Department of Homeland Security Inspector General Joseph Cuffari, a Trump appointee, yesterday sent a surprising letter to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and its House counterpart.
Thank you Heather. Someone wrote somewhere something like ' if the United States saw what the United States was doing to the United States the United States would step in and save the United States from the United States.' It is as though we are hanging on by a feather. These extremists must be muzzled and put back into their caves and under rocks. Every single one of those who have broken their oath of office and participated in the overthrow of our government must be held accountable. We all must speak up and speak out everywhere possible. On their twitter pages. On their Instagrams. On their FB pages. Including those of the NYT that seems to delight in posting Biden's numbers and having misleading lead ins on its social media. We also have to demand that something like The Fairness Doctrine be put back into our federal government to hold all the liars accountable.
Indeed. It might be interesting to assemble a compendium of Heather's last paragraphs. Great writing includes a lead that ropes you in, a story line that keeps you engaged and then...the wrap up. It is an art form.
What does "passed" mean? Passed by in the car driving him back kicking and screaming to the White House? Passed walking on the street on his way to hold up the Bible in front of the church? Passed gas (the equivalent of his rhetoric)? "Passed away" has come to mean "died", but why not just say "died"? Now please donate.
I can't tell you how in the face of all the horrible news--too much to grasp, really--what gratitude I have for possibly the only other person on the planet who is as irritated as I am by that use of the word "passed." It's another word that means also;lutely nothing and is used for precisely that reason. Another effect avoidance of reality.
Dean - Very glad to hear I'm not alone in that regard. But don't get me started on irritating usages -- I would run over the word limit here (if there is one), and likely disturb my sleep. It's like trying to fill in the ocean with a shovel. (There's actually a better but indelicate metaphor.)
On a more serious note, I think it's indicative of the degradation of the language, but that's a long conversation for elsewhere.
Here, here. We don't say my hydrangea or my cat passed. I know that using "passed" is a cultural thing in certain parts of the country but still. Another euphemism that I find very irritating is "expired." Milk expires, so do driver's licenses. Living things die.
It's an interesting conversation and I think, at bottom, just about a culture that is pathologically unable or unwilling to face death as a part of the cycle of life. We have somehow gotten so far from any sense of connection with the natural rhythms of this planet where we live that it all seems to be--to a lot of people--kind of distasteful and improper. I'm rambling here. I don't suggest we throw virgins into volcanoes, but those rituals that remind us that we are part of that whole death/rebirth thing might be useful. Anybody have a virgin they'd like to volunteer?
And as for you, Heather, you have become our most invaluable writer! Your missives are painting the portrait of a nation teetering on the brink — of collapse or reawakening.
19 states, including mine, are already over the edge. Can we scramble back up with the election fraud already put in place by our own little nazi dictator? Hope, a fragile thing.
It is so important to put the emphasis on Light. The Universe hears our promise of awakening. And it’s not “hope”. I understand the intent of hope. What the Universe hears is that one is not sure and keeps a situation in “hope” mode. A promise, speaking as if what is right is strong and healthy is heard and accomplished. It’s why, every day, even with the doubt created by the tide of evil challenging We the People….all of us this time, I reaffirm and reset my thought that Light is filling the cracks of darkness and thank the Universe that this is so. I will not succumb to being scared. Afraid, yes. But not scared. I know the power people have to turn any evil on its behind and vanquish it. It’s in our words, thoughts, and actions that demonstrate….We are all in this together. There is enough to go around. I maintain that thought as the original download from our Creator that humans may choose the path to live and flourish. It is Love.
Christine I love this so very much We the People have it - the power -if we would all harness it. Too many wring their hands and wait for others to save the planet or save the government or save them. Those who fought for independence had it. Those who sat on the sidelines waiting to see which side would win were many. We can take back our democracy. Not only take it back, but cherish it and protect it as it has not been cherished and protected for many decades. We can do it.
Rowshan, such daily prayed for "Reawakening," of America's righteousness is up to us to protect and make flourish in coordination with the overwhelming majority of true Patriotic United States of American Citizens.
Let us help each other keep from yielding to the temptation of defeatism's wake of America's cremains, Eh!?
Gailee, The stench of America is inescapable. Sometimes, as with the experiences of the 10 year old girl and the behavior of too many afterward -- irredeemable.
A portrait of corruption, crime, agony, inhumanity, lies, and deception are the siren cries emanating from of this morning’s Letter. It more than whispered calls to investigate the Secret Service. Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist, Carol Leonnig, did just that in her book, 'Zero Fail: The Rise and Fall of the Secret Service', which was published last year. Vice President, Pence, knew better than to enter a car driven by a Secret Service agent on January 6, out of concern that the driver might not follow his instructions. (Letter)
What Mike Pence knows about the former president and the administration he was a complete lackey to --will he ever tell? It has been 20 months since the end of that scandal ridden administration and not one person has come forward to admit their participation in the plot to subvert the election and overthrow the government of the U.S. There was no demonstration of rampant fraudulent voting in any state, nevertheless, millions of Americans believe that the election was stolen.
Yesterday, a ‘… group of Republican staffers and officials …released a 70-plus-page report … “Lost, Not Stolen,” , . ’ which concluded ‘… that Donald Trump and his supporters had their day in court and failed to produce substantive evidence to make their case.’ It…’destroys the Big Lie but does not call for getting rid of the many new state laws based on that lie, laws that seem designed to cement the rule of Republicans in certain states regardless of the will of the majorities in those states. ‘ (Letter)
The rapes, pregnancy, and abortion of a 10-year-old girl was the centerpiece of this painful portrait of America. The rapist and mistaken factchecker for WAPO, Glen Kessler, were not alone in voraciously feasting on her tragedy. Megan Fox of far-right website PJ Media, Tucker Carlson, the Wall St. Journal, Washington Post, and conservative politicians licked their chops, while challenging the story's veracity. Conservative media outlets, such as The Daily Caller, pressed Dr. Bernard for more details, …' 'South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a rising star in Republican circles, denounced CNN host Dana Bash for trying to "trap me" by asking her about the incident. "Now it looks like the story was fake to begin with," Noem tweeted on July 8. "Literal #FakeNews from the liberal media." 'The Wall Street Journal editorial page called it a "fanciful tale" in a piece representing the official editorial position of the paper, headlined "An Abortion Story Too Good To Confirm." Fox News's Emily Compagno, co-host of Outnumbered, told viewers abortion activists were ignoring real rapes to propel their cause: "What I find so deeply offensive, is that they had to made up a fake one!" "There have been a number of false or inaccurate claims made about abortion law and the Dobbs decision, including false claims that women can be prevented from traveling for medical care or that ectopic pregnancy treatments are now barred as abortion in some states," George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley, a Fox News contributor, wrote in a column for the New York Post. "These false accounts can be a dangerous form of disinformation if women believe that they cannot receive treatment for legal procedures." 'The Republican attorney general of Indiana, Todd Rokita, appeared with Fox's Jesse Watters tonight, tweeting that Watters was fighting "fake news." He announced to Watters' viewers he would be scrutinizing Bernard's record to see if he could challenge her medical license.' (NPR) The attorney general of Indiana, Todd Rokita, talked about seeing if he could challenge the medical license of Dr. Caitlin Bernard, a prominent obstetrician-gynecologist who is an assistant professor at Indiana University's medical school and the source of the girl's story.
There is. perhaps, no bottom to what Republican politicians and foxy media stars, such at Tucker Carlson, will do to take more meat off the bones on this 10 year old child, but let’s leave the last act, for the time being, to Senator James Lankford (R-OK). He ‘… blocked an attempt by Senate Democrats to pass a law protecting the right of women to cross state lines to get abortion care. Apparently unaware that one of the key hallmarks of an authoritarian state is its refusal to let citizens cross borders, Lankford indicated he was willing to keep pregnant people from crossing state lines. “Does that child in the womb have the right to travel in their future?” Lankford said. “Do they get to live?” (Letter)
These horrible vultures called politicians jump on anything to bring attention to themselves. We need to call these people what they are, not conservatives, but radical regressive Republicans, who want to take America back centuries. Steve Schmidt said the Republican Party should be burnt down, and he’s right.
I have long referred to them as exactly what you have posted. Conservative might apply to those Rs who are still sane enough to leave the party and criticize it like my next door neighbor.
"Radical regressive Republicans" is too complicated a name. The bulk of Trump supporters, and, unfortunately, likely most Americans, will not know what it means. PRP, as suggested below by Marlene L-B, is pretty good.
"’Radical regressive Republicans’ is too complicated a name“ Yes but it is very syllabic, don’t you think! I’d like to hear it used in a Broadway musical.
Oklahomans have long known of the perfidy of James Langford; just when you think that he can go no lower, he effectively says “hold my beer” (apologies to Kavanaugh).
Mary - really? Then where are OK voters? Please clarify. OK is as red a state as any in the union, is it not? I live in TN, anther blood red state, and if I hear anyone say that Tennesseans have long known the perfidy of Marsha Blackburn - I would respectfully and emphatically disagree. I'd put a big caveat on that statement, to say "a small minority of...". Oh - and Marsha has plenty of perfidy believe me.
And that is part of the problem with the men who weigh in on this. Something tells me that they would see to it that an abortion occurred including flying over state lines if a family member was raped or their mistresses got pregnant.
I keep wondering why no one says the obvious of the zealots: if NO abortions are allowed, that means NO abortions for ANYONE ... NO exceptions ... at all... anywhere... ever. Literally.
And no one brings that up. No one asks out loud of those who want this to be the law if that means EVERYONE - rich, poor and everyone in between. Just so they have to actually answer.
Well, they are calling the situation with the 10 year old not an abortion. On the news I also saw a "pro-life" gyn when asked say the 10 year old should have not had the procedure. This was a woman too. I hope people avoid her like the plague if they have PG problems.
Women and Men identify with the aggressor as they want to be on what they perceive as the winning side. It takes courage to speak the truth, to have empathy, to see the big picture, to be able to see and hold the fear and pain if we allow ourselves to see what is. It is this forum and people like Heather who are courageous to speak the truth.
Some like the Gnome in South Dakota have political ambitions. She is busy dragging her campaign sack all over the country and riding around for her dog and pony show. My spouse has a cousin in Rapid City who keeps us apprised of what the Gnome is doing and she posts every day the number of COVID deaths there. Others are following their religious beliefs although the NT has not one word about it. Jesus was a Jew and fetuses are human when they take their first breath.
The good, by the the freely given grace of GOD unto all American Patriot Citizens, perseveres over the bad every time on earth as it is in Heaven, Fern, Eh!?
Rowshan. I posted a lengthy comment on another Substack referencing the testimony of Steven Ayres at the Tuesday Jan 6th Committee hearings. That was the day the two witnesses were the former Oathkeepers digital and graphic design collaborator and Steven, charged with misdemeanor for entering Capitol during insurrection.
I find his testimony fascinating and important. It is important to hear from one on the “inhumane radical white nationalist side” of how they teetered but came back from the brink of insanity. I got from listening to him, that he explained his indoctrination, his blind loyalty to evil, his experience of losing his job and home… but in such a way that did not express self deprecation as much as this was then and this is now and I messed up AND HAD TO LEAVE SOCIAL MEDIA behind. I found it truthful that it was hard for him to admit but he would not have gone that day if he knew at the time that “his president” offered him bogus claims and and lies. He has to cope with being used like an idiot. He still struggles but that is the cost. I do not pity him, I loathe his actions on that day, I consider him to be in company with thousands of duped and blind Trump followers there that day.
I maintain that if social media were put on pause IMMEDIATELY for a period of 1-3 yrs, there would be an immediate reset. Yes, some good efficiency would be lost but more importantly, the intent of indoctrination and spread of misinformation exposed clearly. And healing possible.
We are past the point almost where people acting in an evil way are on a rolling tide with false power and see it as reality. Cannot be further from the TRUTH.
I consider this indoctrination and misinformation the mightiest tool in the toolkit of evil. Remove it and watch the miracle of the Light which does not need any tool to function perfectly.
Yes I agree that right wing reaction to the pregnant 10 year old story is as low as it gets. My god - it's so disgusting. As for Pence - "What Mike Pence knows about the former president and the administration he was a complete lackey to --will he ever tell?" Anyone who sees Pence as as hero is not paying attention. Is the bar so low now that refusing to fully submit to Trump's attempted coup is now a hero? Same with Casey Hutchinson, but I am prepared to forgive her - she is young and impressionable. She may come around one day. These "heroes", especially Pence, enabled that sorry excuse for a human being to do what he did for 4 years (actually more if you include the 2016 campaign, and his antics up until today). Pence is a low life - a spineless boot licker who had to have countless sleepless nights during that 4-year nightmare but did absolutely nothing to push back. He is almost as poison as Trump himself, IMHO. I can partially answer your question - he will tell if and only if he sees it as advantageous to his own aspirations for POTUS and the furtherance of the agenda of the evil political party he is a member of. I think that means no. Democracy be damned.
I agree! Pence's only desire has been to be President of the USA! To do that he is not beyond doing anything to get there - even to sell his soul which he has done!!!! They all had time to do the "right thing" and stop the 4 year madness that we endured. There were two opportunities that were lost to take care of our future....and they were complicit! Amen!
Mr. Pence is a soulless weasel, perfectly willing to be "handled" for his own success. Much of his political energy has gone into support of Conversion Camps for gay teens. I think he is right at the top of the list of overlooked and very dangerous Republicans.
James, you're right about Pence's aspirations to be POTUS. He claims in his book (which I've only seen quoted, not read it myself) that God told him God wants him to be president! I think he was in high school when God sent this (ambitious, self-agga
randizing) boy the "message." I prefer the humble, even reluctant, prophets like Jonah and Jeremiah, Amos and Isaiah, and Moses and john the Baptist.
On what grounds would the Supreme Court uphold barring pregnant women from traveling out of state? Let me consult the Monk Manuscripts of the Dark Ages. Wait, the only copy is checked out of the Library or Congress by some guy named Alito.
“ The efforts of states to criminalize the out-of-state conduct of their citizens and citizens of other states harkens back to one of the darkest chapters in our nation’s history. In 1850, Congress passed the Fugitive Slave Act that allowed owners of enslaved persons to pursue so-called “fugitive slaves” across state lines. To enforce that shameful mandate, the Fugitive Slave Act included the following national enforcement mechanisms:”
Cute. I want to see it enforced. Walls with mandatory pregnancy tests at State border? Ankle bracelets once a pregnancy is confirmed? Involuntary incarceration “to prevent a planned murder”?
No legal grounds, but the wife of a fortune to be made. Shares are being sold for a new factory in the U.S. they will manufacture chastity belts in all sizes. (this is a satirical remark. Don’t panic!)
Thank you FERN, as of 5:15 pm Eastern, Indiana Univ Health ( IUH) confirms that Dr. Caitlan Bernard complied with all Indiana privacy laws. Another Lie shot down. Her attorney has served a formal cease & desist demand on the renegade AG. On defamation per se that is only Step One.
I am really glad that her attorney is fighting defamation. If shining a light on the unrelenting hate speech of the far right exposes their lies, then just maybe our poor nation will heal itself.
Hopefully such contemplated litigation will be expanded into a massive class-action strategy designed to bankrupt all the scumbags promoting anti-freedom of choice doctrine's attempt to disguise their congenital bigotry as religion!
Fern, my wonderfully articulate friend, my blood “boileth” over! These white people, whose hoods and robes are fully revealed, are monsters. They have gone hog wild with what they think they can do. Like modern day Draculas, , they suck the life out of people and for what? The love and respect of Jesus?? Nope…power and obnoxious deadly greed. Stomp the little guy down while they climb the ladder. Always has been their goal, going back to the establishment of our nation. Ashamed of my race.
That is the advantage FOX Entertainment has in prostituting as 'news'. They are not news, therefore they do not have to retract or correct any lie, falsehood, miss or disinformation.
The lives of Lankford, Bopp, and Trump demonstrate that the birth of a child is by no means a "blessed event," unless you count blessings by the Prince of Darkness. (I hate to ascribe metaphysical adjectives like "evil" to people, but damn, it sure seems to fit sometimes.)
Oh Fern. When I read your words - crashing against one another with all of the harsh reality of a party of decay and corruption it fortifies me to take them all down and to put them all behind bars for the rest of their fetid lives.
Gailee, I just reread yours. Oh Gailee...the corruption, the cruelty. Of course, the actors who would do what they are doing would have to be horrid creatures without consciences … I have been around, not a sheltered life, but that human beings can be so loathsome... Reading and being realistic didn't prepare me for this. We'll talk. I'm going see what Heather has unloaded. Salud, Gailee.
Yes, this is quite a story. And now that it is fact, some lame attempts to call it not an abortion. As I was born and raised in Indiana, I am both ashamed and not surprised by the behavior of the AG there. I do wonder how my ex-classmate whose support of death star was at least partly based on the abortion issue feels about this story. It's been crickets about January 6th from the time it happened until now. I may have to visit her page to see if she has posted anything about the current abortion situation including the case of the 10 year old. I see lots of dogs, flowers, and food. Lankford turns my stomach.
Fern. As I referenced on another Substack, am in contact with a fam member in Ohio, an activist lawyer. She said there are some beginning efforts to provide a network of help from people for this child and her caregivers. The emphasis right now is preserving her identity and anonymity which the Atty Gen in both Ohio and Indiana have almost destroyed along with their corrupt media mouthpieces.
There is effort to bury this story and relegate it to “unimportant”. But just like Uvalde and other events, not a chance of that happening.
I just can't imagine being 10 years old and carrying a baby to term. And then enduring the birth process. How horrible. It is bad enough when you are an adult and have an idea what to expect! I had by first daughter when I was near 19 and I was an innocent. I couldn't sit for 3 weeks after....
One could make the case that anyone who votes for a party, that believes forcing a ten year old rape victim to carry a pregnancy and delivery a rape child, raise that rape child without any consent, without ever having a chance to develop as an adult, gaining the education and path to resources to required to become a qualified and responsible parent, is not really voting for a political party candidate or even near sane or humane policy. They are voting to confirm their identity in a cruel and inhumane cult where there is no differentiation between being a human being or dumb beast that lives in a cave. Moderate Republican's have to either leave that cult and vote for Democrats, or they gain the designation Christian Fascist Party. As this is now a clear fact. As their "dog has caught the car", that is exactly who they are: "Christian Fascist Republican". This is where we all are in our history. The whole ordeal reeks of white male privilege. The whole mess reeks of a cruel and sinister identity politics, that seeks to maintain high levels of childhood hunger, childhood poverty, reduction in quality education, elimination from equal opportunity to pursue life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness, before they are even ready to know what that means to them. The motive is an immoral one, it is a policy of voter suppression of women. This decision robs women and girls of their chance to even feel what it is to be an American.
Oh, there are rules for length of comments about a newsletter? Link me, please. I surely don't want to cross that line! And do they apply if one crosses state lines?
“…the laws he, [Jim Be Bopp, who is the general counsel for the National Right to Life Committee], would like to enact, the 10-year-old victim “would have had the baby, and as many women who have had babies as a result of rape, we would hope that she would understand the reason and ultimately the benefit of having the child.”
WTF!
The ONLY party in the US to ever draft and deceptively attempt to pass legislation lowering the age of consent for sex, not just once but many times, (even as low as 13 years old in that great Appalachian Mt. incestuous state of Alabama), was and is the Republican party.
Senator James Lankford in addition to being the only one to block an attempt by Senate Democrats to pass a law protecting the right of women to cross state lines to get abortion care, has a very long sketchy history of perverse obsessions about sexual habits of little girls and women.
Lankford was a camp coordinator at the Baptist Summer Church Camp called Falls Creek. He testified to the attorneys of a 15-year-old boy who was charged with raping a 13-year-old girl that a 13-year-old girl was old enough to give sexual consent.
13 years young preciously innocent child!
WTF two times!!
Where in the hottest chamber of the burning hell of eternal damnation do these authoritarian miscreants come from…
Lots of MSM is busy with click bait headlines and I no longer read any of it. I hope we can get rid of the extremists which means that people must vote D.
Ah, yes! The Fairness Doctrine. Killed by Reagan, opening the door wide for the evil tentacles of the Murdochs to reach deep into the American psyche. Years ago I read M. Scott Peck's "People of the LIe." Time to read it again.
Yes to all you wrote. I am about to send a letter to the NYT and quit my subscription. The same applies to PBS' Newshour. Especially the latter's tepid Cook report on Monday which is nothing more than a self-perpetuating survey aimed at the Biden administration.
About the 10 year old girl... the PBS NewsHour reported that the girl was actually 9 years old when she was raped. The callous attitudes of Bopp and others of his ilk are totally reprehensible.
I agree 100%, but the past cannot be changed so the focus should shift to all the additional physical and psychological-mental harm that the child would endure for the rest of her life if FORCED to carry the baby to term at great risk to herself. Comparisons of these two types of trauma.... well, I don't even know where to begin, but it is true that the first was the result of one despicable individual whereas the second would have been the result of a coordinated effort by elected politicians to control women's bodies. -- I keep thinking "What would those self-righteous politicians have done if it had been their own 9 year old daughter?"
And the Newspeak is not limited to the issue of abortion. With very few exceptions (thank goodness that there are a few in the GOP with a spine who are now telling the truth to the Jan 6th Committee), the invertebrate Republicans lie whenever it suits their purposes then label it the TRUTH. ANd on the other side of the coin they label the truth as FAKE NEWS. I fear that it will take quite some time to return to the "normal" politics of Left and Right.
Two women I know here in Portugal were born of Jewish mother's in Nazii consentration camps in 1942 of SS father's. You can not imagine the psychological turmoil they have experienced all their lives.
My thoughts as well, would the self-righteous arses take responsibility? hell No. would the rapist? Hell no. The first rape despicable, the second, unconscionable.
I am always reminded of Margaret Beaufort who was married to Edmund Tudor when she was very young...12 or 13 maybe and became PG immediately. When she bore Henry (who later became Henry VII), Edmund was already dead and the birth was very difficult for her. She never had any more children and tried to make sure that the females in her family did not undergo the same as she had, making sure that they were old enough before traveling to be married as in the case of Margaret Tudor to the Scottish king. I realize that this is long ago history and not a rape, but very young bodies should not be bearing children even now when medical standards are much better. All of the people who have been these disgusting comments should be ashamed.
Yes, I thought of it immediately. Nice to know that someone shares my interest in Tudor history. I read a bio of her not too long ago. Remarkable woman.
Yes, Shakespeare wrote a great role for her in Richard III.
Dynastic marriages were usually arranged at birth, and the children were wedded with enormous ceremony - and witnesses - at puberty. This continued until the Napoleonic era. Marie-Antoinette was 14 when she was sent from Vienna to Paris to marry the shy 15-year-old who unfortunately became king of France at 19 when the heir to the throne, his elder brother, died of smallpox. She was spared an early pregnancy because although her mother sent her full instructions, her boy husband didn't know what to do (it's all there in the letters!). When her brother came to visit her in Paris he had a quiet talk with his brother-in-law, and the first child was conceived, seven years into the marriage.
I believe that Margaret Beaufort became the ward of Edmund Tudor and he married her...as she was a Beaufort and descended from John of Gaunt and Katherine Swynford through the Beauforts....made legit, but weren't supposed to be in line for the throne. Often the elite were married very early by proxy usually and then cohabited when they were deemed old enough.
Yes. I am also reminded of old men with very young wives. When we visited the Tyler plantation in Virginia, the grandson of John Tyler was still alive.
'James Bopp: What Citizens United Means for Campaign Finance'
OCTOBER 30, 2012
'Attorney James Bopp was the intellectual architect behind the landmark Citizens United case that was decided by the Supreme Court. The Citizens decision held that independent political spending is a form of protected speech. Bopp told FRONTLINE that he believes further deregulation of political spending would improve the democratic process. This is the edited transcript of an interview conducted on July. 27, 2012.'
I am not deceived, and I DO respect what you are saying. I do believe, just not through the "Christian" religion, but that's a subject for another day. I do thank you for your thoughts
After studying the Holy Bible's Scripture for a time the message Our FATHER in Heaven gives us to embody is:
(Proverbs 13:24)
Observe, it is the rod of a parent, directed by GOD's wisdom, (and NOT our own contemporary wisdumb), and by HIS love, and it is designed for good instruction & life long habits, not the rod applied to the back of, in this case, a politically elected public servant as I believe you are referencing.
Thank you for your sincere perspective, George - I agree with your interpretation. Actually, I was making an irreverent reference to twisted, perverse sexual obsession that results in this kind of denial and neglect that accepts, allows or justifies rape of any kind - especially of a child - so disassociated from love at the heart of life and wise parental guidance. I appreciate the reminder of love at the core of these teachings -so often distorted, misinterpreted and maligned by deviant minds and corrupted hearts - thank you for applying the rod of truth to this discussion, redirecting attention to the essential meaning.
George: ... too often, buried between the lines of misinterpretation and misapplication of fundamental truths - witness those who lord over others in malicious, oppressive, murderous, rapist ways, all in the name of God ... so, how do we bring it back around to universal love ...?
Oh Steve - according to Faux its ok now - someone was actually charged so it might be true! BUT they still want to go after the dr. Reprehensible? Absolutely. Honestly cant believe the stupidity & complete lack of empathy displayed - by supposed news orgs but even worse by the people who have been voted (!) into office.
I am convinced that we are living in a nightmarish version of Alice’s Wonderland. We are now well beyond the looking glass. In a corollary to ‘the hurrier I go, the behinder I get’ it appears that with each new revelation, the news gets worse than we could have imagined. The USSS deletes text messages from January 5 & 6, Ivana Trump is found dead at the bottom of a staircase on the eve of her children’s scheduled testimony in New York, the plight of a 10-year old rape victim — I wake up daily with the misplaced hope that the nightmare will end only to learn that it is worse than I had imagined.
It’s the Fascist playbook. Overload means an inattentive public will not notice. It’s been TFG’s tool of choice, probably since his father sent him to Military School.
Susan, This link took me on one of the most disturbing journalistic trips I’ve taken. And 50 years ago I majored in Journalism, before I changed to family friendly Child and Human Development. Always a little sorry, but not after exploring the conspiracy-laden links in Twitter. And Murdoch tabloid trash that continues to infect us all through airwaves as well as print. Worldwide. Even during the 2016 election we read and heard about TFG’s Russian Connections. Hard to tell in this feed what’s truth and lies. It’s a wild ride. During the 2016 presidential campaign we read and heard the Russian connection stories. What does that say about those who believed that an American businessman (known crook) who was/is tied up with global and Russian money was/is a qualified presidential candidate? We have more qualifications for the most basic civil service jobs. Why would the world’s darling of business who specializes in splashing his name on buildings, golf courses and womanizing, be qualified for this office? We know the answer. Many of us knew it in 2016.
Ok, I see I wasn’t alone in wondering this! When Donald and Ivana were divorcing, I lived in the NYC area, and it was all over the tabloids. Ivana alleged Donald raped her.
She was silenced with his money and the divorce decree.
No, Scanny, you weren't alone. My first thought was whether a tox screen would be run to look for Novichok. Ivana had plenty of tea to spill. And yes, she did walk that back
I wasn't thinking about that, exactly. But it would be worth a look at whatever she was still being paid as part of the divorce settlement... tfg is (as always) under financial pressure.
Just thinking that myself. Now he doesn't have to testify under oath. They'll just plead the 5th. Which is a concept I do not understand. I refuse to answer on the grounds that it may incriminate me...duh! So what happens? OK, so go on home and have a happy life! What happens afterwards when you plead the 5th?
Not in his nature to do it himself but I wouldn’t put anything past him when he’s as desperate as he surely is right now. Is an autopsy automatic in this case or can the family opt out?
One report said the medical examiner would determine cause of death. But never underestimate the ability of money or power to make officials change their minds, especially from a family who have made corruption into an Olympic sport.
Narcissist, true and true. Never miss an opportunity to get what you want. In spite of Ivana’s early demise, he grifts. What a horrible deplorable human being.
Classic narcissistic personality disorder. No empathy only what can I get out of this. Seems to be prevalent in this country. How can I distort reality so I can get more votes, more money, more readers, more publicity ? It does not matter that people of color pay for their life, or children are born into a world where they can be cared for, or woman can not make their decision on how to best take care of their body and soul and family. Those moral Supreme Court right wing justices are hypocrites and amoral.
Well of course - otherwise they might think the post was a fake. Tastefully done - white characters on an all-black background, then bright red for the DONATE button.
Ha! Like all his other "charitable" donations, such as towards a portrait of himself! Somewhere I read that he has in fact never significantly contributed to any charity
I’ve always been troubled by the trump-era appointees in the last year of his presidency-so many that shifted to departments like dhs and military-oriented departments. It would seem secret service and all the rest were in on this-and response on Jan 6 was not quicker because of their refusal to act. That Pence didn’t trust them is HUGE and once again, yes, I’m grateful he didn’t go along with their plan, but he hasn’t told the truth he knew either. He’s no hero-he’s playing both sides to see how he can capitalize on the side that wins. It’s so sick and sad that so many people were compromised and allowed this coup attempt to become a reality-all for greed and power.
You’re right, he’s no hero. He did save the day on calling the votes, however. That is the only credit I will give him. He will run for prez in 2024 but he won’t be the Repubs selection. It will be DeSantis, unfortunately.
Desantis is a true nightmare. Living in Florida, I believe he’s the worst of all possibilities (along with Trump or Abbott). They all should be permanently barred from public office along with all co-conspirators in Congress. Their adherence to fascism is frightening.
Hey Christine! Good morning! I was thinking, too, that De Santis is primed to make a fatal mistake. As his ambition grows so does his hubris. That combination often makes people overstep. I know he is currently polling well but the
" view from inside Florida" is like watching a train wreck happening-- at least, my view.
My view, also, Carol. He is in Tampa and Sarasota today. The Moms for Liberty conference is today in Tampa. A national conference for something that really started as no more than a blip on the Sarasota local Republican screen. The preening is laughable to me. The intent to destroy the common good of public education is not.
Most disagree with me, but think DeSantis is way in over his head and will not be able to tread in the muck. They put all their bets on Trump to win in 2020 and have scrambled since with missteps because of the huge hole in their armor.
But will the voters of Florida even recognize the coming train wreck? When you live with one for so long you may not be able to see the forest for the trees.
You are right that some won't because they feel he can do no wrong. But there are still a number of us who hear the whistle blowing almost daily! I am only hoping there are enough of us!!!
But that is why I am hoping that, in his hubris, he goes too far even for some of his fans. Thanks!
“ At the end of the day”( another infamous DeSantis quote) there is some dissent in my red Fl county !
Orlando judge just dismissed lawsuit by local Moms for Liberty (NOT!) who said School Board and Brevard Public Schools discriminated against conservative parents who criticized school board public speaker policy.
Our “ Constitutional” Trump/DeSantis-loving Sheriff in the hot seat as two Republican candidates ,school board and county commissioner, angry and outing him for trying to bribe them out of the race.
Local Republican Exec Committee declares this week that “Biden was not legitimately elected”. Our popular Republican Supervisor of Elections ( and many local Repubs) disagree.
Will his unquenchable desire to become president trigger this publicity stunt: blocking the FBI from extraditing Trump if he's indicted on federal charges?
Much has written about this possibility. DeSantis lacks the legal authority, but he could stage a symbolic refusal by ordering the Florida Highway Patrol to block agents from accessing Mar-a-Lago. And then later back down. Or maybe Trump will be charged while he spending the summer at Bedminster in NJ.
Anything for a photo op-including mask shaming students on live tv without knowing health status or the status of family members. He knows no shame. Desantis is as power thirsty as they come and will do ANYTHING to appeal to his base. He’s a smarter version of Trump, and just as ruthless to gain wealth and power. It’s terrifying!
I’m certain, Jen, that Pence is thinking long & hard on the pros & cons of testifying, behind closed doors, to the J6 Committee; determining the calculus of whether or not it might help him in his 2024 presidential aspirations. Not that difficult to imagine a Pence/Cheney ticket.
In your opinion, would they garner support from the Trump base if they are the candidates? I imagine there are lots of hard feelings from that base due to Trump’s ongoing lies and verbal attacks. I would love to hear your thoughts.
Hard to know at this point. But there has been a recent spate of billboards, funded by republicans, all over TX asserting that t lost the election. And the “Lost Not Stolen” document, written by conservative republicans (including Judge Luttig of J6 Committee testimony fame), which Heather discussed & linked to. I just can’t see the gop running t at this point, so I’d bet that Pence is involved in lots of discussions regarding this, w republican conservatives & donors &, of course, mother. And what happens in the midterms and whether t announces his candidacy too early, as it’s been reported he will: it will all play in.
Living in Desantisland, I hadn’t heard much other than the Professor’s discussion of Judge Luttig. From my limited scope, it seems Desantis is further down the road as a candidate than pence. While I find Pence’s “Christianity” abhorrent (refusing to speak truth is LYING, Mr Pence, not to mention your unwillingness to accept people who look or live or love or believe differently from your way is antithetical to the teachings of Jesus!), I believe Desantis is both a stronger as well as more frightening candidate. He is full-on into fascism and it’s terrifying to behold. Again, I may be totally missing the boat because of where I live, but all I hear is Desantis if trump isn’t chosen.
While I’m not a fan of Cheney’s politics, I respect her bold courage and determination to seek and speak truth. She and Kinzinger would be an amazing team as more representative of the Republican Party we need for a two-party system, but I just wonder where all the Trump base would turn if either pence, Cheney, or Kinzinger were on the ticket.
The NSA has long monitored (or at least, attempted to monitor) every (and I mean every) electronic transmission made by every form of communication in the world. It would not surprise me if those missing texts were recorded somewhere in the bowels of the massive computer storage systems that are maintained for that surveillance. But to produce those texts would mean exposing that surveillance. The NSA is between a rock and a hard place. And we will likely never see the texts, now conveniently deleted by the Secret Service, in direct defiance of the request from the IG. Criminal charges should follow some well-publicized firings.
While the NSA may have the messages, and may not want to let anyone know it, Secret Service text messages are likely stored in some place that are less sensitive than the computer vaults of the NSA. I’d give odds that the January 6 Committee will recover a copy.
People don’t want to believe the statement you made. It is utterly true. We have been spied on by our own government for many years and in near complete secrecy. The official reply is denial in order to have the surveillance performance on the American Public. Necessary as well to eavesdrop on cell factions seeking to harm US interests.
I don't care if anyone spies on me. My parents raised me well, I'm a law abiding citizen and have nothing to hide. Spies are low-life. Maybe They'll learn something, but I don't care if they do or don't. Life isn't worth living if I can't be up front and accountable.
It was confirmed via court cases 2 years ago that Snowden was indeed correct that the NSA was recording every electronic telephone communication, so it’s hardly a stretch to believe that all texts are also being recorded. Not sure whether the USSS uses encryption messaging services for their texts--but probably not. Certainly the WH during t’s administration wasn’t.
This is the secret that is so well known worldwide that even us Idiots in Idaho have heard. When administrations conspire to keep secrets from us for our own good and/or because they are so patently illegal that they must lie to the public the secrets are held by thousands. Does that really hold water….. secrets ….. held by …… thousands…. This is the transparent trickery we are still expected to digest ? Really ? “and I promise you we are not invading the privacy of our own citizenry, just the bad guys!” . Really? It is no wonder politicians calling themselves conservatives have become such hopeless liars. Do they really expect to continue selling this shirt? Is there not a less stale and tawdry way to lie to us? Perhaps something a little less worn out?
I'm sure there are multiple backups. That is standard operating procedure for any corporate/government computer system. (I got into computers in the early 70s with main frame computers.) And I would bet that the phone providers could supply those missing texts.
My military service job was being part of that monitoring... fifty plus years ago, in the age of Morse code. Add fifty-plus years in IT (I started in '64) I am well aware of all the backup systems there are, having worked on a few. You are correct about the phone companies: the phones were probably Verizon or AT&T, both of whom give access to the NSA (though they'd not like you to know about that).
Now the radical right are saying woman can not cross state lines for health care. Okay so
Then men can not cross state lines. In fact the congress should not be able to get healthcare in DC as they should be required to go back to their hometown to get the surgery. Maybe their hometown does not have the resources to do the surgery. Oh well welcome men to what you are dictating to woman.
Ironically, in some rural places, the closest hospital is across state lines. Are those women expected to have home births? Especially if it's a high risk pregnancy. Gads those men are stupid!
"Texas attorney general Ken Paxton, who was indicted seven years ago for felony securities fraud but has yet to stand trial, sued the Biden administration over that rule, claiming that it is an 'attempt to use federal law to transform every emergency room in this country into a walk-in abortion clinic.'”
Excuse me, but how has this guy been under indictment for 7 years but hasn't gone to trial yet? And he's a sitting AG, yet.
Now I understand why the helicopter crash with 3 Trump Casino execs was trending.
Addendum: To clarify, my comment wasn't offered to embrace the speculation. Just a realization (after researching the 1989 event & the life it has taken on) why dots are being connected to give oxygen to the latest speculation. I think It is a slippery slope to speculate on coincidences, because our biases are always front & center in how we process them.
Repubs need to go back to school and read Aesop’s Fables. The Boy Who Cried Wolf. When will the repub public open their eyes? Possibly that author is banned.
My first reaction was to think about how the KGB and now the FSB arrange yo have people jump out windows and fall down flights of stairs. I can’t shake the thought that he tentacles from them are a possibility. It’s most likely not true but things have gotten so crazy nothing would surprise me
Let's not jump to any hasty conclusions. Although I admit my brain went there, too. But here is the harsh reality. People do fall down stairs. Our realtor slipped on her basement steps. She died. Our cousin just this week fell while descending stairs - thankfully, just contusions and a broken knee. It happens.
I take your point, Bill. It is probably a sad accidental death and three children have just lost their Mom. On the other hand, our suspicions can be forgiven in light of all that has been happening. Let's hope the depravity has not reached the point that there was foul play, but foul play has been rampant in this drama!! Meanwhile, may Ivana rest in whatever peace there is after this! May the children and grandchildren be consoled. And, may "the Donald" not raise one red cent on her death! ( though from all accounts he might be saving some on alimony or something like it????)
Yes, sounds like a cardiac event, poor thing. But isn`t it pathetic that I am so ready to believe the worst??? It just shows me how jaded and conditioned to distrust I have become when it comes to all things Trump & Co. Scary!!!!
I am not jumping to any conclusions . People indeed DO fall down stairs and die. Just agreeing with someone else's comment about the irony of the timing here.
Unfortunately, having fainted a number of times, such things happen - at least with fainting you wake up - with cardiac fibrillation or something related, you don't. This is why I don't fear death - you are unaware its happened.
Some anti abortion politicians are now dishonestly claiming that the absolute language in their laws somehow does not apply to ectopic pregnancy or raped children.
As disgusting as that is, their most fundamental belief is far more disturbing. If abortion is murder, then logically their laws must eventually treat women who seek abortion as murderers.
No, “pro life” campaigners, abortion is not murder and your obsession about it is intolerable religious zealotry.
This is what the zealots have been espousing for decades! Women are considered second class citizens and for those who are black or brown, it is much worse.
Having to go through a rape at 9 and an abortion at 10, is not something I can even imagine. Having to travel to a strange place to get care is also unimaginable. Ending up in the center of a media storm on top of that, well, it's too awful to contemplate. Caring for such a young patient in such circumstances is difficult all by itself. I have deep respect for the physician who cared for the child and for the parent/guardian of the child who sought care for her, and agreed to allow the doctor to speak out.
On another topic, who tipped off Pence not to trust his SS driver? Who reassigned then President-Elect Biden's SS team? More dots to connect. Yes, I meant to use "SS", and am aware of its WWII meaning :)
My friend’s great niece was abducted from her home, raped, left in a parking lot a few days later. Also ten years old, prepubescent, no pregnancy. She was able with great fortitude to testify so that her rapist kidnapper would not prey on anyone else. Life sentence for him, but no closure for her in the ten years since. The girl in the news has several more levels of trauma. She deserves more than thoughts and prayers.
Steve, While Pence seemed to be a mannequin VP , his eyes and ears where not asleep. They were behind his refusal to take the ride the Secret Service offered on 1/6. They saved his ass.
What are the odds that today either Gym Jordan or Matt Gaetz will demand to know if Hunter Biden’s laptop was known to be in the vicinity of Ivana Trump’s body?
It’s only dusted every 2 and 4 yrs. By us. Seems like government being taken to dusting, I mean to task, is to be a more frequent chore. I thought that’s what we elected the Congress for. But then of course there is the pro dirt collector, the filibuster, which by now is somehow not a myth.
Good morning Christine. It would appear this January 6th Committee is uncovering more than it's share of dirty secrets. Perhaps the concept of house cleaning is more of a necessity than we initially thought.
Thank you Heather. Someone wrote somewhere something like ' if the United States saw what the United States was doing to the United States the United States would step in and save the United States from the United States.' It is as though we are hanging on by a feather. These extremists must be muzzled and put back into their caves and under rocks. Every single one of those who have broken their oath of office and participated in the overthrow of our government must be held accountable. We all must speak up and speak out everywhere possible. On their twitter pages. On their Instagrams. On their FB pages. Including those of the NYT that seems to delight in posting Biden's numbers and having misleading lead ins on its social media. We also have to demand that something like The Fairness Doctrine be put back into our federal government to hold all the liars accountable.
Well said, Gailee.
And well reported, Professor Richardson. Another barnburner with that closer of a last sentence.
Unita. 🗽
Indeed. It might be interesting to assemble a compendium of Heather's last paragraphs. Great writing includes a lead that ropes you in, a story line that keeps you engaged and then...the wrap up. It is an art form.
Effective Writing is power. So is propaganda. May the good guys prevail…
Such a great idea!
Amen
The professor is indeed the master of the understatement. Her closing sentence, a svelte 16 words, lands with the force of a lightning bolt.
Just think about it: your former wife, mother of your three children, dies unexpectedly and you use the event to solicit money — for yourself.
Excuse me while I take a shower to wash off the stench of depravity.
He just keeps proving there is no bottom to his deviancy.
Bet whenever an announcement happens that Trump himself has passed, there will be a similar “donation” button.
Hope we have the opportunity to ignore that button very very soon.
ignore it now ❤️😊
You mean donate to all his sexual assault victims?
What does "passed" mean? Passed by in the car driving him back kicking and screaming to the White House? Passed walking on the street on his way to hold up the Bible in front of the church? Passed gas (the equivalent of his rhetoric)? "Passed away" has come to mean "died", but why not just say "died"? Now please donate.
I can't tell you how in the face of all the horrible news--too much to grasp, really--what gratitude I have for possibly the only other person on the planet who is as irritated as I am by that use of the word "passed." It's another word that means also;lutely nothing and is used for precisely that reason. Another effect avoidance of reality.
Dean - Very glad to hear I'm not alone in that regard. But don't get me started on irritating usages -- I would run over the word limit here (if there is one), and likely disturb my sleep. It's like trying to fill in the ocean with a shovel. (There's actually a better but indelicate metaphor.)
On a more serious note, I think it's indicative of the degradation of the language, but that's a long conversation for elsewhere.
Here, here. We don't say my hydrangea or my cat passed. I know that using "passed" is a cultural thing in certain parts of the country but still. Another euphemism that I find very irritating is "expired." Milk expires, so do driver's licenses. Living things die.
It's an interesting conversation and I think, at bottom, just about a culture that is pathologically unable or unwilling to face death as a part of the cycle of life. We have somehow gotten so far from any sense of connection with the natural rhythms of this planet where we live that it all seems to be--to a lot of people--kind of distasteful and improper. I'm rambling here. I don't suggest we throw virgins into volcanoes, but those rituals that remind us that we are part of that whole death/rebirth thing might be useful. Anybody have a virgin they'd like to volunteer?
This always bothers me as well. There is something a bit creepy about it. An avoidance of death.
Exactly.
It will be drowned out by shouts of delight.
Yes, so tacky. Using every opportunity to raise money. People who donate to this con man are fools.
Thank you Christine.
Spot on, Gailee!
And as for you, Heather, you have become our most invaluable writer! Your missives are painting the portrait of a nation teetering on the brink — of collapse or reawakening.
19 states, including mine, are already over the edge. Can we scramble back up with the election fraud already put in place by our own little nazi dictator? Hope, a fragile thing.
It is so important to put the emphasis on Light. The Universe hears our promise of awakening. And it’s not “hope”. I understand the intent of hope. What the Universe hears is that one is not sure and keeps a situation in “hope” mode. A promise, speaking as if what is right is strong and healthy is heard and accomplished. It’s why, every day, even with the doubt created by the tide of evil challenging We the People….all of us this time, I reaffirm and reset my thought that Light is filling the cracks of darkness and thank the Universe that this is so. I will not succumb to being scared. Afraid, yes. But not scared. I know the power people have to turn any evil on its behind and vanquish it. It’s in our words, thoughts, and actions that demonstrate….We are all in this together. There is enough to go around. I maintain that thought as the original download from our Creator that humans may choose the path to live and flourish. It is Love.
Unidad to all! 🗽
"Choose, then accept the adventure of challenge over a life of ease". That is where hope springs.
Christine I love this so very much We the People have it - the power -if we would all harness it. Too many wring their hands and wait for others to save the planet or save the government or save them. Those who fought for independence had it. Those who sat on the sidelines waiting to see which side would win were many. We can take back our democracy. Not only take it back, but cherish it and protect it as it has not been cherished and protected for many decades. We can do it.
Yes, the upside is reawakening 🙏
Or even those who are finally awakened for the first time.
I pray the latter, Rowshan Nemazee..
Rowshan, such daily prayed for "Reawakening," of America's righteousness is up to us to protect and make flourish in coordination with the overwhelming majority of true Patriotic United States of American Citizens.
Let us help each other keep from yielding to the temptation of defeatism's wake of America's cremains, Eh!?
Thank you Rowshan.
Gailee, The stench of America is inescapable. Sometimes, as with the experiences of the 10 year old girl and the behavior of too many afterward -- irredeemable.
A portrait of corruption, crime, agony, inhumanity, lies, and deception are the siren cries emanating from of this morning’s Letter. It more than whispered calls to investigate the Secret Service. Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist, Carol Leonnig, did just that in her book, 'Zero Fail: The Rise and Fall of the Secret Service', which was published last year. Vice President, Pence, knew better than to enter a car driven by a Secret Service agent on January 6, out of concern that the driver might not follow his instructions. (Letter)
What Mike Pence knows about the former president and the administration he was a complete lackey to --will he ever tell? It has been 20 months since the end of that scandal ridden administration and not one person has come forward to admit their participation in the plot to subvert the election and overthrow the government of the U.S. There was no demonstration of rampant fraudulent voting in any state, nevertheless, millions of Americans believe that the election was stolen.
Yesterday, a ‘… group of Republican staffers and officials …released a 70-plus-page report … “Lost, Not Stolen,” , . ’ which concluded ‘… that Donald Trump and his supporters had their day in court and failed to produce substantive evidence to make their case.’ It…’destroys the Big Lie but does not call for getting rid of the many new state laws based on that lie, laws that seem designed to cement the rule of Republicans in certain states regardless of the will of the majorities in those states. ‘ (Letter)
The rapes, pregnancy, and abortion of a 10-year-old girl was the centerpiece of this painful portrait of America. The rapist and mistaken factchecker for WAPO, Glen Kessler, were not alone in voraciously feasting on her tragedy. Megan Fox of far-right website PJ Media, Tucker Carlson, the Wall St. Journal, Washington Post, and conservative politicians licked their chops, while challenging the story's veracity. Conservative media outlets, such as The Daily Caller, pressed Dr. Bernard for more details, …' 'South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a rising star in Republican circles, denounced CNN host Dana Bash for trying to "trap me" by asking her about the incident. "Now it looks like the story was fake to begin with," Noem tweeted on July 8. "Literal #FakeNews from the liberal media." 'The Wall Street Journal editorial page called it a "fanciful tale" in a piece representing the official editorial position of the paper, headlined "An Abortion Story Too Good To Confirm." Fox News's Emily Compagno, co-host of Outnumbered, told viewers abortion activists were ignoring real rapes to propel their cause: "What I find so deeply offensive, is that they had to made up a fake one!" "There have been a number of false or inaccurate claims made about abortion law and the Dobbs decision, including false claims that women can be prevented from traveling for medical care or that ectopic pregnancy treatments are now barred as abortion in some states," George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley, a Fox News contributor, wrote in a column for the New York Post. "These false accounts can be a dangerous form of disinformation if women believe that they cannot receive treatment for legal procedures." 'The Republican attorney general of Indiana, Todd Rokita, appeared with Fox's Jesse Watters tonight, tweeting that Watters was fighting "fake news." He announced to Watters' viewers he would be scrutinizing Bernard's record to see if he could challenge her medical license.' (NPR) The attorney general of Indiana, Todd Rokita, talked about seeing if he could challenge the medical license of Dr. Caitlin Bernard, a prominent obstetrician-gynecologist who is an assistant professor at Indiana University's medical school and the source of the girl's story.
There is. perhaps, no bottom to what Republican politicians and foxy media stars, such at Tucker Carlson, will do to take more meat off the bones on this 10 year old child, but let’s leave the last act, for the time being, to Senator James Lankford (R-OK). He ‘… blocked an attempt by Senate Democrats to pass a law protecting the right of women to cross state lines to get abortion care. Apparently unaware that one of the key hallmarks of an authoritarian state is its refusal to let citizens cross borders, Lankford indicated he was willing to keep pregnant people from crossing state lines. “Does that child in the womb have the right to travel in their future?” Lankford said. “Do they get to live?” (Letter)
These horrible vultures called politicians jump on anything to bring attention to themselves. We need to call these people what they are, not conservatives, but radical regressive Republicans, who want to take America back centuries. Steve Schmidt said the Republican Party should be burnt down, and he’s right.
They are the Pro-Rape Party. PRP is the acronym for “perp”.
I have long referred to them as exactly what you have posted. Conservative might apply to those Rs who are still sane enough to leave the party and criticize it like my next door neighbor.
Oh I like that. No longer the KKK, but the RRR!
"Radical regressive Republicans" is too complicated a name. The bulk of Trump supporters, and, unfortunately, likely most Americans, will not know what it means. PRP, as suggested below by Marlene L-B, is pretty good.
"’Radical regressive Republicans’ is too complicated a name“ Yes but it is very syllabic, don’t you think! I’d like to hear it used in a Broadway musical.
Oklahomans have long known of the perfidy of James Langford; just when you think that he can go no lower, he effectively says “hold my beer” (apologies to Kavanaugh).
Mary - really? Then where are OK voters? Please clarify. OK is as red a state as any in the union, is it not? I live in TN, anther blood red state, and if I hear anyone say that Tennesseans have long known the perfidy of Marsha Blackburn - I would respectfully and emphatically disagree. I'd put a big caveat on that statement, to say "a small minority of...". Oh - and Marsha has plenty of perfidy believe me.
James, your point is very well stated. The Oklahoma residents that I know are a few voices in the desert.
Mary thank you in the desert for being here.
Blackburn lies just like every other republican who so easily deceives those poor stupid people who continue to support her.....
Mary Hardt!
Wow!
Powerfully concise, unlike some "others"
I happen to have liked Fern’s reply.
Thank you. Mary. Good to see you.
Good news!
But knowing of it & not DOING anything to change it seems to be almost a way of life for some state's voters, doesnt it?
Fern, I simply want to scream with fury! What makes them so inhumane?
They can’t get pregnant.
And that is part of the problem with the men who weigh in on this. Something tells me that they would see to it that an abortion occurred including flying over state lines if a family member was raped or their mistresses got pregnant.
Of course - anyone with financial means or power wont be prevented from obtaining an abortion - period!
I have often said that under the current conditions abortion is now limited to the rich.
I keep wondering why no one says the obvious of the zealots: if NO abortions are allowed, that means NO abortions for ANYONE ... NO exceptions ... at all... anywhere... ever. Literally.
And no one brings that up. No one asks out loud of those who want this to be the law if that means EVERYONE - rich, poor and everyone in between. Just so they have to actually answer.
Well, they are calling the situation with the 10 year old not an abortion. On the news I also saw a "pro-life" gyn when asked say the 10 year old should have not had the procedure. This was a woman too. I hope people avoid her like the plague if they have PG problems.
Suz yes! yes! yes! Me too. Surely they would be caught at some point.
But some are women ...
Women and Men identify with the aggressor as they want to be on what they perceive as the winning side. It takes courage to speak the truth, to have empathy, to see the big picture, to be able to see and hold the fear and pain if we allow ourselves to see what is. It is this forum and people like Heather who are courageous to speak the truth.
To identify with the aggressor because you want to be on the winning side? I never heard it put that way, but it helps me understand those people.
To think about the underdog is what religions around the world advocate.
Some like the Gnome in South Dakota have political ambitions. She is busy dragging her campaign sack all over the country and riding around for her dog and pony show. My spouse has a cousin in Rapid City who keeps us apprised of what the Gnome is doing and she posts every day the number of COVID deaths there. Others are following their religious beliefs although the NT has not one word about it. Jesus was a Jew and fetuses are human when they take their first breath.
'inhumane', yes that depicts our country in too many ways.
The good, by the the freely given grace of GOD unto all American Patriot Citizens, perseveres over the bad every time on earth as it is in Heaven, Fern, Eh!?
George, have you ever lived in Knoxville, TN?
Rowshan. I posted a lengthy comment on another Substack referencing the testimony of Steven Ayres at the Tuesday Jan 6th Committee hearings. That was the day the two witnesses were the former Oathkeepers digital and graphic design collaborator and Steven, charged with misdemeanor for entering Capitol during insurrection.
I find his testimony fascinating and important. It is important to hear from one on the “inhumane radical white nationalist side” of how they teetered but came back from the brink of insanity. I got from listening to him, that he explained his indoctrination, his blind loyalty to evil, his experience of losing his job and home… but in such a way that did not express self deprecation as much as this was then and this is now and I messed up AND HAD TO LEAVE SOCIAL MEDIA behind. I found it truthful that it was hard for him to admit but he would not have gone that day if he knew at the time that “his president” offered him bogus claims and and lies. He has to cope with being used like an idiot. He still struggles but that is the cost. I do not pity him, I loathe his actions on that day, I consider him to be in company with thousands of duped and blind Trump followers there that day.
I maintain that if social media were put on pause IMMEDIATELY for a period of 1-3 yrs, there would be an immediate reset. Yes, some good efficiency would be lost but more importantly, the intent of indoctrination and spread of misinformation exposed clearly. And healing possible.
We are past the point almost where people acting in an evil way are on a rolling tide with false power and see it as reality. Cannot be further from the TRUTH.
I consider this indoctrination and misinformation the mightiest tool in the toolkit of evil. Remove it and watch the miracle of the Light which does not need any tool to function perfectly.
Unita, my Sister. 🗽
❤️
Hormones. + Lack of education.
Fear.
Devil worship obviously...
Yes I agree that right wing reaction to the pregnant 10 year old story is as low as it gets. My god - it's so disgusting. As for Pence - "What Mike Pence knows about the former president and the administration he was a complete lackey to --will he ever tell?" Anyone who sees Pence as as hero is not paying attention. Is the bar so low now that refusing to fully submit to Trump's attempted coup is now a hero? Same with Casey Hutchinson, but I am prepared to forgive her - she is young and impressionable. She may come around one day. These "heroes", especially Pence, enabled that sorry excuse for a human being to do what he did for 4 years (actually more if you include the 2016 campaign, and his antics up until today). Pence is a low life - a spineless boot licker who had to have countless sleepless nights during that 4-year nightmare but did absolutely nothing to push back. He is almost as poison as Trump himself, IMHO. I can partially answer your question - he will tell if and only if he sees it as advantageous to his own aspirations for POTUS and the furtherance of the agenda of the evil political party he is a member of. I think that means no. Democracy be damned.
I agree! Pence's only desire has been to be President of the USA! To do that he is not beyond doing anything to get there - even to sell his soul which he has done!!!! They all had time to do the "right thing" and stop the 4 year madness that we endured. There were two opportunities that were lost to take care of our future....and they were complicit! Amen!
Mr. Pence is a soulless weasel, perfectly willing to be "handled" for his own success. Much of his political energy has gone into support of Conversion Camps for gay teens. I think he is right at the top of the list of overlooked and very dangerous Republicans.
Just as any of the WH bunch has done - AFTER they publish their "memoirs"!
James, you're right about Pence's aspirations to be POTUS. He claims in his book (which I've only seen quoted, not read it myself) that God told him God wants him to be president! I think he was in high school when God sent this (ambitious, self-agga
randizing) boy the "message." I prefer the humble, even reluctant, prophets like Jonah and Jeremiah, Amos and Isaiah, and Moses and john the Baptist.
People like Pence give God a bad name.
He is like an evil marshmallow.
On what grounds would the Supreme Court uphold barring pregnant women from traveling out of state? Let me consult the Monk Manuscripts of the Dark Ages. Wait, the only copy is checked out of the Library or Congress by some guy named Alito.
Perhaps the Fugitive Slave Act ?
Robert Hubbell : https://roberthubbell.substack.com/?r=fqsxl&s=r&utm_campaign=pub&utm_medium=web
“ The efforts of states to criminalize the out-of-state conduct of their citizens and citizens of other states harkens back to one of the darkest chapters in our nation’s history. In 1850, Congress passed the Fugitive Slave Act that allowed owners of enslaved persons to pursue so-called “fugitive slaves” across state lines. To enforce that shameful mandate, the Fugitive Slave Act included the following national enforcement mechanisms:”
Cute. I want to see it enforced. Walls with mandatory pregnancy tests at State border? Ankle bracelets once a pregnancy is confirmed? Involuntary incarceration “to prevent a planned murder”?
You touched the pain, Michael.
No legal grounds, but the wife of a fortune to be made. Shares are being sold for a new factory in the U.S. they will manufacture chastity belts in all sizes. (this is a satirical remark. Don’t panic!)
❤️ can't heart
Thank you FERN, as of 5:15 pm Eastern, Indiana Univ Health ( IUH) confirms that Dr. Caitlan Bernard complied with all Indiana privacy laws. Another Lie shot down. Her attorney has served a formal cease & desist demand on the renegade AG. On defamation per se that is only Step One.
I am really glad that her attorney is fighting defamation. If shining a light on the unrelenting hate speech of the far right exposes their lies, then just maybe our poor nation will heal itself.
Hopefully such contemplated litigation will be expanded into a massive class-action strategy designed to bankrupt all the scumbags promoting anti-freedom of choice doctrine's attempt to disguise their congenital bigotry as religion!
Go Ducks!
Thank you, Bryan. You know my thoughts about these folks. For words, please use your imagination. Salud.
You, Ellie & Others taught me how to exist in a digital community. The Sum is much greater than the parts.
Wonderful.
Excellent.
❤️can't heart
The power-hungry are ravenous and we are the prey
Fern, my wonderfully articulate friend, my blood “boileth” over! These white people, whose hoods and robes are fully revealed, are monsters. They have gone hog wild with what they think they can do. Like modern day Draculas, , they suck the life out of people and for what? The love and respect of Jesus?? Nope…power and obnoxious deadly greed. Stomp the little guy down while they climb the ladder. Always has been their goal, going back to the establishment of our nation. Ashamed of my race.
My dear Sister Marlene, we direct our care, determination and fury at getting out the vote. 🍎courtesy of NYC.
I'm sure that WSJ, WaPo, Fox "News" et al will not issue a correction to their allegations that the story was fake. Grrr.
That is the advantage FOX Entertainment has in prostituting as 'news'. They are not news, therefore they do not have to retract or correct any lie, falsehood, miss or disinformation.
Fox ‘News’ has Oligarchy sponsored ‘entertainment’ immunity, a privilege journalist do not have from their editors.
They will. 3 lines buried on page 23
The lives of Lankford, Bopp, and Trump demonstrate that the birth of a child is by no means a "blessed event," unless you count blessings by the Prince of Darkness. (I hate to ascribe metaphysical adjectives like "evil" to people, but damn, it sure seems to fit sometimes.)
Dirk Addertongue
Evil is EVERYTHING other than love.....
Oh Fern. When I read your words - crashing against one another with all of the harsh reality of a party of decay and corruption it fortifies me to take them all down and to put them all behind bars for the rest of their fetid lives.
Gailee, I just reread yours. Oh Gailee...the corruption, the cruelty. Of course, the actors who would do what they are doing would have to be horrid creatures without consciences … I have been around, not a sheltered life, but that human beings can be so loathsome... Reading and being realistic didn't prepare me for this. We'll talk. I'm going see what Heather has unloaded. Salud, Gailee.
Read our Heather, then get some sleep!!!
Yes, this is quite a story. And now that it is fact, some lame attempts to call it not an abortion. As I was born and raised in Indiana, I am both ashamed and not surprised by the behavior of the AG there. I do wonder how my ex-classmate whose support of death star was at least partly based on the abortion issue feels about this story. It's been crickets about January 6th from the time it happened until now. I may have to visit her page to see if she has posted anything about the current abortion situation including the case of the 10 year old. I see lots of dogs, flowers, and food. Lankford turns my stomach.
Thank you, Fern! I am saving your comment!
Hello Sharon. To the dear girl and her recovery. May she grow strong with love.
Fern. As I referenced on another Substack, am in contact with a fam member in Ohio, an activist lawyer. She said there are some beginning efforts to provide a network of help from people for this child and her caregivers. The emphasis right now is preserving her identity and anonymity which the Atty Gen in both Ohio and Indiana have almost destroyed along with their corrupt media mouthpieces.
There is effort to bury this story and relegate it to “unimportant”. But just like Uvalde and other events, not a chance of that happening.
Salud, Fern. 🗽
can't ❤️
I just can't imagine being 10 years old and carrying a baby to term. And then enduring the birth process. How horrible. It is bad enough when you are an adult and have an idea what to expect! I had by first daughter when I was near 19 and I was an innocent. I couldn't sit for 3 weeks after....
One could make the case that anyone who votes for a party, that believes forcing a ten year old rape victim to carry a pregnancy and delivery a rape child, raise that rape child without any consent, without ever having a chance to develop as an adult, gaining the education and path to resources to required to become a qualified and responsible parent, is not really voting for a political party candidate or even near sane or humane policy. They are voting to confirm their identity in a cruel and inhumane cult where there is no differentiation between being a human being or dumb beast that lives in a cave. Moderate Republican's have to either leave that cult and vote for Democrats, or they gain the designation Christian Fascist Party. As this is now a clear fact. As their "dog has caught the car", that is exactly who they are: "Christian Fascist Republican". This is where we all are in our history. The whole ordeal reeks of white male privilege. The whole mess reeks of a cruel and sinister identity politics, that seeks to maintain high levels of childhood hunger, childhood poverty, reduction in quality education, elimination from equal opportunity to pursue life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness, before they are even ready to know what that means to them. The motive is an immoral one, it is a policy of voter suppression of women. This decision robs women and girls of their chance to even feel what it is to be an American.
Wait a minute! Isn't this the Republican Platform?
Yes!
Thank you Fern. Another barnburner for us to digest today.
Salud! 🗽
And now Mike Pence has jumped on the anti-abortion bandwagon big time.
Hope, that is exactly where Pence has been since his own birth.
Wow!
Fern...
It would seem to most that you monopolized more than your fair of allotted space in this news letter once again, Eh!?
I hope you read it Mr. Dobbs. You've been dropping your wad all over the forum this morning. Cheers!
Nope...
Way too verbose for a News Letter
Sorry, Fern
What scrolling is for. I take it you have a thumb. It's easy.
Oh, there are rules for length of comments about a newsletter? Link me, please. I surely don't want to cross that line! And do they apply if one crosses state lines?
Michael Bales
See Fern...she is the self-professed editor of commenting length....
Bopp the Bopps. Repeatedly. Until they Make America Great Again with their permanent departure.
Are there enough rocks? The slime oozes everywhere… (apologies to slime; as one-celled organism, it has more “intelligence” than any MAGAt.)
Many are from Indiana!
Amen!
Gailee Walker Wells
Thank you.
And...
“…the laws he, [Jim Be Bopp, who is the general counsel for the National Right to Life Committee], would like to enact, the 10-year-old victim “would have had the baby, and as many women who have had babies as a result of rape, we would hope that she would understand the reason and ultimately the benefit of having the child.”
WTF!
The ONLY party in the US to ever draft and deceptively attempt to pass legislation lowering the age of consent for sex, not just once but many times, (even as low as 13 years old in that great Appalachian Mt. incestuous state of Alabama), was and is the Republican party.
Senator James Lankford in addition to being the only one to block an attempt by Senate Democrats to pass a law protecting the right of women to cross state lines to get abortion care, has a very long sketchy history of perverse obsessions about sexual habits of little girls and women.
Lankford was a camp coordinator at the Baptist Summer Church Camp called Falls Creek. He testified to the attorneys of a 15-year-old boy who was charged with raping a 13-year-old girl that a 13-year-old girl was old enough to give sexual consent.
13 years young preciously innocent child!
WTF two times!!
Where in the hottest chamber of the burning hell of eternal damnation do these authoritarian miscreants come from…
Ooops! I believe I just answered my own question.
WTF, indeed! That was my reaction as well. These people are despicable.
can't ❤️
now I could!
👍👍 Fairness Doctrine.
cement overshoes have been out of style for too long
Pamela:
And so have condoms, Eh!?
Lots of MSM is busy with click bait headlines and I no longer read any of it. I hope we can get rid of the extremists which means that people must vote D.
Ah, yes! The Fairness Doctrine. Killed by Reagan, opening the door wide for the evil tentacles of the Murdochs to reach deep into the American psyche. Years ago I read M. Scott Peck's "People of the LIe." Time to read it again.
Cable killed it—private purchase air time.
Gailee, that "United States" quote reminds me of the famous woodchuck quote!
“ with law our land will rise, but it will perish with lawlessness.”
Yes to all you wrote. I am about to send a letter to the NYT and quit my subscription. The same applies to PBS' Newshour. Especially the latter's tepid Cook report on Monday which is nothing more than a self-perpetuating survey aimed at the Biden administration.
I did the same for both. When NPR was acquired by the right a number of years ago, it was a dark day.
Perfect overview!
Thank you Barbara.
About the 10 year old girl... the PBS NewsHour reported that the girl was actually 9 years old when she was raped. The callous attitudes of Bopp and others of his ilk are totally reprehensible.
Even more frightful than a ten-year-old being forced to take on the responsibility for a life, is what the nine-year-old child endured.
I agree 100%, but the past cannot be changed so the focus should shift to all the additional physical and psychological-mental harm that the child would endure for the rest of her life if FORCED to carry the baby to term at great risk to herself. Comparisons of these two types of trauma.... well, I don't even know where to begin, but it is true that the first was the result of one despicable individual whereas the second would have been the result of a coordinated effort by elected politicians to control women's bodies. -- I keep thinking "What would those self-righteous politicians have done if it had been their own 9 year old daughter?"
They would have sought an abortion that wasn’t an “abortion,” because if you’re self-righteous and you say it isn’t an “abortion,” then it’s not. Duh.
It's "Newspeak," straight out of "1984."
And the Newspeak is not limited to the issue of abortion. With very few exceptions (thank goodness that there are a few in the GOP with a spine who are now telling the truth to the Jan 6th Committee), the invertebrate Republicans lie whenever it suits their purposes then label it the TRUTH. ANd on the other side of the coin they label the truth as FAKE NEWS. I fear that it will take quite some time to return to the "normal" politics of Left and Right.
Gaslit Nation podcasts
Aren't forced birth and rape both war crimes?
And crimes against humanity, too.
Two women I know here in Portugal were born of Jewish mother's in Nazii consentration camps in 1942 of SS father's. You can not imagine the psychological turmoil they have experienced all their lives.
😢
My thoughts as well, would the self-righteous arses take responsibility? hell No. would the rapist? Hell no. The first rape despicable, the second, unconscionable.
That precious innocent child has forever been altered by the molestation of Evil's rape to now know the fear of paranoia forever.
the bell once rung
Can never be un-rung
They would have made sure there was an abortion in a nanosecond which makes them despicable hypocrites as well as unfeeling heartless soulless people.
I am always reminded of Margaret Beaufort who was married to Edmund Tudor when she was very young...12 or 13 maybe and became PG immediately. When she bore Henry (who later became Henry VII), Edmund was already dead and the birth was very difficult for her. She never had any more children and tried to make sure that the females in her family did not undergo the same as she had, making sure that they were old enough before traveling to be married as in the case of Margaret Tudor to the Scottish king. I realize that this is long ago history and not a rape, but very young bodies should not be bearing children even now when medical standards are much better. All of the people who have been these disgusting comments should be ashamed.
I've been surprised that no reporter has explained that a 10 year old body is not yet fully developed and a pregnancy is extremely high risk.
That fact was discussed with an Ob-Gyn on the PBS NewsHour.
But it's been conspicuously absent from most other print and video media reports.
That may come. Right now everyone is focusing on the disgusting responses.
Even horse breeders do not want females bred too young as they can develop swayback.
I didn't know that. Learn something every day here. Thanks for posting.
Didn’t know that either!
Michele: that history was one of my first thoughts as well as she was unable to have any more children because of that too-young pregnancy.
Yes, I thought of it immediately. Nice to know that someone shares my interest in Tudor history. I read a bio of her not too long ago. Remarkable woman.
Yes, Shakespeare wrote a great role for her in Richard III.
Dynastic marriages were usually arranged at birth, and the children were wedded with enormous ceremony - and witnesses - at puberty. This continued until the Napoleonic era. Marie-Antoinette was 14 when she was sent from Vienna to Paris to marry the shy 15-year-old who unfortunately became king of France at 19 when the heir to the throne, his elder brother, died of smallpox. She was spared an early pregnancy because although her mother sent her full instructions, her boy husband didn't know what to do (it's all there in the letters!). When her brother came to visit her in Paris he had a quiet talk with his brother-in-law, and the first child was conceived, seven years into the marriage.
I believe that Margaret Beaufort became the ward of Edmund Tudor and he married her...as she was a Beaufort and descended from John of Gaunt and Katherine Swynford through the Beauforts....made legit, but weren't supposed to be in line for the throne. Often the elite were married very early by proxy usually and then cohabited when they were deemed old enough.
There is a reason that 50% of first time mothers during that period died during childbirth.
Yes. I am also reminded of old men with very young wives. When we visited the Tyler plantation in Virginia, the grandson of John Tyler was still alive.
English law cited in Dobbs came from the same period of time, I think.
can't ❤️ Thank you for this
Yes Anne-Louise, the abuse of the child is being completely disregarded.
Bopp needs a terminal bopping.
I will volunteer to give him a right hook and upper cut.
TC, your comment reminds me too much of be bopping. He is not the music that we want to dance to!
Indeed!!!
I’ve got the shovel
I assume you mean of a vasectomy! Or, did you mean a lobotomy?
Is Bopp the same Bopp who wrote and brought Citizens United to Supreme Court? If so, he’s been working for the right wing a very long time.
'James Bopp: What Citizens United Means for Campaign Finance'
OCTOBER 30, 2012
'Attorney James Bopp was the intellectual architect behind the landmark Citizens United case that was decided by the Supreme Court. The Citizens decision held that independent political spending is a form of protected speech. Bopp told FRONTLINE that he believes further deregulation of political spending would improve the democratic process. This is the edited transcript of an interview conducted on July. 27, 2012.'
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/james-bopp-what-citizens-united-means-for-campaign-finance/
Fern
Thank you
Important knowledge...
And
concise in its dissemination!
❤️…🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
can't ❤️Thank you!
yep, not their child so they don't really care
Besides, I’m sure they justify the sacrifice by looking toward THEIR bigger goals of authoritarianism, Christianity and hate
runragged
Please do not be deceived:
Love and only love is Christianity...hate and authoritarianism are not that of CHRIST, never has been, never will be.
The Bible is so full of violence and straight up porn that it would be banned if it were anything but The Bible.
Religion is poison for a civil society. 'Dobbs' is a result of allowing religious fanatics positions of power i.e. the USSC.
The sooner humans ditch theocracy the better chance they have to find a way for 8 billion of us to share the planet and survive as a species.
'Humanity will only be truly free when the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest'
-Voltaire I think
That pretty much covers it.
I am not deceived, and I DO respect what you are saying. I do believe, just not through the "Christian" religion, but that's a subject for another day. I do thank you for your thoughts
... after all, doesn't scripture say to "spare not the rod" ...?
Kathleen Allen:
After studying the Holy Bible's Scripture for a time the message Our FATHER in Heaven gives us to embody is:
(Proverbs 13:24)
Observe, it is the rod of a parent, directed by GOD's wisdom, (and NOT our own contemporary wisdumb), and by HIS love, and it is designed for good instruction & life long habits, not the rod applied to the back of, in this case, a politically elected public servant as I believe you are referencing.
Thank you for your sincere perspective, George - I agree with your interpretation. Actually, I was making an irreverent reference to twisted, perverse sexual obsession that results in this kind of denial and neglect that accepts, allows or justifies rape of any kind - especially of a child - so disassociated from love at the heart of life and wise parental guidance. I appreciate the reminder of love at the core of these teachings -so often distorted, misinterpreted and maligned by deviant minds and corrupted hearts - thank you for applying the rod of truth to this discussion, redirecting attention to the essential meaning.
Kathleen Allen:
Love always and only.......
'Scripture' gives instructions for disciplining one's slaves.
... including wives and children by the 'master' of the house ... so much meaning and truth has been distorted and lost in translation ...!!
Don:
Wow!
Where's the love man!?
George: ... too often, buried between the lines of misinterpretation and misapplication of fundamental truths - witness those who lord over others in malicious, oppressive, murderous, rapist ways, all in the name of God ... so, how do we bring it back around to universal love ...?
Oh Steve - according to Faux its ok now - someone was actually charged so it might be true! BUT they still want to go after the dr. Reprehensible? Absolutely. Honestly cant believe the stupidity & complete lack of empathy displayed - by supposed news orgs but even worse by the people who have been voted (!) into office.
I am convinced that we are living in a nightmarish version of Alice’s Wonderland. We are now well beyond the looking glass. In a corollary to ‘the hurrier I go, the behinder I get’ it appears that with each new revelation, the news gets worse than we could have imagined. The USSS deletes text messages from January 5 & 6, Ivana Trump is found dead at the bottom of a staircase on the eve of her children’s scheduled testimony in New York, the plight of a 10-year old rape victim — I wake up daily with the misplaced hope that the nightmare will end only to learn that it is worse than I had imagined.
It’s the Fascist playbook. Overload means an inattentive public will not notice. It’s been TFG’s tool of choice, probably since his father sent him to Military School.
It's the Roy Cohn playbook reinforced with encouragement from Steve "flood the zone with shit" Bannon.
Can’t ❤️ but No Kidding!
Flood the zone with manure. Be sure 9 out of 10 are lies. Nice someone from the 1930-40s wrote the instructions down.
And we haven't seen anything yet.
Never saw anything to begin with;
1987
https://mobile.twitter.com/sarahkendzior/status/812698480099684356/photo/1
Susan, This link took me on one of the most disturbing journalistic trips I’ve taken. And 50 years ago I majored in Journalism, before I changed to family friendly Child and Human Development. Always a little sorry, but not after exploring the conspiracy-laden links in Twitter. And Murdoch tabloid trash that continues to infect us all through airwaves as well as print. Worldwide. Even during the 2016 election we read and heard about TFG’s Russian Connections. Hard to tell in this feed what’s truth and lies. It’s a wild ride. During the 2016 presidential campaign we read and heard the Russian connection stories. What does that say about those who believed that an American businessman (known crook) who was/is tied up with global and Russian money was/is a qualified presidential candidate? We have more qualifications for the most basic civil service jobs. Why would the world’s darling of business who specializes in splashing his name on buildings, golf courses and womanizing, be qualified for this office? We know the answer. Many of us knew it in 2016.
You have captured my thoughts precisely.
Make sure you deliberately imagine something different. The Universe will hear you.
Salud, Fran. 🗽
He had it done
So well described. Horrific nightmare.
Announce the death of your children's mother, and in the same breath ask for money for yourself...
In lieu of flowers...
Too funny and sad at the same time. -saw-
Thank you Jennifer for the first big laugh of my day!!
Ditto, Judith!
You expected less? T**** is running true to form. He cannot suddenly develop morals, or show any real grief over Ivana's death. It's all about him.
Did he do it or have it done
Did she fall or was she pushed? Putin’s opposition has often fallen out of windows.
“Cancer of the window.”
Ok, I see I wasn’t alone in wondering this! When Donald and Ivana were divorcing, I lived in the NYC area, and it was all over the tabloids. Ivana alleged Donald raped her.
She was silenced with his money and the divorce decree.
No, Scanny, you weren't alone. My first thought was whether a tox screen would be run to look for Novichok. Ivana had plenty of tea to spill. And yes, she did walk that back
Yes, I remember that, too.
I wasn't thinking about that, exactly. But it would be worth a look at whatever she was still being paid as part of the divorce settlement... tfg is (as always) under financial pressure.
Was Ivana a witness...
I figured if anything a desperate attempt to keep from testifying today?
Just thinking that myself. Now he doesn't have to testify under oath. They'll just plead the 5th. Which is a concept I do not understand. I refuse to answer on the grounds that it may incriminate me...duh! So what happens? OK, so go on home and have a happy life! What happens afterwards when you plead the 5th?
Not in his nature to do it himself but I wouldn’t put anything past him when he’s as desperate as he surely is right now. Is an autopsy automatic in this case or can the family opt out?
One report said the medical examiner would determine cause of death. But never underestimate the ability of money or power to make officials change their minds, especially from a family who have made corruption into an Olympic sport.
It’s Peterson all over again.
Narcissist, true and true. Never miss an opportunity to get what you want. In spite of Ivana’s early demise, he grifts. What a horrible deplorable human being.
Classic narcissistic personality disorder. No empathy only what can I get out of this. Seems to be prevalent in this country. How can I distort reality so I can get more votes, more money, more readers, more publicity ? It does not matter that people of color pay for their life, or children are born into a world where they can be cared for, or woman can not make their decision on how to best take care of their body and soul and family. Those moral Supreme Court right wing justices are hypocrites and amoral.
Well of course - otherwise they might think the post was a fake. Tastefully done - white characters on an all-black background, then bright red for the DONATE button.
Hey, why not ... opportunity knocks (snark).
Not surprised AT ALL. He is selfish. He is a child. He is an imbecile. He is a grifter. He is mentally not equipped to be the leader of a country.
I always wonder why people call him a child, insulting children everywhere. He’s not a child.
Definitely not an impressionable child.
And if an election were held tomorrow he'd get at least 1/2 the votes...
And all of it on the day before having to give testimony you have wiggled your way out of giving your entire life
tump has already initiated the "Garage sale" with "All" the proceeds be donated 100% to charity!
Ha! Like all his other "charitable" donations, such as towards a portrait of himself! Somewhere I read that he has in fact never significantly contributed to any charity
Not one fu..ing penny!
Real classy.
Clawing back the alimony. Was only a loan, wasn't it?
Love it!
Repayable upon death? Donny always collects, never pays.
I’ve always been troubled by the trump-era appointees in the last year of his presidency-so many that shifted to departments like dhs and military-oriented departments. It would seem secret service and all the rest were in on this-and response on Jan 6 was not quicker because of their refusal to act. That Pence didn’t trust them is HUGE and once again, yes, I’m grateful he didn’t go along with their plan, but he hasn’t told the truth he knew either. He’s no hero-he’s playing both sides to see how he can capitalize on the side that wins. It’s so sick and sad that so many people were compromised and allowed this coup attempt to become a reality-all for greed and power.
You’re right, he’s no hero. He did save the day on calling the votes, however. That is the only credit I will give him. He will run for prez in 2024 but he won’t be the Repubs selection. It will be DeSantis, unfortunately.
Desantis is a true nightmare. Living in Florida, I believe he’s the worst of all possibilities (along with Trump or Abbott). They all should be permanently barred from public office along with all co-conspirators in Congress. Their adherence to fascism is frightening.
Unless DeSantis implodes by then or just says “uh” too many times.
I think Cheney will be on a ticket. Again. 🙄
Hey Christine! Good morning! I was thinking, too, that De Santis is primed to make a fatal mistake. As his ambition grows so does his hubris. That combination often makes people overstep. I know he is currently polling well but the
" view from inside Florida" is like watching a train wreck happening-- at least, my view.
My view, also, Carol. He is in Tampa and Sarasota today. The Moms for Liberty conference is today in Tampa. A national conference for something that really started as no more than a blip on the Sarasota local Republican screen. The preening is laughable to me. The intent to destroy the common good of public education is not.
Most disagree with me, but think DeSantis is way in over his head and will not be able to tread in the muck. They put all their bets on Trump to win in 2020 and have scrambled since with missteps because of the huge hole in their armor.
Salud, Carol. 🗽
❤️ It sure would be a nice visual, wouldn’t it?
But will the voters of Florida even recognize the coming train wreck? When you live with one for so long you may not be able to see the forest for the trees.
You are right that some won't because they feel he can do no wrong. But there are still a number of us who hear the whistle blowing almost daily! I am only hoping there are enough of us!!!
But that is why I am hoping that, in his hubris, he goes too far even for some of his fans. Thanks!
“ At the end of the day”( another infamous DeSantis quote) there is some dissent in my red Fl county !
Orlando judge just dismissed lawsuit by local Moms for Liberty (NOT!) who said School Board and Brevard Public Schools discriminated against conservative parents who criticized school board public speaker policy.
Our “ Constitutional” Trump/DeSantis-loving Sheriff in the hot seat as two Republican candidates ,school board and county commissioner, angry and outing him for trying to bribe them out of the race.
Local Republican Exec Committee declares this week that “Biden was not legitimately elected”. Our popular Republican Supervisor of Elections ( and many local Repubs) disagree.
No one deserves "Extra Credit" just for doing the job he signed up for.
Remember pence consulted with his personal lawyers multiple times regarding voiding Biden before he Finally chose to do the right thing...
his clever deception to once again suck in the dummies who are so very easily fooled by face sincerity that looks good on his resume, Eh!?
Will his unquenchable desire to become president trigger this publicity stunt: blocking the FBI from extraditing Trump if he's indicted on federal charges?
Much has written about this possibility. DeSantis lacks the legal authority, but he could stage a symbolic refusal by ordering the Florida Highway Patrol to block agents from accessing Mar-a-Lago. And then later back down. Or maybe Trump will be charged while he spending the summer at Bedminster in NJ.
Anything for a photo op-including mask shaming students on live tv without knowing health status or the status of family members. He knows no shame. Desantis is as power thirsty as they come and will do ANYTHING to appeal to his base. He’s a smarter version of Trump, and just as ruthless to gain wealth and power. It’s terrifying!
Our military and Nat’l Guard will be sent in then, and what a debacle for DeSantis!
Greed and self-interest trump any public service goal
I’m certain, Jen, that Pence is thinking long & hard on the pros & cons of testifying, behind closed doors, to the J6 Committee; determining the calculus of whether or not it might help him in his 2024 presidential aspirations. Not that difficult to imagine a Pence/Cheney ticket.
In your opinion, would they garner support from the Trump base if they are the candidates? I imagine there are lots of hard feelings from that base due to Trump’s ongoing lies and verbal attacks. I would love to hear your thoughts.
Hard to know at this point. But there has been a recent spate of billboards, funded by republicans, all over TX asserting that t lost the election. And the “Lost Not Stolen” document, written by conservative republicans (including Judge Luttig of J6 Committee testimony fame), which Heather discussed & linked to. I just can’t see the gop running t at this point, so I’d bet that Pence is involved in lots of discussions regarding this, w republican conservatives & donors &, of course, mother. And what happens in the midterms and whether t announces his candidacy too early, as it’s been reported he will: it will all play in.
Living in Desantisland, I hadn’t heard much other than the Professor’s discussion of Judge Luttig. From my limited scope, it seems Desantis is further down the road as a candidate than pence. While I find Pence’s “Christianity” abhorrent (refusing to speak truth is LYING, Mr Pence, not to mention your unwillingness to accept people who look or live or love or believe differently from your way is antithetical to the teachings of Jesus!), I believe Desantis is both a stronger as well as more frightening candidate. He is full-on into fascism and it’s terrifying to behold. Again, I may be totally missing the boat because of where I live, but all I hear is Desantis if trump isn’t chosen.
While I’m not a fan of Cheney’s politics, I respect her bold courage and determination to seek and speak truth. She and Kinzinger would be an amazing team as more representative of the Republican Party we need for a two-party system, but I just wonder where all the Trump base would turn if either pence, Cheney, or Kinzinger were on the ticket.
The NSA has long monitored (or at least, attempted to monitor) every (and I mean every) electronic transmission made by every form of communication in the world. It would not surprise me if those missing texts were recorded somewhere in the bowels of the massive computer storage systems that are maintained for that surveillance. But to produce those texts would mean exposing that surveillance. The NSA is between a rock and a hard place. And we will likely never see the texts, now conveniently deleted by the Secret Service, in direct defiance of the request from the IG. Criminal charges should follow some well-publicized firings.
18 minutes' worth....
Hahaha
While the NSA may have the messages, and may not want to let anyone know it, Secret Service text messages are likely stored in some place that are less sensitive than the computer vaults of the NSA. I’d give odds that the January 6 Committee will recover a copy.
People don’t want to believe the statement you made. It is utterly true. We have been spied on by our own government for many years and in near complete secrecy. The official reply is denial in order to have the surveillance performance on the American Public. Necessary as well to eavesdrop on cell factions seeking to harm US interests.
I don't care if anyone spies on me. My parents raised me well, I'm a law abiding citizen and have nothing to hide. Spies are low-life. Maybe They'll learn something, but I don't care if they do or don't. Life isn't worth living if I can't be up front and accountable.
It was confirmed via court cases 2 years ago that Snowden was indeed correct that the NSA was recording every electronic telephone communication, so it’s hardly a stretch to believe that all texts are also being recorded. Not sure whether the USSS uses encryption messaging services for their texts--but probably not. Certainly the WH during t’s administration wasn’t.
This is the secret that is so well known worldwide that even us Idiots in Idaho have heard. When administrations conspire to keep secrets from us for our own good and/or because they are so patently illegal that they must lie to the public the secrets are held by thousands. Does that really hold water….. secrets ….. held by …… thousands…. This is the transparent trickery we are still expected to digest ? Really ? “and I promise you we are not invading the privacy of our own citizenry, just the bad guys!” . Really? It is no wonder politicians calling themselves conservatives have become such hopeless liars. Do they really expect to continue selling this shirt? Is there not a less stale and tawdry way to lie to us? Perhaps something a little less worn out?
Shirt. Thanks. Will use that. Have used "fish" for decades.
I'm sure there are multiple backups. That is standard operating procedure for any corporate/government computer system. (I got into computers in the early 70s with main frame computers.) And I would bet that the phone providers could supply those missing texts.
My military service job was being part of that monitoring... fifty plus years ago, in the age of Morse code. Add fifty-plus years in IT (I started in '64) I am well aware of all the backup systems there are, having worked on a few. You are correct about the phone companies: the phones were probably Verizon or AT&T, both of whom give access to the NSA (though they'd not like you to know about that).
When will the Republican Party be designated as a domestic terrorist organization? Methinks it's long overdue.
Now the radical right are saying woman can not cross state lines for health care. Okay so
Then men can not cross state lines. In fact the congress should not be able to get healthcare in DC as they should be required to go back to their hometown to get the surgery. Maybe their hometown does not have the resources to do the surgery. Oh well welcome men to what you are dictating to woman.
Then, while they're at it, do the same thing for guns. The lines to go across a state border would get old pretty quickly.
Ironically, in some rural places, the closest hospital is across state lines. Are those women expected to have home births? Especially if it's a high risk pregnancy. Gads those men are stupid!
Getting to the point I can type this in my sleep:
"The only 'Good Republicans' are pushing up daisies." - Harry Truman, 1948
Followed by a further ditty thinking about the rest of it:
"If my thought dreams could be seen/They'd probably put my head in a guillotine" - Bob Dylan
Think T.C. Of republicans as cell factions imbedded into the fabric of our society to destroy liberty.
"Texas attorney general Ken Paxton, who was indicted seven years ago for felony securities fraud but has yet to stand trial, sued the Biden administration over that rule, claiming that it is an 'attempt to use federal law to transform every emergency room in this country into a walk-in abortion clinic.'”
Excuse me, but how has this guy been under indictment for 7 years but hasn't gone to trial yet? And he's a sitting AG, yet.
That situation stinks like week-old fish.
How??
He is white and rich. Easy answer.
Because the gop in Texas want him there. It suits their purpose.
Found Ivana at the bottom of a stairwell ???? really ?
The day before her kids and tfg were to testify to the January 6 Committee. Hmmm…
Now I understand why the helicopter crash with 3 Trump Casino execs was trending.
Addendum: To clarify, my comment wasn't offered to embrace the speculation. Just a realization (after researching the 1989 event & the life it has taken on) why dots are being connected to give oxygen to the latest speculation. I think It is a slippery slope to speculate on coincidences, because our biases are always front & center in how we process them.
Rhea, What's this? I haven't been able to find anything about it!
It happened in 1989. In 2017 Newsweek had an article about it. https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-lied-about-almost-dying-helicopter-crash-1451963
And then there's ****P's former employee, Res, who was on Ari Melber's show several times.
Thank you, Rhea!
My thoughts exactly.
Suspiciously convenient timing, too. Not a conspiracy theorist but just goes to show, sometimes one has to wonder...🤔
Repubs need to go back to school and read Aesop’s Fables. The Boy Who Cried Wolf. When will the repub public open their eyes? Possibly that author is banned.
Epstein's prison "suicide?"
My first reaction was to think about how the KGB and now the FSB arrange yo have people jump out windows and fall down flights of stairs. I can’t shake the thought that he tentacles from them are a possibility. It’s most likely not true but things have gotten so crazy nothing would surprise me
He and Putie have common skills and motives
I was thinking exactly the same!
Let's not jump to any hasty conclusions. Although I admit my brain went there, too. But here is the harsh reality. People do fall down stairs. Our realtor slipped on her basement steps. She died. Our cousin just this week fell while descending stairs - thankfully, just contusions and a broken knee. It happens.
But the timing is suspect, and the suspect is guilty of so much
I take your point, Bill. It is probably a sad accidental death and three children have just lost their Mom. On the other hand, our suspicions can be forgiven in light of all that has been happening. Let's hope the depravity has not reached the point that there was foul play, but foul play has been rampant in this drama!! Meanwhile, may Ivana rest in whatever peace there is after this! May the children and grandchildren be consoled. And, may "the Donald" not raise one red cent on her death! ( though from all accounts he might be saving some on alimony or something like it????)
Looks like the donate button is automated. Can’t believe even Trump is that tone-deaf. Of course he should have been sensitive enough to not use Truth Social, but too narcissistic for that. https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-pac-seeks-donations-news-ivana-trump-death-email-2022-7?op=1
News reports say paramedics were told she was in cardiac arrest. I presume there will be an official determination at some point.
Yes, sounds like a cardiac event, poor thing. But isn`t it pathetic that I am so ready to believe the worst??? It just shows me how jaded and conditioned to distrust I have become when it comes to all things Trump & Co. Scary!!!!
Call it the Trump Effect. That she was found at the bottom of stairs does conjure up foul play.
I am not jumping to any conclusions . People indeed DO fall down stairs and die. Just agreeing with someone else's comment about the irony of the timing here.
Got it. Much irony, yes. There is a lot of it in the wind lately.
Yes, Ken, I thought that too. I wouldn’t put anything past that man .I have a friend who says he is Satan and I think she may be onto something.
He is
Unfortunately, having fainted a number of times, such things happen - at least with fainting you wake up - with cardiac fibrillation or something related, you don't. This is why I don't fear death - you are unaware its happened.
So then, what was her medical.history?
4 inch heels are pretty effective on their own
Good question.
I had the same thought. Which of her kids or her ex-husband’s henchmen tripped her?????
Ken, my thought, too. What could she tell prosecutors that she witnessed? Hmmm
I hope they are keeping a sauna ready in the hottest corner of Hell for the right wing media.
And Glenn Kessler and the rest of the over-educated, under-intelligent, otherwise-unemployable Ivy League upper class twits of the DC Press Corpse.
Rupert is way overdue
No sauna: they'd be too comfortable. I'd be more in favor of the blowtorch treatment.
Touché!
Reversing the procedure - freeze first, then the heat.
Some anti abortion politicians are now dishonestly claiming that the absolute language in their laws somehow does not apply to ectopic pregnancy or raped children.
As disgusting as that is, their most fundamental belief is far more disturbing. If abortion is murder, then logically their laws must eventually treat women who seek abortion as murderers.
No, “pro life” campaigners, abortion is not murder and your obsession about it is intolerable religious zealotry.
This is what the zealots have been espousing for decades! Women are considered second class citizens and for those who are black or brown, it is much worse.
Having to go through a rape at 9 and an abortion at 10, is not something I can even imagine. Having to travel to a strange place to get care is also unimaginable. Ending up in the center of a media storm on top of that, well, it's too awful to contemplate. Caring for such a young patient in such circumstances is difficult all by itself. I have deep respect for the physician who cared for the child and for the parent/guardian of the child who sought care for her, and agreed to allow the doctor to speak out.
On another topic, who tipped off Pence not to trust his SS driver? Who reassigned then President-Elect Biden's SS team? More dots to connect. Yes, I meant to use "SS", and am aware of its WWII meaning :)
My guess is that Pence was in on many conversations, prior to his break with Trump, where he saw lapdog loyalty to Trump in the SS.
My friend’s great niece was abducted from her home, raped, left in a parking lot a few days later. Also ten years old, prepubescent, no pregnancy. She was able with great fortitude to testify so that her rapist kidnapper would not prey on anyone else. Life sentence for him, but no closure for her in the ten years since. The girl in the news has several more levels of trauma. She deserves more than thoughts and prayers.
Carol, Hand to heart. May your friend's great niece find light on her path to nourish her spirit.
Steve, While Pence seemed to be a mannequin VP , his eyes and ears where not asleep. They were behind his refusal to take the ride the Secret Service offered on 1/6. They saved his ass.
What are the odds that today either Gym Jordan or Matt Gaetz will demand to know if Hunter Biden’s laptop was known to be in the vicinity of Ivana Trump’s body?
They will finally find Hillary's emails - on Hunters hard drive. They will reveal that she was ordering pizza every day.
From the basement of a building without a basement!!
I believe it!!
😅😀
🥴
Herb. I already “believe” hunter biden was seen leaving from the stairwell after a scream was heard!!
I am sure that will emanate from some AM radio nut today.
😎
😂😂
🤣🤣🤣
Thank you Heather .
Just a simple question. Is there any part of this Government that isn't dirty?
Be safe. Be well.
It’s only dusted every 2 and 4 yrs. By us. Seems like government being taken to dusting, I mean to task, is to be a more frequent chore. I thought that’s what we elected the Congress for. But then of course there is the pro dirt collector, the filibuster, which by now is somehow not a myth.
Yep. Dirty. Exactamente, Linda.
Salud. 🗽
Good morning Christine. It would appear this January 6th Committee is uncovering more than it's share of dirty secrets. Perhaps the concept of house cleaning is more of a necessity than we initially thought.