333 Comments

Checks and Balances

Ah, the drama swells in the courtroom halls,

Where whispers echo and shadow falls

On a figure grand, whose antics appall,

Trump, ensnared in justice's claw.

.

Contempt is the word, from the judge's own lips,

As Trump’s facade slowly slips,

A thousand dollar fine—a mere eclipse

Of the storm in legal apocalypse.

.

Documents dance, a falsified waltz,

In the trial’s rhythm, none can halt.

Payments masked as legal faults,

A "retainer" thin as a single malt.

.

Invoices and checks, oh how they parade,

Eleven here, a dozen fade

Into records Trump's team once made,

Now the price must be paid.

.

Witnesses tread the line so fine,

From loyal aides to the resign,

Each word they spill, a sour wine,

Under oath, their truths intertwine.

.

And Cohen, once keeper of secrets so dark,

Now sings like a lark,

Of payments in parks,

And deeds stark.

.

Trump, the maestro of diversion and spin,

Finds the courtroom a harder win,

Where facts are checked and lies are thin,

And the jury’s out on the sin.

.

Keep tuned, dear readers, for more in this play,

Of power, deceit, and legal fray.

For in New York’s court, under the light of day,

The scales of justice will sway.

(o_O)_______

Craving more intrigue and spirited verse? Dive deeper into the tempest of words and wit on my Substack,

She Who Stirs the Storm.

Expand full comment

She who stirs the storm

Makes a turn of the worm

O’ night so clear

Let Trump’s conviction be so dear

As he sits in wonder so deep

Let his deeds be seen so cheap

When his future seems fraught

He may find free time naught

On a conscience he can never pull

As his mind so dull

His followers seem less bright

But they cause such the fright

In the end there will be a glorious night

Expand full comment

BRILLIANT! Thank you 🙏

Expand full comment

Nice finale Mr. D:)

Expand full comment

Oh, no... and yet another one.

Expand full comment

Yes! You are being swamped with MSM and now POETRY. LOL

Expand full comment

These words are so musical!!! So perfectly written.........can feel the honesty, truth and the final line......Justice and Peace be with Us all, once again.

Expand full comment

❤️❤️❤️

Expand full comment

Praying for Trump to suffer a massive heart attack…

That’ll be a million times better than a Melania smack!

Expand full comment

Melania will leave him as soon as all his money is gone.

Expand full comment

with or without his supply of diapers?

Expand full comment

Depends sales must be going through the roof in the Maga trailer parks

Expand full comment

Is the rumour true that Melanoma has a Secret Servicingman-person that takes advantage of the single bedroom arrangement down there in Florida??? She has escort experence during the Kit Kat club days.....were not that dumb here....ooh yea.....

Expand full comment

Perhaps the universe WILL help us...the supreme court sure ain't gonna

Expand full comment

Universe is saying, “Y’all made this mess now, clean it up yourselves! Why do you think I stuffed your head with brains if I’d wanted to clean up behind you?

Expand full comment

The universe works in mysterious ways .e.g. explain these names: Buttofucco, Bobbit, Weiner, Pecker, trump-hump-rump

Expand full comment

Ok. I giggled. Mission complete, Joel.

Expand full comment

Gloria, you ALWAYS make me smile. That's why I look forward to your comments! Thanks for making my day.

You surely are definitely word enthusiast! Never stop.

Expand full comment

Thanks, Diane!!

Expand full comment

Gloria,

It's a pleasure to have someone with your talent among all of us who "are in this together." Right now, I'm watching Lawrence O'Donnell interviewing Jen Psaki regarding her book that comes out tomorrow. They were talking about her different press secretary jobs and how she handled her nervousness, etc. Lawrence showed a clip of her very first press briefing after Biden was inaugurated.

Since I had read your poem earlier, all of a sudden, I was picturing Jan up at the WH podium, responding to questions and talking about Biden by speaking in rhymes. Reporters would all be rolling on the floor laughing!

Expand full comment

Wow. Thank you. I really like Karine and, speaking of which, I recently did something a bit wild—I scribbled a short poem about her. It's pretty rough, but since you mentioned press secretaries…

for you~

In the heart of the room where the spotlights blaze,

The White House Press Secretary steps into the gaze.

Karine, with her clipboard of facts so tight,

Prepares to juggle the media’s might.

"Good afternoon!" she starts with a beam,

While cameras click and reporters scheme.

Questions fly fast like arrows in flight,

She dodges and weaves with all her might.

One from the left, a jab from the right,

Asking about policies, oh what a sight!

"Infrastructure?" "Healthcare?" "The tax bill's fate?"

She spins her responses, no time to hesitate.

A reporter stands, his tone quite snide,

"Can you comment on the President's latest ride?"

With a flick of her wrist and a sly little grin,

"The car’s eco-friendly, less sin for the win!"

A tweet goes live; it's spicy, it's hot,

Karine reads aloud, not missing a shot.

"Ah," she chuckles, "the internet trolls,

Crafting chaos, their favorite of roles."

But watch her pivot, see her twirl,

Deflecting drama, giving answers a whirl.

With a flair for the dramatic, a well-timed quip,

She tames the unruly with a whip-crack flip.

As the hour wanes, the crowd grows wild,

Yet she stands unwavering, almost mild.

With one last smile, she bids them goodbye,

"Thanks for the fun, we’ll catch up, don’t cry!"

Off she strides, past microphones dropped,

Leaving a wake of awe, thoroughly non-stopped.

In the press room circus, she reigns supreme,

Karine, the maestro of the media stream.

Expand full comment

She would definitely LOVE to see this, and I'm sure she'd appreciate it so much.

Maybe Joyce knows somebody who knows someone who can make sure she gets a copy. It makes me sad when people make fun of her. She's come a long way since she replaced Jan! I respect her and know that I wouldn't last for an hour if I had her job.

Expand full comment

If you're in the spotlight, you need immense, unshakeable self-confidence because everyone gets scrutinized mercilessly.

Expand full comment

I like Karine too. She has had a hard act to follow.

Expand full comment

☮️⚖️☮️⚖️☮️😎

Expand full comment

The libretto to your political opera is coming together very nicely!

Expand full comment

It would be a sizzler.

Expand full comment

Nice job oh Glorious Gloria! But do tell, which park? Lots of ways to mix the lunch bags up, even when the supposed strangers sit eating and not speaking. One person leaves with leftovers and the other tosses a used take-out bag in the garbage can. Or there's the more common event with 'friends' meeting, and one brings identical takeout bags, switching them while sharing food - and both taking food back with them 'for later.' But which park??

Expand full comment

The park reference was used as a joke by one of the reporters covering the case talking about your scenario.

Expand full comment

Lord, help us. Bad poets in court.

Expand full comment

YIKᗴᔕ

S̶A̶V̶A̶G̶E̶

Expand full comment

Priceless! I read it out loud for the sheer fun of it--- thank you, thank you for this much needed laughter!

Expand full comment

Brilliant!

Expand full comment

Wondering what triggered him to attack Smith. Seems like something behind the scenes got him going.

Expand full comment

He must be thinking throughout the nights of the hole that Smith has gotten him into and then he fleetingly anticipates his losing the election! He won’t admit it but he and his pollsters know full well that he will never get any higher than 41%. Terror must ensue as he thinks of strict house arrest-confinement possibly for years. He deserves it all, doesn’t he? Please get to work encouraging your children and friends to register to vote particularly in N.C., Fl., TX., and HERE’S THE KICKER OF THE MONTH—NEBRASKA where there is no D candidate for Senate but Union leader who is an Independent candidate Dan Osborn has a real chance of beating a nobody Republican Senator Deb Fischer who you as well as most of the citizens of Nebraska never heard of during the last 12 years in the Senate! Please start contributing when I get a link to his donation page!! This is an important surprise that could be a success for four (4) reasons: 1) the 72 yr old relatively unknown Republican incumbent for 12 yrs is virtually invisible in her home state; 2) Dan Osborn is not a D in a state where that is toxic; no Dem filed to run (which is brilliant); and he is a dynamic 49 yr old former military and union steamfitter running “because people are tired of the same old politics and the same old career politicians!”; and 4) here’s the blockbuster: on the Nebraska ballot this year are two referendums: REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND legalization of WEED!! Do you think those two powerful issues will draw women and younger Nebraskans to vote in numbers not seen there ever before??

Expand full comment

Ira, your use of the word 'blockbuster' says it all! I'm in and will look for the link to Dan's page:)) Indeed, he deserves this. And so do we:))

Expand full comment

If Valere is “IN” then we are on the right track to help elect a union steamfitter who organized a big successful strike and is strongly pro-choice in a Republican dominated semi rural state such as Nebraska with only Omaha population 449,000 and two other “cities” with 100,000! Get this: in the first public poll Dan Osborn beat the underwhelming and relatively unknown Republican incumbent even though only 17% of the folks who were polled had ever heard of him! That certainly says a lot about the unpopular incumbent, doesn’t it? The key to a surprise Senate victory are the two ballot initiatives: pro-choice and legalization of weed! And I’m told tv ads in Omaha are “dirt cheap”! We figure that this US Senate seat can be won for less than $5M when the battles in TX, FL, PA, MI, AZ, etc etc will cost $50M each and probably much more, so let’s get at it in Nebraska friends! A pro choice, pro union Indy Senate seat is worth it! More info coming soon!

Expand full comment

I think this is worth some of my hard-earned money. I also read on Mary Trump this AM that Geoff Duncan R-Georgia broke with the party and Trump. “Unlike Trump,” he writes, “I’ve belonged to the GOP my entire life. This November, I am voting for a decent person I disagree with on policy over a criminal defendant without a moral compass.” Unfortunately no ref. to the letter.

So, do I hear the "cookie crumble?"

Expand full comment

I found this about Duncan. Here's a quote:

"But the GOP will never rebuild until we move on from the Trump era, leaving conservative (but not angry) Republicans like me no choice but to pull the lever for Biden."

Here's the article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/georgia-republican-geoff-duncan-says-he-s-voting-for-biden-gop-will-never-rebuild-until-we-move-on-from-trump/ar-BB1lUQW3

Expand full comment

Thank you Bruce - one can you read it on the Atlanta Journal with No payroll. Nicely done.

Expand full comment

Yes -

Expand full comment

Yes! Let's do this:)) I suddenly have new energy:)

Expand full comment

Wow Ira!!! Just astounding. Makes me wonder, in general they (politica pundits) say there are more registered independent voters than republicans and democrats combined. Bernie Sanders is an Independent, Joe Leiberman was an independent. Are we going to see more Dan Osborns in years to come? Especially with the GenZers so mobilize? I certainly hope so. Good luck to you and your state. I will be watching come November.

Expand full comment

Hi Janet, Ira is not in Nebraska. He is informing us on something we can all work together on for very little money to bring an independent MAGA to office.

We can all support Dan’s campaign when we get the link from Ira. We have talked here often about reelecting Joe Biden and gaining a blue bicameral Congress. This is how it’s done so when I get the link, I will support the campaign and hoping others do as well. We need to support where it makes a difference and this is huge!

Expand full comment

His comment sounded like he was a resident. Either way it was great reporting on a red state. All you hear about on MSM is polls so close, that it is great to hear stories like this. Thanks for the clarification.

Expand full comment

Senator Angus King of Maine is an Independent.

Expand full comment

staying tuned for the link - thank you!

Expand full comment

osbornforsenate.com

There is a donate button.

Expand full comment

osbornforsenate.com

easy to donate one time. I signed up to write postcards.

Expand full comment

There is a link up for Dan Osborn. Hopping in my car to drive the canyon to buy a Mary’s chicken to cook for the puppers - I’m signing up and will send you the link when I finish as soon as I’m back at the house - an hour or so

Expand full comment

I found this, ira. Hope it helps!

https://osbornforsenate.com/

Expand full comment

It works! I just made a small one-time donation, although I'll probably repeat. Thanks, Lynell.

Expand full comment

Yes sir, I think those last two items will encourage women as well as young (and old) stoners to vote.

Expand full comment

Just Google Osborn for Senate or Nebraska.

Expand full comment

osbornforsenate.com

There is a donate button

Expand full comment

Just donated, thanks!

Expand full comment

Displaced anger. He is raging against having to endure court. Smith is a safe target.

Expand full comment

Laurie H - maybe Jack is getting close.

Expand full comment

Expecting drumpf to make sense?

Expand full comment

We have to wonder just how many people in this world are able to stand up to Trump, and have not only the power to accuse him in public but the assignment to dig up proof of all the dirty deeds he committed and rub his nose in them as he proves his case. All this in front of a jury, the audience that TFG so craves, but who are there specifically to vote on his guilt, and a judge who sees right through all of his blustering, accusations and threats and also has the power to treat him, not as a star who is able to get away with murder, but as the weak willed character with too much money and bought power who lies and cheats and is proud of it.

This is who he is and will never, no matter what title is bestowed upon him, rise above his pathetic deeds or his transparent belief system about people and his role in this world that are being presented and shown for what they truly are the basis for his crimes that he not only approved of but concocted.

And all of this is being brought forth by people who do not pay homage to him, are not on his payroll and who are there specifically to treat him

just like any other citizen of this country—not as the feared, and special image he has carefully cultivated his whole life.

Expand full comment

Cute little Trump story; Back in oh, let’s say mid to late ‘80’s my husband worked for a large company that sold embossing machines with technology. Cutting edge at the time, photo ID’s driver’s licenses, access to property that sort of thing. And casinos.

Trump bought the printers for the new casinos. After the install all is working properly and payment is due. So guess who wants to hold back 20% for just using the Trump name as a reference? Ivana. So a phone call is made to corporate, explaining the deal is now up for renegotiation of payment.

Since corporate is based in Germany, they all had a Bavarian pretzel, and laughed their collective behinds off.

My husband and his partner go back to Ivana with really bad news, payment in full because our lawyers are way better than your lawyers. She paid. She stormed out of the office and as they followed her, she screeched at everyone from copy person to cleaning person. She was beside herself by the time she got to the bottom of the escalator. The woman sifting the ashtrays in the lobby received the brunt of Ivana’s wrath. The woman was so upset, she forgot to use the “T” stamp in the ashtray sand. Ivana went berserk on her screaming and threatening her.

They got the hell out of there with payment in full. They were one of the lucky ones. So we’ve always known what grifters the Trumps are.

Expand full comment

Great story. I wonder how many times this has been repeated along the Trump freeway grifting tour? The deeper one digs into this Trump crime family and their shameless grifting, the further we should be from allowing this toad near the presidency for a second time.

Expand full comment

Thank you for letting us hear about a rare win. Please share your attorneys’ names.

Expand full comment

That is the best illustration of the Trump family ethos I’ve seen. I really don’t understand why somebody would not kick his ass regularly when he was in school. I was bullied in school and a bus driver told me to just run up to them and hit them in the face as hard as I could. It worked. They stopped.

Expand full comment

Bullies lose their will to bully when anyone stands up to them. Being short, I was bullied many times as a youngster. When I couldn't take it any longer and struck back, the bullying stopped.

Expand full comment

This morning Mary L. Trump, Trump's niece wrote about a life long Republican Georgian politician who is publicly denouncing Trump. https://marytrump.substack.com/p/endorsement-of-biden-burns-donald

Expand full comment

Be sure to read his op ed!

Expand full comment

Pam do you have a link?

Expand full comment

I kind of wonder if Merrick Garland's delay was because he waited for Jack Smith to be available for these prosecutions.

Expand full comment

I think so, Louise L, as Garland had to wait for Jack Smith (John Luman Smith) to wrap up his rare, successful prosecution of war crimes in Kosovo at the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague -- crimes that took place in Kosovo (1998-2000). Very few Prosecutors have taken down a Head of State.

Under the Special Counsel law & regulations Jack Smith & Team is entirely independent from Garland. Word of mouth among ABA colleagues is that Jack's courtroom technique is succinct. 🎯

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

OFF TOPIC TUESDAY Morning or maybe not. I donated to the Texas Tribune this morning the TX Tribune upon being named as a 'Finalist' ✔︎ for a Pulitzer Prize in Explanatory Reporting.

The other Finalists are powerhouses, ProPublica & Frontline. But, the TX Tribune has many young Reporters & Editors. I think I will send them a bouquet of 'Yellow Rose's' or more💲 if they get the Honor.

Expand full comment

Louise no no no it wasn’t that. There was obstruction at DOJ by two Trump appointees and until they left any investigation actions were severely hampered. Mueller She Wrote addressed that in detail yesterday on her Substack. Have a look.

Expand full comment

Many thanks, Andrea! I did not know that Mueller She Wrote had a substack. This report about Garland is terrific. Thanks, again.

Expand full comment

Will do!

Expand full comment

I’m also wondering, should this trial prove it’s possible to make TFG accountable for something, if others will come out of the woodwork to testify and name names and crimes.

Expand full comment

He’s just sick. He’s acting like a rabid dog - out wobbling down a street looking for someone to attack on a hot summer day, like the dog in To Kill A Mockingbird.

Expand full comment

Great analogy 👍.

Expand full comment

I think when he found out today’s witness was Stormy…karma is a bitch!

Expand full comment

Trump keeps crying the victim and complaining that no one else is getting gagged, even as they may attack him and talk about the trial. It needs to be pointed out to Trump again and again that when he attacks someone, his supporters follow - sometimes with frightening threats. There is no equivalency here; no one else seems to have that power. There's a long history of innocent and guilty defendants who have followed the rules; it's what our society expects. For Trump, because people suffer when he opens his mouth, the rules need to require him to think before he speaks. It's a big ask but it needs to be done until he complies.

Expand full comment

Also, Trump is an indicted criminal on trial. “Other people” are not. Those “other people” show respect for the process and follow instructions; Trump does neither.

Expand full comment

I know I sound awfully naive, but hope springs eternal. Maybe if it is explained to him again and again in public, he will start to look a bit thick. He hates that. ;)

Expand full comment

It's probably pretty difficult for people with a conscience who take it for granted in some way that that's the way to live, can even begin to understand the corruption that brings us all these difficult scenarios. Basically humans are capable of just about anything. And that's what we're seeing. Anyone who embraces being healthy is going to have a hard time with the unhealth, because it just makes common sense to be healthy doesn't it? We are seeing people who don't have those qualities, and never will. So save your energy. The only way you might see what you wish to see here is that Trump figures out a way to get his way by fooling you again. He does it all the time. All the time. All the time. It's all he knows. He is that stupid. It's actually boring. You can expect him to do what he does. Nothing creative here. The only thought processes have to do with how he can fool everybody and get his way. He was born into it, he embraces it completely, he can't even envision another way, or he would have presented us with something by now.

And among Republicans in general, except for the few brave ones lately, they have to go to the ground of their own values which have become so incredibly distorted; that's certainly going to take some time. It's the in between people who could use our help, but only if they want it. The healing kinds of people among us are probably having a more difficult time with this, because our orientation is completely opposite of what we're seeing. Other than the legal system itself which is actually working well for the most part, at least until you get to those six guys on SCOTUS and Judge Cannon in Florida. It's up to all of us to have a working conscience about the state of our country, to keep plugging away. Onward. We're all in this together.

Expand full comment

Barbara, good comment, and a huge difference that he just doesn't recognize because he has not ever respected any institution of our country, nor any person. A criminal defendant has signed release papers agreeing to abide by the rules of pretrial release, and this mole has not done what he agreed to do, and that is abide by the law. I have wondered just how the judges in his other cases will view his contempt (except for Cannon, and she's probably just congratulating him in her mind); will they comment on it before the jury is picked in their cases and warn him? Or will they wait until he starts the same old/same old in their courts and start over with the warnings?

Expand full comment

I do not think Trump reads much.

Expand full comment

I hope no one seriously believes that this man is ever going to change... And I certainly wouldn't put any effort into it.

Expand full comment

Rules and precedent are there, have been there long before the Dumpster came along. What is needed is not to expect him to follow, as he has amply proved he will not, cannot, but enforcement of the rules in spite of his prior office. I can't understand the reticence of the court to use proportional means to counter his discpline-free tongue. Since money won't do it, the bigger gag is required; steel bars and a jumpsuit, no phone, no internet.

Expand full comment

Right on!

Expand full comment

I agree completely, except for one thing: you know he will find a way to use that to his advantage, proclaiming himself a martyr, which his cult will believe…

Expand full comment

I’ve never seen a bigger baby parading and pretending to be a tough guy. He’s a joke.

Expand full comment

DARVO Don is a sleazy narcissistic, wanna be mob boss, serial predator..

DARVO stands for “Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender”

https://www.verywellmind.com/protecting-yourself-from-darvo-abusive-behavior-7562730

DARVO, as almost every criminal prosecutor knows, is the linguistic MO of a serial predator.

Mr. Trump is the DARVO Don. Every sentence out of his mouth is a DARVO dagger to our democracy

Labeling and deconstructing the DARVO Don’s narcissistic MO may help to de-fang this despotic vampire.

Expand full comment

Bonnie MacEvoy - He won’t do it obviously.

Expand full comment

Oh dear, I’m sorry I had to laugh a little at the remark about the velociraptors! Maybe a bit like Dr. Frankenstein…?

I’m so thankful again to be able to come here in the evening and catch up on everything I wasn’t able to figure out from different news stories all day long. I have a room full of very active 13- and 14-year-olds who realize there are only 22 school days left and are bit off the rails! I have to use all of my mental and physical energy to stay calm, Continue to give them a great learning experience, and try to hold it together until the bell rings at 3:00 PM!

🤦🏻‍♀️😂🤦🏻‍♀️

Expand full comment

Many blessings for what you do for our children 🥰

Expand full comment

Thank you! For the vast majority of the school year, they are the joy of my life!🩵👍🏼🩵

Expand full comment

Irene - your students benefit from your focus and example. We need more of you. We’ll get there.

Expand full comment

Thank you, I really appreciate your support!

Expand full comment

Irene, hats off to you, I would never survive a classroom!

Expand full comment

If it wasn’t truly the calling of my heart and my soul, I would be out of there in a nanosecond!

Expand full comment

I have had many teachers like you and I still give thanks to them; mostly it was their love of learning and passing on that love. At the same time they were respectful of their students and recognized we learned in different ways and would not always be respectful of them! I grew up in a small town and still marvel at the quality of education and dedication we got. So thank you again!

Expand full comment

Thank you for your service! As a college professor and former K12 teacher my best advice is hang in there and find sanity where you can!! Just a few more days!

Expand full comment

I’m encouraged to hear that you are now teaching college! I am 65 now and plan to work until I’m 70 in K12 and then move on to teaching community college!

Expand full comment

Many people have said it before, but I think the ideas Trump gets about other people is what he quite accurately feels himself to be. A thug, deranged, etc. All the descriptions of others fit him so much better than they do the people he’s trying to label. It’s an interesting phenomenon, but the idea of this man in power is truly frightening. Biden, who deserves to win on his own merits in my opinion, is also the off-switch for Trump; two great reasons to vote for him.

Expand full comment

It would help if people understood narcissism. Trump has a mask of toughness that covers his knowing the shame of who he is. It is much more complex than this. Maybe a lesson from Mary Trump for an update on his behavior.

Expand full comment

Maybe. But I don’t have to understand a damn thing about narcissism to know that he’s a sick son of a bitch. I worked that out by myself, in my little NC mountain town when he went after those Central Park 5. He sounded like the rabid dog he kept yammering on about. He was tabloid fodder; the idiot who got his name in the cover of the grocery store rags you perused as you waited to check out. Down here there is poor white trash and then just white trash. The defendant is the epitome of the latter.

Expand full comment

William R, As you know, I believe it’s known as Projection: what he deeply dislikes about himself he rejects by attaching that to others. Almost daily, although I think I’ve become immune to his rants, I’m astonished once again by something he says (understatement). It’s so obvious isn’t it? I’m wondering how anyone who’s conscious …. Hmmm….doesn’t clearly see how dangerously deranged he is.

Expand full comment

Thank you Professor. I don’t want to get existential, but I feel that way. I know the answer, but I want to ask everybody out there, why do these people do this? Why can’t they live life with all the entitlements they have and be happy and help others. I’ll never get it, I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes, but I would love to have the opportunity to do so much better with what he has. Does that make sense? Good night all. Peaceandf love.

Expand full comment

It's probably pretty difficult for people with a conscience who take it for granted in some way that that's the way to live, can even begin to understand the corruption that brings us all these difficult scenarios. Basically humans are capable of just about anything. And that's what we're seeing. Anyone who embraces being healthy is going to have a hard time with the unhealth, because it just makes common sense to be healthy doesn't it? We are seeing people who don't have those qualities, and never will. So save your energy. The only way you might see what you wish to see here is that Trump figures out a way to get his way by fooling you again. He does it all the time. All the time. All the time. It's all he knows. He is that stupid. It's actually boring. You can expect him to do what he does. Nothing creative here. The only thought processes have to do with how he can fool everybody and get his way. He was born into it, he embraces it completely, he can't even envision another way, or he would have presented us with something by now.

And among Republicans in general, except for the few brave ones lately, they have to go to the ground of their own values which have become so incredibly distorted; that's certainly going to take some time. It's the in between people who could use our help, but only if they want it. The healing kinds of people among us are probably having a more difficult time with this, because our orientation is completely opposite of what we're seeing. Other than the legal system itself which is actually working well for the most part, at least until you get to those six guys on SCOTUS and Judge Cannon in Florida. It's up to all of us to do have a working conscience about the state of our country to keep plugging away. Onward. We're all in this together.

Expand full comment

There is a thought provoking article here on substack by Jessica Wildfire entitled The Age of the Wendigo which offers ideas on why individuals like Trump exist.

Expand full comment

Two great things that happened listening today to the most recent episode of #SistersInLaw:

1. As much as they are trying to talk about other topics that are of course important to all of us… The Trump Circus always seems to take over!

2. They touched on one extremely important topic that I feel like will get lost in the shuffle if we don’t all stay focused on, the very suffocating and unbelievable reproductive health restrictions popping up in several states… My fear is it will spread like wildfire while we’re all watching the trial! Thank you to the sisters in law for keeping us focused!

Expand full comment

Project 2025 and its extremist funders, backers, and enablers are hell-bent on eliminating contraception, marriage equality, and other reproductive/gender/sex issues. All of us are at risk if we don't stop Trump and stop MAGA candidates at every level of government.

Expand full comment

This is precisely why we need to elect a Democratic House and Senate and Presidency. Women voters (and their supportive men) must realize this.

Expand full comment

Millions of unregistered women trend heavily Democratic. Register Democrats - save the world.

https://www.fieldteam6.org/

Expand full comment

I absolutely agree!

Expand full comment

I think Trump is sending out the “bat signal” with his threatening language towards Jack Smith. To paraphrase Shakespeare, “will no one rid me of this troublesome prosecutor?” I fear for the safety of Smith and his family.

Expand full comment

I fear for this country if we do not use the law to prosecute this mentally disturbed criminal and he gains the office he seeks. No way should we accept the results. That will be a lot more of a consequential choice than the judge has to make now.

Expand full comment

I fear for the rule of law becoming as weak as a broken sword.

Expand full comment

It's being tested. There is too much fear about using it. We, the PEOPLE, must gain dominence using the law. Either that or this country, based on laws, is sunk.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/06/opinion/trump-dominance-democrats.html

Expand full comment

With DonTheDeranged it’s more like a butt-signal than a bat signal.

Expand full comment

I've thought the same thing (re your Shakespeare reference).

Expand full comment

I had not heard about the poll rigging before.

Expand full comment

Not sure if it is the same poll rigging that MC wrote about in Disloyal, but I am hoping so, because it really encapsulates what a f'ing lunatic the defendant is. MC wrote that he received authorization from tfg to pay for "bots" to increase his standing in a CNN "most influential" poll, before he ever ran for office, the initial purchase didn't get him into top 20 so another batch was authorized by tfg and that did get him into top 20 but egomaniac wanted to be higher so MC paid again for more bots and then, hysterical IMO, CNN didn't list him at all and tfg wanted to sue CNN over it...but was talked out of it because discovery would reveal he rigged the poll with bots...then he refused to pay MC back because he didn't make the list. So I do wonder if the $50k is for those funds being reimbursed after years. Delicious if so but also why I don't trust any poll now!

Expand full comment

Oh my.

Expand full comment

The only poll I trust is Michael Moore. And he says Drumpf will win again.

Expand full comment

Simon Rosenberg is my only trusted source…check him out.

Expand full comment

I think he's indulging in delusional optimism

Expand full comment

It’s hard to keep up when there’s so much crime…

Expand full comment

Me either-

Want To Bet It’s Going On Right Now as we watch this election cycle develop.

It won’t be Mr Cohen this time- but someone is at it.

Maybe some lackey paid by China or Russia, or Iran, or North Korea. Money & Power.

The corruption is disgusting.

Expand full comment

It would make a bit of sense that the invoices for poll rigging were not itemized. No-one wants to explicitly say: $50,000 - poll rigging. I'm referring to the report that the invoices were all for the same amount. And why would anyone write down on an invoice that they were 'poll rigging'? What about the money laundering? Did that get written down somewhere?

Expand full comment

Judge Merchan has all his Ducks lined up in a row. IMO no court could say he was prejudiced against don. He has given him multiple verbal warnings and now written notice that jail is next. I also think it’s smart that time served will be after case is decided that way they can continue without interruptions of delays for appeals.

Regarding today, what was lower case don’s fist pump action to McConney. I would have liked to see McConney’s reaction.

“Oh no” sums about everything about this egotistical traitor.

I hope they are giving Jack Smith and his family extra protection as one doesn’t know what these MAGA goons are capable of.

Expand full comment

Monica - I’m sure they are.

Expand full comment

Trump wants to be jailed. His supporters want him to be jailed. It is driving him and them crazy that he cannot achieve “martyrdom.” I sincerely hope that the judge waits till Trump does something so blatantly contemptuous that his marginal supporters will say, “Yeah, I can see why the judge did that.” The crazies won’t ever say that.

Watch and see — Trump will soon fall asleep in the courtroom, or walk out to take an unpermitted bathroom break, or curse aloud during the trial. And he’ll go directly to jail. I’m sure the Secret Service has made plans for his incarceration. Very soon.

Expand full comment

William - I heard something about possibly Judge Merchan waiting to the need of the trial and incarcerating 45 then.

Expand full comment

This would be the best scenario. This would hold the punishment over his head throughout the trial and perhaps keep him from violating the gag order. Order him to jail, but suspend the sentence until the trial is over.

Expand full comment

It's uncommon to do that but Merchan is probably planning on it. Drumpf would immediately appeal if he did it now and it would delay the trial. One thing Merchan is mindful of is the time required of the jury. This trial is jetting along. I wouldn't be surprised if the prosecution is finished this week.

Expand full comment

I will be 81 years old next month and the worst things that has happened to me is 1. the day Trump was installed as President of the USA and we did nothing, even though we knew he was installed. 2. the day I realized that all the laws in this land, all the government rules in and out of Congress could not protect us from the likes of Trump, or we did not have leaders who had the will to do so. 3. 6th January, ashamed and embarrassed for those so-called Americans. 4. Realizing that so many 6th January defendants were getting slaps on the wrist for an attempted coup. 5. When AG Garland did not follow up immediately to have Trump and his co-conspirators arrested for sedition. 6. The many embarrassing trials being manipulated by Trump abusing our laws to delay, delay and delay and still doing it and getting away with it. Oh yes, there is another time, when President Ford pardon Nixon, because if Nixon the crook would have been prosecuted, we wouldn't be where we are today.

One very important thing has to happen at the DOJ the MOU that says a sitting President can't be prosecuted must be rewritten to state, the President and any associate who has committed a crime can be prosecuted and will be. So, turning 81 next month and in extremely good health for my age, I look forward to seeing Trump, et al convicted for all their crimes and sent to prison. One other thing, we should rewrite Article III, Section 3 (Treason).

Expand full comment

Mazel Tov, Marilyn! Everything you have expressed is true. We are not a complacent crowd now because trump and his ilk have committed so many crimes. Something or someone will get to him. I feel it in my bones.

Expand full comment

Let's hope the judicial system gets a backbone; justice should be the answer.

Expand full comment

Well happy birthday and i certainly hope your 81st year brings us all some great news!

Expand full comment

Me, too.

Expand full comment

I wish November was behind us. I believe that Americans will vote for President Biden. Hopefully, he will win in a landslide! All that this country has been put through by Mr.Trump , must be behind us. Once and for all. Don't forget to vote the radicals out . We need to take our country back!!!

Expand full comment

Vote out the Radical Republican Right. I like the other folks, moderate or liberals or progressive!

But the right, batshit crazy, Nazi fascist lovers need to run into the sea like the lemmings.

Expand full comment

They've already sort of done that, running toward tfg and refusing to let go. But I would love to see them run into the sea and drown. Thank you for floating the idea of lemmings - it's so appropriate!

Expand full comment

Margaret - it has been a real test for all of us.

Expand full comment

Me too Margaret, my biggest concern right now is how many of our younger voters will turn against Biden because of the Israel Hamas war.

Expand full comment

Hopefully, they will look closely at the two options.

Expand full comment

IMO, if Merchan had his druthers he'd have tossed Orange 1 in the slammer yesterday. But he obviously wants to conduct a fair (and speedy) trial for the ungrateful wretch (and the jurors, for that matter) despite Orange 1's best attempts to avoid either. An incarceration order would certainly raise appeal attempts to the intermediate and highest state appellate courts, with the possibility of a continuing delay with an emergency appeal to SCOTUS. Could all take a relatively short period of time --- or not. But delays nevertheless. Something Merchan is keenly aware of.

Expand full comment

Dale 🎉 Cool Judge Merchan showing us how it’s done.

Expand full comment

Very good point, Dale...tRump taken into custody would turn the trial upside down, and it would devolve into the circus atmosphere that both Judge Merchan and DA Bragg have studiously avoided in order to maintain the seriousness of the matter at hand that it deserves. All parties representing the legal system know the stakes here, and tbh, yes, they will bend over backwards to indulge tRump, knowing full well that tRump's legal team are of little or no use in preserving the integrity of the court and control over their rabid client.

He'll get his jail-time, but NOT during this trial.

Expand full comment

He could watch his trial via zoom from The Tower...

Expand full comment

I am reduced to cursing and fist-shaking at this appalling man. If I were the judge, I would order a psychiatric exam complete with an MRI of his brain. That would silence him, and the rest of us could see positive proof of his daily derangement. He is narcissistic, a danger to others,( albeit craftily) prone to criminal actions, and observably demented. There is enough probable cause to warrant a hold.

Expand full comment

If only that could happen.

Expand full comment

Meanwhile back on earth 1 as we and most of DC wonders what country we can flee to if he becomes president again. We know he’s gonna be just like Putin. Putting his enemies in prison without a fair hearing.

Expand full comment

He is not winning.

Expand full comment

No he’ll never see the White House again unless it’s for his DC trial or in the back of a hearse.

Expand full comment

Right about now I am expecting high-level pols who Trump dislikes are seeking real estate in other countries.

Expand full comment

Trump is just a bit player in a vast postwar criminal oligarchy, decades in the making. Eisenhower’s warned of malignant military industrial complex gone global. I do not think now that there is anywhere on earth safe from the thuggery of these anti Rule of Law demagogues. The political fate of America in these next few years will establish the fate of the world for the next century. We all of us wherever we are geographically have to holdfast, stand our ground and face down these enemies of the Enlightenment in whatever way we can - under rule of law.

Expand full comment