My plan for the week is to ignore holiday “traditions” along with my spouse and a friend. We plan to eat winter comfort food (beef stew) and watch non-Christmasy movies on the 25th. Having just read Heather Cox Richardson’s discussion of JD Vance’s declaration that we “are a Christian nation” I plan to celebrate, to the fullest of my ability, my actual constitutional right to practice no religion. My hope for the new year is that we can save our representative democracy and see it run by reasonable people who are committed to following the constitution. Peace be with you all.
My dog and i hunker down for Hanukkah, lighting the candles for eight lovely quiet evenings, then hibernate until the new year. (We're very good at this!) Except we go to our atheist friend's for dinner Christmas afternoon, because she would not have it any other way. We never talk politics bc she leans left of God (pardon the expression) and her husband is into right wing talk radio. He is also the pie guy, who makes delicious apple pie from their homegrown apples. Open mouth, insert pie! Forgetting politics for a few hours is not so hard to take...sometimes silence is as American as apple pie.... go home with no regrets, with a generous piece of leftover pie, a hunk of turkey for my dog, and another long winter's nap. PEACE & JOY to y'all, each in your own way.
And peace with you, too Marilyn. I’m spreading the word for all to hear that we all must knock on doors, attend protest rally’s and vote this narcissist felon child rapist pedophile out of office. P.S. and take his staff with him.!!
Franklin Graham recently addressed U.S. military members at a Pentagon Christmas service, delivering a sermon emphasizing that God is both loving and a "God of war," referencing biblical passages about destruction, while also sharing the Christmas message of Jesus saving people from sin. This event, platformed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, is part of a push for a Christian-focused chaplaincy, a shift from previous instances where Graham's presence at military events sparked controversy due to his views on Islam.
Thank you for pointing out this story. I had missed it. None of us can keep up with all the horrors that are happening, so is good to have the help of our fellow commentators.
What Hegseth and Franklin Graham are promoting is a perversion of Christianity.
I'm going to make Grinch Spaghetti for the grandkids on Christmas Eve. They are looking forward to their mom making pancakes Christmas morning. We made our traditional sugar cookies on Saturday and had so much fun.
The blatant disregard or selective application of laws, the constant lies and testing of boundaries, plus the abdication of media—Trump is playing full dictator and everyone else is supine and accepting it … whither curiosity, whither contention, whither contempt?
And yet, SCOTUS has ruled in his favor nearly every time … PLUS the silent acquiescence by media and the public has normalized this errant behavior. Rape? Pedophilia?
And you would be right. Roberts showed his hand in Citizens United - deciding dark money was “protected speech” … but it wasn’t until Coney Barrett was sworn in that suddenly, after nearly 50 years, Roe v. Wade was “egregious”. A nightmare ever since.
Not "everyone" is accepting anything. As Professor Vance explained, Ro Khana, Thomas Massie the Congressional Oversight Committee Reps are taking specific enforcement action.
Congress will enforce its legislative function by using the "Inherent Contempt" tool which allows Congress to "detain" violators like Pamela Bondi. More & likely will fine Bondi $5000 per day fine. All enforcement sanctions can be increased & there are other stronger toos in the kit. See,18 U.S.C. Section 401. How about $100K per day? Inherent contempt does not require court action.
The victims want the names in the historical charging allegations today, 12/22, along with the financial transactions, international financial transactions.
Hah—wishful thinking. Bondi (and Trump) have no trouble contravening the law; Leader Johnson will stall any actions on his side (and only four Republicans have objected so far), Thune probably will do the same in the Senate. And who will enforce?
Got that right Eric. Per Andrew Weissman, the Pamela Bondi active cover up that produced total of ONLY 3,900 new documents. This after 200 Bondi-Trump Law Firm Attorneys scoured the documents moths ago.
Besides Ro Kahana or Thomas Massie pay attention to sharp, Oversight Committee member, YASMIN ANSARI, House Dem from AZ.
And maybe a peek into her campaign donations … after all, didn’t she close the fraud investigation into Trump U after his nice donation? Over twenty grand, as I recall.
I live in the Bay Area now & practiced in all the courts state & federal ringing the Bay Area for over 30 years. I reactivated my Bar License back in May 2025.
Joyce, as a former attorney for US EPA for 37 years (Deputy Regional Counsel in Chicago), I am heartbroken at the defenestration of DOJ as an independent voice for the people. I appreciate your insights and commentary and am confident that with advocates like you, our institutions will eventually recover and rebuild. Thank you.
Some of our institutions will certainly recover, once the cult finally blows up like the Hindenburg. Others? I don't know. One of the things that gives me hope is that this shabby little authoritarianism keeps failing basic giggle tests. Todd Blanche clutching his pearls, going 'Shirley, you JEST when you accuse us of protecting the President and carrying out his wacky, personal grudges!' and Jockstrap Gym Jordan hoping to catch Jack Smith -- one of the most careful of men around -- in some lazy technicality. The collective response really should be: are you serious?
Most of these people are too stupid for words. The only reason more isn't being made of this is because we're still inside the cult, which daren't admit anything for fear that the whole Tower of Shit will collapse. Yet it's already falling to pieces less than one year after it swaggered onto the stage...
Just thinking our legacy shouldn't be a stripped wasteland, but I do worry about Jared's standard of living, and I know we're all ready to sacrifice everything for that.
Jared’s only standard is to lie and cheat to get what he wants for himself. He learned a lot from his father and his father-in-law. He’s never held a real job but now sees himself as a real estate genius. But he is selling our country to the highest bidder, the Saudis.
Awww. Precious Doggie. My male cat loves Mary Trump! So there you have it a cat and dog festival 😂! Tuxedo Man loves Star Trek! Some months back on MSNBC. G Maxwell lawyer and Todd Blanch were giggling up a storm about all of this a deal was made. She gets a posh prison and a dog to raise and whatever else they give this psychopathic groomer! She is a bad actress in a bad play! I hope she gets back to having life without the possibility of parole! Two women are deceased because of this scandal!
I did not like learning that Maxwell is bonding and raising a puppy. She is not someone who should be entrusted to the care of human nor animal. Poor dog, indeed.
I love the end of the week era up that you do , and then this “the week ahead” brief. It’s kind of like getting a recap of all the bad news on Friday so the readers know that they’ve gotten the main issues this reign of “deplorables” has created , and then you gather your/our understanding of the week to come. Both these offerings and all you do in between are indispensable to a person who appreciates a reliable narrator. You are a great one. Thanks for sharing your findings and insights with us.
Thank you, Joyce, as always. The ending section "Gone to the Dogs" was a nice palate cleanser. I feel you have more than met your goal of:
" ... this space as a place for people who want to understand what’s happening in our country, not just survive it. The way we do that is by committing ourselves to a study of law and politics focused on understanding what it all means. It’s important to ground our love of democracy in the fact that it makes it possible for us to live our lives freely, with respect for those around us and their ability to do the same, and with joy."
I don’t know where you get your stamina but it helps to keep us focused on what’s important. During this season of holidays/remembrances/solstice, I feel fortunate & try not to take things (our freedoms) for granted. I have a new set of postcards for the New Year to inform voters of what’s coming. A group of us in Baltimore were a peaceful but boisterous presence outside the Army-Navy game not welcoming DJT & Hegseth to our fine city. I am from a proud Navy family & am very concerned that my loved ones are being recklessly placed in harm’s way. Thanks for always reminding us that “we’re in this together”.
Because it is Sunday night, winter solstice, and the last night of Chanukah, I will focus on the light Joyce always shares with us, regardless of these dark days. The light that is Bella and Elsa. And simply thank you, Joyce, for providing us with a bit of light, joy, and hope. I love your dogs and greatly appreciate you sharing them (and of course, the girls aka the chickens) with us. And I am grateful for you every single day. To another week…or in the words of the bard, “Once more unto the breach, dear friends…” The fight shall sustain us!
Dogs are amazing! And so are you Joyce! You bring light to my day and a deeper understanding of the issues that I don’t quite grasp because the law is not my specialty. I am a retired school administrator Who knows that what is being done to this country and what is being done to the future is despicable and disgusting. Keep speaking the truth!
I’m not sure I can say thank you enough, somehow you help me keep my head straight in the midst of the storm raging around us all the damn time. I find myself feeling calmer after reading you … reason as a refuge. 👍🏻 so thanks!
I am going to try to push all of this nonsense out of my head and enjoy my family for a week. It's the dark time of the year, so I'm going to focus on longer, brighter days ahead, literally and figuratively. Happy holidays to all.
Well you know pups drive Subaru cars because I’ve seen it on TV.
I think we are going to continue to see more chaos and illegal acts throughout next year. As much as I am hoping that midterm elections go smoothly, the term “anything goes” applies to these goons and clowns in the white house. I have learned to take solitary moments to soothe my soul. I am writing postcards now for Informed Voters of America and expect to write more postcards for Progressive Voter Turnout and Vote Forward. I will be busy for sure. Plus I have my own copy of your book now and I am looking forward to taking my time to read and understand. Thank you for all you do for us, Joyce! Happy Holidays!
Well at least you rectified your cardinal sin with YOUR Bella. I tried to put a Christmas scarf around "my" Bella dog's neck and oh my goodness you would have thought she was being led to the gallows. She required several mini dog treats before I was forgiven.
Happy Christmas to you and yours and here's hoping 2026 is a return to sanity and the law!
Your story of your Bella's reaction to her scarf brought a smile and a giggle for me. I am sympathetic to your position and would never laugh at your expense! It was a memory of when I put a raincoat on my dog, it matched mine, and when I carried her outside and sat her down she stood there with legs that seemed to have turned to cement. She would not budge an inch. Even though our big walk in the rain with our matching raincoats was not to be, I did have a good laugh about it. I took her in, after allowing her to get wet while doing her business in the rain, and gave her treats!
I started giving Bella treats when I was going out in the car to make up for not taking her. Now she starts jumping around (and she’s a mixed breed lab and shepherd, over 52 pounds) as soon as I get my outside shoes on. She is a 4 yo rescue who can’t learn to fetch but she sure learned about biscuits.
As stated by many others here my biggest fear for the future is the fact that they are doing all sorts of illegal things without any real consequence or justice. They just keep delaying, postponing, appealing everything to keep from being held accountable. No one seems to be able to do anything about it. They are taking all our social safety nets away, pocketing taxpayers money (us, the people who just don't have billions and billions of income) for their own excesses. Nothing is really, truly stopping them in any of this just slowing them down.
My plan for the week is to ignore holiday “traditions” along with my spouse and a friend. We plan to eat winter comfort food (beef stew) and watch non-Christmasy movies on the 25th. Having just read Heather Cox Richardson’s discussion of JD Vance’s declaration that we “are a Christian nation” I plan to celebrate, to the fullest of my ability, my actual constitutional right to practice no religion. My hope for the new year is that we can save our representative democracy and see it run by reasonable people who are committed to following the constitution. Peace be with you all.
My dog and i hunker down for Hanukkah, lighting the candles for eight lovely quiet evenings, then hibernate until the new year. (We're very good at this!) Except we go to our atheist friend's for dinner Christmas afternoon, because she would not have it any other way. We never talk politics bc she leans left of God (pardon the expression) and her husband is into right wing talk radio. He is also the pie guy, who makes delicious apple pie from their homegrown apples. Open mouth, insert pie! Forgetting politics for a few hours is not so hard to take...sometimes silence is as American as apple pie.... go home with no regrets, with a generous piece of leftover pie, a hunk of turkey for my dog, and another long winter's nap. PEACE & JOY to y'all, each in your own way.
So you are truly practicing "We are ALL in this togetner."
Blessings to you and your friends.
You got it! We're all in the soup!
And peace with you, too Marilyn. I’m spreading the word for all to hear that we all must knock on doors, attend protest rally’s and vote this narcissist felon child rapist pedophile out of office. P.S. and take his staff with him.!!
Meanwhile in the military....the theme is backward Christian soldiers....
Hegseth plans ‘cultural shift’ for military chaplains
AnalysisRick Pidcock | December 18, 2025
https://baptistnews.com/article/hegseth-plans-cultural-shift-for-military-chaplains/#:~:text=The%20next%20day%2C%20Hegseth%20hosted,significantly%20represented%20in%20that%20corps.
Franklin Graham recently addressed U.S. military members at a Pentagon Christmas service, delivering a sermon emphasizing that God is both loving and a "God of war," referencing biblical passages about destruction, while also sharing the Christmas message of Jesus saving people from sin. This event, platformed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, is part of a push for a Christian-focused chaplaincy, a shift from previous instances where Graham's presence at military events sparked controversy due to his views on Islam.
Well, it seems Mr. Graham is looking to emulate the Taliban brand of Islam. What could possibly go wrong?
Thank you for pointing out this story. I had missed it. None of us can keep up with all the horrors that are happening, so is good to have the help of our fellow commentators.
What Hegseth and Franklin Graham are promoting is a perversion of Christianity.
A God of war??
I'm going to celebrate a boy's campaign for a Red Ryder BB gun, then ignore the holiday afterwards.
You’ll shoot your eye out, kid!
Eyes are "Fra--ZHEEL--lay"!
My sentiments exactly, Marilyn.
I'm going to make Grinch Spaghetti for the grandkids on Christmas Eve. They are looking forward to their mom making pancakes Christmas morning. We made our traditional sugar cookies on Saturday and had so much fun.
Our tradition is to go see a movie on Christmas Day.
Ahhhhhmen!
The blatant disregard or selective application of laws, the constant lies and testing of boundaries, plus the abdication of media—Trump is playing full dictator and everyone else is supine and accepting it … whither curiosity, whither contention, whither contempt?
At least CNN is calling him out, and they are finally getting bolder. I gave up on other news
media.
MS NOW was way ahead of CNN, but I'm glad they are both telling the truth!
I think it's more that he is playing Apprentice Dictator. He doesn't get a lot of things right, or legal.
And yet, SCOTUS has ruled in his favor nearly every time … PLUS the silent acquiescence by media and the public has normalized this errant behavior. Rape? Pedophilia?
Remember when John Roberts, some years ago, said that their job was just to call them as they seem them? Just call the balls and strikes?
HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa..... There hasn't been such a court since Roger Taney's
He also intoned (condescendingly) that “Justice is colorblind” — a favorite of the Taney-minded.
What I don’t understand is how these elite are comfortable with Donald Trump as their avatar? Roberts is a patrician, Trump a buffoon.
I blame SCOUS for giving him a license to make this mess without punishment of any kind.
And you would be right. Roberts showed his hand in Citizens United - deciding dark money was “protected speech” … but it wasn’t until Coney Barrett was sworn in that suddenly, after nearly 50 years, Roe v. Wade was “egregious”. A nightmare ever since.
Whither integrity and right action?
Whither indeed! Can’t find a trace.
Not "everyone" is accepting anything. As Professor Vance explained, Ro Khana, Thomas Massie the Congressional Oversight Committee Reps are taking specific enforcement action.
Congress will enforce its legislative function by using the "Inherent Contempt" tool which allows Congress to "detain" violators like Pamela Bondi. More & likely will fine Bondi $5000 per day fine. All enforcement sanctions can be increased & there are other stronger toos in the kit. See,18 U.S.C. Section 401. How about $100K per day? Inherent contempt does not require court action.
The victims want the names in the historical charging allegations today, 12/22, along with the financial transactions, international financial transactions.
Now!
Hah—wishful thinking. Bondi (and Trump) have no trouble contravening the law; Leader Johnson will stall any actions on his side (and only four Republicans have objected so far), Thune probably will do the same in the Senate. And who will enforce?
"everyone else"?
maybe in your neighborhood; i see huge gales of not accepting it going on around here.
Got that right Eric. Per Andrew Weissman, the Pamela Bondi active cover up that produced total of ONLY 3,900 new documents. This after 200 Bondi-Trump Law Firm Attorneys scoured the documents moths ago.
Besides Ro Kahana or Thomas Massie pay attention to sharp, Oversight Committee member, YASMIN ANSARI, House Dem from AZ.
This is an active ongoing crime.
Didn’t Bondi, as Florida AG, oversee the “incarceration” of Jeffrey Epstein? Seems he got the preferential treatment all convicted pedophiles deserve.
Good one. That is the exact date that we need more documents.
And maybe a peek into her campaign donations … after all, didn’t she close the fraud investigation into Trump U after his nice donation? Over twenty grand, as I recall.
Well, I live in San Francisco … so obviously not “everyone” … a bit of overstatement.
I live in the Bay Area now & practiced in all the courts state & federal ringing the Bay Area for over 30 years. I reactivated my Bar License back in May 2025.
Excellent! Seems the only real successes in battling Trump’s excesses in the courtroom.
Joyce, as a former attorney for US EPA for 37 years (Deputy Regional Counsel in Chicago), I am heartbroken at the defenestration of DOJ as an independent voice for the people. I appreciate your insights and commentary and am confident that with advocates like you, our institutions will eventually recover and rebuild. Thank you.
Some of our institutions will certainly recover, once the cult finally blows up like the Hindenburg. Others? I don't know. One of the things that gives me hope is that this shabby little authoritarianism keeps failing basic giggle tests. Todd Blanche clutching his pearls, going 'Shirley, you JEST when you accuse us of protecting the President and carrying out his wacky, personal grudges!' and Jockstrap Gym Jordan hoping to catch Jack Smith -- one of the most careful of men around -- in some lazy technicality. The collective response really should be: are you serious?
Most of these people are too stupid for words. The only reason more isn't being made of this is because we're still inside the cult, which daren't admit anything for fear that the whole Tower of Shit will collapse. Yet it's already falling to pieces less than one year after it swaggered onto the stage...
I can only imagine just how devastating it must be for you to see the EPA being tampered with so severely. It bothers me terribly.
Our legacy to our kids.
Just thinking our legacy shouldn't be a stripped wasteland, but I do worry about Jared's standard of living, and I know we're all ready to sacrifice everything for that.
Jared’s only standard is to lie and cheat to get what he wants for himself. He learned a lot from his father and his father-in-law. He’s never held a real job but now sees himself as a real estate genius. But he is selling our country to the highest bidder, the Saudis.
Awww. Precious Doggie. My male cat loves Mary Trump! So there you have it a cat and dog festival 😂! Tuxedo Man loves Star Trek! Some months back on MSNBC. G Maxwell lawyer and Todd Blanch were giggling up a storm about all of this a deal was made. She gets a posh prison and a dog to raise and whatever else they give this psychopathic groomer! She is a bad actress in a bad play! I hope she gets back to having life without the possibility of parole! Two women are deceased because of this scandal!
Poor dog!
I did not like learning that Maxwell is bonding and raising a puppy. She is not someone who should be entrusted to the care of human nor animal. Poor dog, indeed.
Her dog is well cared for by Professor Vance and her family!
I love the end of the week era up that you do , and then this “the week ahead” brief. It’s kind of like getting a recap of all the bad news on Friday so the readers know that they’ve gotten the main issues this reign of “deplorables” has created , and then you gather your/our understanding of the week to come. Both these offerings and all you do in between are indispensable to a person who appreciates a reliable narrator. You are a great one. Thanks for sharing your findings and insights with us.
Thank you, Joyce, as always. The ending section "Gone to the Dogs" was a nice palate cleanser. I feel you have more than met your goal of:
" ... this space as a place for people who want to understand what’s happening in our country, not just survive it. The way we do that is by committing ourselves to a study of law and politics focused on understanding what it all means. It’s important to ground our love of democracy in the fact that it makes it possible for us to live our lives freely, with respect for those around us and their ability to do the same, and with joy."
I don’t know where you get your stamina but it helps to keep us focused on what’s important. During this season of holidays/remembrances/solstice, I feel fortunate & try not to take things (our freedoms) for granted. I have a new set of postcards for the New Year to inform voters of what’s coming. A group of us in Baltimore were a peaceful but boisterous presence outside the Army-Navy game not welcoming DJT & Hegseth to our fine city. I am from a proud Navy family & am very concerned that my loved ones are being recklessly placed in harm’s way. Thanks for always reminding us that “we’re in this together”.
Because it is Sunday night, winter solstice, and the last night of Chanukah, I will focus on the light Joyce always shares with us, regardless of these dark days. The light that is Bella and Elsa. And simply thank you, Joyce, for providing us with a bit of light, joy, and hope. I love your dogs and greatly appreciate you sharing them (and of course, the girls aka the chickens) with us. And I am grateful for you every single day. To another week…or in the words of the bard, “Once more unto the breach, dear friends…” The fight shall sustain us!
Dogs are amazing! And so are you Joyce! You bring light to my day and a deeper understanding of the issues that I don’t quite grasp because the law is not my specialty. I am a retired school administrator Who knows that what is being done to this country and what is being done to the future is despicable and disgusting. Keep speaking the truth!
I’m not sure I can say thank you enough, somehow you help me keep my head straight in the midst of the storm raging around us all the damn time. I find myself feeling calmer after reading you … reason as a refuge. 👍🏻 so thanks!
My feelings exactly! Well said!
I am going to try to push all of this nonsense out of my head and enjoy my family for a week. It's the dark time of the year, so I'm going to focus on longer, brighter days ahead, literally and figuratively. Happy holidays to all.
Why is DOJ getting away with not producing all the files. Isn’t that breaking the law?
What more is this administration going to get away with?
Where is mainstream media demanding release of all the files?
They’re not getting away with their act of defiance because articles of impeachment are being drawn against BonDEI and Blanch.
I do not believe that impeachment is going to happen for any of them
Well you know pups drive Subaru cars because I’ve seen it on TV.
I think we are going to continue to see more chaos and illegal acts throughout next year. As much as I am hoping that midterm elections go smoothly, the term “anything goes” applies to these goons and clowns in the white house. I have learned to take solitary moments to soothe my soul. I am writing postcards now for Informed Voters of America and expect to write more postcards for Progressive Voter Turnout and Vote Forward. I will be busy for sure. Plus I have my own copy of your book now and I am looking forward to taking my time to read and understand. Thank you for all you do for us, Joyce! Happy Holidays!
The sight of a dog behind the wheel of a car in a parking lot never fails to amuse me. Can't help it... I giggle. A lot.
Well at least you rectified your cardinal sin with YOUR Bella. I tried to put a Christmas scarf around "my" Bella dog's neck and oh my goodness you would have thought she was being led to the gallows. She required several mini dog treats before I was forgiven.
Happy Christmas to you and yours and here's hoping 2026 is a return to sanity and the law!
Your story of your Bella's reaction to her scarf brought a smile and a giggle for me. I am sympathetic to your position and would never laugh at your expense! It was a memory of when I put a raincoat on my dog, it matched mine, and when I carried her outside and sat her down she stood there with legs that seemed to have turned to cement. She would not budge an inch. Even though our big walk in the rain with our matching raincoats was not to be, I did have a good laugh about it. I took her in, after allowing her to get wet while doing her business in the rain, and gave her treats!
I started giving Bella treats when I was going out in the car to make up for not taking her. Now she starts jumping around (and she’s a mixed breed lab and shepherd, over 52 pounds) as soon as I get my outside shoes on. She is a 4 yo rescue who can’t learn to fetch but she sure learned about biscuits.
Ah, bless her! She knows the signs of imminent biscuits!
As stated by many others here my biggest fear for the future is the fact that they are doing all sorts of illegal things without any real consequence or justice. They just keep delaying, postponing, appealing everything to keep from being held accountable. No one seems to be able to do anything about it. They are taking all our social safety nets away, pocketing taxpayers money (us, the people who just don't have billions and billions of income) for their own excesses. Nothing is really, truly stopping them in any of this just slowing them down.
German Shepherds are such wonderful humans. Lucky YOU!!