506 Comments

>>I’m going to do the author of that piece a favor and not link to it in the notes.<<

All bend the knee before Shade Queen Professor Heather!

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Came here to say this! Still snickering.

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WAPO August 31, 2022 by David Von Drehle, worth the read.

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Actually, that article helps me with something I've tried to figure out. It kind of makes sense now that His Heinous would keep a file on Macron. He was jealous of the French President, who had everything he doesn't....good looks, class, etc. Rather like his love for everything covered in gold paint.

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"His Heinous" - just perfect, Bronwyn! I hope you won't be offended if I borrow it occasionally. Definitely more cerebral than "Big Orange" or even "Duck a L'Orange."

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That was my thought also!

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Also, Macron had a magnificent military parade. Bone Spur Donald yearned for his own parade and pestered/ordered his military for one. He wanted tanks and all sorts of other stuff, but our military ‘slow walked’ him. Finally, he got a rather mini-parade.

He was pissed that he couldn’t get a Macron parade.

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This jus in! The Boy Scouts of America have awarded the former president with a merit badge for Gaslighting.

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That would be funny had I not seen, in my local BSA council's newsletter, an advert for the LIV golf tournament this weekend in Bolton, MA in which they offered free admission to scouts in uniform (and 25% off for families). The idea that the BSA would countenance this advert, from an organization supported by the Saudi regime (yeah, that one - the Jamal Khashoggi killer) is revolting.

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Letters and phone calls to BSA council registering inappropriateness of the council accepting advert from LIV and taking the money?

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Richard I wouldn’t give a fart(h)ing for this award.

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Keith, nor would I. I'm sure you know I made up the award. Ha Ha Ha!!!

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His Heinous!! My new favorite after SCROTUS (so called ruler of the U.S.)!! Thanks for the chuckle.

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Ah, a new name. Excellent.

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Bronwyn His Heinous is truly asinine.

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Oh, it feels so good to laugh!!

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And in the best possible way!

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I LOVE "his heinous" LOL!

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Bronwyn- I love your moniker for TFG!

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WaPo uses a couple of both-sides opinion writers, bringing a storm of protest from the readership whenever they appear. The others (and Alexandra Petri) make up for it. I cancelled my subscription for about a year, and renewed it after seeing that some respected members of this forum read it.

P.S. 5 minutes later, I've now read the article. Read the comments.

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Yeah. Thiessen and Olsen. Horrors.

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With Thiessen I no longer even skim the first paragraph.

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The cited article is by David von Drehle, not Thiessen or Olsen.

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I know. I'm just saying that Thiessen and Olsen sully the WaPo's editorial pages.

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His Heinous really is an amazing case of arrested development. Around age 5, I'd say.

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I posted this elsewhere this morning. My opinion...

While a "normal" personality would notice that they are guilty and intend to violate the law, I don't think Drump's personality allows this process to happen. I'm sure he continually carried all sorts of records up to his residence after proclaiming he would read them later. And, he probably didn't unless he was looking for something specific. I would imagine that he just put them in a stack that eventually became several stacks that also contained news articles about him and such. Eventually, they were put in boxes and hoarded in stacks. His sociopathic narcissism just doesn't allow him to consciously break the law in my opinion. He just does as he pleases, and erupts when told not to or reminded of rules, laws, regulations, and moral codes. His reactions to being contained are very toddler-like. A tantrum that explodes outward to those trying to constrain him. Even hints of his wrongdoing or disagreement will spark the "they are not loyal" reactions. And, he's so consumed with this personality warp that he doesn't think at all. His reactions are often admissions of what he has done, but he doesn't care, and only cares about who and what is trying to obstruct his life. Sadly, he has the followers who play this game with him. They are often people who are also. on the sociopathic spectrum, are easily duped by his lies and manipulations, or he holds something that coherces their support. We function on the idea that he should know right from wrong, and he does. He has admitted this often, but he just doesn't possess any thought patterns that right and wrong apply to him. Scary man!

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Interesting. If he is ever tried in a court of law his attorneys could use his infantalism, narcissistic personality disorder and other handicaps as an excuse. After all, many health professionals have written about his dangerous mental state (see https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250212863 ). But by the time justice comes around, he may well have devolved further and be unable to stand trial, or his diet of hamberders and ice cream will finally have caught up with him.

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I don't think that sociopathic narcissism is a mental impairment or disability. He functions just fine if left to his own devices, wants, and needs. It's a severe personality disorder meaning he doesn't function any other way. People have commented and warned that his personality disorder and ignorance are extremely dangerous to our country and the world, not dangerous for himself.

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Bet his niece Mary could weigh in with an approach.

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He has killed 1.08 MILLION innocent Americans as a result of maintaining his power grab...this make him the candidate for the death penalty, Eh!?

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A friend, who is an attorney, said at the end of the day, pretty much all criminals have mental and emotional difficulties. sociopaths included. BUT, they still are tried and if they are found guilty of the crime, they are not let off the hook and they go to jail. Their blind narcissism ( some of these cases) and the belief that they are entitled to live and act outside the limits of the law, these mental problems are not sufficient to get them off.

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I totally agree with this. These criminal sociopaths and psychopaths demonstrate a lifelong personality disorder. There is rarely a mental breakdown that may cause a criminal act. So no insanity plea would work. These types of individuals need to be out of mainstream American so a to cause no more harm. I taught social/emotionally disabled youth. The sociopathic child is so rare, thankfully, but when you get one, your life is a nightmare because there is no real help to try to instill or reinforce morals, an inner sense of peace, or teach empathy for others.

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Because they didn't have enough money and power to get them off!

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Christi, this is a very interesting take on how narcissism and sociopathy has warped his thought processes. Thanks for this....

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Christi McG. Yes I think you have analysed him very well.

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Agree completely. He believes he is entitled to do anything he wants. Possibly because he's always run a family business where he's really done whatever he's wanted to with no repercussions because nobody really was looking. Becoming President changed everything and he's getting crankier and crankier. Yes just like a toddler. But also he was mentored by Roy Cohn who I'm sure taught him to never apologize never say you're wrong and keep pushing the lie until no one can tell the truth.

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The Son of perdition the Devil's advocate's deception for gain of power to destroy all in his way, Eh!?

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Yes, remember that Trump was so corrupt and such a bad businessman that he really messed up on loans with American banks. His anger and blame and upset over these banks not working with him anymore is something that still riles him today. And, Trump NEVER forgets a grudge and lives with retaliation for those who "hurt" him even though he was the one who consistently made the errors and goofs. Then Russia stepped in to help him... His love and loyalty to Russia was quickly established. We end up with a devotion to Russian and a hate for America.

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He has a serious mental problem and was able to dupe so many people to get his way.

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An insult to 5 year olds. tRump never made it out of the bassinet.

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More reminiscent of Rosemary's Baby.

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JAJAJAJAJAJAJA!!!!!! I agree it's an affront to five year olds.

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I love that! His Heinous was pre-natally arrested…..

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Now, we can hope that he'll be physically arrested.

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Oh my goodness, people are really on a roll today— love it!

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never thought of that. good pun.

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I'd put it at 3 years old or 2 - no self control; the world doesn't exist beyond the child's orbit.everthing is 'mine'.

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Skip development....I'd settle for arrested.

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Bronwyn Fryer:

“…arrested development…”

INDEED!

His most Heinous response to the trouncing of the notion that the DOJ might agree to the Special Master demanded by Heeny will surely develop into Teeny Weenies’ arrest, Eh!?

Merrick Garland’s promise that the DOJ only speaks in court and in its pleadings has fully embraced the imbecilic gift of His Grand Heinouses request for a SM so Garland’s army of attorneys can now take the opportunity to set the record straight.

Bam Wham Bingo!

That bombastic SM request was the blunder of all blunders, a major strategic error giving the DOJ the declaration by His Most Heinouses representative certifying in June All illegally removed documents was being returned.

That certification was a lie!

Whooops!

Now this certifying dooofus will most likely become the most reliable source of Direct Information about Heeny Weenies’ involvement in this whole kerfuffle.

Arrested development INDEED!

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Don’t insult 5 year olds!

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Five year olds are delightful, though.

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Not THAT youngster!!!

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That was my point-- he can't properly be described as a five year old because five year olds are delightful and he is...not.

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I thought it was a clever putdown of tfg.

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Yep. And a vivid picture.

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A vivid scary picture. We thought he was our President. But it was really a sad dyslexic child in an old guys body.

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Correction: Some of us never thought he was our president.

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I have never referred to him as that and rarely use his real name. I know several people who refused to refer to him as president.

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Bill, do not be disrespectful to dyslexic children.

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I'm not, of course. If TFG had been helped by his parents instead of being ignored and emotionally abused, perhaps this world would have been a different place. Maybe it's all Fred's fault.

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Who thought he was our President, Bill? Surely, you didn't.

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Nah! Just an amoral creature in the evil pursuit of greed! The word child conjures a positive image!

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I wondered if it was the WAPO. Sometimes the both sides opinions are really bad on the R wing nut side. The document saga is getting more hair pulling for those concerned with national security and intelligence. I did read a piece wondering if he has documents in other places besides Tsar-a-Loco. I did love the fact that not only did we see a variety of docs on the floor, but also the framed Time covers for a little laugh in all this mess. I applauded the win in Alaska when I read about it and I hope she can prevail again in the regular election.

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Ah, Tzar a Loco!! Love that one. I have always referred MAL as Mar a Loco (en la cabeza). Your interpretation is much more accurate, Michele!

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I like yours too. I thought maybe MAL was short for malignant.

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Speaking of a both sides opinion, The article about Dr. Fauci in yesterday's NYT set off a firestorm in the comment section. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/30/opinion/why-anthony-faucis-covid-legacy-is-a-failure.html. Unfortunately so many people reacted to the headline and came to his rescue, I'm sure the algorithms signaled 'print more articles like this.' I pictured Dr. Fauci enjoying his morning coffee, seeing this article and thinking -only 4 more months.

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Read it yesterday. Confirmation of the insecurity and shallowness of someone who was actually our President. (How did that happen?)

Also, a strong underlying suggestion that TFG has a reading disorder. It would appear that TFG may have an untreated case of dyslexia.

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Bill, just shows you how uncaring or unaware his mother and father were. Sickening.

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As far as TFG's reading skills, please watch this video from the David Pakman Show. It includes discussions w/others dealing w/ him and excerpts form a legal deposition. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd79UsXSLWg

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You nailed it, Bill. I have been a private therapist for boys with learning challenges in a boarding school for several decades. The first time I heard the drub speak, he reminded me of specific boys who are so angry that they have a learning challenge that they develop these alternate superegos and lie to themselves and others of their superiority as a protective coverup. They are angry, hostile, bullies and narcissists that are incredibly hard to deal with and often end up in other kinds of programs or in wilderness programs. Substance use or addictions are common to deal with their incredible underlying anxiety. Revenge for any slight, or perceived slight is swift and they might perseverate until that revenge is fulfilled. Forgiveness is rare unless there is something in it for them. As adults, they are often are angry, depressed and can act out aggressively, usually revealed in domestic violence. A local therapist, who runs anger management groups, will interview the referrals I make to him to determine if they would be good candidates for his group. Narcissists fail to qualify. They do not make good group members because they dominate and try to control everything. And it is ALWAYS about them. Little to no ability to have any kind of self-reflection or listen to others. Maybe it is too painful to face one's Truth. Lies to self and others is so prevalent they end up having a very loose grasp on reality. ...So they live in their own fake reality. They might become a successful reality tv show host where they are in ultimate and hostile control of others....or maybe even installed as a dangerous president...wielding power over an entire country...

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Thanks.

Could it be that there is something in the water that neutralizes or negates empathy?

Would it be a good idea to have a panel of mental health experts vet candidates for major offices ...like for President of the US...holder of the nuclear button?

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It would be a really good idea to have a few experts who know about mental health and personality disorders. TFG really had no business making a business out of our country in the first place. He is the most incompetent, vulgar, undiplomatic, vile creature the republicans could install? We were actually lucky that he was not very intellectual or slick. He could have gotten away with total destruction of this country had he better interpersonal skills.

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I'm afraid that article might be right on the money. No real malice intended - just a childish desire to prop up his own image. I'm still hoping he is prosecuted to the highest extent the law will allow, but a jury might take this into account and lessen the sentence. If it ever comes to that. Crossing my fingers.

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james wheaton (Jay)

Any prison time for him will surely become very quickly his death sentence ala Epstein, Eh!?

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ahhh… The Waffle Fries op ed. 🤣

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And since the article has well over 5K comments, you can see why they publish this sort of stuff. It's middle-brow clickbait.

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Be warned! The article involves waffle fries and gravity.

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If only someone could have provided him with prop "classified documents" instead of real ones.

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Thanks, Elisabeth. I appreciated being able to read the original. What an odd ramble. I get the impression Von Drehle didn't really know what his thesis was.

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September 1, 2022
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Elizabeth, Dr. Richardson may know the author and is cutting him some slack. We don't need to. It was up in lights.

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I looked at the Times and then WAPO. Took two seconds.

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Stephanie Grisham said that tfg took boxes of papers of all kinds whenever he went anywhere (to give the impression he was always working). Mostly he never looked at them, once or twice took out a press clipping and tossed it back. She said some of the papers "disappeared"... Yikes!!

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I laughed out loud. Only a historian and story teller as Professor Richardson is can dish out that kind of shade in a solo sentence paragraph. I frequently refer to some of her closers in her Letters. It’s such …….BAM!

As for the article, I knew the forum could not resist referencing repeatedly what she chose not to.

I left that reference where it belongs….not noted.

The closer in today’s letter is the real story that wakes me up today. Wow. Timing is everything.

Salud, Gregory. 🗽

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The author’s description is really quite damning. His assertion that the papers were likely a prop for Trump’s ego doesn’t make their presence any less dangerous and points to both his ignorance of their importance and his insecurities.

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I doubt 45 was “ignorant of their importance” and he will try that lame excuse surely. His insecurities are putting the planet at risk. We must get him and his creepy minions out!

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Elizabeth, I agree. In addition to the rest of his deficiencies, he is malignant, and is most happy when causing disaster. He had plans for the documents, and people might have died because of his malfeasance.

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Unfortunately, there is no 'might' about it.

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James, I fear you're correct. One of the commenters on this site recently mentioned that they had recently read that there were many deaths and disappearances of supposed intelligence operatives in various locations, and it's not a huge stretch to assume that they could have been connected to our resident Quisling (credit to Lawrence O'Donnell for that). Sadly, we'll probably never know, and accountability will probably never be publicly assigned.

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I agree. It is quite possible to me that he both chose documents to steal and cared for them so sloppily, including using them as props.

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I admit I was a bit surprised the Heather Cox Richardson had a negative take on the opinion piece in the WaPo. I read that author often, and think he is an insightful voice who stands a bit outside Washington DC (I believed he is from the Midwest) but watches DC closely. I found the piece fascinating, and not in the least way apologizing for Trump or diminishing the terrible wrong he has committed by taking these documents. Instead, I found it a potential explanation of the pathology that is Donald Trump.

I do know that Brit Hume read it, and tweeted about it, looking like he was trying to use it as an excuse for Trump, though. The responses made it very clear that those reading his tweet did not agree!

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I agree ignorance is no excuse (almost never is legally), but in his self-centered world, I still think it’s possible that being ignorant of whether something might be important to anyone or anything other than him is still a possibility. I don’t think that makes it any less awful.

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I disagree with Heather here. I thought the Von Drehle piece was hilarious ("he plucked a news clipping or report seemingly at random from the stack and peered at it with a puzzled look. Then he tossed it back onto the pile."), a small but vivid piece of additional evidence that Trump was completely out of his depth and not an excuse for security breaches at all.

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The neighbors heard me guffawing at that one!!!

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Perfect comment!

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🤣🤣🤣

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Lol Greg; The "DPR"

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Your closing paragraph gives me such pleasure, Heather!

“Executive Director of Voters of Tomorrow Santiago Mayer pointed out that the last time a Democrat sat in Alaska’s House seat was the same year the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade. ‘If that’s not a…sign,’ he tweeted, ‘I don’t know what is.’”

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I saw that tweet early this morning and was delighted to see it in your letter, Heather. I commented to Santiago on another tweet that he was quoted by you!

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Morning fab Rowshan.

And where would we get the benefit of such a tidbit of a closer except here…in LFAA?

I just think HCR has incredible narrative skill.

Another candidate in the Alaska race to fully support.

Let’s go for Democracy!

Unita. 🗽

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Good morning, dear Christine!!

It goes without saying! And yes, HCR does have amazing narrative skills.

I’m with you all the way!!

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Oh, yeah! 🙏🏻

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Yes, Rowshan. That closer is one of Heather's better ones.

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Congrats to Mary Peltola! Alaskans will be well served when she wins in November.

“The people along the sand

All turn and look one way.

They turn their back on the land.

They look at the sea all day.

As long as it takes to pass

A ship keeps raising its hull;

The wetter ground like glass

Reflects a standing gull.

The land may vary more;

But wherever the truth may be—

The water comes ashore,

And the people look at the sea.

They cannot look out far.

They cannot look in deep.

But when was that ever a bar

To any watch they keep”

-Robert Frost

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Thank you, Ted, for a wonderful Robert Frost poem. Such a lovely way to congratulate Mary Peltola! May she win BIG in November!

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Attempted like

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This site, substack, needs some work. It could run smoothly, like fb or twitter….

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I know what you did just there. ✌️

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I have had this problem sometimes, but have discovered that a like registers even if it doesn't show up immediately. I assume this happens when a lot of people try to like the same comment at the same time.

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Good explanation. The blue box always works

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Thank you. The sea wrinkles from all those who stand watch.

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I could care less (actually I can’t) about the treason-weasel but I understand why you mentioned it. Clearly the bigger news is the victory in Alaska. As a sign I just saw in a yard declares: Roe Roe Roe Your Vote…

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I'm dizzy trying to keep up with the absurd lies and gaslighting. Is there a federal crime for stunning stupidity? And does he secretly want to go to prison? He keeps incriminating himself.

His next TV show will be "Celebrity Inmate Doofus."

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Michael, 45 has, from the beginning actually, of his criminal trajectory “hidden in plain sight”. That’s his trick. The more outrageous his behavior or comments, the closer we are getting to the truth. His lawyer said he often has visitors in the office where the documents were hidden and then found by the FBI. The guy is a piece of work, as “they” say. OMG.

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Classified reports as party favors.

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Yes, party favors of our country's top secrets to make him look so cool. Should have the list of all the people who have visited Tzar a Loco for the past 7 years.

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I see that blatant criminality is becoming more common with politicians in general but he sets the bar considerably lower. That’s what concerns me. Not trump in general but that he’s opening the door wider.

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The door keeps getting wider the more we avoid confronting political treachery. The more they get away with, the worse they get.

Like Trump, the whole Republican Party (think of Mitch) really gets off on thumbing their nose at professional behavior, Constitutional balance of powers, and equalized rule of law; confident they'll get away with it. Think of J6th insurrectionists snapping selfies.

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When someone is snapping selfies, their intent is to bolster their ego, not to do good in some way. The people who did things like that are just grown up bullies who ultimately don’t like themselves. To say I have no regard for them is an understatement. A client said, But they were unarmed to which I replied, If someone came in your house with a crow bar, broke windows and shat on your floor would you say they were unarmed?

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That's an interesting comment Elisabeth. I was thinking the other day that similar to tax cases, the further up the food chain you go, the more complex the case and details, and thus the harder to convict. People are getting away with crimes because the of the manpower required and burden of proof are too hard. (There are other factors as well, crooked lawyers and justices eager to put someone away for example.) We are seeing this now and the claims of two forms of justice are strong and emotional. There will be a great deal of mistrust and cynicism in this country, and around the world, if Trump gets off.

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“They” must stay up night and days to open about tfg. “They” are really busy!

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No Michael, that's just standard Benedict Donald mental status. .

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He is used to speaking to his adoring cult that nods to his every word; where it makes no difference what he says. He used to brag that he could murder someone and his fans wouldn't care. But not everyone is a fan.

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Not just “murder” but shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and he wouldn’t lose followers. That was one of the biggest red flags and we didn’t take him seriously. Now his followers are killing people on their version of “Fifth Avenue” (Buffalo, Ohio FBI Office, threats against politicians and poll workers, those in the secret documents now put at risk on and on….). I feel sick just writing about this. JL this must end for The People.

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Bravo Alaska. It’s beyond time!

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We of a certain political party here in AK are so proud of Mary Peltola.

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We, of a similar political party, here in Minnesota, send our heartiest congratulations!! My neighbor who is Ojibwa(from White Earth) texted me last night to share the news. Yes!!!!!

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I can’t wait until she wins the election in Alaska.

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Thank you for tonight’s letter.

I was appalled by the article on Trump’s papers being props and I am glad you did not reference it. The author got a lot of negative feedback. It was not worthy of publication.

What a relief to see Palin fail in a comeback.

I also saw where Kemp accused Abrams of voter fraud and that she reminded him she won a court battle with him for removing people from voter rolls.

Here in NM where one voting district was redone, the GOP candidate no longer touts being a Trump Republican nor does she say she is anti-abortionthese days. Of course she hasn’t changed.

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Yes Stacy most certainly did remind Kemp of the many people he removed from the voting roll and how she personally went out with her crew to register thousands of black snd brown voters who had been disenfranchised by Kemp. It was an absolute pleasure to watch her nail him!

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Yes, Marlene! I think Stacy said Kemp dumped thirty-three thousand (33,000) valid votes. She should have become Governor then!

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She did, Elizabeth and yes, for that alone, Kemp should have been removed from ever holding any significant office again!

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So, Marlene, what kind of effing democracy do we really have? That is why many Black people and young people don’t give a damn about voting. I agree with their outlook. There is no democracy for certain people and groups in our so-called democracy….look at Roe v Wade. Women are “disposable” under our current, corrupt legal system, which Moscow Mitch helped be put in place by His Heinous….why are the Thomases NOT being indicted? She is an open insurrectionist and he is a low-life hater. Well, have a good night.

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It’s coming, Elisabeth, patience is a virtue.

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It's Coming! Thank You Paula Revere!!

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Maybe that was why Trump thought he could get some "help" from Georgia?

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It seems to me that an eligible voter who is denied the right to vote has been deprived of a fundamental which is an injury to democracy itself as well as to the affected person. If a it can be proved that someone was improperly barred from voting due to negligence or malice, that person, should be able to sue for redress and damages.

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What about the thirty-three thousand votes dumped by Brian Kemp in Georgia when Stacy Abrams was running for Governor? She took him to court and proved his evil acts. I never understood why that never went anywhere…..

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Too much bull Schitt, piled too high, deliberate chaos which made nothing stand out, by design…

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Thanks, Mary. I knew it was wrong when I typed it….

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maybe you're as sleep-deprived as I am.

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I get too much sleep….I just couldn’t pull up “Brian” and lazily put in “Jack”.

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ALL our House districts in NM were redone. Very different dynamics for this year's races. Rep. Herrell's district is no longer such a deep red.

When Deb Haaland and Sharice Davids famously became the first Native American women elected to Congress, it was hardly noticed that Yvette Herrell was also a Native American woman. She didn't mention her Cherokee heritage in any of her ads. I found it interesting that she apparently thought that was a negative in her district.

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I thought the WAPO oped was good, Mary Beth. It showed what a slug 45 is “behind the scenes”. I found it informative, not that I didn’t expect differently….his cult really can’t stand the truth like the article portrayed.

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My take when I read it yesterday, Elisabeth, was the same as yours. Some commenters thought it made sense that 45 would use them to point to his own greatness; though I do see that the volume of documents stolen point to more egregious actions he would likely take by using them.

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And it shows why he doesn't want to give them back, just like a toddler in the playground doesn't want to give back the toys he has "borrowed" from someone else. (No disrespect to toddlers.) Even if these "toys" have nuclear secrets and intelligence regarding our adversaries! Mary Trump is right -- he has never grown up.

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Yep, yep, and yep, Kathleen!

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Kemp accused Abrams of voter fraud? That’s rich.

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She nailed him but good!

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Really….

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seems to be going around. apparently in other states like AZ ... where Blake (forget last name... it's wee hours now) running for Senate against Mark Kelly totally changed his website in similar ways. (Breaking Points... Tues 8/30 show)

what's funny about that to me is that the voters who'd be drawn by those views aren't going to change their minds about supporting those issues, right? they might feel betrayed and not support the candidates who now 'deny' they stand for those things, tho.

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Or they know that the evil still stinks of evil and leads them like a trail for a bloodhound

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But are repubs ashamed of their affinity’ for evil. Only in public.

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Here in MA, our Republican candidates for state offices don't even have the word "Republican" on their Web sites... and it's not visible on their TV ads, either.

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It should actually read “Pro-Rape Party”.

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Enemy combatents.

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“There seems to be confusion as to the ‘picture’ […], as if that’s what the FBI found when they broke into my home. Wrong! They took them out of cartons and spread them around on the carpet….”

Can’t wait to see the dizzying lengths to which his supporters will go to spin him out of this self-incriminating statement. 😵‍💫

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Your Honor, my client keeps stolen government documents in desk drawers, keepsake boxes and under the seat of his car. He NEVER just leaves them strewn around the floor.

The Defense rests.

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Whenever I have stolen documents in the house, and I am expecting guests, I make an effort to pick things up and put them away as much as possible. It wouldn't do to allow people to think I was a slovenly housekeeper.

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Personally I use my best stolen documents as placemats, ensuring the colored covers of the documents stating their classification level match the table decor.

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What a great idea. And tasteful! Now, where have I hidden my stolen documents? That would really stimulate table talk.

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J L, you're one clever dude! Or maybe it's dudette!

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🔥🔥🔥

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😂😂

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FBI takes pictures of items seized in the location from which they were seized to document 'chain of custody'. Thus items were spread on floor and photographed before being placed in marked Evidence boxes identifying from where taken. Everyone who has control of the 'evidence' from that point forward must sign on a 'chain of custody' form documenting the location and who had possession of the evidence from the time seized to the time it ends up in court. Trump's lawyer going on Fox and whining about 'he didn't keep papers like that' is a disingenuous feint, she knows why and how that picture was taken. No one from DOJ even hinted that they found the papers on the floor. Question: will Trump be allowed to prep with his orange face paint for mugshot so his face matches his jumpsuit?

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Good points would of course include a list of items, titles, and in this age of cheap picture, photographs of the items. Every episode of NCIS has a guy running around with a camera at the crime scene, for gosh sakes (😊). The humor to me is on the order of Trump saying "They're persecuting me by taking a picture of the guy I had killed," getting confused with the intent in his mind (to get away with something) and what counts (he actually said he had the guy killed and the body was in fact on his carpet). Heinous dope. Next, we'll hear from his supporters that tfg intended to return them to their proper boxes.

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He'll grouse that his mugshot photo is unflattering and they won't let him wear his jumpsuit with a red tie.

Sad

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The photo before someone signs for Trump's chain of custody?

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Yeah I guess he will already have his orange paint on at the time the judge says...'I remand you to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to be delivered to the the Bureau of Prisons for a period of X years...'

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Make that XXX years.

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Thanks for the insight

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100Panthers, I beg to differ with you. Firstly because we are not privy to how the FBI works. (At least I'm not.) It's a total stretch for me to think that the FBI actually spread the documents out haphazardly (on the floor) and then photographed them. This makes no sense whatsoever. Evidence from a crime scene is _evidence_ of things "as they are." No?

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My limited reading indicates that photography at the location of evidence collection supports the report that they were found there. The sensitive nature of the material required blurring.

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That's basically what I was saying.

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Judith, you are not 'in the Biz', not seen this presented in court. Found this NYTimes article on the topic.

How the Picture of Top Secret Folders at Mar-a-Lago Came About

Federal agents arrayed classified materials on a floor at former President Donald J. Trump’s Florida residence for a photograph as a standard part of their evidence-gathering procedures.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/31/us/politics/trump-photo-classified-documents.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article

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Thank you greatly, 100Panthers, for sending this link. It is a relief (to me) to have this widely debated topic put to rest.

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The issue was just another Trumpian misleading lying piece of propaganda.

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Well, of course that photo was taken after the classified papers were removed from the boxes.

But I'm sure the FBI has many more photos, so any attempt to say that there's no real evidence won't wash, though will likely stir up the base. Is that the goal here, Judith?

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I expect that when a murder victim falls face down they photograph before and after they turn the body over.

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Duke SF and JL -- According to the Evidence label = "2A" = the FBI found those documents as we see them in the photograph. I can't say anything else because I do not know anything more. I don't understand Duke's question to me, "Is that the goal here, Judith?" I personally have no goal except to learn the facts. I'm assuming that is also the goal of the FBI and the DOJ. I doubt we are having an argument here, but it could be that I am misunderstanding this discussion altogether.

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here's info on that: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/31/us/politics/trump-photo-classified-documents.html

----

...

The folders were arrayed by agents at Mar-a-Lago after being removed from what the filing indicated was Mr. Trump’s office — they were not discovered scattered on the floor, according to two federal law enforcement officials.

...

The marking “2A” on a folded piece of paper in the picture corresponds to a listing in the inventory of items seized in the search that was made public along with the search warrant. In that inventory, the item marked as “2A” is described as “various classified TS/SCI documents.”

----

Do you disagree?

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Duke SF, of course I do not disagree! That's why I was grateful to have received the link from someone else later on in this discussion. I was mistaken in my comment to you, made before I was aware of the facts.

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The funny thing is the they keep spewing conflicting excuses. It all adds up to desperation.

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Exactly! It’s actually entertaining at times—save for the fact that tfg’s supporters blindly follow him along the ever-tighter-winding spins…

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Many of tRump's supporters are bright people. I watched 2 minutes of Fox last night and could see how my business relatives think we MSNBC addicts are all wrong. Rupert perfected The Big Con. Our democracy will not be safe until Fox's Faux News is shut down.

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A least stop them from advocating overthrowing the government by force and violence.

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I would not consider anyone to be that bright, if they adhere to this nonsense, or support such a despot as Trump. I think it denotes something that is significantly lacking.

But then, Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy were "bright" people, also.

And I don't mean that to sound as sarcastic as it does. I apologize for that, in advance.

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The cult is devoted to evil “celebrity.” And they vote, will Rupert and clones tell the tale.

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"Evil celebrity" certainly describes it.

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I think we as a culture need to take a look at what "celebrity" is about. It is corrosive to democracy, at least as far as people are regarded as superior because they have been on TV, have a lot of money, and are more or less famous for being famous. Or just being associated with somebody famous. Fame for some extraordinary accomplishment, Lincoln or MLK, OK. And some now celebrated should live in infamy.

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Additionally, it is weird the way we suppose that a person's prowess in one area weights the value of their opinions in all others. Einstein was a brilliant physicist, but his violin playing was said to be terrible. Fine that he played at all, but you would not have put him in a orchestra; yet entertainers opinions on whatever are often on the front page. And Trump is full of it all the time.

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Tailspin

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Yes. That!

Ugh.

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Wonder what his new, and supposedly sane, lawyer is thinking tonight.

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I've noticed Justice is hammering on the point that attorneys attested to return of all documents. They are going to scare off the lawyers who will realize that being disbarred isn't a worthwhile risk. When the lawyers flee, they will leave the nekkid emperor standing there, exposed, DIH.

He'll be too radio active to retain counsel.

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Donald has a new, and supposedly sane and excellent. “Sources say” it’s a multimillion contract, with a couple million up front. Some Florida biggie as lawyers go. He didn’t sign Wednesday night’s second attempt for a special master, and I wonder what he was thinking hearing Trump’s admission last night

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It’s his most recent lawyers who wrote and signed his response—Trusty and Corcoran. The response itself was misleading and evasive (surprise). It starts right off calling him “President Trump.” Not anymore, thanks be to God.

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And Trusty(😂) and Corcoran aren’t even licensed in Florida.

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Trusty was predestined for this.

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We call all former Presidents “President” for life. Pundits call 1-term Congressional Representatives “Congressman/woman” for life. It’s the new peerage in America

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covfefe

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Ah, the "covfefe defense".

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Let’s hope NEVER, Rose! Let he or them never “spin him out of this self-incriminating statement.”

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'Lindsey Graham Warns That Biden’s Pro-Democracy Rhetoric Could Lead to Voting in the Streets'

August 31, 2022

'Senator Lindsey Graham speaks during a press conference.'

'WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)—Blasting Joe Biden’s plan to give a prime-time speech on Thursday, Sen. Lindsey Graham warned that the President’s “incendiary pro-democracy rhetoric” could lead to “voting in the streets.”

“President Biden needs to watch his words very, very carefully,” the senator from South Carolina said. “People are on edge right now. Say the wrong thing, and this nation could witness unrestrained, uncontrolled voting.” (Satire, NewYorker)

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Gotta love Political Satire. Here is another that hits all the right notes:

https://www.facebook.com/snarkasm/videos/2145715825585643

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Thanks so much for this link. I am proud I identified the wind instrument accurately; it was the first one I learned to play about 58 years ago!

Here's another gem.

https://www.facebook.com/snarkasm/videos/1152627348655552

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Have we got barnburners on this thread? This is the best show in AMERICA, bar none! Thank you Ally, Ron & Borowitz!

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Love this!!

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Thanks for Ally. I needed a good laugh.

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Love the parenthetical comments about the music! They are laugh-out-loud funny. Thanks for sharing, Ron.

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🎶Musical Ode to Marjorie Taylor Greene R–Rome 💘💘💘💘💘 Thank you, Ron Boyd.

DON'T MISS IT!

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THAT!!! 👏👏👏👏👏

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That was excellent!

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How many LOLs can I post?

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For you, Jeri, it's unlimited.

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🤣Thanks Fern!!😂

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Here's to looking at you, MaryPat 😉

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Stop me before I vote (okay, just once per election) again!

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Let's talk first. LOL!

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The horror, the horror!

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The double-entendre is delicious, Heather. "His office had classified information in it, and his lawyer just said he entertains guests there. This is an intelligence nightmare." Intelligence could refer to national security, or to Alina Habba....

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“His lawyers argued that the FBI’s struggle to recover stolen classified documents was “the standard give-and-take between former Presidents and NARA regarding Presidential library contents.” Yes, of course. Every president steals classified documents. And every president claims he won his election even though millions more Americans voted for his opponent than for him. TFG and his repubs first language is doublespeak.

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Not new, started way back with Atwater, Stone and even the Nixon dirty trickster (Daniel Segretti). I’m old with a good memory…

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Jeri, you have an awesome memory !

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That would “Little Donald Segretti” ( spoken in a Hal Holbrook accent). 🕶

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wasn't that a stretch, even for them?? too too funny!

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“His office had classified information in it, and his lawyer just said he entertains guests there.”

I think at this point any lawyer that steps up, er, I mean, down, or whatever, to represent TFG is not likely to be the sharpest legal tack in the box. Missteps by other members of the legal team seem to be consistent with that notion.

My advice; get the full retainer up front. In cash.

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Lest we forget. The Fat Guy invited the Russian Ambassador and Foreign Minister into the Oval Office to show off and outed an Israeli agent. He has been a security risk and traitor from day one!

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My thought too. The RNC isn’t paying his legal fees for this sh!tshow.

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WTH, the RNC has gone along with the Trump shit show since 2016. They’re joined at the hip at this point. If they cut TFG off, the MAGA mob goes with him, and the MAGA Mob is all the RNC has, given the surly way they’ve treated Liz Cheney.

Thanks for responding to my comment.

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Mitt to Ronna: “Told you so.”

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The right way to phrase it is "any lawyer that 'steps in it.'" :)

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Up front, in cash? But that's surely why USA is littered from sea to shining sea with cast-off (unpaid) Trump lawyers.

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Morning, Ralph. He will give them some documents from his desk as a retainer.

🗽

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They can cash them out at the new States’ Secrets Exchange (SSE) opening soon in Riyadh. Jared Kushner is the chairman and CEO.

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Once indicted, he can have a real attorney appointed by the court.

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Ziiiiing! Well played Michael

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I doubt TFG wouldn’t tolerate a lawyer he didn’t choose and thus couldn’t control.

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Per Blackstone … "Man lives at his own risk."

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The "standard give-and-take" between Trump and his entourage and agencies of the federal government is, obviously, no such thing. He had to be asked numerous times to turn over papers he stole. He withheld from the National Archives and the F.B.I. many papers of importance, saying that he had already met his obligation and returned all the outstanding items that were called to be returned. This happened in more than one instance, apparently, and the record does not support that he "cooperated" with the government.

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what did Heather say again about messing with archivists?? :D

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Mark Begich of the Democratic Begiches described Mary Pelota as "a pro-choice, pro-fish, common sense leader". We should love having as many Democratic Members of Congress as possible who are pro-choice and pro-fish.

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Per Hugo Lowell at the Guardian, tfg Attorneys, Bobb & Corcoran, just became Witnesses or depending on further investigation perhaps Targets of the Grand Jury. Obstruction of a Grand Jury is a serious Federal crime.

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I saved this, but don’t remember the source! NYT?

“Any attempt to subpoena the two lawyers for testimony and written communications about their discussions with Mr. Trump about the matter would immediately set off a legal fight over attorney-client privilege, legal specialists said.

In normal circumstances, prosecutors seeking evidence about an investigative target cannot subpoena that target’s defense lawyers and force them to testify or turn over documents about their client. Under attorney-client privilege, the confidentiality of such discussions and work is protected.

That privilege is meant to protect the rights of people who are in trouble over a past and already completed potential offense. People need to be able to talk candidly with their lawyers about what happened to understand their options. That would be impossible if whatever people admitted to their lawyers could be used against them as evidence in court.

But there is an exception. When attorney-client communications are part of continuing or future crimes, the privilege does not apply. If judges think there is sufficient evidence to trigger this “crime-fraud exception,” they will uphold a subpoena forcing the defense lawyers to provide evidence about what they and their clients said to each other.

There is another potential legal hurdle. If there is reason to believe that Mr. Corcoran, Ms. Bobb or both are at risk themselves of being charged with crimes like obstruction or lying to federal investigators, they would have a Fifth Amendment right against compelled self-incrimination.

As a result, neither could likely be compelled to testify before a grand jury about their interactions with Mr. Trump without a grant of immunity from prosecution at a minimum.”

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Very useful post Gail, thank you. I am a retired lawyer quite familiar with the work product & attorney client privileges. There are percipient facts that do not have to litigated. Bobb has publicly stated what 45's office looks like & what she saw when (waiver), where a MAL hotel rug is physically at the Hotel (percepient witness). The DOJ's EXHBIT 2A is destined to be an iconic historical photo of evidence to which tfg has already made major public admissions. Admissions against a person's interests are admissible in any Court in this Country. The DOJ Is not the J6 Committee the DOJ can litigate if necessary.

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Iconic indeed! Thanks for clarifying.

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