I've been thinking about this a lot Sabrina. It's just one thing after another, all coming at us fast. How are we supposed to absorb it all and make sense of it? I suppose that's part of my job here. But I feel the same way you do.
Thank you Joyce. Like you say here, we are in this together no matter if we live on the East Coast w fluffy chickens or we live in the Montana Rockies with fluffy wolf hybrids.
Sabrina, I kid you not, this was in my inbox just this morning, so I had to share with you.
1. In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth and populated the Earth with broccoli, cauliflower and spinach, green and yellow and red vegetables of all kinds, so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives.
2. Then using God's great gifts, Satan created Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream and Krispy CremeDonuts. And Satan said, "You want chocolate with that?" And Man said, "Yes!" and Woman said, "and as long as you're at it, add some sprinkles." And they gained 10 pounds. And Satan smiled.
3. And God created the healthful yogurt that Woman might keep the figure that Man found so fair. And Satan brought forth white flour from the wheat, and sugar from the cane and combined them. And Woman went from size 6 to size 14.
4. So God said, "Try my fresh green salad." And Satan presented Thousand-Island Dressing, buttery croutons and garlic toast on the side . And Man and Woman unfastened their belts following the repast.
5. God then said, "I have sent you heart healthy vegetables and olive oil in which to cook them." And Satan brought forth deep fried fish and chicken-fried steak so big it needed its own platter. And Man gained more weight and his cholesterol went through the roof. God then created a light, fluffy white cake, named it "Angel Food Cake" and said, "It is good." Satan then created chocolate cake and named it "Devil's Food."
6. God then brought forth running shoes so that His children might lose those extra pounds. And Satan gave cable TV with a remote control so Man would not have to toil changing the channels. And Man and Woman laughed and cried before the flickering blue light and gained pounds.
7. Then God brought forth the potato, naturally low in fat and brimming with nutrition. And Satan peeled off the healthful skin and sliced the starchy centre into chips and deep-fried them . And Man gained pounds
8. God then gave lean beef so that Man might consume fewer calories and still satisfy his appetite. And Satan created McDonald's and its 99-cent double cheeseburger. Then said, "You want fries with that?" And Man replied, "Yes! And super-size them!" And Satan said, "It is good." And Man went into cardiac arrest.
9. God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery.
10. Then Satan created Cuts to the Health Care System. Amen
If you don't send this to five old friends right away there will be five fewer people laughing in the world.
Your rational and reasoned voice is keeping me sane in these distressing times. I've been writing letters through Vote Forward for the mid terms as I did in 2000. I hope to send 280 out this time, vs. 500 the last time (due to aging hand issues). Thanks, Joyce, for all you do. You are a treasure.
I'm an admirer and a new subscriber. I'm curious how it happens that DJ Trump and Lindsey Graham, for example, get immediate access to the Supreme Court to ask for a ruling on their personal legal problem. What about Joe Schmo in Wabash, Indiana? Isn't there a SCOTUS gate keeper? How do these litigants jump the line and get on the docket of the highest court in the land? Asking for a friend, thank you!
It's a great question. The answer isn't nefarious though, it's just that we're focused on these cases. Other litigants can and do ask SCOTUS to intervene in their cases and issues a stay pending appeal (that's what both Trump and Graham asked for—keep the 11th Circuit's order from going into effect and hear my full appeal).
There is a common thread running through all of this...Donald Trump and misguided spineless Republicans who have tied themselves to an autocrat. I am afraid these people know nothing about the history of our democracy and absolute rulers. If they are worried about inflation and crime they have no idea what's ahead if the GOP takes control of our country. That will be the least of our problems.
I share your frustration but hope we won’t denigrate those misguided souls by calling them spineless. That kind of terminology should be reserved for Republican leadership and mega donors who have been working to this end for the last 40-50 years. The last time real effort and money went into our educational system was when Kennedy was pushing the space program. Since then, those illiberal forces have worked consistently to dumb down the population. That’s a big part of why we are where we are today. Individual progress has overwhelmed the reality that we are all part of the same community and must see beyond ourselves. The result is a nation of dupes.
Thanks for your thoughts. Yes, you are correct. I should have specified that I was referring to the Republican politicians who refuse to stand up for the principles of democracy. Most of them know better but are too weak and value their position more.
Thanks Liz. For a lot of the folks who spent their careers at DOJ, we still consider ourselves public servants. It's not an obligation you shed when you walk out of the building for the last time.
Good evening JV - You brighten my day or night each time you post. Looking at important upcoming events through your lens provides comforting possibilities amidst all the chatter. A quiet place to reflect and unite in our precious goal to see justice prevail for all of us is nice to know. Thank you so much.
I feel my agita rise when reading or listening to any of this. But, I continue to read, listen and engage in civil discourse. Your ending to each installment is comforting. We are in this together. It's a crazy time. Thank goodness for your Pickles and all the ice cream in the country! Thank you.
Joyce, do you think Alan Weissleberg will speak the truth about trump or does he fear what trump could have his mob do to Alan's family and keep his mouth shut and do his time?
As to the classified documents referencing China & Iran and their nuclear capabilities, the thought that 40+ folders were empty made me conclude that trump may have already given them to the Russians who were caught recently, but if not the timing is certainly suspect. The other rumor as to why trump was keeping these documents was to exchange them in a deal to keep from going to prison. I'd really love to see trump end up like Manuel Noriega, who once captured was dropped into wherever hole they put him in and never seen or heard from again. trump does NOT need to be stirring up trouble any longer.
We may be about to experience one of the big moments in history.
There has been some annoyance and confusion by the public over the seeming clumsiness and ineptitude by the security agencies in keeping the "chain of custody" over secure material. Like chain-of-custody, it only takes one break in the chain for the security process to be compromised. Everyone scratches their head. Why didn't the security agencies know that top-secret material was missing?
WHY DO WE ASSUME THAT?
From the beginning, even before tfg left the White House, the security agencies knew what was missing and WHEN it was missing. The alternative would be that the security agencies are clueless clowns - that they have no internal inventorying system equivalent to that of a small grocer's or hardware store. Those places keep inventories. Maybe NARA and the agencies do, too. Especially if they've been dealing for four years with their biggest internal security threat, the Trump Administration - calling on burner and public phones, talking to the Russian Ambassador on T.V. about classified information, all that.
What matters most is - did these documents show up in unwanted locations, and when? If a foreign government, even a friendly foreign government, found some of these documents from undercover sources, it would be proof that these documents were in the hands of the enemy, to use a phrase.
Could the "smoking gun" have been PRIOR detection of top-secret security information winding up the hands of unfriendlies? Maybe this was the big initial concern, rather than the suspicion they were in tfg's basement? If somebody spied, WHO spied is a matter for the courts - STOPPING the BLEEDING is the business of the American security agencies.
Such discovery would close the case on espionage against tfg. It would also, as I've mentioned, reveal sources and methods in United States information collection by its security services. If we knew espionage product was in Iranian or Chinese hands, and published this discovery by clandestine American security agencies, might compromise our sources inside those governments. People could die.
Now comes the First Amendment. What would YOU do if you were managing editor of one of the major news organizations which had been deeply investigating the whole issue, for years? What if you had concrete evidence, solid enough to bet your job on, that secret materials had in fact been transmitted into the hands of foreign powers? Wouldn't it be your First Amendment duty to publish??
It's entirely possible that the Major News Organization (MNO) and the intelligence services of the United States have been in tense negotiations for months about such a thing, behind the scenes. Yes, the MNO says, we can see how publication of such information would represent a clear and present danger to American security operations. Nevertheless, it would be a critical set of facts for the American people to know about. How about, ask the intelligence services, you sit on this for a little while to allow us damage control? Perfectly reasonable, says the MNO - but it has to be published sometime, not just when you permit its publication. Prison be damned.
How about the end of October, asks the MNO? Wouldn't that be manipulating the American election, asks the security services? The MNO replies - wouldn't the FAILURE to inform the American people also be manipulating the American election?
So they may have made a deal - delay but not suppress the information about tfg's espionage products winding up in the hands of foreign governments. Hold off as long as possible - but the American people need to know if tfg effectively produced espionage product for foreign governments.
That might just be our October surprise, and a doozy at that. What will Marco Rubio say? "Of course, Trump's theft of top-secret information caused it to fall into the hands of foreign countries. But he wasn't wearing a hat and trench coat, or at a bridge in Berlin, so it's not REALLY espionage." Would even a MAGA nut be able to defend tfg at that time?
Thanks. Tracing the path of dissemination of top-secret material, after containment is breached, would itself be very highly classified. The reason that we haven’t heard of distribution to foreign powers is that nobody will dare tip off a foreign power that we know about their security service receiving the Mar-a-Lago trove. Clearly the PRC was all over the place. Horrifying.
Two words. Scared- Jonathan Capehart said it out loud to President Biden, that sure said how I feel, but then a new word appeared, Hope. We must hold on to hope, it’s all we have. And ice cream. Mint chocolate chip please
Gosh, the complexity. I think I am now officially past overwhelm into needing ice cream and a nap. I am grateful for you Joyce to help us.
I've been thinking about this a lot Sabrina. It's just one thing after another, all coming at us fast. How are we supposed to absorb it all and make sense of it? I suppose that's part of my job here. But I feel the same way you do.
Thank you Joyce. Like you say here, we are in this together no matter if we live on the East Coast w fluffy chickens or we live in the Montana Rockies with fluffy wolf hybrids.
Sabrina, I kid you not, this was in my inbox just this morning, so I had to share with you.
1. In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth and populated the Earth with broccoli, cauliflower and spinach, green and yellow and red vegetables of all kinds, so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives.
2. Then using God's great gifts, Satan created Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream and Krispy CremeDonuts. And Satan said, "You want chocolate with that?" And Man said, "Yes!" and Woman said, "and as long as you're at it, add some sprinkles." And they gained 10 pounds. And Satan smiled.
3. And God created the healthful yogurt that Woman might keep the figure that Man found so fair. And Satan brought forth white flour from the wheat, and sugar from the cane and combined them. And Woman went from size 6 to size 14.
4. So God said, "Try my fresh green salad." And Satan presented Thousand-Island Dressing, buttery croutons and garlic toast on the side . And Man and Woman unfastened their belts following the repast.
5. God then said, "I have sent you heart healthy vegetables and olive oil in which to cook them." And Satan brought forth deep fried fish and chicken-fried steak so big it needed its own platter. And Man gained more weight and his cholesterol went through the roof. God then created a light, fluffy white cake, named it "Angel Food Cake" and said, "It is good." Satan then created chocolate cake and named it "Devil's Food."
6. God then brought forth running shoes so that His children might lose those extra pounds. And Satan gave cable TV with a remote control so Man would not have to toil changing the channels. And Man and Woman laughed and cried before the flickering blue light and gained pounds.
7. Then God brought forth the potato, naturally low in fat and brimming with nutrition. And Satan peeled off the healthful skin and sliced the starchy centre into chips and deep-fried them . And Man gained pounds
8. God then gave lean beef so that Man might consume fewer calories and still satisfy his appetite. And Satan created McDonald's and its 99-cent double cheeseburger. Then said, "You want fries with that?" And Man replied, "Yes! And super-size them!" And Satan said, "It is good." And Man went into cardiac arrest.
9. God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery.
10. Then Satan created Cuts to the Health Care System. Amen
If you don't send this to five old friends right away there will be five fewer people laughing in the world.
Devil's Food Cake and Satan said It Is Good.... ugh and groan 😊
I bet that this Halloween will bust the record for chocolate sales. Chocolate is a gateway drug for-more chocolate.
I am defo a victim of this gateway drug.... 😊
What kind of ice cream?
I’m kidding!!!
Ben and Gerry nondairy choc chip cookie dough of course.
Perfect!! I can’t eat dairy AND your only 2,000 miles away. I’ll be right over. 😉
Your rational and reasoned voice is keeping me sane in these distressing times. I've been writing letters through Vote Forward for the mid terms as I did in 2000. I hope to send 280 out this time, vs. 500 the last time (due to aging hand issues). Thanks, Joyce, for all you do. You are a treasure.
I'm really finding writing postcards to be therapeutic.
I'm an admirer and a new subscriber. I'm curious how it happens that DJ Trump and Lindsey Graham, for example, get immediate access to the Supreme Court to ask for a ruling on their personal legal problem. What about Joe Schmo in Wabash, Indiana? Isn't there a SCOTUS gate keeper? How do these litigants jump the line and get on the docket of the highest court in the land? Asking for a friend, thank you!
It's a great question. The answer isn't nefarious though, it's just that we're focused on these cases. Other litigants can and do ask SCOTUS to intervene in their cases and issues a stay pending appeal (that's what both Trump and Graham asked for—keep the 11th Circuit's order from going into effect and hear my full appeal).
Good question. Maga influencers. Election deniers. The Federalist group......
Thank you for your posts. I get such comfort from knowing we’re all in this together…
Me too
Likewise, Hillary!
Thank you Joyce and your friends for taking the time to write post cards. It’s something that is so simple to do that has a big impact
There is a common thread running through all of this...Donald Trump and misguided spineless Republicans who have tied themselves to an autocrat. I am afraid these people know nothing about the history of our democracy and absolute rulers. If they are worried about inflation and crime they have no idea what's ahead if the GOP takes control of our country. That will be the least of our problems.
History is so important here. Are y'all listening to Rachel Maddow's new podcast, Ultra? It's become my guilty pleasure on my morning commute.
Hi Dennis,
I share your frustration but hope we won’t denigrate those misguided souls by calling them spineless. That kind of terminology should be reserved for Republican leadership and mega donors who have been working to this end for the last 40-50 years. The last time real effort and money went into our educational system was when Kennedy was pushing the space program. Since then, those illiberal forces have worked consistently to dumb down the population. That’s a big part of why we are where we are today. Individual progress has overwhelmed the reality that we are all part of the same community and must see beyond ourselves. The result is a nation of dupes.
Thanks for your thoughts. Yes, you are correct. I should have specified that I was referring to the Republican politicians who refuse to stand up for the principles of democracy. Most of them know better but are too weak and value their position more.
Dear Joyce,
Your incredible linear brain is so helpful and keeps me from spinning in circles most days. I don’t know what we ever did before we met you?
Thanks again for clarifying the mysterious working of the justice system for us. I’m looking forward to seeing you on MSNBC.
Liz
Thanks Liz. For a lot of the folks who spent their careers at DOJ, we still consider ourselves public servants. It's not an obligation you shed when you walk out of the building for the last time.
Good evening JV - You brighten my day or night each time you post. Looking at important upcoming events through your lens provides comforting possibilities amidst all the chatter. A quiet place to reflect and unite in our precious goal to see justice prevail for all of us is nice to know. Thank you so much.
I feel my agita rise when reading or listening to any of this. But, I continue to read, listen and engage in civil discourse. Your ending to each installment is comforting. We are in this together. It's a crazy time. Thank goodness for your Pickles and all the ice cream in the country! Thank you.
Joyce, do you think Alan Weissleberg will speak the truth about trump or does he fear what trump could have his mob do to Alan's family and keep his mouth shut and do his time?
I'll be watching along with you Bill!
After working for him for so long he surely understands the situation to protect his family. But surprises could still be in store but what do I know.
I wrote 100 postcards myself for #momsrising
THANK YOU for hauling my withered carcass forward, Joyce, and keeping me up to date!!
You, my friend, are anything but withered.
As to the classified documents referencing China & Iran and their nuclear capabilities, the thought that 40+ folders were empty made me conclude that trump may have already given them to the Russians who were caught recently, but if not the timing is certainly suspect. The other rumor as to why trump was keeping these documents was to exchange them in a deal to keep from going to prison. I'd really love to see trump end up like Manuel Noriega, who once captured was dropped into wherever hole they put him in and never seen or heard from again. trump does NOT need to be stirring up trouble any longer.
DEAD AHEAD.
We may be about to experience one of the big moments in history.
There has been some annoyance and confusion by the public over the seeming clumsiness and ineptitude by the security agencies in keeping the "chain of custody" over secure material. Like chain-of-custody, it only takes one break in the chain for the security process to be compromised. Everyone scratches their head. Why didn't the security agencies know that top-secret material was missing?
WHY DO WE ASSUME THAT?
From the beginning, even before tfg left the White House, the security agencies knew what was missing and WHEN it was missing. The alternative would be that the security agencies are clueless clowns - that they have no internal inventorying system equivalent to that of a small grocer's or hardware store. Those places keep inventories. Maybe NARA and the agencies do, too. Especially if they've been dealing for four years with their biggest internal security threat, the Trump Administration - calling on burner and public phones, talking to the Russian Ambassador on T.V. about classified information, all that.
What matters most is - did these documents show up in unwanted locations, and when? If a foreign government, even a friendly foreign government, found some of these documents from undercover sources, it would be proof that these documents were in the hands of the enemy, to use a phrase.
Could the "smoking gun" have been PRIOR detection of top-secret security information winding up the hands of unfriendlies? Maybe this was the big initial concern, rather than the suspicion they were in tfg's basement? If somebody spied, WHO spied is a matter for the courts - STOPPING the BLEEDING is the business of the American security agencies.
Such discovery would close the case on espionage against tfg. It would also, as I've mentioned, reveal sources and methods in United States information collection by its security services. If we knew espionage product was in Iranian or Chinese hands, and published this discovery by clandestine American security agencies, might compromise our sources inside those governments. People could die.
Now comes the First Amendment. What would YOU do if you were managing editor of one of the major news organizations which had been deeply investigating the whole issue, for years? What if you had concrete evidence, solid enough to bet your job on, that secret materials had in fact been transmitted into the hands of foreign powers? Wouldn't it be your First Amendment duty to publish??
It's entirely possible that the Major News Organization (MNO) and the intelligence services of the United States have been in tense negotiations for months about such a thing, behind the scenes. Yes, the MNO says, we can see how publication of such information would represent a clear and present danger to American security operations. Nevertheless, it would be a critical set of facts for the American people to know about. How about, ask the intelligence services, you sit on this for a little while to allow us damage control? Perfectly reasonable, says the MNO - but it has to be published sometime, not just when you permit its publication. Prison be damned.
How about the end of October, asks the MNO? Wouldn't that be manipulating the American election, asks the security services? The MNO replies - wouldn't the FAILURE to inform the American people also be manipulating the American election?
So they may have made a deal - delay but not suppress the information about tfg's espionage products winding up in the hands of foreign governments. Hold off as long as possible - but the American people need to know if tfg effectively produced espionage product for foreign governments.
That might just be our October surprise, and a doozy at that. What will Marco Rubio say? "Of course, Trump's theft of top-secret information caused it to fall into the hands of foreign countries. But he wasn't wearing a hat and trench coat, or at a bridge in Berlin, so it's not REALLY espionage." Would even a MAGA nut be able to defend tfg at that time?
I surely hope we get some inside discovery from DOJ soon in this terrifying matter and have probable cause to search his other properties.
Thanks. Tracing the path of dissemination of top-secret material, after containment is breached, would itself be very highly classified. The reason that we haven’t heard of distribution to foreign powers is that nobody will dare tip off a foreign power that we know about their security service receiving the Mar-a-Lago trove. Clearly the PRC was all over the place. Horrifying.
Would the docs be of use to Russia?
Yes!
Pretty sure.
Two words. Scared- Jonathan Capehart said it out loud to President Biden, that sure said how I feel, but then a new word appeared, Hope. We must hold on to hope, it’s all we have. And ice cream. Mint chocolate chip please