Anyone who doubts the hypocrisy of the recent James Comey indictment need only go on the internet and see the Maga merchandise that was for sale on its website during the Biden presidency.
There are tshirts for sale featuring this logo: "86 46". I don't remember any Trump supporter who bought or wore one of these tshirts being arrested or indicted, do you?
Just more blatant hypocrisy from Trump and his minions.
In case you hadn’t noticed, they have no problem with hypocrisy, or with being easily upset snowflakes for that matter. If that stupid seashell case doesn’t get laughed out of court immediately, I hope Comey maintains his equanimity and smiles wryly as he enters the courtroom.
86 47, 86 47. There I said it as well as Sarah, Tim and JVL. Come and get us DOJ! Oh and by the way, it is a fine day to go fuck yourself Todd Blanche.
...maybe some numeric runes relating to some particular Reich of special interest to them? Where did I put my Cracker Jack decoder ring? ...2 can play the hidden meaning game 😉
Hypocrisy REALLY owns the libs, tho! They are SO owned right now! Don't you feel OWNED? They're owning us so hard they're gonna get tired of all the owning, and ask Trump to stop owning us so hard, but he'll keep up the owning for owning's own sake.
I revel when the time comes it is defeated in the courts.( when DJT again goes 0 for). And his string of defeats along with DOJ started with Subway sandwich man!
But that slogan started during the Biden administration. Contrary to GOP messaging, the Biden DOJ didn’t pursue bogus, frivolous, vindictive, selective prosecutions. The key element in all the current DOJ investigations is Donald Trump.
I know this point gets tired and tedious to those who actually follow the news, and you all are well aware of it already, but it is worth a moment of our time to reflect upon the point that exactly none of what is coming out of the power circles in Washington is about Us the People. It has become solely and exclusively a vanity project for the individuals involved and the advancement of their own agendas and self interests. There is no longer even a hint of their choices being about us and the fact that we are the ones who pay their salaries, pensions, and benefits. They speak and act as if they are there by birthright, and those who oppose them must be punished for believing that they are relevant and have the right to express an opinion other than what they want to hear. The next time any of them say "we serve at the behest of the American taxpayers, all of them" will be the first time in a long time, if ever. The mindset is that we are very lucky to have them there to determine our fate and should spend much more time appreciating it rather than asking questions and seeking information. Hint: history shows that these scenarios usually end very badly.
Thus endeth the reminder that we are dealing with, and too often controlled by, some of the worst people on Earth. Have a nice day. If they will allow it.
And a worthy reminder it is, DM. But don’t you think that this is indicative of their true thought process, i.e., that as citizens of a country that elected them, we really don’t matter to them any more. The Supreme’s decision yesterday to gut the voting rights act is but another indication that they (the Republican Party and their infrastructure) actually have set the terms for perpetual minority rule in the United States. It is incumbent on us to shout from the rooftops for as long as we can that the next three years represent our last chance to fend off this attempt. If the R’s remain in charge in January of 2029 - of even one branch of the elected government, I don’t think there will be much of a chance to reverse their attempt. Certainly not in my lifetime, maybe not in anyone’s lifetime.
Agreed. We live in dark times not just because the people who have attained power are able to rig the game to achieve their desired outcomes, but also because of their lack of shame about doing so, despite all of our common teachings otherwise and the arc of American history (that Exceptionalism thing) working against it. One can only imagine how many American Presidents have sat back in their chair and thought that they could wield much more power and influence if they chose to disregard the people they work for and the legally limited responsibilities that come with the office -- but then dismissed the idea as wrongheaded and out of sync with the trust that was placed in them. Only Nixon comes readily to mind, and increasingly he looks like an amateur compared to 45-47.
At least Nixon reportedly had his martini(s) to make excuses for observed behaviors (like this). What excuse does Trump have? What excuses do his supplicant psychophants have? [No answer expected].
Timothy - RN may have been tempted by false gods like ambition and jealousy (et al) but I don't think even at his least sober moment he confused himself with his ultimate deity... and that's taking into account my coming of draft age during his campaign,* his Vietnam manipulations, then Watergate!
* I was in elementary school for the 1960 contest so don't claim extensive recollections of that era
Nixon suffered from a significant level of paranoia, some of which was at least understandable. But he wasn’t a misanthrope like the current megalomaniacal fascist. He actually did give two turds about working people. He grew up truly poor and held some serious grudges against what we would term, ‘Liberal Elites’. But on his worst day he didn’t behave like a man who wanted to take everything for himself - that was his VP’s job!. I was a a first grader when Kennedy was assassinated. I don’t recall the famous debate between him and Kennedy or the campaign either. But Nixon actually supported and signed some good legislation for the working class during his time. I freely joined the service, signing on the dotted line in the wake of watergate. I actually believed all that ‘domino theory BS which the NEO CONS of the 60’s and 70’s offered up as an existential threat to mankind. I joined not out of support for the republicans but as an escape route for a kid from a small town and from a low income family and because I had a love of country and a desire for some service to my country, which Kennedy really preached. It’s quite possible that it was the best decision I could ever had made for myself as, looking back with 20/20 hindsight, the majority of my high school friends ended up in jail or dead. I was given a chance to get out, and I’ll never regret that choice.
Timothy - thank you for sharing that bit of your life. Sounds like you entered the military just past Vietnam, hoping you didn't experience any of the traumas of that era. Some Vietnam era friends & acquaintances agree with your overall sense - there were worthwhile aspects of their service along with (for some) real personal costs.
Along those lines, maybe some points in common with the JFK/RN stories. They were close in age but obviously grew up in very different econ circumstances, different family pressures. Experienced same life events - 1929 & Depression, WWII, naval service in South Pacific... Greatest Generation, right? Along with some deep personal flaws (hey, me too) they had some values and morals (at a personal level, apparently not so much!) Perhaps noblesse oblige for JFK and outsider background for RN - both had some awareness of the broader society including working class folks, and each tried some new ways for government to improve our lot.
In this short comment, no way to go much deeper. Hoping no one decides I must 'support' every Kennedy failing & every Nixon offense just because I have some appreciation for ways they benefitted the country
I have been thinking the same thing. I think as long as we live in this world of extreme partisanship it’s inescapable. It is also on both sides of the divide. I live in New York and have been watching George Conway campaigning for Jerry Nadler’s old seat. I like George and I think he is smart, but his adds are all about fighting Trump…nothing about the people of the districts broader needs. No explanation of his connection to a broad swath of the city. Because I am petty I can’t help, but question his judgement knowing that he was once married to good old Kelly Ann.
I don’t think it’s petty to want to know your candidate has a connection to and understanding of the district, even when national concerns may demand more urgent attention.
Maryann Price singing 'Sweetheart' (waitress in a doughnut shop) was about the dreamiest thing I could imagine in 1973. Their musicianship, style, the whole schtick was just great
I didn't know about the Dan Hicks version, but I was aware of the title/song from it being invoked in an episode of WKRP in Cincinnati. It has stuck with me ever since, and I relish every chance to cite it in discussing people who either aren't desirable or have overstayed their welcome. Thanks for updating my awareness.
I'm old enough to have been there for both in real time, but didn't remember that trivia about WKRP (just googled it up). Was regular watcher of the show but never watched in reruns so mostly forgotten. Not the turkeys, of course! Still play Dan Hicks albums tho, they've held up well. His sound was nostalgic the 1st time around, so like that former lover, 🎼never really goes away
While flipping through TV channels while avoiding things I actually should have been doing, I happened upon a blond woman opining on some Fox program. She sounded like Kellyanne, and looked sort of like Kellyanne, but definitely different than what I remember and not in a way that would just suggest the normal passage of time. I quickly changed the channel so have no further insight but wonder if maybe she's been out of sight while undergoing some sort of facial surgery.
Have a nice day just to spite them. Enjoy the spring flowers, breezes, and sunshine, dammit! They don’t own those (which is why they hate solar & wind power).
Yes, indeed. This has become my favorite time of the year. Each day spring emerges a little more, there is so much green out there from the winter moisture, and the entirety of summer still is on the horizon. As I get older I appreciate nature's rejuvenation more and more, as a gift that no price tag adequately can convey.
I wasn't gonna mention that but now that the (sun)light is shining on it... 😇
That "If they will allow it" doesn't quite sound like you. Hoping maybe just a brief low moment, or a semi-satirical comment? THIS post right here sounds more like my picture of you - thoughtful, deep, paying attention to energy/strength/renewal. Self-care, brother, we all gotta make sure we have our own masks on first. Yesterday I got so pumped spending an hour with neighbors at a streetside demonstration, sort of a weekly no kings continuation, with great tunes on a boombox - will keep a spring in my step for a few days for sure! Keep walkin in sunshine 💙
Thanks for the concern, J. I was just mocking them with "if they will allow it," as that seems to be their master plan in quelling opposition and deciding for us what is best. I content myself with knowing that history is a good barometer of where these movements ultimately wind up, and what becomes of the reputations of those who place themselves above the people in service to the self. The real issue remains how much damage they will do before their rightful place in the bigger picture is cemented into the future.
Deutschmeister - I was thinking this last night, reading Lauren Egan's deep reporting here (great read BTW) on Scott Colom's campaign... when incumbent Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith was asked to comment for the story, her staff gave only boilerplate culture-war attacks, not one mention of any issue actually impacting the lives of her constituents. I mean, I like to hear all the hits too, but at some point even golden oldies fade. Meanwhile, ya got ANYthing remotely contemporary and relevant to me today?
This is from someone on Malcolm Nance's Substack Podcast. "There once was a chump named Trump Who's head was stuck in his Rump It developed a boil He drilled it for oil And charged you to keep up the pump."
Sooner or later, electoral systems create a nobility. The only difference between a Nobility of the Electorate and a Nobility of Blood, is that they started off differently
The Nobility of Blood was based on martial prowess. The Nobility of the Electorate is based upon popularity.
Once in place, the Nobility is protected and empowered by the system. They accrue wealth and power and influence and are loathe to surrender it. They work to pass these things along to their children. If they are inept enough, they CAN fall out of the nobility, but this is fairly rare 9and usually happens with later generations). Small batches of "new blood' can work their way in. But the overall dynamic doesn't change.
The contention between the factions of Nobility (and access to power) become more important than the things that the Nobility is supposed to be doing. It increasingly eats up time and resources that were supposed to be used for other things, attention that was supposed to be paid to other things, ostentatious displays to build or maintain status, lots of performance art masquerading as governance.
Because governance is no longer the concern, status and access to power is the concern.
And all of these people increasingly see themselves as indispensible, as better than their "lessers." It is ABSOUTELY VITAL that they remain in place, because only they can do it. They will put on false airs of humility at times, but they do not really believe that, aren't actually humble. You do not get to the top of the system by being humble.
The system does not select for nice people, it selects for people who can appear nice and who can build or mobilize a following--usually tribal in nature.
Business works the same way, but the nobility there is somewhat less visible because most of them are smart enough to stay out of the public eye for the most part... and what they do (and how) makes it easier for them to often remain below the radar. They do not have to please or mollify the crowd, they just have to please and mollify the stockholders. Which means that they usually DO have to provide some visible result.
It is less about direct family ties (and succession), than it is about mindset and about having a general class of people who are all networked together, educated together, socializing, in compettion with each other for power/wealth/influence in what is, in effect a semi-closed society that is effectively divorced from "common" society.
And there is a lot of crossover between the corporate and electoral nobility.
A perfect example of this: When Trump learned of the despicable SCOTUS decision yesterday, his first and only question was, “Does it help us?”—as in Republicans, not the people of this country. Learning it would, he was all yippee about it.
I think trump will regain interest in resolving the Iran war he started once someone makes clear to him that the price and availability of jet fuel will damage the World Cup here in June with small crowds and possibly lots of missing teams because flights are cancelled. But of course, that will be Iran's fault or Europe's fault, not the guy who decided to Fyre Festival a war in the Middle East.
I keep waiting for the World Cup organizers to realize that very few people will be showing up thanks to jet fuel, cancelled flights, TSA and ICE snafus at airports, passport problems, among others. Maybe they'd be better off rescheduling to friendlier climes.
Yeah, if there's a jet fuel shortage, it doesn't matter how big a soccer fan you are or how much you're willing to pay for a flight, planes can't fly. But I'm sure trump will just tell them to sack up and fly anyway, see what happens. shrug
I wonder if he has smashed all the mirrors in his house. Because no way can he look in a mirror every day and like what he sees. And without a spine, he's probably a real slouch in front of the mirror, no?
“you can’t tell me, when [Comey] arranged those shells on the beach that day and posted that picture, he just innocently didn’t know what he was doing. He knew exactly what he was doing.”
He didn't arrange the shells, he simply took the picture
Evidently the position of the regime is that if you happen upon a crime (of their interpretation, not necessarily a legal one), you are a criminal for taking a picture of it and sharing it with others. Perhaps that principle should be extended also to photos of someone cavorting with Epstein when we know what egregious and unlawful things he did to women. If guilt by association is now guilt of a crime, then that is a very good place to start.
My understanding was that he shared the photo that was already on social media somewhere.
I really hate that I am in a position of being sympathetic to this man in this situation. I think his big announcement of renewed investigation of H Clinton's emails a month before the 2016 election had a lot to do with its outcome...all because he thought he was protecting the FBI or making a big show of his independence from politics.
He may have been mistaken in his actions regarding HRC's emails (acting as an unintentional asset to MAGA) but he wasn't being cynical or corrupt. These days, you can count on less than one hand the number of people in the Trump regime or his MAGA amen corner in Congress who are fundamentally honest and earnest.
I don't think he was intentionally trying to help the current president. But his pride in being forthright got in the way of being following "norms" about FBI and DOJ actions immediately before elections...just like his extraneous comments on the initial report on how nothing those emails were in which he said her actions were unwise.
He thought punctiliously adhering to process and following the norms was enough to keep our democracy. He did not understand that the power and danger that was looming. While it's possible to excuse that blindness in 2016, it was much more stupid when Garland and Biden did not change their approach years later. Especially after 1/6.
Josh Hawley knows "exactly what he was doing" in blatantly lying. Everyone in the MAGA government knowingly and enthusiastically lies, because they believe, with some justification, that 40% of the country doesn't care about (or no longer believes they can know with certainty) facts anymore.
Kash Patel began his remarks with, "As you heard from the attorney general, and the U.S. attorney, former FBI Director James Comey has now been indicted for two felony counts. "
I hope that in a few years, another FBI director will make a similar announcement, replacing the words "James Comey" with "Kashyap Patel."
Now we know how they got Trump out of the room when they were trying to rescue the downed pilots in Iran: They gave him a sack of coins and a bottle of glue.
I’m whiling away a few moments trying to picture this in my head. Are they all at the same level? Are some of them crooked? Have a few fallen off? Is glue squishing out all over the doors?
Sigh, now all the doors need to be re-finished, too.
For you Good Omens fans, there's an extra layer of irony here. Gluing coins to the ground to trick people is one of the demon Crowley's favorite pasttimes.
'When asked in a CBS News interview if he had “proof that the FBI director knowingly and willfully threatened the life of the president,” Blanche responded that his proof “is in the fact that the grand jury returned an indictment.”'
Well shit, lock him up then! Who needs a trial when you have an indictment by a grand jury?
'To answer the question “why now” with an answer beside the obvious—that Donald Trump is cranky and getting an enemy’s scalp would cheer him up—Patel was forced to pretend that reading an Instagram post, pretending it constituted a death threat, and charging it accordingly required a major FBI investigation: “This has been a case that’s been investigated over the past nine, ten, eleven months. These cases take time.”'
I think Kash misspoke, and when he said "months," he meant to say "days;" this all happened because Todd Blanche got a new role and wants Trump to call him a good boy and pat him on the head. But, all would-be president threateners will be heartened to find out that, if they post on Instagram "I plan on killing President Trump," the Feds will take a year to investigate the post before actually attempting to secure an indictment, and then after indictment for threatening the life of the president, they will walk freely among us as they await trial.
"The bleakness of it all being down to Tillis should just remind us how good it is that we’ve got a Tillis around at all."
Yeah, no. We shouldn't be grateful for Tillis; we should be grateful Tillis is retiring. Were he not retiring, he'd be running the same playbook right now as Cruz and Hawley. In 2021, when Tillis was not retiring, he voted against Trump's second impeachment while his colleague from North Carolina, Senator Burr, who was retiring, voted for it. I'm so tired of Republicans finding their fortitude on the way out the door.
I've served on grand juries and a thought came to me when I read that statement. I wonder if the majority of the jury thinks it's ridiculous and voted to go to trial so that this BS charge will be exposed publicly for what it is to the further embarrassment of trump and his bootlicking DoJ?
That would be great! I'm not sure how sophisticated this NC grand jury was, myself; I'm pretty certain that had they attempted this indictment in DC the grand jury would have rejected it. I've not served on one like you have, but since the only side presenting a case is the government, I imagine DOJ just told the grand jury that 86 means kill, that 47 means the 47th president, and they felt no obligation to disclose that, actually, almost no one thinks 86 has anything to do with murder. So yeah, they got their indictment, and if a judge doesn't dismiss it outright, we'll spend our tax dollars on a trial in which the DOJ humiliates itself, and unfortunately we won't be able to see any trial footage since federal trials can't be televised. We might see some court drawings of Comey giggling, though.
DJT is putting stickers on the woodwork? My five year old self can hear my mother’s voice now. (And, now that she’s gone, it’s a mixture of “I’m in big trouble” and how much I miss her.)
This was a strategic error on Trump’s part, and Blanche’s.
It is idiotic to put anyone (especially someone like Comey, w real cred within FBI and significant legal resources) on trial for taking a picture of seashells arranged in a message that is at best ambiguous.
Not only will they fail to obtain a conviction (if the case ever goes to trial), but the jokes on seashell crimes write themselves.
It is almost guaranteed that SNL will spoof this episode this coming Saturday. It will be a source of jokes on numerous talk shows for at least the duration of any proceedings. It will be an albatross around Blanche’s neck for his remaining career in TrumpWorld. And it will be the one thing everyone remembers about Blanche, that he sought a conviction for ambiguous seashell messaging, and (surprise!) did not get it.
Trump could have avoided all the above, if he was not blinded by thirst for revenge. Just as he could have avoided closure by Iran of Straight of Hormuz, if he was not blinded by military megalomania.
Comey isn't going to settle, either. He'll do anything he can to make this go to court so that the whole world can laugh at the abject stupidity of this administration and everyone who works for it.
"But the Powell probe is only “closed” in the same sense that the Strait of Hormuz is officially “open.” Which is to say: Trust neither pronouncement, at least when coming from this administration." Absolutely correct. At the first opportunity, some seashell of a charge against Powell will miraculously appear and be in dire need of prosecuting.
Interesting that Mike Lee seems to think that the Capitol Hill reporters are responsible for the debt created by congressional votes. Didn’t realize that the reporters do all the votes in congress….not the congressmen. Sheesh!!
I think Lee's drunk ALL the kool-aid in the barrel at this point. He presents like he's having a mental health crisis. But when you've decided to support and justify everything you used to loudly proclaim was a grotesque abomination as righteous, all you can do is to put on some magic armor and keep heading down hill.
One of the more problematic traits of Trump's malignant narcissism is he's incapable of feeling shame so his sycophants can shamelessly suck up to him. The emotion they need to avoid is embarrassing Trump. Todd Blanche is testing the boundaries between Trump's need for revenge and inability to handle embarrassment. Curious to see how this plays out. As for Blanche, he's earned disbarment in spades. Nothing like rising to the top of the legal pyramid only to lose the license to be there. So totally emblematic of the Trump administration.
I was thinking about this dynamic as I listened to Hegseth’s testimony. He sucked up to Trump so much I thought at times he put Trump in the line of fire. We’ll see I suppose.
One has to give credit to Blanche for realizing that taking on The Donald as a client and defending him against the NY and federal indictments was his one and only path to possibly becoming Attorney General.
Anyone who doubts the hypocrisy of the recent James Comey indictment need only go on the internet and see the Maga merchandise that was for sale on its website during the Biden presidency.
There are tshirts for sale featuring this logo: "86 46". I don't remember any Trump supporter who bought or wore one of these tshirts being arrested or indicted, do you?
Just more blatant hypocrisy from Trump and his minions.
In case you hadn’t noticed, they have no problem with hypocrisy, or with being easily upset snowflakes for that matter. If that stupid seashell case doesn’t get laughed out of court immediately, I hope Comey maintains his equanimity and smiles wryly as he enters the courtroom.
86 47, 86 47. There I said it as well as Sarah, Tim and JVL. Come and get us DOJ! Oh and by the way, it is a fine day to go fuck yourself Todd Blanche.
As Dave expects us to believe that he innocently mentioned Omaha Beach not knowing its violent history.
But...but..."86 46" rhymes or something. Makes it literary.
So "47 - Off to Heaven!" would be OK?
stop...you are making eternal damnation sound good. ;-)
Ben - not sure how good, but ya gotta consider the company you'll keep 🤔
Mark Twain said heaven sounds good but the conversation would be better in Hell.
Billy Joel in Only The Good Die Young: I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints. 😀
😆
"So she lit up the candle. And she showed me the way. There were voices down the corridor; I thought I heard them say... "
That’s what George Bernard Shaw said.
IF two famous wits agree, it must be true.
Everybody goes to Heaven - whether St. Peter slams the door shut in your face is another thing entirely. . .
For some reason, the idea that Life is working for Door Dash come to me....
"I was thinking to myself; this could be heaven or this could be hell".
There is no small irony in making 86-46 literary when the people who invoked it hardly ever read anything more than a paragraph in length (TL;DR).
"Only the best words".
Saving Western Civilization!
Western civilization has needed saving ever since the Greeks were fighting the Persians.
...maybe some numeric runes relating to some particular Reich of special interest to them? Where did I put my Cracker Jack decoder ring? ...2 can play the hidden meaning game 😉
Sounds a little bit like Payton Manning calling a play at the line of scrimmage: 86 47, 86 47, Omaha, Omaha!
Hypocrisy has always been a hallmark of the right. Sexual misbehavior is a sin ....unless it's a GOP pol involved, and thtn it's not.
Hypocrisy is a hallmark of pretty much everyone, politicians just do it in public.
The right has raised hypocrisy to an art form!
The hypocrisy is the entire point of the exercise.
Hypocrisy REALLY owns the libs, tho! They are SO owned right now! Don't you feel OWNED? They're owning us so hard they're gonna get tired of all the owning, and ask Trump to stop owning us so hard, but he'll keep up the owning for owning's own sake.
I revel when the time comes it is defeated in the courts.( when DJT again goes 0 for). And his string of defeats along with DOJ started with Subway sandwich man!
This shell game of a case by DOJ, writ small, puts Dock 86 in the docket.
@KMD
sharing VIDEOS 🔊
Hey, Keystone Kash !
https://ojaiohana.substack.com/p/videos-hey-keystone-kash-86-means?r=5chxge&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
But that slogan started during the Biden administration. Contrary to GOP messaging, the Biden DOJ didn’t pursue bogus, frivolous, vindictive, selective prosecutions. The key element in all the current DOJ investigations is Donald Trump.
I know this point gets tired and tedious to those who actually follow the news, and you all are well aware of it already, but it is worth a moment of our time to reflect upon the point that exactly none of what is coming out of the power circles in Washington is about Us the People. It has become solely and exclusively a vanity project for the individuals involved and the advancement of their own agendas and self interests. There is no longer even a hint of their choices being about us and the fact that we are the ones who pay their salaries, pensions, and benefits. They speak and act as if they are there by birthright, and those who oppose them must be punished for believing that they are relevant and have the right to express an opinion other than what they want to hear. The next time any of them say "we serve at the behest of the American taxpayers, all of them" will be the first time in a long time, if ever. The mindset is that we are very lucky to have them there to determine our fate and should spend much more time appreciating it rather than asking questions and seeking information. Hint: history shows that these scenarios usually end very badly.
Thus endeth the reminder that we are dealing with, and too often controlled by, some of the worst people on Earth. Have a nice day. If they will allow it.
And a worthy reminder it is, DM. But don’t you think that this is indicative of their true thought process, i.e., that as citizens of a country that elected them, we really don’t matter to them any more. The Supreme’s decision yesterday to gut the voting rights act is but another indication that they (the Republican Party and their infrastructure) actually have set the terms for perpetual minority rule in the United States. It is incumbent on us to shout from the rooftops for as long as we can that the next three years represent our last chance to fend off this attempt. If the R’s remain in charge in January of 2029 - of even one branch of the elected government, I don’t think there will be much of a chance to reverse their attempt. Certainly not in my lifetime, maybe not in anyone’s lifetime.
Agreed. We live in dark times not just because the people who have attained power are able to rig the game to achieve their desired outcomes, but also because of their lack of shame about doing so, despite all of our common teachings otherwise and the arc of American history (that Exceptionalism thing) working against it. One can only imagine how many American Presidents have sat back in their chair and thought that they could wield much more power and influence if they chose to disregard the people they work for and the legally limited responsibilities that come with the office -- but then dismissed the idea as wrongheaded and out of sync with the trust that was placed in them. Only Nixon comes readily to mind, and increasingly he looks like an amateur compared to 45-47.
Nixon talked to portraits - but they weren’t portraits of himself!
At least Nixon reportedly had his martini(s) to make excuses for observed behaviors (like this). What excuse does Trump have? What excuses do his supplicant psychophants have? [No answer expected].
Timothy - RN may have been tempted by false gods like ambition and jealousy (et al) but I don't think even at his least sober moment he confused himself with his ultimate deity... and that's taking into account my coming of draft age during his campaign,* his Vietnam manipulations, then Watergate!
* I was in elementary school for the 1960 contest so don't claim extensive recollections of that era
Nixon suffered from a significant level of paranoia, some of which was at least understandable. But he wasn’t a misanthrope like the current megalomaniacal fascist. He actually did give two turds about working people. He grew up truly poor and held some serious grudges against what we would term, ‘Liberal Elites’. But on his worst day he didn’t behave like a man who wanted to take everything for himself - that was his VP’s job!. I was a a first grader when Kennedy was assassinated. I don’t recall the famous debate between him and Kennedy or the campaign either. But Nixon actually supported and signed some good legislation for the working class during his time. I freely joined the service, signing on the dotted line in the wake of watergate. I actually believed all that ‘domino theory BS which the NEO CONS of the 60’s and 70’s offered up as an existential threat to mankind. I joined not out of support for the republicans but as an escape route for a kid from a small town and from a low income family and because I had a love of country and a desire for some service to my country, which Kennedy really preached. It’s quite possible that it was the best decision I could ever had made for myself as, looking back with 20/20 hindsight, the majority of my high school friends ended up in jail or dead. I was given a chance to get out, and I’ll never regret that choice.
Timothy - thank you for sharing that bit of your life. Sounds like you entered the military just past Vietnam, hoping you didn't experience any of the traumas of that era. Some Vietnam era friends & acquaintances agree with your overall sense - there were worthwhile aspects of their service along with (for some) real personal costs.
Along those lines, maybe some points in common with the JFK/RN stories. They were close in age but obviously grew up in very different econ circumstances, different family pressures. Experienced same life events - 1929 & Depression, WWII, naval service in South Pacific... Greatest Generation, right? Along with some deep personal flaws (hey, me too) they had some values and morals (at a personal level, apparently not so much!) Perhaps noblesse oblige for JFK and outsider background for RN - both had some awareness of the broader society including working class folks, and each tried some new ways for government to improve our lot.
In this short comment, no way to go much deeper. Hoping no one decides I must 'support' every Kennedy failing & every Nixon offense just because I have some appreciation for ways they benefitted the country
" Down on your knees, Jew boy" SNL
Even Tricky Dick looks like a saint compared to the current POTUS.
"I'm not a crook".
Trump make Nixon look like Mr. Rogers.
Absolutely! Keep calling out their bullsh*t for as long as possible. The winfow is closing on us.
I have been thinking the same thing. I think as long as we live in this world of extreme partisanship it’s inescapable. It is also on both sides of the divide. I live in New York and have been watching George Conway campaigning for Jerry Nadler’s old seat. I like George and I think he is smart, but his adds are all about fighting Trump…nothing about the people of the districts broader needs. No explanation of his connection to a broad swath of the city. Because I am petty I can’t help, but question his judgement knowing that he was once married to good old Kelly Ann.
I don’t think it’s petty to want to know your candidate has a connection to and understanding of the district, even when national concerns may demand more urgent attention.
Speaking of which, has anybody heard from Kelly Ann? Has she officially gone silent, or has she been drowned out by the even crazier....
I have trouble missing her even if she has gone away.
Maybe Dan Hicks could write ver 2.0 for his classic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUiFYWd6xNs
Haven’t thought about Dan Hicks and his Hot Licks for a long time! Thanks J AZ!
Maryann Price singing 'Sweetheart' (waitress in a doughnut shop) was about the dreamiest thing I could imagine in 1973. Their musicianship, style, the whole schtick was just great
Oh my, I love, love, love Dan Hicks and his Hot Licks! And that song is one of my favorites. That and Soda Fountain Mama!
A little love for, “I don’t Like Spiders & Snakes” as well!
I didn't know about the Dan Hicks version, but I was aware of the title/song from it being invoked in an episode of WKRP in Cincinnati. It has stuck with me ever since, and I relish every chance to cite it in discussing people who either aren't desirable or have overstayed their welcome. Thanks for updating my awareness.
I'm old enough to have been there for both in real time, but didn't remember that trivia about WKRP (just googled it up). Was regular watcher of the show but never watched in reruns so mostly forgotten. Not the turkeys, of course! Still play Dan Hicks albums tho, they've held up well. His sound was nostalgic the 1st time around, so like that former lover, 🎼never really goes away
OMG, Dan Hicks is the first thing I thought of when I read Deutschmeister's comment! LOL!
I think she is lurking, but don’t really care.
It is nice that George is rid of her!
"alternative facts"
While flipping through TV channels while avoiding things I actually should have been doing, I happened upon a blond woman opining on some Fox program. She sounded like Kellyanne, and looked sort of like Kellyanne, but definitely different than what I remember and not in a way that would just suggest the normal passage of time. I quickly changed the channel so have no further insight but wonder if maybe she's been out of sight while undergoing some sort of facial surgery.
Have a nice day just to spite them. Enjoy the spring flowers, breezes, and sunshine, dammit! They don’t own those (which is why they hate solar & wind power).
Yes, indeed. This has become my favorite time of the year. Each day spring emerges a little more, there is so much green out there from the winter moisture, and the entirety of summer still is on the horizon. As I get older I appreciate nature's rejuvenation more and more, as a gift that no price tag adequately can convey.
I wasn't gonna mention that but now that the (sun)light is shining on it... 😇
That "If they will allow it" doesn't quite sound like you. Hoping maybe just a brief low moment, or a semi-satirical comment? THIS post right here sounds more like my picture of you - thoughtful, deep, paying attention to energy/strength/renewal. Self-care, brother, we all gotta make sure we have our own masks on first. Yesterday I got so pumped spending an hour with neighbors at a streetside demonstration, sort of a weekly no kings continuation, with great tunes on a boombox - will keep a spring in my step for a few days for sure! Keep walkin in sunshine 💙
Thanks for the concern, J. I was just mocking them with "if they will allow it," as that seems to be their master plan in quelling opposition and deciding for us what is best. I content myself with knowing that history is a good barometer of where these movements ultimately wind up, and what becomes of the reputations of those who place themselves above the people in service to the self. The real issue remains how much damage they will do before their rightful place in the bigger picture is cemented into the future.
Deutschmeister - I was thinking this last night, reading Lauren Egan's deep reporting here (great read BTW) on Scott Colom's campaign... when incumbent Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith was asked to comment for the story, her staff gave only boilerplate culture-war attacks, not one mention of any issue actually impacting the lives of her constituents. I mean, I like to hear all the hits too, but at some point even golden oldies fade. Meanwhile, ya got ANYthing remotely contemporary and relevant to me today?
This is from someone on Malcolm Nance's Substack Podcast. "There once was a chump named Trump Who's head was stuck in his Rump It developed a boil He drilled it for oil And charged you to keep up the pump."
Sooner or later, electoral systems create a nobility. The only difference between a Nobility of the Electorate and a Nobility of Blood, is that they started off differently
The Nobility of Blood was based on martial prowess. The Nobility of the Electorate is based upon popularity.
Once in place, the Nobility is protected and empowered by the system. They accrue wealth and power and influence and are loathe to surrender it. They work to pass these things along to their children. If they are inept enough, they CAN fall out of the nobility, but this is fairly rare 9and usually happens with later generations). Small batches of "new blood' can work their way in. But the overall dynamic doesn't change.
The contention between the factions of Nobility (and access to power) become more important than the things that the Nobility is supposed to be doing. It increasingly eats up time and resources that were supposed to be used for other things, attention that was supposed to be paid to other things, ostentatious displays to build or maintain status, lots of performance art masquerading as governance.
Because governance is no longer the concern, status and access to power is the concern.
And all of these people increasingly see themselves as indispensible, as better than their "lessers." It is ABSOUTELY VITAL that they remain in place, because only they can do it. They will put on false airs of humility at times, but they do not really believe that, aren't actually humble. You do not get to the top of the system by being humble.
The system does not select for nice people, it selects for people who can appear nice and who can build or mobilize a following--usually tribal in nature.
Business works the same way, but the nobility there is somewhat less visible because most of them are smart enough to stay out of the public eye for the most part... and what they do (and how) makes it easier for them to often remain below the radar. They do not have to please or mollify the crowd, they just have to please and mollify the stockholders. Which means that they usually DO have to provide some visible result.
I don't see an electoral nobility anywhere in all this. I repeatedly see a capitalist nobility however.
It is less about direct family ties (and succession), than it is about mindset and about having a general class of people who are all networked together, educated together, socializing, in compettion with each other for power/wealth/influence in what is, in effect a semi-closed society that is effectively divorced from "common" society.
And there is a lot of crossover between the corporate and electoral nobility.
A perfect example of this: When Trump learned of the despicable SCOTUS decision yesterday, his first and only question was, “Does it help us?”—as in Republicans, not the people of this country. Learning it would, he was all yippee about it.
yeah, the epstein class rules d.c.
we're about to find out if that means they rule america.
@Deutschmeister
sharing VIDEOS 🔊
Hey, Keystone Kash !
https://ojaiohana.substack.com/p/videos-hey-keystone-kash-86-means?r=5chxge&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Warsh having a steely spine? He can’t even say Biden won the 2020 election.
What better way to say "I'm 100% in the bag for Trump!" than to fail that basic question?
He’ll be another Trump sycophant.
Norms, norms?! These people are citing norms as a reason for Powell to exit? The irony is just too delicious.
Norm: It's a dog eat dog world and I'm eating Milk Bone underwear.
NORM!
No fair! You were supposed to keep fighting with one arm tied behind your back!
I think trump will regain interest in resolving the Iran war he started once someone makes clear to him that the price and availability of jet fuel will damage the World Cup here in June with small crowds and possibly lots of missing teams because flights are cancelled. But of course, that will be Iran's fault or Europe's fault, not the guy who decided to Fyre Festival a war in the Middle East.
"Fyre Festival a war in the Middle East" is an AMAZING turn of phrase. Bravo.
I keep waiting for the World Cup organizers to realize that very few people will be showing up thanks to jet fuel, cancelled flights, TSA and ICE snafus at airports, passport problems, among others. Maybe they'd be better off rescheduling to friendlier climes.
The Canada and Mexico stadiums will be full, while the US stadiums may not. It will be delicious, but also really dumb.
Yeah, if there's a jet fuel shortage, it doesn't matter how big a soccer fan you are or how much you're willing to pay for a flight, planes can't fly. But I'm sure trump will just tell them to sack up and fly anyway, see what happens. shrug
No matter the actual crowd sizes - they will be the “largest of all time”.
Nah, it'll be Biden's or Obama's fault. Definitely not chump's.
@FareDaze62
sharing VIDEOS 🔊
Hey, Keystone Kash !
https://ojaiohana.substack.com/p/videos-hey-keystone-kash-86-means?r=5chxge&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
"Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent decried the “violation of all Federal Reserve norms.”"
Speaking of poker-facing your way thru something. . . .
I wonder if he has smashed all the mirrors in his house. Because no way can he look in a mirror every day and like what he sees. And without a spine, he's probably a real slouch in front of the mirror, no?
I wonder that about so many of our leaders. I suppose, if they can sell *baloney* to us, they sell it to themselves.
They are all very, very high on their own supplies.
He actually handles himself pretty well on the big stage for a modest farmer.
Plus he's so busy now with it being planting season and all . . . .
What norms did Bessant cite when he threatened to punch Pulte in the face.
Big, manly norms.
“you can’t tell me, when [Comey] arranged those shells on the beach that day and posted that picture, he just innocently didn’t know what he was doing. He knew exactly what he was doing.”
He didn't arrange the shells, he simply took the picture
Evidently the position of the regime is that if you happen upon a crime (of their interpretation, not necessarily a legal one), you are a criminal for taking a picture of it and sharing it with others. Perhaps that principle should be extended also to photos of someone cavorting with Epstein when we know what egregious and unlawful things he did to women. If guilt by association is now guilt of a crime, then that is a very good place to start.
My understanding was that he shared the photo that was already on social media somewhere.
I really hate that I am in a position of being sympathetic to this man in this situation. I think his big announcement of renewed investigation of H Clinton's emails a month before the 2016 election had a lot to do with its outcome...all because he thought he was protecting the FBI or making a big show of his independence from politics.
I hear you. Strange times we live in.
He may have been mistaken in his actions regarding HRC's emails (acting as an unintentional asset to MAGA) but he wasn't being cynical or corrupt. These days, you can count on less than one hand the number of people in the Trump regime or his MAGA amen corner in Congress who are fundamentally honest and earnest.
I don't think he was intentionally trying to help the current president. But his pride in being forthright got in the way of being following "norms" about FBI and DOJ actions immediately before elections...just like his extraneous comments on the initial report on how nothing those emails were in which he said her actions were unwise.
He thought punctiliously adhering to process and following the norms was enough to keep our democracy. He did not understand that the power and danger that was looming. While it's possible to excuse that blindness in 2016, it was much more stupid when Garland and Biden did not change their approach years later. Especially after 1/6.
Josh Hawley knows "exactly what he was doing" in blatantly lying. Everyone in the MAGA government knowingly and enthusiastically lies, because they believe, with some justification, that 40% of the country doesn't care about (or no longer believes they can know with certainty) facts anymore.
I'm sure Hawley would be pleased to know that every single time I see his name, I think of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xCwvSNgigE Every. Single. Time.
He's very good at running.
Yeah, but what does the truth really mean when you need to curry favor?
Kash Patel began his remarks with, "As you heard from the attorney general, and the U.S. attorney, former FBI Director James Comey has now been indicted for two felony counts. "
I hope that in a few years, another FBI director will make a similar announcement, replacing the words "James Comey" with "Kashyap Patel."
Only two counts?
It only takes one to put his ass in prison.
I wouldn't be so sure. I hope you're right, though!
Now we know how they got Trump out of the room when they were trying to rescue the downed pilots in Iran: They gave him a sack of coins and a bottle of glue.
I’m whiling away a few moments trying to picture this in my head. Are they all at the same level? Are some of them crooked? Have a few fallen off? Is glue squishing out all over the doors?
Sigh, now all the doors need to be re-finished, too.
For you Good Omens fans, there's an extra layer of irony here. Gluing coins to the ground to trick people is one of the demon Crowley's favorite pasttimes.
When I worked retail, I glued a quarter to the floor, inspired by that book. Endless belly laughs ensued.
Yes!
'When asked in a CBS News interview if he had “proof that the FBI director knowingly and willfully threatened the life of the president,” Blanche responded that his proof “is in the fact that the grand jury returned an indictment.”'
Well shit, lock him up then! Who needs a trial when you have an indictment by a grand jury?
'To answer the question “why now” with an answer beside the obvious—that Donald Trump is cranky and getting an enemy’s scalp would cheer him up—Patel was forced to pretend that reading an Instagram post, pretending it constituted a death threat, and charging it accordingly required a major FBI investigation: “This has been a case that’s been investigated over the past nine, ten, eleven months. These cases take time.”'
I think Kash misspoke, and when he said "months," he meant to say "days;" this all happened because Todd Blanche got a new role and wants Trump to call him a good boy and pat him on the head. But, all would-be president threateners will be heartened to find out that, if they post on Instagram "I plan on killing President Trump," the Feds will take a year to investigate the post before actually attempting to secure an indictment, and then after indictment for threatening the life of the president, they will walk freely among us as they await trial.
"The bleakness of it all being down to Tillis should just remind us how good it is that we’ve got a Tillis around at all."
Yeah, no. We shouldn't be grateful for Tillis; we should be grateful Tillis is retiring. Were he not retiring, he'd be running the same playbook right now as Cruz and Hawley. In 2021, when Tillis was not retiring, he voted against Trump's second impeachment while his colleague from North Carolina, Senator Burr, who was retiring, voted for it. I'm so tired of Republicans finding their fortitude on the way out the door.
I've served on grand juries and a thought came to me when I read that statement. I wonder if the majority of the jury thinks it's ridiculous and voted to go to trial so that this BS charge will be exposed publicly for what it is to the further embarrassment of trump and his bootlicking DoJ?
That would be great! I'm not sure how sophisticated this NC grand jury was, myself; I'm pretty certain that had they attempted this indictment in DC the grand jury would have rejected it. I've not served on one like you have, but since the only side presenting a case is the government, I imagine DOJ just told the grand jury that 86 means kill, that 47 means the 47th president, and they felt no obligation to disclose that, actually, almost no one thinks 86 has anything to do with murder. So yeah, they got their indictment, and if a judge doesn't dismiss it outright, we'll spend our tax dollars on a trial in which the DOJ humiliates itself, and unfortunately we won't be able to see any trial footage since federal trials can't be televised. We might see some court drawings of Comey giggling, though.
*Hopefully Warsh’s spine is as steely as Powell’s*
I think we can easily conclude that he wouldn't have been nominated for the job if he had anything close to resembling a spine.
Do these folks even have ankles and feet anymore? They spend so much time on their knees I'm thinking they don't need anything below that.
LOL just name everyone in the cabinet Neil.
DJT is putting stickers on the woodwork? My five year old self can hear my mother’s voice now. (And, now that she’s gone, it’s a mixture of “I’m in big trouble” and how much I miss her.)
(I always jump to Cheap Shots first. 😃)
This was a strategic error on Trump’s part, and Blanche’s.
It is idiotic to put anyone (especially someone like Comey, w real cred within FBI and significant legal resources) on trial for taking a picture of seashells arranged in a message that is at best ambiguous.
Not only will they fail to obtain a conviction (if the case ever goes to trial), but the jokes on seashell crimes write themselves.
It is almost guaranteed that SNL will spoof this episode this coming Saturday. It will be a source of jokes on numerous talk shows for at least the duration of any proceedings. It will be an albatross around Blanche’s neck for his remaining career in TrumpWorld. And it will be the one thing everyone remembers about Blanche, that he sought a conviction for ambiguous seashell messaging, and (surprise!) did not get it.
Trump could have avoided all the above, if he was not blinded by thirst for revenge. Just as he could have avoided closure by Iran of Straight of Hormuz, if he was not blinded by military megalomania.
Comey isn't going to settle, either. He'll do anything he can to make this go to court so that the whole world can laugh at the abject stupidity of this administration and everyone who works for it.
I wonder if they’d resort to bribing the jury to get a conviction. They must know there is no case here at all.
"But the Powell probe is only “closed” in the same sense that the Strait of Hormuz is officially “open.” Which is to say: Trust neither pronouncement, at least when coming from this administration." Absolutely correct. At the first opportunity, some seashell of a charge against Powell will miraculously appear and be in dire need of prosecuting.
Interesting that Mike Lee seems to think that the Capitol Hill reporters are responsible for the debt created by congressional votes. Didn’t realize that the reporters do all the votes in congress….not the congressmen. Sheesh!!
Mike Lee is running for the "biggest idiot in Congress" award.
He has a lot of competition.
I think Lee's drunk ALL the kool-aid in the barrel at this point. He presents like he's having a mental health crisis. But when you've decided to support and justify everything you used to loudly proclaim was a grotesque abomination as righteous, all you can do is to put on some magic armor and keep heading down hill.
One of the more problematic traits of Trump's malignant narcissism is he's incapable of feeling shame so his sycophants can shamelessly suck up to him. The emotion they need to avoid is embarrassing Trump. Todd Blanche is testing the boundaries between Trump's need for revenge and inability to handle embarrassment. Curious to see how this plays out. As for Blanche, he's earned disbarment in spades. Nothing like rising to the top of the legal pyramid only to lose the license to be there. So totally emblematic of the Trump administration.
I was thinking about this dynamic as I listened to Hegseth’s testimony. He sucked up to Trump so much I thought at times he put Trump in the line of fire. We’ll see I suppose.
One has to give credit to Blanche for realizing that taking on The Donald as a client and defending him against the NY and federal indictments was his one and only path to possibly becoming Attorney General.
Or a lifetime federal judgeship.