It has been a day full of news, not all of which I will have the space to put into this letter. But before I get to the extraordinary news of tonight’s indictment of former president Trump and 18 others on 41 criminal counts, including racketeering, for their attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, there are two other landmarks to record today.
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.
"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.
"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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
"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.
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 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.
"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.
"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)!
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
"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.
...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.
Tuberville's actions: isn't this wildly unconstitutional? Can't the President override?
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?
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.