190 Comments

First off my rep since I moved is Andrew Clyde. He’s a gun humping moron from the mountains that’s nearly as bad as sporkfoot one district over. I’ve signed petitions and blatantly accused him of screwing over his constituents as the median income up here is 40k a year. I did some research since I live in an HOA that doesn’t permit guns to be exhibited or used (no fireworks either as the wildfire is protected here) and found my section is solid blue lucky for me and what few neighbors I’ve tested so far are very much safely democrat except for the anti-vaxer that refuses to even neuter her dog. (I’ll address that with the HOA).

Second TFG is too stupid to keep his mouth shut. He will get up on the stand just like he did in his civil fraud trial and claim victim, tell more lies which the judge will toss him out (yeah he can instruct the jury to disregard which he might just do it to piss off TFG but putting Ms. Carroll through that as a rape victim would be hard but she’s tough) which is what he wants to pander to his base. How else to get his deplorables to keep donating their social security, retirement and welfare checks to pay his lawyers. Hababa is a joke and will put him up there for show. (She stated she’d rather be pretty than smart.)

Fani Willis should know never get your honey where you get your money but they have no right to question who she’s seeing or sleeping with. Typical republicans just have to be in someone’s bedroom.

Peter Navarro deserves a year and that judge just might stick it to him as has been done in other J6 cases.

And lastly the appeal on immunity. I think the judges are taking this time to write scathing rebukes that will resonate with SCOTUS as they know how bad some of the justices are all in for TFG. If SCOTUS takes the appeal after he loses it will basically box certain ones in where they will either show fealty or do the right thing.

Sorry this is so long but sometimes I get too much time to think on the side of this cold AF mountain and have been hibernating all week.

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Thanks, Rusty. Enjoyed reading all your thoughts.

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I’ve thought about doing a substack of my own but it would include not only legal/politics but living in a mountain town and about cats.

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I like mountains and cats!

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Maybe I’ll do it. I’ve got 6 with me that came from the rescue that closed that I was with and all seniors. Any small amount I would charge for the page would go directly to their vet bills and food.

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I agree with Lynell regarding cats - no knowledge of actual mountains - just the hills in NY. But cats? Cats are good!!

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Cats are one of God's best creations.

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I'll subscribe, Rusty. For the cats :)

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I started reading and was compelled to finish. Enjoyed your comments. Go for it.

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My late wife used to live in those parts. Helen/Sautee area.

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I’m in Cleveland. 7.5 miles from Helen and I love it up here. I lived East and south of Atlanta before going to Florida for 14 years to care for my mom and I absolutely hated it there. No seasons. Granted my bad back isn’t fond of the cold but I’d rather hibernate from the cold for a few months than the repulsive heat most of the year.

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My wife's dentist was in Cleveland, and she loved the tech so much that we made trips down there from upstate NY for several years just so she could get her teeth cleaned (and eat German food in Helen and get pralines in Dahlonega). We also tried Florida, and we didn't like it much, either. Now I'm in western NC and it's a big improvement.

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Oh so not too far away. I’m only about 50 miles from Murphy.

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I like variety in my Substacks! Joyce sometimes posts about her chickens and the rest of her menagerie. Lucian Truscott (another of my go-tos) occasionally writes about his adventures as a journalist in the 1970s. Plenty of blue-state city people would be interested in life in a GA mountain town, and although I'm a dog person, I eagerly follow the cat antics of two Facebook friends (both of whom I know in person). IOW, do it!

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I’ve always had dogs and had a sweet shihpoo that my neighbor was gonna dump at the shelter but she offered her to me since I was the pet sitter. My friends who helped pack me up and move me fell in love with her but she followed me to GA with them in the uhaul. After 6 weeks she hated it here. Constantly barking, no yard to play in,’the neighborhood dogs wanted to eat her so I called my friends and she went back to Florida. She’s living a more spoiled life. Will I get another, maybe one day but for now I got my kitties, the 6 left from the rescue, the multiple song birds and Princess Leia the squirrel that comes to the door for her peanuts.

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Me too! Absolutely enjoyable and refreshing!

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Keep talking, Rusty. If you have a lot of time on your hands, get out the vote!!! You sound affable, and people will most likely listen to what you have to say. Convince them why they need to vote BLUE in November!

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I plan on it.

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Let's send a mailer to MAGA's saying they've won a free cruise. Then when the ship returns deny it re-entry.

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Give them a 1 way ticket to Gitmo.

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That’s been my thought about where to incarcerate Trump and his mob. And, hey, put Jack Nicholson back in charge.

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The post is so informative. You sound like there is an iota of sanity in GA

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There is some sanity as not everyone is like sporkfoot and Andrew Clyde. I’m actually surprised at the amount of EV cars up here and those who are worried about the TFG freaks that walk among us. Many seniors in my HOA and it’s starting to sink in that rethugs want to cut their social security and Medicare. Granted the county I’m in is 2/3 red but I think if I were to get with the Tri-county democrats that we could teach some of these with whiteboard and playing videos of rethugs saying they want to cut their benefits.

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Cold up here in VA's Blue Ridge too. Let's remember to write those emails! Build a fire, cozy in friend.

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My gas fireplace didn’t work (the home inspector couldn’t check it when I bought the house in October). So my plumber capped off the gas line and pulled the insert. I’ll be getting another insert soon but not gas.

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Unfortunately, Willis reminds me of a more crude saying: Don't shit where you eat.

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Jan 30Edited

If you listen to Heather Cox Richardson explains the disinformation being spread, you will not hold Fanni Willis accountable for stories being spread. Her advice when you hear something is to take a few steps back, research, wait for actual truth to come out. Trump had information to share, but he held onto it so it came out just in time for the closing of the NY defamation case to slam against Willis. It's all about tactics and delay, trying to discredit prosecutors and...see, it's working.

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Yes I read something local here and know what he’s pulling. Just who’s funding this smear campaign?

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Joyce, I need to count the emails, phone calls, and snail mail letters I’ve sent Rep. Lori Chavez-Deremer (OR-5). She may have violated my First Amendment rights, but she will not respond. My open letter to the representative was published in Our Town, the community paper. Crickets 🦗

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Ms. Sward, I have deleted not the 3 times I wrote to Senator Cortez-Mastro, but I have deleted the hundreds of responses telling me she needed money to be able to do her job. Senator Rosen is a different story.. But I'm not quite sure my congressman is not a figment. He doesn't apparently accept emails because his website has no email or contact info, I've never heard of him in Washington, and once when I tried to get a phone number, his Washington office phone was unlisted. Does anyone know if Mark Amodei exists?

{His website does say you can send him an email, but first you have to enter your physical address, then wait for a confirmation letter to get his email address,. I'm still waiting...thirteen years later.}

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Ours is the same - you can't email him. I think constituents should be able to email all of our elected officials!

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It would be interesting to speak to those who have kept this person in office over multiple terms. I wonder what legislation, what bills, what exactly has this person done for your district?

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apparentl;y he co-sponsored a bill to stop invasive mussels. he has also supported expanding the Fallon NAS base three years ago. since that time his website his empty.

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Oh boy! A REAL public servant!!!!

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Fallon is part of his district which covers all of the counties north eastern counties including Washoe and Carson. Washoe (Reno, Sparks and the rest of the Northern mountain valleys where I live is) a fifty-fifty county but gave a slight edge to Trump I believe and went slightly for Dems in 2020 by around 200 votes both times. The rest of the western counties beyond are solidly red so of course we've been stuck with a republican congressperson for the entire 35 years I've been here. But I can'r complain too much since the districts are drawn quite geographically and don't meander meaninglessly. Anyway I don't know if you're interested in all that, but as far as I can tell, Amodei has pretty much been non-factor for 13 years now and I consistently have voted against him. Cortez-Mastro, a Dem senator is pretty much a non-factor as well. But Jackie Rosen, there we have a great Senator who actually responds to emails and supports most of my concerns. One out of three might be better than some people have for there reps. in D.C. so I should probably shut up. I know with Doug Jones no longer the senator from Alabama ( and not knowing Ms. Vance's congressperson) she is at least in no better position, and possibly worse.

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is empty, not his,

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Apart from emailing (which you should be able to do), you could ask for a meeting (for yourself alone or yourself along with a group of his constituents) during the next recess. If asked for a topic, you can find one. If he's totally inaccessible, you can also picket outside his local office, which can be especially effective during recess. Or show up for his re-election events and grill him.

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If it's not too expensive, file the papers to run against her. That will get you local, and maybe national media attention. Your reason for running? To elect a representatives who cares about her constituents enough to answer their emails and letters.

You can always withdraw for family reasons down the road. That a political novice entered the race weakens Chavez-Dermer

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Thank you. Our next representative will be Democrat Jamie McLeod-Skinner. Lori has purchased more bad karma than she can imagine.

I do solemnly swear I am up to no good. Check out James Carville's video I’ve enlisted in #CarvillesCommandos 🐀 https://youtu.be/9q-tPA9YBio?si=ODIrye06Owr4YBkb

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I relate, my Rep. and Sen. never respond to me either.

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Thank you Joyce, again, and again. And yes, for those here who have representatives who support Trump, why not pitch the televised trial to be their benefit. Cant hurt for trying.

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Sounds like a good idea to me.

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It sounds like Fani Willis is coming at the ex wife & Roman for interfering with the case. The Wades have been on the record with irreconcilable differences for 2 years? Things will be put in the light for what they are....another attempt to try to get rid of Fani and hopefully the case. But she won’t let that happen. Seems like we have a host of women who are hanging 45 out to dry. Ga. NY. And E.Jean! Thanks Joyce!

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I appreciated Joyce's recap of DA Willis. But I'm still having trouble understanding what wrong she committed. What I understand is that her friend, Wade, was paid for his work on the RICO case and used part of that earned money to take a trip or two with Willis. I'd appreciate being corrected about this if anyone cares to explain.

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As Rusty says - why is it that Republicans are so very eager to stick their nose in others personal lives and especially into their bedrooms???

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Evangenitals.

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Well - yes that does describe them, doesnt it?

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I stole the term, but it certainly fits!

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That gives me tacit permission, then, to steal it from you! Lol. Thx.

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I was just going to reply when I decided Gail's comment left nothing else to say!

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Prurient interest. They’re sexually repressed.

It does seem that Willis and Wade are/were engaged in an adulterous affair. ( Wade is still married.) That’s too bad as a personal matter, but as to this trial--so what?

I appreciate Joyce’s explanation of how it could be different (and why) if their roles were different in a way that could appear to affect their representation of their clients.

Judge Mcafee does seem to have his head in working order, and i think he’ll untangle and deescalate this.

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Georgia has its share of corrupt lawyers and they can’t attack her as Kemp already shot down the state reps that planned on using the newfound law they created. They always have to stick their nose in others personal lives.

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🎉🎉🎉

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E. Jean Carroll: "It’s not right to try to make women be quiet. It’s been going on for too long.” Yes, yes, a thousand times, yes. I hope the jury awards her a lot for compensatory damages and even more for punitive damages because it'll take a lot of money to get Trump to stop defaming her. Thanks for the update on a very busy week ahead.

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This is exactly one of the things white supremacists are protesting that women should have no rights as they are not capable of thinking for themselves and certainly 45 rides that wagon.

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Unfortunately, so does my daughter. After all the great time I spent with her as a child trying to teach her self reliance, to question everything, to do her best. She gives her rights away..."to be free, Dad". Go figure!?

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Working on a Novel at 70, Annie. It's not an easy thing. "Jim, I'm a painter, not a writer !" (If you've ever watched the original Enterprise, you'll understand 😁

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Ditto!

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Substackers,

In these pivotal moments, when the inimitable E. Jean Carroll is heading back to court on Monday, our thoughts are with her, resonating with strength and solidarity. It’s more crucial than ever to show our unwavering support, not just in spirit but through tangible action. Here’s a call to you – a brilliant congregation of insightful minds – to subscribe to her Substack. Whether opting for the free version or taking a leap to the paid subscription, every bit of support counts.

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Consider this not just as subscribing to a newsletter, but as treating yourself to a world of rich, engaging content while supporting a remarkable individual like E. Jean Carroll. Let’s stand together in this journey and continue to build this unique space she has lovingly curated for us all.

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I am a subscriber to E. Jean's Substack and heartily endorse everything Gloria said 100%! Please come join us. You'll be glad you did!

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Thanks, Pamela! E. Jean’s Substack is not only fun it’s thought provoking! See you ‘round the Conflab!

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I second that emotion!

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Hi! Pamels.

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Done!! Thanks for the link!

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Please pass it along!

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Already have!!

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Thank you Joyce as usual. A dozen eggs he doesn’t show up, but if he is that ignorant to do it, I hope that the judge puts him in his place and shows America that no one is above the law. I wish no ill on anybody but I do expect people to respect the situations that they put themselves in are aware of the consequences of bad acting. Decorum. I believe this judge will settle for nothing less. More power to him. But I must say, Trump is one strange cat. Peace everybody our goal is the same… freedom for everybody.

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I do wish ill on Donald Trump. Bad of me, perhaps, but true of me.

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I'm with you. Even before 2016, my sparse knowledge of him caused repugnance in me; now, there are no words to express my hatred of him. I want him to suffer.

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So do I. When I saw him imitate a physically disabled man and that was the cherry on top for me. That should have ended it for all of us - instead we had to suffer through 4 years of his BS. Trump is not normal, sane or even cognizant of what he is doing most of the time. Trump should be locked up for his crimes - he shouldn't be allowed to walk among the rest of American society. He is dangerous. Trump will destroy democracy in a heartbeat...I sincerely hope you remember this...he has his minions working on it as I type - he said he would and he will if he is elected - please don't delude yourself into thinking otherwise.

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Betty, I promise everyone on this site agrees with you, its all of the people who have been brain-washed and living within his cult that we would hope to reach. We never will, we only try to reach the independents who are sitting on the fence.

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I had a fence sitter a few years back...he's finally on our side now. So what you said is so right!

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@ken: there is such a thing as Righteous Anger. Wishing ill on a destroyer is not bad; it's common sense.

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What I don't get is why and how anyone can stay married to Trump. Or how his sons can not stay far away. It's seems coarseness runs in his veins and always has.

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Two words: money and greed

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What a terrible price to pay….

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If the court rules that Presidents have absolute immunity should Biden put in a call to Seal Team 6?

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I can’t imagine SCOTUS ruling that way. That would be awful.

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Neither can I. But I could never have imagined that the court would gut the Voting Rights act or that they were about to replace the Article 1 Executive and the.article 2 Legislature with themselves.

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😂😂😂

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Yesterday Trump repeatedly called Nancy Pelosi “Nikki Haley” 4 times in a speech and wasn’t aware he’d done it. Watch for him to further deteriorate cognitively this week when Engeron hits him for over $300 million, Carroll’s jury finds him guilty and goes over 20 million, and the DC appeals court rejects his immunity scam. He’s going to increasingly lose his ability to form coherent sentences. He’ll have more memory lapses too, as the intensity of the emotions of rage, hate and fear take over his inner, subjective emotional life experience. He will become increasingly unable to control what he says and does.

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The man's brain has rotted. What little intelligence he may have had is gone.

He is also bereft of compassion.

It says volumes about the republican party that they won't decry him.

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My hope is that the judge will feel he has given sufficient warnings and as soon as soon as the trumpster opens his lying mouth will have him physically removed from the court room and placed in a holding cell - with no phone -. Then, remembering how many warnings the trumpster has been given, the judge throws the book at him with a 15 to 20 million dollar fine, payable before he is released.

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➡️ "payable before he is released." ⬅️

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45 needs to be gagged in the courtroom like Bobby Seal in the Chicago 7 trial. But we know that probably won’t happen. I still believe a billion dollars overall should be awarded E. Jean Carroll for damages. Speaking out against E. Jean last week so the jury could hear him is a bridge too far. This courtroom is not elementary school. In any case, it’s a shame this trial couldn’t have been televised. I’m hoping Judge Kaplan can be creative with this wild child. Thanks for your post. It’s a lot but we’re ever so grateful for your care. Blessings to all to save our Republic in 2024 🇺🇸🗽🗳️🥁🕯️✨❤️

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Yep. 12 million sure ain't gonna cut it.

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A billion seems fair for the “self made” former firer-in-chief. His “right” to be present should carry the weight of acting responsibly. But why start now, right?

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So far, Judge Kaplan is all bark and no bite. Ms. Habba understands sticks and stones. Only the jury matters anyway. We will see.

Cannot stand Navarro but it sure reeks of selective prosecution .

Garland has already opposed sunshine once. Glad he is on our side and believes in truth, justice, and the American way. LOL.

Get overnight transcripts and a team of Thespians to reenact the courtroom everyday. Courtroom artists can document the look and the fashion. Get choreographers to document the movements. Maybe a day late and a dollar short, but think of the ratings.

Once the re-enactments start, the court may see the error of its ways and allow cameras.

Now, who should play P01135809?

My opinion.

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My understanding is that Judge Kaplan is "appealing-proof" the upcoming verdict in favor of E. Jean Carroll.

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Thank you, Joyce, for this recap for the week. I don't know how you can keep all of this information straight -- there's so much. But we're thankful for your brilliant mind! Reminds me of when Rachel Maddow had her nightly show and kept all of the Russian names in trump's sphere at the tip of her tongue and knew where they all intersected. Tangential to the cost of reputation management, did you see Daniel Uhlfelder's recap of what trump's PAC paid attorneys for just the first six months of 2023? (Add in another $2.3 mil for reputation mgt stuff, too). $12million these days seems awfully low. https://x.com/DWUhlfelderLaw/status/1748826692024467469?s=20

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I agree!

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Thank you for such a detailed explanation of what the coming week will look like. It seems Trump will have numerous opportunities to put his foot in his mouth. Has it ever occurred to him why not even one former president asked for total immunity. Poor baby, so much “fake” litigation against him.

I am happy you reemphasized the importance of everyone to contact their representatives concerning viewing of the federal cases against Trump. Every single one is important. It is the only way change will happen.

Joyce, you are the beacon in the dark and I appreciate you so much for sharing this information in an understandable manner for us.

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Thanks Joyce. A very helpful look at the coming week. And regarding the importance of reaching out to representatives-- from your mouth to voters’ ears. Let’s go and NOT settle for this bad apple as president!

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Tfg is not simply a bad apple, he is the most rotten of its kind. "Great but slightly imperfect?" with oodles of indictments, law suits? I think not. We most certainly do not have or want to live with such an animal, must less have one as a president of the free world! Unsaleable! Must be tossed into the garbage bin. However, another bad apple most certainly helped to compose this latest diatribe. Stupid content but includes whole sentences. Let's hope the Supreme Court isn't too flattered by the last sentence.

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There is so much to be aware of, to watch out for or respond to. No wonder people get overwhelmed and tune out. I’m retired and a political news junkie that’s why I love your newsletter, Heather Cox Richardson, Robert Reich and several others as well. It goes against my grain to be uninformed. You have helped so much by helping all these different legal cases delineated and your embedded links help as well. I’m really hoping the all caps X-Tweety Bird gets everything he so richly deserves. Same goes for Navarro. Too bad he’s getting off so lightly.

Oh yes, I’ve already seen that sweet picture of you with your adoring pooch on FaceBook; and that of Tofu as well. The cone of shame indeed. Poor kitty 😿.

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