Weekend Open Thread
[guest post by Dana]
Let’s go!
First new item
Liz Cheney warns Supreme Court:
“When [Trump] now is pushing this idea that a president should have complete immunity against any criminal prosecution for anything he does in office and he’s pushed this appeal to the Supreme Court, I think it’s very important that the Supreme Court recognizes what he’s doing is a delaying tactic,” Cheney said.
“It cannot be the case that a president of the United States can attempt to overturn an election and seize power and that our justice system is incapable of holding a trial and holding him to account before the next election.”
Cheney said she trusts the court will “deal in a responsible and expeditious fashion with this appeal.” However, she added the court taking action that would result in further delay in the public seeing evidence and amount to “suppression of the evidence.”
Second news item
Judge overseeing Trump’s criminal trial in NY speaks out after Trump goes after Judge Merchan’s daughter on social media:
U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia Reggie Walton…reacted to Trump lashing out at Judge Juan Merchan.
Merchan is presiding over the former president’s falsifying business records trial where the Republican has pleaded not guilty to 34 charges. Trump also attacked Merchan’s daughter in social media posts.
Trump has posted twice about Loren Merchan on Truth Social, the social media platform where the former president has more than 6.8 million followers, including calling her a “Rabid Trump Hater, who has admitted to having conversations with her father about me.”
Trump’s attacks came after Judge Merchan issued a gag order ahead of the former president’s April 15 hush money trial. The order was to prevent Trump from publicly speaking about court staff, jurors, potential witnesses and lawyers from the Manhattan district attorney’s office, or their families…
“We do these jobs because we’re committed to the rule of law and we believe in the rule of law. The rule of law can only function effectively when we have judges who are prepared to carry out their duties without the threat of potential physical harm,” Walton said.
Walton, who has presided over cases related to the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, said he and his daughter have also received threats, including one person who called him and said they know where the judge lives.
“You can’t let that impact on how you live your life, and how you treat litigants who are before you,” Walton said. “Even though threats may be made against you and your family, you still have an obligation to ensure that everybody who comes into your courtroom is treated fairly, regardless of who they are or what they’ve done.
Judge Luttig also weighs in:
The Nation is witnessing the determined delegitimization of both its Federal and State judiciaries and the systematic dismantling of its system of justice and Rule of Law by a single man – the former President of the United States.
In the months ahead, the former president can only be expected to ramp up his unprecedented efforts to delegitimize the courts of the United States, the nation’s state courts, and America’s system of justice,
through his vicious, disgraceful, and unforgiveable attacks and threats on the Federal and State Judiciaries and the individual Judges of these courts.Never in American history has any person, let alone a President of the United States, leveled such threatening attacks against the federal and state courts and federal and state judicial officers of the kind the former president has leveled continually now for years.
But suffice it to say, never in history has any person leveled such attacks and been met with such passivity, acquiescence, and submissiveness by the nation.
It is a regrettable commentary on our times that a lone federal judge, The Honorable Judge Reggie B. Walton — because no one whose responsibility it is to do so has had the courage and the will — would finally be left no choice but, himself, to express on national television the profound concerns of the entire Federal and State Judiciaries over Donald Trump’s contemptible attacks on the federal and state courts, the judges of these courts and their families, and the other participants in the judicial process.
It is the responsibility of the Supreme Court of the United States in the first instance to protect the federal courts, the federal judges, and all participants in the justice system from the reprehensible spectacle of the former president’s inexcusable, threatening attacks,
just as it is the responsibility of the respective State Supreme Courts in the first instance to protect their courts and their state judges from the same.Ultimately, however, it is the responsibility of the entire nation to protect its courts and judges, its Constitution, its Rule of Law, and America’s Democracy from vicious attack, threat, undermine, and deliberate delegitimization at the hands of anyone so determined.
Third news item
So this is the softer and more enlightened Taliban, eh?:
The Taliban’s announcement that it is resuming publicly stoning women to death has been enabled by the international community’s silence, human rights groups have said.
Safia Arefi, a lawyer and head of the Afghan human rights organisation Women’s Window of Hope, said the announcement had condemned Afghan women to return to the darkest days of Taliban rule in the 1990s.
“With this announcement by the Taliban leader, a new chapter of private punishments has begun and Afghan women are experiencing the depths of loneliness,” Arefi said.
“Now, no one is standing beside them to save them from Taliban punishments. The international community has chosen to remain silent in the face of these violations of women’s rights.”
Fourth news item
Polish and allied aircraft were scrambled this morning after Russia launched missile strikes on Ukraine, the Operational Command of the Polish armed forces said.
“Polish and allied aircraft are operating in Polish airspace, which may result in increased noise levels, especially in the southeastern part of the country,” the Command said on the social media platform X.
Russia attacked three thermal power plants of Ukraine’s largest private power firm DTEK on Friday, damaging facilities, the firm said.
It comes as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky predicted which countries Vladimir Putin would attack if he was successful in Ukraine – including Germany.
Zepensky’s predictions:
Zelensky predicts which countries Putin would target after Ukraine
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has warned which countries he believes Vladimir Putin will target next if he is victorious in Ukraine.
Kazakhstan would be next, followed by the Baltic states, Poland and then Germany, Mr Zelensky claims.
“Even tomorrow, the missiles can fly to any state,” he told US broadcaster CBS. “For him, we are a satellite of the Russian Federation,.
“At the moment, it’s us, then Kazakhstan, then Baltic states, then Poland, then Germany. At least half of Germany.”
Fifth news item
Berkeley bigots shamefully spout off:
A Berkeley City Council meeting went off the rails this week as pro-Palestinian protestors heckled an 89-year-old Holocaust survivor as she urged the council to pass a resolution in support of Holocaust Remembrance Day.
The Jewish Community Relations Council posted clips from the Tuesday meeting to social media, which quickly went viral and showed the moment that the meeting had to stop as Susanne DeWitt was shouted down.
The Jewish Chronicle reported on the meeting Thursday, writing, “A Berkeley City Council meeting on Tuesday descended into chaos as a mob of pro-Palestine demonstrators harassed council members and Israel supporters, calling them ‘Zionist pigs’, ‘genocide enablers’, ‘murderers’ and ‘money suckers’.”
…
DeWitt was allowed to finish by the councilman running the meeting and she added that Hamas’s attack led to the “murder of 1200 Israelis and the brutal torture and rape of women.”
“Lies!” shouted the protestors. The meeting then devolved into shouting as the councilman leading it called for a break.
Have a great weekend.
—Dana
Hello. Apologies for getting this out so late. Life interrupted….
Dana (e08709) — 3/29/2024 @ 12:55 pmI thought you were taking a day off for Good Friday.
Anyway, and again, a joyful Easter to all.
qdpsteve again (3ccf23) — 3/29/2024 @ 12:59 pmI disagree with Dana on lots of things, but good on her for calling out the bigots on the left. We need more of that here as well as elsewhere.
qdpsteve again (3ccf23) — 3/29/2024 @ 1:00 pmLiz would know something about suppressing evidence.
“It cannot be the case that a president of the United States can attempt to overturn an election and seize power and that our justice system is incapable of holding a trial and holding him to account before the next election.”
Let this sink in. We must prosecute the president and find him guilty lest the voters arrive at a different conclusion. This is how Liz and her fans actually think. And, even when they’re not letting the mask slip, their contempt for the electorate gives it away. We The People has become We The Prosecutors.
lloyd (60d6d9) — 3/29/2024 @ 1:34 pmlloyd (60d6d9) — 3/29/2024 @ 1:34 pm
So, criminals can just request a change of venue by running for office, and let the voters decide their cases?
norcal (8cdb63) — 3/29/2024 @ 1:52 pm@5 Criminals, norcal? You meant “the accused”, or are we dispensing with that also?
The danger of the people voting in a “criminal” is easily exceeded by the danger of prosecutors in politically friendly venues negating the people’s right to choose their leader. But if you disagree, go ahead and make the case. You haven’t.
lloyd (60d6d9) — 3/29/2024 @ 1:59 pmre: Second news item
Have we’ve ever seen a sitting federal judge publicly weighing on ongoing cases?
The federal judiciary are supposed to be insulated from politics so they can decide cases based on the law and Constitution, not public opinion.
Judges must depend on the facts of each case, not the political popularity/unpopularity of these cases.
I know that Trumpism is that sort of Rorschach test whereby emotions and opinions dominates the political sphere.
But, if we’re to have this framework of ‘judicial independence’ from the prevailing political winds…Judge Walton undermines that to the degree that invites a political response to the judiciary.
Can you not see where this is heading?
No matter what happens to Trump… he gets elected… he loses… the federal cases succeeds or fails. There’s going to a backlash.
Are we ready for this?
I’m not…and genuinely concerned.
whembly (86df54) — 3/29/2024 @ 2:06 pm@7 Good point. Hardly new for Judge Walton
lloyd (60d6d9) — 3/29/2024 @ 2:09 pmTat is the position, in any forum where it would be very bad for them to admit it.
These people are being sponsored by somebody or something, and it probably involves something illegal. We never hear whose these people really are. Except that I read once one group was getting money
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU4fRyOAkjI
from China.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 3/29/2024 @ 2:37 pm* That is the official position of Hamas.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 3/29/2024 @ 2:38 pmI’m surprised it took the states so long to challenge this loan forgiveness effort. My question is that if the program is ruled invalid, will those that have received forgiveness need to repay the forgiven amounts?
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 3/29/2024 @ 2:39 pmTrump did attempt to overturn an election but he did not attempt to “seize power>”
That would be more true of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro and that was after he had left power actually
https://brazilreports.com/jair-bolsonaro-hid-in-hungarian-embassy-for-two-days-amid-coup-investigation-the-new-york-times/5942/
Some Republicans did persist in denying the violence that occurred on January 6, 2021.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 3/29/2024 @ 2:44 pmTrack your lost buying power at Biden Mart
lloyd (60d6d9) — 3/29/2024 @ 3:21 pmKathy Hochul kicked out of NYPD officer’s wake
lloyd (60d6d9) — 3/29/2024 @ 3:29 pmThe word “sycophant” comes from the ancient Athenian practice to have hecklers invade the public appearances of political opponents and “show them the fig” i.e. “give them the finger” literally and figuratively.
Trump has a great number of those, compensated and uncompensated.
nk (018793) — 3/29/2024 @ 3:39 pmThat’s what I meant by my last comment in the other thread. Hochul was left with no option but to be “the adult” at the wake. What could she do? Let Trump’s lowlife trailer trash use her as an excuse to desecrate the service?
nk (018793) — 3/29/2024 @ 3:45 pmThe wake’s political overtones reminded me of Paul Wellstone’s memorial service in 2002.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 3/29/2024 @ 3:52 pmKeeping It Classy:
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 3/29/2024 @ 3:56 pmAnd on the subject of “lowlife trailer trash”, Trump is no different from millions of other criminals and scofflaws in his vituperation of judges. He is singing to his choir. But he will find out that our Constitution and laws are quite adequate to deal with that too.
nk (018793) — 3/29/2024 @ 4:01 pm@16 If Hochul was “the adult” at the wake, what’s to be said for a president who skips it to attend a celebrity fundraiser and his spokesliar can’t even confirm if he contacted the Diller family? I credit Hochul for not checking her watch during the ten whole minutes she was present. And, if you can’t handle “trailer trash” then stick with your kind.
lloyd (60d6d9) — 3/29/2024 @ 4:10 pmWhy is Trump attacking a judge who his lawyers hope to convince to reduce or dismiss the charges? It seems insane. This is a winnable case.
I can’t believe he’s trying to get a recusal or a mistrial based on the judge hating his guts because I cannot believe the system will let that happen. In a sane system, the judicial response would be “you made this bed.”
All I can figure out is that he wants his cult to know it’s all part of the anti-Trump pogrom and they should ignore any conviction that results. To be folded into The Steal, Part II if needed.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 3/29/2024 @ 4:27 pmShorter Luttig: “Will no one rid us of this turbulent pest?”
Normally a defendant of this type would be jailed between appearances and gagged (literally) during them. I truly hope that the NY judge jails Trump for a few nights, as a first pass at the problem.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 3/29/2024 @ 4:31 pmWhite House Bans Religious Easter Eggs From Art Contest
lloyd (60d6d9) — 3/29/2024 @ 4:52 pmReggie Walton has been appointed to all of his judicial positions by Republicans:
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 3/29/2024 @ 4:55 pm@24 So what? So was David Souter.
lloyd (60d6d9) — 3/29/2024 @ 5:00 pmWhite House Bans Religious Easter Eggs From Art Contest
I done heerd that Texas went and banned the Confederate flag from license plates. Something about it being “government speech”. Have you evah!
nk (018793) — 3/29/2024 @ 5:02 pmCorrect link.
nk (018793) — 3/29/2024 @ 5:05 pmNormally a defendant of this type would be jailed between appearances and gagged (literally) during them.
He can “attend” by closed circuit TV from the jail or lockup.
I truly hope that the NY judge jails Trump for a few nights, as a first pass at the problem.
Direct contempt that disrupts the administration of justice will do it.
nk (018793) — 3/29/2024 @ 5:17 pm1. It’s an interesting factoid.
2. The post is about Judge Walton’s comments, which are interesting in that they came from a Republican appointee, who is known for being tough on defendants at sentencing.
3. If Souter had made the same comments (!), I would have noted that he was also a Republican appointee.
Rip Murdock (5d7b3b) — 3/29/2024 @ 5:23 pm@26 That you think that has anything remotely to do with the story is revealing, nk.
lloyd (60d6d9) — 3/29/2024 @ 5:33 pmDana, idea:
Might be a good idea to start titling each Friday’s Weekend Open Thread with a date, such as “Weekend Open Thread 3/29/24.”
I and others are still commenting on last week’s WOT, while comments are also coming in on this week’s WOT, and as a result it’s a bit confusing in the “Recent Posts” list.
qdpsteve again (e25173) — 3/29/2024 @ 5:39 pmI’m sure if Walton had been appointed by Clinton or Obama you’d have been all over it.
Rip Murdock (5d7b3b) — 3/29/2024 @ 5:40 pmI’m sure if Walton had been appointed by Clinton or Obama you’d have been all over it.
Rip Murdock (5d7b3b) — 3/29/2024 @ 5:40 pm
I’ve seen numerous times, Obama/Clinton/W judges giving Trump & Co. a break. And I’ve seen Trump’s own judges giving him a hard time.
Lesson learned: you can’t figure a (good) judge’s appointment history by how they rule.
qdpsteve again (e25173) — 3/29/2024 @ 5:43 pm@32 You’re sure, because you believe everyone is as predictable as you.
lloyd (60d6d9) — 3/29/2024 @ 5:43 pmthe danger of prosecutors in politically friendly venues negating the people’s right to choose their leader
lloyd (60d6d9) — 3/29/2024 @ 1:59 pm
Trump chose to engage in behaviors that led to these prosecutions. We don’t suspend the law just because he’s running for office.
norcal (16bb88) — 3/29/2024 @ 6:08 pm@26 That you think that has anything remotely to do with the story is revealing, nk.
I doubt that any Daily Caller story has anything remotely to do with reality these days, but I’m willing to play. Government is not permitted to endorse any religion under the First Amendment and having kids hunt religiously-themed eggs in the Rose Garden might be seen as such an endorsement.
nk (018793) — 3/29/2024 @ 6:12 pmhaving kids hunt religiously-themed eggs in the Rose Garden might be seen as such an endorsement.
nk (018793) — 3/29/2024 @ 6:12 pm
You mean we can’t have prayer in public schools, nk?
norcal (16bb88) — 3/29/2024 @ 6:18 pmIf that reveals that I don’t want to grope Lauren Boebert (or any other “Christian Nationalist” for that matter) at a Beetlejuice performance then, in that case, you are entirely correct.
nk (018793) — 3/29/2024 @ 6:19 pmYou mean we can’t have prayer in public schools, nk?
We can have prayers in public schools. Our local high school has a Young Life chapter, for instance. Just not government-led prayer.
nk (018793) — 3/29/2024 @ 6:24 pm@36 Oh bullsh*t. Even you don’t believe that’s the reason behind the restriction.
lloyd (60d6d9) — 3/29/2024 @ 6:26 pmIf that reveals that I don’t want to grope Lauren Boebert
I was once asking my English professor uncle (who taught at BYU!) which was correct–“I feel bad”, or “I feel badly”. He said, “If you’re talking about groping some girl, then it is correct to say ‘I feel badly’.”
I’ve never forgotten that lesson.
norcal (16bb88) — 3/29/2024 @ 6:28 pm@35 norcal, despite what history tells us, I’m confident that all the prosecutors following this precedent from here on out will be politically aligned with you.
lloyd (60d6d9) — 3/29/2024 @ 6:34 pmlloyd (60d6d9) — 3/29/2024 @ 6:34 pm
Do you know what my political alignment is?
norcal (16bb88) — 3/29/2024 @ 6:45 pmWell, let’s thank God that Jack Smith has been solid and that we don’t see him adding commentary.
We live in a time where we are compelled to opine. My comment is yet one more example of that. Judge Walton should have fought the urge and let the process handle this. Hopefully that means extending the gag order to Merchan’s family members….and hitting Trump hard if he violates it. That’s the process…not opinionating on how horrible Trump is….though he spoke the truth.
Fani Willis went too far as well. She should have just ignored Trump and went about her business. But I suspect that she’s all over social media and is conditioned to respond because it’s all we talk about. Where were her ethics advisors and senior mentors who could give her some wise advice? This is the problem….we’re broadcasting before we let an idea simmer and marinate. Our media process is too quick and we’re creating hot takes where we don’t need them.
I’m conflicted on this because going after family is despicable…..but this is the person that 60% of the GOP can’t go without. I’m sorry but if this is who you supported and plan to support in November, Trump is who you are. It takes character to make hard decisions. Rejecting Trump should not be a hard decision….
AJ_Liberty (8cf4ca) — 3/29/2024 @ 6:45 pmI’m conflicted on this because going after family is despicable
AJ_Liberty (8cf4ca) — 3/29/2024 @ 6:45 pm
Catoggio made a good point today–Even a mafia don doesn’t go after a judge or his family.
norcal (16bb88) — 3/29/2024 @ 6:50 pmfrom the 4th news item, I look forward to people declaring with straight faces, in solidarity with the ghost of John McCain, that “We are all Kazakhs now” because no one in the US is going to care. MTG will be right, no one in the US can find it on a map even though if you throw a dart into the middle of Asia, you’ve got a reasonable chance at it. Very rich in natural resources. My niece taught at an international school in Almaty, and I intended to visit but she could only take it for a year. She speaks French fluently and also taught English in the DRC for a year.
steveg (c1ddc4) — 3/29/2024 @ 6:51 pm@36 Oh bullsh*t. Even you don’t believe that’s the reason behind the restriction.
More than I believe that Christians grope each other at musical plays about a demon summoned to stymie an exorcism. Which is to say, I doan wanna hear nuffin’ about Christianity from the Orange Cult.
I can stand hypocrisy. Hypocrisy fakes virtue but by doing so concedes that there is virtue and that it is on the wrong side of it. What I cannot stand are false prophets for profit.
nk (018793) — 3/29/2024 @ 6:52 pmAs it stands today, we have the nominee of a major party who is attacking the institutions of government on a daily basis. It’s bad enough now, when he might still lose, but if he wins, one can only expect he will continue this attack from the heart of the government. That will not end well, and possible not without his death.
And the Supreme Court did not think to invoke the Insurrection Clause. If not now, when?
Kevin M (8676e4) — 3/29/2024 @ 6:55 pmLooking at this clusterfukk election, I dislike one side immensely and hope to hell it cannot accomplish any of its goals. The opposing side, many of whose purported goals I support, is run by a man who is out of his fukking mind and who is doing absolutely everything I would expect someone to do who wants to replace the Constitution with, well, Himself.
One of them will win, and I will have to get through those 4 years somehow. Acceptance is key to my mental health and so I will have to accept. But I am really not going to like it.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 3/29/2024 @ 7:01 pmIts probably already been noted that the UN Commission on Women unanimously chose the Saudi’s to Chair the session in 2025. Saudi women living in the west who want to protest should avoid the consulate in Istanbul
steveg (c1ddc4) — 3/29/2024 @ 7:07 pmI frequent a BYU sports chat board. More than just sports are discussed. I just posted a poll in the political category, asking readers if they are more tribal-minded or open-minded.
So far it’s 14 for tribal-minded and 17 for open-minded. It surprises me that so many call themselves tribal-minded.
norcal (16bb88) — 3/29/2024 @ 7:18 pmA tribe of Mormons seems historically accurate
steveg (c1ddc4) — 3/29/2024 @ 7:41 pmAnd this long distance dedication goes out to Rip, nk and Kevin’s Trump thoughts, out there in Patterico Land!
https://youtu.be/rZ5v8L08Flg?si=ITQjiH1st02X_GV3
Stay tuned to KPAT for all the latest Trump news and classic hits!
qdpsteve again (e25173) — 3/29/2024 @ 7:47 pmA tribe of Mormons seems historically accurate
steveg (c1ddc4) — 3/29/2024 @ 7:41 pm
Yes, and it seems that their religious tribalism has extended to political tribalism.
And yet there are many on that site, maybe even a majority, who will not vote for Trump. I am encouraged.
norcal (16bb88) — 3/29/2024 @ 7:52 pmI was interested because religious tribes have only so much room for open mindedness in their beliefs. I’m very open minded about satanist rituals within the construct of the US law and the Constitution but personal participation would excommunicate from the tribe.
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me
Political tribes these days are very close minded
steveg (c1ddc4) — 3/29/2024 @ 9:05 pmItem 5 As long as other groups get their holocaust remembrance day like native americans, armenians ect. why not?
asset (7cf724) — 3/29/2024 @ 9:42 pmIf supreme court rules that presidents have immunity from prosecution for official actions (taking bribes is not an official action) Biden would be able to solve a lot of america’s problems in a hurry! Starting with trump, supreme court and freedom caucus for starters
asset (7cf724) — 3/29/2024 @ 9:49 pmPolitical tribes these days are very close minded
steveg (c1ddc4) — 3/29/2024 @ 9:05 pm
I blame ideological cable TV channels, talk radio, and social media echo chambers.
You are the media you consume, and so many people consume media with just one point of view.
norcal (16bb88) — 3/29/2024 @ 10:21 pmThere are lots of tribes. The Trump cult is an obvious one, but #neverTrump has its moments, too.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 3/29/2024 @ 10:33 pm#neverTrump has its moments, too.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 3/29/2024 @ 10:33 pm
True. And when they overreach, then provide more ammo to Trump supporters.
norcal (16bb88) — 3/29/2024 @ 10:40 pmBelief tends to be intolerant and exclusive, but in the case of Trump it’s simply a matter of a normal gag reflex.
nk (018793) — 3/30/2024 @ 3:51 amPekka on the groups and people that Putin has bought off, all of them European. I believe he’s right, that it’s the tip of the iceberg, and that there are Americans who’ve been similarly bought off.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 3/30/2024 @ 7:46 amIf Biden loses, it’ll be in part because of ridiculously stupid panders to his base of transgenders and transgender activists and sympathetic left-wingers, such as his proclamation that tomorrow be recognized as Transgender Day of Visibility, on freaking Easter Sunday no less.
Related, James Carville was interviewed by Maureen Dowd and got him into Ragin’ Cajun mode rather easily. And Carville is right, the Democrat Party needs to appeal to more men and fewer karens and scolds.
Funny thing, I was in a left-leaning comment section a few days ago and I said something about gas prices needing to be lower, and this commenter “suggested” that I should change my lifestyle and buy an EV and start riding on bikes and public transportation, and this is exactly where the Dem Party is out of touch. There is no understanding of large parts of this country, and no interest in learning, just lecturing the masses for choosing to drive gas-powered vehicles.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 3/30/2024 @ 8:11 amThe Biden Mart app is proving very informative. Apples, ground beef, potatoes, onions, milk, butter, eggs. grapes, carrots, oranges:
$27.20 under Trump
$42.29 under Biden
55.48% increase!
lloyd (da7934) — 3/30/2024 @ 8:13 amBrutal takedown of BBC blowhard on climate change by Guyana’s president. I don’t know all of Irfaan Ali’s political takes, but at least on this he’s impressive.
lloyd (da7934) — 3/30/2024 @ 8:31 amU.S. life expectancy 2020: 76.98 years.
nk (04a8b2) — 3/30/2024 @ 8:35 amU.S. life expectancy 2024: 79.25 years.
@66 Thanks to Operation Warp Speed
lloyd (da7934) — 3/30/2024 @ 8:53 amI cal shenanigans on the “Trump threatens judge’s daughter” story.
The “daughter” in question is a fully-grown adult working for Democratic candidates and has been profiled in Politico among other places.
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/daughter-of-judge-trump-case-biden-harris-work/
Are Don Jr, Ivanka, and Kushner all off-limits from criticism because they’re children? Of course not. Neither is this woman.(Whether it’s smart is another question entirely.)
SaveFarris (250997) — 3/30/2024 @ 9:07 amI know!
Biden has ignored SCOTUS, ignored black-letter laws passed by Congress, and is weaponizing the DOJ against his political opponents.
These attacks on our major institutions cannot be tolerated.
SaveFarris (1c8129) — 3/30/2024 @ 9:10 amThere’s a lot of talk in right-wing media about Officer Diller, who was murdered at a traffic stop in NYC, and about how Biden don’t care about law enforcement because of a fundraiser or something, and Trump expressed condolences at the man’s wake and to highlight the city’s revolving door approach to incarcerating criminals, and it’s worth exposing.
If Biden wanted to both support law enforcement and control over our borders, there’s no better example than recognizing the events leading to the death of Washington State Trooper Chris Gadd, who was struck and killed on the I-5 by an illegal Mexican immigrant with an American criminal record, but that window appears closed.
Benitez had four law enforcement encounters in the last eleven years (not counting his most recent offense), but there was no visible action to kick this guy out of our country. Even CNN brought up the story.
When I was making a grocery run a few weeks back, I got stuck in a mass convoy of vehicles and it looked like they were going to a Trump rally, judging by the vehicle types, clothing, flags, bumper stickers, etc., but turns out it was to a memorial for the fallen officer, which was in the parking lot next to my favorite market. Like anywhere else, law enforcement here is conservative and Trumpist, and that’s who were there. Nevertheless, this could’ve been an opportunity for a Biden administration to reach out and, since we’re way out here in South Alaska, i.e., in a part of WA State that is majority blue, wouldn’t have caught the national attention of MAGAs in the EST.
The point is, reaching out to Haley voters and reaching out to conservatives and independents is how to beat Trump, because Biden’s karens and scolds won’t put him over the top.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 3/30/2024 @ 9:30 am* In what other criminal cases is the defendant’s guilt or innocence put up to a popular vote?
Radegunda (90c936) — 3/30/2024 @ 9:38 am* Which other Americans should have the right to erase their own criminal prosecutions by gaining high political office?
* Under what principle of justice is it proper to deny voters the chance to see all the evidence against a criminal defendant who wants them to give him the power to place himself above the law?
* As a rule, should presidents and ex-presidents all be free to violate laws with impunity, as Trump claims, or does that rule apply only to a president you like?
Good comment, Radegunda. Nice to see you here.
Dana (8e902f) — 3/30/2024 @ 9:54 amThey’re not children.
Jared exercised a lot of power in the White House (despite never going through any confirmation process), and Ivanka too made herself part of the administration. Don Jr. is playing a big part in his daddy’s political campaign and probably hoping to be the heir to the MAGA movement. They are subject to scrutiny in their political activities.
That is not comparable to a judge’s daughter who is not playing any part in the judicial process that Trump is attacking.
And legal processes are not the same as political contests (regardless of what MAGAs are now claiming). People under criminal indictment are always expected to follow certain rules, such as not threatening witnesses or court personnel.
Trump has a history of putting a target on the backs of anyone who crosses him – and his devotees have shown a readiness to threaten violence against anyone who crosses Trump. The Trump cult has spawned a surge in threats of violence against judges, prosecutors, potential witnesses, election officials, politicians who go against Trump, etc. Trump surely knows it – and he encourages it.
Radegunda (90c936) — 3/30/2024 @ 10:03 amAgree. What’s so funny to me is that EVs are not inexpensive, and depending on one’s region, there may not be easy access to charging stations. Additionally, the very voting bloc which Democrats have historically depended on for their votes (AA and Hispanic) are very often not in a position financially to even consider an EV. Moreover, I cannot imagine the priority of any inner-city family struggling to make it day-to-day even thinks about an EV. Priorities are radically different. The assumption that people should change their lifestyles and fork over a chunk of change to do so because some entitled likely white scold tells them to is as ridiculous as John Kerry chiding Ukraine and Russia because the bomb and missile attacks are not good for the air quality in the region.
Dana (8e902f) — 3/30/2024 @ 10:05 amThanks, Dana.
Radegunda (90c936) — 3/30/2024 @ 10:05 amIt seems to me that because so many can’t go without Trump and that leaving him is such a hard decision speaks to the deified stature his followers have assigned him and his willingness to play act a larger-than-life savior-like role in their lives. The Christian evangelicals have given him the same sort of deference and reverence that was once reserved for Christ. Move over, Jesus, you have competition.
Dana (8e902f) — 3/30/2024 @ 10:14 amIt wouldn’t be an issue if there weren’t for the death threats, and Trump has to know that, so Trump’s inclusion of Ms. Merchan in his tirades is a form of bullying and intimidation of the judge presiding over his case.
As Cattogio noted, threats against judges and prosecutors have been commonplace during Trump’s legal travails.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 3/30/2024 @ 10:18 am@71 “In what other criminal cases is the defendant’s guilt or innocence put up to a popular vote?”
None, and not in this one either. Liz is “warning” (see the link) the SCOTUS not to delay a forgone conclusion of guilt before the next election. In what other criminal cases is this expected?
lloyd (326cba) — 3/30/2024 @ 10:25 am@71 “Under what principle of justice is it proper to deny voters the chance to see all the evidence against a criminal defendant who wants them to give him the power to place himself above the law?”
None. Why did the J6 committee withhold evidence and testimony? Why do you trust voters with the evidence, but not to vote as they wish?
lloyd (326cba) — 3/30/2024 @ 10:29 amThey didn’t.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 3/30/2024 @ 10:34 amDonald Trump isn’t smart enough to be Roy Cohn but he is doing his best to imitate Cohn, the vengeful bully. Cohn always seemed willing to destroy the law for personal gain. I hope Trump doesn’t get another chance to try.
DRJ (3d228d) — 3/30/2024 @ 10:42 am@71 “As a rule, should presidents and ex-presidents all be free to violate laws with impunity, as Trump claims, or does that rule apply only to a president you like?”
Did Biden violate the law with his handling of classified documents as vice president and as a private citizen writing a book with a million $ advance? Can you answer without reference to any ex-presidents?
lloyd (10de6a) — 3/30/2024 @ 10:44 amNot sure what your point is, because as the song says “The law won.”
Rip Murdock (5d7b3b) — 3/30/2024 @ 10:47 amthis commenter “suggested” that I should change my lifestyle and buy an EV and start riding on bikes and public transportation
Not many takers here in New Mexico, which is much more car (or rather truck) based than even Los Angeles. The feds demand bike lanes on any road they fund, but I have yet to see a bike in any of them.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 3/30/2024 @ 11:04 amThanks to Operation Warp Speed
No argument. If the announcement of the clinical results had been two weeks earlier, Trump would have won that election, too. It was probably the best thing he did in his four years, and his willingness to go along with the pandemic response saved many more lives.
I happen to know Gary Busey, and knew him before his accident. Every time I hear about how the vaccine was some kind of deathtrap, I think of Gary and his rant about helmets.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 3/30/2024 @ 11:07 amSpanked:
Judge Breyer is the brother of retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer.
Rip Murdock (5d7b3b) — 3/30/2024 @ 11:23 amTrump of course should be running on its success, but since his base is fervently opposed to the vaccines that is impossible. If Trump did promote the millions of lives the vaccines saved worldwide, they have an anti-vaccine candidate alternative.
Rip Murdock (5d7b3b) — 3/30/2024 @ 11:32 amTrump Civil Litigation Watch-UK Loser Edition:
Rip Murdock (5d7b3b) — 3/30/2024 @ 12:12 pmFour years ago today, there was blame-shifting to Obama and nurses, soft-pedaling and hard-peddling about the seriousness of a pandemic, walking away from basic questions. We weren’t better off.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 3/30/2024 @ 12:24 pm@89 Four years ago we were blaming a wet market, silencing and smearing those who questioned it. Four years ago, those in blue states had months of lockdowns, remote learning, and their kids lost a year of progress.
lloyd (10de6a) — 3/30/2024 @ 12:38 pmTrump of course should be running on its success
Instead, he is running on resentment, fear, xenophobia and a hatred for America’s institutions.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 3/30/2024 @ 12:39 pmEvery so often I start to think that maybe, just maybe, I could accept Donald Trump being elected. It may be that I’d have to, so I start to look for some silver lining (other than the main one: Joe Biden loses).
Then Trump does something even more perverted than before and I realize that we are truly lost either way, but still Trump is worse.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 3/30/2024 @ 12:42 pm@91: And every crackpot “scientist” points to Galileo’s persecution.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 3/30/2024 @ 1:08 pmI cal shenanigans on the “Trump threatens judge’s daughter” story.
SaveFarris (250997) — 3/30/2024 @ 9:07 am
Did you read Trump’s tweet?
He said the judge is compromised, and should be removed immediately. He said his daughter (whom Trump names), is a Rabid Trump Hater. That’s all the cult needs to go after them, including death threats.
That’s the way the cult works. Trump doesn’t need to be overt. It’s like a mafioso saying “That’s a nice shop you have there.”
Mitt Romney isn’t paying $5,000 daily in private security to protect his family for kicks and giggles. It’s because of Trump’s goons.
Are Don Jr, Ivanka, and Kushner all off-limits from criticism because they’re children? Of course not. Neither is this woman.
Biden doesn’t have a cult of goons who will issue death threats to anybody Biden criticizes.
norcal (caeca7) — 3/30/2024 @ 1:32 pmCertainly not Ivanka Trump or her husband. They served in the White House as official advisers to the President.
Rip Murdock (19ce52) — 3/30/2024 @ 1:41 pmNot sure what your point is, because as the song says “The law won.”
Rip Murdock (5d7b3b) — 3/30/2024 @ 10:47 am
It was, and is, simply a humorous observation, plus the song apparently matches the feelings of most commenters here.
Some related points:
– I’ve never shared here what I believe re BOAR’s guilt or innocence. Truth is I don’t know what the judges, juries and witnesses know, or all the facts, and I’ve never been so in love with Don as to demand he get a free pass for anything.
– Often I’ve wished for the ability to fast-forward five years ahead. Among many other things of course, I’d love to see what charges Trump gets nailed on, versus where he walks.
– Finally, I post funny/flip things like that because as I’ve said before, this place needs more levity IMHO. I love a comment section that, besides debate, is full of camaraderie, jokes and friendly banter. I wish this place was more like other blogs that way. Still remember what a breath of fresh air it was some weeks/months ago when it came up that NJRob is expecting an addition to the family, and Patterico put down his anti-Trump sword for a moment to congratulate him. Was so great to see.
qdpsteve again (be8c0a) — 3/30/2024 @ 1:42 pmThere is a sobering article, “Relentless Reaper”, in the March 2nd issue of the Economist on the US fentanyl crisis. Briefly, the crisis began while Obama was president, soared while the Loser was in office, and has now leveled off — at a very high level.
If we include overdose deaths from other drugs, we are now losing about 100,000 people a year. Many of them young people.
Federal spending on the control of illegal drugs has risen signficantly in the last three years.
Seizures of fentanyl at the border doubled last year, and are now about 5 times as high as they were in 2020.
(The death rates from overdose deaths vary signficantly by state; Here’s some data from 2021 demonstrating that.
You would need a set of experts to judge how good the data is in each of the states, but it is probably safe to assume the quality varies from state to state.)
Jim Miller (31dac6) — 3/30/2024 @ 1:47 pmJeffrey Clark Disbarment Hearing:
Rip Murdock (19ce52) — 3/30/2024 @ 2:02 pmTexas federal court refuses to ban judge shopping. (DU) It would not benefit trump or republican party.
asset (ff6b67) — 3/30/2024 @ 2:20 pmCorrection about this Transgender Day, per Heath Mayo.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 3/30/2024 @ 6:50 pmqdpsteve, I appreciate your comments. I used to post a lot more, but found that some of the commenters really impacted me negatively. Eventually, I came to see that that was my problem, not theirs. So I post less.
I too remember a different time on this site. But in the final analysis, it is not my site. But I still enjoy the posts. And I look for some of the commenters, to see how people are doing.
Best wishes.
Simon Jester (c8876d) — 3/30/2024 @ 7:44 pm– Finally, I post funny/flip things like that because as I’ve said before, this place needs more levity IMHO.
qdpsteve again (be8c0a) — 3/30/2024 @ 1:42 pm
I did my part at 41.
Here’s a follow-up:
😁
That is the correct way to use bad and badly.
Now you’ll never make a mistake with those two words!
(BTW, I got this follow-up just last night from my 92-year-old mother, a former English teacher. She can still bring the humor.)
norcal (897ff5) — 3/30/2024 @ 8:04 pmSimon and norcal, thanks.
qdpsteve again (be8c0a) — 3/30/2024 @ 9:01 pmTrue, not our site.
I don’t care if it rains or freezes I ‘m going to buy me a plastic trump bible. (snl)
asset (c65187) — 3/30/2024 @ 10:19 pmSNL missed a chance to add in a Trump Book of Mormon, with all the attendant Mormon jokes.
norcal (897ff5) — 3/30/2024 @ 10:47 pmBut it isn’t clear why we institutionally celebrate this day in the first place. Do respect and tolerance really require celebration? Is it even constructive?
Would it still be the same without the sesame? The recipe for the Democrat political Big Mac hawked to their base calls for trans inclusivity.
nk (04a8b2) — 3/31/2024 @ 4:48 amRejoice for He is risen!
NJRob (eb56c3) — 3/31/2024 @ 6:19 amAmen! He is risen!
felipe (5e2a04) — 3/31/2024 @ 6:31 amHappy Easter!
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 3/31/2024 @ 6:49 amAn advantage for Joe is that he’s able to hide his own Easter eggs (dad joke alert).
Brett Kavanaugh, Rand Paul, and Steve Scalise would likely disagree.
SaveFarris (99a679) — 3/31/2024 @ 6:49 amGiven that we have several officianados of Sci-Fi who reside at this blog, I’m curious if any of those have watched Netflix’s 3 Body Problem (or read the books).
There’s lots of great moral questions. There’s also lots of questions that I wonder if the book does better at fleshing out. Still, it’s a show that exhibits some creativity…and some sciency.
I hope it sees a season 2….unlike Trump
AJ_Liberty (f99375) — 3/31/2024 @ 7:50 amSNL thanks Trump for the gift of providing them so much material.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 3/31/2024 @ 7:53 amHappy Easter, my Gregorian friends!
nk (934906) — 3/31/2024 @ 8:00 amI’m not sure which is more obnoxious, anti-Israel protesters blocking freeways or disrupting Easter Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 3/31/2024 @ 8:38 amAJ – I read the first book in the “Three-Body” trilogy, and liked it quite a bit — but never felt impelled to read the second or third.
Partly, that’s just because there are so many books I feel I ought to read. Recently, for example, I finished “Justinian’s Flea”, and am now re-reading Derek Bok’s “Our Underachieving Colleges”.
Jim Miller (301a58) — 3/31/2024 @ 9:14 amHappy Easter to all who are celebrating it today!
Jim Miller (301a58) — 3/31/2024 @ 9:15 amI started to read 3 Body Problem but gave up. I found it tedious.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 3/31/2024 @ 9:21 amThis is testament to the Ukrainians willingness to fight against the Russian invaders, giving up only 97 square miles since MAGA Mike has been Speaker but, because of Trump and his Speaker puppet, they’re going to have to give up more territory in the coming weeks and months for the lack of American military aid.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 3/31/2024 @ 9:27 amThe attacks on Brett Kavanaugh, Rand Paul, and Steve Scalise weren’t proceeded by threatening social media posts by Biden calling them out, as Trump has done repeatedly against his perceived enemies.
Rip Murdock (19ce52) — 3/31/2024 @ 9:30 amI didn’t know SNL had a new fake Trump. Has this one killed anyone yet?
lloyd (1d4a45) — 3/31/2024 @ 9:43 am@121 Actual physical assaults and attempted murder versus mean tweets. A president so feeble minded that he’s incapable of writing one single social media post is naturally going to have his hands clean.
lloyd (1d4a45) — 3/31/2024 @ 9:56 amIt’s as if a president didn’t invite–by tweet–a cast of thousands to foment an insurrection.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 3/31/2024 @ 10:36 am@124 Correct. He didn’t.
lloyd (1d4a45) — 3/31/2024 @ 10:41 amDenial is such a sad thing.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 3/31/2024 @ 10:47 am@127 Your beef is with Jack Smith.
lloyd (1d4a45) — 3/31/2024 @ 10:50 amNope. I know what I saw and heard with my own two eyes and ears. I don’t need a Special Counsel to translate.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 3/31/2024 @ 10:54 amFor those that argue that Trump will have people controlling him as president, why are they failing so badly now?
Kevin M (8676e4) — 3/31/2024 @ 11:27 amCorrect. He didn’t.
He just calls the insurrectionists “hostages” and “patriots” now. What changed his mind?
Kevin M (8676e4) — 3/31/2024 @ 11:29 amIt’s Bipartisan!
Rip Murdock (19ce52) — 3/31/2024 @ 1:03 pmI’m visiting my parents this weekend, and at Easter mass this morning the deacon gave the homily and repeated a joke that he told at last year’s Easter mass. I’ll go ahead and include it here:
It seems that this gentleman was traveling in the Holy Land with his wife and family, including his wife’s mother. Unfortunately, his mother in law fell ill and died while the group was in Jerusalem. The man went to the U.S. Embassy to get the proper death certificate and make arrangements to send her body home, and the worker at the embassy told him that proper shipping of the body would run around $5,000. He further reported that the body could be buried locally for a mere $850. The man thought about it, then said that he would have to give it further consideration and then come back with a decision the next day.
So the next morning, the guy returns to the embassy and informs them that he will go ahead and pay the $5,000 to have his mother in law’s lifeless body shipped back to the U.S.
“Are you sure you don’t want to inter her here and save both money and hassle?” asked the embassy worker.
“Well you see,” replied the man, “I’ve been reading about this fellow who died and was interred here in Jerusalem, and three days later came back to life. I just can’t afford to take that risk.”
Happy (Western) Easter, everyone.
JVW (c599e3) — 3/31/2024 @ 1:04 pmRip Murdock (19ce52) — 3/31/2024 @ 1:03 pm
I remember when one could opt for “radio delete” in a new car. My grandfather selected that option when buying a car because he thought a radio would distract him while driving.
norcal (dea835) — 3/31/2024 @ 1:10 pm“AJ – I read the first book in the “Three-Body” trilogy, and liked it quite a bit — but never felt impelled to read the second or third.”
I understand some of the complaints about NetFlix’s adaptation but the concept is intriguing. AI, nanotechnology and molecular filaments, Virtual Reality, tri-solar astrophysics, quantum mechanics and entanglement, string theory and unrolling dimensions, tapping vacuum energy to decelerate sophons, and nuclear pulse propulsion. That’s at least the concepts I caught over the first season.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s some crap in there…like using the sun to amplify radio signals that you just have to excuse. The Quantum entanglement to facilitate communication is also a no-no with our current understanding…but they needed a way to get the drama of actual communication so I excuse that one as well.
The casting is amusing: five early-30 geniuses who chain smoke, pop pills, drink, and one-night-stand their way through life. OK, I guess it’s Hollywood’s way of injecting complexity and, like the show “The 100”, we like our attractive people! Hey, many of our super geniuses have self-destructive tendencies but this trope tends to be over-played.
I’m still troubled by advanced civilizations that have figured out how to unroll dimensions struggling to solve their 3 body problem dilemma and settle on old earth as their destination. Oh and they don’t understand the idea of a parable….come on…that was annoying.
But I like that it’s a show about wrestling with science and morality…though the pacing is pretty fast. It has a bit more heft than much of what is on the screen. I encourage you to check it out and see if I’m out in left field
AJ_Liberty (5f05c3) — 3/31/2024 @ 1:11 pmI encourage you to check it out and see if I’m out in left field
AJ_Liberty (5f05c3) — 3/31/2024 @ 1:11 pm
I’m sure the few Trump apologists here would say you are. 😛
norcal (dea835) — 3/31/2024 @ 2:19 pmLove the joke, JVW! As soon as I saw “mother-in-law” I knew it would be a good one.
norcal (dea835) — 3/31/2024 @ 2:20 pmlol, JVW.
Dana (8e902f) — 3/31/2024 @ 2:41 pmAbout those Easter egg decorating rules:
Rip Murdock (6841c0) — 3/31/2024 @ 3:21 pmIn any case, Americans would only get AM radio alerts if they happened to be tuned into AM radio while driving
An emergency signal can be detected by a radio and automatically tune to a CD station regardless of where the listener has the radio set. Sure, AM is easier, bit both XM and FM could be made to work that way, too. It’s simply a matter of standards, just like the old clear-channel CD stations were.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 3/31/2024 @ 3:29 pmI remember when one could opt for “radio delete” in a new car. My grandfather selected that option when buying a car because he thought a radio would distract him while driving.
That was back in the day when there was a standard plug-in size for radios, and one could opt for a better, cheaper after-market radio. Those days are long gone and your entire control setup is tied to the radio console.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 3/31/2024 @ 3:32 pmQuantum entanglement to facilitate communication is also a no-no with our current understanding
Not sure this is correct. See here, for example.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 3/31/2024 @ 3:40 pmI remember when Republicans stood for free markets and mandating companies to make certain products.
Rip Murdock (19ce52) — 3/31/2024 @ 3:42 pmCorrection to post 143:
I remember when Republicans stood for free markets and not mandating companies to make certain products.
Rip Murdock (19ce52) — 3/31/2024 @ 3:43 pmmany of our super geniuses have self-destructive tendencies but this trope tends to be over-played.
Kary Mullis for one. Richard Feynman might have fit in as well, at least the sex part.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 3/31/2024 @ 3:51 pmI remember when Republicans stood for free markets and not mandating companies to make certain products.
So, you have a problem with station-frequency assignments then?
Kevin M (8676e4) — 3/31/2024 @ 3:52 pmNo, but I have a problem with the federal government mandating car manufacturers include an AM radio receiver to support a dying industry. Otherwise, there is no reason for AM radio. Stations can be streamed through the car’s audio system.
Radio frequency assignments have nothing to do with mandating that cars include the ability to hear them. Let the market dictate what receivers are included in cars.
Rip Murdock (6841c0) — 3/31/2024 @ 4:06 pmI haven’t listened to an AM station in the five years I’ve owned my current car. I listen to FM, Sirius/XM, or stream through my phone.
Rip Murdock (19ce52) — 3/31/2024 @ 4:09 pmThe government may have a need to require an emergency notification system. As I said before, that doesn’t need AM radio, although some AM stations have thousand-mile footprints. But they would need to mandate one or more signalling method by which the channel would be activated and that necessarily requires a receiver for one of the signals.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 3/31/2024 @ 4:14 pmI listen to FM, Sirius/XM, or stream through my phone.
Why FM?
Kevin M (8676e4) — 3/31/2024 @ 4:16 pmIf had read the full article at the link, that point is addressed.
Rip Murdock (19ce52) — 3/31/2024 @ 4:16 pmBecause I want to.
Rip Murdock (19ce52) — 3/31/2024 @ 4:22 pmThat point is addressed in the article.
Rip Murdock (19ce52) — 3/31/2024 @ 4:25 pmKevin, what other technology is going to have a thousand mile footprint? There is no cell signal in much of Nevada.
norcal (c66824) — 3/31/2024 @ 4:26 pmKevin, what other technology is going to have a thousand mile footprint?
XM has a pretty good one.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 3/31/2024 @ 4:35 pm“I listen to FM, Sirius/XM, or stream through my phone.”
I very rarely listen to AM too, but so what? This isn’t about you, or me. FM doesn’t have the range, Sirius/XM requires a subscription and has fewer listeners than AM, and streaming works only as long as the network is up and there’s coverage. There are still a lot of areas in the country that are in dead zones, and AM is all that’s available. And even if you want to dismiss that because it doesn’t apply to you, in the case of a military attack what do you think will be most likely available for mass communication? Do you think your internet will be up? That contingency can’t just be dismissed, and it has nothing to do with free markets.
lloyd (5852e0) — 3/31/2024 @ 4:37 pm“Not sure this is correct.”
Perhaps, maybe the No-communication theorem may have a corollary…but the physicists seem pretty certain at this point with proofs and everything
AJ_Liberty (c30f0e) — 3/31/2024 @ 4:40 pmhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No-communication_theorem
‘It Wasn’t A Conspiracy Theory’: Bill Maher Says ‘Powers That Be’ Were Wrong About COVID
lloyd (f312a3) — 3/31/2024 @ 4:43 pmmany of our super geniuses have self-destructive tendencies but this trope tends to be over-played.
What super geniuses? Isn’t this fiction that you’re talking about? Both science fiction and fantasy had more than their fair share of sick puppies, but editors were keeping them under control until around the mid-1980s.
Then, it seemed to me, they actively started soliciting sleaze. The editors, I mean. And the new writers and many of the old second-raters went along; and if they could not do it, they allowed the publishing houses to ghost the sleaze for them.
My list of sci-fi/fantasy writers has shrunk down to zero by attrition. I think the last new sci-fi/fantasy I’ve read was around 2012 by the late Mike Resnick.
nk (93a469) — 3/31/2024 @ 4:47 pmNot radio (or television), as neither would survive an EMP attack. I doubt any mass communication system would survive a full scale military attack.
Rip Murdock (6841c0) — 3/31/2024 @ 5:20 pmAgain, if customers want AM radio in their cars, I have no problem with the car companies offering it as an option. But it shouldn’t be mandated by the government for dubious reasons.
Rip Murdock (19ce52) — 3/31/2024 @ 5:29 pmnk – Who did you like among science fiction/fantasy writers, back when you did?
Some examples from my own reading:
Asimov’s “Martian Way”
Some of Heinlein’s juveniles, for example “Farmer in the Sky”, The Rolling Stones”, and “The Star Beast”
Some of Heinlein’s short stories, for example, “Delilah and the Space-Rigger” and “The Green Hills of Earth”
(Sometimes when I am having a hair cut, I tell the “Delilah” story to the stylist. So far, all seem to like it.)
Of course Heinlein’s “The Man Who Sold the Moon”, which inspired both Bezos and Musk.)
Anderson/Dickson’s “Hoka! Hoka! Hoka!” collection
Clifford Simak’s “Goblin Reservation”
Walter Miller’s “A Canticle for Liebowitz”
Larry Niven’s “Ringworld”
Andy Weir’s “The Martian”
(The Seattle Times tells me, from time to time, that I really should be reading fantasy from, and about, lesbians. So far their descriptions of the books sound awful.)
Jim Miller (19045a) — 3/31/2024 @ 6:50 pmAlmost all the authors and works you list, Jim. Except Andy Weir whom I cannot remember, and “A Canticle For Leibowitz” which a girl gifted me in college but I never got around to reading.
My favoritest were Roger Zelazny and Jack Vance. I think I have read and reread every word they published.
In grade school, I was very taken with Andre Norton and H. Beam Piper in addition to Heinlein and Asimov.
Fritz Leiber came later but he was one of the weirdos I mentioned who needed an editor to keep him on a tight leash. Gene Wolfe did not impress me in my youth, but I liked him in his later writing career.
I believe I have read every one of L. Ron Hubbard’s war, crime, and western stories, but only Battlefield Earth from his science fiction.
From the lesser lights, I liked Glen Cook and David Drake a lot for a time. Leigh Brackett was the only other woman writer besides Andre Norton that I read and wished she were more prolific.
nk (93a469) — 3/31/2024 @ 7:51 pm“Leave the World Behind” with Julia Roberts is surprisingly good. Long. But good story telling
AJ_Liberty (c30f0e) — 3/31/2024 @ 8:18 pm@115 Thousands of protesters in Israel block highways to protest netanyahu allowing his religious party coalition memebers exempted from the draft as thousands of Israeli’s have died in the war. They are also protesting the delay in returning the hostages so netanyahu can avoid an election he would lose. (yahoo news) I have some really good mormon jokes ;but got threatened with censor last time I told a joke so I have to pass.
asset (1e4291) — 3/31/2024 @ 8:47 pm@71
The impeachment hearings?
I don’t think this is as pithy as you make this out to be.
Campaigning and running the office of the Presidency is very unique that, of course, other Americans could not do.
Also, your statement ignores political realities.
Basic due process.
They should be immune from prosecution for official acts during the Presidency. Both to presidents you do/don’t like.
whembly (86df54) — 4/1/2024 @ 6:46 am@147
Granted, I don’t have a full understanding of the rationale now…
But I remember that the sentiment (aka, during Cold War) was that AM radios are far easier to setup, and signals travels at much greater distance than any of the new digital/satellite stations.
Such government mandate wasn’t so much a SOP for AM radio stations, it was more for concerted effort to maintain communication technologies amongst the populace in case of a disaster knocking out other communication infrastructures.
Furthermore, every AM station that I know of has a simulcast on alternative platform: FM/Satellite/internet/etc… so, I don’t believe this was a SOP for the radio stations.
whembly (86df54) — 4/1/2024 @ 7:00 amRead the WSJ editorial regarding the AM radio mandate.
Rip Murdock (19ce52) — 4/1/2024 @ 7:33 am@168 That article doesn’t say anything… really.
whembly (86df54) — 4/1/2024 @ 7:40 amhttps://twitter.com/iamyesyouareno/status/1774348175546917181?
True.
NJRob (c35e80) — 4/1/2024 @ 7:48 am@166, Trump certainly deserves due process and the ability to appeal rulings. The process should move no faster nor slower because he’s an ex-President. But there is also an interest in justice, meaning getting a matter into a court room prior to the defendant potentially winning an election and dismissing his own case. If Trump did not do anything wrong, then he should be eager to let his evidence speak for him and clear his name. I think we understand why he’s not eager.
I think we also underestimate the harm to our justice system that a potential self pardon inflicts. It may not even be Constitutional. The arguments will create divisions in this country that will fracture our democracy. Our political discourse will get more and more toxic, especially if a President Trump then aggressively uses Executive discretion in other polarizing ways (i.e., removing support for NATO and Ukraine, harsh de-humanizing immigration initiatives, etc). All this gambling and corrosive anger for of all people but Donald Trump!? Again, I’m all out of disbelief.
Conservatism used to be about preserving our institutions and placing them above any one man. Now the GOP is about testing the integrity of each of these institutions for the benefit of one man. At some point you own it….
AJ_Liberty (5f05c3) — 4/1/2024 @ 8:00 amIt points out how Republicans no longer believe in free markets, but government mandates.
Rip Murdock (19ce52) — 4/1/2024 @ 8:26 amNot radio (or television), as neither would survive an EMP attack. I doubt any mass communication system would survive a full scale military attack.
Nor many listeners.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 4/1/2024 @ 8:39 amthe physicists seem pretty certain at this point with proofs and everything
Some are convinced, but the “proofs” are mathematical and not experimental.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 4/1/2024 @ 8:49 amThey should be immune from prosecution for official acts during the Presidency. Both to presidents you do/don’t like.
They are, at least for acts that are in furtherance of the DUTIES of the office.
For example, when Obama ordered the killing of Osama bin Laden, he was acting in furtherance of his national security duties, and that is easily established even if one has a disagreement about his methods.
If he had ordered the killing of, say, Ted Cruz — even if he had done so as an “official act” — he would still have to show convincingly that it had to do with his presidential duties.
Trump’s attempts to subvert an election were not part of his duties — his assertion that he was attempting to restore order after a massive fraud might be a defense to the charges against him, but they are unproven and highly suspect, and are best dealt with as part of his criminal trial.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 4/1/2024 @ 8:57 amI think we also underestimate the harm to our justice system that a potential self pardon inflicts. It may not even be Constitutional.
There is no reason to thing a self-pardon is constitutional. Given the debates at the Convention, they never considered it (or dismissed it as an absurdity) — their debate was such that it would have been a show-stopper if they had.
If it were legal, each and every president would self-pardon on their last day in office. It’s like dividing by zero.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 4/1/2024 @ 9:02 amIt points out how Republicans no longer believe in free markets, but government mandates.
No, it points out how rigid ideologues are increasingly in disfavor.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 4/1/2024 @ 9:03 amImpeachment doesn’t necessarily involve criminal behavior (though it helps). A President can be impeached for moral turpitude, for example. The Constitution mentions only two crimes in the impeachment clause (treason and bribery). The impeachment clause includes
Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States § 762 (1833) quoted here.
Trump isn’t just arguing that a President should be immune for official acts (no doubt broadly defined), but all acts unless the President has been impeached.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/1/2024 @ 9:06 amThere is nothing in the Constitution that says a self-pardon is unconstitutional, the fact that those at the Constitutional Convention didn’t debate it doesn’t mean anything. There is a lot of Constitutional interpretation since then that they didn’t debate.
Who would be able to bring a challenge to a self-pardon? No one would have standing.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/1/2024 @ 9:11 am“Misdemeanor” as it was used in 1789 meant “bad behavior” not a criminal act between “infraction” and “felony.” So, Bill Clinton could well have been impeached for getting a hummer from an intern in the Oval, in addition the perjury charge.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 4/1/2024 @ 9:13 amI guess government does have the right to mandate the purchasing of health insurance, because thinking otherwise is being a “rigid ideologue. Who knew?
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/1/2024 @ 9:15 amThere is a lot of Constitutional interpretation since then that they didn’t debate.
They damn near did not give the President a pardon power for fear he would pardon criminal underlings to protect himself. They did limit it by excluding acts subject to impeachment (of anyone). But the tenor of the debate was such that it would have been an OH SH1T moment if the idea had come up.
It is ludicrous. Like dividing by zero.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 4/1/2024 @ 9:17 am@181: Missing the point, with noted effort.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 4/1/2024 @ 9:18 amReality Bites:
As of right now, TMTG shares are down over 20%. It’s gonna be a bumpy ride!
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/1/2024 @ 9:27 amWe’ll see.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/1/2024 @ 9:28 amAgain, who would have standing to challenge a self-pardon? Someone would need to show they were actually (not theoretically) harmed by a self-pardon.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/1/2024 @ 9:31 amFree markets, free minds.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/1/2024 @ 10:43 amhttps://rumble.com/v4klh96-climate-the-movie-the-cold-truth.html
Swindle
NJRob (c35e80) — 4/1/2024 @ 12:10 pmAgain, who would have standing to challenge a self-pardon? Someone would need to show they were actually (not theoretically) harmed by a self-pardon.
This has been repeatedly answered. The special counsel, for one. Anyone in the DoJ who hasn’t been corrupted.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 4/1/2024 @ 12:50 pmFree markets, free minds.
Slogans are the last refuge of the rigid ideologue.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 4/1/2024 @ 12:51 pmIsrael strikes Iranian embassy in Damascus. Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander killed.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ar-BB1kTfmd
Turnabout is fair play.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 4/1/2024 @ 12:56 pmSource. Footnotes omitted.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/1/2024 @ 1:15 pmI would be shocked if the Supreme Court would rigidly apply standing to avoid weighing in on the validity of a self pardon…..unless there are 6 clear votes for a broad application of the power.
The justices worried about violence in the street from disqualifying Trump on 14A grounds…..and went out of there way to weigh in on Presidential immunity generally. I think they want this as a historical matter.
Now what stands in the way of finding the self pardon unconstitutional is the pragmatic point that a President could simply step aside and then allow his VP to pardon him. One wonders if Roberts would look for a saving construction. There really needed to be a trial before the convention and election. Justice delayed is justice denied…
AJ_Liberty (5f05c3) — 4/1/2024 @ 1:21 pmI wouldn’t. To do so would upend more than 60 years of precedents. Kevin M’s belief that a self-pardon is unconstitutional (without any constitutional or case law to back up the assertion) reminds me of his favorite movie quote:
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/1/2024 @ 1:41 pm
Well, at least Rip has good taste in Best Picture flicks. A Man For All Seasons is one of my all-time favorites.
In the meantime: Hello again everyone. What a great, fun April 1st I’m having this year!
– Just emailed off all my personal and bank account information to my great new friend, the Prince of Nigeria, who’s gifted me $10 million in bitcoin
– Used some of my new riches to book a beautiful luxury ocean cruise to Las Vegas
– And now I’m about to head off to Buffalo Wild Wings to try their fantastic new Toe Jam flavor wings
qdpsteve again (c55d69) — 4/1/2024 @ 1:56 pmToe Jam? Is that a new band?
norcal (36d73f) — 4/1/2024 @ 2:08 pmSummary of April Fools:
https://www.newser.com/story/348463/this-years-gags-include-police-cats-rosetta-stoned.html
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/1/2024 @ 2:23 pmIsrael struck an embassy???
Of course, Israel and Iran are practically at war (but not on Iranian territory – that’s one of the “rules” of engagement here ) and both countries are enemies of Israel.
Iran must have thought the embassy – and in Syria not Lebanon- was a particularly safe place to be for people engaged in war with Israel.
The United States once bombed the Chinese embassy in Serbia. It probably really was by mistake (not updating info) but China probably didn’t think so, and it helped.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/1/2024 @ 2:30 pmwhembly (86df54) — 4/1/2024 @ 6:46 am
I don’t think if the official acts were undertaken because of bribery. It has to be something intended for honest purposes
A self-pardon could be challenged by a subsequent indictment
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/1/2024 @ 2:33 pm168. The most prominent AM radio stations have started simulcasting on the FM band.
Like 1010 WINS in New York City, now announcing itself as: 1010 WINS ALL NEWS 92 3
They also frequently stream on the Internet (accessible in electric cars)
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/1/2024 @ 2:39 pmRIP https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2024/03/29/lou-whittaker-dead-mountaineer/Lou Whittaker
Considering his mountain climbing career, it’s amazing that he lived to be 95.
(Years and years ago, I climbed Mt. Rainier with his guide company.
At the time it took three days. On the first day, you got some simple training in using an ice ax and crampons, and being roped into teams, with a guide in each; on the second day you hiked up to Camp Muir, where you slept a few hours (if you could, sharing a bunk room with dozens of other people); on the third, early in the morning, summitted — and then went down about 9,000 feet to the parking lot at Paradise.
Great experience, but I wouldn’t do it again.)
Jim Miller (a8cd1d) — 4/1/2024 @ 2:42 pmIs this rule appplied consistently to all lawyers?
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/1/2024 @ 2:43 pmThe Taliban seem to have gone slow, but gone they have gone
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/1/2024 @ 2:44 pmRIP Lou Conter (102); last surviving member of the USS Arizona:
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/1/2024 @ 4:16 pmI think the DOJ policy is to avoid
prosecuting sitting Presidents in federal cases while in office.
I don’t know if that extends to State cases. although most State courts would probably consider a Presidential request for a stay. Didn’t Clinton do that in Arkansas?
Of course, the problem with Trump is he has never limited his immunity claim to official acts. He wants immunity for anything he does.
DRJ (9fbd45) — 4/1/2024 @ 4:22 pmRip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/1/2024 @ 1:41 pm
How original.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 4/1/2024 @ 4:23 pmOuch!
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/1/2024 @ 4:24 pmWhether original or not (it isn’t), it still is true. What other government mandates do you support (beyond AM radio)?
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/1/2024 @ 4:26 pmLet’s see if Biden self-pardons (and pardons his son) if he loses.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 4/1/2024 @ 4:27 pmTrump Media continues to fall in after hours trading. It could be a “bloodbath”.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/1/2024 @ 4:28 pmShares of Truth Social’s parent tumbled Monday
I have a feeling the Trump knaves will make a killing on the Trump fools, if they haven’t done so already.
norcal (8cc350) — 4/1/2024 @ 4:31 pmKevin M:
qdpsteve again (cc4ee5) — 4/1/2024 @ 4:32 pmIf the BOAR gets and/or got his way about what he apparently believes the President is allowed to do, then self-pardoning everything in sight will become a tradition for outgoing presidents.
I doubt Biden will “self pardon”; especially since his indictment on the classified information charges is unlikely. I do expect him to pardon Hunter and Jim Biden, especially if he loses the election.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/1/2024 @ 4:33 pmIf the BOAR gets and/or got his way about what he apparently believes the President is allowed to do, then self-pardoning everything in sight will become a tradition for outgoing presidents.
As I suggested up thread.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 4/1/2024 @ 4:36 pmI doubt Biden will “self pardon”
Nixon got a blanket pardon. Why not test it out before Trump tries it? Then throw the case.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 4/1/2024 @ 4:37 pmWhat case?
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/1/2024 @ 4:54 pmWhat other government mandates do you support (beyond AM radio)?
“Wrong Way” signs on interstate on-ramps?
“Free market” in the context of the relationship between government and the automotive industry does not even rise to the level of an April’s fool joke. From your driveway apron to a drop of gas in your gas tank, there is nothing that involves cars that does not have the hand of government on it. Nothing.
nk (58b941) — 4/1/2024 @ 4:56 pmLOL! Ok, what government mandates do you support that require an individual or company to provide or purchase a product or service that they have choice not to do so?
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/1/2024 @ 5:04 pmI’m speaking in general terms, not limited to the auto industry.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/1/2024 @ 5:05 pmThe government mandates that vehicles have seat belts and airbags.
norcal (8cc350) — 4/1/2024 @ 5:18 pmSad!
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/1/2024 @ 5:20 pmAt least they save lives, AM radio not so much.
But I am interested other contexts: what government mandates (outside of the auto industry) do you support that require an individual or company to provide or purchase a product or service that they have choice not to do so? For example….. health insurance?
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/1/2024 @ 5:23 pmFor example….. health insurance?
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/1/2024 @ 5:23 pm
I don’t agree with the health insurance mandate, but I don’t like freeloaders, either. With the mandate, people have to put some skin in the game.
norcal (8cc350) — 4/1/2024 @ 5:32 pmAnd if we’re going to rescind the mandate, then do away with freeloading at the same time.
I realize that there is freeloading going on the mandate.
I think the proposition that one can get sick, and then go buy insurance, is ridiculous.
norcal (8cc350) — 4/1/2024 @ 5:41 pm**Besides seatbelts, airbags and AM radio, other things the Feds should mandate for all American cars**
– The Club for your steering wheel. Thieves see the Club and keep walking!
– One of those little tree-shaped pine-scented air fresheners. Such a great smell!
– Sexy blow-up doll for fooling cops when you’re driving alone in the carpool lane during an emergency
😉
qdpsteve again (cc4ee5) — 4/1/2024 @ 5:52 pmqdpsteve again (cc4ee5) — 4/1/2024 @ 5:52 pm
😁
But what if I like vanilla scent? I shouldn’t be forced to buy pine scent.
norcal (8cc350) — 4/1/2024 @ 6:01 pmnorcal: what are ya, a communist or something?? 😉
qdpsteve again (cc4ee5) — 4/1/2024 @ 6:02 pm– One of those little tree-shaped pine-scented air fresheners. Such a great smell!
Don’t hang it from your rear view mirror in Illinois. It gives the police a pretext to stop you for driving with an obstructed view.
nk (58b941) — 4/1/2024 @ 6:02 pmnorcal: what are ya, a communist or something?? 😉
qdpsteve again (cc4ee5) — 4/1/2024 @ 6:02 pm
It depends on which commune you’re talking about, and how hot the women are.
norcal (8cc350) — 4/1/2024 @ 6:06 pmGovernment demands I use turn signals. So I just use the wrong ones.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 4/1/2024 @ 6:30 pmTrump has secured a bond in the fraud case.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 4/1/2024 @ 6:32 pmFlorida Supreme Court rules that both the Legislature and the People can pass laws on abortion.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 4/1/2024 @ 6:52 pmSo we’re just ignoring that Paul’s and Scalise’s attackers claimed direct inspiration from Maddow and Sanders, and that Schumer gave a clear call to action on Kavanaugh even more explicit than Trump’s 1/6 alleged direction?
Cool! Glad to see you’re completely unserious about discussing the subject.
SaveFarris (cbc9e2) — 4/1/2024 @ 7:08 pm@200
Bribery is a meat & potatoes, black & white crime that for a sitting President should definitely get the impeachment/removal hammer from Congress. And a federal prosecution afterwards.
Not really.
Pardon power is exclusively a Presidential power that is understood as plenary, even if a President were to pardon himself.
Not that I think Biden would lose this election… but for argument sake, let say Trump won in November. Nothing is stopping Biden from pardoning his son, his family AND himself right before he leaves for office in early January.
whembly (0804a1) — 4/1/2024 @ 7:11 pm@206
For potential federal crimes, yes, the Office of Legal Counsel, which binds the DOJ, position is that the DOJ doesn’t indict a sitting President. (it says nothing of sort of ex-Presidents).
Yes, Clinton (and I think a Trump civil case too), does have options to “move” a state case to federal jurisdiction. And they, he can instruct his DOJ to drop it.
Isn’t this a bit misleading?
All I’ve ever seen from Trump, and from context, is that he should have total immunity for official acts.
It’s Trump’s lawyers, arguing at the district/appellate/scotus cases when presented with extreme hypotheticals that maybe POTUS enjoys absolute immunities for all acts while President (exception impeachment of course).
whembly (0804a1) — 4/1/2024 @ 7:17 pm@221
And rearview cameras.
whembly (0804a1) — 4/1/2024 @ 7:20 pmAdministration staffers actually running the country tweet out
lloyd (729afe) — 4/1/2024 @ 8:09 pmEastertransgender proclamation attributed to the president. Biden thinks it’s an April Fools joke: “I didn’t do that.”. The most confused president in history.Trump has filed legal pleadings asking for absolute immunity from criminal prosecution, and he has publicly called for immunity even if the acts “cross the line” and are mistakes.
DRJ (9fbd45) — 4/1/2024 @ 8:20 pmDemocrat party campaign officials now worry that efforts to register to vote of young voters who are to uncommitted to register to vote especially young men may back fire on biden campaign as to many are likely trump voters. Polls show committed voters are more likely to vote democrat a reversal from the past. (DU) WP.
asset (653713) — 4/1/2024 @ 9:35 pm@175 the president could claim he was protecting the people of texas from further harm.
asset (653713) — 4/1/2024 @ 9:39 pm@191 OK. The foul pointer is now in Iran’s favor.
asset (653713) — 4/1/2024 @ 9:43 pm@221 govt. seat belt laws were pushed by auto industry so they wouldn’t have to spend money installing air bags. They got both!
asset (653713) — 4/1/2024 @ 9:50 pmPardon power is exclusively a Presidential power that is understood as plenary, even if a President were to pardon himself.
1. President pardons himself.
2. President is indicted.
3. President sues to quash indictment.
President has standing.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 4/1/2024 @ 10:23 pmKevin M (8676e4) — 4/1/2024 @ 10:23 pm
Maybe it has to wait until (if) Trump leaves office, but I think that the statute of limitations is tolled in that case.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 4/1/2024 @ 10:25 pm236. With Trump, everything is an official act.
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 4/2/2024 @ 1:29 amTrump has the biggest collection of flakes outside Battle Creek carrying water for him, and their job is to come up with any hair-brained excuse why Donnie should have a cookie and he had a right to break the cookie jar and besides he didn’t do it and he doesn’t like cookies in the first place. Then they tweet it under his name and, if it’s not too long and does not have words that a six-year old does not know, they put it on a teleprompter for his rallies.
nk (58b941) — 4/2/2024 @ 4:51 amDid Trump perform an “Official Act” on Stormy Daniels?
Asking for a friend.
Kenneth P. (1f45e0) — 4/2/2024 @ 5:28 amAlmost all. The ones who have not put in the fix with a friendly court.
It is understood that the ones who have put in the fix also have to give the court, “friendly” though it is, something to hang its hat on, no matter how outrageous or ridiculous. See the Texas affluenza case, for example. And there’s Trump’s Florida documents case going on now.
Among Eastman’s other failures, he did not choose his forums carefully enough.
nk (58b941) — 4/2/2024 @ 5:36 amDonald Trump walks into a bar. He didn’t notice that the cell door was closed.
nk (58b941) — 4/2/2024 @ 5:47 am“The threat is very real.”
Is doing just about all the heavy lifting.
This gag has 1st Amendment implications.
Is an interlocutory appeal allowed on 1st Amendment grounds? Because, if I were Judge Merchan, I wouldn’t give the defense any ammo to delay this case. (in fact, if I were the defense, I wouldn’t want a delay, as this is the weakest case of them all)
whembly (86df54) — 4/2/2024 @ 6:42 amAn appeal will not delay the trial. They can both proceed concurrently. There is no issue which is dispositive or even material to the charges in the indictment.
Any number of defendants are denied bail, or have it revoked, on the grounds of dangerousness, and held in custody under “administrative conditions” allowed to communicate only with their lawyers, while their case proceeds to trial. The same if it’s by way of a contempt citation.
nk (bb1548) — 4/2/2024 @ 7:15 amIf Don Poorleone claims that he cannot afford to pay his lawyers for both a trial and an appeal, the court will appoint an appellate defender.
nk (bb1548) — 4/2/2024 @ 7:20 amGonna go ahead and circle back on this one…
https://newstalkkgvo.com/tester-on-msnbc-dont-run-from-trump-punch-him-in-the-face/
SaveFarris (79ab12) — 4/2/2024 @ 7:56 am@191 OK. The foul pointer is now in Iran’s favor.
Iran cannot claim embassies are off limits, nor diplomats.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 4/2/2024 @ 8:14 amWith Trump, everything is an official act.
Even rape.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 4/2/2024 @ 8:15 amThis gag has 1st Amendment implications.
Did you know that a defendant in a courtroom cannot blurt out anything he wants?
Did you know that slander is actionable?
Did you know that his lawyers are in agreement with the judge (for different reasons)?
Did you know that I don’t give a F?
Kevin M (8676e4) — 4/2/2024 @ 8:20 amIs an interlocutory appeal allowed on 1st Amendment grounds?
Those are almost never allowed unless they touch upon firm grounds for not having a trial in the first place, such as “statute of limitations.”
Kevin M (8676e4) — 4/2/2024 @ 8:22 am@257
In courtroom… yes.
Outside of the courtroom… is very much dubious.
I understand the gag on courtroom staff… because that their job.
But outside of that? Gagging the defendant, but allowing the prosecution and witnesses free reign publicly is constitutionally insipid.
Absolutely. Bring it.
Probably, but you know Trump is going on offense here because he believes he’s not getting a fair shot in this court. He’s laying the groundwork to claim it’s a “witch hunt” in a convincing manner to the public. A real Rorschach test™ if you will.
Here’s my issue with this attitude.
This smacks of “Trump deserves it, no matter how badly his enemies are acting. Then end justifies the means.”
Apply Newton’s Third Law in the legal/political sense.
Are you willing to accept that?
whembly (86df54) — 4/2/2024 @ 8:32 amWhat political constituencies are we talking about?
OR
Who wants to keep their government job?
If Matt Gaetz, Marjorie Taylor-Green, and Mike Johnson did not fart when Trump ate beans, they would be out on their ears.
If Alan Bragg, Juan Merchan, and Letitia James dumped the pot of beans on Trump’s head on Fifth Avenue, it would gain them votes.
It helps to keep in mind who is always Number 1 with “those people”. Politicians, I mean.
nk (6a62cd) — 4/2/2024 @ 8:41 amnk, do you remember what Mark Twain called politicians in general?
Simon Jester (c8876d) — 4/2/2024 @ 8:43 amChina’s economy is in trouble. That’s how I explain this shift:
Although the article just discusses economics, I think “Emperor” Xi’s agressive spying and military preparations have turned off many Americans, and many of our allies.
(In general, I prefer to buy products from nations that are friendly, or democratic, or, preferably, both. So, for example, I avoid many of Apple’s products.)
Jim Miller (9fa8b0) — 4/2/2024 @ 8:50 am@260
Everyone.
Each faction.
—insert this great gary oldman gif—
https://makeagif.com/gif/gary-oldman-leon-the-professional-everyone-scene-hd-dwD1uj
They all do silly.
Of course.
100%
Yup.
whembly (86df54) — 4/2/2024 @ 8:59 amGagging the defendant, but allowing the prosecution and witnesses free reign publicly is constitutionally insipid.
Witnesses may have free rein (sic), but prosecutors do not. They are subject to a permanent gag order under the Rules of Professional Conduct, with detailed guidelines, about what they can and cannot say in public. If they violate it, they are subject to discipline and the defendant is entitled to relief for prosecutorial misconduct.
Have Trump’s lawyers brought a motion to suggest prosecutorial misconduct on the part of Bragg?
nk (6a62cd) — 4/2/2024 @ 9:03 amI had to look it up, Simon. The diapers?
nk (6a62cd) — 4/2/2024 @ 9:07 amThis smacks of “Trump deserves it, no matter how badly his enemies are acting. Then end justifies the means.”
No, that WOULD be giving a F. I.just.don’t.care. Trump has worn out my GaF-meter.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 4/2/2024 @ 9:08 amnk, do you remember what Mark Twain called politicians in general?
“Someone once said that politics is the second-oldest profession. I’m beginning to think it bears resemblance to the first.”
–Ronald Reagan
Kevin M (8676e4) — 4/2/2024 @ 9:10 amhttps://babylonbee.com/news/4d-chess-trump-makes-mar-a-lago-worth-500-million-by-hanging-up-3-hunter-biden-paintings
The Babylon Bee is the best political satire site on the web… by far.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 4/2/2024 @ 9:30 amClaims are one thing, actual evidence is another. Should we believe the claims of the January 6th rioters that they were answering Trump’s call to arms?
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/2/2024 @ 9:44 amSo we’re just ignoring that Paul’s and Scalise’s attackers claimed direct inspiration from Maddow and Sanders,
I don’t follow Alex Jones, so I am not in the loop. I thought Rand Paul’s neighbor said that he tackled Paul because Paul is a nasty little needledick (something that everyone who knows Paul personally seemed to agree with); and Scalise’s shooter did not survive to make any claims.
nk (6a62cd) — 4/2/2024 @ 10:19 amIf only.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/2/2024 @ 10:28 amThe Trump cult worship continues.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/2/2024 @ 10:33 amBy stating that Presidents have immunity for everything, even when they “cross the line,” I wonder if Trump has shown us how his attorneys plan to defend him in the remaining criminal cases (especially those involving efforts to set aside the election)?
Either he claims absolute immunity as stated his legal pleadings in the case pening in the Supreme Court, or (more likely) he claims you can’t criminalize a President’s mistakes based on things his attorneys told him he could do.
Or both.
DRJ (9fbd45) — 4/2/2024 @ 10:34 amEverything aside, the election will come down to three, maybe four, camps:
1) People who are happy with the way things have been going and want more of the same.
2) People who are unhappy with the way things or going
..2a) But cannot abide Donald Trump
..2b) And don’t really see “Donald Trump” as an issue
3) People who are angry about the way things have been going and look to Donald Trump to rip the-powers-that-be a new one.
I think the outcome will depend on the movement between 2a) and 2b). Donald Trump is not helping himself here, but neither is Biden.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 4/2/2024 @ 12:21 pmRCP:
Right Direction: 25%
Wrong Direction: 64%
This is a problem for Joe Biden. With an opponent other than Yosemite Sam, it would be fatal.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 4/2/2024 @ 12:24 pmBlue state’s experiment with utter stupidity ends
lloyd (5852e0) — 4/2/2024 @ 1:48 pmI have to admit that reading about this lawsuit made me smile:
Jim Miller (501ed7) — 4/2/2024 @ 3:05 pmAhaha at the atheist claiming religious significance.
norcal (9fa07d) — 4/2/2024 @ 3:07 pmAnother case of blue state utter stupidity
Again, DeSantis leads the way to sanity
lloyd (5852e0) — 4/2/2024 @ 3:50 pmI couldn’t agree more with your point, Lloyd. I feel sorry for property owners in many of these blue states.
norcal (9fa07d) — 4/2/2024 @ 4:01 pm@271 they tried it with Bobby Seal!
asset (810c1c) — 4/2/2024 @ 6:38 pmBiden and trump are seeing 15% to 25% of primary voters vote other despite election being over. I would prefer Marianne Williamson vs Nikki Haley contest. How about you?
asset (810c1c) — 4/2/2024 @ 6:41 pmHow many times have Supreme Court justices, their clerks, gathered and wondered what Liz Cheney had to say about what they should and should not do today?
steveg (36fcde) — 4/2/2024 @ 9:12 pm“I just sit back and ask myself what would Liz do?”
I would prefer Marianne Williamson vs Nikki Haley contest. How about you?
asset (810c1c) — 4/2/2024 @ 6:41 pm
Where do I sign?
norcal (864a4a) — 4/2/2024 @ 9:34 pmThe Great Task PAC isn’t going to fund itself and funding is the Great Task, competition for those dollars is fierce. Adam Kinzinger has $6,000,000 in his PAC, Liz only has $2,000,000. The cash is primarily earmarked for the activities of preaching to their choir and to the raising of the funds to keep the preaching lucrative and ongoing. If it seems somewhat circular, that’s because it is.
steveg (36fcde) — 4/2/2024 @ 10:00 pmNot about politicians in general, but specifically about Congress (although I don’t think he wouldn’t limit it to that. I think he said it more than once, but what I found was this version:
Brainy Quote has:
Quora says it’s in Pudd’nhead Wilson’s New Calendar
https://www.quora.com/What-did-Mark-Twain-mean-when-he-said-There-is-no-distinctly-native-American-criminal-class-except-Congress
Congress became corrupt in the 1850s, and bribing of legislatures was a problem until the 1890s, in particular to elect Senators.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/3/2024 @ 1:29 pm“Politicians are a lot like diapers. They should be changed frequently, and for the same reasons.” ― Mark Twain
Like I said, I looked it up.
nk (bb1548) — 4/3/2024 @ 1:35 pmKevin M (8676e4) — 4/2/2024 @ 8:20 am
The New York Times had an articlae about that, which mentions several well known cases. A lawyer got into it with a lawsuit about Pizzagate, which was settled. (he did it for fee, at least at the stat) Compared to later lawsuits, Alex Jones got off easy.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/31/us/politics/defamation-lawsuits-michael-gottlieb.html
I think it was said at the time that he wanted to rescue the children being supposedly held there, or to see if it was true, but that may not be accurate.
Not sure that is fair to say.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/3/2024 @ 1:40 pmMarch 31 was also a holiday in honor of Cesar Chavez (his birthday) – a legal holiday in California.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cesar_Chavez_Day
Also in Colorado:
And in a few other states and cities.
It got a proclamation from Biden on Friday March 29
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2024/03/29/a-proclamation-on-cesar-chavez-day-2024
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/3/2024 @ 1:50 pmAJ_Liberty (8cf4ca) — 3/29/2024 @ 6:45 pm
By ignored Trump do you mean not indict him? She was in contact with the Biden White House which apparently wanted Trump charged with a crime for which he could not pardon himself or drop the charges. Nathan Wade billed $4,000 for that.
https://nypost.com/2024/01/10/news/trump-prosecutor-nathan-wade-billed-georgia-da-4000-for-white-house-meetings
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/3/2024 @ 1:59 pmwhembly (0804a1) — 4/1/2024 @ 7:17 pm
The Seal tea assassination hypothetical involved government employees. It was limited to that. rump himself has claimed that all his carrying on about the 2020 election constituted official business – a president’s interest in having laws carried out.
But I accept the correction about the payments to silence people or other personal matters.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/3/2024 @ 2:18 pm142. Kevin M (8676e4) — 3/31/2024 @ 3:40 pm
You can’t send a message. or rather, you can’t use this to control what message is being sent. Someone proved this.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/3/2024 @ 2:25 pmYou can’t send a message. or rather, you can’t use this to control what message is being sent. Someone proved this.
No, it is merely a theory. Not proven in the least. What IS proven is that there is no underlying reality to the universe.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 4/3/2024 @ 2:30 pm225. norcal (8cc350) — 4/1/2024 @ 5:41 pm
But you can apply for Medicaid, which is “free” retroactively. Hospitals and social workers wouldn’t have it any other way.
I put the word “free” in quotation marks because Medicaid has a clawback.
https://realestateplanninglaw.com/do-you-have-to-pay-back-medicaid-in-new-york
People informed of this may decline to take payment for personal aides.
The clawback also exists for someone who was unemployed and then got work and didn’t get rid of the Medicaid right away. Even if they didn’t use the Medicaid because Medicaid is now an annual plan.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/3/2024 @ 2:33 pmKevin M (8676e4) — 4/3/2024 @ 2:30 pm
I think it is proven mathematically. No one can figure out a way to use quantum entanglement (or “spooky action at a distance”) to send a message.
No fixed hidden variables.
The laws of the universe are not self-executing.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/3/2024 @ 2:37 pmnorcal (8cc350) — 4/1/2024 @ 4:31 pm
Some people may think it’s like Twitter, but it is much smaller, with users dropping out. And some may think that if Trump gets elected, many more people will be reading it.
But it’s probably like more GameStop. It has a lot of fans.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GameStop_short_squeeze
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/3/2024 @ 2:42 pmAssumes. Assumption.
Kevin M (8676e4) — 4/3/2024 @ 2:42 pmNetanyahu needs to take more control over the Israeli military, which has a reputation to defend, not less.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/3/2024 @ 2:44 pmRepublicans want to do away with congressional district voting for president in nebraska so democrat voters votes don’t count. (DU) Soon it will be our turn to stop insurrectionist trump supporters from voting.
asset (5aa565) — 4/3/2024 @ 3:15 pmRope-a-Dope is claiming Presidential immunity in the Stormy Daniels case. Trying to delay the trial until the Supreme Court decision anyway. Hoo-boy!
nk (bb1548) — 4/3/2024 @ 5:01 pmThe Mouse Fights Back:
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/3/2024 @ 5:23 pmThe quiet part out loud:
Marvel’s former chairman backed Peltz.
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2024-04-03/disney-shareholders-vote-bob-iger-nelson-peltz-diversity
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/3/2024 @ 6:13 pmOne more vote in the House and Judge Cannon gets impeached.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/3/2024 @ 6:15 pmFor what?
NJRob (eb56c3) — 4/3/2024 @ 7:07 pmFor being a shill.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/3/2024 @ 7:39 pmAnother “bloodbath”
Biden-Harris HQ
@BidenHQ
Trump: Democrats said please don’t call immigrants animals. I said, no, they’re not humans, they’re animals
What Trump said:
lloyd (af9607) — 4/3/2024 @ 9:05 pm“The 22-year-old nursing student in Georgia who was barbarously murdered by an illegal alien animal. The Democrats say ‘please don’t call them animals. They’re humans.’ I said no, they’re not humans. They’re animals.”
Bad news for biden in floriduh. Cnn reporting republican pro-choice woman plan to vote aginst 6 week abortion ban ;but then for trump over biden! So they can have their cake and eat it too!
asset (559c0d) — 4/3/2024 @ 10:17 pmThe 6-week rule in Florida is effectively a total ban. It requires a woman to jump through so many hoops during those 6 weeks before she can actually have the procedure that she runs out of time and/or money trying. It’s a fraud and the state court should have bounced it for being a fraud.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/3/2024 @ 10:51 pmGot a spare $4 million? Then this auction might be for you.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/3/2024 @ 10:52 pmFor being a shill.
Party hack. A Rick Scott/Marco Rubio blue slip special.
nk (bb1548) — 4/4/2024 @ 5:36 amThere are a couple more in the news currently, Doughly in Louisiana and Kacsmaryk in Texas, but there’s more than one in every state. Republican and Democrat. Put in for service to the Party. Past, present, and future.
#300
It appears Trump’s presidential immunity nonsense has been denied and all stays on schedule.
Gotta say, since the whole hush money blither happened before Trump became President, the immunity filing was absurder than usual.
Appalled (cfda62) — 4/4/2024 @ 6:46 amGotta say, since the whole hush money blither happened before Trump became President, the immunity filing was absurder than usual.
Were I the judge, I’d sanction someone.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/4/2024 @ 7:57 amTo those whom are voting for Biden…
Just know that the DOJ has admitted that Ashely Biden’s diary is genuine:
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/justice/2951589/doj-seeks-harsher-penalty-ashley-biden-diary-thief/
You’re voting for a President whose daughter wrote that her father regularly takes showers with her.
At best, President Biden is a kiddie toucher. At worst, he could be worse.
whembly (86df54) — 4/4/2024 @ 8:48 amAshley Biden’s journal is genuine, however, the contents may or may not be.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/4/2024 @ 8:49 am@314
The absolute length this administration tried to claw this back from the public sphere is enough for me.
whembly (86df54) — 4/4/2024 @ 8:56 amRFK Jr’s running mate is wackier than he is
Why?
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/4/2024 @ 8:58 amThe administration is hardly trying to “claw” back the diary. It was published online and passed around at a Trump fundraiser in 2020.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/4/2024 @ 9:07 amYou’re voting for a President whose daughter wrote that her father regularly takes showers with her.
Get Trump out of the race and I’ll write-in Ewan McMullin again.
Biden’s peccadillos are apocryphal; Trump’s transgressions are legion.
nk (bb1548) — 4/4/2024 @ 9:08 amOoof.
I thought Judge Merchan would do his damndest to appear as non-bias as possible… to be that anti-Judge Engeron judge to keep his court within the four corners of the case.
https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/judge-merchan-abruptly-labels-trump-case-federal-insurrection-matter/
Splashing “Federal Insurrection Matter” throughout his ruling, multiple times, really buttress the Trump camp’s claim as to how biased this judge is towards the defense, and gives ammo for the defense for appeal. Judges should avoid giving the defense such easy layups… unless, there’s a political desired to push this case through prior to the election.
Maybe this is the crux of the issue – NY Judges are elected and owe their jobs to satisfying the most extreme elements of the NYC Democratic Party.
I mean, there may have been a time when Democrats were – like Republicans – capable of checking their ideology at the door when they don a black robe. I think the judiciary has lost that. Primarily because democrats regard the robe as simply a means of imposing leftist policy by judicial fiat.
Put simply, it is increasingly clear that a Republican, let alone DT, cannot get a fair hearing in front of a Democratic “judge”. Would that such were not so, but it’s becoming obvious that Democrat “judges” simply cannot divorce their partisanship and ideology from their job.
I may have always been this way. Because, we do know cases get overturned all the time. At least from my laymen observation, it seems to be getting much worse.
whembly (86df54) — 4/4/2024 @ 9:12 amI doubt this pre-trial motion is subject to appeal, and certainly would have no impact if Trump is convicted.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/4/2024 @ 9:25 amNk calls being an accused child molester a peccadillo.
NJRob (23cd49) — 4/4/2024 @ 9:27 amThe obvious partisan bias by leftist judges against Trump doesn’t bother most on here. It’s only those that don’t go along with the partisanship that cause outrage.
NJRob (23cd49) — 4/4/2024 @ 9:28 amIncomplete:
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/4/2024 @ 9:36 amThese poll findings give me some reason for hope:
Conflict stories attract viewers and readers, so, if we don’t correct for that, we believe there far more disgreement than actually exists. And, some of us, sadly, get all tribal, in response.
Jim Miller (9db05a) — 4/4/2024 @ 9:45 amOne wonders why that, instead of pursuing the complicated financial transactions of the Biden family, the House Oversight and Judiciary Committees aren’t conducting hearings on Ashley Biden’s diary. Salacious public hearings would certainly force the media to cover them, rather than boring accusations of who wrote what check to whom.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/4/2024 @ 9:55 amNk calls being an accused child molester a peccadillo.
If I had called it “the calumniations by the sycophants of a syphilitic-brain psychopath”, whembly might have taken it personally and I did not want to hurt his feelings. whembly’s feelngs I mean. In either case, the operative word is apocryphal — of doubtful authenticity.
nk (bb1548) — 4/4/2024 @ 10:11 amThe obvious partisan bias by leftist judges against Trump doesn’t bother most on here
I’ve been extremely critical of all the asshats on both sides.
You have only been critical of everyone and anyone who opposes your guy, and never of the man himself. Trump could shoot a nun on Fifth Avenue and you’d be all “Nun deserved it.”
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/4/2024 @ 10:27 am“Put simply, it is increasingly clear that a Republican, let alone DT, cannot get a fair hearing in front of a Democratic “judge”. Would that such were not so, but it’s becoming obvious that Democrat “judges” simply cannot divorce their partisanship and ideology from their job.”
That’s quite the extrapolation to make. Do Democrats have the same problem with Republican judges or does bias only affect half the population?
AJ_Liberty (5f05c3) — 4/4/2024 @ 10:44 amwhembly —
You may want to take notice of the mockery that’s beginning to be directed at you and reflect why that might be.
Appalled (cfda62) — 4/4/2024 @ 10:46 amMore crazy from Nicole Shanahan:
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/4/2024 @ 11:11 amBecause they can’t argue on the merits against what he says.
NJRob (23cd49) — 4/4/2024 @ 11:20 amNote that Ms Shanahan slept with Elon Musk while still married to Sergei Brin, ending the two men’s friendship and her marriage.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/4/2024 @ 11:23 amBecause they can’t argue on the merits against what he says.
No, because their arguments have fallen on deaf ears, so mockery is all that is left.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/4/2024 @ 11:23 amTrump has broken many and shown many others to be frauds when it comes to supporting conservative policies.
He’s a horrible person from a personality and individual perspective. From a policy perspective, his policies are the only ones that are remaining that are sustainable for our continued existence.
Supporting Biden is supporting the destruction of our nation.
NJRob (23cd49) — 4/4/2024 @ 11:25 amSupporting Biden is supporting the destruction of our nation.
Yes, but so is supporting Trump.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/4/2024 @ 11:50 amSad! or LOL!
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/4/2024 @ 11:52 am@326
I legit laughed at “the calumniations by the sycophants of a syphilitic-brain psychopath”.
You can be doubtful of it’s authenticity, but I’m not using Ashley’s diary in a vacuum either.
whembly (86df54) — 4/4/2024 @ 12:03 pm@328
Of course.
Which is why you’d want a pitbull of a defense attorney on your side.
And always… when confronted with officials, SHUT. THE. F. UP!
whembly (86df54) — 4/4/2024 @ 12:04 pmNo Labels, No Candidate, No Campaign:
No credible politician wanted to sacrifice their future careers to a losing effort that could have culminated in Trump’s reelection. As much as voters claim they wanted a choice outside of Biden or Trump, for the most part they will vote for (or against) either of them.
Rip Murdock (3d201b) — 4/4/2024 @ 12:14 pm@329
I got my big boy pants on.
I’ll continue to mock those who endeavors to re-elect Joe Biden, ignoring the actual real damage perpetuated by this administration, in order to avoid a 2nd Trump administration believing that he committed an iNsUrReCtIoN and is much worse than a 2nd Biden administration.
I’m well aware, based on Trump’s 1st administration, that he’s going to f up a lot of things. So, this isn’t me ignoring Trump either. It’s just that I truly believe that a 2nd Trump administration would easily be a net-positive for this country, than a 2nd Biden administration.
It’s my role, in this political sphere to convince my peers of my positions.
whembly (86df54) — 4/4/2024 @ 12:17 pmLeftist* Judge Mcafee, who was appointed by Leftist* Governor Kemp last year, just threw out Trump’s claim that his criminal conspiracy to defraud Georgia was him just exercising his free speech rights. I read his 14-page opinion, and his reasoning is clear-headed and well founded.
* Where “Leftist” is anything Rob and Trump don’t like. Their reactions go together like knee and jerk, emphasis on jerk.
Paul Montagu (d4d407) — 4/4/2024 @ 12:21 pm@335
Fantastical hyperbole.
The country will survive both a 2nd Biden or a 2nd Trump term.
That destruction, that I’m sure that NJRob is alluding to, is the change a 2nd Biden administration would occur.
Namely, 4 more years of open border policies…
The bob & weave, runaround the SCOTUS, particularly the student loans forgiven desires.
More progressive judges.
And any progress wet dreams being foisted upon the country, (ie, Obamacare) that would take years, if not decades to unwind.
whembly (86df54) — 4/4/2024 @ 12:23 pmThe fantastic debt, destroying the faith in our currency or the responsibility to pay your bills, 4 more years of invasion, virulent racism and corrupting our governmental institutions, and so on.
NJRob (23cd49) — 4/4/2024 @ 12:41 pmhttps://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/biden-admin-cancels-plan-to-refill-emergency-oil-reserve-amid-high-prices/ar-BB1l1bOt
Biden is working on monetizing the debt and causing a never ending spiral till our collapse.
NJRob (23cd49) — 4/4/2024 @ 12:44 pmIf we learned anything so far about Donald Trump, it’s clearly that he’s absolutely fabulous at reducing the national debt, maintaining the faith in our currency and the responsibility to pay your bills, completing border walls to stop the invasion, opposing virulent racism, and preventing anyone from corrupting our governmental institutions.
Also, may I interest you in a once in a lifetime opportunity to buy the Brooklyn Bridge? Or perhaps some oceanfront property in Arizona?
Turd Ferguson (bf4290) — 4/4/2024 @ 12:48 pmIsrael’s use of an AI program known as “Lavender” to identify Hamas terrorists could very well have led to Biden’s call today for Israel to ceasefire (a wrong call, I might add).
Their overreliance on this AI likely led to way too many civilian casualties. Personally, I think the AI is a great idea, but it doesn’t justify bypassing the target confirmation process. It’s supposed to supplement their intel, not replace.
But also…this is war. If there’s no other alternative than striking a terrorist’s home, and if the guy is actually there, then that’s where they should strike. The wives will get the message.
Paul Montagu (d4d407) — 4/4/2024 @ 12:56 pmhttps://issuesinsights.com/2024/04/03/the-most-terrifying-poll-result-ive-ever-seen/
NJRob (23cd49) — 4/4/2024 @ 12:59 pmHow the Mouse Won:
Disney’s share price has jumped 35% since the start of the year—more than triple the S&P 500’s performance. Trian has earned approximately $300 million in profit on its 16-month investment, roughly a 40% return.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/4/2024 @ 1:32 pm99. asset (5aa565) — 4/3/2024 @ 3:15 pm
t gives the Democratic Party candidate 1 Electoral vote, from the Congressional district that includes Omaha, Similarly, the Republican candidate can get 1 Electoral vote from Maine, (out of 4)
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 4/4/2024 @ 1:33 pmUnexpectedly: No Labels packs it in.
Perhaps they just ran out of donor’s money.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/4/2024 @ 2:25 pmNebraska declined to change their EV apportionment.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/4/2024 @ 2:25 pmIn solidarity with Nebraska Democrats, California is allowing its electoral vote to be split proportionately.
(yes, I know, 4 days late)
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/4/2024 @ 2:27 pmhttps://www.newser.com/story/348645/no-labels-will-not-run-a-candidate-this-year.html
I wonder if this was always the intention of some people behind No Labels. Sure, they had a hard time finding a qualified candidate, and Joe Lieberman was being too optimistic. (and he wasn’t in charge) I wonder if he believed it himself that they would continue their efforts.
But they could always have found a high level former executive branch appointee, a scholar with some executive experience, or a retired judge. If the person was high quality, it would have comethrough.
It would have meant, however, taking a label
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/4/2024 @ 2:59 pm352.Sarcastic, right?
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/4/2024 @ 3:01 pm346.Paul Montagu (d4d407) — 4/4/2024 @ 12:56 pm
And the software doesn’t know of people given safe conduct.
This could be the precise mistake being made. And the upper echelons of the military, which is anti-Netanyahu. and its allies in politics, The army, of course, wants to get the blame placed on Netanyahu, rather than the professionals, for October 7 and for anything else. It could be so bad that some people might not be correcting bad systems-allto get rid of Netanyahu. But this must be found out.
Benny Gantz the other day called for elections by September There’s a lot of maneuvering going on. There are stupid demonstrations going on in Israel.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/4/2024 @ 3:10 pm352.Sarcastic, right?
Yes, and “4 days late”
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/4/2024 @ 3:56 pmThe problem with No Labels was the basic premise: that first you get ballot access, then you pick a candidate. It only works the other way around: a charismatic candidate announces an independent run, then gets hordes of volunteers to gather the signatures.
It’s how Perot did it in about a month, and I again point out that he was leading in the polls until he went nuts. Going nuts was optional.
Heck, it’s how RFK Jr did it, and I submit that if that moron can do it, it’s not that hard.
But no, this was going to be a carefully nuanced selection by an elite of candidate pickers who really didn’t have a plan to begin with. A lot of if and maybe. Unsurprising that serious politicians detected their faults.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/4/2024 @ 4:02 pmOr none of the 30 candidates they approached wanted to end their careers as Don (or Doña) Quixote.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/4/2024 @ 4:02 pmA Day Late:
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/4/2024 @ 4:14 pmKevin M (a9545f) — 4/4/2024 @ 4:02 pm
Even though it sounds harder, it’s really easier.
And they would have had to have a candidate about a month or two earlier. Even though it means they would have to start the campaign
before the choice between Biden and Trump was absolutely certain, There was a very narrow window of time to announce a candidate they way they had it Meanwhile they stalledd other people trying.
But it doesn’t have to be a non-political celebrity, Condoleeza Rice might have worked,
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 4/4/2024 @ 9:23 pmNY mayor adams pleads with texas gov. abbott to come to nyc to see what busing migrants is doing to its generous welfare spending. Abbott says what are you going to do about it besides whine! Mayor adams says as a corporate establishment liberal democrat I am not allowed to do anything but whimper and whine otherwise I upset the corporate donor class. They say my job is to help keep the left from taking over the democrat party!
asset (0c0305) — 4/4/2024 @ 10:49 pm