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Saturday Night Open Thread

It's hot -- 95 degrees today.

The Late Late Show with James Corden has been nominated for three Emmys -- None for Stephen Colbert or the Daily Show. Corden is so much more entertaining to watch. But I've been saying that for months. I just wish he'd come back to the show -- far too many repeat episodes lately.

The rest of the Emmy list is pretty uninspiring. I'd rather watch Senor de los Cielos or re-runs of La Reina del Sur than suffer through yet another show about O.J. Simpson or drug cops. I'm glad Lily Tomlin got nominated for Grace and Frankie -- Jane Fonda should have been as well.

There seems to be more hand-wringing than buzz about the Republican convention. It will only get worse.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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  • Display: Sort:
    In (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by FlJoe on Sat Jul 16, 2016 at 08:48:25 PM EST
    normal times I suspect this would be a bombshell

    Four Donald Trump-licensed real-estate developments are at the center of a huge income tax evasion scheme, according to allegations in a lawsuit unsealed Thursday afternoon by a judge in Manhattan.
    The presumptive Republican nominee is not personally accused. He is described as a "material witness" in the evasion of taxes on as much as $250 million in income. According to the court papers, that includes $100 million in profits and $65 million in real-estate transfer taxes from a Manhattan high rise project bearing his familiar name.
    Maybe it's a nothingburger, but if it was Hillary it would be front page news, so far crickets from the media.

    I dont think the "Mexican" judge (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jul 16, 2016 at 08:52:27 PM EST
    Has yet decided to release the video testimony of the people fleeced by Trump "University" yet.  That could come soon if not.

    Last I heard he had not reached or released a decision.   That could be some killer campaign ads there.

    Parent

    I don't know (none / 0) (#4)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jul 16, 2016 at 08:54:49 PM EST
    if the video testimony even needs to be released. I know of at least one case where the person came forward and told his story to the media.

    Parent
    The text has already been released (none / 0) (#5)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jul 16, 2016 at 08:58:40 PM EST
    But video is video.  It's not real till its on video.

    Parent
    Trump-licensed? (none / 0) (#6)
    by Redbrow on Sat Jul 16, 2016 at 09:03:03 PM EST
    Whoa!

    That's huge!

    Only hte the state of New York has the authority to license real estate agents, not Trump.

    Parent

    Who (none / 0) (#7)
    by FlJoe on Sat Jul 16, 2016 at 09:17:02 PM EST
    knows what the writer means by 'trump licensed', but even if he his erroneous it doesn't mean that this lawsuit does not exist. You cannot just blow it off over semantics. Try again.

    Parent
    Trump sells his name, i.e., permits (none / 0) (#8)
    by oculus on Sat Jul 16, 2016 at 09:59:44 PM EST
    others to put his name on buildings, developments etc.

    Parent
    so . . . (none / 0) (#9)
    by The Addams Family on Sat Jul 16, 2016 at 10:32:11 PM EST
    it's as if i licensed a corporation to attach my personal brand to a line of neckties manufactured for sale to the trade, & 4 retailers did not report income from the resale of said neckties?

    Parent
    As noted above, D. Trump is not (none / 0) (#10)
    by oculus on Sat Jul 16, 2016 at 10:58:05 PM EST
    a named defendant. He is labelled a "material witness."

    Parent
    He is not accused---yet. (none / 0) (#11)
    by ExPatObserver on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 02:38:12 AM EST
    A close personal friend of his, Felix Sater,
    is at the center of the lawsuit.
    Trump claims to have almost no knowledge of Sater, but other reports and many photos show this statement is clearly false.
    As I recall, Sater is mobbed up, Russian style. With Trump it's hard to keep the mob ties straight, though.

    Parent
    I (5.00 / 2) (#12)
    by FlJoe on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 07:25:22 AM EST
    doubt he will be accused, over the years Trump has been able to keep his hands just clean enough to escape prosecution.

    In the larger picture though, it's proof positive that that Trump was partners with a convicted swindler( with mafia ties) and violent felon, and profited handsomely from it.

    This should be red meat for the media, A mobbed up con-man(with alleged CIA ties no less) directly tied to Trump's wonderful business sure sounds sexier than endless re-runs of E-mails and Benghazi.

    Parent

    The media? Sigh (5.00 / 2) (#99)
    by Nemi on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 07:37:43 AM EST
    Couldn't possibly agree more with this statement

    Trump's brazenness in lying isn't surprising. A reporter's sloppiness in letting him get away with it should be.


    Parent
    Audiobook recommendation (5.00 / 2) (#15)
    by ruffian on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 10:25:07 AM EST
    I started Alan Furst's series 'The Night Soldiers' about the spy services, starting pre-WWII. Excellent! Those here that are fans of 'The Americans' will love it - This first book in the series serves me as Gabriel's backstory.

    I love the writing style, very descriptive and wry. Really like a Russian novel with the detail and complexity of the characters and relationships. And the narrator of the audiobooks is really good.  The series was on sale for 5.95 a pop at audible.com a few weeks ago. I had heard they were good, so I stocked up. Glad I did!

    I looked up The Night Soldiers. (none / 0) (#16)
    by caseyOR on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 10:40:52 AM EST
    It looks like  the audiobooks versions of several of Furst's novels were united under the name The Night Soldiers.

    So, if you prefer to read, rather than listen to, your books, you get each of these parts as a standalone novel. Just look up Alan Furst and go from there.

    I suggest reading them in the order in which they were published. First does an amazing job evoking Europe before and during WWII.

    Parent

    Yes , thank you. That is the impression I got (none / 0) (#17)
    by ruffian on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 10:49:23 AM EST
    looking at the titles and subtitles of the audiobooks. They were clear about the sequence, which I appreciated since I do not want to start in the middle.

    Once I get done with the audiobooks I already purchased I may switch over to paperbacks so I can read them faster.

    Yes, I am really learning a lot about pre-WWII Europe, particularly the Baltic states, and the Spanish War. That was a hole in my reading up to now.

    Parent

    ruffian, you might also like (none / 0) (#21)
    by caseyOR on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 11:23:30 AM EST
    Jonathan Rabb's trilogy about German Detective Inspector Nicolai Hoffner. These novels take place in Germany and Spain in the run-up to WWII.

    The titles in order (do read them in order):

    Shadow and Light: A Novel

    The Second Son: A Novel

    Rosa: A Novel

    I think they are all available as audiobooks.

    Parent

    Sounds good, thanks! (none / 0) (#23)
    by ruffian on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 11:26:40 AM EST
    Did you read the Martin Cruz Smith books, Gorky Park, etc? So good also.

    Parent
    Thanks for the tip (none / 0) (#161)
    by Towanda on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 06:54:04 PM EST
    from you and ruffian, as I now have the first volume on library ereserve -- and many more ahead, I see.

    Parent
    Thank you ruffian! (none / 0) (#27)
    by Cashmere on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 12:01:30 PM EST
    Furst is great (none / 0) (#77)
    by MKS on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 06:09:37 PM EST
    All his spy novels have scenes in occupied Paris.

    Parent
    He's also written non-fiction (none / 0) (#157)
    by oculus on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 05:13:37 PM EST
    re this sbject.

    Parent
    Still Clinton 46% Trump 41% After E-Mail Report (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by RickyJim on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 11:10:04 AM EST
    For Those Not Able to Get Through the Pay Wall (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by RickyJim on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 11:23:16 AM EST
    A little quote:
    For Mrs. Clinton, the poll brought good news, because she continued to lead Mr. Trump not only in a head-to-head test of support but also when third-party candidates, Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson and Green Party candidate Jill Stein, were added to the mix.

    In that lineup, Mrs. Clinton draws 41% of the vote, Mr. Trump 35%, Mr. Johnson 11% and Ms. Stein 6%. That is a stronger performance for Mrs. Clinton than in the June poll, when she ended up tied with Mr. Trump in the broader field.



    Parent
    Robby Mook (none / 0) (#24)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 11:37:49 AM EST
    said her numbers did not move. So I guess this kind of backs up what he was saying.

    I don't know why they even bother to poll Stein because she's not on the ballot in a lot of states, around half is what I understand.

    Parent

    Is it past the deadline to get (none / 0) (#25)
    by ExPatObserver on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 11:49:22 AM EST
    her on the ballot in other states?

    Parent
    Depends (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 12:16:33 PM EST
    on the state but here in GA it is July 12th so she apparently is not going to be on the ballot here. The deadlines are closing fast on her and with not that much support it's unlikely that she's going to get on the ballot on many more if any than she already is on.

    Gary Johnson's organization already has gotten him on the ballot in all 50 states. So I can see him getting polling.

    Parent

    that sounds like a big plus for Hillary (none / 0) (#32)
    by ExPatObserver on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 01:06:14 PM EST
    Do you think some of the Stein voters will vote for Hillary?

    Parent
    Call Me DOCTOR (5.00 / 1) (#155)
    by JanaM on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 05:02:20 PM EST
    Do you think some of the Stein voters will vote for Hillary?

    You're kidding, right? Actually voting seems like too much reality for them.

    Parent

    Stein (none / 0) (#78)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 06:22:54 PM EST
    has probably zero support here in GA. So it probably does not matter that she's not going to be on the ballot.

    Parent
    It is out here in Hawaii. (none / 0) (#46)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 02:23:57 PM EST
    Our hard deadline for all candidates was June 7.

    Parent
    Why, oh why, is Pres. Obama to blame (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by oculus on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 02:26:38 PM EST
    for the murder of law enforcement officers?
    (This is a rhetorical question.)

    "Ask, (5.00 / 2) (#101)
    by Nemi on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 07:59:42 AM EST
    and you shall receive". Even when just asking rhetorically. :-/

    Parent
    Why is Obama to blame? (1.00 / 3) (#60)
    by NycNate on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 03:57:52 PM EST
    This is not my opinion but what I gather from my day to day interactions.

    Recently, Obama hosted Mike Brown's mother at a summit on policing. She is known for her 'Burn this B*tch' down fame in Ferguson. A few members from his admin even attended Mike Brown's funeral. A lot of Black Lives Matter protests have had harsh language toward the police.  "What do we want?  Dead cops."  "Fry the pigs like bacon."  Many of their protestors have blocked highways and roads. Many people that blame Obama don't understand why he would meet with such groups.

    Parent

    Because he incited the public (none / 0) (#64)
    by Redbrow on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 04:45:20 PM EST
    In his speech that assumed racism was involved without any evidence at all.

    Because he perpetuated the myth that their is systemic racism causing an epidemic of black people being hunted and murdered by racist cops.

    Because he said change is too slow and encouraged people to take immediate action (dog whistle call to violence).

    Parent

    The poorer communities... (5.00 / 2) (#127)
    by kdog on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 01:22:51 PM EST
    don't need no weatherman or president to tell them the way the wind has blown all their lives.

    If anybody has incited the public, it is the police by enforcing the dumber laws enacted by legislatures, and sometime breaking a few in the process.

    I'm amazed it has taken this long for the situation to escalate to violence on the civilian-side...since the violence has been on a constant state of escalation since we lost our minds getting "tough on crime" at least, if not since the first police department was founded in the United States.

    Parent

    Not for the first time (5.00 / 3) (#132)
    by Peter G on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 01:49:04 PM EST
    As I recall. But (a) less dangerous, because not organized; just a few, lone angry-crazies, it seems; but (b) more dangerous, because of the nature of the weapons now readily available.

    Parent
    The open season (none / 0) (#83)
    by TrevorBolder on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 07:43:09 PM EST
    On LEO's continues.
    And as expected, communities will face a reduction in police presence. Bill Bratton , NYC, will no longer have any single post foot patrols.
    In light of the ongoing events in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which has resulted in numerous Police Officers being shot, effective immediately and until further notice, all foot posts are to be assigned dual patrol," according to a letter that went out to al city police officers. "There are to be no solo foot posts citywide. All uniform members of service shall arrive and remain on post together."

    Parent
    Heh - funny stuff (none / 0) (#86)
    by Yman on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 08:30:17 PM EST
    Now tell the one about the fat guy in the red suit with the sleigh.

    Parent
    Feeling important? (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by desertswine on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 02:50:59 PM EST
    Here's an image of over 48,000 galaxies, and it's just a 1/20th slice of the sky. My puny human brain is boggling. Keir Dullea is out there somewhere.

    I can see my house (5.00 / 1) (#71)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 05:03:40 PM EST
    But can you see Russia? (none / 0) (#187)
    by sallywally on Tue Jul 19, 2016 at 01:26:27 AM EST
    Some people believe our universe might be (none / 0) (#88)
    by McBain on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 10:18:56 PM EST
    one of an infinite number.  Basically, there's no end to how small and, relatively, insignificant we are.

    Parent
    This could get interesting (5.00 / 1) (#63)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 04:44:02 PM EST
    Love this (5.00 / 2) (#72)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 05:10:44 PM EST
    According (none / 0) (#67)
    by FlJoe on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 04:55:03 PM EST
    to CNN, Kasich already said no
    Kasich, responding to the request, said: "Ohio governors do not have the power to arbitrarily suspend federal and state constitutional rights or state laws as suggested."
    .

    On the bright side, there have been some reports of  organizations telling their members to leave there guns at home.

    Parent

    Easy for him to say (none / 0) (#68)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 04:58:36 PM EST
    He's not going.   If he was the nominee he might find a way.

    Parent
    Maybe Donald (none / 0) (#70)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 05:01:47 PM EST
    Will produce an edict

    Parent
    Trump edict: (5.00 / 1) (#79)
    by KeysDan on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 06:48:13 PM EST
    No mosquitos allowed.  Too scary.

    Parent
    Keeping it classy (none / 0) (#73)
    by FlJoe on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 05:20:57 PM EST
    Donald J. Trump ‏@realDonaldTrump  44m44 minutes ago
    President Obama just had a news conference, but he doesn't have a clue. Our country is a divided crime scene, and it will only get worse!
    I suspect the Trump might even welcome a little gunplay in Cleveland.

    Notice the exclamation point, disturbing.

    Parent

    Be strong (5.00 / 1) (#66)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 04:54:43 PM EST
    This to will pass

    world emoji day💩

    Obama Clinton partnership (5.00 / 1) (#97)
    by TrevorBolder on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 06:53:40 AM EST
    http://tinyurl.com/h947wew

    How Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama (with help from Elizabeth Warren) are trying to save the Democratic establishment.

    Politico magazine

    Trump's (5.00 / 5) (#107)
    by FlJoe on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 10:59:17 AM EST
    Ghost writer spills the beans
    "I put lipstick on a pig," he said. "I feel a deep sense of remorse that I contributed to presenting Trump in a way that brought him wider attention and made him more appealing than he is." He went on, "I genuinely believe that if Trump wins and gets the nuclear codes there is an excellent possibility it will lead to the end of civilization."

    If he were writing "The Art of the Deal" today, Schwartz said, it would be a very different book with a very different title. Asked what he would call it, he answered, "The Sociopath."



    Quite the read. I recommend it, too. (none / 0) (#162)
    by Towanda on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 06:55:53 PM EST
    Me too (none / 0) (#181)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 09:43:03 PM EST
    That's what happens when your stupid iPad doesn't mark the new comments.  You have to carefully scan everytime.  

    Parent
    I don't think its your ipad (5.00 / 1) (#199)
    by ding7777 on Tue Jul 19, 2016 at 10:44:19 AM EST
    not marking new comments. It happens to me on an ipad, mac and a pc. And it only happens with the first post - it would be nice if Jeralyn could make a non-commenting sticky post as the 1st post on page until this is fixed.

    Parent
    Marked new comments (none / 0) (#203)
    by JanaM on Tue Jul 19, 2016 at 12:12:48 PM EST
    This happens to me when I somehow mysteriously get logged out. But as soon as I log back in the Reds show up.

    Parent
    yes, the NEW comments (none / 0) (#205)
    by ding7777 on Tue Jul 19, 2016 at 12:49:50 PM EST
    will show up for me when it is no longer the  1st post on the page

    Parent
    This has happened to me (5.00 / 1) (#206)
    by jbindc on Tue Jul 19, 2016 at 01:03:19 PM EST
    For months - the top post never shows new comments in red,  so I have to wade through them.  But when it becomes the SECOND post down, the new comments show up.

    Parent
    Media's False Equivalence (5.00 / 2) (#111)
    by KeysDan on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 11:37:17 AM EST
    Even For Trump! Paul Krugman (NYT July 18): "When Donald Trump began his run for the WH, manyu people treated it as a joke. Nothing he has done or said since makes him look better.  On the contrary, his policy ignorance has become even more striking, his positions more extreme, the flaws in his character more obvious, and he has repeatedly demonstrated a level of contempt for the truth that is unprecedented in American politics."  So how did Trump happen?  In large part, media bothsidesism. A steady TV diet of false equivalence. Taking the position that both sides do it, in the face of this campaign and this candidate, is "an act of mind-boggling irresponsibility."

     Krugman is, in my view, too mild in his criticism.  When the media saw how many watched the Republican debates, they wanted more of it--waiting for the next, more outrageous Trumpism.  Even the late night comedians want in, although Trump defies satire. They know that he is a dangerous, demagogue, but they suborn it to ratings and and money.  

    ratings (5.00 / 2) (#150)
    by pitachips on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 04:20:18 PM EST
    That has already been admitted by media heads.

    Pretty damn shameful but not entirely surprising. Can't stand Cruz (and I don't buy his conspiracy that the media chose Trump b/c he would be easier to beat) but his comment below from Politico piece is pretty much spot on.

    "Four weeks before we dropped out, we were winning the race," Cruz told me. "Eighty percent of [Marco Rubio's] supporters came to us and the party was unifying behind us. ... In the 30 days before Indiana primary, Trump got $500 million in free media, 90 percent was positive. What the media said on every station is, `Trump is unbeatable, he can't be beaten' -- while he's losing."

    http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/ted-talks-hes-not-ready-to-endorse-yet-225690#ixzz4EnVIw26T

    Parent

    And how will that (none / 0) (#195)
    by Nemi on Tue Jul 19, 2016 at 08:01:31 AM EST
    ehm, dynamic -- The media bashing Hillary Clinton while promoting Donald Trump -- influence the General Election: The media fawning endlessly and uncritically over the goose who keeps laying golden eggs ... in their basket? So to speak.

    Besides not all that glitters is gold as several articles lately -- 'Lying Don', 'Conned by Don' -- has tried to point out.

    But why these articles now? Why not while it still mattered? Though, maybe it's naive to expect Trump's voters to be swayed ... by anything? As he himself long since has realized, noticed, and repeated, he could shoot someone, on 5th Avenue if so be, and still not lose any of his loyal voters.

    Parent

    Breaking: (5.00 / 1) (#118)
    by jbindc on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 12:27:13 PM EST
    Murdochs reportedly planning to fire Roger Ailes.

    Yeah, maybe (none / 0) (#122)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 12:51:44 PM EST
    this week or maybe not for months. I guess we'll see when it actually happens. But they'll find someone just as bad as Ailes to replace him.

    Parent
    Report: News Corp. to fire Roger Ailes, (5.00 / 1) (#124)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 01:07:17 PM EST
    Hmmm, I wonder why. LINK.

    A little late, I tend to think (none / 0) (#135)
    by Peter G on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 02:21:20 PM EST
    to avoid vicarious corporate liability.

    Parent
    Coups, murder, terror... (5.00 / 1) (#131)
    by kdog on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 01:44:56 PM EST
    none of which were seen or heard during a glorious weekend at old Fenway Park with Dead & Co. with tens of thousands of peace loving freaky people.

    Two nights of stupendous sets and amazing jams...The opening of Set 2 on Friday night especially stands out...St Stephen into Dark Star into Terrapin Station.  Oh baby that's what I like....just ridiculous.  

     

    Trumps ART OF THE DEAL ghostwriter (5.00 / 2) (#160)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 05:44:38 PM EST
    Speaks.

    And so how does the man who may know Donald Trump better than anyone else on Earth feel about his candidacy? "There is an excellent possibility it will lead to the end of civilization," he says.

    he has a lot more to say

    MORE


    lol (none / 0) (#179)
    by The Addams Family on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 09:11:45 PM EST
    & cue world's tiniest violin to play over my laughter

    we all know what The Donald is, & this guy knew better than most, but events have now made his sellout professionally embarrassing (though not so financially awkward that he's willing to forfeit all royalties earned before 2016)

    lie down with dogs, &c

    i hope he's stupid enough to have made this announcement without provocation - if it should turn out to be a Clinton campaign coproduction, that would be depressing & (pardon my language) "concerning"

    Parent

    Holy $hit (5.00 / 1) (#164)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 07:32:58 PM EST
    Clint talking to a chair gots nuthin on tonight.

    Full on (none / 0) (#165)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 07:38:17 PM EST
    crazy with a load of conspiracy theory.

    Parent
    Mr. Luttrell was scary (5.00 / 1) (#170)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 08:30:01 PM EST
    We see a lot of PTSD, and that's what it looks like self medicated and no professional help. We are genuinely frightened for him.

    Parent
    Everyone there (5.00 / 2) (#173)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 08:39:24 PM EST
    was scary and creepy.

    Parent
    I just posted regarding him on the other thread (none / 0) (#193)
    by ruffian on Tue Jul 19, 2016 at 06:28:47 AM EST
    Glad to hear you weigh in. I turned it off because I knew it was going to make my blood boil and I did not want to think badly of someone that went through what he did.  Frightening and heartbreaking in equal measures.

    Parent
    I thought maybe you saw the General (5.00 / 1) (#196)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Jul 19, 2016 at 08:20:38 AM EST
    Luttrell fits into a different slot than most returning Veterans. Because of his book and the movie he has money and a lot of strokes. The people he's hanging out with daily though, they aren't exactly a crowd that encourages self reflection. Even acknowledging he needs healing tarnishes him as their hero. If heroes need healing after combat, they aren't heroes in the Conservative world.

    We thought we saw PTSD running wild up there. And we did have a friend who looked and spoke exactly like that at one point, but he is far beyond that now. Lots of love and healing applied to him though. Conservatives refuse to acknowledge the soul destruction of war though. I have no idea how Luttrell is coping day to day. But it doesn't look good.

    Parent

    Horrid manipulation (5.00 / 4) (#166)
    by MKS on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 07:52:25 PM EST
    of the Benghazi mother.  Hillary was responsible for her son's death.  Just not true.

    But (5.00 / 1) (#167)
    by FlJoe on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 08:06:04 PM EST
    but, but you can't call a grieving mom a liar, the Republicans have no shame. After a multitude of investigations that found absolutely nothing to pin on Hillary, yet they trot out this obviously bitter woman to spin her sad fable.

    I would use the word craven.  

    Parent

    I have (none / 0) (#168)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 08:23:02 PM EST
    to say that was blatantly craven but then the GOP has no sense. We're dealing with crazy people that don't know the difference between facts and myths.

    Parent
    If Trump (5.00 / 1) (#171)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 08:35:48 PM EST
    wanted to put on a dark and ugly convention man he succeeded but he also seems to be succeeding in scaring people to crawl over cut glass to the polls to vote for him with this convention. Man, what a disaster.

    Typo (none / 0) (#172)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 08:38:38 PM EST
    should have said crawling over cut glass to vote AGAINST him.

    Parent
    About that playmate locker room photo thing... (1.00 / 1) (#175)
    by McBain on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 08:54:24 PM EST
    I think people are being a little hypocritical here. Yes, she's an idiot for posting a naked pic of another woman without her permission but the joke was kinda funny. We've all thought to ourselves, at some point, something similar to what she wrote... "If I can't unsee this then neither can you".  

    I'm not sure she deserve the amount of hate she's receiving right now. Maybe just half the amount of hate. I'm sure the woman who was victimized will get nice civil settlement.

    One thing I definitely disagree with is the opening sentence from the article I linked...

    Historically, body-shaming women has been considered a man's game

    Women are much tougher on other women.  Part of the body shaming problem we have right now has to do with unrealistic expectations both sexes have of what they, and others, should look like.  

    Seriously? (5.00 / 4) (#180)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 09:39:16 PM EST
    We have not posted a picture of some poor old naked person on the Internet a giggled about it.

    This is truly sick and pathetic and is a sad foul new high watermark it our race tip the top for despicable invasion of privacy the Internet age and it's pointey headed denizens have brought and continue to bring us.

    Parent

    Yeah, she definintely messed up (1.00 / 1) (#185)
    by McBain on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 09:57:37 PM EST
    She deserves quite a bit of criticism and possibly some kind legal trouble.  I just think people are going a bit overboard. She's an easy target right now.  

    Parent
    You've got to be kidding. (5.00 / 1) (#191)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jul 19, 2016 at 04:53:23 AM EST
    This isn't a joke. Just because Miss Plaything of the Month doesn't mind baring her own bazongas and hoo-hah for the entire world to gawk at, that doesn't give her the unilateral right to impose her own highly arbitrary standards upon other people, and expose their naked bodies online with neither their knowledge nor permission. And for what, exactly -- the cheapest and cruelest of laughs at someone else's expense?

    And what exactly is a "nice civil settlement" going to get the older female victim here? Does a certain amount of money offered as compensation somehow make everything okay in your world? That woman's personal expectation of at least some privacy was violated in the vilest and most offensive way possible, with her purloined nude image in a locker room shower being irresponsibly held up for public ridicule on Snapchat. Only an insensitive clod would find it funny.

    Here's to the hope that Miss Plaything's two biggest assets eventually sag to her navel by age 50.

    :-(

    Parent

    Rumor (none / 0) (#1)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jul 16, 2016 at 07:39:38 PM EST
    is Hillary is going to announce her VP Friday in Florida.

    This has been the plan all along, I think (5.00 / 1) (#48)
    by jbindc on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 02:33:31 PM EST
    Right before the Dem convention and grabs the media focus away from R convention and Trump's acceptance speech.

    Parent
    Hmmmm, interesting! (none / 0) (#19)
    by ruffian on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 11:22:23 AM EST
    I do not think she would announce Kaine here - gives me hope for a little more excitement than that.

    Parent
    La Reina del Sur (none / 0) (#13)
    by Coral on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 09:46:02 AM EST
    Jeralyn, thanks for recommending. I just read the book and have started watching the Telemundo series on Netflix. I love it!

    CNN (none / 0) (#14)
    by FlJoe on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 10:13:25 AM EST
    reporting multiple police officers shot in Baton Rouge.

    This phenomenon is starting to remind me (5.00 / 3) (#28)
    by Peter G on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 12:05:38 PM EST
    of the violent fringe of the anti-Vietnam War movement that developed in 1968-69 (the Weather Underground, etc.) and severely harmed the chances of that movement's winning in the political arena, even though the adherents and practitioners of violence never amounted to more than a tiny minority of "our side." They also stopped me (and I don't know how many others) from participating in demonstrations, since I could not figure out how to disassociate myself from their spotlight-hogging behavior and repellent message, without appearing to adhere to the supporters of the war, which I viewed as deeply evil.

    Parent
    There seems, historically, (none / 0) (#34)
    by KeysDan on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 01:22:08 PM EST
    and, currently, the danger and reality of the hijacking of a worthy movement.  Radical hijacking, perhaps, starts with the hijacking of the fanatic's brain--the emotional overtaking thinking. Avenging political grievances by assassination being the ultimate distortion of a movement, subverting and undermining, its worthiness.

     And, it is that criminal fringe that sets back, rather than advances, necessary change. In turn, the danger of radical hijacking in a different direction may become reality in keeping with a reactionary response that hijacks the thinking part of the brain, overwhelming it by emotion.

    Parent

    What is the necessary change for the curent (none / 0) (#89)
    by McBain on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 10:27:01 PM EST
    movement?  I assume you're talking about police related violence.  I think the more legitimate issue is the incarceration of the poor.  

    Parent
    Ugh, 4 dead so far (none / 0) (#22)
    by ruffian on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 11:25:13 AM EST
    3 shooters, one in custody, 2 still loose. Looks like an ambush situation where someone called the police to the scene in order to shoot.

    Oh, and no knives used. Assault type rifles.  

    Parent

    It's hard for me to not reach for apathy (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 11:58:57 AM EST
    The gun culture that too many fueled has been a slow march to this. Many saw it coming, but whenever we wanted to discuss it we were belittled, shouted down, etc. So here we are. We were told guns solve problems and it was pushed and pushed and pushed until here we are, people using guns to solve their problems. We all have different problems, but as an American I'm told it is my right to own guns in order to solve my problems....and here we are!!!!!

    Parent
    No apathy allowed MT! But I understand the (none / 0) (#41)
    by ruffian on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 01:38:36 PM EST
    frustration. Law enforcement officers are on our side on this. If the gun ringers fanatics needed an example to see why, now they have it. Maybe they will listen to LEOs where they would not listen to us.

    Parent
    LEOs (none / 0) (#75)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 05:35:48 PM EST
    And their organizations have often if not nearly always stood against the insane expansion of the gun culture.

    They if no one else could see this coming.  Doubt their opposition will do much now.

    But we can hope.

    Parent

    What's the prob? (none / 0) (#44)
    by desertswine on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 01:57:17 PM EST
    We're just entering our Neo-con paradise phase.

    Parent
    What is an "assault type?" (none / 0) (#29)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 12:09:41 PM EST
    In (5.00 / 6) (#31)
    by FlJoe on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 12:16:38 PM EST
    the common vernacular it usually refers to ak-47(even non-full auto versions) and ar-15 style weapons. Pretty much everyone except the insane gun fondlers realize that.

    Typical deflection from the ammosexuals, ignore the carnage and argue over terminology.

    Parent

    Indeed, see also (5.00 / 5) (#33)
    by Peter G on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 01:11:29 PM EST
    Redbrow's Comment #6 above, deploying the same absurd verbal deflection strategy, by pretending to misunderstand the meaning of the verb "license" in the context it which it was being used.

    Parent
    Also (none / 0) (#36)
    by FlJoe on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 01:24:23 PM EST
    the endless bloviating about the use or non-use of the term "radical Islam" from that crowd.

    Parent
    Hey grammar genius (none / 0) (#62)
    by Redbrow on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 04:41:04 PM EST
    "Trump-licensed" is actually being used as adjective in this sentence.

    But nice try.

    Parent

    You could study up on (5.00 / 2) (#69)
    by Peter G on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 05:01:07 PM EST
    the past participle, an adjectival verb form. There are plenty of things I don't know sh*t about, but neither logical argument nor English grammar is among them. Your remark about Tr*mp's "licensing" of his name as a brand was specious, and I suspect you know it.

    Parent
    A compound modifier (5.00 / 2) (#163)
    by Towanda on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 07:01:01 PM EST
    such as Trump-licensed does not negate that the first word is a (proper) noun and the second word a verb.  See: definition of compound modifiers.

    Parent
    Thanks, I knew someone was going to say (5.00 / 1) (#39)
    by ruffian on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 01:32:47 PM EST
    something like that, arguing over terminology. Soooo sick of it. Once again I ask - how many people per second do you need to be able to kill with your weapon to feel like your 2nd amendment right is intact? I do not care what you call your weapon.

    Parent
    Then my semi-automatic (none / 0) (#57)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 03:35:20 PM EST
    22 cal rifle was an assault type??

    Of course I showed it to a lot of rabbits and none of then died.

    Parent

    Also a good thing ... (5.00 / 2) (#85)
    by Yman on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 08:27:28 PM EST
    ... that false comparisons and flawed analogies can't kill rabbits either.

    Parent
    Yep (none / 0) (#95)
    by FlJoe on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 05:35:03 AM EST
    it takes a lot to rattle ole Bugs, do you also sing   "kill the wabbit" when you are fondling your piece?

    Parent
    Just heard the police radio tape (5.00 / 2) (#43)
    by ruffian on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 01:49:29 PM EST
    The officer called it an "AR". Guess he was too busy getting shot at to check the specs.

    Parent
    It's what the cops on the radio (5.00 / 3) (#56)
    by jbindc on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 02:59:55 PM EST
    Called it in real time.

    But what do they know about guns, right?

    Parent

    From now on I'll just call them (none / 0) (#40)
    by ruffian on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 01:35:35 PM EST
    Multiple kills per second weapons.

    Parent
    ... these semi-automatic firearms constitute "military-grade" weaponry. There's no rational reason for anyone to own them.

    Parent
    I take it you have never been duck (none / 0) (#58)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 03:37:07 PM EST
    hunting..or else you'd understand the need for a semi-automatic weapon.

    Parent
    Duck hunting with an AR-15? (5.00 / 1) (#94)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 03:34:26 AM EST
    If you have to spray the sky with 5.56 X 45mm rounds to bag a few birds, then you've really no business hunting them in the first place. Suffice to say that you're no more an expert on firearms, than you are with comparative religions.

    Parent
    It can fire about 45 rounds per minute in semi-automatic mode. It's not a hunting rifle. Those who are not in the military have no business possessing such a weapon.

    Parent
    The man blasts the neighbor's (none / 0) (#96)
    by jondee on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 05:54:17 AM EST
    pet pig with a shotgun and now he's Jungle Jim Corbett.

    Parent
    Pig? Did you say pig? (none / 0) (#103)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 08:12:51 AM EST
    Yeah, that's a Vietnamese Pot Bellied pig rooting at the very edge of the woods that forms a green belt around the house. Like pythons in Florida and alligators in New York city sewers, people take them as pets, lose interest and dump them. They become feral and roam as free as can be. I ran three off two times and was willing to concede the rooting shown. But this one had the bad judgement to discover the garden and Sunday AM ate all my Oriental squash and destroyed some Butternut Squash vines and bell pepper plants.

    I donated the meat to a guy I know who will dress him out and eat him. Since he had been castrated and it was a clean shot that put him down on the spot he shouldn't be too gamey. I hope the other two don't come back.

    Frozen food, pigs, alligators and health care"

    Parent

    Kill (none / 0) (#104)
    by FlJoe on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 08:26:11 AM EST
    the wabbit, on an endless loop, Joni Ernst makes a Cameo appearance in the nightmare.

    Parent
    BION, food doesn't come from packages (none / 0) (#105)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 08:48:08 AM EST
    carefully wrapped in the meat counter.

    Ah yes, I have killed dressed out and stored for later use, food that my family and I ate.

    You should try it.  Maybe, since I doubt you could ever hunt, teach the youngsters in your family how to grow a garden....then pick/prepare it for freezing, canning, and drying.

    Parent

    You should try it (none / 0) (#169)
    by jondee on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 08:29:14 PM EST
    and if you move anywhere near Jim's neighborhood, try putting in an invisible fence.

    And to be on the safe side, dress the kids only in day-glo orange.

    Parent

    Well, since you have (none / 0) (#100)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 07:53:29 AM EST
    never been duck hunting...the weapon would be a shot gun...very helpful when shooting at a flying target. And since you often have only one chance to bag a few you don't have time to reload.

    Which is why people want a semi-automatic weapon....like a shot gun....

    Just don't shoot Susie.

    lol

    Parent

    Semi-automatics v. ducks (none / 0) (#93)
    by JanaM on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 10:53:41 PM EST
    jimakaPPJ, is this a reflection on how hard core ducks have become or how wussy hunters are these days?

    But that was a joke, right?

    Parent

    Have you ever (none / 0) (#102)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 08:01:37 AM EST
    rose at 4AM when the weather was 40 degrees and misty rain? Dressed yourself in camouflage and driven miles and miles to crouch in a duck blind trying to convince the wily ducks to fly into range?

    Wussy?? I think not. Misguided? Likely. ;-)

     

    Parent

    No but I have wandered the streets... (5.00 / 4) (#125)
    by kdog on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 01:15:29 PM EST
    of Chinatown at 4am on the hunt for Peking Duck.

    Parent
    I used (none / 0) (#126)
    by TrevorBolder on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 01:19:45 PM EST
    to go to WOH HOP,

    I believe was the name, outside was number 17, no name, and go down the stairs

    After a long night of revelry , when accompanied by a Native American Chinese US Marshall.

    He would order everything in Chinese

    Was a long long time ago

    Parent

    Wo Hop is still around... (none / 0) (#128)
    by kdog on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 01:34:20 PM EST
    That place is legit, many times me and my crew would be the only "gwai lo" in the joint in the wee-wee hours.

    Parent
    Lol (none / 0) (#129)
    by TrevorBolder on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 01:39:28 PM EST
    I had to check out gwai lo

    lol

    Yes, it was where the Chinese in Chinatown went to eat

    Not a tourist spot

    Parent

    Had more misses than hits at Wo Hop. (none / 0) (#133)
    by vml68 on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 01:51:16 PM EST
    But, it's been a few years since I have eaten at any of the Manhattan Chinatown joints. I just headed to Flushing for my Chinese food fix.

    Parent
    Hard to go wrong in "Frushing"... (5.00 / 1) (#134)
    by kdog on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 02:02:17 PM EST
    killer Korean BBQ joints too.

    Parent
    Ducks 1 Hunters 0 . . (none / 0) (#153)
    by JanaM on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 04:44:10 PM EST
    That just sounds like me and my investigator tracking down reluctant ducks, er, I mean witnesses. 😎

    Parent
    Why would anyone with free will (none / 0) (#188)
    by sallywally on Tue Jul 19, 2016 at 01:36:44 AM EST
    do that anyway?

    Parent
    You either like it or you don't (none / 0) (#194)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Jul 19, 2016 at 07:46:19 AM EST
    Kinda like sushi.

    Parent
    Jim, I believe shot guns (none / 0) (#139)
    by fishcamp on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 03:15:21 PM EST
    are not considered rifles, regardless if they are single shot, double barreled or semi-automatic.  Your semi auto .22 is not considered an assault weapon.  Semi-automatic military shotguns that hold five or more rounds would be classified as assault shotguns.  Shotguns for hunting hold three rounds legally, however if you remove the plug and add more rounds you are in violation of the law.  Please correct me if you think this is wrong, since you were in the military and I was hunting ducks during WWll.

    Parent
    Uh, I didn't say shot guns are (none / 0) (#186)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 10:01:28 PM EST
    rifles. And my semi automatic 22 was not an assault weapon...nor is a semi automatic shot gun.... at least no more than an AR 15 or the Sig Sauer look alike...which, of course, was my point.

    As I was 3 when WWII started and 7 when it ended I didn't do much hunting. But my dad did buy me a BB Gun when he came home in '46. And a single shot 22 when I was 12. Which, I still have.

    My military personal weapons experience consisted of the M1 and the 45 cal pistol. Neither of which I ever fired in anger.

    I always get a chuckle listening to people argue about semi vs pumps. Semis jam if not kept clean and in good order. Pumps can also jam but they are more forgiving. My home defense weapon is a short barrel 20 gauge pump with no choke and loaded with buck and slug. Throws a nice pattern at 20-30' and won't kill someone down the street.

    And with the exception of stray pigs that raise my ire my hunting days are over.

    Parent

    CNN, MSNBC (none / 0) (#42)
    by ruffian on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 01:40:40 PM EST
    Hee thanks for telling us now that what you have been saying all day about an ambush was '"contetxt" and speculation, not confirmed information.

    I don't know why I am surprised.

    Parent

    Shooter identified as Gavin Long (none / 0) (#61)
    by ruffian on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 03:59:48 PM EST
    from Kansas City MO. Rumors of connection to Sovereign Citizens group.


    Parent
    Repeating rumors (5.00 / 1) (#80)
    by Peter G on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 06:51:39 PM EST
    is neither edifying nor constructive.

    Parent
    Also paranoid about cointlepro (none / 0) (#76)
    by Redbrow on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 05:38:44 PM EST
    Just like this BLM leader who has been invited to the white house.

    A prominent figure in the Black Lives Matter community took to Twitter on Friday morning to voice doubts about the previous night's mass shooting at a Black Lives Matter protest in Dallas, Texas.

    Birds of a feather...

    On Friday afternoon, activist Johnetta Elzie suggested the massacre was intended to turn opinion against peaceful protesters. "I will not let go of the fact that I know cointelpro exists," Elzie tweeted, echoing other users who have expressed suspicion over details of the shooting.

    "From my experience, whenever public opinion shifts to strongly support the movement an act of violence against the police happens," she also suggested.

    BLM Leader Suggests Dallas a False Flag


    Parent

    perhaps her first mistake (none / 0) (#84)
    by The Addams Family on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 08:13:13 PM EST
    was to assume that public opinion had strongly shifted to strong support of the BLM movement

    she may have mistaken aroused public revulsion to racial profiling for specific support of BLM

    it's possible not to support BLM while also (1) decrying racial profiling & (2) not assuming that Micah X. Johnson acted at the behest of BLM

    Parent

    More details on the sovereign group (none / 0) (#87)
    by Redbrow on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 08:59:24 PM EST
    Investigators found a membership card for Washitaw Nation on him.

    The Washitaw Nation, or Washitaw de Dugdahmoundyah, is a group of Black Americans that claim to be a sovereign Native American nation within the boundaries of the United States.[1] Their name is taken from that of the Ouachita tribe,[2] who are also eponymous of the Washita River and of Washita, Oklahoma. It is part of the Sovereign citizen movement, a movement that believes its members are not subject to any statutes or proceedings at the federal, state, or municipal levels.[3][4]


    Parent

    Sovereign Citizens (5.00 / 2) (#90)
    by JanaM on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 10:33:33 PM EST
    I had heard of this scam for a long time but it wasn't until I actually had a client who tried to get me to use this in his defense that I finally checked it out. Basically it's a fraud claiming useless and illegal defenses. One small example: first, he claimed not to need a license to drive and second, the one he had was signed by "Condaleeza Rice." It might have said Secretary of the World - kidding. They list a bunch of "Nations" on their chart.

    The people who fall for this for whatever reason (no license to drive, nonpayment of taxes, etc) refuse to be reasoned with. No amount of facts or court rulings seem to shake them of this nonsense. They even have people who serve as "counselors" who take thousands of dollars to "assist" in their defenses.

    A judge in DC actually took the time to research it and wrote a detailed, lengthy opinion of why this is all BS. Or his law clerk did.

    Parent

    My encounter with (none / 0) (#113)
    by KeysDan on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 11:54:02 AM EST
    a Sovereign Citizen was as president of an HOA. The "owner" refused to pay his homeowner dues, claiming he did not have to acknowledge HOA Covenants or Bylaws--he never signed a contract.

      The bank had even more and bigger problems when he refused to make mortgage payments, and foreclosure notices resulted in counter-suits by the "owner."  I put owner in quotes, since it was difficult to find the owner or owners, buried in questionable documents.

    The counter-suits were written in nonsensical language, aimed at the bank president and everyone else in site.  The suits were filed himself and he defended himself. In an incoherent manner. The goal was to run up legal costs and run down those whom he owed.

      Ultimately, the suit was dismissed by the judge, but it held up his removal; and the bank seemed fearful of trying again. Real estate scams seem to be a specialty, along with squatting as long as they can; they file false liens. and bogus suits.  A difficult situation for all involved.

    Parent

    Any thorn... (none / 0) (#200)
    by kdog on Tue Jul 19, 2016 at 10:44:22 AM EST
    in the bank's and HOA's side can't be all bad...I gotta say I kinda like this dude you're describing KD.

    Though any HOA with you at the helm was surely the best of a bad scene! ;)

    Parent

    A talk show host I used to listen to (none / 0) (#114)
    by RCBadger on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 12:18:24 PM EST
    She was really into this.  She used to say you were legally permitted to kill anyone who came on your property for any reason whatsoever and that the government could not make you pay taxes.  The only government official you were legally obligated to obey was the local sheriff.

    Parent
    Hi, can I bring up a specific case? (none / 0) (#49)
    by ExPatObserver on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 02:33:43 PM EST
    I have connected with a grade school friend recently who became a prosecutor in a big city in the West. She has a cousin in CA who is under federal habeas review for a murder case.
    According to her, the prosecutor used blatant burden-shifting, arguing that since the defense couldn't come up with an alternative theory, you had to convict. Since my friend is herself a prosecutor, her version ought to be pretty accurate.

    Since this is first and foremost a legal blog for the defense, I thought I would give this a shot.
    Of course I am doing this with my friend's permission. I'm sure she knows the usual resources, but if you have any other advice...

    If you want to contact me privately that is possible.

    I really don't understand what the question is (5.00 / 2) (#51)
    by Peter G on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 02:41:08 PM EST
    But whatever the question is, the answer is probably that the cousin needs a competent lawyer with specialized knowledge in the federal habeas corpus law (an arcane area, not for amateurs). Can't your friend the prosecutor make a good referral (and perhaps volunteer to secretly pay for it, or at least arrange for some family fundraising)?

    Parent
    That's a good question (none / 0) (#53)
    by ExPatObserver on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 02:48:09 PM EST
    I am pretty sure her family is not well off.
    For all I know, she is contributing.

    Parent
    If you want a couple of competent (5.00 / 1) (#81)
    by Peter G on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 06:56:32 PM EST
    and not overly-expensive referrals for assistance or advice regarding federal habeas corpus for a state prisoner in California, you can ask Jeralyn for my email address, and write me directly.

    Parent
    Talkleft does not give (5.00 / 1) (#91)
    by Jeralyn on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 10:37:41 PM EST
    legal advice. It is prominently posted on the home page.

    Nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice. TalkLeft does not give legal advice. TalkLeft is not responsible for and often disagrees with material posted in the comments section. Read at your own risk.

    Please do not ask for or solicit individual legal advice here.

    Parent

    Of course. I knew that. (none / 0) (#98)
    by ExPatObserver on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 07:12:59 AM EST
    Please delete my comment

    Parent
    The scenario seems skewered (none / 0) (#50)
    by oculus on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 02:41:06 PM EST
    as to crimnal procedure. Federal habeas for murder?

    Parent
    As an obsessed consumer of wrongful conviction (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by ruffian on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 02:54:02 PM EST
    podcasts, I understand a federal habeas review as one of the post conviction appeals sometimes available in capital cases.

    Parent
    I have given six-hour training programs (5.00 / 4) (#65)
    by Peter G on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 04:52:55 PM EST
    for lawyers on this subject, and there are several 1000-page-plus treatises on the subject out there, so there is no short answer other than this: Since the late 1860s, federal court have enjoyed a limited jurisdiction, referred to as habeas corpus, to review the fundamental fairness of state criminal convictions, including convictions for murder, if issues of federal law (typically meaning compliance with federal constitutional rights) have been raised unsuccessfully through at least one full round of state court appeals.

    Parent
    Well, IANAL (none / 0) (#52)
    by ExPatObserver on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 02:46:36 PM EST
    I could have misreported something.
    Actually we were discussing many things, as we have not been in contact for decades, and I had already mentioned this blog as an interesting resource. Then she told me about her cousin's case.  

    There was a state appeal, and now he is under the 1 year AEDPA deadline for appeal.

    She did write federal habeas, but maybe I misunderstood the relation.

    Parent

    ExPatObserver Re Appeal Gt Closing Misconduct (none / 0) (#92)
    by JanaM on Sun Jul 17, 2016 at 10:44:29 PM EST
    You have to see the exact words from the transcript, listen to the tape, and see what response there was - by the defense and by the judge. Though it's an issue I am usually hypervigilant about - I even have a specific section in every closing cautioning the jury to also be cognizant of any such attempt by the prosecutor - the court usually cures it sufficiently.  Not to diminish your friend's take on it but without the details you can't know if there remains an appellate issue or not. As someone already mentioned, it's obviously worth it to pay someone with the right experience to at least review it and give their opinion.

    Just more of the same.

    Parent

    Just finished (none / 0) (#106)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 09:03:13 AM EST
    Snatched:From Drug Queen  to Informer to Hostage

    A great read if you like true crime.

    Another Freddie Gray officer aquitted (none / 0) (#108)
    by McBain on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 11:09:14 AM EST
    Lt. Brian Rice was acquitted on all charges.  There are two officers left to be tried.  Will Mosby drop those charges?  

    Freddie Gray reality (5.00 / 1) (#156)
    by JanaM on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 05:11:43 PM EST
    Lt. Brian Rice was acquitted on all charges.

    Completely expected. So disappointing to see this level of cynical and politically motivated prosecutions. There seems to have been no evidence - that's zero evidence - of criminal liability so far.

    Parent

    I predicted there would be some kind of conviction (none / 0) (#177)
    by McBain on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 08:56:07 PM EST
    I wasn't expecting bench trials, so I thought at least one jury would succumb to public pressure and convict one of the cops of a lesser charge.

    Parent
    Baltimore Sun (5.00 / 1) (#176)
    by The Addams Family on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 08:55:01 PM EST
    "The state is not simply 0-for-4," said defense attorney Warren Brown, who is not involved in the cases but has observed the proceedings. "They're 0-for-24 when you add up all the charges that the judge or jury considered through the court of four trials."

    link

    Parent

    Pretty sure anyone else would get convicted (2.00 / 1) (#109)
    by ruffian on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 11:13:54 AM EST
    of something if they did this to a person. What makes it ok if it is a LEO?

    Williams' verdict may have hinged on a simple question: Should the officer have put a seat belt on Freddie Gray?

    During closing arguments last week, Judge Williams asked prosecutors if they believed it was a crime not to put a seat belt on Gray.

    "So, failure to restrain equals criminal act?" the judge asked.

    Michael Schatzow, chief deputy state's attorney, replied that it was, because to leave Gray face down on the floor of the van in handcuffs and leg shackles amounted to Rice not taking reasonable action to ensure his safety.



    Parent
    Convicted of what exactly? (5.00 / 1) (#116)
    by leftwig on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 12:21:43 PM EST
    What action of any officer violated criminal code?

    Parent
    I'm sure bus drivers around the country (2.00 / 1) (#136)
    by ruffian on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 02:54:39 PM EST
    will be glad to hear it is perfectly fine to handcuff and shackle 'problem children' who's safety they are responsible for, and make them lay face down on the floor of the bus for the duration.

    It really sickens me that there are people that think this is OK.

    Parent

    Probably more sickening to think (5.00 / 3) (#197)
    by leftwig on Tue Jul 19, 2016 at 10:06:57 AM EST
    that someone actually believes this example is somehow equivalent to what occurred between Gray and police.

    The judge presiding over these cases worked for the justice department (under Clinton and Bush) investigating and prosecuting police misconduct, has been a judge in Baltimore for 11 years and happens to be an African American.  I am not sure there is a judge the community of Baltimore could find a more sympathetic judge to preside over these cases.

    Parent

    Just asking questions? (none / 0) (#130)
    by Peter G on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 01:40:58 PM EST
    Those are questions Marilyn Mosby (5.00 / 3) (#152)
    by McBain on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 04:26:45 PM EST
    should have considered before bringing charges.  Her quest for social justice doesn't seem to be winning over legal justice.

    Parent
    We don't know exactly how Gray died (none / 0) (#121)
    by McBain on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 12:45:18 PM EST
    Also, I don't think a civilian van driver would be guilty of a criminal act if a passenger died in the back of his vehicle without any evidence of the driver intending to harm him.

    Parent
    That was (none / 0) (#110)
    by TrevorBolder on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 11:27:57 AM EST
    expected, especially after the driver was acquitted.
    With the consensus that the easiest one to convict, the driver got acquitted, and now this acquittal, hopefully Mosby will shut the rest down.


    Parent
    And the best nerws is (1.50 / 2) (#112)
    by Repack Rider on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 11:44:41 AM EST
    Freddie Gray is still alive!  According to the court, nothing happened to him!

    No harm, no foul.

    Parent

    People die every day (none / 0) (#115)
    by leftwig on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 12:20:50 PM EST
    Doesn't mean their death is the fault of anyone else.  He stood up in the back of a van with his hands and feet restrained and while it was moving.  Bad choices lead to bad consequences.

    Parent
    "according to the court" (none / 0) (#178)
    by The Addams Family on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 09:00:31 PM EST
    you are not in a position to use this phrase, since it's obvious that you have not been following the trials

    Parent
    There have been now (none / 0) (#117)
    by jbindc on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 12:26:08 PM EST
    3 acquittals and one hung jury.

    Parent
    I believe the (none / 0) (#119)
    by TrevorBolder on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 12:30:11 PM EST
    Acquittals were all with a judge, keeping  emotion out of deliberating juries hands

    Parent
    Don't worry (none / 0) (#120)
    by TrevorBolder on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 12:43:56 PM EST
    Soon we will not need messy trials,

    Pre crime unit  will be here, without the use of psychics

    http://tinyurl.com/zjnbu2c

    Parent

    The anti Trump forces (none / 0) (#123)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 12:52:43 PM EST
    Live!!

    Watch this space.

    Gonna get interesting (5.00 / 1) (#137)
    by jbindc on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 02:55:59 PM EST
    Priebus himself (5.00 / 1) (#141)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 03:18:35 PM EST
    Was to cowardly to do this.  Colorado has walked out.

    Parent
    The wheels are coming off (none / 0) (#142)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 03:23:01 PM EST
    "A meeting of Brownshirts"

    Fascists.

    All hell is breaking lose.

    Awsum..  

    Parent

    Sen Mike Lee (none / 0) (#144)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 03:30:50 PM EST
    Never seen anything like this.  The chair a walked off the stage and left the podium unattended for 10 minutes.  They are not going to be able to proceed like nothing happened.   They just opened up everything that happened to being challenged.

    Parent
    Oh, man (none / 0) (#149)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 03:47:00 PM EST
    twitter is aflame with all this.

    Parent
    Hillary (5.00 / 1) (#182)
    by The Addams Family on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 09:45:01 PM EST
    is a team player

    that's why she agreed to ask for Obama's nomination by acclamation in 2008

    #NeverTrump = PUMA

    the Greek columns stood untarnished by the unhappy unwashed

    Parent

    Are we upset (none / 0) (#183)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 09:46:46 PM EST
    There are republican PUMAs?

    Not really feelin it.

    Parent

    not at all (none / 0) (#184)
    by The Addams Family on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 09:51:17 PM EST
    it's hella entertaining

    just making a process observation/comparison

    Parent

    ROLL CALL VOTE (none / 0) (#140)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 03:17:12 PM EST
    Interesting indeed.

    They just opened a can of stinky worms.

    Parent

    The (none / 0) (#143)
    by FlJoe on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 03:26:18 PM EST
    dump Trump is getting shot down by the chair. getting mighty rowdy.

    Parent
    What they just did by effectively cheating (none / 0) (#146)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 03:41:00 PM EST
    Is really piss everyone off and make them even more determined to make trouble.  And reportedly there are many way they can make trouble.

    If it turns out this secondary "petition" was fictitious, as it seems to be, this could get really interesting.

    Parent

    Vin Webber (none / 0) (#147)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 03:42:16 PM EST
    This is not wise.

    Parent
    The more you find out (none / 0) (#138)
    by TrevorBolder on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 02:59:08 PM EST
    About that "secret" Iran deal

    The more you understand why they wanted it secret

    http://tinyurl.com/hv2ghbl

    A few caveats from your AP article: (none / 0) (#145)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 03:36:00 PM EST
    "A U.S. official noted, however, that the limit on the amount of enriched uranium Iran will be allowed to store will remain at 300 kilograms (660 pounds) for the full 15 years, significantly below the amount needed for a bomb. As well, it will remain restricted to a level used for reactor fuel that is well below weapons grade. [...] Iran insists it is not interested in nuclear weapons, and the pact is being closely monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency. The IAEA says Tehran has essentially kept to its commitments since the agreement was implemented, a little more than six months after Iran and the six powers finalized it on July 14, 2015." (Emphasis is mine.)

    Don't pee on our pantlegs and tell us it's raining.

    Parent

    The peeing (none / 0) (#148)
    by TrevorBolder on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 03:45:02 PM EST
    Was done to the American public, by continually lying about the deal, and then the boy wonders of the Obama Admin gloating about it to a reporter.

    What this does is accelerate the speed that Iran can ramp up for a nuclear weapon,

    And silly rabbit, once they do that, you think they care about how much they will be allowed to store?  You didn't write that with a straight face did you?
    Inspectors cannot even go to former military sites.
    Iran doesn't care what is allowed, they will already have their money, and do as they please. What will do , chastise them.

    Parent

    Why don't you take this discussion ... (5.00 / 2) (#151)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 04:25:49 PM EST
    ... to someplace where people love to debate and discuss baseless conspiracy theories? The article you posted was an empty exercise in specious speculation by its author, which was otherwise undermined by the two fact-based passages I noted above. I don't even think you read the entire article for comprehension before posting its link.

    Parent
    How about (5.00 / 1) (#154)
    by TrevorBolder on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 04:57:45 PM EST
    Why don't you not comment on a article that you know little about
    Instead of donning your suit of armor,
    The Almighty Protector of the Blog!!!!

    Parent
    Yeah ,like you're an expert ... (5.00 / 2) (#190)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jul 19, 2016 at 04:02:45 AM EST
    ... in nuclear engineering and weaponry. You have no idea what you're talking about -- like most topics you opin about here -- and you can't back up a single claim that's in this article about Iran building nuclear weapons.

    Rather, it's full of nonsensical speculation about what MIGHT happen some 15 years hence unless the agreement is renewed. It's not at all about what's happening now. The bottom line is that Iran's nuclear program is effectively reined in and frozen in place for that period.

    Comments like yours are exactly what's wrong with wingbats. You speak with faux authority about matters in which you are otherwise completely ignorant. I bet you couldn't even explain with any degree of accuracy the provisions in the seven-nation nuclear agreement.

    When in a hole, it's best that you stop digging.

    Parent

    Sigh (none / 0) (#192)
    by TrevorBolder on Tue Jul 19, 2016 at 06:01:37 AM EST
    You veer off topic, if you were a vehicle you would be in a ditch.
    My main problem with the Iran deal, was the secretive manner in which it was negotiated (which is okay) and then the refusal to let the American public know what was in the deal, while crowing how so great it was.
    All it was , a way for the President to add to his very meager list of accomplishments.
    This one , the Iran deal, should have been voted on by the Senate. The Administration lied to reporters , used them to push the deal, and then some idiot brags about the process, are these people really running policy? They remind me of collegiate frat boys spiking the football.

    The article was sourced from someone involved in the deal, and released more information that the college frat boys neglected to tell us. Iran can ramp up in 6 months with the new centrifuges, so who cares what their allowed allotment is? Lol, too funny, they will have the capability for nukes before anyone realizes it. We already gave them their billions, which will solidify the government in power, help them mollify any dissent within Iran.
    No, this administration folded on every issue Iran balked at, Iran got everything they wanted, this President has a paper mache deal, and the next Presidents will continue to have Iran as a major headache. Kicking the can is not Presidential. This article just added to the disaster that this deal will become

    Parent

    CaptHowdy (none / 0) (#158)
    by ragebot on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 05:25:40 PM EST
    I just got back from a short stay on my boat with limited internet.  A couple of days ago you mentioned something about the possibility of a new house that could withstand high winds.

    I have always thought a house in simply a boat so poorly constructed and run aground so hard it is pointless to try and refloat it.

    But if I was forced to live on the land I would look into something like an earthship.

    Very cool (none / 0) (#159)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 05:32:26 PM EST
    You see this sort of thing around here to various degrees.  There is a house down the road from he that the guy cuts the grass on the roof.  

    My older brothers house is set into a hill so that along the back of the house there are only small horozontal Windows for light that are about are about 8-9 feet high inside and a few inches above the ground on the outside.

    They are not only wind resistant they are very energy efficient.

    Parent

    Here's what happens when you play music... (none / 0) (#174)
    by desertswine on Mon Jul 18, 2016 at 08:46:35 PM EST
    Aaawww (none / 0) (#198)
    by Nemi on Tue Jul 19, 2016 at 10:35:57 AM EST
    How sweet. :)

    Parent
    It is now being reported (none / 0) (#201)
    by jbindc on Tue Jul 19, 2016 at 11:53:31 AM EST
    That Megyn Kelly says Roger Ailes also sexually harassed her.

    And.....scene!

    Wow (none / 0) (#202)
    by MKS on Tue Jul 19, 2016 at 11:56:07 AM EST
    Link?  Unreal stuff.

    Parent
    As I said (none / 0) (#204)
    by jbindc on Tue Jul 19, 2016 at 12:45:27 PM EST
    Ot is being reported .

    All over Twitter.

    Parent

    Tom Ford's (the designer and director).... (none / 0) (#207)
    by desertswine on Tue Jul 19, 2016 at 01:29:09 PM EST
    "ranch" just went on the market.... If you move fast and have a cool 75 mil. it's yours.  It's bigger than Manhattan.