The Senate’s ‘advise and consent’ clause has officially been downgraded to ‘nod and obey.’ Confirming Kash Patel—an unqualified partisan who perjured himself, ran shady offshore businesses, and vowed to turn the FBI into a museum—isn’t just corruption, it’s an open declaration that the rule of law is for suckers. The world once looked to America as a beacon of justice. Now, thanks to Senate Republicans, we’re in a fight to prove that legacy isn’t dead—just hijacked by those too cowardly to defend it.
The contrast of integrity between Kash Patel and the acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Danielle Sassoon, who resigned rather than dismiss her office’s case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams is gobsmaking. Yes, the republicans are shivering in their boots but geez! voting for RFK jr. isn't just putting every American at a health risk, it's putting their own! What a sorry legacy they will leave behind....
As you very well know (as a former judge) very few attorneys are licensed to practice in more than a few states, often only one. Once licensed, most can go to other states to practice using reciprocity rules between the Bar associations of those states.
The only reason not being licensed in any specific state is relevant is if they were disbarred there for malfeasance. if that is true (i do not know), you should state that. Otherwise, this comment is irrelevant and even somewhat misleading.
In expect I could pick a state (possibly many) and make the same comment about you to insinuate that you aren't qualified when in fact you are highly qualified.
Look I can't stand Patel and hope (against hope) that the Senate turns him down but using misleading statements makes me see red. Sorry.
Okay now I have to question your authenticity. So far I have found that INDEED rl is (or at least was) licensed in Florida for a long time. He got his JD from Pace University (a mid level NY law school) and then practiced in Florida for a number of years. I can't find any indication that he was disbarred. Why do you say he isn't licensed? Did he let it lapse?
I agree. Congress is not supposed to be an extension of the President. It is part of the checks and balances. That’s how our democracy was set up. But with the Republicans just granting Trump whatever he wants when it is detrimental to our country goes against their oath. It also goes against the wants of the American citizens and it most certainly is contrary to the creators of our government and constitution.
Marlo, you are 100% right on all points, the Republican Congress and Senate have capituted to MAGA, but until some/many of those who voted for Trump start rejecting these moves, the GOP has no incentive to buck the new administration. Trump's poll numbers have, if anything, imProved since winning the election. This madness will go on without limits until that changes.
I think many of the Republicans in Congress who continue to support him are afraid. Afraid of the MAGA wrath & retribution. Afraid of being primaried out of a job. It’s unfortunate.
The obsequiousness to Russia so many Trump- adjacent toadies are showing is appalling, and the Republican Congress is rewarding them with positions that will only increase their corruption and promotion of propaganda. A lot of those members of Congress are about the same age I am (late 60’s) and grew up at a time when air raid sirens rang out in communities weekly to test the system just in case of an attack; when duck and cover exercises were a regular elementary school classroom activity; when the Iron Curtain seemed like an actual physical wall separating the West from the menace of the Communist USSR. An entire economy was built around the Cold War, giving birth to the huge bureaucracy known as the military-industrial complex. We were afraid of the Soviets, but had such a belief in democracy that we persevered and saw the end of this existential threat collapse thirty-three years ago. And in the last 10 years? An American Wanna Be Dictator has praised, emulated, and kissed the ass of an actual Russian dictator. It seems almost de rigueur for Trump’s acolytes to try to outdo one another in their admiration of Putin. I may be a Boomer and rather antiquated, but this is not the American I grew up in, nor the one I want to continue living in. Hopefully, some elected Boomers, and Gen Xs, and Millennials who believe in ethics, morality, security, and, most of all Democracy will challenge what is becoming too status quo and stand up for America and Americans.
I feel the same -- I'm 74 -- I did 'duck and cover' as a kid and was afraid of a Russian attack. Do you remember the film, "The Russians are Coming! The Russians are Coming" which made excellent fun of this worry at the time. But now, the Russians can come not on ships or submarines but via our digital systems and our President and his lackeys.
There is only one hope, that things hit so rock bottom--starvation as a result or farms going under and deaths resulting from no Medicaid--that people pluck their heads out of the sand and at the midterms we win the House and the Senate and impeach each and every one of their sorry asses....
Margaret you are so on target! My only hope here is that the next two years of pain will somehow wake the lemmings up and at the midterms we take back Congress and impeach all these wackos out to reclaim our constitutional democracy....
Margaret, your respect for, and commitment to our American Constitutional Democracy is apparent and is encouraging to me and clearly to others here. Unfortunately, I think we mistakenly assume that that view continues to be the majority view amongst all, or even Most voters. Not to mention both major parties. Trump's, and Musk's for that matter, approach is now clearly designed to circumvent the laws of this country and 250 years of tradition in order to re-allocate powers to the themselves. This is the very definition of an authoritarian regime. Those of us who understand the difference and recognize the danger our democracy is in have to find a way to educate to our friends, neighbors and family to what history has constantly shown is the outcome of such regimes.
Let's not forget that Hitler didn't seize power in Germany in the 1930's in a military takeover. He was given the post of Chancellor by a reluctant German President once the NAZI party was in the majority. He Then took the title of "Fuhrer" and ended any pretense of "democracy". Trump And Musk, as well as the VP and members of the Republican party, haven't been shy regarding their support for this same process too happen here.
Putin certainly did make that list after his thugs threatened many of their lives. He trained The Criminal for many decades for this moment as his fingerprints are all over everything, including Project 2025.
I don't think it's nearly that mysterious. Plain and simple, putin took one look at trump and got his number. All he had to do is complement him to get whatever he wants. The two had conversations before the election. I bet the farm that it was agreed ahead of time that trump would allow putin to grab Ukrainian land so the war would end and perhaps they could be co-winners of the Nobel Peace Prize. What a pipe dream....
And what do these craven republicans actually believe obedience will do for them? They’ll (maybe) get to keep their jobs for another term in a decimated and devastated democracy?
As an erstwhile Republican who no longer affiliates with, nor recognizes his former Party, I disagree with one statement in this fine essay: "Patel’s confirmation will say as much about Senate Republicans . . . ."
¿Why?
While shocking, if such a sentiment is still possible, the statement is redundant; enough has been said already. https://youtu.be/kjruPKgjRpc (Senator Whitehouse today; 11½min.vid.)
Sheldon Whitehouse has all the good words! What an accomplished speaker! Still - the repubs, suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder will not listen. They would need a bulleted (pun intended) list, read out to them with a voice like a machine gun, citing all the words that trump uses to defend himself, against him. Insert that trump is a felon 34 times over, many many times - the repetition of certain words seems to work with some knee-benders.
And how disgraceful that Senate Republicans listened to Patel’s lies and looked blandly on. Is there anyone in this administration who can tell the truth? Anyone at all? Didn’t think so.
Sadly following a long line of conservatives before Congress—starting with the right wing Justices Alito, Thomas, Roberts piously proclaiming allegiance to Roe v. Wade.
I found the prosecutor’s resignation such an encouragement of integrity and courage — and the fact that she is certifiably conservative made it even moreso for me. That kind of courage has already been contagious, and may it be so.
“In the last 24 hours or so, I’ve voted against all three of Trump’s cabinet nominees that have come to the floor — including Tulsi Gabbard and RFK Jr. Tulsi and RFK Jr. are unmitigated disasters, and even if a Democrat had nominated either one, I would’ve voted no.
But I want to be clear, right now, it does not matter what cabinet nominee Republicans put on the floor, I will vote against them. I will not vote for any Trump cabinet nominee who is willing to implement his blatantly unconstitutional seizure of government for the billionaire class.
But I want to talk about what’s happening right now because you rightfully know that, in normal times, nominees like Pete Hegseth, RFK Jr., and Tulsi Gabbard never would’ve made it to the floor. Republicans would’ve sunk their nominations and forced Trump to pull their nominations before we ever voted on them.
Let me be clear: Republicans know they are dangerously unqualified. They know people will die because today they voted to confirm RFK Jr.
Republicans are rubber-stamping every nominee because they are in a cult. Trump is testing them, and to a person, they are all falling in line. Every one of them has made the choice to let everything proceed as normal. In a cult, you do whatever the leader tells you to do — even when it’s ridiculous, dangerous or risks harm to your own family.
So I don’t think we have any choice other than to wage a daily, loud, urgent fight against the takeover of government by the billionaire class.
It’s probably clear to you that not everyone is there. Some Democrats believe you should reserve power, wait in the bushes, maybe once a week fight. I vehemently disagree.
We are watching a Constitutional crisis unfold and staring the end of democracy in the face. But you’re telling me that the best strategy, the strategy that will appeal to the majority of Americans, is if we just stand down, let it happen, and hope at some point everyone in Washington overnight pivots on a dime to stop it at the last minute…seriously?
How the heck does that work? There is no chance of stopping and reversing what’s happened if we don’t build the mass public opposition now. We did not save the Affordable Care Act because of one day of protest. It took ten years of protests, movement building and mass shootings to pass the first gun safety law in three decades.
Change requires building power — and no, we do not have ten years. But in the face of a crisis like this, I don’t believe it will require ten years. But the level of opposition required to stop Trump and Musk’s constitutional crisis can’t be built overnight. They believe they are invincible and a cult of Republican senators who privately disagree are publicly allowing themselves to be steamrolled and humiliated.
The only way that changes is if enough of us come together to be as loud and visible as possible. We cannot be silent as Trump and Musk seize control of government. I’m doing everything I can to lead that effort — including putting significant resources from my campaign in to building this movement and being ready for whatever Elon Musk and his corporate and billionaire friends throw at me.”
"Some Democrats believe you should reserve power, wait in the bushes, maybe once a week fight." We need to be relentless in contacting our representatives and senators daily to ask what they are doing to defend the Constitution, to protect their constituents. We need to tell them daily what we expect of them. Every. Single. Day.
They have been getting thousands of calls. I am quite certain ANY educated statistician would agree there was algorithmic manipulation, I.e. a computer hack, in the 2024 election after reviewing this data. The data is INCOMPATIBLE with REALITY!
Reagan won 80% of the popular vote and even he didn’t win all 7 swing states.
This election WAS STOLEN from Harris.
HAND recounts in the swing states would have shown this.
This is the very latest analysis showing data on NUMEROUS states:
What can we DO about this?? Harris is the LEGITIMATE president! (This was the “secret” Trump was talking about).
👉 Perhaps the STATE Attorney Generals associated with the 5 Democratic swing states could rule the ballots should be HAND recounted. The reason because the voters were disenfranchised. Over a million voters registrations were thrown out without cause and it appears the tabulator computers were tampered with from this impossible unrealistic data. So we need to put pressure on those 5 Democratic Attorney Generals in the swing states. They are:
Arizona - Kris Mayes - Democrat
Phoenix Office 2005 N Central Ave Phoenix, AZ 85004-2926 (602) 542-5025
This is not a “normal “ election. It screams of manipulation. Trump doesn’t follow the rules or laws. The American Citizens deserve HAND RECOUNTS in the swing states. They deserve to know who REALLY WON!
Maybe the “rule” of window of time for hand recounts expired, but then again it was not revealed to the public until recently the election data was not only UNREALISTIC, it was IMPOSSIBLE! Again, this was NOT a “normal election.”
I hope future AGs will remember how Merrick Garland and Joe Biden wore the white hats of respecting the norms and guardrails of the DOJ only to be accused of treating Trump and his criminals "unfairly". I hope the AGs in the states who have indicted the fake electors in their states will see this and get on it and bring these criminals to trial.
Just twenty-five days into Trump 2.0, the loud proclamations and smirks are countered by brave DoJ employees - some even appointed by Trump - and federal judges. While the Senate Republicans shamefully look anywhere but into our eyes …
The Republican Senators will confirm Patel. Spineless Susan Collins will express her "concerns" about Patel and say "he learned his lesson" when he is caught violating his oath.
Collins is such a disappointment. She cashed in her bona fides as a thoughful conservative during Trump's first term. If she votes to confirm Patel, as she has the other Horribles, Mainers will know they have voted "Trump for Everything".
Collins is up for re-election in 2026. To the people of the State of Maine I urge you to dump her and return the seat to a person in the likeness of George Mitchell, Olympia Snow, Margaret Chase Smith, William Cohen. Maine deserves a better senator.
Where is all this going? Law abiding people are being forced out or resigning. Where does that lead us as a country? I am not convinced the judicial system will stop this.
As a scientist, I'm raging over the confirmation of RFK, Jr., as head of Health and Human Services - a man whose grasp of science and and critical analysis appear to be next to non-existent. On the other hand, he does seem to be genuinely delusional - as opposed to Patel, who is not only unqualified, but a deliberate and vindictive liar. The choices for this current batch of Senate Republicans: spineless, selfish, and/or stupid.
And every f****** day Trump makes reference to Canada as the 51st state and calls our Prime Minister “Governor”. I can’t tell you how enraged and frightened we all are up here.
We are living in a dystopian nightmare and I can’t seem to wake up. Soon I’m afraid I will just bury my head in the sand for the next 4 years. I’m too old for drugs & alcohol.
If principled people leave Justice in accurate and righteous indignation because of assaults on professional decency and integrity, in the law, itself, what are we left with? Who remains? What happens to those departments. Who addresses the next issue, criminal offense if a department has been eviscerated of its experts and leaders? I don’t intend dissent or insult, I really want to know. If all the doctors leave the hospital, who’s left when you have a heart attack?
It's the vetting process. Susie Wiles, in conjunction with Stephen Miller, have their fingers on all these Horribles. The evidence is there among more than one member of our new cabinet that sexual abuse and dodgy business practices are not the usual disqualifiers. Too bad Susan Collins, John Thune, John Cornyn, Lindesy Graham see it the same way.
This is not a normal administration. I fear for the future of the country. Now when he is more or less powerless, McConnell shows some spine. Too late with his influence gone. Trump should have been gone but his party at every opportunity did not act and they are now laying down as he walks over them. Patel is a shameful choice but one who won’t try to stopAnything trump does.
NOW mcconnel votes against trump, stupid old man, where was your vote when you could have impeached him....you did not, to keep your power. now you have NO power and he has it all. you are living Liz Cheney's statement.
FRIDAY 2/14 MORNING UPDATE but, the "Fire Hoses Blasting", Focusing on TX Measles facts:
CBS NEWS Headline: "Some CDC health data and webpages still OFFLINE after Judge's Order".
CBS News Continued: "Some data & webpages TAKEN DOWN by the Centers for Disease & Prevention and other federal health agencies" ... "remained offline Thursday, after a Judge ordered health officials to put some back online". See, Doctors for America.
FYI, the non-profit Plaintiff in the underlying federal lawsuit is "Doctors for America". The judge is U.S. District Judge JOHN BATES. https://doctorsforamerica.org.
Please note diligent medical & necessary legal resistance by Dr. CHRISTINE PETRIN.🙏
*****
THURSDAY 2/13 CIVIL DISCOURSE POST:
On another nominee, RFK Jr, the Senate did in fact 'consent' to Bobby's 1st day on the job EVEN if the Senate did not offer any advice on what RFK Jr, should do in case of a virulent Measles outbreak on 1st day on the job in unvaccinated Gaines County, Texas.
Nothing posted on the CDC website on the Gaines County Measles outbreak. Question: Is the CDC even open or even funded? Any word from our Man the Vaccine Sceptic? Dead silence from RFK Jr. no pun intended. So I went to the Cleveland Clinic for Med News. Mayo Clinic: Zip, nada, nothing.
The only thing I could find with a proud Author's name was STEPHANIE BROWN reporting 2/13 afternoon for U.S. News & World Report [and Health Alerts when RFK Jr is AWOL].
Stephanie reports 24 infected persons in Gaines County TX so far. That is 22 unvaccinated children & 2 unvaccinated Adults. Stephanie is not an MD nor RN but, she did report 9 persons have been hospitalized.
Can there be any doubt that this man could very well turn the FBI into an American gestapo? I tremble at the thought of his confirmation. A senator should invoke senatorial privilege and block his appointment indefinitely.
He is very, very loyal to DJT and that is my greatest concern. I consider the president to be impaired mentally and he won’t be shy about giving orders to go after his enemies.
His character and soul is dark indeed...and the odd thing is he plasters himself with a cream to darken his skin. He's a cartoon character come to life. I have long been saying to myself, "This can't be real! I want to wake up now!"
The Senate’s ‘advise and consent’ clause has officially been downgraded to ‘nod and obey.’ Confirming Kash Patel—an unqualified partisan who perjured himself, ran shady offshore businesses, and vowed to turn the FBI into a museum—isn’t just corruption, it’s an open declaration that the rule of law is for suckers. The world once looked to America as a beacon of justice. Now, thanks to Senate Republicans, we’re in a fight to prove that legacy isn’t dead—just hijacked by those too cowardly to defend it.
The contrast of integrity between Kash Patel and the acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Danielle Sassoon, who resigned rather than dismiss her office’s case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams is gobsmaking. Yes, the republicans are shivering in their boots but geez! voting for RFK jr. isn't just putting every American at a health risk, it's putting their own! What a sorry legacy they will leave behind....
They are so unconscious about putting theirs and others' health at risk!
They’re not unconscious. They are cruel.
Is Patel a licensed lawyer?
Ans Not in Florida.
What does that mean? Was he disbarred there?
As you very well know (as a former judge) very few attorneys are licensed to practice in more than a few states, often only one. Once licensed, most can go to other states to practice using reciprocity rules between the Bar associations of those states.
The only reason not being licensed in any specific state is relevant is if they were disbarred there for malfeasance. if that is true (i do not know), you should state that. Otherwise, this comment is irrelevant and even somewhat misleading.
In expect I could pick a state (possibly many) and make the same comment about you to insinuate that you aren't qualified when in fact you are highly qualified.
Look I can't stand Patel and hope (against hope) that the Senate turns him down but using misleading statements makes me see red. Sorry.
Okay now I have to question your authenticity. So far I have found that INDEED rl is (or at least was) licensed in Florida for a long time. He got his JD from Pace University (a mid level NY law school) and then practiced in Florida for a number of years. I can't find any indication that he was disbarred. Why do you say he isn't licensed? Did he let it lapse?
Jim here . . .Yes, their hearts, as well as their minds, are crooked and uncircumcised. God help them repent.
But with their wealth they will always be taken care of medically. These people need to loose what citizens are loosing now.
I agree. Congress is not supposed to be an extension of the President. It is part of the checks and balances. That’s how our democracy was set up. But with the Republicans just granting Trump whatever he wants when it is detrimental to our country goes against their oath. It also goes against the wants of the American citizens and it most certainly is contrary to the creators of our government and constitution.
Marlo, you are 100% right on all points, the Republican Congress and Senate have capituted to MAGA, but until some/many of those who voted for Trump start rejecting these moves, the GOP has no incentive to buck the new administration. Trump's poll numbers have, if anything, imProved since winning the election. This madness will go on without limits until that changes.
I think many of the Republicans in Congress who continue to support him are afraid. Afraid of the MAGA wrath & retribution. Afraid of being primaried out of a job. It’s unfortunate.
“Nod and obey” — yes! Exactly right. I’m jealous—to sum it up in three words!
I think it should be Cower, grovel and submit.
Then … roll over and show tummy.
Its much worse !
SOS. Ship of STATE is listing badly!
Good crew jumping ship !
And the band played on … Lee Greenwood, no doubt.
The good will coalesce.
And then there is Olga Lautman's Substack piece called Kash Patel's ties to a Russian https://open.substack.com/pub/olgalautman/p/kash-patels-ties-to-a-russian-operation?r=f0qfn&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Everyone Trump is hiring/appointing to spend our tax dollars on, must be on Putin's approval list.
The obsequiousness to Russia so many Trump- adjacent toadies are showing is appalling, and the Republican Congress is rewarding them with positions that will only increase their corruption and promotion of propaganda. A lot of those members of Congress are about the same age I am (late 60’s) and grew up at a time when air raid sirens rang out in communities weekly to test the system just in case of an attack; when duck and cover exercises were a regular elementary school classroom activity; when the Iron Curtain seemed like an actual physical wall separating the West from the menace of the Communist USSR. An entire economy was built around the Cold War, giving birth to the huge bureaucracy known as the military-industrial complex. We were afraid of the Soviets, but had such a belief in democracy that we persevered and saw the end of this existential threat collapse thirty-three years ago. And in the last 10 years? An American Wanna Be Dictator has praised, emulated, and kissed the ass of an actual Russian dictator. It seems almost de rigueur for Trump’s acolytes to try to outdo one another in their admiration of Putin. I may be a Boomer and rather antiquated, but this is not the American I grew up in, nor the one I want to continue living in. Hopefully, some elected Boomers, and Gen Xs, and Millennials who believe in ethics, morality, security, and, most of all Democracy will challenge what is becoming too status quo and stand up for America and Americans.
I feel the same way Margaret. I was born in 1947 in a free and democratic country and I don’t want to die in a country under a dictatorship.
1950
I feel the same -- I'm 74 -- I did 'duck and cover' as a kid and was afraid of a Russian attack. Do you remember the film, "The Russians are Coming! The Russians are Coming" which made excellent fun of this worry at the time. But now, the Russians can come not on ships or submarines but via our digital systems and our President and his lackeys.
There is only one hope, that things hit so rock bottom--starvation as a result or farms going under and deaths resulting from no Medicaid--that people pluck their heads out of the sand and at the midterms we win the House and the Senate and impeach each and every one of their sorry asses....
Margaret you are so on target! My only hope here is that the next two years of pain will somehow wake the lemmings up and at the midterms we take back Congress and impeach all these wackos out to reclaim our constitutional democracy....
Done.
We are now the KBGs Amerikka!
Enjoy the existential madness that is upon us.
Its calked FASCISM!
State / Trumph/ media replacing
PBS and other channels!
Done.
Red Alert.
SOS.
trump got his $ from russia after his bankruptcies.......New York banks would not loan him any more $ .....
Margaret, your respect for, and commitment to our American Constitutional Democracy is apparent and is encouraging to me and clearly to others here. Unfortunately, I think we mistakenly assume that that view continues to be the majority view amongst all, or even Most voters. Not to mention both major parties. Trump's, and Musk's for that matter, approach is now clearly designed to circumvent the laws of this country and 250 years of tradition in order to re-allocate powers to the themselves. This is the very definition of an authoritarian regime. Those of us who understand the difference and recognize the danger our democracy is in have to find a way to educate to our friends, neighbors and family to what history has constantly shown is the outcome of such regimes.
Let's not forget that Hitler didn't seize power in Germany in the 1930's in a military takeover. He was given the post of Chancellor by a reluctant German President once the NAZI party was in the majority. He Then took the title of "Fuhrer" and ended any pretense of "democracy". Trump And Musk, as well as the VP and members of the Republican party, haven't been shy regarding their support for this same process too happen here.
Putin certainly did make that list after his thugs threatened many of their lives. He trained The Criminal for many decades for this moment as his fingerprints are all over everything, including Project 2025.
Makes me wonder if there is really a pee-pee tape out there that Putin threatens to release?
I don't think it's nearly that mysterious. Plain and simple, putin took one look at trump and got his number. All he had to do is complement him to get whatever he wants. The two had conversations before the election. I bet the farm that it was agreed ahead of time that trump would allow putin to grab Ukrainian land so the war would end and perhaps they could be co-winners of the Nobel Peace Prize. What a pipe dream....
microphish
Bingo.
Of course. Trump has always been Putin's puppet.
Its over.
Trumph is demolishing the Shio of State and we the people think its just a remodel!
Horrifying! Spread this!
You don’t have to subscribe to read it. Try this one instead.
https://open.substack.com/pub/olgalautman/p/kash-patels-ties-to-a-russian-operation?
I am already subscribed. Also to Spy Talk which has also had plenty to say about Kash Patel and the dangers he poses.
And what do these craven republicans actually believe obedience will do for them? They’ll (maybe) get to keep their jobs for another term in a decimated and devastated democracy?
And dont' they have children and grandchildren -- how can they be so immune from worry about their families' futures?
The train is racing out of control!
And has derailed and can no longer be controlled until it's completely derailed snd implodes !
Passengers think its just a fast turn on the tracks!
Hang on ! Code Red. SOS !
As an erstwhile Republican who no longer affiliates with, nor recognizes his former Party, I disagree with one statement in this fine essay: "Patel’s confirmation will say as much about Senate Republicans . . . ."
¿Why?
While shocking, if such a sentiment is still possible, the statement is redundant; enough has been said already. https://youtu.be/kjruPKgjRpc (Senator Whitehouse today; 11½min.vid.)
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/us-republican-party-gop-whigging-out-you-make-call-ned/ (written seven years ago.)
Sheldon Whitehouse has all the good words! What an accomplished speaker! Still - the repubs, suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder will not listen. They would need a bulleted (pun intended) list, read out to them with a voice like a machine gun, citing all the words that trump uses to defend himself, against him. Insert that trump is a felon 34 times over, many many times - the repetition of certain words seems to work with some knee-benders.
You said it.
And how disgraceful that Senate Republicans listened to Patel’s lies and looked blandly on. Is there anyone in this administration who can tell the truth? Anyone at all? Didn’t think so.
And he even PERJURED himself! It is UNBELIEVABLE!
Sadly following a long line of conservatives before Congress—starting with the right wing Justices Alito, Thomas, Roberts piously proclaiming allegiance to Roe v. Wade.
Don't forget beer boy Kavanaugh who also lied.
It is disgusting, but not so unbelievable since they ALL walk in 47’s footsteps.
unfortunately it's believable, just so hard to believe.
When you wish upon a star …
Their leader can’t tell the truth so how can we expect any of them
to do what’s needed to save the country.
All for “power” over the least fortunate — such brave boyz & girlz of the Romantic Right.
GOOD QUESTION!!!!
I found the prosecutor’s resignation such an encouragement of integrity and courage — and the fact that she is certifiably conservative made it even moreso for me. That kind of courage has already been contagious, and may it be so.
From Senator Chris Murphy:
“In the last 24 hours or so, I’ve voted against all three of Trump’s cabinet nominees that have come to the floor — including Tulsi Gabbard and RFK Jr. Tulsi and RFK Jr. are unmitigated disasters, and even if a Democrat had nominated either one, I would’ve voted no.
But I want to be clear, right now, it does not matter what cabinet nominee Republicans put on the floor, I will vote against them. I will not vote for any Trump cabinet nominee who is willing to implement his blatantly unconstitutional seizure of government for the billionaire class.
But I want to talk about what’s happening right now because you rightfully know that, in normal times, nominees like Pete Hegseth, RFK Jr., and Tulsi Gabbard never would’ve made it to the floor. Republicans would’ve sunk their nominations and forced Trump to pull their nominations before we ever voted on them.
Let me be clear: Republicans know they are dangerously unqualified. They know people will die because today they voted to confirm RFK Jr.
Republicans are rubber-stamping every nominee because they are in a cult. Trump is testing them, and to a person, they are all falling in line. Every one of them has made the choice to let everything proceed as normal. In a cult, you do whatever the leader tells you to do — even when it’s ridiculous, dangerous or risks harm to your own family.
So I don’t think we have any choice other than to wage a daily, loud, urgent fight against the takeover of government by the billionaire class.
It’s probably clear to you that not everyone is there. Some Democrats believe you should reserve power, wait in the bushes, maybe once a week fight. I vehemently disagree.
We are watching a Constitutional crisis unfold and staring the end of democracy in the face. But you’re telling me that the best strategy, the strategy that will appeal to the majority of Americans, is if we just stand down, let it happen, and hope at some point everyone in Washington overnight pivots on a dime to stop it at the last minute…seriously?
How the heck does that work? There is no chance of stopping and reversing what’s happened if we don’t build the mass public opposition now. We did not save the Affordable Care Act because of one day of protest. It took ten years of protests, movement building and mass shootings to pass the first gun safety law in three decades.
Change requires building power — and no, we do not have ten years. But in the face of a crisis like this, I don’t believe it will require ten years. But the level of opposition required to stop Trump and Musk’s constitutional crisis can’t be built overnight. They believe they are invincible and a cult of Republican senators who privately disagree are publicly allowing themselves to be steamrolled and humiliated.
The only way that changes is if enough of us come together to be as loud and visible as possible. We cannot be silent as Trump and Musk seize control of government. I’m doing everything I can to lead that effort — including putting significant resources from my campaign in to building this movement and being ready for whatever Elon Musk and his corporate and billionaire friends throw at me.”
Chris Murphy should be leading the Senate!! HE’S the voice we need and deserve.
Chris Murphy is such a good man. He, Sheldon Whitehouse, & Adam Schiff should be the leaders in the Senate.
I love Senator Murphy and hope he will run for President in 2028, if we make it that far.
Thank you for posting this great speech by Senator Chris Murphy!!
"Some Democrats believe you should reserve power, wait in the bushes, maybe once a week fight." We need to be relentless in contacting our representatives and senators daily to ask what they are doing to defend the Constitution, to protect their constituents. We need to tell them daily what we expect of them. Every. Single. Day.
They have been getting thousands of calls. I am quite certain ANY educated statistician would agree there was algorithmic manipulation, I.e. a computer hack, in the 2024 election after reviewing this data. The data is INCOMPATIBLE with REALITY!
Reagan won 80% of the popular vote and even he didn’t win all 7 swing states.
This election WAS STOLEN from Harris.
HAND recounts in the swing states would have shown this.
This is the very latest analysis showing data on NUMEROUS states:
https://open.substack.com/pub/smartelections/p/so-clean
https://youtu.be/qmzGOQwMG_k
https://youtu.be/3l8vWfaFVMU
https://youtu.be/T5cq1ITqzWU
👉 ElectionTruthAlliance.org
What can we DO about this?? Harris is the LEGITIMATE president! (This was the “secret” Trump was talking about).
👉 Perhaps the STATE Attorney Generals associated with the 5 Democratic swing states could rule the ballots should be HAND recounted. The reason because the voters were disenfranchised. Over a million voters registrations were thrown out without cause and it appears the tabulator computers were tampered with from this impossible unrealistic data. So we need to put pressure on those 5 Democratic Attorney Generals in the swing states. They are:
Arizona - Kris Mayes - Democrat
Phoenix Office 2005 N Central Ave Phoenix, AZ 85004-2926 (602) 542-5025
Michigan - Dana Nessels - Democrat
(517) 335-7622
North Carolina - Jeff Jackson - Democrat
919-716-6400 -5
P.O. Box 470882, Charlotte, NC 28226
Info@jeffjacksonnc.com
Nevada - Aaron D Ford - Democrat
Wisconsin - Josh Kaul - Democrat
This is not a “normal “ election. It screams of manipulation. Trump doesn’t follow the rules or laws. The American Citizens deserve HAND RECOUNTS in the swing states. They deserve to know who REALLY WON!
Maybe the “rule” of window of time for hand recounts expired, but then again it was not revealed to the public until recently the election data was not only UNREALISTIC, it was IMPOSSIBLE! Again, this was NOT a “normal election.”
I hope future AGs will remember how Merrick Garland and Joe Biden wore the white hats of respecting the norms and guardrails of the DOJ only to be accused of treating Trump and his criminals "unfairly". I hope the AGs in the states who have indicted the fake electors in their states will see this and get on it and bring these criminals to trial.
Just twenty-five days into Trump 2.0, the loud proclamations and smirks are countered by brave DoJ employees - some even appointed by Trump - and federal judges. While the Senate Republicans shamefully look anywhere but into our eyes …
I, not without trepidation, feel glimmerings.
The Republican Senators will confirm Patel. Spineless Susan Collins will express her "concerns" about Patel and say "he learned his lesson" when he is caught violating his oath.
Maine is on my personal do not travel lust as long as Collins is in the Senate.
Collins is such a disappointment. She cashed in her bona fides as a thoughful conservative during Trump's first term. If she votes to confirm Patel, as she has the other Horribles, Mainers will know they have voted "Trump for Everything".
Collins is up for re-election in 2026. To the people of the State of Maine I urge you to dump her and return the seat to a person in the likeness of George Mitchell, Olympia Snow, Margaret Chase Smith, William Cohen. Maine deserves a better senator.
Agreed. She's a sell-out
Train is derailed and imploding!
Dem passengers asleep.
Do not disturb while trumph wrecks and demos the entire system.
Probably, but I truly hope not!
Where is all this going? Law abiding people are being forced out or resigning. Where does that lead us as a country? I am not convinced the judicial system will stop this.
Joyce is interviewed on America at a Crossroads on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 5 pm PT, about testing the limits of the justice system. Register here: https://www.jewsunitedfordemocracy.org/upcoming-programs/
Thank you!
Nothing is going to stop this now. Turn out the lights, the country's over.
Sadly, I agree with you.
It seems repubs are as afraid of their constituents as we are and won't hold trump accountable due to their fear that Maga will come after them.
Achtung
Verboten ⚡️⚡️☠️
Zigheil comrade Fuhrer Trumph!
Das es alas !
It certainly seems that way.
My same concern. They are trying, but when 47 defies court orders who will arrest him?
Its over!
Trains derailed.
Ship of State sinking.
Airline crashes.
KBG in the whitehouse.
Insurrectionists freed to stand guard !
Its over!
Zigheil comrade Trumph.
We are now Amerikka.
On the new ship of fools.
Done. Over. Finito. Das is alas! Das vedonya.
As a scientist, I'm raging over the confirmation of RFK, Jr., as head of Health and Human Services - a man whose grasp of science and and critical analysis appear to be next to non-existent. On the other hand, he does seem to be genuinely delusional - as opposed to Patel, who is not only unqualified, but a deliberate and vindictive liar. The choices for this current batch of Senate Republicans: spineless, selfish, and/or stupid.
And every f****** day Trump makes reference to Canada as the 51st state and calls our Prime Minister “Governor”. I can’t tell you how enraged and frightened we all are up here.
You have my deepest apologies. Our leader is an evil person. Think how
Many of us are scared, too. Stay strong Canada 🍁
we feel the same way down here, perhaps we have had it so good for so long we just lost it.....half of us anyway
We are living in a dystopian nightmare and I can’t seem to wake up. Soon I’m afraid I will just bury my head in the sand for the next 4 years. I’m too old for drugs & alcohol.
This is not a 4-year concern. The government is being dismantled in favor of an autocratic oligarchy.
At least you are putting your head in the sand. Republicans have their heads up the hole they sit on.
You are never too old for drugs and alcohol 🍺😊
If principled people leave Justice in accurate and righteous indignation because of assaults on professional decency and integrity, in the law, itself, what are we left with? Who remains? What happens to those departments. Who addresses the next issue, criminal offense if a department has been eviscerated of its experts and leaders? I don’t intend dissent or insult, I really want to know. If all the doctors leave the hospital, who’s left when you have a heart attack?
These folks who are resigning and who have been fired will be replaced with incompetent loyalists, a la Project 2025.
Those people probably would have been sidelined or pushed out.
If all experienced and competent people are cut from Defense and Intelligence, what will protect us from attacks from those who see our vulnerability?
That's the KBG plan. Nothing !
His name is “Cash” Patel. Why is it that Republicans can’t find anyone with good character to fill these important positions? Never mind. 😂
They're not looking for people with good character.
It's the vetting process. Susie Wiles, in conjunction with Stephen Miller, have their fingers on all these Horribles. The evidence is there among more than one member of our new cabinet that sexual abuse and dodgy business practices are not the usual disqualifiers. Too bad Susan Collins, John Thune, John Cornyn, Lindesy Graham see it the same way.
I think “Republicans” could find good people, but they are not being consulted by the narcissist-in-chief.
Right, Ellen, because there are not any in what is now that deplorable party.
This is not a normal administration. I fear for the future of the country. Now when he is more or less powerless, McConnell shows some spine. Too late with his influence gone. Trump should have been gone but his party at every opportunity did not act and they are now laying down as he walks over them. Patel is a shameful choice but one who won’t try to stopAnything trump does.
NOW mcconnel votes against trump, stupid old man, where was your vote when you could have impeached him....you did not, to keep your power. now you have NO power and he has it all. you are living Liz Cheney's statement.
FRIDAY 2/14 MORNING UPDATE but, the "Fire Hoses Blasting", Focusing on TX Measles facts:
CBS NEWS Headline: "Some CDC health data and webpages still OFFLINE after Judge's Order".
CBS News Continued: "Some data & webpages TAKEN DOWN by the Centers for Disease & Prevention and other federal health agencies" ... "remained offline Thursday, after a Judge ordered health officials to put some back online". See, Doctors for America.
FYI, the non-profit Plaintiff in the underlying federal lawsuit is "Doctors for America". The judge is U.S. District Judge JOHN BATES. https://doctorsforamerica.org.
Please note diligent medical & necessary legal resistance by Dr. CHRISTINE PETRIN.🙏
*****
THURSDAY 2/13 CIVIL DISCOURSE POST:
On another nominee, RFK Jr, the Senate did in fact 'consent' to Bobby's 1st day on the job EVEN if the Senate did not offer any advice on what RFK Jr, should do in case of a virulent Measles outbreak on 1st day on the job in unvaccinated Gaines County, Texas.
Nothing posted on the CDC website on the Gaines County Measles outbreak. Question: Is the CDC even open or even funded? Any word from our Man the Vaccine Sceptic? Dead silence from RFK Jr. no pun intended. So I went to the Cleveland Clinic for Med News. Mayo Clinic: Zip, nada, nothing.
The only thing I could find with a proud Author's name was STEPHANIE BROWN reporting 2/13 afternoon for U.S. News & World Report [and Health Alerts when RFK Jr is AWOL].
Stephanie reports 24 infected persons in Gaines County TX so far. That is 22 unvaccinated children & 2 unvaccinated Adults. Stephanie is not an MD nor RN but, she did report 9 persons have been hospitalized.
Mix Musk & RFK Jr -- this does not end well.
Can there be any doubt that this man could very well turn the FBI into an American gestapo? I tremble at the thought of his confirmation. A senator should invoke senatorial privilege and block his appointment indefinitely.
He’s a very, very dark character.
He is very, very loyal to DJT and that is my greatest concern. I consider the president to be impaired mentally and he won’t be shy about giving orders to go after his enemies.
His character and soul is dark indeed...and the odd thing is he plasters himself with a cream to darken his skin. He's a cartoon character come to life. I have long been saying to myself, "This can't be real! I want to wake up now!"