The story that grabbed headlines today was that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) rejected two of the five people House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) chose to put on the House select committee to investigate the January 6 insurrection. McCarthy immediately withdrew all of the five people he had appointed, accusing the Speaker of partisanship.
“I have a foreboding of an America in my children's or grandchildren's time -- when the United States is a service and information economy; when nearly all the manufacturing industries have slipped away to other countries; when awesome technological powers are in the hands of a very few, and no one representing the public interest can even grasp the issues; when the people have lost the ability to set their own agendas or knowledgeably question those in authority; when, clutching our crystals and nervously consulting our horoscopes, our critical faculties in decline, unable to distinguish between what feels good and what's true, we slide, almost without noticing, back into superstition and darkness...
The dumbing down of American is most evident in the slow decay of substantive content in the enormously influential media, the 30 second sound bites (now down to 10 seconds or less), lowest common denominator programming, credulous presentations on pseudoscience and superstition, but especially a kind of celebration of ignorance”
― Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark
McCarthy is afraid of what the investigation will reveal about Republicans in Congress. It turns out that up to a dozen GOP Congresspeople were involved in inciting the Jan 6th rioters and helping to plan the riot (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/11/us/politics/republicans-capitol-riot.html?referringSource=articleShare). Rightfully, McCarthy was outraged by the riot, and by Trump’s role in it, immediately after it happened. Then he learned of the involvement of folks like Gosar, Brooks, Biggs, MTG, Jordan, Gohmert and others, and realized how disastrous the investigation will be for Republican election prospects. So he flip-flopped. More power to Nancy Pelosi and Liz Cheney for pushing forward to expose these treasonous Republicans.
I must admit, this 62 year old woman is relishing the fact that a certain 81 year old woman has used the same set of rules to scurry McCarthy at his own game. She called his bluff and I love it.
Second only to the outright ass kicking of McCarthy by Liz Cheney yesterday. Good for her. I'm waiting for McCarthy to have a presser where he walks up to the mic and says "Nancy and Liz are big meanies and won't leave me alone" . Then he would proceed to throw the mic on the floor and run away. Unfortunately, I don't think we are all that far from a moment like that.
The expression, what's good for the goose is good for the gander comes to mind.🤔
If I may indulge, could you folks send good thoughts to my friend Kathy Kolmer. She is in the COVID unit fighting the current variant. Had she not been fully vaccinated, this note from me would have a different tone. Please wear your masks and be viligent. This pandemic is far from over.
Adults in the room? The only adults in the room? Are Democrats? Yes. Quite.
But it’s worse. I’ve lived in a mental institution. I was ten when I was committed. I’ve dealt with the psychotic and crippled lying neurotic 24/7. For 6.5 years.
Friends, recognize what we have in Trump, Jordan. McCarthy, McConnell and today’s Republicans. We have psychotics. We have crippled neurotics. We have lying fascists akin to Mussolini and Hitler. We have Lincoln haters. FDR haters. We have a party controlled by Arab wealth - on the take, now charged by a grand jury. See the latest Trump fascist jailed.
The grownup emotionally sound adults left the room years ago. George C. Wallace rides again.
It’s Racism’s Rules. We hate Blacks. November 3rd terrified white supremacist Republicans. January 6th brought out Trump racists.
Joe Knows Us rallied the sane.
Trump owns the GOP. It’s Roy Cohn’s rules, Fred Trump’s rules, Mussolini and Hitler and our most prejudiced rule.
Prejudiced GOP white supremacist Whites rule the GOP. Yes. Face it. Oppose this or we go down.
We cannot shadow box with Hitler’s Ghost. We cannot deal with the Cuvil War slave owner mentality.
We are looking at Civil War II, Mr. President. Can you not see this?
You know, I admit that I am reluctant to bet against an Italian grandmother. Pelosi has spent her life keeping children in line. The only thing I have saved from the mountain of promotional crap with which I was deluged last year by the Dems is a photo of her wagging her finger at Trump--surrounded by all the white men in suits. It inspires me. What the Trumpistas and Repugnicans seem not to understand (and this is something I have experienced in my own career) is that there are just some women who are impervious to bullying. But they keep thinking they can do it.
Underestimating Pelosi has been dangerous in the past. I suspect that she is planning a last hurrah sometime in the fairly near future (she is 80 after all), so she has work to do. I also think that the Dems have FINALLY hit on the right tone: make fun of the f****ers by calling them whining babies.
I am looking forward to the Select Committee doing its work. If there is a single person they interrogate who can respond with the grace and competence that Hillary Clinton demonstrated in her 13 hour grilling by the Benghazi Committee, it will be a small miracle.
I'm dismayed that more is not being made of the Republican opposition to funding the IRS investigative arm. The R's have been starving that office for years and it is emblematic of their approach to governance that they will take such steps in order to protect large scale tax evaders.
Each morning I gain a bit more knowledge and awareness by reading everyone’s comments and replies. There are so many intelligent and informed followers of HCR’s letters who have so much to add. Thank you.
If you believe the Republicans about their Jan 6 claims then you must also believe it was Poland that started WW II in Europe when they "invaded" Germany in 1939. That was just one of the many lies promulgated by the Nazis. The "Big Lie" that Trump won the election and it was a "peaceful" protest by his supporters on Jan 6 are just two of the many lies that are now the bedrock of the GOP. Trump and his party have as much use for the truth as a feral cat has for a marriage license.
One has to wonder if Liz Cheney's break with the House GOP leadership and her comments today about the minority leader has any precedent in the modern era. It is rather enjoyable to see the Republicans trigger a trap they set for themselves. And now they appear cornered. What will they do out of desperation?
There was one Republican adult in the room -- Rep. Liz Cheney. What we need now is a first follower -- another Republican ready to join Rep. Cheney. And, then perhaps a movement of Republicans could start if McConnell and McCarthy have lost control of their caucuses. Here is a 3 min. video on leadership and the first follower that is a favorite of mine. There is no movement without followers. Enjoy! https://sive.rs/ff
I am no fan of Liz Cheney, but I think we can be sure of one thing. She will ensure that the investigation will focus on facts which can be reliably verified. Unless she wants this to be her political swan song, she has to ensure this by making clear that she will blow the whistle on any dirty dealing and she has the savvy and experience to do so.
Qevin is a disaster. He is an embarrassment to us in CA. The flow of BS that comes through his mouth is to cover up the fact that he’s just not that smart. He chose those 5 white guys because he thought he could mess with No Nonsense Nancy but alas, his quest was ruined. She is much too clever to fall for his weak shenanigans. Let’s just proceed with Liz Cheney and call it bipartisan. So tired of the GQP’s sleaziness and immaturity.
If someone from a foreign country, unfamiliar with America, were to read a synopsis of Republican shenanigans over the past five years, not to mention the past 40, they wouldn't believe it possible. They wouldn't believe that this level op lying, mendacious, incompetence could rise to the level of national leadership! I'm finding it hard to believe, myself, and I live here! And just when you think it can't get any worse, it does.
I guess that's where we get the idea that the patient has to nearly sit on Death's doorstep before any healing can occur.
July 21, 2021
And Carl Sagan saw what America has become.
“I have a foreboding of an America in my children's or grandchildren's time -- when the United States is a service and information economy; when nearly all the manufacturing industries have slipped away to other countries; when awesome technological powers are in the hands of a very few, and no one representing the public interest can even grasp the issues; when the people have lost the ability to set their own agendas or knowledgeably question those in authority; when, clutching our crystals and nervously consulting our horoscopes, our critical faculties in decline, unable to distinguish between what feels good and what's true, we slide, almost without noticing, back into superstition and darkness...
The dumbing down of American is most evident in the slow decay of substantive content in the enormously influential media, the 30 second sound bites (now down to 10 seconds or less), lowest common denominator programming, credulous presentations on pseudoscience and superstition, but especially a kind of celebration of ignorance”
― Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark
McCarthy is afraid of what the investigation will reveal about Republicans in Congress. It turns out that up to a dozen GOP Congresspeople were involved in inciting the Jan 6th rioters and helping to plan the riot (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/11/us/politics/republicans-capitol-riot.html?referringSource=articleShare). Rightfully, McCarthy was outraged by the riot, and by Trump’s role in it, immediately after it happened. Then he learned of the involvement of folks like Gosar, Brooks, Biggs, MTG, Jordan, Gohmert and others, and realized how disastrous the investigation will be for Republican election prospects. So he flip-flopped. More power to Nancy Pelosi and Liz Cheney for pushing forward to expose these treasonous Republicans.
Thank you Heather.
I must admit, this 62 year old woman is relishing the fact that a certain 81 year old woman has used the same set of rules to scurry McCarthy at his own game. She called his bluff and I love it.
Second only to the outright ass kicking of McCarthy by Liz Cheney yesterday. Good for her. I'm waiting for McCarthy to have a presser where he walks up to the mic and says "Nancy and Liz are big meanies and won't leave me alone" . Then he would proceed to throw the mic on the floor and run away. Unfortunately, I don't think we are all that far from a moment like that.
The expression, what's good for the goose is good for the gander comes to mind.🤔
If I may indulge, could you folks send good thoughts to my friend Kathy Kolmer. She is in the COVID unit fighting the current variant. Had she not been fully vaccinated, this note from me would have a different tone. Please wear your masks and be viligent. This pandemic is far from over.
Be safe, be well.
Adults in the room? The only adults in the room? Are Democrats? Yes. Quite.
But it’s worse. I’ve lived in a mental institution. I was ten when I was committed. I’ve dealt with the psychotic and crippled lying neurotic 24/7. For 6.5 years.
Friends, recognize what we have in Trump, Jordan. McCarthy, McConnell and today’s Republicans. We have psychotics. We have crippled neurotics. We have lying fascists akin to Mussolini and Hitler. We have Lincoln haters. FDR haters. We have a party controlled by Arab wealth - on the take, now charged by a grand jury. See the latest Trump fascist jailed.
The grownup emotionally sound adults left the room years ago. George C. Wallace rides again.
It’s Racism’s Rules. We hate Blacks. November 3rd terrified white supremacist Republicans. January 6th brought out Trump racists.
Joe Knows Us rallied the sane.
Trump owns the GOP. It’s Roy Cohn’s rules, Fred Trump’s rules, Mussolini and Hitler and our most prejudiced rule.
Prejudiced GOP white supremacist Whites rule the GOP. Yes. Face it. Oppose this or we go down.
We cannot shadow box with Hitler’s Ghost. We cannot deal with the Cuvil War slave owner mentality.
We are looking at Civil War II, Mr. President. Can you not see this?
You know, I admit that I am reluctant to bet against an Italian grandmother. Pelosi has spent her life keeping children in line. The only thing I have saved from the mountain of promotional crap with which I was deluged last year by the Dems is a photo of her wagging her finger at Trump--surrounded by all the white men in suits. It inspires me. What the Trumpistas and Repugnicans seem not to understand (and this is something I have experienced in my own career) is that there are just some women who are impervious to bullying. But they keep thinking they can do it.
Underestimating Pelosi has been dangerous in the past. I suspect that she is planning a last hurrah sometime in the fairly near future (she is 80 after all), so she has work to do. I also think that the Dems have FINALLY hit on the right tone: make fun of the f****ers by calling them whining babies.
I am looking forward to the Select Committee doing its work. If there is a single person they interrogate who can respond with the grace and competence that Hillary Clinton demonstrated in her 13 hour grilling by the Benghazi Committee, it will be a small miracle.
I'm dismayed that more is not being made of the Republican opposition to funding the IRS investigative arm. The R's have been starving that office for years and it is emblematic of their approach to governance that they will take such steps in order to protect large scale tax evaders.
Each morning I gain a bit more knowledge and awareness by reading everyone’s comments and replies. There are so many intelligent and informed followers of HCR’s letters who have so much to add. Thank you.
I can hardly wait for Mitch to go on trial. For anything.
If you believe the Republicans about their Jan 6 claims then you must also believe it was Poland that started WW II in Europe when they "invaded" Germany in 1939. That was just one of the many lies promulgated by the Nazis. The "Big Lie" that Trump won the election and it was a "peaceful" protest by his supporters on Jan 6 are just two of the many lies that are now the bedrock of the GOP. Trump and his party have as much use for the truth as a feral cat has for a marriage license.
One has to wonder if Liz Cheney's break with the House GOP leadership and her comments today about the minority leader has any precedent in the modern era. It is rather enjoyable to see the Republicans trigger a trap they set for themselves. And now they appear cornered. What will they do out of desperation?
There was one Republican adult in the room -- Rep. Liz Cheney. What we need now is a first follower -- another Republican ready to join Rep. Cheney. And, then perhaps a movement of Republicans could start if McConnell and McCarthy have lost control of their caucuses. Here is a 3 min. video on leadership and the first follower that is a favorite of mine. There is no movement without followers. Enjoy! https://sive.rs/ff
I am no fan of Liz Cheney, but I think we can be sure of one thing. She will ensure that the investigation will focus on facts which can be reliably verified. Unless she wants this to be her political swan song, she has to ensure this by making clear that she will blow the whistle on any dirty dealing and she has the savvy and experience to do so.
Pelosi was smart to toss hand-grenade Jordan and blunderbuss Banks back at McCarthy. You don't bring arsonists to a suspicious fire investigation.
Qevin is a disaster. He is an embarrassment to us in CA. The flow of BS that comes through his mouth is to cover up the fact that he’s just not that smart. He chose those 5 white guys because he thought he could mess with No Nonsense Nancy but alas, his quest was ruined. She is much too clever to fall for his weak shenanigans. Let’s just proceed with Liz Cheney and call it bipartisan. So tired of the GQP’s sleaziness and immaturity.
If someone from a foreign country, unfamiliar with America, were to read a synopsis of Republican shenanigans over the past five years, not to mention the past 40, they wouldn't believe it possible. They wouldn't believe that this level op lying, mendacious, incompetence could rise to the level of national leadership! I'm finding it hard to believe, myself, and I live here! And just when you think it can't get any worse, it does.
I guess that's where we get the idea that the patient has to nearly sit on Death's doorstep before any healing can occur.