Weekend Open Thread
[guest post by Dana]
Let’s go!
First news item
Two U.S. officials confirm to CBS News that an Israeli missile has hit Iran. The strike follows last weekend’s retaliatory drone and missile attack against Israel, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had vowed to respond to.
Israel told the US that it is not targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, CNN reports, citing a senior US official.
There are several sites affiliated with Iran’s nuclear program in and around Isfahan.
CNN also quotes a US official saying the explosions in Iran are Israel’s response to Iranian attacks over the weekend. The official adds that the Israeli strikes are meant to be “limited” and would target Iranian military sites, while avoiding civilian and nuclear targets.
Earlier today, Iran’s Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian warned that if Israel were to take any sort of military action against Iran, their response would be “immediate and at a maximum level.”
Moreover, the U.S. was notified of Israel’s planned response but did not endorse it.
Second news item
Speaker Mike Johnson makes a decision; better late than never:
The U.S. House of Representatives will have its long-awaited vote on aid for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific as soon as Saturday, Republican Speaker Mike Johnson said on Wednesday, paving the way for its possible passage despite fierce objections from the right wing of his conference.
The House Appropriations Committee unveiled legislation providing more than $95 billion in security assistance, including $60.84 billion to address the conflict in Ukraine, of which $23.2 billion would be used to replenish U.S. weapons, stocks and facilities.
. . . Johnson said he would give House members 72 hours — until midday Saturday — to review the bill and offer amendments before a vote on final passage.
He also said he would release a separate border security bill, meeting a demand from conservatives.
Meanwhile, Marjorie Taylor Greene expressed frustration with Speaker Johnson’s decision to bring the aid package to a vote. Speaking to Steve Bannon on his War Room podcast, she said:
“We want an America-first economy and, from now on, Steve, we’re going to demand it from our Republican leaders”…
“I don’t care if the speaker’s office becomes a revolving door,” added Greene, who has filed a motion to ax Johnson from leadership just months after he was chosen by Republicans. “If that’s exactly what needs to happen, then let it be. But the days are over of the old Republican Party that wants to fund foreign wars and murder people in foreign lands, while they stab the American people in their face and refuse to protect Americans.”
Even if it means saving his job, Johnson said he would not move to change the current motion to vacate standard that the House had previously adopted. Shame on the Republicans for the lengthy delay on such a critical issue.
The House voted Friday in a bipartisan manner to advance a key foreign aid package, a significant step in sending aid to Ukraine and Israel and setting up a final vote as soon as Saturday.
In an extraordinary move, more Democrats (165) supported the measure than Republicans (151). The Democratic votes were necessary to overcome opposition from Speaker Mike Johnson’s right flank, who will likely only increase their calls to oust him.
Thank you, Democrats!
Reminder: Too many Republicans (and by that I mean any at all!) are parroting Russian propaganda, vilifying Ukraine, and failing to see the dire consequences for the West if Ukraine were to fall to Russia.
As it stands, three three Republicans are supporting a push to oust Johnson: Marjorie Taylor Greene, Paul Gosar and Thomas Massie.
And here is Marge being schooled by Timothy Snyder:
A brilliant response by Timothy Snyder to Marjorie Taylor Greene’s accusation of Nazis in Ukraine. As a leading scholar on the subject of nationalism, Snyder makes three points:
1/n pic.twitter.com/fnbrZ9VO2Y— Roman Sheremeta 🇺🇦 (@rshereme) April 19, 2024
Third news item
USC Provost Andrew Guzman rescinded valedictorian Asna Tabassum’s invitation to speak at the university, citing safety concerns:
He said in an announcement Monday that “over the past several days, discussion relating to the selection of our valedictorian has taken on an alarming tenor.”
“The intensity of feelings, fueled by both social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has grown to include many voices outside of USC and has escalated to the point of creating substantial risks relating to security and disruption at commencement,” the announcement read in part.
Jewish students explained their concerns about Tabassum’s selection:
After Tabassum was selected as valedictorian, at least two pro-Israel and Jewish groups complained to USC about the choice. They pointed to her social media activity, including her Instagram account, which links to a slideshow encouraging people to “learn about what’s happening in palestine, and how to help.”
It calls for “one palestinian state,” which it says “would mean palestinian liberation, and the complete abolishment of the state of israel.”
Brandon Tavakoli, president of Trojans for Israel, called Tabassum’s post “antisemitic.”
“The university has to make the decision about whether this valedictorian and her propagation of antisemitic vitriol online is worthy of being the representative of the class of 2024,” he told NBC News. “Commencement is supposed to be an inclusive and welcoming space for all students, including Jewish graduates and their families.”
Trojans for Israel said in a statement on Instagram that university officials failed to vet Tabassum’s social media posts and condemn what it described as antisemitic content.
Tabassum responded to the decision by USC:
“Although this should have been a time of celebration for my family, friends, professors, and classmates, anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian voices have subjected me to a campaign of racist hatred because of my uncompromising belief in human rights for all,”
From the university provost:
There is no free-speech entitlement to speak at a commencement. The issue here is how best to maintain campus security and safety, period.
Given how many top universities across the country have been mysteriously unable to protect Jewish students during this tumultuous season of protest and violence, I guess it stands to reason that USC would also be unable to protect its Muslim students as well, no???
Fourth news item
How it’s going during voir dire on Day 4 of Trump’s hush money trial:
One of the jurors being questioned, who earlier said her father is friends with former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, broke down crying, saying, “I have to be honest, I feel so nervous and anxious right now. I’m sorry.”
She added, “I thought I could do this … I don’t want you to feel like I’ve wasted anyone’s time.”
Merchan called her over to the judge’s bench to speak before excusing her.
Yet another potential juror has been excused from the trial after saying that she is feeling “anxiety” and self-doubt. The potential juror’s voice cracked while answering questions.
The juror is now the third to be excused Friday, underscoring the difficulty the court faces for picking Trump’s jury.
One juror, when questioned about how he views Trump said, when he thinks of the former president, he thinks “usually awesome.”
“I don’t know him personally. He’s a family man. He’s a businessman,” the juror also said about Trump.
Fifth news item
Irony overload: An infamous former president who attempted to overturn legitimate election results plans to safeguard the integrity of the 2024 election in battleground states:
Former President Donald Trump’s political operation said Thursday that it plans to deploy more than 100,000 attorneys and volunteers across battleground states to monitor — and potentially challenge — vote counting in November.
The initiative — which the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee described as “the most extensive and monumental election integrity program in the nation’s history” — will include training poll watchers and workers as well as lawyers…
Trump has warned supporters, without evidence, that Democrats could try to rig the 2024 election.
Sixth news order
A Polish man has been arrested and charged with planning to co-operate with Russian intelligence services to aid a possible assassination of Volodymyr Zelensky, authorities said.
Polish prosecutors said the man, named as Pawel K, was allegedly tasked with collecting information about an airport in Poland used by Ukraine’s president.
The arrest was made on the basis of Ukrainian intelligence, they added.
Authorities did not specify whether the man actually passed any information on.
Seventh news item
More than 100 pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University were arrested Thursday afternoon and an on-campus tent encampment was removed after the school’s president gave the New York Police Department the green light to clear the protesters, officials said.
The demonstrators had occupied Columbia’s south lawn for over 30 hours “in violation of the university’s rules” and did not leave despite “numerous warnings,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said.
Columbia President Nemat “Minouche” Shafik announced in a letter to the Columbia community Thursday that she has authorized the New York Police Department to clear demonstrators from campus, writing, “This morning, I had to make a decision that I hoped would never be necessary.”
“I regret that all of these attempts to resolve the situation were rejected by the students involved. As a result, NYPD officers are now on campus and the process of clearing the encampment is underway,” Shafik said.
This:
Privilege is when you hold a loudly disruptive, all-night hate festival in the center of campus, sleep in cozy, matching tents, and when the grown-ups finally force you to leave, custodians who work hard for a living are called in to clean up your mess. pic.twitter.com/GHO5ehUxKK
— Columbia Jewish Alumni Assoc. (@CU_JewishAlumni) April 18, 2024
Have a great weekend.
–Dana
Hello.
Dana (8e902f) — 4/19/2024 @ 10:37 am(Copied from wrong thread)
Say what you want about Speaker Johnson, but incompetence is not one of his faults. Getting the aid package through a Rules Committee stacked with HFC goons took some duck-up-lining to get the Rule to the floor. And now the Rule has passed by more than 3-1.
Now, the bills happen separately, and those that want to act out can, no problemo.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/19/2024 @ 10:41 amWhile 55 Republicans voted against the Rules package, so did 39 Democrats. Try not to make the insanity partisan — there are wingnuts on both sides.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/19/2024 @ 10:44 amAs per item #2, here is my favorite response on the MTG X-thread:
It leaves, let me check, 87% for a Russian fascist party.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/19/2024 @ 10:49 amI’m going out on a limb here, but I doubt anyone here would easily qualify as a Trump juror even if they lived in NYC. Maybe Nate.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/19/2024 @ 10:54 amIt is now being reported that a man has set himself on fire outside of the Manhattan courthouse where the hush money trial is taking place. Warning of you click the link.
Horrible.
Dana (8e902f) — 4/19/2024 @ 11:00 amLet’s let the numbers and Republicans who have been vocal about no aide to Russoa speak for themselves.
Dana (8e902f) — 4/19/2024 @ 11:01 amThere are also Democrats who support terrorists. Is that less of a problem?
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/19/2024 @ 11:23 amHere is the jury questionnaire for the Trump trial (PDF)
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/19/2024 @ 11:24 amSince this is an open thread…I have been thinking about our divided society and how angry everyone is at one another.
But fundamentally….
I’m tired of people I know and care about dying. I understand that entropy will always, always have its way with all things..but..I’m tired of seeing the world I know become less vibrant with every loss. So: cherish those for whom you care. Tell them they matter to you. Now.
All the nastiness around us does not matter.
Simon Jester (c8876d) — 4/19/2024 @ 11:25 amI only would have a problem with 8B if it was discussed in open court, ignoring the not-in-NY issue. As much as I rail about this case, I have no net bias here and recognize that at least half of what I’ve been told about it is likely wrong.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/19/2024 @ 11:26 amSimon,
I reconnected with a once-close friend of mine 30 years after a terrible falling out, as I had some time to spend in the city he had moved to. I’m glad I did as he has a terminal illness and may enter hospice shortly. I’ve now traveled back twice to spend a few days.
I could have missed that.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/19/2024 @ 11:30 amThe WSJ has an op-ed by Lance Morrow, entitled “Richard Nixon’s True Religion” (free link).
Spoiler: it was “America”, warts and all.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/19/2024 @ 11:36 amhttps://hotair.com/karen-townsend/2024/04/19/look-out-joe-rfk-jr-is-on-the-michigan-ballot-n3786814
Good news. RFK Jr is on the ballot in Michigan. Time to watch how Biden responds.
NJRob (8981ae) — 4/19/2024 @ 12:00 pmIt’s funny, Kevin, how all the anger and fury really don’t matter.
Simon Jester (c8876d) — 4/19/2024 @ 12:02 pmIt’s very unusual for the minority party to vote for a majority party’s rule. It just goes to show who runs the House, and it ain’t Republicans.
From the previous open thread:
This will cost Johnson his job. He doesn’t run the House, Jeffries does.
Rip Murdock (84f29f) — 4/19/2024 @ 12:06 pmFar side cartoon that could just as well have been about Ukraine
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/19/2024 @ 12:08 pmUSC probably saved Asna Tabassum’s life. She would have been an easy target standing at the podium.
Rip Murdock (84f29f) — 4/19/2024 @ 12:08 pmThis will cost Johnson his job. He doesn’t run the House, Jeffries does.
And the HFC is an opposition party, not Republicans. This is what is called “realignment”
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/19/2024 @ 12:11 pmFirst news item:
Israel pulled its punches. Tehran still stands.
Rip Murdock (84f29f) — 4/19/2024 @ 12:12 pmUSC probably saved Asna Tabassum’s life. She would have been an easy target standing at the podium.
Really? That’s a pretty awful thing to say about Jews.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/19/2024 @ 12:13 pmI guess some are ok with Jeffries as puppet master.
Rip Murdock (84f29f) — 4/19/2024 @ 12:15 pmI never said anything about Jews. There are plenty of groups that don’t like Palestinians.
Rip Murdock (84f29f) — 4/19/2024 @ 12:17 pmThe person who set himself on fire across the street from the courthouse survived. It appears that he is your garden variety conspiracy nut.
Rip Murdock (84f29f) — 4/19/2024 @ 12:33 pmAn easy target for whom?
Dana (8e902f) — 4/19/2024 @ 12:34 pmAnyone who had a visceral dislike of her views about Israel. Remember it was a right wing Israeli who assassinated Yitzhak Rabin.
Rip Murdock (84f29f) — 4/19/2024 @ 12:43 pmWhatever remnants of the JDL might also be interested, as well as white supremacists.
Rip Murdock (84f29f) — 4/19/2024 @ 12:46 pmSo impressed how much more stable and secure the world and our country is since Biden took office.
Meanwhile
Liar.
lloyd (8cc832) — 4/19/2024 @ 12:51 pmhttps://hotair.com/david-strom/2024/04/19/theyre-baaaack-n3786847
Mao’s Red Guard storming campuses across the nation. Ignore this poisonous ideology at your own peril.
NJRob (a10443) — 4/19/2024 @ 12:51 pm@27 Republicans playing softball are in greater danger than any anti-Semite on campus. But keep keeping it real, Rip.
lloyd (8cc832) — 4/19/2024 @ 12:55 pmWhile 55 Republicans voted against the Rules package, so did 39 Democrats. Try not to make the insanity partisan — there are wingnuts on both sides.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/19/2024 @ 10:44 am
That’s why we love ya Kevin! 🙂
qdpsteve again (576e86) — 4/19/2024 @ 1:17 pmYou musta stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
I’ve been wondering for a while on what the right adjective should be for those demonstrators blocking traffic around the US
In this area, the most common one is “pro-Palestinian”.
Here are some others that have occured to me:
pro-terrorist
pro-Hamas
pro-Gazans
pro-Nazi
anti-Israelis
anti-Jew
If I were an editor at a serious news organizations, I think I’d settle for the second, but I wouldn’t necessarily reject the first. (If I recall correctly, there were celebrations in Gaza after the 9/11 attack.)
And other suggestions
Jim Miller (f9384b) — 4/19/2024 @ 1:24 pmSince the pro-Hamas demonstrations started after Oct. 7, I’ve been struck by the passivity of Jewish college students. There has been little direct action against the college pro-Hamas demonstrations; the most that Jewish students have done is sue their university administrations for failing to uphold campus policies. They haven’t taken a more active stance against those who oppose their own existence. Lawsuits won’t stop the protests.
Rip Murdock (84f29f) — 4/19/2024 @ 1:39 pmVia AG on X: Cori Bush’s and Rashida Tlaib’s amendment to the Israel supplemental supplemental:
Dana (8e902f) — 4/19/2024 @ 2:23 pm“Let me go back to the question, that’s as accurate as it is irrelevant, which is my question you said the border was secure,” Romney asked. “What did you mean when you said the border was secure? Is that not a lie?”
“You’ve asked me now if that is a lie and I have assured you that I have honored the oath of office,” Mayorkas responded.
“In what way was it not a lie, then?” Romney asked.
“With the resources and authorities that we have, it is as secure as it can be,” Mayorkas said.
Liar.
lloyd (8cc832) — 4/19/2024 @ 12:51 pm
Romney is correct.
norcal (10409b) — 4/19/2024 @ 2:28 pmLighting oneself on fire over Trump?
Cult.
norcal (10409b) — 4/19/2024 @ 2:34 pmIsrael probably took things from a target list and the tit for at is mostly in their on mind and is set wrong.
Where’s the retaliation for planning October 7??
Isfahan also contains a drone factory and an air base and a nuclear weapons research facility.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/19/2024 @ 2:37 pmThe question Mayorkas was asked is a matter of opinion, (whatever it should be it is not 100%) and apparently DHS now uses a definition that says the border is “secure.”
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/19/2024 @ 2:39 pm34. Although not appearing to take a vehemently anti-Israel position what this does is cut off aid to Israel even if Israel agrees to Hamas ‘ terms for a ceasefire so long as there is still one Israeli mot released..
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/19/2024 @ 2:43 pmWhat facts are you citing?
NJRob (a10443) — 4/19/2024 @ 2:52 pmI learned today that it wasn’t only James Garner who played Maverick, but they had an assortment of Maverick brothers (no more than two an episode) and James Garner quit the series during or after the third season. That’s why the character looked different.
The plots actually don’t make too much sense but it was also supposed to be a comedy (in those days the networks made everything westerns because they thought that westerns were popular rather than the writers good0) and sometimes a parody of other shows.
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 4/19/2024 @ 3:21 pmWhat facts are you citing?
NJRob (a10443) — 4/19/2024 @ 2:52 pm
None. Just a guess. He could be merely a psychotic person.
norcal (10409b) — 4/19/2024 @ 3:22 pmApril 19th is the birthday of Iran’s supreme leader (he’s 84 years old today according to the Gregorian calendar.)
April 19 was also the date of the Waco fire, the Oklahoma bombing and the Columbine massacre.
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 4/19/2024 @ 3:26 pmCorrection: Columbine was on April 20, I thought I heard today – also vaguely thought that maybe was wrong,
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 4/19/2024 @ 3:46 pmHe was agaibst both political parties, called it fascist,
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 4/19/2024 @ 3:48 pmApril 20th is also Adolf Hitler’s birthday-what’s your point?
Rip Murdock (bec137) — 4/19/2024 @ 4:18 pmGood for Google
Cry me a river. If the protesters objected to so much to Google’s contracting with governments, they should have just resigned (or not even considered working there.) Now they’re out of a job, and good luck trying to find another with a major tech company.
Rip Murdock (bec137) — 4/19/2024 @ 4:36 pmUSC has canceled all of its outside commencement speakers and honorary degree ceremonies.
Rip Murdock (bec137) — 4/19/2024 @ 5:01 pmWhen Biden and Mayorkas say they need more money to secure the border, remember what they spend it on.
Nonprofit Misused Taxpayer Dollars To Fly Migrants Around US, Dem Rep Alleges
lloyd (8cc832) — 4/19/2024 @ 5:18 pmItem 7 Ilhan Omar’s daughter is on her way with a good career move like Bernie Sanders arrest in civil rights protest in 1963. Get the name get ready to run for office as America’s young future!
asset (8b684e) — 4/19/2024 @ 5:36 pmSo why say such hateful remarks? Just to insult Trump supporters some more?
NJRob (eb56c3) — 4/19/2024 @ 5:46 pmWhy do you push people who express hatred of America?
NJRob (eb56c3) — 4/19/2024 @ 5:47 pmNews out side the bubble. Wisconsin dunning-kruger effect candidate for senate named hovde says people in nursing homes shouldn’t vote! Now back tracks as gop party tells him most of them vote republican! In more bad news for biden and the dnc RFK.jr makes ballot in michigan despite desperate attempts by democrat party to keep him off ballot. Michigan muslims will demand their pound of flesh from biden. RFK.jr drops $2 million into the campaign. I have a dilemma should I vote for RFK.jr instead of jill stein my chosen candidate?
asset (8b684e) — 4/19/2024 @ 5:48 pm@52 Better then the ones you support.
asset (8b684e) — 4/19/2024 @ 5:49 pmHow? What is it about Islam or death to America that you find attractive?
NJRob (eb56c3) — 4/19/2024 @ 6:18 pm249 years ago today, “the shot heard ’round the world.”
Rip Murdock (bec137) — 4/19/2024 @ 6:34 pmNot sure what Max Azzarello’s status is, and also not sure keeping him alive would be doing him any favors.
steveg (28ac5d) — 4/19/2024 @ 7:22 pmWithout US aid to Ukraine, very possibly. With the aid, Putin will lose ground and standing.
Paul Montagu (7b8696) — 4/19/2024 @ 8:02 pmHakeem Johnson.
Rip Murdock (bec137) — 4/19/2024 @ 8:07 pmI can’t confirm it, but I suspect that Trump flip-flopped on Ukraine, just like he flip-flopped on abortion, and not out of principle but political expediency. There are more Americans who don’t want to see Putin conquer his neighbor than do, and it’s an overt split from the Putin Wing of the party. Trump made a political calculation and left the likes of Marge and JD hanging.
With Trump’s blessing, Speaker Johnson could accurately invoke Reagan in support of aid to Ukraine against a Russian gangster and hegemon. I’m not convinced that the Speaker came to this switch on his own, without Trump’s green light.
I believe this also means a deal was cut with Jeffries, that this time around, the Dems will actually sit out the vote on vacating the Speaker, thus leaving Marge and her Putin-friendly friends in the House on the losing side, if a vote is actually held. Marge & Co. would be smart to not make that challenge.
The irony is that, for all the complaining about Johnson working with Democrats, McCarthy couldn’t have been removed by Gaetz and 7 Republicans without the help of Democrats.
Paul Montagu (7b8696) — 4/19/2024 @ 8:34 pmI’ve been wondering for a while on what the right adjective should be for those demonstrators blocking traffic around the US
Adjective? Roadkill-ish.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/19/2024 @ 9:24 pmRomney is correct.
When Mitt Romney — not a cultist — is pointing out that you cannot say “I didn’t lie” you should really resign.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/19/2024 @ 9:26 pmI learned today that it wasn’t only James Garner who played Maverick, but they had an assortment of Maverick brothers (no more than two an episode) and James Garner quit the series during or after the third season. That’s why the character looked different.
Jack Kelly played Bart Maverick from day one. James Garner played Brett. They alternative weeks to keep the workload down. Each brother had a different style.
When Garner quit they had Roger Moore take over as Beau Maverick for 15 episodes of Season 4, alternating still with Jack Kelly. The series ended in 1961 after the 4th season.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/19/2024 @ 9:31 pmUSC has canceled all of its outside commencement speakers and honorary degree ceremonies.
“They said we were being stupid. Hold my beer, I’ll show them stupid!”
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/19/2024 @ 9:33 pmItem 7 Ilhan Omar’s daughter is on her way with a good career move like Bernie Sanders arrest in civil rights protest in 1963. Get the name get ready to run for office as America’s young future!
asset has been predicting the Revolution for 60 years now.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/19/2024 @ 9:34 pmI have a dilemma should I vote for RFK.jr instead of jill stein my chosen candidate?
Which is stupider?
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/19/2024 @ 9:35 pmI believe this also means a deal was cut with Jeffries, that this time around, the Dems will actually sit out the vote on vacating the Speaker, thus leaving Marge and her Putin-friendly friends in the House on the losing side, if a vote is actually held. Marge & Co. would be smart to not make that challenge.
A better deal would be them standing aside as Johnson applies a bit of stick about.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/19/2024 @ 9:37 pm@56 Ilhan Omar and her daughter would make far better representatives then trump and his fascist running dogs.
asset (8b684e) — 4/19/2024 @ 10:02 pm@65 Only way in the future as demographics slowly changed. After 2016 with the defeat of corporate establishment stooge clinton and 2018 election of AOC outspent 18-1 and still beat crowley. When the left says jump biden says how high! The counter revolution doesn’t seem to be doing to well. If trump beats biden in 2024 what will be left of the democrat corporate establishment. Todays young leftists are even more radical then me. Even I have a problem with shouting death to america. Or even defund the police. Who will arrest trump and his republican base?
asset (8b684e) — 4/19/2024 @ 10:12 pmMy thoughts about Caitlin Clark.
To me, she’s the Larry Bird of women’s basketball. Like when Larry lost to Magic in the NCAA championship, Caitlin lost to a deeper, more talented South Carolina team, but Clark elevated her team to the finals by scoring and passing, getting Iowa to that point.
Not only did she surpass Pete Maravich as all-time leading NCAA scorer, she was “just the sixth player in NCAA women’s basketball history to reach 1,000 assists” (link). This parallels Larry Bird at Indiana State, and Larry easily took his game to the next level in the NBA, just like Caitlin will, IMO. She’ll make an immediate and beneficial impact.
Finally, for those liberals and feminists grousing about her small WNBA contract, that is the real world of economics and professional sports. There’s a reason for it. Ms. Clark’s Indiana Fever team averaged a little over 4,000 in attendance per game, but the real money is in TV revenues, and the league just doesn’t have it. I think Clark and other players can help on the TV revenue side, which is where she’ll also have a real impact, but it’s not there at this time. But she’ll make good endorsement money, so don’t cry for Caitlin, she’ll do fine.
As a long-suffering Mariners fan who rooted for the team in the 1990s, the team didn’t have a decent payroll and had to lose Hall of Famers like Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez and Randy Johnson because our TV contracts paled in comparison to most other teams, and it was TV revenues in big markets that paid the big salaries, and the MLB didn’t have revenue sharing, and still don’t. Thank goodness Nintendo came into the picture. It kept our team in Seattle. That, and our cool ballpark.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 4/19/2024 @ 10:56 pmY’all see the official GOP account on Twitter shared a Trump statement (assumedly from Truth Social) stating absentee and early voting are just fine and dandy now?
SamG (4e6c22) — 4/19/2024 @ 10:59 pm@56 Ilhan Omar and her daughter would make far better representatives then trump and his fascist running dogs.
asset (8b684e) — 4/19/2024 @ 10:02 pm
Oink, oink, oink, says the Stalinist pig.
qdpsteve again (576e86) — 4/19/2024 @ 11:15 pm@72 somebodies feelings got hurt. Trump is closer to stalin then me. The same with his trumpster running dog who are trying to find out the names of the jurors. Aipac’s money is still looking for a running dog to run against Ilhan Omar.
asset (8b684e) — 4/20/2024 @ 12:26 amLOL! Clark’s never been hurting for money. She reportedly received over $3M in NIL money before she left Iowa; and news reports state she’s in line for a eight figure deal with Nike alone. Her basketball salary is a sideline.
Clark is an anomaly in the WNBA, and it has nothing to do with her talent.
Rip Murdock (bec137) — 4/20/2024 @ 3:34 amOne of the hush money trial jurors gets their news from Truth Social and Twitter.
Anyone know of a betting site where I can put a few bucks on hung jury?
lurker (cd7cd4) — 4/20/2024 @ 4:24 amI think it has something to do with her talent.
lurker (cd7cd4) — 4/20/2024 @ 4:28 amThe rules for alternate jurors have evolved. In some places, if only one juror is being obstreperous, he will be dismissed and replaced with an alternate, and that’s constitutional. I don’t know if New York is already one of those places, but like the case itself there’s a first time for everything.
nk (ab86f6) — 4/20/2024 @ 4:44 amHey Biden voters…
The dept of education just released an updated Title IX changes:
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/biden-expands-title-ix-protections-pregnancy-trans-people/story?id=109422988
It guts any protection from women-only sports & spaces…
It also destroys any sense of due process of the accused, codifies kangaroo courts in universities.
You voted for this.
This is what Democrats does to our culture.
whembly (a43e5a) — 4/20/2024 @ 5:32 amI have the impression that Judge Merchan already did Trump a YUGE favor by barring evidence of his lifelong habit of bragging about his sexual escapades. (Trump’s sexual escapades, not Merchan’s.)
Such as the Access Hollywood tape.
It makes it TREMENDOUSLY easier for a juror looking for reasonable doubt to “find” that it was normal human sense of embarrassment that caused Trump to want to hush up the Stormy scandal and not the election.
nk (ab86f6) — 4/20/2024 @ 6:04 amIf Trump had paid hush money in the past, when he wasn’t running for office, I think that would actually help him here.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/20/2024 @ 7:16 amOne of the hush money trial jurors gets their news from Truth Social and Twitter.
I like the one who says he gets his news from Fox and MSNBC. His brain must hurt.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/20/2024 @ 7:26 amThis one?“Jane Doe” aka “Katie Johnson” – 1994.
Or this one?
Or the fourteen other women who have accused him? No, that’s not a door that the judge closed, it’s a floodgate, and Trump should have a little Dutch boy standing by just in case instead of cracking it open even the littlest little bit.
nk (6f7bf2) — 4/20/2024 @ 7:46 am@75 I’m inclined to take that bet. Note the acknowledgment that it’s about the jury.
lloyd (56d5b5) — 4/20/2024 @ 8:03 amTitle IX absurdity vs coup plotter and institution destabilizer. I sadly know where whembly comes down.
AJ_Liberty (23a983) — 4/20/2024 @ 8:03 am@79 Any juror not already aware of that just woke from a ten year coma. Let’s pretend the judge did him a huge favor.
lloyd (56d5b5) — 4/20/2024 @ 8:08 am@84
“coup plotter” is an insane overreaction that places you in the extremist category in political discourse. You’re embracing the “fiery, but peaceful protest” mindset.
The Title IX absurdity is more than that. The new regulation equates “gender identy” with “sex” in Title IX. So, from K to college, Transwomen are treated exactly as women. If you misgender someone, you could be sued for discrimination. Every women-only space is now open for Transwomen for any institution that takes federal dollars (which is almost all of them).
Men are absolutely f’ed on universities if they’re accused, as there’s no presumption of due process what so ever.
You want to talk about “institution destabilizer”… look no further than this insane Title IX update. It effectively destroys any advancements women has fought for since it’s inception in ’72.
whembly (a43e5a) — 4/20/2024 @ 8:15 am@86 Folks like AJ will always play the Trump card, literally, no matter the issue. If it were coup plotter versus World War III, we sadly know where AJ comes down.
lloyd (56d5b5) — 4/20/2024 @ 8:22 amMerchan barred the prosecution from playing the actual tape, but they can elicit testimony about what was said. He also ruled that he change his mind if the defense opens the door.
Rip Murdock (e0c338) — 4/20/2024 @ 8:24 amWhembly,
thank you for bring a dose of reality and sharing what’s happening in the real world.
We are going to hell in a handbasket, but some are so broken they ignore all the horrors because they must get Trump.
It’s another example of tearing down every law to get one man. Title IX is just the most recent casualty.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 4/20/2024 @ 8:27 amThe new regulation equates “gender identity” with “sex” in Title IX.
The Supreme Court (Gorsuch writng for the majority) already did that in Bostock v. Clayton County, 590 U.S. 644 (2020), in regard to Title 7.
nk (6f7bf2) — 4/20/2024 @ 8:27 amHere’s a story about George Washington that I never before heard. He founded the town of Centralia here in WA State, which is better known for the outlet mall and being near Great Wolf Lodge. He took the Oregon Trail to get there but turned north out of Oregon because it was too racist.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 4/20/2024 @ 8:48 amTrump Criminal Trial Watch, NY Edition:
Rip Murdock (e0c338) — 4/20/2024 @ 8:54 amSomething I read which may possibly be true. When Gamal Abdel Nasser was President of Egypt, he made cabaret belly dancers wear body stockings.
nk (6f7bf2) — 4/20/2024 @ 9:18 amhttps://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/19/something-strange-has-been-happening-with-jobless-claims-numbers-lately.html
They weren’t even smart enough to fluctuate the numbers.
GIGO.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 4/20/2024 @ 9:19 amShe settled and then in 1998 dated Trump.
What a great witness! I just don’t know for whom.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/20/2024 @ 9:54 amWe are going to hell in a handbasket
Well this election seems to only be about which handbasket.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/20/2024 @ 9:54 amOn Thursday, April 25th, the Supreme Court will hear arguments on Trump’s claims of presidential immunity. Here is a link to all the briefs and orders in the case.
Rip Murdock (e0c338) — 4/20/2024 @ 10:25 am@92, that’s a busy weekend!
AJ_Liberty (5f05c3) — 4/20/2024 @ 10:34 am#91 He was a good man. We could use many more like him.
Jim Miller (7855ae) — 4/20/2024 @ 10:40 amWhembly et al, (I know I’m in the minority here, possibly because I know more transgender people and have talked to them more), I actually am pretty in favor of the Biden title IX changes. I know a lot of folks here aren’t and I respect that, but I’d be happy to talk to people about why I’m ok with them.
Nate (cfb326) — 4/20/2024 @ 10:55 amHouses passes all four foreign policy bills:
– Forcing a sale or banning TikTok, seizing of Russian funds and sending them to Ukraine, and more sanctions on Russia/Iran/China
– Indo-Pacific (Taiwan) aid
– Ukraine aid
– Israel aid
Expected to to passed in the Senate as a single vehicle
SamG (4e6c22) — 4/20/2024 @ 11:28 amAlex, I’ll take smarter people for $800
https://www.cato.org/commentary/yes-it-was-attempted-coup
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2021/01/11/capitol-riot-self-coup-trump-fiona-hill-457549
My view is that setting the parameters of Title IX is a Congressional task and we shouldn’t be seeing this ping-ponging back and forth based on who we put into the White House. Obama took us too far one way and Trump over-corrected. Biden now throws out the baby with the bath water. Congress should vote and then be held accountable. But Congress can’t vote because people like MTG and Gaetz holds the institution hostage.
Yes, the election is about these policies…as well as immigration…drug interdiction….monetary policy…and international strategy with regards to Ukraine, Taiwan, Israel, Iran, and N. Korea. It will also be an election with regards to the future direction of the Court on abortion, affirmative action, and regulatory authority vis a vis Chevron.
It remains about Trump, despite Lloyd’s consternation, because Trump v. Biden isn’t just about policy preferences…but about stress-testing our very system. Lloyd’s preferred nominee will be tried over the next 6-8 weeks in the first of four legal quandaries that he’s put himself into because of bad choices and low character.
But this is where Lloyd’s, Rob’s, and whembly’s GOP is at. You don’t get just to choose conservative policy on immigration and culture…you also have to accept populist Trump and the great uncertainty that he brings to everything. A true leader would have resigned after J6, rather than face impeachment. He would have certainly spoke to the country from the Oval Office about what went on and accepted responsibility appropriately. A good man would have stopped the violence on J6 with a single tweet. Character is destiny. Character is the reason we have opening statements on Monday. You have an individual who brushes up against the law continuously and makes himself vulnerable, partly because he wants to see exactly how far he can go and partly to see how far his supporters will carry him. I have little empathy and want the justice system to play out, whatever the ultimate verdict. Trump’s made his bed.
Fox News is a lampoon on journalism….and OANN is worse. Both make people dumber and less able to self govern….in order to leverage them for profit. We saw it in the Dominion case, but Lloyd, Rob, and whembly see no evil. Together with BuhDuh, they continue to look for the Biden equivalency like following OJ looking for the real killer. The spell won’t break until the GOP loses enough…or Trump breaks something. Plan your finances well….
AJ_Liberty (5f05c3) — 4/20/2024 @ 11:30 amWe now know the number of GOP House members in the Putin Wing, and it’s disturbingly high: 112.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 4/20/2024 @ 11:34 amNate @ 100 ,
I’m interested in hearing why you’re for the changes.
Dana (8e902f) — 4/20/2024 @ 11:47 am@90
There’s a distinction though…
I think… I need to read up on it some more, but I think this is right…
Under Bostock (title 7), you cannot discriminate on basis of gender identity for employment.
Title IX was explicitedly designed to carve out spaces for women (ie, biological women), to afford them the same opportunities as men in education (ie, sports, scholarships, etc..). There’s a bunch of more regulations, but the raison d’être of title IX was literally to give women their own spaces and opportunities.
whembly (a43e5a) — 4/20/2024 @ 11:57 am@100
I have empathy for those who puts in the work to live a life as a woman, dealing with whole sorts of issues, namely gender disphora and other mental illness.
But, I have zero empathy to those who either wants to invade traditional women spaces to conventialize autogynephilia. Or, those transwomen whom are competing against women in sports, whereby their own natural male genes gives them superior advantages against bio-woman.
You cannot simply ignore biological realities.
whembly (a43e5a) — 4/20/2024 @ 12:02 pmYou sound just like those people on DU. Keep up the good work.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 4/20/2024 @ 12:14 pmShould the government encourage anorexia, bulimia, Body integrity dysphoria, etc., just because someone isn’t happy with who they are and don’t like what they see in the mirror? Or should they get treatment to acknowledge that they are what their genetics are?
NJRob (eb56c3) — 4/20/2024 @ 12:18 pmA Busy Monday for Donald Trump:
More:
Rip Murdock (e0c338) — 4/20/2024 @ 12:21 pmHere’s an excellent idea:
(Link omitted)
Rosen continues by saying he did not vote for Romney, and has no personal connection with him.
Romney has impressive academic accomplishments:
Jim Miller (0cc49d) — 4/20/2024 @ 12:58 pmI admit that I’ve never been quite on board with some employment discrimination laws, particularly when an employer is hiring to maintain a bona fide “atmosphere.” This is particularly true with restaurants with ethnic themes, but I imagine that it might include other service-type venues where the staff’s appearance is inherent to the business model.
So, I have no problem with Hooter’s only hiring women with hooters, a sushi bar preferring Asian waitstaff, and a gay bar only hiring gay men.
Obviously that bona fide thing is important, and it should be looked on with skepticism by any court. But I fear activists more.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/20/2024 @ 2:06 pmThe disease that anti-discrimination laws were created to attack — widespread and endemic discrimination by the majority against people who did not look like the majority — should not be transformed into a demand for a totally homogeneous society. Diversity does not mean conformity.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/20/2024 @ 2:11 pmThat being said, there is a much better case for Hooters not hiring transwomen than there is for Starbuck’s, and there may be businesses with a preference for transwomen.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/20/2024 @ 2:14 pmKeeping it classy:
LOL! As pioneering American film producer Samuel Goldwyn is quoted as saying, “ A verbal contract isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.”
Rip Murdock (e0c338) — 4/20/2024 @ 2:33 pm@104 If Nate has daughters, I’ll certainly respect his opinion. If he doesn’t, that might explain the opinion he has.
lloyd (9acf30) — 4/20/2024 @ 2:37 pmWe now know the number of GOP House members in the Putin Wing, and it’s disturbingly high: 112.
But, despite many comments some have made, it does NOT include Speaker Johnson.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/20/2024 @ 2:48 pmI am perhaps more upset that the Democrat support of open borders is 199 members (and some who do, ducked the vote). Why? Because for all the GOP opposition to critical Ukraine aid, it passed. But the border security measure failed.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/20/2024 @ 3:11 pm@116
Putin’s best American ally…
lloyd (9acf30) — 4/20/2024 @ 3:32 pmOn one of the mainstream Russian morning shows I monitor, one of the commentators just said “we have no greater western ally than Mike Johnson. What he has done for us will be in our school textbooks.”.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 4/6/2024 @ 7:43 am
While the border security bill would have failed by one vote under regular order, its passage today would have required 2/3 under suspension of the rules, an unlikely outcome.
Rip Murdock (e0c338) — 4/20/2024 @ 3:35 pmHis final achievement as Speaker.
Rip Murdock (e0c338) — 4/20/2024 @ 3:44 pm@119 A border security bill (HR2) was already passed almost one year ago. It was DOA in the Senate, which I guess means Schumer and the Democrats are the drug cartels’ and human traffickers’ best ally.
lloyd (9acf30) — 4/20/2024 @ 3:45 pmRIP former Arkansas Governor and Senator David Pryor (89).
Rip Murdock (e0c338) — 4/20/2024 @ 3:49 pmRIP legendary NC State and Los Angeles Rams quarterback Roman Gabriel (83).
Rip Murdock (e0c338) — 4/20/2024 @ 3:55 pmThe billions will be burned and Russia probably will still be more or less in the same physical position it is in now within Ukraine. The deal Russia would accept today is the same one that could be offered billions of dollars from now because the stalemate will likely continue. Ukraine does not have the ability to generate the momentum needed dislodge Russia. When Ukraine did have momentum, funding, Biden’s handlers didn’t provide the means to exploit. 0 F-16’s. 31 Abrams. 186 Bradley’s. No long range ATACM’s until the momentum was already lost in mid October 2023. Ukraine is not likely to regain its lost territory without foreign troops on the ground, which won’t happen. My guess is NATO tells Ukraine to accept the new borders in return for NATO membership which will protect them from further losses of territories and lives, or lose everything due to lack of funds- the same deal that they could have engineered billion dollars (and euros) ago. The people who voted against the bill because it is a waste of money at this point are probably not wrong.
steveg (0339ee) — 4/20/2024 @ 5:30 pmThere is also an outside chance the Russians break the Ukrainian lines and improve their bargaining position, this won’t be on the people who voted against funding, but will be on what was not delivered during the various fundings. The Ukrainians were intentionally never given the quantities of weapons and munitions of the technological quality to dislodge the Russians and they never will be given those in the quantities needed. Back in 2023 when the Ukraine was finally given those long range ATACM’s, they were given 20. If the US military was trying to mount a counter offensive when it did not have air superiority it would use 20 or more within the first couple minutes
@81 I also watch cnn, fox and msDNC. Its called the dialectic: thesis, antithesis, synthesis, to get at the truth.(Hegal) Only dunning-kruger effect types don’t look at both sides. As the romulan commander in star trek said that is what I would do. Hang back look for weakness. Hailie Deegan almost won the nascar race today by hanging back while others crashed.
asset (e7f92f) — 4/20/2024 @ 5:44 pmHis final achievement as Speaker.
I’m told that Johnson is a Young Earth Creationist. Which means he knows that he can get a better deal for his soul.
If it comes to that. The scum has been floating on top but the waters are roiling.
nk (ae91b8) — 4/20/2024 @ 5:59 pmI realize American interests come first, but it seems cruel to have slow walked this thing for so long. Sure we rushed in Javelin’s early on, got them some M777’s and 155mm but after that we settled back and watched Ukrainians die killing Russians and destroying their equipment at just the right pace that sustains the target attrition ratio. Its a fight that has been run carefully by military mathematicians and their Lanchester models. Too many high tech missile salvos would unbalance the equations.
steveg (0339ee) — 4/20/2024 @ 6:55 pmWhile we are hip deep in praise for Speaker Mike Johnson’s “leadership” (actually Hakeem Jeffries) for passing the Taiwan, Ukraine, and Israel military aid bills, we shouldn’t forget that Johnson also engineered the passage of a two-year extension of the Section 702 surveillance program (again with a majority of a Democrat votes) without a warrant requirement to protect Americans.
Of the 273 votes in favor, 147 were provided by Democrats. The amendment to prohibit warrantless searches of U.S. person communications in the FISA 702 database failed on a 212-212 vote, with Johnson voting against the amendment.
Rip Murdock (e0c338) — 4/20/2024 @ 7:20 pmRoll call vote on the FISA Section 702 warrantless search amendment.
Rip Murdock (07b569) — 4/20/2024 @ 7:31 pmJohnson was until he wasn’t, lloyd, and I’m glad for it. Something caused him to change and stop the stonewalling.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 4/20/2024 @ 8:00 pmWhile the border security bill would have failed by one vote under regular order, its passage today would have required 2/3 under suspension of the rules, an unlikely outcome.
So, what does that have to do with 199+ Democrat being against border security?
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/20/2024 @ 8:13 pmJohnson was until he wasn’t, lloyd, and I’m glad for it. Something caused him to change and stop the stonewalling.
You project something on him, and when it proves untrue (and had not seemed true all along), you assert he changed rather than admit you were wrong.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/20/2024 @ 8:15 pmDavid Frum…
This comes on the heels of Trump’s abortion waffling after the AZ Supreme Court decision.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 4/20/2024 @ 8:15 pma two-year extension of the Section 702 surveillance program (again with a majority of a Democrat votes) without a warrant requirement to protect Americans.
AIUI, the power is to monitor communications between US persons and foreign persons, not conversations among US persons. There has long been an exception to 4th amendment rights when it comes to the border. Don’t believe me? Tell the customs guy to keep his hands off your luggage.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/20/2024 @ 8:17 pmYou project something on him, and when it proves untrue (and had not seemed true all along), you assert he changed rather than admit you were wrong.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 4/20/2024 @ 8:18 pmBullsh-t. The fact is that he stonewalled aid from Day One as Speaker, and then he flipped. Like I said, I’m glad he did.
Remember when he said just a week or ago that he wouldn’t send aid to Ukraine to a vote until there was a border deal? I do, and now he’s trying to talk like Reagan Reincarnated. But good for him, and good for Ukraine, and good for America.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 4/20/2024 @ 8:20 pmBullsh-t. The fact is that he stonewalled aid from Day One as Speaker, and then he flipped.
He did not. His Conference did and he finally moved the motion without their agreement. Point me to something that says he was against it back when. Your hatred for Trump’s GOP seems to affect your perception.
See, for example this from 6 months ago:
Speaker Johnson tells Senate GOP he backs Ukraine aid, funding path through Jan. 15
That he wanted to use it to get a border-security bill does not mean that he opposed the aid. Just that, unlike you and 199+ House Democrats, he felt that stopping unrestricted immigration was important.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/20/2024 @ 8:31 pmRemember when he said just a week or ago that he wouldn’t send aid to Ukraine to a vote until there was a border deal? I do
Please link to something that unequivocally states that. And not just “I want a vote on both” which is a reasonable legislative demand.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/20/2024 @ 8:33 pmI will agree that the House GOP has its head up its ass, or 112 of them do. But my point is that almost all of the Democrats ignore a pressing national security threat right here on our borders.
Why do you support unrestricted immigration, Paul?
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/20/2024 @ 8:35 pmAgain, bullsh-t, Kevin. He’s the Speaker. He could’ve done this six months ago, but instead he attached conditions.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 4/20/2024 @ 8:38 pmThe Wall Street Journal, a Trump-friendly Murdoch-owned outfit.
Emphasis mine. Also, before he was Speaker, he voted on the side of the Russian Thug-in-Chief.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 4/20/2024 @ 8:49 pmPaul was wrong and is loathe to admit it. So what’s new?
lloyd (1167b0) — 4/20/2024 @ 9:18 pmThink Cohen is credible? OK, let’s hear from another credible source.
lloyd (5852e0) — 4/20/2024 @ 9:33 pmPaul,
Your myopia is that you would have the House ignore what they think is important because YOU think YOUR stuff is more important. One could just as easily castigate the Democrats for stonewalling border security at the expense of Ukraine aid. And in the end, The Republicans chose the more important thing and the Democrats continued to stonewall.
But you’d have to put aside your rancor to see the actual truth.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/20/2024 @ 10:12 pmPaul was wrong and is loathe to admit it. So what’s new?
Yes, but don’t think you’ll escape the same criticism.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/20/2024 @ 10:13 pmHe could’ve done this six months ago, but instead he attached conditions
My GOD a legislative leader wanting to carry his whole party forward instead of just surrendering half of their goals on the your chosen altar. Damn them!
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/20/2024 @ 10:14 pmSearching the Section 702 surveillance database for conversations involving Americans has nothing to do with searches at border crossings. These searches are electronic and the persons whose phone records are being searched have no idea the FBI are investigating them. It’s been a chronic problem for the last several years.
Apples and oranges.
Rip Murdock (e0c338) — 4/20/2024 @ 10:20 pmMore:
The FISA Court noted in its opinion that the FBI improperly accessed nearly 300,000 records involving Americans.
Rip Murdock (e0c338) — 4/20/2024 @ 10:29 pmThe (Section 702) intelligence database stores digital and other information on individuals. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act allows the FBI to search without a warrant communications of foreigners abroad including their conversations with Americans.
Those conversations cross borders. Same rule.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/20/2024 @ 10:40 pmThe FISA Court noted in its opinion that the FBI improperly accessed nearly 300,000 records involving Americans.
That is against the law as written. If they are going to break the law, what does it matter if you alter the law? Instead, the FISA Court, if it really cared, would issue 300,000 contempt citations.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/20/2024 @ 10:43 pm“Yes, but don’t think you’ll escape the same criticism.”
Don’t fall off your pedestal.
lloyd (5852e0) — 4/20/2024 @ 10:46 pmIf I do, I have lots of room on either side.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/20/2024 @ 11:23 pmYou’re missing the point. The database contains phone records of conversations between US citizens and foreign nationals, but the FBI has been searching names of persons suspected of domestic crimes (or no crimes at all), without any evidence they are related to foreign intelligence gathering or a crime. This standard is far less than that for a search warrant.
For example, the FBI has conducted unauthorized searches of campaign contributors, crime victims, a Congressman, police officers, FBI contractors, current and former US government officials, journalists, etc. none of which were related to foreign intelligence.
Rip Murdock (e0c338) — 4/20/2024 @ 11:48 pmThe Democrats are passing their agenda and the Republicans are holding on to their districts. Isn’t that enough?
Man! You people want EVERYTHING!
nk (ae91b8) — 4/21/2024 @ 6:26 amSorry for the slow reply. My daughter’s 5th birthday party was yesterday and consumed the day.
@104 Dana, I think right now transgender people face a lot of discrimination, in the way that homosexual people before them faced, and women before them faced.
None of the Title IX changes feel onerous or harmful. They stayed away from the 3rd rail issue of whether transgendered athletes can compete. Largely, the changes the Biden admin made are in keeping with 50 years of policy. I think the issue of whether the federal government should get involved in addressing such discrimination is an interesting one, and if someone objected to Title IX’s existence or use in the past, I would not be surprised that you’d object to it’s use here. But it doesn’t feel like a shift, but rather an updating to the current landscape.
@106 Whembly, if you have empathy for transgendered people’s struggles, I would think you would be in support of the changes. I don’t think the changes do anything to “invade women’s spaces” nor does literally anyone want to promote autogynephila (like, I don’t even know where you get that idea; it feels like a bizarro-world treatment of real issues), and the Biden admin steared clear of your concerns on sports.
@108 Rob, no the government should not encourage anorexia or other body dismorphia. Nor do they. But people suffering from those conditions are people and our fellow humans, and in general the government has supported researchers’ best practices for how to deal with such issues, as they are doing in regards to transgender health.
@115 lloyd, I have 4 daughters, two of whom are in college and largely share my views on transgender issues (one is substantially further left-leaning) and two of whom are years away from discussing such issues.
Nate (cfb326) — 4/21/2024 @ 7:08 am@106
No. I emphatically do not support the changes.
Then you haven’t really read the changes. Or, sorely misunderstanding implications… or, simply don’t care.
The changes effectively mandates that transwomen are women, so are afforded all the protections of biological women.
That about what that means.
That means, any institution that accepts federal dollars must treat transwomen, for all intent and purposes as if they are biologically womean.
That’s insane.
There must be distinctions made between those truly suffering from gender disphoria and those who perpetuate autogynephila, yes.
Yet, you cannot isolate and defend against autogynephilics under Title IX. It’s a real concern that’s not all that uncommon.
Your girls could be exposed to a male penis in their locker rooms… could have transwomen competing in their sports…and has zero rights under the new interpretation of Title IX.
Incorrect.
The latest Title IX reinterpretation effectively mandates, legally, that Transwomen = women under the provisions of Title IX.
whembly (a43e5a) — 4/21/2024 @ 7:58 amAs they say, Kevin, mindreading is an intellectually lazy and dishonest practice, so you’re still full of sh-t. No one died and appointed you Arbiter of the Truth here.
Military aid to Ukraine is an American national interest as it keeps Putin bogged down in Ukraine and drains his resources. This isn’t about me. And it’s an easy, morally right call. What better way to decimate the military of a hostile foreign power with a mere 5% of our budget with no loss in American lives.
There was a border deal on the table, after months of negotiations, and Trump killed it because he has too many cowardly Senators in his fold. It was in the realm of the possible as it was bipartisan.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 4/21/2024 @ 8:07 amFor any who disputes my interpretation of the latest Title IX changes effectively mandates that Transwomen = women, just read the final rule factsheet:
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/t9-final-rule-factsheet.pdf
Or, better yet, here’s the salient point:
And the fact sheet in the very next sentence weaseling states:
You cannot square the latter with the former sentence. It opens a barn door reality that forces compliance to any institutions accepting federal education fundings.
whembly (a43e5a) — 4/21/2024 @ 8:37 amIn short, by advancing the concept of de minimis harms, which empowers Title IX authority to determine whether or not a harm (ie, bio-female challenging transwomen in their sex exclusive spaces)is “lacking or significance or importance” to disregard.
whembly (a43e5a) — 4/21/2024 @ 8:41 amThe database contains phone records of conversations between US citizens and foreign nationals, but the FBI has been searching names of persons suspected of domestic crimes (or no crimes at all), without any evidence they are related to foreign intelligence gathering or a crime. This standard is far less than that for a search warrant.
And the law permits this? Or are they doing this illegally? You never quite seem to say.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/21/2024 @ 8:46 amThe Democrats are passing their agenda and the Republicans are holding on to their districts. Isn’t that enough?
To be fair, there could have been a border security bill, but it was half a loaf and
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/21/2024 @ 8:48 amTrumpthe GOP decided to go hungry.As they say, Kevin, mindreading is an intellectually lazy and dishonest practice, so you’re still full of sh-t.
What a load of crap. I simply use your words, and how you disparage ANY need other than “WE MUST HELP UKRAINE.” You’re like the kid in the candy aisle complaining that mom is over buying vegetables.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/21/2024 @ 8:50 amhttps://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/t9-final-rule-summary.pdf
And here’s the coup de grâce:
In sure, Title IX mandates that transwomen are women for the purposes of this regulation.
whembly (a43e5a) — 4/21/2024 @ 8:50 amI’m curious what harm whembly would be comfortable coming to trans women that this policy change prevents? I’m getting lost in the abstractions.
I’m also curious about Rip’s thoughts on Democrats now being willing to protect a Republican’s speakership….because there does appear to be a change in philosophy moving from McCarthy to Johnson
AJ_Liberty (c27345) — 4/21/2024 @ 8:56 amThere is no harm. “Transwomen” are men. Stop pretending otherwise. You are breaking society with your Newspeak.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 4/21/2024 @ 8:58 am@165 AJ_Liberty (c27345) — 4/21/2024 @ 8:56 am
Do you support the power of government, under Title IX, to punish anyone in academic if they refused to use the desired pronouns.
Yes, such a person is a dillweed (wanted to use stronger perjorative, but didn’t want to get hit with the filters)… but set that aside for a moment.
If an individual refuses to use another person’s preferred pronoun, do you think that person should civilly be sued?
whembly (a43e5a) — 4/21/2024 @ 8:59 amPersecution of Christians in Russian-occupied Ukraine.
The persecution of Russian Baptists has a long history in Russia. It occurred under the Czars, Stalin, and now again under Putin.
(There are some Russian Baptist churches in the greater Seattle area. I have long wished that some enterprising journalist would question some of the older members about that evil history.)
Jim Miller (2e7084) — 4/21/2024 @ 9:02 amNo, I believe pronoun nonsense is a violation of the 1A….and no case has ruled otherwise that I’m aware of. If schools choose to push an agenda, then they will run up against the first amendment. Title IX does not trump the 1A.
AJ_Liberty (c27345) — 4/21/2024 @ 9:32 amRussia invaded Ukraine with almost 1,000,000 troops spilling over the border of Ukraine.
Our southern border has seen over 8,000,000 invade in the last 3 years.
Mike Jonson thinks the first is the more important and get second isn’t even an issue.
SaveFarris (99a679) — 4/21/2024 @ 9:50 amI don’t care that 199 Democrats voted against the bill. Johnson should have known that the bill had no Democratic support, yet he brought the bill to the floor under suspension of the rules, which required a 2/3 majority. That proves one of two things: either Johnson can’t count; or he didn’t care if it passed or not.
Rip Murdock (e0c338) — 4/21/2024 @ 10:09 amNex Benedict. Remember her name!
All she wanted was to be allowed to exist.
nk (ae91b8) — 4/21/2024 @ 10:09 amhttps://twitter.com/jpodhoretz/status/1782080143269278034?
The type of hatred the left is pushing on our campuses.
Why aren’t any of you speaking out against this? Where is the concern for our nation?
NJRob (ccaa95) — 4/21/2024 @ 10:10 amhttps://twitter.com/Bubblebathgirl/status/1781894802507813124?
The poison spreading on our campuses from the left.
NJRob (ccaa95) — 4/21/2024 @ 10:13 amNow you’re just flat-out lying, Kevin. Shame on you.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 4/21/2024 @ 10:13 am124. steveg (0339ee) — 4/20/2024 @ 5:30 pm
My understanding is that the NATO doesn’t want to accept any members without settled boundaries. Since Russia does not want Ukraine in NATO, if peace means Ukraine joins NATO, Russia will not want to agree to a peace or even a ceasefire, and indeed there was no ceasefire since 2014 and that could be the reason why Russia never let the war stop after 2014 even though it seemed to be going nowhere.
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 4/21/2024 @ 10:20 amThe suitably named Pecker is likely the prosecution’s first witness tomorrow. Maybe Hope Hicks after that.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 4/21/2024 @ 10:21 amIn Poland before 1939, the college anti-semites, I read, used to shout at Jews that they should go to Palestine.
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 4/21/2024 @ 10:24 amNATO member Turkey throws it’s weight in support of the terrorist group Hamas.
NJRob (ccaa95) — 4/21/2024 @ 10:26 amThere’s nothing that Pecker has to say that Trump has any reason to dispute.’
This is not a RICO prosecution for covering up stories, although Bragg seems to be pretending it is.
It might be in Trump’s interest to bring up or emphasize salient points like how Michael Cohen tried to get the National Enquirer to pay for Stormy Daniels too, or how the National Enquirer also bought up a patently false story about Trump and the fact that Trump’s interest in hiding things extended past the election. And maybe his lawyer(s) can establish if Michael Cohen lied to him about Donald Trump’s knowledge of their conversations, for use later in the trial.
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 4/21/2024 @ 10:32 amNJRob (eb56c3) — 4/21/2024 @ 8:58 am
Even if they are not men in the ordinary sense of the word, they are not women in the ordinary sense of the word. Many of them are mutilated men. Is an eunuch a women?
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 4/21/2024 @ 10:37 amThat proves one of two things: either Johnson can’t count; or he didn’t care if it passed or not.
Or he knew that the Democrats would have to go on record. I note that the Democrat running for AZ Senator didn’t vote on it (but nobody is mystified by his position).
His Conference demanded that the vote happen as it is a big issue to them. So two reasons, both of which you ignore: keeping his conference less irate, and putting the Democrats on the spot.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/21/2024 @ 10:42 amNow you’re just flat-out lying, Kevin. Shame on you.
Golly, let’s vote: Does Paul seem willing to consider tying any issue to Ukraine aid? Please find me the post.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/21/2024 @ 10:44 amMy guess is NATO tells Ukraine to accept the new borders in return for NATO membership which will protect them from further losses of territories and lives,
My guess is that Putin will accept less. He absolutely needs Ukraine to officially cede Crimea (something the Russians have fought over for a long time). I think NATO membership is inevitable, as nothing less will secure what remains of Ukraine. Those rump states in the east will be negotiated.
Then the NATO border will get armed to the teeth by the EU, which finally sees their peril.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/21/2024 @ 10:53 amAnd someone will have to go and tell Turkey they have to choose sides.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/21/2024 @ 10:54 amThis trial should be televised. NYC could use the advertising revenue to fund those homeless immigrants. It’s for the children.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/21/2024 @ 10:57 amNon-sequitur. One, a border deal was made and was tied to Ukrainian aid, and Trump killed it. Two, using a fake linkage to stonewall aid was just what happened.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 4/21/2024 @ 11:30 amI didn’t ignore those reasons, they’re included in my second point: Johnson didn’t care if the border security bill passed or not, it was merely performance art.
Rip Murdock (e0c338) — 4/21/2024 @ 11:36 amYour speculation doesn’t explain why Johnson decided to try to pass the border security bill under the suspension of the rules rather than regular order.
Rip Murdock (e0c338) — 4/21/2024 @ 11:43 amCould Trump have ended the January 6th insurrection earlier?:
Rip Murdock (e0c338) — 4/21/2024 @ 12:09 pmhttps://twitter.com/guypbenson/status/1781869826069119132?
Yale University chanting for the Palestinians and death to America.
But keep ignoring it at our peril.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 4/21/2024 @ 12:18 pmA rabbi employed at Columbia University is telling Jewish students to leave campus until after the pro-Hamas and pro-Palestinian protesters are done with their protesting. That doesn’t sound peaceful protests to me.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 4/21/2024 @ 1:12 pmAG…
And here I was thinking that the president of the university cleared ’em out.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 4/21/2024 @ 1:19 pmPaul Montagu (d52d7d) — 4/21/2024 @ 1:19 pm
She did, but they came back the next day. Meanwhile some faculty and others are saying she did wrong, and only because of Congressional pressure, and they have a right to protest.
Meanwhile they have no tolerance for opposing views, or nobody’s counting on it. And such people can attack presumed opponents
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 4/21/2024 @ 2:17 pmMay I remind everyone of Hanlon’s Razor:
(Links omitted.)
Of course it isn’t always right — but it is right often enough so that I usually start with it, when something goes wrong in the US.
Jim Miller (3efe7d) — 4/21/2024 @ 3:16 pmJohnson didn’t care if the border security bill passed or not, it was merely performance art.
Doubling down on wrong.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/21/2024 @ 3:37 pmYour speculation doesn’t explain why Johnson decided to try to pass the border security bill under the suspension of the rules rather than regular order.
Because it wasn’t in order under the rules. That’s why you DO the suspension thing. If you don’t NEED to suspend the rules, you don’t suspend them.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/21/2024 @ 3:39 pmRIP AP journalist and hostage to Islamic terrorists in Lebanon Terry Anderson (76):
Rip Murdock (8accf8) — 4/21/2024 @ 3:42 pmA rabbi employed at Columbia University is telling Jewish students to leave campus until after the pro-Hamas and pro-Palestinian protesters are done with their protesting. That doesn’t sound peaceful protests to me.
Yeah, I have to agree with that. Someone ought to go all Mayor Daley on those turds.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/21/2024 @ 3:43 pmAs you said here, the vote was to embarrass Democrats and as a sop to Johnson’s right wing, the very definition of performance art.
What did the vote accomplish? Do you really think the Democrats will rue the day they voted against the bill?
🤣🤣😂😂
Rip Murdock (8accf8) — 4/21/2024 @ 3:50 pmHanlon’s razor is an adage or rule of thumb that states:[1]
Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.
Like Malcolm X told RFK as they lit up a couple of Kents outside the Kroger’s in Dunning Square, too many people in jobs they lack the competency for.
nk (ae91b8) — 4/21/2024 @ 4:03 pmThe WSJ on The Isolationist Caucus
In a primary challenge, run someone saner. If you can’t, find someone crazier.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/21/2024 @ 4:11 pmthe very definition of performance art.
You misspelled “practical politics”
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/21/2024 @ 4:12 pmI wonder what the reaction would if it were the Palestinian flag being burned while the American flag was being waved (link).
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 4/21/2024 @ 4:12 pmThe students would be expelled for threatening a marginalized group.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/21/2024 @ 4:14 pmAs for Ukraine, once the bill is signed, Biden ought to declare a no-fly zone over all of Ukraine, and enforce it. You see, I agree with Paul that Ukraine is terribly important. Maybe it’s time to move beyond half-measures.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/21/2024 @ 4:17 pmI don’t support Biden committing an American act of war against Russia, Kevin, such as enforcing a no-fly zone and putting the lives of American pilots at risk.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 4/21/2024 @ 4:28 pmIf there’s a half-measure Biden should dispense with, it’s his slow-walking arms to the Ukrainians.
You misspelled “practical politics”
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/21/2024 @ 4:12 pm
The fact the border security vote was set up for failure by the (soon to be vacated) by House Speaker shows what a political tyro Johnson is. It didn’t endear the MAGA right, and if it was an attempt to embarrass Democrats it will backfire. They have no reason now to save him from his “vacation.”
Rip Murdock (8accf8) — 4/21/2024 @ 5:07 pmA no-fly zone is still a half measure-just send in ground troops and get over with.
Rip Murdock (8accf8) — 4/21/2024 @ 5:13 pm@209
1. Biden didn’t write it
2. Biden doesn’t believe it
3. Biden doesn’t remember any of it
“I told him, Bibi, and don’t repeat this, but you and I are going to have a ‘come to Jesus’ meeting. I’m on a hot mic here. Good. That’s good.”
lloyd (3e46d4) — 4/21/2024 @ 6:33 pm@210 Has anyone checked how many in Biden’s State Department were among the anti-Semite protesters at Columbia?
lloyd (3e46d4) — 4/21/2024 @ 6:42 pmIf someone at Columbia gave a pro al Qaeda speech seven months after 9/11, the backlash would’ve been tremendous, but a pro-Hamas speech seven months after Israel’s 9/11 is apparently just another Saturday night on the quad.
The easy solution is to arrest and expel the squatters and intimidators, if the university has the stones to do it.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 4/21/2024 @ 7:08 pmI don’t support Biden committing an American act of war against Russia, Kevin, such as enforcing a no-fly zone and putting the lives of American pilots at risk.
How is defending Ukraine against Russian incursions an act of war?
Matter of fact, how is supplying Ukraine with air-defense missiles different than having our people on the ground operating them?
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/21/2024 @ 7:09 pmThe easy solution is to arrest and expel the squatters and intimidators, if the university has the stones to do it.
Back in the day, the Teamsters would take care of it.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/21/2024 @ 7:12 pmMaybe the National Guard should be sent in and go full Kent State in them?
Rip Murdock (8accf8) — 4/21/2024 @ 7:18 pmThe easy solution is to arrest and expel the squatters and intimidators, if the university has the stones to do it.
Universities don’t have the stones, nor does the Biden administration. Flashback:
White House REJECTS calls to revoke student visas of pro-Palestinian protesters because it would be a ‘violation of free speech’ – and insists the U.N. can be trusted to make sure U.S. aid doesn’t reach terrorists
lloyd (5852e0) — 4/21/2024 @ 7:19 pmIf the US is engaged in direct combat with and killing Russians, the Russians would legitimately be free to attack the bases or ships where the aircraft are based, even if they are on US territory. It’s a fine line between supplying weapons to Ukraine and letting Ukraine do the fighting and intervening directly into the war with US troops.
For one thing Congress would need to declare war on Russia, a highly unlikely and potentially unpopular policy.
Rip Murdock (8accf8) — 4/21/2024 @ 7:28 pmNo-fly zones are an act of war, but supplying military aid is not, under international law, so we’re rightfully staying on the right side of the line of not going to war with the Russian state.
Our not having boots on the ground operating air defense missiles also sets a clear line, that we don’t have combat boots on the ground that are literally at war against the Russian invaders. In both cases, we’re denying Putin any reason or excuse to broaden his war.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 4/21/2024 @ 7:36 pmFor all the concerns about escalating this conflict, a no-fly zone could very well be such an escalation.
If the US is engaged in direct combat with and killing Russians, the Russians would legitimately be free to attack the bases or ships where the aircraft are based, even if they are on US territory.
But we won’t let Ukraine do that to Russians. Vietnam deja vu.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/21/2024 @ 7:37 pmFor one thing Congress would need to declare war on Russia, a highly unlikely and potentially unpopular policy.
How long did we fight in Serbia, doing exactly this? Not only did Congress not pass a Declaration of war, they voted down an AUMF.
Presidents can do a lot when they want.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/21/2024 @ 7:39 pmWhy then, Paul, do we make sure that arms we provide cannot be used inside Russia against those bases that are murdering Ukrainians by the thousands with missiles and drones?
It seems we are so concerned about what Putin might do that we don’t do the exact thing in response that we project onto him.
This is called “walking on eggshells” and it’s not a good thing.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/21/2024 @ 7:42 pm“Now, when Daddy comes home, we have to be very quiet. You know he has a stressful job, and you don’t want him to get mad again, do you?”
I hope that when the NATO vs Russia war starts, we don’t still play this game.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/21/2024 @ 7:46 pmFor the same clear-line reasons, although I don’t agree with Biden on this, because I don’t see the difference between our missiles hitting Russian military targets in Ukraine and hitting Russian military targets in Russia. He’s erring on the side of cowardice, IMO. As long they’re legitimate military targets and fired by Ukrainians, they’re fair game, whether in Russia or Ukraine. This is war, after all, and it’s an existential fight for Ukraine.
As for “walking on eggshells”, that has been Biden with his slow-walking aid and not providing the F-16s and Abrams and HIMARs and ATACMs and such as requested.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 4/21/2024 @ 7:55 pmPaul, I wasn’t suggesting that you were the one walking on eggshells, unless you have far more power than I think you do.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/21/2024 @ 7:57 pmI didn’t take it that way, Kevin.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 4/21/2024 @ 7:59 pmI find it amazing that when a Ukrainian rocket or drone hits a civilian building the Russian media treats it like terrorism, when that is what Russia is doing daily and on purpose.
I wonder what would happen if Ukraine had 50 missiles capable of hitting Red Square. They’d probably use nukes; Putin is that crazy.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/21/2024 @ 8:01 pmIt goes to show how effective Putin’s propaganda operation really is, and it is incessant and pervasive and audacious in spreading lies.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 4/21/2024 @ 8:13 pmAlso, bullies somehow have a talent for screeching successfully that they’re victims.
.
Two and a half months, and it was a joint operation with NATO. The only vote I could find related to the bombing campaign was a non-binding resolution that was approved 219-191 for 4,000 man peacekeeping force.
The power of Presidents to commit troops into combat without Congressional approval should be curtailed, not expanded.
Rip Murdock (8accf8) — 4/21/2024 @ 8:16 pmIf, despite all the ordnance we are providing, Ukraine is about to collapse, should NATO intervene? Or do we just pull back, arm NATO to the teeth and blame Trump?
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/21/2024 @ 8:16 pm@229:
See here
I misremembered this as an AUMF failure, but then Clinton was saying he didn’t need one.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/21/2024 @ 8:24 pmHardly a week goes by without reports that Ukraine has struck Russian airfields. They’ve been doing it since the beginning of the war. In fact, Ukraine has been using ATACMS to attack Russian airfields since at least October 2023, if not earlier.
Rip Murdock (f38a6c) — 4/21/2024 @ 8:26 pmOvernight, the word “Ukraine” has vanished from the NYT webpage.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/21/2024 @ 8:28 pmIf Ukraine is about to collapse, should NATO intervene?-No, there isn’t the political support among Americans to do so. NATO should only intervene if a member nation is attacked. Other European nations might. France has been talking really big about intervening.
Or do we just pull back, arm NATO to the teeth and blame Trump?-I don’t know about “blaming” Trump (opposing intervention is a legitimate political position), but arming NATO (specifically the US) to the teeth would be the natural reaction. Ukraine would be just another nation sold down the river by more powerful nations.
Rip Murdock (8accf8) — 4/21/2024 @ 8:41 pmMeh. There are bigger news stories for tomorrow. It will show up again when the Senate passes the funding bill.
Rip Murdock (8accf8) — 4/21/2024 @ 8:44 pmI don’t know about “blaming” Trump
Oh, the “Who Lost Ukraine” argument is just beginning.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/21/2024 @ 9:27 pmbut arming NATO (specifically the US) to the teeth would be the natural reaction. Ukraine would be just another nation sold down the river by more powerful nations.
The US is not a reliable defender of late. I would expect Poland to triple their military budget.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/21/2024 @ 9:28 pmShould NATO intervene if Ukraine collapses? No, they’re not a NATO member, and membership has to mean something. It would be a major travesty if it happened, but I don’t share your pessimism that it’ll happen. I’m closer to Rep. McCormick on the subject.
Two, there is no “pull back” because NATO isn’t in Ukraine, but it would be good reason to fortify Poland and the Baltic states, which are already spending above 2% of their GDP on defense (and so is Finland) because they know exactly who Putin is.
Three, blame Trump? For his role in stymying military aid? Yes. For not condemning Putin for anything? Yes. For not calling for Putin to stop his current war? Yes. For praising Putin for his “genius” and “savvy” for the manner of his invasion? Yes. For not lifting a finger to stop Putin’s war in Donbas while he was president? Yes. For trying to blame Ukraine for 2016 election interference? Yes. For prostrating to Putin at Helsinki? Yes. For undermining NATO? Yes. I could go on.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 4/21/2024 @ 9:44 pmHowever, Trump didn’t botch a withdrawal from Afghanistan so badly that Putin saw an invasion opportunity and took it. Trump didn’t say dumb things like “minor incursion”. Trump didn’t blanch at Putin’s nuclear sabre-rattling, far as I can tell. Etc.
McCormick is correct about the economic power of the West, but Ukraine only has so many soldiers; Putin has many more and is willing to kill them all trying. “Quantity has a quality all its own.”
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/21/2024 @ 10:39 pmWho lost ukraine? Last time I looked ukraine was still fighting. Biden is an old man who doesn’t want to risk world war 111. We can argue what will happen if we do more. I have said this before many time to those who don’t seem to understand. If ukraine doesn’t lose it wins and if putin doesn’t win he loses. Military russia has been ruined and is a hollowed out shell. The boss sings a song about america never lost a battle in vietnam, Iraq or afganistan he sings he’s all gone their still there! What are russian soldiers, draftees fighting for. “sound off I don’t know what I believe I’ll be home by christmas eve. I am an anti-militarist (not pacifist) who studies the military most of my life. One day I asked why are we fighting in vietnam?
asset (25e3fb) — 4/22/2024 @ 2:22 amI think he thinks (or the people who prepared that think) that these words will be read only by Jews or people friendly toward Jews,
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 4/22/2024 @ 3:36 amhttps://nypost.com/2024/04/21/us-news/bill-barr-backs-trump-2024-warns-far-left-more-of-a-threat/
NJRob (eb56c3) — 4/22/2024 @ 5:15 amIt’s a cold and lonely ocean for rats who jumped off a sinking ship.
Barr is not helping Trump at this point. He is more disliked than Trump is.
That has to have resulted in more than one spit-take/milk snorted out of the nose.
nk (fe555b) — 4/22/2024 @ 6:51 amUkraine is back on NYT webpage.
Rip Murdock (8accf8) — 4/22/2024 @ 7:29 amPretty much since Vietnam.
Rip Murdock (8accf8) — 4/22/2024 @ 7:31 amhttps://reason.com/volokh/2024/04/21/special-counsel-jack-smith-lacks-standing-to-defend-the-d-c-circuits-ruling-on-presidential-immunity-in-the-supreme-court/
Does this have legs?
tl;dr:
This would be an epic selfown by Garland if courts entertain this…
whembly (86df54) — 4/22/2024 @ 7:45 am@246, as a legal layman, I’m not sure I buy the writer’s position.
Smith is still being overseen by AG Garland, who can fire him for any reason or no reason at all.
Hell, Biden can fire Smith for any reason or no reason at all..
I think the writers, and many commentariats are conflating the old independent counsel regulations with the DOJ’s Special Counsel regulation. In that, the expectation is that the current Special Counsel are supposed to be more independent.
There’s no claims of independence from a Special Counsel position, if you can be fired for any or no reason.
However, to play Devil’s Advocate… I can sorta see why Jack Smith’s elevation to Special Counsel may be constitutionally flawed.
A Special Counsel’s office has all the power of a POTUS nominated & Senate confirmed-prosecutor, with even more power as they have near unlimited budget and can prosecute nationwide.
So, I can see why the arguments can be made that to elevate someone to Special Counsel, it must be someone who was POTUS nominated & Senate confirmed-prosecutor… which Jack Smith as not.
I can kinda see the concerns if Jack Smith’s elevation is allowed to stand… in that any future AG could nominate any outsider, who could be corrupt or partisan-to-the-hilt who never faced the vetting process that is a POTUS nominated & Senate confirmed appointment. That would be like, allowing a future GOP administration whereby the GOP AG would elevate Mike Davis or Sidney Powell to Special Counsel office.
But the remedy to resolve this isn’t to throw out all of Jack Smith’s case… it’s simply to DQ him from the prosecution team, and for AG Garland to elevate a different POTUS nominated & Senate confirmed-prosecutor.
whembly (86df54) — 4/22/2024 @ 8:25 amIt’s a cold and lonely ocean for rats who jumped off a sinking ship.
“It is all right to rat, but you can’t re-rat.”
— Winston Churchill
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/22/2024 @ 8:29 amI think that Passover will have special meaning this year at Columbia.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/22/2024 @ 8:34 amI don’t buy Calabresi’s argument. Smith was appointed by the AG. It’s a DOJ operation.
Paul Montagu (895dc0) — 4/22/2024 @ 8:37 amThe nightmare of solar power:
Rooftop solar panels are flooding California’s grid. That’s a problem.
The solution is, of course, to think outside the box. Not that government will, and utilities will only look for ways to make money off the problem (e.g. battery storage). What they need to do is find a use for all that excess daytime electricity. Free/cheap electric car chargers at work, for example. Or maybe desalinization plants. But I expect ham-handed bureaucracy can even make solar power expensive.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/22/2024 @ 9:00 amNew York Times magazine article written by someone who worked for a time at the National Enquirer and leaked the hush money payments. Tells what he knows. Stories were often written to justify headlines. (he has an aside about the OJ case which long preceded his tenure – that the National Enquirer discovered – he thinks – some evidence linking OJ to the murders after the acquittal)
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/14/podcasts/the-daily/national-enquirer-donald-trump.html (I think this has audio of the article)
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/03/magazine/national-enquirer-trump-lachlan-cartwright.html
It had a different headline in the print edition: National Enquirer..tells all (semi-satirical headline)
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/22/2024 @ 9:30 am246/ Well, technically. Jack Smith does not indict. It’s the grand jury, if any. So that stands.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/22/2024 @ 9:36 amI see that the prosecution at the NY trial is calling Trump’s “collusion” with the National Enquirer “election fraud.” My irony meter is banging the stops.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/22/2024 @ 9:37 amIt is also interesting that all of the indicted activity took place after the election had been won, making the “campaign finance” allegations a tad weaker. But IANAL, so I have trouble straining at gnats.
This still seems like a weak case to me, and if Trump wins it, he wins the election.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/22/2024 @ 9:43 amThe New York Times had a front page story Sunday about China cheating with doping and being allowed to and it being kept secret. It was treated better than Russia.
There are, of course, no independent organizations in China. China reported back that the athletes had ingested banned substances accidently and the Olympic people said they had nothing to argue with that and agreed that the allegation should be kept confidential.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/20/world/asia/chinese-swimmers-doping-olympics.html
The story does not even allude to the lab leak theory of the origin of Covid, and a possible coverup there too, but the possible similarity is obvious.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/22/2024 @ 9:46 amhttps://www.newser.com/story/349354/columbias-classes-go-remote-we-need-a-reset.html
Sounds like an argument for FISA Section 702.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/22/2024 @ 9:52 am@255
I dunno if I’d take that bet… but, its going to be annoying af though.
whembly (86df54) — 4/22/2024 @ 10:16 am#246 —
whembly — this amicus brief has bounced from court to court and been ignored by all of them. The posting simply argues the Supremes can’t ignore their filing, even if all the lower courts did.
Everyone keeps looking for a silver bullet that either ends a prosecution or puts Trump behind bars a lot sooner than the legal process appears to accommodate. Not happening.
Appalled (88a1a3) — 4/22/2024 @ 10:25 amThat’s bizarre.
Rip Murdock (8accf8) — 4/22/2024 @ 10:34 amRemember back five or six springs ago when the fun thing to do was to scour the Facebook and Twitter accounts of incoming freshmen at Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and all the other “elite” schools in search of racially-insensitive material and try to get their admission offers revoked? Kyle Kashuv was ensnared by that little trick.
Wouldn’t it be interesting — and frankly probably preemptively necessary — to do the same thing to this year’s admits, yet focus on anti-semitism and gross hatred of Israel? It’s clear we would be doing these schools a great service in preventing them from having to arrest and expel them a couple of years later.
JVW (b02843) — 4/22/2024 @ 10:41 amRip Murdock (8accf8) — 4/22/2024 @ 10:34 am
Columbia’s Students for Justice in Palestine claims that they are not doing the worst of it. These protests are likely wanted by some foreign power. They would be in contact with U.S. based persons.
Maybe it’s China. You hear next to nothing about who these people actually are.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/china-calls-war-in-gaza-a-disgrace-to-civilisation/article67924989.ece
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/22/2024 @ 10:48 amLocal note:
Two candidates are bashing each other for the nomination to be my state senator. Neither of them mentions Trump although each tries to tie the other one to Governor Lujan Grisham.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/22/2024 @ 11:42 amAll politics are local.
Rip Murdock (8accf8) — 4/22/2024 @ 12:02 pmI’m guessing the Iranians, Russians and Chinese all have US “dissent” funding operations. They might even consolidate an operation or two. It is a Presidential election year, so Antifa should hit the again streets over the summer. It will be interesting to see what issues they glom onto and if any of those have the legs the George Floyd movement generated. I don’t know if a sequel plays well but they’ll at least give it a try by July 4th. I don’t think they can whip the Palestinian issue into major street actions, so we will see
steveg (b7f410) — 4/22/2024 @ 12:39 pm@241 Fair enough ;but Israel has killed 15,000+ innocent children in gaza which you forgot to add.
asset (f5f947) — 4/22/2024 @ 2:27 pmkilled 15,000+ innocent children in gaza
Give or take 15,000
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/22/2024 @ 2:38 pm@261 @JVW
Are you… advocating that we do some “cancel culture” stuff here?
Isn’t that a bit weee extreme?
Maybe these universities ought to telegraph that as an academic institution, they’re “Switzerland”, or “neutral grounds”.
The institution should not ‘pick sides’.
I seem to recall that UNC implementing “Institutional Neutrality”:
whembly (f4b196) — 4/22/2024 @ 2:40 pmhttps://inside.charlotte.edu/news-features/2023-10-13/understanding-institutional-neutrality
steveg (b7f410) — 4/22/2024 @ 12:39 pm
It sarted blaming Israel within a day or two ofOct 7 before Israel had achance to do anthing exceptfight them off
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/22/2024 @ 2:44 pmTrump Criminal Trial Watch, Sandoval Hearing Edition:
Rip Murdock (af68bc) — 4/22/2024 @ 3:05 pmYou could say the same thing about the Unite the Right rallies or the MAGA movement.
Rip Murdock (af68bc) — 4/22/2024 @ 3:07 pmEarth Day, and no doubt news organizations all over the US are giving extensive coverage to George H. W. Bush’s remarkable environmental achievements. And they were remarkable.
Jim Miller (5e452f) — 4/22/2024 @ 3:33 pmEarth Day was first proposed by Trotskyites to make the 100th birthday of Lenin, the Russian dictator, but it quickly got taken away from them.
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 4/22/2024 @ 4:16 pm@267 so how many innocent children do you think Israel has killed? Thats like saying 6 million jews were killed by nazi’s give or take 6 million.
asset (469dad) — 4/22/2024 @ 4:40 pmWe still never got that article or pictures from the LA Times of Obama meeting with those Iranians, did we?
NJRob (eb56c3) — 4/22/2024 @ 5:41 pmhttps://twitter.com/Bassam_Khawaja/status/1782471549007606164
The Communist, anti-American faculty walked out in solidarity of the anti-American, anti-Israeli leftists.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 4/22/2024 @ 7:00 pmAmerican ingenuity at its best:
Rip Murdock (af68bc) — 4/22/2024 @ 8:08 pm100% supported by the DNC even if they won’t admit it.
https://x.com/CitizenFreePres/status/1782603779851849911
qdpsteve again (711764) — 4/22/2024 @ 9:20 pmAll politics are local.
Indeed, but I haven’t seen a Trump-flag truck in quite some time. And there are a lot of trucks here.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/22/2024 @ 9:30 pmThe Communist, anti-American faculty walked out in solidarity of the anti-American, anti-Israeli leftists.
NSF Grant awards might be a little bare over at Columbia.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/22/2024 @ 9:32 pm@280 I see them every day usually more then one.
asset (1118e3) — 4/22/2024 @ 10:48 pm@279 wrong again! The d.n.c fears the left because they are corporate establishment stooges of the wealthy donor class. They know when the left gets through with the right they will becoming after third way corporate establishment democrats like them. This ain’t 1970 if another kent state happens it will be the shooters who will be in trouble and the establishment knows it. By the way kent state was a victory for the left not the right even though the right thought so at the time. The US never lost a battle in vietnam war ;but for some reason saigon is now called Ho Chi Min City! Soon kabul will be mullah omar city. As the child sings in Cabaret: “The future belongs to me!” I am not a jew hater or anti-Israel so I worry that the anti-Israel demonstrations are gaining more steam every day. Things are moving faster for the left then I believed would happen. If Biden doesn’t win, by by democrat establishment and gavin newsom won’t save them.
asset (1118e3) — 4/22/2024 @ 11:03 pmI’m shocked!
Rip Murdock (fcfd18) — 4/23/2024 @ 6:05 pmWhere is Bragg going with that stuff and why is Merchan letting him? Where is the crime?
nk (eb3c55) — 4/23/2024 @ 6:38 pmRip Murdock (fcfd18) — 4/23/2024 @ 6:05 pm
Keep on carrying water for the Democrats, who want to destroy America! Your personal attacks on Trump are noted.
norcal (49eb0d) — 4/23/2024 @ 6:42 pmI’m sure we’ll find out after six more weeks of testimony.
Rip Murdock (fcfd18) — 4/23/2024 @ 6:46 pm286 was my lame attempt at sarcasm, Rip.
norcal (49eb0d) — 4/23/2024 @ 6:59 pmRip Murdock (fcfd18) — 4/23/2024 @ 6:05 pm
Trump, the Mastermind.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/23/2024 @ 7:25 pmI’m sure we’ll find out after six more weeks of testimony.
After a while, Trump’s claim that this is to stop him from campaigning will start to get traction.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/23/2024 @ 7:27 pmProsecutors revealed more about their unusual strategy
Apparently, attempting to influence an election is illegal in New York. I’m sure than any number of activist groups, think tanks, newspaper editorial boards and political pundits will all take note.
Could a law be more vague?
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/23/2024 @ 10:11 pmconspire to promote or prevent the election of any person to a public office by unlawful means.”
How do we know the “means” are unlawful? Is there, I dunno, a law that says so? Because pointing to this meta-law just doesn’t cut it.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/23/2024 @ 10:12 pmCongratulation netanhayu supporters you have managed to get 50% of 18 to 35 year old americans to support hamas and 25% who say Israel has no right to exist. (fox news) AOC and me now have the moderate position on Israel! As I type this mark levine is ranting and raving on the radio that those who support a ceasefire are paid agents of Iran and hamas as is the democrat party. These young protesters will be America’s future leaders as were there vietnam era parents. I have been predicting this would happen as the right prefers to “own” the left over protecting Israel’s future. This happened during the vietnam and Iraq/afganistan wars. Netanyahu supporters have sown the wind and now reap the whirlwind. All this BS about sampson option and tough guy netanyahu is drivel. The times they area changing. Bob Dillon) The police have to be careful as big city mayors and councils are progressives not bill daily. If you don’t care about Israel fine ;but if you do care don’t let netanyahu supporters turn Israel future bleak. It may be to late already ;but being an optimist I hope not.
asset (635573) — 4/23/2024 @ 10:35 pm@292
Andy McCarthy breaks is down today:
whembly (86df54) — 4/24/2024 @ 8:17 amhttps://www.nationalreview.com/2024/04/alvin-braggs-outrageous-conspiracy-theory/
I know, which is why I ignored it.
Rip Murdock (fcfd18) — 4/24/2024 @ 8:26 amEven from someone who’s not voting for Trump… the ‘persecution’ claims continues to have legs…
whembly (86df54) — 4/24/2024 @ 9:10 amhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/04/23/trump-trials-political-persecution-fault/
Rip Murdock (fcfd18) — 4/24/2024 @ 9:16 am
This is a pretty good synopsis of what Bragg would need to show and how Trump’s team might respond:
https://www.justsecurity.org/85581/the-manhattan-das-charges-and-trumps-defenses-a-detailed-preview/
I don’t think that this will come down to negative stories from the Enquirer. It’s a salacious element that people correctly speculated about but lying about a candidate or opponent is standard politics. Election corruption can bring in campaign finance violations, bank fraud, or tax fraud. I think we wait and see.
AJ_Liberty (1295e6) — 4/24/2024 @ 9:23 amGreat minds think alike; that’s where my quote is from. 😏
Rip Murdock (fcfd18) — 4/24/2024 @ 9:35 amInstead, the court held that “unlawful means” simply refers to conduct “unauthorized by law.”
Not much freedom or liberty under that rule. If it’s not authorized specifically, then it’s unlawful (and conspiring to do something not specifically authorized is CRIMINAL).
WOW.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/24/2024 @ 10:08 amInteresting legal factoid: People v. Gitlow became Gitlow v. New York on appeal to the Supreme Court, which resulted in the application of the First Amendment to the states.
Rip Murdock (fcfd18) — 4/24/2024 @ 11:06 amGitlow still lost his appeal.
Rip Murdock (fcfd18) — 4/24/2024 @ 11:09 amIs a politician withholding information from the public unlawful?
Is paying someone to withhold information from the public unlawful, if that person has no other duty to inform?
Does there have to be a law saying that one CAN withhold information from the public for such to become lawful?
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/24/2024 @ 11:25 amThe first amendment contains the right to remain silent, as in some cases does the 5th. That should make remaining silent lawful. Paying someone to remain silent when they are not legally compelled to speak would seem to be within the law even under this Orwellian definition of “lawful”
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/24/2024 @ 11:27 amFundamentally…
Why is it, that Alvin Bragg bring these charges based on the descriptor of “legal fees”.
What was supposed to be entered in the books?
I really haven’t seen anyone/articles positing what supposed to happen…
Anyone has any idea?
whembly (86df54) — 4/24/2024 @ 11:28 amThe silent part out loud.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1783184198477508785
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/24/2024 @ 11:33 amWhat was supposed to be entered in the books?
“Fixer fees” ?
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/24/2024 @ 11:34 amNothing.
Rip Murdock (fcfd18) — 4/24/2024 @ 11:38 amThat is lawful, and Trump isn’t charged with that. He is charged with falsifying business records.
Rip Murdock (fcfd18) — 4/24/2024 @ 11:40 am@308
That makes even less sense…
whembly (86df54) — 4/24/2024 @ 11:40 amIt makes perfect sense unless you consider paying hush money a business expense. Had Trump reimbursed Cohen from his personal funds (which he could easily afford) he wouldn’t be on trial today.
He’s not charged with paying hush money to Cohen it Stormy Daniels, he’s accused of trying to disguise the payments as legal fees as part of a non-existent “retainer agreement” with Cohen.
Rip Murdock (fcfd18) — 4/24/2024 @ 11:52 amCohen or Stormy Daniels……
Rip Murdock (fcfd18) — 4/24/2024 @ 11:54 amHe’d be on trial somewhere else.
Rip Murdock (fcfd18) — 4/24/2024 @ 11:55 amTrump wasn’t paying legal fees. He was reimbursing Cohen for money Cohen paid to Daniels on Trump’s behalf. Trump disguised it as legal fees because Cohen was his lawyer, but the services rendered were not legal services.
DRJ (60477e) — 4/24/2024 @ 12:00 pmThat is lawful, and Trump isn’t charged with that. He is charged with falsifying business records.
No, he actually is not. He is charged with falsifying business records IN ORDER TO CONCEAL an “unlawful conspiracy” (which, from Packer’s testimony would be “to hide information from the voters”).
He is not charged with “falsifying business records”, as that is only a misdemeanor by itself, and may also be beyond the statute of limitations for misdemeanors (even if tolled for the Presidency).
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/24/2024 @ 12:03 pmTrump wasn’t paying legal fees. He was reimbursing Cohen for money Cohen paid to Daniels on Trump’s behalf. Trump disguised it as legal fees because Cohen was his lawyer, but the services rendered were not legal services.
A lawyer cannot make payments for his client? Even in order to disguise the identity of his client?
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/24/2024 @ 12:05 pmIf a lawyer pays expenses for a client, such as for an investigator or a court reporter, then the bill would say that. Any payment would match up to the invoice and be itemized.
One point of the business records law is to match up the records with legitimate invoices. Posting misleading or fraudulent invoices violates the statute.
DRJ (60477e) — 4/24/2024 @ 12:21 pmIf a business pays a fraudulent invoice, but doesn’t realize it is fraudulent, then that is not a violation. The entity that issued a fraudulent invoice is the violator. Here, I assume both parties knew the records were false but Trump could claim he didn’t know. That is why Pecker’s testimony is important.
DRJ (60477e) — 4/24/2024 @ 12:31 pmThe Trump defense is the payments to Cohen pursuant to a retainer agreement which apparently doesn’t exist.
Rip Murdock (fcfd18) — 4/24/2024 @ 12:40 pmI was simplifying the charges to make the point that if Trump had paid Cohen out of his own pocket there wouldn’t have been any problem.
Rip Murdock (fcfd18) — 4/24/2024 @ 12:43 pmBut there still might have been a possible unreported campaign donation violation.
DRJ (60477e) — 4/24/2024 @ 1:09 pmWould it have been legal if it said “fixer fees & expenses”?
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/24/2024 @ 1:13 pmpossible unreported campaign donation violation
Well, stretched far enough, a tip at a restaurant is a “possible” campaign violation.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/24/2024 @ 1:14 pmI think it would have been legal if reported as a campaign donation.
DRJ (d24294) — 4/24/2024 @ 1:59 pmI don’t know why this irritates people so much. We have laws like this to promote transparency and compliance with federal and state laws (typically tax laws). Most of us never run into problems with these laws because we don’t lie or do things that make us want to lie.
DRJ (d24294) — 4/24/2024 @ 2:03 pmI think it would have been legal if reported as a campaign donation.
But it’s not a campaign donation. There’s the rub.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/24/2024 @ 2:09 pm@314
Can you explain to me the difference more?
Why couldn’t what Cohen did *was* considered legal services?
Are their tax implications between legal services vs. “not” legal services?
What should’ve Trump’s bean counter have written down in the ledger?
whembly (86df54) — 4/24/2024 @ 2:09 pmSince the $130,000 payment to Cohen was a reimbursement and exceeded by far the contribution limits for a campaign donation ($2,600) it would have been an illegal contribution.
Rip Murdock (fcfd18) — 4/24/2024 @ 2:11 pm@315
Maybe I’m being pedantic here… but, the indictment only shows “falsifying business records”
https://manhattanda.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Donald-J.-Trump-Indictment.pdf
Did I miss an update indictment sheet?
whembly (86df54) — 4/24/2024 @ 2:12 pmI don’t know why this irritates people so much. We have laws like this to promote transparency and compliance with federal and state laws (typically tax laws). Most of us never run into problems with these laws because we don’t lie or do things that make us want to lie.
You need to get out more. Most of us treat government and government rules as something to avoid. We have campaign finance laws principally to protect incumbents with a barrier to entry and secondly to prevent the wealthy from advocating their interests.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/24/2024 @ 2:13 pmAgain, why should the payments be considered a business expense? Aside from having to explain the payments to Melania, if Trump had paid the $130k from his own pocket he wouldn’t (oversimplifying) be charged with false entries into the Trump Organization’s business records.
Rip Murdock (fcfd18) — 4/24/2024 @ 2:16 pmEach count of the indictment says, in addition to “falsifying business records” that Trump did so “with intent to defraud and intent to commit another crime and aid and conceal the commission thereof, made and caused a false entry in the business records of an enterprise”.
The “other crime” is a violation of New York election law.
Rip Murdock (fcfd18) — 4/24/2024 @ 2:21 pm@331
Because… he owns the trust where the money was disbursed from? As it came from “the Donald J. Trump
Revocable Trust, and kept and maintained by the Trump Organization. ”
Again, I’m trying to seek clarity here.
Why is it bad for the Trump Organization to document the transactions as “legal services” (or was it “legal fees”??) for work done by Michael Cohen, his attorney at the time, who established an NDA with all the particulars to completing that NDA…as somehow not something a lawyer does?
whembly (86df54) — 4/24/2024 @ 2:25 pm@332
Shouldn’t that “other crime” statute be listed in the indictment page?
whembly (86df54) — 4/24/2024 @ 2:26 pmI don’t think there are limits on what the candidate can contribute to his/her campaign, Rip. I am not an expert on campaign finance so I could be wrong but I think as long as Trump reports what he donates he can donate as much as he wants.
DRJ (22b291) — 4/24/2024 @ 2:35 pmI think it is unethical for lawyers to provide financial assistance to their clients by paying personal or business debts. This prohibition is based on the rules of professional conduct which govern the legal profession. The rationale behind this rule is to avoid conflicts of interest, maintain the integrity of the attorney-client relationship, and ensure that legal judgments are not compromised by financial transactions.
Lawyers can provide financial assistance in specific cases, such as arranging for litigation expenses, but if clients don’t pay as they go then often those are negotiated in advance and paid from any litigation settlement or judgment.
DRJ (22b291) — 4/24/2024 @ 2:47 pmAs I recall, there was a Special Master in Cohen’s case, to determine what part of his work was being a “fixer” and what part was actual lawyering. Turned out a bare fraction of his work for Trump involved actual legal services, like, less than 0.2% of his documents were protected by attorney-client privilege.
Paul Montagu (d40e94) — 4/24/2024 @ 2:58 pm@336
I do agree that there are ethical considerations for what Cohen did for Trump here…
But, do you see where I’m coming from?
– – What is “false” about documenting the ledger that Cohen’s NDA services was “legal services”? What exactly was it false?
– – Furthermore, what SHOULD’VE Trump’s accountant have documented on the ledger if “legal services” was false?
whembly (86df54) — 4/24/2024 @ 2:58 pmTrump didn’t have to commit the other crimes. He only has to know about them to cover them up. If so, then they would be part of the evidence but not separate charges in the indictment.
DRJ (22b291) — 4/24/2024 @ 3:00 pmThe indictment alleges that Trump paid Cohen pursuant to a retainer agreement for legal services and documented it in his business records as such. Assuming the State can prove what it has alleged, there was no retainer agreement and the business records were false.
DRJ (22b291) — 4/24/2024 @ 3:03 pm@339
Oh, I see… so Bragg only needs to list out PEN § 175.10, in the indictment…
Then need to show in court, via evidence, that he intended to ” defraud includes an intent to commit another crime or to aid or conceal the commission thereof.”??
That’s where Pat has surmised in his substack that another federal court recently ruled that the jury can convict if the jury concludes the defendant intended to commit or conceal another crime.
Wouldn’t that be a tall order for the prosecution to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Trump knew that it was illegal?
Obfuscating something like this, because it’s embarrassing, is easy to understand…
But that doesn’t mean, automatically that Trump knew it was illegal… no matter how much the prosecution tries to frame this as a “scheme” or a “conspiracy”.
whembly (86df54) — 4/24/2024 @ 3:07 pm@340
That may be argued in court… but not seeing any “retainer agreement” in the indictment:
https://manhattanda.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Donald-J.-Trump-Indictment.pdf
Might be a meaningless distinction though…
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
whembly (86df54) — 4/24/2024 @ 3:09 pmIt is in the Statement of Facts filed with the indictment.
DRJ (22b291) — 4/24/2024 @ 3:27 pmSee here
DRJ (22b291) — 4/24/2024 @ 3:29 pmMy sentiments exactly:
Heather B
@BoulwareH2
I do not want to hear one word from anyone on, or adjacent to, the left about the poor innocent peaceful protesters getting arrested, expelled, or suspended. Until you clean up the toxic waste dump of antisemitism you support and/or enable you can sit down, and shut up.
https://x.com/BoulwareH2/status/1783258879633334512
qdpsteve again (711764) — 4/24/2024 @ 3:46 pmFrom the press release (which is not evidence and must be proven):
DRJ (22b291) — 4/24/2024 @ 4:12 pmTrump may certainly claim he knew nothing. We will see what the evidence shows.
DRJ (22b291) — 4/24/2024 @ 4:15 pmMaybe it’s the weather or something I ate, but today I feel that Bragg would be doing more in the interests of justice and public safety if he were prosecuting one of his constituents for shoplifting a bottle of body wash from a Walgreens.
Sure, Trump is an unsavory character, a sordid lowlife who should not be allowed to be seen out on a public street let alone get within a mile of the White House, but I already knew that.
This case is not what the criminal justice system is for.
nk (5d6ae8) — 4/24/2024 @ 4:30 pmApparently Trump only repaid Cohen after he was elected. At that point, he did not have to mischaracterize it as legal fees but he did anyway. Trump could have repaid Cohen himself, as Rip said above.
There may have been campaign finance disclosures or even fines but that seems like a minor inconvenience compared to this. Hindsight is 20-30 but Trump’s conduct seems more like someone who thinks he is untouchable. He probably felt that way after being elected President.
DRJ (22b291) — 4/24/2024 @ 4:38 pmOf course it is, nk. No one should be above the law.
DRJ (22b291) — 4/24/2024 @ 4:39 pmAs I recall, there was a Special Master in Cohen’s case, to determine what part of his work was being a “fixer” and what part was actual lawyering. Turned out a bare fraction of his work for Trump involved actual legal services, like, less than 0.2% of his documents were protected by attorney-client privilege.
There is no consigliere-Don privilege?
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/24/2024 @ 5:25 pmSad!
Related
Rip Murdock (fcfd18) — 4/24/2024 @ 5:26 pmThe indictment alleges that Trump paid Cohen pursuant to a retainer agreement for legal services and documented it in his business records as such. Assuming the State can prove what it has alleged, there was no retainer agreement and the business records were false.
Which means nothing without an underlying crime to be concealed.
Trump didn’t have to commit the other crimes. He only has to know about them to cover them up. If so, then they would be part of the evidence but not separate charges in the indictment.
I need something a bit less vague than “conspiracy to do something unlawful” as the underlying crime.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/24/2024 @ 5:27 pmFinally:
Rip Murdock (fcfd18) — 4/24/2024 @ 5:37 pmOn April 19, 2024 the grand ayatollah was 85 years old, not 84, it seems.
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 4/24/2024 @ 7:04 pmOnce again, Biden delivers what he so long insisted was destabilizing. A day late and a dollar short.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/24/2024 @ 7:08 pmIsrael lobby burns thru more millions to defeat Summer Lee (she won) Least offensive ;but most vulnerable member of squad. Ceasefire demonstrations breakout all over the country even U. of Texas austin. If some right winger pulls a kent state watch out this aint 1970!
asset (b99db0) — 4/24/2024 @ 8:16 pmAz house anti-choice speaker kicks democrats off committees in anger of house passing repeal of 1864 abortion law. Democrat snowflakes angry and whine, should be planning revenge!
asset (b99db0) — 4/24/2024 @ 8:21 pmasset, I finally got around reading your word salad response at 283.
Yes, we all know that the left lusts for blood and can’t wait to put people against the wall, then blow their brains out. That’s the side you support.
qdpsteve again (711764) — 4/24/2024 @ 9:33 pm@359 It wasn’t the left who open fired at kent state and jackson state or gunned down fred hampton and mark clark. Also talk show host alan berg. By the way I am not a pacifist and only anti the wrong wars and yes I get to decide which wars are wrong. I support Ukraine and the destruction of hamas as best result for palestinian people and oppose ceasefire even though the bottled deposit crook keeps delaying to stay in office and out of prison cell.
asset (b99db0) — 4/24/2024 @ 10:00 pmBiden reads from a teleprompter at a rally:
“…Four more years! Pause. Pause.”
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/24/2024 @ 10:23 pmYes, we all know that the left lusts for blood and can’t wait to put people against the wall, then blow their brains out. That’s the side you support.
Che Guevara has a window cut in his office wall at a Cuban prison so he could watch the executions.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/24/2024 @ 10:25 pm*had. He’s dead.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/24/2024 @ 10:26 pmKevin, yup. Che FAFOed in Bolivia in 1967.
qdpsteve again (711764) — 4/24/2024 @ 10:33 pm@360: 60 years is a long time to let resentments fester in your head. Get help.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/24/2024 @ 10:36 pmKevin M, exactamundo.
qdpsteve again (711764) — 4/24/2024 @ 10:53 pmasset also apparently believes that Strom Thurmond is still an active, influential member of the GOP.
asset: you condemn Hamas and support Israel in Gaza– all while constantly condemning Netanyahu over and over and over again, *and* 100% swallowing/repeating here every single report from leftist media sources claiming Muslim kids are getting murdered for no reason whatsoever). Wunnerful.
Meanwhile, you vote for people who refuse to condemn Hamas, refuse to condemn the terrorism that Jewish students are experiencing RIGHT NOW on university campuses nationwide, and never miss a chance to praise your hopeless crush object, AOC, who openly shed tears of anger when Congress voted the money for Israel to defend itself against Iran’s missiles.
From my POV, your concern for Jews and Israel looks about a mile wide and micrometer deep. Same for your party.
qdpsteve again (711764) — 4/24/2024 @ 11:00 pmIt’s about time, but it’s odd that “Gotti’s” lieutenants and gofers are indicted but not the mob boss himself.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 4/24/2024 @ 11:31 pm@366 No he is dead ;but replaced by other racists. @367 Like over half of Israel I support Israel and loathe the bottle deposit crook. I have said the young left have passed me buy with defund the police and the threats to jewish students even if a few try to provoke reaction most don’t. AOC will be president thanks to demographics! Where I live democrats are good government liberal snowflakes. Today in az the republican speaker of the house kicked democrats off committees for help passing repeal of 1864 abortion ban. The democrats whine and ring their hands and cry shame. Thats what I get to vote for not people who refuse to condemn hamas. The democrat party and the left are a rainbow coalition with different interests ;but a common enemy. The analogy I use is during the french revolution The conservatives were defending the bastile the radicals were storming it and wimp liberals like biden/clintons were knocking on the door asking to be let in. My side: we need everyone on the battlefield we can get we will sort the rest out after we win. The reason castro and che were in charge was because batista eliminated the moderates leaving only the robespierres. Actually a committee for public safety could be of use for gov. hobbs right now.
asset (b99db0) — 4/25/2024 @ 12:56 amWho could’ve predicted this….
https://t.co/8maeivRScf
Paul Montagu (c5b83a) — 4/25/2024 @ 7:15 amDRJ (22b291) — 4/24/2024 @ 4:38 pm
Or even when the payment was made – past the last filing date before the election. But it would probably be improper for Trump to use campaign funds for that purpose. Trump could have paid Stormy Daniels himself.
The reason he didn’t do that is because he didn’t want to pay the money!
Cohen kept putting off Stormy Daniels. He had told the NAtional Enquirer (which didn’t want to pay the money) that he would take care of it, Trump didn’t want to pay her off either (his general belief was that such stories come out anyway. He changed his mind about Karen McDougall because it was an affair that lasted 10 months Stormy was a one-night stand – and he was known to have been a philanderer in the past.
Michael Cohen was trapped. His web of lies was about to be exposed – or perhaps he was involved in setting up the original incident in 2006
He decided to pay off Stormy using his own money (!) and to try to get it back from Donald Trump later (there was, after all, the implicit threat that he could break the story himself if the alternative was bankruptcy. He hadn’t signed a nondisclosure agreement.
No, it was Michael Cohen who set it up as legal fees.
Trump did what Michael Cohen, the lawyer, told him to do.
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 4/25/2024 @ 7:28 amThey want the choice to be between starvation (or claims of starvation) and Israeli capitulation and withdrawal from Gaza.
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 4/25/2024 @ 7:29 amasset (b99db0) — 4/24/2024 @ 8:16 pm
No they didn’t, They gave up on that race.
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 4/25/2024 @ 7:32 amThe DA charges a general agreement, dating back to July 2015, for the National Enquirer to capture and kill stories but Pecker’s testimony shows there was no such agreement in advance – but only for the National Enquirer to run favorable stories about Trump and unfavorable (as unfavorable as their libel lawyers would allow, which meant in many cases text that does not support the headline or where the headline seems too say something that it doesn’t say) about his opponents.
Paying off sources to silence them was not on automatic pilot.
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 4/25/2024 @ 7:43 amNetanyahu said that what’s going on in U,S. universities is like what went on in German universities in the 1930s. This is not true. Jewish professors were fired, and Jewish students expelled,
It’s like, or closer, to what went on in Polish universities in the 1930s
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 4/25/2024 @ 7:47 amI was very interested in when the prosecution was going to answer whembly and kevin’s (fair) questions about what was illegal. It just became clear in the trial:
Pecker violated FEC laws by not reporting his 150K catch & kill of Trump stories. Ok, so that’s on Pecker, not Trump; maybe Trump knew he did, maybe he didn’t but I’m pretty sure it didn’t matter, because then the case is: Trump made fraudulent business entries in furtherance of covering up the FEC election law violations, which is what elevates the bad accounting to felonies.
Nate (f52876) — 4/25/2024 @ 8:43 amI have not always been impressed by Trump’s lawyers lawyering, but Monday & Tuesday I had thought they were making some very compelling points: “The prosecution keeps talking about this election interference as if it were a crime. There’s nothing wrong with campaigning! Buying damaging stories is just good campaigning.”
I was really wondering what on earth the prosecution was doing, and was starting to think this case might in fact be garbage. But now I see how they brought it back to the fraud. Yes, it may have been good campaigning, and that’s not illegal. The FEC statutes were violated, which is not a big deal; it happens every election, and the penalty is fines to the campaign.
But where it looks like they get Trump is: Yes, the crime (FEC Violations) may have not been a big deal, but violating New York business fraud laws in furtherance of covering up a crime makes it a felony.
Nate (f52876) — 4/25/2024 @ 8:49 amPecker violated FEC laws by not reporting his 150K catch & kill of Trump stories.
How? Doing something to favor a campaign is not (yet) an election law violation in this country. You can, for example, buy an ad in the NYT saying “Vote for Biden” and not be subject to election donation limits UNLESS your activity is coordinated with a campaign. And this coordination thing is loosely enforced.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/25/2024 @ 10:17 amIt appears that the Supremes are accepting some version of Presidential immunity for crimes committed.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/25/2024 @ 10:20 amWell, there goes the Republic, then. If there is no actual constraint on Presidential abuse of power, we *will* have a dictatorship from one side or the other within my lifetime.
aphrael (1797ab) — 4/25/2024 @ 10:40 amI repeat,
the LA Times buried the story on Obama’s meeting with Iranians when he was running for President. Still haven’t gotten the truth to this day.
NJRob (47aaf7) — 4/25/2024 @ 10:40 amWas Brian Terry’s death within your lifetime?
BuDuh (e33781) — 4/25/2024 @ 10:46 amIf there is no actual constraint on Presidential abuse of power
I don’t think they accepted Trump’s extreme claims about assassinating rivals, but things like “obstruction” may well be within the kinds of political behavior that must be allowed.
I don’t want Biden prosecuted for his inaction (possibly unlawful) regarding immigration. I do want Trump prosecuted for attempting to foster false electoral votes or sending a mob to try to kill Congressmen.
There is no clear line and there needs to be one.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/25/2024 @ 10:58 am@376-377, I think I’m with you on both comments. The theory of the case is at least understandable now, though it will continue to get a lot of eyerolls from those skeptical that this is an even application of the law. No one questions the affairs. No one questions that there was a payoff to keep it from coming out right before the election. I think the evidence will show that business records were indeed falsified to prevent tracking the money. This confounding other tax and election reporting. Even though Trump will not serve time, it’s more than plausible that he faces a felony conviction.
AJ_Liberty (5f05c3) — 4/25/2024 @ 11:08 amThings that the prosecution needs to PROVE, all beyond a reasonable doubt.
1. That what Pecker did was a campaign expenditure.
2. That it was coordinated with the campaign.
3. That Trump knew about it and/or directed it.
4. That Trump directed the falsification of the books to cover up this illegal contribution.
I don’t know if his falsifying records having the EFFECT of covering up the illegal contribution is enough. The DA may have to show it was his motive in doing so, and Trump proffering other motives may get him off the hook.
Again, reasonable doubt.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/25/2024 @ 11:15 amA top deputy of LA County DA George Gascón has been charged by the state with illegally possessing and using confidential police offer records while employed by the DA.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/25/2024 @ 11:36 amHarvey Weinstein’s New York rape convictions overturned
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/25/2024 @ 11:39 amI wonder if this kind of judicial error in high-profile cases is typical in New York.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/25/2024 @ 11:40 amThe court said it was an error. But uncharged similar acts – to enhance the credibility of the charged ones – are allowed and they almost always occurred if the charges are true,
What I don’t like about Trump’s underlying crime is that I think the jury doesn’t need to find separately that there was such a crime.
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 4/25/2024 @ 12:15 pmThe Republican National Committee (or someone who sounds like she has recorded words chosen by AI and claims to be calling on their behalf) is fundraising on the grounds or for the alleged purpose of preventing Democrats from stealing the election.
Among the things they claimed they did in 2020 was having “non-citizens” vote.
The star 69 number is 771-212-6098
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 4/25/2024 @ 12:22 pmThe star 69 number is 771-212-6098
Which means nothing but the number provided to the phone network by the calling subscriber, who may be spoofing.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/25/2024 @ 1:04 pmWhat I don’t like about Trump’s underlying crime is that I think the jury doesn’t need to find separately that there was such a crime.
OK, I revise point 3 (@385)
3. That Trump knew about it and/or directed it.3. That Trump knew about it and/or directed it, or at the very least believed 1 & 2 to be true.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/25/2024 @ 1:07 pmI don’t recall hearing that particular story involving Iranians, if you have a link please post it. I do recall that the LA Times did write an extensive story in 2008 about a 2003 farewell party attended by then State Senator Obama for the newly appointed Columbia professor Rashid Khalidi. The video of the party has never been released.
Rip Murdock (79ebbf) — 4/25/2024 @ 1:22 pmThe bottle deposit crook yesterday says criticism of his actions leading the government is anti-semitism! Sen. Sanders answers back. (DU) This is why like most Israelis l loathe this evil crook who will do anything to stay in power and out of a prison cell.
asset (d5e224) — 4/25/2024 @ 1:30 pmThe National Enquirer refused to pay for Stormy Daniels.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/25/2024 @ 4:15 pmhttps://www.nationalreview.com/2008/10/la-times-suppresses-obamas-khalidi-bash-tape-andrew-c-mccarthy/
Rip playing dumb.
NJRob (47aaf7) — 4/25/2024 @ 5:38 pmNo, you repeated your claim that Obama met with “Iranians” which are not mentioned at all in his National Review link.
Rather than playing “dumb”, I linked to the LA Times article published in 2008 about Obama and Rashid Khalidi, who is Palestinian, not Iranian (and still is a professor at Columbia). And Obama didn’t meet with Khalidi while he was running for President, they met in 2003, when Obama was Illinois state senator. The LA Times story wasn’t published until 2008, when he was running for President. The National Review story at his link is entirely based on the Times’ reporting.
As usual, when NJRob is factually challenged, he can’t admit his mistake.
Rip Murdock (79ebbf) — 4/25/2024 @ 5:59 pmThe Times article was the cover up in question and they didn’t report on Obama any more than the alleged collusion in question in this case. Who funded the Palestinians Rip? Who still funds them?
NJRob (47aaf7) — 4/25/2024 @ 6:20 pmToday’s take on the Trump Show: Whatever the legal ramifications of this hush money trial, all of Trump’s qualities and character are on display.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/25/2024 @ 10:32 pmAnd it’s a rather empty display.
norcal (3d2fa0) — 4/25/2024 @ 10:49 pmasset: Strom Thurmond had long stopped being a racist by the time he died. In fact, he was never really a racist – he was a cynical politician, like many of his colleagues. Very few southern Senators of that time were genuine racists. But a few were.
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 4/26/2024 @ 4:29 amKevin M (a9545f) — 4/25/2024 @ 10:32 pm
The court case obscures that. In other instances, we’d be outraged at what the National Enquirer did,
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 4/26/2024 @ 4:31 am@402
The thing that gets me…
Is that people like Alvin Bragg believes that the National Enquirer, of all the bloody publications, is treated as of their stories are the same journalistic qualities of the mainstream media.
The National Enquirer that I remember… was one that had salacious stories about how a neighbor believes his next door neighbor is an alien and likes to “prob” him at night.
whembly (86df54) — 4/26/2024 @ 6:14 amYou may be conflating the Enquirer with the Weekly World News, which had Bill Clinton meeting space aliens, or banging 4 crack hos at a time.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/26/2024 @ 7:32 amVery few southern Senators of that time were genuine racists. But a few were.
A black co-worker of mine surprised me with praise for Alabama Governor George Wallace. He said, sure, Wallace supported segregation like the rest of them, but under Wallace there was always a job with the state for people of any color who needed one. That wasn’t always the case otherwise.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 4/26/2024 @ 7:36 amWas he talking if the first George Wallace term (elected 1962) or the later ones (1970-78) or both? George Wallace ran as something of a liberal in 1958 and lost, when only whites could vote especially in the primary. He vowed never to let someone out-n* him again,
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 4/26/2024 @ 10:26 amHappy Friday!
AJ_Liberty (5f05c3) — 4/26/2024 @ 10:57 am#401 —
If you are willing to oppress a race for the benefit of receiving the vote of a racist, you are a racist. Strom certainly had no problem having sex with black women. Doesn’t make him colorblind when it comes to anything else.
Appalled (3d7942) — 4/26/2024 @ 12:37 pm390. 391/
The area code 771 is skipped in my list of area codes and their locations (states mostly) that dates from 2017 that bwas in a telephone book.
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 4/26/2024 @ 3:58 pm