Hi Bill, your comment about Schumer and Murray raised my blood pressure, and since Murray is my Senator I sent her a nicely angry note of dismay. My day started out ok but this made me a bit ill. Thanks for the update and continued reinforcement of the need for a true Opposition Party.
It's always a little concerning when Jews convert - we can't really afford the losses. But nothing would make me happier than reading that Stephen and Katie Miller made the jump.
The show the Bulwark really needs is an ongoing tutorial for Democratic leaders in how to apply evil-trick Republican methods in their work. Communications, policies, denigrating the right wing press, pressures of any sort. All the show has to do is pull back the curtain. It’s a secret superpower here of dark arts practitioners.
I am guessing that most voters don't/won't know anything bout the budget deal whether passed now or in September. Until the dawn of antisocial media only policy wonks and nerds even new who the Speaker of the House or Senate Majority Leader might be. Hell, many of them don't even know who their Congressional Rep is even after voting for them! They don't know or care about who the leaders of the Senate majority and minority are. They don't probably care if Todd Blanche is the Attorney General.
The fact is Democrats are spending way to much time worrying about ancillary issues impeding the Democrats than about the actual issues that might get them elected. EVERY state and Congressional district is unique. BUT every district with a Republican incumbent has ONE thing in common---they have done nothing to stop Trump from doing damage, especially to the economy. His tariffs and his war are having a direct negative impact on every district. FIND those local harms and connect them to Trump's policies and Republican failures to protect their constituents by moderating or stopping Trump's policies. Don't focus on Trump (or his personality, motives or even corruption) focus on the policies, the harms done and whether the Republican opponent will do anything to protect the interests of the district or will only do what the Republican Party or Trump want's done.
Run candidates who are deeply associated with their congressional districts and have a past record of being reliable "stand up" people in their communities. Humble, modest, approachable and humorous folks probably will do better than the wonks, scolds, and righteous among us.
Don't be afraid to be up front about being a regular Democrat who disagrees with the DSA wing of the party and will oppose some of their specific policies just as they will oppose policies of the President that will hurt their district. Remind them that they will represent the voters of the district and not just the Democratic Party.
Humbly ask for votes because something needs to change in Washington and that change needs to begin with Congress. Not because Democrats are the best party--- but because the Democrats are the only people who can begin the changes that need to be made.
Democrats should immediately threaten anyone who subscribes to Trump's Truth API advance access feature that they will be prosecuted for insider trading or other securities crimes. Trump may be immune from prosecution and civil forfeiture while in office, but anyone else who receives this information and trades or makes money on it is not. This is especially true for any information about a specific company, as opposed to commodities, although some firms might be able to argue that it violates such statutes too. States also have securities laws. State AGs should also issue stern warnings against using such information to make trades and state legislatures should immediately pass laws banning any practice allowing companies doing business in their state to trade on "non-public" information from the government or closely related individuals (e.g., Trump family members - they had to get their info from daddy or someone else in the government).
Separately, lawsuits should be filed and injunctions sought for Trump's "service" as unconstitutional. The president should not be allowed to charge for his communications, especially when those communications have monetary value, a fact stipulated by him charging money for access to them. I know that insisting the presidency is not a money making venture may seem quaint now, but we cannot simply allow Trump to continue to rip off the entire nation.
Finally, one wonders how Trump could stop someone with a subscription from immediately releasing the information to the public. It is impossible to argue that him preventing someone from doing this is not a government infringement on free speech. "When the president says it, it's news." It would be like Trump blocking unfavored news agencies from immediately reporting what he says or airing his remarks live without them paying him a fee. Major news organizations should also be able to sue arguing that requiring a subscription to Trump's and other administration figures' comments results in damages to them because they make money breaking news. If they are delayed, they will lose money.
Apparently Trump is under the assumption that he can take all of money that he has syphoned off the government into the next world. Maybe his kids think so too.
There is no Brinks Truck following the hearse.
But I want the hearse- NOW.
I want every Cabinet member inpeached. With Hegseth, RFK, Patel, it should be easy. They're all insane.
I really can't take this administration any more. I really can't take the stupid Schumer any more.
He's part of the problem. I don't believe in the "high road" anymore. I just want to mow them down with tanks.
Under Senate rules, does the Senate minority leader have to be a senator? If not, I nominate Mr. Kristol. I fear that Republicans have decided collectively to "hang together", confident that the only way of winning the November elections will be to capitulate to Trump and hope that his plan to rig or sway them will work with the "right" people in place. There will be no savior, no cavalry of timid Democratic donkeys, we will have to save ourselves.
Wait a minute, wait a minute. Regarding Tillis and Cornyn getting a written agreement from Blanche about the Trump Crime Family's IRS immunity, didn't this same thing happen at the RFK Jr confirmation hearing? A request for written statement about shots? I just hate reruns.
The Immunity Deal contained within Trump's "Anti-Weaponization" declaration is broad-reaching and goes way beyond mere tax returns. It states "The United States RELEASES, WAIVES, ACQUITS and FOREVER DISCHARGES each of the plaintiffs from, and is hereby FOREVER BARRED and PRECLUDED from prosecuting or pursuing . . . any matters currently pending or that could be impending (including tax returns filed before the effective date) before Defendants or other agencies or departments." This states clearly that Trump and his friends and family are immune to legal actions by the US government regarding ANY MATTERS, including but not limited to tax returns. Any matters means anything he did at any time. Not just tax returns. If the clarifications offered by Todd Blanche do not remove the immunity from legal actions for any matters conducted by Trump, We The People should also be granted immunity for any matters of conduct. After all, We Are All Created Equal. Should We not enjoy the same rights and privileges as those of the President? Equality before the Law is a foundational principle of the United States after all. Or once was. Will we now abandon Equality Before the Law?
RE: "I want the ICE agents to look out and see me praying,”
I want them to see that too. I want to see Republicans seeing people praying. I want Democrats to stop rolling their eyes at people who say a prayer from time to time.
This is one of the Big Things Democrats could do. Every Republican gathering starts with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
At the Democrat-led events I've been to, they start with a Land Acknowledgement and statements about pronouns.
Democrats, if they ever want to be seen as Not Insane, need to start sounding like the Republicans at the start of their events. There are plenty of pastors in the Democratic coalition. Put one of them first. Then, get the crowd to sing the Star Spangled Banner. Loud. Like they actually mean it. Like they know what inspired it: a big, bossy King who wanted to show the break-away colonists a thing or two by burning Baltimore to the ground. That'd show 'em. The King sent the biggest, most powerful fleet in the world to do it. And they bombed the shit out of Fort McHenry, all night. Bombs bursting in air and all that. Then, in the dawn's early light, the guy who wrote the Star Spangled Banner and was watching from a ship saw that the flag was still there. And not just any old flag, but the biggest effing flag those people could find. Those people, in Fort McHenry, they knew what time it was. Democrats don't seem to. It's time to knock off the liberal virtue signaling and get back to showing that you know what time it is NOW and talk about how they're going to fix the damage the Trumpers have done.
It's going to be baahhhhhhd.
Hi Bill, your comment about Schumer and Murray raised my blood pressure, and since Murray is my Senator I sent her a nicely angry note of dismay. My day started out ok but this made me a bit ill. Thanks for the update and continued reinforcement of the need for a true Opposition Party.
"The Daily Wire’s Michael Knowles detected a “neo-Know-Nothing contempt for Catholics” in the anti-Vance tweet, comparing it to coded antisemitism."
Isn't attempted appropriation of antisemitism by Vance-style Catholics the real antisemitism?
It's always a little concerning when Jews convert - we can't really afford the losses. But nothing would make me happier than reading that Stephen and Katie Miller made the jump.
Can non-humans be Jews?
The show the Bulwark really needs is an ongoing tutorial for Democratic leaders in how to apply evil-trick Republican methods in their work. Communications, policies, denigrating the right wing press, pressures of any sort. All the show has to do is pull back the curtain. It’s a secret superpower here of dark arts practitioners.
When life gives you lemons...zest it.
beware: OPUS fucking DEI.
I am guessing that most voters don't/won't know anything bout the budget deal whether passed now or in September. Until the dawn of antisocial media only policy wonks and nerds even new who the Speaker of the House or Senate Majority Leader might be. Hell, many of them don't even know who their Congressional Rep is even after voting for them! They don't know or care about who the leaders of the Senate majority and minority are. They don't probably care if Todd Blanche is the Attorney General.
The fact is Democrats are spending way to much time worrying about ancillary issues impeding the Democrats than about the actual issues that might get them elected. EVERY state and Congressional district is unique. BUT every district with a Republican incumbent has ONE thing in common---they have done nothing to stop Trump from doing damage, especially to the economy. His tariffs and his war are having a direct negative impact on every district. FIND those local harms and connect them to Trump's policies and Republican failures to protect their constituents by moderating or stopping Trump's policies. Don't focus on Trump (or his personality, motives or even corruption) focus on the policies, the harms done and whether the Republican opponent will do anything to protect the interests of the district or will only do what the Republican Party or Trump want's done.
Run candidates who are deeply associated with their congressional districts and have a past record of being reliable "stand up" people in their communities. Humble, modest, approachable and humorous folks probably will do better than the wonks, scolds, and righteous among us.
Don't be afraid to be up front about being a regular Democrat who disagrees with the DSA wing of the party and will oppose some of their specific policies just as they will oppose policies of the President that will hurt their district. Remind them that they will represent the voters of the district and not just the Democratic Party.
Humbly ask for votes because something needs to change in Washington and that change needs to begin with Congress. Not because Democrats are the best party--- but because the Democrats are the only people who can begin the changes that need to be made.
Democrats should immediately threaten anyone who subscribes to Trump's Truth API advance access feature that they will be prosecuted for insider trading or other securities crimes. Trump may be immune from prosecution and civil forfeiture while in office, but anyone else who receives this information and trades or makes money on it is not. This is especially true for any information about a specific company, as opposed to commodities, although some firms might be able to argue that it violates such statutes too. States also have securities laws. State AGs should also issue stern warnings against using such information to make trades and state legislatures should immediately pass laws banning any practice allowing companies doing business in their state to trade on "non-public" information from the government or closely related individuals (e.g., Trump family members - they had to get their info from daddy or someone else in the government).
Separately, lawsuits should be filed and injunctions sought for Trump's "service" as unconstitutional. The president should not be allowed to charge for his communications, especially when those communications have monetary value, a fact stipulated by him charging money for access to them. I know that insisting the presidency is not a money making venture may seem quaint now, but we cannot simply allow Trump to continue to rip off the entire nation.
Finally, one wonders how Trump could stop someone with a subscription from immediately releasing the information to the public. It is impossible to argue that him preventing someone from doing this is not a government infringement on free speech. "When the president says it, it's news." It would be like Trump blocking unfavored news agencies from immediately reporting what he says or airing his remarks live without them paying him a fee. Major news organizations should also be able to sue arguing that requiring a subscription to Trump's and other administration figures' comments results in damages to them because they make money breaking news. If they are delayed, they will lose money.
Apparently Trump is under the assumption that he can take all of money that he has syphoned off the government into the next world. Maybe his kids think so too.
There is no Brinks Truck following the hearse.
But I want the hearse- NOW.
I want every Cabinet member inpeached. With Hegseth, RFK, Patel, it should be easy. They're all insane.
I really can't take this administration any more. I really can't take the stupid Schumer any more.
He's part of the problem. I don't believe in the "high road" anymore. I just want to mow them down with tanks.
trump is truly the Veruca Salt of presidents with the skin tone of an Oompa Loompa.
Seems like an opportunity.
Here is something obtuse. Bill, you posted a joke in Morning Shots back in June that i am trying to find. It was hilarious. Do you recall?
Thank you
Under Senate rules, does the Senate minority leader have to be a senator? If not, I nominate Mr. Kristol. I fear that Republicans have decided collectively to "hang together", confident that the only way of winning the November elections will be to capitulate to Trump and hope that his plan to rig or sway them will work with the "right" people in place. There will be no savior, no cavalry of timid Democratic donkeys, we will have to save ourselves.
Republicans always hang together because that's how you get power. Democrats fight like cats in a bag. Its not principled, its stupid.
Wait a minute, wait a minute. Regarding Tillis and Cornyn getting a written agreement from Blanche about the Trump Crime Family's IRS immunity, didn't this same thing happen at the RFK Jr confirmation hearing? A request for written statement about shots? I just hate reruns.
The Immunity Deal contained within Trump's "Anti-Weaponization" declaration is broad-reaching and goes way beyond mere tax returns. It states "The United States RELEASES, WAIVES, ACQUITS and FOREVER DISCHARGES each of the plaintiffs from, and is hereby FOREVER BARRED and PRECLUDED from prosecuting or pursuing . . . any matters currently pending or that could be impending (including tax returns filed before the effective date) before Defendants or other agencies or departments." This states clearly that Trump and his friends and family are immune to legal actions by the US government regarding ANY MATTERS, including but not limited to tax returns. Any matters means anything he did at any time. Not just tax returns. If the clarifications offered by Todd Blanche do not remove the immunity from legal actions for any matters conducted by Trump, We The People should also be granted immunity for any matters of conduct. After all, We Are All Created Equal. Should We not enjoy the same rights and privileges as those of the President? Equality before the Law is a foundational principle of the United States after all. Or once was. Will we now abandon Equality Before the Law?
“Rail(ing) against the world and indulg(ing) in an orgy of self-pity” has brought MAGA a lot of success.
RE: "I want the ICE agents to look out and see me praying,”
I want them to see that too. I want to see Republicans seeing people praying. I want Democrats to stop rolling their eyes at people who say a prayer from time to time.
This is one of the Big Things Democrats could do. Every Republican gathering starts with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
At the Democrat-led events I've been to, they start with a Land Acknowledgement and statements about pronouns.
Democrats, if they ever want to be seen as Not Insane, need to start sounding like the Republicans at the start of their events. There are plenty of pastors in the Democratic coalition. Put one of them first. Then, get the crowd to sing the Star Spangled Banner. Loud. Like they actually mean it. Like they know what inspired it: a big, bossy King who wanted to show the break-away colonists a thing or two by burning Baltimore to the ground. That'd show 'em. The King sent the biggest, most powerful fleet in the world to do it. And they bombed the shit out of Fort McHenry, all night. Bombs bursting in air and all that. Then, in the dawn's early light, the guy who wrote the Star Spangled Banner and was watching from a ship saw that the flag was still there. And not just any old flag, but the biggest effing flag those people could find. Those people, in Fort McHenry, they knew what time it was. Democrats don't seem to. It's time to knock off the liberal virtue signaling and get back to showing that you know what time it is NOW and talk about how they're going to fix the damage the Trumpers have done.
I would also say, by the way, that I've seen a few John Ossoff speeches. That guy gets it.
More of that, I think, would be great.
Yup. He's straightforward and brutal. Which is what we need.