152 Comments
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David J. Sharp's avatar

Exactly right—it’s for the threat, not an outcome. This is the playbook that Trump used to earn his first impeachment … (very) old dog, same trick.

Ned McDoodle's avatar

What frightens me most is those poor women who were 'accidentally' outed; bool-sheet -- more intimidation from *the gangster régime.

Linda Weide's avatar

And more of them may end up dead thanks to Murderer Pam Bondi. One of Ayatollah Trump's many Mullahs.

David J. Sharp's avatar

Remember when the Mustache Petes had a code?

Ned McDoodle's avatar

No. I guess I am ill-informed. 0y vey; I am going back to my Simon Templar re-runs from the 1960s.

lin•'s avatar

The Saint books are even better.

Ned McDoodle's avatar

I am reading a novel by Ellis Peters, 'A Morbid Taste for Bones' after watching some re-runs of 'Cadfael', about a 12th century monk sunlighting as a detective. Fun, but I must admit I like the show better, likely due to laziness.

Interestingly, in some ways, there is a complementarity between the Saint and the Monk. Simon Templar is a well-meaning playboy whereas Cadfael is a veteran of the Crusades with a playboy past; perhaps the latter was a Templar, too.

Both are people who want to right the world -- one from travelling the Earth and trouble-shooting; the other working the earth, as a gardener, and trouble-sleuthing.

David J. Sharp's avatar

Better yet, “Danger Man”.

Ned McDoodle's avatar

Will have to check itnout.

David Piper's avatar

As the saying goes: This is what FASCISM looks like!

Jon Margolis's avatar

As Robert Hubbell says, “ This all stops when enough of us say no.”

patricia's avatar

unfortunately half of us are saying yes

David J. Sharp's avatar

And that’s what tantrum sounds like.

Linda Weide's avatar

It is authoritarianism 101! My book club is reading "1984" right now. We are going through it bit by bit each week, and I have read enough that I had forgotten about that I have a new understanding of the book, and fascism. I forgot what an important role sex played in the book. Perhaps I did not notice it before. I read it when I was much younger. Who can have sex and who cannot have sex at will. Reminds me of the Christian Nationalists in many ways with all the deprivation except at the top.

Reading that there were murders on Epstein Island and perhaps elsewhere since there are girls who disappeared and seeming remains of one was mentioned in some papers Ben Meiselas shared yesterday make me think that is the big thing that Trump wants buried. Someone has posted a Greg Olear Substack link in a chat I read, where he implied Trump had possibly made a snuff film with some 12 year old girl named Maria. These documents reveal and conceal horrors about Trump and others that are in power that show that they should be in prison. We already know that about Trump.

David J. Sharp's avatar

Trump is driven by a fear of everything … but especially women. A need to dominate, and to diminish anyone who objects; a vast population.

Terry Westby's avatar

He definitely has mommy issues.

patricia's avatar

I think he is a homosexual

Terry Westby's avatar

Remember how he always held his mouth in a circle when he spoke? And how he tried to give a microphone a blow job? I have had my suspicion for a long time. Not sure what humping the flag was all about.

patricia's avatar

I cringe everytime I see that clip !

Susan Stone's avatar

Linda, I don't know a lot of details, but I do know that he is a pedophile who raped young teenage girls. Anybody in their right mind wouldn't want that exposed. I wouldn't be surprised if there were other things much worse in trump's and epstein's activities.

Mike N.'s avatar

Did you mean “Old Yeller” 😉

David J. Sharp's avatar

The remake … a new version where he goes feral.

Elizabeth  Gilmore's avatar

Being informed has helped create a unified resistance thank you Joyce the more we learn the stronger we are

Roger Helbig's avatar

All should watch former Special Counsel Jack Smith's public testimony on Jan 22nd at https://bit.ly/49WR3kb . His prior behind closed door testimony is at https://youtu.be/lR-bhPzQYUE . His prior final report to the Attorney General is at http://bit.ly/41LGNYJ . This massive document was the last produced by the Special Counsel and I recommend that you read pp 1-25 and 83 (pardons) of the 165 page Government's Motion for Immunity Determinations https://bit.ly/4lEgn21 . We the people should determine if Donald J Trump is guilty or innocent. I doubt that this will ever go to trial because Trump must no longer be president and the Department of Justice would have to be under a Democratic president. Further, Trump must be capable of standing trial which is unlikely due to his observed diminished capacity.

Susan's avatar
10hEdited

All of this just makes me, a 67 year old white woman, want to protest more. They will not silence me.

Nancy Proctor's avatar

at 72, I'm joining a Milwaukee area march today, again. Not how I expected spending this decade of my life.

ANNE GREEN's avatar

Thank you. I'v got you beat by over 10 years and I went to the No Kings rally in the fall.

Nancy Proctor's avatar

I am saving the date for the next one. Sorry it won't be as warm the other 2. I believe our grandmothers are watching us, marching again as they did 100+ years ago.

It's Come To This's avatar

Of course. You and about 100 million others.

Ned McDoodle's avatar

Time to squeeze the orange and *not a Lemon.

M A Schreck's avatar

The State of Minnesota can charge the shooters of Good and Pretti with criminal homicide, such as second degree murder, voluntary manslaughter or involuntary manslaughter. Minnesota’s jurisdiction over criminal homicide is completely separate from the federal government’s jurisdiction over, for example, violations of civil rights. They are not mutually exclusive; and the federal government cannot supersede, prevent, or preempt state government authority. The defendants can request a trial in federal court; but the trial will still proceed under Minnesota law.

The federal government might refuse to cooperate and might prevent Minnesota access to evidence. But that is not going to help the defendant federal officers. It is more likely to look like the defendants are so guilty that they need evidence to be suppressed.

Eyewitness testimonies and video recordings already establish that the defendants Had fired the shots; and autopsies can establish that the shots were the cause of death. What’s left? Defendants could claim “justification,”such as self-defense. However, self-defense and similar justifications are affirmative defenses that defendants are required to allege and support with sufficient evidence.

I suggest that Minnesota seek indictments against the shooters as soon as possible. If ICE and CBP officers believe that they can escape accountability — that they can “get away with murder” — or that they are immune from prosecution — then I fear there will be more shootings and more deaths.

ANNE GREEN's avatar

Such indictments may also cause agent to temper their actions.

Freddie Baudat (Ferbie)'s avatar

MN AG Keith Ellison and Hennepin Cty Atty Mary Moriarty are on this.

Merlin Dorfman's avatar

"especially for an independent journalist who lacks the backing of a major company..."

Not that the Washington Post stepped up when the home of one of its reporters was searched.

Pam Birkenfeld's avatar

In fact the publisher – Bezos – told the reporters not to report on so much of this or something along those lines.

Dale of Green Gables's avatar

It's telling that two courts refused to issue arrest warrants for Lemon and Fort because of a lack of probable cause and the so-called government had to finally go to a grand jury for indictments.

Ned McDoodle's avatar

But how did the grand jury get persuaded?

Mike N.'s avatar

“Ham sandwich” theory….

Dale of Green Gables's avatar

Doesn't take much as we have seen but we, of course, won't (immediately) know since grand jury proceedings are secret.

Marliss Desens's avatar

They grand jury was persuaded by people working for the DOJ who twisted the facts to look like probable cause. (Note the wording about "grazed" in Joyce's example.) Reputable prosecutors think carefully about what cases they will bring and if there is a reasonable chance of getting a conviction when it goes to trial. The current batch of DOJ prosecutors do not care if there is a conviction or not. They are following orders and so immune to embarrassment.

Ned McDoodle's avatar

That sounds like a reasonable explanation. I would have figured that citizens would be wise to this scheiße and therefore very skeptical.

Roger Helbig's avatar

I would think that citizens would realize that journalists do not conspire with activists. Journalists just report the news.

patricia's avatar

americans are idiots mostly

Debbie Smith's avatar

Im not an attorney. Is it possible that a grand jury can be convened in just a couple of days in LA?

Dale of Green Gables's avatar

The grand jury that handed down the Lemon and Fort indictments was in Minnesota and empaneled on or about Jan.29.

patricia's avatar

half of america is MAGA + both reporters are black

Scott Emery's avatar

Here’s the summary point that should be at the end of these discussions of facts and lies and the nefarious goals that we believe motivate these actions and behaviors: TRUMP IS AN AUTHORITARIAN. HE IS ATTEMPTING TO DESTROY DEMOCRACY. HE MUST BE IMPEACHED AND CONVICTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Terry Westby's avatar

Don't forget the remove part of the equation.

Roger Helbig's avatar

Under the Senate’s current practices, after an official is convicted by a two-thirds vote, he is automatically removed from office.

From Pg 9, Congressional Research Service, Impeachment: An Overview of Constitutional Provisions, Procedure, and Practice Elizabeth B. Bazan Legislative Attorney November 22, 2010

the Senate must determine the appropriate judgment: either removal from office alone, or, alternatively, removal and disqualification from holding further offices of “honor, Trust or Profit under the United States.” The precedents suggest that removal flows automatically from conviction on one or more articles of impeachment,34 but if the Senate chooses to impose an additional judgment disqualifying the individual convicted from holding future federal offices, a separate vote is necessary. A simple majority vote is required on such a judgment.35

Roger Helbig's avatar

All should watch former Special Counsel Jack Smith's public testimony on Jan 22nd at https://bit.ly/49WR3kb . His prior behind closed door testimony is at https://youtu.be/lR-bhPzQYUE . His prior final report to the Attorney General is at http://bit.ly/41LGNYJ . This massive document was the last produced by the Special Counsel and I recommend that you read pp 1-25 and 83 (pardons) of the 165 page Government's Motion for Immunity Determinations https://bit.ly/4lEgn21 . We the people should determine if Donald J Trump is guilty or innocent. I doubt that this will ever go to trial because Trump must no longer be president and the Department of Justice would have to be under a Democratic president. Further, Trump must be capable of standing trial which is unlikely due to his observed diminished capacity.

Dale of Green Gables's avatar

For those who can't wait to fork over $15 to see "Melania," here's a review (via a link from archive today) from Alexandra Petri, formerly satirist-in-residence at what used to be The Washington Post, and now at The Atlantic.

Melania Is a Horror Movie

The first lady is trapped, and she doesn’t seem to know it.

http://archive.today/Zfwez

Roger Helbig's avatar

A large NY City theater according to a news report had 12 attendees at one performance.

patricia's avatar

Lets remember melani is a working girl to whom I give much credit. She got herself and her family over here, she is good at the game. She has 5 ? houses none of which are too shabby. She is exactly where she planned to be. Truth be told, I wanted one of those "I don't give a shit" coats .

Dale of Green Gables's avatar

Yeah, not bad for two contractual conjugal visits a year.

patricia's avatar

I really want that coat Mamdani's wife wore to his swearing in...

patricia's avatar

oh yeah, and peace on earth

Mike N.'s avatar

To all the lawyers here, once the cases being brought against the journalists are dismissed, is there legal recourse to obtain monetary damages from the government? Regarding DOJ release of Epstein files saga, they must realize that they look like clowns with their credentials not even worthy of a “matchbook cover law degree”

Dale of Green Gables's avatar

The quick answer on whether Lemon and Fort can sue the government is yes, although such cases against the federal government are notoriously complex due to sovereign immunity and qualified immunity defenses. Doesn't mean they can't sue under 42 USC § 1983 which allows individuals to sue government officials acting "under the color of law" who deprived them of constitutional rights, such as First Amendment rights (freedom of the press) and Fourth Amendment rights (protection against unreasonable seizure). There is also the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) which allows lawsuits for specific intentional torts (civil wrongs) committed by federal law enforcement officers, including false arrest and imprisonment.

lin•'s avatar

Meanwhile, Lindsay Graham held up the budget bill, demanding an amendment to uniquely and without any basis or precedent allow the 7 Jan 6 phone subpoena senators to sue the government for $500,000 each. Even the MAGA Mike House blocked that their bill. Thune has promised Graham to bring it up again, expanded from senators to anyone objecting to Smith's investigation and also one to criminalize the actions of state and local officials who do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement operations.

Paula's avatar

Maybe Senators Kelly and Slotkin should put in an amendment to sue the government for $1 million for defamation of character via tweets. It would apply to any Senator whose character and reputation is hurt by the administration’s tweets and amplified on Fox. $1 million for each occurrence.

Roger Helbig's avatar

Add posts to Truth Social in addition to Tweets. It should also extend to anyone slandered by the President, Vice President and any Cabinet Official.

Ned McDoodle's avatar

The is Epstein scandal reminds me of Watergate. President Nixon tried to bury the enquiry with a ton of transcripts released in a high-profile manner. Did not work. Poll-dancers are showing the Harangutan is approaching President Nixon's levels in the run-up to being run out of town. The rub here, we do not have a good man ready to step into presidency.

A doc reads's avatar

Or a good woman to step into the presidency??

Ned McDoodle's avatar

Thinking of Shady J.D.

Jay Jay Eh's avatar

‘No good man’ to step into the presidency?

ANY-one wd be better than the current *$&#@* — or the threatened (JV).

— people need to get over this ‘perfect being the enemy of the good’ thing.

Ned McDoodle's avatar

I think J.D. Vance will be worse. I would rather see Trump castrated in office and drag down the M.A.G.A.s so they are crushed in 2028. Or, I fear, there will be a civil war.

lin•'s avatar

Thanks to Democratic State Senator Mike Tipping, Maine now has stronger Anti SLAPP legislation.

Lawsuits meant to target reporters, silence dissent may face greater scrutiny in Maine - Maine Beacon

https://mainebeacon.com/lawsuits-meant-to-target-reporters-silence-dissent-may-face-greater-scrutiny-in-maine/

Legislature advances proposal for broader anti-SLAPP law • Maine Morning Star

“The most important thing to me is that we recognize that there has been this weaponization of our legal system,” Tipping told Maine Morning Star ahead of the vote. “Wealthy corporations and individuals can shut down speech through these kinds of lawsuits far too easily, and when that’s happening, we really don’t have that First Amendment right that we’re all supposed to be guaranteed.”

The current anti-SLAPP landscape

Maine already has a version of an anti-SLAPP law, but it only protects people from SLAPP suits involving government proceedings — for example, testimony during a hearing. This leaves out protections in other public forums, such as comments published on news sites or social media, like the situation in Bangor, Tipping said.

Tipping’s proposal would broaden the law to apply to any action against someone exercising their First Amendment rights on matters of public concern.

.https://mainemorningstar.com/2024/01/24/legislature-advances-proposal-for-broader-anti-slapp-law/.

Sylvia Young's avatar

Well, as a Maine resident, this post is truly profoundly helpful, following the links deepens my knowledge, awareness, of slapp considerations, also I’m learning of a publication not on my radar! Thank you all…

It's Come To This's avatar

Trump is one of the stupidest jackasses walking around on this planet. They actually think this will intimidate -- not just Don Lemon, but reporters and journalists everywhere. I can imagine NOTHING that would galvanize reporters more, nothing that would awaken their consciences to make them fight this bastard and his vicious wormtongues with one voice.

This will blow up in their faces. Am so looking forward to the moment that Hindenburg-MAGA blimp goes ka-boom. You won't find me going "oh, the humanity" when it does.

Jay Jay Eh's avatar

Absolutely! He & they are not reading the room … they have poked the bear, it is scared but madder than scared & any further antagonizing will be met with equal or greater resistance. People are now AWARE of what’s at stake … guess we cd say ‘woke’ even!

And yes, seeing their extreme duplicitousness & meanness, I feel not an OUNCE of pity for their well-deserved comeuppance on its way.

* Nice to see Tillis in good form mouthing off against the regime.

Steve Beckwith's avatar

The regime thinks the racist trope will still play. It's wearing thin. "I killed some white people and that didn't work so I'll arrest some black people." The overreach. The overreach.

Parkin Hunter's avatar

From Springsteen’s great song, The Streets of Minneapolis:

“If your skin is black or brown, my friend

You can be questioned or deported on sight”

“It's our blood and bones

And these whistles and phones

Against Miller and Noem's dirty lies”

It is time to start wearing whistles. Pass them out at churches and other places.

https://genius.com/Bruce-springsteen-streets-of-minneapolis-lyrics

Cats 🐈🐈‍⬛'s avatar

I hope someone is keeping track of these hundreds of (or maybe thousands) lawless activities that is being thrust upon citizens, the rule of law and democracy. I would imagine somewhere along the line that information will be useful. I still believe dumpy will pardon everyone in his regime when he finally leaves (which isn’t soon enough for any of us.)

M A Schreck's avatar

Regarding FULTON COUNTY — this is what Trump wanted to do after the 2020 elections: seize the ballot boxes. If he can do it once, he WILL DO IT AGAIN … AND OFTEN.

Cindy Wiggins's avatar

Yes he will . This will give Dictator Trump all the info he needs to know what polling stations to send ICE and other troops to in November to curtail the vote. There needs to be a massive initiative to ensure that Trump's favourite targets - people of colour and every immigrant, regardless of status- vote by mail. Wealthy Americans need to put such an effort in place. They could also fund an election help line in every state that people can call for help to cast their vote.

Democrats need to get a law passed that prevents ICE, border control, national guards, the military, local police from being present at polling stations. For the first time, Democrats could encourage foreign leaders to send election watchers to select polling stations.

Desperate times call for desperate actions. More ideas to secure free and fair elections are needed. Thinking caps on everyone. What can you do in your community? The future of America is depending on us. It's time to organize a free and fair election strategy today.