301 Comments

I found 45's assertion that without his help, Mr. McConnell would not have been re-elected laughable. Speaking as a Kentuckian (never voted for Mitch, never will), Mitch did not need the little help that 45 offered. Despite people stating they do not like Mitch, they still voted for him and against their own best interest. Just throw around a few key words such as socialist, baby-killer, gun control and there is Mitch's re-election. I put partial blame on the state Democratic party strategy that always seems to be on the defensive rather than offensive and have told them so. In actuality, I see Mitch a larger threat than 45.

The assertion now that the soon to be ex-president wants to send everyone more money indicates to me that his thinking is becoming more irrational. I think he believes if he vetoes bills, the public will rise up and declare him the winner. He thinks like a three or four year old or like someone in early stages of dementia. He obviously never took a basic civics course. Of course as this election definitely proved, many of my fellow citizens need a massive refresher course in civics and history.

I am taking Dr. Richardson's advice and not worry about January 6. I have already taken her advice and have started putting pressure on my elected officials about issues I care about. After all, as I reminded Mitch, we are the bosses.

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“...a system in the DOJ that insures that pardons are doled out for reasons of grace and mercy...”

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/trump-hijacks-pardon-process-creates-system-for-personal-favors-special-access-98310213598

Grace and Mercy, where have you been? We can only imagine that these attributes have existed during trump’s reign.

I spent Inauguration Day in January 2017 on Boston Common with millions of others world-wide taking part in the “Women’s March” (though not only for women). It was a memorable and moving day, the experience has helped me to survive these past 4 years. Who could have predicted that our precious United States democracy would be pushed to the brink? Who knew that the silver lining of these 4 years would be that so many of us have been motivated to educate (or remind) ourselves about civics and the workings of government?

As we hold with our fingernails on the cliff edge, dangling over the precipice of fascism, I thank goodness for the supports from so many... including Heather and our Founders. The Constitution is our safety net and Democracy is our guiding light.

🇺🇸Oh say, does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave, o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

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Today was a big history lesson regarding presidential pardons. The Constitution will have to include language not permitting a rogue leader to pardon his/her corrupt friends or family members. Can’t wait for Congress to get on that!

Also, watching the worst of the worst Repubs get their shots, you know, for the virus that they said didn’t exist, was totally nauseating. They were so eager to roll up their sleeves but what about frontline workers who are exposed to this day in and day out? It’s a travesty!

So who is going to follow Fake 45 now that he wants to give everyone a $2000 check in lieu of $300 or $600? Pelosi snd Schumer jumped right on that and said “Yeah, let’s give everybody $2000”! What if it happens? Will Fake 45 redeem himself with the Dems?

Lastly, Alex Padilla was chosen to replace Kamala Harris’ senate seat in CA by Gov Newsom. Most women here wanted another woman of color but Padilla has a history of having parents who came from Mexico, met in the US, married, and both worked hard at menial jobs to raise their children. Padilla ended up at M.I.T. but ended up in public service because he couldn’t stand injustice towards his people. He will make a wonderful senator and add yet more to our already rainbow party.

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Whither goest the mob? The MAGA Mob. The Red Hats. That is the question on the minds of Trump's former congressional loyalists, especially a couple of Georgia senators. It probably should be a concern to all of us as well. You can buy a lot of loyalty with 2 grand of free money. But even without the cash, Trump's army of devotion has never distinguished itself with critical thinking, as with their idol. Trump's individual irrationality could easily become their collective irrationality.

We have twenty-eight days of Trump as a cornered animal. In his mind, even his pal Putin has abandoned him. Whatever happens, the Republican Party bears more responsibility than Trump; he never knew any better. They did.

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Thank you Heather. I watched Heather's chat yesterday and was glad you are not worried about difficulties on Jan 6th. 45's constant aberrations, which have not been dealt with as they would have been in previous administrations, have kept me in a state of anxiety. I so look forward next year to being able to wake up and not ask myself "what has the president done now"!

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As my wonderful Mom was fond of saying’God grant me patience, and I want it right now!’

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These pardons are unconscionable - all of them, but especially the convicted Blackwater murderers. And one of the pardons went to someone who defrauded Medicare of more than $1 billion, was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison. That’s just insane! Trump’s pardoning someone for stealing from the government that he supposedly runs! If someone stole millions from one of his businesses, would he let him walk free? Of course not! Trump is intent on leaving nothing but scorched earth behind him. He’s despicable.

I have been wondering in the last couple of weeks, as the horror of this defiant, insane Trump continues to unfold, if any of the people who voted for him in November are feeling regretful or guilty about their vote. Not the crazy, flag-waving rally attendees (they’re still in the cult), but the seemingly intelligent conservatives, who set aside their conscience and morality when casting their votes, because their priority was to protect their personal assets. What might they be thinking now, 6 weeks into this post-election and pardon insanity? If there isn’t a substantial number now feeling some regret for their votes, we have some very dark times ahead of us. Of course, if that group hadn’t seen enough before November 3rd to know that Trump was a despicable, amoral criminal, who did not deserve their votes, perhaps they will never budge from their blind, selfish position.

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Someone commented on the value of this chat group, and I would humbly like to second that comment. HCR’s letter provides the scaffold and the group provides little, and sometimes large, finishing touches with wisdom and grace. Both the letter and the comment section give me needed doses of hope in the future.

Last evening Kathryn and I did see the Nativity Star much more clearly than the night before. I used field glasses which may have been a mistake, because I realized I could not hold them still. I am in awe that I can look at the sky and see a phenomenon that occurs every 800 years or so, and is so elegantly explained by the scientists. A little faith in humankind to go with hope.

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Firstly, I would like to thank HCR for creating this community with her amazing daily essays and every single person who is on this conversation feed. You have kept me sane, made me think hard about stuff I sometimes try to avoid, and have become the group to whom I go to take my "temperature" so that I don't go too far off the deep end when I am having a "shout at the radio" moment. I hope everyone has a safe, joyful, and calm holiday.

Secondly, I admit that my "shout at the radio" moment this morning was in response to the Cheeto's tantrum (it is an insult to toddlers everywhere to compare him to one, even though I did so in a reply to one of you) but it was a "laugh-shake head-go make coffee" moment. Because if Flynn, Giuliani, and Powell are telling him that Twitter videos will be the best way to communicate and that reading out the pittances we provide to aid foreign governments that depend on us (although not crazy about supporting the dictatorship in Egypt) will educate the American people, they are also deluded and it merely has the result of demonstrating just how ignorant he is.

Trump would have won the election if he had supported the Dems stimulus package way back in June or July--especially if he had demanded more money in the single-time payments. But he was too "busy" playing golf and going to rallies. So perhaps we should be thankful that his own obsessions with self-adulation and lying about his handicap meant that Murdering Mitch and his Malevolent Minions were in charge, because their absolute contempt for everyday Americans became obvious enough to tip the scales for Biden and Harris.

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That trump would offer the possibility of increasing payments to $2000 not only is a slap at mcconnell but also an attempt to rally people who believe in fairy tales to back him in overturning the election. mcconnell has always been the bigger threat in the long run and for a longer time. He has controlled what gets to the floor for a vote for almost 12 years now. Sadly since it appears that KY is determined to vote against not only their own best interests but those of all of us we need to work to flip the Senate blue so our country can get back to some semblance of normal.

If trump was not president he would have been committed long ago for mental evaluation and treatment. The delusional behavior alone would have been enough to earn him that trip.

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Your dispassionate analysis of our President's horrendous actions is even more persuasive and powerful than spouting invective against his cancer on our democracy.

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Toddler temper tantrum on full display, threatening to veto the bill, pardoning convicted mercenary murderers, expediting executions, continuing to lie and cover up for the Russians, ignoring the massive cyber hack - the list of insanity seems endless and will only grow in the 28 days remaining of 45's reign over our country. It has turned out to be so much worse than anyone ever expected when he took office, with a pandemic that has ravaged our country because 45 was too ignorant to believe science and too delusional to take action to mitigate the disaster of insufficient PPE and instead propagate misinformation from day 1.

I can only hope that the country will never again sink to the depths of these past 4 years, starting with closing all the loopholes that have enabled 45 to basically do as he wished, unchecked through all branches of the government. The DOJ must never again become the tool of a single mentally ill would-be dictator.

So grateful for Heather's daily dissection and summaries. Thank you, Heather, for helping us cling to our sanity. Rest well and stay healthy! 💜

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I have now got the countdown clock until noon on January 21, 2020 running on my desktop. Here is the link: https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/to?p0=263&iso=20210120T12&msg=Time%20left%20until%20Trump%20leaves%20office

Right now it says 28 days 9 hours 15 minutes 56 seconds. Enjoy!

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Twenty eight days. Four weeks. Give me strength.

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I don't understand the "time has run out" comment vis a vis a veto override. One can get anywhere in the US within 8 hours or so and I'm confident the 534 members who are in DC can afford the airfare. Mr. Gaetz can ask Ms. Gabbard to cast his vote again. Congress has to understand and accept the idea that they work for us, not the other way around and we then have to hold them to that. I missed a lot of family time at the holidays due to work requirements, no reason why they can't be late for Christmas Eve dinner.

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Read many of your comments this morning, and one thought keeps coming to mind. Did any of us really think Trump would suddenly become rational at this stage of the game? Did any of us really expect him not to pardon his "loyal" criminals? He has 28 days left to wreak havoc, and he will absolutely do so. Hang on to your hats, the ride is gathering speed...

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