Good question Ann. From the prior 15 boxes of documents that were taken back from tfg & delivered to the US Archives, the DOJ has a 100 page inventory of his stolen documents including confidential & top scret records. Let a grand jury see what was in Trumps locked safe instead of boxes in the "beautiful" Mar a Lago basement.
Bryan, I thought of you, along with Bone Spurs, early this morning, while we're on the Paper Trail. Now, we are really talking and searching for THE PAPER -- THE DOCUMENTS! See you later, Bryan.
FERN, you know I like the US code Section 2071 penalty, .... tfg would be barred from holding public office. Likely, the DOJ has a drafted complaint based on the15 boxes The FBI is searching for documents that prove criminal intent not more "love letters" from North Korea. "Don't mess with the Archivist." i admit it; I LOVE DOCUMENTS.
Of course, you nailed it, Bryan. Here's some more folks:
'Early reports that the F.B.I. search of former President Donald J. Trump’s residence in Florida related to an investigation into whether he had unlawfully taken government files when he left the White House focused attention on an obscure criminal law barring removal of official records. The penalties for breaking that law include disqualification from holding any federal office.'
'Because Mr. Trump is widely believed to be preparing to run for president again in 2024, that unusual penalty raised the prospect that he might be legally barred from returning to the White House.'
'Specifically, the law in question — Section 2071 of Title 18 of the United States Code — makes it a crime if someone who has custody of government documents or records “willfully and unlawfully conceals, removes, mutilates, obliterates, falsifies or destroys” them.' (NYTimes) See gifted link below.
Heard from a credible retired judge that US code could be superseded by Constitution which has only 2 requirements…born here and of a certain age (35?) Said if US code used would likely end up in courts forever ending finally at MAGA SCOTUS.
"US officials said there is no detailed record, even in classified files, of Trump’s face-to-face interactions with the Russian leader at five locations over the past two years,” the Post reported."
Please keep in mind that within the State Department 'interpreters' and 'translators' serve different functions and follow different protocols. Interpreters work with spoken language and translators with
written texts. Their work procedures and work products are different.
"And the other reason is the kinds of notes that interpreters take in order to do consecutive interpretation differ radically from the kinds of notes that substantive officers take when they are the official note-takers. Our interpretation notes are based on our short-term memory. They're full of little symbols and squiggles and arrows.
Basically, what interpreters do when they're taking notes is they draw a kind of road map through the material they're hearing. They are immediately thereafter able to reconstruct this piece of material. But if you show them those notes in two or three weeks, their eyes would glaze over and say..."
The fact that there is no official transcript of these meetings should be enough to charge him with dereliction of duty. Unprecedented and a clue to what was to come
It is my guess that there needed to be a stenographer to report (on a steno machine) the oral remarks in English made by tfg and the remarks made by Putin as orally interpreted by the interpreter. Then a written transcript (in English) is made by the stenographer for publication. That was my experience in the Carter days, but I have no memory of any one-on-one meetings like is being discussed here.
In my day, I was employed by a private firm who contracted out to the White House to perform the services of providing official transcripts. We worked inside the WH, but were not employees of the government. Makes for better transparency, don't you think?
Here's an interesting article about one WH stenographer that worked in the Obama administration as well as the beginning of 45's.
"We type up our transcripts from our audio, so it hasn't been tampered with and it not only goes to the press office, the press, but also the presidential archive," she says. "That's really important to have an accurate recording at all times, especially when the press is involved, just to make sure that we are recording the truth and that no one has complicated that."
Trump's criminal conversations take place with Putin directly, and when he is on the golf course. No notes. Lindsay Graham went from Trump critic to Trump ass-kisser after one of those golf course meetings, which I assume involved blackmail.
You're welcome, MaryPat! Unless things have dramatically changed, it would not be the interpreters who would be making the official record. It's the stenographers.
Morning Lynell. I’m just heading out to start another “help a friend move” event. This time I’m driving a 26 foot rental truck from Medford to Seattle.
The fact that the only people in the secret meeting were either russians or that russian spy, whooops..American president...should have been the subject of great concern to someone...it is obvious something bad occurred... yet no investigation...WTF!?
“ Basically, what interpreters do when they're taking notes is they draw a kind of road map through the material they're hearing. They are immediately thereafter able to reconstruct this piece of material.”
Your description was really helpful for me to understand how note-taking for these different purposes differs so greatly!
The quote is from the NPR interview cited in my comment: "Our next guest served 18 years as head of interpreters at the State Department. She was in the room interpreting when U.S. officials sat down with Fidel Castro, with Augusto Pinochet and many others Stephanie van Reigersberg, welcome to ALL THING CONSIDERED."
Burnt, shredded, flushed not very long after the meeting. Every translated word imprinted in the Presidential mind, every pressure of the Russian handshake treasured in memory.
Ann and Jeri and others -- I have this dim recollection that tfg confiscated the translator's notes as the meeting ended. Something like that. So that nothing could go to the press. Part of this recollection is that there were no other witnesses in this meeting between tfg and Putin other than the translators/interpreters. Just 4 people? This is something we could hope that HCR could investigate. Or one of us, who has the time and dogged determination!!
That's my recollection as well, that he took the notes....or perhaps that he allowed no note taking. I believe we knew that within a day or two of the meeting.
I believe the reports on that meeting have indicated that Trump excluded any others form that meeting. It was Trump, Putin, and Putin's translator. I wish I could remember which of several sources reported that...
Good morning everyone. I'm reading over all the comments and the replies to the comments and reports of what various sources and personal recollections suggest, and my first thought is the wish that we had, somewhere, a journalist or researcher to map all this out so we at least had a more or less solid summary of who has written about this, how many completely different opinions or pieces of evidence we have for how many crimes. I'd be interested to know, for instance, which of the mainstream media, have similar evidence and take similar positions on yesterday's search of Trump's basement and safe.
Failing something like a summary, I would have to say that, although reading about what has seemed a slow, tedious process, has tried my patience, Professor Richardson's Letter today makes it clear that it's producing results. I hope that's right.
Both the Washington Post and New your times have had recent columns listing the administration's accomplishments. Check out some of the opinion columnists like Jennifer Rubin. Also check out the comments section (but this can be laborious and require a thick skin).
Do you know I did something this year I never, ever would have imagined. I cancelled my subscription to the NYTimes. My news sources at this moment are Letters from an American, Robert Hubbell's Newsletter, the Washington Post occasionally when I can read it without getting myself into a state over either their misleading headlines or the kinds of errors in grammar, usage, and just plain typos that indicate they save money by doing away with editors and proofreaders. Oh, and I confess to actually subscribing to the quirky, fascinating, intelligent slate.com. I have no idea what any of that information has to do with your comment, John. You're right about Jennifer Rubin. I got disgusted by the Times doing what all the mainstream media do--absolutely creating the news. I got especially miffed at the Times because their writers are the best in the business and so do the best job of manipulating our thought-life.
Here endeth the First Lesson. And clearly time for my afternoon tea.
I kept The New Yorker. I have found, over many years, back when the magazines were piling up in corners, that I can't live without it. The writing is so good that I will read articles on subjects that are of no interest to me just because of the writing. When I taught a senior elective that I called something like "The personal and Social Essay" (not quite right) our "text books" were The New Yorker; Newsweek (before they changed their format to Faux People Magazine) when there were essays; a couple ;of volumes of Joan Didion's essays. The essay assignment the students said was the hardest thing they'd ever had to write. First, we read a lot of movie reviews in The New Yorker (which, as I'll bet you know, are fully developed essays), then we took 3 or four class periods to watch a film, "LA Confidential." Everybody loved the movie until I told them the assignment. Write a review of the movie in the style of a New Yorker review. They moaned, they groaned. Then they got together several times on the weekend to watch the movie again, taking notes and talking about it. Then they wrote the reviews. Best set of essays I've ever gotten from a class. I love Slate. The serious articles are top quality and, if the news becomes too much, one can always read Dear Prudence.
That's a good one to vet, Patricia. Haven't heard it before. Wouldn't surprise me. There are a few supremely good investigative reporters who might be on to this who subject now.
It is usually the little violations that catch big criminals. Mobsters for tax evasion, politicians for small bribes-gifts, etc. Perhaps because the big crimes are carefully covered up so smaller crimes become tedious de rigueur? Archival documents is a nice clean black and white factual crime to puncture the festering boil Trump's criminality. Ha ha The Plumbers make a cameo appearance both in Watergate and Trump's Toiletgate!
Hopefully, we all can recover fully from having been infected (and affected) by that lethal cancer! Indictment, speedy trial, and "Guilty of all charges" verdict will help!
Quite a remarkable news day. I admire how you highlighted the themes of accountability and deterrence, especially with the comparison of Nixon and now Trump all these years later. While Nixon skated, at least Trump is on a path — or more like an interstate highway — to justice.
I had an impromptu sidewalk chat with neighbors this evening about the Mar a Lago news. I observed that a former president's residence was searched by the FBI for the first time in our history, and we weren't revved up by the news. That's how jaded and difficult to shock we've become when it comes to Trump, and today's chat surely was at least the hundredth time we've talked about him and what he's done to the country.
Of course if he's convicted of some of his many crimes, we'll meet on the corner and with all who stroll by and probably high-five each other, then break out drinks.
I like that, Michael: “…..at least Trump is on a path—or more like an interstate highway—to justice.”
I’ll be toasting with you and your neighbors when he’s convicted of some of his many crimes. We can only hope he will be convicted of all of them eventually.
And De Satin is much worse. Smarter (although it wouldn’t take much) than Rump, and maybe more politically established (although I don’t know why). He is a Mussolini wannabe. Taking everyone’s rights away and enjoying every minute that gives him more power. I live in blue state Oregon and perceive threat from him. I hope he is voted out Christine. 💙💛
Karen, It appears that Andrew Warren is out to expose DeSantis. He's entered the political ring with the aim to get the governor on the ropes. What do you think?
'This should concern everyone' | Warren plans to fight his Hillsborough state attorney suspension.'
'Andrew Warren said he plans to fight his suspension in court and, if necessary, in the Florida Senate.'
'TAMPA, Fla. — Suspended Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren said he was escorted from his office by armed security last week in a move he likened to a third-world political coup.'
'He said he plans to fight his suspension in court and, if necessary, in the Florida Senate.'
'Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Warren had been neglectful in his duty and showed incompetence when it came to prosecuting certain crimes and criminals.'
'But Warren said crime statistics show otherwise.'
'Warren said the move was purely political since he has publicly said he’d oppose prosecuting cases against women and doctors who violate the state’s 15-week abortion law.'
'That law is still being challenged in the courts.'
“It doesn’t matter if you’re Democrat, Republican or libertarian. Everybody should be outraged. Everybody. This is not how our democracy works,” Warren said. “If the governor, the king, can just throw out elected officials, what’s the point of having elections? This is what happens in Venezuela and in Russia - and in North Korea. This is not democracy. This is not America.' (WTSP-TV)
Yes. Judge Warren the elected prosecutor in Tampa. He is a tough but fair judge. His statement of not prosecuting the abortion cases is that FL’s “new” law is is still under review. DeSantis made a tactical blunder doing this because he is an elected, not appointed, official and people are very irate about this. Tampa is a major urban area and Desantis wants to flex his authoritarian muscle in the major Florida cities.
Stay tuned. This is going to be a fight that I do not think DeSantis can win.
Karen, Thank you. I believe we are very close together and that includes our opinions of DeSantis. Yes, Floridians experience his cruelty most directly, however, Ron DeSantis' character and political philosophy are inhumane and autocratic. He is a danger to us all.
“The Republican Florida governor later this month is hosting a series of rallies with conservative education group Turning Point Action to boost campaigns for Arizona Republican Senate candidate Blake Masters and the state’s GOP nominee for governor, Kari Lake; Ohio Republican Senate candidate J.D. Vance; and Pennsylvania’s GOP gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano, who was at the Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection.”
I’m not sure today is the day I can even speak about Turning Point USA and Hillsdale College. Suffice to say that I have not spoken to an educator who is not deeply offended and insulted as a professional educator in the State of Florida for being casually branded as a groomer of children for devious outcomes. It is beyond anything I’ve ever seen in public education. Especially because of the heroic effort of teachers during COVid lockdowns when they were expected to perform miracles to keep the common good intact. Which they did. I have a hundred stories if not more of teachers that deserve credit and recognition, not scorn and censorship by the Governor and former and present commissioners of eduction. I’ll give them a grooming at the woodshed after the can of whoop ass is fully opened.
Trump's political future ended on Jan. 6, or at least that day signaled the impending end. And Republican leaders, who fear him, have kept fawning over him publicly all while big money interests have been turning to DeSantis and some others.
DeSantis is the most dangerous politician of my lifetime. And I say that after seeing the damage Trump wrought. But he also has as much charisma as my big toe.
Joseph McCarthy was the worst in my lifetime. Tricky Dick was really bad, but the repugnants pardoned him. We must stay focused. DeSantis is a creep, bully and fascist, frankly. Let’s fight with all we’ve got!
But has this ever really been about his “political” future? Or is it more about his “stay out of jail” future, and his “Fundraising-4-Me” future? “Politics” was just the tangential con, a means to an end, the ripe hustle. It played to his every exploitive instinct.
We could use a busfull of people eager to work. One of the reasons that businesses can't find help is the curtailment of immigration. Our small business of 24 employees, pre-pandemic, is at 19. The manager of our neighborhood Safeway said that their staffing is short 30%. Most repubs are all show no substance. Facts point to the need for well regulated immigration policies.
Am early voting today. Crist , if he wins the Primary, needs to hammer home that DeSantis has only one thing on his mind--running for President. If he is re-elected Governor he will see that as his first vote of approval to be President and he will continue to use Florida as his springboard to that. Having mandated non mandates to death here he will emerge from the Florida debris with face fixed firmly on DC. You are so right! DeSantis is the " new Trump"! Exponentially more dangerous ( if that is possible given all that is being revealed!).
I’m hoping DeSantis is too smarmy for real Republicans to stomach. I mean, real Republicans who have come to the realization trump was terrible for our country. ( not many of them, unfortunately) I’m also hoping trump’s minions write him in on the ballot if the GOP nominated DeSantis…split their vote and water it down.
Abso-f*ckinglutely. Pushing his Turning Points USA rallies upcoming and his fascist education agenda. If he says CRT or “Don’t Say Gay” one more time, people might vote him off the planet.
I envy you that you live in a neighborhood with like-minded neighbors. I dare not speak of anything political in my red neighborhood, or indeed, in my township. Heck, I can’t even mention anything with most of my friends. It makes me feel very isolated.
Cathy, talk to US. Talk to anyone in this group that you feel comfortable with. We are there for each other. That is why I love Heather and all she is doing to help educate us and shore up what we already believe: human decency and the dignity of all people to pursue happiness and what we all want in life.
Elisabeth has an excellent point. We are a Community here. Good people that look out for each other. I'm sure most of us would give you their email if you were more comfortable discussing issues in that way. I would hate that you didn't feel like you could speak freely.
That does sound very isolating, so sorry. We live in a 55+ community and have a like-minded circle who come back (AZ) every winter; year-round residents are redder and more vocal but I have a friend, more outgoing than me, who sometimes whispers to me, “I found another one of our people”. We’re out there, just quieter!
Carol, had to smile at " found another one of our people". That is how it is in my little neighborhood. We are quietly identifying our clan. There are only a handful at the moment. I cannot even safely put out yard signs-- that is how bad it is. One lady told me I was a nice person but that something was wrong with my brain!!
Bless her heart! During the 2020 election a dem activist up the street gave me some Biden-Harris yard signs..then another popped up…and another. A sight to behold
I’m sure there are some in my Fl neighborhood who believe “something is wrong with my brain.” I’m literally surrounded by Trump voters but also finding some of the “quieter” ones during early morning walks with my four-legged.
Yard Sign ✔️Bumper Sticker✔️T-shirt✔️ Didn’t Believe I’d Ever Go There ✔️
Volunteering for a woman 👏candidate seeking to oust our much entrenched US House, Freedom Caucus, Trump -endorsed Rep .
So far, so good…although I’ll keep you posted if my “ Comstitutional” Sherriff comes knocking on my door.😜
When you are together soon, play this and decide when you are going to get loud and shock a few people out of their red pants. https://youtu.be/Q91hydQRGyM
I face the same, Cathy. This group keeps me sane and ready to fight another day. My reputation though is not for keeping my opinions to myself. *smirk*
I hope you can consider us a “surrogate neighborhood”. I understand the isolation, only mine was in my professional environment (I was a liberal cop). Reach out any time here.
Thank you, Ally! I absolutely think of everyone here as my “neighborhood” and I am so grateful that I found Heather, and all of you. Every day when I come here I recognize the names of commenters and feel you are all now my friends. I don’t know what I would do without you. ❤️
I am glad you are here Cathy. Ally who lives in Oregon like me is now a Facebook friends. We are lucky in that our friends are all like us and we have wonderful neighbors in back of us who share our views. The others close by that we know are Rs, but did not vote for death star. The former R pol next door is now an I. He can't stand the current R party. Across the street we have a D wife who comes over now and then to talk politics and a R husband who is a jerk. I am sure further afield in the area are some who would happily shoot us for our political views. Btw, I went to undergrad in western Michigan, Kalamazoo College. My grandparents lived in Conklin, then a small farm town west of Grand Rapids. My family were all Rs, but I managed to get past that.
I feel your pain. I have found a small group in my rural county that is like minded and we rally together on FB and every so often for potluck gatherings. It helps us all to vent.
We volunteer for Oregon State Parks in the summer and go to southern Arizona for the winter.
Oregon is a blue state, but has red spots and the east side is red. Arizona is a red state but Tucson and Nogales are blue spots.
My point is that the US is a mixture and we have found, even without a secret handshake, like-minded people everywhere. Here in the west the elderly are often the most progressive.
Cathy I live in a Michigan neighborhood of mostly like-minded (Biden) folks, but our one Proud Boy has cow towed us so much that none of us put up signs. We say we know who NOT to vote for that way.
I want you to come up and enjoy our Traverse City wine, beer, mead, fudge, cherries, peaches and beaches! And help me put up candidate signs on major country roads (sounds like an oxymoron, but we get a couple million tourists)! Then climb The Dunes, swim at Good Harbor, canoe The Platte and finish up with dinner at The Cabbage Shed!
When I come to that neck of the woods, it’s to visit my cousins who have summer property on Crystal Lake! Gorgeous! As a kid, we vacayed on Lake Charlevoix.
I love The Dunes. Always a strange phenomena to me. First time I went there, I pretended I was in the desert on an Indiana Jones type adventure.
Crystal Lake IS gorgeous! Was there Saturday. Lake Charlevoix is wonderful, too. An the dunes are the best babysitter in the world. "Gramma, Gramma watch this!" So glad you know this area!
Thanks Wendy! And isn't our west coast magnificent!! We never take it for granted. Enjoyed some body surfing at Elberta Beach last week with grandkids. Felt 7 instead if 70!!
Absolutely beautiful! I'm from Detroit then NW suburbs, now Denver. Been all along the West coast. Most recently got lost going from St. Helen to Ludington State Park. Google maps took us on sandy back roads. 'Hey Rich! Stop turning left!!!' Each trip I discover someplace new or revisit the old. Went through Manistee and saw a canoe launch from my youth. I'm 69 and will look for a surfing sister next time we visit the 'west.'
St. Helen middle of nowhere Blue Gill Capitol of the World!! Best tasting fish anywhere! My job (until pandemic) took me through all those beautiful places. That "discovery" is so fun (as long as you have GPS signal!). So glad you still get back to explore and enjoy it. I've only been back to Denver once since we lived there in Northglenn in the early 80's. We wanted to be sure our kids got to feel the majesty of the mountains, and enjoy Estes Park and elk and The Corn Palace, of course.
Who needs GPS? I don't have it in my car - I expect I could use it on my phone but... I love DeLorme road atlases. They include many tertiary unpaved roads and have provided me quite a few interesting shortcuts between here and there.
Yes- when and if Trump is finally called to account, it will be a day of great celebration. His ability to avoid consequences has been harmful to the morale of Americans and all those who have believed that America was not just the most powerful country in the world but a country that stood up for democracy.
Hi Michael - "Of course if he's convicted of some of his many crimes, we'll meet on the corner and with all who stroll by and probably high-five each other, then break out drinks." I wish I lived in a place like that. In my neighborhood it would be much more likely that my neighbor would have flared nostrils and rage in his/her heart, ready to break out the AR-15, that their beloved ex-leader is being unfairly maligned by the leftist commie government currently in charge. And, in the coming civil war (they think), that I would be on the wrong side and therefore subject to who knows what. That of course would not be said outright - they are more civil than that - but certainly thought. Like Rick (voldemort) Scott says - we are evil.
Love that you call “RedTide Rick” Scott « VOLDEMORT » !!! He is indeed evil, he made his money by stealing from Medicare & pled the 5th. His contest with Bill Nelson, who cares about Florida, was close & had a recount. Scott needs to be voted out, but since he’s not up for it this time, let’s say “Adios!” to skeevy Marco Rubio, who hates to work for Florida.
At least the DOJ is making sure that the AR-15 club's rabid leaders are in jail before tRump is indicted. Now to get Faux newsleaders and other media inciters deprived of their megaphones.
A resource I find really valuable is Cathy Learoyd who responds on these pages and is President of Texas Hill Country League of Women Voters. As discouraging as the political reality in your state is, they have been able to do some exciting things like registering high school students to vote, and teaching them how to research candidates. Every little bit helps.
She is terrific via Zoom for our "Heather's Herd" meetings the 1st & 3rd Saturdays of the month, 1 pm - 2:30. If you are interested, let Cathy L know when you see her comments here, or Ellie Kona or Annette in FL. They have a way to share emails here without alerting a few thousand others on the site. Really helpful. I've had to miss a few meetings with grandkids visits, but can pick right up again whenever it works for me. All The Best!
HUGS, Suz. And, sadly, your predictions may be more accurate than mine. Russia has armed American cowboys (and cowgirls), and tRump has fed them Nazi gruel for 5 years. But there is reason to hope. My drugs include a Michigan Democratic Governor, Attorney General and Secretary of State (in a formerly red state), a fair redistricting last year, and some of the best wine, beer and mead in the country, all within 30 miles!
Of course! This is so obvious why the FBI searched Bozo's house today. I just realized this after listening to all the pundits yammering. None of them see it. Garland is brilliant. This will be the easiest charge to get a conviction on. No weaseling out of it, no lying or obtuse legal theories. It's so clear. The MOST important thing for Garland to accomplish is to make sure that Bozo can never again run for public office. The federal records act says that anyone who steals, destroys, yada yada yada public records shall be subject to max 3 years of jail time and/or a fine "**AND SHALL FORFEIT HIS OFFICE AND BE DISQUALIFIED FROM HOLDING ANY OFFICE UNDER THE UNITED STATES.**” . There it is.
Was he told not to take or destroy the documents? Yes and there is incontrovertible evidence to support that. Did the archivist demand their return and did he not return them all? Yes and there is incontrovertible evidence to support that. Did he destroy documents? Yes and there is incontrovertible evidence to support that. Did the FBI find some of those documents at his home? We have to assume so otherwise why raid it today. So yes and there is incontrovertible evidence to support that.
There you have it. A slam dunk guilty verdict and whether they ever send him to jail or not, he can never run for president or anything else ever again. Garland had 1 job. This is it. Sure, I suspect he'll go after him for the other stuff and so will Georgia and New York, but those are far more dicey to get a full conviction. But if he can nail him on this one little thing, he's done what he needs to do to save the country.
Andrea Please note- what the FBI did was execute a search warrant, not conduct a “raid.” As always, language matters and Twitter last night was full of fake outrage over this. Not a raid. A legal search with credible evidence to look for of possible criminal activity. If we use the proper terminology too, we can take some of the wind out of their sails.
You are absolutely spot on regarding Garland’s brilliance. Nail Trump on mishandling of Presidential documents. Take him out of the running permanently. Make him irrelevant. Then convict him. And make it impossible for him to fundraise. If he can’t run for office, he’ll lose his followers eventually but if he’s in jail, he lose so much more. Fingers crossed!
You are quite right about the terminology. I wrote it in the heat of the moment and should have been more precise. As George Lakoff teaches, framing is critical. I’ll correct it.
I wouldn’t worry so much about this. I’ve heard “raid” used to describe perfectly legal searches before without anyone raising an eyebrow. I T does, however, have a connotation of pirates seizing a ship.
But Sheila and Andrea, we still have to worry about his 70 million idiot followers….he will be irrelevant, but they won’t! I am still shocked to see the threats and violence promised by MAGAS. They have proven they are violent, are armed to the teeth and hate most of their fellow citizens, especially if they voted for Biden or anyone other than 45. They are killing our Black citizens, Jewish citizens and will continue to behave this way unless we get guns really banned in our society. I, personally, am coming for their guns!
Marlene, I kept track of the covid deaths through The NY Times website. It was a devastating reality check about how bad T really was. He literally caused the death of those million + people through his inaction and gaslighting. OMG
I lived in upstate New York (near Woodstock!) during the pandemic. I saw so many magats in their big trucks and American flags waving as they ran around town shouting about the stolen election, I lost faith in their ability to be decent people. They hated the vaccines, did not get vaccinated, were angry about mask mandates (all the supermarkets insisted) and so on. It really showed me a different “America” than the one I grew up in. I lived in Florida when T was elected and discovered all my condo neighbors were Trumpers. I sold the place and left. I was married to an Indian man and felt their racism when we were never invited for parties or drinks at the pool. It’s bad out there, but I want to work for a better day for our children and grandchildren. It’s worth it to me to fight this backwardness in the US.
Can’t ❤️ but how horrible for you and your family! I honor your fight against the dumb, the ignorant, the dangerous in our society. Have been fighting against injustices for over 50 years. It’s worth it.
I wish someone would verify this factoid. Everything Trump does is Fake. He is a shining example of fake. Though maybe “shining” is the wrong adjective to use about someone so without any lightl
In the law enforcement realm a raid is viewed as a type of search warrant service where there are additional elements of search warrant execution to consider or question: is the evidence easily destroyed; is/are the person/s present a safety/escape risk; are there factors about the residence itself that must be considered?
I’d liken a raid to be a dangerous environment for execution of the search warrant.
Wikipedia told me this “ A police raid or razzia[1] is an unexpected visit by police or other law-enforcement officers, often in the early morning or late at night, with the aim of using the element of surprise in an attempt to arrest suspects believed to be likely to hide evidence, resist arrest, be politically sensitive, or simply be elsewhere during the day.” (razzia is is a military term)
I think there are elements of using the term “raid” by the target of the search warrant that reveal the nature of the person served.
I changed the wording. I will point out that whenever the FBI searches or raids a building, there is always a legally executed search warrant in place before they do it - or there should be. The only difference between a search and a raid is the level of force involved.
Thank you, Andrea! Great summation of which I believe will be true. I would get greater satisfaction if he is indicted and serves a prison sentence. That would be the icing on the cake.
That’s the most hopeful summation of yesterday’s actions I’ve read. You narrowed it down to something realistic and have given me real hope. I couldn’t wait for Heather’s letter and all your comments. Both are needed to round out the news. Thank you all!
Agree completely , the crime and physical evidence are crystal clear , with the chances of conviction being very high. We all saw photos of the 15 boxes and now the FBI took even more. Could there be something else going on at DOJ that we do not even know about?
I agree with everything you wrote in your comment, Andrea. I think, though, that there may be something incriminating in those documents that TFG may be very worried about.
I agree. I would not be surprised if he hung on to them for criminal use - extortion, blackmail, sale to foreign powers, even just sale to private collectors. Or because they implicate him in criminal acts. But I suspect the former because if the latter, why not just destroy them.
Not really “one little thing”. Wait til we see what he stole! His Achilles Heel….all based on his greed, dishonesty, desperation to be a dictator. How wonderful this day is.
Yes Andrea. First day I’ve not read any Garland bashing on this forum. A great Attorney General and I thank him for taking precious time to clean up the department. Especially knowing what we know now. I really envision him on the Supreme Court before the end of President Biden’s term.
VOTE BLUE in the on and upcoming massive blue wave.
I think this was Garland's destiny. We already knew him because of the SCOTUS hearings, and he would have been (and may still become) one of our best Supreme Court Judges in history. But his experience with the big Oklahoma City bombing case has served him and us very well over the past year. He's doing this right.
Brilliant, yes. Bbbut, first "Bozo" must go before a judge and be found guilty. I don't see that happening anytime soon, much less before 2028. Until then he'll just continue to prance around with all his neo-confederates. My personal hope is that he shits-the-bed.
Republicans, whom I will now call Neo-Confederates, complain that the January 6 committee is one sided and Trump hasn't had a chance to tell his side. Of course he's done little else since Jan 7. But of course never under oath. By his choice.
Mueller, following his colleague, friend, and fellow Republican Bill Barr's lead, never called Trump to testify under oath, and it prevented his committee from finding evidence of intent and therefore of collusion.
Trump is preparing to testify in NY. Now this. He may be brought to justice yet.
With all the money tfg has raised off of his impeachment, J6 and the subsequent hearing and now the FBI raid, he’s raised enough funds to pay off his loan with Deutschmark bank. But, has he done that?
I use the term neo-confederacy to describe the current government of Missouri, which I recently left after nearly 50 years living there. I think it accurately describes the situation.
I bet it felt wonderful to leave Missouri behind. Same for me as we left Texas this year, and I was born there. Only people on the other side of the aisle questioned (with disbelief) our decision to leave. Everyone else knew exactly why chose to escape.
I used the word “trumpetry” in a comment yesterday referring to CPAC blither and blather speeches given there. Usual meaning is “blaring sounds of trumpets”. I’d say there is now a MAGA edition def for that word. He puts a smirch on the sweet sound of that instrument.
And lately I do not use definitions such as Neo-Confederates, albeit the accuracy of the words. I’m at the point of “flaming treasonous as*holes” to coincide with trump’s flushing fetish. And McCarthy can join him.
Where is the translator’s transcript of the President Trump/Putin private meeting?
Have wondered that for years. Time for translator to start singing
Good question Ann. From the prior 15 boxes of documents that were taken back from tfg & delivered to the US Archives, the DOJ has a 100 page inventory of his stolen documents including confidential & top scret records. Let a grand jury see what was in Trumps locked safe instead of boxes in the "beautiful" Mar a Lago basement.
Bryan, I thought of you, along with Bone Spurs, early this morning, while we're on the Paper Trail. Now, we are really talking and searching for THE PAPER -- THE DOCUMENTS! See you later, Bryan.
FERN, you know I like the US code Section 2071 penalty, .... tfg would be barred from holding public office. Likely, the DOJ has a drafted complaint based on the15 boxes The FBI is searching for documents that prove criminal intent not more "love letters" from North Korea. "Don't mess with the Archivist." i admit it; I LOVE DOCUMENTS.
Of course, you nailed it, Bryan. Here's some more folks:
'Early reports that the F.B.I. search of former President Donald J. Trump’s residence in Florida related to an investigation into whether he had unlawfully taken government files when he left the White House focused attention on an obscure criminal law barring removal of official records. The penalties for breaking that law include disqualification from holding any federal office.'
'Because Mr. Trump is widely believed to be preparing to run for president again in 2024, that unusual penalty raised the prospect that he might be legally barred from returning to the White House.'
'Specifically, the law in question — Section 2071 of Title 18 of the United States Code — makes it a crime if someone who has custody of government documents or records “willfully and unlawfully conceals, removes, mutilates, obliterates, falsifies or destroys” them.' (NYTimes) See gifted link below.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/08/us/politics/donald-trump-president-criminal-law.html?unlocked_article_code=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACEIPuomT1JKd6J17Vw1cRCfTTMQmqxCdw_PIxftm3iWka3DFDm4SiPkORJCH_0bRZKF4INc02T2fSJpdKqIqXLlq1OJEPkBgTRXtqYGFnZUDKiFwrYusGGMq2paHFZYJzQjXVEjrYuFu2O_4-BucLDm7BfDC1X0mJw9k8cB6Ilmp2WgPka_DDrVy2Nhh3fcnVZt_QTgDYXWLrOCoX0slQKiObRDY7gQyWe9LC3qEzZPHteV2IEgFAknGTXh__W829NpXXdsSN63_JBYkE9Hs1fRTUic7adf0WOBiAtTchL5osrXSqByTycvQx_s-F65cvLysoX8Uqhi5QGAu6ZELiCNe_amY&smid=url-share
Bryan, I know that you'll be back with more. You're more than a HOUND DOG but so glad you've got the bite we're looking for.
elvis presley-hound dog
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzQ8GDBA8Is
FERN, I have caught a rabbit or two in Court back when ....
What hat did you pull them from? I'm in the dark, Bryan, and don't like that, so, please elaborate.
Heard from a credible retired judge that US code could be superseded by Constitution which has only 2 requirements…born here and of a certain age (35?) Said if US code used would likely end up in courts forever ending finally at MAGA SCOTUS.
The toilet paper trail
🦓?
Sniffing all about for the papers Bone Spurs took. Bryan is an excellent legal papers/documents hound. Cannot wait to hear his bark.
Who let the dogs out?
🐕🙂
Can always use a good canine unit, Marypat.
"US officials said there is no detailed record, even in classified files, of Trump’s face-to-face interactions with the Russian leader at five locations over the past two years,” the Post reported."
Please keep in mind that within the State Department 'interpreters' and 'translators' serve different functions and follow different protocols. Interpreters work with spoken language and translators with
written texts. Their work procedures and work products are different.
"And the other reason is the kinds of notes that interpreters take in order to do consecutive interpretation differ radically from the kinds of notes that substantive officers take when they are the official note-takers. Our interpretation notes are based on our short-term memory. They're full of little symbols and squiggles and arrows.
Basically, what interpreters do when they're taking notes is they draw a kind of road map through the material they're hearing. They are immediately thereafter able to reconstruct this piece of material. But if you show them those notes in two or three weeks, their eyes would glaze over and say..."
https://www.state.gov/interpreting-ols/
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/interpreters-and-translators.htm
https://www.state.gov/about-us-ols/translating/
https://www.vox.com/world/2019/1/14/18182455/trump-russia-putin-notes-wapo-wsj
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-has-concealed-details-of-his-face-to-face-encounters-with-putin-from-senior-officials-in-administration/2019/01/12/65f6686c-1434-11e9-b6ad-9cfd62dbb0a8_story.html
https://www.npr.org/2019/01/14/685276555/former-white-house-interpreter-weighs-in-on-possibility-of-subpoena
The fact that there is no official transcript of these meetings should be enough to charge him with dereliction of duty. Unprecedented and a clue to what was to come
It is my guess that there needed to be a stenographer to report (on a steno machine) the oral remarks in English made by tfg and the remarks made by Putin as orally interpreted by the interpreter. Then a written transcript (in English) is made by the stenographer for publication. That was my experience in the Carter days, but I have no memory of any one-on-one meetings like is being discussed here.
In my day, I was employed by a private firm who contracted out to the White House to perform the services of providing official transcripts. We worked inside the WH, but were not employees of the government. Makes for better transparency, don't you think?
Here's an interesting article about one WH stenographer that worked in the Obama administration as well as the beginning of 45's.
"We type up our transcripts from our audio, so it hasn't been tampered with and it not only goes to the press office, the press, but also the presidential archive," she says. "That's really important to have an accurate recording at all times, especially when the press is involved, just to make sure that we are recording the truth and that no one has complicated that."
https://www.krvs.org/2018-07-23/ex-white-house-stenographer-with-no-official-transcript-trump-can-muddle-the-truth
Since my day, audio recordings took the place of steno machines. And during Obama's administration, stenographers became part of the WH staff.
https://www.politico.com/blogs/under-the-radar/2014/01/obama-puts-stenographers-on-staff-182483
Trump's criminal conversations take place with Putin directly, and when he is on the golf course. No notes. Lindsay Graham went from Trump critic to Trump ass-kisser after one of those golf course meetings, which I assume involved blackmail.
Yes. Rumor has it one black robed judge retired early under similar circumstances.
Wow! Thanks for inside info Lynell!
You're welcome, MaryPat! Unless things have dramatically changed, it would not be the interpreters who would be making the official record. It's the stenographers.
Morning, Lynell!
Morning, Alexander!!
Fascinating!!!
Thanks, Ally...Morning!!
Morning Lynell. I’m just heading out to start another “help a friend move” event. This time I’m driving a 26 foot rental truck from Medford to Seattle.
Jeri:
The fact that the only people in the secret meeting were either russians or that russian spy, whooops..American president...should have been the subject of great concern to someone...it is obvious something bad occurred... yet no investigation...WTF!?
I can't imagine what people were thinking when he went behind closed doors with Putin. Even I did not like that and felt it was very fishy!
Jeri, hoping I'd see a post from you today! I am thinking that you need a Dark Brandon tshirt to wear at your assisted living facility!! :)
Seems that what you don't report to the IRS is as significant as what you do.
“ Basically, what interpreters do when they're taking notes is they draw a kind of road map through the material they're hearing. They are immediately thereafter able to reconstruct this piece of material.”
Your description was really helpful for me to understand how note-taking for these different purposes differs so greatly!
The quote is from the NPR interview cited in my comment: "Our next guest served 18 years as head of interpreters at the State Department. She was in the room interpreting when U.S. officials sat down with Fidel Castro, with Augusto Pinochet and many others Stephanie van Reigersberg, welcome to ALL THING CONSIDERED."
Burnt, shredded, flushed not very long after the meeting. Every translated word imprinted in the Presidential mind, every pressure of the Russian handshake treasured in memory.
Putin was counting on him, still is, I’ll wager
Trump was the best bet (for his agenda) Putin ever made.
Trump is Putin's wet dream for how to get back at Hillary, and for how to infiltrate and damage the U.S.
Ann and Jeri and others -- I have this dim recollection that tfg confiscated the translator's notes as the meeting ended. Something like that. So that nothing could go to the press. Part of this recollection is that there were no other witnesses in this meeting between tfg and Putin other than the translators/interpreters. Just 4 people? This is something we could hope that HCR could investigate. Or one of us, who has the time and dogged determination!!
I just replied to Patricia a few minutes ago, attaching a sample of Putin speaking very good English.
That's my recollection as well, that he took the notes....or perhaps that he allowed no note taking. I believe we knew that within a day or two of the meeting.
I believe he took her notes....
Yeah... She needs to be checking her brake lines.
In the toilet
Yup
Great question! I'm sure the DOJ is asking the same and searching, searching. It might have been flushed.
I'm imagining a political cartoon of Trump caught flushing the Constitution down the toilet.
Flushed with pride (hubris).
That transcript was burned, or ripped up and flushed, on-site in Helsinki, I expect.
Where is that translator!?
I believe the reports on that meeting have indicated that Trump excluded any others form that meeting. It was Trump, Putin, and Putin's translator. I wish I could remember which of several sources reported that...
Good morning everyone. I'm reading over all the comments and the replies to the comments and reports of what various sources and personal recollections suggest, and my first thought is the wish that we had, somewhere, a journalist or researcher to map all this out so we at least had a more or less solid summary of who has written about this, how many completely different opinions or pieces of evidence we have for how many crimes. I'd be interested to know, for instance, which of the mainstream media, have similar evidence and take similar positions on yesterday's search of Trump's basement and safe.
Failing something like a summary, I would have to say that, although reading about what has seemed a slow, tedious process, has tried my patience, Professor Richardson's Letter today makes it clear that it's producing results. I hope that's right.
Both the Washington Post and New your times have had recent columns listing the administration's accomplishments. Check out some of the opinion columnists like Jennifer Rubin. Also check out the comments section (but this can be laborious and require a thick skin).
This is a piece by Paul Waldman from yesterday:
https://wapo.st/3SCsyiE
And this is one of the comments:
Borrowed from another poster. All in a little more than 18 months.
And now more Democrats accomplishments
Thank You President Biden
* Reversal of Trump Executive Orders
* American Rescue Plan
* 500 Million Covid-19 Vaccine Shots
* Added 9 Million jobs
* 5% GDP during his first year
* Reduced $380 Billion, a record amount, from the deficit in his first year
* Greatest and Fastest Economic Recovery in History
* Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill
* Climate Change and emissions Executive Orders
* Expanded Affordable Care Act to 5 Million new customers
* Nominated and Confirmed a Historic rate of Judges
* Nominated and Confirmed Ketanji Brown Jackson to Supreme Court
* Largest increase in Manufacturing Jobs in 30 years
* CHIPs Bill
* Made Juneteenth a National Holiday
* Restored the Violence Against Women Act
* 3.5% Unemployment with lowest jobless claims in 50 years
* Over 50 days straight of dropping gas prices
* Estimated Deficit Reduction of $1.7 Trillion for 2nd Year
* Lowest Child Poverty rate in history
* Allow Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices
* $380 Billion investment in Clean Energy
* $30 Billion in support of Ukraine against Russia
* Renewed Veterans Burn Pit Healthcare bill
* Killing Al Qaeda #1 Ayman Al-Zawahiri
* Implemented Firearms and Gun Safety Bill
Do you know I did something this year I never, ever would have imagined. I cancelled my subscription to the NYTimes. My news sources at this moment are Letters from an American, Robert Hubbell's Newsletter, the Washington Post occasionally when I can read it without getting myself into a state over either their misleading headlines or the kinds of errors in grammar, usage, and just plain typos that indicate they save money by doing away with editors and proofreaders. Oh, and I confess to actually subscribing to the quirky, fascinating, intelligent slate.com. I have no idea what any of that information has to do with your comment, John. You're right about Jennifer Rubin. I got disgusted by the Times doing what all the mainstream media do--absolutely creating the news. I got especially miffed at the Times because their writers are the best in the business and so do the best job of manipulating our thought-life.
Here endeth the First Lesson. And clearly time for my afternoon tea.
I ended my NYT subscription, too, keep the Atlantic. Forgot about Slate. May be a good substitute. I like quirky!
I kept The New Yorker. I have found, over many years, back when the magazines were piling up in corners, that I can't live without it. The writing is so good that I will read articles on subjects that are of no interest to me just because of the writing. When I taught a senior elective that I called something like "The personal and Social Essay" (not quite right) our "text books" were The New Yorker; Newsweek (before they changed their format to Faux People Magazine) when there were essays; a couple ;of volumes of Joan Didion's essays. The essay assignment the students said was the hardest thing they'd ever had to write. First, we read a lot of movie reviews in The New Yorker (which, as I'll bet you know, are fully developed essays), then we took 3 or four class periods to watch a film, "LA Confidential." Everybody loved the movie until I told them the assignment. Write a review of the movie in the style of a New Yorker review. They moaned, they groaned. Then they got together several times on the weekend to watch the movie again, taking notes and talking about it. Then they wrote the reviews. Best set of essays I've ever gotten from a class. I love Slate. The serious articles are top quality and, if the news becomes too much, one can always read Dear Prudence.
That's a good one to vet, Patricia. Haven't heard it before. Wouldn't surprise me. There are a few supremely good investigative reporters who might be on to this who subject now.
Yes, that's it, Patricia.
It is usually the little violations that catch big criminals. Mobsters for tax evasion, politicians for small bribes-gifts, etc. Perhaps because the big crimes are carefully covered up so smaller crimes become tedious de rigueur? Archival documents is a nice clean black and white factual crime to puncture the festering boil Trump's criminality. Ha ha The Plumbers make a cameo appearance both in Watergate and Trump's Toiletgate!
My laugh for the day
"Toiletgate!" 1st prize!
Second prize goes to “festering boil of Trump’s criminality “. The visual works for me, but not a great way to start the day.
Agreed. I have always seen him as a festering cancer spreading throughout the government and country.
Hopefully, we all can recover fully from having been infected (and affected) by that lethal cancer! Indictment, speedy trial, and "Guilty of all charges" verdict will help!
I am hoping a good indictment lances the boil...but you are right, his acolytes are akin to metastatic cancer.
From West (Wing) Flushing.
Great Pun!
Quite a remarkable news day. I admire how you highlighted the themes of accountability and deterrence, especially with the comparison of Nixon and now Trump all these years later. While Nixon skated, at least Trump is on a path — or more like an interstate highway — to justice.
I had an impromptu sidewalk chat with neighbors this evening about the Mar a Lago news. I observed that a former president's residence was searched by the FBI for the first time in our history, and we weren't revved up by the news. That's how jaded and difficult to shock we've become when it comes to Trump, and today's chat surely was at least the hundredth time we've talked about him and what he's done to the country.
Of course if he's convicted of some of his many crimes, we'll meet on the corner and with all who stroll by and probably high-five each other, then break out drinks.
I like that, Michael: “…..at least Trump is on a path—or more like an interstate highway—to justice.”
I’ll be toasting with you and your neighbors when he’s convicted of some of his many crimes. We can only hope he will be convicted of all of them eventually.
Trump is done. Get ready for DeSantis. It’s been their plan for months.
And De Satin is much worse. Smarter (although it wouldn’t take much) than Rump, and maybe more politically established (although I don’t know why). He is a Mussolini wannabe. Taking everyone’s rights away and enjoying every minute that gives him more power. I live in blue state Oregon and perceive threat from him. I hope he is voted out Christine. 💙💛
Karen, It appears that Andrew Warren is out to expose DeSantis. He's entered the political ring with the aim to get the governor on the ropes. What do you think?
'This should concern everyone' | Warren plans to fight his Hillsborough state attorney suspension.'
'Andrew Warren said he plans to fight his suspension in court and, if necessary, in the Florida Senate.'
'TAMPA, Fla. — Suspended Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren said he was escorted from his office by armed security last week in a move he likened to a third-world political coup.'
'He said he plans to fight his suspension in court and, if necessary, in the Florida Senate.'
'Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Warren had been neglectful in his duty and showed incompetence when it came to prosecuting certain crimes and criminals.'
'But Warren said crime statistics show otherwise.'
'Warren said the move was purely political since he has publicly said he’d oppose prosecuting cases against women and doctors who violate the state’s 15-week abortion law.'
'That law is still being challenged in the courts.'
“It doesn’t matter if you’re Democrat, Republican or libertarian. Everybody should be outraged. Everybody. This is not how our democracy works,” Warren said. “If the governor, the king, can just throw out elected officials, what’s the point of having elections? This is what happens in Venezuela and in Russia - and in North Korea. This is not democracy. This is not America.' (WTSP-TV)
Yes. Judge Warren the elected prosecutor in Tampa. He is a tough but fair judge. His statement of not prosecuting the abortion cases is that FL’s “new” law is is still under review. DeSantis made a tactical blunder doing this because he is an elected, not appointed, official and people are very irate about this. Tampa is a major urban area and Desantis wants to flex his authoritarian muscle in the major Florida cities.
Stay tuned. This is going to be a fight that I do not think DeSantis can win.
🗽
Wow!!!
Thank you Fern. I am appalled at de Santis and his authoritarian over reach. What ever I can do to support Andrew Warren I will do.
Karen, Thank you. I believe we are very close together and that includes our opinions of DeSantis. Yes, Floridians experience his cruelty most directly, however, Ron DeSantis' character and political philosophy are inhumane and autocratic. He is a danger to us all.
❤️
Karen, fight back. That is all we have, our wits, our voices and our VOTES.
Yes, and he’s getting ready to whip up the base..
“The Republican Florida governor later this month is hosting a series of rallies with conservative education group Turning Point Action to boost campaigns for Arizona Republican Senate candidate Blake Masters and the state’s GOP nominee for governor, Kari Lake; Ohio Republican Senate candidate J.D. Vance; and Pennsylvania’s GOP gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano, who was at the Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection.”
https://www.politico.com/news/2022/08/08/desantis-headline-gop-rallies-00050337
I’m not sure today is the day I can even speak about Turning Point USA and Hillsdale College. Suffice to say that I have not spoken to an educator who is not deeply offended and insulted as a professional educator in the State of Florida for being casually branded as a groomer of children for devious outcomes. It is beyond anything I’ve ever seen in public education. Especially because of the heroic effort of teachers during COVid lockdowns when they were expected to perform miracles to keep the common good intact. Which they did. I have a hundred stories if not more of teachers that deserve credit and recognition, not scorn and censorship by the Governor and former and present commissioners of eduction. I’ll give them a grooming at the woodshed after the can of whoop ass is fully opened.
🗽
Agree. He's dead man walking.
Trump's political future ended on Jan. 6, or at least that day signaled the impending end. And Republican leaders, who fear him, have kept fawning over him publicly all while big money interests have been turning to DeSantis and some others.
DeSantis is the most dangerous politician of my lifetime. And I say that after seeing the damage Trump wrought. But he also has as much charisma as my big toe.
Joseph McCarthy was the worst in my lifetime. Tricky Dick was really bad, but the repugnants pardoned him. We must stay focused. DeSantis is a creep, bully and fascist, frankly. Let’s fight with all we’ve got!
But has this ever really been about his “political” future? Or is it more about his “stay out of jail” future, and his “Fundraising-4-Me” future? “Politics” was just the tangential con, a means to an end, the ripe hustle. It played to his every exploitive instinct.
Yes, your big toe is the winner there. Chump has the cult idiots, but DeSantis has the evil ideologues
He is as vile as Abbott. Probably smarter, but Texas has that trifecta of evil - Abbott, Patrick, and Paxton.
Add Cruz and Cornyn
And not a one of them is worth the gunpowder to blast them to Hell.
I read last evening that Texas is dumping busloads of migrants in NYC. That evil trifecta just keeps running its own nation.
...and apparently this has been going on for months? If true, where's the media on this?
We could use a busfull of people eager to work. One of the reasons that businesses can't find help is the curtailment of immigration. Our small business of 24 employees, pre-pandemic, is at 19. The manager of our neighborhood Safeway said that their staffing is short 30%. Most repubs are all show no substance. Facts point to the need for well regulated immigration policies.
Know anyone looking for a PT/FT job in Denver?!
We’ll come for DeSantis too. Don’t you worry your pretty little head….
And the last thing we want is DeSantis.
That is 1000% correct, Sister Linda.
Am early voting today. Crist , if he wins the Primary, needs to hammer home that DeSantis has only one thing on his mind--running for President. If he is re-elected Governor he will see that as his first vote of approval to be President and he will continue to use Florida as his springboard to that. Having mandated non mandates to death here he will emerge from the Florida debris with face fixed firmly on DC. You are so right! DeSantis is the " new Trump"! Exponentially more dangerous ( if that is possible given all that is being revealed!).
I’m hoping DeSantis is too smarmy for real Republicans to stomach. I mean, real Republicans who have come to the realization trump was terrible for our country. ( not many of them, unfortunately) I’m also hoping trump’s minions write him in on the ballot if the GOP nominated DeSantis…split their vote and water it down.
Did DeSantis participate/attend the CPAC boogaloo?
Allow me to provide a hint, Kim.
Abso-f*ckinglutely. Pushing his Turning Points USA rallies upcoming and his fascist education agenda. If he says CRT or “Don’t Say Gay” one more time, people might vote him off the planet.
🗽
The sequel sucks.
It will be a single malt neat for me.
and pour me a double single malt neat with a Champagne chaser
I hadn't thought of that.
I envy you that you live in a neighborhood with like-minded neighbors. I dare not speak of anything political in my red neighborhood, or indeed, in my township. Heck, I can’t even mention anything with most of my friends. It makes me feel very isolated.
Cathy, talk to US. Talk to anyone in this group that you feel comfortable with. We are there for each other. That is why I love Heather and all she is doing to help educate us and shore up what we already believe: human decency and the dignity of all people to pursue happiness and what we all want in life.
Elisabeth has an excellent point. We are a Community here. Good people that look out for each other. I'm sure most of us would give you their email if you were more comfortable discussing issues in that way. I would hate that you didn't feel like you could speak freely.
Here is my email for anyone in our group. lbailey007.lb@gmail.com
My door is always open.
That does sound very isolating, so sorry. We live in a 55+ community and have a like-minded circle who come back (AZ) every winter; year-round residents are redder and more vocal but I have a friend, more outgoing than me, who sometimes whispers to me, “I found another one of our people”. We’re out there, just quieter!
Carol, had to smile at " found another one of our people". That is how it is in my little neighborhood. We are quietly identifying our clan. There are only a handful at the moment. I cannot even safely put out yard signs-- that is how bad it is. One lady told me I was a nice person but that something was wrong with my brain!!
I have an OMG GOP WTF sticker on my car. The joy I feel when someone sidles up and says “ I like your sticker”.
Bless her heart! During the 2020 election a dem activist up the street gave me some Biden-Harris yard signs..then another popped up…and another. A sight to behold
I’m sure there are some in my Fl neighborhood who believe “something is wrong with my brain.” I’m literally surrounded by Trump voters but also finding some of the “quieter” ones during early morning walks with my four-legged.
Yard Sign ✔️Bumper Sticker✔️T-shirt✔️ Didn’t Believe I’d Ever Go There ✔️
Volunteering for a woman 👏candidate seeking to oust our much entrenched US House, Freedom Caucus, Trump -endorsed Rep .
So far, so good…although I’ll keep you posted if my “ Comstitutional” Sherriff comes knocking on my door.😜
I’m sure you’re already on a watchlist of some kind!
When you are together soon, play this and decide when you are going to get loud and shock a few people out of their red pants. https://youtu.be/Q91hydQRGyM
🗽
I face the same, Cathy. This group keeps me sane and ready to fight another day. My reputation though is not for keeping my opinions to myself. *smirk*
LOL.
I hope you can consider us a “surrogate neighborhood”. I understand the isolation, only mine was in my professional environment (I was a liberal cop). Reach out any time here.
Thank you, Ally! I absolutely think of everyone here as my “neighborhood” and I am so grateful that I found Heather, and all of you. Every day when I come here I recognize the names of commenters and feel you are all now my friends. I don’t know what I would do without you. ❤️
I am glad you are here Cathy. Ally who lives in Oregon like me is now a Facebook friends. We are lucky in that our friends are all like us and we have wonderful neighbors in back of us who share our views. The others close by that we know are Rs, but did not vote for death star. The former R pol next door is now an I. He can't stand the current R party. Across the street we have a D wife who comes over now and then to talk politics and a R husband who is a jerk. I am sure further afield in the area are some who would happily shoot us for our political views. Btw, I went to undergrad in western Michigan, Kalamazoo College. My grandparents lived in Conklin, then a small farm town west of Grand Rapids. My family were all Rs, but I managed to get past that.
My son & daughter-in law went to Western! Great school!
We had a joke....first at K, then at Western, and then to the state mental institution. Climbing the hills, so to speak.
We feel the same about you, Cathy. I am always ready to talk turkey….
Hey, Neighbor! (From up the road in Interlochen).
Honestly Ally, can we figure out how to be neighbors? I love your spirit.
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That would be so cool!!
I feel your pain. I have found a small group in my rural county that is like minded and we rally together on FB and every so often for potluck gatherings. It helps us all to vent.
We volunteer for Oregon State Parks in the summer and go to southern Arizona for the winter.
Oregon is a blue state, but has red spots and the east side is red. Arizona is a red state but Tucson and Nogales are blue spots.
My point is that the US is a mixture and we have found, even without a secret handshake, like-minded people everywhere. Here in the west the elderly are often the most progressive.
Cathy I live in a Michigan neighborhood of mostly like-minded (Biden) folks, but our one Proud Boy has cow towed us so much that none of us put up signs. We say we know who NOT to vote for that way.
Do you want me to come up there and put them up? LOL!
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Christine, wait a minute, I'll get my car keys. We'll go fix this.
I want you to come up and enjoy our Traverse City wine, beer, mead, fudge, cherries, peaches and beaches! And help me put up candidate signs on major country roads (sounds like an oxymoron, but we get a couple million tourists)! Then climb The Dunes, swim at Good Harbor, canoe The Platte and finish up with dinner at The Cabbage Shed!
When I come to that neck of the woods, it’s to visit my cousins who have summer property on Crystal Lake! Gorgeous! As a kid, we vacayed on Lake Charlevoix.
I love The Dunes. Always a strange phenomena to me. First time I went there, I pretended I was in the desert on an Indiana Jones type adventure.
Salud, MaryPat. 🗽💜
Crystal Lake IS gorgeous! Was there Saturday. Lake Charlevoix is wonderful, too. An the dunes are the best babysitter in the world. "Gramma, Gramma watch this!" So glad you know this area!
Oh, and music to beat the band!
Why do you let ANYONE “cow tow” you? Fight the good fight!
There's the guns, the mental illness, the chainsaw. We are all nice.
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Oh lordy that's hard
Not surprising at all 👌
You can talk to us!
Thanks Rosalind! It really helps!
I think of you, Cathy, and MaryPat when touring the west coast of Michigan. Sending good vibes your way!
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Thanks Wendy! And isn't our west coast magnificent!! We never take it for granted. Enjoyed some body surfing at Elberta Beach last week with grandkids. Felt 7 instead if 70!!
Absolutely beautiful! I'm from Detroit then NW suburbs, now Denver. Been all along the West coast. Most recently got lost going from St. Helen to Ludington State Park. Google maps took us on sandy back roads. 'Hey Rich! Stop turning left!!!' Each trip I discover someplace new or revisit the old. Went through Manistee and saw a canoe launch from my youth. I'm 69 and will look for a surfing sister next time we visit the 'west.'
St. Helen middle of nowhere Blue Gill Capitol of the World!! Best tasting fish anywhere! My job (until pandemic) took me through all those beautiful places. That "discovery" is so fun (as long as you have GPS signal!). So glad you still get back to explore and enjoy it. I've only been back to Denver once since we lived there in Northglenn in the early 80's. We wanted to be sure our kids got to feel the majesty of the mountains, and enjoy Estes Park and elk and The Corn Palace, of course.
Who needs GPS? I don't have it in my car - I expect I could use it on my phone but... I love DeLorme road atlases. They include many tertiary unpaved roads and have provided me quite a few interesting shortcuts between here and there.
Sounds like a wonderful job to have in Michigan. Or Colorado! Our paths may have crossed in many places. And now HCR!
Woohoo, wild child. Love you.
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Yes- when and if Trump is finally called to account, it will be a day of great celebration. His ability to avoid consequences has been harmful to the morale of Americans and all those who have believed that America was not just the most powerful country in the world but a country that stood up for democracy.
Hi Michael - "Of course if he's convicted of some of his many crimes, we'll meet on the corner and with all who stroll by and probably high-five each other, then break out drinks." I wish I lived in a place like that. In my neighborhood it would be much more likely that my neighbor would have flared nostrils and rage in his/her heart, ready to break out the AR-15, that their beloved ex-leader is being unfairly maligned by the leftist commie government currently in charge. And, in the coming civil war (they think), that I would be on the wrong side and therefore subject to who knows what. That of course would not be said outright - they are more civil than that - but certainly thought. Like Rick (voldemort) Scott says - we are evil.
Love that you call “RedTide Rick” Scott « VOLDEMORT » !!! He is indeed evil, he made his money by stealing from Medicare & pled the 5th. His contest with Bill Nelson, who cares about Florida, was close & had a recount. Scott needs to be voted out, but since he’s not up for it this time, let’s say “Adios!” to skeevy Marco Rubio, who hates to work for Florida.
ABSOLUTELY! I say” shut the f up every time Voldemort opens his Skeltor mouth.
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At least the DOJ is making sure that the AR-15 club's rabid leaders are in jail before tRump is indicted. Now to get Faux newsleaders and other media inciters deprived of their megaphones.
A resource I find really valuable is Cathy Learoyd who responds on these pages and is President of Texas Hill Country League of Women Voters. As discouraging as the political reality in your state is, they have been able to do some exciting things like registering high school students to vote, and teaching them how to research candidates. Every little bit helps.
She is terrific via Zoom for our "Heather's Herd" meetings the 1st & 3rd Saturdays of the month, 1 pm - 2:30. If you are interested, let Cathy L know when you see her comments here, or Ellie Kona or Annette in FL. They have a way to share emails here without alerting a few thousand others on the site. Really helpful. I've had to miss a few meetings with grandkids visits, but can pick right up again whenever it works for me. All The Best!
HUGS, Suz. And, sadly, your predictions may be more accurate than mine. Russia has armed American cowboys (and cowgirls), and tRump has fed them Nazi gruel for 5 years. But there is reason to hope. My drugs include a Michigan Democratic Governor, Attorney General and Secretary of State (in a formerly red state), a fair redistricting last year, and some of the best wine, beer and mead in the country, all within 30 miles!
P.S. We women worked really hard to get those 3 women elected, and the redistricting petition passed.
Of course! This is so obvious why the FBI searched Bozo's house today. I just realized this after listening to all the pundits yammering. None of them see it. Garland is brilliant. This will be the easiest charge to get a conviction on. No weaseling out of it, no lying or obtuse legal theories. It's so clear. The MOST important thing for Garland to accomplish is to make sure that Bozo can never again run for public office. The federal records act says that anyone who steals, destroys, yada yada yada public records shall be subject to max 3 years of jail time and/or a fine "**AND SHALL FORFEIT HIS OFFICE AND BE DISQUALIFIED FROM HOLDING ANY OFFICE UNDER THE UNITED STATES.**” . There it is.
Was he told not to take or destroy the documents? Yes and there is incontrovertible evidence to support that. Did the archivist demand their return and did he not return them all? Yes and there is incontrovertible evidence to support that. Did he destroy documents? Yes and there is incontrovertible evidence to support that. Did the FBI find some of those documents at his home? We have to assume so otherwise why raid it today. So yes and there is incontrovertible evidence to support that.
There you have it. A slam dunk guilty verdict and whether they ever send him to jail or not, he can never run for president or anything else ever again. Garland had 1 job. This is it. Sure, I suspect he'll go after him for the other stuff and so will Georgia and New York, but those are far more dicey to get a full conviction. But if he can nail him on this one little thing, he's done what he needs to do to save the country.
Remember, Al Capone was jailed for tax evasion.
Brilliant!
Andrea Please note- what the FBI did was execute a search warrant, not conduct a “raid.” As always, language matters and Twitter last night was full of fake outrage over this. Not a raid. A legal search with credible evidence to look for of possible criminal activity. If we use the proper terminology too, we can take some of the wind out of their sails.
You are absolutely spot on regarding Garland’s brilliance. Nail Trump on mishandling of Presidential documents. Take him out of the running permanently. Make him irrelevant. Then convict him. And make it impossible for him to fundraise. If he can’t run for office, he’ll lose his followers eventually but if he’s in jail, he lose so much more. Fingers crossed!
You are quite right about the terminology. I wrote it in the heat of the moment and should have been more precise. As George Lakoff teaches, framing is critical. I’ll correct it.
😎 Perfect!! ( and I totally get that “heat of the moment” thing. Happens to me every day.... want that man in jail SO bad....)
I wouldn’t worry so much about this. I’ve heard “raid” used to describe perfectly legal searches before without anyone raising an eyebrow. I T does, however, have a connotation of pirates seizing a ship.
The FBI would prefer we not use the word "raid" when they are "executing a search warrant" which is not a surprise.
Ah, I love that name: George Lakoff!
But Sheila and Andrea, we still have to worry about his 70 million idiot followers….he will be irrelevant, but they won’t! I am still shocked to see the threats and violence promised by MAGAS. They have proven they are violent, are armed to the teeth and hate most of their fellow citizens, especially if they voted for Biden or anyone other than 45. They are killing our Black citizens, Jewish citizens and will continue to behave this way unless we get guns really banned in our society. I, personally, am coming for their guns!
Elisabeth, make that less than 70 mil. Remember that Trump’s lies and the withholding of masks and medicines, caused 1 million+ to die.
Marlene, I kept track of the covid deaths through The NY Times website. It was a devastating reality check about how bad T really was. He literally caused the death of those million + people through his inaction and gaslighting. OMG
Elisabeth, I personally know two tRump voters who finally saw the light. Have faith.
As frequent commenter, Jeri, points out--some of those MAGAs are the (her quote) "old crone" living at her assisted living facility.
I lived in upstate New York (near Woodstock!) during the pandemic. I saw so many magats in their big trucks and American flags waving as they ran around town shouting about the stolen election, I lost faith in their ability to be decent people. They hated the vaccines, did not get vaccinated, were angry about mask mandates (all the supermarkets insisted) and so on. It really showed me a different “America” than the one I grew up in. I lived in Florida when T was elected and discovered all my condo neighbors were Trumpers. I sold the place and left. I was married to an Indian man and felt their racism when we were never invited for parties or drinks at the pool. It’s bad out there, but I want to work for a better day for our children and grandchildren. It’s worth it to me to fight this backwardness in the US.
Can’t ❤️ but how horrible for you and your family! I honor your fight against the dumb, the ignorant, the dangerous in our society. Have been fighting against injustices for over 50 years. It’s worth it.
Do it Sister! We are a massive groundswell happening! Can you feel it?
Unita. 🗽
A Quartz Report claims that "Perhaps 60% of Trump's Twitter Followers are Fake" based on an algorythm for identifying hoaxes.
I wish someone would verify this factoid. Everything Trump does is Fake. He is a shining example of fake. Though maybe “shining” is the wrong adjective to use about someone so without any lightl
Dark Asshole.
In the law enforcement realm a raid is viewed as a type of search warrant service where there are additional elements of search warrant execution to consider or question: is the evidence easily destroyed; is/are the person/s present a safety/escape risk; are there factors about the residence itself that must be considered?
I’d liken a raid to be a dangerous environment for execution of the search warrant.
Wikipedia told me this “ A police raid or razzia[1] is an unexpected visit by police or other law-enforcement officers, often in the early morning or late at night, with the aim of using the element of surprise in an attempt to arrest suspects believed to be likely to hide evidence, resist arrest, be politically sensitive, or simply be elsewhere during the day.” (razzia is is a military term)
I think there are elements of using the term “raid” by the target of the search warrant that reveal the nature of the person served.
I changed the wording. I will point out that whenever the FBI searches or raids a building, there is always a legally executed search warrant in place before they do it - or there should be. The only difference between a search and a raid is the level of force involved.
Thank you, Andrea! Great summation of which I believe will be true. I would get greater satisfaction if he is indicted and serves a prison sentence. That would be the icing on the cake.
That would be “the cake” Marlene. The whole effing cake.
That’s the most hopeful summation of yesterday’s actions I’ve read. You narrowed it down to something realistic and have given me real hope. I couldn’t wait for Heather’s letter and all your comments. Both are needed to round out the news. Thank you all!
I agree!!!
Agree completely , the crime and physical evidence are crystal clear , with the chances of conviction being very high. We all saw photos of the 15 boxes and now the FBI took even more. Could there be something else going on at DOJ that we do not even know about?
I agree with everything you wrote in your comment, Andrea. I think, though, that there may be something incriminating in those documents that TFG may be very worried about.
I agree. I would not be surprised if he hung on to them for criminal use - extortion, blackmail, sale to foreign powers, even just sale to private collectors. Or because they implicate him in criminal acts. But I suspect the former because if the latter, why not just destroy them.
Yes, why not destroy them? That’s what toilets are for, n’est ce pas?
He tried. He really tried!
Not really “one little thing”. Wait til we see what he stole! His Achilles Heel….all based on his greed, dishonesty, desperation to be a dictator. How wonderful this day is.
Yes Andrea. First day I’ve not read any Garland bashing on this forum. A great Attorney General and I thank him for taking precious time to clean up the department. Especially knowing what we know now. I really envision him on the Supreme Court before the end of President Biden’s term.
VOTE BLUE in the on and upcoming massive blue wave.
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I think this was Garland's destiny. We already knew him because of the SCOTUS hearings, and he would have been (and may still become) one of our best Supreme Court Judges in history. But his experience with the big Oklahoma City bombing case has served him and us very well over the past year. He's doing this right.
tRump is being Al Caponed!
I love it!
Brilliant, yes. Bbbut, first "Bozo" must go before a judge and be found guilty. I don't see that happening anytime soon, much less before 2028. Until then he'll just continue to prance around with all his neo-confederates. My personal hope is that he shits-the-bed.
I hope he dies way before 2028 and before 2024 if God is in His heaven looking down on the sorry state of affairs in his Garden of Eden.
Republicans, whom I will now call Neo-Confederates, complain that the January 6 committee is one sided and Trump hasn't had a chance to tell his side. Of course he's done little else since Jan 7. But of course never under oath. By his choice.
Mueller, following his colleague, friend, and fellow Republican Bill Barr's lead, never called Trump to testify under oath, and it prevented his committee from finding evidence of intent and therefore of collusion.
Trump is preparing to testify in NY. Now this. He may be brought to justice yet.
Yes, and this morning I was wondering what happened to the Deutschebank scandal? He owes them some $400 million in loans? It’s all so juicy….
In the back of my mind all the time. Also as it relates to our vacated SC seat.
Especially this!
Which SC seat?
With all the money tfg has raised off of his impeachment, J6 and the subsequent hearing and now the FBI raid, he’s raised enough funds to pay off his loan with Deutschmark bank. But, has he done that?
I use the term neo-confederacy to describe the current government of Missouri, which I recently left after nearly 50 years living there. I think it accurately describes the situation.
Parallel development! I hope it catches on. A new take on
NeoCons.
I bet it felt wonderful to leave Missouri behind. Same for me as we left Texas this year, and I was born there. Only people on the other side of the aisle questioned (with disbelief) our decision to leave. Everyone else knew exactly why chose to escape.
Escape.😔
Neo-Confederates-wonderful! Trumpanzies- Politicians who embrace the Big Lie! Any further additions to The Urban Dictionary-MAGA edition?
I used the word “trumpetry” in a comment yesterday referring to CPAC blither and blather speeches given there. Usual meaning is “blaring sounds of trumpets”. I’d say there is now a MAGA edition def for that word. He puts a smirch on the sweet sound of that instrument.
And lately I do not use definitions such as Neo-Confederates, albeit the accuracy of the words. I’m at the point of “flaming treasonous as*holes” to coincide with trump’s flushing fetish. And McCarthy can join him.
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