Apr 1, 2023·edited Apr 1, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Thank you, Robert and Jill, for your tireless efforts to keep us informed and uplifted. There is no value in looking at a glass half empty when you can see it as half full. I think those who object to your positive viewpoint may be trying to prepare themselves to lose before the results are known so they aren't disappointed or caught off guard. Or maybe they are just exhausted and depressed from this fight. But as you've pointed out, that's no way to win.
I appreciated Rachel Maddow's perspective tonight. She discussed the wild news cycle around Nixon's vice president's legal troubles. Spiro Agnew engaged in a cesspool of criminal behavior, but ended up making a deal to leave public office in 1973 in exchange for his freedom in lieu of a trial. Her point was that that legal situation was a public circus and Agnew was a vicious mudslinger somewhat like Trump. But the event passed and most people barely remember his name now.
I think the name "Trump" will live in infamy regardless of what happens in the next several years as we all plow through his legal troubles and his flailing, vicious, racist, antisemitic, misogynistic rantings and unending narcissistic cries of persecution by the majority. He will fight like a rabid dog and attempt to take this country down with him. But he won't succeed.
Now that the shoe has finally dropped in the first indictment, there is a comfort in seeing our legal system finally going into action. As the other indictments in the many lawsuits brewing against the former president are announced in the months ahead, like planes landing in sequence at La Guardia, I believe the legal system will stand up to the pressure.
Regardless of the flying verbal garbage swirling from wherever Trump is located, we can all take comfort in knowing that the wheels of justice grind slowly in this country...sometimes excruciatingly so...but they are still moving with force and clearly defined rules, propelled quietly by talented, brave, dedicated judges and lawyers that take their jobs very seriously. Whatever the outcome, it will be clear both here and around the world, that no one in the American democracy is above the law.
And as hard as it may be for some to believe, I think if we lift up our heads and squint towards the long view of the future, this whole dark, evil, difficult chapter of the super rich, far right Republicans trying to drag us all back into the last century will fade in the decades to come. Because good people stood up and did something to reassert sanity and the rule of law.
So thank you to all of you good people across this country who are working to get us past this historic black hole of attempted fascism, illiberalism and hate. All of you are what make America great and I'd bet my money on you every time. Have a peaceful weekend.
Beautifully and professionally stated CC. Thank you for your insight and your very hopeful message. I remember the Nixon/Agnew days; it feels like those antics pale in comparison to what we are witnessing and enduring now.
Thank you so much for the complement, Martha. You're right. It's different/worse in several ways, including more media outlets, especially the "Fox Lies Network." I detested Nixon. But I was too busy to listen to every daily bump in the political road back then. It's much harder now that I watch "the sausage being made" on a daily/hourly basis. However, even now, if I only saw the political news every few weeks, it would be a lot easier on my nervous system. I'm still working on that plan. : )
Outstanding reminders, CC, and wonderfully said. I often think similarly, but then my hope gets knocked down for a day or 3 by the latest right wing travesty. Taking the long view, and DECIDING to focus on the more hopeful possibilities that remain, are essential to my mental health.
"The arc of the moral history is long but it bends towards justice." And we are the benders - day by day and year by year.
Thank you, Tyler. I'm guessing many of us have to work at staying positive given what we are facing these days.
As I often hear successful people say, "It's not how often you're knocked down, it's whether or not you get back up." Some days it takes longer than others.
I'm not aware of any imogees available in my computer program, but please imagine a "thumbs up" and "peace" sign here. : )
That's a good point about the E. Jean Carroll trial being "insurance" that Trump appears in New York. There has been some disquiet - voiced notably by Rachel Maddow in her show tonight - that the delay of Trump's arraignment to Tuesday might mean that he changes his mind about surrendering voluntarily since there are many individuals and groups on the right issuing statements that he should refuse and remain in Florida under the "protection" of DeSantis, that he make the New York authorities come and try to take him. But if he is faced with losing the Carroll case, he'd have to come to NYC, so if he wants to play a bullshit game for a few weeks, all that will happen is it will demonstrate to the country that the Republicans have declared war on the rule of law, so they'll lose even bigger by so doing.
There was also a mention that Trump would not want to be seen as being under DeSantis's protection, so he would probably not want to stay hunkered down in Florida and be seen as a "weakling."
Also watched Rachel last night. Something I found very interesting was the fact that the DA wanted Trump to surrender on Friday but his lawyers said no. They said it would take too much effort to coordinate with the Secret Service to deliver him. Then the Secret Service pushed back and called that ridiculous. Methinks that delay was desired by the T camp to stir up as much chaos as possible.
Also, Trump would not let an opportunity pass to play victim/martyr on the NY stage. It's an Off Broadway chance to star in his version of what we may call "The Death of a Salesman".
I believe that Trump is so psychologically damaged that his need for attention exceeds all other considerations.
And.... I think he really believes he can rise from the ashes of convictions to be above the rule of law. After all, he read Mein Kampf.
And then there are those January 6 followers who are currently sitting in a jail cell who had no option to thumb their nose at the authorities during their trial, sentencing and imprisonment.
Thank you, Rob. I appreciate your sharing Josh Marshall's take.... what happens to 45 from here on is out of our hands. The justice system is working and I trust it will (finally) work appropriately. 45 will not be elected dog catcher, let alone president. DeSantis will be a washout also. Our focus should be on amplifying the positive accomplishments of the Biden administration, protecting the LGBTQ community, promoting gun control, and getting out the vote; not necessarily in that order. I look forward to seeing Trump's convictions, but also watching him become irrelevant. Keeping the White House, and gaining a substantial majority in Congress in 2024 must be our focus.
Please don’t forget fighting to do whatever possible to protect women’s freedom! That is one of the most backward, cruel, vengeful moves yet by this Reign of Terror out of the GQP. May they go down in infamy to a place worse than Florida.
Laura… I attended a gathering at our public library this week that was designed to re-educate us about the ERA. It is time we get women in this country organized and forceful enough to get this amendment passed. Young women are unaware of its importance and need to be mobilized. Maybe Robert will add his influence along with Heather Cox Richardson. Pass the Equal Rights Amendment , dammit!!
It is a national disgrace that the ERA was needed. Same applies to the Voting Rights (John Lewis) Act, and the Respect for Marriage Act. Each of these legally restores a right or set of rights that was improperly taken away for reasons that are neither morally nor ethically valid.
Could not agree more, Dave. How is it that the GQP can obsess about the sanctity of the 2nd Amendment, which NEVER intended for us all to walk around in our everyday lives with loaded weapons nor did it ever imagine we would have such military-grade weapons as AR-15s in our everyday lives. All it called for was that citizens should be able to bear arms to maintain a militia…..At that time, “arms” were long rifles that could shoot one bullet at a time, slowly. Yet, these same people run roughshod over the 14th Amendment for not mentioning BY NAME all of the possible personal civil rights that must be protected, such as reproductive healthcare, gay marriage, contraceptives, etc. The real question is how the hell did “states’ rights” metatasize to the extent that we now have 2 countries within the US - red states and blue states - where American citizens either have all the civil rights due to any citizen, or almost none of them if they are targeted by fake religious justification to “clean up” the culture???? In other words, red states are already autocracies while blue states are fighting to be the American democracy that was working just fine until Trump opened the gates of Hell. Again, I can’t imagine the Founding Fathers imagined that states would try to hurt and minimize their OWN citizens. They were just supposed to govern the everyday needs of their states, like roads, taxes, schools, etc. It is absurd what is being done to us and the interpretation of the Constitution, thanks to the lawless
Your comment is worth a couple of newsletters all by itself Laura. I don't think the Founders imagined that citizens would at any time let their local governments go to the extremes we've seen in 'Red' states and certainly that the federal government would not.
The divisions we see go back to pre-Revolution times and reflect the various religious and social backgrounds of the early European settlers, many of whom were escaping some sort of oppression in the interest of establishing their own oppressive precepts. Going back to the original concepts of government limited by the Constitution and the laws of the several states used to be a basis for the Republican party platform but that began to fall apart when the Court misinterpreted the Commerce Clause of the 16th Amendment to give the Federal government almost unlimited power to control most aspects of our lives. Whether we can restore an acceptable balance between freedom and responsibility will, I suspect, be the essential argument of the next several years or decades.
Thank you, Gene. We need ALL men who support the cause to be front and center, and hopefully in power! The only reason that the GQP picks on and targets women, blacks, gays, trans, and immigrants, is because they can! All of us in those marginalized groups have less power than we should and that we need. And, if push came to shove, those white men could beat up most women if they had to, just by virtue of genetic strength. It’s sick. Men and women should be protesting night and day just as they do in Iran!!! Those folks are putting their lives on the line just to be able to let their hair go free. We are more like the Iranian government in America than anyone in the GQP would ever admit. Just ask Tucker!
Yes and yes re ERA. Actually, Jill Wine Banks, of Watergate Girl fame, has said that the ERA HAS officially met the requirements to be enshrined as our 28th amendment, and all that needs to happen is for the fed govt to name it in some kind of official way.
There was a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on it on the 28th of Feb, very symbolic, and I thought it might happen then. So I’m confused as to what is the hold up. The time limit set in the original proposal was evidently not stated in the amendment itself and therefore cannot hamper it from being adopted once voted on in enough states, which I believe happened a few years ago.
Not sure why this hasn’t happened yet, because it HAS all the states’ support that it needs.
Not sure! Call our Senators and write to the president and demand ERA be officially recognized? At the moment I’m totally involved in work on the Supreme Ct race in WI. Knocking on doors tomorrow (Sunday) and poll observing on Tuesday…need to win this one!!!
Thanks Laura, I never meant the few things I listed to be exhaustive. There are many issues we need to continue fighting for and reproductive rights are certainly right at the top, along with climate change, etc. All I would ask is that we don't forget the trans community in all of that. They are so easily pushed to the bottom of the heap.
“In the last stop of her Africa visit, Vice President Kamala Harris today was in Zambia, which co-hosted this week’s Summit for Democracy. Neither Harris nor Biden will comment in any way about the impending indictment of the former president. At a press conference in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka, today, a reporter from the Wall Street Journal reminded Harris that she had “spoken about democracy and the rule of law at every stop in Africa,” and asked her to comment on news of the indictment.
When she declined, Zambian president Hakainde Hichilema stepped forward. “[L]et’s remove names from your question,” he said.
“Let’s put what we decided we will do to govern ourselves in an orderly manner. First, our constitutions, bedrock law. Then, secondary laws, other regulations create a platform or framework around which we agreed, either as Americans or as Zambians, to govern ourselves. And so, to live within those confines.
“And when there’s transgression against law, it does not matter who is involved. I think that is what the rule of law means.”
Richardson’s entire article is especially worth reading: it details how Biden is working to promote democracy worldwide. Biden’s efforts, as Richardson demonstrates, are deeper and wider than I’d realized, and are genuinely impressive.
AH! Another of Yogi Berra's famous aphorisms, "The future ain’t what it used to be", spoken with the certainty and assurance of a truism. One would hope this adage be a political reality. But, in the parlance of Republicans, "the past is the future all over again". One party is busy building on the successes and progress of the past, envisioning a bright future of justice for all learning lessons from our successes based on service to the people while Republicans persist in hearkening the past as it conveniently serves the Republicans, and their special interests and donors. They are all about control, refusing to let go of their moldy ideas rather than envisioning a future of creativity and change. And, making transparent their now blatant attempts to fulfill their authoritarian intent.
Biden, with patience, wisdom, and acute political savvy, and despite the Democratic party's naysayers, has held steady upholding a course promoting big "D" democracy, leading with courage and surprising stamina while highlighting the differences, possibilities and likely outcomes for each of us. These distinctions are a winning formula.
If I hear one more talking head/“expert” solemnly intone that the indictment of Trump puts us in “uncharted” territory I think I will scream. There is nothing uncharted about it. Every lawyer knows that many lawsuits involve unresolved legal issues. For example - Trump’s many claims of executive privilege. Legal issues are presented to a judge and decided. Happens every day. That Trump will raise legal defenses is no surprise.
Apr 1, 2023·edited Apr 1, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Ron DeSantis is playing governor for FOX news and taking his policy cues from Tucker Carlson. I wonder when Carlson's lies and support of sedition will be grounds for booting him from the airways and maybe from the country. He'd be welcomed by Orban - let's offer him a free plane ride.
Now America 🇺🇸 just has to find a way to rein in the seditious activities in the House, which is wasted witch hunts and wild goose chases wasting the taxpayers money 💰 they claim they're so worried about saving 😉 They're so lame they can't even come up with their own budget, which is supposed to be one of the main priorities 🙄 Instead, they want to act like spoiled rotten kids that threatened to take their toys home 🏡 if you don't play the games they want to. That's no way 😕 to be a governing party in charge of appropriations, just because they want to fall all over themselves trying to prove who's the orange 🍊 behemoth's best flunky.
Holding the rest of America 🇺🇸 hostage over this debt ceiling that was already for appropriations previously agreed upon is not only dirty pool, but in violation of 14th amendment regarding payment of bills of the government. Anyway, just glad that the 1st step towards justice has begun and hopefully, that the seditious activities of the insurrectionists splinter group in the House will also held accountable under the 14th amendment too 👍 😀
While I agree with your sentiments, Dan, I'm also reminded that the House's goal is to dismantle the democratic order that has been in place since the founding. My lay opinion is that the Senate by a narrow majority is all that is keeping our democracy in action; at least until 2024. Meanwhile, there are several local elections to be held in 2023. I am focusing on my state, Virginia, to ensure that only Democrats win. This Wiki link lays out who is running where in 2023.
Apr 1, 2023·edited Apr 1, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
We also have a rock-solid Cabinet and an extremely capable President. Remember his SOTU? In addition, we have prevailed in 2018, 2020 and 2022. We stopped the red tsunami. My overarching point is to not give a bunch of witless goons too much credit. What laws have they passed?
Thankfully Yes except for Joe Manchin and Krysten the independent from Arizona
Fetterman won't be back until after April 17th, probably when McConnell comes back too.
Hopefully MTG's remarks at Waco about throwing McConnell and Lindsey Graham out of their new GOP party hit home 🏡 🙏 although I saw Lindsey already condemning Trump's indictment yesterday. Guess he's trying to suck up? 🤷
I invite folks to look into supporting the NDRC (National Democratic Redistricting Committee) which is an Eric Holder & Barack Obama organization. The NDRC does an effective job fighting gerrymandering, voter suppression.
Lynell, it is worth noting that the Democrats are expected to have more and more challenging seats to fill to hold the Senate. Let’s keep your focus and work doubly hard to maintain the Senate and retake the House. The good News is that the Republicans seem to be helping us with their outrageous non-governance behavior/performance.
Apr 1, 2023·edited Apr 1, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Exactly how are they accomplishing that? Our 3 branches of Government are up and running quite well today. President Biden held a successful and groundbreaking Democracy Summit. VP Harris has had a successful foreign visit. NATO is stronger than ever. Need I go on?
Why would you listen to the rants of the madman Bannon?
As an example, IMO there's no point in being outraged over R's not submitting a budget proposal since - again, my opinion - their focus is to dismantle the government. So whether or not they know how to govern via a democracy isn't the point.
That said, if we can get a win on the debt ceiling...
Barbara, you didn’t read my post . I never listen to Bannon but when he was working with T in the administration he was clearly a Leninist who wanted to burn everything down. The chaos in the house, the attacking of the DA, the vile attacks on democracy are all parts of that playbook.
"Wasn’t it Steve Bannon, an admitted Leninist, whose stated goal was to burn everything down?"
This is called listening to someone when you refer to what they are saying. So people are being nasty--so what. My day in this Country is good as are the lives of millions of Americans today. The Government of the United States of America is functioning as it should. There is peace. Stop scaring yourself--turn off the TV and stop reading crap main stream media.
Hang in there, Marlene. On whether 45 would remain in Florida instead of surrendering himself to NYC, reading CC's comment (above) may bring you a smile: "There was also a mention that Trump would not want to be seen as being under DeSantis's protection, so he would probably not want to stay hunkered down in Florida and be seen as a 'weakling.'"
Apr 1, 2023·edited Apr 1, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Since Ronald Reagan, the far-right has been on a campaign to dominate media and seize the minds and hearts of our fellow citizens. The conservative shock-jocks carpet bombed the sound waves with rancid, rage drenched grievance that resonated with deep, rumbling fears as middle-class lifestyle and local community's fabric continued to fray from economic deterioration.
The GOP picked the pockets of our fellow citizens with enormous tax cuts for the wealthy and infusion of dark money influence. This sleight of hand was distracted by the agitated bellowing of talk radio. Fox News then successfully escalated this propaganda, giving legitimacy to wildly distorted outtakes of current events. The GOP is suffering from cultural Stockholm Syndrome.
Trump has been able to create a reality split between these hardened, intoxicating distorted beliefs and lies and the sober truth maintained by the rule of law. This split screen is now being confronted as the rule of law is finally demanding a reconning.
The far-right compound is now being surrounded and confronted. They hold our democracy hostage and threaten our domestic tranquility in this existential crescendo of demagoguery. We must stand strong and determined as this confrontation plays out.
This reminds me of the illogic employed by the leaders at Ruby Ridge and Waco: "They're out to get us! We gotta hunker down and stockpile weaponry!" Then, they proceed to systematically break the rule of law in numerous ways that brings that rule down on their heads, as would be predictable. But then they and their allies say "See! Told you they were out to get us!" Same illogic employed by Trump and his MAGA minions.
Brilliant analysis, Ken. You describe the right-wing "stone-cold assassin strategy" of the Republicans that has been active for more than 40 years. Democrats are slow to this tactical game because we just aren't that calculating, as a generalization. We must change our approach, energy and focus to defend democracy. We have no choice. Period.
Lee Atwater and Roger Stone's introduction of dirty tricks certainly changed the landscape, lowering the threshold of decency and rules of engagement. Then, pandering to white supremacists and fundamentalists introduced cultural divisiveness.
However depraved, the GOP had adhered to the ground rules of our democratic process and constitutional guardrails. I never would have believed the GOP would jump the rails and go full-throated fascist authoritarianism, rejecting the foundational covenants of our governing principles.
I agree that we must be more strident, confronting their lies and betrayals and insisting on defending the law and our constitutional democracy. We must stare down the demagogic lawlessness firmly. You are correct, we have no choice.
The overwhelming majority of elected GOP representatives are very public about denigrating any US branch of government, including judicial, military, legislative and executive, that promotes democracy vs their Trumpian fascism.
The very fact that they were elected democratically, even if through gerrymandering, lends credibility to their countless conspiracy rants. I know decent people who will not discount their rants because there are so many, elected to public office, that are united in their conspiracies!
Manhattan DA’s office, on behalf of all DA offices nationwide, has pretty much informed Trump & his GOP cronies that they are on the road to hell! Problem is, that the Trumpian GOP knows this and, they do not care!
Thanks to Robert & Jill that our mantras, be positive but be vigilant and do not be complacent, brings the hope that democracy is stronger than its demons!
They don’t care because they are in gerrymandered districts which are primarily white and not college educated voters. Sooner or later the voters will see the light.
Please don’t bring up “not college educated”. College “education” is no guarantee of straight thinking. In fact, much of America’s political sophistry is embedded in college “educated” (i.e., trained) people.
In fact, many who never went to college have a lit of common sense.
And, by the way, their votes count just as much as the votes of the college “educated” (just to be clear, I am college educated).
I understand your perspective but the target audience of the right wing media is the non college voter. I agree a college degree doesn’t stop you from being deplorable like Cruz, DeSantis and Hawley all Ivy League grads. It’s a demographic association that’s all
I understand. However, your observation doesn’t mean that Democrats should ignore/abandon those who have no college degree, abandoning the field to the GOP.
Their votes are important, especially in purple states and districts. President Biden has wisely tried to bring “working class” people back into the Democratic fold.
DeSantis supposed support of trump is just cover for his later plea to garner support for HIS Presidential bid from the trump cult supporters. He knows he has no chance even in a primary without those voters. In my opinion, he's praying hourly for anything that takes trump down. At least I can agree with taking trump down but certainly not being replaced by DeSantis.
I believe Josh Marshall’s point of view makes the most sense. This outcome was inevitable, and the conviction of the FPOTUS should also be inevitable in a country based upon the rule of law. As each of the investigations continues and concludes, we should see that the rules apply to everyone no matter who they are and how loud they complain about being treated unfairly. These events are historic events seen around the world as examples of how a democracy should work.
The Bulwark's takedown of the phony DeSantis action against the NYC prosecutor that you highlighted says it all. It doesn't get any clearer than that.
Not exactly a rabbit hole, but I got to wondering what was going on with Fani Willis' case after not hearing anything for quite a while. Seems she and her team were hit with another of 45's lawyers' demands that the judge gave her until May 1 to respond to. It's a short read if you care to hear about it:
As for Jack Smith's work, IMO he and his team is holding fast to the "loose lips sink ships" adage. That's a good thing! But I'd appreciate it if someone has any updates to report.
Thank you, Robert and Jill, for your tireless efforts to keep us informed and uplifted. There is no value in looking at a glass half empty when you can see it as half full. I think those who object to your positive viewpoint may be trying to prepare themselves to lose before the results are known so they aren't disappointed or caught off guard. Or maybe they are just exhausted and depressed from this fight. But as you've pointed out, that's no way to win.
I appreciated Rachel Maddow's perspective tonight. She discussed the wild news cycle around Nixon's vice president's legal troubles. Spiro Agnew engaged in a cesspool of criminal behavior, but ended up making a deal to leave public office in 1973 in exchange for his freedom in lieu of a trial. Her point was that that legal situation was a public circus and Agnew was a vicious mudslinger somewhat like Trump. But the event passed and most people barely remember his name now.
I think the name "Trump" will live in infamy regardless of what happens in the next several years as we all plow through his legal troubles and his flailing, vicious, racist, antisemitic, misogynistic rantings and unending narcissistic cries of persecution by the majority. He will fight like a rabid dog and attempt to take this country down with him. But he won't succeed.
Now that the shoe has finally dropped in the first indictment, there is a comfort in seeing our legal system finally going into action. As the other indictments in the many lawsuits brewing against the former president are announced in the months ahead, like planes landing in sequence at La Guardia, I believe the legal system will stand up to the pressure.
Regardless of the flying verbal garbage swirling from wherever Trump is located, we can all take comfort in knowing that the wheels of justice grind slowly in this country...sometimes excruciatingly so...but they are still moving with force and clearly defined rules, propelled quietly by talented, brave, dedicated judges and lawyers that take their jobs very seriously. Whatever the outcome, it will be clear both here and around the world, that no one in the American democracy is above the law.
And as hard as it may be for some to believe, I think if we lift up our heads and squint towards the long view of the future, this whole dark, evil, difficult chapter of the super rich, far right Republicans trying to drag us all back into the last century will fade in the decades to come. Because good people stood up and did something to reassert sanity and the rule of law.
So thank you to all of you good people across this country who are working to get us past this historic black hole of attempted fascism, illiberalism and hate. All of you are what make America great and I'd bet my money on you every time. Have a peaceful weekend.
Beautifully and professionally stated CC. Thank you for your insight and your very hopeful message. I remember the Nixon/Agnew days; it feels like those antics pale in comparison to what we are witnessing and enduring now.
Thank you so much for the complement, Martha. You're right. It's different/worse in several ways, including more media outlets, especially the "Fox Lies Network." I detested Nixon. But I was too busy to listen to every daily bump in the political road back then. It's much harder now that I watch "the sausage being made" on a daily/hourly basis. However, even now, if I only saw the political news every few weeks, it would be a lot easier on my nervous system. I'm still working on that plan. : )
Outstanding reminders, CC, and wonderfully said. I often think similarly, but then my hope gets knocked down for a day or 3 by the latest right wing travesty. Taking the long view, and DECIDING to focus on the more hopeful possibilities that remain, are essential to my mental health.
"The arc of the moral history is long but it bends towards justice." And we are the benders - day by day and year by year.
Thank you, Tyler. I'm guessing many of us have to work at staying positive given what we are facing these days.
As I often hear successful people say, "It's not how often you're knocked down, it's whether or not you get back up." Some days it takes longer than others.
I'm not aware of any imogees available in my computer program, but please imagine a "thumbs up" and "peace" sign here. : )
Exquisitely written, C C. Thank you.
Amen, CC!
That's a good point about the E. Jean Carroll trial being "insurance" that Trump appears in New York. There has been some disquiet - voiced notably by Rachel Maddow in her show tonight - that the delay of Trump's arraignment to Tuesday might mean that he changes his mind about surrendering voluntarily since there are many individuals and groups on the right issuing statements that he should refuse and remain in Florida under the "protection" of DeSantis, that he make the New York authorities come and try to take him. But if he is faced with losing the Carroll case, he'd have to come to NYC, so if he wants to play a bullshit game for a few weeks, all that will happen is it will demonstrate to the country that the Republicans have declared war on the rule of law, so they'll lose even bigger by so doing.
There was also a mention that Trump would not want to be seen as being under DeSantis's protection, so he would probably not want to stay hunkered down in Florida and be seen as a "weakling."
Thanks for pointing this out, CC. I got a private chuckle over the fact he's between a rock and a hard place on that one!
And that both "cases" involve his cavalier, dismissive, criminal behavior towards women. Oh justice, how sweet the moment!
I.e., another "Bunkerboy" episode?
Also watched Rachel last night. Something I found very interesting was the fact that the DA wanted Trump to surrender on Friday but his lawyers said no. They said it would take too much effort to coordinate with the Secret Service to deliver him. Then the Secret Service pushed back and called that ridiculous. Methinks that delay was desired by the T camp to stir up as much chaos as possible.
Chaos for sure. And every day, more suckers write checks to his "defense fund".
Chaos = victimhood = martyrdom = cash flow.
Annette, Yes--and to grift as much money as possible....
Deny, denounce, distract, dissemble, delay, and disparage
--the trump playbook, going all the way back to Fred and Roy Cohn.
I don't believe trump has ever had an original idea in his life....
Also, Trump would not let an opportunity pass to play victim/martyr on the NY stage. It's an Off Broadway chance to star in his version of what we may call "The Death of a Salesman".
I believe that Trump is so psychologically damaged that his need for attention exceeds all other considerations.
And.... I think he really believes he can rise from the ashes of convictions to be above the rule of law. After all, he read Mein Kampf.
Probably the only book, wonder what excuse the rest of repubs have
And then there are those January 6 followers who are currently sitting in a jail cell who had no option to thumb their nose at the authorities during their trial, sentencing and imprisonment.
Thank you, Rob. I appreciate your sharing Josh Marshall's take.... what happens to 45 from here on is out of our hands. The justice system is working and I trust it will (finally) work appropriately. 45 will not be elected dog catcher, let alone president. DeSantis will be a washout also. Our focus should be on amplifying the positive accomplishments of the Biden administration, protecting the LGBTQ community, promoting gun control, and getting out the vote; not necessarily in that order. I look forward to seeing Trump's convictions, but also watching him become irrelevant. Keeping the White House, and gaining a substantial majority in Congress in 2024 must be our focus.
Please don’t forget fighting to do whatever possible to protect women’s freedom! That is one of the most backward, cruel, vengeful moves yet by this Reign of Terror out of the GQP. May they go down in infamy to a place worse than Florida.
Laura… I attended a gathering at our public library this week that was designed to re-educate us about the ERA. It is time we get women in this country organized and forceful enough to get this amendment passed. Young women are unaware of its importance and need to be mobilized. Maybe Robert will add his influence along with Heather Cox Richardson. Pass the Equal Rights Amendment , dammit!!
It is a national disgrace that the ERA has not been ratified.
It is a national disgrace that the ERA was needed. Same applies to the Voting Rights (John Lewis) Act, and the Respect for Marriage Act. Each of these legally restores a right or set of rights that was improperly taken away for reasons that are neither morally nor ethically valid.
Could not agree more, Dave. How is it that the GQP can obsess about the sanctity of the 2nd Amendment, which NEVER intended for us all to walk around in our everyday lives with loaded weapons nor did it ever imagine we would have such military-grade weapons as AR-15s in our everyday lives. All it called for was that citizens should be able to bear arms to maintain a militia…..At that time, “arms” were long rifles that could shoot one bullet at a time, slowly. Yet, these same people run roughshod over the 14th Amendment for not mentioning BY NAME all of the possible personal civil rights that must be protected, such as reproductive healthcare, gay marriage, contraceptives, etc. The real question is how the hell did “states’ rights” metatasize to the extent that we now have 2 countries within the US - red states and blue states - where American citizens either have all the civil rights due to any citizen, or almost none of them if they are targeted by fake religious justification to “clean up” the culture???? In other words, red states are already autocracies while blue states are fighting to be the American democracy that was working just fine until Trump opened the gates of Hell. Again, I can’t imagine the Founding Fathers imagined that states would try to hurt and minimize their OWN citizens. They were just supposed to govern the everyday needs of their states, like roads, taxes, schools, etc. It is absurd what is being done to us and the interpretation of the Constitution, thanks to the lawless
Extreme Court.
Your comment is worth a couple of newsletters all by itself Laura. I don't think the Founders imagined that citizens would at any time let their local governments go to the extremes we've seen in 'Red' states and certainly that the federal government would not.
The divisions we see go back to pre-Revolution times and reflect the various religious and social backgrounds of the early European settlers, many of whom were escaping some sort of oppression in the interest of establishing their own oppressive precepts. Going back to the original concepts of government limited by the Constitution and the laws of the several states used to be a basis for the Republican party platform but that began to fall apart when the Court misinterpreted the Commerce Clause of the 16th Amendment to give the Federal government almost unlimited power to control most aspects of our lives. Whether we can restore an acceptable balance between freedom and responsibility will, I suspect, be the essential argument of the next several years or decades.
...and reproductive rights - what’s happening now as a direct result of the supreme court’s decision is reprehensible
Thank you, Gene. We need ALL men who support the cause to be front and center, and hopefully in power! The only reason that the GQP picks on and targets women, blacks, gays, trans, and immigrants, is because they can! All of us in those marginalized groups have less power than we should and that we need. And, if push came to shove, those white men could beat up most women if they had to, just by virtue of genetic strength. It’s sick. Men and women should be protesting night and day just as they do in Iran!!! Those folks are putting their lives on the line just to be able to let their hair go free. We are more like the Iranian government in America than anyone in the GQP would ever admit. Just ask Tucker!
Yes and yes re ERA. Actually, Jill Wine Banks, of Watergate Girl fame, has said that the ERA HAS officially met the requirements to be enshrined as our 28th amendment, and all that needs to happen is for the fed govt to name it in some kind of official way.
There was a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on it on the 28th of Feb, very symbolic, and I thought it might happen then. So I’m confused as to what is the hold up. The time limit set in the original proposal was evidently not stated in the amendment itself and therefore cannot hamper it from being adopted once voted on in enough states, which I believe happened a few years ago.
Not sure why this hasn’t happened yet, because it HAS all the states’ support that it needs.
I'm with you! What's our game plan?
Not sure! Call our Senators and write to the president and demand ERA be officially recognized? At the moment I’m totally involved in work on the Supreme Ct race in WI. Knocking on doors tomorrow (Sunday) and poll observing on Tuesday…need to win this one!!!
My belief is that in a just society, an ERA would be unnecessary. My hope is that, over time, American society will evolve in that direction.
Beliefs are not enough. Sorry. We need to mobilize and get this ERA amendment passed!!
Wait! There’s a place worse than Florida?
Possibly Texas. Just tumbleweeds and guns everywhere……….
David, If you could remove Dump and deSanctus, it wouldn't be too bad ....
Possibly, Texas.
Absolutely, Laura.
Thanks Laura, I never meant the few things I listed to be exhaustive. There are many issues we need to continue fighting for and reproductive rights are certainly right at the top, along with climate change, etc. All I would ask is that we don't forget the trans community in all of that. They are so easily pushed to the bottom of the heap.
Excellent plan, Denise. Focus on 2024 while keeping our eye on the justice "machine"!
As those of us desirous of justice await equality under the law,
let us, as my grandmother used to say,
"possess our souls in patience."
For the disgraced, twice-impeached, former Executive,
I offer the single word response of one of the Exonerated Five
(formerly labeled the Central Park Five
whom tfg declared guilty and took out full page ads calling for their executions
and never apologized)
"KARMA."
Dr Yusef Salaam was on Chris Hayes' show last night. What a beautiful human.
thanks! I will be sure to find the segment.
*****
Federal executions had been halted for years for a variety of legitimate reasons,
but the "bloodthirsty" 45 executed 13 people during his term in office -
FIVE AFTER HE LOST THE 2020 ELECTION, including a woman.
Not only did his followers call for the hanging of the Vice President on January 6, 2021,
he intends to reinstate firing squads, and he and supporters have made calls for extrajudicial killings of his perceived political opponents.
https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/-karma-exonerated-central-park-5-member-reacts-to-trump-indictment-167327813954
This from Heather Cox Richardson’s LFAA today:
“In the last stop of her Africa visit, Vice President Kamala Harris today was in Zambia, which co-hosted this week’s Summit for Democracy. Neither Harris nor Biden will comment in any way about the impending indictment of the former president. At a press conference in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka, today, a reporter from the Wall Street Journal reminded Harris that she had “spoken about democracy and the rule of law at every stop in Africa,” and asked her to comment on news of the indictment.
When she declined, Zambian president Hakainde Hichilema stepped forward. “[L]et’s remove names from your question,” he said.
“Let’s put what we decided we will do to govern ourselves in an orderly manner. First, our constitutions, bedrock law. Then, secondary laws, other regulations create a platform or framework around which we agreed, either as Americans or as Zambians, to govern ourselves. And so, to live within those confines.
“And when there’s transgression against law, it does not matter who is involved. I think that is what the rule of law means.”
Richardson’s entire article is especially worth reading: it details how Biden is working to promote democracy worldwide. Biden’s efforts, as Richardson demonstrates, are deeper and wider than I’d realized, and are genuinely impressive.
Agreed!
AH! Another of Yogi Berra's famous aphorisms, "The future ain’t what it used to be", spoken with the certainty and assurance of a truism. One would hope this adage be a political reality. But, in the parlance of Republicans, "the past is the future all over again". One party is busy building on the successes and progress of the past, envisioning a bright future of justice for all learning lessons from our successes based on service to the people while Republicans persist in hearkening the past as it conveniently serves the Republicans, and their special interests and donors. They are all about control, refusing to let go of their moldy ideas rather than envisioning a future of creativity and change. And, making transparent their now blatant attempts to fulfill their authoritarian intent.
Biden, with patience, wisdom, and acute political savvy, and despite the Democratic party's naysayers, has held steady upholding a course promoting big "D" democracy, leading with courage and surprising stamina while highlighting the differences, possibilities and likely outcomes for each of us. These distinctions are a winning formula.
If I hear one more talking head/“expert” solemnly intone that the indictment of Trump puts us in “uncharted” territory I think I will scream. There is nothing uncharted about it. Every lawyer knows that many lawsuits involve unresolved legal issues. For example - Trump’s many claims of executive privilege. Legal issues are presented to a judge and decided. Happens every day. That Trump will raise legal defenses is no surprise.
Exactly!!
Actually it puts us in charted territory and is a course correction.
cf Rachel Maddow this week on her 3 shows
No matter what a prosecutor does, someone is going to be unhappy. So just do the right thing.
Build the best case.
File the charge.
Trust in the force.
Another similar aphorism: "Show up, listen, speak your truth, let go of the outcome." My favorite whenever I get invested in distrust.
Thanks for the reminder! I learned this many years ago and forgot! We said "pay attention" instead of listen....same difference!
I love, and need reminding of, "let go of the outcome."
That is so good.
Ron DeSantis is playing governor for FOX news and taking his policy cues from Tucker Carlson. I wonder when Carlson's lies and support of sedition will be grounds for booting him from the airways and maybe from the country. He'd be welcomed by Orban - let's offer him a free plane ride.
Now America 🇺🇸 just has to find a way to rein in the seditious activities in the House, which is wasted witch hunts and wild goose chases wasting the taxpayers money 💰 they claim they're so worried about saving 😉 They're so lame they can't even come up with their own budget, which is supposed to be one of the main priorities 🙄 Instead, they want to act like spoiled rotten kids that threatened to take their toys home 🏡 if you don't play the games they want to. That's no way 😕 to be a governing party in charge of appropriations, just because they want to fall all over themselves trying to prove who's the orange 🍊 behemoth's best flunky.
Holding the rest of America 🇺🇸 hostage over this debt ceiling that was already for appropriations previously agreed upon is not only dirty pool, but in violation of 14th amendment regarding payment of bills of the government. Anyway, just glad that the 1st step towards justice has begun and hopefully, that the seditious activities of the insurrectionists splinter group in the House will also held accountable under the 14th amendment too 👍 😀
While I agree with your sentiments, Dan, I'm also reminded that the House's goal is to dismantle the democratic order that has been in place since the founding. My lay opinion is that the Senate by a narrow majority is all that is keeping our democracy in action; at least until 2024. Meanwhile, there are several local elections to be held in 2023. I am focusing on my state, Virginia, to ensure that only Democrats win. This Wiki link lays out who is running where in 2023.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_United_States_elections
Don't forget about Joe Biden and his veto power!
Thankfully we have a president of honor and integrity who knows how to use that power for the best interests of all America 🇺🇸
Absolutely!
We also have a rock-solid Cabinet and an extremely capable President. Remember his SOTU? In addition, we have prevailed in 2018, 2020 and 2022. We stopped the red tsunami. My overarching point is to not give a bunch of witless goons too much credit. What laws have they passed?
Hopefully the unwritten law of their own extinction
The Senate and President Joe Biden.
Thankfully Yes except for Joe Manchin and Krysten the independent from Arizona
Fetterman won't be back until after April 17th, probably when McConnell comes back too.
Hopefully MTG's remarks at Waco about throwing McConnell and Lindsey Graham out of their new GOP party hit home 🏡 🙏 although I saw Lindsey already condemning Trump's indictment yesterday. Guess he's trying to suck up? 🤷
I invite folks to look into supporting the NDRC (National Democratic Redistricting Committee) which is an Eric Holder & Barack Obama organization. The NDRC does an effective job fighting gerrymandering, voter suppression.
Excellent suggestion 👌 👍 😀
Lynell, it is worth noting that the Democrats are expected to have more and more challenging seats to fill to hold the Senate. Let’s keep your focus and work doubly hard to maintain the Senate and retake the House. The good News is that the Republicans seem to be helping us with their outrageous non-governance behavior/performance.
You get a big YES from me, John.
Wasn’t it Steve Bannon, an admitted Leninist, whose stated goal was to burn everything down? His useful idiots in the house is helping with that.
Exactly how are they accomplishing that? Our 3 branches of Government are up and running quite well today. President Biden held a successful and groundbreaking Democracy Summit. VP Harris has had a successful foreign visit. NATO is stronger than ever. Need I go on?
Why would you listen to the rants of the madman Bannon?
As an example, IMO there's no point in being outraged over R's not submitting a budget proposal since - again, my opinion - their focus is to dismantle the government. So whether or not they know how to govern via a democracy isn't the point.
That said, if we can get a win on the debt ceiling...
There may be no point in being outraged over Republicans not submitting a budget. However, it’s a stick with which Democrats can and should beat them.
Remember that elections are going to be won by garnering Independents’ votes, not only by bringing our faithful to the polls.
I refer you to Simon Rosenberg who writes Hominum on substack. He is a brilliant political strategist. He has some incredible insights and strategies.
Barbara, you didn’t read my post . I never listen to Bannon but when he was working with T in the administration he was clearly a Leninist who wanted to burn everything down. The chaos in the house, the attacking of the DA, the vile attacks on democracy are all parts of that playbook.
"Wasn’t it Steve Bannon, an admitted Leninist, whose stated goal was to burn everything down?"
This is called listening to someone when you refer to what they are saying. So people are being nasty--so what. My day in this Country is good as are the lives of millions of Americans today. The Government of the United States of America is functioning as it should. There is peace. Stop scaring yourself--turn off the TV and stop reading crap main stream media.
Thanks for the information
Hi Lynell, I really appreciate the link
As I appreciate your many comments on LFAA...thanks, Gus!
Please stop using emojis - screen readers can't pick them up and it impedes people with vision issues
Thanks for the heads up I didn't have any idea of that.
Thank you for the reminder to breathe, Robert. I shall do that as I lie in bed and dream of Fake 45’s perp walk. G’night
Hang in there, Marlene. On whether 45 would remain in Florida instead of surrendering himself to NYC, reading CC's comment (above) may bring you a smile: "There was also a mention that Trump would not want to be seen as being under DeSantis's protection, so he would probably not want to stay hunkered down in Florida and be seen as a 'weakling.'"
Since Ronald Reagan, the far-right has been on a campaign to dominate media and seize the minds and hearts of our fellow citizens. The conservative shock-jocks carpet bombed the sound waves with rancid, rage drenched grievance that resonated with deep, rumbling fears as middle-class lifestyle and local community's fabric continued to fray from economic deterioration.
The GOP picked the pockets of our fellow citizens with enormous tax cuts for the wealthy and infusion of dark money influence. This sleight of hand was distracted by the agitated bellowing of talk radio. Fox News then successfully escalated this propaganda, giving legitimacy to wildly distorted outtakes of current events. The GOP is suffering from cultural Stockholm Syndrome.
Trump has been able to create a reality split between these hardened, intoxicating distorted beliefs and lies and the sober truth maintained by the rule of law. This split screen is now being confronted as the rule of law is finally demanding a reconning.
The far-right compound is now being surrounded and confronted. They hold our democracy hostage and threaten our domestic tranquility in this existential crescendo of demagoguery. We must stand strong and determined as this confrontation plays out.
This reminds me of the illogic employed by the leaders at Ruby Ridge and Waco: "They're out to get us! We gotta hunker down and stockpile weaponry!" Then, they proceed to systematically break the rule of law in numerous ways that brings that rule down on their heads, as would be predictable. But then they and their allies say "See! Told you they were out to get us!" Same illogic employed by Trump and his MAGA minions.
Exactly!
It's like this scarf I wear to keep the grizzly bears away; haven't seen one around here in years...!😜
Brilliant analysis, Ken. You describe the right-wing "stone-cold assassin strategy" of the Republicans that has been active for more than 40 years. Democrats are slow to this tactical game because we just aren't that calculating, as a generalization. We must change our approach, energy and focus to defend democracy. We have no choice. Period.
Lee Atwater and Roger Stone's introduction of dirty tricks certainly changed the landscape, lowering the threshold of decency and rules of engagement. Then, pandering to white supremacists and fundamentalists introduced cultural divisiveness.
However depraved, the GOP had adhered to the ground rules of our democratic process and constitutional guardrails. I never would have believed the GOP would jump the rails and go full-throated fascist authoritarianism, rejecting the foundational covenants of our governing principles.
I agree that we must be more strident, confronting their lies and betrayals and insisting on defending the law and our constitutional democracy. We must stare down the demagogic lawlessness firmly. You are correct, we have no choice.
The overwhelming majority of elected GOP representatives are very public about denigrating any US branch of government, including judicial, military, legislative and executive, that promotes democracy vs their Trumpian fascism.
The very fact that they were elected democratically, even if through gerrymandering, lends credibility to their countless conspiracy rants. I know decent people who will not discount their rants because there are so many, elected to public office, that are united in their conspiracies!
Manhattan DA’s office, on behalf of all DA offices nationwide, has pretty much informed Trump & his GOP cronies that they are on the road to hell! Problem is, that the Trumpian GOP knows this and, they do not care!
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/braggs-office-warns-gop-unlawful-political-interference-rcna77615
Thanks to Robert & Jill that our mantras, be positive but be vigilant and do not be complacent, brings the hope that democracy is stronger than its demons!
They don’t care because they are in gerrymandered districts which are primarily white and not college educated voters. Sooner or later the voters will see the light.
Please don’t bring up “not college educated”. College “education” is no guarantee of straight thinking. In fact, much of America’s political sophistry is embedded in college “educated” (i.e., trained) people.
In fact, many who never went to college have a lit of common sense.
And, by the way, their votes count just as much as the votes of the college “educated” (just to be clear, I am college educated).
I understand your perspective but the target audience of the right wing media is the non college voter. I agree a college degree doesn’t stop you from being deplorable like Cruz, DeSantis and Hawley all Ivy League grads. It’s a demographic association that’s all
I understand. However, your observation doesn’t mean that Democrats should ignore/abandon those who have no college degree, abandoning the field to the GOP.
Their votes are important, especially in purple states and districts. President Biden has wisely tried to bring “working class” people back into the Democratic fold.
DeSantis supposed support of trump is just cover for his later plea to garner support for HIS Presidential bid from the trump cult supporters. He knows he has no chance even in a primary without those voters. In my opinion, he's praying hourly for anything that takes trump down. At least I can agree with taking trump down but certainly not being replaced by DeSantis.
I believe Josh Marshall’s point of view makes the most sense. This outcome was inevitable, and the conviction of the FPOTUS should also be inevitable in a country based upon the rule of law. As each of the investigations continues and concludes, we should see that the rules apply to everyone no matter who they are and how loud they complain about being treated unfairly. These events are historic events seen around the world as examples of how a democracy should work.
On her shows this week, Rachel Maddow has been pointing out multiple cases of these events in this country and others around the world.
The Bulwark's takedown of the phony DeSantis action against the NYC prosecutor that you highlighted says it all. It doesn't get any clearer than that.
Not exactly a rabbit hole, but I got to wondering what was going on with Fani Willis' case after not hearing anything for quite a while. Seems she and her team were hit with another of 45's lawyers' demands that the judge gave her until May 1 to respond to. It's a short read if you care to hear about it:
https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2023-03-27/georgia-judge-orders-prosecutors-to-reply-to-trump-challenge
As for Jack Smith's work, IMO he and his team is holding fast to the "loose lips sink ships" adage. That's a good thing! But I'd appreciate it if someone has any updates to report.
The motion filed by Trump did not include a request for a stay. She is free to indict whenever she feels moved to do so. I don't understand the delay.