Trump today celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution, protecting women’s right to vote, by announcing that he would pardon suffragist Susan B.
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.
Check out Carole Cadwalladr of the Guardian in UK, a journalist who has been tracking Russian shenanigans over there for a very long time. Cambridge Analytica and the infusion of Russian oligarchs--especially Deripaska, who is Putin's money man all the way--into the tony aristocrats of British society has been a long and extremely patient incursion. They first infiltrated UK politics, then ours. Facebook/CA were absolutely an integral part of all of that, and this Senate Report is shocking too even Carole, apparently. Carole's summaries over the next few days are going to be really interesting.
Agree...No doubt there has been a lot of Russian meddling. Maybe we ought to pay a bit of attention to this too...Did the ends justify the means if...? Wonder...
Please let’s not kid ourselves. Even with an outstanding summary report from Heather, It won’t make a difference to all those who blindly, stupidly listen to tRump. Think the voters in Kentucky or South Carolina or Wisconsin give a damn about foreign interference? And the new chair of the Senate intelligence committee, my “distinguished “ senator Marco Rubio continues to spew the garbage that there’s no evidence of collusion. Ha!
While there's probably nothing to be done for the 30-35% of blind followers, I prefer to think that the remaining 65-70% of Americans want something better. To borrow a phrase, it will at least take up some of the air. I am encouraged by the growing numbers people who follow HCR on FB.
I just listened to Heather's Tuesday talk on FB, and that untangled it all. So much back and forth and scheming, however, that even after listening carefully, I'd probably still flunk a quiz! (Shh--You didn't read that, Heather.)
I’m so far behind on the videos! Getting back to my classroom has been so overwhelming, I just collapse as soon as I’ve disinfected. Tried to watch one tonight and I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I love them!
There’d have to be a quiz a day to cover all this material! It’s such a ridiculous crazy mass of information everyday! If I’m taking a quiz I want college credit! 😆
Natasha Bertrand (@Natasha Bertrand, on Twitter) lays out what’s in Volume 5 of the Senate Intelligence Report. I agree, Andrew, it’s incredible that anyone with this information could vote to call no witnesses and then vote for acquittal. Even if Trump himself kept wilfully ignorant (hard to believe he would), to cover himself, apparently so many, many people around him were pulling strings, setting up meetings, and making deals with Russian intelligence officers. Michael Flynn, Paul Manafort, Devin Nunes - the self-dealing and collaboration reach into the highest echelons of power. Astounding.
Ooo--that conjures up a picture of 45 in 2016 (and on), going "LA LA LA LA LA" very loudly, knowing full well what's going on around him to help him get elected.
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.
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!
Humour is a weapon to be used. Trump doesn't have any! Contrary to popular sayings, ridicule can kill....laugh at him and peoples fears disappear, courage takes over and the gale of laughter blows him away.
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.
In response to my post yesterday about "what can we do??" someone referred to something you posted in July or August? A list? I have been looking in the LFAA archive but there's a lot there. Can you point me in the right direction or copy and reply to me with same? Thanks.
Hi Ellie - I posted two or three days ago and one of the respondents pointed me to a list of yours from this past summer - July or August -- but couldn't be more specific than that
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?
If he can make everywhere else as bad as Russia, Putin's Kleptocracy faces less challenge in Russia than if the people are aware of the better life elsewhere. Putin's oligarchy is worried about being able to maintain their position and wealth eternally without a clearly defined succesion process. As things are, foreign chaos renders Putin more secure and he can portray this as Russia defeating its enemies. If he weakens or slacks off...he is dead.
I also believe that Putin, a former KGB guy, keeps in mind how the Soviet Union crumbled and fell. Destabilization there started at the top, with Gorbachev believing that a restructuring, one that incorporated a more moral approach to governance, politics, and the economy was necessary. The contrast between Western influences, and the freedoms and material benefits enjoyed in the West, helped shake up the USSR’s stable structure (as stable as the Soviet system was, it was difficult for ordinary people to live in). And the US wasn’t absent from the scene, something that Putin would remember. Trump, a man who seems to have the attention span of a gnat, and no apparent awareness of anything that doesn’t pertain directly to him or his self-promotion, would be the perfect unwitting accomplice to Putin’s long-memoried will to elevate Russia on the world stage, and to win back the US’s putative Cold War victory.
I think that Trump is "gaga" with admiration for Putin and the latter's apparent ability to do exactly as he pleases. Like a small boy in thrall to one of his comic super heroes...or a wretched child who would so like to be loved by a "father figure" . He really doesn't see the deadly nature of Putin's insecure position...otherwise he, like all bullies, would cower in the corner with fear of retribution by Koch's men for his failure.
What else would you expect from a 3 yr old child. His only experience of life is the family and that is not a democratic institution: Father is the law and Mother is justice...kids do as they are told or are punished in someway! This is the sum total of his "socializing" experience.
There's been a campaign among some Republicans to destroy the post office for decades now. It's the kind of thing that appealed to DJT immediately - loot a public asset for private gain. DeJoy has extensive financial interests in a competitor to the Post Office. In any ordinary administration, that alone would disqualify him - if it even got that far, since he has zero post office experience.
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.
Not to rain on the parade, but even if all goes swimmingly, Biden wins by a landslide, Trump goes to jail, etc., we, as a nation, have a ton of rebuilding to do, and it won't be easy. Dems must not lose sight of the fact that Trump didn't take over by himself; he had plenty of support, and many of those people are not going away or changing their basic mindset.
We must stay vigilant and engaged. The next few years are going to be crucial. We cannot afford to fall back into complacency.
Agree. I talk to way too many people who are saying the shutdown for COVID was never needed. They complain about the inconvenience to them, how the Democrats are hampering our wonderful 'businessman' Trump. Sitting in a purplish state here, we could go either way. But it still stuns me to listen to even well-educated, relatively well-off people who fail to understand even the basics of the pandemic and blithely dismiss the danger to American democracy. It is impossible to change their minds. And they won't go away after the election, they will double down. Granted, they are mostly over 65, I encounter far fewer who are young, which is encouraging. Although, the young (mostly men) I do encounter who share these abysmally selfish views are mainly in (surprise, surprise) the IT industry: bro boys like Zuckerberg whose cynicism about politics and people is so deep they figure it is smartest to just grab all they can. This to me is what is most frightening, as it is the center generating those brainwashing waves of misinformation.
So I have to assume those over 65 (I am 65) must have forgotten how to read or listen to science. What a shame that is! Trump is not a wonderful "businessman"...look at his record!
Yeah, I hate being put into a demografic of "old white male." I am nothing like most in that demografic. Surely, there are still "old, white, male, progressive, Hippies" still around.
There’s a few of us, for sure. At 69 and 67, my husband and I fit that demographic. We run a small business from our home in a usually red county, and state for that matter. I put a Biden 2020 sign in our yard a few weeks ago, knowing that I could alienate some of my clients. So far, the response has been overwhelmingly positive! After 2016, I’m a little afraid to get too excited, but it gives me hope.
I put a McGovern bumper sticker on my pick-up truck in Mississippi in ’72. Some redneck scraped it off. I’m lucky the windows and lites weren’t smashed.
Yay! You just described me! We may be old, "snow on the roof", if you will, but there's still fire in the furnace! WE ROCK! Oooookay...maybe with walkers and only before 9pm...but we still CAN still rock!!
I remember telling a then-friend in 2016 that constant bankruptcies and not paying workers, subcontractors, investors (DJT has been an equal-opportunity cheat, he takes from everyone) was the opposite of success in business. She replied that failure shows initiative (which can be true), which is the same as success (which it is not). Going bankrupt running a casino is the opposite of business ability. (Apparently he did this out of sheer thoughtless greed, by opening casinos that competed with each other.) This person also believed that DJT was literally the Messiah. We had to stop talking to each other, we were in such different worlds.
The sad part about this is that he has managed to separate friends. I hope I am never so feeble of mind that I will not investigate what someone is telling me and will just blindly believe and follow them. I don't do that with the Democrats, and I surely won't do it with Republicans. However, if you take time to listen to Fox News (used loosely) or Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity, you may get a better perspective on why people seem to have become sheep. Many news programs have become "shows", not news programs. And I put that label on most of the big networks as well.
I'm sorry to hear about your former friend. I have run into the same argument, that somehow by running businesses into the dirt and going bankrupt, Trump is "smart," because he uses the laws to his advantage. Countering by pointing out that he is in fact bending the rules and abusing the spirit of the law to take advantage of other people's good faith doesn't impress these people. When I ask if they are truly comfortable with such a scandalous scoundrel representing for our country is usually when the conversation ends.
That kind of 'smart' maps to totally amoral, do everyone else in for your own benefit. The people I know who seem to admire 45 for that thievery would never stoop to that kind of behavior themselves. How can they give him such a giant pass? I have relatives (well under 65) who are DJT supporters. The husband is a Fox News enthusiast. The wife used to be progressive. I think she decided her marriage was too important to be split by political division. We agreed not to talk politics, which has worked reasonably well.
The people who I know who support trump's economy myth are mostly in their 30s through 50s... Business school grads who worship Ayn Rand, Milton Friedman and Ronald reagan......
I assumed that no one is so naive as to believe that even if Trump is not reelected, that presto! Problems solved.
I am skeptical that he will ever serve any jail time for his corruption and crimes but that is the least of our concerns.
He and his enablers (specifically led by Moscow Mitch and Barr who should be disbarred) have caused so much lasting damage to our country, not only with rolling environmental protections and too many other actions to list, but with stacking the courts and especially the Supreme Court, that not only us but my children and others in the next generation will have a lot of work to do to get this country back on track.
Speaking of children, it amazes me how Trump supporters don't seem to care about climate change, if not for them but for their children and children's children. I have no children, nor do any of my siblings have children, so I could take a so-what attitude since I'll be dead and gone before it hits the fan. But it pains me knowing we have a chance to reverse the course for this planet we live on yet so many turn a blind eye. Sadly, my only solace is the knowledge that however wealthy these people become by their selfish greed, there won't be enough money to fix what mother earth will surely take away.
As HCR mentions above, Reagan ushered in the "indivdualism" (i.e. overtly selfish, self-centered, individuals) that took over and became magnified as policy by the current GOP (and a few Democrats too, truth be told...). It's all about "ME, right now, screw the future...I'M the only thing that matters!" Hmm...I wonder where we've heard that before? Hint...he's big and orange...
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.
I find it interesting that DeJoy, who is supposedly a supply chain expert, went into the Post Office and immediately started removing equipment, cutting hours and cutting people. Supply chain experts don't do that. They investigate and gather information before doing anything. So this was planned (that may be an obvious statement). That makes it worse. More collusion, more subterfuge...it will never end with this administration, so don't think for a second you can let down your guard and this will go away. It will take years to undo the damage that has been done. We have to be in this for the long haul.
Yes, a logistics expert who immediately crashes the delivery chain is doing it on purpose. Even if DeJoy is telling the truth that he won't do any more damage until after the election, that is nothing but an attempt to keep the current delays in place and finish the job on November 4th. We need a combination of intense public pressure and passing into law Congresswoman Maloney's bill to restore service levels (and keep them) and to fund the Post Office.
Exactly. His goal is to leave the USPS a smoking ruin so that we'll HAVE to privatize the whole operation, most probably, in his little greedy mind, opening the door for him to have a stake in whatever comes after. Care to envision what a privatized postal service will do to costs of using the mail?? It doesn't bear thinking about.
Actually, I think one of the goals is to prevent paper ballots of any kind - they are too hard to hack. Electronic voting machines, on the other hand, have been proven to be quite easy to manipulate. I think that his "Russia if you're listening" pals are quite ready and able to manipulate our election electronically.
There’s a thing about government property. I wonder how the Postmaster General has the authority to destroy it, as opposed to maintain it. Bureaucracies typically require a detailed justification report with a bunch of approval signatures. But then privatizing has been in the works for years.
First he'd have to contrive a Constitutional amendment. I believe. Though right wing Republicans seem to have a knack for reinterpeting the Constitution to make it mean what they want. I suspect, though, that that trend is about to end. I hope it doesn't wind down slowly, but thunders to a close with certain self-serving right wing radical repubs out of office. I think that is possible, but only if we don't assume that "all those other people" are going to do the work while we watch.
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.
In political communications terms, Trumps "pardon someone surprizing" ripost to Biden's confirmation is certainly not worth the dollar on which Susan Anthony's face appeared...a very damp squid...even if it was in Silver. No headlines, no attention..just a shrug!
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. ❤️🤍💙
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.
Unfortunately, I was reading at least some of those machines were not only dismantled, but dumped like junk outside, and are already likely ruined by the elements. This is outright sabotage of the American voting system. DeJoy needs to be arrested and tried for interference, if not treason, along with Trump. We need a Plan B for counting votes fairly and with complete oversight. There is a reason they did this. They plan to cheat on a massive scale. They had to get the sorting machines out of the way to slow delivery. So I wouldn't put it past them to try and dump ballots. If I were a governor, I would call out the National Guard to oversee and guard the ballots as they come in and audit every single person who comes in to touch them. But good luck with that where governors are in Red states. Amazing we are at this point already. Just amazing.
I read a report on Facebook that a sorting machine taken out of the main Cleveland, Ohio, post office is sitting outside and has been rained on at least twice.
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.
And a loving counterpoint to yesterday’s video of Melania repeatedly brushing away Trump’s attempt to take her hand. She even turned her body away from him.
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.
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
I loved the Roll Call too and will definitely watch it again. Its simplicity was a refreshing change in a process which has become cumbersome and boring with pageantry.
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.
Check out Carole Cadwalladr of the Guardian in UK, a journalist who has been tracking Russian shenanigans over there for a very long time. Cambridge Analytica and the infusion of Russian oligarchs--especially Deripaska, who is Putin's money man all the way--into the tony aristocrats of British society has been a long and extremely patient incursion. They first infiltrated UK politics, then ours. Facebook/CA were absolutely an integral part of all of that, and this Senate Report is shocking too even Carole, apparently. Carole's summaries over the next few days are going to be really interesting.
Agree...No doubt there has been a lot of Russian meddling. Maybe we ought to pay a bit of attention to this too...Did the ends justify the means if...? Wonder...
https://taibbi.substack.com/p/our-man-in-cambridge-93f?r=6x3wn&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&utm_source=copy
The general public will never READ the document (or its predecessors), but a good HCR summary they might.
Please let’s not kid ourselves. Even with an outstanding summary report from Heather, It won’t make a difference to all those who blindly, stupidly listen to tRump. Think the voters in Kentucky or South Carolina or Wisconsin give a damn about foreign interference? And the new chair of the Senate intelligence committee, my “distinguished “ senator Marco Rubio continues to spew the garbage that there’s no evidence of collusion. Ha!
While there's probably nothing to be done for the 30-35% of blind followers, I prefer to think that the remaining 65-70% of Americans want something better. To borrow a phrase, it will at least take up some of the air. I am encouraged by the growing numbers people who follow HCR on FB.
I just listened to Heather's Tuesday talk on FB, and that untangled it all. So much back and forth and scheming, however, that even after listening carefully, I'd probably still flunk a quiz! (Shh--You didn't read that, Heather.)
There's a quiz???? <:-O
Does it count?? 😟
I’m so far behind on the videos! Getting back to my classroom has been so overwhelming, I just collapse as soon as I’ve disinfected. Tried to watch one tonight and I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I love them!
There’d have to be a quiz a day to cover all this material! It’s such a ridiculous crazy mass of information everyday! If I’m taking a quiz I want college credit! 😆
Natasha Bertrand (@Natasha Bertrand, on Twitter) lays out what’s in Volume 5 of the Senate Intelligence Report. I agree, Andrew, it’s incredible that anyone with this information could vote to call no witnesses and then vote for acquittal. Even if Trump himself kept wilfully ignorant (hard to believe he would), to cover himself, apparently so many, many people around him were pulling strings, setting up meetings, and making deals with Russian intelligence officers. Michael Flynn, Paul Manafort, Devin Nunes - the self-dealing and collaboration reach into the highest echelons of power. Astounding.
Ooo--that conjures up a picture of 45 in 2016 (and on), going "LA LA LA LA LA" very loudly, knowing full well what's going on around him to help him get elected.
Agreed..this would be great...
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.
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!
Hurrah!
Humour is a weapon to be used. Trump doesn't have any! Contrary to popular sayings, ridicule can kill....laugh at him and peoples fears disappear, courage takes over and the gale of laughter blows him away.
It is what it is.
We need to know the names of EVERY republican senator on that committee!
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.
Ayyyy, thank you for a hearty laugh out loud!
Seconded (in the spirit of the week). 😂
In response to my post yesterday about "what can we do??" someone referred to something you posted in July or August? A list? I have been looking in the LFAA archive but there's a lot there. Can you point me in the right direction or copy and reply to me with same? Thanks.
Yesterday of what year? I frequently address “what can we do.” For starters, you asked in HCR’s LFAA of what date?
Hi Ellie - I posted two or three days ago and one of the respondents pointed me to a list of yours from this past summer - July or August -- but couldn't be more specific than that
Scott Baio (cute young actor in TV shows from 1977 to 1990) is supposed to be in attendance. His relevance today is fitting for such an event.
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.
If he can make everywhere else as bad as Russia, Putin's Kleptocracy faces less challenge in Russia than if the people are aware of the better life elsewhere. Putin's oligarchy is worried about being able to maintain their position and wealth eternally without a clearly defined succesion process. As things are, foreign chaos renders Putin more secure and he can portray this as Russia defeating its enemies. If he weakens or slacks off...he is dead.
I also believe that Putin, a former KGB guy, keeps in mind how the Soviet Union crumbled and fell. Destabilization there started at the top, with Gorbachev believing that a restructuring, one that incorporated a more moral approach to governance, politics, and the economy was necessary. The contrast between Western influences, and the freedoms and material benefits enjoyed in the West, helped shake up the USSR’s stable structure (as stable as the Soviet system was, it was difficult for ordinary people to live in). And the US wasn’t absent from the scene, something that Putin would remember. Trump, a man who seems to have the attention span of a gnat, and no apparent awareness of anything that doesn’t pertain directly to him or his self-promotion, would be the perfect unwitting accomplice to Putin’s long-memoried will to elevate Russia on the world stage, and to win back the US’s putative Cold War victory.
I think that Trump is "gaga" with admiration for Putin and the latter's apparent ability to do exactly as he pleases. Like a small boy in thrall to one of his comic super heroes...or a wretched child who would so like to be loved by a "father figure" . He really doesn't see the deadly nature of Putin's insecure position...otherwise he, like all bullies, would cower in the corner with fear of retribution by Koch's men for his failure.
Yes! And without any apparent awareness if history or democratic principles, Trump is a sitting duck.
What else would you expect from a 3 yr old child. His only experience of life is the family and that is not a democratic institution: Father is the law and Mother is justice...kids do as they are told or are punished in someway! This is the sum total of his "socializing" experience.
Have you read Mary Trump's scathing book? When DJT was a toddler, his mother was absent due to illness while his father was cold and vicious.
There's been a campaign among some Republicans to destroy the post office for decades now. It's the kind of thing that appealed to DJT immediately - loot a public asset for private gain. DeJoy has extensive financial interests in a competitor to the Post Office. In any ordinary administration, that alone would disqualify him - if it even got that far, since he has zero post office experience.
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!
Not to rain on the parade, but even if all goes swimmingly, Biden wins by a landslide, Trump goes to jail, etc., we, as a nation, have a ton of rebuilding to do, and it won't be easy. Dems must not lose sight of the fact that Trump didn't take over by himself; he had plenty of support, and many of those people are not going away or changing their basic mindset.
We must stay vigilant and engaged. The next few years are going to be crucial. We cannot afford to fall back into complacency.
Agree. I talk to way too many people who are saying the shutdown for COVID was never needed. They complain about the inconvenience to them, how the Democrats are hampering our wonderful 'businessman' Trump. Sitting in a purplish state here, we could go either way. But it still stuns me to listen to even well-educated, relatively well-off people who fail to understand even the basics of the pandemic and blithely dismiss the danger to American democracy. It is impossible to change their minds. And they won't go away after the election, they will double down. Granted, they are mostly over 65, I encounter far fewer who are young, which is encouraging. Although, the young (mostly men) I do encounter who share these abysmally selfish views are mainly in (surprise, surprise) the IT industry: bro boys like Zuckerberg whose cynicism about politics and people is so deep they figure it is smartest to just grab all they can. This to me is what is most frightening, as it is the center generating those brainwashing waves of misinformation.
So I have to assume those over 65 (I am 65) must have forgotten how to read or listen to science. What a shame that is! Trump is not a wonderful "businessman"...look at his record!
Yeah, I hate being put into a demografic of "old white male." I am nothing like most in that demografic. Surely, there are still "old, white, male, progressive, Hippies" still around.
There’s a few of us, for sure. At 69 and 67, my husband and I fit that demographic. We run a small business from our home in a usually red county, and state for that matter. I put a Biden 2020 sign in our yard a few weeks ago, knowing that I could alienate some of my clients. So far, the response has been overwhelmingly positive! After 2016, I’m a little afraid to get too excited, but it gives me hope.
I put a McGovern bumper sticker on my pick-up truck in Mississippi in ’72. Some redneck scraped it off. I’m lucky the windows and lites weren’t smashed.
Yay! You just described me! We may be old, "snow on the roof", if you will, but there's still fire in the furnace! WE ROCK! Oooookay...maybe with walkers and only before 9pm...but we still CAN still rock!!
There are!!! And thank God for you!
Those stats on olders against science don't come from my circle of acquaintance, which is more over 65 than not and more science-based than not.
Yay!!!!
I remember telling a then-friend in 2016 that constant bankruptcies and not paying workers, subcontractors, investors (DJT has been an equal-opportunity cheat, he takes from everyone) was the opposite of success in business. She replied that failure shows initiative (which can be true), which is the same as success (which it is not). Going bankrupt running a casino is the opposite of business ability. (Apparently he did this out of sheer thoughtless greed, by opening casinos that competed with each other.) This person also believed that DJT was literally the Messiah. We had to stop talking to each other, we were in such different worlds.
The sad part about this is that he has managed to separate friends. I hope I am never so feeble of mind that I will not investigate what someone is telling me and will just blindly believe and follow them. I don't do that with the Democrats, and I surely won't do it with Republicans. However, if you take time to listen to Fox News (used loosely) or Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity, you may get a better perspective on why people seem to have become sheep. Many news programs have become "shows", not news programs. And I put that label on most of the big networks as well.
I'm sorry to hear about your former friend. I have run into the same argument, that somehow by running businesses into the dirt and going bankrupt, Trump is "smart," because he uses the laws to his advantage. Countering by pointing out that he is in fact bending the rules and abusing the spirit of the law to take advantage of other people's good faith doesn't impress these people. When I ask if they are truly comfortable with such a scandalous scoundrel representing for our country is usually when the conversation ends.
That kind of 'smart' maps to totally amoral, do everyone else in for your own benefit. The people I know who seem to admire 45 for that thievery would never stoop to that kind of behavior themselves. How can they give him such a giant pass? I have relatives (well under 65) who are DJT supporters. The husband is a Fox News enthusiast. The wife used to be progressive. I think she decided her marriage was too important to be split by political division. We agreed not to talk politics, which has worked reasonably well.
The people who I know who support trump's economy myth are mostly in their 30s through 50s... Business school grads who worship Ayn Rand, Milton Friedman and Ronald reagan......
I assumed that no one is so naive as to believe that even if Trump is not reelected, that presto! Problems solved.
I am skeptical that he will ever serve any jail time for his corruption and crimes but that is the least of our concerns.
He and his enablers (specifically led by Moscow Mitch and Barr who should be disbarred) have caused so much lasting damage to our country, not only with rolling environmental protections and too many other actions to list, but with stacking the courts and especially the Supreme Court, that not only us but my children and others in the next generation will have a lot of work to do to get this country back on track.
Speaking of children, it amazes me how Trump supporters don't seem to care about climate change, if not for them but for their children and children's children. I have no children, nor do any of my siblings have children, so I could take a so-what attitude since I'll be dead and gone before it hits the fan. But it pains me knowing we have a chance to reverse the course for this planet we live on yet so many turn a blind eye. Sadly, my only solace is the knowledge that however wealthy these people become by their selfish greed, there won't be enough money to fix what mother earth will surely take away.
As HCR mentions above, Reagan ushered in the "indivdualism" (i.e. overtly selfish, self-centered, individuals) that took over and became magnified as policy by the current GOP (and a few Democrats too, truth be told...). It's all about "ME, right now, screw the future...I'M the only thing that matters!" Hmm...I wonder where we've heard that before? Hint...he's big and orange...
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.
I find it interesting that DeJoy, who is supposedly a supply chain expert, went into the Post Office and immediately started removing equipment, cutting hours and cutting people. Supply chain experts don't do that. They investigate and gather information before doing anything. So this was planned (that may be an obvious statement). That makes it worse. More collusion, more subterfuge...it will never end with this administration, so don't think for a second you can let down your guard and this will go away. It will take years to undo the damage that has been done. We have to be in this for the long haul.
Yes, a logistics expert who immediately crashes the delivery chain is doing it on purpose. Even if DeJoy is telling the truth that he won't do any more damage until after the election, that is nothing but an attempt to keep the current delays in place and finish the job on November 4th. We need a combination of intense public pressure and passing into law Congresswoman Maloney's bill to restore service levels (and keep them) and to fund the Post Office.
Exactly. His goal is to leave the USPS a smoking ruin so that we'll HAVE to privatize the whole operation, most probably, in his little greedy mind, opening the door for him to have a stake in whatever comes after. Care to envision what a privatized postal service will do to costs of using the mail?? It doesn't bear thinking about.
Actually, I think one of the goals is to prevent paper ballots of any kind - they are too hard to hack. Electronic voting machines, on the other hand, have been proven to be quite easy to manipulate. I think that his "Russia if you're listening" pals are quite ready and able to manipulate our election electronically.
Interesting to know if the sorting machines are being sold to well connected private mail delivery companies.
I have read that they have been smashed and thrown in dumpsters. Multimillion dollar machines. Just incredible.
There’s a thing about government property. I wonder how the Postmaster General has the authority to destroy it, as opposed to maintain it. Bureaucracies typically require a detailed justification report with a bunch of approval signatures. But then privatizing has been in the works for years.
First he'd have to contrive a Constitutional amendment. I believe. Though right wing Republicans seem to have a knack for reinterpeting the Constitution to make it mean what they want. I suspect, though, that that trend is about to end. I hope it doesn't wind down slowly, but thunders to a close with certain self-serving right wing radical repubs out of office. I think that is possible, but only if we don't assume that "all those other people" are going to do the work while we watch.
I would like to see Katie Porter dismantle him during House questioning.
In the Senate committee he'll be questioned by...wait for it.....Senator Kamala Harris. That should be rich.
ooh, ahh, please!
As long as it means results and not just more pontificating, yes...
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.
In political communications terms, Trumps "pardon someone surprizing" ripost to Biden's confirmation is certainly not worth the dollar on which Susan Anthony's face appeared...a very damp squid...even if it was in Silver. No headlines, no attention..just a shrug!
I would love to know what was going through the minds of those women who stood behind Trump yesterday as he ranted on about Michelle Obama....
Probably more about basking in the attention and being on TV than critical thinking.
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. ❤️🤍💙
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.
Unfortunately, I was reading at least some of those machines were not only dismantled, but dumped like junk outside, and are already likely ruined by the elements. This is outright sabotage of the American voting system. DeJoy needs to be arrested and tried for interference, if not treason, along with Trump. We need a Plan B for counting votes fairly and with complete oversight. There is a reason they did this. They plan to cheat on a massive scale. They had to get the sorting machines out of the way to slow delivery. So I wouldn't put it past them to try and dump ballots. If I were a governor, I would call out the National Guard to oversee and guard the ballots as they come in and audit every single person who comes in to touch them. But good luck with that where governors are in Red states. Amazing we are at this point already. Just amazing.
I read a report on Facebook that a sorting machine taken out of the main Cleveland, Ohio, post office is sitting outside and has been rained on at least twice.
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.
And a loving counterpoint to yesterday’s video of Melania repeatedly brushing away Trump’s attempt to take her hand. She even turned her body away from him.
Linda--- I think the president recognized Susan B since her face is on money. Beyond that...
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.
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
Thank you. I was please to see President & Mrs. Carter included considering his current health issues. And Jill Biden's talk was excellent.
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.
I loved the Roll Call too and will definitely watch it again. Its simplicity was a refreshing change in a process which has become cumbersome and boring with pageantry.
Thank you for this concise recap of the day.