804 Comments

The Supreme Court decided drumpf would not go to trial when they decided to ignore the appeals courts fine, thorough reasoning.

Corruption at its worst.

The Roberts court is the worst in history. Thank you HW, W and the monstrous CF45.

And most of all, Mitch freaking McConnell.

Expand full comment

they're a bunch of 2 bit thugs!!

Expand full comment
Jul 1Edited

>I'll just bet< a really energetic prosecution can show that everything ol' Schitzinpantz is charged with was outside his constitutional authority, and therefore cannot be a legitimately official act. For example, I doubt it is within any president's prevue to order any VP to do anything, let alone try to order the VP to not perform his constitutional duties, assuming any attempt to commit a crime - successfully or unsuccessfully - and is an "illegal order" that cannot be an official act, and is therefore in itself a crime.

So here's the thing. It's time for the prosecution to dig in teasing out what is legitimately official presidential duty/authority and what is not. It's clearer what state crimes he committed, assuming such state legislatures don't accomplish passing last minute panic legislation that effectively nullifies their own state's rights. For example, it's not the president's official duty to hold an impromptu rally intended to gin up an insurrection, the objective of which is to overturn the results of a legitimate election. And it's up to the individual states to determine if there were enough voting irregularities to change the outcome of the election that it is within the state's prevue to conduct - not the president's - thus invalidating Schitzinpantz's claim that he was only trying to insure the validity of the election. That's not the president's job. It's the states' job.

Of course, this too could be an option: https://youtu.be/btGp84UggsU?si=_o1sbeABsBbZxav1

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Expand full comment

Why was'nt he stopped earlier?

Expand full comment

Merrick Garland drug his feet, and was forced to appoint a special counsel by the heat he got from his peers, in an open letter, and the public.

Garland is a conservative Republican and Biden is to blame for appointing him.

The chicken has come home to roost, not and with the Hunter as well.

Expand full comment

Garland is a wuss. However.....

The statute of limitations has not run on insurrection. 18 USC §2383. Rebellion or insurrection. Probably 5 years.

Whoever incites, sets on foot, assists, or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof, or gives aid or comfort thereto, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.

18 USC §2384. Seditious conspiracy

If two or more persons in any State or Territory, or in any place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, conspire to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the Government of the United States, or to levy war against them, or to oppose by force the authority thereof, or by force to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States, or by force to seize, take, or possess any property of the United States contrary to the authority thereof, they shall each be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both.

As a lapsed chess player, If I were Garland, I'd grant Bannon immunity and bring him to a grand jury and force him to testify re Jan 5 and 6, 2021. Civil coercive contempt could jail him until he sings. No 5th Amendment rights. He was granted a pardon for his crimes re theft of funds from the Mexico wall project, but I'd ask him about how he got that pardon.

Chutkan has to hold suppression hearings, I'd call all the MAGAT witnesses, including Barr et al from the DOJ to rebut the immunity presumption .Surely threats to the vice president, etc should rebut the presumption.

Expand full comment

In the meantime we must expose Trump's Justices for the corrupt and cowardly lackeys they are. They waited for over three years, and to the very last minute, to submit their opinion--and they are presumed to be constitutional law experts!

Expand full comment

Justice delayed is justice denied.

Expand full comment

It's like catch and kill.

Expand full comment

In as much as Chutkan and Merchan have kicked the Trump can down the road, and have given him more leniency than they would another defendant, that they too are reading tea leaves, and afraid that Trump will wreak revenge on them, if (and it seems increasingly like because of certain ethnicities) he wins the election.

It is called hedging your bets.

Expand full comment

This is a hard one because if the judges don't act, it won't matter, Baby Donnie will go after them anyway because the SC has just said he can do whatever he wants as "official duty" and going after them, he will make his official duty. I say, Take Trump Down as soon as possible. Go for the 88 days from today as promised before the SC fiasco and emphasize the treason charges, or rather, insurrection. We have this one in our Constitution even if Johnny and friends don't like the 14th Amendment. It's time somebody gets some courage, or we will have nothing of our democracy left come next year at this time.

Expand full comment

Spot on as usual, Ruth.

Expand full comment

totally agree, but human nature informs me that people will hedge their bets.

Expand full comment

I repeat myself for years: everyone could see the insurrection on ja. 6; why not the learned law specialists?

Expand full comment

sounds good but they're not acting on it...

Expand full comment

I do not know what you know about law and neither of these judges did Trump any favors. They have both been careful not to give any solid appeal avenues. I have just retired after 40+ years of trial work and being a mediator and arbitrator.

Expand full comment

By not putting him in jail for violating gag orders, by delaying sentencing they gave Trump a get out of jail card.

How many felons that you know of have been given such latitude, not to mention the ability to walk around free for 45 days after being found guilty of felonies.

That he doesn't have solid grounds for appeal, doesn't mean that he won't appeal, and that there aren't friendly judges on the court of appeals, and we now that there are.

and the Trumpified legal system has shown that facts, the laws, precedent are there to be bent and ignored.

Expand full comment

True, Mr Phelps, & thx, but media is saying “a win for Trump,” & that’s what people who don’t understand legal procedures (which is probably 90% of the public, incl. Trump) will take away.

What is your opinion about what Judge Chutkan will do?

Expand full comment

but the justices didn't define it either, leaving that 'up to interpretation' and it's their interpretation that makes law, whether it's legal, moral or corrupt. Can you speak to that given the obvious scenario?

Expand full comment

Merchan works for the State of NY, doesn’t he? What the SCOTUS ruled on only has to do with immunity on national “illegal acts.” And, FWIW, Merchan didn’t stall any case. AG Bragg had to investigate everything Trump did with a fine-toothed comb. He and his practiced team of attorneys worked for years on this project — just to get everything right.

Expand full comment

I know all of that Catherine but do other felons in Mechans court get the same treatment as Trump do they get to walk free for 45 days, and file appeals before sentencing. That is what I am referring to.

Expand full comment

How to address this gross miscarriage of justice? Are there no guardrails for these corrupt MAGAT judges??

Expand full comment

Wow! Are you on record as blaming minorities for Biden’s epic defeat? Thats bold even for a mental midget like you. What if jk Rowling started blaming transvestites for climate change. You would probably barely be able to read to children while wearing a dress. Seriously though, you may want to edit your comment before a Karen has a stroke billy.

Expand full comment

Who are you replying to, Chuck?

Expand full comment

Like your comment, not the inaction.

Expand full comment
Jul 1Edited

Who appointed Garland and kept FBI director Wray, Trump's appointee, on, Biden did. Garland is on Biden. Biden and his absurd ideas about bipartisanship have helped lead to this mess.

The Democrats also ignored what the Republicans have been doing for the past 40 years, working to take over the SOCTUS and the federal courts.

The Republicans have been saying for decades what they wanted to do. So here we are, panicking and fretting about the extreme right wing plans do take down the Federal government which has bee going on in drips and drabs for the last 40 years. Now it's too late. Biden is old and looks weak and seems incapable of winning in November. This is how authoritarianism takes hold, slowly and then it moves fast.

Expand full comment

You're making a fundamental mistake: you're assuming the Republicans care about the law. They don't. Except when they can use it to fuck everyone else over because they know the rest of us DO care about the law and try to follow it.

That said, at this point I don't give a rat's ass when it comes to Republicans anymore. As far as I'm concerned they've signed away their protection under the law.

Expand full comment

I have passed this on to NBC, CNN, ABC, WXYZ, The View and Inside Edition and family members, giving you direct credit, and also credit to Robert Reich and including his newsletter. Maybe, hopefully, it will catch someone’s eye. 🤞🇺🇸

Expand full comment

Daniel:

biden's last official act before he resigns to let Harris be the incumbent should be to arrest and hold incommunicado ALL the insurrectionists. this would include drumpf and his family, members of the inner cabinet, lawyers involved, congresspersons involved, the 6 corrupt justices, barr, bannon, dejoy(why is an insurrectionist who tried to subvert vote by mail still in charge of the post office????) all the republican attorneys general who tried through filings to support the subversion of the vote, and all the corrupt attorneys who represented drumpf. of course there are more, but the immensity boggles the mind. is guantanamo large enough?

this action would be in accord with this mornings ruling covering official acts, and in light of the serious attempt at a coup d'etat by drumpf and his minions, is completely and legally warranted. indeed, were biden not to do this would put him in collusion with the terrorist organization known as the republican party.

remember we are talking about a terrorist organization who openly collude with corporations to flout the law, who promote violence as a means of resolving political differences, who promote patriarchy, misogyny, bigotry, white national christianism, violence against women and children, racism, classism, and fascism. it needs to be stopped, and relying on the ballot will not work when this terrorist organization is actively working to prevent/subvert a free and fair election.

Expand full comment

Jill will never let Joe resign…she likes the Power!

Expand full comment

don't they all

Expand full comment

Bullshit.

Expand full comment

How can it be stopped?? Boggles the mind what dump and the repugnicans get away with!! When will some say enough is enough and take action!

Expand full comment

So, please put this in a letter IMMEDIATELY and fire it off to the White House! Better yet, send it to the Guardian, WaPo, L.A. Times, Cleveland Plain Dealer, you name it. The effing SC can't stop the free press. REQUEST AN EMERGENCY MEETING WITH BIDEN AT THE WHITE HOUSE. He is, after all, servant of the people, and he certainly needs to hear what YOU are thinking!

Expand full comment

There was no insurrection. There was no Russian collusion. Hunters laptop was not a Russian psyop.

I asked you a very simple question about Georgia over two years ago. Why aren’t we focusing on the one thing that everyone can see was a crime? The other cases including hush money etc are weak or absolutely baseless banana republic horseshit. The “go find me 11k votes “ thing was a case that even the most pathetic district attorney could have prosecuted. Enter Fani Willis. Democrats couldn’t find their ass with both hands. I hope Trump out laws your dog.

Expand full comment

Chuck, I know it is not worth the effort to respond to you, but I am going to anyway, I know it is easy for some people and AIs programmed in a certain way to forget January 6th, but most thinking people know it was a crime of insurrection Trump perpetrated and encouraged others to participate in. Yes, the Georgia vote tampering was a crime and should be prosecuted as well as others that Trump only incited but didn't actually, as far as we know, phone call about. The insurrectionist activities by Baby Donnie continue as we speak and are encouraging others again to participate. The stolen documents case is for me nearly as big, but an incompetent judge who owes her position to Baby Donnie will keep that one from happening if it is in her power. The prosecution should split those cases in two and the first set, leave with Cannon and assign a real judge to rule on the ones that Trump hid from the FBI. Making that a separate case would be a good idea then see that no Republican-appointed inexperienced judge should sit on the case. Trump was most likely going to sell or trade those documents to the one he could get the best deal from. I have not heard that what was in the empty folders has been recovered yet.

Expand full comment

I think j6 was a hoax perpetrated by the FBI to try and cover their tracks on Russian collusion hoax.

And I agree that Georgia was a horrible crime without ambiguity. The documents mess was made moot by Biden committing the same crime.

But let’s pretend for a minute that Trump is guilty of half of what he is accused of.

How feckless and incompetent is the government if they can’t make any of it stick? How pathetic are democrats that the race for president is polling the wrong way since Afghanistan? And readers of this Substack are welcome to protest what actually happened on Thursday but that wasn’t just Bidens demise. The whole party just gave away the remaining branch of government. If we stick with Biden we look weak. If we change candidates and another corporate stooge is installed we have completely crapped on the saving democracy narrative. We learned nothing from RBG. Boomers are not ruining the country. They ruined it when we watched HRC steal the nomination from Bernie. This is just blowback. We must hold democrats accountable. We need to direct our ire at the party and the people who blow sunshine up our backside starting with Robert Reich. We need to focus on us and virtually ignore trump and republicans until we get our shit together. But at least one William is already trying to blame minorities for voting against their interests. That sounds patronizing when you apply it to Rednecks. But this is what we do. We are running out of people to shame. Because we are the ones who need shaming when we parrot the chicken little crap of MSNBC and Robert Reich.

Expand full comment

Yes, Ruth, Trump DID call Sec. of State Brad Raffensberger himself trying to coerce him into finding "just 11,780 votes" in the Georgia vote count . . . "just 11,780. . . ". All Georgia officials stood up to Trump and refused his demands.

Expand full comment

"Chuck" from Vladivostok. Proud Boys, Oathkeepers, were convicted of insurrection. Lots more.

Expand full comment

Chucky boy is in infatuated and obsessed with me. He thinks that I am Putin's no. 1 threat, he stalks me constantly, tries to provoke me, I guess I should be flattered but find him an annoying gnat, so I ignore him as I do "no see 'ems"

Expand full comment

Danny,

Crimes may have been committed on j6. Some by proud boys and other brainwashed jackoffs. The reason garland isn’t trying to prosecute Trump is because the FBI has testified to Congress that they are not sure how many agents were used to entrap those jackoffs. Connecting dots to trump for insurrection is the dumbest thing ever. It’s the reason democrats are going to be obliterated at every opportunity up and down the ballot. We’re on the wrong road and mush brain never been turds like you are enabling incompetence and corruption IMHO

Expand full comment

I hope he dies and the sooner the better!

Expand full comment

Be careful of what you wish for…

Expand full comment

Daniel Solomon, thank you for this information.

Expand full comment

The Justice department has forgotten the law of the land. America is doomed

Expand full comment

I can we get this excellent message to those people. Suggestions? Email addresses? Phone numbers?

Contact information is important.

Expand full comment

Like your citation—def not SCOTUS decision.

Expand full comment

As long as we are complaining about Biden, Biden has shown a lack of boldness when it is needed, not only with regard to Garland. It's a fearfulness...also in foreign affairs... and of the right propaganda machine.

Expand full comment

@Potter. As to Biden thus far, you are wrong. Congress held up the Ukraine funds, not Biden. Quite the opposite as Biden used other Defense Dept. funds to shore up Ukraine while Speaker Johnson and others dallied. As to Biden from here on out, maybe his health hampers him...

Expand full comment

But it’s too late. WHO at this late date would replace him? Too complicated.

Expand full comment

@Marlo. There is a perfectly "ordinary" way for Biden to drop out of the race and a new candidate to be selected. Step one is the hard part - Will Biden step aside? If so candidates can jump into the race and the front runner will be made into the candidate at the Convention in August. From there it is on the American people as to how they vote in November.

Expand full comment

Congress did indeed hold up Ukraine funds recently. But from the get go , which is when it would have really mattered, Biden prevented, and is slowly allowing, the weapons and response to Russia that would have made a difference. This has been going on much longer than the Trump/Johnson blockage. By then damage was done.

Regarding Biden's health- this is a shameful perception. He has the power and should use it. The Supreme Court is aiming to allow presidential power and Biden is still in office. His age is more a factor and his need and desire to want another term = his fearfulness.

Expand full comment

If Ukraine is lost, and it looks likely, it is because Biden was afraid of Putin, and held off giving Ukraine the weapons it needed to give Putin a blood nose.

As regards Ukraine, Macron lost his snap election and will have to appoint his worst enemy the 29 year old right wing demogogue as P.M. and there goes Macrons help to Ukraine, Orban is forming a right wing alliance with neighboring states political parties. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, along with Herbert Kickl, President of the Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ), and former Czech Prime Minister and ANO party President Andrej Babiš, announced the creation of a new European Parliament political group called Patriots for Europe. This development signifies that Fidesz, which has not been affiliated with any European Parliament political group since 2021, will not be joining any of the existing right-wing groups.. insteadAccording to Orbán, the newly formed alliance will soon become the largest faction of the European right. ‘It will happen within days,’ the Hungarian PM emphasized. Orbán stated that Europe needs peace, order, and development, which the current Brussels elite is unable to provide for its citizens. One of the group’s objectives is to reform the European Parliament, significantly reduce its size, protect national sovereignty, and prevent the creation of a European superstate. https://www.hungarianconservative.com/articles/politics/patriots-for-europe_viktor-orban_right-wing_european-parliament_ecr_id_hungary/

What is driving the rise of the right in Europe is Muslim immigration, that is how Orban came to power, that is behind the election victory of the National Rally party in France.

And immigration counts for much of the rise of the right in America as well, as it is the No 1 issue of the MAGAverse. Only the America anti immigrant is not so much cultural as it is race based. Not that there isn't an element of racism in Europe's right wing as well, but it is in the main a culture war, this one external, not internal like America's.

Expand full comment

We can use the immigration. I agree racism manifested hate, selfishness, ignorance promoted by those who want power and allowed by those who are complacent or too busy "getting and spending.... laying waste our powers" (Wordsworth). Europe may have a case to limit overpowering immigration that it cannot deal with. The world b/c of climate change is on the move. And people don't get it that we are all connected and need solutions and accommodation. We need world governnance and don't have it.. This world is an experiment especially as it gets fuller and in dire need of everyone's cooperation to survive. We are fighting reactionary forces, including religion, un-evolved. And then there are the weapons...

Thank you

PS I am very disheartened about Ukraine and upset about Gaza; what we have allowed.

Expand full comment

I share your sentiments, almost. Gaza is mixed. It is my opinion that Netanyahoo knew something was up, but not to the extent of what happened, and let or even faciliated it by ignoring intelligence for his won agenda. He was under investigation for corruption and still is.

HAMAS pulled his bacon out of the fire.

On the other hand I blame HAMAS and Islamic ideology as manifested by and through Iran. What HAMAS did was inhuman, up front and personal. Personally raping women and slaughtering civilians including babies and toddler.

Crimes need to be punished. Letting HAMAS run back to Gaza with hostages to use,along with the civilians whom they are suppose to take care of as human shields is cowardly.

And like it or not you can't let people or organizations get away with using people as human shields, for doing so legitimizes and encourages the tactic.

If the UN was worth a shit, if it had any balls, it would have sent in an army to arrest HAMAS and free the hostages, and kept Israel out of the affair.

Bu there is a problem that is not broached or discussed. The UN has 197 members, 57 of which are Muslims ethnostates, that are sympathetic to HAMAS, and will not wage war against Muslims for the benefit of kufrs (infidels), it is verbotten in Islamic ideology and their sacred text.

And most of those 57 Islamic states, have oil, thus they have their fingers grasped around the throats of the oil needy west.

You are correct because of global warming the world is on the move, people are starving driving migration north, but the thing is the North does not have unlimited resources and soon the herds moving south to north will over graze the north, the suffering and death are only being delayed.

Unchecked migration will kill the goose that lays the golden egg.

And the Islamization of Europe that Charles Martel stopped at Tours in 721 CE and John III Sobieski stopped at the gates of Vienna in 1682, will have been delaying actions.

What could not have been accomplished by force, will be accomplished gradually by migration and the rise of the right in Europe are a reaction.

Either Europe will be culturally overwhelmed or there will be cultural violence, and the forces behind MAGA are already showing their head in Europe

https://www.hungarianconservative.com/articles/politics/patriots-for-europe_viktor-orban_right-wing_european-parliament_ecr_id_hungary/ and then there is the victory of the right wing National Rally party in France.

And if the European right takes physical action against the Muslims, then the Ummah, the oil producing Islamic states and OPEC will cut off their oil.

Can a Muslim Europe, and world commerce, sustain itself and feed it's people. I think not because Islamic countries, even oil producing countries, can't sustain themselves without the productivity and import from the west.

Muslims live in the past, they talk of the golden age, but it became fat an lazy as do all Empires, and sank into complacency, as Europe and America have done.

Why did a handful of colonists manage to evict the worlds greatest Empire (I am talking of America and India) because the empire lost it's vigor, its people and leadership were fat,lazy and tired.

By my analysis, Russia had also fallen into torpor and stagnated, until Putin revitalized it martially, by aggressively rebuilding the Stalinist Empire.

Russia is re energized just like Germany was re energized in the 1930's.

And today Europe is being re energized, only Europeans (and Americans) will not like the end results.

I see the future and am thankful that I won't be living in it.

Expand full comment

True, and my many messages at WhiteHouse.gov contact page expressed my frustration with him many times. Always seeming to play both sides against the middle, causing everyone to lose.

Expand full comment

I meant Mitch...

Expand full comment

This idiot Chuck who responded to you is insanely obsessed with the Steele Dossier. I can only surmise it is because it implicates his paymaster Putin. Perhaps it was his assignment from the Putin Troll farm. It is inconsequential history, and his obsession and time spent is not justified.

Expand full comment

https://edition.cnn.com/2022/10/11/politics/steele-dossier-fbi-durham-danchenko/index.html

Actually it’s important to remind people that the DNC, HRC, and the intelligence agencies smeared a sitting president and the Russian government based on this fraudulent document. A pos like Billy would have you believe that this document has validity. It’s only value now , is to show Democrats why people think they are hypocrites and liars. And have shown themselves to be even dumber and more brainwashed than Fox News viewers. No small feat

Expand full comment

Maybe the Steele dossier too? There’s a few people that are outraged that the FBI knew it was a lie and still let an elected official read its contents into the congressional record. The really sad part is the mouth breathers like yourself that won’t even acknowledge that it was a lie, let alone hold the liars accountable.

Expand full comment

No good reason. Garland appears conflicted. Or he's complicit.

Expand full comment

In what way?

Expand full comment

At last somebody calls out the stinking America-hating carcass of Mitch McConnell! I've been wishful-fantasizing all day about Mitch been that's darn it B E I N G press-hounded for his "thoughts." I guess he's gloating: evil mission accomplished. I must reference again M. Scott Peck's book from the early 80's "People of the Lie." If you can get a copy, there are passages which will make your hair stand on end. Evil.

Expand full comment

Think of what it takes to be the "worst in history" after the likes of Roger B. (Dred Scott) Taney. But they've done it.

Expand full comment
Jul 1Edited

A strategy for moving forward: https://youtu.be/OlL7O6wOU4Q?si=gUdhDxFC29XkFC5w

Supplementally: https://youtu.be/JVMXvH0owbQ?si=0xqb7KCxj5ju8H1p

Of course, there's always: https://youtu.be/btGp84UggsU?si=_o1sbeABsBbZxav1 🤣🤣

Expand full comment
Comment deleted
Jul 1
Comment deleted
Expand full comment

I may have missed a reply from anyone to your very reasonable request so if this is redundant, that's why. I think HW is Herbert Walker (Bush) who gave America the "gift" of Clarence Thomas and, of course, his lovely treasonous wife. I think W is, "W," i.e. George Herbert Walker Bush, or as the late great Molly Ivins called Bush the younger, "shrub" and he gave us that great example of judicial intellect and courage John Roberts. Then I'm guessing that CF45 is "convicted felon and 45th" president, voldemort. Those are my best guesses and I hope that helps.

Expand full comment

Oh. The first Pres. Bush was George H.W. Bush, and "W" is just George W. Bush. My history eludes me at the moment. Wasn't G.H.W. Bush's father Prescott Bush, who was VERY influential in GOP politics and had a law firm, I think. I am fuzzy on this last part, it's been so long since I've read anything about them.

Expand full comment
Comment removed
Jul 1Edited
Comment removed
Expand full comment

So I’m going to put you in the maybe column. Maybe Biden maybe manifesto author i

Expand full comment

This isn't just no trump trial. This is the final blow to kill democracy. It was on life support, but now it's dead.

Expand full comment

DJT is a cockroach who manages to scurry away just when you think he's crushed.

Expand full comment

Hopefully there will be a permanent punishment for the lying con artist. When I say permanent, I mean permanent.

Expand full comment

A persistent vegetative state where he can sense his sack of shyte body crumbling. I have a cousin who gets behind any shmuckazoid holding a flag & Bible, no questions asked.

Expand full comment
Comment deleted
Jul 1
Comment deleted
Expand full comment

I went to our local hospital for a UTI, a nurse asked if I wanted her to accompany me, & I said " AW, HELL NO ". I think she overheard me, but I could care less.

Expand full comment

Not appropriate

Expand full comment

45 has HELP a lot of help.

Expand full comment

Yeah. Now Beelzebub regrets helping Delusional Damien.

Expand full comment

I know. He just keeps getting lucky, keeps getting breaks, keeps getting immunity, as we watch, helpless. You can fight against a lot of things but you can't fight against sheer luck or unluck. It's surreal and absurd and crazy given the history of this country and what I thought it stood for.

Expand full comment

I don't think it's luck. This has all been orchestrated. Republicans have been at it for 40 years and this is the result.

Expand full comment

And it is so sad to see our county bowing down to the likes of trump and our trump Supreme Court! How can they determine that the president can do anything he wants with immunity. God help us if trump gets elected again!

Expand full comment

I have an Evangelical cousin who thinks conservatives are sans spot or blemish & has no idea what the hell critical thinking is.

Expand full comment

I have one also. I honestly don’t understand how a person comes to be this way. I’d like to know, just so that I don’t feel so on the dark about it.

Expand full comment

I have written about this elsewhere but I believe some people are rasied in authoritarian households where life is black or white, no gray. And while some move out and move on and some crumble because they can't handle it, some continue it. It's easier to not have to deal with questions or ramifications that you have to think about for more than 10 minutes. It's touted as a sign of strength and confidence. But, in actuality, its none of the above. It's just avoiding the unpleasantness or effort of thought, of not being right, of appearing weak or unsure. Was your cousin raised in such a way? I think Trump was and his brother became a severe alcoholic and crumbled. We all know how Trump ended up with his emphasis on strength, and simplistic answers, bullying rather than discussing, etc.

Expand full comment

Yes. I also think some people are more susceptible to wanting an authority fogure telling them what to think and do. Upbringing, or brain wiring or socialization?.

That's why fascists will always be a danger and appeal to bullies and the self-righteous, etc. The greater angels among us will stamd strong, i hope!

Expand full comment

This is a cousin-in-law of mine, so I don’t know her history well, except that her father abandoned the family when she was young, and I do believe that he was an alcoholic. Which puts a lot of things into place and play, so to speak. I’m not sure that her house was authoritarian per se, but things certainly couldn’t have been easy.

Expand full comment

Kim, Of course you are spot on. It's also the macho culture most of the older ones here were raised with. John Wayne, the Clint Eastwood , the might of the sword and all. Confrontation and Power, the Gun culture, etc. rather than at least attempt thoughtfulness. Much easier for those conditioned by all that than to step back and find an answer that almost everyone can live with .

Expand full comment

Its what happens when you give your brain to God long before you give your body to the mortician.

Expand full comment

That’s what I’ve seen happen with my family member.

Expand full comment

Gullibility & a sheep mentality.Like any cult members.

Expand full comment

I'm afraid it isn't luck. It's something far more sinister!

Expand full comment

Luck has nothing to do with it. This has played out exactly as intended from the word go and has slowly but persistently moved forward over the course of many decades as Mitch McConnell methodically engineered the placement of conservative/corrupt SCOTUS puppets into lifelong appointed seats that would do exactly what the greedy mongrels have always wanted - put mega-wealth in the coffers of religious zealots who apparently don’t give a rats a$$ if democracy is crushed in the process. Puppeteers McConnell Johnson Jordan and all the other gop sycophants have crafted their very own King Donnie to hold court while they further fill their bank accounts, finish off the dying planet, and embolden their tender egos

Expand full comment

Right. He's just only lucky. It's not that anything has merit. It's not that anything might be other than you see it. It's not that you just might not be allowing your insanely lopsided views to get in the way of any kind of reality. As definitively the most accused and investigated person in the history of mankind, surely he would be found guilty of something more significant than saying he paid a lawyer in an accounting ledger, when he did in fact pay a lawyer.

Trump was the absolute least preferred candidate of most conservatives when he ran. But thanks to all of you sycophants, all you psychotic blue-team or death morons who attacked Mitt Romney just as aggressively as you're attacking Trump, who destroyed John McCain and Sarah Palin equally. You don't get moderates, you get extremes. You are living in the bed you made. Enjoy it for 4 to 12 more years.

Expand full comment

Ouch, easy there, TJ. There is no one on this planet who despises this man more than I do and I am well aware of the machinery behind him. It was a poor choice of words on my part. If you read my post, I didn't say it was only luck, I said he gets breaks, he gets immunity. My point was that things keep going his way, regardless of the reason, and I feel helpless. And, yes, there has been some luck, getting Cannon as the judge for MAL is one. Having no traumatic losses in his family such as losing a child to cancer or drug overdose is another. Having banks bend over backwards to kiss his *** just because he is who he is, is another. But you and other responders are absolutely right, there is a huge machine behind him, and that machine is scarier and more sinister, more organized and more smart.

Expand full comment

It's not luck, he learned a long time ago exactly how to work the system and he is an expert at it. God help us if he gets elected in November....

Expand full comment

Get every light you have on that tarmac!!

Expand full comment

Not dead. Bruised

Expand full comment

I'd prefer DEAD.

Expand full comment

Not if Republicans are voted out of office in droves this Roevember.

REGISTER DEMOCRATS

https://www.fieldteam6.org/

Expand full comment

I feel ashamed...

Expand full comment

I feel betrayed

Expand full comment

No more renting of garments and gnashing of teeth. Biden is still President and still has Presidential powers....all of them he had yesterday and more that the SC gave him today. Will he use them? Would you? WWPD? What would Putin do?

Expand full comment

@Terry. Please see my post on Cultural Economics. I'd be interested in your take.

Expand full comment

Not necessarily. It really depends on how Biden uses his new powers courtesy of the SC.

Expand full comment

given the electoral college situation, we're likely to end up with a Bush vs Gore situation, and we already know whom the supreme court prefers...

Expand full comment

Totally agree.

Expand full comment

This is worse then a banana republic...

Expand full comment

Oh c'mon.

Expand full comment

I feel that, I cannot help it

Expand full comment

Well you should read about banana republics. I try not to project extreme fears, what may happen. It's a drag. There is always, always, reaction to whatever happens. If we are talking about plain good versus evil, it is a battle. Banana republics are small and not stable. We are a world power.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana_republic

Expand full comment

We are a deeply dysfunctional and extremely dangerous world power.

Expand full comment

Not if Trump is trumped in Nov.

Expand full comment

I told my sister (who drove to Alaska with her husband), “You will probably want to stay in Alaska...away from this mess.” They are 4 hours behind and just heard the awful news.

This is what happens when people are apathetic (like I was), uninformed (like I was), and trusting (like I was).

We need to ACT and GET INVOLVED and DONATE!

To get involved NOW and to get Democrats registered:

www.fieldteam6.org

Pass it on. Our last chance to save our democracy from a lunatic dictator.

I don't know why the media isn't talking about "Project 2025", Trump's version of "Mein Kampf."

Expand full comment

So WE talk about Project 25.

Expand full comment

My hope is that under the ashes, embers burn strong...we have to act at the time alarms go off & stop watching in disbelief. We can do this!

Expand full comment

We all heard Trump demanding the Georgia SOS 11,780 more votes, is THAT an “official act”? He was trying to OVERTURN the election!

He then threatened the Secretary of State:

“Trump pressured Raffensperger and his general counsel, Ryan Germany, when they refused his demands, such as locating thousands of ballots he baselessly alleged were destroyed.”

Trump then threatened SOS Raffensperger:

“That’s a criminal offense,” he said. “And you can’t let that happen. That’s a big risk to you and to Ryan, your lawyer.”

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2021/01/05/fact-check-trump-pressured-georgia-recalculate-vote-tally/4135556001/

Also, is Trump’s demanding his Vice President to NOT do his CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY to certify the presidential election an “official presidential duty”?

Is directing an Attorney General, who is supposed to be independent of the President, to do something that is beneficial for the President whether it is illegal or not, an “official act”?

Does this ruling mean President Biden can direct the Navy Seals to “take out” Trump because it would be an “official act”?

Expand full comment

Now we are in the land of - it depends on what 'is' is! And back to the lower courts.

Does anyone think this was the way the constitution was intended to be used?

Expand full comment

Nope

Expand full comment

This is the most unprofessional, corrupt supreme court in history! I cannot fathom where these 6 even got their licenses to practice law - a Cracker Jack box!!!! 😒

Expand full comment

No way. The founding fathers are rolling in their graves.

Expand full comment

I agree, unfortunately it will be U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan who decides of these were or were no official or personal acts, We have seen her denial of what we see as the truth before. I hope she can be compelled to do the correct thing by pressure of other judges. We will see.

Expand full comment

Agree. But if Trump doesn’t like the court’s decision he can go back to the Supreme Court, AGAIN?

Guess it depends if they will take it. They shouldn’t have taken this case.

Expand full comment

What is or is not official is a judgement call, Trump will now declare everything he did as President is official, wait he already has. SCOTUS has given him total immunity.

Expand full comment
Comment deleted
Jul 1
Comment deleted
Expand full comment

Marlo ; Three dots if you want to edit, on the right lower position.

Expand full comment

The three dots to edit do not work on the Substack app while using an iPhone. I have to log in to Substack using the Safari or Google web browser on my iPhone in order to edit comments on my iPhone. Also in order to see survey question choices in full I have to do the same thing. For some reason the Substack app on the iPhone does not allow you to read the response choices in full in the app on the iPhone unless you're logged into Substack, using a web browser.

Expand full comment

Oh! Sorry, I did not know that. I have Samsung.

Expand full comment

I tried to edit another post and couldn’t get the edit buttons (…) to display “edit”. Substack needs to change this feature.

Expand full comment

Thanks Laurie. I tried that before - wasn’t part of the selection. I tried it again and it appeared!

Expand full comment

not on mobile app. cmon everyone get out straight

Expand full comment

The most egregious insurrectionists are on the Supreme Court.

Expand full comment

So what's to stop angry Democrats from marching to the Capitol in August then? It worked for MAGA.

Expand full comment

The law works both ways. Let's think of how Biden can use the decision to his advantage and against Trump

Expand full comment

Biden still holds the best hand. If it’s a poker hand Biden has a royal flush and Trump/MAGA have a pair of threes.

Expand full comment

Sure! Let’s pretend some more and see what Joe can do!!! I hope his cold will be better. BS on both sides, where is a third option?

Expand full comment

No third option, not at this time, maybe after the convention and he backs out because of health for Kamala.

In any event I am worried. Not because of Biden, because of all of the preparations the Republicans have made to suppress the votes, then count those that are left.

Expand full comment

William, I had the same thought. Let's see what "official acts" Joe Biden is now free to perform!

Expand full comment

@William. Please see my post on Cultural Economics. I'd be interested in your take...

Expand full comment

Nothing! Perhaps that’s a good idea! This again veteran will march with you! Armed if necessary.

Expand full comment

Peaceful protests are always more successful! But have Capitol police geared up to do their job if MAGA gun toters show up.

Expand full comment

The Supreme Court thinks it's fine.

Expand full comment

How they must be chuckling with delight.

Expand full comment

Crooked Trump belongs in a prison cell along with several Supreme Court justices.

Expand full comment

Or Hell. But Satan's scared of, or intimidated by, him.

Expand full comment

He IS Satan!

Expand full comment

Beelzebub's delusional moronic embarrassing pu--y grabbing half -brother.

Expand full comment

That Would be interesting!

Expand full comment

@Laurie. Under the SCOTUS ruling Biden now has the power. Please see my post on Cultural Economics - I'd be interested in your take.

Expand full comment

Benjamin : I think 🤔 we should get Biden's decision before galloping into a race featuring a candidate who wins the biggest pot of 💰 money. I like Sheldon Whitehouse, but have no idea if he is interested in the Presidency. Especially in the current environment.

Expand full comment

My post :was to Daniel Boone" that would be interesting". His vision of TRUMP in a jail cell with the "Supreme Court 6."

Expand full comment

The "justices" in jail with their enabled "king"!

Expand full comment

They deserve each other.

Expand full comment

@Daniel. Under the SCOTUS ruling Biden has the power to do this today. ;-D

Expand full comment

Absolutely

Expand full comment

This decision overturns nearly 240 years of precedent. The majority made this shit, not a decision based on law, they made this unadulterated shit up.

Expand full comment

Don’t they always do just that? We know they are biased; but didn’t have the courage to give him blank immunity. Go Jack Smith! Proceed as quickly as you can. Get it going.

Expand full comment

The SC only uses precedent when it serves their purposes.

Expand full comment

If the Supreme's decide to take a case, you are guaranteed 99% of the time that they will rule in favor of theocracy and the ruling class. We knew, the press knew, how the Supreme s would rule, it is no mystery.

The Shadow docket is where the court decides to let the lower court ruling stand, if they agree they turn it back,if they disagree they take the case.

This was no mystery, save that the corporate media makes money off cliff hangers.

Expand full comment

You are right!

Expand full comment

What horrifies me regarding Jan. 6, and what still haunts me, are the effects that it had on the policemen who were alone defending the Capitol Building. One died in the line of duty, and four committed suicide in the days and months after the riot.

Now the Supreme Court lets Trump take no responsibility for inciting the crowd, which now encourages him to further practice his showmanship and non-statesmanlike behavior by continuing to incite his followers to God knows what acts of physical cruelty and havoc.

Expand full comment

Maybe it's time to start considering a revolution. It's entirely too clear the supreme court has lost all credibility.

Expand full comment

I agree! I exercise my 2nd Amendment rights. So should you!

Expand full comment

SCOTUS is the judicial arm of the MAGA movement. We’ve know that for sometime.

Expand full comment

Yep

Expand full comment

Nothing here is unexpected. The key is the election. It must be won. Otherwise democracy and the Rule of Law are past tense.

Expand full comment

Stakes couldn't be higher.

Expand full comment

In other words, the US is f*cked. Because Biden doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell of winning the election.

Expand full comment

If Biden loses, Americans deserve what they get. He has shown himself to be conscientious, diligent , productive in the interests of justice for all. His opponent is a narcissistic sociopath. As an old woman I walk slowly and have learned to think before I speak and to judge competence , not by appearance, but by productivity.

Expand full comment

Agreed. But saying "if Biden loses, then Americans deserve what they get" doesn't come close to balancing the scales of the suffering that will result from a second Trump term. His actions will have GLOBAL consequences for all life on earth. Maybe MAGA people deserve what's coming to them, but wildlife is innocent. Animal species don't deserve to go extinct because Americans were stupid enough to vote a dictator into office.

Expand full comment

Will Palestinians be slaughtered? Will Ukraine men be thrown into a meat grinder?

Expand full comment

I'm not sure I understand the point you are trying to make. Please clarify your remarks. Thank you.

Expand full comment

Biden’s leadership has led to death in Ukraine and Gaza. I’m not sure Trump is going to be worse. And there’s really no reason other than hysterical unfounded jingoism to cause you to fear monger about a SECOND trump term. Both candidates are feeble old lying scum. It’s hard to argue that Americans don’t deserve whatever scum wins. Hope that helps clarify

Expand full comment

S.Arch ; He and blue won the last 7 elections : presidential. Mid terms and several special elections in the states.

Expand full comment

Much has changed since then. Plus, presidential elections are different than mid-terms and special elections. Plus, "Republicans" are going to cheat.

Expand full comment

But Trump and his creeps will

Cheat

Expand full comment

You may be right. Let’s hope he gives us a decision on his future very soon. Newsome and Whitmer could be quite the team.

Expand full comment

Why isn’t the hue and cry for TFG to step down? He’s a lying, treasonous, adjudicated rapist and felon.

Biden isn’t stepping down. Vote for him or the fascist. That’s the choice.

Expand full comment

@Eugene. I like Witmer and Governor Moore of Maryland. Both should run for Pres and we'll see who looks like a veep

Expand full comment

He isn't dropping out unfortunately. If would probably be a mess if ge did it now.

Expand full comment

Maybe. But if he can’t win then what does it matter? He can’t win means America loses. Let’s consider a second chance ticket?

Expand full comment

Biden couod win. Ket's see I'f he is staying.

Expand full comment

My opinon . Biden and Harris are nominated. Two weeks later, Biden drops out for ill health , Kamala steps up as successor (she was already nominated) and chooses a VP. She doesn't have the baggage that Biden has with Muslims and blacks.

Expand full comment

What country are you living in? No way Americans will elect another black president, let alone a female black president. Get real.

Expand full comment

I’m just gonna say this: Kamala Harris. Remember her, the VP?

Expand full comment

I do. But she can’t win! That’s reality.

Expand full comment

Biden is still leading in the polls. The debate did not have that much of an effect, comments reflecting this out earlier today.

Expand full comment

What polls do you read? He has never been winning in any meaningful way and has at very best been neck and neck. And worse in swing states.

Expand full comment

Citation please. What polls? Polls like the ones that said Trump could not possibly win in 2016. This is 2016 all over again. Dems shooting themselves in the foot by running the wrong candidate.

Expand full comment

That's because Biden didn't really do that badly other than a few mistakes.

Expand full comment

Questionable take away. Let's see where we are this week

Expand full comment

The Supreme Court’s decision clarifies that while Trump has immunity for official presidential acts, he can still be prosecuted for unofficial acts. This allows legal proceedings on various allegations to move forward without being blocked by claims of presidential immunity.

Several legal cases involving Trump focus on actions considered unofficial:

• Classified Documents: Allegations that Trump took classified documents to his home in Florida.

• Election Interference in Georgia: Allegations of attempting to alter the 2020 election results in Georgia.

• Financial Investigations in New York: Allegations of financial misconduct related to the Trump Organization.

These cases can proceed because the Supreme Court recognizes that these actions fall outside the scope of his presidential duties and are not protected by immunity. Am I correct on that?

Expand full comment

So it is an official act to sic a mob on Congress?

Expand full comment

Only if you are a Republican. I doubt any of this ruling would apply to a president who is a Democrat.

Expand full comment

Or Independent, or certainly Democratic Socialist!

Expand full comment

it’s that in the decision or are you just assuming it odd only republicans

Expand full comment

The lower courts will now have to decide and they will decide that it is not official act. The Supreme Court punted. Cowards.

Expand full comment

@Eileen. No, Trump will appeal if any court rules his crimes were unofficial. Right back to the SCOTUS I am afraid.

Expand full comment

I loathe trump, but all of it has been pretty circumstantial. I think trump was trying to see every path to steal the election, but the mob... he passively encouraged and did not stop. Not easy to prove.

Expand full comment

But so bloody obvious.

Expand full comment

We live in a country where proof is needed. That is a good thing

Expand full comment

Campaigning and political rallies are not an official duty of the president. So if CFDT holds a political rally inciting his minions to march on the Capitol and then proceeds to encourage their actions through emails, texts, phone calls while back in the WH and also further encourages their actions by his inaction (calling out the National Guard or telling his minions to leave the building), how I ask, is that an official act.

Expand full comment

Trump already had lost the election and by late November was conspiring with outside counsel on how to overthrow the act of certification for Biden on Jan 6th - how is this a presidential act?

Expand full comment

It’s not.

Expand full comment

He was still in office. Sad, but true.

Expand full comment

I agree, we agree, but apparently SCOTUS disagrees and let's see what the court of appeals agrees.

I am seeing signs that officials, judges are getting weak knees because of Trump's threat of vengeance, everyone in the system is reading tea leaves and are afraid for their lives and careers.

Expand full comment

@Jeffrey. No, each of those allegations will be challenged by Trump claiming that they were part of an official act. The SCOTUS decision also prohibits use of evidence, while existing law provides that anything Trump doesn't like can be appealed. I am afraid we are in the era of PRACTICAL immunity in spite of some tricky language in the decision.

Expand full comment

The Supreme Court came up with the idea of limited immunity for law enforcement, which has resulted in a lot of dead people, with no repercussions for law officers. The court MADE THIS SHIT UP!

Expand full comment

Indeed, practical immunity concerns are valid, given that high-profile individuals often have the resources and legal expertise to navigate and exploit legal loopholes. This can result in a situation where practical enforcement becomes extremely difficult despite the legal framework allowing for accountability. Ugh!...

Expand full comment

It’s too late - that would drag in court for years with appeal after appeal

Expand full comment

@Susan. You see with clear eyes IMHO.

Expand full comment

SCOTUS decision calls for Judge Chutkan to conduct an assessment of what are official acts…I suppose the applies to Cannon as well.

Expand full comment

The Supreme Court decision indeed calls for a detailed judicial assessment of Trump’s actions to determine whether they were official or unofficial. Judge Chutkan and potentially Judge Cannon must follow this directive, carefully analyzing the evidence and context to make these determinations. This process ensures that the principles of accountability and the rule of law are upheld. Ugh!...

Expand full comment

The rule of law upheld, yeah right!

Expand full comment

dream on

Expand full comment

Political court. MAGA loving court. Our country is in peril if Trump wins and appoints more MAGA judges. Must be nice to have a friend in court!

Expand full comment

VOTE BLUE

EXPAND THE COURT

Everyone needs to vote...walk over broken glass if needed, and work for Democrats and democracy.

Expand full comment

And ACT! Register Democrats at:

www.fieldteam6.com

(You don’t go “door to door” if you’re wondering).

And DONATE to President Biden’s campaign. He needs our help now more than ever! Even just $25 will help.

Expand full comment

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Expand full comment

100%

Expand full comment

Friends in LOW places.

Expand full comment

And write Postcards to Swing States. Contact them. They will send you free postcards with instructions. You write ✍️ the message and provide the stamps.

Expand full comment

In the trias politica is the court autonomous...

Expand full comment

So, hypothetically, this means our current president can officially determine that Trump is an enemy of the state for all his crimes including classified docs , and order him rounded up and sent to Guantanamo? And our current president is then presumed innocent until a court can prove it was not an ‘official’ act. (Go for it Joe).

Expand full comment

Joe is too ethical to do that but a good idea nevertheless.

Expand full comment

Yep. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Expand full comment

Or dissolve the current Supreme Court and start over from scratch. Official act, don't you know.

Expand full comment

Duh! The unsupreme court judges are as corrupt as mud.. so sickening.

Expand full comment

No surprise here, as Trump would say, this is rigged!

Expand full comment

If presidents are immune from prosecution for official acts, can't Biden collect all the Supreme Court justices who voted for this fiasco and send them to Guantanamo? They can impeach Biden, but in a Democratic senate they won't get a conviction.

Don't these dunderheads have any idea what they've just done?

Expand full comment

How is that considered an official act? Not everything a president does will be ruled an official act, but now it's being punted to the lower courts. Everything would be needed to be litigated and will be delayed so I understand the muck and mire that we are going through but again not everything a president does is an official act just because he is the sitting president.

Expand full comment

Remember when Trump had the Russian Delegation in the Oval Office and he sent OUT all of his staff ????

This man has been mocking and degrading every single sacred thing for the American Nation.

He is the test that America has to pass and start working on solid guardrails not to let crooks and mobsters at the helm of this amazing country!

Expand full comment

No court has the authority or ability to determine what is and is not an official act Eileen.

Official acts are judgement calls. The constitution is our guide. And it is we the people with our votes that eventually make the call.

Expand full comment

That won’t stop Trump.

Expand full comment

If he uses the justice department to arrest them, he is operating under his official capacity. If Trump speaking to Jan 6 rioters is considered by the court an official act, do you really think mass arrests won't be?

This decision formally establishes an imperial presidency.

Anything a president does in his official capacity as president is immune from prosecution. The ruling was clear on this.

Trump's recruitment of fake electors will not fall under immunity, but that won't get litigated in time for the election.

Expand full comment

What's the point of having a revolution when you can just appoint a bunch of fascists to the Court? I am sick for George Washington's memory.

Expand full comment

"Evil is as evil does". I hope the blue votes win the election. that is our only hope against a very dark future.

Expand full comment

It is our only non-violent hope against a very dark future.

Expand full comment

Then there is no hope. Incompetent Dems keep shooting themselves in the foot.

Expand full comment

If Biden is still President, I will vote for him. If another candidate is chosen I will vote Blue. I am an independent.

Expand full comment

What about that is independent? That is the raving of a sycophantic woman who can’t see that blue is half the problem

Expand full comment

Me too. But not enough people think the same as we do, and so Trump is going to win.

Expand full comment

I am hoping you are incorrect. I truly believe there are many silent voters who will not allow the Maga idiots to take control of our country.

Expand full comment

I am hoping I am incorrect too. But I strongly doubt it. The "silent voters" thing goes both ways. There are many silent voters who won't openly admit that they support Trump, but when they get in the privacy of the voting booth, they will.

Expand full comment

The last thing we would want to do is appear politically motivated in a political matter. RIP USA

Expand full comment