Two big "aha" moments for me: (1) "...The committee established that he released the video only after law enforcement was deployed and was gaining control of the Capitol, making it clear the violent insurrection would not succeed." I am now convinced that if law enforcement had not gotten the upper hand, Trump's video would not have bee…
Two big "aha" moments for me: (1) "...The committee established that he released the video only after law enforcement was deployed and was gaining control of the Capitol, making it clear the violent insurrection would not succeed." I am now convinced that if law enforcement had not gotten the upper hand, Trump's video would not have been released when it was; and (2) the "Outtakes of the January 7 video recording" showed that on top of his sheer evil nature, Trump is at his core a pathetic excuse for a human being, let alone the Leader of the Free World.
I've noted this before but a major media outlet reported that plan a couple of days before the election and the White House summarily denied there was any such plan.
Yes, Lil' Donny has told us everything in advance. I really have learned very little from the Jan 6 Hearings as almost all we have heard had been reported in Real Time. They have mostly organized things into a more coherent order instead of the firehose which was the Trump Admin and post-Failure.
The Amazing aspect to me is, "How could the tRUmp Campaign have had any false hopes about winning?"
It was obvious to me by mid-May 2017 that Trump would not be able to run another 'inside straight' as he had already made too many bad decisions to receive the "benefit of the doubt" Vote. That was followed by 3 years of more stampeding off in the wrong direction. His Approval rating always hovering around 34-39%.
Then, came 2020 and a little virus from somewhere - possibly, here. By dent of his overflowing Incompetence, Trump managed to turn the most defensible country in World into the Most Infected and Most Deadly Country in the World.
There could have been no rational hope for a 2020 Win after his 1st 6 months in Office.
I have a friend (whose name you would know if I dropped it) who was a member of a group of "senior people in politics and government" who "gamed out" the election in 2020. In late September he told me they had concluded from looking at things being said by Trump at his rallies all year that he was going to claim victory based on the "red mirage" and they feared he would then use it to declare martial law.
And in September 2020 I read Barton Gellman's on-line piece in The Atlantic titled The Election That Could Break America. It was slated for November issue but they knew they needed to get it out sooner. Problem I see is too much good reporting is behind paywalls.
As someone who gets paid for writing, I have to defend the paywalls. We writers have been hit hard by the "Napster attitude" that we're all "sharing" and it's supposed to be "free." Do you work for free? I didn't think so.
Sorry...my comment was intended to point out that due to paywalls the information is not widely out there then. That was all. I want it to be out there. I try to share these important articles as best I can.
OK. I just hear this a lot. There is a "traditional" attitude out there that we writers should want to do it for love of doing it. I do that, but I also have a traditional love of eating regularly, living indoors and paying my bills. :-)
Also, incisive reporting that's behind paywalls gets picked up by other media and is widely available for free, though lacking as much detail. And quality of writing.
I don’t have a problem with paywalls, never did. I understand exactly, and respect, their reason for being. When you’re young and poor, maybe it’s frustrating. Oh well.
My big takes from the hearing were not actually news.
1.
I was gratified to see Cassidy Hutchinson noted again particularly. If the DOJ ever puts a case together, much of her information will not be pivotal, as most of it was circumstantial, and others who were present will be forced to testify. But her testimony during this hearing remains the money shot of all testimony. It repeatedly pointed us in the right direction, for one thing. Not to be overlooked though was how it opened the floodgates for others to come forward. Her patriotism and amazing courage put others to shame. If America remains a free democracy, there should be a statue of her facing the 1/6 committee. I believe she is that historic a figure.
2.
HCR’s question of why the Army was following Pence’s orders has been nagging at the back of my mind as well for some time. I thought it must be a “fog of war” thing and dismissed it. But now I’m wondering what exactly went on to bring the Army to that point.
As for the actual hearing, most of it was just filling in the blanks of what we could have guessed. Trump’s (and Harley’s) poses of courage are simply the outward manifestations of deeply insecure, fearful, wounded and wounding figures.
Although the outtakes should be the last nail in the coffin of the plan for Trump could run in 2024. He’s toast. You can’t recover from the shellacking he took.
Huge kudos to the Committee. They have accomplished an historic mission in shredding Trump, using only Republicans.
I have a neighbor who won’t be convinced, because he won’t watch or read anything that denies his beliefs that Trump is the savior. He has said, “That wasn’t an insurrection.” I then read the definition of insurrection which includes the word ‘violence’. He then claimed that there was no violence that day and what about BLM.
Sounds just like my dt-addicted husband. We watched the entire day on Faux (because he wouldn’t believe it on any news outlet), so I know what dt was seeing. And the “what-about-ism” as though there’s some moral equivalency 🤬🤬🤬
I have much to be grateful for in life, but most of all, that my husband's morals and beliefs are 100% aligned with my own. I have noted your posts before and don't know how your marriage continues. On the rare occasions that we have had opposing viewpoints, my husband and I listen to each other and generally point out something the other had missed and come to agreement. I would like to think that you and your husband would do the same, but it seems as though he doesn't give you that option. It doesn't sound like you are being fully respected. HCR's letter is not an advice column we all read, so I won't offer any advice--just a reminder that there are like minded people here, and generally speaking, disagreements are respectfully discussed. You are supported.
I was raised a republican and was a loyal republican wife for 39yrs, until dt came down that escalator and my husband was so excited, “Yeah, we need him, he’ll bring in the votes!” I couldn’t believe it. I still can’t believe that my dearly loved husband, who really is a Christian (I feel everyone’s eyebrows raise, but trust me, in everything but dt we are in agreement), could support this scum of the earth and his minions. On the other hand, he can’t believe I have abandoned what he sees as the only right way. In December, by the grace of God, we’ll celebrate 46yrs of marital joys and sorrows, because that’s our life. Our only child also supports dt, but I don’t believe he is as addicted as his father because he and I can still talk and disagree respectfully.
I come here for sanity and I thank you and everyone here for that. ❤️🩹
I have a dear friend/colleague who shocked the heck out of me when she told me she was voting for dt in 2016. For the past six years, we've stayed in touch, but have to stay clear of politics because this wise, talented director of my one woman show still supports him. I haven't had the "guts" to ask her what she thinks of the hearings because I don't want to know. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if this difference with a dear friend is so painful for me, I can't imagine what it would be like coming from a beloved husband. So I admire your ability to hold the whole picture of your 46 years, and not "throwing out the baby with the bathwater." Blessings,
Fortunately, you have the right to vote in private. Hang in there and vote for the women and men who will stand against Trump. Your vote can make a difference
Even more thankfully, this is a national requirement so Florida's governor cannot take that away. "The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA), popularly known as The Motor Voter Act, is a legislation that required state governments to allow registration when a qualifying voter applied for or renewed their drivers license or applied for social services. This legislation forced state governments to make the voter registration process easier by providing uniform registration services through drivers' license registration centers, disability centers, schools, libraries, and mail-in registration." https://definitions.uslegal.com/m/motor-voter-act-the-national-voter-registration-act-of-1993-nvra/
sounds like you need a second tv to hear what's going on in the world. in another room. if that riles the man, invite him to take a walk. lock the door.
That's part of it no doubt; also a substantial amount of racism. Again referring to Snyder, The Road to Unfreedom (which I have cited here several times recently), ch. 6, which has a discussion at (what I think is) a more fundamental level. Part of Snyder's argument can be summarized by saying that American society has been "groomed" for decades by Republican ideology and, more recently, before and during the 2016 election campaign, by Russian propaganda, delivered compliments of Facebook, Twitter, etc.
Quite so. Among other things, Snyder says that purveyors of (what he calls) eternity politics, e.g., Putin, Trump, provide spectacle and outrage instead of policy designed to improve things for society. Not that Snyder is the end-all and be-all of wisdom, but I think he's right about this.
Yes, and blacks and Muslims and Latinas and gays and . . . All the haters, all those who think whites are the superior ones, magnetically drawn to the Fox Noise and Republican club like flies to shit on a hot summer day.
My husband pointed out the same thing about Pence issuing orders to the military. He noted that for that brief moment in time Pence was acting President. The military thankfully didn't tell Pence they would have to wait for orders from the President as they knew full well that orders from Trump would not be forth coming. Dangerous time.
Maybe it was that Kizinger and Lauria are veterans but....I realized last night that Pence would not, could not, assume those duties unless Trump was INCAPACITATED. Perhaps by a bad tantrum?
Is the fact that Pence was apparently the acting president during that time part of the explanation as to why there are no phone logs, diary or SS texts??????? That kind of incident is exactly why the National Archives exist.
In all this time, there have only been 2 black female senators. I’d give a statue to the first one elected to the Senate. The second one is not done yet in her career. Do you all remember who that was?
Don't forget Val Demings, Christine. As you remember, she was on the first impeachment committee, and every time I heard her speak, I was very impressed with her. And Stacy Abrams, though not on Capitol Hill, has accomplished a helluva lot for us.
Was referring to Senate in first remark. I’m not one to forget Val. We have been working very hard in Florida on her campaign to oust Rubio. I love thinking of picking up Senate seat with Val Demings from Florida. Stacy Abrams for Governor of Georgia and then a vice presidential candidate.
Celebrity means you’re at the top. The only way to go is down. I’ve been saying for a long time that he is never going to run for president again, I don’t care what anybody says. His popularity and his trajectory is downward.
The Army would be aware of the rally at the Ellipse, presided over by TFG, and the resulting attack on the Capitol. The Pres was not acting to stop it, so the VP was filling in.
As Pence should have — though constitutionally he lacked the legal authority. It's fair to say Trump was incapacitated, lost in his vicious fantasy of a violent coup. Pence may have not only saved his own life but democracy. I say that with some hesitation because outside of Jan. 6, he's hardly been a profile in courage.
Yes pathetic excuse for a human being PEHB—and I’m inclined to add so are his delusional followers, disciples, cultish lunatics and assorted crackpots. For those of us who sat glued to the television that horrific day— which started out happy because of the Georgia congressional victories—and knew we were seeing an event I can compare to 9/11, but in a kind of slow motion, we kept saying—wait where are the people who will stop this??? What the f—k is going on? PEHB was enjoying everything about his own extraordinary power to orchestrate this event. In November we’ll see how our fellow Americans have digested these facts.
Allow me to add to your description of the "pathetic excuse for a human being": What we had for a president on January 6th was a three-year old gleefully watching superhero movies and throwing food against the wall (though I don't want to insult any three-year old). And the urgently needed adult (the 25th Amendment) was nowhere to be found.
My letter to Merrick Garland:
June 20, 2022
Dear Attorney General Garland,
I am writing you as a concerned American who fears that our Democracy, something I have always been grateful for and certain that it would be forever safely guaranteed in this country, is now in peril. Donald J. Trump, whose actions have given the green light to racism, misogyny, xenophobia, and violence, has proven in broad daylight that he doesn't give a hoot about it.
Had Robert Mueller indicted Trump and taken him off the streets as he deserved to be, our Democracy would not have come perilously close to extinction on January 6th, and you would not be in the unenviable position of having to decide on something as unprecedented as indicting a former president. Remember, though, that this would not have been a first if Richard Nixon had not resigned and President Ford had not pardoned him.
I write the following as a mental health therapist. Knowing full well that Biden had won in a free and fair election, Trump would have stopped at nothing, no matter how illegal he knew his action to be, going as far as allowing murder to have been committed, for only one reason. It is much more deeply psychological than holding on to power. His father imbued in him from childhood, that the worst thing anyone can be in this world is a loser. Ingrained in every fiber of his mind and psyche, accepting loss would be an existential threat to him--the same as dying. Therefore, he must propagate the lie to save his life. Being a loser is simply not an option. This is why Trump has manipulated his followers to have election officials in place who would overturn the election results if he runs again and loses. This cannot be allowed to happen. There are clear reasons why charges such as "seditious conspiracy" exist, and why the framers called for a peaceful transfer of power between factions in Articles 1 and 4 of our Constitution.
As a result of the January 6th Select Committee's herculean effort of scrupulously laying out the facts, thus far the majority of Americans polled believe that Trump should be indicted and convicted of his crimes. For the sake of our Democracy, I hope that you will uphold your promise--that no one is above the law and if found guilty, regardless of the individual's position and whether or not they were at the Capitol, they will be duly prosecuted. I trust that you will follow through and do your part.
We have seen so many around trump that day interviewed or commented on. What they were doing, when they were doing it. But what was Melania doing? Where was she? Her husband is refusing to stop a riot on the seat of power in the USA. What was SHE doing? Her nails?
I saw something yesterday where she said she wasn't aware of what was going on. Notice that nobody hoped that she would show up....it was Ivanka and Jared.
TPFG was waiting for 1 thing. For the SS to tell him VP Pence had left the building, so Grassley could take control and hold a vote NOT to certify the ballots/electors.
So glad you mention this. Grassley was in on it, at least enough to be waiting in the wings for Pence not to be available. But what specifically did Grassley know? The J6 committee has its hands full, but I so want an investigation of the role of members of Congress in the attempted coup. Those guilty need, at the very least, to be removed from office.
As much as we've learned, there are still many gaps — this one, for example, and the specific planning that Trump, likely through cutouts like Roger Stone and others, did with the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. And who built and planted the two bombs?
I wish they had gone into why the National Guard, police, FBI and other forces were not sent until very late in the day and requested by Pence. They said it takes hours to get them in place? But they all knew of the credible threats? And no answers about the Pentagon's silence.
AND General Milley didn’t want to be played like he had during the summer protest and church bible photo shoot.
So there are two things going on at DOD, during the riot/coup.
SS texts, calls, and radio should have alerted The capital police, DC police, The National Guard of Maryland in Virginia, homeland security, as well as the Pentagon as soon as they recognized the crowd in size and how the crowd was armed. these are all part of the national security apparatus and not having the Secret Service records is not helpful at best, it is nefarious, at worst it is seditious / treason.
Two big "aha" moments for me: (1) "...The committee established that he released the video only after law enforcement was deployed and was gaining control of the Capitol, making it clear the violent insurrection would not succeed." I am now convinced that if law enforcement had not gotten the upper hand, Trump's video would not have been released when it was; and (2) the "Outtakes of the January 7 video recording" showed that on top of his sheer evil nature, Trump is at his core a pathetic excuse for a human being, let alone the Leader of the Free World.
And Bannon describing the sequence of events before it happen, showing Trump planned the whole thing.
I've noted this before but a major media outlet reported that plan a couple of days before the election and the White House summarily denied there was any such plan.
Yes, Lil' Donny has told us everything in advance. I really have learned very little from the Jan 6 Hearings as almost all we have heard had been reported in Real Time. They have mostly organized things into a more coherent order instead of the firehose which was the Trump Admin and post-Failure.
The Amazing aspect to me is, "How could the tRUmp Campaign have had any false hopes about winning?"
It was obvious to me by mid-May 2017 that Trump would not be able to run another 'inside straight' as he had already made too many bad decisions to receive the "benefit of the doubt" Vote. That was followed by 3 years of more stampeding off in the wrong direction. His Approval rating always hovering around 34-39%.
Then, came 2020 and a little virus from somewhere - possibly, here. By dent of his overflowing Incompetence, Trump managed to turn the most defensible country in World into the Most Infected and Most Deadly Country in the World.
There could have been no rational hope for a 2020 Win after his 1st 6 months in Office.
Agreed, but somehow "rational" didn't enter into any of this.
Wide spread Lunacy!
I have a friend (whose name you would know if I dropped it) who was a member of a group of "senior people in politics and government" who "gamed out" the election in 2020. In late September he told me they had concluded from looking at things being said by Trump at his rallies all year that he was going to claim victory based on the "red mirage" and they feared he would then use it to declare martial law.
And in September 2020 I read Barton Gellman's on-line piece in The Atlantic titled The Election That Could Break America. It was slated for November issue but they knew they needed to get it out sooner. Problem I see is too much good reporting is behind paywalls.
I've read them all:
https://www.theatlantic.com/author/barton-gellman/
As someone who gets paid for writing, I have to defend the paywalls. We writers have been hit hard by the "Napster attitude" that we're all "sharing" and it's supposed to be "free." Do you work for free? I didn't think so.
Sorry...my comment was intended to point out that due to paywalls the information is not widely out there then. That was all. I want it to be out there. I try to share these important articles as best I can.
OK. I just hear this a lot. There is a "traditional" attitude out there that we writers should want to do it for love of doing it. I do that, but I also have a traditional love of eating regularly, living indoors and paying my bills. :-)
Good call. I'm an artist and one of the most important things to learn is to value your work and charge for it.
Also, incisive reporting that's behind paywalls gets picked up by other media and is widely available for free, though lacking as much detail. And quality of writing.
I don’t have a problem with paywalls, never did. I understand exactly, and respect, their reason for being. When you’re young and poor, maybe it’s frustrating. Oh well.
Gellman's piece was prescient.
My big takes from the hearing were not actually news.
1.
I was gratified to see Cassidy Hutchinson noted again particularly. If the DOJ ever puts a case together, much of her information will not be pivotal, as most of it was circumstantial, and others who were present will be forced to testify. But her testimony during this hearing remains the money shot of all testimony. It repeatedly pointed us in the right direction, for one thing. Not to be overlooked though was how it opened the floodgates for others to come forward. Her patriotism and amazing courage put others to shame. If America remains a free democracy, there should be a statue of her facing the 1/6 committee. I believe she is that historic a figure.
2.
HCR’s question of why the Army was following Pence’s orders has been nagging at the back of my mind as well for some time. I thought it must be a “fog of war” thing and dismissed it. But now I’m wondering what exactly went on to bring the Army to that point.
As for the actual hearing, most of it was just filling in the blanks of what we could have guessed. Trump’s (and Harley’s) poses of courage are simply the outward manifestations of deeply insecure, fearful, wounded and wounding figures.
Although the outtakes should be the last nail in the coffin of the plan for Trump could run in 2024. He’s toast. You can’t recover from the shellacking he took.
Huge kudos to the Committee. They have accomplished an historic mission in shredding Trump, using only Republicans.
I have a neighbor who won’t be convinced, because he won’t watch or read anything that denies his beliefs that Trump is the savior. He has said, “That wasn’t an insurrection.” I then read the definition of insurrection which includes the word ‘violence’. He then claimed that there was no violence that day and what about BLM.
Sounds just like my dt-addicted husband. We watched the entire day on Faux (because he wouldn’t believe it on any news outlet), so I know what dt was seeing. And the “what-about-ism” as though there’s some moral equivalency 🤬🤬🤬
I have much to be grateful for in life, but most of all, that my husband's morals and beliefs are 100% aligned with my own. I have noted your posts before and don't know how your marriage continues. On the rare occasions that we have had opposing viewpoints, my husband and I listen to each other and generally point out something the other had missed and come to agreement. I would like to think that you and your husband would do the same, but it seems as though he doesn't give you that option. It doesn't sound like you are being fully respected. HCR's letter is not an advice column we all read, so I won't offer any advice--just a reminder that there are like minded people here, and generally speaking, disagreements are respectfully discussed. You are supported.
Thank you so much, Miselle.
I was raised a republican and was a loyal republican wife for 39yrs, until dt came down that escalator and my husband was so excited, “Yeah, we need him, he’ll bring in the votes!” I couldn’t believe it. I still can’t believe that my dearly loved husband, who really is a Christian (I feel everyone’s eyebrows raise, but trust me, in everything but dt we are in agreement), could support this scum of the earth and his minions. On the other hand, he can’t believe I have abandoned what he sees as the only right way. In December, by the grace of God, we’ll celebrate 46yrs of marital joys and sorrows, because that’s our life. Our only child also supports dt, but I don’t believe he is as addicted as his father because he and I can still talk and disagree respectfully.
I come here for sanity and I thank you and everyone here for that. ❤️🩹
Similar to your situation: how does George Conway abide Kelley Ann Conway?
Or Mary Matalin and James Carville!
Good example. I didn't know about them.
You're probably way too young!!!
At age 81, I don't think so.
I have a dear friend/colleague who shocked the heck out of me when she told me she was voting for dt in 2016. For the past six years, we've stayed in touch, but have to stay clear of politics because this wise, talented director of my one woman show still supports him. I haven't had the "guts" to ask her what she thinks of the hearings because I don't want to know. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if this difference with a dear friend is so painful for me, I can't imagine what it would be like coming from a beloved husband. So I admire your ability to hold the whole picture of your 46 years, and not "throwing out the baby with the bathwater." Blessings,
Thank you, Chaplain. Not mentioning the hearings here a my house, either.
Grace and peace to you
To you as well, Suzanne.
Like Miselle, I am so blessed and grateful to have a partner completely on the same page as me.
Fortunately, you have the right to vote in private. Hang in there and vote for the women and men who will stand against Trump. Your vote can make a difference
Have done & will continue to do. Thankfully Florida still offers voter registration when you get your driver’s license.
Even more thankfully, this is a national requirement so Florida's governor cannot take that away. "The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA), popularly known as The Motor Voter Act, is a legislation that required state governments to allow registration when a qualifying voter applied for or renewed their drivers license or applied for social services. This legislation forced state governments to make the voter registration process easier by providing uniform registration services through drivers' license registration centers, disability centers, schools, libraries, and mail-in registration." https://definitions.uslegal.com/m/motor-voter-act-the-national-voter-registration-act-of-1993-nvra/
Thank you for the reference, Judith. But I wouldn’t put anything past DeSatanist and other Republican governors.
You have my sympathy, Suzanne. Talk about a challenging situation.
Thank you, Michael. Kind of like teaching 7th & 8th graders, which I have also done 😉
sounds like you need a second tv to hear what's going on in the world. in another room. if that riles the man, invite him to take a walk. lock the door.
That's actually a great idea. Close the door and tell him to ask permission to enter and watch without comment unless you ask for it.
🤭😄😆😂🤣
Wow. How do you do it, Suzanne.
These people just can't trust anything that goes again their ideology, even in the face of overwhelming evidence.
At their deepest core, they are terrified of women getting power.
That's part of it no doubt; also a substantial amount of racism. Again referring to Snyder, The Road to Unfreedom (which I have cited here several times recently), ch. 6, which has a discussion at (what I think is) a more fundamental level. Part of Snyder's argument can be summarized by saying that American society has been "groomed" for decades by Republican ideology and, more recently, before and during the 2016 election campaign, by Russian propaganda, delivered compliments of Facebook, Twitter, etc.
Divered compliments of faux entertainment
Quite so. Among other things, Snyder says that purveyors of (what he calls) eternity politics, e.g., Putin, Trump, provide spectacle and outrage instead of policy designed to improve things for society. Not that Snyder is the end-all and be-all of wisdom, but I think he's right about this.
And a black woman, oh my.
Yes, and blacks and Muslims and Latinas and gays and . . . All the haters, all those who think whites are the superior ones, magnetically drawn to the Fox Noise and Republican club like flies to shit on a hot summer day.
And there are over 74 million just like him
My husband pointed out the same thing about Pence issuing orders to the military. He noted that for that brief moment in time Pence was acting President. The military thankfully didn't tell Pence they would have to wait for orders from the President as they knew full well that orders from Trump would not be forth coming. Dangerous time.
Maybe it was that Kizinger and Lauria are veterans but....I realized last night that Pence would not, could not, assume those duties unless Trump was INCAPACITATED. Perhaps by a bad tantrum?
Is the fact that Pence was apparently the acting president during that time part of the explanation as to why there are no phone logs, diary or SS texts??????? That kind of incident is exactly why the National Archives exist.
Correct!
Did “the military” want to avoid a martial law order from DT?
If he runs, I hope he's the nominee. It will ensure a Democratic victory.
Like the word that was difficult for him to pronounce in the Jan. 7 post-insurrection video, Trump is so "yesterday."
Great points well made. I like the Cassidy statue idea.
The Nation has the by far the best headline: "187 Minutes of Treason."
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/january-6th-hearing-trump/?custno=&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%207.22.22&utm_term=daily
In all this time, there have only been 2 black female senators. I’d give a statue to the first one elected to the Senate. The second one is not done yet in her career. Do you all remember who that was?
And Representatives in the House? Maxine Waters, Sheila Jackson Lee, Barbara Lee among other notable black women.
At this point in our history and going forward, I’d like to see future statues and/or awards commending black Women.
Who are going to lead in saving Democracy. Historic figures.
Unita! 🗽
Don't forget Val Demings, Christine. As you remember, she was on the first impeachment committee, and every time I heard her speak, I was very impressed with her. And Stacy Abrams, though not on Capitol Hill, has accomplished a helluva lot for us.
Was referring to Senate in first remark. I’m not one to forget Val. We have been working very hard in Florida on her campaign to oust Rubio. I love thinking of picking up Senate seat with Val Demings from Florida. Stacy Abrams for Governor of Georgia and then a vice presidential candidate.
Thank you for your work Christine!
My wife knows who the first black senator is. I’d probably have to look it up. Shirley Jackson?
Carol Moseley Braun
Ah yes.
Celebrity means you’re at the top. The only way to go is down. I’ve been saying for a long time that he is never going to run for president again, I don’t care what anybody says. His popularity and his trajectory is downward.
Dear Roland,
Your beliefs on this give me hope. 🤞🏻💙🤞🏻
The Army would be aware of the rally at the Ellipse, presided over by TFG, and the resulting attack on the Capitol. The Pres was not acting to stop it, so the VP was filling in.
As Pence should have — though constitutionally he lacked the legal authority. It's fair to say Trump was incapacitated, lost in his vicious fantasy of a violent coup. Pence may have not only saved his own life but democracy. I say that with some hesitation because outside of Jan. 6, he's hardly been a profile in courage.
I agree with everything you say.
Thanks for that. I was out of the country for the hearing where Ms. Hutchison testified, but I'm going to go find it at watch it right now.
This may not be complete, but a good, spine-tingling “chunk” for sure:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bTKdGIaZmQM
Thank you so much!
That would be a great statue, for sure.
Yes pathetic excuse for a human being PEHB—and I’m inclined to add so are his delusional followers, disciples, cultish lunatics and assorted crackpots. For those of us who sat glued to the television that horrific day— which started out happy because of the Georgia congressional victories—and knew we were seeing an event I can compare to 9/11, but in a kind of slow motion, we kept saying—wait where are the people who will stop this??? What the f—k is going on? PEHB was enjoying everything about his own extraordinary power to orchestrate this event. In November we’ll see how our fellow Americans have digested these facts.
Unfortunately those lunatics and crackpots are in every family. And they never seem to be the brightest bulbs on the circuit.
Allow me to add to your description of the "pathetic excuse for a human being": What we had for a president on January 6th was a three-year old gleefully watching superhero movies and throwing food against the wall (though I don't want to insult any three-year old). And the urgently needed adult (the 25th Amendment) was nowhere to be found.
My letter to Merrick Garland:
June 20, 2022
Dear Attorney General Garland,
I am writing you as a concerned American who fears that our Democracy, something I have always been grateful for and certain that it would be forever safely guaranteed in this country, is now in peril. Donald J. Trump, whose actions have given the green light to racism, misogyny, xenophobia, and violence, has proven in broad daylight that he doesn't give a hoot about it.
Had Robert Mueller indicted Trump and taken him off the streets as he deserved to be, our Democracy would not have come perilously close to extinction on January 6th, and you would not be in the unenviable position of having to decide on something as unprecedented as indicting a former president. Remember, though, that this would not have been a first if Richard Nixon had not resigned and President Ford had not pardoned him.
I write the following as a mental health therapist. Knowing full well that Biden had won in a free and fair election, Trump would have stopped at nothing, no matter how illegal he knew his action to be, going as far as allowing murder to have been committed, for only one reason. It is much more deeply psychological than holding on to power. His father imbued in him from childhood, that the worst thing anyone can be in this world is a loser. Ingrained in every fiber of his mind and psyche, accepting loss would be an existential threat to him--the same as dying. Therefore, he must propagate the lie to save his life. Being a loser is simply not an option. This is why Trump has manipulated his followers to have election officials in place who would overturn the election results if he runs again and loses. This cannot be allowed to happen. There are clear reasons why charges such as "seditious conspiracy" exist, and why the framers called for a peaceful transfer of power between factions in Articles 1 and 4 of our Constitution.
As a result of the January 6th Select Committee's herculean effort of scrupulously laying out the facts, thus far the majority of Americans polled believe that Trump should be indicted and convicted of his crimes. For the sake of our Democracy, I hope that you will uphold your promise--that no one is above the law and if found guilty, regardless of the individual's position and whether or not they were at the Capitol, they will be duly prosecuted. I trust that you will follow through and do your part.
Sincerely,
Sophia
An excellent letter. Thank you for sharing it.
We have seen so many around trump that day interviewed or commented on. What they were doing, when they were doing it. But what was Melania doing? Where was she? Her husband is refusing to stop a riot on the seat of power in the USA. What was SHE doing? Her nails?
I think she was looking for her jacket.
I really don't care, do u?
ok sorry I just had to type that ;-)
I saw something yesterday where she said she wasn't aware of what was going on. Notice that nobody hoped that she would show up....it was Ivanka and Jared.
The poor stepmother gets no respect. Maybe it’s because she’s a Golddigger and doesn’t deserve any.
I just think of her as a gold digger and not as a stepmother.
I believe she was conducting a photo shoot of some news rugs. As a First Lady should! <sarcasm>
She is quoted to say she was "taking inventory" of the "improvements" she and TFG made in the White House. Maybe like the golden toilet?
Or the toilet in which he threw papers during one of his childish tantrums?
Yes. And hair.
“What was SHE doing? Her nails?”
😆😆
TPFG was waiting for 1 thing. For the SS to tell him VP Pence had left the building, so Grassley could take control and hold a vote NOT to certify the ballots/electors.
So glad you mention this. Grassley was in on it, at least enough to be waiting in the wings for Pence not to be available. But what specifically did Grassley know? The J6 committee has its hands full, but I so want an investigation of the role of members of Congress in the attempted coup. Those guilty need, at the very least, to be removed from office.
As much as we've learned, there are still many gaps — this one, for example, and the specific planning that Trump, likely through cutouts like Roger Stone and others, did with the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. And who built and planted the two bombs?
September.
I think there will be some indictments coming from now to September from DOJ.
Agree. I think the biggest ones will follow in Q1 2023.
“I so want an investigation of the role of members of Congress in the attempted coup.“
Amen, Brother.
He was truly pathetic in the outtake....slamming the podium, etc.
That behavior has been described often by those who know him well. But seeing it was still shocking. He's one sick puppy.
My first thought after seeing that clip was — save that moment and use in campaign ad for him or his cult.
Some day we will see the Celebrity Apprentice footage with all its petulance and racist + sexist + anti-gay slurs. That’ll be interesting.
Puke.
The guy is a wreck. A mental case. That evidence has been so well shielded from us. But not forever.
You would be less surprised after reading Mary Trump's book about him.
I wish they had gone into why the National Guard, police, FBI and other forces were not sent until very late in the day and requested by Pence. They said it takes hours to get them in place? But they all knew of the credible threats? And no answers about the Pentagon's silence.
Lot of TFG crony’s at Pentagon.
AND General Milley didn’t want to be played like he had during the summer protest and church bible photo shoot.
So there are two things going on at DOD, during the riot/coup.
SS texts, calls, and radio should have alerted The capital police, DC police, The National Guard of Maryland in Virginia, homeland security, as well as the Pentagon as soon as they recognized the crowd in size and how the crowd was armed. these are all part of the national security apparatus and not having the Secret Service records is not helpful at best, it is nefarious, at worst it is seditious / treason.
Margaret Wyatt…That is my big question! And why so few Capitol Police? Who made that happen?
Well put. Trump is a hollow being and a wimp.