“If you’re trying to make your organization a bipartisan or cross-partisan organization,” Marley wondered, “how are you going to respond to rhetoric like that if it escalates and are you worried that if you respond in a forceful way that you will then be perceived as a partisan organization and turn off Republican voters you might otherwise be able to engage?”
The answer is: don’t worry about any of that. Everyone seems to tip toe around Republicans, which allows the illiberal flank to run amok without any muscular defense of liberal democracy from any side. Stop being so passive.
About Gaza et al...it's WAR people. Same as it ever was from time immemorial only this happens to be our time. Bloodshed and human suffering are the way the world recreates civilizations and that easily scalable "moral HighGround" proves, yet again, to be a shallow trench filled with lies and ignorance from the people sworn to protect us.
I think Biden believes in the inherent sanity and good of the American people. He simply cannot believe they would sell their democratic republic for a red hat. Pray God he is right.
As for the obscenity happening at a trial in NY, this only proves that there is absolutely, no shame and no honor left in the republican party.
Ten years residence in the US with five of those years after the age of 14. That was the immigration law in effect in most of the 50s for deriving citizenship from a parent. The illegal voting shouldnt be a huge barrier as long as he deregisters.
Yesterday in my comment on Morning Shots, I was happy the human experiment is winding down. We are terrible and terrible stewards of the planet. We are oh so smart, but also way to stupid. Maybe the octopus people that follow us will do better. Maybe not.
It's worth noting that taking Ukraine is a partial attempt by Putin to fix Russia's demographic problem. About 40m slavs, most of them white enough, or at least minimally black, to reduce the Chechen and Dagestani births...if they can take and hold it.
"We believe Israel can and must do more to ensure the protection and wellbeing of innocent civilians."
How? The world says the above as if a mantra, every day and every way. I want the world to lay out in precise statements exactly HOW Israel is to break Hamas without harming noncombatants in Gaza. Walk me through the plan of "ensuring the protection and wellbeing of innocent civilians" in the hottest of hot war zones in which Hamas hides itself in its children's diapers.
On Biden and Gaza and the perception he's now catering to the Pro Palestinian, presumably left leaning, groups by the refusal to send the bombs to Israel...could it also be that Biden (similar to how he deftly dealt behind the scenes with Mike Johnson on the foreign funding bills) is engaging in a game of multi dimensional diplomatic chess and withholding those weapons is important to keeping the Saudis/Arabs "in the long game" of a more secure, pro Israel Middle East? It seems the right and the left are both claiming it's all about domestic politics, vs national security and a realignment of the Middle East?
I will attempt to explain. There are so many people speaking about these items and most are, in my view, speaking nonsense:
- Apparently, words spoken and written about the Dobbs decision have caused many, or a significant number of, voters to believe that President Biden is responsible for overturning Roe v. Wade.
- Apparently, many believe, as an article of political faith, that the Biden administration is wholly responsible for the deaths of 35,000 Palestinians in the Israel - Gaza war.
- Apparently, explanations of the "pause" in supplying Israel with large bunker-busting bombs to Israel in the hope of avoiding massive non-combatant casualties are vehemently denounced as shutting off Congressionally-appropriated funding to Israel.
- Apparently, many are confused about Russia's responsibility for its actions in the Russo-Ukraine War despite the number of testimonials and fact-based analyses published about the bloody conflict.
- Apparently, the complete absence of any proof of treason, bribery, or “other high crime and misdemeanor" is no impediment to impeaching a U.S. President or Cabinet officer.
- Apparently, the need of U.S. media and its consumers to live vicariously through salacious tales causes them to ignore the underlying charge of illegally attempting to manipulate a federal election.
- Apparently, according to statements by U.S. Congressional Representatives, a state prosecution case based on local Grand Jury indictments is, in reality, a flagrant example of personal political bias led by a U.S. President.
- Apparently, the justices sitting on the U.S. Supreme Court are sufficiently confused by the concept of personal responsibility for criminal acts that some of them may be led to amend our Constitution by fiat.
"The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, unctuously wished Putin God’s blessings until the end of his days—and then added, “I will also have the temerity to say, may God grant that the end of your days should also be the end of your term in power.”"
If it weren't for the fact that Patriarch Kirill is a simpering Putin toadie, made obvious by his invoking G-d in support of Vladimir Vladimirovich's illegitimate presidency, I'd have interpreted the addition differently. Had this been uttered by someone not in thrall to Putin, by a patriot who wants what's best for Russia and doesn't conflate the country with its leader, I'd have read it as sarcasm: "may God grant that the end of your days should also be the end of your term in power[,]” can (and should) be read as "may it all end tomorrow, if not later today."
An old woman finally got permission to visit her nephew in Moscow. She had to wait hours for a bus, and when she tried, she got crowded out and had to wait hours again. The second time she managed to squeeze in, and sighed out "Glory to God". The bus driver turns and says to her "Ma'am, you can't say things like that. We're a modern, atheist society. In situations like these, you should say 'Glory to comrade Stalin!'"
The woman looks at him for a moment, and sheepishly says 'I'm just an ignorant country woman. Thank you for teaching me. But what should I say, if one day Stalin dies?'
As Ben Sasse (when he was still almost relevant) said of the current Trumpist party: "The weird worship of one dude". Too bad Sasse has decided to sidestep this whole thing. Just wondering if he will endorse Trump in the end.
I just want to say I hope Maggie is reading today - Stormy was referred to as a porn performer, not a porn star. But I wonder if Stormy might be restored to star status, given her composure and grit during testimony. She's made me think of Mary Magdalene in the Jesus myth*- a woman of low status who displays depth and tenacity in difficult circumstances, who refuses to be shamed by hypocrites, who understands the message of Jesus better than her "betters." *by myth, I mean a tale that captures the imagination and attention, without conclusions as to its nuts and bolts veracity.
Agree with your implication that "star" is applied rather cavalierly in the adult film industry. But more to the point, of everyone in this drama, Stormy Daniels really comes out of this in a positive light. I don't know how much difference it will make. The public doesn't get to see live video, and only obsessives such as present company really follow the play-by-play.
The too many months hiatus in aid to Ukraine weakened that country's defensive capability (shell starvation, overwhelming of antiaircraft defenses, for example) and instead gave Muscovy the green light on planning and implementing a push westward to Kharkiv. All this butchery and devastation can be dumped on heads of MAGA/GOP. They are nihilistic Trumpian acolytes and fervently follow wishes of their god-king. It has been apparent for years: Trump wants to gift the peoples of Ukraine to Russian psychopathy. And thus, the GOP House has wreaked its desired cruelty on Ukraine. We will soon see if this few days ago Russian advance is the telling summer break though they have planned. Also, we shall soon see, if this breakout is real, the utter destruction of the land, settlements, and citizens ever closer to Kiev. If so, MAGA/GOP/Trump/Putin will have their victory long awaited.
And all this is so mercilessly, viscously, and pathetically sad.
Am I the only one who thinks R elected officials showing up at Trump's trial actually harm his chances with the jury? It looks like a power play and could cause them to be a lot less sympathetic to Trump. If I were his attorney, I'd be pleading for his family to show up. Not members of the U.S. Senate.
Actually, that's not accurate. They ended up with a highly educated jury. Two are even attorneys. Several are professionals, such as I believe a stockbroker, and some have advanced degrees. I am betting that some of those jurors are going to know the politicians. By the way, speaking as an attorney, putting an attorney on the jury is insane. Guess they were running out of strikes.
I thought I knew all the reasons there were to detest Donald Trump, but in yesterday's testimony there were two eye-openers: 1) The reason the payoff scheme had do many moving parts, including a covert tape recording, is that *nobody* trusted Trump not to renege on deals, not even those who counted themselves as his friends; and 2) Trump not only focused on politics in hatching the Stormy payoff scheme, he explicitly didn't give a shit about Melania. When the subject came up, his response was "I won't be on the market long.." [if Melania divorced him.) What an asshole.
Interest rates are only regarded as high because ultra low interest rates put in to place to address the 2008-9 meltdown--adrenalin into the heart of a dying patient--were made permanent for more than a decade. Think adrenalin by IV. These calls were made by Jay Powell s, but it did not help that Trump threatened to fire him if he dared to raise rates.
“If you’re trying to make your organization a bipartisan or cross-partisan organization,” Marley wondered, “how are you going to respond to rhetoric like that if it escalates and are you worried that if you respond in a forceful way that you will then be perceived as a partisan organization and turn off Republican voters you might otherwise be able to engage?”
The answer is: don’t worry about any of that. Everyone seems to tip toe around Republicans, which allows the illiberal flank to run amok without any muscular defense of liberal democracy from any side. Stop being so passive.
About Gaza et al...it's WAR people. Same as it ever was from time immemorial only this happens to be our time. Bloodshed and human suffering are the way the world recreates civilizations and that easily scalable "moral HighGround" proves, yet again, to be a shallow trench filled with lies and ignorance from the people sworn to protect us.
I think Biden believes in the inherent sanity and good of the American people. He simply cannot believe they would sell their democratic republic for a red hat. Pray God he is right.
As for the obscenity happening at a trial in NY, this only proves that there is absolutely, no shame and no honor left in the republican party.
Ten years residence in the US with five of those years after the age of 14. That was the immigration law in effect in most of the 50s for deriving citizenship from a parent. The illegal voting shouldnt be a huge barrier as long as he deregisters.
Yesterday in my comment on Morning Shots, I was happy the human experiment is winding down. We are terrible and terrible stewards of the planet. We are oh so smart, but also way to stupid. Maybe the octopus people that follow us will do better. Maybe not.
It's worth noting that taking Ukraine is a partial attempt by Putin to fix Russia's demographic problem. About 40m slavs, most of them white enough, or at least minimally black, to reduce the Chechen and Dagestani births...if they can take and hold it.
"We believe Israel can and must do more to ensure the protection and wellbeing of innocent civilians."
How? The world says the above as if a mantra, every day and every way. I want the world to lay out in precise statements exactly HOW Israel is to break Hamas without harming noncombatants in Gaza. Walk me through the plan of "ensuring the protection and wellbeing of innocent civilians" in the hottest of hot war zones in which Hamas hides itself in its children's diapers.
I'll wait.
On Biden and Gaza and the perception he's now catering to the Pro Palestinian, presumably left leaning, groups by the refusal to send the bombs to Israel...could it also be that Biden (similar to how he deftly dealt behind the scenes with Mike Johnson on the foreign funding bills) is engaging in a game of multi dimensional diplomatic chess and withholding those weapons is important to keeping the Saudis/Arabs "in the long game" of a more secure, pro Israel Middle East? It seems the right and the left are both claiming it's all about domestic politics, vs national security and a realignment of the Middle East?
"Nothing can be said without saying Too Much."
I will attempt to explain. There are so many people speaking about these items and most are, in my view, speaking nonsense:
- Apparently, words spoken and written about the Dobbs decision have caused many, or a significant number of, voters to believe that President Biden is responsible for overturning Roe v. Wade.
- Apparently, many believe, as an article of political faith, that the Biden administration is wholly responsible for the deaths of 35,000 Palestinians in the Israel - Gaza war.
- Apparently, explanations of the "pause" in supplying Israel with large bunker-busting bombs to Israel in the hope of avoiding massive non-combatant casualties are vehemently denounced as shutting off Congressionally-appropriated funding to Israel.
- Apparently, many are confused about Russia's responsibility for its actions in the Russo-Ukraine War despite the number of testimonials and fact-based analyses published about the bloody conflict.
- Apparently, the complete absence of any proof of treason, bribery, or “other high crime and misdemeanor" is no impediment to impeaching a U.S. President or Cabinet officer.
- Apparently, the need of U.S. media and its consumers to live vicariously through salacious tales causes them to ignore the underlying charge of illegally attempting to manipulate a federal election.
- Apparently, according to statements by U.S. Congressional Representatives, a state prosecution case based on local Grand Jury indictments is, in reality, a flagrant example of personal political bias led by a U.S. President.
- Apparently, the justices sitting on the U.S. Supreme Court are sufficiently confused by the concept of personal responsibility for criminal acts that some of them may be led to amend our Constitution by fiat.
'Nuff said.
"The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, unctuously wished Putin God’s blessings until the end of his days—and then added, “I will also have the temerity to say, may God grant that the end of your days should also be the end of your term in power.”"
If it weren't for the fact that Patriarch Kirill is a simpering Putin toadie, made obvious by his invoking G-d in support of Vladimir Vladimirovich's illegitimate presidency, I'd have interpreted the addition differently. Had this been uttered by someone not in thrall to Putin, by a patriot who wants what's best for Russia and doesn't conflate the country with its leader, I'd have read it as sarcasm: "may God grant that the end of your days should also be the end of your term in power[,]” can (and should) be read as "may it all end tomorrow, if not later today."
fnord
There's an old Soviet joke that goes:
An old woman finally got permission to visit her nephew in Moscow. She had to wait hours for a bus, and when she tried, she got crowded out and had to wait hours again. The second time she managed to squeeze in, and sighed out "Glory to God". The bus driver turns and says to her "Ma'am, you can't say things like that. We're a modern, atheist society. In situations like these, you should say 'Glory to comrade Stalin!'"
The woman looks at him for a moment, and sheepishly says 'I'm just an ignorant country woman. Thank you for teaching me. But what should I say, if one day Stalin dies?'
"Then you say 'Glory to God!'"
As Ben Sasse (when he was still almost relevant) said of the current Trumpist party: "The weird worship of one dude". Too bad Sasse has decided to sidestep this whole thing. Just wondering if he will endorse Trump in the end.
The idea that f-16s will make any difference in this war is fanciful. Come on Cathy
I just want to say I hope Maggie is reading today - Stormy was referred to as a porn performer, not a porn star. But I wonder if Stormy might be restored to star status, given her composure and grit during testimony. She's made me think of Mary Magdalene in the Jesus myth*- a woman of low status who displays depth and tenacity in difficult circumstances, who refuses to be shamed by hypocrites, who understands the message of Jesus better than her "betters." *by myth, I mean a tale that captures the imagination and attention, without conclusions as to its nuts and bolts veracity.
Agree with your implication that "star" is applied rather cavalierly in the adult film industry. But more to the point, of everyone in this drama, Stormy Daniels really comes out of this in a positive light. I don't know how much difference it will make. The public doesn't get to see live video, and only obsessives such as present company really follow the play-by-play.
The too many months hiatus in aid to Ukraine weakened that country's defensive capability (shell starvation, overwhelming of antiaircraft defenses, for example) and instead gave Muscovy the green light on planning and implementing a push westward to Kharkiv. All this butchery and devastation can be dumped on heads of MAGA/GOP. They are nihilistic Trumpian acolytes and fervently follow wishes of their god-king. It has been apparent for years: Trump wants to gift the peoples of Ukraine to Russian psychopathy. And thus, the GOP House has wreaked its desired cruelty on Ukraine. We will soon see if this few days ago Russian advance is the telling summer break though they have planned. Also, we shall soon see, if this breakout is real, the utter destruction of the land, settlements, and citizens ever closer to Kiev. If so, MAGA/GOP/Trump/Putin will have their victory long awaited.
And all this is so mercilessly, viscously, and pathetically sad.
Yep and yet our idiotic voters will blame Dems
Am I the only one who thinks R elected officials showing up at Trump's trial actually harm his chances with the jury? It looks like a power play and could cause them to be a lot less sympathetic to Trump. If I were his attorney, I'd be pleading for his family to show up. Not members of the U.S. Senate.
This assumes the jury has any idea who these people are. I doubt it. I’m into politics and I doubt I could point them out in a crowd
Will the jury members recognize them? They were selected as people who don't follow the news obsessively.
Actually, that's not accurate. They ended up with a highly educated jury. Two are even attorneys. Several are professionals, such as I believe a stockbroker, and some have advanced degrees. I am betting that some of those jurors are going to know the politicians. By the way, speaking as an attorney, putting an attorney on the jury is insane. Guess they were running out of strikes.
fair point. I've heard that from a few people.
Since you mentioned it, one thing I was wondering about is: Does a jury ever have the opportunity to ask clarifying questions?
I thought I knew all the reasons there were to detest Donald Trump, but in yesterday's testimony there were two eye-openers: 1) The reason the payoff scheme had do many moving parts, including a covert tape recording, is that *nobody* trusted Trump not to renege on deals, not even those who counted themselves as his friends; and 2) Trump not only focused on politics in hatching the Stormy payoff scheme, he explicitly didn't give a shit about Melania. When the subject came up, his response was "I won't be on the market long.." [if Melania divorced him.) What an asshole.
Surprise! Trump is exactly as he appears to be!
I thought he was as bad as he appeared. Worse.
You and I both. Just a rhetorical comment above.
Interest rates are only regarded as high because ultra low interest rates put in to place to address the 2008-9 meltdown--adrenalin into the heart of a dying patient--were made permanent for more than a decade. Think adrenalin by IV. These calls were made by Jay Powell s, but it did not help that Trump threatened to fire him if he dared to raise rates.
It's finally dawned on Mike Johnson that even Jeffrey Daumer had support in the courtroom and that they had to do *something*... .
Trump had two senators supporting him yesterday. The only family member who has bothered to show up is Eric.
Actually, I think Eric was looking for a sandwich and got lost.
Lara probably told him to go somewhere where he might be semi-useful. She's the one with the brains in that part of the "family".
1/2 credit.