Today was a day for firsts. But not the sort of important accomplishments we usually associate with that sort of label. It was a day for sad firsts, further evidence of the damage Donald Trump has done and continues to do to our country. Today was the first time a (thankfully former) American president behaved in such an outrageous manner as a defendant in a civil lawsuit that a judge entered a gag order against him. And it was the first time a Speaker of the House was removed by a motion to vacate.
"All of us have a solemn duty to stay informed, to prepare for the upcoming elections, to get engaged in local and national politics. Democracy hangs, quite literally, in the balance, and we continue to have important work to do." Exactly! We can do this. We must do this.
Will begin my day by writing 5 postcards to encourage voting in Ohio! Voting seems to be our only “out” from this disgraceful mess trump has encouraged and sustained.
If you're writing with Postcards To Voters, PLEASE don't add sentences like that. Stick with prescribed sentences that encourage specific actions, instead of rhetorical flourishes like those.
For starters, why aren't you giving people something to vote *for*? If these aren't for a particular campaign, you can use something general like "Democracy is on the ballot" or "Your vote is your voice." Depending on the date and the jurisdiction, you can give people practical steps to take, like making a plan to vote (which most of the veteran campaign hands I know think is important). And though some liberal and progressive types like to hyperventilate about Trump making himself a dictator, I'm willing to bet that most potential voters won't know what you're talking about.
As Heather Cox Richardson says it, "take up oxygen to get the facts and truth out there, with your family, friends, neighbors, community, etc." (she's on Letters from an American on Substack or Facebook...2M of us follow her) Yes, it's hard to break through to those who are absolutely controlled by the cult leader, but we must still try.
This might sound strange, given the individual's history, but the House Republicans could do themselves a favor if they made Speaker Pro Tem Patrick McHenry the Speaker. He's no liberal; 20 years ago when he first ran, he was the perfect example of the "young Republican" groomed to go into politics and raise right wing hell. But in the 20 years since, he's actually become as responsible a member of the body as a Republican is likely to get. Democrats consider him honest. The fact he was as obviously disgusted by the day's events as his gaveling of the House into recess demonstrated is actually a good thing, everything considered.
UPDATE - McHenry is still the right wing asshole he was 20 years ago. The first thing he did after gaveling the House into recess was to inform Speaker Emerita Pelosi to vacate her "hideaway office" effective immediately. she's currently not even in DC.
Silly me, Harry Truman was right back in 1948 and even more right today: "the only 'good Republicans' are pushing up daisies." Even the ones who "aren't that bad" in fact ARE that bad.
Does anyone else see the daily increase numbered of ‘foot in the their mouth’ action/reaction/lack of action the Republicans falling onto their own sword do?
I’d be embarrassed.
I shake my head disbelieving -then hilariously laugh...blaming the Dems...😳🤦♀️🤣🤣🤣🤣
I was wondering what in the heck you were thinking to say Patrick Henry was a good choice for Speaker of the House! There is nothing honest or honorable about Henry or any other Republican from NC. John Eastman and Mark Meadows have TOLD us WHAT they are - all of them - BELIEVE THEM!!! Look at what Phil Berger and Tim Moore have just done in the NC State Legislature - enacted laws creating a secret police force answerable ONLY to them, trampling on every due process legal right any US citizen might have in the State of NC! How can this be constitutional?
And mind you, what they have done is EXACTLY what Donald has promised to do on a national, federal level if re-elected! NC has been a proving ground for the machinations of the fascistic and authoritarian demagogues for years, definitely since McCrory ran for Governor, and clearly when he ran for re-election and refused to accept defeat after losing that election for governor. The State Republican Party is infested with the Bannon-Mercer machinery and NC is being destroyed by the gerrymandering and refusal to comply even when ordered to redraw voting district lines. The law suit heard in the Supreme Court to allow State Legislatures to overthrow election results and give electoral votes to the candidate of their choice rather than that of the voters came from Moore out of NC. Republicans are a rat’s nest of lying fascistic authoritarians. Do not look to Patrick Henry or any Republican from NC to be an honest or honorable Speaker of the House in the US Congress, or anywhere else. Don’t fool yourself that there is honor among thieves.
I married one. He didn’t know who Carl Sagan was and thought it was weird I was sobbing about his death while making dinner.
He was and still is a pig. But he has bad knees, very high blood pressure so he can’t undergo surgery, gout so he can only drink tequila. And he’s drunk all the time.
I understand. I married one, too. Mine is also sick, infected with Agent Orange and all of the problems that come with it. Forums like this one make me feel a little less alone. Oh, and knitting helps, too.
I thought the same. McHenry is one of the magats from my state. We’ve elected some doozies since the 2010 census and rethuglican takeover of our statehouse and their horrid redistricting successes. Also I’m honored that Pres Truman was first(or possibly not)in thinking that the only good republicans were pushing up daisies and that was back when there were real people behind the Republican facade. We could use another ”Give ‘em Hell Harry” today.
It would be wonderful if 10 Republicans banded with the Democrats and voted for Congressman Jeffries as the Speaker. Unfortunately, I do not think there are enough brave souls willing to take the guff and abuse they would most assuredly receive from their "comrades". But, one can hope!!
I wish you were not right. I have few prejudices but I have been biased against republicans my whole life- for good reasons you point out. But now- they want to tear the government down to nothing, whereas before, they just seemed to be on the wrong side of social progress and universal caring. Where are republicans with integrity? so few these days, it seems like an oxymoron to put the words republican and integrity together. I hope they find their underpinnings in real morality and ethics that require them to serve the Constitution as they swore to do when taking the oath of office. Did you find it interesting that Trump's comments on McCarthy said "they" not "we" when he referred to the republicans by name in his previous sentence? He coopted their party but they let him. I will cure my bias when more stand up to him because they choose right over might, truth over lies.
I think a lot of him. He's so different from these people. A reporter asked him "what was the first thing you did when you got back to Independence?" He said, "Took the grips up to the attic."
The sheer pettiness of McHenry's order tells us all we need to know about him. I hope it reminds everyone of the glaring contrast between Nancy Pelosi and her hapless successor. Not to mention -- if he wanted to piss off Democrats who previously considered him capable, he's done a great job.
Joyce refers to the propeller heads who downed McCarthy as the MAGA Republicans. But they aren’t the only MAGA extremists in Congress.
A majority of House Republicans voted on Jan 6, 2021 against certifying Biden’s election notwithstanding the absence of evidence of election fraud. And most of them are still in the House.
That is to say, a solid majority of GOP reps today are free election opponents. That is MAGA extremism to me.
The fact that some republican representative are total fruitcakes should not be taken to mean the rest are normal politicians. They are not.
I disagree that trump would even accept the Speakership; he has to campaign, be in 4 different courtrooms, play a bunch of golf, and go pick up his gun in S. Carolina again. Of course, trump is just saying he will be in each courtroom to testify. I have my doubts. The only testifying he's done so far is to madden the judges with innuendo and scary messages to his supporters.
As for Kevie McCarthy. How disingenuous can a coward be than how he presented himself on Face the Nation. Lying about the Democrats who literally saved his bacon with respect to helping pass the 45 day CR. What a putz! He won't even receive crocodile tears from me.
I want to point out, in closing, that as a Texan I looked back to see that President Biden only lost the state by 630,000 votes, and I know that sounds like a ton, but when I found out that there were 17 million registered voters in Texas, and that only 11 million voted, it gave me HOPE that we can still turn this damnable state BLUE again. So rally round, folks. Let's do the work. Get trump convicted, get him in prison, get him out of our lives for good! Thanks, Joyce. carry on
Indeed, Bill. There is reason to hope. At Taylor Swift's first performance in Houston on her Eras tour she encouraged her Swifties to become active in politics (as she is), to address the wrong treatment they had received from Texas legislators, And she very pointedly addressed this poor treatment toward the LGBTQ fans, letting them they were in a safe place at her concert. This has been the kind of message she has shared at all of her concerts so far. I'm hoping a large number of her Swifties who are now able to vote are registering Blue.
In a society driven by popular culture, Taylor Swift’s political engagement is important. I don’t know too much about her or about her music, but she seems to be very well respected. It is not for our generation to save democracy, but hers. May she and her peers grab their oars & turn this thing around.
For Colleen and Leslie (see below) please allow me to clarify. I could have been clearer. Having worked for 40 years in public service, 13 of which were on active duty military, I take full responsibility for my own duty to my country, and my continuing responsibility with regard to the preservation of our democracy. I also recognize that this is the most profound threat to our democracy in my lifetime. Accordingly, the damage that we have sustained will take more than a few years to rebuild. The active political engagement of generations to follow will be required. I’m grateful that Taylor Swift is on board.
Hi Bill, I think, you and I are on the same page. And in the case of our generation having elected Trump, and having Gen Z and Millenials in 2020 but some certainly could have… Now they are actively stepping up to say “we’re not in love with Democrats, but we absolutely must vote to prevent Trump, or DeSantis.” That’s what the polls are saying. But the Genzie are certainly not going to stick around and become lifelong Democrats if we don’t show them something. They’ll create a new party or do things on their own, but they are not taking any more of the blatherskite from the Democrats. They just don’t want Trump. Another pole that is very credible. Found that more than 300 million US citizens and I think it was close to 350 million folks “liked Taylor Swift a lot. The same Paul said 40% were Swifty‘s, and not all of those 40% Swifty‘s who she speaks to at her concerts are old enough to vote. They’re there with their parents, some of whom are dyed in the war Republicans. But she is speaking out, and I am hopeful that her Fanbase will vote in this election against Trump. And these Genzie kids know already that their chances of owning their own home are not so high. That’s why they are not thrilled about anything the Democrats or the Republicans are doing. But they are listening to Taylor Swift. By the way, I’ve never heard one of her songs and I adore her and before very much time goes by I’m going to crank up some kind of YouTube and listen to her. I did load up the YouTube just by chance and saw her add her concert in Houston when she told her fans She loved them, they are safe with her and she understands they are not always safe because of legislation from their legislatures, and that she hopes that they will become politically active and vote. And we all (at least those of us on Joyce’s forum) know exactly who those legislators are, and we know who they are nationally as well. So let’s hold the hope! And still know that we can call and email and write friends, offer to help them register to vote if they are not, and drive them to the polls. I’ve spent my lifetime working for democracy, teaching education policy with a PhD and 25 years as a board member of League of Women Voters in a western state. However, it takes a lot of people to get out the vote. And I welcome welcome welcome Taylor and Swifties for their help. I initially responded to you to say ‘yes indeed let’s have hope’ and give you a solid reason for having some. Not intended to suggest, we shove our generational problems to the Gen Z’s. I love that age group:) I’m now a third coach after my ears in education policy, and GenZ seems to be my tribe:) 🩵
We are going to do this and it’s been a huge wake up call for the entire country:))
Well, if a person has striven all their life to serve and be civically engaged and is nearing the end of their allotted years on this Earth...wouldn't they almost have to, however reluctantly, leave their work for others to finish?
Some would say that what he does in the courthouse halls in front of the cameras before, after and at lunch recess is "testifyin'". His attorneys won't allow him on the witness stand so he's using the venue with which he's most comfortable. Maybe that's the strongest reason to allow cameras in Federal Court; he'll be absolutely unable to resist getting in front of the cameras ; he'll keep firing attorneys until he finds a few willing to put him on the stand, then simply indict himself in the process; save the prosecution the effort of proving their case. One can dream...
If Texas turns blue, the very first thing y'all should do is to run Abbott, Patrick and Paxton out of Austin on a rail. And make that rail as uncomfortable as possible.
Re: The gag order imposed by Judge Engoron...tRump was rather subdued today in court, and apparently punted on the lunch-break ranting. Not sure what he's doing on his SM site - I hesitate to go there fearing a contagion - but clearly Engoron swiftly and definitively called the bully's bluff, and shut him up. For how long, that's anybody's guess, probably dependent how badly the business fraud trial is going for him, but precedence has been set. Judge Shutkan should take notice and basta! with more warnings, just slap an order on the bugger on Oct. 14, and double-dare him to defy it. The tide is definitely turning, and now's the time to bring the hammer down on tRump's violent and reprehensible rhetoric, verbal and oral...restore order to the process and dignity to the court.
The hammer needs to come down, but with good judgement, though not giving that criminal any benefit of the doubt.. And you can bet that Judge Engoron is having the traitors SM site monitored. I do believe he's pissed!
Judge Engoron has tRump's number, IMO, and tRump knows it. tRump has done so much to prejudice his own case, that the judge is doing him a favor by taking away his shovel so that tRump won't dig himself into a deeper hole. But, yes, this is tRump we're talking about, someone showing obvious signs of mental derangement, and it's impossible to predict his turn of behavior at any one time.
Not that I feel any compassion for tRump, but it's difficult to understand how anyone could have so much hate in his heart. Can you imagine living like that? It's difficult to understand why people are attracted to him (including my brother).
Thom Hartman characterizes tRump's recent behavior as "narcissistic collapse", akin to Hitler's meltdown in his bunker before offing Eva Braun and himself. Lot to be said for that analysis.
Dear god, here he is, this morning, ranting to reporters about how unfair the entire trial is, he's an upright businessman, and IT'S ALL HER FAULT! Yup, back to slagging off Tish James, relentlessly, but sparing Judge Engoron any bile...Jaysus, what does it take, already?
I'm not sure why people didn't believe him when he said he could walk out on to Fifth Avenue and shoot someone and get away with it. He's harmed our whole country and most of the world. As a Manhattanite we told the world who he is and we were called liberal snowflakes. 🍿🍿🍿🍿
Yes, we can vote in the elections. But can we wait that long? Aren’t there those who should be speaking up now? Like General Millie did. Why isn’t someone asking Tuberville to leave? Our national security is at risk. There must be some wheels turning that we don’t see yet? At least we have one gag order. All the adults have left the room....
Hi Norma Lee! Nice to see another retired UMC pastor on board.
The only wheels I see turning are the ones that We the People are cranking up. I believe we will have them spinning at maximum RPMs by early next year! Anticipating the sound of millions of wheels humming so loud the maga can hear them in their sleep.
I have the stamps and am looking for a few hundred cards, but haven't found the right ones yet....
Senate Democrats need to recognize that the “courtesies” that formerly were mutual and tolerable in the clubby Senate are now just a tool of the fascist party. There is no reason or need to allow Tuberman his personal veto.
So speaker pro tem can only over see the election of speaker, right? Does all business come to a halt until there is a speaker? Impeachment proceeding? Passing motions to fund the government?
Looks like we will be having a shut down just before the holidays.
Way to go GFP.
As for the gag order, good for Judge Engoron.
It almost seems like the reality of The Troubles may finally be sinking in for trump. The loss of his ability to do business in NY is a blow to his ego. The fines that are coming will hit him where it matters, in the pocket book. With so many legal adventures all at once he will have a lot of expenses. Oh wait, he doesn’t pay his lawyers anyway, so it won’t hurt quite as much.
When will Melania file for divorce? She certainly isn’t playing the stand-by-my-man role is she?
Even in Trump universe, the stress has to be wearing on him. How much can an overweight, out of shape, old guy take? Please god, not much more.
Very good questions Sky 777. Exactly what will happen now? I have a feeling Joyce will be filling us in very soon.
The damage to the country is far from over, but I am so proud of our Democrats in the House for not making deals to save the slimy Speaker. It was the only way to achieve any future government stability....
My guess is 'not much more.' He must have some autoimmune conditions by now. The question is, to what degree has his body been impacted by his weight and poor diet (addicted to McDonalds)? He looks like a metabolic syndrome waiting to happen or maybe a carotid. Certainly liver, and even kidneys. Everyone is responsible for their own bad health habits, and he is a living example.
I wouldn't be surprised if there are secret drawings for a mausoleum in the grand ballroom at Mar-a-Lago for His Orangeness. That'd be a welcome turn of events for the corporate media feeding frenzy that follows him wherever he goes.
As always, you managed to condense the events of the past day into clear, concise focus. It’s a lot to digest, but you manage to hit all the important points that take me minutes to reach instead of hours to watch or follow. I would have preferred not to see the scene of donald’s social media post about the Judge’s Clerk, that precipitated the gag order. But I am of the opinion that reposting anything Trump does or says only serves to broaden his reach and gives him the oxygen he so very much craves. He should be in jail. Cheers Joyce! Enjoyed seeing Toots on your Instagram feed. So cute.
I too would not like to see that photo. However, over the last year or so, I have seen photos of His Orangeness at Mar-a-Lago with young ladies. That would be an acceptable substitute. Is this just another projection of what he does? Since he does this, then everyone else has a girlfriend?
My concern is that folks will see this moment as a tipping point for sanity. Surely Republicans will see this clown show as dangerous. There is no evidence of this. There are thick walls around their silos. It’s up to us to be engaged in smart politics. Support groups like Galvanize who create ads that target moderate women voters. I’m stocking up on stamps and envelopes for a huge letter writing campaign through Vote Forward. Give to campaigns now. The Republicans have deep pockets. It’s going to take a massive effort to keep democracy alive.
For me, another first, i.e.,the splendid articulation by Ms. Vance, re the clarity with which Judge Engoron spelled out his gag order: “he put it down where the hogs could get it.” I laughed so loud I woke my wife at 3 am, at the beauty of this description.
I was in class teaching about the collapse of the Roman Republic when the media announced the news of McCarthy’s ouster. And what did the temporary speaker do? He asked Pelosi to vacate her office.
Cruelty. Thats always the reason. He thinks that slaps the Ds who he blames for this. Meaningless gesture from a weak man to show off for Trump. Nothings changed.
Quite a day today! Thank you for the background about McHenry. Really knew nothing about him but now we know he is a schmuck. Booting Pelosi out of her office is disrespectful but hey, isn’t that what the R’s are?
Don’t ya just love Hannity’s suggestion that Trump be speaker? NOT! I don’t know about you but the R’s wreak havoc in our lives. I would like to see that drastically curtailed.
TFG is going to be too busy over the coming months. First this civil trial which he has a very personal interest in (his ego is tied up in his illusion of wealth) and then the criminal trials for which attendance is mandatory.
p.s. He has dropped off the Forbes list of the 400 wealthiest Americans. Again.
In my over 30 years of state & federal practice in Northern California, I have seen Judges act immediately to stop personal attacks & even physical attacks. Nevertheless, it was good to see Judge Engoron finally issue a PTO (Gag Order) prohibiting "posting [doxing], emailing [inciting trolls.& worse], or publicly speaking about court staff [the defame game].
The Perp, tfg, has deleted his Platform smear against the Judge's Court Clerk but, the Gag Order will be violated shortly.
I again assert that all relevant jurisdictions, DC, GA, FL & New York must issue a similar case crafted, fact specific, Gag Order before a tragic but, preventable crime and/or tort is committed.
Having experience controlling the supporters of an International war criminal, JACK SMITH has supplemented the DC case record for Judge Chutkin's October 16 Hearing but, the Judge could & should post a tentative Order now.
Republishing Trump’s post about Judge Engoron’s law clerk including with her name and photo is just wrong and unhelpful. It would have been possible to cover this as news and criticism of Trump without repeating Trump’s sin. I am frankly very surprised that you would do this and I ask politely that you delete the picture of the judge’s law clerk and remove her name from your Substack post. How could you be so thoughtless?
This was an excellent report on today's not so good news. Article 1, Section 2 'The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.' I don't think any sane person could imply from this statement that any person not elected to the House of Representatives could be the speaker, although I would not put it past those imbeciles to try to put Trump in that office. I hope that trump as usual ignores the gag order and Judge Engoron throws him in a jail cell with no cell phone. It would be so nice to hear nothing about that orange bag of blubber for a week or two, at least until the judge decides on the amount of money Donald, Donald, and Eric have to cough up. I hope Judge Engoron takes their business licenses too.
McCarthy do you think you did the right thing
When you went to Mar Lago and kissed his ring
And when he was asked at the court house
If McCarthy
should stay
He didn’t even answer- just turned and walked away
The MAGA Republicans are an awful group
They think they were so clever as they planned a coup
And Jan 6 came and caused such disgrace
Hoping all the trials will put Trump in his place
Michael Cohen warned us that Trump is loyal to none
And I wouldn’t want to be his daughter or his son
No morals no scruples no empathy no
kindness does he display
Hoping it won’t be long till is he locked away
This is why I so love this Substack from Joyce. Such a lift to my anxious spirit! Thank you, Joyce and Eni!
Fantastic poem👏🏻👏🏻
Eni, a beautiful poem! Thank you!
Thank you for the great and clever poem
They are far from clever. Stupidity has another name.
Stupid is beyond one’s control but keeping “Stupid” away from the controls of state is not!
Love it!
"All of us have a solemn duty to stay informed, to prepare for the upcoming elections, to get engaged in local and national politics. Democracy hangs, quite literally, in the balance, and we continue to have important work to do." Exactly! We can do this. We must do this.
Will begin my day by writing 5 postcards to encourage voting in Ohio! Voting seems to be our only “out” from this disgraceful mess trump has encouraged and sustained.
Thanks for writing postcards Marcia. I've done VOTE postcards for years. This year my postcards say:
How will your life be better under a dictator?
Does a billionaire dictator care about your problems?
Great sentences to add!
If you're writing with Postcards To Voters, PLEASE don't add sentences like that. Stick with prescribed sentences that encourage specific actions, instead of rhetorical flourishes like those.
Can you help me understand why, Susanna?
For starters, why aren't you giving people something to vote *for*? If these aren't for a particular campaign, you can use something general like "Democracy is on the ballot" or "Your vote is your voice." Depending on the date and the jurisdiction, you can give people practical steps to take, like making a plan to vote (which most of the veteran campaign hands I know think is important). And though some liberal and progressive types like to hyperventilate about Trump making himself a dictator, I'm willing to bet that most potential voters won't know what you're talking about.
Excellent! We’ve been doing Virginia, and there are many places to do all kinds of GOTV!
Who do I contact to write postcards to GOTV etc? TIA.
I use Tony the Democrat. If you google that title, you will be led to that site and instructions follow.
Thanks.
https://postcardstovoters.org
https://markersfordemocracy.org
Thank you 🇺🇲⚖️
Reclaim Our Vote.
Yay Laurie!! Indeed, we will do this:))
As Heather Cox Richardson says it, "take up oxygen to get the facts and truth out there, with your family, friends, neighbors, community, etc." (she's on Letters from an American on Substack or Facebook...2M of us follow her) Yes, it's hard to break through to those who are absolutely controlled by the cult leader, but we must still try.
Well said
This might sound strange, given the individual's history, but the House Republicans could do themselves a favor if they made Speaker Pro Tem Patrick McHenry the Speaker. He's no liberal; 20 years ago when he first ran, he was the perfect example of the "young Republican" groomed to go into politics and raise right wing hell. But in the 20 years since, he's actually become as responsible a member of the body as a Republican is likely to get. Democrats consider him honest. The fact he was as obviously disgusted by the day's events as his gaveling of the House into recess demonstrated is actually a good thing, everything considered.
UPDATE - McHenry is still the right wing asshole he was 20 years ago. The first thing he did after gaveling the House into recess was to inform Speaker Emerita Pelosi to vacate her "hideaway office" effective immediately. she's currently not even in DC.
Silly me, Harry Truman was right back in 1948 and even more right today: "the only 'good Republicans' are pushing up daisies." Even the ones who "aren't that bad" in fact ARE that bad.
Nancy Pelosi was accompanying the dead body of Senator Diane Feinstein home to SF, home to her family.
Does anyone else see the daily increase numbered of ‘foot in the their mouth’ action/reaction/lack of action the Republicans falling onto their own sword do?
I’d be embarrassed.
I shake my head disbelieving -then hilariously laugh...blaming the Dems...😳🤦♀️🤣🤣🤣🤣
I was wondering what in the heck you were thinking to say Patrick Henry was a good choice for Speaker of the House! There is nothing honest or honorable about Henry or any other Republican from NC. John Eastman and Mark Meadows have TOLD us WHAT they are - all of them - BELIEVE THEM!!! Look at what Phil Berger and Tim Moore have just done in the NC State Legislature - enacted laws creating a secret police force answerable ONLY to them, trampling on every due process legal right any US citizen might have in the State of NC! How can this be constitutional?
And mind you, what they have done is EXACTLY what Donald has promised to do on a national, federal level if re-elected! NC has been a proving ground for the machinations of the fascistic and authoritarian demagogues for years, definitely since McCrory ran for Governor, and clearly when he ran for re-election and refused to accept defeat after losing that election for governor. The State Republican Party is infested with the Bannon-Mercer machinery and NC is being destroyed by the gerrymandering and refusal to comply even when ordered to redraw voting district lines. The law suit heard in the Supreme Court to allow State Legislatures to overthrow election results and give electoral votes to the candidate of their choice rather than that of the voters came from Moore out of NC. Republicans are a rat’s nest of lying fascistic authoritarians. Do not look to Patrick Henry or any Republican from NC to be an honest or honorable Speaker of the House in the US Congress, or anywhere else. Don’t fool yourself that there is honor among thieves.
YES. I'm from NC . Unfortunately, much f the rural parts of the state are just like these clowns.
*Mc*Henry, please. I wouldn't have agreed with Patrick Henry in many things, including slavery, but he was a brave man and a patriot.
For a minute there, TC, I thought you might be going off of the deep end. Whew!
Wouldn't itb e nice if there were the kind of Republicans I used to be able to work with? Hell, I once dated a Republican - we both liked skiing.
I married one. He didn’t know who Carl Sagan was and thought it was weird I was sobbing about his death while making dinner.
He was and still is a pig. But he has bad knees, very high blood pressure so he can’t undergo surgery, gout so he can only drink tequila. And he’s drunk all the time.
I understand. I married one, too. Mine is also sick, infected with Agent Orange and all of the problems that come with it. Forums like this one make me feel a little less alone. Oh, and knitting helps, too.
So sorry.
For me, it’s horses. Maybe this winter I’ll try knitting again. The last time I broke out the needles I knitted 3 pussy hats.
What next? Hope I don’t need to make more of them.
You should both free yourselves. Who needs to grow old like that?
I'm laughing because, guess what? I am old.
My husband is a Vietnam vet also. I am so sorry to hear he and you are having a tough time. Living with these Nam vets isn’t easy, I know.
Thank you.
I thought the same. McHenry is one of the magats from my state. We’ve elected some doozies since the 2010 census and rethuglican takeover of our statehouse and their horrid redistricting successes. Also I’m honored that Pres Truman was first(or possibly not)in thinking that the only good republicans were pushing up daisies and that was back when there were real people behind the Republican facade. We could use another ”Give ‘em Hell Harry” today.
🤣
Yup. McHenry = jerk.
Just when you hope otherwise.
Yes, indeed. Can I say it? My first thought when he took the Speaker's chair... "He looks like he's gay!"
That’s insulting and inappropriate in every way. What is wrong with you?
Well, I'm sorry you took it it that way! I meant it as a positive comment!
?
:)
I would vote for Joaquin Jeffries.
Hakim
Hakeem
It would be wonderful if 10 Republicans banded with the Democrats and voted for Congressman Jeffries as the Speaker. Unfortunately, I do not think there are enough brave souls willing to take the guff and abuse they would most assuredly receive from their "comrades". But, one can hope!!
I've been thinking the same thing
I wish you were not right. I have few prejudices but I have been biased against republicans my whole life- for good reasons you point out. But now- they want to tear the government down to nothing, whereas before, they just seemed to be on the wrong side of social progress and universal caring. Where are republicans with integrity? so few these days, it seems like an oxymoron to put the words republican and integrity together. I hope they find their underpinnings in real morality and ethics that require them to serve the Constitution as they swore to do when taking the oath of office. Did you find it interesting that Trump's comments on McCarthy said "they" not "we" when he referred to the republicans by name in his previous sentence? He coopted their party but they let him. I will cure my bias when more stand up to him because they choose right over might, truth over lies.
Thanks, Penni. My thoughts, exactly.
I think a lot of him. He's so different from these people. A reporter asked him "what was the first thing you did when you got back to Independence?" He said, "Took the grips up to the attic."
He’s the guy who decided it was worth his attention, right now, with the House in GOP chaos, throwing Nancy Pelosi out of her office.
Dreadful
The sheer pettiness of McHenry's order tells us all we need to know about him. I hope it reminds everyone of the glaring contrast between Nancy Pelosi and her hapless successor. Not to mention -- if he wanted to piss off Democrats who previously considered him capable, he's done a great job.
Joyce refers to the propeller heads who downed McCarthy as the MAGA Republicans. But they aren’t the only MAGA extremists in Congress.
A majority of House Republicans voted on Jan 6, 2021 against certifying Biden’s election notwithstanding the absence of evidence of election fraud. And most of them are still in the House.
That is to say, a solid majority of GOP reps today are free election opponents. That is MAGA extremism to me.
The fact that some republican representative are total fruitcakes should not be taken to mean the rest are normal politicians. They are not.
Hear Hear Mitchell! "...should not be taken to mean the rest are normal politicians." Exactly.
Exactly.
McCarthy was ousted by 6 votes. Five were Democrats, one was Republican.
The vote was 208 Democrats and 8 Republicans against McCarthy.
The count I used was my own as the counting ended. The number is merely a detail.
I disagree that trump would even accept the Speakership; he has to campaign, be in 4 different courtrooms, play a bunch of golf, and go pick up his gun in S. Carolina again. Of course, trump is just saying he will be in each courtroom to testify. I have my doubts. The only testifying he's done so far is to madden the judges with innuendo and scary messages to his supporters.
As for Kevie McCarthy. How disingenuous can a coward be than how he presented himself on Face the Nation. Lying about the Democrats who literally saved his bacon with respect to helping pass the 45 day CR. What a putz! He won't even receive crocodile tears from me.
I want to point out, in closing, that as a Texan I looked back to see that President Biden only lost the state by 630,000 votes, and I know that sounds like a ton, but when I found out that there were 17 million registered voters in Texas, and that only 11 million voted, it gave me HOPE that we can still turn this damnable state BLUE again. So rally round, folks. Let's do the work. Get trump convicted, get him in prison, get him out of our lives for good! Thanks, Joyce. carry on
Indeed, Bill. There is reason to hope. At Taylor Swift's first performance in Houston on her Eras tour she encouraged her Swifties to become active in politics (as she is), to address the wrong treatment they had received from Texas legislators, And she very pointedly addressed this poor treatment toward the LGBTQ fans, letting them they were in a safe place at her concert. This has been the kind of message she has shared at all of her concerts so far. I'm hoping a large number of her Swifties who are now able to vote are registering Blue.
In a society driven by popular culture, Taylor Swift’s political engagement is important. I don’t know too much about her or about her music, but she seems to be very well respected. It is not for our generation to save democracy, but hers. May she and her peers grab their oars & turn this thing around.
I beg to differ. It is for EVERY generation to save democracy. We all need to do our part! We are in this together, as Joyce reminds us.
Hear, hear, Colleen!!! Absolutely right on!
For Colleen and Leslie (see below) please allow me to clarify. I could have been clearer. Having worked for 40 years in public service, 13 of which were on active duty military, I take full responsibility for my own duty to my country, and my continuing responsibility with regard to the preservation of our democracy. I also recognize that this is the most profound threat to our democracy in my lifetime. Accordingly, the damage that we have sustained will take more than a few years to rebuild. The active political engagement of generations to follow will be required. I’m grateful that Taylor Swift is on board.
Hi Bill, I think, you and I are on the same page. And in the case of our generation having elected Trump, and having Gen Z and Millenials in 2020 but some certainly could have… Now they are actively stepping up to say “we’re not in love with Democrats, but we absolutely must vote to prevent Trump, or DeSantis.” That’s what the polls are saying. But the Genzie are certainly not going to stick around and become lifelong Democrats if we don’t show them something. They’ll create a new party or do things on their own, but they are not taking any more of the blatherskite from the Democrats. They just don’t want Trump. Another pole that is very credible. Found that more than 300 million US citizens and I think it was close to 350 million folks “liked Taylor Swift a lot. The same Paul said 40% were Swifty‘s, and not all of those 40% Swifty‘s who she speaks to at her concerts are old enough to vote. They’re there with their parents, some of whom are dyed in the war Republicans. But she is speaking out, and I am hopeful that her Fanbase will vote in this election against Trump. And these Genzie kids know already that their chances of owning their own home are not so high. That’s why they are not thrilled about anything the Democrats or the Republicans are doing. But they are listening to Taylor Swift. By the way, I’ve never heard one of her songs and I adore her and before very much time goes by I’m going to crank up some kind of YouTube and listen to her. I did load up the YouTube just by chance and saw her add her concert in Houston when she told her fans She loved them, they are safe with her and she understands they are not always safe because of legislation from their legislatures, and that she hopes that they will become politically active and vote. And we all (at least those of us on Joyce’s forum) know exactly who those legislators are, and we know who they are nationally as well. So let’s hold the hope! And still know that we can call and email and write friends, offer to help them register to vote if they are not, and drive them to the polls. I’ve spent my lifetime working for democracy, teaching education policy with a PhD and 25 years as a board member of League of Women Voters in a western state. However, it takes a lot of people to get out the vote. And I welcome welcome welcome Taylor and Swifties for their help. I initially responded to you to say ‘yes indeed let’s have hope’ and give you a solid reason for having some. Not intended to suggest, we shove our generational problems to the Gen Z’s. I love that age group:) I’m now a third coach after my ears in education policy, and GenZ seems to be my tribe:) 🩵
We are going to do this and it’s been a huge wake up call for the entire country:))
You want to pass on to the next generation the responsibility to clean up our collective mess? Seriously?
Well, if a person has striven all their life to serve and be civically engaged and is nearing the end of their allotted years on this Earth...wouldn't they almost have to, however reluctantly, leave their work for others to finish?
Ease up a bit. Everyone here is trying to address the problem reasonably.
Sounds like Texas voters should be the recipients of a “get out and vote” postcard campaign.
Some would say that what he does in the courthouse halls in front of the cameras before, after and at lunch recess is "testifyin'". His attorneys won't allow him on the witness stand so he's using the venue with which he's most comfortable. Maybe that's the strongest reason to allow cameras in Federal Court; he'll be absolutely unable to resist getting in front of the cameras ; he'll keep firing attorneys until he finds a few willing to put him on the stand, then simply indict himself in the process; save the prosecution the effort of proving their case. One can dream...
Bravo, Bill!!! I will volunteer to write postcards to Texas to vote blue!
If Texas turns blue, the very first thing y'all should do is to run Abbott, Patrick and Paxton out of Austin on a rail. And make that rail as uncomfortable as possible.
tRump as House Speaker has to be the all-time howler of the week...only a bit of farce promoted by Hannity and the Fox bozos.
Isn't there a Rule prohibiting an indicted Representative from serving as Speaker of the House.
Dumpty can’t be speaker, he wants to flower in court. And then there’s all the other trails coming up.
Although if he weren’t there, it might be an improvement over Qevin.
Re: The gag order imposed by Judge Engoron...tRump was rather subdued today in court, and apparently punted on the lunch-break ranting. Not sure what he's doing on his SM site - I hesitate to go there fearing a contagion - but clearly Engoron swiftly and definitively called the bully's bluff, and shut him up. For how long, that's anybody's guess, probably dependent how badly the business fraud trial is going for him, but precedence has been set. Judge Shutkan should take notice and basta! with more warnings, just slap an order on the bugger on Oct. 14, and double-dare him to defy it. The tide is definitely turning, and now's the time to bring the hammer down on tRump's violent and reprehensible rhetoric, verbal and oral...restore order to the process and dignity to the court.
Engoron took the first step. Others will follow.
The hammer needs to come down, but with good judgement, though not giving that criminal any benefit of the doubt.. And you can bet that Judge Engoron is having the traitors SM site monitored. I do believe he's pissed!
I’d wait a week to see how Trump takes it -- and what the judge is prepared to do,if and when Trump violates the order.
Judge Engoron has tRump's number, IMO, and tRump knows it. tRump has done so much to prejudice his own case, that the judge is doing him a favor by taking away his shovel so that tRump won't dig himself into a deeper hole. But, yes, this is tRump we're talking about, someone showing obvious signs of mental derangement, and it's impossible to predict his turn of behavior at any one time.
Not that I feel any compassion for tRump, but it's difficult to understand how anyone could have so much hate in his heart. Can you imagine living like that? It's difficult to understand why people are attracted to him (including my brother).
Thom Hartman characterizes tRump's recent behavior as "narcissistic collapse", akin to Hitler's meltdown in his bunker before offing Eva Braun and himself. Lot to be said for that analysis.
Dear god, here he is, this morning, ranting to reporters about how unfair the entire trial is, he's an upright businessman, and IT'S ALL HER FAULT! Yup, back to slagging off Tish James, relentlessly, but sparing Judge Engoron any bile...Jaysus, what does it take, already?
Could Trump possibly make his hateful misogyny and racism any clearer? AG James is a black woman...Judge Engoron is a white man.
I'm not sure why people didn't believe him when he said he could walk out on to Fifth Avenue and shoot someone and get away with it. He's harmed our whole country and most of the world. As a Manhattanite we told the world who he is and we were called liberal snowflakes. 🍿🍿🍿🍿
Yes, we can vote in the elections. But can we wait that long? Aren’t there those who should be speaking up now? Like General Millie did. Why isn’t someone asking Tuberville to leave? Our national security is at risk. There must be some wheels turning that we don’t see yet? At least we have one gag order. All the adults have left the room....
Hi Norma Lee! Nice to see another retired UMC pastor on board.
The only wheels I see turning are the ones that We the People are cranking up. I believe we will have them spinning at maximum RPMs by early next year! Anticipating the sound of millions of wheels humming so loud the maga can hear them in their sleep.
I have the stamps and am looking for a few hundred cards, but haven't found the right ones yet....
Love your words Mr. Gus!!!
Senate Democrats need to recognize that the “courtesies” that formerly were mutual and tolerable in the clubby Senate are now just a tool of the fascist party. There is no reason or need to allow Tuberman his personal veto.
Not all.
So speaker pro tem can only over see the election of speaker, right? Does all business come to a halt until there is a speaker? Impeachment proceeding? Passing motions to fund the government?
Looks like we will be having a shut down just before the holidays.
Way to go GFP.
As for the gag order, good for Judge Engoron.
It almost seems like the reality of The Troubles may finally be sinking in for trump. The loss of his ability to do business in NY is a blow to his ego. The fines that are coming will hit him where it matters, in the pocket book. With so many legal adventures all at once he will have a lot of expenses. Oh wait, he doesn’t pay his lawyers anyway, so it won’t hurt quite as much.
When will Melania file for divorce? She certainly isn’t playing the stand-by-my-man role is she?
Even in Trump universe, the stress has to be wearing on him. How much can an overweight, out of shape, old guy take? Please god, not much more.
Very good questions Sky 777. Exactly what will happen now? I have a feeling Joyce will be filling us in very soon.
The damage to the country is far from over, but I am so proud of our Democrats in the House for not making deals to save the slimy Speaker. It was the only way to achieve any future government stability....
My guess is 'not much more.' He must have some autoimmune conditions by now. The question is, to what degree has his body been impacted by his weight and poor diet (addicted to McDonalds)? He looks like a metabolic syndrome waiting to happen or maybe a carotid. Certainly liver, and even kidneys. Everyone is responsible for their own bad health habits, and he is a living example.
But he only weighs 215 pounds!
🤣
He knows he looks damn good.
Maybe the Devil is upholding his side of the bargain.
Oh boy….
I wouldn't be surprised if there are secret drawings for a mausoleum in the grand ballroom at Mar-a-Lago for His Orangeness. That'd be a welcome turn of events for the corporate media feeding frenzy that follows him wherever he goes.
As always, you managed to condense the events of the past day into clear, concise focus. It’s a lot to digest, but you manage to hit all the important points that take me minutes to reach instead of hours to watch or follow. I would have preferred not to see the scene of donald’s social media post about the Judge’s Clerk, that precipitated the gag order. But I am of the opinion that reposting anything Trump does or says only serves to broaden his reach and gives him the oxygen he so very much craves. He should be in jail. Cheers Joyce! Enjoyed seeing Toots on your Instagram feed. So cute.
I too would not like to see that photo. However, over the last year or so, I have seen photos of His Orangeness at Mar-a-Lago with young ladies. That would be an acceptable substitute. Is this just another projection of what he does? Since he does this, then everyone else has a girlfriend?
My concern is that folks will see this moment as a tipping point for sanity. Surely Republicans will see this clown show as dangerous. There is no evidence of this. There are thick walls around their silos. It’s up to us to be engaged in smart politics. Support groups like Galvanize who create ads that target moderate women voters. I’m stocking up on stamps and envelopes for a huge letter writing campaign through Vote Forward. Give to campaigns now. The Republicans have deep pockets. It’s going to take a massive effort to keep democracy alive.
Postcards to Voters is another option to encourage registered Democrats to vote.
Yes, I have been doing Vote Forward letters. Getting another batch ready to mail at the end of the month. votefwd.org
It’s a small thing to do but makes me feel like I’m doing something at least!!
Got it, Galvanize & Vote Forward !
For me, another first, i.e.,the splendid articulation by Ms. Vance, re the clarity with which Judge Engoron spelled out his gag order: “he put it down where the hogs could get it.” I laughed so loud I woke my wife at 3 am, at the beauty of this description.
Joyce wins the internet today with that zinger!
Again!
Loved that expression also. Had to read it twice. Definitely brought a smile to start my day!!
I was in class teaching about the collapse of the Roman Republic when the media announced the news of McCarthy’s ouster. And what did the temporary speaker do? He asked Pelosi to vacate her office.
Another idiot in waiting.
Yes. Petulant, arrogant, narcissistic little twerp that he is.
Why did he do that?
Cruelty. Thats always the reason. He thinks that slaps the Ds who he blames for this. Meaningless gesture from a weak man to show off for Trump. Nothings changed.
Definition of Republcan Republican = vengefull 10 year old
He will be able to tell his voters, “I kicked Pelosi out of her office.”
Talk about the pettiness that informs a MAGAs every act. Disgusting. McHenry is just another MAGAnasty piece of work.
Quite a day today! Thank you for the background about McHenry. Really knew nothing about him but now we know he is a schmuck. Booting Pelosi out of her office is disrespectful but hey, isn’t that what the R’s are?
Don’t ya just love Hannity’s suggestion that Trump be speaker? NOT! I don’t know about you but the R’s wreak havoc in our lives. I would like to see that drastically curtailed.
Djt wouldn’t want to work that hard or have his lack of knowledge about role exposed. Hannity still doesn’t understand what a poser djt really is.
Oh I think Hannity knows exactly who Fake 45 is. He too, is a Putin agent, like Fake 45 and the rest of them.
TFG is going to be too busy over the coming months. First this civil trial which he has a very personal interest in (his ego is tied up in his illusion of wealth) and then the criminal trials for which attendance is mandatory.
p.s. He has dropped off the Forbes list of the 400 wealthiest Americans. Again.
https://www.axios.com/2023/10/03/trump-drops-off-forbes-rich-list
I saw that! 😝
In my over 30 years of state & federal practice in Northern California, I have seen Judges act immediately to stop personal attacks & even physical attacks. Nevertheless, it was good to see Judge Engoron finally issue a PTO (Gag Order) prohibiting "posting [doxing], emailing [inciting trolls.& worse], or publicly speaking about court staff [the defame game].
The Perp, tfg, has deleted his Platform smear against the Judge's Court Clerk but, the Gag Order will be violated shortly.
I again assert that all relevant jurisdictions, DC, GA, FL & New York must issue a similar case crafted, fact specific, Gag Order before a tragic but, preventable crime and/or tort is committed.
Having experience controlling the supporters of an International war criminal, JACK SMITH has supplemented the DC case record for Judge Chutkin's October 16 Hearing but, the Judge could & should post a tentative Order now.
Due process also means Safe Process.
Joyce,
Republishing Trump’s post about Judge Engoron’s law clerk including with her name and photo is just wrong and unhelpful. It would have been possible to cover this as news and criticism of Trump without repeating Trump’s sin. I am frankly very surprised that you would do this and I ask politely that you delete the picture of the judge’s law clerk and remove her name from your Substack post. How could you be so thoughtless?
I second your suggestion to remove Trump’s offensive post from this Substack.
This was an excellent report on today's not so good news. Article 1, Section 2 'The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.' I don't think any sane person could imply from this statement that any person not elected to the House of Representatives could be the speaker, although I would not put it past those imbeciles to try to put Trump in that office. I hope that trump as usual ignores the gag order and Judge Engoron throws him in a jail cell with no cell phone. It would be so nice to hear nothing about that orange bag of blubber for a week or two, at least until the judge decides on the amount of money Donald, Donald, and Eric have to cough up. I hope Judge Engoron takes their business licenses too.
It would certainly be heaven to be devoid of the horrid person’s face and speech. Even for a day!
Agreed!
He has. I think the New York certificates are the equivalent of 'business licenses'.
"ORDERED that any certificates filed under and by virtue of GBL § 130 by any of the entity
defendants or by any other entity controlled or beneficially owned by Donald J. Trump, Donald
Trump, Jr., Eric Trump, Allen Weisselberg, and Jeffrey McConney are canceled;"
Of course, all this will be appealed.
Meanwhile the receivers (yet to be appointed) could start locating the assets and LLCs of Trump Org.