I wish our Democratic and independent leaders in both Congress and the Senate start bare knuckle fighting. The placement of Jackson and Perry on the intelligence committee is an outrage. They are there to pass information to Trump who will pass it to Putin. The threat of blocking judges has got to be responded to in kind, the bullshit stops here. Democratic need to go on a “no huddle offense” and they must start doing it now!
I couldn’t agree with you more, Christopher. It would be refreshing to see Democrats stand up, push back and find the means to stop the Republicans bullshit.
It's difficult to respond to bullies and crooks by using reason and the law. I appreciate the dedicated and bright people who have investigated and brought charges against Trump, but, from where we stand at the moment, it is an uphill battle.
(Homage to Donald Trump’s ‘Proud Boys’ and Others)
(From my book, Donald's Vanity Tantrums" -- enjoy)
Fred Jackson was a proud rebel in The Great Northern Militia Alliance. He and his wife Ruth were often found hosting summer neighborhood barbecues. They easily found new supporters for the coming war to take back America. Fred stationed himself at the pit and handed out chicken legs drenched in homemade sauce to new, unsuspecting recruits -- kinda like a politician on election-day would do; promising a chicken in every pot. Talk of big government, guns and revolt would come later.
Fred and his cohorts believed themselves to be the direct Anglo-Saxon descendants of America's 18th century rabble-rousers who tossed bales of tea into Boston harbor after news of the British Stamp Act reached these shores. But tea-toddlers, they weren’t.
He was proud of his new-found abilities to recruit and had recently been promoted by the Alliance to the rank of sergeant of his own local militia. Wasting no time consolidating resources, Fred collected everything from boxes of canned food to crates of assault weapons. All were discreetly stored away in basements and underground bunkers in his local neighborhood.
Strategic plans were soon under way as this historic moment arrived, the moment to take back America. A secret, unnamed Northern Alliance militia representative from high up the chain of command visited one evening to give a short pep talk to the men and their wives in the basement of Jackson's home.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the mysterious commander said, “the time has come to act. We must stop the tyranny and treasonous actions of our government. Today we take action. We will starve the beast into submission. We will bring the entire nation to a screeching halt by whatever means are necessary. And we will un-steal the election. You know who I’m talking about; the great populist himself, codenamed, “OrangeFatso.””
“Yep”… they screamed in unison, “Save our leader, OrangeFatso.”
He jabbered on like this awhile longer and then said something about how it was one's duty to avoid payment of taxes like they did in the Boston revolt.
A rebel in the audience was overheard mumbling that, “Maybe them damned liberals wouldn't be so bad if we could just shoot a few.” as he cleaned and oiled his weapon. After the rousing speech ended, the mysterious speaker made way out of Fred's hatchway as quickly as he had arrived and was driven off into the night before anyone could ask questions.
The next day, Fred called for another drill. The basement was a good place to train without attracting attention. His supportive wife listened from upstairs as she tapped her foot to the muffled sounds of her husband's marching orders.
During the drill, Fred's wife heard her husband cry,
"Oh no… not again. I told you not to march forward in the cellar."
"Ruthie honey," Fred yelled from the basement, "Billy bumped into the wall again and now has a nose bleed. Quick, get me an ice pack."
One thing that should be noted about the division of labor between the men folk and their women; it was written in the Northern Militia Alliance's “Code of Conduct” that men would do the fighting and the women would play supportive roles – just like in the olden days of the founders. Their women were as important as Betsy Ross – who is thought to have sewn the first flag – was to the cause of revolt.
The country of Fred's birth was no longer recognizable to him. Waves of foreigners had migrated across the unprotected southern frontier. His leader had often spoken of building a really high wall to keep out the hordes. The government, Fred believed, was overrun with big-spending liberals and nanny-state socialists. Fred even thought that his own past president of the United States was born in another country.
“He wasn’t born here. You know he owes his allegiance to the United Nations,” cried Fred.
Encrypted communiques were now being sent and received with increasing frequency throughout the “Alliance.” The days of waiting had drawn to a close.
And so it came to pass. The militia teams began assembling. They gathered along every mountain pass and byway. They took positions beside bridges and waterways. Fred's platoon prepared to assault its assigned mountain. This really was only a big hill but these rebels had a tendency to magnify everything around them including the importance of they’re mission. Their watches were synchronized.
Sergeant Jackson finally gave the order to charge.
“CHARRRRRRGE!” he screamed.
The men began their long, wild, rickety-split charge to the top of the assigned hill. Fred held his assault rifle in the air with one hand, and with the other grabbed his pants before they slipped down below his protruding belly – an unfortunate victim of too many beer-drinking strategy sessions.
Well they whooped and hollered for so long that soon most of the militia troops were out of breath. By the time they reached the summit, the sergeant could be heard cussing' (at no one in particular.) He wondered if he had rushed up the wrong hill. His GPS repeated, “recalculating... recalculating...” His phone vibrated on his belt and he quickly grabbed it and listened intently.
His head turned slowly downward as he stared at his mud-caked boots. His heart was pounding. He was breathing fast.
“Yes sir, I see. But when are we...? Win the hearts and minds, first? But...OK, I’ll inform the men.”
The sergeant ordered roll call and sadly told his men that not only did they seize the wrong hill, but the unseen generals had decreed that this was only a drill. The real revolution was yet to come but now, without the element of surprise. Dejected, they began to hobble down the green hill.
Then suddenly, Sergeant Jackson received another message. This time, he could hardly contain himself. Something new had just happened and word was spreading like wildfire. His fingers quivered as he responded:
“I’ll tell the men right away.” The sergeant rallied the now exhausted rag-tag men around him and excitedly yelled,
“All hands to Burns, Oregon. The government is assaulting some ranchers. The Bunkerville boys from Nevada are leading the counter assault. I'll be driving out at first light if anyone needs a ride.”
Fred finally made it home in his Ford pick-up truck while still sweating from the long charge. His dear sweet Ruthie waited at the half-opened door as dusk settled in.
“Come in my hero. I made your favorite hot soup for you.”
Fred stumbled in and sat at their kitchen table and slurped down the refreshing food. He then went straight to bed without explaining anything to his worried wife about the disappointing details of the false deployment.
Fred dreamed about the new revolution soon to sweep the land of his birth – the land he hardly recognized any more. And he dreamed that his name would one day be enshrined 100 years from now, along the nearby interstate highway where he lived. The sign would read: “The Sergeant Fred Jackson Expressway: Named for a Patriot of The Second American Revolution Who Stood His Ground and Helped Take Back America.”
Then Fred farted and repositioned his head on the pillow as he slept like a baby all night long.
Christopher, I imagine all of us share your perspective and, if I may, merely would add, in my view, what’s needed, contrary to a President who reads prepared text and then exits without answering a single question, are Democrats willing, metaphorically speaking, to engage in war. The other side has shown that it will do whatever is necessary to hold power. Therefore, it is incumbent upon Democratic leadership to implore the nation to listen to the things Trump says and the people he admires. Our elected officials, receipts in hand, need to go to where the trouble is in this country, the trouble Donald Trump is stoking and making worse and say, “No one should doubt that whatever freedoms we have in this country, whatever one likes about this country, dramatically would change. We’ll either see a continuation of the United States of America or we won’t. America needs to decide.”
It needs to start with the Judiciary Committee of the Senate opening an investigation of Corrupt Cannon. I can understand the President steering clear of it, but the Senate doesn’t have to. Putting Jackson and Perry on Intelligence is the thank you from maga Mike to the Democrats for saving him. No more lifelines.
OK, what will this accomplish? This session of the Senate has only seven months of life, with big slugs of time cut out for campaigning, attending conventions, and voting on Nov 5. After that, short a miracle, senators who've lost their re-elections are looking toward their next jobs, and surviving Dems could be checking out the job listings, too, not wanting to serve in the minority.
I haven't checked, but the Democratic Senators on a Cannon Investigating Committee will have to be in seats not desperately needing re-election. And whatever they do, their report will be issued well after it might do any good. A committee report listing all of Cannon's shortcomings will only produce guffaws and snickering from GOP senators all the way to Fox. "How quaint, your side still believes in the Law. Let's ask Clarence and Sam to come and (Harlan) crow with us."
The quid-pro-quo for Mike's support was to get Bombs for Ukraine -- he wasn't giving anything else away.
Exactly- corruption. How unethical can these dangerous people be. They aren't even trying to hide their complete contempt. Pride and greed of the nastiest.
I hear these calls for a more muscular Democratic style, and they have a visceral appeal. But, you know, Democrats are not doing badly. Democrats control the White House and Senate and share control of the House. The number of Democratic governors has increased in the last few electoral cycles, as has Democratic representation in state legislatures. So maybe more volume, while satisfying, is not the answer, or at least not a whole answer.
You make a legitimate point. I just happen to disagree on strategy. I’d like to see the volume increased. I’d like to see Michael Moore come out with a devastating two hour documentary on this shit. I’d like to see what’s left of the airways AND THE SOCIAL MEDIA flooded with moving anti-Trump ads, Mocking Trump ads and Editorials up the Ying-Yang. I’d like to see us fight fire with fire if we have the political will to do it. That last part is the part that I’m angrily doubting.
Michael Moore has the attention of only left-of-GOP voters. Any time spent going to his films only take time away from developing messages targeted at voters that will help us.
Trump-directed ads have to find the route to talk to the MAGAs so it reaches or touches at least some of them. The 34 convictions MIGHT affect a few of them or otherwise-confused GOP voters, and depending on their residence, MIGHT be decisive votes in swing states.
It appears that MAGAs are those contemptuous of law, federal institutions, and American institutions that fail to be insurrectionary. Damned if I know how to peel away any to become neutral non-voters, never mind voters for the Democratic candidates.
Joy Reid just mentioned Trump's niece Mary, the shrink. Maybe Mary can diagnose and prescribe a useful message?
In some ways, the down ballot results will be at least as important than the presidential election: If Biden is elected but the Dem's lose control of the Senate and the House, his policies will be thwarted at every turn. Worst case is if the elephants win "bigly", they could conceivably even override a Presidential veto. On the other hand, if Trump wins (cough, sputter, gag) but Dem's control the House and Senate, his policies could possibly be reined in to some degree, at least. Bottom line seems to me that if Trump wins, Democratic control of the House and Senate is the only thing standing between us and the loss of our democracy.
If trump wins, will there even be a House and Senate?? That's why it's so vital to pull out all the stops now, because after an election of a despot, we can't count on any structure of a democratic government! Democrats need to fight more aggressively now, as William says! Up the Ying Yang indeed!!!
Well, to the point that we Dems need to use a "no huddle offense", it requires one small item that the House does not have: control of the football. Instead, House Dems are playing against a "No Rules Offense". All it takes is a full-court press in every Blue and Blue-able congressional district until Election Day.
As to blocking judges, and Joyce's points on the topic here, with supposed Independents Manchin pretending he's a Dem (to the end of his term, anyway) and Sinema doing something similar, it's as if your team has two players who have stated intentions to follow only half their team's playbook. Short of a half-dozen miracles, even having VEEP Kamala has no impact on the math.
Over the past half century, we Dems have made two gigantic strategic errors: 1. bemoaning the low voter turnout; now they have turned out and we got what our democratic idealism idiotically wanted: low-knowledge voters!
And 2. watching the corporatization of the GOP by its subversion thru the invention-growth of F*CKS (Non-)News Corp. As much as we lean on MSNBC, it is a decade late and a billion dollars short. Plus, people with working brains take longer to get into gear than high school dropouts who turn on their 'tudes upon the drop of a slogan. N.b.: people with guns have a slight advantage over those of us who eschew them.
Laws only work when all parties respect law.
Control of all branches of the government are now at stake. Because in (1) we got what we wished for and in (2) we watched or dozed as pre-deplorables bought-built a crooked machine that got us into the muck threatening to swallow us.
We've worked for/with Jewish Senators who worked their asses off for Americans 7 days a week. Yes, Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein. Not to mention, with Jews at lower levels of government.
The closing narration from “He's Alive,” the fourth season episode of The Twilight Zone. It tells the story of the rise and fall of Peter Vollmer, “a bush-league Führer,” who traffics in hate and prejudice in pursuit of his own affirmation and power, and who is visited by the ghost of Hitler. The story, I think, has particular relevance today.
"Where will he go next, this phantom from another time, this resurrected ghost of a previous nightmare — Chicago; Los Angeles; Miami, Florida; Vincennes, Indiana; Syracuse, New York? Anyplace, everyplace, where there's hate, where there's prejudice, where there's bigotry. He's alive. He's alive so long as these evils exist. Remember that when he comes to your town. Remember it when you hear his voice speaking out through others. Remember it when you hear a name called, a minority attacked, any blind, unreasoning assault on a people or any human being. He's alive because through these things we keep him alive."
Dale, I believe I remember that episode and needed my dad and mom to explain it to me (I was about 10 when I saw it). They compared it to the McCarthy HUAC hearings and how easily they stoked fear and hatred of anyone the "committee" identified, even when there was no evidence of any wrong-doing. Trump and McCarthy are in the same basket because they need no proof and Trump wouldn't be able to remember it if he had it. He just mouths lines he knows will get a bunch of cult members to buy as a package. Since they only listen to Trump-inspired media, they believe every word and can't imagine none of it is proven and most of it makes no sense, particularly the FBI being charged with an assassination attempt on Trump. (NOTE: there might be people wanting Trump gone, but it isn't the FBI or any other government entity. I am guessing people are praying for a heart attack; it's less messy and perhaps in his people's minds, a judgment from god.)
My dream last night: news bulletin: Donald John Trump, known for adding cofeve to the English vocabulary and the worst president in American history, choked on a French fry late last night and ….
This caught my eye: The probation office will interview Trump regarding his social background,, etc., "and mental health." Is there any way that at this juncture there could be a true psychological evaluation of this man so the public could be made aware of just how ill fit he is for any office, much less the Presidency?
I'd really LOVE to be a fly on the wall when they ask about the people he lives with. Not just because his wife was smart enough to find another place, but because Mar-A-Lardo is not like your average American home. People come and go all hours of the day.
What kind of considerations would they need to think about when they talk, since we all know darn well that he'll be lying through his teeth?
Mary, I bet there are a LOT of things Trump does that are way beyond anything you've seen. I still get angry about the "no one is above the law" when it applies to this creep! Doesn't it make you cringe when you see all the "exceptions" that he gets by with?
He's been coddled and pampered nonstop, even by Judge Merchan. And yet we've heard nothing but whining and verbal abuse from this criminal who thinks he should be above the law, and he's convinced his cult that he's being persecuted. It makes my blood boil. Why was Trump allowed to leave the state and go back to Florida? Is he going to be sentenced to anything at all? I doubt it. In NY there's a sentence called a conditional discharge. If that's his sentence he will be given a list of what he can't do, but he will not be under supervision. That way, he'll be able to stay in FL.
Mary, "coddled and pampered nonstop" are such an understatement! In fact, when he's finally gone, those four words need to be carved into his tombstone!
Fay, but really, would Barron want to vouch for a man who only grudgingly attended his graduation to get out of court, then rushed off to a rally where he lied through his teeth about everything? I would hope not.
Fay, alas, I was only half joking. Barron is most likely 18 and an adult. I too wonder when Melania will choose life and flee to NY with Barron, permanently!
Maybe they have! I mean, when your son or daughter graduates, the family usually have something special later that day, to recognize their child's achievements. Not The Donald, of course! Going to a rally was way, way more important!!!
I was picturing a meme using one of those pictures where Melania is scowling, such as the shot when they get off the plane on the day they left the White House, I hope for good.
My favorite pictures were the times when her orange hubby would try to take her hand and she'd move her arm away! Such "magic moments" for a couple as wonderful as theirs.
Yeah - THAT one caught my eye as well! So if he name Melania does SHE have to be interviewed? Although technically, he has the Secret Service living with him!
Also asked is whether the guilty party "consorts with known criminals"...LOL, half his posse are convicted felons...Stone, Bannon, Flynn, Manafort, several lawyers, his CFO...who ISN'T a criminal within tRump's circle, "pardoned" or otherwise!!
Lance, as much as I welcome his being banned from associating with convicted felons, I sincerely believe he would ignore the law and challenge Garland to try and stop him. I see a “no teeth” perspective to the certain violations to come vis a vi trump
Perhaps not for those convicts currently on parole though
Aspiring to Nixon/Watergate-level criminal conviction...long way to go, but several open trial dates yet to be set, so there's stil" hope that the tRump crowd will eventually hit NUMBAH ONE status.
Julianna, on 6/6 Dr. Bandy X Lee published Chapter 8 of her book preview for subscribers titled: "The Psychology of Trump Contagion: An Existential threat to American Democracy & All Humankind."
One of Dr. Lee's Substack Readers, another psychiatrist recommended that Dr. Lee conduct the mental health probation analysis. Actually, Dr. Lee has been-there-and-done-that before in 2017 along with 25 psychological-medical professionals: "The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump...."
Thank you so much for your comment, Bryan. I saw an interview with Dr. Lee just this weekend (from five months ago), and it really reinforced my thoughts about how much the public needs to know the truth about this malignant narcissist! I had Dr. Lee's book "The Dangerous Case..." and I couldn't bear to read it. In the interview from five months ago she talked about "collective psychosis," and that scared the hell out of me!
It's so much worse than even many of us without blinders realized. I speak for myself, of course. What can be done???? Thank you again.
It’s the problem of the cognitive underclass. You can’t fix stupid, you can only regulate it. And we’re not regulating it effectively. Regulation equals consequences. We’ve been lacking consequences for four decades.
Tuesday: Julianna, Dr. Lee gave me three (3) 'free' Subscriptions to Dr Lee's Substack.. Text me the up to 3 folks that would like to check out Dr. Lee's new book, Chapter 9 is coming up next.
Text me with contact particulars for freebies at (510) 303-9004.
Bryan, I am guessing any mental fitness questions will be superfluous being done out of routine. Trump could not pass an honest test of mental fitness. He has a bunch of lines he has incorporated into his rants and has figured out all he has to do is change names. His cult does not even notice or care. They are so enthralled they couldn't break away if they wanted to. It is like the kind of brainwashing done to people intended to infiltrate foreign entities. Get the people to believe the most appalling things, then focus on ones that are a bit less dramatic and the person will believe it. So, how do we Democrats and others who care about this nation get hold of the problem and seriously address it as the horror it is. Somehow, the Democratic Party has been split between DNC, and the progressives and everyone else in the party. Then the DNC has been targeting those others with candidates who get the big bucks from the DNC as well as the publicity. That is just what Republicans are hoping for. Why are we not focusing on them instead of undermining each other? I honestly don't get it. Is it the creeping slime of right-wing disease that is beginning to infect the whole nation or is it just a few Dems who want power no matter who is running things? I honestly do not know the answer, but I think it is a good question to ask.
Should Trump ever be given a mental fitness test, I hope the room is the size of a high school auditorium because his nose will get extremely long with each lie.
Dianne, the sad part would be that if his nose grew with the lies, his followers would be so excited at the miracle and would give him even more support, not caring one bit about the lying except that Trump would have to figure out what to do to hold up his long lying nose. Maybe some more independents would ditch Trump because that many lies are too much even for them.
According to the articles I read on this, the prosecutor and the judge are forbidden from revealing the results of the report although the defendant may do so. Joyce mentioned here thst some of it could come out in the sentencing hearing but I’m guessing that would be a knife edge to walk so it doesn’t open the issue up on appeal. I looked into it because I had the same thought about a psychological report after I saw a former judge mention it in an article in I think MSNBC, although I can’t now track that article.
Julienna, a thorough psychological evaluation by a trusted psychiatrist would seem appropriate due to Trump's behavior and history. Probation management could be the reason to get it done.
It's so true! Bandy Lee says there have been many missed opportunities for an intervention through the years. Here's an ideal one. How do we get this to the Powers That Be?
Only if the court orders it, and the court didn't. Personally, I think it's a waste of taxpayer money. He's not insane, so what's the point? It's not the court's responsibility to examine Trump's fitness for political office. We already know the answer to that anyway, don't we?
How many people think Trump will privately say "it's just show for the campaign" and flip on his back like a stressed turtle, or is he mentally demented beyond that now 🤔
Republicans- omg they’re now threatening to take their marbles out of the sandbox and run over to the stinky kid whose diaper is full and give him a hug! WOW.
So mature. So measured.
So distinguished. So Wise.
God save us from this madness.
Kim has nukes & randomly shoots them off toward our ally Japan. Netanyahu is killing civilians Willy nilly, Putin is brutally murdering Ukrainians and has for Years! Well, Decades. The climate is getting hotter and soon will be killing us by making it too hot and increase power & spread of violent storms and fires…never mind new viruses & diseases.
And this Orange Turd is what they’re concerned about?
The world is on fire & they go into “taking my toys” mode. Jesus!
Put real, serious life on hold while the XXXFelon is what they choose to be reacting about and the only person on earth they’re working for.
Vote Democrat- top to bottom. For your lifetime, not just 2024.
Let’s Stop this destructive INSANITY. Now. PLEASE. Government requires serious, mature legislators NOT This crap.
Beverly, thanks for your list of the insanities out here. I, too am amazed that so many supposedly intelligent mostly men go after someone they know well is nuts, OK, evil, and try to make excuses for their ridiculous childish behavior, you know, the kids who want to side with the bully because, well, maybe they might learn tricks to be a top notch bully too. What they don't understand is that the crowds don't like them, only the orange one and that when he gains power again, if he does, they will just be his lap dogs because his dementia is manifesting as "me only, and if you are not caring for me this moment, I don't know you and don't care about you because in reality, I don't remember you." The folks vying for the role of VP are hoping they will get it so they will replace Trump as president when he dies in office, something they are banking on because they know his condition. It's time we who still care get moving and find ways to get the word out about the sycophants who care for no one but themselves, just like their fearful leader.
Ruth, IMO, your description of his dementia is how he's been his whole life. The dementia shows up as nonsense and word salad. Apart from that I agree with you completely.
Since childhood I have hoped for affordable healthcare & health access for every person living in our country. I celebrated President Obama & Congress for passing the Afordable Healthcare Act that assured women & people with preexisting health issues insurance coverage.
I have been horrified by
* GOP blocking President Obama judicial nominee for the Supreme Court in February of an election year… and then … pressing through President Trump nominee the month before an election
* President Trump’s nominees lying in their nomination hearings and yet seated for lifetime appointments
* Supreme Court Justices shirking their responsibility to address a simple question about whether a former President like all citizens must face a court and if found guilty be accountable as is every citizen
* Supreme Court Justices lying about their position regarding Roe. The Dobbs decision has resulted in physical and emotional harm.
* GOP blocking Contraceptive Healthcare for women…. Exceptions Lisa Murkowski
Well said, Paula. These things you've mentioned make me horrified, too. I can't even put into words how ANGRY I am over how the majority of our Supreme (that's what THEY think, anyway) Court can function without a conscience, or live with themselves.
Seems to me that THEY'RE the ones who are above the law. The only thing missing when they wear their black robes would be the great, big halos above their heads.
I happen to be revisiting Rod Serling's extraordinary The Twilight Zone five season TV series and several episodes strike me as particularly resonant today. In an unfortunate example of life imitating art --- we seem to be currently trapped in that famous episode, “The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street.” You may remember that the town in the episode is manipulated by aliens in an experiment to turn neighbors against one another, with the goal being to see if humans will destroy themselves and make Earth ripe for invasion. The closing narration sums it all up:
"The tools of conquest do not necessarily come with bombs and explosions and fallout. There are weapons that are simply thoughts, attitudes, prejudices...to be found only in the minds of men. For the record, prejudices can kill...and suspicion can destroy...and a thoughtless, frightened search for a scapegoat has a fallout all of its own—for the children and the children yet unborn. And the pity of it is that these things cannot be confined to the Twilight Zone."
I remember that one, too. Rod Serling must have been psychic, telling stories that we blew off as being science fiction. The fact that some stories have turned into "true" episodes scares the hell out of me!
When I was a young kid watching "The Twilight Zone," I'd sometimes get so frightened that I'd put my hands over my eyes and gradually separate my fingers to see if it was okay to watch. Boy, how I wish I could do that now!
Anyway, I've mentioned in many posts that as much as I've missed my parents over the years, in a way I'm glad they're not here to see the carnage caused by Trump and his evil comrades. They would be so sad.
Yes, I was scared when smaller and watching them Rod Serling stories. Now I am more frightened just reading about the MAGA Cult and how they intend to turn our lives upside down. My parents were conservative Republicans but they were very kind people and although they didn't realize it, their giving natures put them more on the liberal side than they would admit. I know they would think the world was going crazy in the wrong direction if alive today.
Your parents were KIND conservative Republicans, because back in the day, it was allowed, and encouraged. Today's Trumplicans are forbidden to "play nice" because their cult leader forbids that kind of behavior. Sadly, The Golden Rule means nothing to them.
I agree with you that our parents wouldn't recognize today's world. In fact, I bet most of the readers have or had parents who would also be sad.
You are so correct. I can't think of any of my parent's friends who would not be shocked by what the "Trumplicans"( love this title) are doing to our once democratic land. I often wish they were here so I could discuss this. plight with them.
I really appreciated your comment although it is too close to the truth. We must believe and act on the fact that together we are stronger…and we must find our place in the battle field and fight!!! “FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!!!!
It’s almost funny that you question if Trump will complain about the interview with the probation officer! He most certainly will, and will call it a witch hunt and part of Biden’s plan to take him down. He will complain about every part of it. It’s a conspiracy!
This guy just cannot be reelected. Can we ever untwist the nightmare this one man has created. Think of the costs alone: court costs not just for this despicable trial, but his 7 bankruptcies and hundreds of lawsuits and appeals. This guy has got to spend some time in jail. It’s the only way to stop him! That, or the vote. Geez!
C Davenport, you are so right that Trump will whine and complain about the interview. He will not appreciate that it is online so he does not have to leave his cozy home. He will not ever acknowledge the crimes he has committed because as a poorly raised toddler-man, he is always right no matter who is hurt because he simply has no empathy, care, curiosity, or any of the other positive human attributes. He is a bundle of fear, anger, resentment, and hatred (I call them the new 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse because they are the starting point for nearly every conflict and a lot of bad behavior). Trump will have a whole lot of people to blame because that is how his dementia-laden mind works. Biden is the worst of course, but there's Obama, Pelosi, Bragg, Willis, Smith, and a whole cast of characters he has in his head, placed there by handlers who are basking in the glow of Trump's orangeness. He will drag them out individually or as a group to give his cult, people to be mad at, afraid of, resentful toward, and ultimately to hate. The "mainstream" media could help by using the words "on this one, Trump has lied again," then explain briefly how they know, and do it on a regular basis. Since so much of our media is owned by right-wing rich guys who have been given carte blanche by Trump and Kump, coverage of the Trump will be totally in support with maybe an occasional brief mention that someone besides Trump has a right to speak, but keep that speaking to a minimum.
Yeah, and four years at least since the Manhattan trial made it clear that he stole the election from Hillary. Who is stealing now? Stop that Steal. Send Trump away for a few years.
So fortunate for us you are standing by and sorting this sh*tshow for us. It’s easy to feel this is just an avalanche of venal criminality supported by the dregs of the Republican Party and throw our hands up in disgust. We have to confront it and get rational, decent people in office together.
Given trump's propensity for lying and going totally off course in a conversation, the probation officer interview should be interesting. It would appear that probation would not be a workable sentence for him. If we had a cat, (we lost our last one to old age - almost 21, and didn't get another because of how much we traveled), we would definitely have it on our laps for drinking coffee (or cocoa). I want to see a picture of Tofu with a chicken mug.😍
Since I'm on a Twilight Zone kick, thought I'd take the liberty of adding an introduction of my own to a fictitious contemporary episode, one no doubt Rod Serling would have considered (with my apologies).
Rod Serling: Meet a would-be dictator. Witness Donald J. Trump – a hollow husk of a man --- filled with hate and delusions. He sees only himself in the mirror --- not the death and destruction behind. Now cut down to size, he is plotting a return to his shabby fool's paradise but forgets --- memories are long and retribution inevitable --- here in the Twilight Zone.
Republicans are continuing their insurrectional behavior by institutionalizing it. They bring it to the House and Senate with their obstructive behavior. When does the law against treason kick in against this treachery? No wonder they want to go after the FBI and Justice Department.
Thank you, Joyce. We are cruising in Alaska, a trip postponed because of the pandemic. I hope we are surprised by the Court this week. But I am not that optimistic. Love that this forum gives all of us a chance for civil discourse. I used to believe that doing carve outs with the filibuster would backfire on Dems, but not now.
The probation officer doing the interview could well have an advanced degree in one of the social sciences, including psychology or, at a minimum, a degree with a minimum of two years of counseling experience. So mental state and particularly what will almost certainly be a lack of remorse and protestations of innocence or a "rigged" system will, no doubt, be professionally analyzed and noted in the report.
And some of the other important things that the PO will evaluate: acceptance of responsibility, remorse for the crimes committed, and respect for the law. I wonder how that will reflect in the presentence report…
I wish our Democratic and independent leaders in both Congress and the Senate start bare knuckle fighting. The placement of Jackson and Perry on the intelligence committee is an outrage. They are there to pass information to Trump who will pass it to Putin. The threat of blocking judges has got to be responded to in kind, the bullshit stops here. Democratic need to go on a “no huddle offense” and they must start doing it now!
I couldn’t agree with you more, Christopher. It would be refreshing to see Democrats stand up, push back and find the means to stop the Republicans bullshit.
It's difficult to respond to bullies and crooks by using reason and the law. I appreciate the dedicated and bright people who have investigated and brought charges against Trump, but, from where we stand at the moment, it is an uphill battle.
Fred Jackson and the Second American Revolution
(Homage to Donald Trump’s ‘Proud Boys’ and Others)
(From my book, Donald's Vanity Tantrums" -- enjoy)
Fred Jackson was a proud rebel in The Great Northern Militia Alliance. He and his wife Ruth were often found hosting summer neighborhood barbecues. They easily found new supporters for the coming war to take back America. Fred stationed himself at the pit and handed out chicken legs drenched in homemade sauce to new, unsuspecting recruits -- kinda like a politician on election-day would do; promising a chicken in every pot. Talk of big government, guns and revolt would come later.
Fred and his cohorts believed themselves to be the direct Anglo-Saxon descendants of America's 18th century rabble-rousers who tossed bales of tea into Boston harbor after news of the British Stamp Act reached these shores. But tea-toddlers, they weren’t.
He was proud of his new-found abilities to recruit and had recently been promoted by the Alliance to the rank of sergeant of his own local militia. Wasting no time consolidating resources, Fred collected everything from boxes of canned food to crates of assault weapons. All were discreetly stored away in basements and underground bunkers in his local neighborhood.
Strategic plans were soon under way as this historic moment arrived, the moment to take back America. A secret, unnamed Northern Alliance militia representative from high up the chain of command visited one evening to give a short pep talk to the men and their wives in the basement of Jackson's home.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the mysterious commander said, “the time has come to act. We must stop the tyranny and treasonous actions of our government. Today we take action. We will starve the beast into submission. We will bring the entire nation to a screeching halt by whatever means are necessary. And we will un-steal the election. You know who I’m talking about; the great populist himself, codenamed, “OrangeFatso.””
“Yep”… they screamed in unison, “Save our leader, OrangeFatso.”
He jabbered on like this awhile longer and then said something about how it was one's duty to avoid payment of taxes like they did in the Boston revolt.
A rebel in the audience was overheard mumbling that, “Maybe them damned liberals wouldn't be so bad if we could just shoot a few.” as he cleaned and oiled his weapon. After the rousing speech ended, the mysterious speaker made way out of Fred's hatchway as quickly as he had arrived and was driven off into the night before anyone could ask questions.
The next day, Fred called for another drill. The basement was a good place to train without attracting attention. His supportive wife listened from upstairs as she tapped her foot to the muffled sounds of her husband's marching orders.
"Left...right...left...right...left...right...left...right."
During the drill, Fred's wife heard her husband cry,
"Oh no… not again. I told you not to march forward in the cellar."
"Ruthie honey," Fred yelled from the basement, "Billy bumped into the wall again and now has a nose bleed. Quick, get me an ice pack."
One thing that should be noted about the division of labor between the men folk and their women; it was written in the Northern Militia Alliance's “Code of Conduct” that men would do the fighting and the women would play supportive roles – just like in the olden days of the founders. Their women were as important as Betsy Ross – who is thought to have sewn the first flag – was to the cause of revolt.
The country of Fred's birth was no longer recognizable to him. Waves of foreigners had migrated across the unprotected southern frontier. His leader had often spoken of building a really high wall to keep out the hordes. The government, Fred believed, was overrun with big-spending liberals and nanny-state socialists. Fred even thought that his own past president of the United States was born in another country.
“He wasn’t born here. You know he owes his allegiance to the United Nations,” cried Fred.
Encrypted communiques were now being sent and received with increasing frequency throughout the “Alliance.” The days of waiting had drawn to a close.
And so it came to pass. The militia teams began assembling. They gathered along every mountain pass and byway. They took positions beside bridges and waterways. Fred's platoon prepared to assault its assigned mountain. This really was only a big hill but these rebels had a tendency to magnify everything around them including the importance of they’re mission. Their watches were synchronized.
Sergeant Jackson finally gave the order to charge.
“CHARRRRRRGE!” he screamed.
The men began their long, wild, rickety-split charge to the top of the assigned hill. Fred held his assault rifle in the air with one hand, and with the other grabbed his pants before they slipped down below his protruding belly – an unfortunate victim of too many beer-drinking strategy sessions.
Well they whooped and hollered for so long that soon most of the militia troops were out of breath. By the time they reached the summit, the sergeant could be heard cussing' (at no one in particular.) He wondered if he had rushed up the wrong hill. His GPS repeated, “recalculating... recalculating...” His phone vibrated on his belt and he quickly grabbed it and listened intently.
His head turned slowly downward as he stared at his mud-caked boots. His heart was pounding. He was breathing fast.
“Yes sir, I see. But when are we...? Win the hearts and minds, first? But...OK, I’ll inform the men.”
The sergeant ordered roll call and sadly told his men that not only did they seize the wrong hill, but the unseen generals had decreed that this was only a drill. The real revolution was yet to come but now, without the element of surprise. Dejected, they began to hobble down the green hill.
Then suddenly, Sergeant Jackson received another message. This time, he could hardly contain himself. Something new had just happened and word was spreading like wildfire. His fingers quivered as he responded:
“I’ll tell the men right away.” The sergeant rallied the now exhausted rag-tag men around him and excitedly yelled,
“All hands to Burns, Oregon. The government is assaulting some ranchers. The Bunkerville boys from Nevada are leading the counter assault. I'll be driving out at first light if anyone needs a ride.”
Fred finally made it home in his Ford pick-up truck while still sweating from the long charge. His dear sweet Ruthie waited at the half-opened door as dusk settled in.
“Come in my hero. I made your favorite hot soup for you.”
Fred stumbled in and sat at their kitchen table and slurped down the refreshing food. He then went straight to bed without explaining anything to his worried wife about the disappointing details of the false deployment.
Fred dreamed about the new revolution soon to sweep the land of his birth – the land he hardly recognized any more. And he dreamed that his name would one day be enshrined 100 years from now, along the nearby interstate highway where he lived. The sign would read: “The Sergeant Fred Jackson Expressway: Named for a Patriot of The Second American Revolution Who Stood His Ground and Helped Take Back America.”
Then Fred farted and repositioned his head on the pillow as he slept like a baby all night long.
Reads like nonfiction Bill. Thanks for the laughs! 😂😂😂You’ve got a gift.
Sorry that the title A Confederacy of Dunces is taken.
Where is James Carville's War Room when we need it?
The Dems must step up and fight this BS. The Repugs don’t care how low they go. They must be stomped out now!
Christopher, I imagine all of us share your perspective and, if I may, merely would add, in my view, what’s needed, contrary to a President who reads prepared text and then exits without answering a single question, are Democrats willing, metaphorically speaking, to engage in war. The other side has shown that it will do whatever is necessary to hold power. Therefore, it is incumbent upon Democratic leadership to implore the nation to listen to the things Trump says and the people he admires. Our elected officials, receipts in hand, need to go to where the trouble is in this country, the trouble Donald Trump is stoking and making worse and say, “No one should doubt that whatever freedoms we have in this country, whatever one likes about this country, dramatically would change. We’ll either see a continuation of the United States of America or we won’t. America needs to decide.”
Indeed. Its time to decide
https://davedalton1.bandcamp.com/track/red-tide-risin
Agreed!
It needs to start with the Judiciary Committee of the Senate opening an investigation of Corrupt Cannon. I can understand the President steering clear of it, but the Senate doesn’t have to. Putting Jackson and Perry on Intelligence is the thank you from maga Mike to the Democrats for saving him. No more lifelines.
OK, what will this accomplish? This session of the Senate has only seven months of life, with big slugs of time cut out for campaigning, attending conventions, and voting on Nov 5. After that, short a miracle, senators who've lost their re-elections are looking toward their next jobs, and surviving Dems could be checking out the job listings, too, not wanting to serve in the minority.
I haven't checked, but the Democratic Senators on a Cannon Investigating Committee will have to be in seats not desperately needing re-election. And whatever they do, their report will be issued well after it might do any good. A committee report listing all of Cannon's shortcomings will only produce guffaws and snickering from GOP senators all the way to Fox. "How quaint, your side still believes in the Law. Let's ask Clarence and Sam to come and (Harlan) crow with us."
The quid-pro-quo for Mike's support was to get Bombs for Ukraine -- he wasn't giving anything else away.
Exactly- corruption. How unethical can these dangerous people be. They aren't even trying to hide their complete contempt. Pride and greed of the nastiest.
Spinelessness is no virtue. Fear speaks volumes.
I hear these calls for a more muscular Democratic style, and they have a visceral appeal. But, you know, Democrats are not doing badly. Democrats control the White House and Senate and share control of the House. The number of Democratic governors has increased in the last few electoral cycles, as has Democratic representation in state legislatures. So maybe more volume, while satisfying, is not the answer, or at least not a whole answer.
You make a legitimate point. I just happen to disagree on strategy. I’d like to see the volume increased. I’d like to see Michael Moore come out with a devastating two hour documentary on this shit. I’d like to see what’s left of the airways AND THE SOCIAL MEDIA flooded with moving anti-Trump ads, Mocking Trump ads and Editorials up the Ying-Yang. I’d like to see us fight fire with fire if we have the political will to do it. That last part is the part that I’m angrily doubting.
Michael Moore has the attention of only left-of-GOP voters. Any time spent going to his films only take time away from developing messages targeted at voters that will help us.
Trump-directed ads have to find the route to talk to the MAGAs so it reaches or touches at least some of them. The 34 convictions MIGHT affect a few of them or otherwise-confused GOP voters, and depending on their residence, MIGHT be decisive votes in swing states.
It appears that MAGAs are those contemptuous of law, federal institutions, and American institutions that fail to be insurrectionary. Damned if I know how to peel away any to become neutral non-voters, never mind voters for the Democratic candidates.
Joy Reid just mentioned Trump's niece Mary, the shrink. Maybe Mary can diagnose and prescribe a useful message?
In some ways, the down ballot results will be at least as important than the presidential election: If Biden is elected but the Dem's lose control of the Senate and the House, his policies will be thwarted at every turn. Worst case is if the elephants win "bigly", they could conceivably even override a Presidential veto. On the other hand, if Trump wins (cough, sputter, gag) but Dem's control the House and Senate, his policies could possibly be reined in to some degree, at least. Bottom line seems to me that if Trump wins, Democratic control of the House and Senate is the only thing standing between us and the loss of our democracy.
If trump wins, will there even be a House and Senate?? That's why it's so vital to pull out all the stops now, because after an election of a despot, we can't count on any structure of a democratic government! Democrats need to fight more aggressively now, as William says! Up the Ying Yang indeed!!!
That is the worry. Mike Johnson should be gotten rid of. He is a disgrace to our species.
Well, to the point that we Dems need to use a "no huddle offense", it requires one small item that the House does not have: control of the football. Instead, House Dems are playing against a "No Rules Offense". All it takes is a full-court press in every Blue and Blue-able congressional district until Election Day.
As to blocking judges, and Joyce's points on the topic here, with supposed Independents Manchin pretending he's a Dem (to the end of his term, anyway) and Sinema doing something similar, it's as if your team has two players who have stated intentions to follow only half their team's playbook. Short of a half-dozen miracles, even having VEEP Kamala has no impact on the math.
Over the past half century, we Dems have made two gigantic strategic errors: 1. bemoaning the low voter turnout; now they have turned out and we got what our democratic idealism idiotically wanted: low-knowledge voters!
And 2. watching the corporatization of the GOP by its subversion thru the invention-growth of F*CKS (Non-)News Corp. As much as we lean on MSNBC, it is a decade late and a billion dollars short. Plus, people with working brains take longer to get into gear than high school dropouts who turn on their 'tudes upon the drop of a slogan. N.b.: people with guns have a slight advantage over those of us who eschew them.
Laws only work when all parties respect law.
Control of all branches of the government are now at stake. Because in (1) we got what we wished for and in (2) we watched or dozed as pre-deplorables bought-built a crooked machine that got us into the muck threatening to swallow us.
Unworthy comment.
We've worked for/with Jewish Senators who worked their asses off for Americans 7 days a week. Yes, Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein. Not to mention, with Jews at lower levels of government.
The closing narration from “He's Alive,” the fourth season episode of The Twilight Zone. It tells the story of the rise and fall of Peter Vollmer, “a bush-league Führer,” who traffics in hate and prejudice in pursuit of his own affirmation and power, and who is visited by the ghost of Hitler. The story, I think, has particular relevance today.
"Where will he go next, this phantom from another time, this resurrected ghost of a previous nightmare — Chicago; Los Angeles; Miami, Florida; Vincennes, Indiana; Syracuse, New York? Anyplace, everyplace, where there's hate, where there's prejudice, where there's bigotry. He's alive. He's alive so long as these evils exist. Remember that when he comes to your town. Remember it when you hear his voice speaking out through others. Remember it when you hear a name called, a minority attacked, any blind, unreasoning assault on a people or any human being. He's alive because through these things we keep him alive."
Dale, I believe I remember that episode and needed my dad and mom to explain it to me (I was about 10 when I saw it). They compared it to the McCarthy HUAC hearings and how easily they stoked fear and hatred of anyone the "committee" identified, even when there was no evidence of any wrong-doing. Trump and McCarthy are in the same basket because they need no proof and Trump wouldn't be able to remember it if he had it. He just mouths lines he knows will get a bunch of cult members to buy as a package. Since they only listen to Trump-inspired media, they believe every word and can't imagine none of it is proven and most of it makes no sense, particularly the FBI being charged with an assassination attempt on Trump. (NOTE: there might be people wanting Trump gone, but it isn't the FBI or any other government entity. I am guessing people are praying for a heart attack; it's less messy and perhaps in his people's minds, a judgment from god.)
My dream last night: news bulletin: Donald John Trump, known for adding cofeve to the English vocabulary and the worst president in American history, choked on a French fry late last night and ….
This caught my eye: The probation office will interview Trump regarding his social background,, etc., "and mental health." Is there any way that at this juncture there could be a true psychological evaluation of this man so the public could be made aware of just how ill fit he is for any office, much less the Presidency?
And they look to see if there is a responsible party whom he lives with when determining whether he will get probation. I had to laugh at that
I'd really LOVE to be a fly on the wall when they ask about the people he lives with. Not just because his wife was smart enough to find another place, but because Mar-A-Lardo is not like your average American home. People come and go all hours of the day.
What kind of considerations would they need to think about when they talk, since we all know darn well that he'll be lying through his teeth?
What about all those other felons in his circle?
You gotta wonder, too, why Trump wanted his lawyer present during this interview. In my 10 years working in the courts I never heard of such a thing.
Mary, I bet there are a LOT of things Trump does that are way beyond anything you've seen. I still get angry about the "no one is above the law" when it applies to this creep! Doesn't it make you cringe when you see all the "exceptions" that he gets by with?
He's been coddled and pampered nonstop, even by Judge Merchan. And yet we've heard nothing but whining and verbal abuse from this criminal who thinks he should be above the law, and he's convinced his cult that he's being persecuted. It makes my blood boil. Why was Trump allowed to leave the state and go back to Florida? Is he going to be sentenced to anything at all? I doubt it. In NY there's a sentence called a conditional discharge. If that's his sentence he will be given a list of what he can't do, but he will not be under supervision. That way, he'll be able to stay in FL.
Mary, "coddled and pampered nonstop" are such an understatement! In fact, when he's finally gone, those four words need to be carved into his tombstone!
Barron, maybe?
Fay, but really, would Barron want to vouch for a man who only grudgingly attended his graduation to get out of court, then rushed off to a rally where he lied through his teeth about everything? I would hope not.
I was joking of course. I still wonder when Melania will take Barron and fly the coop.
Fay, alas, I was only half joking. Barron is most likely 18 and an adult. I too wonder when Melania will choose life and flee to NY with Barron, permanently!
Maybe they have! I mean, when your son or daughter graduates, the family usually have something special later that day, to recognize their child's achievements. Not The Donald, of course! Going to a rally was way, way more important!!!
She is more likely to return to her homeland in Europe
That was my first thought! He may be the only one trustworthy enough at this point in time.
I was picturing a meme using one of those pictures where Melania is scowling, such as the shot when they get off the plane on the day they left the White House, I hope for good.
My favorite pictures were the times when her orange hubby would try to take her hand and she'd move her arm away! Such "magic moments" for a couple as wonderful as theirs.
Yeah - THAT one caught my eye as well! So if he name Melania does SHE have to be interviewed? Although technically, he has the Secret Service living with him!
They interview spouses routinely.
As they should be, I would think.
Me, too. There is no one Trump listens to, (except the voices in his head, if there are any). I wonder how that will play out.
Barron?
Also asked is whether the guilty party "consorts with known criminals"...LOL, half his posse are convicted felons...Stone, Bannon, Flynn, Manafort, several lawyers, his CFO...who ISN'T a criminal within tRump's circle, "pardoned" or otherwise!!
"A man is known by the company he keeps."
Lance, as much as I welcome his being banned from associating with convicted felons, I sincerely believe he would ignore the law and challenge Garland to try and stop him. I see a “no teeth” perspective to the certain violations to come vis a vi trump
Perhaps not for those convicts currently on parole though
It would be hard to find even a handful of his associates who haven't been convicted for one thing or another.
Aspiring to Nixon/Watergate-level criminal conviction...long way to go, but several open trial dates yet to be set, so there's stil" hope that the tRump crowd will eventually hit NUMBAH ONE status.
Now the Trumplicans are going to complain that they aren’t allowed to freely associate with each other as they plot to destroy government
I can hear it now!
Julianna, on 6/6 Dr. Bandy X Lee published Chapter 8 of her book preview for subscribers titled: "The Psychology of Trump Contagion: An Existential threat to American Democracy & All Humankind."
One of Dr. Lee's Substack Readers, another psychiatrist recommended that Dr. Lee conduct the mental health probation analysis. Actually, Dr. Lee has been-there-and-done-that before in 2017 along with 25 psychological-medical professionals: "The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump...."
Thank you so much for your comment, Bryan. I saw an interview with Dr. Lee just this weekend (from five months ago), and it really reinforced my thoughts about how much the public needs to know the truth about this malignant narcissist! I had Dr. Lee's book "The Dangerous Case..." and I couldn't bear to read it. In the interview from five months ago she talked about "collective psychosis," and that scared the hell out of me!
It's so much worse than even many of us without blinders realized. I speak for myself, of course. What can be done???? Thank you again.
The problem is that those suffering from the collective psychosis are not open to actual facts or data. They are blinded by orange.
It’s the problem of the cognitive underclass. You can’t fix stupid, you can only regulate it. And we’re not regulating it effectively. Regulation equals consequences. We’ve been lacking consequences for four decades.
Tuesday: Julianna, Dr. Lee gave me three (3) 'free' Subscriptions to Dr Lee's Substack.. Text me the up to 3 folks that would like to check out Dr. Lee's new book, Chapter 9 is coming up next.
Text me with contact particulars for freebies at (510) 303-9004.
Bryan, I am guessing any mental fitness questions will be superfluous being done out of routine. Trump could not pass an honest test of mental fitness. He has a bunch of lines he has incorporated into his rants and has figured out all he has to do is change names. His cult does not even notice or care. They are so enthralled they couldn't break away if they wanted to. It is like the kind of brainwashing done to people intended to infiltrate foreign entities. Get the people to believe the most appalling things, then focus on ones that are a bit less dramatic and the person will believe it. So, how do we Democrats and others who care about this nation get hold of the problem and seriously address it as the horror it is. Somehow, the Democratic Party has been split between DNC, and the progressives and everyone else in the party. Then the DNC has been targeting those others with candidates who get the big bucks from the DNC as well as the publicity. That is just what Republicans are hoping for. Why are we not focusing on them instead of undermining each other? I honestly don't get it. Is it the creeping slime of right-wing disease that is beginning to infect the whole nation or is it just a few Dems who want power no matter who is running things? I honestly do not know the answer, but I think it is a good question to ask.
Should Trump ever be given a mental fitness test, I hope the room is the size of a high school auditorium because his nose will get extremely long with each lie.
Dianne, the sad part would be that if his nose grew with the lies, his followers would be so excited at the miracle and would give him even more support, not caring one bit about the lying except that Trump would have to figure out what to do to hold up his long lying nose. Maybe some more independents would ditch Trump because that many lies are too much even for them.
He could get some kind of brace that could hold UP his nose and hold DOWN that orange mop on top of his head, especially when it's windy outside.
According to the articles I read on this, the prosecutor and the judge are forbidden from revealing the results of the report although the defendant may do so. Joyce mentioned here thst some of it could come out in the sentencing hearing but I’m guessing that would be a knife edge to walk so it doesn’t open the issue up on appeal. I looked into it because I had the same thought about a psychological report after I saw a former judge mention it in an article in I think MSNBC, although I can’t now track that article.
Julienna, a thorough psychological evaluation by a trusted psychiatrist would seem appropriate due to Trump's behavior and history. Probation management could be the reason to get it done.
It's so true! Bandy Lee says there have been many missed opportunities for an intervention through the years. Here's an ideal one. How do we get this to the Powers That Be?
Excellent question Juli, thanks!
Thank you, Cheryl!
Only if the court orders it, and the court didn't. Personally, I think it's a waste of taxpayer money. He's not insane, so what's the point? It's not the court's responsibility to examine Trump's fitness for political office. We already know the answer to that anyway, don't we?
How many people think Trump will privately say "it's just show for the campaign" and flip on his back like a stressed turtle, or is he mentally demented beyond that now 🤔
Republicans- omg they’re now threatening to take their marbles out of the sandbox and run over to the stinky kid whose diaper is full and give him a hug! WOW.
So mature. So measured.
So distinguished. So Wise.
God save us from this madness.
Kim has nukes & randomly shoots them off toward our ally Japan. Netanyahu is killing civilians Willy nilly, Putin is brutally murdering Ukrainians and has for Years! Well, Decades. The climate is getting hotter and soon will be killing us by making it too hot and increase power & spread of violent storms and fires…never mind new viruses & diseases.
And this Orange Turd is what they’re concerned about?
The world is on fire & they go into “taking my toys” mode. Jesus!
Put real, serious life on hold while the XXXFelon is what they choose to be reacting about and the only person on earth they’re working for.
Vote Democrat- top to bottom. For your lifetime, not just 2024.
Let’s Stop this destructive INSANITY. Now. PLEASE. Government requires serious, mature legislators NOT This crap.
You’re beginning to sound like Jeff Tiedrich with this comment 🤣. Love it
Thanks.
That IS a good compliment, don't you think?
Beverly, thanks for your list of the insanities out here. I, too am amazed that so many supposedly intelligent mostly men go after someone they know well is nuts, OK, evil, and try to make excuses for their ridiculous childish behavior, you know, the kids who want to side with the bully because, well, maybe they might learn tricks to be a top notch bully too. What they don't understand is that the crowds don't like them, only the orange one and that when he gains power again, if he does, they will just be his lap dogs because his dementia is manifesting as "me only, and if you are not caring for me this moment, I don't know you and don't care about you because in reality, I don't remember you." The folks vying for the role of VP are hoping they will get it so they will replace Trump as president when he dies in office, something they are banking on because they know his condition. It's time we who still care get moving and find ways to get the word out about the sycophants who care for no one but themselves, just like their fearful leader.
Remember the phrase “a legend in his own mind”— perfect description of the p o s. 💩
Ruth, IMO, your description of his dementia is how he's been his whole life. The dementia shows up as nonsense and word salad. Apart from that I agree with you completely.
Since childhood I have hoped for affordable healthcare & health access for every person living in our country. I celebrated President Obama & Congress for passing the Afordable Healthcare Act that assured women & people with preexisting health issues insurance coverage.
I have been horrified by
* GOP blocking President Obama judicial nominee for the Supreme Court in February of an election year… and then … pressing through President Trump nominee the month before an election
* President Trump’s nominees lying in their nomination hearings and yet seated for lifetime appointments
* Supreme Court Justices shirking their responsibility to address a simple question about whether a former President like all citizens must face a court and if found guilty be accountable as is every citizen
* Supreme Court Justices lying about their position regarding Roe. The Dobbs decision has resulted in physical and emotional harm.
* GOP blocking Contraceptive Healthcare for women…. Exceptions Lisa Murkowski
Susan Collins
Well said, Paula. These things you've mentioned make me horrified, too. I can't even put into words how ANGRY I am over how the majority of our Supreme (that's what THEY think, anyway) Court can function without a conscience, or live with themselves.
Seems to me that THEY'RE the ones who are above the law. The only thing missing when they wear their black robes would be the great, big halos above their heads.
Dianne, even their weird god can't stand to see them with halos.
Thanks Dianne.
I happen to be revisiting Rod Serling's extraordinary The Twilight Zone five season TV series and several episodes strike me as particularly resonant today. In an unfortunate example of life imitating art --- we seem to be currently trapped in that famous episode, “The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street.” You may remember that the town in the episode is manipulated by aliens in an experiment to turn neighbors against one another, with the goal being to see if humans will destroy themselves and make Earth ripe for invasion. The closing narration sums it all up:
"The tools of conquest do not necessarily come with bombs and explosions and fallout. There are weapons that are simply thoughts, attitudes, prejudices...to be found only in the minds of men. For the record, prejudices can kill...and suspicion can destroy...and a thoughtless, frightened search for a scapegoat has a fallout all of its own—for the children and the children yet unborn. And the pity of it is that these things cannot be confined to the Twilight Zone."
If you want to watch a real ringer for Trump, watch Netflix documentary Hitler and the Nazis, Evil on trial.
I do remember this episode. We are definitely living on Maple Street these days.
I remember that one, too. Rod Serling must have been psychic, telling stories that we blew off as being science fiction. The fact that some stories have turned into "true" episodes scares the hell out of me!
When I was a young kid watching "The Twilight Zone," I'd sometimes get so frightened that I'd put my hands over my eyes and gradually separate my fingers to see if it was okay to watch. Boy, how I wish I could do that now!
Anyway, I've mentioned in many posts that as much as I've missed my parents over the years, in a way I'm glad they're not here to see the carnage caused by Trump and his evil comrades. They would be so sad.
Yes, I was scared when smaller and watching them Rod Serling stories. Now I am more frightened just reading about the MAGA Cult and how they intend to turn our lives upside down. My parents were conservative Republicans but they were very kind people and although they didn't realize it, their giving natures put them more on the liberal side than they would admit. I know they would think the world was going crazy in the wrong direction if alive today.
Your parents were KIND conservative Republicans, because back in the day, it was allowed, and encouraged. Today's Trumplicans are forbidden to "play nice" because their cult leader forbids that kind of behavior. Sadly, The Golden Rule means nothing to them.
I agree with you that our parents wouldn't recognize today's world. In fact, I bet most of the readers have or had parents who would also be sad.
You are so correct. I can't think of any of my parent's friends who would not be shocked by what the "Trumplicans"( love this title) are doing to our once democratic land. I often wish they were here so I could discuss this. plight with them.
Same here.
I remember this episode.
I really appreciated your comment although it is too close to the truth. We must believe and act on the fact that together we are stronger…and we must find our place in the battle field and fight!!! “FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!!!!
It’s almost funny that you question if Trump will complain about the interview with the probation officer! He most certainly will, and will call it a witch hunt and part of Biden’s plan to take him down. He will complain about every part of it. It’s a conspiracy!
This guy just cannot be reelected. Can we ever untwist the nightmare this one man has created. Think of the costs alone: court costs not just for this despicable trial, but his 7 bankruptcies and hundreds of lawsuits and appeals. This guy has got to spend some time in jail. It’s the only way to stop him! That, or the vote. Geez!
C Davenport, you are so right that Trump will whine and complain about the interview. He will not appreciate that it is online so he does not have to leave his cozy home. He will not ever acknowledge the crimes he has committed because as a poorly raised toddler-man, he is always right no matter who is hurt because he simply has no empathy, care, curiosity, or any of the other positive human attributes. He is a bundle of fear, anger, resentment, and hatred (I call them the new 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse because they are the starting point for nearly every conflict and a lot of bad behavior). Trump will have a whole lot of people to blame because that is how his dementia-laden mind works. Biden is the worst of course, but there's Obama, Pelosi, Bragg, Willis, Smith, and a whole cast of characters he has in his head, placed there by handlers who are basking in the glow of Trump's orangeness. He will drag them out individually or as a group to give his cult, people to be mad at, afraid of, resentful toward, and ultimately to hate. The "mainstream" media could help by using the words "on this one, Trump has lied again," then explain briefly how they know, and do it on a regular basis. Since so much of our media is owned by right-wing rich guys who have been given carte blanche by Trump and Kump, coverage of the Trump will be totally in support with maybe an occasional brief mention that someone besides Trump has a right to speak, but keep that speaking to a minimum.
🙏🏼please Judge Merchan. Solitary confinement 2 months minimum please. ALONE with his thoughts. No audience to perform for. 🙏🏼
Happy Anniversary. Thank you for the education, context and the chicken updates. You inspire. Cheers!
In my Substack, my letter in the New York Times on why nothing but jail time would constitute punishment for Trump.
Yeah, and four years at least since the Manhattan trial made it clear that he stole the election from Hillary. Who is stealing now? Stop that Steal. Send Trump away for a few years.
So fortunate for us you are standing by and sorting this sh*tshow for us. It’s easy to feel this is just an avalanche of venal criminality supported by the dregs of the Republican Party and throw our hands up in disgust. We have to confront it and get rational, decent people in office together.
Given trump's propensity for lying and going totally off course in a conversation, the probation officer interview should be interesting. It would appear that probation would not be a workable sentence for him. If we had a cat, (we lost our last one to old age - almost 21, and didn't get another because of how much we traveled), we would definitely have it on our laps for drinking coffee (or cocoa). I want to see a picture of Tofu with a chicken mug.😍
I hope that Trump vomits up all of the findings on social media so we will get confirmation that he is crazy
Uh, excuse me, Kathi, but do you really need proof????? I wish that craziness would register with his followers and that he would lose most of them.
Since I'm on a Twilight Zone kick, thought I'd take the liberty of adding an introduction of my own to a fictitious contemporary episode, one no doubt Rod Serling would have considered (with my apologies).
Rod Serling: Meet a would-be dictator. Witness Donald J. Trump – a hollow husk of a man --- filled with hate and delusions. He sees only himself in the mirror --- not the death and destruction behind. Now cut down to size, he is plotting a return to his shabby fool's paradise but forgets --- memories are long and retribution inevitable --- here in the Twilight Zone.
Dale of GG - oooohhhhhhh
Republicans are continuing their insurrectional behavior by institutionalizing it. They bring it to the House and Senate with their obstructive behavior. When does the law against treason kick in against this treachery? No wonder they want to go after the FBI and Justice Department.
Just because they control the House of Representatives does not mean the Democrats cannot draw up Articles of Impeachment now and publicize them.
Thank you, Joyce. We are cruising in Alaska, a trip postponed because of the pandemic. I hope we are surprised by the Court this week. But I am not that optimistic. Love that this forum gives all of us a chance for civil discourse. I used to believe that doing carve outs with the filibuster would backfire on Dems, but not now.
Kathi, enjoy your trip!
Thank you Dianne
Lawmakers against law and order!!!
Crazy…
The probation officer doing the interview could well have an advanced degree in one of the social sciences, including psychology or, at a minimum, a degree with a minimum of two years of counseling experience. So mental state and particularly what will almost certainly be a lack of remorse and protestations of innocence or a "rigged" system will, no doubt, be professionally analyzed and noted in the report.
And some of the other important things that the PO will evaluate: acceptance of responsibility, remorse for the crimes committed, and respect for the law. I wonder how that will reflect in the presentence report…
He’s going to have a real tough time with that power dynamic