I long for the day when we don’t have a laundry list of mis-deeds generated by our government. Not that I want to put Joyce out of a job, but maybe she could write a second book 🙂
Heather’s Letter today was the same. These two won’t have much time for knitting this week, or if they do, it will be knitting with fury and not for leisure! But that goes for all of us. We have to pay attention, keep the courage—which includes taking care of ourselves. I ask myself regularly, Are you breathing? Relax your belly and let the air in.
Although Election Day in California is next Tuesday, 11/4 /25, I voted YES early on California's redistricting Prop 50 weeks ago.
With CAs state of the art digital tools, I have been notified my ballot was received, counted & a permanent vote confirmation has been recorded.
In the New York Mayor Election over 500,000 NewYorkers voted EARLY in an off year NY Mayor election.
States run elections not any would-be King. Next Tuesday's election results re a referendum on Trump's Reign of Autocracy. Send a loud message on Tuesday.
There were recent disclosures this Weekend but, I need to check in with the best source Tara Palmeri, who iis n communication with living victims & their families.
We voted early and absentee for Mamdani - and I took our ballots directly to the post office. It's been quite a weekend in NYC - with the big Halloween Parade on Friday, early voting continuing over the weekend, and the Marathon yesterday! Lots of good energy out there. Hoping for good news out of New Jersey, Virginia and California.
I do have to point out thst Colorado has had your "state of the art" election tools for almost 20 years, and our attorney general tried to get trump disqualified from the ballot last year.
Think if he had won.
If you have the means to help, he's Phil Weiser and he's running for governor. Against well meaning but ineffectual senator Michael Bennet. We need a kick ass like yours as governor. Bennet is better known.
I received my CA ballot on Monday after ballots were mailed, dropped it in the ballot box on Tuesday morning and, thanks to BallotTrax, received an email two days later that my ballot had been received *and* counted. Great system.
On a lighter note, if you haven’t caught this past week’s episode of South Park, they really hit the mark. Pam Bondi is going to have to raid Hegseth’s liquor cabinet!
Thank you for this evening’s The Week Ahead. Won’t it be a lovely time when we no longer have to worry or even think about the week ahead? I long for that time to come quickly.
I will always appreciate "The Week Ahead" because It is always valuable information. But I look forward to the newsletter not involving the tRump criminal regime...
Joyce’s cogent commentary plus tonight’s 60 Minute Norah O’donald’s professional and unrelenting grilling of DonRump ought to double the 7 million person protest!
My take-away was that O'Donald didn't push back on his constant lies. That's not journalism, it's complicity. CBS isn't just bending a knee, they're on the ground groveling.
I didn't (and won't) watch as I can't stand to see/listen to the felon, and I agree with your assessment of O'Donald. I don't trust her, always feels like she has her own agenda. I was furious after her interview with Kamala during her 107 day campaign...kind of a last straw for me.
Our household feels quite similarly with you — he is such a self-imposed belligerent ignoramus. My husband, Jim —can't stand looking at him or listening to him speak — causes him to want to puke. Never shall we consider ourselves part of a party that cowers in the corner of such a slithering sanctimonious snake. Next thing we could hear him proclaim, ....he is as great as Moses — also having seen GOD ALMIGHTY. No need for a SCOTUS or a Congress. As Royal President — 'he'll do as he damn well pleases' —this is the doorstep at which our country & democracy stand.
Loretta, I'll think about it. But I have a lot on my plate, and would rather use that time to just read a novel. You know? Especially after reading all the reviews.
There are a number of ongoing suits relating to the very existence of DOGE, arguing it should have been established as a public advisory committee under the Federal Advisory Committee Act instead of an executive agency, which would have required public meetings and a balanced membership.
The principle behind the HERITAGE legal wizards, of death and destruction, want to say it had already existed as the United States Digital Services now just renamed to DOGE per DJT's EO.
Problem is, like with the DOD, now they call it the DOW, it can't be renamed or changed without Congress.
It was simply done as an Executive Order, without mentioning the USDS, as they obviously knew this couldn't be done.
It acts as it does to ignore federal law, disclosure requirements, vetting, nominations/confirmations by the Senate, illegally accessing payment systems at the treasury, which VOUGHT is currently doing under the OMB, as DOGE quietly moved into his purview, illegally access SSA data, with SCOTUS' blessing, which has now been hacked, and illegally access the entire government's computer systems, by a Musk bro, who subsequently was smashed and grabbed in D.C., by the name of of BIG BALLS.
Coding for a system as antiquated as the governments is layers of OLD coding.
It needs upgrading no doubt but this is not what happened nor was the mantra of waste, fraud and inefficiency ever intended.
With the SCOTUS' blessing, as the case works its way through court, the damage is all but done.
Now, the question, similar to tariffs if it isn't legal, or parts of it, what happens to all the slashed jobs, appropriated money withheld, shuttered agencies?
My one last comment is Musk's admitting to using high levels of "substances" as it was a "very hard time for him", eye rolls, and do his decisions stand in a court of law?
DJT has clearly stated Musk had the authority. Authority to do what?
I reason this as I can't go into a furniture clearance warehouse, liquored up or drugged up, explain my hardships, and walk out, on a contract, with a $200 couch, as my incapacitation makes that contract questionable if not void.
There are two factors at play and only one gets attention, DOGE itself, the other I never hear or read a thing about.
If anything, it has been argued that it is an advisory of the Executive since Trump did the EO and authorized Musk within the EO but that says nothing about the legality of all the irrevocably harmed people and institutions in its wake.
It’s a very important question as the SCOTUS gave them, whomever them is, carte Blanche to give them all SSA info which has since been breached. Now some youngster is at DOD doing what under this so called what? It was done by EO. Vought has it now I believe. Really? Dystopian requirements for dystopian times.
For anyone interested in better understanding SCOTUS, I highly recommend "Lawless" by Leah Litman. It is a much easier read, IMHO, than Vladeck's "The Shadow Docket." It read more like a good guide for attorneys who don't have to argue cases there.
As to the attacks on Venezuelan boats—who’s to contest their legality? For it’s only in the courts - and only in the lower courts - that Trump is challenged at all.
They might even have been guilty. Who knows? If they were, we will not learn anything about their operations and their connections. The point seems to be establishing that we can’t count on the law anymore.
The Senate voted three times this past week to revoke specific tariff acts perpetrated by the present regime (tariffs against Brazil and Canada most notably). Not that it will do any good, since at present our congress is about as effective as... well, not at all effective, since Johnson has the House on holiday.
I fear that SCOTUS will veer to the position that, since Congress didn't act to assert its authority over tariffs, there was implied consent for Trump as the Executive to impose them as he wished. This approach by the Trump-friendly SCOTUS could be reinforced with the reasoning that the tariffs are simply a means of conducting foreign policy, a prerogative of the Executive branch. I have difficulty imagining that whatever SCOTUS decides will result in the tariffs being rescinded, and if they are rescinded, it may well only be for those involved in the two cases at issue.
This is where the Court's beloved "major questions doctrine" comes in. Absent specific authorization from Congress --- and moreover lack of it in the plain text of the statute being used for authorization to impose tariffs --- it would take some true interpretive gymnastics by the Court to allow the tariffs to stand as presently constituted, even under a pretext of conducting foreign relations because of the prerequisite of some sort of national emergency.
SCOTUS has been applying interpretive gymnastics already many times to rule for Trump. The Fascist Six were put in place one by one in order to decide cases exactly as they've been ruling. This coup has been decades in the making, and the powers that are behind the scene don't intend to stop now.
Governor her is suing for snap benefits! Glad your book is doing well! Enjoying your book! My home gets finished painting windows on west side! Epstein scandal I believe will continue this week! Oh Prince Andrew got thrown out of his home! It seems the Epstein scandal caught him in a big way! That poor girl who took her life last April over all of the Epstein scandal! A counseling center should be st up in her name! Whenever America gets back on its footing!
Could, or should, House democrats be showing up for work to make it clear which party is boycotting the budget? Sometimes Democrats wrongfully believe that we know things that we don't. Strategies and appearances matter.
They are holding press conferences — they aren’t getting the press to cover them properly because so much of our press is now compromised. See CBS 60 Minutes with Norah O’Donnell 🤢
The "where are the democrats" mantra is really annoying. I'm so tired of Democrat bashing on this issue. If people need to be spoonfed what's really going on, they're not informed or engaged. Look for the damn evidence before you complain! As was stated above, you'll likely not find it in corporate news.
“… pretzel logic” indeed. When it’s this Supreme Court, the “logic” is very much like The Twist Trump does on stage … and, apparently, in his “honor,” yer honor. I amn’t hopeful, for it’s all political these days.
I long for the day when we don’t have a laundry list of mis-deeds generated by our government. Not that I want to put Joyce out of a job, but maybe she could write a second book 🙂
May we have days when the only laundry list concerns clothing.
She has her plate more than overflowing trying to keep up with all of the ongoing shenanigans of this administration!
Heather’s Letter today was the same. These two won’t have much time for knitting this week, or if they do, it will be knitting with fury and not for leisure! But that goes for all of us. We have to pay attention, keep the courage—which includes taking care of ourselves. I ask myself regularly, Are you breathing? Relax your belly and let the air in.
I don't see how she does it! Its overwhelming!
I hope it is book on how "we the people" got out of this anti-American mess.
TUESDAY, 11/425, Election Day:
Although Election Day in California is next Tuesday, 11/4 /25, I voted YES early on California's redistricting Prop 50 weeks ago.
With CAs state of the art digital tools, I have been notified my ballot was received, counted & a permanent vote confirmation has been recorded.
In the New York Mayor Election over 500,000 NewYorkers voted EARLY in an off year NY Mayor election.
States run elections not any would-be King. Next Tuesday's election results re a referendum on Trump's Reign of Autocracy. Send a loud message on Tuesday.
No Kings!
I voted early in CA, and got the notification too. Hooray for NY! Fantastic.
No Kings!
And what about those Epstein files??
There were recent disclosures this Weekend but, I need to check in with the best source Tara Palmeri, who iis n communication with living victims & their families.
Please report in. I missed them.
If I am.not mistaken, Tara's Platform is "The Red Letter"
Thanks!
We voted early and absentee for Mamdani - and I took our ballots directly to the post office. It's been quite a weekend in NYC - with the big Halloween Parade on Friday, early voting continuing over the weekend, and the Marathon yesterday! Lots of good energy out there. Hoping for good news out of New Jersey, Virginia and California.
Bryan THANK YOU!
I do have to point out thst Colorado has had your "state of the art" election tools for almost 20 years, and our attorney general tried to get trump disqualified from the ballot last year.
Think if he had won.
If you have the means to help, he's Phil Weiser and he's running for governor. Against well meaning but ineffectual senator Michael Bennet. We need a kick ass like yours as governor. Bennet is better known.
Michael Bennet is a solid, effective senator.
I'd be happy to vote for him again.
Meanwhile, we need Phil Weiser for governor.
I received my CA ballot on Monday after ballots were mailed, dropped it in the ballot box on Tuesday morning and, thanks to BallotTrax, received an email two days later that my ballot had been received *and* counted. Great system.
The NY Times is now reporting 735,000 voted early in the mayoral election! Cautiously encouraging.
On a lighter note, if you haven’t caught this past week’s episode of South Park, they really hit the mark. Pam Bondi is going to have to raid Hegseth’s liquor cabinet!
Thank you for this evening’s The Week Ahead. Won’t it be a lovely time when we no longer have to worry or even think about the week ahead? I long for that time to come quickly.
I will always appreciate "The Week Ahead" because It is always valuable information. But I look forward to the newsletter not involving the tRump criminal regime...
Joyce’s cogent commentary plus tonight’s 60 Minute Norah O’donald’s professional and unrelenting grilling of DonRump ought to double the 7 million person protest!
"professional and unrelenting" ? -- I don't think we're thinking about the same interview.
Loretta, did you watch 60 Minutes? I couldn't stand to.
Watch it Jocelyn! She is unrelenting even though he is as elusive and ignorant as ever.
My take-away was that O'Donald didn't push back on his constant lies. That's not journalism, it's complicity. CBS isn't just bending a knee, they're on the ground groveling.
I didn't (and won't) watch as I can't stand to see/listen to the felon, and I agree with your assessment of O'Donald. I don't trust her, always feels like she has her own agenda. I was furious after her interview with Kamala during her 107 day campaign...kind of a last straw for me.
Our household feels quite similarly with you — he is such a self-imposed belligerent ignoramus. My husband, Jim —can't stand looking at him or listening to him speak — causes him to want to puke. Never shall we consider ourselves part of a party that cowers in the corner of such a slithering sanctimonious snake. Next thing we could hear him proclaim, ....he is as great as Moses — also having seen GOD ALMIGHTY. No need for a SCOTUS or a Congress. As Royal President — 'he'll do as he damn well pleases' —this is the doorstep at which our country & democracy stand.
I'm with Jim. Also, I doubt Chump would say he saw God but rather that he IS God.
"slithering sanctimonious snake" ! Love it! But... he's already doing whatever he damn well pleases.
She didn't do the obvious follow up questions, in my view, she didn't press him much at all. It was a softball, pancake interview I thought.
I will watch it - I just didn't have the stomach to watch it tonight.
Loretta, I'll think about it. But I have a lot on my plate, and would rather use that time to just read a novel. You know? Especially after reading all the reviews.
I will watch it but I'll mute him and listen to her. She's worth my time.
Has DOGE been determined to be a legitimate agency, formed appropriately, and its decisions legally binding?
No!
I didn't think so.
There are a number of ongoing suits relating to the very existence of DOGE, arguing it should have been established as a public advisory committee under the Federal Advisory Committee Act instead of an executive agency, which would have required public meetings and a balanced membership.
The principle behind the HERITAGE legal wizards, of death and destruction, want to say it had already existed as the United States Digital Services now just renamed to DOGE per DJT's EO.
Problem is, like with the DOD, now they call it the DOW, it can't be renamed or changed without Congress.
It was simply done as an Executive Order, without mentioning the USDS, as they obviously knew this couldn't be done.
It acts as it does to ignore federal law, disclosure requirements, vetting, nominations/confirmations by the Senate, illegally accessing payment systems at the treasury, which VOUGHT is currently doing under the OMB, as DOGE quietly moved into his purview, illegally access SSA data, with SCOTUS' blessing, which has now been hacked, and illegally access the entire government's computer systems, by a Musk bro, who subsequently was smashed and grabbed in D.C., by the name of of BIG BALLS.
Coding for a system as antiquated as the governments is layers of OLD coding.
It needs upgrading no doubt but this is not what happened nor was the mantra of waste, fraud and inefficiency ever intended.
With the SCOTUS' blessing, as the case works its way through court, the damage is all but done.
Now, the question, similar to tariffs if it isn't legal, or parts of it, what happens to all the slashed jobs, appropriated money withheld, shuttered agencies?
My one last comment is Musk's admitting to using high levels of "substances" as it was a "very hard time for him", eye rolls, and do his decisions stand in a court of law?
DJT has clearly stated Musk had the authority. Authority to do what?
I reason this as I can't go into a furniture clearance warehouse, liquored up or drugged up, explain my hardships, and walk out, on a contract, with a $200 couch, as my incapacitation makes that contract questionable if not void.
There are two factors at play and only one gets attention, DOGE itself, the other I never hear or read a thing about.
If anything, it has been argued that it is an advisory of the Executive since Trump did the EO and authorized Musk within the EO but that says nothing about the legality of all the irrevocably harmed people and institutions in its wake.
Thanks for replying.
Good question. I have no idea. Joyce?
Replying to all!
It’s a very important question as the SCOTUS gave them, whomever them is, carte Blanche to give them all SSA info which has since been breached. Now some youngster is at DOD doing what under this so called what? It was done by EO. Vought has it now I believe. Really? Dystopian requirements for dystopian times.
For anyone interested in better understanding SCOTUS, I highly recommend "Lawless" by Leah Litman. It is a much easier read, IMHO, than Vladeck's "The Shadow Docket." It read more like a good guide for attorneys who don't have to argue cases there.
Thank you, Joyce.
As to the attacks on Venezuelan boats—who’s to contest their legality? For it’s only in the courts - and only in the lower courts - that Trump is challenged at all.
Also, the Hauge must be documenting these international war crimes.
To be sure … but Trump is excellent at ignoring our own courts’ decisions … he scoffs at an international court.
And they've been conveniently destroyed, so we'll never know WHAT or WHO was on them.
Why is every single act done in the shadows by this administration? No one is trustworthy; the populace properly numbed to not even inquire.
They might even have been guilty. Who knows? If they were, we will not learn anything about their operations and their connections. The point seems to be establishing that we can’t count on the law anymore.
The Senate voted three times this past week to revoke specific tariff acts perpetrated by the present regime (tariffs against Brazil and Canada most notably). Not that it will do any good, since at present our congress is about as effective as... well, not at all effective, since Johnson has the House on holiday.
Vance is such a good writer, drawing one in to the events, and making it understandable, too.
I fear that SCOTUS will veer to the position that, since Congress didn't act to assert its authority over tariffs, there was implied consent for Trump as the Executive to impose them as he wished. This approach by the Trump-friendly SCOTUS could be reinforced with the reasoning that the tariffs are simply a means of conducting foreign policy, a prerogative of the Executive branch. I have difficulty imagining that whatever SCOTUS decides will result in the tariffs being rescinded, and if they are rescinded, it may well only be for those involved in the two cases at issue.
This is where the Court's beloved "major questions doctrine" comes in. Absent specific authorization from Congress --- and moreover lack of it in the plain text of the statute being used for authorization to impose tariffs --- it would take some true interpretive gymnastics by the Court to allow the tariffs to stand as presently constituted, even under a pretext of conducting foreign relations because of the prerequisite of some sort of national emergency.
interpretive gymnastics
That is the specialty of the Supremely Corrupt court.
SCOTUS has been applying interpretive gymnastics already many times to rule for Trump. The Fascist Six were put in place one by one in order to decide cases exactly as they've been ruling. This coup has been decades in the making, and the powers that are behind the scene don't intend to stop now.
...from your lips....!
Joyce, you are doing great work. I hope you and we all get a break from this fire hose of outrageous behavior.
Governor her is suing for snap benefits! Glad your book is doing well! Enjoying your book! My home gets finished painting windows on west side! Epstein scandal I believe will continue this week! Oh Prince Andrew got thrown out of his home! It seems the Epstein scandal caught him in a big way! That poor girl who took her life last April over all of the Epstein scandal! A counseling center should be st up in her name! Whenever America gets back on its footing!
It is questionable that Virginia Giuffre took her own life. She had stated previously that she was NOT suicidal.
really...first time I heard this. I do believe they killed epstein, why not her ?
Could, or should, House democrats be showing up for work to make it clear which party is boycotting the budget? Sometimes Democrats wrongfully believe that we know things that we don't. Strategies and appearances matter.
They are. Something like a reported 90-95% of them (at any one time during the shutdown) are in D.C.
I wish they would hold daily press conferences letting the public know they are here to work and the GOP Reps are AWOL on an extended paid vacation.
They are holding press conferences — they aren’t getting the press to cover them properly because so much of our press is now compromised. See CBS 60 Minutes with Norah O’Donnell 🤢
The "where are the democrats" mantra is really annoying. I'm so tired of Democrat bashing on this issue. If people need to be spoonfed what's really going on, they're not informed or engaged. Look for the damn evidence before you complain! As was stated above, you'll likely not find it in corporate news.
I wondered if that was the case. The 60 Minutes interview was a disgraceful puff piece!
Yes, they are..thank you! But where could I find that 90-95% figure?
“… pretzel logic” indeed. When it’s this Supreme Court, the “logic” is very much like The Twist Trump does on stage … and, apparently, in his “honor,” yer honor. I amn’t hopeful, for it’s all political these days.