach oblivion. Except now, the spotlight is on his evil-doing, finally. That is what is needed: exposure of the conniving, bullying, greed-induced self-righteousness and oppression that begins in the boardrooms of 'empire' and trickles down to their henchmen, including lawyers, law enforcement and militias.
Pray you are correct. Love these young Montanans. They, joined by Parkland shooting survivor, Harvard grad and now Democratic Party activist David Hogg —working for women and scientists to be Democratic nominees — bring great hope! Grateful.
GOD BLESS! Our " YOUNG MONTANANS !" ,,, AND !, DAVID HOGG ! ( YESS ! ) . Thank YOU ! , Carey !
I hope your prediction is correct, but Montana will appeal this ruling, and if the case makes it to the US Supreme Court? Even if the SCOTUS upheld the decision, what prevents the State of Montana from ignoring that decision the way the State of Alabama ignored its Supreme Court's ruling regarding voting districts?
Watergate's historical significance was dulled - until Trump came along - by Ford's pardon of Nixon, thus short-circuiting a process that should have resulted in a former President of the United States being impeached and convicted by the US Congress, then convicted and sentenced in a criminal court.
Mitchell Pressman, your post reminds of President Jackson's famous statement: "Chief Justice Marshall has made his decision. Now let him enforce it."
Georgians had violated the sovereignty of the Cherokee Nation by entering Cherokee land and seizing a missionary who was accused of a crime. (The Cherokee have never given up sovereignty over their land; "everybody" knew and still knows that the so-called Treaty of New Echota was fraudulent.)
To me, the fact that Held v. Montana is MONTANA is encouraging. Wonder what the Montanans “on the street” think of this?
Honestly, who knows?
My whole philosophy is that most people are basically decent, and want to do right in one way or another. However, most people are also not that smart, lack real principles of their own, and pretty much just think what those around them seem to. So, if they haven't been propagandized against something first, and you are the first person giving them information about something, they will tend to take a more reasonable and empathetic view. If the propaganda has been in full swing for a couple months... then not so much.
So, "on the street" interviews *now,* would probably be encouraging. In a year... who knows?
You've made some good points, Will. There's a need to speak up as things are happening, before people start getting influenced by Fox (not really news) and their Fox-watching friends. I've seen it here in Florida way too often.
Well said, Tom...and I agree.
I also agree with Tom. Hawaii also has a early 70’s constitutional clause about protecting the environment. Perhaps the youth of Montana are showing the way to get the funding for the recovery on Maui in a way that guards against overbuilding, and proper management of the former sugar and pineapple lands that generate fires every year.
May it be so.
What's really sad about the Maui disaster is local developers and political operatives are already trying to stack the deck in their favor for rebuilding. The elite/rich shenanigans and political grifting ploys never end.
With all due respect, I believe that saving Democracy from the challenge of Trump and conspirators is the more significant legal event of the day. Without Democracy we cannot save the planet.
'Former President and Allies Face 41 Charges'
'Former President Trump and 18 others, including Rudy Giuliani and Mark Meadows, were indicted in what prosecutors called a' “criminal enterprise.” (NYTimes)
We elected a conman as president of the United States of America in 2016. Consequential issues roiled the country for two and a half centuries before that error in judgement, but we survived.
What now?
What is the future of the US?
What is the future of equality in the US?
What is the future of Democracy?
In Congress, July 4, 1776
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --.' (Declaration of Independence)
Constitution of the United States
Written in 1787, ratified in 1788.
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." (US Constitution: Preamble)
Actually, Fern, DJT was elected not by the people, but by the Electoral vote. Russia media interference also diluted the vote for HRC, but she won the popular vote. Same with Al Gore. To me, these games played on the margins by the right wing are just plain wrong.
Hope, The Founding Fathers established The Electoral College in the Constitution, in part, as a compromise between the election of the President by a vote in Congress and election of the President by a popular vote of qualified citizens.
'In the United States, the presidency is decided not by the national popular vote but by the Electoral College — an outdated and convoluted system that sometimes yields results contrary to the choice of the majority of American voters. On five occasions, including in two of the last six elections, candidates have won the Electoral College, and thus the presidency, despite losing the nationwide popular vote.'
'The Electoral College has racist origins — when established, it applied the three-fifths clause, which gave a long-term electoral advantage to slave states in the South — and continues to dilute the political power of voters of color. It incentivizes presidential campaigns to focus on a relatively small number of “swing states.” Together, these dynamics have spurred debate about the system’s democratic legitimacy.'
'To make the United States a more representative democracy, reformers are pushing for the presidency to be decided instead by the national popular vote, which would help ensure that every voter counts equally.' (Tim Lau, Brennan Center for Justice) See link below.
Hope, I think that eliminating the Electoral College, which will be very difficult, is one of the important changes to be made if we are to be a democracy as in 'a more perfect union'.
https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/electoral-college-explained
Thank you, Fern. You are amazing with the facts you have at your command.
Thank you, Hope, often with the help of research.
While I agree that the Electoral College needs to go, there is a certain justice in letting those states that are considered more important bear the brunt of election bombardment.
The fact that our Founding Fathers established the Electoral College for only 13 colonies and not for 50 States, is enough reason to either eliminate or make drastic changes to it. We have not questioned its validity until these past years.
We've had a case in Oregon that has been moving through the courts of appeals, Juliana v. US. The case originated in Eugene. I got to do courthouse security for the hearing that got it into the US Appellate system.
Wow.
I see them more as equals. Comparing Watergate to the Fulton County indictments is not a comparison between equals, much like comparing the sins of Hunter and Trump. So, comparing the Montana and Georgia decisions share a date where 2 important things happened and that should never dissipate over time.
The Montana decision was decided by a federal judge and will most likely end up in front of an SCOTUS with an abominable record on the environment . It is a good start and will depend on other red states doing the same.
I imagine we'll being seeing comparisons between the Montana teens mocking Greta Thunberg and all the rightwing pollution they can dump on it.
Ending on a happier note, I'm hopeful for the good start that will be inspiration for other environmentally minded people to duplicate.
"It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends on his not understanding it." -Upton Sinclair 1878–1968. American novelist and social reformer.
One would hope so! However, we still have a big uphill climb. The powers that be - Big Oil, the Republican Party, most of our country's billionaires, our amazingly corrupt Supreme Court - will have much to say.
But remember when we fought and won against tobacco companies that refused to admit there was any relationship between tobacco and cancer? It can be done.
The problem is that America wants to have its cake and eat it too. Biden was all set last winter to start drilling for oil in at least one pristine ecosystem in Alaska. We cannot continue to pig out on fossil fuel by driving big SUVs and supporting the post WW2 car culture. But we want to. We're killing the earth and all its creatures with plastic. The Held case will hopefully make us stop kicking the can down the road.
"That is, while claiming to investigate voter fraud, they allegedly committed election fraud."
There is a disturbing pattern there, creepily consistent with the overarching modern "Republican" M.O. of vociferously claiming ownership of the high road while transparently traveling the lowest of the low.
Today, I see some sunshine:
"Those trying to intimidate election worker and witness Ruby Freeman" have FINALLY been indicted and I hope they go to jail for the rest of their lives, no visitation, no parole, no pardon, and nobody to clean their toilet but themselves.
Today, my hat is off to Fani Willis out of sheer, unadulterated respect for her bravery, tenacity and willingness to defend truth and law.
Fani Willis is a true American Hero. She is, without doubt, the bravest person I have ever been exposed to in my life.
Also, today we see real time who in America has CHANGED America as time has passed. Fani Willis will go down in history as one of those change agents.
And Giuliani might as well pled guilty.
"Rudy Giuliani conceded in a court filing that he made false statements when he said two Georgia election workers mishandled ballots during the 2020 election."
Although he tried to hedge his statement.
https://www.npr.org/2023/07/26/1190173929/rudy-giuliani-georgia-election-workers
When Trump is convicted, can ALL of his holdings be confiscated to pay for all these investigations? When he’s incarcerated I predict he will die within months. If not, seeing his assets disappear will hasten his demise.
Chances are someone will feed him a bad "hamburder" in prison.
Giuliani will die in prison if his alcoholism does not kill him first
I hope Giuliani will live a LONG time......in prison.
Interesting. They said the same thing about Joe McCarthy and Roy Cohn.
Seems like Joe McCarthy's playbook inspires the "GOP" of today.
They have upgrades to Tailgunner Joe's script from Putin, and are following it to the t.
What those bastards did to those two women was despicable. Everyone one of them should be made to suffer the consequences.
Who is going to flip first: Rudy or Meadows???
I believe they both have already flipped in the federal case
I agree. Fani is steadfast. She obviously has an equally dedicated staff who have helped elevate her. She doesn’t crave the notoriety but she cares about rules and laws AND the people she represents. Those indicted were black and white people. They thought they could get away with their diabolical plan but they never met Fani Willis.
And other "Adults in the room", such as Jack Smith.
Interesting that we refer to people who do the right and courageous thing as adults in the room. When ,in my experience , children and adolescents tend to behave with more integrity. Perhaps the lyrics from “ South Pacific’s You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught “ applies.
‘
Well said Mike.
As 30-year resident in a swing state, I have always found the GOP screeching about “Voter Fraud” to be very disturbing. They always seemed to have very VERY specific conspiracy theories in place — minus any actual evidence.
The ultra conservative Heritage Foundation has searched for widespread voter fraud for over 25 years and has admitted that it has no evidence of fraud. Same with the George W Bush Foundation.
More recently lifelong GOP conservatives like Bill Barr, Brad Raffensperger and Gabriel Sterling have testified REPEATEDLY that there was no wide-spread voter fraud in Georgia.
Texas screeches as loud as any and is guilty of laying the foundation for more massive”legal” cheating in 2024.
A GOP long term playbook. If i didnt know better, id say much of the distrust in US federal politics can mainly be planted at their rather soiled feet. New Gingrich and all.
Indeed, where is that arse in the roster of indictments. He sloshed in the muck way back there, but, gee Newt, you just didn't have the mob boss credentials. All you can do is sign on to the cretin who did. And, if you don't rewrite history, you and such as you, are toast. Therein explains your traitorous behavior.
The authoritarian master plan was laid out by smarmy Reagan. The evil genius in the party wide propaganda blitz was to attack the credibility and value of "government of the people, by the people, for the people" by decrying the legitimacy of "Government" in general. Yet Republicans have used every trick in the book to BE the government, in a lopsided, plutocratic, authoritarian way, and greatly undermined egalitarian features of this one; attacking voting rights, equal protection, civil rights, the general welfare, and fair campaign financing; trading "liberty and justice for all" for "the love of money".
Dont forget white evangelical nationalism
Let's not forget the self-appointed Car of Voter Fraud, Kris Kobach. After many years and who knows how many $$, he's managed to prosecute five cases. Ironically, all of the perps were Republicans
°Czar
Every accusation is a confession; every attribution is projection.
From what I gather, "background noise" of actual, intentional instances voter fraud is dominated by Trumpers, not even counting the "Stop the Steal" steal.
They also like to accuse others of planning the very crimes they themselves commit, a trait they may have picked up from Stalin.
Mussolini. Hitler. Deng Xiaoping. Putin. Kim Jong Un. Xi Jinping. Viktor Orbán. Oh Look! It's the GOP's most-liked playlist.
Don't know much about history but we do know Trump rightfully takes his place beside your rogues' gallery of more contemporary fascists...
Ad bad mouths the world's democratic leaders. Birds of a feather.
And Goebbels
Haha! I first read that as "picked up from Satan"
Between the lines.
Very true, JL, and it's a notable shame that Ginni Thomas wasn't indicted along with these other slimeballs.
Ginni and Clarence Thomas do appear to be involved. Eastman was sure that he has Thomas in his pocket. There must be reasons that he believed that. If a paper trail appears or Eastman flips on Thomas that will be the end of a story of corruption.
Maybe he promised Clarence a new RV...........
does make me wonder what his overlords in the Federalist society contributed to the coup attempt
5 cvrtb6ghn78jmi,o.,uytre4c 3wx2ds1w ed2r3g50-=[.0,9m8n 7yb6tervdƒcvgbnm,./"
???
Follow the money, long term.
LOL, maybe so
Karma is inevitable. Sometimes it just takes too long....
...and like the old joke says, "My Karma just ran over your dogma!"
I was disappointed too. Could she be one of the 30 unnamed co-conspirators?
When is someone going to indict her for all her mischief?
The psychologists call it projection. The GQP "leaders" can convince the morally corrupt that the enemy (libtards, Yankee elitists, etc) has done something awful because they are fully capable of doing just that. All to preserve power and fend off the "others" who look different.
Mmhmm. A whole lotta "if I was in their shoes I would do this terrible thing, so let's do it to them first instead."
Plus the homophobes who are actually just so deep into their own closet they are on a first-name basis with each of the mothballs.
Thanks for well-needed chuckle, Will.
Well said!
"He's making himself a martyr, and a lot of the American people are going behind him because they feel like some of these things are a little bit of a stretch," said Gabe Sterling, chief operating officer in the Office of the Georgia Secretary of State, in an interview on ABC News' "This Week" ahead of the indictment.
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/sweeping-indictment-trumps-biggest-legal-challenge-analysis/story?id=102274827
"Second, an unprecedented and dangerous situation in the U.S. military: Thanks to the hold by Senator Tommy Tuberville"
Obviously Sen. Tuberville is an (expletive deleted expletive deleted), but something is clearly out of whack when a single (expletive deleted) individual pointedly neglecting his assigned duties can damage the orderly progress of key government functions so profoundly.
I mean (expletive deleted)!
I remember when tRump took office, he didn’t fill any of the positions that are normally filled by the incoming President. Gradually it dawned on people that was his plan - to hollow out the government. That news faded into the background but I’ve always wondered about it.
Michael Lewis wrote a book about it, The Fifth Risk.
David Cay Johnston had a great one on it as well.
Excellent book that also gave a deeper picture into what our unsung public servants (civil service, non-political jobs/careers) actually do in service of all of us. Reading about how those serving in the Obama admin had prepared information/guidelines/manuals for those coming in……only to never be contacted or asked about the functioning of their departments. Also his book Premonition about the pandemic (and front-line public servants yet again) is also excellent—and scary if we don’t learn our lessons!
He employed "acting" heads of government that didn't require Senate approval. That way he could run the place the way he did his empire and his stupid fracking TV show.
I think if we reflect on the TV show and how many of us loved hearing him say "You're Fired" we should have some serious agita.
That show was so popular for a hot minute when I was a kid. I remember being totally weirded out that actual adults were getting off watching other adults do pointless tasks just as a setup to being berated by a typical middle-school bully in a grown-up's body. No one could ever explain to me what he was rich FOR (buildings? or something?), or HOW he was going to make these other people rich, or WHY they would want to compete just to be his weird little minion. It make me vaguely sick, and one year my Grandma's boyfriend got me an entire stupid cash-grab board game with his face on it for Christmas, and I was so grossed out I literally threw it in the outdoors garbage can with the wrapping paper. My parents thought I was being a bit rude and precocious (I was, in general), but turns out I was also JUSTIFIED. *takes bow*
👏👏👏👏 Good for you. I saw it once, because a friend referred to the show. I thought it the most disgusting trash I'd ever seen and wondered what any sane human being could see in it. I could never understand how anyone got pleasure watching people be humiliated by someone who was clearly a pig.
Even minus the pig, enjoying the “you’re fired!” I never understood. Though now I realize there are more sadists than I imagined.
Yeah, and as Prez he showed us he was too chicken to fire people in person in real life…he had to do it by tweet.
My sister who (through dyslexia) was never a good student, but has always had a good and caring heart, absolutely LOVED "The Apprentice" (she was also big into TV shows, etc.)
Mom died on a Friday, which was (apparently) the night "The Apprentice" was on. Mom was in a "nursing home" (we couldn't get her into hospice because her doc thought she could "recover"; she "just" had pneumonia) and had been unconscious for several days. My sister left just before 8 so she could go home and watch that show. I called her at 8:30 when Mom started having agonal breathing, and told her to get back. She did leave at the final commercial break, and got back just after Mom was pronounced.
I have to say that since then, she's become a community activist. She has, in her late 50's, actually become a local political activist through her volunteer work putting on a community dinner twice a month that has led to a position on the Planning Commission in her town of Phoenix, OR. Her experience going through the Almeda Fire has galvanized her (she did not lose either her home or her church--a 110 year old wooden building-- but had buildings both across the street and on the same block be completely destroyed.
❤️🤣
Bill, I avoided his “show” at all cost. Never saw an episode. The corporate bully show. I never understood how treachery, backstabbing and ruthless authority could be entertaining. Perhaps exposure to Corporate America made me woke.
Dave, I felt as you did and never watched the inane show. It was all about bullying and belittling others. Why bother? (A portent of things to come?)
Started with “Survivor”. I watch 10 minutes once and clicked it off
Reality TV, cheap scripted nonsense
Happy to say I never - not ONCE! - watched it. 🥳
Bill, I read this Greg Olear interview with Noel Casler (he worked on The Apprentice”) back when it was posted and…OMG…I was gobsmacked. I already knew, based on his real life business acumen, that he messed up most business endeavors & was mostly famous for being famous. Anyway, if you haven’t read it, keep a barf-bag nearby: https://gregolear.substack.com/p/full-disclosure-an-interview-with
Here is more information from Michael Lewis’s “Fifth Risk.” I’ve added a gift link below for those who don’t subscribe to the New York Times:
Michael Lewis Wonders Who’s Really Running the Government -
“The risk a society runs when it falls into the habit of responding to long-term risks with short-term solutions. … ‘Program management’ is the existential threat that you never really even imagine as a risk. … It is the innovation that never occurs and the knowledge that is never created, because you have ceased to lay the groundwork for it. It is what you never learned that might have saved you.” It is myopia. It is the absence of leadership. It is democracy without citizenship. Enter Donald Trump…Donald Trump appointed the former Texas governor Rick Perry as energy secretary. Perry, who once said he wanted to abolish the department (he also wanted to abolish Commerce and Education)… Perry didn’t ask for a briefing on any D.O.E. program when he arrived. The real work of sorting out the department was given to Thomas Pyle, a lobbyist funded by the carbon-addled Koch Industries and ExxonMobil. Trump’s goal was to rid the place of Obama supporters and climate change analysts, and to aggrandize the oil and coal sectors.
Lewis quotes Tarak Shah, chief of staff for the department’s $6 billion basic-science program: “We had tried desperately to prepare them … but that required them to show up. And bring qualified people. But they didn’t. They didn’t ask for even an introductory briefing. Like, ‘What do you do?’” “After Trump took office, D. J. Patil watched with wonder as the data disappeared across the federal government.” The disappearing data concerned phenomena that the Trumpers opposed, like climate change or food safety regulations, or that they didn’t care about, like poverty, or stuff that they assumed were government boondoggles, which was most everything not involving the Pentagon. They cut funding for data collection across the board...”
Here is a gift link, please read this article, and then the book:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/08/books/review/michael-lewis-fifth-risk.html?unlocked_article_code=vR9SzH3jfYoOLSLDRMtmTzSlDflXzOUQ3MvsE2dQKknzd2d8zN-gdPpNXDacKk7bXaJrr_D1ejVKLnOiQP3s-sUBq5en3Gj1EE0kIksFWZF1HEy4bwDjsQhZa4Ph_RGOFfML03NVnRvdGd2W-38xRuJoH-HZ1Xm6FaDCCyJKZkuMnFq3fq9sZcnszD65gyfRuIOWnNru6TnbP01VkyhmCVcsvVsoDF9if67J3ZrdNe1kd2gCcuya_HZBo_QcBj_8Dfl8W4v6aqod2o83VCOMthmhYZK6r2xI0Lplpw1JCJFmF4PVyc9w-gZZzt5egXt8Q-x6Uczmwm-581OoLTyHKGxEXIzczLc&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
Michael Lewis Wonders Who’s Really Running the Government
Kristen, I responded to your earlier post giving and hearty “I second that!” to your recommendation about the book. What he shares is much deeper than just the Obama-Trump transition….it explains a lot about how our gov’t functions and WHY IT SHOULD NEVER BE RUN LIKE A BUSINESS (sorry for “shouting”, but this is a critical point to comprehend & sadly many do not).
Here is more information from Michael Lewis’s “Fifth Risk.” I’ve added a gift link below for those who don’t subscribe to the New York Times:
Michael Lewis Wonders Who’s Really Running the Government -
“The risk a society runs when it falls into the habit of responding to long-term risks with short-term solutions. … ‘Program management’ is the existential threat that you never really even imagine as a risk. … It is the innovation that never occurs and the knowledge that is never created, because you have ceased to lay the groundwork for it. It is what you never learned that might have saved you.” It is myopia. It is the absence of leadership. It is democracy without citizenship. Enter Donald Trump…Donald Trump appointed the former Texas governor Rick Perry as energy secretary. Perry, who once said he wanted to abolish the department (he also wanted to abolish Commerce and Education)… Perry didn’t ask for a briefing on any D.O.E. program when he arrived. The real work of sorting out the department was given to Thomas Pyle, a lobbyist funded by the carbon-addled Koch Industries and ExxonMobil. Trump’s goal was to rid the place of Obama supporters and climate change analysts, and to aggrandize the oil and coal sectors.
Lewis quotes Tarak Shah, chief of staff for the department’s $6 billion basic-science program: “We had tried desperately to prepare them … but that required them to show up. And bring qualified people. But they didn’t. They didn’t ask for even an introductory briefing. Like, ‘What do you do?’” “After Trump took office, D. J. Patil watched with wonder as the data disappeared across the federal government.” The disappearing data concerned phenomena that the Trumpers opposed, like climate change or food safety regulations, or that they didn’t care about, like poverty, or stuff that they assumed were government boondoggles, which was most everything not involving the Pentagon. They cut funding for data collection across the board...”
Here is a gift link, please read this article, and then the book:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/08/books/review/michael-lewis-fifth-risk.html?unlocked_article_code=vR9SzH3jfYoOLSLDRMtmTzSlDflXzOUQ3MvsE2dQKknzd2d8zN-gdPpNXDacKk7bXaJrr_D1ejVKLnOiQP3s-sUBq5en3Gj1EE0kIksFWZF1HEy4bwDjsQhZa4Ph_RGOFfML03NVnRvdGd2W-38xRuJoH-HZ1Xm6FaDCCyJKZkuMnFq3fq9sZcnszD65gyfRuIOWnNru6TnbP01VkyhmCVcsvVsoDF9if67J3ZrdNe1kd2gCcuya_HZBo_QcBj_8Dfl8W4v6aqod2o83VCOMthmhYZK6r2xI0Lplpw1JCJFmF4PVyc9w-gZZzt5egXt8Q-x6Uczmwm-581OoLTyHKGxEXIzczLc&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
Michael Lewis Wonders Who’s Really Running the Government
It is unbelievable that one complete idiot can block the entire progression of ALL US Military Leadership. We need to completely reform how something of this magnitude is approved. STAT.
#BlueRevolution #ReformTheRules #ReformTheFilibuster #TermLimits #StopElectingIdiots
It still has not been explained fully ( for me) why he is able to continue this dangerous ploy with no intervention. Adding his living in Florida, rather than Alabama, seems to be reason for another indictment.
I think the Senate could act when Tuberville misses a Senate session but don't do so because too many Senators want to preserve this super-power for themselves. Or they can vote one by one with a series of roll call votes which would take forever with so many holds in place. 84 days if they did nothing else per this report article: https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/atlanta/news/why-a-single-senator-is-blocking-us-military-promotions-and-what-it-means-for-the-pentagon/
Every one of these clownish saboteurs are backed by the overarching bad faith of the "Republican" Party. Anyone with any trace of "decency" has been banished from the party.
As with the debt crisis, puerile expensive, and harmful partial shutdowns of government, indifference to the law and republican (SMALL "r") these idiots choose their own self-serving hubis over national security and the common good.
Hubris I meant to say, gone mad.
Sue, I’m surprised Mitch hasn’t swatted him like a fly….and brought him in line. Seems to me the R party keeps shooting themselves in the foot SO MUCH that even they would vote to gun control to curb the damage.
Running a country is a critical and serious responsibility; not much room for game-playing. Lives depend on it. A place to put away childish things if there ever was one.
If they are stupid and scumbags, what about the people who elected them. This country is in serious shape.
Tuberville is an ignorant hick. He is just like the other MAGAT's in the Senate and House, he is not qualified for anything.. I only wish the Congress would require IQ tests to qualify for Congress. Tuberville, Maggot Traitor Goon, Lauren Boebert and all of the MAGAT scum would not be there right now. By their actions, i would say their IQ's would average about 5 or maybe 10. These scumbags are incredibly ignorant and just plain stupid.
As Liz Cheney said, STOP ELECTING IDIOTS.
They were all selected and funded by their puppeteers. They are a direct result of the Citizens United decision - the ultimate gift to the uber rich.
Yes! The fact that the United States legalized bribing our elected leaders as “free speech” is disgusting. Citizens United was the biggest grift the mega rich and corporations was ever gifted.
Sadly their voters don’t seem to care. That’s what gets me.
You are right, their voters don't seem to care. I don't own any firearms either. My daughter and teenage grandson and my son lives here with me.
Unfortunately, Christianity is a term with multiple interpretations. Jesus showed no xenophobia towards the Samaritan, nor disrespect for women, considering their prominence in his teachings. But I agree with your description of many self-described Christians and their tendency to throw stones at people unlike themselves.
I read a piece recently that some uber Christian nationalists now think that JC was “too woke and liberal” and are openly rejecting some of his teachings (as they have been actually “doing” for some time)….but they are saying it out loud! I do not have a religious bone in my body (and think God, g-d, gods are an evolving construct of man), but like what someone said to me about JC many years ago…. calling him “a good man”…yeah, that I totally agree with.
I wouldn't equate a high IQ with character, I know several intelligent folks who happen to live outside the normal sphere and would be a disaster in governance. Who would be comfortable voting for them? Not the hoi polloi certainly. "Genius" isn't always a number on a test, genius is how DJT was elected, by being able to read the landscape and use his persona to create what we are moaning about here.
Does the name MIchael Dukakis ring a bell? Herschell Walker? His poll numbers were right up there for a long time, he lived in TX and who cared about that?
" Tuberville is an ignorant hick. " Well then he appealed to the ignorant hicks who can't distinguish Congress from a football field, and sometimes I can't either.
Every voter has a different ideal candidate profile, and sometimes that means voting against someone else on the ballot.
Herschel
He was a horrible coach that left every program worse off. Kind of like the aliens in Independence Day.
John T. Phillips, I would prefer a civics lesson and a class on “Our Country, Our Republic,” or some such subject over IQ tests. Tuberville needs one on the three branches of government, since he did not know what they were when he was elected.
I think it’s closer to 5 than 10.
LOVE the use of (expletive deleted) JLG; well played💚👍💛
There is an old saying in the law: for every wrong there is a right. It's up to Sen. McConnell to "fix" this.
I mean, Can that guy even finish a sentence these days???
There is a problem of "old ageism," thinking of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Dianne Feinstein. They should should have retired earlier. It looks as though Mitch may be getting his just rewards by developing mental incompetentcy to go along with his moral vacuity. He will simply fill an "empty suit."
Every time I hear another Repub decry how the DOJ or its state/county equivalents have become "weaponized" against Cheeto and his Cruddy Cronies I do an eye roll so huge I give myself vertigo. The standard Democratic response going forward is clearly going be calmly emphasizing the framing of equal treatment under the law, the presence of multiple juries of ordinary Americans, yadda yadda yadda. That is probably the wisest framing.
But y'all know me... I have my own loopy ideas about messaging, informed by my own persistent incorrigibleness. My contrarian response to the supposedly "weaponized" DOJs is simpler: HECK YEAH! DERN TOOTIN'! A scrupulous, ruthlessly determined legal system is a modern society's best weapon against the ever-present bad actors aiming to undermine or disregard the social contract for their own ill-gotten gains. Whaddaya think these big-shot prosecutors and investigators do with their time? Wait until they just stumble across something iffy and then poke around a bit? Puh-leez. Their whole job - if they are doing it properly - is to seek out any sign of crimminality in their district, find it, identify those responsible, then zealously pursue all evidence until they have the scumbags dead to rights. Boom boom pow pow. And since there are more people playing fast and loose with something-or-other than you can possibly whack-a-mole at once, ya gotta prioritize. The bigger the crime, the more those entrusted with the law are inclined to bring out the big guns. But the modern legal system is, ideally, about takin' down the bad guys without firing a single actual shot. The SEALs puts down terrorist cells with an armed raid, but the Legal Eagles put down insurrectionists with a mountain of paperwork. How cool! I'M ALL FOR IT.
Imagine the archetypical scene out of the mythical Old West: the Bandito, after ransacking the town and attempting to escape scot-free, it suddenly blindsided from behind the old oak tree by the Loyal Sherriff. A shot rings out! The Bandito tumbles off his horse. As the Loyal Sherriff nears, a placid expression on his face, the Bandito croaks out his last words... "Ay yi yi! Why would this guy not stop coming after me? I can't believe the law has become so *weaponized*!"
Easiest way to stop having your party's candidate campaigning from court? Stop picking the guy who does all the crime. Amirite, you guys?
' I do an eye roll so huge I give myself vertigo.' Wil, thanks for my first LOL of the day.
Please edit your "HECK YEAH" reply with "Dern Tootin'," and I'm all in with the rest of it, Will!
Lynell, I like you a lot, your suggestion has a delightful zip, and you said please. Therefore, your requested edit has been granted (see above). Cheers!
Hip Hip Hooray...thank you, Will!
I love "Dern Tootin'". My mother used to say "Dern Tootin'"
Listen to your mother, Michael...she knows!
So....you are saying that law enforcement should do its job using the legal weapons that we provided them with? What a novel idea! I'm all in on that. Let's give our government all the weapons it needs to hold high the rule of law and preserve democracy.
Fani Willis is saying my vote, your vote, and ALL our votes matter. Trump and team are saying nyah...only if I win. Maybe "Orange will be the new GQP color" - not red, white and blue.
Well, to be abundantly clear, I vociferously oppose what I view as the current militarization of the police in this country, on all levels. Itchy trigger fingers and an ethos of physical dominance in the name of law enforcement have caused harm to untold lives, and it must end. But I cannot resist the golden opportunity to point out the rich hypocrisy of those who yell "law and order," idolize the man with the gun, rough and ready cowboy, thin blue line, etc... yet become the martyrs to their own metaphors the second some grand jury paperwork gets filed that makes their favored shysters squirm.
Anyway, Bill, you are damn right that all are votes matter. I'm prepared to use mine without a moment's hesitation. And I brought friends with me!
This trend is very scary, especially the giving of excess military supplies to police depts…what could possibly go wrong?! Once upon a time, long long ago in a land that we (used to) live in….(at least in my small town experience) there were the beat cops that everybody knew…and we respected one another and the public knew their job was sometimes hard and dangerous. I know my experience is likely atypical and unlike more urban areas (but what do I know?). I recall once, years ago, I was driving a 1949 Studebaker truck near sunset and trying to make it home ASAP because I knew the headlights/taillights didn’t work). Well, I was stopped by the CHP & the fellow (it was now getting darker) approached the driver’s side door with caution…to find this young hippie girl (who was also a state employee!) at the wheel. We ended up having a very nice conversation & he said he was trying to get used to being w/ the CHP in a rural area…that most everybody he stopped was really nice and he was starting to dial-down his fear of getting shot at he approached the car. That conversation made me think of those who go into law enforcement as a true public servant (protect and defend) and how the very real danger they put themselves in day after day can impact and, perhaps change their outlook and behavior. Dunno, but it’s something that comes to me when I see in shock and horror some of the egregious behaviors of those “public servants”.
Will, from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid; “Who ARE those guys?!!!”
"I can't swim!"
"What, you crazy? The fall will probably kill you!"
So many great lines in that script
“Think ya used enough dynamite there, Butch?”
You’ve all really made me laugh this early morning. Thanks, Will. Glad to say you’re from California.
Thanks for all the quotes from my favorite movie!
My sentiments exactly, Kathleen.
Hi Will, good to hear from you. My take on why our autocratic-wannabe Republican neighbors think the DOJ and other government institutions are "weaponized" against them is because they are. For over 200 years now, they have been set up to protect our constitutional republic against the very thing that is being attempted now, the non-democratic take over of this country by a minority who intends to stay in power, will of the people be damned. Thanks for being our 'will of the people' Will. :)
Yeah. If you don't want weapons against you, don't do the crime!
100%
Oh Will, I was hoping we’d hear from you today.
I have the same opinionated response to the weaponization accusation.
The Montana environmental decision is absolutely the most inspiring thing that happened today, by leaps and bounds.
The commitment, altruism, and wisdom of these kids to spend so much of their time and energy on something bigger than themselves, and to conduct themselves with such discipline and confidence in a court of law, should be an example to everyone in the whole country. Their bravery, too, most of all: they live in an area typically unreceptive to their cause, and put themselves up against very powerful actors who do not hold back when it comes to silencing those challenging their power.
By definition, youth lacks in experience, and typically the nuance that comes with it. That is true. Yet the one advantage youth undoubtedly has is *clarity.* All the smoke and mirrors that people get lost in trying to navigate this complicated world can too often prevent them from seeing what really matters, what is really possible, what is really NECESSARY. Necessary for true happiness, for true fairness, for true well-being. Youth hasn't had the time to get lost in so much of the nonsense. Too often they are dismissed, when in reality, they are who can see clear as day.
I'm happy their clarity of cause met the experience that their lawyers provided, and reached a likely game-changing result, courtesy of a judge who did her job (imagine that). If nothing else, it made my heart grow a size. May we all recommit ourselves to doing what we can for the planet and our fellow inhabitants as well. If they can do it, so can we, simple as that.
Will from Cal, Thank you for lifting up the young ones who are thinking on their own and working for the good of our country and planet. Thanks also to the young black men serving in the government in Tennessee. Thanks to those working in Florida for voting rights and for truth and honesty within the education system.
While so many are working to take away our freedoms, I am so thankful for those who are coming along standing for freedom and honesty. My vote will go to such as these!!!
Thanks, Emily! There really are good, inspiring people everywhere. While I know these sorts of folks do not do the good work for attention... I still wish that more widespread attention was paid. Think how much more motivated people would be if the news was filled with good examples for a change!
Emily, you might like this article about David Hogg an his compatriots who are starting a PAC to elect young persons to office: https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/meetthepressblog/youth-activists-launch-plans-elect-leaders-age-rcna97611. Note the last paragraph where he gives a shout-out to Biden for his years of public service. We need ALL of us…the old & middle aged mentors & the youth coming up to replace them….the natural order.
Hello again Will! I have spent a large chunk of my career working with teenagers. There are no better BS detectors on the planet. They often don't know what to do about the BS once they've detected it, however.
Apparently, the group of young people from Montana did know what to do about it. Maybe they were guided by some adults who knew how to empower them, maybe not. Either way, the ability to detect BS and take effective action is a very powerful combination.
Thank you Heather.
“The defendants have until noon on (Friday) August 25 to surrender themselves to authorities.”
This reads like a sonnet. May it be just the beginning of a return to law and order, and to a civil society. 🙏🏻
In other news:
A dear friend from my time living on Maui let me know today that she’s broken-hearted, but otherwise safe.
And what if a certain defendant does not surrender to authorities on the 25th? Will anything actually happen to him (beyond more gratuitous publicity that is)?
Yes. S/he will get an unfriendly visit from the gendarmes who will put them on a plane (or maybe the Midnight Train) to Georgia and slap their arses in jail.
‘or maybe the Midnight Train’—sure glad I had already put down my coffee. 😅😅😃
Dani Willis does not strike me as the kind of person who sit on her thumbs while the world turns. I’m sure she has a plan of action waiting to be executed.
So glad to hear your friend is safe.
Answer to our prayers
I'm glad you got good news from your friend. The one family I know on Maui also escaped the fire, in a mad dash away. Devastating.
Perhaps I am ignorant, but I don't associate triple digit heat with Oregon. I saw that weather prediction in the news, and when I did, I wondered how you are faring, Ally.
Hope you are well.
I took a couple friends over to the coast yesterday (my dear friend and her 91 year old mother. They just had to put one of their dogs down, and we just went for cooler temperatures and a change of scenery). It was still in the upper 70’s there, but it was a wonderful day.
It was apparently in the 80s yesterday at the Bandon airport, but in the lighthouse we were wearing sweatshirts all day.
It was cooler at Heceta Lighthouse; I’m pretty sure it was at Yaquina as well. Newport proper was 80+
Thank you Heather -I'm grateful to awaken with coffee, The Guardian, and your research, citations, and analysis.
I'm so pleased the young plaintiffs earned a decision in Montana. Nevertheless the Montana State Legislature is controlled by the GOP. Until voters in Montana and across the United States understand we are living in a climate emergency in which the evidence is readily available, whether catastrophic fire, major metropolitan areas covered in smoke and ash, flooding, hurricanes, and extreme temperatures -the world will continue to burn. In fact, in Montana -voters not elevating a governor who assaults reporters would be a big step in the right direction. (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/may/24/greg-gianforte-bodyslams-reporter-ben-jacobs-montana)
And grateful for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. And while the indictment now charges some key players in the Trump criminal organization, I have yet to see some elected members of Congress charged as accessories after the fact. The Senators (including Tuberville) who voted to oppose the electoral college result, and the 147 House members should all be expelled from Congress and barred from any public office.
George, thank you....and agree "yet to see some elected members of Congress charged as accessories after the fact..." " ....and the 147 House members expelled from Congress and barred from any public office."
Fani Willis ....Thank you.....I know there is much more to do but WOW!!!! you have worked hard to do your job.......to follow the law!!!......you have served your state and our country well!!!
It would be great to have two political parties filled with men and women who loved this country (and this world) more than themselves .....okay to have various ideas to build up our country ...work with leaders of other countries for the betterment of this world :space, land and oceans....the children of this world, health for all....education that meets the needs of as many as possible.....respect and continued opportunities for our older citizens who have so much wisdom and experience to share.....
There are always job opportunites available to meet the needs of this country and world.....whether we like it or not, we belong to one another!
Beautifully stated.
On 8/14/23 in Fulton County GA this particular "criminal organization" of 19 named Defendants has been indicted on multiple counts of making "False Statements & Writings". What I like about those counts is that is exactly how this "criminal enterprise" will be held to account for all to see. The proceeding in transparent GA will apparently be televised.
Part of me thinks Trump is secretly pleased to be recognized as the head of a criminal enterprise. He's always indentified with the Mafia Don types
Think you are right MisTBlu, Mafia Don Trump. But, I think this Mafia Don "has been made" even though the Perp is of German descent. Given tfg's media abuse, Mafia Don certainly did NOT take a "vow of silence".
LOL, a "vow of silence". That is rich, Counsellor!
Ally, I really love West Linn ORE & the Forest (Tryon) that surrounds Lewis & Clark Law School.👍
It is beautiful!
Yup. Tell it like it is. Sometimes the conspirators are for real.
Even Mark Meadows! Yay!
That was a real bonus! Mark Meadows finally indicted!
Yay for Cassidy Hutchinson who opened our eyes with her tale of what occurred in White House January 6! She is a hero too.
https://music.amazon.com/albums/B08X51JSC7?do=play&trackAsin=B08X524JRF&ref=dm_sh_vV0179jJZGh9KGIlAZxkI7RTR”
“I Fought the Law and The Law Won”. In honor of today’s fourth indictment of the Orange Monster. Do a happy dance everyone!
My daughter said if TUMP is tried and convicted and imprisoned, we will have a huge cook out and party at my house, and rub it in the faces of our TUMP worshiping neighbors.
LOL...good one, Elisabeth!
DANCING!
In the streets!!!!!
Perfecto
"They pointed to a Montana law forbidding the state and its agents from taking the impact of greenhouse gas emissions or climate change into consideration in their environmental reviews."
Ummm. Isn't that like forbidding all mention of boats and water in maritime law?
At least.
I think it's time to stop calling him tfg (which seems popular) or even the Duck (which nobody does but me!) and give him instead the name of The Defendant.
Good call, but the Grand Jury beat you to it.
I did that a while ago. Defendant reminds me of Sherman McCoy in The Bonfire of the Vanities.
...and, on top of all this news, I am establishing a Go Fund Me page to pay for a permanent vacation for Clarence & Ginni Thomas.
AN extended, all-expense-paid stay at the exclusive House of Corrections.
Club Fed. On Maui.
Tuberville's actions: isn't this wildly unconstitutional? Can't the President override?
Apparently not. What is happening with Tuberville is a Senate rule, and Unconstitutional Rule, but apparently no one in the Senate is going to challenge it.
Okay... just because a rule isn't in the Consititition does not mean it is unconstitutional. This is the sort of narrow thinking that feeds the "originalism" we are typically against here. Also, something can be constitutional while also being stupid and self-defeating. The two are unfortunately not mutually exclusive.
Also, the inability of the current Senate majority to get around "unanimous consent" (the rule that Senator Pigskin is exploiting), has nothing to with any lack of willpower or cleverness. Like all things legislative, it is a numbers game and nothing more.
Follow me, here: unanimous consent is pretty much the filibuster by another name. Instead of requiring 60 votes to stop a Senator from filibustering and end debate, 60 votes are required to stop a Senator from "holding" an appointment. So shutting down Alabummer would require 9 Republicans to join the Democrats. They will never do this because the base is in support of the troublemaker, would view such an action as treason, and primary them to kingdom come. So the other alternative would be changing the rules entirely. Awesome, much overdue! Except - just like with the filibuster - THERE ARE NOT YET A MAJORITY OF SENATORS WILLING TO CHANGE THE RULES. There are currently 49. No "pressure" or "will" or "leadership" will change that. We need one more. Our next chance to do so would be in November '24, by holding all Democratic incumbent seats and replacing a certain kooky AZ "independent." So this is not likely to get resolved until the January following.
Plus, the Democratic leadership really has no cold political reason for pushing on this. They will never say so publicly, but this makes the clearest and best case possible to the public why the rules of the chamber need to be overhauled if given the chance, and makes it almost impossible for anyone to back out from doing so when the chance arises. Which will be fantastic, because that shoves open the long-sealed-shut door not just to ending this debacle but also to restoring voting rights, ending gerrymandering, curtailing dark money, restoring reproductive rights, codifying LGBT rights, tackling the climate crisis, gun control, crimminal justice reform, court ethics, strengthening unions, doubling the minimum wage, instituting progressive taxation, universal childcare and eldercare, free community college, debt relief, family and medical leave, negotiating drug prices, possibly a public healthcare option, and all the other policies that have died in the Senate as a result of the antiquated chamber rules.
But that will require 1 more anti-filibuster Senator. Elections have major consequences. Until then...
Will...WOW....I enjoyed reading your comments so much....and along with your comments , I saw openings for jobs for Americans who could contribute with their gifts and talents...and it also reminded me of our need for excellent teachers and professors, and companies to provide training for our younger citizens to grow into the possibilites that will be made available in order to meet the needs for the growth and development of our country and world!!!!
President Biden proves over and over again, his ideas fit perfectly within your "comments"!...."Building Back Better" must continue! AND this includes caring for and encouraging one another in this human family.
Well said, Will. I think I'd like for us to gain three senate seats, so that the WV Senator can stop being a factor in getting anything done. Keep Jon Tester, lose Krysten Sinema, and gain at least one more elsewhere.
Oh, yeah. Senator Pigskin and Alabummer are priceless nicknames! Well done, sir.
All I want for Christmas 2024 is a Senate majority. Just think of all those wonderful things you mentioned under the tree!
And, love Senator Pigskin and the Alabummer! Who knew that he really lives in Florida!
Senators: accessories after the fact?
McConnell!
So the Senators aren't bound by the Constitution? Who else? Something radically wrong here.
I've lost the thread on what Tuberville has done is unconstitutional.
It's not. Like so many things in our government, it's a Senate rule that everyone is loathe to mess with on the off chance they'll need it sometime.
As I laid out above, I think it is rather self-evident at this point that the idea that "everyone is loathe to mess with" the Senate rules to be totally inaccurate. We *already had* a highly-publicized vote in January of last year where 47 currently-serving Senators publicly voted to change the chamber rules, and since then an additional two skeptics have been elected. So, to be factually correct, there are currently only 51 Senators who are on the record as refusing to change the rules, but they are not just "loathe;" they are adamantly opposed.
A 51-49 split does not "everyone" make.
I don't "like" but I do understand your words.
But it seems that only the bad guys use their Senate privileges and for purposes that are harmful. It is an old, outdated and should be abolished.
Thanks, MsT! Bringing up the Constitution in re Tuberville and the Senate Rule confused me.
And shouldn’t he live in the state he represents? (Tho Florida can have him.)
Please. NO! We have enough ignorant racists in Florida-our Governor has ensured that. We’ve more than met our quota. 😞
If he was actually elected, his constituents don't seem bothered by the fact that he has nothing to do with them., residentially or otherwise... Surprising, in a place like Florida, so loyal, industrious and upright.
Who would have thought it would be Montana to strike the first blow! I have heard that Fani Willis’s case is complex but it comprehensively recognize the whole ecosystem of those responsible for committing Fraud. Bravo Georgia, Bravo Heather!
Lindsey Graham played an active role in the pressuring of Georgia election officials. Why hasn’t he been named as a defendant?
Maybe he’s a witness.
Nah, not if he had a choice. Nobody has sold their soul to the extent that Lindsey has..
There are 30 “unindicted co- conspirators” as of yet.
Another of the 30 unnamed co-conspirators?
I have been wondering about ol’ Lindsey. Thanks Cathy, for mentioning that scoundrel! Indict. Prosecute and lock him up!
It almost seems surreal hearing those words spoken so succinctly by DA Willis. I’m so relieved to have heard such competence at work. It is only a beginning, I understand. But, one that sheds a glimmer of hope that a Just system really exists somewhere in this country.
This truly is an extraordinary event. Along with the news out of Marion, KS, there is much to ponder.
May more reflection commence, rational thinking persist, and a mature sense of TRUTH prevail.
As always, I’m grateful for your texts Heather, and continue to be hopeful for an enlightened, more informed public that grasps the full extent of just what is at stake here. Not just for this country, but, humanity as a whole. Thank you to all who helped DA Willis get to this point in our history.
AND, thank you Mature Youth of Montana, who put a big smile on this man’s face! I applaud your courage!
I would be willing to bet that DA Willis will be getting death threats about this from the deluded MAGA'S here in Georgia. There are some wingnuts that can be dangerous here.