On Monday, we learned that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is moving ahead with a grand jury investigation into Donald Trump’s involvement in hush money payments to stripper Stormy Daniels, with whom he allegedly had an affair, ahead of the 2016 election.
Good people looking away while the SA were beating up Jews on the streets of Berlin in the late 1920s is how they got the Nazis in 1933. Failing to make a decision is deciding to get what you do not want.
Robert Hubbell mentioned in his post tonight that the Feds could argue that the 4 years Trump was president and hiding behind the DOJ policy that a sitting president cannot be indicted should extend the federal statute of limitations.
Watching Trumpster Fire "testifying" and taking the 5th Amendment to every question asked was pretty funny - especially when interspersed with his public statements that "if you take the Fifth it means you're guilty, right?"
Let us not forget who we are dealing with. Neo-Nazis. Who remembers seeing men giving the Hi Hitler sign and then Donald raised his arms in signing back. I didn't see it hit the headlines. I wondered then, why not? Is Fox News part of the Neo-Nazis? I wonder. Let us learn from the Hitler past or we will repeat it. Let us learn from Ukraine or it will be repeated here in the USA. All eyes open.
I’m all for having investigations and indictments of all the trump alleged civil and criminal acts. Even if a bit late, accountability not only proves we’re a country of law & justice, but it really can act as a deterrent to others with corrupt intent and wannabe dictators. Will it get the trump base negatively activated - potentially violently. Very probable. But for those of us who hold democracy and our constitution sacred, battle fatigue and fear of an irrational base going rogue is no reason to let our guard down. That’s partly how we got here to begin with. Thanks Joyce for the reminder.
You're right, Debra. This country must abide by it's laws and the Constitution. To succumb to intimidation on the part of those criminals would lead to the end of the American experiment, and the worlds most successful democracy. Criminals, no matter who they are, how rich they are, and how powerful they are, must be held to the same standards as every citizen. We know there are those who will get violent, and that must never stop us from adhering to our principals. Ever.
I understand the concept that “bad things happen when good people look away” but good people have been watching since 2016 and nothing good has happened yet.
I believe the underlying weakness in our democratic system is that the entire thing is built upon the inherent decency of those rising to office. Our system is designed to address normal levels of corruption by those embarrassed to have their crimes found out. We have never faced an office holder so completely devoid of normal psychological traits that they commit atrocities in plain sight and dare us to do something about it. Without shame or remorse Trump and his lackeys found the weakness and exploited in plain sight.
So I want to gently push back and say I think something good has happened—Trump lost in 2020. That took voters, courage from some unlikely people, and more institutional resiliency that many of us thought we had left. In 2022, the midterms weren't the red wave that was expected. Although Trump still hasn't been held accountable by the legal system, there are cautious signs of progress. But mostly, voters are doing a fine job, and I hope we'll keep it up. I suspect that's a big reason many of us (including you as I know from your insightful comments) are here an paying attention.
Thank you for reminding me about the progress we have seen. Age may bring perspective (I’m 76) but it also brings a sense of urgency. We need this problem solved. I just want it solved in my lifetime. Thanks again.
Not so sure they're psychopaths, (conscience-less) but they fill every qualification for sociopaths! (Willful ignoring of social norms.) Maybe we need to have anyone running for Congress submit to a psych exam. Seriously, more than the usual peccadilloes of politicians, those you mentioned are capable of great harm just by their endless grandstanding and their reverse-engineering of any criticism. Just look at the Biden investigations that are underway, with vague finger wagging at alleged misbehavior, while ignoring Jan 6 and its astounding implications of Trump.
Merrick Garland seems to indeed be operating as if these are normal levels and types of corruption and crimes. I think he is unable or unwilling to recognize that Trump not only has no shame or conscience etc., and is detached from verified reality, but also does not respect the rule of law (Al Griffin said it well!).
Thanks Joyce, if the Ukrainian people can continue to resist in far worse circumstances so can we in relative comfort pursue removing the cancer trying to destroy our democracy. Never look away!
I am guilty of being an “unplugger”. I have been limiting myself to select Substacks and podcasts. I long for the days before cable news and talk radio where you just watched the news at “Six”. We managed to find out things.
It still boggles my mind that people voted for Trump. I wonder what makes people think that running the United States can be done with no experience or qualifications. Trump's are just being a swindler. One episode of his show, and I admit I only got through about 5 minutes of it, should have been enough to see he would not make a good president. But then, I knew someone who voted for Reagan because he had given her a good tip once. She was a bar tender. Again, what qualifies an actor to be president? At least Zelensky studied and is licensed to practice law before becoming an actor in Ukraine, which is a qualification but not an experience which has to have helped him in running the country. I am glad that NY is taking on bringing Trump to justice so that he is not always able to be above the law. NY and Georgia are doing important work for our democracy.
We have a long history—well at least during the 20th century—of believing that the average person could do a better job of governing than politicians. Look at all the candidates who promise to be an “outsider” and push out those nasty “career politicians “. To those of us without access to the facts, Trump looked like a competent businessman in 2016. Little did we know. Can we all agree now that the presidency is not an entry level position and that business experience has no relevance to government service?
This country is beginning to resemble a third world backwater since a so called "professional" took over. Shelves empty. Car lots empty. Eggs in short supply. Air travel bogged down.
We had a booming economy before the current administration. It actually began to go south when the "professionals" assumed control of the house two years into the Trump presidency.
I say we need to get rid of the "professionals". They resemble con artists and grifters. Full of promises upon which they cannot deliver.
The comedian George Carlin said, "Think about how stupid the average person is, then realize that half of them are stupider than that." (Yes, I know he was actually describing the median, but he makes his point.)
I am someone who believes in skills and experience for all jobs. Of course I am half German. In Germany you have to have 3 years of training to wait tables and work in a gas station and part will be practical and part will be theoretical. Germany has the most CEOs with PhDs and they have union members sitting on their boards. While that does not say Germany is better run, it does speak to my expectations. A friend who had a degree in architecture and was a pilot, and loved cars and was always tinkering in them, did not claim any expertise when his friend asked him for help with a problem, he said he would take a look and try to help. I wish that more people would not claim expertise that they don't have. It was super insulting that one the politicians in this state who was running for governor believed from sitting in the local coffeeshop that most people could solve the problems of the government, just by using "common sense." It was so naive I could not even believe that he would believe that. It is probably why these same people are pushing for any old little girl who is made pregnant to be forced to raise a child, even if they don't allow her to decide anything else about the pregnancy for herself, because raising a child is instinct, like running the country. All it takes is bluster and bravado.
I remember Trump blanking right after he was elected when a reporter asked him for his opinion on Brexit. He also obviously had no idea who Frederick Douglass was, saying he'd "heard great things about him" despite Douglass having been dead for close to a century. He visited the Holocaust Museum and left a note in the visitor log saying he had a great time and enjoyed it very much.
Anybody holding the highest office in the land should have some knowledge and background in law and government. Being a crooked businessman and reality star is not relevant work experience.
There were plenty of fools out there who thought turning over the country to a "successful billionaire businessman" was a good idea, especially when he stood on rally stages all over the country and pulled farfetched promises and answers to every problem out of his considerable ass. When millions of people watch bullshit reality TV shows where a buffoon plays a smart guy, there can be only one result.
Obviously this is true. Too bad that they are not more critical about whom they are choosing. People should be reading between the lines when they look at a candidate. Apparently too many people do not have the set of skills to evaluate what he would need to know and have experience with when it comes to something this important. Running a country is not like running a corporation and we should be grateful for that. It is far more complex, and the outcomes are more important.
Equally astonishing was when, just after he won in 2016, Trump said he would stay at Trump Tower during his presidency and govern via phone calls to Washington. I wish I could remember which news outlet I learned that from. All Trump probably wanted from that presidential run was foreign money and seeing just how many votes he'd get. Greed and narcissism, two of the Seven Deadly Sins.
And consider that T-Rump was running against----wait----a woman! Ours is still a nation which puts all of its chips on a white male Christian. How archaic! That is also one of the reasons for the Evangelicals' vote. They found a way to overlook Trump's many sins in exchange for ending Roe. To paraphrase Mary Engelbreit, may we all "Carry ourselves with the confidence of a mediocre white man."
Hi Joyce: I was listening to your Sisters in Law podcast when I saw your new notes come through. Yes it is a lot to digest and I very much appreciate your details on what steps are in play that might finally ensnare 45 for his appalling behavior to us all. It’s been an education on how to update our judicial system and for that we can be grateful and certainly for your important part in following this thread as well.
Joyce, I unplugged for a few weeks after the Speaker of the House circus. I'm taking baby steps back in.
Your chicken photos bring needed smiles to so many of us. Throw in some knitting ones on occasion! I started making a blanket from leftover yarns and am having a blast!
Thank you Joyce. I hope you realize that you (and your sisters) give us hope and some since of sanity.
This is just the beginning. Someone hopefully will make the first move to hold him accountable. Then what happens? .. As exhausting as this is I’m glad we haven’t given up. Too much is at stake.
'Fraid so. During DJT administration, I kept MSNBC on all day and into the night -- for clarity, experienced explanations, and reminder that sanity and devotion to democracy was still alive in our land. Alive and kicking. Son Josh told me one day, during that time, that he considered it a good day if we hadn't been nuked by N. Korea. Alabama? Born and raised and life-long resident, I grew up with Red Scare, Jim Crow, and George Wallace. Steeped in high alert and alarm. After I put up my Doug Jones and Biden-Harris yard signs, neighbor on L put up Tuberville sign and years-long neighbor on R put up Trump-Pence sign. Good neighbors, truly; we talk about my grandchildren, their children, our yards. I thought at 1st that the Trump-Pence sign was part of my neighbors' wonderful Halloween decorations. It was that scary to me. So I engage in political talk only with Black people I encounter. And am struck, every time, by how calm they are -- counseling patience and reminding me of the progress made so far. And I keep learning, and remind myself that the demographics are changing.
So much focus on Trump these days, with the law coming ckoser each day. I've read and heard several prominent pundits refer to DeSantis as a foregone conclusion post-Trump. Hope people realize just how dangerous he is.
I retired to Florida in 2018. Planned and saved and dreamed for this for much of my adult life. DeSantis drove me away after only four years. It took most of my remaining savings, but I GOT AWAY, and consider myself very lucky.
No need to list all his terrible deeds. Just be aware. There will be bans on Black History Month, and Pride Parades will be a thing of the past.
DeSantis only won again because he manipulated the people and the system. The entire machine is geared towards making him unbeatable, despite his horrid public persona.
There are decent Rs out there. Please. DeSantis will destroy what's left of us.
Joyce I hope you can answer this--it's been plaguing me. Surely some affiliated with Robbie Kaplan managed to get some busboy somewhere to snag a glass or straw or fork or something that Trump had used, in order to check his DNA against the "stain" on E Jean's coat?? So they already know going in that the DNA matches, even though what they have wouldn't be admissible? If they haven't, why on earth not?
"One of the lingering mysteries in this situation is why the feds never followed up Cohen’s case with a prosecution of Trump. "
As Rachel Maddow pointed out the other night, Geoffrey Berman left us quite a trail of crumbs with regard to this question in his book, Holding the Line. And that trail leads directly to Barr (and by implication Trump).
Good people looking away while the SA were beating up Jews on the streets of Berlin in the late 1920s is how they got the Nazis in 1933. Failing to make a decision is deciding to get what you do not want.
Robert Hubbell mentioned in his post tonight that the Feds could argue that the 4 years Trump was president and hiding behind the DOJ policy that a sitting president cannot be indicted should extend the federal statute of limitations.
Watching Trumpster Fire "testifying" and taking the 5th Amendment to every question asked was pretty funny - especially when interspersed with his public statements that "if you take the Fifth it means you're guilty, right?"
Extending the Statute of Limitations here would seem appropriate.
Let us not forget who we are dealing with. Neo-Nazis. Who remembers seeing men giving the Hi Hitler sign and then Donald raised his arms in signing back. I didn't see it hit the headlines. I wondered then, why not? Is Fox News part of the Neo-Nazis? I wonder. Let us learn from the Hitler past or we will repeat it. Let us learn from Ukraine or it will be repeated here in the USA. All eyes open.
I’m all for having investigations and indictments of all the trump alleged civil and criminal acts. Even if a bit late, accountability not only proves we’re a country of law & justice, but it really can act as a deterrent to others with corrupt intent and wannabe dictators. Will it get the trump base negatively activated - potentially violently. Very probable. But for those of us who hold democracy and our constitution sacred, battle fatigue and fear of an irrational base going rogue is no reason to let our guard down. That’s partly how we got here to begin with. Thanks Joyce for the reminder.
I think you've pulled it all together very nicely.
You're right, Debra. This country must abide by it's laws and the Constitution. To succumb to intimidation on the part of those criminals would lead to the end of the American experiment, and the worlds most successful democracy. Criminals, no matter who they are, how rich they are, and how powerful they are, must be held to the same standards as every citizen. We know there are those who will get violent, and that must never stop us from adhering to our principals. Ever.
I understand the concept that “bad things happen when good people look away” but good people have been watching since 2016 and nothing good has happened yet.
I believe the underlying weakness in our democratic system is that the entire thing is built upon the inherent decency of those rising to office. Our system is designed to address normal levels of corruption by those embarrassed to have their crimes found out. We have never faced an office holder so completely devoid of normal psychological traits that they commit atrocities in plain sight and dare us to do something about it. Without shame or remorse Trump and his lackeys found the weakness and exploited in plain sight.
So I want to gently push back and say I think something good has happened—Trump lost in 2020. That took voters, courage from some unlikely people, and more institutional resiliency that many of us thought we had left. In 2022, the midterms weren't the red wave that was expected. Although Trump still hasn't been held accountable by the legal system, there are cautious signs of progress. But mostly, voters are doing a fine job, and I hope we'll keep it up. I suspect that's a big reason many of us (including you as I know from your insightful comments) are here an paying attention.
Thank you for reminding me about the progress we have seen. Age may bring perspective (I’m 76) but it also brings a sense of urgency. We need this problem solved. I just want it solved in my lifetime. Thanks again.
And now we have the likes of Santos, MTG, Boebert, etc. dangerous psychopaths in positions of power throughout all levels of government.
Not so sure they're psychopaths, (conscience-less) but they fill every qualification for sociopaths! (Willful ignoring of social norms.) Maybe we need to have anyone running for Congress submit to a psych exam. Seriously, more than the usual peccadilloes of politicians, those you mentioned are capable of great harm just by their endless grandstanding and their reverse-engineering of any criticism. Just look at the Biden investigations that are underway, with vague finger wagging at alleged misbehavior, while ignoring Jan 6 and its astounding implications of Trump.
Well Santos is not exactly in a position of power TBH. And never likely to be.
Merrick Garland seems to indeed be operating as if these are normal levels and types of corruption and crimes. I think he is unable or unwilling to recognize that Trump not only has no shame or conscience etc., and is detached from verified reality, but also does not respect the rule of law (Al Griffin said it well!).
Thank you. I agree
Thanks Joyce, if the Ukrainian people can continue to resist in far worse circumstances so can we in relative comfort pursue removing the cancer trying to destroy our democracy. Never look away!
Ukraine really does put it in perspective.
Definitely true, but at least they know the exact enemy. For us, it's like whack-a-mole!
I am guilty of being an “unplugger”. I have been limiting myself to select Substacks and podcasts. I long for the days before cable news and talk radio where you just watched the news at “Six”. We managed to find out things.
That doesn't sound unplugged to me :)
It still boggles my mind that people voted for Trump. I wonder what makes people think that running the United States can be done with no experience or qualifications. Trump's are just being a swindler. One episode of his show, and I admit I only got through about 5 minutes of it, should have been enough to see he would not make a good president. But then, I knew someone who voted for Reagan because he had given her a good tip once. She was a bar tender. Again, what qualifies an actor to be president? At least Zelensky studied and is licensed to practice law before becoming an actor in Ukraine, which is a qualification but not an experience which has to have helped him in running the country. I am glad that NY is taking on bringing Trump to justice so that he is not always able to be above the law. NY and Georgia are doing important work for our democracy.
We have a long history—well at least during the 20th century—of believing that the average person could do a better job of governing than politicians. Look at all the candidates who promise to be an “outsider” and push out those nasty “career politicians “. To those of us without access to the facts, Trump looked like a competent businessman in 2016. Little did we know. Can we all agree now that the presidency is not an entry level position and that business experience has no relevance to government service?
This is a very smart take. If Trump taught us anything, it's that we need professional politicians.
That's an odd thing to say.
This country is beginning to resemble a third world backwater since a so called "professional" took over. Shelves empty. Car lots empty. Eggs in short supply. Air travel bogged down.
We had a booming economy before the current administration. It actually began to go south when the "professionals" assumed control of the house two years into the Trump presidency.
I say we need to get rid of the "professionals". They resemble con artists and grifters. Full of promises upon which they cannot deliver.
The comedian George Carlin said, "Think about how stupid the average person is, then realize that half of them are stupider than that." (Yes, I know he was actually describing the median, but he makes his point.)
I am someone who believes in skills and experience for all jobs. Of course I am half German. In Germany you have to have 3 years of training to wait tables and work in a gas station and part will be practical and part will be theoretical. Germany has the most CEOs with PhDs and they have union members sitting on their boards. While that does not say Germany is better run, it does speak to my expectations. A friend who had a degree in architecture and was a pilot, and loved cars and was always tinkering in them, did not claim any expertise when his friend asked him for help with a problem, he said he would take a look and try to help. I wish that more people would not claim expertise that they don't have. It was super insulting that one the politicians in this state who was running for governor believed from sitting in the local coffeeshop that most people could solve the problems of the government, just by using "common sense." It was so naive I could not even believe that he would believe that. It is probably why these same people are pushing for any old little girl who is made pregnant to be forced to raise a child, even if they don't allow her to decide anything else about the pregnancy for herself, because raising a child is instinct, like running the country. All it takes is bluster and bravado.
I remember Trump blanking right after he was elected when a reporter asked him for his opinion on Brexit. He also obviously had no idea who Frederick Douglass was, saying he'd "heard great things about him" despite Douglass having been dead for close to a century. He visited the Holocaust Museum and left a note in the visitor log saying he had a great time and enjoyed it very much.
Anybody holding the highest office in the land should have some knowledge and background in law and government. Being a crooked businessman and reality star is not relevant work experience.
There were plenty of fools out there who thought turning over the country to a "successful billionaire businessman" was a good idea, especially when he stood on rally stages all over the country and pulled farfetched promises and answers to every problem out of his considerable ass. When millions of people watch bullshit reality TV shows where a buffoon plays a smart guy, there can be only one result.
Obviously this is true. Too bad that they are not more critical about whom they are choosing. People should be reading between the lines when they look at a candidate. Apparently too many people do not have the set of skills to evaluate what he would need to know and have experience with when it comes to something this important. Running a country is not like running a corporation and we should be grateful for that. It is far more complex, and the outcomes are more important.
Equally astonishing was when, just after he won in 2016, Trump said he would stay at Trump Tower during his presidency and govern via phone calls to Washington. I wish I could remember which news outlet I learned that from. All Trump probably wanted from that presidential run was foreign money and seeing just how many votes he'd get. Greed and narcissism, two of the Seven Deadly Sins.
And consider that T-Rump was running against----wait----a woman! Ours is still a nation which puts all of its chips on a white male Christian. How archaic! That is also one of the reasons for the Evangelicals' vote. They found a way to overlook Trump's many sins in exchange for ending Roe. To paraphrase Mary Engelbreit, may we all "Carry ourselves with the confidence of a mediocre white man."
Glad you put successful billionaire businessman in quotes
**twice
Hi Joyce: I was listening to your Sisters in Law podcast when I saw your new notes come through. Yes it is a lot to digest and I very much appreciate your details on what steps are in play that might finally ensnare 45 for his appalling behavior to us all. It’s been an education on how to update our judicial system and for that we can be grateful and certainly for your important part in following this thread as well.
Joyce, I unplugged for a few weeks after the Speaker of the House circus. I'm taking baby steps back in.
Your chicken photos bring needed smiles to so many of us. Throw in some knitting ones on occasion! I started making a blanket from leftover yarns and am having a blast!
Thank you Joyce. I hope you realize that you (and your sisters) give us hope and some since of sanity.
“Bad things do happen when good people look away,” but, dang, it’s just exhausting. Make him go away.
Are you reading Robert Hubbell? He can help. On 2/1/23, for example, he titled his newsletter "Controlling our agenda." Highly recommended.
https://roberthubbell.substack.com/p/controlling-our-agenda
This is just the beginning. Someone hopefully will make the first move to hold him accountable. Then what happens? .. As exhausting as this is I’m glad we haven’t given up. Too much is at stake.
Yes. I feel exactly the same. The simple fact of not giving up is really, really important.
". . . bad things happen when good people look away." Indeed.
Alabama is sort of a cautionary tale, right?
'Fraid so. During DJT administration, I kept MSNBC on all day and into the night -- for clarity, experienced explanations, and reminder that sanity and devotion to democracy was still alive in our land. Alive and kicking. Son Josh told me one day, during that time, that he considered it a good day if we hadn't been nuked by N. Korea. Alabama? Born and raised and life-long resident, I grew up with Red Scare, Jim Crow, and George Wallace. Steeped in high alert and alarm. After I put up my Doug Jones and Biden-Harris yard signs, neighbor on L put up Tuberville sign and years-long neighbor on R put up Trump-Pence sign. Good neighbors, truly; we talk about my grandchildren, their children, our yards. I thought at 1st that the Trump-Pence sign was part of my neighbors' wonderful Halloween decorations. It was that scary to me. So I engage in political talk only with Black people I encounter. And am struck, every time, by how calm they are -- counseling patience and reminding me of the progress made so far. And I keep learning, and remind myself that the demographics are changing.
And also when they don't.
Good Morning!
So much focus on Trump these days, with the law coming ckoser each day. I've read and heard several prominent pundits refer to DeSantis as a foregone conclusion post-Trump. Hope people realize just how dangerous he is.
I retired to Florida in 2018. Planned and saved and dreamed for this for much of my adult life. DeSantis drove me away after only four years. It took most of my remaining savings, but I GOT AWAY, and consider myself very lucky.
No need to list all his terrible deeds. Just be aware. There will be bans on Black History Month, and Pride Parades will be a thing of the past.
DeSantis only won again because he manipulated the people and the system. The entire machine is geared towards making him unbeatable, despite his horrid public persona.
There are decent Rs out there. Please. DeSantis will destroy what's left of us.
More chickens, please!
Thankfully DeSantis is moving so hard to the right in the culture wars that he is committing suicide in a general election IMO.
Joyce I hope you can answer this--it's been plaguing me. Surely some affiliated with Robbie Kaplan managed to get some busboy somewhere to snag a glass or straw or fork or something that Trump had used, in order to check his DNA against the "stain" on E Jean's coat?? So they already know going in that the DNA matches, even though what they have wouldn't be admissible? If they haven't, why on earth not?
Thanks for keeping after it!
I love the facts.
"One of the lingering mysteries in this situation is why the feds never followed up Cohen’s case with a prosecution of Trump. "
As Rachel Maddow pointed out the other night, Geoffrey Berman left us quite a trail of crumbs with regard to this question in his book, Holding the Line. And that trail leads directly to Barr (and by implication Trump).