Good morning, Rowshan. I imagine Liz Cheney might feel vindication if the voters in her state support her in the upcoming primary in August. As she has stated in her blunt fashion to her voters… one can be loyal to the Constitution or loyal to Donald Trump but not both.
Salud and good morning to you, Christine! I agree that her real vindication will be receiving enough votes for reelection, but the applause is a good start. 😉
More likely hoping that her stand on the traitor and her policies in other areas will attract independents and some Democrats who have a hard time with the progressive wing that gets all the publicity.
Good call. Although I applaud Rep Cheney in her role as VP of the Jan 6th Select Committee; that's about it. Between her evil and disgusting father and she, there's a lot of awful policies to be had.
I absolutely care about her policies and would never feel I have anything in common with her but I would rather her conservative non- crazy person stuff compared to the MAGA crazies.
Democrats won't vote for an anti-choice, anti-environment and super social conservative candidate. She's doing the right thing now but will revert to the real Liz the moment it's over. Either she switches parties or goes her own way.
I understand why you might feel that way but you can't support her and a woman's right to choose or expect an environment our grandkids can live in and if they will be treated equally if they are LGBT+.
Same goes for all the Republicans who are doing the right thing now but not when it really mattered like during the 2nd impeachment. Where were you then Cassidy Hutchinson?
We're all impressed with her on this committee but she will be just as effective in pushing conservative positions, policies, values etc once all this is over.
We have to stop genuflecting before our adversaries. Being pro-democracy is the lowest possible bar and that's the only one she's passing right now as far as I can see. Don't be bamboozled!
Until she switches parties there's no chance I'd ever vote for her over a Democrat for any office unless the Democrat was corrupt.
She believes the Constitution was Divinely inspired.
She believes that the US has the right and sacred duty to lead the Christian "Great Commission."
Literally.
Ditto those other brave Republicans now testifying. And the most powerful forces in the 20th Century created that myth and wedded it to cutthroat capitalist. And called it feeedom.
Not hard for the nation that put the terrible swift sword into the hand of the Prince of Peace. Forged from melting down a plowshare and made him into a violent superhero. His actual teachings, concerning dealing with one's fellow man would destroy their myth of righteous violence. The Good Samaritan? The "other" being the good guy? Forget it.
More of this is in process for an upcoming post, FYI
(And speaking of elections this year and ahead, here is Politics Girl, Leigh McGowan, with her podcast this week.) With Laphonza Butler who steers Emily's List dedicated to supporting and electing pro choice women leaders to office. Give a listen.
Unfortunately, while more and more Republicans every moment wish to walk away from Donald Trump, few of them provide evidence that the are really devoted to democracy. Most of them want trumpism without Trump, hoping to escape the judgment of history and the American people. Let’s not let them get away with it.
And I cannot help but immediately think: “Watch out. Liz Cheney is out for Liz Cheney. She does not care a fig for Dems or progressive ideas. She voted mostly inline with trump’s policies. She is using the Jan 6th co-chair strategically. She hates trump, not his politics. For the Dems, I say, “Beware”. She wants a veneer of credibility for the gop so they can continue their assault on the rights of “We the People”.
Michele Whatever the personal/political reason, Liz Cheney has been a beacon of truth regarding Doo Doo Donald, the 2020 election, and 1/6. She is a savvy lawyer who has jeopardized her current political career by being outspoken against Trump and his Mafiosos..
Liz had voted for virtually every Republican bill in Congress. It’s unlikely that she will be re-elected in Wyoming, which is perhaps the reddest U. S. State.
I have despised Dick Cheney and also, for other reasons, his wife Lynne. I can’t imagine embracing Liz Cheney for anything except his bold stand against Trump. For this I applaud her.
What is more important to you.........removal of abortion rights (huge) and other rights we have not seen her applaud yet or support for the Constitution and democracy? What a choice!
She's doing what is most needed now and doing it supremely well. Don't fall in love though. Remember planet Earth. She as with her father are Fossil + Fuel.
and today's supreme court ruling disempowering the EPA and undoing regulation of big business...so frightening for the future of planet and our children This is the Republican agenda
Yes! Every time I hear the BANG of the gavel on Glenn Kirshner's "Justice Matters," I deeply long for that final moment when we hear the final, loud gavel that ends tag's reign of terror and proceeds to bang for all his co-conspirators one after another. What a sound we all deserve to hear in order to assure democracy is actually working for us, the employers of all these cretins.
😂😂😂 Peter, I should have used ‘“ace-in-the-hole” (since I’m against the death penalty, too) — although they are synonymous and can be used interchangeably.
Some think that the testimony recently has signaled the death of the political ambitions of DJT, and prosecuting him would result in violence, as he proclaims. Do you believe it is in the best interests of democracy to prosecute and take the risk of violence and chaos? Or should democracy just let him fade away into a world left behind by law and order? (and who thinks he would/could fade away?)
Whatever testimony may have done to the political ambitions of one man, the USA has since the 2020 election, even more so since the January insurgency, been living through something I have never seen, heard of or imagined: an ongoing, 24/24, 7/7 coup d'etat, in which the prime conspirators are daily continuing, without let or hindrance, to plot and to effect their takeover of the state.
Their movement must be beheaded.
After all, the choice is simple between the freedom of the former president and accomplices and the freedom of America's citizens. The one excludes the other.
If the United States cannot defend itself against an oligarchic conspiracy, the country's finished.
Since it is neither possible nor desirable to act against all those who have been misled, the ringleaders must be dealt with.
In all historical instances I can think of, the plotters either took power or forfeited their lives.
I am not talking about personal preferences -- except that I am perhaps foolish enough to regard it as important that America should function as a democratic republic under the rule of law -- I am talking about the hard choice facing America´s citizens: whether they are to uphold their status, their rights and their responsibilities as citizens, or to forfeit them and become mere subjects beholden only to a leader who must be obeyed and offered unconditional fidelity.
If the choice is to be "loyal subjects" one can only wonder what American history was all about.
He's not the only one to be beheaded. Cruz, DeSantis, McConnell, Koch...We also need leaders who will go after the leeches in major way. Where's the campaign; who's telling the people's story and depicting the darkness of the Republican Party?
Wherever did you get THAT idea from? The Saudis? The Parliamentarians who condemned King Charles I to death?
I spoke of beheading a movement, not a man or men. A clear metaphor.
Another clear metaphor, but seemingly more neutral, corresponds to what I expected to be done by wise leaders after 9/11. But the leadership was not wise and this action was not taken.
What action?
Defusing a chain reaction bomb.
Rumsfeld, Liz Cheney's father, George W. Bush et al, did nothing of the sort. They activated the bomb and more than fulfilled terrorists' wildest dreams.
The consequences are still with us in the Old World.
So is it surprising that the shock-and-awe vultures should have come home to roost?
Kathy Clark doesn't like the idea of grasping this nettle, the obvious dangers... Who likes what has to be done? No difference -- it must be done, so do it.
I am not sure that is the choice. Can we survive the violence and chaos prosecution would create? might another strong man arise during it? And I am definitely a risk taker, willing to take a chance that rule of law is the right way to go although it may cause many changes you and I have known for our lifetimes. yes, I know, we have already seen these but more are coming. In my opinion, we cant not prosecute, but I like to know where all the cliffs are and the bogs are and the crevices are so i feel ready for the journey ahead. Some plotters bided their time. Hitler spent time in jail writing Mein Kemp. And then forfeited.
If the law had been applied after the Beer Hall Putsch, Hitler would have been executed.
As it was, he was granted a sabbatical and used it well, concocting, distilling, then spreading the poison he was to unleash on his countrymen, on the world.
Consider the consequences of this failure to apply the law.
Rowshan, Applause for Liz Cheney's speech at the Reagan Presidential Library illustrates approval from an audience of mainly old-line Republicans, hardly representative of the current Republican/Trumpiist Party. 'Vindicated', I wouldn't make that claim. Liz Cheney was not rebuked by that audience. She is a star in their circle.
Adam Kinsinger was on Stephen Colbert tonight and indicated that in the light of Hutchinson's testimony, more people are coming forward to cooperate or "clarify" their previous statements. Dare we hope the tide has turned?
This is not surprising as they now see how much trouble they could be in and are in a hurry to cover their butts. While we were watching the hearing, I said to my husband that I was sure some Rs were getting the runs. The jokes continue about catsup and shattered plates including people marking themselves safe from them and others wondering if the walls of Tsar-a-Loco have a red tint. And of course, refutation of the story about what happened in the limo. I would say to those two, the deputy chief of staff and the secret service guy, fine, we will put you through a ringer.
In April 2016 when it became evident that DT would be the Republican nominee for President, I spent two weeks immersed in studying Narcissistic Personality Disorder for which DT could be the poster child. One thing I learned was once the people supporting the narcissist and providing his narcissistic supply finally understand they have been betrayed they get extremely angry with the guy. I'm sensing we may be reaching that point today. It was gratifying to hear Liz Cheney receive applause from fellow Republicans. Is there hope here? Possibly. It is also the time when the narcissist is most dangerous. Don't drink the Kool-aid! I've decided to hold the entire Republican Party accountable for enabling DT by not voting for Republicans at every level, local, state or federal. Please join me in this promise. The PTSC - Post Truth Supreme Court also has to be held accountable. No one is going to take away my unalienable rights to Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. No one. Let's all put on our Super Girl capes and vote like a girl!
If there is a "good" Republican, they'll be voting with the "bad" Republicans 90+% of the time, so there are no "good" Republicans. Look at Susan Collins. Furows her brow and then votes as Mitch tells her to.
Sad but true, I have family and “friends’ who have proved that the cult, fed by 24-7 propaganda, overtakes common sense and integrity. Greed gets the “Manchins.”
I never thought I'd live in a country where a public broadcasting institution, specifically FOX news, could spew forth a line of propaganda so consistently and overtly biased.
We need to re-instate The Fairness Doctrine on ALL forms of media to prevent propaganda machines from this kind of cyber warfare brainwashing on vulnerable people who watch tv or the internet for hours and hours a day. Truth must prevail in order to have a successful democracy. And MONEY must take a backseat in politics and corporations/white supremacy as well. When we ratchet forward after all this travesty, we take All The People together this time.
Oh, that makes my stomach churn. We should all write letters to any local bases, police and VA hospitals and homes. I may include that a letter to the editor I have been mulling about writing. Thank you for letting us know!
I so agree with you about the Fairness Doctrine. I managed to get Air America on the radio to provide an alternative to limbauge when I lived in Baton Rouge was touched when people would call in in agreement. Everyone in this country deserves to hear both sides of the argument.
TC, your opinion of Republicans is occasionally unbiased. Imagine that! Just a couple of days ago you instructed me with the following:
TCinLA in reply to Fern on June 28th.
'Our differences with them are "policy" - about which there is supposed to be difference and debate. On the issue of the country, we're all on the same side. The way it's supposed to be.'
'As I say to people, the law of aerodynamics also works with politics. The eagle can't fly on just one wing.'
I would like to add that TC is often that eagle seeing further into our future.
Susie Q, all talk and no walk forever and yes, Mitch knows how to control her....$$$. I made up my mind a long time ago that I would stop voting even for "good" Rs because they couldn't make any difference anyway in a party gone mad.
Grace, How many times over many years has Collins learned this lesson? Her behavior has been predictable with a few exceptions. Many of us have learned our Collins' lessons and regret that others have not.
Well said. I've been advocating for holding the Republicans accountable for this disaster since T**** came on scene. It's going to be hard to rebuild lost friendships without hearing some abject apologies from those who sold their souls and voted for him. Even my mother could not bring herself to apologize for voting against my grandchildren's future. And I'm still trying to forgive her, a year after her passing.
Oh, that must be a tough one, James. Hard unfinished business. But you might be able to forgive her for being susceptible to the incredible brainwashing programs inflicted on the American people, not just by homegrown terrorists but by putin and his army of trolls and bots deliberately inciting hatred and division to help trump & co bring us down. I believe America can be a phoenix and rise and re-create ourselves anew, stronger at our broken places.
I find truth in what you say. I firmly believe that the divide in this country has been encouraged by forces both within this country and from foreign interests. We, the people, have bought into this divide with all our hearts. We have let the amygdala ticklers dominate our sources of information. I know that I have to be very careful when I find something that tickles that part of me, and look at the source information carefully.
I suspect that people that are hardwired to let the amygdala dominate in their decision making process are less able to do that. (There have been studies that self-identified liberals access the frontal cortex while self-identified conservatives access the amygdala when having to make a decision about something. The study I read was based on a high risk/reward vs. a low risk/reward investment; the actual decision made wasn't the topic of study, it was the area of the brain utilized when making the decision. The decision made was independent of the self-identification of liberal vs. conservative.
Fascinating. I just weigh everything based on the Golden Rule, and if it is good for the whole and the next seven generations. It does not seem that difficult, but I think I am lucky and was trained well to think for myself and question authority by my mother.
James, I'm sure you know by now, the only person you have the ability to forgive is yourself. I think it's very sad that you and your mother weren't on good terms when she died, especially due to a political or social disagreement. However, somewhere in the middle of the arguments, however awful they were, I'm betting your mother had to take some pride in having raised a principled man who was committed to his children, and everyone's children, through opposing oppression where you encountered -- where we all did -- it. I know that I would, if you were my son.
Yah, sometimes it hits really close to home. Very sad. I'm sorry, James. It's so disappointing! You have to continue to stand strong though. You're the adult in your kids' lives.
Thanks Cathy. I can see more clearly now that 1/6/21 is Trump's reaction to narcissistic wounding. Narcissists view all wounds, large or small, as existential threats. Also, they tend to take hostages, rather than have normal cooperative relationships with other people. Trump fears for his very existence. He will continue to lie, cheat, defame, condone murder, etc, etc, and direct his hostages to do the same.
People fall into the thrall of narcissists for various reasons. In Trumps case it was likely promised shortcuts to power, money, and the perquisites they provide. That Trump could pull almost an entire political party into his orbit attests to his skill as a narcissist.
Breaking away from the orbit of a powerful, malignant narcissist such as Trump is a very painful, humiliating, and unbalancing experience, often requiring months or years of therapy to untangle. Most will not get this (I suspect Ms. Hutchinson, in some form or other, has a good therapist/friend/family who helped her through this). They will remain angry, disillusioned, dangerous - and looking for someone to blame.
One last thing. In my experience, narcissists are willing to behave in ways most of us wouldn't in public, but they are ALWAYS secretive. Always. Trump and his hostages got up to more stuff in private than we know about yet. As HCR would say, stay tuned.
People who have NPD are not in touch with reality. Trump will fight but at some point (probably soon) he is going to flee. I believe he has sycophants in the Justice Department who will tip him off before the Justice Department moves into action.
I think it is very possible Trump will attempt to flee the country to avoid facing a trial. Saudia Arabia, or the UAE offer him safe havens. While Russia may be an obvious choice, I think Trump is incapable of being dominated by Putin. Trump may not be the only one who attempts to evade punishment and flee to a country with no extradition treaty with the US.
The government made a mistake not immediately arresting Trump after January 6 when much of what we have learned from the committee was already in the public domain. Unlike the committee, the Justice Department has the power to get people deposed and collect evidence. Trump and his many accomplices should have been incarcerated awaiting trial, and their assets should have been seized. There has been entirely too much deference given to TFG. Nobody is above the law and the longer he is free, the more damage he does to the country.
To preserve the Republic and save democracy, it is imperative that every person who participated and had knowledge of the attempted coup be indicted and punished. We can't possibly move on until this happens. Justice delayed is justice denied.
I agree with you. Further, I think that Putin would have no desire at all to have a person who exhibited insurrectionist traits, and who is for all intents and purposes no longer a "useful idiot." Putin sees him for what he is --- just an idiot. And a dangerous one.
Steve, one thing about people with Narcissistic Personality Disorder, they don't believe they need therapy, usually refusing help. Makes them VERY difficult for therapists to treat. As a retired therapist, I had a patient who was court ordered to receive therapy. He "attended" the required number of court ordered sessions, and I suffered through them.
Not to worry. The last decent Republican in our state has decided not to run for re-election as governor. Charlie Baker is a truly decent and extremely competent person. All the others here are MAGA maniacs.
I think I would take your concept up a notch. It is inconceivable to me that anyone could remain in the Republican Party once TFG had been elected. And even more appalling after he did so many horrific, stupid and really dangerous things. If one still identifies as a Republican then one is literally an accessory to all the monstrous behavior of TFG and the sycophants that have surrounded him.
Let me present it this way. If the Democratic Party had a criminal like TFG as its leader and most of the party loyalists supported him no matter how brutal and cruel he was...I would have to leave the Party. Have to.
If one still identifies as a Republican now, one has sold his/her soul.
As long as corporations own politicians, their souls are sold...no matter the party. That is the patriarchal choke on America that will maintain our caste system into eternity, if we do not create something different. At least, that is my 10,000 foot view.
And here at sea level the broken system is heartbreakingly real. While seas rise, over a quarter of a million people moved here last year and developers still get permits to build new construction in flood zones. We are in a constant state of denial where money rules.
Look into Wolf PAC, a non-partisan group working to overturn Citizens United through a limited Convention of States. https://wolf-pac.com/ I have very much enjoyed going to Austin and citizen lobbying for this at the Texas Capitol.
Yes, but then there is McConnell. He swallowed no Kool-Aid. He has followed his own monstrous agenda all along, using Trump to achieve his goals. He despises Trump, but his own greed for power and whatever riches he has gained, his lack of conscience and integrity, have allowed him to opportunistically back the insanity that is Trump and move the Party with him.
One of my husband's friends usually doesn't vote in the mid terms. His wife informed him on Tuesday that he WILL VOTE this year or there would be hell to pay at home. She reminded him that he has two daughters, and that he needed to vote to "send these a**hole Republicans packing".
I agree with all that you are saying and I am right now putting on my cape. I love what Liz Cheney is doing. She is right up there with all of the great truth seekers. I will not go as far as to trust her as say, a POTUS. She did vote with Trump 90% of the time. That being said, she has been a force of good throughout these hearings. It's too bad that these Republicans who are now singing to the choir couldn't have come around and voted to impeach, either time, and we wouldn't be where we are today. ( I like your PTSC-Post Truth Supreme Court. I am also using SCROTUS)lol
Your post reminds me of the first time I heard him recite “The Snake”, which he went on to do repeatedly at his rallies. Ostensibly about immigrants, but in my mind, he was warning us about himself, over and over.
“You know your bite is poisonous and now I'm going to die”
“Oh shut up, silly woman,” said the reptile with a grin
“You knew damn well I was a snake before you took me in”
That's very apt. You can read everything about DT by the fact that he projects on others all he doesn't like in himself. He even projects the shame so he becomes shameless!
Yes! so deeply shamed in their core ego or so utterly incapable of mitigating shame they rage and violate others if they have the means to do so. This is 💯 why they should never have the means. “Shame has been proposed as crucial emotions to understand psychopathy. It has been argued that people, who often experience shame feelings during their childhood, may develop adaptive strategies to cope with them, which lead to maladaptive strategies to regulate shame feelings in adulthood. These maladaptive strategies may explain the increased likelihood for these individuals to violence when feeling ashamed.”
Aren't you forgetting? There's a whole band of Narcissistic Perverts out there! The Devil's Devoted Disciples... More and more and more of them -- a veritable infestation...
The entire 2016 GOP line-up of presidential candidates had that psychiatric textbook profile, some, like Cruz, ticking every single characteristic.
But Agent Orange was SPECIAL, so he swept the board. None of the usual hypocrisy, he revels in public displays of sadism! There's nothing underhand about his approach -- except that hand-under...
Now you have more intelligent predatory forms... with Looks... Hair (never a single shiny one out of place!)... Teeth and Eyes with an All-The-Better-To-Eat-You--With sparkle... And the soul of a hyena.
Do we REALLY need to mention names?
Whatever you do, never forget that these beasts are DANGEROUS. They should be kept behind bars... in the zoo. Beware of getting too close to them. They eat psychiatrists for breakfast... and spit out a few bone fragments...
Seems like people who applaud the Supreme Court's decision aren't imagining the long-term and immediate repercussions. A friend in a national medical organization mentions the number of doctors, in just one week, whose 'do know harm' vow is supplanted with observing women in crisis until they unambiguously need life saving treatment. A Post article describes med students who likely will reject obstetrics as a choice... this pro-life crowd has no idea what they've unleashed on our society.
It’s past due for significant controls to be put in place to reduce graft & corruption: term limits for all officials including those appointees, elimination of PAC money with campaigns paid for with strictly limited public money, significant and severe limits on lobbyists et al.
Term limits - tied with the balanced budget amendment as the stupidest idea in politics - saying you believe in term limits is saying you're a politically-illiterate moron. You know who doesn't have term limits? The lobbyists. And the less experienced an office holder is, the more dependent they are on the people who "know their way around." Speaking from experience of working in the California legislature, with term limits a legislator just about becomes competent their final term.
You go right ahead and believe it, sleep a little longer through civics. Don't be surprised if you find out you got what you didn't want.
Well, TC, I have to agree that term limits is a two edged sword of dubious value but I can't agree that insulting people strengthens your argument. Easy does it.
Ummmm, Richard. I do not think it is up to any of us on this forum to censor others on their choice of language or pronoun. Disagreement is to be honored. Censorship….not so much. It seems to happen often. On this type of paid forum, the author alone has the ability to unsubscribe an entity perceived to be inappropriate or not viable to the dialogue.
Disagreement is fine. Insulting someone by suggesting he is a "politically-illiterate moron" is not. As much as I respect TC, I must concur with Dr. Richard here. (Sorry, TC.)
Sure and TFG’s constant barrage of insults was a productive choice of language for all. Insults, name calling, etc serve no purpose other than to justify the feelings of the insulter underlying their reason for their insults and anger. Look inside TC, you may find you’re feeling a lot of pain hiding under that anger.
I have a friend who became a legislator. He told me his experience as a Freshman Rep; “they lead you around by the nose, the staffers” and, “just about the time we figure out how the game works, we are term limited” Michigan State Legislature
Perhaps a good start would be certified knowledge of how this government functions before running for the office? Was their “Juris” earned or bought? Can they pass a reasonable test in ethics? Did they get their degree with box tops?
The real issue is that by not having term limits, we do not encourage the political factions to teach the up-and-coming legislators what the factions want them to know, and how to accomplish it. We've got our elections for all the offices except appointed ones set up like winner-take-all personality contests. There's no incentive anywhere for an incumbent to mentor, educate or train a person to replace him or her. With each successive "win," the incumbent widens the performance gap between himself and the aspiring candidate. The political factions take the cynical gamble that people will vote personalities, rather than political policies and planks.
One would think term limits would only be relevant for posts not chosen by the electorate.. spoken of lately regarding Supreme Court justices. However, I’ve thought lately of how sweet the pockets of the ones convinced to tuck “Trump judges” in their robes. Doing anything to enhance the business of lobbyists is disgusting to me. Instilling term limits encourages making their money efforts even further entrenched in the back room of politics.
TC, you are being a bit rough on Herb. Unless you've been through the horrid debacle of state office term limits giving full financed rein (and reign) to corporate and NRA and religious and Federalist Society lobbyists where they f*cking write the f*cking bills and finance the f*cking... Never mind. Sensitive topic here in Michigan, too.
That said, I was a lobbyist (part-time) for 20 years representing my nursing profession and fighting for better healthcare and social services in Michigan. Limiting terms initially was a godsend, sending devils home.
Term limits? Not so certain it is a bad idea. House members are now essentially running for re-election the moment they take the oath. Perhaps with realistic limits, like 4 terms, they might settle in and actually try to legislate. These are, for the most part, educated folks. Surely they can learn the location of the bathrooms and dining room quick enough.
Most everything is 😉 I believe the real hurdle to more proper governance is the influence of special interest money, lobbyists, etc. When you have non elected folks writing legislation, that is a problem
The only thing that will reform politics is real campaign finance reform. No more dark money and public financing with limited campaign periods would help.
Rather than term limits, I would put on age limits for service in all three branches of government. Oregon ages out its state court justices at age 75. I think that 70 is a better age for that, and for all office holders.
80 is the new 70. ;) I know some sharp 70- to 79-year olds.
I've been against term limits in the past; however, I'm starting to change my stance. Do we really want people serving for 25 or 30 years?? I agree that term limits won't solve the influence of corporate lobbyists on Congress, but it could bring people with diverse perspectives into the institution. I would hope.
Term limits would solve nothing if the electorial system, the private money trough and the media/social networking cannot be held more responsible to the letter and spirit of our laws and ideals...it ain't going to happen.
...and given the current state of American society...your just are going to get a different set grifters and ethically, intellectually and morally compromised individuals....with even less of a chance to save our democracy.
Perhaps inelegantly said, but I agree with TC. Be wary of the simple-sounding solutions, which term limits and a balanced budget are among, right up there with stricter sentencing guidelines. Consequences are too often overly broad and reap unintended consequences: Loose the really good talent and institutional memory, end up with untenable budget restrictions and commit too large a proportion of minority and poor offenders to prison terms because they can't afford defense lawyers.
While watching Hutchinson testify I was reminded of a couple of other reasons that TC mentions dealing with the knowledge and ability of new legislators to be effective advocates for the causes on which they ran. There is no magic number of terms that can be come up with, unless 2-weeks in that the likes of Greene and Gohmert were removed for incompetence and inability to serve.
Hutchinson, at age 25, is typical of the aides our elected folks and judges rely upon to get up to speed and to get important things accomplished in their first and later terms in office. As a group, legislative aides are typically young (22-35), hard-working, smart, unrelenting in digging up stuff, articulate, good at organizing and writing stuff, presentable, and able to teach the newbies in Congress what they will know that make them successful as a member and representative of their electorate.
Probably, one of the most important actions the newly elected member completes is recruiting aides (and their chief of staff). Recruiting aides remains an ongoing task to get and keep the best talent (poaching is a common practice) as the official is re-elected. If you've even sought help from a Congressman, you more than likely worked with one of these young, capable people, unless you were a big donor and had the official on your speed dial. Regardless, the first-termer is not knowledgable, typically handling 50-100 legislative goals, focusing on maybe 25 of which he/she might be somewhat knowledgeable, and prioritizing a few where they can be most effective. Their Committee Assignments help prioritize and their learning curve begins ... with public input, distilling by aides, digging into facts by aides, and the official developing their position, which aides will often draft.
In times long ago, when my professional organization was working with Congress on disability issues (e.g., ADA, employment, health care access, rehabilitation, services and education, inclusion, research), the aides were the most knowledgable resources and gatekeepers the aides assigned to a topical area. We (I) targeted new members, of course, as they would be looking for input from external groups with deep knowledge and generally did want to serve the people (including people with disabilities). But, second-term members or legacy members were those of most value. They knew the ropes, had defined priorities, had resources (aides, networks, committee assignments, caucuses) to which our efforts might be of use or, in the case of legacy members, they had history and broader policy positions to which our interests would be relevant (e.g., flattening the cost curve for health care, reducing unemployment, increasing benefit-costs of entitlement programs, including higher proportions of underrepresented groups in communities or schools, civil and voting rights). There are historic reasons that certain areas of funding that affect the lives of people with disabilities have continued for decades.
The member who claims to only go for one-term is a myth. A freshman is neither deeply knowledgable nor prepared to entice all the other members representing the interests of their electors to prioritize and agree on legislation that all the others must agree to in 2 or 6 years. They have to come there to work hard on the many issues, not to merely champion a single issue that may have drawn voters to elect them.
The lawyers we engaged (mostly pro bono) in our efforts to improve access, health, and employment for people with disabilities came from that pool of talent, in their late 30s, as lobbyists. Phone numbers of aides we worked with for our member members remain on my Rolodex (am old school) today. Our lawyers got us time with prominent members and time to testify at subcommittee hearings and, remember, we were just small-fry citizens with a good cause the members could include among their priorities.
So, when Hutchinson, testified, I was not surprised at how organized, knowledgeable, and factually correct (in most things) to which she testified. Meadows wanted her on his staff and present at every meeting because she would be sound, remember everything, be straight-forward, and non-partisan.
Exactly as I remember, including the rolodex! Aides were and are KEY! And that political/lobbying system worked for the most part. Then at one state senate committee meeting I was publicly irrationally verbally eviscerated by a "Christian" senator, while all the other senators and aides and lobbyists just squirmed in their seats and looked away. That was 20 years ago. The beginning of this end.
Yes, exactly, it was mortifying. Later, a couple senators privately apologized for him, said to ignore him. Which is how he could get away with it. Our organization went to work to get him voted out. Can't remember if he was term limited or ousted, but his "faith" has birthed thousands more.
I am grappling with just what " political literacy" is these days of shifting sands!!
There have always been interest entities ( and ever present bureaucracies) operating in parallel and jockeying for influence and control. But what feels different today is the exponentially large amounts of money used to "buy" Congress coupled with the pervasive "steering" and dividing power of social media.
Maybe we should be looking at media literacy rather than chronological age in candidates? Maybe we should extend the length of terms rather than limit them ( esp. In the House) so that newbies have enough time free from campaigning to get their legislative/representational chops? Maybe one of the pre-requisites for running for office is to be able to pass the civics test all those seeking citizenship have to pass. Maybe newly elected of all parties should have to attend a team building ropes course camp together for a week before they ever set up their congressional offices? 80 is a good age these days for mandatory retirement but maybe really sharp 80year old congresspersons could be retired mentors to younger ones in navigating the nuts and bolts and accelerating the experience curve?
Someone once gave Harvard 20 million dollars to put Ethics courses into their Business School. Maybe someone could do that for Congress, with special emphasis on "Paying Attention to Your Campaign Funding" and " The Lobby: Ground Floor of Integrity".
When John Adams, at age 32 wrote the Massachusett's Constitution in 1780, which became a partial template for the 1787 convention attendees, he had not ever served in "Congress" before although he was well read.
When the Virginia delegation showed up to Philadelphia 1787 Convention and submitted the "Randolph" proposal for a "national" government, they were all neophytes in the Democratic endeavor. But, they had passion, and, they were "young" and certainly inexperienced.
John Adams was 39 when he signed the new United States Constitution produced by the Convention in 1787.
So, Herb, I think both term limits AND age limits should be put in place. Diane Feinstein is currently tottering around the capital being run by whomever is her favorite aid, every day falling further and further into dementia.
Trump, an aged, fat old man, is waddling from one hamburger to ketchup dispenser to another showing way more than early signs of dementia.
McConnell is an old fool with no new ideas and well developed "donors".
America needs to put in both term limits AND age limits.
I would argue that anyone older than, say, 60, should be barred from running. Note, I am 62 and like to think of myself as "sharp" and "in shape".
However, my son, when we work togeither, routinely calls me the "old man". I like to think I outwork him anyway. :-)
But......... I know I am not 24 like him. I am not a vain fool. (most of the time).
We need to give young people, like John Adams, Alexander Hamilton and George Washington (who was not young by then standards but is a veritable whippersnapper by today's aged standards in Congress)
we need to give young people a chance to run their government.
Comparing a 39 year old from over 200 years ago to a 39 year old of today is an apples to oranges endeavor. The average life span in the time of Adams, Hamilton and friends was in the 30's. Alexander Hamilton was in his 40's. People matured much earlier in life. They had to. There were most significant outliers in age such as Washington and Franklin. People in modern society mature much later. People in modern society are much healthier in their sixties. To sideline decades of acquired experience, wisdom and dedication to one's career in the 60's is a huge waste of human capitol. And if you can find young people, like John Adams, Alexander Hamilton and George Washington today I would vote for them but let's face the cold hard fact that it is the people in their voting age 20's 30's and 40's who are partially to blame for the mess the United States is in. Where has their political activism been?
Let's not throw everyone in the same age basket in terms of ineptitude or potential or competence. Humans age differently. Life spans are widely divergent based on an array of factors; chief among them lifestyle choices.
Here is a true story from my farm days in rural Kentucky. Back then tobacco was king. There were endless acres of tobacco to be seen. Come harvest that yellowed tobacco was cut at the base with a machete and rammed on a pointed stick that had been stuck in the ground. Lightening quick tobacco cutters were highly sought after. It was an amazing sight to see the person machete the tobacco stalk and then whirl around and ram it on the tobacco stick. They could cut a row in no time in the blazing, no breeze, exhausting humidity of a Kentucky August. The right tools were essential.
The farmer only bought used tobacco sticks. He said they were the ones who were strongest because they had lasted.
I used to walk up the rise from my house to one of the big tobacco barns. Standing in an empty barn on a dirt floor hard packed from generations of wagon wheels while the wind whispered through the crevices is a cathedral like experience.
Now that is a familiar nostalgic moment shared by very few of us! The era of the tobacco allotment is long gone. Burley tobacco grown in So. Ohio was a cash lifeline for small farmers. Tobacco allotments were controlled by the fed government (1/3 of an acre was common) and a minimum market price was guaranteed. If I recall, the tobacco cured as it hung in the tobacco shed then “stripped” when it ripened then bundled and auctioned. Thanks for helping revive some of those memories!
I always go back to the same thing. It's the voters. Why don't people closely examine the Candidates and realize they are too old? Example> I refer you to the emotion laden posts concerning voting for Cheney because of surges of feel good patriotism; never mind her record of voting for trump and her belief in a Reagan style government.
I agree there are most likely some qualified younger people for political offices. The problem is they can hardly find their way into a voting booth much less undergo the rigors of a campaign and the sacrifice public office can entail.
My magic number would be 70. I am pretty sick of the geriatric ward in politics as well. It is because of the age factor that I am seriously looking at not voting for Biden again; a cataclysmic decision on my part.
The key point you have made for competence “John Adams — had not ever served in "Congress" before although he was well read“ is the key. We need to re-examine the “classical” education as it developed from the 18th century onward. The elimination of studies “in the Humanities” has robbed us of any ability to “connect the dots” between “then” and “now.” Another battle in the deconstruction of education in this country.
I read of that: a vile comment from a vile man. And to think our great great grandchildren will be suffering because of him. To paraphrase Forrest: "Evil is as evil does."
I think we have vote out those who refuse to comply with the wishes of the majority. We have to be vocal and energetically support those who express (these) our views. We have run for offices local state & national!
Liz Cheney in her speech today offers perhaps the best summary yet of Trump's crimes and the choice Republicans face — support the Constitution or Trump. Pat Cipollone saw all the crimes up close and based on evidence made public so far, including the damning testimony of Cassidy Hutchinson, tried to restrain Trump.
But will Cipollone do the right thing now and honor the subpoena to testify in public to the J6 Committee? He led Trump's defense in the first impeachment proceedings. And as Lawrence O'Donnell reported tonight, Cipollone was a Rush Limbaugh fan, which reveals much about his character.
I like to think that Cassidy Hutchinson shined a bright light, illuminating a path for Republican officials to follow and regain some semblance of the dignity they so brazenly discarded. Cipollone can bury Trump. Will he make the right choice?
"She [Cheney] concluded: 'The reality that we face today as Republicans, as we think about the choice in front of us, we have to choose because Republicans cannot both be loyal to Donald Trump and loyal to the Constitution.' ”
Talk about courage! I detest her father, and am certainly no Republican, but I've watched this woman in awe throughout these hearings deliver in small, measured, intelligent bites the truth to her Republican compatriots (it's not for us). If anyone can get them to listen, it's Liz Cheney. I believe she would make a fine President.
LIz Cheney did go to Law Scool & practiced at White & Case in International Law matters. Ms Cheney has taken testimony before as her techniques ( plural ) have demonstrated. One example, when asking a question in the conjunctive ` " x and y " she repeated the question & followed with two (2) separate questions for a clear record. She did not miss a beat.
Liz Cheney would be a disaster for liberal democracy. She voted with Trump over 90% of the time. She is homophobic and does not support business regulation.
Liz Chenney does not support business regulation despite a background in Iternational Law. Per NYT's Annie Karni & a well known 60 Minutes interview, Cheney stated "I was wrong" about gay marriage then repeated "I was wrong".
She voted against the Equality Act so I think she is still homophobic except for her sister. I would like to be wrong but her voting record supports my opinion
Her personal situation made it so, like all republicans, it has to be personal before any empathy can creep in for others…. She is reminding republicans that Dems are their adversaries, not each other.
She, by her intellect and behavior, has done more to rehabilitate the image of her dreadful father than anything or anyone I can think of. He’s still awful, but maybe less intentionally evil than I thought.
Liz Cheney voted almost 100% along Party lines for trump's agenda when he was President. She is a tried and true Conservative Republican of the Reagan type. Would you really want her as President?
Barbara M & Elizabeth Wilkerson: I’m aware of Liz Cheney’s voting record. Depending on who was running against her, of course, I would vote for a Liz Cheney, and here’s my reasoning: By her actions she has shown herself to be principled. She has essentially been driven out of her party for taking this moral stand. And I don’t think she’s attempting an end run as, even if she were successful in dragging half the Republican base into a new “Cheney Wing”, this would fracture the party to the point where no Republican could win the highest office for a long time. Unless of course there were a sea change and enough Democrats and Independents suddenly started to think like I do. Unlikely, so not to worry.
But beyond that, the kind of backbone and moral fiber demonstrated by Cheney since January 6th has become exceedingly rare in politics, and no need to cite examples here. In addition, I feel that American politics has devolved into a mud slinging contest. The Manichean, party identity style of viewing the “others” is destroying us and has a lot to do with why a third rate tabloid network like Fox can even survive. Cheney’s willingness to essentially lay down her “political life” in service to her country comes as a breath of fresh air at a very fragile time in our nation’s history. So in answer to your question, yes, I would support a person with even a modicum of integrity and steel in her spine over the sorry array of candidates we’ve been dished up since before Nixon. (And yes, I include Obama, but that’s a whole different discussion.)
And finally, We haven’t reached the “Unitary Executive” state yet. Even a solidly (and genuinely) conservative President would not be able to dictate the course of the nation singlehandedly (short of Republican control of both houses of Congress, an important caveat), and might well become more moderate given the opportunity and over time. Consider Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s surprisingly moderating impact on SCOTUS. She was a Reagan appointee. The world didn’t end.
Rush Limbaugh’s evil shadow still lurks. Rupert Murdoch’s blather still sways the hearts and minds of true believers in bull shit. Cults don’t deprogram themselves, sadly. As for the greedy bastards, just follow the money, and for the fearful cowards, may they find their way back under the rocks from whence they came. The crack seems to be widening
Heather, I thought of you and your constant parenthetical reminders about Kevin McCarthy and Lev Parnas as soon as I read this news!
For newer readers, Dr. Richardson added a statement every time she mentioned McCarthy, like this: “Kevin McCarthy (who took money from Lev Parnas).” I’m sure I don’t have the wording right, but you get the gist.
Thank you for once again knitting all the facts together and especially for letting us know about The National Review, the Washington Examiner and the Dispatch finally speaking up. Not since the Access Hollywood tapes have so many conservatives decry the actions of TFG. Now we’ll have to see if any of the loudest supporters (Desantis, Jordan, Biebert, Cruz, Green, Gohmert) say anything.
It’s interesting to hear that Lev Parnas got jail time, although it seems paltry for all the charges. Maybe they though the fine would be more of a disincentive.
The dominos are beginning to fall. Those who really believe in "truth, justice and the American way" will come forward...(also to save their skins) and those who are "true believers" in how unsinkable "Trump-tanic" is or are to stupid and inept to save themselves will go down with the ship...whatever that looks like. I still believe Trump will run to a country without extradition and claim to be the victim of a witch hunt. He will never admit he was wrong or admit defeat. But he'll also never go to court or jail. He is the victim and the hero in his mind. This will be a most interesting Independence Day Holiday and Mid Term election cycle. Happy 4th to all. Cue the fireworks....
He might have to learn basic Hungarian. (After that video of the missile hitting the Ukrainian shopping centre, I can't even think about fireworks. But America the beautiful, the tranquil coast of HCR's Maine, yes.)
He's taken that one way beyond Salem Mass. He owns that one now...quess he must be the real witch we've been hunting for all this time...."bubble, bubble, toil & trouble..." I can see this staging of Macbeth now....Limo and all.
Ooh yes, I can see Lady M turning her basilisk stare on him, tossing her hair, and saying scornfully, "Vas de hope drrrunk wherein you drressed yourself?"
I think some of his deep, egoic wounds from childhood, besides love being totally transactional, are his learning and attention challenges. He displays all the signs of someone who learned to overcompensate (narcissism) for his weaknesses and only see the Golden Boy in the mirror who is the biggest and best at everything. That self-lie become pathological and he believes his own lies. Opening Trump Uni was his way of saying , see I am so smart, I own a university. I just don't know what to do with it because I cannot teach and have no empathy for students. But I will take their money (ka-ching!!) and not think about the consequences, because I am so smart, in fact I am a mensa. They are so lucky to pay me. Sorry, I could write a book on narcissists I know...they are not salvageable and their deep-seated anger focuses on ways to get revenge. Hitler is another, dangerous and atrocious example of raging narcissism. It makes so much sense to hear about the violent outbursts and lack of self-control that Ms. Hutchinson describes. THAT is the real trump that many of us know has to be lurching behind the scenes .
I would love republicans and faux propaganda machine to apologize to our people, and to the world as he trampled relationships and diplomacy everywhere he went except in dictatorial countries he admired. Mostly, I would like to see the republicans apologize for brainwashing their constituents and providing the worst role modeling possible for young people observing them. If they are not tried and judged guilty, not one of them should be allowed to have jobs or appointments as "pubic servants" ever again. Dis-bar any traitors. And follow the money...always follow the money, beyond our borders.
No, same playbook as any toddler who thinks the universe is his and his alone. Sorry toddlers, I know you can grow out of that stage, narcissists never do…
Hasty rather than optimistic. Failing a divine thunderbolt, nothing can happen until some time next week. Mind you, you might even find the neighbor's Trump flags have already GONE...or is it me, now, being too optimistic? Put the biggest onion you can find on a saucer and set it up as a shrine. And if you don't know why, look up the Italian for "onion", or even better, "big onion".
Oh Heather, I just love how you build your letters. The final sentence truly raced my heart. Is it possible for all who were part of this plot to over throw the legitimate transfer of power - before, during, and after - be tried for treason?
I agree with Liz Cheney that "Republican leaders and elected officials who have made themselves willing hostages", but they have also been and remain willing enablers. Republicans have been stitching their monster together for about four decades now, and monsters will be monsters.
Will those who have declined to speak with the committee begin to roll over? Will any individuals who have defied subpoenas heretofore change their minds? I guess we'll see... the committee divulged that it has asked each witness if they have received communication from individuals involved in the 1/6 events that might attempt to influence their testimony. It seems appropriate that they also ask whether witnesses have been offered immunity from prosecution in exchange for testimony in any upcoming action by the DOJ. Testimony before the committee is not the same as testifying in federal court, however the fact that committee testimony is given under oath against threat of perjury lends weight to the congressional record as supporting evidence for indictment of potential criminal behavior on the part of defendants. Finally, corroboration of witness testimony and consistency under cross examination will be necessary to clearly establish the credibility of witnesses, no matter how much we want them to be reliable sources of truth. It's very important to remember that the committee's objective is to document the story of 1/6 and events surrounding those events on that day. If they are encountering conflicting testimony in their closed door investigations, one hopes that they seek resolution of apparent conflict rather than burying the more messy details of the investigation. Integrity in recording history also involves documenting stories, even where they may differ in the accounts of multiple witnesses to historical events.
Let the indictments flow. “Drain the swamp” I believe is the appropriate siren-call. Strangely, the failure of the Orang to pardon anyone may be the perfect reason for all to trade testimony for prosecutorial immunity. A “pocket pardon” as I like to call it.
If Garland is smart (and he is) his team should be working that angle NOW. If Meadows doesn’t like wearing orange, he’s wise to take that deal…
And if you are Gosar Greene, Geatz and Gohmert; wouldn’t that be smart too?
Don’t forget that the 14th Amendment makes it clear that if you fuck around with this stuff (sedition or insurrection) you lose your ability to serve in the house or senate…
Inch by inch the committee is supplying the DOJ with continued evidence to pursue and prosecute. So grateful for them all and especially Liz Cheney (I never thought I’d ever say that!). Her speech to her fellow Republicans was a warning cry that they had better pick up the pieces and defy the Federalist Society’s plans. At least, that’s what I got out of it.
"...Including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)"
Once again, the sting's in the tail...
A masterly presentation.
A masterly presentation, indeed!
What I loved, in particular, was one solo sentence, a coup de grâce for Liz Cheney!
“The audience broke out in applause.”
Vindicated for her stance, at long last!
Good morning, Rowshan. I imagine Liz Cheney might feel vindication if the voters in her state support her in the upcoming primary in August. As she has stated in her blunt fashion to her voters… one can be loyal to the Constitution or loyal to Donald Trump but not both.
Salud! 🗽
Salud and good morning to you, Christine! I agree that her real vindication will be receiving enough votes for reelection, but the applause is a good start. 😉
👏🏻👏🏼👏🏽👏🏾👏🏿
One can hope the applause was for We the People, ALL OF US this time.
Unita!🗽
What bothers me about all this is at 7 yrs since like a Vulture, Cheeto still see’s himself as ‘Relevant ‘. That is the most important thing to him .
He sees himself as relevant because there are ignorant fool still out there that make him so.
Suspect she is running for President.
And hoping democrats don’t care about her policies?
🤫
Sort of like Mike Pence running. Really? The guys that wanted to hang you will vote for you?
More likely hoping that her stand on the traitor and her policies in other areas will attract independents and some Democrats who have a hard time with the progressive wing that gets all the publicity.
If we don't get s progressive in there, we are truly doomed.
Good call. Although I applaud Rep Cheney in her role as VP of the Jan 6th Select Committee; that's about it. Between her evil and disgusting father and she, there's a lot of awful policies to be had.
I absolutely care about her policies and would never feel I have anything in common with her but I would rather her conservative non- crazy person stuff compared to the MAGA crazies.
My hope is that she splits the party.
Democrats won't vote for an anti-choice, anti-environment and super social conservative candidate. She's doing the right thing now but will revert to the real Liz the moment it's over. Either she switches parties or goes her own way.
I am thankful for her now.
I understand why you might feel that way but you can't support her and a woman's right to choose or expect an environment our grandkids can live in and if they will be treated equally if they are LGBT+.
Same goes for all the Republicans who are doing the right thing now but not when it really mattered like during the 2nd impeachment. Where were you then Cassidy Hutchinson?
We're all impressed with her on this committee but she will be just as effective in pushing conservative positions, policies, values etc once all this is over.
We have to stop genuflecting before our adversaries. Being pro-democracy is the lowest possible bar and that's the only one she's passing right now as far as I can see. Don't be bamboozled!
Until she switches parties there's no chance I'd ever vote for her over a Democrat for any office unless the Democrat was corrupt.
She believes the Constitution was Divinely inspired.
She believes that the US has the right and sacred duty to lead the Christian "Great Commission."
Literally.
Ditto those other brave Republicans now testifying. And the most powerful forces in the 20th Century created that myth and wedded it to cutthroat capitalist. And called it feeedom.
Not hard for the nation that put the terrible swift sword into the hand of the Prince of Peace. Forged from melting down a plowshare and made him into a violent superhero. His actual teachings, concerning dealing with one's fellow man would destroy their myth of righteous violence. The Good Samaritan? The "other" being the good guy? Forget it.
More of this is in process for an upcoming post, FYI
Undoubtedly
and would you support her? Just asking.
Never for President. She's against everything I stand for, except for the continuation of democracy.
At a bare minimum she would have to be pro-choice and pro-environment and she is neither of those. So no, never, not gonna happen.
Never.
Definitely!
Wyoming! Wake up!
Hope every Democrat & Independent in Wyoming votes for her.
(And speaking of elections this year and ahead, here is Politics Girl, Leigh McGowan, with her podcast this week.) With Laphonza Butler who steers Emily's List dedicated to supporting and electing pro choice women leaders to office. Give a listen.
Happy 4th! Go democracy! https://youtu.be/XseXg8R52Tc
Unfortunately, while more and more Republicans every moment wish to walk away from Donald Trump, few of them provide evidence that the are really devoted to democracy. Most of them want trumpism without Trump, hoping to escape the judgment of history and the American people. Let’s not let them get away with it.
I'm with you, I'm with you... Only, you're bringing out the usual pedant in me!
Let's hope the coup de grace will be for others, not Liz Cheney.
The expression's for the final shot delivered by the officer commanding a firing squad, to make quite sure the condemned man is dead.
I've no enthusiasm for the death penalty. Better if this takes the form of the last turning of the jailer's key.
And I cannot help but immediately think: “Watch out. Liz Cheney is out for Liz Cheney. She does not care a fig for Dems or progressive ideas. She voted mostly inline with trump’s policies. She is using the Jan 6th co-chair strategically. She hates trump, not his politics. For the Dems, I say, “Beware”. She wants a veneer of credibility for the gop so they can continue their assault on the rights of “We the People”.
Michele Whatever the personal/political reason, Liz Cheney has been a beacon of truth regarding Doo Doo Donald, the 2020 election, and 1/6. She is a savvy lawyer who has jeopardized her current political career by being outspoken against Trump and his Mafiosos..
Liz had voted for virtually every Republican bill in Congress. It’s unlikely that she will be re-elected in Wyoming, which is perhaps the reddest U. S. State.
I have despised Dick Cheney and also, for other reasons, his wife Lynne. I can’t imagine embracing Liz Cheney for anything except his bold stand against Trump. For this I applaud her.
And her support of the Constitution and this democracy. Policy questions we can fight about later,
Remember, she cheered when Roe was overturned. That’s all you need to know.
What is more important to you.........removal of abortion rights (huge) and other rights we have not seen her applaud yet or support for the Constitution and democracy? What a choice!
Looks like a thoroughly competent politician -- a pity there aren't more of them.
But where are her troops? Didn't most of them follow the Pied Piper into his black hole?
She's doing what is most needed now and doing it supremely well. Don't fall in love though. Remember planet Earth. She as with her father are Fossil + Fuel.
i agree Her votes were 95% with Trump
and today's supreme court ruling disempowering the EPA and undoing regulation of big business...so frightening for the future of planet and our children This is the Republican agenda
and big business is jumping for joy.
And that includes LIZ
Utterly unable to understand this attitude of all-power, all-acceleration, no steering, no brakes...
Something juvenile, a spoilt kid's outlook.
Mad, mad, MAD.
No supervision in the playground.
The exact opposite of all that is needed.
Indeed. I appreciate your explaining the reference and your clarification. To hear the clang of the door would be melodious indeed.
Yes! Every time I hear the BANG of the gavel on Glenn Kirshner's "Justice Matters," I deeply long for that final moment when we hear the final, loud gavel that ends tag's reign of terror and proceeds to bang for all his co-conspirators one after another. What a sound we all deserve to hear in order to assure democracy is actually working for us, the employers of all these cretins.
I can hear the “clink” of the tumblers in the lock.
Salud, Peter! 🗽
😂😂😂 Peter, I should have used ‘“ace-in-the-hole” (since I’m against the death penalty, too) — although they are synonymous and can be used interchangeably.
Some think that the testimony recently has signaled the death of the political ambitions of DJT, and prosecuting him would result in violence, as he proclaims. Do you believe it is in the best interests of democracy to prosecute and take the risk of violence and chaos? Or should democracy just let him fade away into a world left behind by law and order? (and who thinks he would/could fade away?)
Whatever testimony may have done to the political ambitions of one man, the USA has since the 2020 election, even more so since the January insurgency, been living through something I have never seen, heard of or imagined: an ongoing, 24/24, 7/7 coup d'etat, in which the prime conspirators are daily continuing, without let or hindrance, to plot and to effect their takeover of the state.
Their movement must be beheaded.
After all, the choice is simple between the freedom of the former president and accomplices and the freedom of America's citizens. The one excludes the other.
If the United States cannot defend itself against an oligarchic conspiracy, the country's finished.
Since it is neither possible nor desirable to act against all those who have been misled, the ringleaders must be dealt with.
In all historical instances I can think of, the plotters either took power or forfeited their lives.
I am not talking about personal preferences -- except that I am perhaps foolish enough to regard it as important that America should function as a democratic republic under the rule of law -- I am talking about the hard choice facing America´s citizens: whether they are to uphold their status, their rights and their responsibilities as citizens, or to forfeit them and become mere subjects beholden only to a leader who must be obeyed and offered unconditional fidelity.
If the choice is to be "loyal subjects" one can only wonder what American history was all about.
He's not the only one to be beheaded. Cruz, DeSantis, McConnell, Koch...We also need leaders who will go after the leeches in major way. Where's the campaign; who's telling the people's story and depicting the darkness of the Republican Party?
Wherever did you get THAT idea from? The Saudis? The Parliamentarians who condemned King Charles I to death?
I spoke of beheading a movement, not a man or men. A clear metaphor.
Another clear metaphor, but seemingly more neutral, corresponds to what I expected to be done by wise leaders after 9/11. But the leadership was not wise and this action was not taken.
What action?
Defusing a chain reaction bomb.
Rumsfeld, Liz Cheney's father, George W. Bush et al, did nothing of the sort. They activated the bomb and more than fulfilled terrorists' wildest dreams.
The consequences are still with us in the Old World.
So is it surprising that the shock-and-awe vultures should have come home to roost?
Kathy Clark doesn't like the idea of grasping this nettle, the obvious dangers... Who likes what has to be done? No difference -- it must be done, so do it.
Over to you, Merrick.
I am not sure that is the choice. Can we survive the violence and chaos prosecution would create? might another strong man arise during it? And I am definitely a risk taker, willing to take a chance that rule of law is the right way to go although it may cause many changes you and I have known for our lifetimes. yes, I know, we have already seen these but more are coming. In my opinion, we cant not prosecute, but I like to know where all the cliffs are and the bogs are and the crevices are so i feel ready for the journey ahead. Some plotters bided their time. Hitler spent time in jail writing Mein Kemp. And then forfeited.
If the law had been applied after the Beer Hall Putsch, Hitler would have been executed.
As it was, he was granted a sabbatical and used it well, concocting, distilling, then spreading the poison he was to unleash on his countrymen, on the world.
Consider the consequences of this failure to apply the law.
I believe we will see violence if he is not prosecuted. He just will not stop on his own, he can’t.
Correct.
Rowshan, Applause for Liz Cheney's speech at the Reagan Presidential Library illustrates approval from an audience of mainly old-line Republicans, hardly representative of the current Republican/Trumpiist Party. 'Vindicated', I wouldn't make that claim. Liz Cheney was not rebuked by that audience. She is a star in their circle.
Can we add to it " Republican" audience broke out in applause?!
I saw excerpts of the speech it was quite powerful. Just the part I saw was quite worthy of applause
Me too.
Brava Liz!
Indeed. I’m proud of her and Adam Kinzinger.
Professor Richardson has some of the best closers in the business. What an ace relief pitcher. Sting’s in the curve ball. Or the sinker.
Unita, Peter! 🗽
i think at times she is the batter and hits it out of the park.....pinch hitter?
That too, Kathy!
Salud!
Yes....our Heather has a way of ending with a zinger!
Adam Kinsinger was on Stephen Colbert tonight and indicated that in the light of Hutchinson's testimony, more people are coming forward to cooperate or "clarify" their previous statements. Dare we hope the tide has turned?
My fingers have been crossed for so long that they have no idea how to be straight again.
Hot compresses and massage. You just never know when you're going to need straight fingers.
That deserves a laugh! Thank you Anne-Louise!
add toes
I so dare...
I have dared so many times…
This is not surprising as they now see how much trouble they could be in and are in a hurry to cover their butts. While we were watching the hearing, I said to my husband that I was sure some Rs were getting the runs. The jokes continue about catsup and shattered plates including people marking themselves safe from them and others wondering if the walls of Tsar-a-Loco have a red tint. And of course, refutation of the story about what happened in the limo. I would say to those two, the deputy chief of staff and the secret service guy, fine, we will put you through a ringer.
"Tsar-a-Loco"—Thanks for the chuckle, Michele.
Lol...
Good news
In April 2016 when it became evident that DT would be the Republican nominee for President, I spent two weeks immersed in studying Narcissistic Personality Disorder for which DT could be the poster child. One thing I learned was once the people supporting the narcissist and providing his narcissistic supply finally understand they have been betrayed they get extremely angry with the guy. I'm sensing we may be reaching that point today. It was gratifying to hear Liz Cheney receive applause from fellow Republicans. Is there hope here? Possibly. It is also the time when the narcissist is most dangerous. Don't drink the Kool-aid! I've decided to hold the entire Republican Party accountable for enabling DT by not voting for Republicans at every level, local, state or federal. Please join me in this promise. The PTSC - Post Truth Supreme Court also has to be held accountable. No one is going to take away my unalienable rights to Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. No one. Let's all put on our Super Girl capes and vote like a girl!
If there is a "good" Republican, they'll be voting with the "bad" Republicans 90+% of the time, so there are no "good" Republicans. Look at Susan Collins. Furows her brow and then votes as Mitch tells her to.
Susan Collins and Joe Manchin are two examples, along with some others of the virtue of term limits in Washington.
Sad but true, I have family and “friends’ who have proved that the cult, fed by 24-7 propaganda, overtakes common sense and integrity. Greed gets the “Manchins.”
I never thought I'd live in a country where a public broadcasting institution, specifically FOX news, could spew forth a line of propaganda so consistently and overtly biased.
We need to re-instate The Fairness Doctrine on ALL forms of media to prevent propaganda machines from this kind of cyber warfare brainwashing on vulnerable people who watch tv or the internet for hours and hours a day. Truth must prevail in order to have a successful democracy. And MONEY must take a backseat in politics and corporations/white supremacy as well. When we ratchet forward after all this travesty, we take All The People together this time.
And we should prohibit FOX from being the station of choice in military, police, and VA waiting rooms
Oh, that makes my stomach churn. We should all write letters to any local bases, police and VA hospitals and homes. I may include that a letter to the editor I have been mulling about writing. Thank you for letting us know!
I so agree with you about the Fairness Doctrine. I managed to get Air America on the radio to provide an alternative to limbauge when I lived in Baton Rouge was touched when people would call in in agreement. Everyone in this country deserves to hear both sides of the argument.
Yes, Fox is right up there with Russian State TV. They actually feed one another propaganda. Why aren’t they being challenged in courts?
I, frustratingly, have also wondered that—for years.
Correct
Fox News == Russian State TV
What gets me is not that it is contrary but that it is malevolent
Fox claimed long ago that they are "entertainment".
Brainwashing is a strange form of [fascist] entertainment.
TC, your opinion of Republicans is occasionally unbiased. Imagine that! Just a couple of days ago you instructed me with the following:
TCinLA in reply to Fern on June 28th.
'Our differences with them are "policy" - about which there is supposed to be difference and debate. On the issue of the country, we're all on the same side. The way it's supposed to be.'
'As I say to people, the law of aerodynamics also works with politics. The eagle can't fly on just one wing.'
I would like to add that TC is often that eagle seeing further into our future.
Susie Q, all talk and no walk forever and yes, Mitch knows how to control her....$$$. I made up my mind a long time ago that I would stop voting even for "good" Rs because they couldn't make any difference anyway in a party gone mad.
Oh, I think she learned her lesson. 😂😂😂😂
Grace, How many times over many years has Collins learned this lesson? Her behavior has been predictable with a few exceptions. Many of us have learned our Collins' lessons and regret that others have not.
Repeatedly gets my hopes up and then fizzes. Finally I've learned whose side she is on.
LOL.
Well said. I've been advocating for holding the Republicans accountable for this disaster since T**** came on scene. It's going to be hard to rebuild lost friendships without hearing some abject apologies from those who sold their souls and voted for him. Even my mother could not bring herself to apologize for voting against my grandchildren's future. And I'm still trying to forgive her, a year after her passing.
Oh, that must be a tough one, James. Hard unfinished business. But you might be able to forgive her for being susceptible to the incredible brainwashing programs inflicted on the American people, not just by homegrown terrorists but by putin and his army of trolls and bots deliberately inciting hatred and division to help trump & co bring us down. I believe America can be a phoenix and rise and re-create ourselves anew, stronger at our broken places.
I find truth in what you say. I firmly believe that the divide in this country has been encouraged by forces both within this country and from foreign interests. We, the people, have bought into this divide with all our hearts. We have let the amygdala ticklers dominate our sources of information. I know that I have to be very careful when I find something that tickles that part of me, and look at the source information carefully.
I suspect that people that are hardwired to let the amygdala dominate in their decision making process are less able to do that. (There have been studies that self-identified liberals access the frontal cortex while self-identified conservatives access the amygdala when having to make a decision about something. The study I read was based on a high risk/reward vs. a low risk/reward investment; the actual decision made wasn't the topic of study, it was the area of the brain utilized when making the decision. The decision made was independent of the self-identification of liberal vs. conservative.
Fascinating. I just weigh everything based on the Golden Rule, and if it is good for the whole and the next seven generations. It does not seem that difficult, but I think I am lucky and was trained well to think for myself and question authority by my mother.
Very interesting. Thanks.
Your mother is finally free from the disinformation that blinded her. I hope you can take some comfort in that.
James, I'm sure you know by now, the only person you have the ability to forgive is yourself. I think it's very sad that you and your mother weren't on good terms when she died, especially due to a political or social disagreement. However, somewhere in the middle of the arguments, however awful they were, I'm betting your mother had to take some pride in having raised a principled man who was committed to his children, and everyone's children, through opposing oppression where you encountered -- where we all did -- it. I know that I would, if you were my son.
What a beautiful response to James, mlbrowne. Just beautiful. And I'm sure away from all this division there is love to remember.
Yah, sometimes it hits really close to home. Very sad. I'm sorry, James. It's so disappointing! You have to continue to stand strong though. You're the adult in your kids' lives.
Thanks Cathy. I can see more clearly now that 1/6/21 is Trump's reaction to narcissistic wounding. Narcissists view all wounds, large or small, as existential threats. Also, they tend to take hostages, rather than have normal cooperative relationships with other people. Trump fears for his very existence. He will continue to lie, cheat, defame, condone murder, etc, etc, and direct his hostages to do the same.
People fall into the thrall of narcissists for various reasons. In Trumps case it was likely promised shortcuts to power, money, and the perquisites they provide. That Trump could pull almost an entire political party into his orbit attests to his skill as a narcissist.
Breaking away from the orbit of a powerful, malignant narcissist such as Trump is a very painful, humiliating, and unbalancing experience, often requiring months or years of therapy to untangle. Most will not get this (I suspect Ms. Hutchinson, in some form or other, has a good therapist/friend/family who helped her through this). They will remain angry, disillusioned, dangerous - and looking for someone to blame.
One last thing. In my experience, narcissists are willing to behave in ways most of us wouldn't in public, but they are ALWAYS secretive. Always. Trump and his hostages got up to more stuff in private than we know about yet. As HCR would say, stay tuned.
People who have NPD are not in touch with reality. Trump will fight but at some point (probably soon) he is going to flee. I believe he has sycophants in the Justice Department who will tip him off before the Justice Department moves into action.
I think it is very possible Trump will attempt to flee the country to avoid facing a trial. Saudia Arabia, or the UAE offer him safe havens. While Russia may be an obvious choice, I think Trump is incapable of being dominated by Putin. Trump may not be the only one who attempts to evade punishment and flee to a country with no extradition treaty with the US.
The government made a mistake not immediately arresting Trump after January 6 when much of what we have learned from the committee was already in the public domain. Unlike the committee, the Justice Department has the power to get people deposed and collect evidence. Trump and his many accomplices should have been incarcerated awaiting trial, and their assets should have been seized. There has been entirely too much deference given to TFG. Nobody is above the law and the longer he is free, the more damage he does to the country.
To preserve the Republic and save democracy, it is imperative that every person who participated and had knowledge of the attempted coup be indicted and punished. We can't possibly move on until this happens. Justice delayed is justice denied.
👍👍❤️
I agree with you. Further, I think that Putin would have no desire at all to have a person who exhibited insurrectionist traits, and who is for all intents and purposes no longer a "useful idiot." Putin sees him for what he is --- just an idiot. And a dangerous one.
Exactly. Too much deference! I still can't believe tfg is free. Thanks, Chip.
Therapy or Ike, it’s not like history hasn’t been down this road before. The playbook was obvious, aided and abetted by our Goebbels, Murdoch…
Steve, one thing about people with Narcissistic Personality Disorder, they don't believe they need therapy, usually refusing help. Makes them VERY difficult for therapists to treat. As a retired therapist, I had a patient who was court ordered to receive therapy. He "attended" the required number of court ordered sessions, and I suffered through them.
Having been married to one, I heartily concur
Actually, I was saying therapy is needed for those leaving a narcissist's orbit.
Death follows tRUMP
“Everything Trump touches dies.” Rick Wilson
The Rs are the party of death in every way.
But they're pro-life ;-)
👍🏼
Not to worry. The last decent Republican in our state has decided not to run for re-election as governor. Charlie Baker is a truly decent and extremely competent person. All the others here are MAGA maniacs.
I think I would take your concept up a notch. It is inconceivable to me that anyone could remain in the Republican Party once TFG had been elected. And even more appalling after he did so many horrific, stupid and really dangerous things. If one still identifies as a Republican then one is literally an accessory to all the monstrous behavior of TFG and the sycophants that have surrounded him.
Let me present it this way. If the Democratic Party had a criminal like TFG as its leader and most of the party loyalists supported him no matter how brutal and cruel he was...I would have to leave the Party. Have to.
If one still identifies as a Republican now, one has sold his/her soul.
As long as corporations own politicians, their souls are sold...no matter the party. That is the patriarchal choke on America that will maintain our caste system into eternity, if we do not create something different. At least, that is my 10,000 foot view.
And my view at sea level in Florida.
And here at sea level the broken system is heartbreakingly real. While seas rise, over a quarter of a million people moved here last year and developers still get permits to build new construction in flood zones. We are in a constant state of denial where money rules.
Where money rules...
How darned eloquent, Diane, that last sentence of yours!
Look into Wolf PAC, a non-partisan group working to overturn Citizens United through a limited Convention of States. https://wolf-pac.com/ I have very much enjoyed going to Austin and citizen lobbying for this at the Texas Capitol.
Thank you, Cathy-oh-trusted-One for activist paths!! I will check them out!
I just went out to Wolf PAC and subscribed to their work! Thank you-- so easy!
Yup.
Yes, but then there is McConnell. He swallowed no Kool-Aid. He has followed his own monstrous agenda all along, using Trump to achieve his goals. He despises Trump, but his own greed for power and whatever riches he has gained, his lack of conscience and integrity, have allowed him to opportunistically back the insanity that is Trump and move the Party with him.
One of my husband's friends usually doesn't vote in the mid terms. His wife informed him on Tuesday that he WILL VOTE this year or there would be hell to pay at home. She reminded him that he has two daughters, and that he needed to vote to "send these a**hole Republicans packing".
Wonderful Woman Power!!
I agree with all that you are saying and I am right now putting on my cape. I love what Liz Cheney is doing. She is right up there with all of the great truth seekers. I will not go as far as to trust her as say, a POTUS. She did vote with Trump 90% of the time. That being said, she has been a force of good throughout these hearings. It's too bad that these Republicans who are now singing to the choir couldn't have come around and voted to impeach, either time, and we wouldn't be where we are today. ( I like your PTSC-Post Truth Supreme Court. I am also using SCROTUS)lol
Vote Blue in '22! And '24. And '26. And...
Instead of the Blue Wave of 2018, we need “The Blue Save” for 2022, 24, 26……..
YES!
Your post reminds me of the first time I heard him recite “The Snake”, which he went on to do repeatedly at his rallies. Ostensibly about immigrants, but in my mind, he was warning us about himself, over and over.
“You know your bite is poisonous and now I'm going to die”
“Oh shut up, silly woman,” said the reptile with a grin
“You knew damn well I was a snake before you took me in”
That's very apt. You can read everything about DT by the fact that he projects on others all he doesn't like in himself. He even projects the shame so he becomes shameless!
Yes! so deeply shamed in their core ego or so utterly incapable of mitigating shame they rage and violate others if they have the means to do so. This is 💯 why they should never have the means. “Shame has been proposed as crucial emotions to understand psychopathy. It has been argued that people, who often experience shame feelings during their childhood, may develop adaptive strategies to cope with them, which lead to maladaptive strategies to regulate shame feelings in adulthood. These maladaptive strategies may explain the increased likelihood for these individuals to violence when feeling ashamed.”
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/european-psychiatry/article/abs/dealing-with-shame-the-psychopathic-way-preliminary-investigation-for-a-new-developmental-framework-of-psychopathic-traits/5EA53934D5DFF2B9C5FDF7FD6A89A639
Supergirl's motto is known to be "Hope, help, and compassion for all".
She’s down with We the People, ALL OF US this time.
Salud, Cathy! 🧑🏽🎤👩🏻🎤🦸🏽♀️
I will vote as a well-informed citizen and human being because it is my responsibility. I will not be voting for any republican ❤🤍💙
“ It is also the time when the narcissist is most dangerous.”
Yes, classic abuser ! Thankful he was “ red-flagged” on J6. “ AR15’s at 14th and Independence “keeps running through my head…
AND “There not here for ME! Let my people in!” Proud Boys, Stand Back and Stand By indeed!
Aren't you forgetting? There's a whole band of Narcissistic Perverts out there! The Devil's Devoted Disciples... More and more and more of them -- a veritable infestation...
The entire 2016 GOP line-up of presidential candidates had that psychiatric textbook profile, some, like Cruz, ticking every single characteristic.
But Agent Orange was SPECIAL, so he swept the board. None of the usual hypocrisy, he revels in public displays of sadism! There's nothing underhand about his approach -- except that hand-under...
Now you have more intelligent predatory forms... with Looks... Hair (never a single shiny one out of place!)... Teeth and Eyes with an All-The-Better-To-Eat-You--With sparkle... And the soul of a hyena.
Do we REALLY need to mention names?
Whatever you do, never forget that these beasts are DANGEROUS. They should be kept behind bars... in the zoo. Beware of getting too close to them. They eat psychiatrists for breakfast... and spit out a few bone fragments...
Yes, Cathy--I have already made this vow. Blue only. At all levels. Increased involvement. Maybe a bit of civil disobedience. Suzanne
Seems like people who applaud the Supreme Court's decision aren't imagining the long-term and immediate repercussions. A friend in a national medical organization mentions the number of doctors, in just one week, whose 'do know harm' vow is supplanted with observing women in crisis until they unambiguously need life saving treatment. A Post article describes med students who likely will reject obstetrics as a choice... this pro-life crowd has no idea what they've unleashed on our society.
They've unleashed hate and fear. Goals met.
❤️❤️❤️
Yesss... But the hearts are the wrong color...
It’s past due for significant controls to be put in place to reduce graft & corruption: term limits for all officials including those appointees, elimination of PAC money with campaigns paid for with strictly limited public money, significant and severe limits on lobbyists et al.
Term limits - tied with the balanced budget amendment as the stupidest idea in politics - saying you believe in term limits is saying you're a politically-illiterate moron. You know who doesn't have term limits? The lobbyists. And the less experienced an office holder is, the more dependent they are on the people who "know their way around." Speaking from experience of working in the California legislature, with term limits a legislator just about becomes competent their final term.
You go right ahead and believe it, sleep a little longer through civics. Don't be surprised if you find out you got what you didn't want.
Well, TC, I have to agree that term limits is a two edged sword of dubious value but I can't agree that insulting people strengthens your argument. Easy does it.
Insults weaken your argument. They are a terrible way to teach, to impart what might be valuable information.
Ummmm, Richard. I do not think it is up to any of us on this forum to censor others on their choice of language or pronoun. Disagreement is to be honored. Censorship….not so much. It seems to happen often. On this type of paid forum, the author alone has the ability to unsubscribe an entity perceived to be inappropriate or not viable to the dialogue.
Point in fact….you just insulted the commenter.
🤬
Disagreement is fine. Insulting someone by suggesting he is a "politically-illiterate moron" is not. As much as I respect TC, I must concur with Dr. Richard here. (Sorry, TC.)
Sure and TFG’s constant barrage of insults was a productive choice of language for all. Insults, name calling, etc serve no purpose other than to justify the feelings of the insulter underlying their reason for their insults and anger. Look inside TC, you may find you’re feeling a lot of pain hiding under that anger.
Making Citizens United a thing of the past would help, make the Heritage Society and ALEC, as embarrassing as McCarthy became. Woohoo
I have a friend who became a legislator. He told me his experience as a Freshman Rep; “they lead you around by the nose, the staffers” and, “just about the time we figure out how the game works, we are term limited” Michigan State Legislature
Yes. I support term limits if the term lengths are longer than what has been set up here in Michigan.
Perhaps a good start would be certified knowledge of how this government functions before running for the office? Was their “Juris” earned or bought? Can they pass a reasonable test in ethics? Did they get their degree with box tops?
Yes.
The voter controls a politicians term limit! Unfortunately many voters are fools-but I guess that depends on your point of view.
The real issue is that by not having term limits, we do not encourage the political factions to teach the up-and-coming legislators what the factions want them to know, and how to accomplish it. We've got our elections for all the offices except appointed ones set up like winner-take-all personality contests. There's no incentive anywhere for an incumbent to mentor, educate or train a person to replace him or her. With each successive "win," the incumbent widens the performance gap between himself and the aspiring candidate. The political factions take the cynical gamble that people will vote personalities, rather than political policies and planks.
It is also that way in the term-limited Ohio legislature. Lobbyists and staffers rule. Be careful what you wish for.
One would think term limits would only be relevant for posts not chosen by the electorate.. spoken of lately regarding Supreme Court justices. However, I’ve thought lately of how sweet the pockets of the ones convinced to tuck “Trump judges” in their robes. Doing anything to enhance the business of lobbyists is disgusting to me. Instilling term limits encourages making their money efforts even further entrenched in the back room of politics.
TC, you are being a bit rough on Herb. Unless you've been through the horrid debacle of state office term limits giving full financed rein (and reign) to corporate and NRA and religious and Federalist Society lobbyists where they f*cking write the f*cking bills and finance the f*cking... Never mind. Sensitive topic here in Michigan, too.
That said, I was a lobbyist (part-time) for 20 years representing my nursing profession and fighting for better healthcare and social services in Michigan. Limiting terms initially was a godsend, sending devils home.
I live in Michigan too. This exactly what a friend of mine told me when newly elected
Yes. Even if the term limited state rep is then elected to the state senate, it's a new learning curve.
Term limits? Not so certain it is a bad idea. House members are now essentially running for re-election the moment they take the oath. Perhaps with realistic limits, like 4 terms, they might settle in and actually try to legislate. These are, for the most part, educated folks. Surely they can learn the location of the bathrooms and dining room quick enough.
Sorry, but might be debatable! 😈
Most everything is 😉 I believe the real hurdle to more proper governance is the influence of special interest money, lobbyists, etc. When you have non elected folks writing legislation, that is a problem
Not a problem, but a disaster! P.S. I don’t disagree with your comment. I was speaking narrowly about term limits.
The only thing that will reform politics is real campaign finance reform. No more dark money and public financing with limited campaign periods would help.
Rather than term limits, I would put on age limits for service in all three branches of government. Oregon ages out its state court justices at age 75. I think that 70 is a better age for that, and for all office holders.
80 is the new 70. ;) I know some sharp 70- to 79-year olds.
I've been against term limits in the past; however, I'm starting to change my stance. Do we really want people serving for 25 or 30 years?? I agree that term limits won't solve the influence of corporate lobbyists on Congress, but it could bring people with diverse perspectives into the institution. I would hope.
Yes!
Term limits would solve nothing if the electorial system, the private money trough and the media/social networking cannot be held more responsible to the letter and spirit of our laws and ideals...it ain't going to happen.
...and given the current state of American society...your just are going to get a different set grifters and ethically, intellectually and morally compromised individuals....with even less of a chance to save our democracy.
Perhaps inelegantly said, but I agree with TC. Be wary of the simple-sounding solutions, which term limits and a balanced budget are among, right up there with stricter sentencing guidelines. Consequences are too often overly broad and reap unintended consequences: Loose the really good talent and institutional memory, end up with untenable budget restrictions and commit too large a proportion of minority and poor offenders to prison terms because they can't afford defense lawyers.
While watching Hutchinson testify I was reminded of a couple of other reasons that TC mentions dealing with the knowledge and ability of new legislators to be effective advocates for the causes on which they ran. There is no magic number of terms that can be come up with, unless 2-weeks in that the likes of Greene and Gohmert were removed for incompetence and inability to serve.
Hutchinson, at age 25, is typical of the aides our elected folks and judges rely upon to get up to speed and to get important things accomplished in their first and later terms in office. As a group, legislative aides are typically young (22-35), hard-working, smart, unrelenting in digging up stuff, articulate, good at organizing and writing stuff, presentable, and able to teach the newbies in Congress what they will know that make them successful as a member and representative of their electorate.
Probably, one of the most important actions the newly elected member completes is recruiting aides (and their chief of staff). Recruiting aides remains an ongoing task to get and keep the best talent (poaching is a common practice) as the official is re-elected. If you've even sought help from a Congressman, you more than likely worked with one of these young, capable people, unless you were a big donor and had the official on your speed dial. Regardless, the first-termer is not knowledgable, typically handling 50-100 legislative goals, focusing on maybe 25 of which he/she might be somewhat knowledgeable, and prioritizing a few where they can be most effective. Their Committee Assignments help prioritize and their learning curve begins ... with public input, distilling by aides, digging into facts by aides, and the official developing their position, which aides will often draft.
In times long ago, when my professional organization was working with Congress on disability issues (e.g., ADA, employment, health care access, rehabilitation, services and education, inclusion, research), the aides were the most knowledgable resources and gatekeepers the aides assigned to a topical area. We (I) targeted new members, of course, as they would be looking for input from external groups with deep knowledge and generally did want to serve the people (including people with disabilities). But, second-term members or legacy members were those of most value. They knew the ropes, had defined priorities, had resources (aides, networks, committee assignments, caucuses) to which our efforts might be of use or, in the case of legacy members, they had history and broader policy positions to which our interests would be relevant (e.g., flattening the cost curve for health care, reducing unemployment, increasing benefit-costs of entitlement programs, including higher proportions of underrepresented groups in communities or schools, civil and voting rights). There are historic reasons that certain areas of funding that affect the lives of people with disabilities have continued for decades.
The member who claims to only go for one-term is a myth. A freshman is neither deeply knowledgable nor prepared to entice all the other members representing the interests of their electors to prioritize and agree on legislation that all the others must agree to in 2 or 6 years. They have to come there to work hard on the many issues, not to merely champion a single issue that may have drawn voters to elect them.
The lawyers we engaged (mostly pro bono) in our efforts to improve access, health, and employment for people with disabilities came from that pool of talent, in their late 30s, as lobbyists. Phone numbers of aides we worked with for our member members remain on my Rolodex (am old school) today. Our lawyers got us time with prominent members and time to testify at subcommittee hearings and, remember, we were just small-fry citizens with a good cause the members could include among their priorities.
So, when Hutchinson, testified, I was not surprised at how organized, knowledgeable, and factually correct (in most things) to which she testified. Meadows wanted her on his staff and present at every meeting because she would be sound, remember everything, be straight-forward, and non-partisan.
Exactly as I remember, including the rolodex! Aides were and are KEY! And that political/lobbying system worked for the most part. Then at one state senate committee meeting I was publicly irrationally verbally eviscerated by a "Christian" senator, while all the other senators and aides and lobbyists just squirmed in their seats and looked away. That was 20 years ago. The beginning of this end.
Memories. Institutional history. I would have been mortified.
Yes, exactly, it was mortifying. Later, a couple senators privately apologized for him, said to ignore him. Which is how he could get away with it. Our organization went to work to get him voted out. Can't remember if he was term limited or ousted, but his "faith" has birthed thousands more.
Thanks for the overview Fred.
I am grappling with just what " political literacy" is these days of shifting sands!!
There have always been interest entities ( and ever present bureaucracies) operating in parallel and jockeying for influence and control. But what feels different today is the exponentially large amounts of money used to "buy" Congress coupled with the pervasive "steering" and dividing power of social media.
Maybe we should be looking at media literacy rather than chronological age in candidates? Maybe we should extend the length of terms rather than limit them ( esp. In the House) so that newbies have enough time free from campaigning to get their legislative/representational chops? Maybe one of the pre-requisites for running for office is to be able to pass the civics test all those seeking citizenship have to pass. Maybe newly elected of all parties should have to attend a team building ropes course camp together for a week before they ever set up their congressional offices? 80 is a good age these days for mandatory retirement but maybe really sharp 80year old congresspersons could be retired mentors to younger ones in navigating the nuts and bolts and accelerating the experience curve?
Someone once gave Harvard 20 million dollars to put Ethics courses into their Business School. Maybe someone could do that for Congress, with special emphasis on "Paying Attention to Your Campaign Funding" and " The Lobby: Ground Floor of Integrity".
When John Adams, at age 32 wrote the Massachusett's Constitution in 1780, which became a partial template for the 1787 convention attendees, he had not ever served in "Congress" before although he was well read.
When the Virginia delegation showed up to Philadelphia 1787 Convention and submitted the "Randolph" proposal for a "national" government, they were all neophytes in the Democratic endeavor. But, they had passion, and, they were "young" and certainly inexperienced.
John Adams was 39 when he signed the new United States Constitution produced by the Convention in 1787.
So, Herb, I think both term limits AND age limits should be put in place. Diane Feinstein is currently tottering around the capital being run by whomever is her favorite aid, every day falling further and further into dementia.
Trump, an aged, fat old man, is waddling from one hamburger to ketchup dispenser to another showing way more than early signs of dementia.
McConnell is an old fool with no new ideas and well developed "donors".
America needs to put in both term limits AND age limits.
I would argue that anyone older than, say, 60, should be barred from running. Note, I am 62 and like to think of myself as "sharp" and "in shape".
However, my son, when we work togeither, routinely calls me the "old man". I like to think I outwork him anyway. :-)
But......... I know I am not 24 like him. I am not a vain fool. (most of the time).
We need to give young people, like John Adams, Alexander Hamilton and George Washington (who was not young by then standards but is a veritable whippersnapper by today's aged standards in Congress)
we need to give young people a chance to run their government.
Comparing a 39 year old from over 200 years ago to a 39 year old of today is an apples to oranges endeavor. The average life span in the time of Adams, Hamilton and friends was in the 30's. Alexander Hamilton was in his 40's. People matured much earlier in life. They had to. There were most significant outliers in age such as Washington and Franklin. People in modern society mature much later. People in modern society are much healthier in their sixties. To sideline decades of acquired experience, wisdom and dedication to one's career in the 60's is a huge waste of human capitol. And if you can find young people, like John Adams, Alexander Hamilton and George Washington today I would vote for them but let's face the cold hard fact that it is the people in their voting age 20's 30's and 40's who are partially to blame for the mess the United States is in. Where has their political activism been?
Let's not throw everyone in the same age basket in terms of ineptitude or potential or competence. Humans age differently. Life spans are widely divergent based on an array of factors; chief among them lifestyle choices.
Here is a true story from my farm days in rural Kentucky. Back then tobacco was king. There were endless acres of tobacco to be seen. Come harvest that yellowed tobacco was cut at the base with a machete and rammed on a pointed stick that had been stuck in the ground. Lightening quick tobacco cutters were highly sought after. It was an amazing sight to see the person machete the tobacco stalk and then whirl around and ram it on the tobacco stick. They could cut a row in no time in the blazing, no breeze, exhausting humidity of a Kentucky August. The right tools were essential.
The farmer only bought used tobacco sticks. He said they were the ones who were strongest because they had lasted.
Good lesson here! And what a great story.
I used to walk up the rise from my house to one of the big tobacco barns. Standing in an empty barn on a dirt floor hard packed from generations of wagon wheels while the wind whispered through the crevices is a cathedral like experience.
I understand completely.
❤️
Now that is a familiar nostalgic moment shared by very few of us! The era of the tobacco allotment is long gone. Burley tobacco grown in So. Ohio was a cash lifeline for small farmers. Tobacco allotments were controlled by the fed government (1/3 of an acre was common) and a minimum market price was guaranteed. If I recall, the tobacco cured as it hung in the tobacco shed then “stripped” when it ripened then bundled and auctioned. Thanks for helping revive some of those memories!
Barbara,
First, no wonder I like your posts. You are a farm girl!
Regarding: "To sideline decades of acquired experience, wisdom and dedication to one's career in the 60's is a huge waste of human capitol. "
OK, let's say that the above is a rational statement with reasonable underpinning logic.
How do we ensure that we are not running a geriatric US government that we are partially running now?
And, how do we avoid the Mitch McConnell phenomena of entrenched, embedded, static, lack of legislation??
If 60 is not the right age what is? Because there is one.
And, should we keep people in office forever roping off the government to new ideas?
Thanks Barbara.
I always go back to the same thing. It's the voters. Why don't people closely examine the Candidates and realize they are too old? Example> I refer you to the emotion laden posts concerning voting for Cheney because of surges of feel good patriotism; never mind her record of voting for trump and her belief in a Reagan style government.
I agree there are most likely some qualified younger people for political offices. The problem is they can hardly find their way into a voting booth much less undergo the rigors of a campaign and the sacrifice public office can entail.
My magic number would be 70. I am pretty sick of the geriatric ward in politics as well. It is because of the age factor that I am seriously looking at not voting for Biden again; a cataclysmic decision on my part.
❤️
60 is the new 45. But, yes, there should be an upper age limit of at least 80.
70, if they can pass the chump mental status exam, lol
I'll be 70 in a couple weeks, and I'm not running for anything anymore. Maybe the criteria should include actual "running."
Haha!
Ha ha ha ha. Thanks, Mary Pat.
I would tend to go with 72 — the usual retirement age of “essential personnel.” (I’m 77, BTW)
The key point you have made for competence “John Adams — had not ever served in "Congress" before although he was well read“ is the key. We need to re-examine the “classical” education as it developed from the 18th century onward. The elimination of studies “in the Humanities” has robbed us of any ability to “connect the dots” between “then” and “now.” Another battle in the deconstruction of education in this country.
I read of that: a vile comment from a vile man. And to think our great great grandchildren will be suffering because of him. To paraphrase Forrest: "Evil is as evil does."
How can we as the people make this happpen?
I think we have vote out those who refuse to comply with the wishes of the majority. We have to be vocal and energetically support those who express (these) our views. We have run for offices local state & national!
Liz Cheney in her speech today offers perhaps the best summary yet of Trump's crimes and the choice Republicans face — support the Constitution or Trump. Pat Cipollone saw all the crimes up close and based on evidence made public so far, including the damning testimony of Cassidy Hutchinson, tried to restrain Trump.
But will Cipollone do the right thing now and honor the subpoena to testify in public to the J6 Committee? He led Trump's defense in the first impeachment proceedings. And as Lawrence O'Donnell reported tonight, Cipollone was a Rush Limbaugh fan, which reveals much about his character.
I like to think that Cassidy Hutchinson shined a bright light, illuminating a path for Republican officials to follow and regain some semblance of the dignity they so brazenly discarded. Cipollone can bury Trump. Will he make the right choice?
"She [Cheney] concluded: 'The reality that we face today as Republicans, as we think about the choice in front of us, we have to choose because Republicans cannot both be loyal to Donald Trump and loyal to the Constitution.' ”
Talk about courage! I detest her father, and am certainly no Republican, but I've watched this woman in awe throughout these hearings deliver in small, measured, intelligent bites the truth to her Republican compatriots (it's not for us). If anyone can get them to listen, it's Liz Cheney. I believe she would make a fine President.
LIz Cheney did go to Law Scool & practiced at White & Case in International Law matters. Ms Cheney has taken testimony before as her techniques ( plural ) have demonstrated. One example, when asking a question in the conjunctive ` " x and y " she repeated the question & followed with two (2) separate questions for a clear record. She did not miss a beat.
Yes.
Liz Cheney would be a disaster for liberal democracy. She voted with Trump over 90% of the time. She is homophobic and does not support business regulation.
Liz Chenney does not support business regulation despite a background in Iternational Law. Per NYT's Annie Karni & a well known 60 Minutes interview, Cheney stated "I was wrong" about gay marriage then repeated "I was wrong".
She voted against the Equality Act so I think she is still homophobic except for her sister. I would like to be wrong but her voting record supports my opinion
Elizabeth; You may be correct,; I have never heard a public apology to her sister Mary.
Why should it be public?
Her personal situation made it so, like all republicans, it has to be personal before any empathy can creep in for others…. She is reminding republicans that Dems are their adversaries, not each other.
She has recanted her homophobic position years ago.
And yet she stills votes against equal rights for all
She, by her intellect and behavior, has done more to rehabilitate the image of her dreadful father than anything or anyone I can think of. He’s still awful, but maybe less intentionally evil than I thought.
Liz Cheney voted almost 100% along Party lines for trump's agenda when he was President. She is a tried and true Conservative Republican of the Reagan type. Would you really want her as President?
Barbara M & Elizabeth Wilkerson: I’m aware of Liz Cheney’s voting record. Depending on who was running against her, of course, I would vote for a Liz Cheney, and here’s my reasoning: By her actions she has shown herself to be principled. She has essentially been driven out of her party for taking this moral stand. And I don’t think she’s attempting an end run as, even if she were successful in dragging half the Republican base into a new “Cheney Wing”, this would fracture the party to the point where no Republican could win the highest office for a long time. Unless of course there were a sea change and enough Democrats and Independents suddenly started to think like I do. Unlikely, so not to worry.
But beyond that, the kind of backbone and moral fiber demonstrated by Cheney since January 6th has become exceedingly rare in politics, and no need to cite examples here. In addition, I feel that American politics has devolved into a mud slinging contest. The Manichean, party identity style of viewing the “others” is destroying us and has a lot to do with why a third rate tabloid network like Fox can even survive. Cheney’s willingness to essentially lay down her “political life” in service to her country comes as a breath of fresh air at a very fragile time in our nation’s history. So in answer to your question, yes, I would support a person with even a modicum of integrity and steel in her spine over the sorry array of candidates we’ve been dished up since before Nixon. (And yes, I include Obama, but that’s a whole different discussion.)
And finally, We haven’t reached the “Unitary Executive” state yet. Even a solidly (and genuinely) conservative President would not be able to dictate the course of the nation singlehandedly (short of Republican control of both houses of Congress, an important caveat), and might well become more moderate given the opportunity and over time. Consider Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s surprisingly moderating impact on SCOTUS. She was a Reagan appointee. The world didn’t end.
If she were the best choice of two candidates, yes. P.S. I’m a life-long democrat.
Lawrence did get it right, Cipollone was a non-cognitive "Ditto Head"
Rush Limbaugh’s evil shadow still lurks. Rupert Murdoch’s blather still sways the hearts and minds of true believers in bull shit. Cults don’t deprogram themselves, sadly. As for the greedy bastards, just follow the money, and for the fearful cowards, may they find their way back under the rocks from whence they came. The crack seems to be widening
Can Limbaugh’s “Medal of Freedom” be revoked? Asking for a friend.
Heather, I thought of you and your constant parenthetical reminders about Kevin McCarthy and Lev Parnas as soon as I read this news!
For newer readers, Dr. Richardson added a statement every time she mentioned McCarthy, like this: “Kevin McCarthy (who took money from Lev Parnas).” I’m sure I don’t have the wording right, but you get the gist.
Parnas was one of McCarthy’s biggest groomers. Such a toad. Too bad he didn’t get 20 yrs as Maxwell did.
Salud, KR.
Thank you for once again knitting all the facts together and especially for letting us know about The National Review, the Washington Examiner and the Dispatch finally speaking up. Not since the Access Hollywood tapes have so many conservatives decry the actions of TFG. Now we’ll have to see if any of the loudest supporters (Desantis, Jordan, Biebert, Cruz, Green, Gohmert) say anything.
It’s interesting to hear that Lev Parnas got jail time, although it seems paltry for all the charges. Maybe they though the fine would be more of a disincentive.
Don’t forget Abbott and Gaetz, damn, so many cretins
Haven’t we heard enough from his crew of nasty idiots? Sorry for juvenile name calling, but I find them all despicable.
The dominos are beginning to fall. Those who really believe in "truth, justice and the American way" will come forward...(also to save their skins) and those who are "true believers" in how unsinkable "Trump-tanic" is or are to stupid and inept to save themselves will go down with the ship...whatever that looks like. I still believe Trump will run to a country without extradition and claim to be the victim of a witch hunt. He will never admit he was wrong or admit defeat. But he'll also never go to court or jail. He is the victim and the hero in his mind. This will be a most interesting Independence Day Holiday and Mid Term election cycle. Happy 4th to all. Cue the fireworks....
He might have to learn basic Hungarian. (After that video of the missile hitting the Ukrainian shopping centre, I can't even think about fireworks. But America the beautiful, the tranquil coast of HCR's Maine, yes.)
How about basic English for a change?
Beyond "Great" and "Loser"? Lincoln has no worries about being most quotable.
And "witchunt".
He's taken that one way beyond Salem Mass. He owns that one now...quess he must be the real witch we've been hunting for all this time...."bubble, bubble, toil & trouble..." I can see this staging of Macbeth now....Limo and all.
Ooh yes, I can see Lady M turning her basilisk stare on him, tossing her hair, and saying scornfully, "Vas de hope drrrunk wherein you drressed yourself?"
He didn't just drink the brew or get himself anointed...
His was a Jacuzzi cauldron with gold handles and gold faucets, and he made sure that every square millimeter of skin, every heel spur, was covered...
Could there have been some fold(s) the slime didn't reach?
Well, that certainly would be a change.
❤
He'll hire an interpreter wherever he lands...North Korea...?? Russia..?? Buy an island ??
With all that money from his gullible supporters.
He probably already knows basic Russian.
I am not sure he is smart enough to learn a new language. I am afraid pig Latin might be above his abilities. But you can be sure he could fake it.
That may not be much use to him any more. But the Voice of the Fox could tell him by now how to ask for hamberders in Hungarian...
Do you really think he is capable of learning anything,?
I think some of his deep, egoic wounds from childhood, besides love being totally transactional, are his learning and attention challenges. He displays all the signs of someone who learned to overcompensate (narcissism) for his weaknesses and only see the Golden Boy in the mirror who is the biggest and best at everything. That self-lie become pathological and he believes his own lies. Opening Trump Uni was his way of saying , see I am so smart, I own a university. I just don't know what to do with it because I cannot teach and have no empathy for students. But I will take their money (ka-ching!!) and not think about the consequences, because I am so smart, in fact I am a mensa. They are so lucky to pay me. Sorry, I could write a book on narcissists I know...they are not salvageable and their deep-seated anger focuses on ways to get revenge. Hitler is another, dangerous and atrocious example of raging narcissism. It makes so much sense to hear about the violent outbursts and lack of self-control that Ms. Hutchinson describes. THAT is the real trump that many of us know has to be lurching behind the scenes .
I would love republicans and faux propaganda machine to apologize to our people, and to the world as he trampled relationships and diplomacy everywhere he went except in dictatorial countries he admired. Mostly, I would like to see the republicans apologize for brainwashing their constituents and providing the worst role modeling possible for young people observing them. If they are not tried and judged guilty, not one of them should be allowed to have jobs or appointments as "pubic servants" ever again. Dis-bar any traitors. And follow the money...always follow the money, beyond our borders.
Please tell the Republican Nominating Committee.. May you can arrange a litmus test to help them screen future candidates?
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No, same playbook as any toddler who thinks the universe is his and his alone. Sorry toddlers, I know you can grow out of that stage, narcissists never do…
"Golden shower...?" or "Moose & Squirrel....
His sparrow wife, Natasha, I mean Melania, does.
He already is in a “country” without extradition. Florida, run by his clone, DeSantis.
Oh well, I never wanted to go there, anyway.
Been there. You aren't missing anything.
I’m heading south on Saturday. Hoping the neighbor’s Trump flags are at least flying at half mast. I may be too optimistic.
Hasty rather than optimistic. Failing a divine thunderbolt, nothing can happen until some time next week. Mind you, you might even find the neighbor's Trump flags have already GONE...or is it me, now, being too optimistic? Put the biggest onion you can find on a saucer and set it up as a shrine. And if you don't know why, look up the Italian for "onion", or even better, "big onion".
🤣
cipolla grande?
Colloquially, cipollone.
Bam and Boom!
Salud, Mike! 🗽🇺🇸
Oh Heather, I just love how you build your letters. The final sentence truly raced my heart. Is it possible for all who were part of this plot to over throw the legitimate transfer of power - before, during, and after - be tried for treason?
I agree with Liz Cheney that "Republican leaders and elected officials who have made themselves willing hostages", but they have also been and remain willing enablers. Republicans have been stitching their monster together for about four decades now, and monsters will be monsters.
Will those who have declined to speak with the committee begin to roll over? Will any individuals who have defied subpoenas heretofore change their minds? I guess we'll see... the committee divulged that it has asked each witness if they have received communication from individuals involved in the 1/6 events that might attempt to influence their testimony. It seems appropriate that they also ask whether witnesses have been offered immunity from prosecution in exchange for testimony in any upcoming action by the DOJ. Testimony before the committee is not the same as testifying in federal court, however the fact that committee testimony is given under oath against threat of perjury lends weight to the congressional record as supporting evidence for indictment of potential criminal behavior on the part of defendants. Finally, corroboration of witness testimony and consistency under cross examination will be necessary to clearly establish the credibility of witnesses, no matter how much we want them to be reliable sources of truth. It's very important to remember that the committee's objective is to document the story of 1/6 and events surrounding those events on that day. If they are encountering conflicting testimony in their closed door investigations, one hopes that they seek resolution of apparent conflict rather than burying the more messy details of the investigation. Integrity in recording history also involves documenting stories, even where they may differ in the accounts of multiple witnesses to historical events.
Hypothesis: Clarence Thomas is not simply the husband of insurrectionist Ginni Thomas. He is the constitutional coach of the insurrection.
Wow. That right there, Robert, is curiously accurate.
Salud. 🗽
We're all thinking something we aren't saying.
I wonder what the hell he thought he was doing?
Showing us his true self: an ego that matches T****'s. And an inner, seething, angry man.
Let the indictments flow. “Drain the swamp” I believe is the appropriate siren-call. Strangely, the failure of the Orang to pardon anyone may be the perfect reason for all to trade testimony for prosecutorial immunity. A “pocket pardon” as I like to call it.
If Garland is smart (and he is) his team should be working that angle NOW. If Meadows doesn’t like wearing orange, he’s wise to take that deal…
And if you are Gosar Greene, Geatz and Gohmert; wouldn’t that be smart too?
Don’t forget that the 14th Amendment makes it clear that if you fuck around with this stuff (sedition or insurrection) you lose your ability to serve in the house or senate…
Wasn't Trump elected on a slogan that said "Drain the swamp"? As well as "build the wall" and "lock her up".
Republican Projector
Given what SCROTUS is doing to the 14th Amendment, I'm willing to bet there's an "out" somewhere under 6 black robes.
Inch by inch the committee is supplying the DOJ with continued evidence to pursue and prosecute. So grateful for them all and especially Liz Cheney (I never thought I’d ever say that!). Her speech to her fellow Republicans was a warning cry that they had better pick up the pieces and defy the Federalist Society’s plans. At least, that’s what I got out of it.
Hello Pat? This is John Dean calling.
Wow, thanks again Heather! I am so grateful for what you do, keeping us informed during this most worrisome period in our history.