31st St. Swing Left is actively supporting Zev Shapiro's organization TurnUp's efforts to register and turnout young voters. Recent analysis by Catalist and Pew find that younger voters are even more important and supportive than previously believed. So we are aiming to raise $100,000 tax deductible support for TurnUp efforts in high schools and community colleges in VA and PA. Our website: https://www.31ststreet.org/
I agree that the powers that be need to track down every last person who has made internet threats and punish them to the fullest extent of the law. Whether these people are alcoholics, opioid addicts (oxycontin), crystal meth addicts, or just plain old nasty White supremacists, they should experience the full weight of their actions. Also, there should be a gag order on Trump from posting anything that does not have to do with his campaign. He can have freedom of speech, just not on intimidating witnesses. I imagine that no one knows how to arrest and jail someone who has a secret service detail, which is what is preventing him from being thrown in jail. I will assume his words will get out through his lawyers anyway if that happens, just as Navalny manages to get his message out while in a Russian prison. There seems to be no stopping the man. I personally do not want to have to pay the security detail, or anything else for that matter, for a man who has committed treason against my country, and is trying to overthrow the constitution and our democracy. Is there any way to class action that? Or, is that something we are supposed to let slide, so that it does not open a door to chicanery against other legitimate presidents and their security? Republicans, be they civilians or judges, are implementing policies that discriminate against women. These judges might as well be writing in tongues as they justify their unjust positions on abortion. Down with Republicans!
The answer to Trump's recent behavior, it seems to me, is house arrest, with no access to ANY method of communicating directly with the public. There would need to be enough police present 24/7 (in addition to the usual security detail) to make sure these restrictions were followed. He could be allowed one campaign speech per week in front of cameras at MAL - period.
If he broke these rules or attacked the decency of the anyone involved in his legal cases, he would immediately be moved to jail and all speeches would be ended.
This seems like a VERY firm and VERY reasonable approach to me. My hope is that 60+% of Americans would see it that way and be supportive.
The odds are now, IMO, that DT wants to be jailed, and then to call for millions of his supporters to hit the streets. I say let them do it as long as they remain peaceful. But some WOULD become violent, and law enforcement and the National Guard would have to be ready for mass violence by militias, lone wolves, etc. We've lived in fear of these neofascist thugs for long enough!!
I agree. If all you have on your side is violence and bullying then your message is hate and fear. We need to defeat these thugs. Trump and his enablers have to be held accountable 🚧
I read yesterday that according to the NORC survey Trump is really not that popular anymore. Too popular still, but his legal troubles might be wearing on this popularity. The man is just exhausting. I just don't see that Trump will lose his right of speech, although I agree that it should be monitored. I think he has to get pre-approval for anything he says for content so that there can be no intimidation threats. Then it can be released. Preventing him from breaking the rules, but not allowing him freedom of all speech. I see the Tucker Carlson interview as a problem. I would bill it as Two Criminals Talking!
Yes. I am not saying they are politically alike, just that even Navlny, who is in a Russian prison, which are very notorious for not following the law, manages to get messages out through his lawyers from time to time, as reported in Meduza.
They have additional constitutional defenses (the speech and debate clause) that does not even apply to Trump. Their time may come, but they will be the most complicated prosecutions.
I love that you read to us. Tonight your voice was soothing, like your tone and perspective. Thank you for that. In the chaos and frenzy of these times, "soothing" is greatly appreciated. Plus, I agree with nearly everything you say. I often save your post as the last I read before shutting down for the night.
Aug 18, 2023·edited Aug 18, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
With a majority of Americans thinking DT did something bad or illegal, it is time to look at the signs of the impending demise of the Republican Party and whether we'll see the start of a new major party, one which hopefully represents the People and not driven by egocentric lust for power. The factions in the GOP are squabbling and turning their hate and violence on each other. The MAGA party is weakening with each indictment as the vileness of its leaders (not just DT) cross some line for the many "traditional" Republicans. When these people finally realize they've been duped they will become very angry. Hope it happens sooner rather than later. In fact, let's hope it happens by next summer's party convention. My mind is rapidly coming to the position that the GOP nominee will not be TLFG (the loser former guy). Who, what is going to fill the vacuum. Chris Christie perhaps. Seems to be about the only one who has the campaign skills and the courage. A new conservative or pro Constitution party? A Big Middle party from the pro democracy moderate people who are disillusioned with the extremes of both the "major" parties? A party of youth and women who are looking to a better future for all - income equity, clean cool planet, true representatives of the People and democratic values? One who will insist the government be measured by the well being of all the citizens? Where People have freedom and value community which supports the freedoms of others. When one's wealth is measured by one's generosity toward others as in Native American philosophy. The beginning of a new ethical era of synergy where we value differences and do the right thing by each other and our planet? We, the People, all of us THIS time.
The Republican Party needs severe loses to eject those fringe members who are part of the Trump cult. Only after these loses can new fresh traditional Republicans step forward with the mantra and platform to rebuild the party. I’m not sure when that will happen.
The republican party is controlled almost exclusively by billionaires and the petrol states that care nothing about Americas best interests or yours. Until Citizens United is overturned and tax rates for the 1% are restored to early 1980"s levels there will be no rescuing the GOP.
Chris Christie other than capitalizing on destroying DJT? It appears he was Pro Trump until Jan. 6th.
Where does Chris Christie stand on the Issues?
> Pro-life, decisions at the state level not federal
> Immigration: Vaguely postures not what Democrats propose but offers, instead, that something should be done
> Entitlements (What I call Insurance that has been paid for through payroll deductions & taxes): Has proposed series of policies to shore up Social Security, including an income cap, raising the retirement age and means testing
> Guns: “We must focus on the mental health crisis in this country. It is long overdue.”
And, offers no exposure that the real problem of gun violence is the propaganda from gun manufacturers & it’s lobbyists that the US government is out to get you… now there’s a mental health crisis!
> Ukraine: pro US support; no troops on the ground
In 2013, as NJ Governor, on TIME’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world, signed legislation supporting financial aid and in-state college tuition for undocumented immigrants, signed legislation banning licensed therapists from trying to turn gay teens straight and earned a second term in a landslide.
On the other hand, remember the “Bridgegate” mess that Christie’s henchpeople inflicted on NJ and NYC. Christie deflected personal blame … as though the leader shouldn’t be blamed for the actions of his close subordinates.
The Democratic position on immigration is environmentally unsustainable. I strongly support President Biden, the best pres of my lifetime. But on this he's wrong.
The Census Bureau projects, based on current policies, the US population will grow by 75 million over the next 40years, 68 million from immigration, 7 million from native increase. 68 million is equivalent to nearly 3 1/2 New York states.
Meanwhile, we're running out of water. The aquifer that underlies California's Central Valley, the major breadbasket of the nation, is drying out. So, too, the Ogallala Aquifer, which underlies the Great Plains, stretching from Canada down to Texas.
States out west are fighting over Colorado River water. Cities in Arizona are fighting over water. The Colorado long ago began drying out before it reached the Gulf of California.
Global warming will also reduce the US' ability to produce food--our carrying capacity. The COVID epidemic demonstrated the importance of owning our supply chains. Growing the population will make us dependent on others for food.
And the average immigrant's GH emissions rise threefold after arrival--not surprising since most come from third world countries and we're the major industrialized nation with the greatest per capita greenhouse emissions. Immigration to the US is a lose-lose for the planet.
Welcome to dystopia, David! What you have described is a likely scenario. In a sense we are about to experience the causes and circumstances that the 65 million world refugees have experienced and why— similar to migrants at the border—it's a "do or die" migration. What happens when the northen hemisphere is suffering climate chaos and disrupted governments, too? Some pundits are saying there is no escape and it behooves us to realize we are all in this together. Rather than defending ourselves against the indefensible, the world will become a very large emergency relief center, in which the basics of survival—food, shelter, health care, are hopefully given with equal access and humanity. Or maybe the word should be Humility. It is very possible that we will live in tribes again, much smaller socio-economic groups that practice environmental balance, not exploitation. I hope.
Although I am white, I am watching the Black and indigenous farm projects in which old methods and ancient foods are revived. There are some very lovely farms and small communities happening in balance with nature.
It isn't going to help anything to let millions of people into a country where their GH emissions will rise 3-fold, making everything a lot worse. I think the issue of where people go, once they are TRULY deemed to be refugees of some sort--a lot aren't--the UN should probably figure out where they might best go.
There are a number of places in the world with reasonable climates that are relatively empty of people in comparison with the US, including our northern neighbor, which has a population of 40 million in an area that's many times the size of California (population also 40 million). The places in the US that are relatively empty can't be farmed for lack of water, or mountainous terrain.
I'm all for reviving old farming methods that are truly in balance with nature.
I cannot foresee what might happen, I am only saying that we in the US should do everything possible to rectify the causes and conditions for migration, although that is so politiclly unlikely. To keep migrants in place, a Marshall Plan of sorts might be helpful. What can we do to encourage food production and protect water resources as close to former homelands, e.g.? But the turmoil is so dangerous in so many countries. Consider Haiti for an awful example!
I don't know what will stop migrants, David. That's what I'm saying. If we become fearful and even militant (Looking at you Gov Abbott!) we are unlikley to cure the problem, and likely make it worse. I think we should have another Biden diplomatic mission, but instead of a military buffer against Russia or China, have a consortium of countries, similarly, which problem solve for the basics throughout the world. (Just call me the ghost of Eleanor Roosevelt!) I believe the "haves" must reach out rather than battening the hatches. Don't get me wrong, I am not advocating an open door policy by any means. I just think we would do better to try to allay migration where it begins. I think the Biden administration is trying, BTW, in seeking to have migrants apply for asylum in their countries first. LBNL, most climate watchers think a new normal has arrived. We all will need to accommodate those changes. One way is to return to sensible conservation and farming.
I'd forgotten how absolutely incredibly great a president Biden is. He's had to deal with Joe Manchin all along because he has this tiny majority in the Senate, and he's done a great job of it... But here's the latest from that saga
We've got a lot of stuff in disorder in our own house, including one highly dysfunctional political party. That is the sort of thing that will get in the way of more sensible ways of farming, and conservation.
What would stop migrants from coming to the US is a national, mandatory E-Verify. The House voted for it earlier this year. But the Democratic-run Senate didn't take it up, and most of the Democrats would have voted against it, with a few exceptions such as Mark Kelly of Arizona. A vote against E-Verify is tantamount to voting for illegal immigration.
And a lot of the people who migrate are likely people who have enough gumption that if they had to stay put, they would figure out ways of making their countries work better. I don't think most are starving. I think the majority are seeking a better economic situation, which is why they come all the way to the US instead of asking for asylum in Mexico (where the wealth is spread much more widely than when most immigrants were Mexicans several decades ago).
And, yeah, if we could help them get more on their feet that would be great. But maybe such changes have to be made from within. And maybe we could somehow help them. But global warming does complicate the situation, and it's possible they will have to be moved. I don't know. But if so, I think that's where the major countries of the world would have to get together and try to figure out where they could go. But putting 'em in the US is inviting disaster. Propublica projected that MILLIONS of Americans will become climate refugees in the next several decades--which if so, means they really can't come here without making an upcoming crisis a lot worse. This sort of thing is why the UN or some major world agency should figure this out.
Susan, this is an excellent post. Why? Because you are taking us down the road Robert has been proposing, one focused on the 2024 election to win, leaving no stone unturned. This analysis of Chris Christie is a perfect example that lets people know that while we are pleased with his “side show” attacks on Trump he is NOT our guy, just another smoke and mirrors Republican.
HEADLINE: Trump Plans to Skip G.O.P. Debate for Interview With Tucker Carlson
The former president’s apparent decision to skip the first debate is a major affront both to the Republican National Committee and to Fox News, which is hosting the event.
Former President Donald J. Trump plans to upstage the first Republican primary debate on Wednesday by sitting for an online interview with the former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, according to multiple people briefed on the matter.
In the past 24 hours, Mr. Trump has told people close to him that he has made up his mind and will skip the debate in Milwaukee, according to two of the people briefed on the matter.
Mr. Trump is notoriously mercurial, and left himself something of an out to change his mind with an ambiguous post on his website, Truth Social, on Thursday. He wrote that he’s polling well ahead of his rivals and added, “Reagan didn’t do it, and neither did others. People know my Record, one of the BEST EVER, so why would I Debate?”
For weeks, the former president has been quizzing aides, associates and rally crowds about what he should do. Until earlier this week, Mr. Trump had been giving people the impression he was considering a last-minute surprise appearance on Wednesday.
Still, people close to him had said for months that he was unlikely to take part in the first two Republican debates, both of which are sponsored by the Republican National Committee. And Mr. Trump’s apparent decision to skip the first debate of the presidential nominating contest is a major affront to both the R.N.C. and Fox News, which is hosting the event.
The 2024 G.O.P. Presidential Candidates
Card 1 of 8
Donald Trump. The former president is running to retake the office he lost in 2020. Though somewhat diminished in influence within the Republican Party — and facing several legal investigations — he retains a large and committed base of supporters, and he could be aided in the primary by multiple challengers splitting a limited anti-Trump vote.
Ron DeSantis. The combative governor of Florida, whose official entry into the 2024 race was spoiled by a glitch-filled livestream over Twitter, has championed conservative causes and thrown a flurry of punches at America’s left. He provides Trump the most formidable Republican rival he has faced since the former president’s ascent in 2016.
Chris Christie. The former governor of New Jersey, who was eclipsed by Trump in the 2016 Republican primary, is making a second run for the White House, setting up a rematch with the former president. Christie has positioned himself as the G.O.P. hopeful who is most willing to attack Trump.
Mike Pence. The former vice president, who was once a stalwart supporter of Trump but split with him after the Jan. 6 attack, launched his campaign with a strong rebuke of his former boss. An evangelical Christian whose faith drives much of his politics, Pence has been notably outspoken about his support for a national abortion ban.
Tim Scott. The South Carolina senator, who is the first Black Republican from the South elected to the Senate since Reconstruction, has been one of his party’s most prominent voices on matters of race. He is campaigning on a message of positivity steeped in religiosity.
Nikki Haley. The former governor of South Carolina, who was a U.N. ambassador under Trump, has presented herself as a member of “a new generation of leadership” and emphasized her life experience as a daughter of Indian immigrants. She was long seen as a rising G.O.P. star, but her allure in the party has declined amid her on-again, off-again embrace of Trump.
Vivek Ramaswamy. The multimillionaire entrepreneur describes himself as “anti-woke” and has made a name for himself in right-wing circles by opposing corporate efforts to advance political, social and environmental causes. He has promised to go farther down the road of ruling by fiat than Trump would or could.
More G.O.P. candidates. The former Texas congressman Will Hurd, Mayor Francis Suarez of Miami, Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and the conservative talk radio host Larry Elder have also launched long-shot bids for the Republican presidential nomination. Read more about the 2024 candidates.
The exact timing and platform of the interview with Mr. Carlson remain unclear, but if it goes ahead as currently planned, the debate-night counterprogramming would serve as an act of open hostility.
The chairwoman of the R.N.C., Ronna McDaniel, has privately urged Mr. Trump to attend the debate, even traveling to his private club in Bedminster, N.J., last month to make her pitch in person.
And Fox News has been drawn into a public battle not only with Mr. Trump but with Mr. Carlson, who is still on contract and being paid by Fox despite having his show taken off the air. Fox sent Mr. Carlson a cease-and-desist letter after he aired a series of videos on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. The Trump campaign’s conversations with Mr. Carlson — and the possibility of counterprogramming — have previously been reported by multiple news organizations.
Spokesmen for the Trump campaign, the R.N.C. and Fox News did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Mr. Carlson also did not respond to requests for comment.
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Fox News executives and personalities have been lobbying the former president, both publicly and privately, to participate in the debate. But Mr. Trump has been openly attacking Fox and has privately vented his animosity for the chairman of Fox Corporation, Rupert Murdoch.
Even so, Mr. Trump has privately also given top executives and anchors at Fox the impression that he was open to and even seriously considering their entreaties.
Earlier this month, Mr. Trump hosted for dinner the Fox News president Jay Wallace and the network’s chief executive, Suzanne Scott, who had gone to Bedminster hoping to persuade Mr. Trump to come to the debate. They left the dinner believing there was a decent chance he would show up, according to two people familiar with the dinner.
Mr. Trump’s apparent decision to skip the debate comes on the heels of his fourth criminal indictment. The latest indictment came from the Fulton County, Ga., district attorney, who accused Mr. Trump of taking part in a criminal conspiracy to subvert the transfer of power after he lost the 2020 election in the state.
Trump must be jailed and muzzled there with no internet and telephone access. He is a danger to this country and no other citizen would have been given the freedom he has and has abused time and time again. His followers must be arrested, too. Let all of them understand first hand what “Law and Order” really means. If his followers want to become weaponized in the literal sense or rioting without weapons and being violent, put all of them in jail. Maybe I am a liberal but not about crimes screaming for punishment they have been committing all along.
The AP/NORC poll this week results were that 64% of Americans said they either probably or definitely would not vote for Trump in 2024. 33% would.
That is a reputable poll. His actions matter. The GOP’s actions matter. We need to get behind Joe Biden and work hard on every race because they all matter.
Or as objects whose purpose is to give joy to obstetricians (presumably male OB's only). The opinion was so unhinged that one must wonder about Judge Ho's mental competence. And I say that in a caring and respectful way, not to mock. him. His family should talk with him about their concerns.
Indeed. I read the opinion yesterday and came to the conclusion it wasn’t anything other another hit job on women’s rights (human rights).
That he could write something so fantastically irrational whose only purpose is to relay he doesn’t owe women a logical explanation for his and others efforts to force women into servitude and 2nd class citizenship.
Aug 18, 2023·edited Aug 18, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
That Kansas case gets stranger and stranger. First reports said that in fact the paper did NOT report on the DUI history of the restaurant owner, fearing it was sourced by a vindictive ex. Has this changed?
The magistrate judge sounds like a major loser and I hope is disbarred. The conspiracy bit of me looks at the sheriff, who had investigative records in the computer (not clear if he knew this)--that would be a reason to seize the equipment "for evidentiary purposes."
Looks like this all failed, as computers were or are about to be returned (though now undergoing or about to undergo forensic analysis to see whether they truly hadn't been hacked into. )
Where was the prosecutor in all this? Was he in cahoots, or did he just discover to his horror the lack of an affidavit of probable cause after the seizure? Does he have to be involved in the warrant request? (cop shows and mystery novels tell me no)
There should be some really interesting depositions in this case. Who will throw whom under the bus, and how?
Trump's mantra of "if they can come after me they can come after you" is not true in a society governed by the rule of law, unless you commit a crime. This case illustrates to a T what that mantra means if there is NOT respect for the rule of law. Some cop think you are flirting with his wife? BANG--search warrant into everything about you so long as there is a pliable magistrate judge around.
It appears that the police sought the warrant and the magistrate approved it (this is typical in some small jurisdictions). The newspaper was also investigating the sheriff in another case. So, it appears that a vengeful sheriff and an incompetent, biased magistrate decided to "teach the newspaper a lesson" in raw power. I believe that the sheriff and magistrate will go to jail. Perhaps others, too.
After he retired, my father ran a store in a very small town. The business owners and professionals all gathered for lunch at the one diner. I thought at the time "this is what cronies means." Luckily, in this town none of them were corrupt. But it is easy to see how it could be a bubble where everyone you hang with thinks helping out a bud by ignoring the law in a "respectable" way is just fine.
The editor himself stated clearly and in person, on The Eleventh Hour, that he had no intention of writing a story about the DUI. He also said that (as far as he knew) the police had not accessed the content of his computer wherein were specifics about a story-in-preparation about the reason the police chief left his previous job (complaints of sexual harassment). Interview begins Minute 2:20. https://www.msnbc.com/11th-hour
Yep. That's what I thought. the "as far as he knew" part was where the forensic analysis comes in. Gonna be hard to contest his "intent" as there was in fact no story printed about the DUI.
So Abigail Shry describes herself as "I'm bat s*** crazy...I'm firmly planted in the MAGA camp." Sounds remarkably lucid to me.
Talking about bat s*** crazy, thanks for expanding yesterday's remarks on the Fifth Circuit decision including the well deserved scathing criticism of Heather Cox Richardson. Judge Ho's 'concurring opinion and 'reasoning' could be right out of 'Boston Legal' – Hollywood's screen writers should be careful not to overextend their strike as others are obviously invading their territory.
Ending on a positive note: "Oh! The views!" Yes, indeed Thank you for sharing.
Good grief. I’ve suffered aesthetic injury every day since DJT became a candidate for president. I came into this world, nearly 80 years ago, into post WWII America and its hopeful, safe, sturdy and struggling democracy, and, as I grew, embraced the dream, the expectation, that we here lived by incredibly wise laws and principles. During two years in the Peace Corps in the Philippines I talked with citizens of that country, suffering under a tyrant, about their hope that their country could one day be like ours, which they saw as a bright and enduring light in our world. (Yes, I was in my early twenties -- but it was at the height of the War in Viet Nam . . .). Anyway, I think it’s my turn to demand satisfaction for MY aesthetic injury!
There is a name for Trump “encouraging (his followers) to do the dirty work.” It is “stochastic terrorism: the use of mass media to provoke random acts of ideologically motivated terrorism that are statistically predicable but individually unpredictable.” Recent violent example: the attack on Paul Polosi.
First of all, another great post! BUT, i just watched Jill's beautiful video and poked around a few other posts of hers .. including the book reviews!! Now i'm madly in love with her!! You two are such an amazing couple. I love your love so much. I'm really having a hard time processing my husband's recent death, and we sure did not have the kind of relationship you do, but 'following' you both has added so much to my life and helped me see things in my own 52 year love! Different paths with some amazing journeys! Best to both of you. xx's
Hi, Cecilia. I am sorry to hear of your husband's passing. I am glad to hear that Jill's video brings you some comfort. I wish you the best as your recover and process the loss of your husband. Take care of yourself!
31st St. Swing Left is actively supporting Zev Shapiro's organization TurnUp's efforts to register and turnout young voters. Recent analysis by Catalist and Pew find that younger voters are even more important and supportive than previously believed. So we are aiming to raise $100,000 tax deductible support for TurnUp efforts in high schools and community colleges in VA and PA. Our website: https://www.31ststreet.org/
Thanks, Jim! Pinning this to the top!
I agree that the powers that be need to track down every last person who has made internet threats and punish them to the fullest extent of the law. Whether these people are alcoholics, opioid addicts (oxycontin), crystal meth addicts, or just plain old nasty White supremacists, they should experience the full weight of their actions. Also, there should be a gag order on Trump from posting anything that does not have to do with his campaign. He can have freedom of speech, just not on intimidating witnesses. I imagine that no one knows how to arrest and jail someone who has a secret service detail, which is what is preventing him from being thrown in jail. I will assume his words will get out through his lawyers anyway if that happens, just as Navalny manages to get his message out while in a Russian prison. There seems to be no stopping the man. I personally do not want to have to pay the security detail, or anything else for that matter, for a man who has committed treason against my country, and is trying to overthrow the constitution and our democracy. Is there any way to class action that? Or, is that something we are supposed to let slide, so that it does not open a door to chicanery against other legitimate presidents and their security? Republicans, be they civilians or judges, are implementing policies that discriminate against women. These judges might as well be writing in tongues as they justify their unjust positions on abortion. Down with Republicans!
The answer to Trump's recent behavior, it seems to me, is house arrest, with no access to ANY method of communicating directly with the public. There would need to be enough police present 24/7 (in addition to the usual security detail) to make sure these restrictions were followed. He could be allowed one campaign speech per week in front of cameras at MAL - period.
If he broke these rules or attacked the decency of the anyone involved in his legal cases, he would immediately be moved to jail and all speeches would be ended.
This seems like a VERY firm and VERY reasonable approach to me. My hope is that 60+% of Americans would see it that way and be supportive.
The odds are now, IMO, that DT wants to be jailed, and then to call for millions of his supporters to hit the streets. I say let them do it as long as they remain peaceful. But some WOULD become violent, and law enforcement and the National Guard would have to be ready for mass violence by militias, lone wolves, etc. We've lived in fear of these neofascist thugs for long enough!!
I agree. If all you have on your side is violence and bullying then your message is hate and fear. We need to defeat these thugs. Trump and his enablers have to be held accountable 🚧
I read yesterday that according to the NORC survey Trump is really not that popular anymore. Too popular still, but his legal troubles might be wearing on this popularity. The man is just exhausting. I just don't see that Trump will lose his right of speech, although I agree that it should be monitored. I think he has to get pre-approval for anything he says for content so that there can be no intimidation threats. Then it can be released. Preventing him from breaking the rules, but not allowing him freedom of all speech. I see the Tucker Carlson interview as a problem. I would bill it as Two Criminals Talking!
2 very strange human beings, that's for sure! The only thing that motivaes both is money, money money.
I understand your linkage between Navalny and Trump, but it’s strange nonetheless.
Yes. I am not saying they are politically alike, just that even Navlny, who is in a Russian prison, which are very notorious for not following the law, manages to get messages out through his lawyers from time to time, as reported in Meduza.
The most important words here are ¨America Is Bigger Then Trump¨.
I don't understand why Graham, Jordan et al haven't been called to task, or named in the indictments. Will they be held accountable?
They have additional constitutional defenses (the speech and debate clause) that does not even apply to Trump. Their time may come, but they will be the most complicated prosecutions.
Also beautiful slide show
Yes! The one on Edith Wharton's house is also beautiful.
I love that you read to us. Tonight your voice was soothing, like your tone and perspective. Thank you for that. In the chaos and frenzy of these times, "soothing" is greatly appreciated. Plus, I agree with nearly everything you say. I often save your post as the last I read before shutting down for the night.
Agree, Lani. "Common Sense" Robert Hubbell (and company): A 21st Century Thomas Paine!
I agree 100%. I am on the east coast, so I start every day listening to Robert- even before I get out of bed! Robert gets my day going.
I may have to try listening.
With a majority of Americans thinking DT did something bad or illegal, it is time to look at the signs of the impending demise of the Republican Party and whether we'll see the start of a new major party, one which hopefully represents the People and not driven by egocentric lust for power. The factions in the GOP are squabbling and turning their hate and violence on each other. The MAGA party is weakening with each indictment as the vileness of its leaders (not just DT) cross some line for the many "traditional" Republicans. When these people finally realize they've been duped they will become very angry. Hope it happens sooner rather than later. In fact, let's hope it happens by next summer's party convention. My mind is rapidly coming to the position that the GOP nominee will not be TLFG (the loser former guy). Who, what is going to fill the vacuum. Chris Christie perhaps. Seems to be about the only one who has the campaign skills and the courage. A new conservative or pro Constitution party? A Big Middle party from the pro democracy moderate people who are disillusioned with the extremes of both the "major" parties? A party of youth and women who are looking to a better future for all - income equity, clean cool planet, true representatives of the People and democratic values? One who will insist the government be measured by the well being of all the citizens? Where People have freedom and value community which supports the freedoms of others. When one's wealth is measured by one's generosity toward others as in Native American philosophy. The beginning of a new ethical era of synergy where we value differences and do the right thing by each other and our planet? We, the People, all of us THIS time.
The Republican Party needs severe loses to eject those fringe members who are part of the Trump cult. Only after these loses can new fresh traditional Republicans step forward with the mantra and platform to rebuild the party. I’m not sure when that will happen.
The republican party is controlled almost exclusively by billionaires and the petrol states that care nothing about Americas best interests or yours. Until Citizens United is overturned and tax rates for the 1% are restored to early 1980"s levels there will be no rescuing the GOP.
Wealth should be measured in terms of well-being, not dollars. A few countries already do this.
Chris Christie other than capitalizing on destroying DJT? It appears he was Pro Trump until Jan. 6th.
Where does Chris Christie stand on the Issues?
> Pro-life, decisions at the state level not federal
> Immigration: Vaguely postures not what Democrats propose but offers, instead, that something should be done
> Entitlements (What I call Insurance that has been paid for through payroll deductions & taxes): Has proposed series of policies to shore up Social Security, including an income cap, raising the retirement age and means testing
> Guns: “We must focus on the mental health crisis in this country. It is long overdue.”
And, offers no exposure that the real problem of gun violence is the propaganda from gun manufacturers & it’s lobbyists that the US government is out to get you… now there’s a mental health crisis!
> Ukraine: pro US support; no troops on the ground
And finally from https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/06/06/chris-christie-55-things-00100058
In 2013, as NJ Governor, on TIME’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world, signed legislation supporting financial aid and in-state college tuition for undocumented immigrants, signed legislation banning licensed therapists from trying to turn gay teens straight and earned a second term in a landslide.
On the other hand, remember the “Bridgegate” mess that Christie’s henchpeople inflicted on NJ and NYC. Christie deflected personal blame … as though the leader shouldn’t be blamed for the actions of his close subordinates.
I don’t trust the guy.
The Democratic position on immigration is environmentally unsustainable. I strongly support President Biden, the best pres of my lifetime. But on this he's wrong.
The Census Bureau projects, based on current policies, the US population will grow by 75 million over the next 40years, 68 million from immigration, 7 million from native increase. 68 million is equivalent to nearly 3 1/2 New York states.
Meanwhile, Propublica projects that "millions" of Americans will become climate refugees over the next several decades. https://www.propublica.org/article/climate-change-will-force-a-new-american-migration
Meanwhile, we're running out of water. The aquifer that underlies California's Central Valley, the major breadbasket of the nation, is drying out. So, too, the Ogallala Aquifer, which underlies the Great Plains, stretching from Canada down to Texas.
States out west are fighting over Colorado River water. Cities in Arizona are fighting over water. The Colorado long ago began drying out before it reached the Gulf of California.
Global warming will also reduce the US' ability to produce food--our carrying capacity. The COVID epidemic demonstrated the importance of owning our supply chains. Growing the population will make us dependent on others for food.
And the average immigrant's GH emissions rise threefold after arrival--not surprising since most come from third world countries and we're the major industrialized nation with the greatest per capita greenhouse emissions. Immigration to the US is a lose-lose for the planet.
Welcome to dystopia, David! What you have described is a likely scenario. In a sense we are about to experience the causes and circumstances that the 65 million world refugees have experienced and why— similar to migrants at the border—it's a "do or die" migration. What happens when the northen hemisphere is suffering climate chaos and disrupted governments, too? Some pundits are saying there is no escape and it behooves us to realize we are all in this together. Rather than defending ourselves against the indefensible, the world will become a very large emergency relief center, in which the basics of survival—food, shelter, health care, are hopefully given with equal access and humanity. Or maybe the word should be Humility. It is very possible that we will live in tribes again, much smaller socio-economic groups that practice environmental balance, not exploitation. I hope.
Although I am white, I am watching the Black and indigenous farm projects in which old methods and ancient foods are revived. There are some very lovely farms and small communities happening in balance with nature.
It isn't going to help anything to let millions of people into a country where their GH emissions will rise 3-fold, making everything a lot worse. I think the issue of where people go, once they are TRULY deemed to be refugees of some sort--a lot aren't--the UN should probably figure out where they might best go.
There are a number of places in the world with reasonable climates that are relatively empty of people in comparison with the US, including our northern neighbor, which has a population of 40 million in an area that's many times the size of California (population also 40 million). The places in the US that are relatively empty can't be farmed for lack of water, or mountainous terrain.
I'm all for reviving old farming methods that are truly in balance with nature.
I cannot foresee what might happen, I am only saying that we in the US should do everything possible to rectify the causes and conditions for migration, although that is so politiclly unlikely. To keep migrants in place, a Marshall Plan of sorts might be helpful. What can we do to encourage food production and protect water resources as close to former homelands, e.g.? But the turmoil is so dangerous in so many countries. Consider Haiti for an awful example!
I don't know what will stop migrants, David. That's what I'm saying. If we become fearful and even militant (Looking at you Gov Abbott!) we are unlikley to cure the problem, and likely make it worse. I think we should have another Biden diplomatic mission, but instead of a military buffer against Russia or China, have a consortium of countries, similarly, which problem solve for the basics throughout the world. (Just call me the ghost of Eleanor Roosevelt!) I believe the "haves" must reach out rather than battening the hatches. Don't get me wrong, I am not advocating an open door policy by any means. I just think we would do better to try to allay migration where it begins. I think the Biden administration is trying, BTW, in seeking to have migrants apply for asylum in their countries first. LBNL, most climate watchers think a new normal has arrived. We all will need to accommodate those changes. One way is to return to sensible conservation and farming.
I'd forgotten how absolutely incredibly great a president Biden is. He's had to deal with Joe Manchin all along because he has this tiny majority in the Senate, and he's done a great job of it... But here's the latest from that saga
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/08/19/inflation-reduction-act-joe-manchin-biden/
We've got a lot of stuff in disorder in our own house, including one highly dysfunctional political party. That is the sort of thing that will get in the way of more sensible ways of farming, and conservation.
What would stop migrants from coming to the US is a national, mandatory E-Verify. The House voted for it earlier this year. But the Democratic-run Senate didn't take it up, and most of the Democrats would have voted against it, with a few exceptions such as Mark Kelly of Arizona. A vote against E-Verify is tantamount to voting for illegal immigration.
And a lot of the people who migrate are likely people who have enough gumption that if they had to stay put, they would figure out ways of making their countries work better. I don't think most are starving. I think the majority are seeking a better economic situation, which is why they come all the way to the US instead of asking for asylum in Mexico (where the wealth is spread much more widely than when most immigrants were Mexicans several decades ago).
And, yeah, if we could help them get more on their feet that would be great. But maybe such changes have to be made from within. And maybe we could somehow help them. But global warming does complicate the situation, and it's possible they will have to be moved. I don't know. But if so, I think that's where the major countries of the world would have to get together and try to figure out where they could go. But putting 'em in the US is inviting disaster. Propublica projected that MILLIONS of Americans will become climate refugees in the next several decades--which if so, means they really can't come here without making an upcoming crisis a lot worse. This sort of thing is why the UN or some major world agency should figure this out.
https://www.propublica.org/article/climate-change-will-force-a-new-american-migration
I'm getting tired, not sure whether I'm doing a good job responding, O Ghost of Eleanor Roosevelt (!!!). You have a lot of good points.
Susan, this is an excellent post. Why? Because you are taking us down the road Robert has been proposing, one focused on the 2024 election to win, leaving no stone unturned. This analysis of Chris Christie is a perfect example that lets people know that while we are pleased with his “side show” attacks on Trump he is NOT our guy, just another smoke and mirrors Republican.
As for the Republican Party, this recent news item from the NYTimes tells us a lot, just in the headlines. (Sorry my monthly quota is depleted. Please post if anyone has a freebie link.) https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/18/us/politics/trump-debate-tucker-carlson.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
HEADLINE: Trump Plans to Skip G.O.P. Debate for Interview With Tucker Carlson
The former president’s apparent decision to skip the first debate is a major affront both to the Republican National Committee and to Fox News, which is hosting the event.
Former President Donald J. Trump plans to upstage the first Republican primary debate on Wednesday by sitting for an online interview with the former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, according to multiple people briefed on the matter.
In the past 24 hours, Mr. Trump has told people close to him that he has made up his mind and will skip the debate in Milwaukee, according to two of the people briefed on the matter.
Mr. Trump is notoriously mercurial, and left himself something of an out to change his mind with an ambiguous post on his website, Truth Social, on Thursday. He wrote that he’s polling well ahead of his rivals and added, “Reagan didn’t do it, and neither did others. People know my Record, one of the BEST EVER, so why would I Debate?”
For weeks, the former president has been quizzing aides, associates and rally crowds about what he should do. Until earlier this week, Mr. Trump had been giving people the impression he was considering a last-minute surprise appearance on Wednesday.
Still, people close to him had said for months that he was unlikely to take part in the first two Republican debates, both of which are sponsored by the Republican National Committee. And Mr. Trump’s apparent decision to skip the first debate of the presidential nominating contest is a major affront to both the R.N.C. and Fox News, which is hosting the event.
The 2024 G.O.P. Presidential Candidates
Card 1 of 8
Donald Trump. The former president is running to retake the office he lost in 2020. Though somewhat diminished in influence within the Republican Party — and facing several legal investigations — he retains a large and committed base of supporters, and he could be aided in the primary by multiple challengers splitting a limited anti-Trump vote.
Ron DeSantis. The combative governor of Florida, whose official entry into the 2024 race was spoiled by a glitch-filled livestream over Twitter, has championed conservative causes and thrown a flurry of punches at America’s left. He provides Trump the most formidable Republican rival he has faced since the former president’s ascent in 2016.
Chris Christie. The former governor of New Jersey, who was eclipsed by Trump in the 2016 Republican primary, is making a second run for the White House, setting up a rematch with the former president. Christie has positioned himself as the G.O.P. hopeful who is most willing to attack Trump.
Mike Pence. The former vice president, who was once a stalwart supporter of Trump but split with him after the Jan. 6 attack, launched his campaign with a strong rebuke of his former boss. An evangelical Christian whose faith drives much of his politics, Pence has been notably outspoken about his support for a national abortion ban.
Tim Scott. The South Carolina senator, who is the first Black Republican from the South elected to the Senate since Reconstruction, has been one of his party’s most prominent voices on matters of race. He is campaigning on a message of positivity steeped in religiosity.
Nikki Haley. The former governor of South Carolina, who was a U.N. ambassador under Trump, has presented herself as a member of “a new generation of leadership” and emphasized her life experience as a daughter of Indian immigrants. She was long seen as a rising G.O.P. star, but her allure in the party has declined amid her on-again, off-again embrace of Trump.
Vivek Ramaswamy. The multimillionaire entrepreneur describes himself as “anti-woke” and has made a name for himself in right-wing circles by opposing corporate efforts to advance political, social and environmental causes. He has promised to go farther down the road of ruling by fiat than Trump would or could.
More G.O.P. candidates. The former Texas congressman Will Hurd, Mayor Francis Suarez of Miami, Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and the conservative talk radio host Larry Elder have also launched long-shot bids for the Republican presidential nomination. Read more about the 2024 candidates.
The exact timing and platform of the interview with Mr. Carlson remain unclear, but if it goes ahead as currently planned, the debate-night counterprogramming would serve as an act of open hostility.
The chairwoman of the R.N.C., Ronna McDaniel, has privately urged Mr. Trump to attend the debate, even traveling to his private club in Bedminster, N.J., last month to make her pitch in person.
And Fox News has been drawn into a public battle not only with Mr. Trump but with Mr. Carlson, who is still on contract and being paid by Fox despite having his show taken off the air. Fox sent Mr. Carlson a cease-and-desist letter after he aired a series of videos on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. The Trump campaign’s conversations with Mr. Carlson — and the possibility of counterprogramming — have previously been reported by multiple news organizations.
Spokesmen for the Trump campaign, the R.N.C. and Fox News did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Mr. Carlson also did not respond to requests for comment.
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Fox News executives and personalities have been lobbying the former president, both publicly and privately, to participate in the debate. But Mr. Trump has been openly attacking Fox and has privately vented his animosity for the chairman of Fox Corporation, Rupert Murdoch.
Even so, Mr. Trump has privately also given top executives and anchors at Fox the impression that he was open to and even seriously considering their entreaties.
Earlier this month, Mr. Trump hosted for dinner the Fox News president Jay Wallace and the network’s chief executive, Suzanne Scott, who had gone to Bedminster hoping to persuade Mr. Trump to come to the debate. They left the dinner believing there was a decent chance he would show up, according to two people familiar with the dinner.
Mr. Trump’s apparent decision to skip the debate comes on the heels of his fourth criminal indictment. The latest indictment came from the Fulton County, Ga., district attorney, who accused Mr. Trump of taking part in a criminal conspiracy to subvert the transfer of power after he lost the 2020 election in the state.
Trump must be jailed and muzzled there with no internet and telephone access. He is a danger to this country and no other citizen would have been given the freedom he has and has abused time and time again. His followers must be arrested, too. Let all of them understand first hand what “Law and Order” really means. If his followers want to become weaponized in the literal sense or rioting without weapons and being violent, put all of them in jail. Maybe I am a liberal but not about crimes screaming for punishment they have been committing all along.
💯. I will be heartily dismayed if Trump is, again, let off with a 'stronger' warning to behave.
The AP/NORC poll this week results were that 64% of Americans said they either probably or definitely would not vote for Trump in 2024. 33% would.
That is a reputable poll. His actions matter. The GOP’s actions matter. We need to get behind Joe Biden and work hard on every race because they all matter.
Judge Ho should be deprived of his clerks, if they have so much free time to spend on such blue-sky stuff.
Judge Ho's opinion is complete bullsh*t. "Aesthetic" injury doesn't make sense. Animals or babies don't exist so that people can view them.
Judge Ho clearly views women only as vessels.
Or as objects whose purpose is to give joy to obstetricians (presumably male OB's only). The opinion was so unhinged that one must wonder about Judge Ho's mental competence. And I say that in a caring and respectful way, not to mock. him. His family should talk with him about their concerns.
Indeed. I read the opinion yesterday and came to the conclusion it wasn’t anything other another hit job on women’s rights (human rights).
That he could write something so fantastically irrational whose only purpose is to relay he doesn’t owe women a logical explanation for his and others efforts to force women into servitude and 2nd class citizenship.
Can/can’t a federal judge be impeached and removed for incompetence?
That Kansas case gets stranger and stranger. First reports said that in fact the paper did NOT report on the DUI history of the restaurant owner, fearing it was sourced by a vindictive ex. Has this changed?
The magistrate judge sounds like a major loser and I hope is disbarred. The conspiracy bit of me looks at the sheriff, who had investigative records in the computer (not clear if he knew this)--that would be a reason to seize the equipment "for evidentiary purposes."
Looks like this all failed, as computers were or are about to be returned (though now undergoing or about to undergo forensic analysis to see whether they truly hadn't been hacked into. )
Where was the prosecutor in all this? Was he in cahoots, or did he just discover to his horror the lack of an affidavit of probable cause after the seizure? Does he have to be involved in the warrant request? (cop shows and mystery novels tell me no)
There should be some really interesting depositions in this case. Who will throw whom under the bus, and how?
Trump's mantra of "if they can come after me they can come after you" is not true in a society governed by the rule of law, unless you commit a crime. This case illustrates to a T what that mantra means if there is NOT respect for the rule of law. Some cop think you are flirting with his wife? BANG--search warrant into everything about you so long as there is a pliable magistrate judge around.
It appears that the police sought the warrant and the magistrate approved it (this is typical in some small jurisdictions). The newspaper was also investigating the sheriff in another case. So, it appears that a vengeful sheriff and an incompetent, biased magistrate decided to "teach the newspaper a lesson" in raw power. I believe that the sheriff and magistrate will go to jail. Perhaps others, too.
After he retired, my father ran a store in a very small town. The business owners and professionals all gathered for lunch at the one diner. I thought at the time "this is what cronies means." Luckily, in this town none of them were corrupt. But it is easy to see how it could be a bubble where everyone you hang with thinks helping out a bud by ignoring the law in a "respectable" way is just fine.
The editor himself stated clearly and in person, on The Eleventh Hour, that he had no intention of writing a story about the DUI. He also said that (as far as he knew) the police had not accessed the content of his computer wherein were specifics about a story-in-preparation about the reason the police chief left his previous job (complaints of sexual harassment). Interview begins Minute 2:20. https://www.msnbc.com/11th-hour
Yep. That's what I thought. the "as far as he knew" part was where the forensic analysis comes in. Gonna be hard to contest his "intent" as there was in fact no story printed about the DUI.
So Abigail Shry describes herself as "I'm bat s*** crazy...I'm firmly planted in the MAGA camp." Sounds remarkably lucid to me.
Talking about bat s*** crazy, thanks for expanding yesterday's remarks on the Fifth Circuit decision including the well deserved scathing criticism of Heather Cox Richardson. Judge Ho's 'concurring opinion and 'reasoning' could be right out of 'Boston Legal' – Hollywood's screen writers should be careful not to overextend their strike as others are obviously invading their territory.
Ending on a positive note: "Oh! The views!" Yes, indeed Thank you for sharing.
Yes; it was good that Professor Richardson highlighted Ho's concurrence. My failure to do so was an oversight on my part, which readers quickly noted.
Good grief. I’ve suffered aesthetic injury every day since DJT became a candidate for president. I came into this world, nearly 80 years ago, into post WWII America and its hopeful, safe, sturdy and struggling democracy, and, as I grew, embraced the dream, the expectation, that we here lived by incredibly wise laws and principles. During two years in the Peace Corps in the Philippines I talked with citizens of that country, suffering under a tyrant, about their hope that their country could one day be like ours, which they saw as a bright and enduring light in our world. (Yes, I was in my early twenties -- but it was at the height of the War in Viet Nam . . .). Anyway, I think it’s my turn to demand satisfaction for MY aesthetic injury!
HELL YEAH!! We women, especially, have suffered “aesthetic injury” for decades. Time to put a stop to that!
:-) !!
USA needs a Twelve Step program for Trump supporters and hate-mongers generally!
I take your proposal as serious, and I do think that some type of voluntary "deprogramming" assistance is appropriate.
The first step in the 12 step process is to admit your a Trump addict and I’m not sure that will happen
There is a name for Trump “encouraging (his followers) to do the dirty work.” It is “stochastic terrorism: the use of mass media to provoke random acts of ideologically motivated terrorism that are statistically predicable but individually unpredictable.” Recent violent example: the attack on Paul Polosi.
First of all, another great post! BUT, i just watched Jill's beautiful video and poked around a few other posts of hers .. including the book reviews!! Now i'm madly in love with her!! You two are such an amazing couple. I love your love so much. I'm really having a hard time processing my husband's recent death, and we sure did not have the kind of relationship you do, but 'following' you both has added so much to my life and helped me see things in my own 52 year love! Different paths with some amazing journeys! Best to both of you. xx's
Hi, Cecilia. I am sorry to hear of your husband's passing. I am glad to hear that Jill's video brings you some comfort. I wish you the best as your recover and process the loss of your husband. Take care of yourself!
💙 and a hug..
“… beer-fueled couch terrorists”
made me laugh !
Yes! And the "small, frightened, impotent cultists ". Perfectly descriptive of the Magats!