Today President-Elect Joe Biden named his chief of staff. He has picked Ronald A. Klain, 59, a veteran Democratic operative with degrees from Georgetown and Harvard Law School, who has worked in and around Washington, D.C., since 1987, when he clerked for Supreme Court Justice Byron White. Klain was Biden’s chief of staff when he was vice president.
I think that Trump's refusal to concede is about 2 things and none of them coming from a desire to help anyone else, be it the GOP, Pompeo, Barr, Georgia or whomever...he couldn't care less and 2024 is someone's whimsical fantasy. Firstly, I don't think he now really knows what to do as he is in deep, deep trouble psychologically, economically, socially and legally whichever way he turns...politically doesn't even come into it. This is a chaos that freezes him in place rather than providing him with energy, movement and motivation.... so he procrastinates and fidgets haphazardly. Secondly, I agree with Heather, it's about the money for the Trump PAC that he'll use to pay his personal legal defenses against all criminal and other charges, to fight off seizure of his assets by his creditors when he effectively again defaults on his debts and finally to ensure his personal security over and above what the State will provide when the Russians come looking for him.
He is being ignored and this drives him crazy. He is running very scared and thus is extremely unpredictable and dangerous....he is afterall totally amoral, a sociopath. He is facing a wall and an immovable deadline; his defenses have been proved no more real than the Maginot Line....a figment of his imagination. As Trump's GOP allies bit-by-bit peel off to look after their own interests and cooperate with the transition, Biden will advance upon him inexorably right up to the Chief Justice swearing in him and Kamala.....becoming massive in his conscious and subconscience dominating his every thought and emotion.
The world and the people of America have effectively already passed Trump by and have said it clearly. They are begining to live with him well and truly in their past; you can feel the beginnings of a relaxation of tension despite the pandemic all around the world. Trump is nolonger headline news and his every statement is now either ignored or questioned and placed firmly in "exclamation marks". The indignation, euphoria, hysteria, pain, depression, tears and laughter he once generated are subsiding untill a new "subject" comes along to incite such passions.....often more than reason would necessarily suggest.
I hope like the Maginot Line that we don't have all our guns bolted down pointing in only one direction which would be a DT signature destraction while DT does an end around and pulls off a coup in a way we aren't expecting. I would agree that DT is receding into the past quite rapidly. I am so thankful for that. However, I don't want to assume he is frozen because he has a strength to go on that amazes me when I keep waiting for him to go into the end stage of his sociopathic malignant narcissism ala Jim Jones. Whatever you do, don't drink any of the Kool-Aid he hands out.
All good things come to she who waits! I rather see Trump on the French side of the line and as with them you ask "How many tanks can he deploy and how many regiments can he muster?" His only real chance was when they were still counting on Tueday night and he could not be declared "loser" then if he had used his thugs and militias to shut down the counting and destroy the ballots in the "worriesome" States he could have ridden a poisonous wave to a coup but...he just marshalled his evil hoards in the ether... on Twitter. Statues are strong...and immobile (see Don Giovani's commander)! His end game will be "it's not my fault" and don't forget he is a coward ..so no question of Coolaid for himself...but for the GOP perhaps as they have "failed" him...why not?
Immobile? ... Guess who came to dinner... Yes, DT is certainly a coward. Guess I still want to see DT accountable at least once in his life with the demons swirling around him. On the other hand -- the one the statue has grasped, do I care what happens to him? No. Actually I feel sorry for him that he has been so mentally damaged that he has lived such a negative, unhappy, empty life. Do I care about his sycophants? No. Just so long as both get out of my life.
Excellent analysis. It’s about the money, for sure. And you’re right about bullies. However, we are still dealing with a cornered Orange Rat who has access to the nuclear codes. At best, he’s unpredictable. 🤞🏻❤️🤍💙
I like your take on trump's mindset. It gives me some relief from anxiety, thank you. His instinct is always to milk cash from a situation, and distraction has always been one of his primary tools. It's very likely he is purposely sowing chaos and uncertainty everywhere he can, while planning his escape attempt away from the considerable danger he looks to be in. He is being cornered like a rat, and will doubtless make a dash when he thinks eyes are elsewhere. That is, of course, if his wild schemes to retain power fail. A cornered rat can be dangerous though. I hope our institutional guardrails haven't been so undermined by his chicanery that he finds the crack to slip through.
The big problem is that Trump will never admit he was beaten and the media will continue to cover his every stupid tweet. The NYT has already reassigned MAGA Haberman to continue "covering Donald Trump" so we can expect to see regular articles about him and his behaviors in THAT august publication. Do you think CNN or Fox is going to be able to "quit him?"
They calculate the readership potential...the revenue generated. Bit by bit bigger stories will drive Trump towards the back pages and the "desiderata" column. They will follow what is really happening. That is their bread and butter.
Your perspective is very interesting! Recently, Asha Rangappa tweeted that she smells a cover-up not a coup. Imho, it makes sense that DOD officials are being replaced with loyalists in order to destroy evidence. What are your thoughts about that?
I am not sure that the military would allow any civilian to destroy anything in the Pentagon. Esper and his predecessors have stood up to Trump and often paid a heavy price for it, so perhaps, in that "shop", there isn't really anything much to destroy.....elsewhere probably. However I would give greater credence to the "pique" theory and the firing of Esper as vengeance. The other appointments were moving deputies up a notch and that was probably done without too much thought as they were surprised that the others "dared" resign in the first place. Afghanistan withdrawl is a possibility but hardly a probability in my mind as both the army could slow it sufficiently and the 3 newly promoted deputies have made noises previously against it.
In my mind there is no overall game plan outside of their dreams and fantasies; they really considered that with the pre-election huffing, puffing and bluffing that they could either win the "Electors" battle or game the results and now they are simply trying to react to a situation out of control. They don't however really seem to have put much effort into doing the "gaming" effectively in a coordinated and decisive fashion with any specific objectives in mind which could lead to a reversal of the popular vote results.
For everyone who is overwrought with concerns about what the Menace is planning, I think we all should watch how PRESIDENT-elect is handling the situation. He is smiling, assuring the world that he's not worried or hampered by this petulant brat's attempts to overturn the apple cart, and is soldiering on. As in Biden's case, age often provides wisdom, and he is denying the Menace the satisfaction of reacting to his stunts. I loved watching him respond to a reporter's question of "what will happen if he refuses to leave?" by smiling broadly and responding "He will." He is refusing to be distracted, and is cheerfully and efficiently doing what is required to take the podium on January 20, then lead the country, unlike the "previous president." (thanks Boris Johnson). The younger members of Congress might be frustrated by Biden's age and perceived "old school" tendencies, but even they can learn a thing or two from a senior statesman.
Isn't the making of no comment -whatsoever- as though oblivious of the attempted sabotage occurring directly in front of his face a denial of reality? Hasn't that obliviousness played a real part in Wall Street manipulators getting off scot free under Obama? or a cause of the Democratic losses in down ballot candidacies? or behind Pelosi's disdain of the realities behind the majority of the public favoring Medicare for All?
Looking good. Looking above the fray as though untouchable is a show of bloodlessness, vacuity, and a fantasy. Acknowledging the sabotage as an affront and insult to the People's choice would show some weight in the ethical and moral department.
I'm thinking he might have better things to do & think about rather than these showboat stunts of numnuts. NOT commenting on every single spouting of crap from this man just may be the better option. Were there mistakes made? Sure - do lots of us want Medicare for All? Sure. Things will change after the 20th - possibly some before that. But this guy has sucked up all the air in the room for far too long. Its time for that to cease, right?
Raging fires are not put out by neglect or pretending they aren't down the street. Clear, articulate boundary setting is absent today in our culture. Unless, that is, if you are poor, black, or an immigrant. Then we've got lots of for-profit prisons we'll bound you up in. Who was jailed for the Wall Street debacle?
Reacting to every statement or tweet from this entity isnt really articulating any boundary - only RE-acting to untruths. Of course for-profit prisons are wrong & the prejudice & mis-treatment of any minority - poor, black, immigrant OR women should come to an end - finally. Wall Street? Yet another issue that needs addressing. But we all have to survive - literally - until January 20th - After that - we will see. One thing that really requires much attention is the runoff in GA. Stacy Abrams has done a lot with her activism & the groups she has formed. They need support!
Who said "reacting to every statement or tweet".....? I know I didn't say that. What I am pointing to is - what I'm really seeing here - how rare and precious and grounding acknowledging whatever the fact before me is. And, the other point: these disparate events have a common thread running through them. Notably, a willing un-awareness of and/or willing avoidance of reckoning with what is actually happening. The sort of deceit that says "What I don't see won't hurt me."
OK - I concede!! Not going any further down that road. This blog has been a place of comfort & calm - much different than many others. I think thats why so many of us, likely including yourself, come here.
I interpret the lack of comment to be recognition that the Disturber-in-Chief is, in fact, a grotesquely disturbed monster, who is not worthy of ego-feeding outrage and is destined to the refuse pile in a landfill, perhaps in Siberia. We can only hope.
I don't know about you, Nancy, but I know if I don't reckon with the monster within me or the alcoholic beating up my mother in my house, or those killing Blacks on my street, I've chosen to collude with the devil.
In this case, skewering him with the sword of indifference is perhaps the most effective punishment. These days, challenging him to a duel just isn't done. Trump's days of abuse are coming to an end, and he is humiliating himself before millions. He is sadistic, so Biden's refusal to let him get under his skin hurts more than a public rebuke. He's certainly not colluding, although I agree that the Menace is the devil.
Boundary setting is neither punishment nor retaliatory. It is truth telling. A statement of truth. That is it. It states the obvious. It is not interpretation. It is not out to "git" him. Nor to punish him. It puts a "frame" around his machinations, like a hearth contains and localizes the fire. Plus it communicates to the People that he is aware, can name what he sees, and in naming begins to have understanding, and can begin to creatively deal with it. Haven't we had a surfeit of obfuscations, pretenses, lies, and charades, and unaccountability? Is pretense and fantasy bad medicine for the People only when the other guy is engaged in it? Well - I realize now, what to you is guile in the service of superiority and the "perfect jab" is to me calculated deceit to foster an image of imperviousness to the gross and unethical. We have different perceptions and understandings. And so it is.
Selina, in this case, our opinions differ. Who's to say which is misguided, or perhaps both have merit. My view is that adding fuel to the fire will not be productive. Trump's tyranny is at an end, at least by his use of the presidency. I believe that those people who are paying attention, and not adhering to Trump's script, are well aware of his motivations, but also realize that he will soon be relegated to insignificance. Joe Biden's smile lets observers know that he understands Trump's game, and chooses not to engage. This is not a charade, and Biden's not obfuscating or being deceitful, and certainly not unethical. Trump is engaging in theater, and those who do not understand that can't be convinced.
Yes, our perceptions regarding the way forward are different, but we both understand who is the real devil, and hopefully we'll both work to make things better. Both of us value transparency, inclusiveness, compassion and integrity in our government, and hopefully, warts and all, that will come. We have much damage to remedy, both from Trump's idiocy and from our troubled history. We need to begin.
As one who made a point of expressing my alarm in yesterday's comments, I am somewhat heartened by signs of a more concerted rejection of our president most foul's behavior. Somewhat. I agree that starving his outsized ego of the roaring fire of attention it requires at all times is generally a good strategy. But not now. Allowing him to run at his goal unchecked gives him dangerous momentum. No need to follow his every twist and turn, but we must stay focussed on the threat he poses. Eyes on the prize. His are. This is not the time to give him any slack. Today he is claiming election machine software glitches cost him hundreds of thousands of votes in battleground states. It may well be a ploy to keep juicing his base for donations, but if he gains traction anywhere he will ram full speed ahead. We absolutely must be vigilant in calling out his shenanigans every single day, until he admits defeat and concedes. To do less would be the height of foolishness, in my still uneasy opinion.
Yesterday evening, I read that Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) will step in by Friday (11/13) to require that the Trump administration provide President-elect Biden with access to the presidential daily intelligence briefings. https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/11/politics/james-lankford-biden-intelligence-briefings/index.html Lankford noted that he, "sits on the Senate Oversight Committee and that he's already started engaging on this issue."
Whatever prompted people to re-elect Nunes, McConnell, Ernst, and the rest of the Republican trump sycophants? I called my two senators to ask for cooperation with the transition. Lamar Alexander’s office was civil. Marsha Blackburn’s office said it was unethical to discuss it and hung up on me. Nice customer service. She practically drools on herself over trump.
I'm lucky to be in true blue MA, but I fear we are about to lose our senator Warren to the Biden team. My guess is our AG Maura Healy will run to take her seat. And, for anyone out there who is a Smith grad....Emily Murphy, the GSA administrator is a Smith grad. I plan on writing her this morning at reminding her that she is where she is due to Smith teaching critical thinking, etc. She needs to put on her critical thinking cap and realize the damage to the country to which she's contributing.
I just sent her this email....Hello. I understand you are a graduate of Smith College. I am a graduate as well. I value the ways in which Smith taught me to think critically, and to ask questions when I need clarification. I assume you learned these as well, but it is clear in your present position, your critical thinking has been overwhelmed by Trumpism. Get you head back on straight and do what's right for the country. Stop thinking about your own future. If you don't sign, there won't be a future....
Why are there are people with great educations (Pompeo was first in his class at the Point ... and Murphy graduated from Smith) able to not only vote for Trump, but keep their mouths shut as he destroys democracy in the United States and defecates on the Constitution. There are many ignnorant and gullible folks among the 70 million who voted for him but also many well-educated people who sit there keeping their mouths shut. including several SCOTUS Justices. History will ask why? I ask why. Even thinking like Donald Trump for a second, "What's in it for them?"
Emotional intelligence isn't intellectual brilliance. Then, there is the issue of moral development. Your brain can be a laser but your moral and emotional development may be stunted. The Sociopathic Club has lots of high achievers in it. Witness the current troop of Cabinet heads, Governors, corporate CEO's, Bank presidents, certain Generals, legislators who have directly contributed to the Climate Catastrophe, children in cages, sterilizing immigrant women, Covid killings through intentional neglect and denial, Flint people water- poisoned, 2008 Wall Street Crash perpetrators, neglectful governmental attention to Katrina victims....the list is quite endless, not the least of which is the invasion of sovereign Iraq based on bald-faced lies. How "empathic" would you say the engineers of these debacles are?
Personally, if I got a letter like this, I would toss it in the trash. Insulting people does not work well when you are trying to influence their behavior. I hope you rethink your approach and revise your letter. If not, better to not write at all.
I ended up getting your comment, Ms. Stratton, but I wasnt't the one who posted that letter. (It is my understanding that letters to public officias, Congressmen, etc. rarely are read. They are just counted as to whether they are favorable or unfavorable.) Someone made it clear on this newsletter today that some intellectually brilliant people lack a moral context in which to use their intelligence. True.
Sorry, Jacob. I didn't catch that your letter wasn't a continuation of Pam's. My apologies- thanks for pointing that out. In general, you are correct about the counting as yea/nay. And often "form letters" and dupes are discounted, too, something for people to keep in mind. But I can tell you that, at least in some offices, a well-thought out letter from a contituent will generally be read. They are usually set aside into their own pile for the elected official to get a feel for the varying perspectives at work.
Yikes, Marcy. That is not right. I did not realize how fortunate I was to be in Virginia. I didn't have to contact Warner or Kaine. Warner's been on it with letters to the GSA. Whether that's going to get any traction, of course, is another thing.
And let’s count Matt Gaetz in the category of how the hell did he get re-elected. Phil Ehr, a veteran, put up a good fight but the people of Florida wanted more of Gaetz’s theatrics.
I hear you Marcy (although I think Nunes wasn't up this year? He was up in 2018 I think . . .) My idiot senators in MO, Blunt and Hawley, and ginning up the Cheeto and Blunt, who oversees the inauguration committee, refuses to allow Biden staff to talk about it to him. They are both (I know we are not supposed to use expletives but fill in the blanks), both corrupt, both opportunists who think they can control the raging tantrum-displaying toddler-in-chief. They can't.
All I remember about Blackburn was her protection of the soring of Tennessee Walking Horses & the "Big Lick"! (google it) That was enough to put me off her - of course since I live in NY - I dont "suffer " from her representation. Sounds like there is lots more there to dislike from your comment!
PacNW expat living in Vermont for the last 20+ years, and sometimes I feel like I'm living in a different country from you all. Still so much a westerner that I don't feel quite at home here, and yet I am deeply impressed with how Vermont has handled thing, and deeply proud of Vermonters. They let me call myself one now. Still terribly worried about our entire country. There's a madman prying at the seam, trying to tear us apart.
Perhaps, he couldn't tear if there were no seam in the first place. Happy people generally feel they have agency in their government's decisions and live where culture - not the commodification of everything - matters a lot. The corporatization of our society afflicts us. The caging of children (funded by us) with no sustained thunderous civil rage continues to eat away at me. During the Vietnam War we - the populous - more and more "felt" how terribly wrong it was - we "felt" connected to the immorality of it, probably because our children were coming home dead. And - until the government outlawed it - we saw the body bags come off the cargo planes.
Congrats to Klain! He is perfect in the role of Chief of Staff. Let me explain Nunes. He represents the Central Valley in California which is an area of agriculture and farming. His family were farmers but he is a thorn in most Californians sides. He is one of Fake 45’s sickening loyalists and the fact that he has not been in the public eye since Covid started raises questions. He is a blatant liar and an all around obnoxious bastard. I wish I could say he and Jim Jordan will go away soon but they won’t, unfortunately.
With all of this craziness going on as to the “what ifs” regarding Fake 45, I just want to say it has been very nice to have a real adult in the room speaking to all of us.
I am a mental health therapist. Bullies provoke, deny they provoked and then, attack. I see the current president's recent firings and then appointings of unqualified replacements as provocations. He's got nothing left except to evoke some kind of reaction from concerned citizens, and then declare martial law or something like that. It's best when there is a bully in one's life to ignore them. The malignantly narcissistic bully provoking the American population is worrisome. But responding to his provocations with anything other than overt dismissal plays into his game.
We have to do the same. It's not Biden, it is us that Trump is trying to discomboble, so that we will be uncertain about who is responsible for our government. Some significant pushback is necessary, just enough to let him know we aren't buying it. Politely worded letters to editors and columnists would be lovely- that sort of thing seems to irritate him. Hate to say it but irritating him in small ways and then ignoring him seems to be the tactic that works.
What powers do the Joint Chiefs of Staff have to overrule (or ignore) orders by the new Pentagon officials whom tRump has recently put in place? Asking for 331 million friends.
Unfortunately, I think the word "illegal" is not always clear. But, there are techniques like slow walking the implementation of the order like doing a study on feasibility or something like that. If the President decides unilaterally to send a nuclear missile to some country, I think that is a legal order but a catastrophic one that I would hope someone would stop. The real problem here is that the 25th Amendment is not being invoked to get a mad man away from the nuclear button.
No, it would be an illegal order. There is not provocation, and even if there were, the impacts have to be considered. Plus the procedures for activating the nuclear option are complex. I agree that the 25th amendment should apply, but that's dependent on the cabinet, and we know what that means (unless they get tired of playing his game, don't hold your breath). If we can just wait out the remainder of Trump's term. He's not in the White House now, apparently, and he's certainly not doing any work. Effectively, except for his personnel rearrangements, he has stopped being President, and is just playing playground power games. Fingers crossed, he will get tired of being ignored and go away. I wonder if he is having problems finding someplace willing to let him in. This wondering is the hard part. So many of us want to find something solid we can believe about what is going on, but the fact is that about all we can do is conjecture. Woo hee.
In order to apply the 25th Amendment, does there have to be at least more than 1/2 of the positions filled for a quorum? I mused these 4 years that POTUS hasn't filled the heads of those cabinet with Senate-approved appointees because both the idea that he can't get Trump loyalists, (ie Chad Wolfe), and that he didn't want enough positions filled to be able to remove him.
The fact that the President appointments the Cabinet Members seems a bit of a weakness in the 25th Amendment. Of course, the two party system is making Impeachment of a President of the majority party in the Senate makes it almost useless as well. I'll go study what constitutes an illegal order. It isn't clear to me.
When the 25th was written, the reference case was President Kennedy having been shot. He died quickly, but what if he had lingered for months? The Cabinet would have been well qualified to determine the need for a replacement to do the work.
Anything contrary to the constitution and that could be damaging to the military or its personnel, if I interpret what I've read correctly. But, it is very vague. Defending the constitution is key.
They can disobey an illegal order or an order given without cause (ie, unsupportable in the conditions). They do not have to resign, though attempts might be made to court-martial. They would win, and would be given a medal.
I will have to find out more about "order given without cause" which might be something like doing a first strike with a nuclear missile as a worse case scenario. My source is the wife of a former member of the Joint Chiefs. There are probably more subtleties and nuance to all this that I don't understand since I am not a vet myself. We are talking about a guy who suggested nuking hurricanes which is a good reason to ask the question in the first place.
Like all of you. I continue to feel anxious. I listened to a Facebook Live presentation from the Lincoln Project last night. Guests were Lt General Mark Hertling and Lt. Colonel Fred Wellman, both retired. They both had some interesting observations. First, many of the mail in ballots that Trump is trying to throw out are from the military. Normally military ballots break for the Republican but so many military have abandoned him after his “suckers and losers” comments. Secondly, veterans are upset at the ceremony at the tomb of the unknowns. Traditionally this wreath ceremony happens at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Yet this narcissistic, pathetic man was late. Showed up at 11:30 and stayed for 6 minutes, saying nothing. So, if you think the military will back him in any kind of coup, both Hertling and Wellman say that won’t happen.
I also noted Hertling’s comments about possible demonstrations by the Proud Boys, et al. That Biden supporters should stay away, let them march and yell, but don’t engage in any kind of confrontation or counter demonstrations. It not only avoids possible violence or vandalism (or if any occurs, it’s obvious who’s responsible), but also relegates the demonstrations to ignorable bluster.
I agree, the temptation for protesters to respond only makes possible for confrontation, violence & the possibility for actual protesters to be blamed for the whole thing. Pulling back & staying quiet just might be a winner in that case.
A much more sobering thought; Trump could not be doing any of this without the complicity of the Rupublican Party, led by Mitch McConnell, including the propaganda wing led by Hannity, Limbaugh, et al. More sobering; McConnell was just re-elected and the Republican Party made political inroads into Congress and many state legislatures. (The latter being prima facie evidence the presidential election was NOT stolen by the Democrats.) In other words, a large minority of this country is just fine with the subversion of democracy being carried out, and would likely approve, or at least sit by silently, while a coup was carried out keeping Trump in office.
Even when Trump is finally sent packing, all the other players that aided and abetted the most corrupt/incompetent president in our history will still be very much alive and kicking.
That, my fellow citizens, is the sobering thought for today.
It was never about Trump. He could not have caused the damage that has been done to our democratic system without the help of every other elected Republican in Congress and the Senate.
I felt that McConnell publicly making it known he was meeting with Gina Haspel might be a small crack in the "blockade". Numnuts has wanted to get rid of her for some time so is McConnell possibly letting him know hes against it? Youre right, tho - it is NOT all about him anymore. The idea that our supposed "representatives" would just sit back & cower until this jerk see the light? (Well, not MY reps)
I've been texting about politics recently with an evangelical relative who voted for Trump twice. It was not an easy decision for them. In the end the influence of the church won out. Even so, their church does not agree with the lies, with the violence, with the bigotry. Yes, they voted for him anyway, but let's not mistake that for believing in the whole package... Look at Florida, voting for $15 minimum wage and felon enfranchisement at the same time as voting for Trump. I think there is far more agreement in this country on policies than there is on politicians. Some portion of Trump voters have bathed in the enchanted waters. Not all of them.
Have you asked your evangelical relative who he/she believes won the presidential election? Does he/she go along with current Trump/Republican attempts to vacate the presidential election?
I disagree with your last statement. If you voted for Trump, you have indeed drunk the Koolaid.
My relative believes that Biden-Harris won the election, and they should be allowed to take office without anyone making an issue of it. You can think all Trump voters are the same if you like. I see a difference between the people who can still hold a conversation with me and the ones who can't.
"Even when Trump is finally sent packing, all the other players that aided and abetted the most corrupt/incompetent president in our history will still be very much alive and kicking." Gee, Ralph, highlighting this obvious fact is very disturbing.
“We need his voters,” Senator John Thune of South Dakota, told reporters today. “[W]e want him helping in Georgia.” - since when did politics become about this kind of crap and not about elected representatives following “the will of the people”, which is supposedly their purpose for existence?
And, as a healthcare professional, the situation in North Dakota makes me sick. It’s immoral, unethical, and medically dangerous. Never mind just plain wrong. But still no masks. What is wrong with people???
I am at a point that I just can’t with this asinine stupidity anymore. These people who are making every effort to block a duly elected Biden government need to be smacked down and kicked out because the popular vote makes it obvious that their time is over.
I sent a letter to our illustrious senator. I’ve disliked his politics for years but now abhor the man. He is not my representative and I shared that fact with him. I’m writing him daily. Trying very hard to keep it normal and not rage filled.
I'm with General McCaffrey that we should be alarmed by the purge at the top of the Department of Defense. Several things strike me. First is that the new junior, not qualified appointments are close associates of the obsequious Representative Nunes (what a creep). The second is the mention of Erik Prince who I've always thought was going to put together DTs SS style personal guard. Of course, DTs would get a cut of what the government would pay these mercenaries. This, is listening carefully to Secretary of State Pompeo's words and cackling laugh when he talked about the smooth transition into DTs second term. His words that "When the process is complete, there will be electors selected." sounded ominous to me. Will key Republican-held Legislatures usurp the Elector College by selecting their own electors. Was frankly relieved to hear that key Pennsylvania Republicans "would honor the wishes of the voters...and follow the law." The governor appoints the electors after they are vote is certified. Whatever the plot is --- and we'll find out soon enough -- it isn't DT just flexing his muscle, or padding resumes of loyalist who he doesn't care about. Pompeo sounds like he is in on it although I don't see how this is helping his ambition of running for President in 2024. There might be an element of vindictive revenge on firing Secretary Esper, but the real reason must be either setting up his escape plan to avoid jail in the US and/or making money like shares in the Siberian oil by giving Putin a Christmas present of withdrawing our troops from Afghanistan. Or possibly he's tapping into the rich Middle Eastern princes through some scheme of Jared's. Whatever it is it is certainly not in the best interests of the United States. While I love DT being silent for days now, it is ominous. And like the music critic who reviewed John Cage's piece 4' 33" which was four minutes and thirty-three seconds of silence saying he hope Cage would write longer and longer compositions of silence. I,too, hope DT will remain silent for longer and longer periods of time. President elect Biden's calm, reassuring, competent, articulate tone and his appointment of such a highly qualified Chief of Staff with such pertinent experience for our time is quite comforting.
Neither legislatures nor governors can change the electors after the election is held. That's a period. Now trying to remember where I read the very clear analysis of why this is the case. I know she talked about this, but recently this was such a concern for people (because Trump et al, of course, including Pompeo) that many of the law-oriented publications I read addressed it in some detail, I think also the ACLU. It is simply a non-starter. The Constitution says that state legislatures can decide how electors are selected, and it used to be that the legislature in some states chose them. BUT the method of choosing cannot be changed after the election, period. Plus they still have to vote for the person the voters in their state or district selected.
BTW, I'm wondering a bit about Pompeo's state of mind. He's been saying some really off-the-wall things lately, and losing track of where he's headed. For a military guy supposedly dedicated to upholding the Constitution, he seems to have a kind of fuzzy idea of what the Constitution is actually for.
My reading of Pompeo is that he is a very Pompous and Ambitious man who wants to run for President in 2024.
On the legislatures there is still the winner-take-all of the electors in most states. A couple of states - Maine and Nebraska - have gone to electors by Congressional District which is a way to begin to make the Electoral College match the popular vote if all states did it without having to do a Constitutional amendment.
Cathy, I think you are likely right about Pompeo's ambitions. However, it still doesn't account for some of the peculiar things he has been saying recently that seem out of touch- especially for someone with that ambition.
Yep, know about the Congressional district gambit. All we have to do is figure out how to keep them from gerrymandering the Congressional districts. Besides getting 50 (or more) states all to do the same thing. I still think that, especially with this being very high visibility right now, the amendment is the way to go, and now's the time to do it. It's long overdo, especially since it's been on the table for over 200 years (since Jefferson pulled the first manipulation of the electoral college). Let's get rid of it once and for all. Not all amendments are hair-yankers.
Think about this: getting the amendment would require fewer state buy-ins than each state changing to districting- which still makes gerry-mandering possible, and maybe even more so. Ever watch one of those? It's ugly, and will come up every ten years, like clockwork. An amendment by contrast, would be more straight-forward, uniform across states (because each INDIVIDUAL vote would count, no matter what the district did), and would even out the current imbalance between states and urban/rural areas.
Dang, I bet I end up staying awake until midnight tonight. Not good when I woke up before dawn today with my mind already at work. See what your question did to me? (I'm a policy and process nerd. I love questions like this. However, here's the day's gift: This evening we had an incredible alpenglow sunset that lasted forever. Everything glowed pink. Delicious. I couldn't find my regular camera, and my phone can't quite get this kind of light, darn it.
Annie, great points. Yes, I, too, love this sort of discussion. On Pompeo, sounds like you are saying he may have the Guilliani syndrome, or maybe we should call it the Graham or Nunes Syndrome, total immersion into the DT cult. Although with Gulliani it also seems to be some form of dementia might account for his very odd behavior and I'm sorry to see that. After seeing the smirk on Pomeo's face when he talked about the smooth transition to the DT second term, my reaction was he's laughing all the way to the bank with some pay-off by big money interests. Party and Patron always "trumps" Country and Constituents with these guys.
On a Constitutional Amendment, I've been working with Wolf-PAC for several years now calling for a Convention of States specifically limited to getting money out of politics. The same resolution is being submitted to all the state legislatures in order to limit the convention to directly addressing the resolution. The fear is a Convention of States would get out of hand and do whatever they please. So, it is a difficult path to take but getting this amendment through the Congress is like asking the fox to vote for a lock on the chicken coop. They only do a constitutional amendment when a significant number of states have already passed the measure in question. Yes, we need to make redistricting a nonpartisan processes in all states. One thing I like about Texas is that Congressional Districts must use county borders. However, the state districts are highly gerrymandered. I agree with John Adams that the worst evil to befall the Constitution would be the two-party system. He sure is being proven correct in this century. If I had Majority Leader power in the Senate and in the House, my first act would be to get rid of the center aisle. It is much harder to argue with the person sitting right next to you than someone on the other side of the table (or aisle in this case). I would use this technique in meetings by choosing to sit next to my strongest opponent. Worked quite well.
Barbara Res, who worked for trump as a construction manager for like 18 years, said last night she thinks he’ll leave the country. Wonder if his money goes with him.
Michael Cohen said yesterday he believes Trump won't return to the White House after his Christmas vacation to Mar a Lago. That would definitely dovetail with him fleeing abroad. How delicious. An entire family in disgrace.
..and don't let the door hit you on the on #ss on the way out. I'd be quite alright if Trump and family were exiled abroad and unable to return to the U.S.A. because they would face prosecution for their many crimes.
I've been thinking the same thing. And what else he might be moving overseas as he delays Biden's access to the workings of government. I also suspect, as others have suggested, that his new "appointments" are distractions. Wondering if they are aware of that or if they really think they got a plum. Either way, Trump will simply abandon them, leaving them hanging when he bunks. And as I write this, I know perfectly well that nobody, probably including Trump, knows exactly what he is going to do. He famously changes direction in the middle. One thing is certain: he can't keep holding. Is he at the point of desperation or simply creating ad hoc a plan he thinks will "put one over" on whoever is his current enemy (increasingly, the American people)?
...and since Melania reportedly was successful in renegotiating her prenup "to protect Barron," if she jumps ship, it would probably take the pittance that remains - if she moves quickly enough.
She has her own money. Remember, she sued a tabloid and got something like $10 mill. She and Barron will be fine. Good riddance to her! She will go down as the most useless First Lady ever.
I didn't know about the tabloid suit, and I'm certainly not concerned about her welfare. She demonstrated her character when she attached herself to the Orange Menace. I agree - good riddance.
My suggestion: All hands on deck in Georgia. Put well-founded anxiety to work donating, writing, texting, calling, or “walking and knocking” to GOTV for Warnock and Ossoff. This is the best action we the people can take to help the Biden administration: help elect 2 Democratic GA Senators. GA is still Conservative. Stacey Abrams’ Fair Fight, Vote Save America, Indivisible, Vote Forward, Andrew Yang’s Humanity Forward, The Lincoln Project are all avenues to help. There are others.
Yes. The cornered Orange 🍊 Rat and his evil staff’s actions have me on high alert. Trump is vindictive. So, any of the domesday power-grab scenarios are possible, but I think it’s really about money. Trump wants all the money his angry followers continue to donate. He’s the GRIFTER IN CHIEF. “Let’s take as much money as we can from all the suckers while we can.”
Biden is handling it well. Ron Klain is very capable. So, while I remain anxious, I’m hopeful. 69 days o go.🤞🏻❤️🤍💙
My money - literally - is on Stacey Abrams and her organization Fair Fight. They have done long steady work with great results in many states, resulting in a critical contribution to those margins by which Biden and Harris won. Winning those Senate seats in Georgia is an uphill battle that Abrams et al have been winning...
“ White House sources are grousing to reporters that the administration is ‘a f*****g clown show.’”
The administration has been “a f*****g clown show” for four years now. Nothing new to see there. Although his movement of chess pieces on the board is disturbing at this late hour, career professionals in the defense and intelligence agencies are more than capable of administrative foot dragging while replying “Yes, Sir” until the Biden inauguration.
My wish? Please, Mr. President, play more golf. You need the practice to prepare for all those rounds you will soon have more time to play. You and our country are well served by your time on the course.
Oh, one more quick thought. We can all be thankful for his unbelievable level of incompetence. It is one of our most important safeguards in the coming weeks.
I think that Trump's refusal to concede is about 2 things and none of them coming from a desire to help anyone else, be it the GOP, Pompeo, Barr, Georgia or whomever...he couldn't care less and 2024 is someone's whimsical fantasy. Firstly, I don't think he now really knows what to do as he is in deep, deep trouble psychologically, economically, socially and legally whichever way he turns...politically doesn't even come into it. This is a chaos that freezes him in place rather than providing him with energy, movement and motivation.... so he procrastinates and fidgets haphazardly. Secondly, I agree with Heather, it's about the money for the Trump PAC that he'll use to pay his personal legal defenses against all criminal and other charges, to fight off seizure of his assets by his creditors when he effectively again defaults on his debts and finally to ensure his personal security over and above what the State will provide when the Russians come looking for him.
He is being ignored and this drives him crazy. He is running very scared and thus is extremely unpredictable and dangerous....he is afterall totally amoral, a sociopath. He is facing a wall and an immovable deadline; his defenses have been proved no more real than the Maginot Line....a figment of his imagination. As Trump's GOP allies bit-by-bit peel off to look after their own interests and cooperate with the transition, Biden will advance upon him inexorably right up to the Chief Justice swearing in him and Kamala.....becoming massive in his conscious and subconscience dominating his every thought and emotion.
The world and the people of America have effectively already passed Trump by and have said it clearly. They are begining to live with him well and truly in their past; you can feel the beginnings of a relaxation of tension despite the pandemic all around the world. Trump is nolonger headline news and his every statement is now either ignored or questioned and placed firmly in "exclamation marks". The indignation, euphoria, hysteria, pain, depression, tears and laughter he once generated are subsiding untill a new "subject" comes along to incite such passions.....often more than reason would necessarily suggest.
I hope like the Maginot Line that we don't have all our guns bolted down pointing in only one direction which would be a DT signature destraction while DT does an end around and pulls off a coup in a way we aren't expecting. I would agree that DT is receding into the past quite rapidly. I am so thankful for that. However, I don't want to assume he is frozen because he has a strength to go on that amazes me when I keep waiting for him to go into the end stage of his sociopathic malignant narcissism ala Jim Jones. Whatever you do, don't drink any of the Kool-Aid he hands out.
His followers have already drunk something. And many of them - far more than Jim Jones’ - have and will die. It’s incredibly sad. 🙏🏻❤️🤍💙
All good things come to she who waits! I rather see Trump on the French side of the line and as with them you ask "How many tanks can he deploy and how many regiments can he muster?" His only real chance was when they were still counting on Tueday night and he could not be declared "loser" then if he had used his thugs and militias to shut down the counting and destroy the ballots in the "worriesome" States he could have ridden a poisonous wave to a coup but...he just marshalled his evil hoards in the ether... on Twitter. Statues are strong...and immobile (see Don Giovani's commander)! His end game will be "it's not my fault" and don't forget he is a coward ..so no question of Coolaid for himself...but for the GOP perhaps as they have "failed" him...why not?
Immobile? ... Guess who came to dinner... Yes, DT is certainly a coward. Guess I still want to see DT accountable at least once in his life with the demons swirling around him. On the other hand -- the one the statue has grasped, do I care what happens to him? No. Actually I feel sorry for him that he has been so mentally damaged that he has lived such a negative, unhappy, empty life. Do I care about his sycophants? No. Just so long as both get out of my life.
Excellent analysis. It’s about the money, for sure. And you’re right about bullies. However, we are still dealing with a cornered Orange Rat who has access to the nuclear codes. At best, he’s unpredictable. 🤞🏻❤️🤍💙
I like your take on trump's mindset. It gives me some relief from anxiety, thank you. His instinct is always to milk cash from a situation, and distraction has always been one of his primary tools. It's very likely he is purposely sowing chaos and uncertainty everywhere he can, while planning his escape attempt away from the considerable danger he looks to be in. He is being cornered like a rat, and will doubtless make a dash when he thinks eyes are elsewhere. That is, of course, if his wild schemes to retain power fail. A cornered rat can be dangerous though. I hope our institutional guardrails haven't been so undermined by his chicanery that he finds the crack to slip through.
The big problem is that Trump will never admit he was beaten and the media will continue to cover his every stupid tweet. The NYT has already reassigned MAGA Haberman to continue "covering Donald Trump" so we can expect to see regular articles about him and his behaviors in THAT august publication. Do you think CNN or Fox is going to be able to "quit him?"
They calculate the readership potential...the revenue generated. Bit by bit bigger stories will drive Trump towards the back pages and the "desiderata" column. They will follow what is really happening. That is their bread and butter.
Your perspective is very interesting! Recently, Asha Rangappa tweeted that she smells a cover-up not a coup. Imho, it makes sense that DOD officials are being replaced with loyalists in order to destroy evidence. What are your thoughts about that?
I am not sure that the military would allow any civilian to destroy anything in the Pentagon. Esper and his predecessors have stood up to Trump and often paid a heavy price for it, so perhaps, in that "shop", there isn't really anything much to destroy.....elsewhere probably. However I would give greater credence to the "pique" theory and the firing of Esper as vengeance. The other appointments were moving deputies up a notch and that was probably done without too much thought as they were surprised that the others "dared" resign in the first place. Afghanistan withdrawl is a possibility but hardly a probability in my mind as both the army could slow it sufficiently and the 3 newly promoted deputies have made noises previously against it.
In my mind there is no overall game plan outside of their dreams and fantasies; they really considered that with the pre-election huffing, puffing and bluffing that they could either win the "Electors" battle or game the results and now they are simply trying to react to a situation out of control. They don't however really seem to have put much effort into doing the "gaming" effectively in a coordinated and decisive fashion with any specific objectives in mind which could lead to a reversal of the popular vote results.
Wow, great to know. Thank you!
So Dangerous
I always enjoy reading your analysis and perspective, Stuart. Thank you.
For everyone who is overwrought with concerns about what the Menace is planning, I think we all should watch how PRESIDENT-elect is handling the situation. He is smiling, assuring the world that he's not worried or hampered by this petulant brat's attempts to overturn the apple cart, and is soldiering on. As in Biden's case, age often provides wisdom, and he is denying the Menace the satisfaction of reacting to his stunts. I loved watching him respond to a reporter's question of "what will happen if he refuses to leave?" by smiling broadly and responding "He will." He is refusing to be distracted, and is cheerfully and efficiently doing what is required to take the podium on January 20, then lead the country, unlike the "previous president." (thanks Boris Johnson). The younger members of Congress might be frustrated by Biden's age and perceived "old school" tendencies, but even they can learn a thing or two from a senior statesman.
Very uplifting comment, Nancy. Thank you.
Isn't the making of no comment -whatsoever- as though oblivious of the attempted sabotage occurring directly in front of his face a denial of reality? Hasn't that obliviousness played a real part in Wall Street manipulators getting off scot free under Obama? or a cause of the Democratic losses in down ballot candidacies? or behind Pelosi's disdain of the realities behind the majority of the public favoring Medicare for All?
Looking good. Looking above the fray as though untouchable is a show of bloodlessness, vacuity, and a fantasy. Acknowledging the sabotage as an affront and insult to the People's choice would show some weight in the ethical and moral department.
I'm thinking he might have better things to do & think about rather than these showboat stunts of numnuts. NOT commenting on every single spouting of crap from this man just may be the better option. Were there mistakes made? Sure - do lots of us want Medicare for All? Sure. Things will change after the 20th - possibly some before that. But this guy has sucked up all the air in the room for far too long. Its time for that to cease, right?
Raging fires are not put out by neglect or pretending they aren't down the street. Clear, articulate boundary setting is absent today in our culture. Unless, that is, if you are poor, black, or an immigrant. Then we've got lots of for-profit prisons we'll bound you up in. Who was jailed for the Wall Street debacle?
Reacting to every statement or tweet from this entity isnt really articulating any boundary - only RE-acting to untruths. Of course for-profit prisons are wrong & the prejudice & mis-treatment of any minority - poor, black, immigrant OR women should come to an end - finally. Wall Street? Yet another issue that needs addressing. But we all have to survive - literally - until January 20th - After that - we will see. One thing that really requires much attention is the runoff in GA. Stacy Abrams has done a lot with her activism & the groups she has formed. They need support!
Who said "reacting to every statement or tweet".....? I know I didn't say that. What I am pointing to is - what I'm really seeing here - how rare and precious and grounding acknowledging whatever the fact before me is. And, the other point: these disparate events have a common thread running through them. Notably, a willing un-awareness of and/or willing avoidance of reckoning with what is actually happening. The sort of deceit that says "What I don't see won't hurt me."
OK - I concede!! Not going any further down that road. This blog has been a place of comfort & calm - much different than many others. I think thats why so many of us, likely including yourself, come here.
I interpret the lack of comment to be recognition that the Disturber-in-Chief is, in fact, a grotesquely disturbed monster, who is not worthy of ego-feeding outrage and is destined to the refuse pile in a landfill, perhaps in Siberia. We can only hope.
I don't know about you, Nancy, but I know if I don't reckon with the monster within me or the alcoholic beating up my mother in my house, or those killing Blacks on my street, I've chosen to collude with the devil.
In this case, skewering him with the sword of indifference is perhaps the most effective punishment. These days, challenging him to a duel just isn't done. Trump's days of abuse are coming to an end, and he is humiliating himself before millions. He is sadistic, so Biden's refusal to let him get under his skin hurts more than a public rebuke. He's certainly not colluding, although I agree that the Menace is the devil.
Boundary setting is neither punishment nor retaliatory. It is truth telling. A statement of truth. That is it. It states the obvious. It is not interpretation. It is not out to "git" him. Nor to punish him. It puts a "frame" around his machinations, like a hearth contains and localizes the fire. Plus it communicates to the People that he is aware, can name what he sees, and in naming begins to have understanding, and can begin to creatively deal with it. Haven't we had a surfeit of obfuscations, pretenses, lies, and charades, and unaccountability? Is pretense and fantasy bad medicine for the People only when the other guy is engaged in it? Well - I realize now, what to you is guile in the service of superiority and the "perfect jab" is to me calculated deceit to foster an image of imperviousness to the gross and unethical. We have different perceptions and understandings. And so it is.
Selina, in this case, our opinions differ. Who's to say which is misguided, or perhaps both have merit. My view is that adding fuel to the fire will not be productive. Trump's tyranny is at an end, at least by his use of the presidency. I believe that those people who are paying attention, and not adhering to Trump's script, are well aware of his motivations, but also realize that he will soon be relegated to insignificance. Joe Biden's smile lets observers know that he understands Trump's game, and chooses not to engage. This is not a charade, and Biden's not obfuscating or being deceitful, and certainly not unethical. Trump is engaging in theater, and those who do not understand that can't be convinced.
Yes, our perceptions regarding the way forward are different, but we both understand who is the real devil, and hopefully we'll both work to make things better. Both of us value transparency, inclusiveness, compassion and integrity in our government, and hopefully, warts and all, that will come. We have much damage to remedy, both from Trump's idiocy and from our troubled history. We need to begin.
As one who made a point of expressing my alarm in yesterday's comments, I am somewhat heartened by signs of a more concerted rejection of our president most foul's behavior. Somewhat. I agree that starving his outsized ego of the roaring fire of attention it requires at all times is generally a good strategy. But not now. Allowing him to run at his goal unchecked gives him dangerous momentum. No need to follow his every twist and turn, but we must stay focussed on the threat he poses. Eyes on the prize. His are. This is not the time to give him any slack. Today he is claiming election machine software glitches cost him hundreds of thousands of votes in battleground states. It may well be a ploy to keep juicing his base for donations, but if he gains traction anywhere he will ram full speed ahead. We absolutely must be vigilant in calling out his shenanigans every single day, until he admits defeat and concedes. To do less would be the height of foolishness, in my still uneasy opinion.
Yesterday evening, I read that Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) will step in by Friday (11/13) to require that the Trump administration provide President-elect Biden with access to the presidential daily intelligence briefings. https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/11/politics/james-lankford-biden-intelligence-briefings/index.html Lankford noted that he, "sits on the Senate Oversight Committee and that he's already started engaging on this issue."
👍🏻 Call him and others on the Oversight Committee at Capitol Hill switchboard 202-224-3121.
Thank you for that phone #
HOPE!
Whatever prompted people to re-elect Nunes, McConnell, Ernst, and the rest of the Republican trump sycophants? I called my two senators to ask for cooperation with the transition. Lamar Alexander’s office was civil. Marsha Blackburn’s office said it was unethical to discuss it and hung up on me. Nice customer service. She practically drools on herself over trump.
I'm lucky to be in true blue MA, but I fear we are about to lose our senator Warren to the Biden team. My guess is our AG Maura Healy will run to take her seat. And, for anyone out there who is a Smith grad....Emily Murphy, the GSA administrator is a Smith grad. I plan on writing her this morning at reminding her that she is where she is due to Smith teaching critical thinking, etc. She needs to put on her critical thinking cap and realize the damage to the country to which she's contributing.
It's time to rally the Smithees! I had no idea! Thanks!
I just sent her this email....Hello. I understand you are a graduate of Smith College. I am a graduate as well. I value the ways in which Smith taught me to think critically, and to ask questions when I need clarification. I assume you learned these as well, but it is clear in your present position, your critical thinking has been overwhelmed by Trumpism. Get you head back on straight and do what's right for the country. Stop thinking about your own future. If you don't sign, there won't be a future....
Why are there are people with great educations (Pompeo was first in his class at the Point ... and Murphy graduated from Smith) able to not only vote for Trump, but keep their mouths shut as he destroys democracy in the United States and defecates on the Constitution. There are many ignnorant and gullible folks among the 70 million who voted for him but also many well-educated people who sit there keeping their mouths shut. including several SCOTUS Justices. History will ask why? I ask why. Even thinking like Donald Trump for a second, "What's in it for them?"
Emotional intelligence isn't intellectual brilliance. Then, there is the issue of moral development. Your brain can be a laser but your moral and emotional development may be stunted. The Sociopathic Club has lots of high achievers in it. Witness the current troop of Cabinet heads, Governors, corporate CEO's, Bank presidents, certain Generals, legislators who have directly contributed to the Climate Catastrophe, children in cages, sterilizing immigrant women, Covid killings through intentional neglect and denial, Flint people water- poisoned, 2008 Wall Street Crash perpetrators, neglectful governmental attention to Katrina victims....the list is quite endless, not the least of which is the invasion of sovereign Iraq based on bald-faced lies. How "empathic" would you say the engineers of these debacles are?
Money
Personally, if I got a letter like this, I would toss it in the trash. Insulting people does not work well when you are trying to influence their behavior. I hope you rethink your approach and revise your letter. If not, better to not write at all.
I ended up getting your comment, Ms. Stratton, but I wasnt't the one who posted that letter. (It is my understanding that letters to public officias, Congressmen, etc. rarely are read. They are just counted as to whether they are favorable or unfavorable.) Someone made it clear on this newsletter today that some intellectually brilliant people lack a moral context in which to use their intelligence. True.
Sorry, Jacob. I didn't catch that your letter wasn't a continuation of Pam's. My apologies- thanks for pointing that out. In general, you are correct about the counting as yea/nay. And often "form letters" and dupes are discounted, too, something for people to keep in mind. But I can tell you that, at least in some offices, a well-thought out letter from a contituent will generally be read. They are usually set aside into their own pile for the elected official to get a feel for the varying perspectives at work.
Thanks!
Aah, those feisty Smithies -
Barbara Pierce Bush '47 and Nancy Davis Reagan ’43
Nancy Reagan likely disinvited Barbara Bush from dinner with Princess Diana, among other slights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luybS0DLwXY
Ivy Day, Mountain Day -
Julia Child, Julie Nixon, Sara Haines, Sally Quinn, Sylvia Plath, Gloria Steinem, Betty Frieden, Margaret Mitchell, Laura D'Andrea Tyson
I feel Biden realizes he needs Sen Warren in the Senate, because her interim replacement will surely be a republican
Good point.
Yikes, Marcy. That is not right. I did not realize how fortunate I was to be in Virginia. I didn't have to contact Warner or Kaine. Warner's been on it with letters to the GSA. Whether that's going to get any traction, of course, is another thing.
I’m in ruby red TN. The Repub governor wanted to modestly expand Medicare. Legislature continues to refuse.
Ugh! They just want people to suffer. Awful
Ron Johnson is our senator, God help us.
And let’s count Matt Gaetz in the category of how the hell did he get re-elected. Phil Ehr, a veteran, put up a good fight but the people of Florida wanted more of Gaetz’s theatrics.
Gaetz...grrr. He is like a 10 year old boy!
I hear you Marcy (although I think Nunes wasn't up this year? He was up in 2018 I think . . .) My idiot senators in MO, Blunt and Hawley, and ginning up the Cheeto and Blunt, who oversees the inauguration committee, refuses to allow Biden staff to talk about it to him. They are both (I know we are not supposed to use expletives but fill in the blanks), both corrupt, both opportunists who think they can control the raging tantrum-displaying toddler-in-chief. They can't.
Nunes is a congressman so he is up every 2 years.
Lordy I thought he was a senator. Yes his continued tenure in his seat is a mystery . . .
Thank you for doing that Marcy. You’ve inspired me to do the same. A Memphian.
All I remember about Blackburn was her protection of the soring of Tennessee Walking Horses & the "Big Lick"! (google it) That was enough to put me off her - of course since I live in NY - I dont "suffer " from her representation. Sounds like there is lots more there to dislike from your comment!
Lucky me in Washington State---Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell.
I'm from nyc and have a tenuous relationship with the us.
Lol. And vice versa!
PacNW expat living in Vermont for the last 20+ years, and sometimes I feel like I'm living in a different country from you all. Still so much a westerner that I don't feel quite at home here, and yet I am deeply impressed with how Vermont has handled thing, and deeply proud of Vermonters. They let me call myself one now. Still terribly worried about our entire country. There's a madman prying at the seam, trying to tear us apart.
Perhaps, he couldn't tear if there were no seam in the first place. Happy people generally feel they have agency in their government's decisions and live where culture - not the commodification of everything - matters a lot. The corporatization of our society afflicts us. The caging of children (funded by us) with no sustained thunderous civil rage continues to eat away at me. During the Vietnam War we - the populous - more and more "felt" how terribly wrong it was - we "felt" connected to the immorality of it, probably because our children were coming home dead. And - until the government outlawed it - we saw the body bags come off the cargo planes.
Congrats to Klain! He is perfect in the role of Chief of Staff. Let me explain Nunes. He represents the Central Valley in California which is an area of agriculture and farming. His family were farmers but he is a thorn in most Californians sides. He is one of Fake 45’s sickening loyalists and the fact that he has not been in the public eye since Covid started raises questions. He is a blatant liar and an all around obnoxious bastard. I wish I could say he and Jim Jordan will go away soon but they won’t, unfortunately.
With all of this craziness going on as to the “what ifs” regarding Fake 45, I just want to say it has been very nice to have a real adult in the room speaking to all of us.
Marlene Lerner-Bigley, I was happy to hear Biden selected Ron Klain for his Chief of Staff.
I am a mental health therapist. Bullies provoke, deny they provoked and then, attack. I see the current president's recent firings and then appointings of unqualified replacements as provocations. He's got nothing left except to evoke some kind of reaction from concerned citizens, and then declare martial law or something like that. It's best when there is a bully in one's life to ignore them. The malignantly narcissistic bully provoking the American population is worrisome. But responding to his provocations with anything other than overt dismissal plays into his game.
Biden is proceeding and doing his best to not be provoked acting presidential
We have to do the same. It's not Biden, it is us that Trump is trying to discomboble, so that we will be uncertain about who is responsible for our government. Some significant pushback is necessary, just enough to let him know we aren't buying it. Politely worded letters to editors and columnists would be lovely- that sort of thing seems to irritate him. Hate to say it but irritating him in small ways and then ignoring him seems to be the tactic that works.
It is the schemers behind the malignant narcissist who worry me now.
We need to make McConnell powerless by helping Georgia win the senate seats
What powers do the Joint Chiefs of Staff have to overrule (or ignore) orders by the new Pentagon officials whom tRump has recently put in place? Asking for 331 million friends.
I believe they can refuse any illegal order given them.
Unfortunately, I think the word "illegal" is not always clear. But, there are techniques like slow walking the implementation of the order like doing a study on feasibility or something like that. If the President decides unilaterally to send a nuclear missile to some country, I think that is a legal order but a catastrophic one that I would hope someone would stop. The real problem here is that the 25th Amendment is not being invoked to get a mad man away from the nuclear button.
No, it would be an illegal order. There is not provocation, and even if there were, the impacts have to be considered. Plus the procedures for activating the nuclear option are complex. I agree that the 25th amendment should apply, but that's dependent on the cabinet, and we know what that means (unless they get tired of playing his game, don't hold your breath). If we can just wait out the remainder of Trump's term. He's not in the White House now, apparently, and he's certainly not doing any work. Effectively, except for his personnel rearrangements, he has stopped being President, and is just playing playground power games. Fingers crossed, he will get tired of being ignored and go away. I wonder if he is having problems finding someplace willing to let him in. This wondering is the hard part. So many of us want to find something solid we can believe about what is going on, but the fact is that about all we can do is conjecture. Woo hee.
In order to apply the 25th Amendment, does there have to be at least more than 1/2 of the positions filled for a quorum? I mused these 4 years that POTUS hasn't filled the heads of those cabinet with Senate-approved appointees because both the idea that he can't get Trump loyalists, (ie Chad Wolfe), and that he didn't want enough positions filled to be able to remove him.
Just wondering if acting Cabinet members get a vote.
Never thought of that - I wonder how THAT works??
The fact that the President appointments the Cabinet Members seems a bit of a weakness in the 25th Amendment. Of course, the two party system is making Impeachment of a President of the majority party in the Senate makes it almost useless as well. I'll go study what constitutes an illegal order. It isn't clear to me.
When the 25th was written, the reference case was President Kennedy having been shot. He died quickly, but what if he had lingered for months? The Cabinet would have been well qualified to determine the need for a replacement to do the work.
Agree, Annie, we want to find something solid.
But what would be considered illegal?
Anything contrary to the constitution and that could be damaging to the military or its personnel, if I interpret what I've read correctly. But, it is very vague. Defending the constitution is key.
Good.
My understanding is that they could disobey an order but would then have to resign because their career would be over.
They can disobey an illegal order or an order given without cause (ie, unsupportable in the conditions). They do not have to resign, though attempts might be made to court-martial. They would win, and would be given a medal.
I will have to find out more about "order given without cause" which might be something like doing a first strike with a nuclear missile as a worse case scenario. My source is the wife of a former member of the Joint Chiefs. There are probably more subtleties and nuance to all this that I don't understand since I am not a vet myself. We are talking about a guy who suggested nuking hurricanes which is a good reason to ask the question in the first place.
Oh. Could they wait 69 days to resign?
Like all of you. I continue to feel anxious. I listened to a Facebook Live presentation from the Lincoln Project last night. Guests were Lt General Mark Hertling and Lt. Colonel Fred Wellman, both retired. They both had some interesting observations. First, many of the mail in ballots that Trump is trying to throw out are from the military. Normally military ballots break for the Republican but so many military have abandoned him after his “suckers and losers” comments. Secondly, veterans are upset at the ceremony at the tomb of the unknowns. Traditionally this wreath ceremony happens at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Yet this narcissistic, pathetic man was late. Showed up at 11:30 and stayed for 6 minutes, saying nothing. So, if you think the military will back him in any kind of coup, both Hertling and Wellman say that won’t happen.
I also noted Hertling’s comments about possible demonstrations by the Proud Boys, et al. That Biden supporters should stay away, let them march and yell, but don’t engage in any kind of confrontation or counter demonstrations. It not only avoids possible violence or vandalism (or if any occurs, it’s obvious who’s responsible), but also relegates the demonstrations to ignorable bluster.
I agree, the temptation for protesters to respond only makes possible for confrontation, violence & the possibility for actual protesters to be blamed for the whole thing. Pulling back & staying quiet just might be a winner in that case.
Hertling and Wellman were excellent guests last night. I was glad to hear their reassuring comments.
A much more sobering thought; Trump could not be doing any of this without the complicity of the Rupublican Party, led by Mitch McConnell, including the propaganda wing led by Hannity, Limbaugh, et al. More sobering; McConnell was just re-elected and the Republican Party made political inroads into Congress and many state legislatures. (The latter being prima facie evidence the presidential election was NOT stolen by the Democrats.) In other words, a large minority of this country is just fine with the subversion of democracy being carried out, and would likely approve, or at least sit by silently, while a coup was carried out keeping Trump in office.
Even when Trump is finally sent packing, all the other players that aided and abetted the most corrupt/incompetent president in our history will still be very much alive and kicking.
That, my fellow citizens, is the sobering thought for today.
It's not about Trump any more.
It was never about Trump. He could not have caused the damage that has been done to our democratic system without the help of every other elected Republican in Congress and the Senate.
I felt that McConnell publicly making it known he was meeting with Gina Haspel might be a small crack in the "blockade". Numnuts has wanted to get rid of her for some time so is McConnell possibly letting him know hes against it? Youre right, tho - it is NOT all about him anymore. The idea that our supposed "representatives" would just sit back & cower until this jerk see the light? (Well, not MY reps)
I've been texting about politics recently with an evangelical relative who voted for Trump twice. It was not an easy decision for them. In the end the influence of the church won out. Even so, their church does not agree with the lies, with the violence, with the bigotry. Yes, they voted for him anyway, but let's not mistake that for believing in the whole package... Look at Florida, voting for $15 minimum wage and felon enfranchisement at the same time as voting for Trump. I think there is far more agreement in this country on policies than there is on politicians. Some portion of Trump voters have bathed in the enchanted waters. Not all of them.
Have you asked your evangelical relative who he/she believes won the presidential election? Does he/she go along with current Trump/Republican attempts to vacate the presidential election?
I disagree with your last statement. If you voted for Trump, you have indeed drunk the Koolaid.
My relative believes that Biden-Harris won the election, and they should be allowed to take office without anyone making an issue of it. You can think all Trump voters are the same if you like. I see a difference between the people who can still hold a conversation with me and the ones who can't.
"Even when Trump is finally sent packing, all the other players that aided and abetted the most corrupt/incompetent president in our history will still be very much alive and kicking." Gee, Ralph, highlighting this obvious fact is very disturbing.
“We need his voters,” Senator John Thune of South Dakota, told reporters today. “[W]e want him helping in Georgia.” - since when did politics become about this kind of crap and not about elected representatives following “the will of the people”, which is supposedly their purpose for existence?
And, as a healthcare professional, the situation in North Dakota makes me sick. It’s immoral, unethical, and medically dangerous. Never mind just plain wrong. But still no masks. What is wrong with people???
I am at a point that I just can’t with this asinine stupidity anymore. These people who are making every effort to block a duly elected Biden government need to be smacked down and kicked out because the popular vote makes it obvious that their time is over.
I sent a letter to our illustrious senator. I’ve disliked his politics for years but now abhor the man. He is not my representative and I shared that fact with him. I’m writing him daily. Trying very hard to keep it normal and not rage filled.
I'm betting just a bit of that rage & dislike might eke thru your words, right?
I suspect that just hearing from her on a daily basis would be about the right amount of irritation to be effective. Go, Peri!
I'm with General McCaffrey that we should be alarmed by the purge at the top of the Department of Defense. Several things strike me. First is that the new junior, not qualified appointments are close associates of the obsequious Representative Nunes (what a creep). The second is the mention of Erik Prince who I've always thought was going to put together DTs SS style personal guard. Of course, DTs would get a cut of what the government would pay these mercenaries. This, is listening carefully to Secretary of State Pompeo's words and cackling laugh when he talked about the smooth transition into DTs second term. His words that "When the process is complete, there will be electors selected." sounded ominous to me. Will key Republican-held Legislatures usurp the Elector College by selecting their own electors. Was frankly relieved to hear that key Pennsylvania Republicans "would honor the wishes of the voters...and follow the law." The governor appoints the electors after they are vote is certified. Whatever the plot is --- and we'll find out soon enough -- it isn't DT just flexing his muscle, or padding resumes of loyalist who he doesn't care about. Pompeo sounds like he is in on it although I don't see how this is helping his ambition of running for President in 2024. There might be an element of vindictive revenge on firing Secretary Esper, but the real reason must be either setting up his escape plan to avoid jail in the US and/or making money like shares in the Siberian oil by giving Putin a Christmas present of withdrawing our troops from Afghanistan. Or possibly he's tapping into the rich Middle Eastern princes through some scheme of Jared's. Whatever it is it is certainly not in the best interests of the United States. While I love DT being silent for days now, it is ominous. And like the music critic who reviewed John Cage's piece 4' 33" which was four minutes and thirty-three seconds of silence saying he hope Cage would write longer and longer compositions of silence. I,too, hope DT will remain silent for longer and longer periods of time. President elect Biden's calm, reassuring, competent, articulate tone and his appointment of such a highly qualified Chief of Staff with such pertinent experience for our time is quite comforting.
John Cage!! LOL!!!!!!!
Neither legislatures nor governors can change the electors after the election is held. That's a period. Now trying to remember where I read the very clear analysis of why this is the case. I know she talked about this, but recently this was such a concern for people (because Trump et al, of course, including Pompeo) that many of the law-oriented publications I read addressed it in some detail, I think also the ACLU. It is simply a non-starter. The Constitution says that state legislatures can decide how electors are selected, and it used to be that the legislature in some states chose them. BUT the method of choosing cannot be changed after the election, period. Plus they still have to vote for the person the voters in their state or district selected.
BTW, I'm wondering a bit about Pompeo's state of mind. He's been saying some really off-the-wall things lately, and losing track of where he's headed. For a military guy supposedly dedicated to upholding the Constitution, he seems to have a kind of fuzzy idea of what the Constitution is actually for.
My reading of Pompeo is that he is a very Pompous and Ambitious man who wants to run for President in 2024.
On the legislatures there is still the winner-take-all of the electors in most states. A couple of states - Maine and Nebraska - have gone to electors by Congressional District which is a way to begin to make the Electoral College match the popular vote if all states did it without having to do a Constitutional amendment.
Cathy, I think you are likely right about Pompeo's ambitions. However, it still doesn't account for some of the peculiar things he has been saying recently that seem out of touch- especially for someone with that ambition.
Yep, know about the Congressional district gambit. All we have to do is figure out how to keep them from gerrymandering the Congressional districts. Besides getting 50 (or more) states all to do the same thing. I still think that, especially with this being very high visibility right now, the amendment is the way to go, and now's the time to do it. It's long overdo, especially since it's been on the table for over 200 years (since Jefferson pulled the first manipulation of the electoral college). Let's get rid of it once and for all. Not all amendments are hair-yankers.
Think about this: getting the amendment would require fewer state buy-ins than each state changing to districting- which still makes gerry-mandering possible, and maybe even more so. Ever watch one of those? It's ugly, and will come up every ten years, like clockwork. An amendment by contrast, would be more straight-forward, uniform across states (because each INDIVIDUAL vote would count, no matter what the district did), and would even out the current imbalance between states and urban/rural areas.
Dang, I bet I end up staying awake until midnight tonight. Not good when I woke up before dawn today with my mind already at work. See what your question did to me? (I'm a policy and process nerd. I love questions like this. However, here's the day's gift: This evening we had an incredible alpenglow sunset that lasted forever. Everything glowed pink. Delicious. I couldn't find my regular camera, and my phone can't quite get this kind of light, darn it.
Annie, great points. Yes, I, too, love this sort of discussion. On Pompeo, sounds like you are saying he may have the Guilliani syndrome, or maybe we should call it the Graham or Nunes Syndrome, total immersion into the DT cult. Although with Gulliani it also seems to be some form of dementia might account for his very odd behavior and I'm sorry to see that. After seeing the smirk on Pomeo's face when he talked about the smooth transition to the DT second term, my reaction was he's laughing all the way to the bank with some pay-off by big money interests. Party and Patron always "trumps" Country and Constituents with these guys.
On a Constitutional Amendment, I've been working with Wolf-PAC for several years now calling for a Convention of States specifically limited to getting money out of politics. The same resolution is being submitted to all the state legislatures in order to limit the convention to directly addressing the resolution. The fear is a Convention of States would get out of hand and do whatever they please. So, it is a difficult path to take but getting this amendment through the Congress is like asking the fox to vote for a lock on the chicken coop. They only do a constitutional amendment when a significant number of states have already passed the measure in question. Yes, we need to make redistricting a nonpartisan processes in all states. One thing I like about Texas is that Congressional Districts must use county borders. However, the state districts are highly gerrymandered. I agree with John Adams that the worst evil to befall the Constitution would be the two-party system. He sure is being proven correct in this century. If I had Majority Leader power in the Senate and in the House, my first act would be to get rid of the center aisle. It is much harder to argue with the person sitting right next to you than someone on the other side of the table (or aisle in this case). I would use this technique in meetings by choosing to sit next to my strongest opponent. Worked quite well.
He reminds me of Gru - all the stalking around while thinking up evil deeds, dependent on his minions.
Trying to cut Biden off from all the information. All of the power. Trying to think of what else he can do to hurt Biden, and especially Harris.
Maybe it will be huge. That arms sale is huge. War would be huge. Withdrawal would be huge.
I don’t think he wants to face the press quite yet, but I am prepared for “rallies” where he riles up the faithful To disrupt things on his behalf.
I hope Biden is prepared for petty, as well. And I hope the White House gets swept pretty thoroughly for bugs. Of all sorts.
Which doesn’t mean I’m not scared. Leaving an abuser often winds up with the victim dead. We are demanding he pack and go. Could be ugly.
Barbara Res, who worked for trump as a construction manager for like 18 years, said last night she thinks he’ll leave the country. Wonder if his money goes with him.
Michael Cohen said yesterday he believes Trump won't return to the White House after his Christmas vacation to Mar a Lago. That would definitely dovetail with him fleeing abroad. How delicious. An entire family in disgrace.
Can we move that up to Thanksgiving?
HA! I’m with you!
..and don't let the door hit you on the on #ss on the way out. I'd be quite alright if Trump and family were exiled abroad and unable to return to the U.S.A. because they would face prosecution for their many crimes.
I hope he does. The sooner the better. Can someone buy him a plane ticket? Please?
I would donate to that fund!
Read the fine print first. Ensure 100% going to the plane ticket only.
He's got his own plane. Don't think we need to worry about that part.
I've been thinking the same thing. And what else he might be moving overseas as he delays Biden's access to the workings of government. I also suspect, as others have suggested, that his new "appointments" are distractions. Wondering if they are aware of that or if they really think they got a plum. Either way, Trump will simply abandon them, leaving them hanging when he bunks. And as I write this, I know perfectly well that nobody, probably including Trump, knows exactly what he is going to do. He famously changes direction in the middle. One thing is certain: he can't keep holding. Is he at the point of desperation or simply creating ad hoc a plan he thinks will "put one over" on whoever is his current enemy (increasingly, the American people)?
Wonder if anyone has offered him bleach.
Marcy Meldahl, does Trump have any money to take?
...and since Melania reportedly was successful in renegotiating her prenup "to protect Barron," if she jumps ship, it would probably take the pittance that remains - if she moves quickly enough.
She has her own money. Remember, she sued a tabloid and got something like $10 mill. She and Barron will be fine. Good riddance to her! She will go down as the most useless First Lady ever.
I didn't know about the tabloid suit, and I'm certainly not concerned about her welfare. She demonstrated her character when she attached herself to the Orange Menace. I agree - good riddance.
My suggestion: All hands on deck in Georgia. Put well-founded anxiety to work donating, writing, texting, calling, or “walking and knocking” to GOTV for Warnock and Ossoff. This is the best action we the people can take to help the Biden administration: help elect 2 Democratic GA Senators. GA is still Conservative. Stacey Abrams’ Fair Fight, Vote Save America, Indivisible, Vote Forward, Andrew Yang’s Humanity Forward, The Lincoln Project are all avenues to help. There are others.
Yes. The cornered Orange 🍊 Rat and his evil staff’s actions have me on high alert. Trump is vindictive. So, any of the domesday power-grab scenarios are possible, but I think it’s really about money. Trump wants all the money his angry followers continue to donate. He’s the GRIFTER IN CHIEF. “Let’s take as much money as we can from all the suckers while we can.”
Biden is handling it well. Ron Klain is very capable. So, while I remain anxious, I’m hopeful. 69 days o go.🤞🏻❤️🤍💙
Great ideas for us to act on, Deborah. Any thought to donating to Biden's legal team to counter lawsuits in the courts?
My money - literally - is on Stacey Abrams and her organization Fair Fight. They have done long steady work with great results in many states, resulting in a critical contribution to those margins by which Biden and Harris won. Winning those Senate seats in Georgia is an uphill battle that Abrams et al have been winning...
https://fairfight.com/
Thanks, Joan!
Trump’s lawsuits are baseless and going away on their own. Turning the Senate blue is hugely important and needs our nationwide resources.
Thanks, Ellie. I have been thinking the same as to lawsuits. My plans had and have included the Senate, for sure!
When will the Democrats start investigating Republican election fraud?
Call the men in white coats with elephant tranquilizer darts to the main ring, before the big top collapses.
well put!
Absolutely, and LOL!
One quick observation then a wish.
“ White House sources are grousing to reporters that the administration is ‘a f*****g clown show.’”
The administration has been “a f*****g clown show” for four years now. Nothing new to see there. Although his movement of chess pieces on the board is disturbing at this late hour, career professionals in the defense and intelligence agencies are more than capable of administrative foot dragging while replying “Yes, Sir” until the Biden inauguration.
My wish? Please, Mr. President, play more golf. You need the practice to prepare for all those rounds you will soon have more time to play. You and our country are well served by your time on the course.
Oh, one more quick thought. We can all be thankful for his unbelievable level of incompetence. It is one of our most important safeguards in the coming weeks.
I agree - but question here? Do they have golf courses in prisons????????????????
Silver linings everywhere, Bruce!!