McConnell pulled another Merrick Garland gambit. By delaying the trial himself, he provided the false framework to 'rely' on a patently false procedural cover. Knowing the right wing zealots have no idea (nor do they care) about proper or improper procedure, he skates to whatever outcome he wants.
This is what happens with cabals: e…
McConnell pulled another Merrick Garland gambit. By delaying the trial himself, he provided the false framework to 'rely' on a patently false procedural cover. Knowing the right wing zealots have no idea (nor do they care) about proper or improper procedure, he skates to whatever outcome he wants.
This is what happens with cabals: ends justify means. His mission with that disgustingly hypocritical rant was to open the money spigots of the corporate givers who claim they don't like Trump anymore. Likely they don't like him because they're afraid their customers dislike him so much they'll spend elsewhere. There's no honor here; there's just crass political and economic calculus.
The one good thing that watching the 'trial' delivered for me was an introduction to Jamie Raskin. What an extraordinary mensch. Brilliant, articulate, so many more positive adjectives...he was the highlight of what was a dreadful week. When things seem and feel really bad in the world (both my personal/family world and the larger one out there), I look for someone who persists in the face of it all, and try to convince myself that it's not all bad, because, "See? There's a Jamie Raskin in the world after all." His eloquence and genuine caring got me through a really bad week.
I knew the republican senators would not be moved to anything resembling a conscience vote; cabals don't deviate. But I was yet again trounced by the reality that there's no there there. McConnell's cynical soliloquy was just too much foam on the brew.
Good lord, but we need people who care. I think Biden does care, and his agenda and the fact that he has a great team with him will move us into the right path again, but I fear that we are truly in a prolonged siege for control. And it has always felt to me that bad people are better at getting control than good people.
Take heart, though. There are good people in control. And there are so many criminal indictments coming Trump's way. But none of those senators who signed on to the overthrow of our election should have been allowed to vote on anything connect to that. No Seditionist should be allowed in the halls of our government.
And yes. Jamie Raskin is a mensch and he speaks from the heart so beautifully. He is a quality person of character which appears non-existent in the trumplican party now, minus a very, very few.
I think that Joe Neguse also has a bright future ahead! He was articulate, clear and persuasive in his presentations. I hope he gets recognition and advances.
Can I just point out that the US Virgin Islands (Plaskett's home) does not have voting rights in Congress. Nor does Puerto Rico, nor the District of Columbia. This needs to be remedied. Citizens deserve the vote.
I think I would rephrase that: we need to support their efforts to achieve the kind of status they desire in relationship to the US. It would be a good idea if we stopped assuming that we are responsible for making other people's decisions for them.
All of the above - when you stand back & look at the Democratic congress people who prosecuted these 2 TWO impeachments - there are so many who absolutely stand out as good & decent human beings - as well as being intelligent and VERY articulate. Its actually been a very good experience getting to see them in action! Cant say that about many Repubs, can we?
In a thousand years, students of the dead language called English will study the speeches of Adam Schiff, Jamie Raskin, and all of the House managers as they explore the oddities of the language and the beauty of persuasive rhetoric in an historically important moment.
Yes! I've watch American English language deteriorate and believe that it is a reason too many can no longer reason and have fallen prey to talk show dogma.
Perhaps we will see less of loser45’s name now. If the press stops covering every inane comment he will slowly drift into total irrelevance. Stop mentioning his name. That is all he craves. The front page.
We’ve already been hearing a whole lot less of him. Oh my God he was just the top 10 articles sometimes on CNN app or WaPo app. I exaggerate of course but it was always in your face. Now he has receded into the background where he belongs THANK GOD THANK GODDESS THANK GOODNESS SAINTS BE PRAISED
My fear is that the much anticipated indictments of Trump and his progeny will not, in fact, be forthcoming. The simple reason is that republicans have spent the better part of eight years doing everything they can to cut support and staff in the very agencies needed to bring forth such charges, and that those in control will opt not to pursue what will be complicated and extremely expensive prosecutions because they just can't afford the money and attorneys necessary. Trump will skate away again, and continue with his mob boss rhetoric to stir up the goons and gun nuts. I can only hope that the DOJ will bring the hammers of the gods against those they have charged and make it clear that there is a heavy price to be paid for any attempts to overthrow the government. It's also important that the truth of the election's legitimacy be established over and over, and that the false analogy between Trump's mob and BLM be broken down.
I think a fact that will make the difference in this case is that 45 & his mob attacked The Capitol. They attacked our government, not just a criminal action, but an act of sedition and he is a traitor. I hope this will spark fury and a multi-pronged approach to bringing this to a halt. Because we all know how close to the brink we were on 1/6 and how close we could come Again, if this progression is not stopped & incarcerated. Biden will build the CIA and FBI et al back (can't he re-hire the people who fled or were fired?) to the force for good they are meant to be. IMHO
Trump spent four years hollowing out our government structure, like termites eating away at the foundation of a house. Most of the dedicated career personnel have found other jobs outside the government. Some may be interested in going back to their government positions, easier if they and their families remained in DC, but I suspect many had to move elsewhere for their new jobs. It will take a long time to replace them and rebuild their institutional knowledge.
the loss of institutional knowledge is a critical point. Much like the tribes losing elders to Covid, the evisceration of our institutions was savage destruction of both function and history.
I am sure Heather (and we all should) will be paying attention to Fani T. Willis, DA of Fulton County Georgia who last week announced a criminal investigation against Trump because she is THE ONLY one in Georgia who can prosecute him who was not involved in his trying to pressure the Georgia officials to overturn the election (because she was just rlected and started in January) She is fierce and she will have a Fulton County jury not the US Senate to judge him!
Jamie Raskin and all who did the right thing restored my faith in humanity. Democracy will survive as long as we have people like him representing us. It’s up to us to make sure the good people get and keep control.
Lynn, Ihope you're right. Republicans have been adept at destruction for a very long time. In all things, they favor tactics designed to boost the powerful, which is to say they are far better at dirty tricks and deceit than Democrats are. They know how to doctor a poison pill to make it palatable. They know how to wheedle people into dull acceptance. A case in point is the Great Trickle Down Myth. It's a demonstrated failure but rather than admit that it's a failure it's retooled and revamped and thrown in our faces at every available opportunity. The mantra: Oh, THIS TIME, it's gonna work because we've sprinkled Republican pixie dust on it and it's gonna be the real deal!!!
What we saw this week was more of the same manipulation The storming of the Capitol, the resultant deaths, the threats of violence, both stated and implied, against Pence, Pelosi and anyone else they might have gotten their hands on was the horrific climax of The Big Lie scam. The scam wasn't hatched in 2021, it was the extension of his 2016 rigged election hoax, it was reborn and refueled the day Trump took the oath in 2017. And sadly, during the ensuing four years we can count on one hand how many Republicans pushed back against Trump and his gang of thugs. We know Trump was emboldened by his first impeachment acquittal. We knew he would seize that as a signal of affirmation and look where it got us. Do the majority of House and Senate Republicans feel remorse or concern for the firestorm they've created? Hell no. They love it. They are tapping into a rabid base who is willing to do anything, anything their handlers out forth. They're willing to die for Trump. How insane is that? And we see it amplified on Fox, OANN, Newsmax and every crappy, right wing YouTube and Facebook page still up and running.
We are fortunate that 7 million people were horrified by Trump and his tactics to vote him out. Unfortunately, people weren't horrified enough by his henchmen to vote them out. They are the scaffold, the structure upon which all his lies hang. That scaffold is strong, strong enough that it hasn't ever really been compromised regardless of who sits in the White House. Democrats have tried to dismantle it but have only been successful in removing a few bolts here and there.
I hope Trump's acquittal is enough to make more people angry and keep all of us angry and engaged through the upcoming election cycles to elect strong, dedicated leaders capable of wrecking the chokehold Republicans have on our democracy.
As someone stated earlier, term limits are a key element. Their proposed length, 12 years. Additionally, we must take back the campaign process back from PACs, big business and lobbyists. Develop a process to determine a candidate's fitness for office, bake it in so if information is withheld candidates cannot advance. Federally mandate that all US citizens have not only the right and but the ability to vote, in every precinct, whether in person, by mail or absentee, unencumbered by the whims of a party machine. There's more, of course, that needs to be addressed. We are facing huge issues. The Election of Biden/Harris was a step forward. Now we the people have to build and support a scaffold of integrity, from the ground up, by doing more than paying lip service to the constitution.
I do not believe the corporate donor spigots will re-open soon. There is little to be gained by corporate giving to Republicans at present when they lack governing power in the White House or either House of Congress. We will see what 2022 delivers in the way of Republican candidates. Until then why spend money unlikely to produce any benefit for corporate givers to Republicans. It is clear they can produce some benefits to themselves in some state campaigns, but giving to the national Republican party is unlikely to be helpful to large corporate givers any time soon. Smart money will find better uses until it is more clear what the future of the Republican Party looks like.
Read 'Dark Money' by Jane Mayer to see they will be doubling down, if not on the Republican party, on all the arms of the right-wing machine, like Americans for Prosperity.
Corporate donor bans against specific candidates is only a good first start. Cutting off donations to PACs (and the RNC) is just as important. PACS give a tremendous boost to preferred candidates through negative and single-issue advertising. Donations to the RNC enable it to function as a virtual money-laundering operation by disbursing to its endorsees.
Please search online for corporations and their often rushed, incomplete new post-Jan 6 donation guidelines, and hold their feet to the fire, up to and including boycotts. Hit 'em in the bank account, it's the only place they feel anything.
I wish I were more confident that corporate contributions would be restricted until there's some evidence that the GOP is returning to a real party with real ideas rather than a party solely dedicated to ensuring minoritarian rule. That it took so long to turn the flow off suggests that corporations are willing to put up with a lot of things that aren't beneficial to the country as a whole.
Why were they giving money to those who supported repressive immigration policies? What about when Trump and enablers were denying the severity of the pandemic?
One " benefit" of the pandemic has been reduced pollution, wildlife returning to areas they'd be pushed out of, and reduced damage to sensitive environments. When everyone's gotten a vaccine will we return to every activity that contributed to those problems? Likewise, now that Trump's out of office, will corporate interests begin to outweigh their newly found standards for appropriate political behavior?
9/11 was 20 years ago. Have we changed what we do in fundamental ways? How long will it take before we forget what Trump and the GOP tried to do to the nation?
No doubt this is a well-read group. Are you aware that Jamie Raskin’s son committed suicide on 12/31/20? He was deeply overcome with depression. I heard an interview with Scott Simon of NPR on 1/8/2021 - such a moving interview between these two grown men. And Ruskin and his wife wrote a eulogy talking about their son, his short life, and his struggles. Such a tragedy.
Thanks for this link. Such a loss! “He quoted something that he loved which Father Daniel Berrigan said about Dorothy Day: ‘she lived as though the truth were true.’ Tommy said: ‘I wanted them to see that the truth is true.’” 🌀
Rukmini Maria Callimachi...now in education. She saved Nadia Murad. Nadia came, did her book here. And Oslo flipped. Took one call. Did Rukmini err? Did Donald? Who is Joe Kahn? Protected Rukmini. And... Himself. Who bombed Donald, Carolyn? Who dredged up that bit? Why? No one is better than Donald. No one.
Carol and Jim....It would appear that The writer is under the impression that I am Carolyn Ryan of the NYTimes (I relish the accolade), and infers that that Carolyn knows her references. I need to look up the references myself....
I'm not that Carolyn Ryan, though I'm glad my note made you think that. I'm an old retired professor who found a voice that wants to be heard if only by the choir.
McConnell pulled another Merrick Garland gambit. By delaying the trial himself, he provided the false framework to 'rely' on a patently false procedural cover. Knowing the right wing zealots have no idea (nor do they care) about proper or improper procedure, he skates to whatever outcome he wants.
This is what happens with cabals: ends justify means. His mission with that disgustingly hypocritical rant was to open the money spigots of the corporate givers who claim they don't like Trump anymore. Likely they don't like him because they're afraid their customers dislike him so much they'll spend elsewhere. There's no honor here; there's just crass political and economic calculus.
The one good thing that watching the 'trial' delivered for me was an introduction to Jamie Raskin. What an extraordinary mensch. Brilliant, articulate, so many more positive adjectives...he was the highlight of what was a dreadful week. When things seem and feel really bad in the world (both my personal/family world and the larger one out there), I look for someone who persists in the face of it all, and try to convince myself that it's not all bad, because, "See? There's a Jamie Raskin in the world after all." His eloquence and genuine caring got me through a really bad week.
I knew the republican senators would not be moved to anything resembling a conscience vote; cabals don't deviate. But I was yet again trounced by the reality that there's no there there. McConnell's cynical soliloquy was just too much foam on the brew.
Good lord, but we need people who care. I think Biden does care, and his agenda and the fact that he has a great team with him will move us into the right path again, but I fear that we are truly in a prolonged siege for control. And it has always felt to me that bad people are better at getting control than good people.
Take heart, though. There are good people in control. And there are so many criminal indictments coming Trump's way. But none of those senators who signed on to the overthrow of our election should have been allowed to vote on anything connect to that. No Seditionist should be allowed in the halls of our government.
And yes. Jamie Raskin is a mensch and he speaks from the heart so beautifully. He is a quality person of character which appears non-existent in the trumplican party now, minus a very, very few.
I think that Joe Neguse also has a bright future ahead! He was articulate, clear and persuasive in his presentations. I hope he gets recognition and advances.
and Stacey Plaskett!
Can I just point out that the US Virgin Islands (Plaskett's home) does not have voting rights in Congress. Nor does Puerto Rico, nor the District of Columbia. This needs to be remedied. Citizens deserve the vote.
And Plaskett threw that in when she was talking. She is a bright light. We must demand statehood for DC, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
I think I would rephrase that: we need to support their efforts to achieve the kind of status they desire in relationship to the US. It would be a good idea if we stopped assuming that we are responsible for making other people's decisions for them.
Long Island too!
Yes they do - why shouldnt they have a say in their government?
All of the above - when you stand back & look at the Democratic congress people who prosecuted these 2 TWO impeachments - there are so many who absolutely stand out as good & decent human beings - as well as being intelligent and VERY articulate. Its actually been a very good experience getting to see them in action! Cant say that about many Repubs, can we?
In a thousand years, students of the dead language called English will study the speeches of Adam Schiff, Jamie Raskin, and all of the House managers as they explore the oddities of the language and the beauty of persuasive rhetoric in an historically important moment.
I think it will still be English, and it is already odd. ;)
Yes! I've watch American English language deteriorate and believe that it is a reason too many can no longer reason and have fallen prey to talk show dogma.
Perhaps we will see less of loser45’s name now. If the press stops covering every inane comment he will slowly drift into total irrelevance. Stop mentioning his name. That is all he craves. The front page.
We’ve already been hearing a whole lot less of him. Oh my God he was just the top 10 articles sometimes on CNN app or WaPo app. I exaggerate of course but it was always in your face. Now he has receded into the background where he belongs THANK GOD THANK GODDESS THANK GOODNESS SAINTS BE PRAISED
I completely agree. I dont get why they just cant go on to something else & let him stew - or whatever!
Statehood for VI, please!
My fear is that the much anticipated indictments of Trump and his progeny will not, in fact, be forthcoming. The simple reason is that republicans have spent the better part of eight years doing everything they can to cut support and staff in the very agencies needed to bring forth such charges, and that those in control will opt not to pursue what will be complicated and extremely expensive prosecutions because they just can't afford the money and attorneys necessary. Trump will skate away again, and continue with his mob boss rhetoric to stir up the goons and gun nuts. I can only hope that the DOJ will bring the hammers of the gods against those they have charged and make it clear that there is a heavy price to be paid for any attempts to overthrow the government. It's also important that the truth of the election's legitimacy be established over and over, and that the false analogy between Trump's mob and BLM be broken down.
I think a fact that will make the difference in this case is that 45 & his mob attacked The Capitol. They attacked our government, not just a criminal action, but an act of sedition and he is a traitor. I hope this will spark fury and a multi-pronged approach to bringing this to a halt. Because we all know how close to the brink we were on 1/6 and how close we could come Again, if this progression is not stopped & incarcerated. Biden will build the CIA and FBI et al back (can't he re-hire the people who fled or were fired?) to the force for good they are meant to be. IMHO
Trump spent four years hollowing out our government structure, like termites eating away at the foundation of a house. Most of the dedicated career personnel have found other jobs outside the government. Some may be interested in going back to their government positions, easier if they and their families remained in DC, but I suspect many had to move elsewhere for their new jobs. It will take a long time to replace them and rebuild their institutional knowledge.
the loss of institutional knowledge is a critical point. Much like the tribes losing elders to Covid, the evisceration of our institutions was savage destruction of both function and history.
I am sure Heather (and we all should) will be paying attention to Fani T. Willis, DA of Fulton County Georgia who last week announced a criminal investigation against Trump because she is THE ONLY one in Georgia who can prosecute him who was not involved in his trying to pressure the Georgia officials to overturn the election (because she was just rlected and started in January) She is fierce and she will have a Fulton County jury not the US Senate to judge him!
I expect we will hear much more from Ms Willis, and not just on this case. Something profoundly wonderful for the country is coming out of Georgia.
Yes! Georgia is lifting us all up! 🍑
And, he has a sense of humor as well. A necessary and commendable trait.
"Take heart." The two most important words today.
Jamie Raskin and all who did the right thing restored my faith in humanity. Democracy will survive as long as we have people like him representing us. It’s up to us to make sure the good people get and keep control.
Lynn, Ihope you're right. Republicans have been adept at destruction for a very long time. In all things, they favor tactics designed to boost the powerful, which is to say they are far better at dirty tricks and deceit than Democrats are. They know how to doctor a poison pill to make it palatable. They know how to wheedle people into dull acceptance. A case in point is the Great Trickle Down Myth. It's a demonstrated failure but rather than admit that it's a failure it's retooled and revamped and thrown in our faces at every available opportunity. The mantra: Oh, THIS TIME, it's gonna work because we've sprinkled Republican pixie dust on it and it's gonna be the real deal!!!
What we saw this week was more of the same manipulation The storming of the Capitol, the resultant deaths, the threats of violence, both stated and implied, against Pence, Pelosi and anyone else they might have gotten their hands on was the horrific climax of The Big Lie scam. The scam wasn't hatched in 2021, it was the extension of his 2016 rigged election hoax, it was reborn and refueled the day Trump took the oath in 2017. And sadly, during the ensuing four years we can count on one hand how many Republicans pushed back against Trump and his gang of thugs. We know Trump was emboldened by his first impeachment acquittal. We knew he would seize that as a signal of affirmation and look where it got us. Do the majority of House and Senate Republicans feel remorse or concern for the firestorm they've created? Hell no. They love it. They are tapping into a rabid base who is willing to do anything, anything their handlers out forth. They're willing to die for Trump. How insane is that? And we see it amplified on Fox, OANN, Newsmax and every crappy, right wing YouTube and Facebook page still up and running.
We are fortunate that 7 million people were horrified by Trump and his tactics to vote him out. Unfortunately, people weren't horrified enough by his henchmen to vote them out. They are the scaffold, the structure upon which all his lies hang. That scaffold is strong, strong enough that it hasn't ever really been compromised regardless of who sits in the White House. Democrats have tried to dismantle it but have only been successful in removing a few bolts here and there.
I hope Trump's acquittal is enough to make more people angry and keep all of us angry and engaged through the upcoming election cycles to elect strong, dedicated leaders capable of wrecking the chokehold Republicans have on our democracy.
As someone stated earlier, term limits are a key element. Their proposed length, 12 years. Additionally, we must take back the campaign process back from PACs, big business and lobbyists. Develop a process to determine a candidate's fitness for office, bake it in so if information is withheld candidates cannot advance. Federally mandate that all US citizens have not only the right and but the ability to vote, in every precinct, whether in person, by mail or absentee, unencumbered by the whims of a party machine. There's more, of course, that needs to be addressed. We are facing huge issues. The Election of Biden/Harris was a step forward. Now we the people have to build and support a scaffold of integrity, from the ground up, by doing more than paying lip service to the constitution.
Sorry about the rant. I need coffee. Bad.
Thanks, Daria. I needed that.
An exquisite rant, Daria, esp. the final paragraph with pragmatic solutions.
Thanks, TPJ.
Well said... with or without coffee 😊
Thanks, Lynn.
☕️
Thanks! I had 3 cups today, not 2!
I do not believe the corporate donor spigots will re-open soon. There is little to be gained by corporate giving to Republicans at present when they lack governing power in the White House or either House of Congress. We will see what 2022 delivers in the way of Republican candidates. Until then why spend money unlikely to produce any benefit for corporate givers to Republicans. It is clear they can produce some benefits to themselves in some state campaigns, but giving to the national Republican party is unlikely to be helpful to large corporate givers any time soon. Smart money will find better uses until it is more clear what the future of the Republican Party looks like.
Read 'Dark Money' by Jane Mayer to see they will be doubling down, if not on the Republican party, on all the arms of the right-wing machine, like Americans for Prosperity.
Can’t get through that book. Keep throwing it against the wall knowing how the Mercers and the Kochs plus others, fund these horrid people.
Until reminded, I forget how horrid (and, in case of Mercers how crazy) these people are.
Corporate donor bans against specific candidates is only a good first start. Cutting off donations to PACs (and the RNC) is just as important. PACS give a tremendous boost to preferred candidates through negative and single-issue advertising. Donations to the RNC enable it to function as a virtual money-laundering operation by disbursing to its endorsees.
Please search online for corporations and their often rushed, incomplete new post-Jan 6 donation guidelines, and hold their feet to the fire, up to and including boycotts. Hit 'em in the bank account, it's the only place they feel anything.
I hope you are right
I wish I were more confident that corporate contributions would be restricted until there's some evidence that the GOP is returning to a real party with real ideas rather than a party solely dedicated to ensuring minoritarian rule. That it took so long to turn the flow off suggests that corporations are willing to put up with a lot of things that aren't beneficial to the country as a whole.
Why were they giving money to those who supported repressive immigration policies? What about when Trump and enablers were denying the severity of the pandemic?
One " benefit" of the pandemic has been reduced pollution, wildlife returning to areas they'd be pushed out of, and reduced damage to sensitive environments. When everyone's gotten a vaccine will we return to every activity that contributed to those problems? Likewise, now that Trump's out of office, will corporate interests begin to outweigh their newly found standards for appropriate political behavior?
9/11 was 20 years ago. Have we changed what we do in fundamental ways? How long will it take before we forget what Trump and the GOP tried to do to the nation?
I thought all the House managers were excellent and refreshing rhetoric compared to the Greenes of politics.
Brilliant and insightful
No doubt this is a well-read group. Are you aware that Jamie Raskin’s son committed suicide on 12/31/20? He was deeply overcome with depression. I heard an interview with Scott Simon of NPR on 1/8/2021 - such a moving interview between these two grown men. And Ruskin and his wife wrote a eulogy talking about their son, his short life, and his struggles. Such a tragedy.
https://repraskin.medium.com/statement-of-congressman-jamie-raskin-and-sarah-bloom-raskin-on-the-remarkable-life-of-tommy-raskin-f93b0bb5d184
Thanks for this link. Such a loss! “He quoted something that he loved which Father Daniel Berrigan said about Dorothy Day: ‘she lived as though the truth were true.’ Tommy said: ‘I wanted them to see that the truth is true.’” 🌀
Wow, that was beautifully said! I agree wholeheartedly.
Well said. I agree.
Rukmini Maria Callimachi...now in education. She saved Nadia Murad. Nadia came, did her book here. And Oslo flipped. Took one call. Did Rukmini err? Did Donald? Who is Joe Kahn? Protected Rukmini. And... Himself. Who bombed Donald, Carolyn? Who dredged up that bit? Why? No one is better than Donald. No one.
Can you explain your position and questions in MUCH greater detail? You are throwing out names that are familiar to very few people.
Carol and Jim....It would appear that The writer is under the impression that I am Carolyn Ryan of the NYTimes (I relish the accolade), and infers that that Carolyn knows her references. I need to look up the references myself....
Why let facts interfere with a good rant? Here is the philosopher-prince in his satrapy of one.
I thought he believed you were THAT Carolyn Ryan as well. Maybe it was a current events pop quiz?
Of course. 973.379.4446 iPhone SIGNAL. Happy Valentine’s.
Donald Gerard McNeil Jr., will be missed.
How right you are.
Democracy Capitalism
see my note on above thread
Carolyn, where are you? Working from home? Sandy
I'm not that Carolyn Ryan, though I'm glad my note made you think that. I'm an old retired professor who found a voice that wants to be heard if only by the choir.
I will listen to you for days!
CR reads.