118 Comments

Quoting HCR from Facebook (because finding it among multi-thousands of comments becomes increasingly difficult as the day wears on): "It's quite a read, no? I wrote a ton on it tonight and cut it all. Thinking about doing a weekend post that lays out the whole Russia story. What do you think? Should I?"

In a word, YES.

I started digging into the Senate Report last night during the PBS Newshour warmup. The initial summary is bad enough. Still working my way through the fact section on Manafort. How could ANY Senator with awareness of this information cast votes for a) no witnesses, and b) acquittal? We thought Watergate coverup was big; this one involves an entire political party, likely spanning all three branches of government.

The general public will never red the document (or its predecessors), but a good HCR summary they might.

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The absolutely most disgusting thing—and it’s a contest—is the knowledge Senate Republicans had about Trump’s collusion, using the common definition, with the Russians And unanimously save one acquitted him anyway. As expected, this broadened his range of lawlessness, not taught him a less as Collins so naively predicted. Every senate Repub ought to be tried for criminal cooperation.

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With the so far highly successful convention and the beginnings of a retreat on the USPS it is a little too early to say that Biden "has Trump on the run" but he does now seem to have "the bit between his teeth" . Now is not the time to repeat the tactical errors of many Union generals during the Civil War when they stopped their pursuit of retreating defeated Confederate armies as they didn't want to be "too hard and nasty" on their Southern Brothers. Now is the time to chase the corruption, lies, destructive acts and self interest of the Trumpians "to hell and high water". Time to name the names, call a spade a spade, scream them to the heavans and use it to decapitate and bleed dry the monster that Trump, Koch's money and Russian enabling has made of the GOP...in the name of the people. Charge!

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The Democrats are doing a lot better than I expected with this convention. And Old Blubberneck is doing a great job of defeating himself - they announce they're going to have the St. Louis Lawyers From Hell as keynote speakers? You keep right on that, you malevolent morons.

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A more far reaching comment by Sen. Richard Burr, R-NC, the Senate Intelligence Committee's former chair: "One of the Committee’s most important – and overlooked – findings is that much of Russia’s activities weren’t related to producing a specific electoral outcome, but attempted to undermine our faith in the democratic process itself. Their aim is to sow chaos, discord, and distrust. Their efforts are not limited to elections. The threat is ongoing."

So Russia...sow chaos...elections...and Republicans draw no nexus to disabling the USPS and election sabotage?

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/08/18/senate-details-paul-manafort-ties-russian-intel-officer-kilimnik/3390437001/

Side note: Richard Burr is a descendant of Aaron Burr, as in Hamilton.

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Thank you for this summary! For the first time I am feeling a little hopeful that finally, maybe, Trump will not "get away with murder," because so many have expressed their outrage at his attempt to destroy the USPS as well as their support of the USPS, that DeJoy has had to stop what he has been doing and is being called to account. Hopefully we can ensure the capability to vote by mail, which is not only a much safer option than voting in person during a pandemic but for many of us makes it convenient to vote.

On another note, the DNC seems to be doing well these past few days, possibly the best most moving convention ever with their line-up of speakers. Michelle Obama as usual was so inspiring to hear. I feel a bit more hopeful for the first time in almost four years.

Thank you!

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I am still concerned about the blatant dismantling of our Postal Service by the Repugnant Regime controlling our government. When DeJoy announced that “he will postpone his overhaul of the USPS until after the election,” it sounded too literal and I immediately thot that the damage had already been done. Seems my suspicions were right with the amount of damage done at 95%. They need to hold his feet to the fire (I wish that were not figurative) until he swears that he will replace the sorting machines & other equipment and personnel that he has removed. He seemed too confident that he will still be here “after the election.” Given a level playing field without ILLEGAL interference, neither he nor the Asswipe Occupying the White House should be here after the election.

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As for the Susan B. Anthony "pardon," I am trying to stick to the analysis that the trumpians did this to court the far right women, when I am really experiencing this as a malevolent F-you by some behind-the-scenes misogynist who is chuckling in his cleverness.

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Yes, please write a weekend post on your Russia research. Mueller Report is gathering dust on my nightstand, and I’d like your assessment to blow the dust off its shocking findings. As for Night 2 of DNC, Mr. Barkins video held my attention-I’m in awe of his and his wife’s spirit of outrage and community service on the subject of healthcare in this country. He’s something else! AOC, John Kerry and Colin Powell came through loud and clear. But, I’m one of those people who don’t know the Bidens. Jill Biden and her husband seem to genuinely like each other and being together. What a concept! The fact that she continued teaching while functioning as Second Lady is a reminder that public service doesn’t have to consume one’s identity. Her husband is a partner, not a ruler. Nice. Just what the USA needs. ❤️🤍💙

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It is interesting that the women at this "pardoning" of Susan B. Anthony would have probably been in the anti-suffrage movement. And I see another email to Mr McConnell from me to keep up the pressure about the Post Office. The actions taken thus far need to be remedied, not just the "promise" (I don't trust his promises) no more actions. All the sorting machines need to be replaced, the new rules rolled back and Mr. DeJoy needs to resign.

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It would be amusing to find out if Trump even knew who SB Anthony is (I doubt it--and, like another Rochesterian, Frederick Douglass, he probably thinks she was alive only a few years ago). The folks at Seneca Falls are certainly irritated . . . (I spent almost 2 decades teaching at a university near Seneca Falls and it has had its own problems with historicity and covering up the treatment of women of color and Black women in the suffrage movement but it is still a great place to visit!).

The Senate report--I concur with the group that I would love to see a summation of the findings written by HCR but I also wonder what Moscow Mitch is going to do with the report. I suspect it will be buried, just like the sorting machines that DeJoy has removed from post offices in swing states. Since impeding the mail and mail fraud are both felonies, and the Trump admin could rightfully be accused of both, it will be interesting to see the charges pile up if we do have a Dems victory in November. My assumption is that the Senate report is going to be tucked away so that, come November 5th, it can be trotted out as a symbol of Republican rejection of Trumpism and the toe lint lickers can claim that they are politically "independent" from their disgraced leader.

As a kid, I watched--with my family (4 generations in one house)--the conventions with avid interest. As an adult, I have come to find them difficult to watch, so I rely on news reports the next day to give me the highlights. But I caught the end of Jill Biden's speech and what I loved--because I suspect it was absolutely spontaneous--was Joe jumping into the frame and expressing his love, his admiration, and his respect for Jill: not just because she is his wife but because of everything she is and does and has done. He was downright goofy with joy. It was a moment. I'm not a great fan of Biden (Anita Hill will always stick in my craw) but that was such a relief from the horrors of the last 4 years.

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As I read the news yesterday and watched the convention last night I wondered what you, Professor Richardson, would have to say. As always, you did not disappoint. Thank you. I think the retraction from the DeJoy has to be because we, the people, voiced our consternation and our Congressional representatives added to our voices. It pays to make noise. I watched all of the convention on PBS (no commercials!) I am stirred bu what I have watched so far. We, the people, and leadership, and the voices of so many “ordinary” citizens Is moving.

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Heather I want to say thank you for today's video chat on the Russian story that dropped today. While it was difficult to take in what you strung together it was extremely important to connect the dots as you do so well for us... thank you thank you thank you

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Thank you. I was please to see President & Mrs. Carter included considering his current health issues. And Jill Biden's talk was excellent.

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I loved the Roll Call. I would watch it again. Bill Clinton's speech was great! He served it up and Dr. Biden brought it home.

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Thank you for this concise recap of the day.

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