For all that the news has gotten much calmer and more straightforward since Wednesday, we did indeed get an old-fashioned (or at least a past-administration typical) news dump tonight. It turns out that, in the last, desperate days of his attempt to keep his grip on the presidency, Trump plotted with a lawyer in the Department of Justice, Jeffrey Clark, to oust the acting attorney general. The plan was to replace Jeffrey A. Rosen, who replaced Attorney General William Barr when he left on December 23, with Clark himself. Clark would then press Trump’s attacks on the election results.
Today I talked politics with woman who voted for DT on the single issue of being against abortion. We had a good, very civil discussion. We both enjoyed the conversation. I was surprised that she was afraid of Biden because she didn't want to have to use transgender bathrooms. While she thought it wasn't right that social media was biased against the right, but then she was believing the conspiracy theories which pervades social media. So, we did agree on two things: social media needed some sort of regulation akin to the news media has. No, we didn't know what that would be. And, second, we (everyone) did need to talk to each other and try to avoid all the hate speech. This gave me hope that we really could become a more united country again.
That last paragraph about Eugene Goodman made me so emotional. Watching the video of Officer Goodman being sort of chased by a mob, and at the same time holding them at bay, filled me with fear for him. When news came out that he was leading that group away from the Senators—by himself and at his own peril— I was so grateful and amazed! Such courage! And commitment to his duty in the face of mortal danger. Comparing that with trump, Barr, Graham, Cruz, Hawley, McConnell, McEnany and countless others— some of whom were the very Americans Goodman protected with his own life—who so easily disregarded their commitments to the Constitution and their constituents for money and power, we see a stark contrast indeed. His name fits him. He is most highly deserving of the Congressional Medal of Honor
When I read this newsletter I am heartened that details will come forth that will show the depth of depravity of djt and those close to him. They must be accountable for their actions. All four years of this terror. In my mind, his whole tenure was a high crime(and no simple misdemeanor).
Never forget that djt did attempt to extort a political favor from Ukraine. Each republican senator perjured themselves with their vote. Oops! Except Romney.
Never forget that djt allowed mass kidnapping at our southern border. Mass child abuse. And not one Republican said no.
Never forget that djt willfully mismanaged our current pandemic. We have him on the Woodward tapes admitting that he knew the truth about the virus, and yet lied for all these months. Not one republican (to my knowledge) broke with the president when Woodward’s book was published! Not one. 400 THOUSAND DEATHS, AND COUNTING!
Never forget that every republican would have accepted djt as president if he had won re-election.
In the next two years and beyond, we need to Benghazi djt’s administration till it bleeds the truth all over the Republican Party.
1. As I said a bit ago to a friend who also labored in Okeefenokee West as a screenwriter, if we had ever pitched a story as crazy insane as the story of Trump's attempted coup in the Justice Department, we wouldn't have just been shown the door, but would have been kicked through it, for bringing something so obviously nuts and unrealistic.
2. As regards the 1 in 5 traitors being military/ex-military, I am reminded I never knew so many white male morons in one place at one time as in the US military. Lots of excellent people, but waaaaay too many morons. I have a good friend who is "former special ops" and still active in that community. He tells me there is about 1/3 of those people - the "super soldiers" who have the kind of training to seriously mess things up - who advocate treason. They are, however, opposed by a larger group; he knows people he has turned over to the FBI during the Trump time as potential terrorists, so it's a real threat. This isn't surprising - in the 20s and 30s, it was the elite Sturmtruppen of WW1 who became brownshirts, and the elite Arditti (mountain troops) of the Italian Army who became blackshirts after the war.
3. As a knowledgeable "Washington hand" said to me tonight, Shumer would never have turned down McConnell as directly as he did today if he didn't have 50 votes in his hip pocket to kill the filibuster if McConnell keeps it up. That would include Manchin, who my friend says is rumored to be "dismayed" by the lack of cooperation in the face of a national emergency (what planet he grew up on is anybody's guess, but it wasn't this one).
As Lawrence said, as of Wednesday, he hoped he would only be bringing Trump's name up in the news for the impeachment, but "How can I say good-bye if you won't go away?" As the Georgia ex-US Attorney said, "The last bird may be gone, but you can't get the stink out of the henhouse." But Trump is now open to federal and state charges of Election Fraud for "attempting to influence the counting of votes." As has been the case with him forever, everything he says about others is projection of what he's doing.
None of this news bodes well for Biden's predecessor. Although my lawyer daughter repeatedly tells me not to play lawyer. I can't see how any of his last minute actions at DoJ, his riot rousing speech on the 6th or the deadly organizing efforts of his beloved domestic terrorists cannot be major charges by the prosecution side in the Senate. Same goes for Graham, Hawley and all the others in the House and Senate who dared to overturn a free and fair election.
Democrats cannot waiver this time, it's not an option.
"It turns out that, in the last, desperate days of his attempt to keep his grip on the presidency, Trump plotted with a lawyer in the Department of Justice, Jeffrey Clark, to oust the acting attorney general."
Nero fiddled while Rome burned.
Kudos to the top Justice Dept lawyers who told Trump to his face, through a representative at a White House meeting, they would resign, en masse, all of them, if he carried out his plan. They came down on the right side of history, as did acting AG Rosen.
The impeachment vote will give Senators the same opportunity. I agree with HCR that that is one signifigant aspect of the impeachment vote. Another one is that, if convicted, Trump won't be able to run for office again thus signifigantly reducing his political sway over the Republican Party. He also won't be able to raise money for another presidential run, and then siphon funds off to say, pay legal bills or hold off creditors who speak with a Russian accent.
And kudos to President Biden, who, in his first two full days in office, has shown that he has indeed been busy since the election. He didn't hit the ground running, he hit the ground sprinting, in spite of Trumpist foot-dragging.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all that you do!
Several months ago, my wife directed my attention to one of your Letters on Facebook, suggesting that I read it. After reading the first paragraph, I stopped and said to my wife, "This is some of the best writing I have ever read." You continue to confirm that initial judgment. -- G
Heather, while it may be true that one in five rioters is a veteran, there are two other things which also need to be pointed out. First, at least one of those veterans was discharged from the military for failure to perform his duties. The other, more important fact, is that both Officer Eugene Goodman, and Officer Brian Sicknick served proudly and honorably in the military, before once again risking, and in Officer Sicknick’s case, losing their lives to protect democracy.
Good morning everyone! Even TC--although I do wish you would stop making such typically mansplaining statements that are unnecessarily combative in this forum. Thank you especially, HCR, for continuing to give us your presentation of the day's news. May the events of the day in Washington continue to be positive rather than the continuous stream of "What NOW?!" news of the last 4 years. I saw the NYTimes story on the DoJ debacle last night and thought I could no longer be surprised by the depths of mania to which the EX-POTUS could go, but I was wrong. Perhaps I was just surprised that someone with supposed credibility in the DoJ was willing to go so low. However, I am sure that as the weeks go on--especially since the impeachment trial is being delayed by two weeks--we will be hearing more about the ethical and moral vacuum that was the Drumpf Whitehouse in the last 14 months.
In the continuing "WTF" world of trying to keep up with Josh Hawley's growing narcissism and desperation (lots of Missouri former supporters are really piling on) he sent me the most inane and self-serving "reply" (I am sure it was a form letter) to my letters to him about his behavior on January 6th. My reply was a little more personal and specific. I would be happy to share to anyone who wants it--I posted it on FB. One of the things he did yesterday was reveal that he really is the most egregious racist: he was one of only two senators to vote no to confirm Lloyd Austin (although 5 senators failed to vote or abstained, which is weird) as Secretary of Defense. Not even the execrable Ted Cruz voted against Austin. So evidently Joshy is trying to out-Cheeto the Cheeto. It will be interesting to see if he starts sporting spray tans. . .
The plot thickens. And not only is there more evidence this time, the legislators themselves are witnesses.
I hope Eugene Goodman, already promoted to acting deputy sergeant-at-arms, also gets the Presidential Medal of Freedom, honoring his service and at the same time restoring the prestige of that award.
I know I’ve asked this before: is there a way we will learn what becomes of the hundreds of millions of dollars $$$$ raised by Trump and Pence for the so-called‘Election Defense Fund’ following the November 3 election? Consider this in light of how much start and federal taxpayer money was spent responding to Trump’s and Pence’s challenges to a fair election. The result is Americans collectively spent untold amounts of money in courts and election divisions (and to pursue and prosecute insurrectionists and put the Capitol back in order) while Trump, Pence and the RNC made one of the largest two-month political fundraising hauls in American history. Their base (who probably could not afford it) got nothing in the end. Their haul would not have been possible without taxpayer supported recounts, state and DOJ investigations and court expenses. And now, apparently, Trump is stiffing his bottom dredging legal team — unwilling to use donations from his deceived base to pay them.
Officer Goodman indeed deserves all awards and accolades for his service to lawmakers, to the Capitol and to the Constitution.
I believe that the newly out of office former president will be convicted by the Senate; he has earned it. Combined with the state level charges he’s likely to face, he and his brand will quickly become irrelevant save for any news reports about such lawsuits.
I loved the cookies moment. I saw the video on Facebook. I commented "Humans are back in the White House". I am also happy Officer Goodman is getting honored. Every time I watch that video I get chills.
I never thought I would hear myself saying that Mike Pence would one day do the right thing. By refusing to continue his embarrassing devotion to Trump and refusing to accept the lie he has done service to our country. I believe in redemption and I wish the other legislators in Congress would follow his lead. Mike Pence seemed like a happier man at the inauguration. I wonder if the others understand what a relief it would be to crawl out from under the huge weight of Trumps destructive lie.
Day 2 B.A. (Biden Administration)
Today I talked politics with woman who voted for DT on the single issue of being against abortion. We had a good, very civil discussion. We both enjoyed the conversation. I was surprised that she was afraid of Biden because she didn't want to have to use transgender bathrooms. While she thought it wasn't right that social media was biased against the right, but then she was believing the conspiracy theories which pervades social media. So, we did agree on two things: social media needed some sort of regulation akin to the news media has. No, we didn't know what that would be. And, second, we (everyone) did need to talk to each other and try to avoid all the hate speech. This gave me hope that we really could become a more united country again.
That last paragraph about Eugene Goodman made me so emotional. Watching the video of Officer Goodman being sort of chased by a mob, and at the same time holding them at bay, filled me with fear for him. When news came out that he was leading that group away from the Senators—by himself and at his own peril— I was so grateful and amazed! Such courage! And commitment to his duty in the face of mortal danger. Comparing that with trump, Barr, Graham, Cruz, Hawley, McConnell, McEnany and countless others— some of whom were the very Americans Goodman protected with his own life—who so easily disregarded their commitments to the Constitution and their constituents for money and power, we see a stark contrast indeed. His name fits him. He is most highly deserving of the Congressional Medal of Honor
When I read this newsletter I am heartened that details will come forth that will show the depth of depravity of djt and those close to him. They must be accountable for their actions. All four years of this terror. In my mind, his whole tenure was a high crime(and no simple misdemeanor).
Never forget that djt did attempt to extort a political favor from Ukraine. Each republican senator perjured themselves with their vote. Oops! Except Romney.
Never forget that djt allowed mass kidnapping at our southern border. Mass child abuse. And not one Republican said no.
Never forget that djt willfully mismanaged our current pandemic. We have him on the Woodward tapes admitting that he knew the truth about the virus, and yet lied for all these months. Not one republican (to my knowledge) broke with the president when Woodward’s book was published! Not one. 400 THOUSAND DEATHS, AND COUNTING!
Never forget that every republican would have accepted djt as president if he had won re-election.
In the next two years and beyond, we need to Benghazi djt’s administration till it bleeds the truth all over the Republican Party.
This week is just full of beautiful beautiful things.
Some of the most beautiful words in the English language this week are right here in Heathers post:
“ Minority Leader Mitch McConnell ”
Now aren’t those just some of the sweetest words you ever saw.
Why not give us your favorite English words this week:
Several thoughts on today;
1. As I said a bit ago to a friend who also labored in Okeefenokee West as a screenwriter, if we had ever pitched a story as crazy insane as the story of Trump's attempted coup in the Justice Department, we wouldn't have just been shown the door, but would have been kicked through it, for bringing something so obviously nuts and unrealistic.
2. As regards the 1 in 5 traitors being military/ex-military, I am reminded I never knew so many white male morons in one place at one time as in the US military. Lots of excellent people, but waaaaay too many morons. I have a good friend who is "former special ops" and still active in that community. He tells me there is about 1/3 of those people - the "super soldiers" who have the kind of training to seriously mess things up - who advocate treason. They are, however, opposed by a larger group; he knows people he has turned over to the FBI during the Trump time as potential terrorists, so it's a real threat. This isn't surprising - in the 20s and 30s, it was the elite Sturmtruppen of WW1 who became brownshirts, and the elite Arditti (mountain troops) of the Italian Army who became blackshirts after the war.
3. As a knowledgeable "Washington hand" said to me tonight, Shumer would never have turned down McConnell as directly as he did today if he didn't have 50 votes in his hip pocket to kill the filibuster if McConnell keeps it up. That would include Manchin, who my friend says is rumored to be "dismayed" by the lack of cooperation in the face of a national emergency (what planet he grew up on is anybody's guess, but it wasn't this one).
As Lawrence said, as of Wednesday, he hoped he would only be bringing Trump's name up in the news for the impeachment, but "How can I say good-bye if you won't go away?" As the Georgia ex-US Attorney said, "The last bird may be gone, but you can't get the stink out of the henhouse." But Trump is now open to federal and state charges of Election Fraud for "attempting to influence the counting of votes." As has been the case with him forever, everything he says about others is projection of what he's doing.
None of this news bodes well for Biden's predecessor. Although my lawyer daughter repeatedly tells me not to play lawyer. I can't see how any of his last minute actions at DoJ, his riot rousing speech on the 6th or the deadly organizing efforts of his beloved domestic terrorists cannot be major charges by the prosecution side in the Senate. Same goes for Graham, Hawley and all the others in the House and Senate who dared to overturn a free and fair election.
Democrats cannot waiver this time, it's not an option.
"It turns out that, in the last, desperate days of his attempt to keep his grip on the presidency, Trump plotted with a lawyer in the Department of Justice, Jeffrey Clark, to oust the acting attorney general."
Nero fiddled while Rome burned.
Kudos to the top Justice Dept lawyers who told Trump to his face, through a representative at a White House meeting, they would resign, en masse, all of them, if he carried out his plan. They came down on the right side of history, as did acting AG Rosen.
The impeachment vote will give Senators the same opportunity. I agree with HCR that that is one signifigant aspect of the impeachment vote. Another one is that, if convicted, Trump won't be able to run for office again thus signifigantly reducing his political sway over the Republican Party. He also won't be able to raise money for another presidential run, and then siphon funds off to say, pay legal bills or hold off creditors who speak with a Russian accent.
And kudos to President Biden, who, in his first two full days in office, has shown that he has indeed been busy since the election. He didn't hit the ground running, he hit the ground sprinting, in spite of Trumpist foot-dragging.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all that you do!
Several months ago, my wife directed my attention to one of your Letters on Facebook, suggesting that I read it. After reading the first paragraph, I stopped and said to my wife, "This is some of the best writing I have ever read." You continue to confirm that initial judgment. -- G
The Jeffrey Clark treachery sends chills about what could have happened if Rosen and other Justice Dept. Lawyers didn’t protest.
Heather, while it may be true that one in five rioters is a veteran, there are two other things which also need to be pointed out. First, at least one of those veterans was discharged from the military for failure to perform his duties. The other, more important fact, is that both Officer Eugene Goodman, and Officer Brian Sicknick served proudly and honorably in the military, before once again risking, and in Officer Sicknick’s case, losing their lives to protect democracy.
Good morning everyone! Even TC--although I do wish you would stop making such typically mansplaining statements that are unnecessarily combative in this forum. Thank you especially, HCR, for continuing to give us your presentation of the day's news. May the events of the day in Washington continue to be positive rather than the continuous stream of "What NOW?!" news of the last 4 years. I saw the NYTimes story on the DoJ debacle last night and thought I could no longer be surprised by the depths of mania to which the EX-POTUS could go, but I was wrong. Perhaps I was just surprised that someone with supposed credibility in the DoJ was willing to go so low. However, I am sure that as the weeks go on--especially since the impeachment trial is being delayed by two weeks--we will be hearing more about the ethical and moral vacuum that was the Drumpf Whitehouse in the last 14 months.
In the continuing "WTF" world of trying to keep up with Josh Hawley's growing narcissism and desperation (lots of Missouri former supporters are really piling on) he sent me the most inane and self-serving "reply" (I am sure it was a form letter) to my letters to him about his behavior on January 6th. My reply was a little more personal and specific. I would be happy to share to anyone who wants it--I posted it on FB. One of the things he did yesterday was reveal that he really is the most egregious racist: he was one of only two senators to vote no to confirm Lloyd Austin (although 5 senators failed to vote or abstained, which is weird) as Secretary of Defense. Not even the execrable Ted Cruz voted against Austin. So evidently Joshy is trying to out-Cheeto the Cheeto. It will be interesting to see if he starts sporting spray tans. . .
The plot thickens. And not only is there more evidence this time, the legislators themselves are witnesses.
I hope Eugene Goodman, already promoted to acting deputy sergeant-at-arms, also gets the Presidential Medal of Freedom, honoring his service and at the same time restoring the prestige of that award.
I know I’ve asked this before: is there a way we will learn what becomes of the hundreds of millions of dollars $$$$ raised by Trump and Pence for the so-called‘Election Defense Fund’ following the November 3 election? Consider this in light of how much start and federal taxpayer money was spent responding to Trump’s and Pence’s challenges to a fair election. The result is Americans collectively spent untold amounts of money in courts and election divisions (and to pursue and prosecute insurrectionists and put the Capitol back in order) while Trump, Pence and the RNC made one of the largest two-month political fundraising hauls in American history. Their base (who probably could not afford it) got nothing in the end. Their haul would not have been possible without taxpayer supported recounts, state and DOJ investigations and court expenses. And now, apparently, Trump is stiffing his bottom dredging legal team — unwilling to use donations from his deceived base to pay them.
Officer Goodman indeed deserves all awards and accolades for his service to lawmakers, to the Capitol and to the Constitution.
I believe that the newly out of office former president will be convicted by the Senate; he has earned it. Combined with the state level charges he’s likely to face, he and his brand will quickly become irrelevant save for any news reports about such lawsuits.
Could he be more fired? 😂😂😂
I loved the cookies moment. I saw the video on Facebook. I commented "Humans are back in the White House". I am also happy Officer Goodman is getting honored. Every time I watch that video I get chills.
I never thought I would hear myself saying that Mike Pence would one day do the right thing. By refusing to continue his embarrassing devotion to Trump and refusing to accept the lie he has done service to our country. I believe in redemption and I wish the other legislators in Congress would follow his lead. Mike Pence seemed like a happier man at the inauguration. I wonder if the others understand what a relief it would be to crawl out from under the huge weight of Trumps destructive lie.