Yesterday I met some Scots who said they couldn’t imagine why anyone supported Trump. They said with one look at him you could see his character - and then when he opened his mouth, it confirmed their direst suspicions. How can so many Americans be so blind?
THAT is how I have always felt - since around 1979 first noticing him & his antics I've had the deepest loathing of him - nobody else comes close in generating so much disgust in me ! I'm a Brit & he is what when I was young in London were called 'wide boys' - that is guys who would sweet talk their way into your life & then walk off with your assets while smiling as they went ! IOW "Danger - do not trust !" - why so many did not recognize him for what he was amazed me !
Vcragain- See my comment to Judy above. The majority of people voted against the lunatic. It is our bizarre electoral college and good old fashioned cheating/corruption that got him in. The problem also lies in the republican corruption of police forces & military…by another name it is called fascism.
The electoral college is a vestige of the slave vs non-slave states, giving "equal" representation to slave states which had far lower population of voting men (white men, no women yet). It was part of the "original sin" of our mostly perfect Constitution.
So true. Definitely one of the reasons the Constitution is not perfect. And so many say not a democracy, a republic, because the Constitution doesn't specifically say democracy. Of course as a matter of practicality we can't be 100% democratic. But as for choosing the leader of our country there's no reason not to be a true democracy.
I have vacillated on the electoral college but have come to realize that while we are Americans we largely define ourselves from the State we reside to one another. Then I recall the name of this country: United STATES of America. Each stripe on our flag commemorates the original 13 while the stars commemorate the current number of states. Unless the political climate is such that the smaller populated states are hardly relevant, it is highly unlikely an amendment to delete the Electoral College will prevail.
Me too. And I felt like all the voters not in the few states whose votes put him over the line were simply discarded like yesterday's garbage. I was outraged!
It’s also the fault of the Democratic Party. By nominating Hillary Clinton at a time in history when all indications were Americans were wanting to vote for someone who was an outsider with fresh ideas, someone like, oh, I don’t know, maybe SANDERS, Democrats did themselves no favors. Worse, due to literally decades of anti-Hillary nonsense from the Republican Party, the Democrats nominated the one unique person Republicans who literally loathed Trump couldn’t bring themselves to vote for as the alternative.
I probably shouldn't be, but I'm kind of surprised that people haven't been paying attention to all that happened right after the 2016 "election and are still making statements like the one above.
There is no ONE REASON why Clinton lost.
So, ONE MORE TIME:
1) Electoral College
Yes, Clinton won the popular vote by a landslide. However, even if Sanders HAD won the popular vote, the college would have had a similar outcome, with "socialism" being their bs excuse.
This is all we need to know why the college has become an outdated major liability. The college no longer applies to today's America and hasn't for decades.
2)Misogyny
You stated that people voted for trump because they just couldn't accept the alternative. That is almost SOLELY because America still isn't intelligent or mature enough to believe a woman can lead the nation, even though Clinton was the most qualified candidate, male or female to ever run for president. Senator Warren's terrible results in 2020, even in her home state, despite her fierce intelligence and election platform, slammed this home and put this country's misogyny and socialistphobia in stark relief.
3)Putin and election tampering
Clinton learned a great deal about Putin during her tenure as Secretary of State and had no qualms about calling out his corruptive influence on many worldwide events. She brought this up during one of her debates with trump, correctly labeling him Putin's puppet.
Putin couldn't stand Clinton and with likely help of several GOP legislators and definite help of trump cronies, was behind the foreign interference in the 2016 election. Some time later, FBI and CIA investigations confirmed Russian election interference.
I disagree for the simple reason that Sanders was a candidate Republicans looking for an alternative to Trump would’ve considered a viable alternative. Clinton was poison to them.
And the reasons why she was poison were multi-faceted, yes, with misogyny being one of the facets.
I firmly believe Sanders would’ve received enough votes to overcome the inherent electoral college bias, and just imagine where we’d be today had that happened eh?
Agreed, Philip. Bernie burns TFG walking away if he was nominated instead. Nothing against HRC's credentials but DNC had to take the temperature of the audience before choosing what to offer. They still do a poor job of reading the electorate.
I hope that the Democratic party learned a LOT from 2016 and the trump years. I think they have and we owe a lot of it to The Lincoln Project! Thank God for them to have “woke” the Dems up to what was really going on in plain site.
Please don’t forget ,the orange tinted one got more votes when he ran the second time. Try to figure that one out.As Carlin would say , there’s a lot of dumb m-----er’s in this country.
And we need to repeat that with even more votes in 2024 to rid this country of vile fascists and pave the way for more progressive candidates. We cannot split the vote.
I was only dimly aware of Donald Trump but considered him something of a self-promoting windbag. When I first heard he was running for president, I said, "Who would listen to anything that old blowhard would have to say?" All these years later, now realizing the destructiveness and the danger the man poses, I have to ask, "Who would listen to anything that old cult leader has to say?"
Read ON TYRANNY by Timothy Snyder. It explains how authoritarians get their "authority". As with any barker at the circus knows, you tell the people what they want to hear and they follow each other into the freak show.
"Freak show" is the correct term! By the way, I didn't go in and still won't. MAGA people are like a coven of rattle snakes - play with them and they bite you.
Once again you folks are stealing my man’s thunder. George Carlin always said” when you’re born in this world you get a ticket to the Freak show, but if you are born in America, you get a front row seat“.
It is a worthwhile (and short, for those who choose a book for their book report based on the number of pages!!) read. Madeleine Albright's book, Fascism: A Warning is another very worthwhile read on the subject.
Here in Arkansas so many STILL think he's the second coming of Christ. It is nauseating and I hope to leave this part of the country ASAP. It is disgusting how many fools around here are deluded by this man's fascist diatribe. I have read many articles saying he taps into America's racism, misogyny and homophobia, therefore they will accept ANY of his policies because HE HATES LIKE THEY DO.
Despite all the wars this nation has fought, how many civil rights leaders (and gay rights leader)have been assassinated, feminist leaders maligned, this country STILL hasn't learned from its terrible past. It is appalling.
It isn't just Arkansas. I'm sure you've read articles about the faction of his cult who actually DO believe he is "the" (or some kind of) messiah! Maybe this is related to their beliefs about "end of days" and all of that, but the ideation among his followers ranges from crass, craven con-artistry in the "say anything to get the money" genre to those who have some kind of religious or mystical beliefs to the outright psychotic. Was it serious or circus performance when his followers camped out in Dallas, TX expecting JFK, or JFK, Jr., to return and become tRump's VP.
I mean, what can you say......
The reign of tRump has revealed endless flaws in democracy and in our particular form of democracy.
Had forgotten about the Dallas fiasco. There are so many of these wackadoo trump incidents I've lost track. I recall a bunch of his fanatics gathering in Tulsa, UNMASKED, of course, followed by a major COVID spike in that area.🙄
Even more horrific than tRump being elected was the fact that there were so many who eagerly voted for him, and there still are, still so many sending him money - even now. He will eventually go away, one way or another (I hope in leg irons and shackles!!) but those who chose him will still be around (that is, if any of us still are). I'm not aware of any really good scholarly work dealing with WHY that is so. We hear various theories - the hate-filled biases and bigotry of many, the grievances supposedly felt by many..... but I don' t think we really KNOW why. It is just unconscionable to realize that so many whose, say, fathers or grandfathers fought AGAINST fascism, maybe died or were wounded in WWII fighting fascism are now, to one degree or another, embracing it here.
It is hard to see how we turn this ship around. History usually shows us that some catastrophe - usually war - causes a change in some national direction. War today could mean annihilation. How do we reverse course without that kind of catastrophe? Climate change might be the "new" catastrophe, but again, what will survival look like?
Do abused individuals understand their abusers? Mostly not; but fear, loathing and the depraved need to be 'right' keeps these poor souls chained to them nevertheless. The same applies to a terrifying number of Americans who wallow in their own twisted version of 'patriotism'.
Yes, he does and he chooses depraved henchmen of his own ilk who know and use the same tricks. This man and his fellow strongmen around the world are a plague unto themselves that no mask can protect us from. May he, they and we live long enough to witness their just undoing.
It is a well-written blog on why the British don't like Trump. He didn't mention something obvious to British people and Trump's supporters: Trump is not a gentleman.
I read this when it was first posted quite some time ago. It was a work of art then and even more poignant now. IDK why people didn't dump him the minute they heard his "grab 'em by the p---y" comment.
The "killing someone on 5th Ave." was to me the most shocking of all. Not just because Trump dared to speak about killing a person, but even more because of his arrogant confidence that he had his supporters programmed to endorse a murderer.
His traipsing around in front of the Queen in her own country should tell anyone all they need to know. After the class, charm and polite demeanor of the Obamas, she had to have found this appalling. Her children despised him.
I hope Charles hated him. Charles is a pretty decent environmentalist. tRump is the opposite, both in the "decent" category and in the "environmentalist" category.
Best video I ever saw from UK was the statement by the senator in Ireland when trump was "elected."
"America has just elected a fascist.'
I remember reading alarmed posts from around the world, wondering what the hell we were thinking. It was humiliating, in my opinion.
I had former co-worker tell me when she returned from student exchange in Sweden that people came up to her, genuinely alarmed at what had happened. They couldn't believe we had made such an awful decision.
I'm glad you liked it. If you're not completely fed up with hearing about Trump, you want to read the three books David Cay Johnston wrote about him: "The Making of Donald Trump", "It's Even Worse Than You Think", and "The Big Cheat". I've read them all; he's a great writer. If you had to pick just one, I think the last title would be a fine choice.
Thank you for posting the link to this very satisfying piece of writing, a most apt critique of the shame of America. It brings back to mind, along with a return of the cringing and nausea, the times when he was in England and Europe: he kept Queen Elizabeth waiting and waiting and waiting. She was standing there in her little pumps, purse in hand, hat on head, in the sun, waiting for that vulgar oaf. She was going to take him on that tour of the guards that seems to be something always done when American leaders meet with British monarchs. When he did finally arrive, late, he put his big oafish buffoon body in front of her and walked ahead of her, hurrying on ahead of her, as if HE were in charge, as if it were HIS place. (Feeling sick again....)
The other time was early on after the election when he went to Europe for a meeting of the heads of state (don't remember the meeting, just the shame and horror). The "heads" were standing together when all of a sudden here comes that gross bull in a china shop pushing his way through the center and literally pushing the man at the front out of his way, elbowing him as he forced himself in front of the group.
He has shamed America from the beginning, but America also shames itself. America handed him the keys. He has brought shame, disgust and danger, but he has also revealed this country's very worst features and we cannot ignore them.
The wealthy entitlement of the Rupert Murdoch/Charles Koch/John Birch Society propaganda arm of American Conservatism is the reason why so many have fallen for the Trump/GOP fraud. Trump wears his megalomania & arrogance like a suit of honor, much to the nation's great shame.
My first intro to Trump was in England, watching the movie You've Been Trumped, which he tried (succeeded?) in getting USA banned. How despicably he treated Scots to build his golf course! I slumped in my seat, absolutely ashamed at being American.
Back in Trump's very early beginning, when his essence still had a tail, his mistake was entering a cell wall that began a series of catrostrapic events all associated with his birth. An event that turned out to be a crying shame.
why didn’t all the news outlets repeated report on this and his other outrageous and illegal actions instead of reporting n every tweet and false claim the man made? I continue to feel very let down by owners of news who went for sensationalism and likes instead of vetting the candidate and giving us needed information.
The media made catastrophic errors giving this idiot airtime because people found him "entertaining.". It was horrifying. CNN didn't learn their lesson and gave this lunatic airtime during appalling town hall. CNN fired CEO shortly thereafter. Well, DUH!
I saw that movie when it originally came out (2011?). Talk about massive self-important arrogance that goes beyond the pale. It's never been banned in the US but I believe he tried to get it banned in the UK, for obvious reasons. Not sure if he succeeded. There's also a "You've Been Trumped Too" sequel which focuses on the major disruption thrust on the neighbors whose property trump wanted in order to put his golf course wherever the f he wanted, no matter who got screwed. Released in key election year 2016, it's never been banned in the US either. Even though MANY of the con man's devout followers should relate to the residents who were treated so horribly, they were/are so blinded by "celebrity" and "wealth" that they probably excuse deplorable behavior by him as something a "millionaire/billionaire's gotta do".... or has "earned the right to do???" .. IDK. SO hard to explain the adoration.
Americans have been so manipulated and played by the "Marketing" geniuses of Madison Avenue, that we have become slaves to the mentality that unfettered and deregulated capitalism is SYNONYMOUS with democracy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"We need small government", ie we need lower taxes for corporations and rich people and cart blanche to do whatever despicable or world destroying things they want. It has to be repeated over and over...as a smoke screen otherwise those politicians would be voted out. Like Krysren Sinema soon will be.
I was in Scotland Last year (my Grandparents immigrated from Scotland) and I didn't meet anyone (even those distantly related) who thought he was a qualified President. How COULD people be so blind? Last count it was 70 Million that voted for him, WTAH?
It’s an indictment of our largely failed educational system and the massive amounts of money behind certain media outlets steering the propaganda to the easily hoodwinked masses…
Judy, I would say to the Scots, we didn’t support or elect him. That was done with shear corruption. For the past 30+ years the popular vote losing Republican has taken the presidency over the popular vote winner….The votes of THE PEOPLE.
Don’t let anyone get away with thinking he has EVER had the support of the citizens of the US.
True! He didn't have the support of the majority of voters. But still - 70MM people supported him, either out of ignorance or greed, or a combo of both. It's still unfathomable to me.
The "Elvis" frenzy and the evangelical cult make for a lethal mix. It's my take on the YouGov poll this week that the 18-29 age group is especially susceptible to culting. We were hoping the Boomers would have an end point, but political devilry and Fox seem to be major influencers. Hope I'm wrong.
Don't overlook the Clown Car aspect of his antics. He tried to "hide" piles and piles of "his boxes", not only from FBI, but even from his own lawyers. Then he asked one of his lawyers, Corcoran, to take some of the "bad ones" with him to his hotel. He thought that's what lawyers are for -- co-conspiracy.
Yup. The Boomer effect. I'm referring to the crowd that loves Vegas, Branson, and all the vulgarity that goes along w/ them. I was born in Year # 1 of the Boomers, and despite the critical quality of his music, many of us couldn't relate to the Elvis experience, but he's alive and well in the Heartland. More than the physical Elvis, I'm talking about what seems to be the first time that the "groupie" phenomenon seemed to emerge in pop entertainment. It's an emotional seduction not unlike the Trump Cult. The two make for a powerful mix that appeals to various age groups.
You combine that w/ the emotional draw of many evangelicals, it's a poisonous mix for politics.
Some say the reality show The Apprentice set Trump up to run for president. The carefully edited episodes (falsely) portrayed him as a very successful businessman and leader, able to make wise decisions, and totally in control.
Carolyn, I had heard that it took more than 200 hours of videotaping to get 42 minutes of each "Apprentice" episode. Of course the contents were manipulated to make Trump look like something he is not, a competent forceful leader. Reality TV has done a lot of damage to our culture because people who don't take time to actually think about it, believe there are no scripts or set-ups for situations and retakes. I guess we the people can be made to believe anything if we don't stay at least mostly on guard against the implicit lying and the manipulation on behalf of corporate actors/big money.
Knowing what we do now of the con man's "style" it's not hard to imagine what being on that set must have been like; it's surprising it didn't take even more.!!
MM, I have heard young women claim that they were just so grateful for the opportunity to be on "The Apprentice." They only publicized the ones who said how gracious Trump was. I can't imagine Trump being gracious to anyone he couldn't get something from. Makes you wonder what he got.
It was the only enterprise that was actually a financial success. And the only time he was a star in anything but the National Enquire. Can't wait to see what top secret document he sold to them.
That show literally brought him into people’s living rooms - some people are so addicted to screen reality, they probably had the feeling they knew him personally.
Reading through the replies, I was surprised to find that nobody mentioned Trump's most loyal and active supporters: white Christian evangelicals. The church leaders were able to convince their flocks that Trump -- as flawed as he appeared (and truly is) -- was "anointed" to the Almighty's purposes, and that a vote for Hillary was a certain ticket to Hell.
McConnell's holding out approving Obama's choice of a justice to replace Scalia was another master stroke.
I asked my E-Free (evangelical nutter) brother how he could possibly vote for t-rump. His response - "any means to an end", i.e. bringing about a ban on abortion. They're willing to bring down the country over one issue.
I also have a sibling deep into that cult. I'll never forget a strange night 15 or so years ago with them telling me how they needed "buckets" of Jesus' blood to wash away their sins. I knew then they had gone off the deep end, and there could be no reasoning with them. But the image still haunts me.
In their view, the country was being brought down by the "holocaust of the unborn" -- as they put it. I recall Dr. Tiller and several other medical professionals who were murdered in cold blood by "pro-Lifers." The Atlanta bombings around the time of the 1996 Olympics carried out by Eric Robert Rudolf. We're dealing with actual and would-be terrorists here.
One victory under wraps and they've coming after the LGBTQ community, Target, Chick-fil-A and the list keeps growing. (Google "seven mountains mandate") I am observing my enemies very, very closely.
Judy, and more than thriving on people's anger and fear, Trump and Kump work to create it and point the blame for it to anyone they don't happen to like on that particular day. Rather clever because the media, even the "mainstream" media buy it and pass it on. It must suit the needs of their corporate owners or they would not do it.
It's ALL about the $$$$..... TRUSTWORTHY, UNBIASED news reporting based on good investigation and facts is becoming harder and harder to come by -- one of our BIGGEST problems.
Laurie: I don’t know where that quote comes from, but I disagree. Anger can also help focus our mind and spur us to action to address the issue. It’s when anger becomes rage that it overrides reason. That is a significant reason for the “perpetual outrage” MO of the far-right media.
Judy, those folks you mentioned are right about Trump. It would be helpful, though to remember that white people, particularly Republicans, in this country are encouraged to be scared of everyone who is not them. Our media keeps pushing the idea that criminals are people of color, OK, Black, and that people like them will be moving in to do something. They are not sure what, just something and it will be awful. In a rare case when a white Republican is asked what they think "replacement theory" is about and how that will impact them, they can't articulate anything sensible. I heard one say they would take their homes. The questioner didn't even ask where they got that idea, no follow-ups. It seems, white Republicans and I guess some Independents too just don't want THOSE people around them and think that Trump will keep those folks away, in Mexico, or Africa, or somewhere else so they can keep their totally white lives moving along. Yes, it's nuts, but Trump and Kump thrive on nuttiness, and encourage it and the Trump cult will buy it and keep wishing for their mythical Trump who cares for them and their situation and will help them. He won't, but they will have Democrats to blame when he doesn't, and the media will agree and amplify.
Whites are scared of others who are not like them because they don't get out much. Many are highly insular, wrapped in their own homogenous communities. Studies show increased tolerance goes with exposure to diversity. Those who live for a while in other countries or travel frequently, grow up on military bases, or live in the cities around immigrants have traditionally been more tolerant of diversity. Of course with the current "fear" programming, that's changing too, with Latinos fighting blacks in cities and Fox running 24/7 on military bases.
S.A., you are right about whites being insular. I do believe they who are, like it that way. They don't have to drop their fear and hatred if they stay isolated and they can keep pretending that somehow they are being replaced and justify their resentment, hatred, and anger. Hey, it means they are feeling something, even if it isn't good feeling. They can LOVE Fox even when their brain tells them Fox is simply lying to them nearly all the time. If they pretend well enough, they won't need to let themselves admit they have been duped. The pumping out of Fox on bases, in restaurants and other public places is a real problem and should not be happening. We do have laws against pushing insurrection, as Fox has been doing regularly. How is it when it is Republicans/ultra-right, we can't seem to make the law work, but when it is against the rest of us, they can dredge up laws from medieval times through the 1800s and claim they are relevant in the 21st century, even when they don't directly relate to our Constitution? That's nuts!
Other countries have been aghast for years about the rate of deaths from guns, about the lack of vacation time to see and understand the greater world, only developed country with out universal health care, poor education for poor kids...a movie star for President but Trump's scared people everywhere because his potential to change society worldwide was/is huge.
In all deference to MLKjr and yourself -- the universe is neither moral nor just. Of course, I understand we are using metaphor here. But it is only humankind that can display such attributes, and yes, we have a long precarious path before us.
Sadly totally agree on the uncaring universe. What I will say is MLK scared the Bejeezus out of the powers that be. In 10 years the whole Corporations take back business (and government) from social responsibility began. I see that as a direct rebuff of people who believed in his teachings. I would alter MLK statement slightly.
"The arc of the moral universe is long. You can bend it towards justice!" Justin Jones is right in fighting against the unjust because if we dont fight the universe wont bend. I apologise if this seems like mirroring.
The universe as I experience it is both moral and just because for every action there is a reaction. The law of cause and effect is alive and well in the universe. That is a scientific fact.
Morality and justice have nothing to do with the law of cause and effect/action-reaction. One has to do with the realm of ethics; the other with the realm of physics. And that's a fact.
Morality and justice is a choice. Based on your own ethical beliefs, you make a choice (cause). Whatever the choice, their is a consequence (effect). The science is a fact, born out of the natural dynamics of the universe.
Ok. So Sandy Hook, Columbine, Uvalde mass school shootings were actions done in reaction to what? So choice/"cause" by mass shooter. Effect: kids dead. How does this prove a "moral and just" universe? You've got me on that one.
Everything exists in the universe. Good and evil exists in the universe. The actions taken by people moment to moment determine what kind of universe we create. I believe that the people who took the lives of those children were reacting to the events in their lives that caused them to feel unhappy. I believe. based on my experiences and studies that people who are unhappy in most cases, do not know what to do with their unhappiness. So they look for something or someone to blame for that unhappiness. Individuals who are made to feel insecure, or inferior need someway to express that pain. If they do not have an outlet, or someone they trust to help them through their struggles, they lash-out in many different ways. Our young people today are burdened with a society that is so confused that we have forgotten how to care for one another. Families are splintered in many different ways. I believe that the greed that has infested our society has created a culture of fear, violence, hatred, jealousy, selfishness, feelings of inadequacy that have manifested an unstable, restlessness that has subtly altered the nature of our relationship with ourselves and others. Consequently, the effect is mass shootings, emotional instability, homelessness, conspiracy theories, corruption at all levels, and many, many more factors that have contributed to an unhappy society. I further believe that it is up to us to make the choices needed to change; to protect our children, our values and ideals that have brought us to this point. We just need to open our collective hearts, minds, and eyes to face the truth of what our causes have created. It’s going to take all hands on deck. We can do this.
She was very young. I think MLK had a worthy dream. Most people, unless badly harmed, are decent, especially if they learned to be. If you think education is expensive, try ignorance. Try further and see what misinformation does! It is pure evil.
I have heard from someone who knew the family how cruelly his father treated him. Anger is fear made visible in him and his supporters. We DO need mental healthcare.
I had a brother who was sent to a 'reform school' in upstate New York. It was The George Junior Republic. After he left, he was in trouble for the rest of his life. . As . foster child, he was child labor on horse farm in the Berkshires, along with our younger brother. The older brother went on to a life of recidivism . Jail and trouble, more jail and more trouble etc. He did not have privilege or wealth. Tall, blonde and blue eyed, he excelled in sports. He died at 57, behind a dumpster in a blizzard . His younger brother, who graduated from Amherst College was dead by age 41. Neither had access to mental health treatment.
tRump was sent to a military school. I wish we could hear from his mother. It would be fascinating to know what it was like to try to raise him - the lying, the manipulation, the always blaming others, the self-aggrandizement. Eddie Haskell (old reference) writ waaaay too large! Other than that she immigrated from Scotland to the U.S., I'm not aware of any biographies of her or of the rest of that family. We know a lot about his father, his association with Roy Cohn, his being a racist landlord, his crooked ways, but not so much about his mother. I'm imagining a Scottish accent demanding that Don be sent to military school - or else - but who knows.
Trump's guilt isn't in question it's the degree to which he has attempted to subvert this country's very foundation. I know everybody is innocent until proven guilty but Trump has proven his guilt in front of an entire nation for the past 7 years and to his credit he did it very well. Our country doesn't need to further divide our citizenry and the evisceration of Trump really wouldn't help the healing process, which is so badly in need of a beginning. After proving his guilt in a court of law presided over by a jury of his peers simply ban the guy from ever holding public office again. Restrict his political association in the same manner they did with Hoffa and his union affiliation.
Thank you - he has shown us who he is all that time - committing his crimes openly in front of everybody - because his ego makes him convinced 'he alone can fix it' ! Now we wait to see if Justice will put him where he SHOULD be !
It is a massive injustice watching how unnecessarily long it has been to put the orange deadly seditionist sexual assault criminal in shackles! Most politicians around the world would be put to death for what he’s done. So would the insurrectionists. Trump is an existential threat that goes further than the US.
Hey Seeking Reason, you are so right about the length of time it has taken to even indict Trump. I do wish the insurrectionist charges had preceded this indictment for the stolen documents, but I guess we must take what we can get. The sad thing for me is seeing just how many people Trump has duped with their permission. If the media spent more time in showing this country just what kind of creepy, narcissistic person Trump is it might help a few people to wake from their hypnotic trance. The Republican leaders who support him, on the other hand, know exactly who and what Trump is and have chosen to put their weight behind him because they benefit from being in Trump's horrible shadow. They, too, are narcissistic and are lesser versions of Trump, you know, Trump wannabees.
Even Chris Christie who claims to be so much different from Trump has lied to his state, set his staff up to commit a crime he still works to distance himself from except for the insincere mea culpa for his having hired THOSE people who did that bad thing (which he will never admit he knew all about and at least tacitly agreed to). It is rare for a politician to change who they are especially when he has gotten the goodies because of his bad behavior.
Facing yet more indictments in DC, Hotlanta, NY. If I were his lawyer, I'd ask to have him evaluated by a psychiatrist, voluntarily take a lie detector, MMPI, Halstead Reitan, Luria Nebraska, etc. Unfit to stand trial?
If I were his wife's lawyer, I'd have him Baker Acted (involuntarily committed) to try to preserve his assets. Ask to be named conservator.
Daniel, has Trump's wife even been seen lately? It would be interesting if the family did that to try to save assets. On the other hand, Trump is bringing in big bucks from his pathetic supporters who want to believe he is their savior. I keep wondering what it will take to get them to finally see the truth. Maybe they just can't. How sad!
I think the word wife should always be in quotes when it comes to his arrangements, as in Trump's "wife."
Anybody else remember the video of him in a small group of people, Melania being one of them, and Trump says to one of the men, "Did you see my super-model? Did you see my super-model wife?"
In my mind's eye, I see Trump, Melania and Jeffrey Epstein in that photo, arms around each other, all looking kind of sweaty, maybe somewhat intoxicated, smiling for the camera...... it gives one the creeps to see them and leaves one wondering what they've been doing, yet not really wanting to know.
She has lived in this country for decades and never learned to speak English. "Be best" doesn't count.
Most of us can think of rational answers to his issues, but then the answers should have been issued way back before he got to this point, and basically nobody stopped him deteriorating - everybody is just too scared of him to do or suggest anything logical, but having him Committed might be the best resolution for the family if they can figure out to do that without him 'releasing the Kraken' on them ! I'm sure there are millions of
wishes going out daily regarding his status - many in his own political party & his own family wishing him dead !
There is the distinct possibility that, if the noose tightens on Trump, that he and his attorneys will plead mental confusion. And they wouldn't be entirely wrong. God, anything to get him out of circulation.
Alfred and Garhart, I believe that what Martin Luther King was saying should be understood as words of inspiration, not analysis. He's not trying to convince his listeners, but rather to stir in them a spirit of hope and faith. It is poetry, not science.
To preach that justice is a universal value is not the same as to declare that the universe values justice. To say that the arc of the moral universe is long, is not at all like declaring that the universe is curved.
Despite the cynicism so easily found in these comment sections and elsewhere, there is a tendency toward more justice in the world. That is not to deny the continuing existence of staggering injustice as well.
But one needs only to read what's in the bible to see how much more justice we have today than when those words were written. It's not surprising that Rev. King, a biblical scholar, would point this out in such memorable terms.
This rigged system is designed to burn you out. If you are fighting for justice, you will just keep running into an impenetrable wall of unjust corporate power. movetoamend.org
Im in total agreement that Corporations are not people and deserve zero say in the elective process except for the votes of people who may own or be employed by that company (one person one vote) Money is power, get the money out of our elections and the corporate lobbysists out of congress. Government needs to be responsible to voters not big bank accounts.
First step accountability. Next step they have to be represented by the population. Ie national elections. Popular vote, vote for best of 12 or whatever. No corporate donations in Justice elections period. Heavy limits on billiomaire donations (ie everyone limited to $5000). Imagine a representative justiciary? Ouch.
Lawrence, Those fighting for justice also run into open fields of possibility and communities creating connection and reason to hope. It is true that we live in a corporate obstacle course. It is also true that human determination and tenacity to create justice co-exist in that system. The young Tennessee activist and leader, Rep. Justin Jones said that every time we resist, we create hope.
Very true. We must redouble our efforts. It took a 50 year movement for Republicans to become the corporatists they became. Democrats bought into some of it as well...in fact, I think the DNC has received a lot of JUSTIFIABLE anger by white blue collar workers, because the Party abandoned the labor movement (Bill Clinton). It can be reversed, but it will take time, resources, and persistent effort. As Prof. Reich says, this is really a class war, not a woke vs. non-woke.
Hypocrisy is the name of the game in Corporate America. They have the power to change the status of our country, economy, and democracy... but greed is King...the only color they see is the color of money, no matter where it comes from.
Alfred and Garhart, I believe that what Martin Luther King was saying should be understood as words of inspiration, not analysis. He's not trying to convince his listeners, but rather to stir in them a spirit of hope and faith. It is poetry, not science.
To preach that justice is a universal value is not the same as to declare that the universe values justice. To say that the arc of the moral universe is long, is not at all like declaring that the universe is curved.
Despite the cynicism so easily found in these comment sections and elsewhere, there is a tendency toward more justice in the world. That is not to deny the continuing existence of staggering injustice as well.
But one needs only to read what's in the bible to see how much more justice we have today than when those words were written. It's not surprising that Rev. King, a biblical scholar, would point this out in such memorable terms.
Regardless of the order in which the indictments come, I am overjoyed to see this ridiculous human being held to account for his crimes. Yes, he is a felon, pretending to be something he is not. He is guilty of stealing from the American people; guilty of trashing the reputation of our nation and democracy; guilty of disrespecting the children and Mothers of this country; guilty of creating an environment where conspiracy is rampant; guilty of corruption of our government with the purpose of destroying our democracy so that he could own the power we grant to all Presidents of the United States of America; guilty of blatant racism, guilty of lying about anything and everybody he feels threatened by;guilty of fraud to the nth degree; guilty of destroying those people who sought to protect him as well as the country; guilty of trampling over our national security interests and our foreign policies; guilty of embarrassing and destabilizing our country’s economy and Global trust; guilty of murdering thousands during the pandemic; guilty of pushing dangerous gun policies that have our people living in fear. What have I left out? I am sure there is more. So my question is why would we put him back in the White House instead of a cushy cell in federal prison?
WE wouldn’t. But sadly there are millions who would. And let’s not forget GOP gerrymandering, stripping felons of their right to vote, adding onerous voting restrictions, reducing access to the polls.... Add it up: THEY would and maybe will return this fascist to the White House.
Read about the Supreme Court’s ruling from today regarding gerrymandering. This could be the death knell of the republican party. It won’t happen overnight but I think it will happen. of course, the ruling was close 5 to 4.
In Michigan where I Preside we passed an amendment last year to have a bipartisan committee decide on voting districts. The results ,Michigan is an entirely democratic state for the first time in 40 years. Gretchen Whitmer is kicking butt and taking names. But I’m sure the devil Republicans will come up with some other stunt to try to steal the vote from people. We must be vigilant.
Yes, Constance. You left out guilty of promoting the sickening, offensive, undermining, unabashed, loud, energetic, barbie-dollification/objectification of women with the implication that in some twisted way, this somehow aggrandizes about what he thinks is his masculinity!!!
The right wing reaction is no surprise. Trump has set himself up as a victim of a witch-hunt. They fail to see what came first. Their calls of it’s unprecedented that a former president who is currently running for office is indicted. What they are missing is that no president has committed crimes for which he should be indicted.
Personally I suspect that one of his motives for running was he thought it would prevent charges. He enjoyed immunity for four years but the party’s over. And I think the next indictments are coming soon.
Anyone who has any integrity would not be supporting the witch hunt fairy tale. It’s interesting to see the MAGA republicans scramble to defend this repeat offender. At least when Nixon got caught the Republican Party had the integrity to oust him.
You’re right I should have qualified that to the first president to brazenly and openly commit crimes against his government, then lie change his story ten or so times then call it a witch hunt.
I didn’t see Regan mentioned who made a deal with Iran to keep the hostages until after the election.
But you have to admit
It this is quite different in the blatant disregard for the Constitution, democracy and our National Security.
And if we want to play the blame game there’s always the impeachment of Bill Clinton for lying about sex. Is there a human on earth that has never demurred when asked about sex? It was none of our business, and it was a purely political move it had nothing to do with the workings of the government. Although I’ll never look at a breath mint the same.
This is the guy who claimed that he could shoot someone on Fifth Street (NY) and still get elected. Now he’s balking because he’s finding out he’s not invincible. Turns out the emperor has no clothes.
And mark my words. if he is, heaven forbid, elected again. He will pardon himself, and all the other crooks around him from all the shit he’s done to this country. And by that time it’ll be too late to do anything about it. absolute power corrupts absolutely.
I too would so much prefer that the seditious conspiracy charges been advanced earlier; the GA “give me ....votes” as well would be more likely to remove Trump from electability in 2024. And it galls me no end that poor, dare I say some less educated supporters will donate money for his legal defense like lemmings! Money they probably cannot afford.
A despicable ask by a narcissist who cares not where 💰💰💰comes from as long as he has access. He’ll burn through it all and ask for more!
Shakespeare on tyranny: Stephen Greenblatt's book, Tyrant is a comb-through on how after having been lured into the proliferation of lies and trickery and fraudulent populism, the people tire of the charade and move on. He describes the deceptions of Shakespeare's usual suspects: Lear, Macbeth, Richard III, Jack Cade. It was published in 2018 from the springboard of a 2016 op-ed piece in the NYT (Shakespeare Explains the 2016 Election https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/09/opinion/sunday/shakespeare-explains-the-2016-election.html ). I don't remember if the word "trump" appears in the text, but I do remember that the name Trump does not. In the Acknowledgement at the end, Greenblatt lets us know that his intention in writing the book was to do something about the 2016 election.
People have to be willing to move beyond the phony smiles and pretend wealth to see the truth. We have to realize that money does not mean that you have integrity or class. According to the New York Times, Trump and his family owes all of their wealth to the American people. His Father’s wealth came from the many grants he was able to get under the guise of building affordable housing for poor New Yorkers. They have been stealing from the government he so despises all of his life. And now he wants to continue on a grand scale as a permanent dictator that destroys our democracy. All of the poor people that give him money really need to start fighting for their lives instead of fighting against themselves under the assumption that someone else will win the day for them. Trump will suck them dry and then turn around and ask for their blood. What a despicable human being!
Gloria, the sad thing for me is that people often see only what they want to see. If they are told a man they have convinced themselves they love, is problematic, they can't see any of the "problems" that man is causing. They just don't want to let themselves believe that man credibly committed serious crimes. It might tell them something about themselves they don't want to know.
Danny, you are right that it's sad the people Trump has tricked. I think of those people as victims of a fraudster, con artist who knows just how to get people to do and believe things they might not otherwise do had it not been for him. Trump and folks like him can read people's fears, discontents, and frustrations, then tailors his speech to mollify them and make them see the fraud/con as their savior rather than the lying cheat that he actually is. I think we should work to make life better for those victims and remind them over and over who helped them out, without pointing out too often the con artist who did it to them, just enough hints at the perpetrator's identity they may eventually get the message and believe it. It could make things better for all of us.
They are conning themselves. As long as you refuse to face your truth, it will be difficult to see the truth about others. You must be willing to look in the mirror; remove the “rose colored glasses .” It all starts with accepting who you are with all your flaws and all your goodness.
Anthony Davis said it Perfectly. “Followers of Donald Trump do not have the common sense radar that the rest of us have” to detect disinformation when they see it!
They continue to drink the cruel-aid from him and his Maga Cult!
We wait to see what happens to his assets when he simply does not pay those dues - which he will not be able to do unless he can get it from his foolish supporters. Do all his assets get seized ? THAT would please me no end !
Has separate potential liability for fraud against his donors. He and his family have a trial date in NY in January for yet another fraud case. The amounts exposed exceed his assets.
I don't know, Laurie. He certainly sucked up to Putin after some of their get together Rusky happyfest meetings. But as for being short lived because Putin would not suffer fools... well, it's all good!
Todd, I was just wondering where he would go, and who would take him when the court holds his passport. I'm betting he flies much sooner than later, like very soon, like this weekend.
There still is a puzzle to solve: why is the justice system gaining courage now? Why was Trump not arrested for high treason and insurrection in january 2020? Does it mean that justice in the U.S. can be defined as something political? That is what worries me...
I share your concern about timeliness. But a lawyer friend pointed out to me that the development of big complex cases takes a lot of time. This is why bigger charges that are still out there are still pending. So, as they used to say, keep the faith.
Point taken and agreed; but what is normal in the world of lawyers cab still be a problem in political analysis. Of course: immediate arrest in january 2020 is also political. But the problem is the relation between the two.
The way our justice system works is that if the defendant loses they can appeal. But on the prosecution side if they lose, that’s it, there’s no do over. I appreciate that the Jack Smith has carefully gone through the case and has put together a strong. I liked that he also investigated Trumps business dealings to see if there were any connections.
Susan, that is an educative comment; thanks. But looking from Europe into the proceedings, I still have doubts about the relations in the American "trias politica". I hope you understand that.
Tom van Doormaal ; Everyone's a critic. We are Practicing Democracy. It IS messy, especially when corrupt! Root for us! At least those who are not greedy Fascists!
I just read the 49 page indictment. Jack Smith did an excellent job. It includes texts from trumps employees about moving boxes, recordings of trump that he was aware of and gave permission to be recorded where he bragged and said « I could’ve declassified this when I was president but I didn’t » he went on to share it then said it was « still a secret ». It’s a very well done I . Parts of it reads like the adventures of dumb and dumber.
It saddens me that the Republican Party has sunk so low that they are trying to excuse his behavior. It’s indefensible.
Tom van Doormaal ; I wonder if fear was what kept the justice system from acting sooner? tRump was still in power, and. As Commander in Chief, had a lot of power. He had fired anyone he could who did not show complete fealty to him, and installed those who did. Like William Barr. He was toying with starting a war with Iran so he could stay in power. The courts were being stacked. It is not surprising that there was caution!
Good points Laurie. Unfortunately, the worst lunatics are all insiders, including SCOTUS making a lot of things dangerous. But Trump’s been out of his illegitimate office for over a year now.
It seems that some of the formerly immoderate justices are becoming more moderated. They may be aware of the power of the people. They are very hated, and know it
They know how much evidence against them is out there. But they’ll just likely throw a small bone once in a while to Dems to appear fair, which they are not. They should be removed from the bench.
Yes Laurie, it is easy to understand, but the problem remains: what is the balance between political and juridical power? New for me is his toying with the idea of a war against Iran, but levitsky and Ziblatt show it figures...
I agree. I was thinking about the notion of the ">equal< justice under the law," that abolishes royal families. I'm getting >mightily< impatient with the moronic apology that prosecuting, convicting, and throwing ol' Tweety's sorry arse in a maximum security cell for his entire duration will somehow cause further division with those whose objective was be divided in the first place. I'm thinkin' someone on 5th Avenue should shoot back and put that goddam shooter >down!<
Well remember that a large number of high level people are Republicans, and their instincts would be to protect their own, even if they think they are being non-partisan, that instinct would still make them hesitate & I do think we have watched politics get in the way of the Law - think Rosenstein & the Mueller business - a disgrace ASAIC - and Chris Wray to me appeared to be hesitant in pursuing things at first !
I'm European, so a distant spectator and commentator.
Problem seems to me that party affiliation is more important than a professional and juridical judgement and actions. We share the feeling that this is part of the problem.
There has been more discussion here lately that the US would benefit from a parliamentary system. It's very difficult to have more than two parties with the present system, although I'd like to see a Progressive Party form and be transactional with the Democrats.
Tom, I wonder if the necessity to explain the situation to the public and bring the people along in the discovery of the cause of the national trauma was the immediate concern. It was scary. The January 6 Committee did an excellent job in explaining what happened to the American people. It has been a process. I’m very happy to see that justice is being served.
Perhaps I'm veering into dangerous conspiratorial speculation -- and, believe me, I am no supporter of Trump, clearly an individual with criminal proclivities -- but I can't help but feel that a substantial majority of the U.S. establishment has had enough of Trump and are looking for a more "stable" candidate who will play by establishment rules e.g. support the endless wars that enrich the military-industrial complex. Trump is too much of a lose cannon rolling around on the deck of the ship of state.
I fear that Robert Kennedy Jr. will drain enough of the vote away from Biden in 2024 to allow the openly fascist-authoritarian DeSantis to take the election. As bad as Trump is and could be again, DeSantis would be an unmitigated disaster as president especially with a Republican House.
Some of my friends disagree with me but I think Biden had some honest, populist-progressive designs for average Americans virtually all of which were thwarted by the likes of Manchin and Sinema. Some say Biden wanted to end his political legacy as a new FDR and was seeking to atone for his worst sins on behalf of the student loan and credit card industries. Biden might have done much more for the American people had not Congress stood in his way.
Thanks for reminding me of the Gilens and Page study. That, along with Reich's Wealth and Poverty Class is convincing evidence that we need "amendment size" changes to the system of government.
From one Thomas to another... If DeSantis is the nominee, he will certainly win every state that Trump won in 2020. At least, nobody has yet to provide an example of a Trump state he would not win.
Biden won my state -- Georgia -- by fewer than 12,000 votes, and disdain for Trump runs high here. But our current governor, Brian Kemp, soundly defeated Stacey Abrams, AND DeSantis to most Georgians looks like another version of Kemp. If I had to lay money down, I'd bet that DeSantis will return Georgia to the R side. Like you, this is NOT the outcome I want.
The next wild card state is Arizona, which Biden won by 10,500 votes. Like Florida, a sun belt state with immigration challenges. If DeSantis is successful in portraying himself to Arizonans as someone who understands their issues, the state of Barry Goldwater and John McCain will return to the R side.
The BIG unknown factor is whether our economy goes into a recession, and how serious it will be. The other factor is Democratic messaging -- and that has been sorely lacking. Plutocracy, oligarchy... the democratic "threat" represented by progressives is being quashed by money given to Republicans and corporate Dems.
I don't agree about RFK Jr. -- he'd have to run third party to take votes from Biden. But where would he get his support from? Q supporters? Plus, he'd sully his family's and father's name.
What concerns me are the documents that he still has. It's clear from the FBI search that there are still documents "missing." I have a feeling that those documents give him some solid leverage on other politicians. And I think that's why the likes of Lindsey Graham side with him. The question is how deep and on whom else does he have leverage? He probably learned this tactic from Jeffrey Epstein since they were quite close. And Epstein was a master of blackmail.
I am so happy Trumpie is going to pay for some of his crimes. He is not above the law, and now we can again have faith in our country for not letting him get away with these crimes
The bigger stories are still pending. Both Mr Smith (Mr Smith goes to Washington!) and Fani Willis, if I am spelling her name correctly, have big charges in development. For Mr Smith extending the seditious conspiracy charges to the ring leader. And Ms Willis? I read recently where Georgia's RICO statutes allow for consideration of similar events outside of state boundaries. This could, if true, mean that he could be facing racketeering charges for his attempts across all of the contested states as a demonstration of broader application of what occurred in Georgia. May it be so.
I was really enthusiastic about the Georgia case until I read Elie Honig's "Untouchable." (2023). He was an assistant attorney for the Southern District of NY and involved in prosecuting a number of mobsters. He feels that GA will be stuck because there are so many possibilities where a venue change is requested, etc. etc. Hope he's wrong.
It's a great day. And yes there are more important and bigger charges still pending. (IMHO this one is still small potatoes). But it's still a beautiful thing to finally see. By the way, great phrase: "...stress test of American democracy." That describes it in a way that I hadn't previously considered. And it's true.
So, nobody is above the law then, at least as far as indictments is concerned.......encouraging........ Many politicians seemingly disagree and plan to try to interfere with the law., which in itself should be a concern...... Wait and see if the Court upholds that nobody is above the law and in the mean time ........let's not forget that one is presumed innocent until proven guilty........
Yesterday I met some Scots who said they couldn’t imagine why anyone supported Trump. They said with one look at him you could see his character - and then when he opened his mouth, it confirmed their direst suspicions. How can so many Americans be so blind?
THAT is how I have always felt - since around 1979 first noticing him & his antics I've had the deepest loathing of him - nobody else comes close in generating so much disgust in me ! I'm a Brit & he is what when I was young in London were called 'wide boys' - that is guys who would sweet talk their way into your life & then walk off with your assets while smiling as they went ! IOW "Danger - do not trust !" - why so many did not recognize him for what he was amazed me !
Vcragain- See my comment to Judy above. The majority of people voted against the lunatic. It is our bizarre electoral college and good old fashioned cheating/corruption that got him in. The problem also lies in the republican corruption of police forces & military…by another name it is called fascism.
I hate the electoral college. When I found out he got elected. I was in shock and disbelief.
The electoral college is a vestige of the slave vs non-slave states, giving "equal" representation to slave states which had far lower population of voting men (white men, no women yet). It was part of the "original sin" of our mostly perfect Constitution.
As long as the "Electoral College" exists, we are not a true democracy.
They have "Elections" in Russia, where Putin always wins. That is not a democracy and the Electoral College will soon do the same to our elections.
So true. Definitely one of the reasons the Constitution is not perfect. And so many say not a democracy, a republic, because the Constitution doesn't specifically say democracy. Of course as a matter of practicality we can't be 100% democratic. But as for choosing the leader of our country there's no reason not to be a true democracy.
There are definitely opportunities to teach our countries founding....differently than the "jingoistic nonesense" I was brought up on.
No longer opportunities to do that in Floriduh. It would be called "woke education" or CRT and it is now outlawed by Fascist Repugnant Party law.
I have vacillated on the electoral college but have come to realize that while we are Americans we largely define ourselves from the State we reside to one another. Then I recall the name of this country: United STATES of America. Each stripe on our flag commemorates the original 13 while the stars commemorate the current number of states. Unless the political climate is such that the smaller populated states are hardly relevant, it is highly unlikely an amendment to delete the Electoral College will prevail.
This is what is needed. We're closer than you think:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Popular_Vote_Interstate_Compact
Me too. And I felt like all the voters not in the few states whose votes put him over the line were simply discarded like yesterday's garbage. I was outraged!
I was numb for weeks, George.
It’s also the fault of the Democratic Party. By nominating Hillary Clinton at a time in history when all indications were Americans were wanting to vote for someone who was an outsider with fresh ideas, someone like, oh, I don’t know, maybe SANDERS, Democrats did themselves no favors. Worse, due to literally decades of anti-Hillary nonsense from the Republican Party, the Democrats nominated the one unique person Republicans who literally loathed Trump couldn’t bring themselves to vote for as the alternative.
And STILL Clinton won the popular vote.
I probably shouldn't be, but I'm kind of surprised that people haven't been paying attention to all that happened right after the 2016 "election and are still making statements like the one above.
There is no ONE REASON why Clinton lost.
So, ONE MORE TIME:
1) Electoral College
Yes, Clinton won the popular vote by a landslide. However, even if Sanders HAD won the popular vote, the college would have had a similar outcome, with "socialism" being their bs excuse.
This is all we need to know why the college has become an outdated major liability. The college no longer applies to today's America and hasn't for decades.
2)Misogyny
You stated that people voted for trump because they just couldn't accept the alternative. That is almost SOLELY because America still isn't intelligent or mature enough to believe a woman can lead the nation, even though Clinton was the most qualified candidate, male or female to ever run for president. Senator Warren's terrible results in 2020, even in her home state, despite her fierce intelligence and election platform, slammed this home and put this country's misogyny and socialistphobia in stark relief.
3)Putin and election tampering
Clinton learned a great deal about Putin during her tenure as Secretary of State and had no qualms about calling out his corruptive influence on many worldwide events. She brought this up during one of her debates with trump, correctly labeling him Putin's puppet.
Putin couldn't stand Clinton and with likely help of several GOP legislators and definite help of trump cronies, was behind the foreign interference in the 2016 election. Some time later, FBI and CIA investigations confirmed Russian election interference.
NO ONE REASON.
I disagree for the simple reason that Sanders was a candidate Republicans looking for an alternative to Trump would’ve considered a viable alternative. Clinton was poison to them.
Sanders was NOT an alternative for the GOP. His pro socialist beliefs were anathema to the Republicans.
And the reasons why she was poison were multi-faceted, yes, with misogyny being one of the facets.
I firmly believe Sanders would’ve received enough votes to overcome the inherent electoral college bias, and just imagine where we’d be today had that happened eh?
I came up with about 16 right after the election.
Agreed, Philip. Bernie burns TFG walking away if he was nominated instead. Nothing against HRC's credentials but DNC had to take the temperature of the audience before choosing what to offer. They still do a poor job of reading the electorate.
Spot on. Corporate Dems fealty to unfettered capitalism and the neoliberal way has craftily stalled a progressive asendence. Maybe forever.
I hope that the Democratic party learned a LOT from 2016 and the trump years. I think they have and we owe a lot of it to The Lincoln Project! Thank God for them to have “woke” the Dems up to what was really going on in plain site.
Please don’t forget ,the orange tinted one got more votes when he ran the second time. Try to figure that one out.As Carlin would say , there’s a lot of dumb m-----er’s in this country.
And don’t forget that Biden got even more votes than that, in sufficient quantity it overcame the electoral college bias.
And we need to repeat that with even more votes in 2024 to rid this country of vile fascists and pave the way for more progressive candidates. We cannot split the vote.
It's also the Murdochs. I so wish they would have their citizenship taken away and we could kick them out of the country!
I was only dimly aware of Donald Trump but considered him something of a self-promoting windbag. When I first heard he was running for president, I said, "Who would listen to anything that old blowhard would have to say?" All these years later, now realizing the destructiveness and the danger the man poses, I have to ask, "Who would listen to anything that old cult leader has to say?"
Read ON TYRANNY by Timothy Snyder. It explains how authoritarians get their "authority". As with any barker at the circus knows, you tell the people what they want to hear and they follow each other into the freak show.
"Freak show" is the correct term! By the way, I didn't go in and still won't. MAGA people are like a coven of rattle snakes - play with them and they bite you.
Once again you folks are stealing my man’s thunder. George Carlin always said” when you’re born in this world you get a ticket to the Freak show, but if you are born in America, you get a front row seat“.
Yes. This little book is awesome although we have already lost on many points Snyder makes.
It is a worthwhile (and short, for those who choose a book for their book report based on the number of pages!!) read. Madeleine Albright's book, Fascism: A Warning is another very worthwhile read on the subject.
Thanks for the suggested reading. I'll find a copy today!
I've read the book, thank you.
He's like a Jim Jones type guy,does absolutely nothing for the folks and they still listen to him.
Here in Arkansas so many STILL think he's the second coming of Christ. It is nauseating and I hope to leave this part of the country ASAP. It is disgusting how many fools around here are deluded by this man's fascist diatribe. I have read many articles saying he taps into America's racism, misogyny and homophobia, therefore they will accept ANY of his policies because HE HATES LIKE THEY DO.
Despite all the wars this nation has fought, how many civil rights leaders (and gay rights leader)have been assassinated, feminist leaders maligned, this country STILL hasn't learned from its terrible past. It is appalling.
It isn't just Arkansas. I'm sure you've read articles about the faction of his cult who actually DO believe he is "the" (or some kind of) messiah! Maybe this is related to their beliefs about "end of days" and all of that, but the ideation among his followers ranges from crass, craven con-artistry in the "say anything to get the money" genre to those who have some kind of religious or mystical beliefs to the outright psychotic. Was it serious or circus performance when his followers camped out in Dallas, TX expecting JFK, or JFK, Jr., to return and become tRump's VP.
I mean, what can you say......
The reign of tRump has revealed endless flaws in democracy and in our particular form of democracy.
Had forgotten about the Dallas fiasco. There are so many of these wackadoo trump incidents I've lost track. I recall a bunch of his fanatics gathering in Tulsa, UNMASKED, of course, followed by a major COVID spike in that area.🙄
Even more horrific than tRump being elected was the fact that there were so many who eagerly voted for him, and there still are, still so many sending him money - even now. He will eventually go away, one way or another (I hope in leg irons and shackles!!) but those who chose him will still be around (that is, if any of us still are). I'm not aware of any really good scholarly work dealing with WHY that is so. We hear various theories - the hate-filled biases and bigotry of many, the grievances supposedly felt by many..... but I don' t think we really KNOW why. It is just unconscionable to realize that so many whose, say, fathers or grandfathers fought AGAINST fascism, maybe died or were wounded in WWII fighting fascism are now, to one degree or another, embracing it here.
It is hard to see how we turn this ship around. History usually shows us that some catastrophe - usually war - causes a change in some national direction. War today could mean annihilation. How do we reverse course without that kind of catastrophe? Climate change might be the "new" catastrophe, but again, what will survival look like?
Do abused individuals understand their abusers? Mostly not; but fear, loathing and the depraved need to be 'right' keeps these poor souls chained to them nevertheless. The same applies to a terrifying number of Americans who wallow in their own twisted version of 'patriotism'.
Well said
He taps into their ignorance and subsequent fear and hate.
Yes, he does and he chooses depraved henchmen of his own ilk who know and use the same tricks. This man and his fellow strongmen around the world are a plague unto themselves that no mask can protect us from. May he, they and we live long enough to witness their just undoing.
Right? He has lying Pig written all over him!!
Insult to pigs! 🐽❤️
They are sweet and much smarter!
I think you might find this interesting:
https://thehobbledehoy.com/2019/03/08/british-writer-pens-the-best-description-of-trump-ive-read/
It is a well-written blog on why the British don't like Trump. He didn't mention something obvious to British people and Trump's supporters: Trump is not a gentleman.
I read this when it was first posted quite some time ago. It was a work of art then and even more poignant now. IDK why people didn't dump him the minute they heard his "grab 'em by the p---y" comment.
It was horrifying. So was his ridicule of handicapped journalist.
The "killing someone on 5th Ave." was to me the most shocking of all. Not just because Trump dared to speak about killing a person, but even more because of his arrogant confidence that he had his supporters programmed to endorse a murderer.
His traipsing around in front of the Queen in her own country should tell anyone all they need to know. After the class, charm and polite demeanor of the Obamas, she had to have found this appalling. Her children despised him.
I wish she had never invited that loser.
By her children, did you mean her corgi's? I ask because Trump suppeosedly hates dogs and I think it is because dogs know evil when they smell it.
Grandchildren I should have said, although I don't think Charles cared for trump, either.
It would've been great if the Corgis had bitten him, they may have received knighthoods.
I hope Charles hated him. Charles is a pretty decent environmentalist. tRump is the opposite, both in the "decent" category and in the "environmentalist" category.
Best video I ever saw from UK was the statement by the senator in Ireland when trump was "elected."
"America has just elected a fascist.'
I remember reading alarmed posts from around the world, wondering what the hell we were thinking. It was humiliating, in my opinion.
I had former co-worker tell me when she returned from student exchange in Sweden that people came up to her, genuinely alarmed at what had happened. They couldn't believe we had made such an awful decision.
I taught in China for 30 years. Many, many students and friends had similar reactions.
"If being a twat was a TV show, Trump would be the boxed set."
Thanks -- that blog is hysterical!
I'm glad you liked it. If you're not completely fed up with hearing about Trump, you want to read the three books David Cay Johnston wrote about him: "The Making of Donald Trump", "It's Even Worse Than You Think", and "The Big Cheat". I've read them all; he's a great writer. If you had to pick just one, I think the last title would be a fine choice.
Yes! I love to HEAR David Cay Johnston TALK about tRump, too. He knows him well and has had his number from the beginning.
Tim O'Brien and David Cay Johnson make a very satisfying pair on TV panels when they talk about tRump because they know exactly who and what he is.
Excellent!
Thank you for posting the link to this very satisfying piece of writing, a most apt critique of the shame of America. It brings back to mind, along with a return of the cringing and nausea, the times when he was in England and Europe: he kept Queen Elizabeth waiting and waiting and waiting. She was standing there in her little pumps, purse in hand, hat on head, in the sun, waiting for that vulgar oaf. She was going to take him on that tour of the guards that seems to be something always done when American leaders meet with British monarchs. When he did finally arrive, late, he put his big oafish buffoon body in front of her and walked ahead of her, hurrying on ahead of her, as if HE were in charge, as if it were HIS place. (Feeling sick again....)
The other time was early on after the election when he went to Europe for a meeting of the heads of state (don't remember the meeting, just the shame and horror). The "heads" were standing together when all of a sudden here comes that gross bull in a china shop pushing his way through the center and literally pushing the man at the front out of his way, elbowing him as he forced himself in front of the group.
He has shamed America from the beginning, but America also shames itself. America handed him the keys. He has brought shame, disgust and danger, but he has also revealed this country's very worst features and we cannot ignore them.
The wealthy entitlement of the Rupert Murdoch/Charles Koch/John Birch Society propaganda arm of American Conservatism is the reason why so many have fallen for the Trump/GOP fraud. Trump wears his megalomania & arrogance like a suit of honor, much to the nation's great shame.
My first intro to Trump was in England, watching the movie You've Been Trumped, which he tried (succeeded?) in getting USA banned. How despicably he treated Scots to build his golf course! I slumped in my seat, absolutely ashamed at being American.
I remember watching that. It confirmed an impression I already had of him of being a real jerk.
"real jerk"..... to say the least!
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/You%27ve_Been_Trumped
Back in Trump's very early beginning, when his essence still had a tail, his mistake was entering a cell wall that began a series of catrostrapic events all associated with his birth. An event that turned out to be a crying shame.
Thank you for this link and info....didn't know about it, although I wondered how on earth he wormed his way onto a beachfront in Scotland.
why didn’t all the news outlets repeated report on this and his other outrageous and illegal actions instead of reporting n every tweet and false claim the man made? I continue to feel very let down by owners of news who went for sensationalism and likes instead of vetting the candidate and giving us needed information.
Here's another link to the story behind another sordid episode from his sordid past, this from his Atlantic City era:
https://www.vox.com/2016/2/7/10931176/donald-trump-eminent-domain
The media made catastrophic errors giving this idiot airtime because people found him "entertaining.". It was horrifying. CNN didn't learn their lesson and gave this lunatic airtime during appalling town hall. CNN fired CEO shortly thereafter. Well, DUH!
"It may not be good for America, but it sure is good for CBS" -- Les Moonves, former CEO of CBS
They've been horrifically negligent for a long time now. There are a few good reporters & analysts, but most do an inadequate job.
Thanks. I was straining to remember the name of that doc this morning. It's no wonder the Scots can see right though him.
Thank you for the link. I remember the events but was not aware of the documentaries, so thank you.
I saw that movie when it originally came out (2011?). Talk about massive self-important arrogance that goes beyond the pale. It's never been banned in the US but I believe he tried to get it banned in the UK, for obvious reasons. Not sure if he succeeded. There's also a "You've Been Trumped Too" sequel which focuses on the major disruption thrust on the neighbors whose property trump wanted in order to put his golf course wherever the f he wanted, no matter who got screwed. Released in key election year 2016, it's never been banned in the US either. Even though MANY of the con man's devout followers should relate to the residents who were treated so horribly, they were/are so blinded by "celebrity" and "wealth" that they probably excuse deplorable behavior by him as something a "millionaire/billionaire's gotta do".... or has "earned the right to do???" .. IDK. SO hard to explain the adoration.
I had never felt ashamed being American until trump.
Americans have been so manipulated and played by the "Marketing" geniuses of Madison Avenue, that we have become slaves to the mentality that unfettered and deregulated capitalism is SYNONYMOUS with democracy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"We need small government", ie we need lower taxes for corporations and rich people and cart blanche to do whatever despicable or world destroying things they want. It has to be repeated over and over...as a smoke screen otherwise those politicians would be voted out. Like Krysren Sinema soon will be.
I was in Scotland Last year (my Grandparents immigrated from Scotland) and I didn't meet anyone (even those distantly related) who thought he was a qualified President. How COULD people be so blind? Last count it was 70 Million that voted for him, WTAH?
Can you say hate. Like all dictators and wannabe dictators they need a target for their venom.
He tapped into America's racism, misogyny and homophobia.
It’s an indictment of our largely failed educational system and the massive amounts of money behind certain media outlets steering the propaganda to the easily hoodwinked masses…
End Citizens United
And restore the full Voting Rights Act, intact.
Judy, I would say to the Scots, we didn’t support or elect him. That was done with shear corruption. For the past 30+ years the popular vote losing Republican has taken the presidency over the popular vote winner….The votes of THE PEOPLE.
Don’t let anyone get away with thinking he has EVER had the support of the citizens of the US.
True! He didn't have the support of the majority of voters. But still - 70MM people supported him, either out of ignorance or greed, or a combo of both. It's still unfathomable to me.
No, MJ, his popular vote was 62 million, compared to Hillary's 65 million.
The "Elvis" frenzy and the evangelical cult make for a lethal mix. It's my take on the YouGov poll this week that the 18-29 age group is especially susceptible to culting. We were hoping the Boomers would have an end point, but political devilry and Fox seem to be major influencers. Hope I'm wrong.
Don't overlook the Clown Car aspect of his antics. He tried to "hide" piles and piles of "his boxes", not only from FBI, but even from his own lawyers. Then he asked one of his lawyers, Corcoran, to take some of the "bad ones" with him to his hotel. He thought that's what lawyers are for -- co-conspiracy.
Elvis???
Yup. The Boomer effect. I'm referring to the crowd that loves Vegas, Branson, and all the vulgarity that goes along w/ them. I was born in Year # 1 of the Boomers, and despite the critical quality of his music, many of us couldn't relate to the Elvis experience, but he's alive and well in the Heartland. More than the physical Elvis, I'm talking about what seems to be the first time that the "groupie" phenomenon seemed to emerge in pop entertainment. It's an emotional seduction not unlike the Trump Cult. The two make for a powerful mix that appeals to various age groups.
You combine that w/ the emotional draw of many evangelicals, it's a poisonous mix for politics.
Thanks for explanation
Frustratingly true! They should not judge us by our messed up voting system!
Unfortunately, he had enough support to keep electoral college in his favor and that was all he needed.😠
Some say the reality show The Apprentice set Trump up to run for president. The carefully edited episodes (falsely) portrayed him as a very successful businessman and leader, able to make wise decisions, and totally in control.
Carolyn, I had heard that it took more than 200 hours of videotaping to get 42 minutes of each "Apprentice" episode. Of course the contents were manipulated to make Trump look like something he is not, a competent forceful leader. Reality TV has done a lot of damage to our culture because people who don't take time to actually think about it, believe there are no scripts or set-ups for situations and retakes. I guess we the people can be made to believe anything if we don't stay at least mostly on guard against the implicit lying and the manipulation on behalf of corporate actors/big money.
Knowing what we do now of the con man's "style" it's not hard to imagine what being on that set must have been like; it's surprising it didn't take even more.!!
MM, I have heard young women claim that they were just so grateful for the opportunity to be on "The Apprentice." They only publicized the ones who said how gracious Trump was. I can't imagine Trump being gracious to anyone he couldn't get something from. Makes you wonder what he got.
Frightening thought
True. And even the end result was nauseating to many of us.
Carolyn Herz; Yes, The show gave him some 'respectability'
It was the only enterprise that was actually a financial success. And the only time he was a star in anything but the National Enquire. Can't wait to see what top secret document he sold to them.
That show literally brought him into people’s living rooms - some people are so addicted to screen reality, they probably had the feeling they knew him personally.
His nasty daughter liked to fire people.
I bet some of the people who work on the show have seen him at his not so best, & would probably have some interesting things to say about him.
Reading through the replies, I was surprised to find that nobody mentioned Trump's most loyal and active supporters: white Christian evangelicals. The church leaders were able to convince their flocks that Trump -- as flawed as he appeared (and truly is) -- was "anointed" to the Almighty's purposes, and that a vote for Hillary was a certain ticket to Hell.
McConnell's holding out approving Obama's choice of a justice to replace Scalia was another master stroke.
I asked my E-Free (evangelical nutter) brother how he could possibly vote for t-rump. His response - "any means to an end", i.e. bringing about a ban on abortion. They're willing to bring down the country over one issue.
And one that’s none of their business...
I also have a sibling deep into that cult. I'll never forget a strange night 15 or so years ago with them telling me how they needed "buckets" of Jesus' blood to wash away their sins. I knew then they had gone off the deep end, and there could be no reasoning with them. But the image still haunts me.
In their view, the country was being brought down by the "holocaust of the unborn" -- as they put it. I recall Dr. Tiller and several other medical professionals who were murdered in cold blood by "pro-Lifers." The Atlanta bombings around the time of the 1996 Olympics carried out by Eric Robert Rudolf. We're dealing with actual and would-be terrorists here.
One victory under wraps and they've coming after the LGBTQ community, Target, Chick-fil-A and the list keeps growing. (Google "seven mountains mandate") I am observing my enemies very, very closely.
Judy "When you become angry , you confuse your mind"
He thrives on others’ anger and fear.
All Narcissistic Bullies do.
Judy, and more than thriving on people's anger and fear, Trump and Kump work to create it and point the blame for it to anyone they don't happen to like on that particular day. Rather clever because the media, even the "mainstream" media buy it and pass it on. It must suit the needs of their corporate owners or they would not do it.
It's ALL about the $$$$..... TRUSTWORTHY, UNBIASED news reporting based on good investigation and facts is becoming harder and harder to come by -- one of our BIGGEST problems.
Laurie: I don’t know where that quote comes from, but I disagree. Anger can also help focus our mind and spur us to action to address the issue. It’s when anger becomes rage that it overrides reason. That is a significant reason for the “perpetual outrage” MO of the far-right media.
Quite. I m English and thank Heavens we don't have anyone remotely like that creature
Boris Johnson is somewhat remote…..
Similar hair problems
Judy, those folks you mentioned are right about Trump. It would be helpful, though to remember that white people, particularly Republicans, in this country are encouraged to be scared of everyone who is not them. Our media keeps pushing the idea that criminals are people of color, OK, Black, and that people like them will be moving in to do something. They are not sure what, just something and it will be awful. In a rare case when a white Republican is asked what they think "replacement theory" is about and how that will impact them, they can't articulate anything sensible. I heard one say they would take their homes. The questioner didn't even ask where they got that idea, no follow-ups. It seems, white Republicans and I guess some Independents too just don't want THOSE people around them and think that Trump will keep those folks away, in Mexico, or Africa, or somewhere else so they can keep their totally white lives moving along. Yes, it's nuts, but Trump and Kump thrive on nuttiness, and encourage it and the Trump cult will buy it and keep wishing for their mythical Trump who cares for them and their situation and will help them. He won't, but they will have Democrats to blame when he doesn't, and the media will agree and amplify.
Whites are scared of others who are not like them because they don't get out much. Many are highly insular, wrapped in their own homogenous communities. Studies show increased tolerance goes with exposure to diversity. Those who live for a while in other countries or travel frequently, grow up on military bases, or live in the cities around immigrants have traditionally been more tolerant of diversity. Of course with the current "fear" programming, that's changing too, with Latinos fighting blacks in cities and Fox running 24/7 on military bases.
S.A., you are right about whites being insular. I do believe they who are, like it that way. They don't have to drop their fear and hatred if they stay isolated and they can keep pretending that somehow they are being replaced and justify their resentment, hatred, and anger. Hey, it means they are feeling something, even if it isn't good feeling. They can LOVE Fox even when their brain tells them Fox is simply lying to them nearly all the time. If they pretend well enough, they won't need to let themselves admit they have been duped. The pumping out of Fox on bases, in restaurants and other public places is a real problem and should not be happening. We do have laws against pushing insurrection, as Fox has been doing regularly. How is it when it is Republicans/ultra-right, we can't seem to make the law work, but when it is against the rest of us, they can dredge up laws from medieval times through the 1800s and claim they are relevant in the 21st century, even when they don't directly relate to our Constitution? That's nuts!
Absolutely, Ruth. The denial hangs heavy over the white conservative community. You've described it perfectly.
Other countries have been aghast for years about the rate of deaths from guns, about the lack of vacation time to see and understand the greater world, only developed country with out universal health care, poor education for poor kids...a movie star for President but Trump's scared people everywhere because his potential to change society worldwide was/is huge.
Some are just like him and live vicariously through his bulliness and lies.
For everyone's consideration in this matter:
- OL' TWEETY FEDERALLY INDICTED! HERE'S WHAT WE CAN EXPECT IN THE COMING DAYS:
https://youtu.be/PoQn_h0dLpU
- MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT OL' TWEETY IN FLORIDA:
https://youtu.be/vH72bk74dYQ
They drank the Kool Aid
Exactly my reaction. The Scottish have had a lot of exposure to Trump's bullying, too, with regard to his golf courses.
"The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." --M.L.King, Jr.
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In all deference to MLKjr and yourself -- the universe is neither moral nor just. Of course, I understand we are using metaphor here. But it is only humankind that can display such attributes, and yes, we have a long precarious path before us.
Sadly totally agree on the uncaring universe. What I will say is MLK scared the Bejeezus out of the powers that be. In 10 years the whole Corporations take back business (and government) from social responsibility began. I see that as a direct rebuff of people who believed in his teachings. I would alter MLK statement slightly.
"The arc of the moral universe is long. You can bend it towards justice!" Justin Jones is right in fighting against the unjust because if we dont fight the universe wont bend. I apologise if this seems like mirroring.
The universe as I experience it is both moral and just because for every action there is a reaction. The law of cause and effect is alive and well in the universe. That is a scientific fact.
Morality and justice have nothing to do with the law of cause and effect/action-reaction. One has to do with the realm of ethics; the other with the realm of physics. And that's a fact.
Morality and justice is a choice. Based on your own ethical beliefs, you make a choice (cause). Whatever the choice, their is a consequence (effect). The science is a fact, born out of the natural dynamics of the universe.
Ok. So Sandy Hook, Columbine, Uvalde mass school shootings were actions done in reaction to what? So choice/"cause" by mass shooter. Effect: kids dead. How does this prove a "moral and just" universe? You've got me on that one.
Everything exists in the universe. Good and evil exists in the universe. The actions taken by people moment to moment determine what kind of universe we create. I believe that the people who took the lives of those children were reacting to the events in their lives that caused them to feel unhappy. I believe. based on my experiences and studies that people who are unhappy in most cases, do not know what to do with their unhappiness. So they look for something or someone to blame for that unhappiness. Individuals who are made to feel insecure, or inferior need someway to express that pain. If they do not have an outlet, or someone they trust to help them through their struggles, they lash-out in many different ways. Our young people today are burdened with a society that is so confused that we have forgotten how to care for one another. Families are splintered in many different ways. I believe that the greed that has infested our society has created a culture of fear, violence, hatred, jealousy, selfishness, feelings of inadequacy that have manifested an unstable, restlessness that has subtly altered the nature of our relationship with ourselves and others. Consequently, the effect is mass shootings, emotional instability, homelessness, conspiracy theories, corruption at all levels, and many, many more factors that have contributed to an unhappy society. I further believe that it is up to us to make the choices needed to change; to protect our children, our values and ideals that have brought us to this point. We just need to open our collective hearts, minds, and eyes to face the truth of what our causes have created. It’s going to take all hands on deck. We can do this.
I wish. But I think MLK was sadly mistaken.
Anne Frank thought people were really good at heart. Hello?!
She was very young. I think MLK had a worthy dream. Most people, unless badly harmed, are decent, especially if they learned to be. If you think education is expensive, try ignorance. Try further and see what misinformation does! It is pure evil.
I have heard from someone who knew the family how cruelly his father treated him. Anger is fear made visible in him and his supporters. We DO need mental healthcare.
I had a brother who was sent to a 'reform school' in upstate New York. It was The George Junior Republic. After he left, he was in trouble for the rest of his life. . As . foster child, he was child labor on horse farm in the Berkshires, along with our younger brother. The older brother went on to a life of recidivism . Jail and trouble, more jail and more trouble etc. He did not have privilege or wealth. Tall, blonde and blue eyed, he excelled in sports. He died at 57, behind a dumpster in a blizzard . His younger brother, who graduated from Amherst College was dead by age 41. Neither had access to mental health treatment.
tRump was sent to a military school. I wish we could hear from his mother. It would be fascinating to know what it was like to try to raise him - the lying, the manipulation, the always blaming others, the self-aggrandizement. Eddie Haskell (old reference) writ waaaay too large! Other than that she immigrated from Scotland to the U.S., I'm not aware of any biographies of her or of the rest of that family. We know a lot about his father, his association with Roy Cohn, his being a racist landlord, his crooked ways, but not so much about his mother. I'm imagining a Scottish accent demanding that Don be sent to military school - or else - but who knows.
Ignorance is what got us here.
Alfred E. Neuman ;with a handle like yours ; "What me worry?"
Trump's guilt isn't in question it's the degree to which he has attempted to subvert this country's very foundation. I know everybody is innocent until proven guilty but Trump has proven his guilt in front of an entire nation for the past 7 years and to his credit he did it very well. Our country doesn't need to further divide our citizenry and the evisceration of Trump really wouldn't help the healing process, which is so badly in need of a beginning. After proving his guilt in a court of law presided over by a jury of his peers simply ban the guy from ever holding public office again. Restrict his political association in the same manner they did with Hoffa and his union affiliation.
Thank you - he has shown us who he is all that time - committing his crimes openly in front of everybody - because his ego makes him convinced 'he alone can fix it' ! Now we wait to see if Justice will put him where he SHOULD be !
It is a massive injustice watching how unnecessarily long it has been to put the orange deadly seditionist sexual assault criminal in shackles! Most politicians around the world would be put to death for what he’s done. So would the insurrectionists. Trump is an existential threat that goes further than the US.
Hey Seeking Reason, you are so right about the length of time it has taken to even indict Trump. I do wish the insurrectionist charges had preceded this indictment for the stolen documents, but I guess we must take what we can get. The sad thing for me is seeing just how many people Trump has duped with their permission. If the media spent more time in showing this country just what kind of creepy, narcissistic person Trump is it might help a few people to wake from their hypnotic trance. The Republican leaders who support him, on the other hand, know exactly who and what Trump is and have chosen to put their weight behind him because they benefit from being in Trump's horrible shadow. They, too, are narcissistic and are lesser versions of Trump, you know, Trump wannabees.
Even Chris Christie who claims to be so much different from Trump has lied to his state, set his staff up to commit a crime he still works to distance himself from except for the insincere mea culpa for his having hired THOSE people who did that bad thing (which he will never admit he knew all about and at least tacitly agreed to). It is rare for a politician to change who they are especially when he has gotten the goodies because of his bad behavior.
vcragain--In political exile.
The isle of St Helena? Trumps document flushing proved he was defeated by water in the Loo.
Re guilt.
Facing yet more indictments in DC, Hotlanta, NY. If I were his lawyer, I'd ask to have him evaluated by a psychiatrist, voluntarily take a lie detector, MMPI, Halstead Reitan, Luria Nebraska, etc. Unfit to stand trial?
If I were his wife's lawyer, I'd have him Baker Acted (involuntarily committed) to try to preserve his assets. Ask to be named conservator.
Daniel-- The phrase I think you're looking for is "Non compos mentis." To be honest, I think you have a good point.
Daniel, has Trump's wife even been seen lately? It would be interesting if the family did that to try to save assets. On the other hand, Trump is bringing in big bucks from his pathetic supporters who want to believe he is their savior. I keep wondering what it will take to get them to finally see the truth. Maybe they just can't. How sad!
I think the word wife should always be in quotes when it comes to his arrangements, as in Trump's "wife."
Anybody else remember the video of him in a small group of people, Melania being one of them, and Trump says to one of the men, "Did you see my super-model? Did you see my super-model wife?"
In my mind's eye, I see Trump, Melania and Jeffrey Epstein in that photo, arms around each other, all looking kind of sweaty, maybe somewhat intoxicated, smiling for the camera...... it gives one the creeps to see them and leaves one wondering what they've been doing, yet not really wanting to know.
She has lived in this country for decades and never learned to speak English. "Be best" doesn't count.
Sham and Scam, Inc.
I once read that he walks people so far over the horizon that they can't find their way back.(Tough to admit they made a BIG MISTAKE!)
Most of us can think of rational answers to his issues, but then the answers should have been issued way back before he got to this point, and basically nobody stopped him deteriorating - everybody is just too scared of him to do or suggest anything logical, but having him Committed might be the best resolution for the family if they can figure out to do that without him 'releasing the Kraken' on them ! I'm sure there are millions of
wishes going out daily regarding his status - many in his own political party & his own family wishing him dead !
Members of his own cabinet wanted to apply the 25th amendment to get rid of him.
Melania can do it.
There is the distinct possibility that, if the noose tightens on Trump, that he and his attorneys will plead mental confusion. And they wouldn't be entirely wrong. God, anything to get him out of circulation.
Thanks for my first chuckle of the day.
Hilarious 😆
Thanks, sis!
Alfred and Garhart, I believe that what Martin Luther King was saying should be understood as words of inspiration, not analysis. He's not trying to convince his listeners, but rather to stir in them a spirit of hope and faith. It is poetry, not science.
To preach that justice is a universal value is not the same as to declare that the universe values justice. To say that the arc of the moral universe is long, is not at all like declaring that the universe is curved.
Despite the cynicism so easily found in these comment sections and elsewhere, there is a tendency toward more justice in the world. That is not to deny the continuing existence of staggering injustice as well.
But one needs only to read what's in the bible to see how much more justice we have today than when those words were written. It's not surprising that Rev. King, a biblical scholar, would point this out in such memorable terms.
.
Yes, but someone has to do the bending! Time for those of us who want to save democracy to get to work!
A comforting sweeping metaphor ("arc") without evidence but helpful for many to keep from burning out.
This rigged system is designed to burn you out. If you are fighting for justice, you will just keep running into an impenetrable wall of unjust corporate power. movetoamend.org
Im in total agreement that Corporations are not people and deserve zero say in the elective process except for the votes of people who may own or be employed by that company (one person one vote) Money is power, get the money out of our elections and the corporate lobbysists out of congress. Government needs to be responsible to voters not big bank accounts.
Down with the corrupt members of the 'Supreme' Court'
First step accountability. Next step they have to be represented by the population. Ie national elections. Popular vote, vote for best of 12 or whatever. No corporate donations in Justice elections period. Heavy limits on billiomaire donations (ie everyone limited to $5000). Imagine a representative justiciary? Ouch.
Lawrence, Those fighting for justice also run into open fields of possibility and communities creating connection and reason to hope. It is true that we live in a corporate obstacle course. It is also true that human determination and tenacity to create justice co-exist in that system. The young Tennessee activist and leader, Rep. Justin Jones said that every time we resist, we create hope.
Very true. We must redouble our efforts. It took a 50 year movement for Republicans to become the corporatists they became. Democrats bought into some of it as well...in fact, I think the DNC has received a lot of JUSTIFIABLE anger by white blue collar workers, because the Party abandoned the labor movement (Bill Clinton). It can be reversed, but it will take time, resources, and persistent effort. As Prof. Reich says, this is really a class war, not a woke vs. non-woke.
Thank you, Donna for that.
Hypocrisy is the name of the game in Corporate America. They have the power to change the status of our country, economy, and democracy... but greed is King...the only color they see is the color of money, no matter where it comes from.
That’s it in a nutshell...greed and power...nothing will change..
What's interesting and synchronistic is that Trump is the epitome of all that. He's an absolute caricature of it. It's being shoved right in our face.
I like Martin Luther King‘s Statement but I’m not sure it ever works out that way. I sure won’t be around to see it.
Alfred and Garhart, I believe that what Martin Luther King was saying should be understood as words of inspiration, not analysis. He's not trying to convince his listeners, but rather to stir in them a spirit of hope and faith. It is poetry, not science.
To preach that justice is a universal value is not the same as to declare that the universe values justice. To say that the arc of the moral universe is long, is not at all like declaring that the universe is curved.
Despite the cynicism so easily found in these comment sections and elsewhere, there is a tendency toward more justice in the world. That is not to deny the continuing existence of staggering injustice as well.
But one needs only to read what's in the bible to see how much more justice we have today than when those words were written. It's not surprising that Rev. King, a biblical scholar, would point this out in such memorable terms.
.
Regardless of the order in which the indictments come, I am overjoyed to see this ridiculous human being held to account for his crimes. Yes, he is a felon, pretending to be something he is not. He is guilty of stealing from the American people; guilty of trashing the reputation of our nation and democracy; guilty of disrespecting the children and Mothers of this country; guilty of creating an environment where conspiracy is rampant; guilty of corruption of our government with the purpose of destroying our democracy so that he could own the power we grant to all Presidents of the United States of America; guilty of blatant racism, guilty of lying about anything and everybody he feels threatened by;guilty of fraud to the nth degree; guilty of destroying those people who sought to protect him as well as the country; guilty of trampling over our national security interests and our foreign policies; guilty of embarrassing and destabilizing our country’s economy and Global trust; guilty of murdering thousands during the pandemic; guilty of pushing dangerous gun policies that have our people living in fear. What have I left out? I am sure there is more. So my question is why would we put him back in the White House instead of a cushy cell in federal prison?
There was a time when he would have gotten much worse punishment for the crimes he has done!
So would the other deadly seditionists who defaced the Capitol Building!
We hung the Rosenbergs for much less than what he’s done to this country.
“Oh, for he’s a jolly good felon, he’s a jolly good felon...”
WE wouldn’t. But sadly there are millions who would. And let’s not forget GOP gerrymandering, stripping felons of their right to vote, adding onerous voting restrictions, reducing access to the polls.... Add it up: THEY would and maybe will return this fascist to the White House.
Read about the Supreme Court’s ruling from today regarding gerrymandering. This could be the death knell of the republican party. It won’t happen overnight but I think it will happen. of course, the ruling was close 5 to 4.
In Michigan where I Preside we passed an amendment last year to have a bipartisan committee decide on voting districts. The results ,Michigan is an entirely democratic state for the first time in 40 years. Gretchen Whitmer is kicking butt and taking names. But I’m sure the devil Republicans will come up with some other stunt to try to steal the vote from people. We must be vigilant.
Michigan has some fierce female government officials. They are so inspirational.
Marge Wherley ; They can't, unless they cheat in the voting! We outnumber them!
Yes, Constance. You left out guilty of promoting the sickening, offensive, undermining, unabashed, loud, energetic, barbie-dollification/objectification of women with the implication that in some twisted way, this somehow aggrandizes about what he thinks is his masculinity!!!
Great comment!
The right wing reaction is no surprise. Trump has set himself up as a victim of a witch-hunt. They fail to see what came first. Their calls of it’s unprecedented that a former president who is currently running for office is indicted. What they are missing is that no president has committed crimes for which he should be indicted.
Personally I suspect that one of his motives for running was he thought it would prevent charges. He enjoyed immunity for four years but the party’s over. And I think the next indictments are coming soon.
Anyone who has any integrity would not be supporting the witch hunt fairy tale. It’s interesting to see the MAGA republicans scramble to defend this repeat offender. At least when Nixon got caught the Republican Party had the integrity to oust him.
Susan: he’s not the first. See https://open.substack.com/pub/thomhartmann/p/first-criminal-president-donald-trump-71f?r=13f2hl&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
You’re right I should have qualified that to the first president to brazenly and openly commit crimes against his government, then lie change his story ten or so times then call it a witch hunt.
I didn’t see Regan mentioned who made a deal with Iran to keep the hostages until after the election.
But you have to admit
It this is quite different in the blatant disregard for the Constitution, democracy and our National Security.
And if we want to play the blame game there’s always the impeachment of Bill Clinton for lying about sex. Is there a human on earth that has never demurred when asked about sex? It was none of our business, and it was a purely political move it had nothing to do with the workings of the government. Although I’ll never look at a breath mint the same.
This is the guy who claimed that he could shoot someone on Fifth Street (NY) and still get elected. Now he’s balking because he’s finding out he’s not invincible. Turns out the emperor has no clothes.
Fifth Avenue; quite different from fifth street in New York.
And mark my words. if he is, heaven forbid, elected again. He will pardon himself, and all the other crooks around him from all the shit he’s done to this country. And by that time it’ll be too late to do anything about it. absolute power corrupts absolutely.
I too would so much prefer that the seditious conspiracy charges been advanced earlier; the GA “give me ....votes” as well would be more likely to remove Trump from electability in 2024. And it galls me no end that poor, dare I say some less educated supporters will donate money for his legal defense like lemmings! Money they probably cannot afford.
A despicable ask by a narcissist who cares not where 💰💰💰comes from as long as he has access. He’ll burn through it all and ask for more!
You would think that anybody would see a lifelong pattern of swindling and dishonest, narcissistic behavior.
I'm hoping that the fraud case will soon be filed in DC. I want a clean trial.
But bienvenidos a Miami, once the jury nullification capitol of the US. .
I am author of Miami'90L 2Paths2 Murder: A Novel, which, in part addresses jury nullification. https://www.amazon.com/Miami-90-2Paths2-Murder-Novel/dp/1977222374
I'm behind in my reading, but your novel sounds too interesting to pass up.
I did read that the south Florida jurisdiction is big on national security issues, and both juries trend Democratic. Don't know if it's true.
Shakespeare on tyranny: Stephen Greenblatt's book, Tyrant is a comb-through on how after having been lured into the proliferation of lies and trickery and fraudulent populism, the people tire of the charade and move on. He describes the deceptions of Shakespeare's usual suspects: Lear, Macbeth, Richard III, Jack Cade. It was published in 2018 from the springboard of a 2016 op-ed piece in the NYT (Shakespeare Explains the 2016 Election https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/09/opinion/sunday/shakespeare-explains-the-2016-election.html ). I don't remember if the word "trump" appears in the text, but I do remember that the name Trump does not. In the Acknowledgement at the end, Greenblatt lets us know that his intention in writing the book was to do something about the 2016 election.
People have to be willing to move beyond the phony smiles and pretend wealth to see the truth. We have to realize that money does not mean that you have integrity or class. According to the New York Times, Trump and his family owes all of their wealth to the American people. His Father’s wealth came from the many grants he was able to get under the guise of building affordable housing for poor New Yorkers. They have been stealing from the government he so despises all of his life. And now he wants to continue on a grand scale as a permanent dictator that destroys our democracy. All of the poor people that give him money really need to start fighting for their lives instead of fighting against themselves under the assumption that someone else will win the day for them. Trump will suck them dry and then turn around and ask for their blood. What a despicable human being!
Gloria, the sad thing for me is that people often see only what they want to see. If they are told a man they have convinced themselves they love, is problematic, they can't see any of the "problems" that man is causing. They just don't want to let themselves believe that man credibly committed serious crimes. It might tell them something about themselves they don't want to know.
Fool me once? Shame on you.
Fool me twice? Shame on me.
Very sad the people he’s tricked
Danny, you are right that it's sad the people Trump has tricked. I think of those people as victims of a fraudster, con artist who knows just how to get people to do and believe things they might not otherwise do had it not been for him. Trump and folks like him can read people's fears, discontents, and frustrations, then tailors his speech to mollify them and make them see the fraud/con as their savior rather than the lying cheat that he actually is. I think we should work to make life better for those victims and remind them over and over who helped them out, without pointing out too often the con artist who did it to them, just enough hints at the perpetrator's identity they may eventually get the message and believe it. It could make things better for all of us.
They are conning themselves. As long as you refuse to face your truth, it will be difficult to see the truth about others. You must be willing to look in the mirror; remove the “rose colored glasses .” It all starts with accepting who you are with all your flaws and all your goodness.
Ruth, your reply to Danny in concert with some of my other reading, I came across the attached picture that gave me pause.
Very thoughtful. You are so right. If they are told they’ve been conned, most will double down to deny such.
There are two more indictments coming. “When he least expects it expect it”.
Anthony Davis said it Perfectly. “Followers of Donald Trump do not have the common sense radar that the rest of us have” to detect disinformation when they see it!
They continue to drink the cruel-aid from him and his Maga Cult!
My question is, how many more indictments will it take before Trump flees to Hungary or the UAE?
Or perhaps Saudi Arabia to hang with his daughter, son-in-law, and their lenders?
I don't think that segment of the family wants to hang out with Gramps. Been there done that.
They seem to have the same financial backers
My question is, how many more indictments will it take before Trump flees to Hungary or the UAE?
IMHO Trump is a material man. The biggest and most immediate threat is probably civil, the NY civil fraud trial. The liquidated damages are probably $250 million. NY will ask for perhaps a billion. He doesn't have a $ billion. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/04/14/trump-financial-disclosure/
We wait to see what happens to his assets when he simply does not pay those dues - which he will not be able to do unless he can get it from his foolish supporters. Do all his assets get seized ? THAT would please me no end !
Has separate potential liability for fraud against his donors. He and his family have a trial date in NY in January for yet another fraud case. The amounts exposed exceed his assets.
He is motivated by material wealth but he is not a man.
Or Russia, to be with Putin. Or maybe -- to suck up to Putin.
Randy Gaul ; tRump sucking up to anyone? That would be very short lived, along with him! Putin would not suffer fools gladly.
Lot of open windows in tall buildings in Russia plus trump doesn't like cold and snow. UAE most likely.
I think Putin has a well placed foot on Trump’s throat.
I don't know, Laurie. He certainly sucked up to Putin after some of their get together Rusky happyfest meetings. But as for being short lived because Putin would not suffer fools... well, it's all good!
In answer to the question: many. One can only wish the UAE would encourage permanent residence to him, and all those who think he's a great guy.
Send him to an island that’s about to be submerged by sea level rise… and tie him to a coconut palm.
If orange face was put on an island a volcano would develop and spit him out.
Good riddance! But I still prefer choking on a Big Mac.
LOL! :-)
As much as Trump likes Hungary's leader, it's still within the EU which means, he'd be in danger. It's not an option for Trump.
They’ve got both of his passports.
They’ve got both his passports.
Todd, I was just wondering where he would go, and who would take him when the court holds his passport. I'm betting he flies much sooner than later, like very soon, like this weekend.
Yevgeny Prigozhin will give him a job.
There still is a puzzle to solve: why is the justice system gaining courage now? Why was Trump not arrested for high treason and insurrection in january 2020? Does it mean that justice in the U.S. can be defined as something political? That is what worries me...
I share your concern about timeliness. But a lawyer friend pointed out to me that the development of big complex cases takes a lot of time. This is why bigger charges that are still out there are still pending. So, as they used to say, keep the faith.
Point taken and agreed; but what is normal in the world of lawyers cab still be a problem in political analysis. Of course: immediate arrest in january 2020 is also political. But the problem is the relation between the two.
Thanks, Randy
You are very welcome.
The way our justice system works is that if the defendant loses they can appeal. But on the prosecution side if they lose, that’s it, there’s no do over. I appreciate that the Jack Smith has carefully gone through the case and has put together a strong. I liked that he also investigated Trumps business dealings to see if there were any connections.
Susan, that is an educative comment; thanks. But looking from Europe into the proceedings, I still have doubts about the relations in the American "trias politica". I hope you understand that.
Tom van Doormaal ; Everyone's a critic. We are Practicing Democracy. It IS messy, especially when corrupt! Root for us! At least those who are not greedy Fascists!
I just read the 49 page indictment. Jack Smith did an excellent job. It includes texts from trumps employees about moving boxes, recordings of trump that he was aware of and gave permission to be recorded where he bragged and said « I could’ve declassified this when I was president but I didn’t » he went on to share it then said it was « still a secret ». It’s a very well done I . Parts of it reads like the adventures of dumb and dumber.
It saddens me that the Republican Party has sunk so low that they are trying to excuse his behavior. It’s indefensible.
I understand your concern.
Tom van Doormaal ; I wonder if fear was what kept the justice system from acting sooner? tRump was still in power, and. As Commander in Chief, had a lot of power. He had fired anyone he could who did not show complete fealty to him, and installed those who did. Like William Barr. He was toying with starting a war with Iran so he could stay in power. The courts were being stacked. It is not surprising that there was caution!
Good points Laurie. Unfortunately, the worst lunatics are all insiders, including SCOTUS making a lot of things dangerous. But Trump’s been out of his illegitimate office for over a year now.
It seems that some of the formerly immoderate justices are becoming more moderated. They may be aware of the power of the people. They are very hated, and know it
They know how much evidence against them is out there. But they’ll just likely throw a small bone once in a while to Dems to appear fair, which they are not. They should be removed from the bench.
The 6 right wing extremists on the court are illegitimate who perjured themselves.
Yes Laurie, it is easy to understand, but the problem remains: what is the balance between political and juridical power? New for me is his toying with the idea of a war against Iran, but levitsky and Ziblatt show it figures...
As far as I know, a sitting president cannot be unseated during wartime?.
Yeah that's a problem. And yes, we should be worried.
I agree. I was thinking about the notion of the ">equal< justice under the law," that abolishes royal families. I'm getting >mightily< impatient with the moronic apology that prosecuting, convicting, and throwing ol' Tweety's sorry arse in a maximum security cell for his entire duration will somehow cause further division with those whose objective was be divided in the first place. I'm thinkin' someone on 5th Avenue should shoot back and put that goddam shooter >down!<
DZK: Brilliant! 👏
Well remember that a large number of high level people are Republicans, and their instincts would be to protect their own, even if they think they are being non-partisan, that instinct would still make them hesitate & I do think we have watched politics get in the way of the Law - think Rosenstein & the Mueller business - a disgrace ASAIC - and Chris Wray to me appeared to be hesitant in pursuing things at first !
I'm European, so a distant spectator and commentator.
Problem seems to me that party affiliation is more important than a professional and juridical judgement and actions. We share the feeling that this is part of the problem.
There has been more discussion here lately that the US would benefit from a parliamentary system. It's very difficult to have more than two parties with the present system, although I'd like to see a Progressive Party form and be transactional with the Democrats.
Who wouldn't dodge a loose cannon!?
I'm sure that many feared tRump when he was in power. For good reason!
I've read that these cases take a lot of time because when they're ready, they want it to be a slam-dunk. They have the goods.
Tom, I wonder if the necessity to explain the situation to the public and bring the people along in the discovery of the cause of the national trauma was the immediate concern. It was scary. The January 6 Committee did an excellent job in explaining what happened to the American people. It has been a process. I’m very happy to see that justice is being served.
I want to know why!
Perhaps I'm veering into dangerous conspiratorial speculation -- and, believe me, I am no supporter of Trump, clearly an individual with criminal proclivities -- but I can't help but feel that a substantial majority of the U.S. establishment has had enough of Trump and are looking for a more "stable" candidate who will play by establishment rules e.g. support the endless wars that enrich the military-industrial complex. Trump is too much of a lose cannon rolling around on the deck of the ship of state.
I fear that Robert Kennedy Jr. will drain enough of the vote away from Biden in 2024 to allow the openly fascist-authoritarian DeSantis to take the election. As bad as Trump is and could be again, DeSantis would be an unmitigated disaster as president especially with a Republican House.
Some of my friends disagree with me but I think Biden had some honest, populist-progressive designs for average Americans virtually all of which were thwarted by the likes of Manchin and Sinema. Some say Biden wanted to end his political legacy as a new FDR and was seeking to atone for his worst sins on behalf of the student loan and credit card industries. Biden might have done much more for the American people had not Congress stood in his way.
After the Supreme Court's Buckley v. Vallejo decision and the even worse Citizens United some of the best political scientists Gilens and Page have empirically shown that the U.S. is no longer a democracy but a plutocracy. https://scholar.princeton.edu/sites/default/files/mgilens/files/gilens_and_page_2014_-testing_theories_of_american_politics.doc.pdf
At least one can hope that the execrable Trump is out of the picture, for good this time.
Thanks for reminding me of the Gilens and Page study. That, along with Reich's Wealth and Poverty Class is convincing evidence that we need "amendment size" changes to the system of government.
From one Thomas to another... If DeSantis is the nominee, he will certainly win every state that Trump won in 2020. At least, nobody has yet to provide an example of a Trump state he would not win.
Biden won my state -- Georgia -- by fewer than 12,000 votes, and disdain for Trump runs high here. But our current governor, Brian Kemp, soundly defeated Stacey Abrams, AND DeSantis to most Georgians looks like another version of Kemp. If I had to lay money down, I'd bet that DeSantis will return Georgia to the R side. Like you, this is NOT the outcome I want.
The next wild card state is Arizona, which Biden won by 10,500 votes. Like Florida, a sun belt state with immigration challenges. If DeSantis is successful in portraying himself to Arizonans as someone who understands their issues, the state of Barry Goldwater and John McCain will return to the R side.
The BIG unknown factor is whether our economy goes into a recession, and how serious it will be. The other factor is Democratic messaging -- and that has been sorely lacking. Plutocracy, oligarchy... the democratic "threat" represented by progressives is being quashed by money given to Republicans and corporate Dems.
I don't agree about RFK Jr. -- he'd have to run third party to take votes from Biden. But where would he get his support from? Q supporters? Plus, he'd sully his family's and father's name.
What's not being reported is that the grand jury also named Trump's toilet as an unindicted co-conspirator.
Avie Hern ; Hahaha!
😂🤣
I’m sure he blames his former wife for dying too!
Maybe he buried some documents on the golf course with her.
What concerns me are the documents that he still has. It's clear from the FBI search that there are still documents "missing." I have a feeling that those documents give him some solid leverage on other politicians. And I think that's why the likes of Lindsey Graham side with him. The question is how deep and on whom else does he have leverage? He probably learned this tactic from Jeffrey Epstein since they were quite close. And Epstein was a master of blackmail.
Epstein certainly knew some sordid truths about several men!
And women
Yes. Did they ever search Bedminster?
He learned how to be Donald Trump from Roy Cohn.
Lock him up😆
I am so happy Trumpie is going to pay for some of his crimes. He is not above the law, and now we can again have faith in our country for not letting him get away with these crimes
Well Deb, I’m wanting that to happen, but the trial isn’t over yet.
He is a slippery fish you know.
The bigger stories are still pending. Both Mr Smith (Mr Smith goes to Washington!) and Fani Willis, if I am spelling her name correctly, have big charges in development. For Mr Smith extending the seditious conspiracy charges to the ring leader. And Ms Willis? I read recently where Georgia's RICO statutes allow for consideration of similar events outside of state boundaries. This could, if true, mean that he could be facing racketeering charges for his attempts across all of the contested states as a demonstration of broader application of what occurred in Georgia. May it be so.
I sure hope so
Randy Gaul ; The RICO charges alone would really make America GREAT again!
You got that right. But we are trying to read the future a bit here.
True!
I was really enthusiastic about the Georgia case until I read Elie Honig's "Untouchable." (2023). He was an assistant attorney for the Southern District of NY and involved in prosecuting a number of mobsters. He feels that GA will be stuck because there are so many possibilities where a venue change is requested, etc. etc. Hope he's wrong.
Hmm... Very interesting. Thanks for the update. But I'll still root for Fani.
It's a great day. And yes there are more important and bigger charges still pending. (IMHO this one is still small potatoes). But it's still a beautiful thing to finally see. By the way, great phrase: "...stress test of American democracy." That describes it in a way that I hadn't previously considered. And it's true.
So, nobody is above the law then, at least as far as indictments is concerned.......encouraging........ Many politicians seemingly disagree and plan to try to interfere with the law., which in itself should be a concern...... Wait and see if the Court upholds that nobody is above the law and in the mean time ........let's not forget that one is presumed innocent until proven guilty........
Hans : we can't 'unsee what has happened right out in the open. What has been said on national television. What he is.
The Emperor’s New Clothes always comes to my mind when I read anything about tRump!