My favorite was Chip Roy. Man, that guy would holler and scream and prance around and wave his arms and scream some more. He was really good at that. Brought a real talent to Washington.
And every single solitary time, he caved. He never got anything for his antics. Nothing. Ever. Never even influenced anything. And now he's gone. And we're all better off.
My sister once looked up the coat of arms for the noble side of our family (we come from the ignoble side). It was "Gules, on a fess between three parrots argent," and as little girls we used to chant these words at each other, giggling uproariously. So much for nobility.
As for the decline and fall of the Freedom Caucus, I'd like to think that John Boehner (who I still can't help kinda missing) is lifting a glass of fine Italian red in their honor.
JP: "Something tells me that nothing the state does will ever be enough to satisfy its critics on the right."
Having again been told that our elections are fraudulent, I’m approaching wits end. Saying something over and over doesn’t make it so – the Earth isn’t flat, the Heavens don’t orbit the Earth, not all women who can float are witches, etcetera. I’m going to put in writing what I’m tired of saying in one-on-one conversations.
May we move election-fraud discussion off of untestable “theories” (e.g., “I just KNOW it by looking at it!”) and into falsifiable (testable) hypotheses? You say your opponent is committing election fraud? Tell me HOW. Even if it is Rube Goldberg - “Ocean’s 11” long-shot improbable, draw me a picture of how it could be possible. If you want to invoke magic, like “They used Italian satellites”, then EXPLAIN how that could flip votes, especially in a manner that survives paper audit. I’m not saying it isn’t possible, but rather that I’m not willing to grant some un-diagrammed method of fraud as an untested beginning assumption.
I am a volunteer election worker. I’m retired from a field heavy on front-end and systems analysis and back-end measurement and evaluation. I am satisfied that my county’s elections cannot be perverted at the precinct-level in an undetectable fashion, and thus cannot be twisted at the top as long as any audit reaches back to the precincts. Anyone who knows otherwise has to show me how. (Preferably after doing a turn working the polls to gain first-hand insight.)
If I were tasked (Heaven forbid!) to rig an election, the first thing I would do is pervert the election rolls. The second thing I would do is introduce obstacles (restrict early voting, remove ballot drop-off stations, create long lines in unfriendly precincts, aggressively invalidate mail-in ballots based upon receipt date). If I can purge the voters selectively, or inhibit legitimate votes, I can unfairly steer the result. If I were going to manipulate the actual count, then I would at least briefly seize the paper ballots necessary to a challenge; even if I have to return them I have destroyed the chain of custody and rendered them useless for an audit. Finally, if I have undue influence with the judiciary then I can use even more heavy-handed tactics should they become necessary, confident that I will prevail in court.
All the same, in his Bulwark essay today Robert Dallek says of the President, “His efforts to manufacture a crisis in American democracy are embarrassments. If he were to try to hold on to power through schemes and chicanery, or by suspending the 2026 congressional elections or even the 2028 presidential election, he would consign himself to rank as the worst president in the country’s history.” More pointedly, I suggest that in the end the people have two tools, the ballot and the noose. Take away the first and they are left only one. If it is true that, “when you only have a hammer, all the world looks like a nail”, then what does an administration look like to an electorate that only has rope?
In case anyone needs clarification on the LA Mayoral race, here you go. There are 2,216,609 registered voters in LA City. Of that, 1,224,737 are (D), 326,292 are (R), and 665,580 are not affiliated/other parties. Even if Pratt earned 100% of the registered Republicans AND 100% of the other/na, he would still need 207,752 Democrat votes to win. Pratt winning was always the longest of shots. Also, in a state of over 3.9 million people that is loyal to their mail-in ballots, counting votes is always going to take longer than most other states. Perhaps this country needs stronger math and critical thinking in our education systems. *data from LA Almanac
I actually appreciate that HFC members coming out and saying they are only good for messaging. Who would have thought a group of people who are ideologically opposed to governing would be failures at governing? Go figure!
I played a little too much Dungeons and Dragons in high school. I think personal heraldry is kinda' fun. However, one needs to keep in mind that it is as meaningful as a " World's Best Dad" coffee mug.
For the record, my son never got me one of those mugs. 😀
My big dog Jasper just broke my Mother's Day mug from my daughter that had a picture of Jasper on it thanking me for picking up his dog poop. I would take a World's Best Mom mug.
His educational journey has been rocky. After much heartburn he graduated community college cum laude. He starts Penn State as a junior this fall. I'm told there a Penn State Dad shirt coming my way on Fathers Day. Despite being a Blue Hen, I will wear that shirt with an amazing amount of pride1
Wonderful! Well my dog poop mug daughter is 44, and a death penalty defense attorney for 22 years, wife and mother of 2 with a weird sense of humor! LOL
It is 103 degrees outside my home in Phoenix as I write this. Despite my very rigorous efforts to educate Fed Ex throughout the last 2 years to put my huge Costco delivery inside my courtyard, where porch pirates can't see it, it once again is all stacked up against the outside of my gate like a shining display for thieves. So I just came back in from unpacking all of the boxes in the sun, hauling the smaller items into the house and loading a gardening wagon with the big bags of dogfood and wheeling that into the garage for later. But my sweaty, exhausted 72 year old body feels so much better immediately upon reading that the HFC is on their way out. But, let's just pray that Biggs is not on his way into the AZ Governor's job.
I’ve always thought of them as the “Fox Hunting” caucus-the indescribable in pursuit of the inedible. They really have nothing to show for 10years of performative acting out. Except Mike Johnson. Nuff said.
Caltanissitta wasn’t a bad place to visit.spent years exploring Sicily while stationed at Sigonella in the late 1970’s!!! Best years of my life!!!
One of Trump's greatest successes in undermining American democracy has been by alleging fraud whenever he or one of his followers loses an election. Until he brought it forward, the subject of election fraud was never a part of the American conversation. By introducing it, and repeating it endlessly, his constant losses in the Courts notwithstanding, he has convinced a huge number of voters that fraud is rampant in our elections. As he gains strength by his successes with State legislatures, upheld by the Supreme Court, in Gerrymandering of districts and suppression of votes by closure of polling places, intimidation and other means, it can be expected that he and the Republican's candidates will retain and expand their control of Congress, the Courts, and the White House indefinitely. The forms of a democratic republic will continue, but there will be a one-party authoritarian government in power indefinitely.
The only thing the Freedom Caucus is good at is opposing Democratic leadership. Once in power, they've delivered nothing of consequence. If they were really for "commonsense" legislation, they wouldn't have voted for a lot of the crap they have under Trump.
And good lord - can't they focus on the real world issues that citizens of this country want resolution for? How is ranting about election fraud or transexuals or one of the other hobby horses they ride doing anything to fix health care or inequality or the myriad of other major issues facing this country?
And of course, any oversight only applies to the opposition. Absolutely no pushback against the rampant grift and corruption on display daily, from the White House on down. It will be very hard for me to listen to them rag on about corruption once they no longer have the ability to prosecute it.
Re: "the House Folding Caucus"
My favorite was Chip Roy. Man, that guy would holler and scream and prance around and wave his arms and scream some more. He was really good at that. Brought a real talent to Washington.
And every single solitary time, he caved. He never got anything for his antics. Nothing. Ever. Never even influenced anything. And now he's gone. And we're all better off.
My sister once looked up the coat of arms for the noble side of our family (we come from the ignoble side). It was "Gules, on a fess between three parrots argent," and as little girls we used to chant these words at each other, giggling uproariously. So much for nobility.
As for the decline and fall of the Freedom Caucus, I'd like to think that John Boehner (who I still can't help kinda missing) is lifting a glass of fine Italian red in their honor.
I bet he is.
JP: "Something tells me that nothing the state does will ever be enough to satisfy its critics on the right."
Having again been told that our elections are fraudulent, I’m approaching wits end. Saying something over and over doesn’t make it so – the Earth isn’t flat, the Heavens don’t orbit the Earth, not all women who can float are witches, etcetera. I’m going to put in writing what I’m tired of saying in one-on-one conversations.
May we move election-fraud discussion off of untestable “theories” (e.g., “I just KNOW it by looking at it!”) and into falsifiable (testable) hypotheses? You say your opponent is committing election fraud? Tell me HOW. Even if it is Rube Goldberg - “Ocean’s 11” long-shot improbable, draw me a picture of how it could be possible. If you want to invoke magic, like “They used Italian satellites”, then EXPLAIN how that could flip votes, especially in a manner that survives paper audit. I’m not saying it isn’t possible, but rather that I’m not willing to grant some un-diagrammed method of fraud as an untested beginning assumption.
I am a volunteer election worker. I’m retired from a field heavy on front-end and systems analysis and back-end measurement and evaluation. I am satisfied that my county’s elections cannot be perverted at the precinct-level in an undetectable fashion, and thus cannot be twisted at the top as long as any audit reaches back to the precincts. Anyone who knows otherwise has to show me how. (Preferably after doing a turn working the polls to gain first-hand insight.)
If I were tasked (Heaven forbid!) to rig an election, the first thing I would do is pervert the election rolls. The second thing I would do is introduce obstacles (restrict early voting, remove ballot drop-off stations, create long lines in unfriendly precincts, aggressively invalidate mail-in ballots based upon receipt date). If I can purge the voters selectively, or inhibit legitimate votes, I can unfairly steer the result. If I were going to manipulate the actual count, then I would at least briefly seize the paper ballots necessary to a challenge; even if I have to return them I have destroyed the chain of custody and rendered them useless for an audit. Finally, if I have undue influence with the judiciary then I can use even more heavy-handed tactics should they become necessary, confident that I will prevail in court.
All the same, in his Bulwark essay today Robert Dallek says of the President, “His efforts to manufacture a crisis in American democracy are embarrassments. If he were to try to hold on to power through schemes and chicanery, or by suspending the 2026 congressional elections or even the 2028 presidential election, he would consign himself to rank as the worst president in the country’s history.” More pointedly, I suggest that in the end the people have two tools, the ballot and the noose. Take away the first and they are left only one. If it is true that, “when you only have a hammer, all the world looks like a nail”, then what does an administration look like to an electorate that only has rope?
Thank you for your community service. (and your clear and cogent explanation of the lack of fraud)
In case anyone needs clarification on the LA Mayoral race, here you go. There are 2,216,609 registered voters in LA City. Of that, 1,224,737 are (D), 326,292 are (R), and 665,580 are not affiliated/other parties. Even if Pratt earned 100% of the registered Republicans AND 100% of the other/na, he would still need 207,752 Democrat votes to win. Pratt winning was always the longest of shots. Also, in a state of over 3.9 million people that is loyal to their mail-in ballots, counting votes is always going to take longer than most other states. Perhaps this country needs stronger math and critical thinking in our education systems. *data from LA Almanac
Are Magas all afraid of data?
Sorry, LA County has over 3.9 million. California has approximately 39.5 million people.
I actually appreciate that HFC members coming out and saying they are only good for messaging. Who would have thought a group of people who are ideologically opposed to governing would be failures at governing? Go figure!
But Derek, governing is HARD. Much easier gig to be the sniper than the sapper.
I played a little too much Dungeons and Dragons in high school. I think personal heraldry is kinda' fun. However, one needs to keep in mind that it is as meaningful as a " World's Best Dad" coffee mug.
For the record, my son never got me one of those mugs. 😀
My big dog Jasper just broke my Mother's Day mug from my daughter that had a picture of Jasper on it thanking me for picking up his dog poop. I would take a World's Best Mom mug.
It still baffles me how many of those mugs exist. You'd think there could only be one at a time. 😀
Excellent. Maybe your turn is coming!
His educational journey has been rocky. After much heartburn he graduated community college cum laude. He starts Penn State as a junior this fall. I'm told there a Penn State Dad shirt coming my way on Fathers Day. Despite being a Blue Hen, I will wear that shirt with an amazing amount of pride1
Wonderful! Well my dog poop mug daughter is 44, and a death penalty defense attorney for 22 years, wife and mother of 2 with a weird sense of humor! LOL
OK, she can spring for a new mug. 😀
That’s really funny
So Andy Biggs is leaving Congress? Who says there’s no good news these days?
Recurring, dignity-free tantrums is A+ work
It is 103 degrees outside my home in Phoenix as I write this. Despite my very rigorous efforts to educate Fed Ex throughout the last 2 years to put my huge Costco delivery inside my courtyard, where porch pirates can't see it, it once again is all stacked up against the outside of my gate like a shining display for thieves. So I just came back in from unpacking all of the boxes in the sun, hauling the smaller items into the house and loading a gardening wagon with the big bags of dogfood and wheeling that into the garage for later. But my sweaty, exhausted 72 year old body feels so much better immediately upon reading that the HFC is on their way out. But, let's just pray that Biggs is not on his way into the AZ Governor's job.
Thanks for the great news Joe!
When republicans win somehow the election is not fixed even when republicans use mail in ballots.
I’ve always thought of them as the “Fox Hunting” caucus-the indescribable in pursuit of the inedible. They really have nothing to show for 10years of performative acting out. Except Mike Johnson. Nuff said.
Caltanissitta wasn’t a bad place to visit.spent years exploring Sicily while stationed at Sigonella in the late 1970’s!!! Best years of my life!!!
One of Trump's greatest successes in undermining American democracy has been by alleging fraud whenever he or one of his followers loses an election. Until he brought it forward, the subject of election fraud was never a part of the American conversation. By introducing it, and repeating it endlessly, his constant losses in the Courts notwithstanding, he has convinced a huge number of voters that fraud is rampant in our elections. As he gains strength by his successes with State legislatures, upheld by the Supreme Court, in Gerrymandering of districts and suppression of votes by closure of polling places, intimidation and other means, it can be expected that he and the Republican's candidates will retain and expand their control of Congress, the Courts, and the White House indefinitely. The forms of a democratic republic will continue, but there will be a one-party authoritarian government in power indefinitely.
Well, I'm just thrilled that the HFC actually cared about ther deficit LOL.
That’s not good enough. Leave it in the oven and burn it to a cinder.
Great reporting, Joe; thank you so much!
New R. slogan, "If you cannot win, then WHINE."
The only thing the Freedom Caucus is good at is opposing Democratic leadership. Once in power, they've delivered nothing of consequence. If they were really for "commonsense" legislation, they wouldn't have voted for a lot of the crap they have under Trump.
And good lord - can't they focus on the real world issues that citizens of this country want resolution for? How is ranting about election fraud or transexuals or one of the other hobby horses they ride doing anything to fix health care or inequality or the myriad of other major issues facing this country?
And of course, any oversight only applies to the opposition. Absolutely no pushback against the rampant grift and corruption on display daily, from the White House on down. It will be very hard for me to listen to them rag on about corruption once they no longer have the ability to prosecute it.
Grr. You caught me at a bad moment, Joe.