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Kathi Miller's avatar

Joyce, your column and HCR are the two columns I read religiously. Yours is a primer on how our government should be working for the people and HCR’s a history of our constitutional government.

Your column is also very affordable. There are others on Substack which cost more, but do not give such actionable content.

We are in this together!

And thank you!

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Keith Wheelock's avatar

Kathi I agree about Joyce and Heather and would add one more must read Substack: Paul Krugman. Krugman, who just resigned from his NYT column, provides vital and easy to comprehend analysis of all of Trump’s fiscal and economic shenanigans. Imperative to add to Heather’s politics and Joyce’s legal savvy.

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Fran McCullough's avatar

and Tim Snyder! His idea of having a shadow cabinet, first proposed by Wiley Nickel in my state, NC, is really great and needs to happen!

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Michael Stayton's avatar

Link to Timothy Snyder's "Shadow Cabinet: why the US needs one now"

https://sussexbylines.co.uk/politics/democracy/shadow-cabinet-why-the-us-needs-one-now/

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Nancy Lent Lanoue's avatar

Yes! Looks like Sheldon Whitehouse supports a Shadow Cabinet as I read in his Substack.

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JohnM upstateNY's avatar

Nancy, Sheldon Whitehouse, Jamie Raskin, Elizabeth Warren, Katie Porter, even AOC along with a host of other articulate, well-informed congress-critters with a spine not to mention the governors like Tim Walz and Janet Mills, Josh Shapiro, Andy Beshear and even Gavin Newsome (on his good days) all provide hope for a future with better understanding of popular needs and adherence to the law!

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Daniel Solomon's avatar

It's frustrating -- None of them have, as yet, acknowledged Feathers of Hope -- or the concept -- that we can have shared government. Only takes 3 to fllip the House -- now!

https://jerryweiss.substack.com/

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Susan Linehan's avatar

And Jay Kuo!

Some other folks I have liked are losing me by turning too much to podcasts. I don't have TIME to sit all day listening; I can read three or more columns for every half hour podcast. I will often choose one where people I admire talk back and forth. But I've found that podcasts don't really ADD much most of the time. I am OK with the occasional podcast as an "extra." But not as a substitute for a thoughtful and reasoned written argument.

On the other hand, I am delighted with quick breaks: few people actually work 7 days a week. Keep the chickens coming!

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T L Mills's avatar

Yes...I agree with you. Another problem I have with podcasts is that I do not process the information as easily when it is back and forth conversation. I think reading a well-written article about the subject generally provides more depth of information and context than a conversation--and I can always re-read the column, plus look up words or slang acronyms or phrases with which I'm not familiar.

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KMD's avatar

Agree completely about the podcasts. If podcasts include a transcript, I will gladly read it. Otherwise I ignore it.

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Ginger's avatar

Bingo..... otherwise I know I will start thinking of things to do while they are talking.... I guess it's a form of multi-tasking... reading demands my whole attention

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Randy S. Eisenberg's avatar

When a story is only accessible through YouTube or a video here. I check the length, five- six minutes OK, but it seems that free of the time restraints imposed on legacy media, some transplants feel it’s OK to put out 60-90 minute pieces. As others point out you could literally watch all day and never get caught up. Reading is a bit like driving a stick shift, a vanishing skill. But then, I did not grow up,with a phone in hand, I have a hard time appreciating the fact this is the only source of news for millions.

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Susan Linehan's avatar

I do tend to watch THE LEFT HOOK with Wajahat Ali for his 30 minute segments, particularly when he has someone unusual on, like an extremely interesting Israeli journalist. His longer ones I shy away from just because...well, long.

The ones I avoid the most are the ones going on and on about something I've figured out for myself or have already had explained. I don't NEED umpty more people telling me that the Alien Enemies Act applies in wartime or invasions by foreign nations, not gangs. I WILL listen to Joyce and Steve Vladek because I hope that together they will get deeper than the elementary.. But only if they post it after the Live version. East Coast Live times cut into my West Coast Play-With-Dog and novel reading times.

My son tells me that my grandkids (late teens and top students) have pretty much stopped reading anything but assigned books. They have no idea how much their life will be impoverished by this attitude.

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Randy S. Eisenberg's avatar

True, I didn’t list exceptions to my comment, Waj is great. Danny Lime is new-ish and in addition to getting busy writing, he puts out remarkable 3 minute videos. I’ve always enjoyed Michael Cohen’s unfiltered thoughts, but sort of the same deal with no ad breaks or.. any breaks he gets going. And the person who got me sucked in here, Mary Trump.

But by far the most meaningful short form I always make time for are the ones put out daily by Glenn Kirschner, not to get into his CV here but he knows of what he speaks, and he also speaks for - and directly to most of us.

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Susan Linehan's avatar

Thanks for the suggestions.

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GaryE's avatar

I listen to Tim Miller at the Bulwark every day. The guest speakers provide different perspectives on today's issues. I don’t always sit down to listen; instead, I often enjoy a good walk or do some yard work while I listen, especially now that the weather is changing.

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Susan Linehan's avatar

As I am rapidly getting too decrepit to do either, that doesn’t work for me. I get lots of different perspectives, too—by reading 6 written pieces in that hour I’d have to spend including the um’s, ers, and such. And it is much easier to craft a response if I have something to refer back to without fast forwarding or backwarding.

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Houston2024's avatar

What’s worse than podcasts are voice memos sent as text messages to my phone.

I can read a lot faster than I can listen!!

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Kathi Miller's avatar

Yes, Keith, I not only read Krugman but send his column to family and friends

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lauriemcf's avatar

He's been great -- also Robert Hubbell and Snyder, Acosta and The Contrarian

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JohnM upstateNY's avatar

Keith, indeed so! I have added Krugman to the HCR, JV daily reading list. I confess, however, I got a bit bogged down in Krugman’s opening explanation of national deficits and why they aren’t anything necessarily to be feared …but then, I have a mind unused to wrapping itself around such large and complex questions.

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Susanna J. Sturgis's avatar

That's one reason I follow Krugman: economics aren't my forte, though I know the basics and I'm not afraid of math. Those "large and complex questions" are key to the U.S. and the world economy, so I figure I better know enough to distinguish economic policies that favor the rich from economic policies that are good for the country.

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CAROL F's avatar

Well said! I also read Ron Filipkowski at Meidas Touch Network.

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Kathi Miller's avatar

I read only Ron’s column, Carol. I find the brothers are full of themselves and their posts are focused mostly on getting new subscribers and how well they are doing. Even to the point of saying that one of the brothers is the Mayor of Substack.

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lauriemcf's avatar

I agree -- there's too much ballyhoo over there for me. And I can't read Steve Schmidt -- more doom than I can handle

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JeanneFC's avatar

Kathi- I agree. I was turned off the Meidas Network with all the emails about “We’re #1! We beat Fox!”. Too much patting themselves on the back and too little info. I also read Stephen Bechloss, Rebecca Solnit and Lucien Truscott.

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lauriemcf's avatar

me too -- he's terrific

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Mim Eisenberg (NYer now in GA)'s avatar

Also Robert Hubbell, one of our staunchest supporters of democracy. His Substack newsletter is called Today’s Edition.

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PamC's avatar

I enjoy Robert’s Saturday community chats via Substack Live. I agree with all Joyce and Heather are 1 and 2 unless overwhelm kicks in. I would like to add the Walks and Talks from John Flannery on YouTube. He nailed the complete disappoint I felt about Paul Weiss capitulating.

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Mim Eisenberg (NYer now in GA)'s avatar

I’ll check him out. Thanks.

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CAROL F's avatar

They can be a bit full of themselves, I agree. But I like their youthfulness and their energy as a contrast to the other podcasters I follow.

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Dick Montagne's avatar

Too full, way too full. 🤷‍♂️

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lauriemcf's avatar

My very first two reads every morning also -- I depend on those!!! I subscribe to both - and Acosta and The Contrarian -- wish I was in a position to subscribe to others too!

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Jan Dorsett's avatar

I agree. I cancelled my local paper because it’s not really local—it’s corporate-owned. And there’s too much both sides-ing. (FL is full cult these days.) But Heather and Joyce are my touchstones. And The Contrarian. I also subscribe to The Atlantic and my all-time favorite, The Bulwark. Unfortunately, all of that costs money. (Benjamin Franklin must be rolling in his grave.) And if indeed Social Security comes to a screeching halt, I may have to cancel all these subscriptions and that’s where Democracy dies—in darkness.

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Kathi Miller's avatar

Jan, totally agree. I get Acosta but rarely watch and the Contrarian too. But I never skip Joyce and Heather. With a Reuters subscription since I cancelled WaPo, I can get information overload. There are days I delete all. Never Joyce and Heather though.

I can see my SS pending in my bank the Friday before. Now I check it.

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Maggie's avatar

I agree on Joyce and Heather's posts but the Contrarian became much too much - between daily posts - podcasts etc. I subscribe to 5 blogs & also read several others, but there is a limit. At this point, my eyes are bothering me from staring at the computer too much so have to pick and choose!

I also subscribe the The Front Page - written by 3 former news editors and based in or near Glens Falls NY. Their coverage is very good - some local - but lots of news - sometimes a different take. AND these poor folks were "represented" by Stefanik. You ought to hear THEIR views on her!!!

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Mim Eisenberg (NYer now in GA)'s avatar

You can subscribe to read for free. You probably can’t Like or comment, but you can read I think all Substack authors.

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Russ Wiecking's avatar

As noted, Snyder and Krugman are excellent. Joyce and Heather ( HCR for years now) are the ones I pay for. Deep thanks to Joyce and Heather.

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Bill Katz's avatar

I agree on all your points.

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Skye in Ore's avatar

First, we all appreciate your explanations to us of what is proceeding and evolving.

Second, as you said protests are growing across the country. Our power and our strength come from acting as (you have said often) we are in this together.

Thanks Ms Vance

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Bonnie MacEvoy's avatar

Rep AOC and Sen Sanders have been on the road holding pep rallies that are hopeful and inspiring. Good to hear someone shout out what is happening, what is wrong, and how important the people are to being the resistance and bringing change. There are public rallies you can participate in planned for April 5; find one near you by Hands Off! 2025, People's Veto Day, or 50501 Movement marches.

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Sophia Demas's avatar

I want you all to know how satisfying it was to join the protest today where trump and senator mccormick attended the NCAA wrestling championships here in Philadelphia. We brought our 11 and 13-yr-old grandchildren to show them what people have the power todo. I was face to face with MAGAs who absolutely still love him. But their numbers were pathetically outnumbered. A woman who was obviously a retiree told me that voting against trump was a disgrace. Does anyone here know if the assault on Social Security is reported on Fox News?

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Reader/Writer's avatar

I have a friend who has faux snooze on for at least 10 hours a day, and she knows nothing about all the agencies that are being shut down, and she even accused me of making some of it up because of how I feel about orange sadist.

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Bonnie MacEvoy's avatar

Remember to remind people that it is a very American thing to vote, and undemocratic to disgrace others for making tH eir choice. She is welcome to move to Russia where everyone votes the same.

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Sophia Demas's avatar

It doesn't matter how you vote in Russia....

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samani's avatar

Bonnie & Sophia, definitely agree. Russsia would be a great vaca spot for magats. Or, even for longer stays leading to citizenship there.

(As a professional dancer, I wanted to visit both the Kirov and Bolshoi schools.

That was then. Now I’d probably end up visiting a chilly place called the gulag.)

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GaryE's avatar

It would take 10 years off my life if I watched FOX news.🙂

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Annie D Stratton's avatar

And Indivisible.org. So many new local groups and activities have come aboard in the last few weeks that the coordinating organizations are having a hard time keeping up with getting them listed online! Keep looking, or if you can, start one where you are. In my small town, we were surprised when we put our a feeler and nearly 100 people responded! Indivisible is terrific in helping people set up new chapters and get things started. Lost of material on their website and training sessions if you need them.

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GaryE's avatar

Thanks Annie!

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Lance Khrome's avatar

Tools down, everybody out on 5 April...We the People speak as one voice!

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mary thiel's avatar

Thank you.

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Maggie's avatar

There were 43,000 people at one of their "rallies"! More Dems need to do that. PLUS, why in the world arent Democrats speaking out about the statements from various "cabinet members"? For instance, the guy who just doesnt think someone missing a SS check/deposit is all that important or worth mentioning - a billionaire of course. Seems to me that would be a remark worth commenting on!

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GaryE's avatar

👍🏼

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Jim Cossitt's avatar

Cite those USDOJ lawyers for contempt and have the US Marshal service detain them right there in the courtroom at the conclusion of the hearing.

"The courts are not entirely paper tigers when it comes to holding the White House and the executive branch of government accountable. They may not have armies, but they do have contempt powers.

As Raskin also noted, “Judges can even impose terms of imprisonment or confinement [on federal employees or officials]. In fact, in a 1997 brief to the D.C. Circuit, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in D.C. acknowledged that imprisonment of agency officials was a viable option to ensure executive branch compliance with the law.”"

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Paul Thompson's avatar

Yes, I'm hearing the clink of the handcuffs.

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Daniel Solomon's avatar

That's the last resort. I grew up with this stuff. We had a case where the president judge threw the DA in jail.

Precedent requires that a judge give the offending parties 1. a right to "purge." and 2. A right to a full hearing on contempt. Taylor v. Hayes. https://ccrjustice.org/home/what-we-do/our-cases/taylor-v-hayes

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Jim Cossitt's avatar

Judge Boasburg appears to be giving them enough opportunities to file additional false declarations and giving them plenty of rope with which to hang themselves. He looks like a pretty shrewd trial judge to me.

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Daniel Solomon's avatar

Rule 42(a) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure

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Annie D Stratton's avatar

Oh, I like that. It's not the idea of somebody going to jail, it's the idea that that person can be stopped doing the unlawful things this administration is imposing on all of us.

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B Evans's avatar

It is great that judges are standing up to trump but who is going to enforce their rulings?

These judges need our public support or trump will just disregard them.

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Reader/Writer's avatar

Unfortunately, the court uses the US Marshals service for enforcement efforts, and the Marshals service fall under the DOJ’s organizational purview, and of course the DOJ is an executive branch agency. The Marshals could theoretically be ordered to disregard court orders.

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B Evans's avatar

The DOJ under Bondi will of course will do whatever trump wants. So again, the only thing stopping them now is LOUD public opinion.

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Jim Cossitt's avatar

Thanks for the clarification. The court will need to find some other method of enforcing whatever contempt orders it might enter.

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Reader/Writer's avatar

The problem is that the US Marshals service works for the DOJ, and the DOJ will order them to stand down on orders by the court. That’s another problem brewing. I think it’s a mistake for the courts to depend on them for their own enforcement agency and protection.

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Jim Cossitt's avatar

I could not recall whether the Marshall service was housed in the administrative office of the US courts or in the executive branch. Although I have a lot of experience in the federal system I'd never really understood whether the court security officers in the Marshalls were article 3 employees or article 1 employees but you have clarified that for me.

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Pam Birkenfeld's avatar

Thank you for a wonderfully cogent column about the legalities of the situation. But I just wanted to tell you about a little vignette in Heather Cox Richardson’s column that I commented on, you will see why:

“These people or should I say chickens, are heroes. “When protesters dressed as chickens to goad Representative James Comer (R-KY) into holding a town hall, he issued a statement: “Congressman Comer does not plan on holding therapy sessions for left-wing activists suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome.” I am sure Joyce Vance would agree these chickens are heroes!“

I thought I would put it in here because we needed a little chicken reference.

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Paul Thompson's avatar

From what I have seen and listened to in those meetings, it seems many/most people making comments say they voted fore Trump.

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Pam Birkenfeld's avatar

It’s heartening to think that maybe they are the ones attending, but of course that will go unrecognized by their own party, that their own party members are actually dissatisfied with what’s happening. Have to get bigger than a few voices I’m afraid

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Zeke's avatar

When I call senators and representatives, I always leave a message from the chickens. There are some great recordings on the internet. I think that is the best way to call them cowards!

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Kathryn Clancy's avatar

Thank you Joyce! You help give me the courage to stand up and protest everything that is happening. "Giving up is unforgiveable"!

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Dale of Green Gables's avatar

Not only do federal judges have the power to appoint special prosecutors (including private attorneys, if need be), they have the authority to deputize others to enforce a contempt order, should the U.S. Marshalls Service refuse to do so (if directed by the AG or a deputy, for example). Under a provision of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, a court may even deputize state officials and law enforcement officers to enforce a civil contempt order.

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Marlene Lerner-Bigley (CA)'s avatar

That’s correct! Could be parole or probation officers. Personally, I would love it if Fanone, Dunne, and Gonnell were re-deputized!

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Sandra Hardie's avatar

Oh, YES!!!! How utterly appropriate!

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Nona Walker's avatar

👍👍👍👏👏👏

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Reader/Writer's avatar

I wasn’t sure how it would work if the DOJ ordered the US Marshals service to stand down from orders of the court. Thanks for this.

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Mary Lello's avatar

God, I love you!! Thank you!

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Robert Van Der Velde's avatar

Perhaps the Judge could appoint someone from Perkins Coie.

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Paul Thompson's avatar

Oh, wonderful.

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Barbara E. Lennox's avatar

I sure hope he knows what you know and has the guts to do it. Thank you so much for your explanation.

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Maui Wahine's avatar

It would be great if Judge Boasberg recommended that the DOJ attorneys bring their toothbrushes to the next hearing. On a more serious note, I read some of the summaries of the hearing and I noted that the judge told the (presumably young) DOJ attorney how important oneʻs reputation is as an officer of the court.

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Reader/Writer's avatar

I have seen that very thing happen in court!

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David J. Sharp's avatar

A simply wonderful review of the facts so far. Yet I can’t help thinking that this is all 3-D chess, and Trump only excels at cheating at golf. He quite simply doesn’t care … as long as the ratings are tip top.

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Sharon's avatar

He doesn’t care who goes to prison as long as it’s not him. Everyone is expendable as far as he’s concerned.

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Paul Thompson's avatar

onlty book I ever read abt golf written by golf expert about Trump, called "Commander in Cheat." I highly recommend.

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Cissna, Ken's avatar

Great book. John Feinstein is the author. The thesis is that those who cheat at golf—and Trump unquestionably does—cheat at everything else.

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Linda Hanson's avatar

Sorry to correct you but Rick Riley wrote “Commander in Cheat.”

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Reader/Writer's avatar

RIP, John Feinstein. Great writer.

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Annie D Stratton's avatar

Oh, he cares, all right. He gets ugly when he's scared, and he's getting uglier. Every time he has one of his ugly episodes, his approval ratings go down and his batshit crazy ratings go up, and he gets even uglier. I wonder what is wrong with the people who think that by avoiding their constituents, somehow the problem is going to go away. It hasn't and it won't.

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David J. Sharp's avatar

Yes … but you are applying logic to an extremely illogical man. Like all children, he thinks he’s invincible; tantrum otherwise.

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mike hardy's avatar

your reference to attorney Dickie Scruggs brought back memories. He was licensed to fly twin engine aircraft and would fly his twin engine Cessna to depositions we had. I found more conventional ways to arrive.

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John Kingman's avatar

“We only have each other so each other we must save

And not just one by one, but all together in a wave”

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Lois A Edwards's avatar

Thank you, Joyce, for all you do. I'm in complete awe of how you accomplish all of the ways that you contribute to the fight for democracy and how well you articulate and communicate an understanding of the law that all can understand. You are an amazing woman and we truly appreciate you.

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dee's avatar

THANK YOU Prof JOYce....lets keep on keeping on...we knew it wasn't gonna be easy dealing with an INTRUSION of COCKroaches....!!!

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LYNN COOK's avatar

🐔🐓🐣

💕

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