Donald Trump, a self proclaimed billionaire, cannot provide enough collateral to secure a bond .
His next alternative is to liquidate enough holdings to provide the $500+ million himself. Most likely it would involve a massive fire sale and since we can assume there is significant debt on his holdings, it might still not provide enough equity to make the payment.
He has several choices none of which are good for him.
1. Let the court proceed with the liquidation
2. Declare bankruptcy thereby poking a massive hole in his boasting of his wealth.
3. Cowtow to Russia, Saudi Arabia or another Arab nation to lend him the money unsecured by anything except his sworn loyalty to their interests. In this way he can continue his dutiful service as a useful idiot.
4. Convince an Elon Musk or someone of that ilk to lend him the money in exchange for promises of very favorable treatment from the future White House should he be re-elected. ( e.g. all court cases to be heard by Judge Cannon.)
5. As a last resort, ask Melania for a loan. She probably has more money than he does.
I do not have ANY reason to think that his being in jail will shut him up. I can just see Sean Hannity or Laura Ingraham calling in to his jail cell for regular updates about his plans when released and who he endorses, what legislation he wants Republicans to block, etc. Until he is underground we will be bearing the burden of resistance to his and his supporters outrageous BS.
An "investor" can pay above market price for one of his properties to provide cash for the supersedeas. I don't know this as a fact but I bet he's been negotiating to do something like this and the "in forma pauperis" petition to the court is a ruse.
And that is precisely what Quatar did for Jared Kushner back awhile on his over-priced, over-leveraged 666 Fifth Avenue debacle. So the family is well aware of how to become beholden to outside rich countries or billionaires.
Another great reason to make sure he doesn't hold public office again. So tired of hearing what Mr. Trump is up to next, and how much press he gets for his nonsense.
Should we vote on which pox he will choose? There would be a political advantage to him for #1 because then he could claim further persecution. I think he'll opt for #3 if it's available. You have summed up the situation quite nicely. Bravo!
What the heck is up with Texas. Yeah, I know, they have been declaring their true nature for a while now. (See barbed wire killing children crossing the Rio Grande, Uvalde voting overwhelmingly for gun-loving Republican candidates just 5 months after an AR toting shooter killed children and teachers, corrupt and criming AG getting a pass from the bought and paid for TX Senate, etc.). Time to secede Texas. Really. Go. Get out. We will bring Puerto Rico in as the 50th state to replace Texas. We will build a wall to keep Texans and their toxic inhumane policies out. We will suck it up and make do without their oil, wind turbine generated electricity, beef, and cotton. Do they still grow cotton? We won’t have our tax dollars going there, especially to modernize their defective electric grid. We will all eat less beef, thus improving our health so we live to collect Social Security benefits that we have been paying into forever. Oil is on the way out anyway, so yesterday! And there is plenty of sunshine for solar in NM, AZ, UT, NV, etc. Also lots of wind in Wyoming. Really, adios Texas. And all this coming from a native born and bred Texan. I can not believe what has happened to that state.
Sky, just want to make note of the fact that the Twin Cities in Minnesota, can boast the same solar resources as Houston does. Latitude doesn’t necessarily convey access - think of how cloudy Houston can be. Add to that, South Dakota has enough wind resources to power half the US (problem is transmission- not power generation.)
Minnesota passed a 100% renewable energy standard in 2023 - required to get 100% of electricity from renewable sources by 2040. The influx of federal IRA money for infrastructure and buildouts of transmission is adding jobs to an already robust local economy here. Texas could do that in a heartbeat- much faster than we will.
The real problem, as you well know, is gerrymandering at the state level, along with dark money from corporations, and massive doses of racism, xenophobia and greed.
Colin Allred is polling well against Ted Cruz and has a real shot at winning a Senate seat. There are also big efforts afoot to recruit Democrats to run in local and state elections all across the state. Might take years of efforts but let’s not leave the millions of good, caring Texans to the oligarchs just yet.
As for the Fifth Circuit, time to vote for Biden, then when elected, demand that we expand the Supreme Court. That will require majorities of Dems in the House and Senate. As usual, we need to help get out the Dem vote. Big time!
Sheila, I like the way you think. Thanks for calling my bluff. I do know there are good people in Texas. I was venting. Because it really bothers me to see what has happened to Texas. Long ago, when I used to attend the Houston Quilt Show every year, I would be asked “where are you from”? I would answer, “Austin, but I am currently living in exile in NJ”. I don’t feel that way anymore.
From NYT: . David Goodman, Edgar Sandoval and Adam Liptak
Here’s the latest on the Texas immigration law.
The State of Texas late Tuesday was once again prevented from enforcing a strict new immigration law that gives local police agencies the power to arrest migrants who cross the border without authorization.
The order, issued by a Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals panel before midnight, capped a day of legal whiplash and came just hours after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the law to temporarily go into effect.
I have friends in Texas who can't stand the politics. So it's not all of them. Just like here in Florida our politicians are 💩. I'm hoping this is the year some of it can change. Roe vs Wade has helped. Just hope we can make it law so it can't be changed again. I hate what the Repugnicons have done to the US.
Greg Abbott has them buying his brand of Trump-loving insanity. You're right, the whole state can just permanently depart. Maybe become part of Mexico instead? LOL
Thank you once again, Robert. Your daily can-do attitude keeps me going!
BTW, state law enforcement officials being interviewed on the news said they simply did not have the resources to take on enforcing the Texas Law, SB4.
For many of us this is the time of the year when we are preparing income taxes. In a visit with my accountant he mentioned something that I had not considered before. If Trump is elected President there is a strong possibility that his election could have a major impact on the financial markets world wide and impact each of our 401K’s and retirement especially if your portfolio contains investments in companies who are international or rely on foreign manufacturing for key components. Add to this the implied connection to Russia and the authoritarian rhetoric and the financial industry is looking at high risks. What the an average American does not yet comprehend is that Trump and a Republican controlled Congress has grave consequences to our everyday life. We need to inform the average voter what this really means to them.
Lets not get side-tracked by the clown show - which is practically the only card left in their hand. The agenda of the media is simply to make more money without regard to ethics, even-handedness or the whole truth. To be the government of/for/by the people we have to allow a certain amount of nonsense; crushing it would contradict the values of free speech and personal liberties enshrined in our constitution. But we need to follow our "better angels" on the high road, reinforcing the good work, effective leadership and integrity of a skilled, competent and open-minded leader, and trust that enough Americans will prefer our inclusive and compassionate program over the sorry, degraded and corrupt values of a failed party. Hopeful but not complacent is the ticket to prevail.
I agree with you except I don’t think it is a clown show. We must not underestimate them. They are professionals, they know their audience, they’ve won before.
Maybe we call them “the wrecking crew” , I’m open to ideas.
yeah - don't underestimate 'em! The Wrecking Crew is already taken - Hal Blaine, Carol Kaye, Tommy Tedesco, Glen Campbell, Leon Russell, Larry Knechtel, James Burton, Jim Gordon, Joe Osborne, Louis Shelton, Barney Kessel, etc ---a loose band of studio musicians in LA in the '60s & 70s.
You made me laugh. I didn’t know that the wrecking crew was a band, and it sounds like a great one I should listen to, but I don’t think it disqualifies the moniker. Maybe we stick with the obvious , the fascists.
Up until the last few years, I had confidence in the basic integrity and professionalism of our judicial system, in particular the Supreme Court. I did not always like the decisions rendered, but I thought they were principled.
No longer.
Three points:
—Clearly precedent is no longer a key principle in making decisions, nor is textualism—I’m not sure what is. Supreme Court decisions often are not explained at all. They are not decisions but rather just announcements.
—As a Texan, I have learned that my state can pass laws that lower courts rule unconstitutional but the Supreme Court will permit enforcement anyway. (See Texas’s pre-Dobbs abortion ban and, yesterday, SB4.) This is flat out terrifying (again, see the abortion ban that basically allows bounty hunting).
—How one fares in the judicial system depends on how much money they can access then spend on appeals, presumably forever. There is no enforced end to this approach.
We could (a) expand the Supreme Court and begin reversing the 5th Circuit every time it steps over the line; (b) begin impeachment proceedings against members fo the judiciary who issue opinions at odds with the Constitution; (c) elect Colin Allred.
Can outregister them. To protect American democracy, reach out to millions of unregistered likely Democrats using a dedicated database using every outreach method possible (phone and text, postcard, email and targeted ad, and in-person too), where new Democratic voters will make the most impact – in the most flippable states and districts.
I’m trying not to feel offended (this hits me like “love it or leave it”),but my original comment was intended to express my concern for the current status of country’s judicial system, not the issues in one state. One of my concerns, actually, is that US citizens’ rights vary more and more drastically by what state they live in, and that is scary. (Though I do not think these extremists will stop at state control.)
Yes, I could leave my family by moving to another state, but I’m not sure how that helps the situation.
He certainly doesn't need me to defend him, but I don't think Mr. Berg's response was "snarky" at all. Where one lives is usually determined by many factors. And just like I choose not to shop in Hobby Lobby or Publix, for instance, or have investments in companies I think are not socially responsible, I also choose not to live or support states or countries with whom I have major political differences. I won't give FL or TX or Hungary my tourist dollars and I wouldn't live there. I prefer to support those with whom I agree, and to put my money where my head, heart and soul are at peace.
In his defense, Mr. Berg is rarely snarky. He probably knows all of our blue readers who are stuck in red states can be made miserable by the politics, have many things to love about their state (natural beauty for one), and can be one of the only hopes for turning a red state purple. For example, I have been watching NC show hopeful purple signs (I'm in VA) but lately it seems to teeter back toward red. If only we could organize a massive blue move into purple states just long enough to elect more liberal and moderate state legislatures (!)... but, I'm having a silly fantasy moment. I suspect Mr. Berg was having a silly flip moment. Sometimes I have to work to quell some of mine. I do hope I don't slip too often!
Could someone please explain to me why the media does not crow about Biden, but will say anything they can about Trump! I am trying to understand why the press who says they are fair and balanced or anything but!
Two things spring to my mind: First of all they are mostly owned by million- and billionaires, and the smaller media in the interior were bought up 40 or so years ago by a few right wing groups or are financially "supported" by them. Second, the modern technology permitting clicks and other less accurate and less arduous methods of quantifying "reader engagement" amplifies the sadly quite real human tendency to feel more urgency to know about and enjoyment in reading about outrageous and/or simplified and easily absorbed "news". More normal or nuanced or complex reporting is passed over as too much work or "I don't have the time right now". It's easy for malign foreign bot to add thousands of clicks to Trump stories while leaving Biden accomplishments languishing in the attentions of the few.
The well documented tendency of media to lazily grab stories from other media sources (without checking them for veracity or fairness) would naturally multiply any reporting bias already present. In addition, foreign disinformation and targeted information efforts are well aware of how to introduce "news" where it will get picked up and swooshed into the American main stream media.
Looks like while Trump hasn’t any money to pay his debts to society (NYC), he is losing ground in the states that are holding primaries. It’s music to my ears. Thanks, Robert, we will win this fight against oppression from SCOTUS and the once known R Party members.
Absolutely. This is a long-term endeavour. A necessary first step would be to repeal Citizens United and pass campaign financing laws reflecting a real democracy. To achieve that anytime in the foreseeable future SCOTUS has to be enlarged.
I was so disappointed Biden did not immediately put together a committee to systematically look at all of Trump's actions with an eye to assessing what needed to be undone, and which actions highlighted a weakness in the system which needed strong guardrails instead of relying on the honor system or expectations. Such a committee should have been tasked with recommending appropriate actions in each case. I was also disappointed each time Biden rejected out of hand any proposals to expand the SCOTUS.
I don't really have much faith that he will give enough of his inner ear over to what he's seen and learned in these last four years rather than relying on his belief most Americans are reliably decent, value fairness, and surely will see reason when they experience the outcomes of his policies... and that a small minority acting outside the norms cannot grab power by brutish means.
Florida Republicans mostly lined up behind Donald Trump in Tuesday’s primary election. But in a race with only token opposition, nearly 20% of them voted for someone else.
My large, Fl county mirrored the state’s results. Less than 24% voted here with almost 14% for Haley with < 3.5% for our “anti-woke” governor.We are MAGA red. All my elected representatives are Republican, including a “Freedom” Caucus House Rep and “Constitutional” Sheriff.
6 Trumper flags/signs on our street and 0 Biden/Harris…until this week. Our Biden/Harris yard sign now proudly planted next to our American flag!
Mr. Hubbell, something I keep wanting to ask about is found in Joyce Vance's March 15 "Snarkier Takes Tonight". In regards to Judge Cannon's recent ruling Ms. Vance writes:
"The good news here is temporary. It’s what I’d call an ugly win for the government. The Judge dismissed the vagueness argument—but just for today. She did it “without prejudice,” which means that Trump’s lawyers could raise the argument again later in the case. In fact, the Judge seemed to do just that in her order, essentially inviting the defense to raise the argument again at trial. She says the motion turns at least in part on “disputed factual issues.” That’s significant because those disputed issues get aired at trial when the evidence is presented to the jury. If the Judge had ruled against the government today, the Special Counsel could have appealed. But that’s not the case if, after today’s ruling in the government’s favor, she permits Trump to resurrect the motion at trial. She could grant the motion to dismiss the case then and at that point, with very rare exceptions (that the Judge would be in a position to prevent), the government can’t appeal. That’s because once a jury has been empaneled, double jeopardy “attaches” and prevents the government from retrying the defendant on the same charges if he’s acquitted, which is what would happen if the Judge granted a motion to dismiss at that point and before a jury rendered a guilty verdict. That’s the nightmare scenario here."
While I don't think the evidence necessarily suggests Judge Cannon is both clever enough and well educated enough to come up with this on her own, she is surely being advised by others. With experience now, we can no longer assume any moves are too outrageous for her to try. I continue to feel anxious lest Jack Smith either refuses for some reason (could it possibly be hubris or denial that justice can be so perverted?) to request moving the trial to a different judge, or waits too long.
My questions are what do you make of the possibility raised by Joyce Vance, and do you think Jack Smith will ever request Cannon be removed and if so what will it take?
My major takeaway from today's Today's is that Trump's cognitive decline is causing him to make multiple decisions that are all reducing his chances of being elected. A smart GOP would ditch him. But he's taken it over with his daughter in law having replaced Ronna McDaniel. Amazing!
I deeply resent Trump’s characterization of Jewish people who vote for Democrats as disloyal or as haters of Israel. Trump is clueless about the politics regarding and within Israel and the difficulties in dealing with Netanyahu. More troubling is how his acolytes respond favorably to his blathering in hopes of swaying voters. He’s just plain wrong.
I’m a Jew and I don’t hate my religion nor Israel and I vote for Democrats.
This does not mean that I wholesale support the State of Israel and I am not a fancier of Netanyahu. I believe the Biden administration is trying to reign in some bad policies. Hopefully they will succeed
Trump may be on the ropes, but Robert alluded to a crucial must-win for the country. Democracy-loving Americans must deliver a unified government to President Biden (no easy task).
A democratic congress (house and senate) and stronger democratic representation in state and local governments.
Republicans have worked for and succeeded in stripping basic fundamental rights from many of our fellow citizens, and those rights must be restored.
The real measure of a successful election cycle will send Trump and ALL his enablers to the dustbin of history.
I doubt it will happen in one election cycle, but the women's issues have even gotten the attention of young women, who I believe will turn out for Democrats, if we do our job of getting them registered.
I’m just writing to say that I appreciate your referring to the ex-president as “ex”, rather than “former”. I understand that this is the correct way to refer to him and I wish that more commentators made use of this convention.
The federal government has been in charge of immigration policy for over a century. But the current Supreme Court wants everyone to know that past interpretations of the Constitution don’t mean much to them. They will make laws now, depending upon how they feel that day and what their wives think. What are ya gonna do about it?
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Supreme Court and Trump have another connection: Fifth Circuit's decision to restrict access to pornography, which led to PornHub stopped serving Texas.
Which Supreme Court Justice was accused of harassing others with pornography? Which former President is facing litigation from a porn star? How does Project 2025 define pornography?
Today's thought..
Donald Trump, a self proclaimed billionaire, cannot provide enough collateral to secure a bond .
His next alternative is to liquidate enough holdings to provide the $500+ million himself. Most likely it would involve a massive fire sale and since we can assume there is significant debt on his holdings, it might still not provide enough equity to make the payment.
He has several choices none of which are good for him.
1. Let the court proceed with the liquidation
2. Declare bankruptcy thereby poking a massive hole in his boasting of his wealth.
3. Cowtow to Russia, Saudi Arabia or another Arab nation to lend him the money unsecured by anything except his sworn loyalty to their interests. In this way he can continue his dutiful service as a useful idiot.
4. Convince an Elon Musk or someone of that ilk to lend him the money in exchange for promises of very favorable treatment from the future White House should he be re-elected. ( e.g. all court cases to be heard by Judge Cannon.)
5. As a last resort, ask Melania for a loan. She probably has more money than he does.
Note: There is no vaccine for this pox.
Whatever the case, Trump will continue to sow chaos. He can’t seem to do anything else. His future residence (jail) depends upon it.
Will the press routinely visit him in the slammer?
I do not have ANY reason to think that his being in jail will shut him up. I can just see Sean Hannity or Laura Ingraham calling in to his jail cell for regular updates about his plans when released and who he endorses, what legislation he wants Republicans to block, etc. Until he is underground we will be bearing the burden of resistance to his and his supporters outrageous BS.
Good question!
An "investor" can pay above market price for one of his properties to provide cash for the supersedeas. I don't know this as a fact but I bet he's been negotiating to do something like this and the "in forma pauperis" petition to the court is a ruse.
And that is precisely what Quatar did for Jared Kushner back awhile on his over-priced, over-leveraged 666 Fifth Avenue debacle. So the family is well aware of how to become beholden to outside rich countries or billionaires.
https://www.justsecurity.org/69094/timeline-on-jared-kushner-qatar-666-fifth-avenue-and-white-house-policy/
Yeesh! It never stops!
Another great reason to make sure he doesn't hold public office again. So tired of hearing what Mr. Trump is up to next, and how much press he gets for his nonsense.
No he needs to tap Jared his son in law.
#3 is a done deal! He likes the delay, appeal game and claiming to be a martyr!
Trump expresses a viewpoint in which he is beset by enemies who repeatedly try to pull him down.
He is a crybaby, not a tough guy.
Should we vote on which pox he will choose? There would be a political advantage to him for #1 because then he could claim further persecution. I think he'll opt for #3 if it's available. You have summed up the situation quite nicely. Bravo!
Thanks, Bob, for the morning en"light"enment🤣🤣🤣
What the heck is up with Texas. Yeah, I know, they have been declaring their true nature for a while now. (See barbed wire killing children crossing the Rio Grande, Uvalde voting overwhelmingly for gun-loving Republican candidates just 5 months after an AR toting shooter killed children and teachers, corrupt and criming AG getting a pass from the bought and paid for TX Senate, etc.). Time to secede Texas. Really. Go. Get out. We will bring Puerto Rico in as the 50th state to replace Texas. We will build a wall to keep Texans and their toxic inhumane policies out. We will suck it up and make do without their oil, wind turbine generated electricity, beef, and cotton. Do they still grow cotton? We won’t have our tax dollars going there, especially to modernize their defective electric grid. We will all eat less beef, thus improving our health so we live to collect Social Security benefits that we have been paying into forever. Oil is on the way out anyway, so yesterday! And there is plenty of sunshine for solar in NM, AZ, UT, NV, etc. Also lots of wind in Wyoming. Really, adios Texas. And all this coming from a native born and bred Texan. I can not believe what has happened to that state.
Sky, just want to make note of the fact that the Twin Cities in Minnesota, can boast the same solar resources as Houston does. Latitude doesn’t necessarily convey access - think of how cloudy Houston can be. Add to that, South Dakota has enough wind resources to power half the US (problem is transmission- not power generation.)
Minnesota passed a 100% renewable energy standard in 2023 - required to get 100% of electricity from renewable sources by 2040. The influx of federal IRA money for infrastructure and buildouts of transmission is adding jobs to an already robust local economy here. Texas could do that in a heartbeat- much faster than we will.
The real problem, as you well know, is gerrymandering at the state level, along with dark money from corporations, and massive doses of racism, xenophobia and greed.
Colin Allred is polling well against Ted Cruz and has a real shot at winning a Senate seat. There are also big efforts afoot to recruit Democrats to run in local and state elections all across the state. Might take years of efforts but let’s not leave the millions of good, caring Texans to the oligarchs just yet.
As for the Fifth Circuit, time to vote for Biden, then when elected, demand that we expand the Supreme Court. That will require majorities of Dems in the House and Senate. As usual, we need to help get out the Dem vote. Big time!
Sheila, I like the way you think. Thanks for calling my bluff. I do know there are good people in Texas. I was venting. Because it really bothers me to see what has happened to Texas. Long ago, when I used to attend the Houston Quilt Show every year, I would be asked “where are you from”? I would answer, “Austin, but I am currently living in exile in NJ”. I don’t feel that way anymore.
From NYT: . David Goodman, Edgar Sandoval and Adam Liptak
Here’s the latest on the Texas immigration law.
The State of Texas late Tuesday was once again prevented from enforcing a strict new immigration law that gives local police agencies the power to arrest migrants who cross the border without authorization.
The order, issued by a Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals panel before midnight, capped a day of legal whiplash and came just hours after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the law to temporarily go into effect.
I have friends in Texas who can't stand the politics. So it's not all of them. Just like here in Florida our politicians are 💩. I'm hoping this is the year some of it can change. Roe vs Wade has helped. Just hope we can make it law so it can't be changed again. I hate what the Repugnicons have done to the US.
Greg Abbott has them buying his brand of Trump-loving insanity. You're right, the whole state can just permanently depart. Maybe become part of Mexico instead? LOL
I don’t wish them on Mexico. They heave enough problems.
Thank you once again, Robert. Your daily can-do attitude keeps me going!
BTW, state law enforcement officials being interviewed on the news said they simply did not have the resources to take on enforcing the Texas Law, SB4.
Excellent point. Texas's worst nightmare is that it becomes responsible for enforcing immigration laws.
For many of us this is the time of the year when we are preparing income taxes. In a visit with my accountant he mentioned something that I had not considered before. If Trump is elected President there is a strong possibility that his election could have a major impact on the financial markets world wide and impact each of our 401K’s and retirement especially if your portfolio contains investments in companies who are international or rely on foreign manufacturing for key components. Add to this the implied connection to Russia and the authoritarian rhetoric and the financial industry is looking at high risks. What the an average American does not yet comprehend is that Trump and a Republican controlled Congress has grave consequences to our everyday life. We need to inform the average voter what this really means to them.
Bad news for ShitForBrains is good news for America
To which of the many, many S-F-B's players on the Repubbie team are you referring to, TC?
(I'm assuming Dump...but perhaps you mean Abbott?)
Lets not get side-tracked by the clown show - which is practically the only card left in their hand. The agenda of the media is simply to make more money without regard to ethics, even-handedness or the whole truth. To be the government of/for/by the people we have to allow a certain amount of nonsense; crushing it would contradict the values of free speech and personal liberties enshrined in our constitution. But we need to follow our "better angels" on the high road, reinforcing the good work, effective leadership and integrity of a skilled, competent and open-minded leader, and trust that enough Americans will prefer our inclusive and compassionate program over the sorry, degraded and corrupt values of a failed party. Hopeful but not complacent is the ticket to prevail.
I agree with you except I don’t think it is a clown show. We must not underestimate them. They are professionals, they know their audience, they’ve won before.
Maybe we call them “the wrecking crew” , I’m open to ideas.
yeah - don't underestimate 'em! The Wrecking Crew is already taken - Hal Blaine, Carol Kaye, Tommy Tedesco, Glen Campbell, Leon Russell, Larry Knechtel, James Burton, Jim Gordon, Joe Osborne, Louis Shelton, Barney Kessel, etc ---a loose band of studio musicians in LA in the '60s & 70s.
You made me laugh. I didn’t know that the wrecking crew was a band, and it sounds like a great one I should listen to, but I don’t think it disqualifies the moniker. Maybe we stick with the obvious , the fascists.
👍
Facists is also a great choice
The Wrecking Crew was the greatest "studio" band of all time...Hal, Carol, and Tommy were the best of the best!
I like "The Losers"
Amen, Tom!
Up until the last few years, I had confidence in the basic integrity and professionalism of our judicial system, in particular the Supreme Court. I did not always like the decisions rendered, but I thought they were principled.
No longer.
Three points:
—Clearly precedent is no longer a key principle in making decisions, nor is textualism—I’m not sure what is. Supreme Court decisions often are not explained at all. They are not decisions but rather just announcements.
—As a Texan, I have learned that my state can pass laws that lower courts rule unconstitutional but the Supreme Court will permit enforcement anyway. (See Texas’s pre-Dobbs abortion ban and, yesterday, SB4.) This is flat out terrifying (again, see the abortion ban that basically allows bounty hunting).
—How one fares in the judicial system depends on how much money they can access then spend on appeals, presumably forever. There is no enforced end to this approach.
I really don’t know how we recover from this.
We could (a) expand the Supreme Court and begin reversing the 5th Circuit every time it steps over the line; (b) begin impeachment proceedings against members fo the judiciary who issue opinions at odds with the Constitution; (c) elect Colin Allred.
Yes to all! We have been making monthly donations to Colin for years. He is terrific, and we think he has a real shot!
Can outregister them. To protect American democracy, reach out to millions of unregistered likely Democrats using a dedicated database using every outreach method possible (phone and text, postcard, email and targeted ad, and in-person too), where new Democratic voters will make the most impact – in the most flippable states and districts.
https://www.fieldteam6.org/actions
You could move to another state.
I’m trying not to feel offended (this hits me like “love it or leave it”),but my original comment was intended to express my concern for the current status of country’s judicial system, not the issues in one state. One of my concerns, actually, is that US citizens’ rights vary more and more drastically by what state they live in, and that is scary. (Though I do not think these extremists will stop at state control.)
Yes, I could leave my family by moving to another state, but I’m not sure how that helps the situation.
I was just about to reply to that snarky comment. You beat me to it.
He certainly doesn't need me to defend him, but I don't think Mr. Berg's response was "snarky" at all. Where one lives is usually determined by many factors. And just like I choose not to shop in Hobby Lobby or Publix, for instance, or have investments in companies I think are not socially responsible, I also choose not to live or support states or countries with whom I have major political differences. I won't give FL or TX or Hungary my tourist dollars and I wouldn't live there. I prefer to support those with whom I agree, and to put my money where my head, heart and soul are at peace.
In his defense, Mr. Berg is rarely snarky. He probably knows all of our blue readers who are stuck in red states can be made miserable by the politics, have many things to love about their state (natural beauty for one), and can be one of the only hopes for turning a red state purple. For example, I have been watching NC show hopeful purple signs (I'm in VA) but lately it seems to teeter back toward red. If only we could organize a massive blue move into purple states just long enough to elect more liberal and moderate state legislatures (!)... but, I'm having a silly fantasy moment. I suspect Mr. Berg was having a silly flip moment. Sometimes I have to work to quell some of mine. I do hope I don't slip too often!
I think Joe Biden has responded best to that ‘love it or leave it’ sentiment:
“These are the U-Nited States!”
See Robert Hubbell's comment and keep in mind it's a long process
“Supreme Court decisions often are not explained at all. They are not decisions but rather just announcements.” —
That’s a brilliant summary. Thanks.
Could someone please explain to me why the media does not crow about Biden, but will say anything they can about Trump! I am trying to understand why the press who says they are fair and balanced or anything but!
Two things spring to my mind: First of all they are mostly owned by million- and billionaires, and the smaller media in the interior were bought up 40 or so years ago by a few right wing groups or are financially "supported" by them. Second, the modern technology permitting clicks and other less accurate and less arduous methods of quantifying "reader engagement" amplifies the sadly quite real human tendency to feel more urgency to know about and enjoyment in reading about outrageous and/or simplified and easily absorbed "news". More normal or nuanced or complex reporting is passed over as too much work or "I don't have the time right now". It's easy for malign foreign bot to add thousands of clicks to Trump stories while leaving Biden accomplishments languishing in the attentions of the few.
The well documented tendency of media to lazily grab stories from other media sources (without checking them for veracity or fairness) would naturally multiply any reporting bias already present. In addition, foreign disinformation and targeted information efforts are well aware of how to introduce "news" where it will get picked up and swooshed into the American main stream media.
Thank you so much for that explanation!!!!
the *mainstream* media wants a fascist dictatorship led by the most evil and corrupt human on planet Earth.
I don't think they care enough to want anyone. Just generating $$$$$$ by clicks and online subscriptions
Not the press of our earlier years. They're chasing clicks and subscriptions, not the truth.
Maybe Trump is right and they are “the enemy”. But I am not for silencing them.
Looks like while Trump hasn’t any money to pay his debts to society (NYC), he is losing ground in the states that are holding primaries. It’s music to my ears. Thanks, Robert, we will win this fight against oppression from SCOTUS and the once known R Party members.
It ain’t over till Biden is elected.
And even then, not for the next several election cycles. We must 'bake in' democracy and the rule of law into our country.
Absolutely. This is a long-term endeavour. A necessary first step would be to repeal Citizens United and pass campaign financing laws reflecting a real democracy. To achieve that anytime in the foreseeable future SCOTUS has to be enlarged.
Bingo
I'd expand it to 13 - one for each of the circuit courts.
And likely not even then.
I was so disappointed Biden did not immediately put together a committee to systematically look at all of Trump's actions with an eye to assessing what needed to be undone, and which actions highlighted a weakness in the system which needed strong guardrails instead of relying on the honor system or expectations. Such a committee should have been tasked with recommending appropriate actions in each case. I was also disappointed each time Biden rejected out of hand any proposals to expand the SCOTUS.
I don't really have much faith that he will give enough of his inner ear over to what he's seen and learned in these last four years rather than relying on his belief most Americans are reliably decent, value fairness, and surely will see reason when they experience the outcomes of his policies... and that a small minority acting outside the norms cannot grab power by brutish means.
I hear you but we don’t know what the Biden Administration is doing relative to Trump and it’s too early to guess
Unwise to fan flames by showing those cards.
Florida Republicans mostly lined up behind Donald Trump in Tuesday’s primary election. But in a race with only token opposition, nearly 20% of them voted for someone else.
Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article286826225.html#storylink=cpy
My large, Fl county mirrored the state’s results. Less than 24% voted here with almost 14% for Haley with < 3.5% for our “anti-woke” governor.We are MAGA red. All my elected representatives are Republican, including a “Freedom” Caucus House Rep and “Constitutional” Sheriff.
6 Trumper flags/signs on our street and 0 Biden/Harris…until this week. Our Biden/Harris yard sign now proudly planted next to our American flag!
🪧🇺🇸
❤️🤍💙
Bravo, you!
thanks for the link.
Mr. Hubbell, something I keep wanting to ask about is found in Joyce Vance's March 15 "Snarkier Takes Tonight". In regards to Judge Cannon's recent ruling Ms. Vance writes:
"The good news here is temporary. It’s what I’d call an ugly win for the government. The Judge dismissed the vagueness argument—but just for today. She did it “without prejudice,” which means that Trump’s lawyers could raise the argument again later in the case. In fact, the Judge seemed to do just that in her order, essentially inviting the defense to raise the argument again at trial. She says the motion turns at least in part on “disputed factual issues.” That’s significant because those disputed issues get aired at trial when the evidence is presented to the jury. If the Judge had ruled against the government today, the Special Counsel could have appealed. But that’s not the case if, after today’s ruling in the government’s favor, she permits Trump to resurrect the motion at trial. She could grant the motion to dismiss the case then and at that point, with very rare exceptions (that the Judge would be in a position to prevent), the government can’t appeal. That’s because once a jury has been empaneled, double jeopardy “attaches” and prevents the government from retrying the defendant on the same charges if he’s acquitted, which is what would happen if the Judge granted a motion to dismiss at that point and before a jury rendered a guilty verdict. That’s the nightmare scenario here."
While I don't think the evidence necessarily suggests Judge Cannon is both clever enough and well educated enough to come up with this on her own, she is surely being advised by others. With experience now, we can no longer assume any moves are too outrageous for her to try. I continue to feel anxious lest Jack Smith either refuses for some reason (could it possibly be hubris or denial that justice can be so perverted?) to request moving the trial to a different judge, or waits too long.
My questions are what do you make of the possibility raised by Joyce Vance, and do you think Jack Smith will ever request Cannon be removed and if so what will it take?
My major takeaway from today's Today's is that Trump's cognitive decline is causing him to make multiple decisions that are all reducing his chances of being elected. A smart GOP would ditch him. But he's taken it over with his daughter in law having replaced Ronna McDaniel. Amazing!
Keep working everyone! The wind's at our backs.
I deeply resent Trump’s characterization of Jewish people who vote for Democrats as disloyal or as haters of Israel. Trump is clueless about the politics regarding and within Israel and the difficulties in dealing with Netanyahu. More troubling is how his acolytes respond favorably to his blathering in hopes of swaying voters. He’s just plain wrong.
On my Facebook page I posted this yesterday:
I’m a Jew and I don’t hate my religion nor Israel and I vote for Democrats.
This does not mean that I wholesale support the State of Israel and I am not a fancier of Netanyahu. I believe the Biden administration is trying to reign in some bad policies. Hopefully they will succeed
Trump may be on the ropes, but Robert alluded to a crucial must-win for the country. Democracy-loving Americans must deliver a unified government to President Biden (no easy task).
A democratic congress (house and senate) and stronger democratic representation in state and local governments.
Republicans have worked for and succeeded in stripping basic fundamental rights from many of our fellow citizens, and those rights must be restored.
The real measure of a successful election cycle will send Trump and ALL his enablers to the dustbin of history.
I doubt it will happen in one election cycle, but the women's issues have even gotten the attention of young women, who I believe will turn out for Democrats, if we do our job of getting them registered.
I’m just writing to say that I appreciate your referring to the ex-president as “ex”, rather than “former”. I understand that this is the correct way to refer to him and I wish that more commentators made use of this convention.
Let’s keep him “ex”!
My preference and practice as well.
Yes!!
The federal government has been in charge of immigration policy for over a century. But the current Supreme Court wants everyone to know that past interpretations of the Constitution don’t mean much to them. They will make laws now, depending upon how they feel that day and what their wives think. What are ya gonna do about it?
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Supreme Court and Trump have another connection: Fifth Circuit's decision to restrict access to pornography, which led to PornHub stopped serving Texas.
Which Supreme Court Justice was accused of harassing others with pornography? Which former President is facing litigation from a porn star? How does Project 2025 define pornography?
Follow the MAGA HYPOCRISY: https://thedemlabs.org/2024/03/19/republicans-restrict-pornhub-follow-the-hypocrisy/
All this is so exhausting! Thanks for keeping us positive Robert.