Unbelievable what Trump gets away with. Also is it not illegal to contact a head of state unless sanctioned by the executive branch? So basically Putin is running the GOP. Well there you have it America! Thanks Robert, your writing is so clear and to the point!!!!!!
He has also met publicly with Orban and Netanyahu in clear violation of the Logan Act, a felony. His criminality is central to his campaign—his voters cheer him on that he thumbs his nose at the rest of us law-abiding Democratic dopes.
Great point, Sheila; I honestly believe you hit the nail on the head - his supporters are enamored with and inspired by his flouting the law! He's a "rebel" which makes him one of them, and that's why facts matter so little, as do attempts to reason with them in regard to having a fair system of government. They see those distinctions as libs trying to control them, but being rebels...
I guess if we can't persuade the Trumpers, we have to do what we can to persuade everyone else that we need more than a wave; we need a tsunami of reasoned/Blue votes.
I was on the DemCast Zoom Monday afternoon and they had the couple behind Eleven Films talking about their "Trump Madness and the Bracket of Shame". It is set up like a NCAA March Madness bracket where you can vote on which video clip of Trump's behavior is most shameful and then the winner will advance to the next bracket. See this introductory video on YouTube:
Trump Madness can be found on your favorite social media platform using #TrumpMadness. They are adding 1 video per day throughout October.
Please help it go viral by liking, voting and sharing . Many Americans have forgotten or become numb to all the nonstop poisin and treachery from Trump. Some people need to reminded of why it is so important to vote!
"Hillbilly Outlaw". Jess Piper reports these road signs with his picture, in her Substack column in NW Missouri. Seriously?? Playing the most pliable among us, keeping them in the hypnotic bubble where they spend their dystopian days and nights.
These people were the victims of their birthplace. They never “knew “ Donald Trump before “the Apprentice.” We, who were from NYC, knew Donald Trump to be a self promoting grifter, a failed business man and a serial adulterer. Also a social climber. He honestly confused money with stature. Now he is just confused. We routinely refuse to support him in any election, not because we are Democrats with a capital D but because we know him.
I am a native Mahattanite. We told the world who he is over and over again and were labeled liberal snowflakes. He only wanted to be accepted in the 70s & 80s glitterati and they hated him, so he had to buy his way in. And he only wanted his mommy & daddy to love him, and they never did either. So now we're stuck with a narcissistic, sociopathic man-child trying to exact revenge.
I follow Jess and she shines a bright light on a lot of things that aren't right with rural red America. Her perspective on things is refreshing and an inspiration, she's a fighter and I like to think she is making a difference in her community.
Thanks for posting the link to her page, I hope people check it out.
I live in the neighboring state of Kansas and have lived in her state of MO part of my life. We have considered moving back to MO, but where we live is purple and turning blue, so there's that. I even have some relatives that moved into her area of the state NW MO and moved there to be a part of the other culture (doomsdayers).
All of this is Putin's work through Trump. I hate to hate, but I hate the two of them and what they have done.
I think they may be in secret at this point in time. And, also we are waiting for the elections. All things are on hold. It was discussed today in Public Notice. This will avoid the appeals that will happen if it can be presented as election interference.
I recall that, before becoming President, Richard Nixon did his bit of unauthorized “diplomacy” with North Vietnam, to undermine the LBJ Administration’s diplomatic efforts to settle the Vietnam War.
I may be wrong, but it wasn't public knowledge. If it had been, I suspect Humphrey may have won, at least the popular vote (he nearly did). The problem, again, would have been that damn EC.
This has been known for some time. Woodward just exposed it for all of us to see. That legal action is not seriously being taken shows how weakened the Justice Dept. is and how fearful people are who can stop 45 (I won't say his name). I heard Lawrence Tribe on a zoom call yesterday with Mark Ellis of Democracy Docket. Tribe criticized Garland for his inaction. I do believe that Democrats in positions of action could have moved more quickly to better protect us from the consequences of these traitorous acts but did not. Incompetence? Fear? I don't know why, and frankly, I don't care. There are no excuses. Jack Smith is the only one I feel is acting in my interests to combat 45 right now.
I was also on the Democracy Docket call yesterday. Everyone was great (Marc Elias, Joyce Vance, Maya Wiley) but Larry Tribe's comments about Merrick Garland were spot on. Also Tribe's comments about Supreme Court reform were terrific. A great program.
I highly recommend subscribing to Democracy Docket's newsletter. It is one of my "go to" sources.
I would like Harris to win, and Biden to use the interim period to fire corrupt Supreme Court justices, and when they tell him he can't he just ignores them and replaces them. I would post military at the court to make sure they can't get in. If anyone gets in trouble, he pardons them.
While I agree with the sentiment, Biden can't fire the justices - pesky Constitution. But what he should do, or rather Harris should do, is expand the Court to the number Federal districts - 13. Of course, it needs a D Senate.
However, this is exactly the kind of thing Trump can do and will do. So, Biden cannot only because he chooses to follow the constitution. Trump plans to circumvent it, and what will we do when his rabid militias that he is arming as we speak through his Commander in Chief AR-15 rifle that he is selling to them. https://www.auto-ordnance.com/commander-in-chief-ar15/
Why in the world hasn't our country's AG charged him with multiple violations of the Logan Act? That is a huge endangering of our national security and sovereign integrity. Biden should have replaced Garland years ago, though I understand why he has chosen not to.
Trump has been running a shadow government since he lost the last election. And Garland has been asleep at the wheel. Laurence Tribe called is former student out on a Democracy Docket Zoom last night.
We are prepared as can be on the Florida central east coast where Milton will exit the state of “no climate change”. Our yard signs,Harris/Walz and Democracy Over Dictatorship, and flag remain the last things standing outside. They will be moved to safety later today….
We headed to South Florida on Monday. Other family came Tuesday. Traffic was so much worse but thankfully we are safely together now. Praying for those that couldn't leave and those that were not in an evacuation zone. Stay safe everyone.
BTW I brought our ballots with us because I didn't have time to finish it in case the house is a mess I have our ballots.Two pages back and front. It was easy to check anything with a D next to it. What I don't understand is this is the first time I remember that on an amendment they posted negatives about it too. deathSatin is trying so hard to not let abortion be legal
I read yesterday that he had refused calls from VP Harris and had refused help from Biden. Said his local and state officials would handle all problems. I hope they handle him.
De Santis’s bravado may come back to bite him. He wants to take exclusive credit for helping Floridians clean up after H. Milton passes. But if the assistance and cleanup are slow … .
💙 this !Thanks for sharing.During Helene we were on a cycling 🚴🚴♀️ staycation just a bit inland, far away from the storm.A feeder band brought a gust and an aging pine, from rental house next door to our Air BnB, crashed into my husband’s truck and it was totaled.Apparently there was no other damage in the town,.Eveyone was so kind and helpful to us…owners of AirBnB,insurance co,tow co,collision repair and rental car co.Trucks are replaceable…
💙 this, Kathy! Thanks for the reminder that "trucks are replaceable ..." A timely message for me, as I imagine it may be for others. And lovely that you and your husband received kindness and help during a challenging time. Another reminder, and this one for us to extend our care when it's needed most.
Thanks, Robert, for your two concluding thoughts. I hadn't considered the first one, but recall such a call a couple of weeks ago. Someone called to ask me to volunteer, and since I was in the middle of something (writing bios for local candidates for our county Dem organization), I started to cut her off, but I sensed that she was a bit nervous and engaged her a bit. I told her what I was already doing, and thanked her for doing the tough work. I think I made her day.
To your second thought, we cannot overemphasize the importance of GOTV and voting Blue up and down the ballot. Republicans have lost their way, and while it is not our duty to save them, it is our duty to save our democracy, and that must be done at all levels. So I'll offer my mantra in support of your advice: A massive BLUE WAVE can wash away the toxic RED TIDE!
Massive Blue Wave — yes! Record Dem turnout in PA, OH, FL, AZ — everywhere! Believe it, talk it up, visualize it, Make It Happen. Tell your friends and relatives and coworkers to join the party, catch that Blue Wave, and VOTE. Kamala is so cool — it’s time to show the world we know what true cool is all about 😎
Bob Morgan - this gives me life. I pick up the phone from unidentified numbers now, knowing it's more likely to be volunteers trying to help me "save democracy" and I am more than happy to take those calls and build that wave into a tsunami. Less than four weeks left...
Beverly, I've been trying to make myself answer the phone, but it's always someone trying to get me to borrow money for my practically non-existant extremely small business. :-( So good for you! (Oh, also, I'm in CA, so I suspect I'm not getting any of the political calls.)
I usually answer, because I have a few things going on that I might need to address. But I'm quick to determine if it's real or bogus, and hang up on the latter. I never say anything but "Hello" until I determine which it is so I'm not inadvertently giving my info or assent to malicious callers.
Right: I keep it to "hello," and "why are you calling?" if they answer. I do actually own a small jewelry business, and every once in a while, someone wants to do a purchase by phone.
I am a member of Democrats Abroad, and my daughter and I mailed our Blue Ballots a few weeks ago. We are waiting to have our ballots acknowledged by our local US Board of Elections office.
Trump in Coachella, California and Will Rollins for CA-41:
Coachella (famous for the rock festival every spring) is on the border of US Congressional District 41. The incumbent MAGA Republican Ken Calvert most recently was leading Democratic candidate Will Rollins by 1% point, according to FiveThirtyEight. When Will Rollins ran for this seat in 2022, it appeared that he had won such that he went to DC for orientation, only to learn he had lost by a few hundred votes. Calvert co-hosted a fundraiser for Trump back in March, voted to overturn the 2020 election, and continues to be a Trump election-denier sychophant. Trumplicans are pouring more money and ads against Rollins, in addition to Trump's rally in Coachella this Saturday.
Will Rollins is a former national security and counter-terrorism prosecutor, and he is one of those good guys who exudes competence and integrity. I've been proud to learn about Will Rollins as I wrote persuasion postcards and now Get Out The Vote postcards for him in addition to donations to his campaign.
As we look for where our donor dollars will have the most impact, Will Rollins CA-41 is a pick-up seat we can flip toward a much needed Dem majority in the House of Representatives!
Thanks, Ellie. You have put a logical explanation onto an otherwise illogical visit. While Trump may promote Rollins' opponent, I don't think he cares about control of the House. I think he is going to fill his campaign coffers in nearby Palm Springs. In any event, Trump will devote three days of his remaining 30 days campaigning with a swing through Colorado and California.
Palm Springs is still pretty empty because of the unusual heat this fall. And I doubt anti-gay, anti-trans, homophobic Trump will get much money out of Palm Springs, which by the way, leans D. Heck, the whole Valley leans D
Got my ballot yesterday. RFK, Jr, is on it, and Stein and 4 others nobody every heard of. I don't know how they determine the position of the candidates, but it sure isn't alphabetical by name or party. Trump is ahead of Harris, and Kennedy is last. As for the House, fortunately, I have Ruiz as the rep, and he'll win. I'd vote today, but I still need to read all the other choices. The darn thing has a dozen propositions and amendments and names of people for judges, etc. that I've never heard of! No wonder people get discouraged. And I don't do mail. I'll use the drop box at the Cathedral City library. (Have some more books to donate to them as well.)
Isn’t it treasonous for a former president and current candidate to be in contact with an enemy??? I don’t understand why Trump isn’t locked up already. Seriously.
Today in Spy Talk, Stein says that the NSA would have recorded those calls, and if there is something in them that is compromising Democrats could ask for transcripts to be released.
I haven't read the link (I will). I think the point is that the NSA eavesdrops on ALL of Putin's conversations. If a US citizen is involved in the conversation, then there are protocols to protect the US citizen's right to free speech. it may take a FISA warrant for the NSA to release the call transcripts to DOJ / FBI for action against a US citizen. This issue came up when one of Trump's campaign director's (Manafort) was taped speaking to Russian agents.
Your comment is eye-opening and interesting, but I have a question: Does NSA record phones calls after a president has left office? According to Woodward's book, seven phone calls with Putin occurred after Dump left office. Also, he had all those classified documents at his fingertips while he was chit-chatting with Putin.
What Jeff Stein says in the above link is that once you are a civilian they do not record calls, unless you are doing something illegal. So, they might record his calls with Putin, but if nothing illegal was said they have to delete them. However, if they discuss stuff that Trump should not be with Putin, they will keep it because they have the right to record Putin and whomever he talks with, but if it is a US citizen they can only record the stuff that is illegal. I wonder how many innocuous conversations Putin has in his life at this point?
Thank you very much for your reply, Linda. Perhaps our current Justice Department (before Dump has a chance to totally eviscerate it) has been investigating this situation already. I certainly hope so!
Some good news from Florida ! 23-year-old Nate Douglas has a very good chance of flipping HD-37. Nate, mentored and endorsed by US Rep Maxwell Frost,is a passionate steward of the environment.
Lori, I am sharing some Democrats Abroad videos of them answering what was the worst thing about the Trump administration for them. People recorded these on their own over the summer, and in a Juneteenth day activity.
I shows that people have not forgotten, and I assume a lot of people still remember. The Hurricane response has got to remind them too. DT is not someone you want in power in a disaster, or a war, or every day life. He is a criminal and a traitor.
I am also hoping for Blue wins down ballot so we can hold the Senate and reclaim the House. Trifecta without Manchin and Sinema would be great!
I am currently reading the Department of the Treasury Chapter of Project 2025, for my Democrats Abroad book club discussion next week. It is angering how filled with lies this is about the Biden economy which is the wonder of the world. What the US can do when it does not subscribe to the fake trickle down economic theory. The Republicans have learned to tell everyone lies, and have the democrats on the defense against stuff that is not even true, like we are left and socialist, which is totally not true, not even for the most left people in the party. Also, that we are bad on economics, the opposite is true. I really think we need to educate the population on economics more, and clearly we cannot rely on business schools to do that. I has to come in elementary, middle school and high school social sciences classes. Today I am going to a cafe with other members of my local democrats abroad where we are going to help people with how to vote from abroad.
While I was filling out my Blue Voter Guide I realized something that has me dismayed. We spend so much time recruiting candidates for legislative races but not enough for judicial candidates. In my area tThere are NO Democratic candidates running for 7 of the 8 district courts. Too late for this cycle but that needs to be a priority next.
So to bring this back full circle, Senator Howard Baker famously asked John Dean during the Watergate hearings, “what did the president know and when did he know it?”
My question is, “What did Bob Woodward know and when did he know it?” This is at least the second or third time that has remained silent about something about Trump only to publish it in a book. Recall that in a previous book, “Rage,” published in 2020, Woodward dropped the bombshell about Trump’s knowledge and fear of Covid, quoting him saying, “I wanted to always play it down. I still like playing it down because I don't want to create a panic.”
It is unconscionable that Woodward withholds information only to later publish it in a book.
Thanks for your question re Woodward! It was my first thought after hearing this “news”. And it is not the first time Woodward has done this. I hope Lawrence O asks him about it when interviewing him about the book. Cmon Mr Woodward. You can do better.
The information Woodward publishes in his book is entirely consistent with CFDT’s previous behavior. Trump is a traitor, a thief and a liar on sale to the highest bidder.
Seeing the truth in this is devastating for the claim that Mike Johnson is the Speaker of the House and not just the Majority Leader of the Trump Campaign: "Many of those lawmakers are now criticizing FEMA for being overwhelmed and under-resourced. Last week, Speaker Mike Johnson refused to call a special session of the House to enact emergency supplemental funding for FEMA."
Robert, I'm beginning to think of you as "Today's Edition Publisher & Nebula Photographer"! This is another slick shot. I find the tunnel effect along with the surrounding color palette quite striking.
I never felt motivated enough to go through the pain of studying the details known about Trump's life these past few decades. But I'd be very curious to learn if there's anyone else that he's had this sustained fanboy enthusiasm for, besides Putin. I can't recall hearing of any other figure with a similar hold on him over this many years.
I thought for a moment I was hallucinating yesterday when I saw the NYT polling results showing Kamala up 3% nationally. Of course, Nate Cohn had to explain later why they're the only ones polling correctly, but that's par for the course this election. Add in Peter Baker's article and this one discussing Woodward's book, I'm beginning to wonder if there really is some kind of conversion to genuine journalism going on.
Also, my Democrats Abroad Project 2025 Book club group is discussing the news that people in the porn industry are starting to inform Young men, their biggest customers that Project 2025 wants to criminalize porn.
However, since my DA group has also read what Andra Watkins has to say, since she is an interpreter of the Christian Nationalist messages in Project 2025, we know that just being your self is considered an act of pornography if you are LGBTQ+ or a woman.
So, please let all of the young men you know that they are looking at having difficulties accessing pornography without a VPN and who knows if they will be able to do that anyway. Look at how Putin has blocked access to all sorts of information to his people. That is what we are looking at. A Christian Nationalist Theocratic state.
Roy Cohn ring a bell? He was the mentor of sleaziness for both Trump and Roger Stone. We'll see more about it in the forthcoming film "The Apprentice."
Also my Mom for Christmas 1989, during my freshman year at SUNY Binghamton, gave me Bill McKibben's End of Nature book. I was an Environmental Studies major. I already had passion for conservation and environmental causes, including being an Eagle Scout. My intro Env Studies class was taught by favorite teacher, Dr. Dick Andrus. Models of carbon emissions etc. would later be shattered.
Years later I heard McKibben speak when he was invited to give a special lecture at an annual Duke Divinity School event. He is a Lutheran minister and spoke inspirationally about the connections of environmentalism - Christian values.
After the event I chatted with Bill for several minutes. I related his importance to my Mom and me. He happily took a photo with me so I could give that as a gift to Mom (Rose Ann)!
Another climate org to put on people’s radar is Environmental Voter Project, which is building an environmental electorate by getting historically non-voting environmentalists to the polls for every election. There are tons of them out there, enough to swing elections in areas with razor thin margins. Their strategy is based on data, highly accurate predictive models and behavioral science. Since 2017, they have already turned 10% of these nonvoters into super voters. Once voters start prioritizing climate, politicians will have no choice but to act on it. We can all help by volunteering for the many phone banks they are running between now and Election Day. Learn more by listening to my conversation with founder Nathaniel Stinnett on the New Faces of Democracy podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-faces-of-democracy/id1512070381?i=1000671526005.
This is an extremely informative and excellent podcast. Thank you for providing me with an actionable and easy way to make a tangible difference in this election!
It drives me crazy when "journalists" have been working on a topic for months/years and finally put the results into a book - often long after when the info would've made a difference in policy/elections. Granted, Woodward may have been timing an October surprise...
I think that, ironically, Woodward did the good thing by waiting before releasing his info about DJT, Putin, and the covid tests. The info gets greater resonance from being released just as people are about to vote.
Robert, I thought your photo of the Rosette Nebula was quite striking, and also that you were following the Rule of Thirds in the composition. I am biased (haha) in that I prefer to see things laid out off-center and asymmetrically, as it always seems more dynamic to me than having the subject centered in the frame. I haven't done much photography in recent years but was an art student in my younger days, and composition was always fun in experimenting with different layout guidelines.
Unbelievable what Trump gets away with. Also is it not illegal to contact a head of state unless sanctioned by the executive branch? So basically Putin is running the GOP. Well there you have it America! Thanks Robert, your writing is so clear and to the point!!!!!!
He has also met publicly with Orban and Netanyahu in clear violation of the Logan Act, a felony. His criminality is central to his campaign—his voters cheer him on that he thumbs his nose at the rest of us law-abiding Democratic dopes.
Great point, Sheila; I honestly believe you hit the nail on the head - his supporters are enamored with and inspired by his flouting the law! He's a "rebel" which makes him one of them, and that's why facts matter so little, as do attempts to reason with them in regard to having a fair system of government. They see those distinctions as libs trying to control them, but being rebels...
I guess if we can't persuade the Trumpers, we have to do what we can to persuade everyone else that we need more than a wave; we need a tsunami of reasoned/Blue votes.
I was on the DemCast Zoom Monday afternoon and they had the couple behind Eleven Films talking about their "Trump Madness and the Bracket of Shame". It is set up like a NCAA March Madness bracket where you can vote on which video clip of Trump's behavior is most shameful and then the winner will advance to the next bracket. See this introductory video on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COWkhno-7pQ
Trump Madness can be found on your favorite social media platform using #TrumpMadness. They are adding 1 video per day throughout October.
Please help it go viral by liking, voting and sharing . Many Americans have forgotten or become numb to all the nonstop poisin and treachery from Trump. Some people need to reminded of why it is so important to vote!
"Hillbilly Outlaw". Jess Piper reports these road signs with his picture, in her Substack column in NW Missouri. Seriously?? Playing the most pliable among us, keeping them in the hypnotic bubble where they spend their dystopian days and nights.
https://jesspiper.substack.com/p/faustian-bargains
Holy guacamole - she really is describing a cult where these people just eat and breath while waiting for the new system to kick in.
Thanks for posting. Jess Piper's Substack is great. I am a paid subscriber. As commented. yesterday, her substack is both important and uplifting.
These people were the victims of their birthplace. They never “knew “ Donald Trump before “the Apprentice.” We, who were from NYC, knew Donald Trump to be a self promoting grifter, a failed business man and a serial adulterer. Also a social climber. He honestly confused money with stature. Now he is just confused. We routinely refuse to support him in any election, not because we are Democrats with a capital D but because we know him.
I am a native Mahattanite. We told the world who he is over and over again and were labeled liberal snowflakes. He only wanted to be accepted in the 70s & 80s glitterati and they hated him, so he had to buy his way in. And he only wanted his mommy & daddy to love him, and they never did either. So now we're stuck with a narcissistic, sociopathic man-child trying to exact revenge.
[From memory, an approximate quote from the late Congressman Mo Udall (D-NM):] You have to know him to really dislike him.
I follow Jess and she shines a bright light on a lot of things that aren't right with rural red America. Her perspective on things is refreshing and an inspiration, she's a fighter and I like to think she is making a difference in her community.
Thanks for posting the link to her page, I hope people check it out.
I live in the neighboring state of Kansas and have lived in her state of MO part of my life. We have considered moving back to MO, but where we live is purple and turning blue, so there's that. I even have some relatives that moved into her area of the state NW MO and moved there to be a part of the other culture (doomsdayers).
All of this is Putin's work through Trump. I hate to hate, but I hate the two of them and what they have done.
I suppose Hillary said it best. Deplorables .
And they seem to proudly embrace the label, disgraceful.
Sadly
So why isn't any governmental authority going after him under the Logan Act?
I think they may be in secret at this point in time. And, also we are waiting for the elections. All things are on hold. It was discussed today in Public Notice. This will avoid the appeals that will happen if it can be presented as election interference.
I don't. Merrick Garland has been awful. This will be the biggest misstep in Biden's term. We needed a prosecutor not a judge.
I recall that, before becoming President, Richard Nixon did his bit of unauthorized “diplomacy” with North Vietnam, to undermine the LBJ Administration’s diplomatic efforts to settle the Vietnam War.
I may be wrong, but it wasn't public knowledge. If it had been, I suspect Humphrey may have won, at least the popular vote (he nearly did). The problem, again, would have been that damn EC.
This has been known for some time. Woodward just exposed it for all of us to see. That legal action is not seriously being taken shows how weakened the Justice Dept. is and how fearful people are who can stop 45 (I won't say his name). I heard Lawrence Tribe on a zoom call yesterday with Mark Ellis of Democracy Docket. Tribe criticized Garland for his inaction. I do believe that Democrats in positions of action could have moved more quickly to better protect us from the consequences of these traitorous acts but did not. Incompetence? Fear? I don't know why, and frankly, I don't care. There are no excuses. Jack Smith is the only one I feel is acting in my interests to combat 45 right now.
I was also on the Democracy Docket call yesterday. Everyone was great (Marc Elias, Joyce Vance, Maya Wiley) but Larry Tribe's comments about Merrick Garland were spot on. Also Tribe's comments about Supreme Court reform were terrific. A great program.
I highly recommend subscribing to Democracy Docket's newsletter. It is one of my "go to" sources.
I hope they post a video. I just could not stay up late enough to watch.
When Laurence called Garland out, I said, "oooooh damn" out loud!
Hopefully one of the first things Harris does as president is show Garland the door.
I would like Harris to win, and Biden to use the interim period to fire corrupt Supreme Court justices, and when they tell him he can't he just ignores them and replaces them. I would post military at the court to make sure they can't get in. If anyone gets in trouble, he pardons them.
While I agree with the sentiment, Biden can't fire the justices - pesky Constitution. But what he should do, or rather Harris should do, is expand the Court to the number Federal districts - 13. Of course, it needs a D Senate.
However, this is exactly the kind of thing Trump can do and will do. So, Biden cannot only because he chooses to follow the constitution. Trump plans to circumvent it, and what will we do when his rabid militias that he is arming as we speak through his Commander in Chief AR-15 rifle that he is selling to them. https://www.auto-ordnance.com/commander-in-chief-ar15/
I ask that question often “Will Harris replace Garland” Period, end Paragraph.
Why hasn’t Biden?
Most incoming presidents have new cabinet members. She will replace the Cabinet. Many (most?) resign before a new president comes in.
It will be Kamala's cabinet. Her picks. Can you name any new president who continued with their predecessor"s cabinet? I can't.
I'm hoping for Sally Yates
Right: SO frustrating that tffg and his cronies are not being taken to task, and thrown in jail as traitors.
Why in the world hasn't our country's AG charged him with multiple violations of the Logan Act? That is a huge endangering of our national security and sovereign integrity. Biden should have replaced Garland years ago, though I understand why he has chosen not to.
Don’t understand!
Trump has been running a shadow government since he lost the last election. And Garland has been asleep at the wheel. Laurence Tribe called is former student out on a Democracy Docket Zoom last night.
What keeps me worrying is whether or not Garland is asleep at the wheel. Is he doing this purposefully?
I don't think he's doing it on purpose. There is a huge difference between a prosecutor and a judge. I think he's more of the latter than former.
We are prepared as can be on the Florida central east coast where Milton will exit the state of “no climate change”. Our yard signs,Harris/Walz and Democracy Over Dictatorship, and flag remain the last things standing outside. They will be moved to safety later today….
🪧🇺🇸💙
Be safe.
We headed to South Florida on Monday. Other family came Tuesday. Traffic was so much worse but thankfully we are safely together now. Praying for those that couldn't leave and those that were not in an evacuation zone. Stay safe everyone.
BTW I brought our ballots with us because I didn't have time to finish it in case the house is a mess I have our ballots.Two pages back and front. It was easy to check anything with a D next to it. What I don't understand is this is the first time I remember that on an amendment they posted negatives about it too. deathSatin is trying so hard to not let abortion be legal
I did see that the SPLC, LWVFL and NAACP are filing suit to get registration extended for Florida.
https://www.splcenter.org/presscenter/splc-files-emergency-motion-behalf-lwvfl-and-fl-naacp-extend-voter-registration-deadline
🩵 Take care of yourself and let us know how you are doing afterwards!
Please do stay safe!! Do you need to evacuate? "No climate change" indeed!! Has DeWhatshisname asked for federal aid yet?
I read yesterday that he had refused calls from VP Harris and had refused help from Biden. Said his local and state officials would handle all problems. I hope they handle him.
De Santis’s bravado may come back to bite him. He wants to take exclusive credit for helping Floridians clean up after H. Milton passes. But if the assistance and cleanup are slow … .
We'll see how long that lasts!
Stay safe.
Be safe Kathy.
💙 this !Thanks for sharing.During Helene we were on a cycling 🚴🚴♀️ staycation just a bit inland, far away from the storm.A feeder band brought a gust and an aging pine, from rental house next door to our Air BnB, crashed into my husband’s truck and it was totaled.Apparently there was no other damage in the town,.Eveyone was so kind and helpful to us…owners of AirBnB,insurance co,tow co,collision repair and rental car co.Trucks are replaceable…
💙 this, Kathy! Thanks for the reminder that "trucks are replaceable ..." A timely message for me, as I imagine it may be for others. And lovely that you and your husband received kindness and help during a challenging time. Another reminder, and this one for us to extend our care when it's needed most.
Be safe!
Thanks, Robert, for your two concluding thoughts. I hadn't considered the first one, but recall such a call a couple of weeks ago. Someone called to ask me to volunteer, and since I was in the middle of something (writing bios for local candidates for our county Dem organization), I started to cut her off, but I sensed that she was a bit nervous and engaged her a bit. I told her what I was already doing, and thanked her for doing the tough work. I think I made her day.
To your second thought, we cannot overemphasize the importance of GOTV and voting Blue up and down the ballot. Republicans have lost their way, and while it is not our duty to save them, it is our duty to save our democracy, and that must be done at all levels. So I'll offer my mantra in support of your advice: A massive BLUE WAVE can wash away the toxic RED TIDE!
Massive Blue Wave — yes! Record Dem turnout in PA, OH, FL, AZ — everywhere! Believe it, talk it up, visualize it, Make It Happen. Tell your friends and relatives and coworkers to join the party, catch that Blue Wave, and VOTE. Kamala is so cool — it’s time to show the world we know what true cool is all about 😎
Bob Morgan - this gives me life. I pick up the phone from unidentified numbers now, knowing it's more likely to be volunteers trying to help me "save democracy" and I am more than happy to take those calls and build that wave into a tsunami. Less than four weeks left...
Beverly, I've been trying to make myself answer the phone, but it's always someone trying to get me to borrow money for my practically non-existant extremely small business. :-( So good for you! (Oh, also, I'm in CA, so I suspect I'm not getting any of the political calls.)
I usually answer, because I have a few things going on that I might need to address. But I'm quick to determine if it's real or bogus, and hang up on the latter. I never say anything but "Hello" until I determine which it is so I'm not inadvertently giving my info or assent to malicious callers.
Right: I keep it to "hello," and "why are you calling?" if they answer. I do actually own a small jewelry business, and every once in a while, someone wants to do a purchase by phone.
I am a member of Democrats Abroad, and my daughter and I mailed our Blue Ballots a few weeks ago. We are waiting to have our ballots acknowledged by our local US Board of Elections office.
Trump in Coachella, California and Will Rollins for CA-41:
Coachella (famous for the rock festival every spring) is on the border of US Congressional District 41. The incumbent MAGA Republican Ken Calvert most recently was leading Democratic candidate Will Rollins by 1% point, according to FiveThirtyEight. When Will Rollins ran for this seat in 2022, it appeared that he had won such that he went to DC for orientation, only to learn he had lost by a few hundred votes. Calvert co-hosted a fundraiser for Trump back in March, voted to overturn the 2020 election, and continues to be a Trump election-denier sychophant. Trumplicans are pouring more money and ads against Rollins, in addition to Trump's rally in Coachella this Saturday.
Will Rollins is a former national security and counter-terrorism prosecutor, and he is one of those good guys who exudes competence and integrity. I've been proud to learn about Will Rollins as I wrote persuasion postcards and now Get Out The Vote postcards for him in addition to donations to his campaign.
As we look for where our donor dollars will have the most impact, Will Rollins CA-41 is a pick-up seat we can flip toward a much needed Dem majority in the House of Representatives!
https://willrollinsforcongress.com/
Thanks, Ellie. You have put a logical explanation onto an otherwise illogical visit. While Trump may promote Rollins' opponent, I don't think he cares about control of the House. I think he is going to fill his campaign coffers in nearby Palm Springs. In any event, Trump will devote three days of his remaining 30 days campaigning with a swing through Colorado and California.
Palm Springs is still pretty empty because of the unusual heat this fall. And I doubt anti-gay, anti-trans, homophobic Trump will get much money out of Palm Springs, which by the way, leans D. Heck, the whole Valley leans D
Thank you! That explains why we are being asked to write cards for Rollins. I'll do what I can.
Thanks for this detail on Rollins. Supported him in the past. Sending a donation.
Just got a bunch of addresses today 🤗
Got my ballot yesterday. RFK, Jr, is on it, and Stein and 4 others nobody every heard of. I don't know how they determine the position of the candidates, but it sure isn't alphabetical by name or party. Trump is ahead of Harris, and Kennedy is last. As for the House, fortunately, I have Ruiz as the rep, and he'll win. I'd vote today, but I still need to read all the other choices. The darn thing has a dozen propositions and amendments and names of people for judges, etc. that I've never heard of! No wonder people get discouraged. And I don't do mail. I'll use the drop box at the Cathedral City library. (Have some more books to donate to them as well.)
Isn’t it treasonous for a former president and current candidate to be in contact with an enemy??? I don’t understand why Trump isn’t locked up already. Seriously.
May be a violation of the Logan Act, a felony.
Here is a Kamala campaign ad making DT look bad even if there is no proof of anything illegal between him and VP.
https://youtu.be/8-KqC2h5IjE?si=yKSPzb4QsnNhNyFT
Today in Spy Talk, Stein says that the NSA would have recorded those calls, and if there is something in them that is compromising Democrats could ask for transcripts to be released.
https://www.spytalk.co/p/on-trumps-private-calls-with-putin
I haven't read the link (I will). I think the point is that the NSA eavesdrops on ALL of Putin's conversations. If a US citizen is involved in the conversation, then there are protocols to protect the US citizen's right to free speech. it may take a FISA warrant for the NSA to release the call transcripts to DOJ / FBI for action against a US citizen. This issue came up when one of Trump's campaign director's (Manafort) was taped speaking to Russian agents.
Your comment is eye-opening and interesting, but I have a question: Does NSA record phones calls after a president has left office? According to Woodward's book, seven phone calls with Putin occurred after Dump left office. Also, he had all those classified documents at his fingertips while he was chit-chatting with Putin.
What Jeff Stein says in the above link is that once you are a civilian they do not record calls, unless you are doing something illegal. So, they might record his calls with Putin, but if nothing illegal was said they have to delete them. However, if they discuss stuff that Trump should not be with Putin, they will keep it because they have the right to record Putin and whomever he talks with, but if it is a US citizen they can only record the stuff that is illegal. I wonder how many innocuous conversations Putin has in his life at this point?
Thank you very much for your reply, Linda. Perhaps our current Justice Department (before Dump has a chance to totally eviscerate it) has been investigating this situation already. I certainly hope so!
I hope so too C K.
Some good news from Florida ! 23-year-old Nate Douglas has a very good chance of flipping HD-37. Nate, mentored and endorsed by US Rep Maxwell Frost,is a passionate steward of the environment.
🌴🦩
https://www.nateforflorida.com/
Go Florida Blue, and leave Anna Paulina Luna[tic]!
Lori, I am sharing some Democrats Abroad videos of them answering what was the worst thing about the Trump administration for them. People recorded these on their own over the summer, and in a Juneteenth day activity.
https://youtu.be/3F9Obw0v8V0?si=bvnVJpUIRymiTufw
https://youtu.be/z8tdI2lDMS8?si=6c5w7lqbkUixe_zo
https://youtu.be/Wqf7qkk54gc?si=ZtnLgktxpWwhK8yA
https://youtu.be/paISy1ooOrI?si=vhk_J459k97LZfol
I shows that people have not forgotten, and I assume a lot of people still remember. The Hurricane response has got to remind them too. DT is not someone you want in power in a disaster, or a war, or every day life. He is a criminal and a traitor.
This is Kamala's latest ad highlighting that.
https://youtu.be/8-KqC2h5IjE?si=3THdDWFUZz902Nxd
I am also hoping for Blue wins down ballot so we can hold the Senate and reclaim the House. Trifecta without Manchin and Sinema would be great!
I am currently reading the Department of the Treasury Chapter of Project 2025, for my Democrats Abroad book club discussion next week. It is angering how filled with lies this is about the Biden economy which is the wonder of the world. What the US can do when it does not subscribe to the fake trickle down economic theory. The Republicans have learned to tell everyone lies, and have the democrats on the defense against stuff that is not even true, like we are left and socialist, which is totally not true, not even for the most left people in the party. Also, that we are bad on economics, the opposite is true. I really think we need to educate the population on economics more, and clearly we cannot rely on business schools to do that. I has to come in elementary, middle school and high school social sciences classes. Today I am going to a cafe with other members of my local democrats abroad where we are going to help people with how to vote from abroad.
While I was filling out my Blue Voter Guide I realized something that has me dismayed. We spend so much time recruiting candidates for legislative races but not enough for judicial candidates. In my area tThere are NO Democratic candidates running for 7 of the 8 district courts. Too late for this cycle but that needs to be a priority next.
Good point Annette! Thank you for bringing that up.
After you published this, the Kremlin did in fact confirm that Trump sent Covid tests to Putin (but denies the phone calls). https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/donald-trump-vladimir-putin-covid-testing-devices-phone-calls-kremlin-rcna174632
So to bring this back full circle, Senator Howard Baker famously asked John Dean during the Watergate hearings, “what did the president know and when did he know it?”
My question is, “What did Bob Woodward know and when did he know it?” This is at least the second or third time that has remained silent about something about Trump only to publish it in a book. Recall that in a previous book, “Rage,” published in 2020, Woodward dropped the bombshell about Trump’s knowledge and fear of Covid, quoting him saying, “I wanted to always play it down. I still like playing it down because I don't want to create a panic.”
It is unconscionable that Woodward withholds information only to later publish it in a book.
Thanks for your question re Woodward! It was my first thought after hearing this “news”. And it is not the first time Woodward has done this. I hope Lawrence O asks him about it when interviewing him about the book. Cmon Mr Woodward. You can do better.
But in this case right as voting has started, it might be a good thing.
The information Woodward publishes in his book is entirely consistent with CFDT’s previous behavior. Trump is a traitor, a thief and a liar on sale to the highest bidder.
Seeing the truth in this is devastating for the claim that Mike Johnson is the Speaker of the House and not just the Majority Leader of the Trump Campaign: "Many of those lawmakers are now criticizing FEMA for being overwhelmed and under-resourced. Last week, Speaker Mike Johnson refused to call a special session of the House to enact emergency supplemental funding for FEMA."
Seemingly, there is never any limit to certain Republicans' hypocrisy. This is just one more example of it.
Robert, I'm beginning to think of you as "Today's Edition Publisher & Nebula Photographer"! This is another slick shot. I find the tunnel effect along with the surrounding color palette quite striking.
I never felt motivated enough to go through the pain of studying the details known about Trump's life these past few decades. But I'd be very curious to learn if there's anyone else that he's had this sustained fanboy enthusiasm for, besides Putin. I can't recall hearing of any other figure with a similar hold on him over this many years.
I thought for a moment I was hallucinating yesterday when I saw the NYT polling results showing Kamala up 3% nationally. Of course, Nate Cohn had to explain later why they're the only ones polling correctly, but that's par for the course this election. Add in Peter Baker's article and this one discussing Woodward's book, I'm beginning to wonder if there really is some kind of conversion to genuine journalism going on.
Greg, the Bulwark had an interesting discussion about the polling in this election yesterday.
https://www.thebulwark.com/p/a-grand-unified-theory-of-why-the
Also, my Democrats Abroad Project 2025 Book club group is discussing the news that people in the porn industry are starting to inform Young men, their biggest customers that Project 2025 wants to criminalize porn.
https://youtu.be/ukd_xXmpn2s?si=5ZI91sXhu8N3-_-5
Here is the website they created.
https://handsoffmyporn.com/
However, since my DA group has also read what Andra Watkins has to say, since she is an interpreter of the Christian Nationalist messages in Project 2025, we know that just being your self is considered an act of pornography if you are LGBTQ+ or a woman.
https://project2025istheocracy.substack.com/p/how-project-2025-authors-define-pornography?utm_source=publication-search
So, please let all of the young men you know that they are looking at having difficulties accessing pornography without a VPN and who knows if they will be able to do that anyway. Look at how Putin has blocked access to all sorts of information to his people. That is what we are looking at. A Christian Nationalist Theocratic state.
America really will be saved by a porn star...
not just Stormy Daniels
Let's hope. Why not! The Democratic umbrella is growing bigger and bigger to provide refuge from the MAGA Hurricane.
Roy Cohn ring a bell? He was the mentor of sleaziness for both Trump and Roger Stone. We'll see more about it in the forthcoming film "The Apprentice."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Cohn
Oh yeah! I forgot about Roy! Yeah, Roy was a big deal. I wonder if he's the filter through which Trump sees Putin.
Also my Mom for Christmas 1989, during my freshman year at SUNY Binghamton, gave me Bill McKibben's End of Nature book. I was an Environmental Studies major. I already had passion for conservation and environmental causes, including being an Eagle Scout. My intro Env Studies class was taught by favorite teacher, Dr. Dick Andrus. Models of carbon emissions etc. would later be shattered.
Years later I heard McKibben speak when he was invited to give a special lecture at an annual Duke Divinity School event. He is a Lutheran minister and spoke inspirationally about the connections of environmentalism - Christian values.
After the event I chatted with Bill for several minutes. I related his importance to my Mom and me. He happily took a photo with me so I could give that as a gift to Mom (Rose Ann)!
I think asymmetrical balance in photography makes the image much more dynamic! Another gorgeous photo!
Another climate org to put on people’s radar is Environmental Voter Project, which is building an environmental electorate by getting historically non-voting environmentalists to the polls for every election. There are tons of them out there, enough to swing elections in areas with razor thin margins. Their strategy is based on data, highly accurate predictive models and behavioral science. Since 2017, they have already turned 10% of these nonvoters into super voters. Once voters start prioritizing climate, politicians will have no choice but to act on it. We can all help by volunteering for the many phone banks they are running between now and Election Day. Learn more by listening to my conversation with founder Nathaniel Stinnett on the New Faces of Democracy podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-faces-of-democracy/id1512070381?i=1000671526005.
This is an extremely informative and excellent podcast. Thank you for providing me with an actionable and easy way to make a tangible difference in this election!
How long has Woodward kept it a secret?
Calling to get volunteers. Canvassers. Poll watchers. https://www.mobilize.us/
I thought the very same thing, Daniel!
Yep. Same here.
Good point because a part of me thinks he has known this information for a while and waited to put in in the book.
Follow the money?
Second time in the last few years
It drives me crazy when "journalists" have been working on a topic for months/years and finally put the results into a book - often long after when the info would've made a difference in policy/elections. Granted, Woodward may have been timing an October surprise...
I think that, ironically, Woodward did the good thing by waiting before releasing his info about DJT, Putin, and the covid tests. The info gets greater resonance from being released just as people are about to vote.
This is the SECOND time he's done it to sell books. I've been done with his sell out self for a long time. He's no longer a journalist.
Robert, I thought your photo of the Rosette Nebula was quite striking, and also that you were following the Rule of Thirds in the composition. I am biased (haha) in that I prefer to see things laid out off-center and asymmetrically, as it always seems more dynamic to me than having the subject centered in the frame. I haven't done much photography in recent years but was an art student in my younger days, and composition was always fun in experimenting with different layout guidelines.