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Some Much Needed Normalcy

CNN is featuring a concert with James Taylor and Carole King. It's not only a great performance but for an hour I tuned out everything else going on in the world. If you can, catch the re-run. [More....]

I worked in a record store in Ann Arbor in 1970 when this album was released. In late April, when the college semester was over, I went home and worked for the same store, only in Scarsdale. That was such a great summer for so many albums, but the only one I sold so many copies of that the label number is still etched in my brain -- WB 1843 (Warner Brothers) --is Sweet Baby James.

It was not a peaceful summer. In fact, my first week at the Scarsdale store, Kent State happened. We all wore black armbands in the store for a week in solidarity.

Times are more tumultuous now on so many fronts -- the most immediate calamity by me is the Marshall wildfire. 1,000 homes were destroyed. Businesses were destroyed, and then there are the homes that were damaged. It's a nightmare.

Then we have Omicron and the demented non-believers who still refuse to get vaccinated, saying it's just a cold -- or refuse to wear a mask in elevators or at the grocery store. 85% of the people who have died from COVID are over 65. The age of James Taylor, Carole King and so many other gifted artists, songwriters, producers, backup singers and musicians who are still with us and make these concerts possible.

Then there are the media hucksters who in hyperventilating voice-overs, tell us that our democracy is at risk from the Capitol riot last year, and we should be sure to tune in to some new "documentary"about it.

All of this is just another way of thanking CNN, James Taylor and Carole King for the welcome break tonight from all the madness.

Stay safe, everyone. This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

< Happy New Year and Open Thread | R.I.P. Ronnie Spector >
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  • Display: Sort:
    Don't look now, but our democracy IS at grave risk (5.00 / 2) (#1)
    by Chuck0 on Sun Jan 02, 2022 at 10:25:42 PM EST
    The crime boss 45 intends to have press conference to celebrate his minions from Jan. 6, 2021. He should be ignored. But too many of the gop lapdogs will eat his lies and bile. It was a rehearsal. A test, to see what they could get away with. And they have so far gotten away with a lot. It's going to happen again and again. At state and federal levels. Anyone on the right will just claim fraud if they lose and they will take office by force. The "shining city on hill" will be burnt to the ground. This republic is short lived. It will not exist in 25 years. And its history will disappear. Ths victors get to write the stories. And from what I'm seeing right now, those stories will be very WHITE washed. The meek may inherit the earth, but the gop crazy will burn it all down first.

    Good tidings to all the Democrats who contribute or just read here. But your party doesn't have what takes to fight the gop crazy. They keep operating as if everything is business as usual. They think the rules still apply. For the gop, there are no rules. They burned the book and flushed the ashes down the toilet.

    I abhor Liz Cheney's politics, but she has my admiration. She's got stones the size of Mt Rushmore. I think she got a bit of her father's ruthlessness. Something ths Democrats need to learn.

    49% is a good place to start (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 03, 2022 at 07:36:06 AM EST
    After several weeks of public hearings and coming indictments I think another few percentage points can be added to that.

    I have also been very frustrated with the blue party.  But me more about messaging in general.   But I think there is some tactical sense in being quiet and letting the republicans commit suicide.  

    Americans Don't Agree on What to Call January 6 Attack

    January 3, 2022 at 7:41 am EST By Taegan Goddard 42 Comments

    A new PBS NewsHour, NPR and Marist poll finds that 49% of U.S. adults say an insurrection took place that threatened democracy, and about as many say Donald Trump is to blame for those events.

    However, 25% say it was a political act of free speech and 19% say it was an unfortunate event, but it's in the past.

    It's possible there will be a more focused party going into the election.

    I think all the predictions of the Republican sweep are very premature.  A lot will happen before Nov.

    Parent

    Jan. 6 presser cancelled. (none / 0) (#35)
    by Chuck0 on Wed Jan 05, 2022 at 03:03:24 AM EST
    Per my suggestion, he IS being ignored. Will wonders ever cease? Hallelujah!

    Parent
    Looks like you may have to duke it out (none / 0) (#42)
    by Peter G on Wed Jan 05, 2022 at 12:30:48 PM EST
    with Lindsay Graham, who apparently is also claiming credit for the cancelation.

    Parent
    I csn take (none / 0) (#43)
    by Chuck0 on Wed Jan 05, 2022 at 04:35:43 PM EST
    Miss Lindsey.


    Parent
    Breaking news today from SCOTUS. (none / 0) (#160)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jan 19, 2022 at 05:17:09 PM EST
    Los Angeles Times | January 19, 2022
    Supreme Court turns down Trump's plea to shield White House records from House probe - "The Supreme Court on Wednesday turned down President Trump's plea to shield his White House records from the House committee investigating the Jan. 6. attack on the Capitol. ... Only Justice Clarence Thomas voted to grant Trump's appeal."

    Good. Some people's geese deserve to be cooked.

    Parent

    Thomas is really (none / 0) (#161)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 19, 2022 at 05:32:59 PM EST
    securing his place in history.  Along with his whack job wife.

    Parent
    boy, is he ever! (none / 0) (#164)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jan 19, 2022 at 07:02:43 PM EST
    And not without reason does the quality of Clarence Thomas's decision making on the High Court draw inevitable comparisons to Roger Taney, the late 19th century Chief Justice who authored the infamous 1857 SCOTUS decision in Sanford v. Dred Scott, which likely contributed mightily to the near collapse of the United States four years later and the outbreak of our Civil War.

    Parent
    Media hucksters tell us that our democracy is at r (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by hilts on Sun Jan 02, 2022 at 10:48:32 PM EST
    Jeralyn,
    Do you believe Trump's refusal to admit that he lost fair and square to Biden is perfectly harmless?  If Trump is re-elected in 2024, will you emigrate to Canada?  Do you believe that Trump will govern as a small "d" democrat if he wins?
    You repeatedly state that you're sick and tired of hearing any discussion about the January 6th insurrection.  Given the high probability that Trump could return to the White House, why do you believe that it's inappropriate to examine the role he played in encouraging and inspiring a violent insurrection that if it had succeeded would have transformed this nation into a banana republic?

    I would say we all must help (none / 0) (#4)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 03, 2022 at 07:58:54 AM EST
    The Media Must Help Save American Democracy

    January 3, 2022 at 9:13 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

    Margaret Sullivan: "In the year since the Jan. 6 insurrection, mainstream journalists have done a lot of things right. They've published major investigations, pointed out politicians' lies and, in many cases, finally learned how to clearly communicate the facts of what happened leading up to that horrendous riot at the U.S. Capitol -- and what is happening now as pro-Trump Republicans steadily chip away at the very checks and balances that saved American democracy last year."

    "Much of this work has been impressive. And yet, something crucial is missing. For the most part, news organizations are not making democracy-under-siege a central focus of the work they present to the public."



    Parent
    Does (none / 0) (#5)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jan 03, 2022 at 08:12:07 AM EST
    the press in this country not realize that they would be the first in the firing line in totalitarianism? I have my doubts on this from their behavior.

    Parent
    Totalitarianism (none / 0) (#6)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 03, 2022 at 09:59:23 AM EST
    Would mean lots of clicks.

    Many would be happy to gain "access"

    One reason I left that quote is because of crazy I think it is.  It's from a particularly clueless bothsider.   I think if we count on the press we are f'ed.

    WE have to do it.  All of us.

    Parent

    These are all such excellent questions (none / 0) (#8)
    by Jeralyn on Mon Jan 03, 2022 at 12:57:58 PM EST
    And so articulately stated.
    I doubt I'll be as articulate, but my I'll try to sum up. I am not afraid of Trump. He's too old and he won't win again unless Democrats run another 80 year old white man against him. Democrats should be looking for their next JFK, not getting distracted by Trump. Trump is fear-mongering and I don't kow-tow to fear mongerers.

     I suspect) Trump has no intention of running again, but is trying to put Ivanka and Donald Jr. in the running to secure his dynasty. He even once joked that he would run with Ivanka as his VP. Can you imagine Don Jr. being made Attorney General? Or golf team flunkie Andrew Giuliani as Governor of New York?  And Jared, who probably wants to be Secretary of State. It's the second wave of Trumps I'm more concerned about, so I'm taking a breather on Donald. I don't want to give him any more exposure than necessary.

    As for moving to Canada, no, I'm hoping to retire in a few years in Mexico, Medellin (Colombia), the Argave in Portugal, or Spain, or even Thailand.  If I was lucky enough to receive a job offer in London or the Hague while I'm still working, I'd jump at the chance.

    It has been a wonderful few months not reading about Donald Trump. I think the Democrats should stop obsessing on Trump and spend more time looking within to find their next leader, someone who is accomplished, charismatic, enthusiastic and a natural leader, with fresh new ideas and brings diversity to the head of the party.

    And someone who knows the difference between a Social Democrat and a Democratic Socialist. We saw how Sanders butchered the Democrats using the latter phrase in the last election.

    Considering the negative connotations of "socialism" in America, it is a bit of a puzzle why Sanders insists on using that word. It would be much less contentious and more correct if he gave his worldview its proper name: not "democratic socialism," which implies socialism brought about through a vote, but social democracy.

    Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, are social democracies.

    Social democracy is a system of political thought and action that calls upon the government to provide certain social and economic rights or entitlements necessary to the well-being of all members of the community. Social democratic parties promote it in constitutional democracies throughout the world, but especially in Europe, where the social democracy movement was born.

    Social democratic political parties try to mobilize political support for positive state and government actions. They aim to provide such social and economic rights as equal opportunities for basic education, adequate health care, acceptable housing, productive employment in the workforce, fair payment for workers, and guaranteed pension plans for people retired from the workforce.

    Social democrats claim that their commitment to social and economic rights in addition to traditional liberal ideas about political and private rights is an advanced or more fully developed model of democracy in comparison with the liberal model. While the traditional liberal model of democracy only emphasizes individual liberty, the social democratic model, according to its proponents, stresses both liberal and egalitarian ideals.

    See also, here.

    Parent

    NY AG subpoenas Ivanka and Junior (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by Towanda on Mon Jan 03, 2022 at 01:25:54 PM EST
    It's a start.

    Parent
    I agree on the crime boss. (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by Chuck0 on Mon Jan 03, 2022 at 01:30:44 PM EST
    I don't believe he will run again either. He just blathers about it.

    However, he has poisoned this democracy and the gop. The ideas that I posited in the initial comment exist with or without him in office. That is the overwhelming danger. His ideas and the big lie.

    No matter who the Democrats run, in any race at any level, the well has been poisoned. No matter how outstanding the candidate, if the crazies refuse the accept the outcome of an election, turn to violence, then this democracy is doomed.


    Parent

    Trump is not (5.00 / 3) (#11)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 03, 2022 at 01:50:33 PM EST
    and has never really been the problem.  Trump is if anything a symptom.  Of how sick our country has become.  Trumps supporters are the problem and they are not going anywhere.  They have to be beaten.  That's the only way.  They have to be beaten over and over.

    IMO a social democrat or a democratic socialist is unlikely to do that.  

    I really hope Merrick Garland is waiting for the congress to do its work.  If he doesn't step up we might be lost.  Our country is teetering on the edge of autocracy.  If you do not believe that you have no idea what is happening in your country.  Period.

    I hope Trump runs.  And I think he totally might.  If it's not him it will probably be a smarter better prepared version of him.

    His incompetence and stupidity is all that saved us.  

    And i keep hearing how he won't run because he's afraid to lose.  What a joke.  He has never admitted losing and he doesn't plan to if he runs again.  They are planning to steal the next election.  Last time was a dress rehearsal.

    Parent

    I will watch (none / 0) (#22)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 03, 2022 at 06:31:53 PM EST
    Merrick Garland Will Give Speech on January 6

    January 3, 2022 at 6:23 pm EST By Taegan Goddard 109 Comments

    Attorney General Merrick Garland will give a speech Wednesday about the Justice Department's efforts to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol, stressing the department's "unwavering commitment to defend Americans and American democracy from violence and threats of violence," the Washington Post reports.



    Parent
    At this point, (none / 0) (#23)
    by KeysDan on Mon Jan 03, 2022 at 10:03:14 PM EST
    I believe Trump has every intention to run again. He is not programmed to allow someone else, for example, Ron DeSantis, to benefit from the product of the most work he has ever done in his miserable life---the putsch, the stop the steal fraud, and its deployment toward voter suppression and take-over of the election machinery.  He clearly misses the trappings and grifting capabilities and he will lose his place as top banana  in the Republican Party if he does not run. And,  his election would provide legal protection. He thinks he will win, of course.   Trump/Rittenhouse 2024.

    Parent
    True (none / 0) (#27)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Jan 04, 2022 at 05:48:22 PM EST
    Trump is just a con man that saw a massive grift from people who had been brainwashed by Fox News and talk radio.

    Parent
    Yes, (none / 0) (#31)
    by KeysDan on Tue Jan 04, 2022 at 06:03:30 PM EST
    and he may have to run again to satisfy his "contract" with Putin.

    Parent
    The right-wing base (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by jondee on Mon Jan 03, 2022 at 03:44:34 PM EST
    can't understand how God would allow them to lose - ipso facto, the election had to have been stolen by powerful, dark forces.

    That's the thinking that's operating in these people, either consciously or subconsciously.

    Even the more secular libertarian types sound like they think they're in a war of Good vs Evil, with every attempt to impose regulation being another step on a slippery slope toward full-blown socialism. Hence it has to be resisted tooth-and-nail.

    Parent

    I agree with every word (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 03, 2022 at 04:07:28 PM EST
    I was talking to a friend about his sister.  She is a "very nice person".  Devout.  Among other things.  She hates Trump.  Or is smart enough to say she does in polite company.  But she could just never vote for a democrat.  Because they are communists.

    This is the argument being made in the middle depths of the National gene pool.  In the shallow end liberals drink blood and eat babies.  But it's all part of the same lie.

    The point is none of this is the point.

    The right has created an environment where the lie doesn't matter.  There are several and they are interchangeable depending on who they are talking to.  They are just an talking point and an excuse they have learned to use.  But the point is it's working.   They have to vote for Margorie Taylor Green because democrats are communists.  

    These people want an autocratic leader.  They want the trains to run on time.  If Trump had done that he would still be president.  His sister would not admit this.  He probably would not admit it about his sister.  But I have met her.

    But the point is, you are absolutely right.  These people have been told they are in a battle of good and evil.  And they believe it because they want to.  They want to be the "good" side.  And justifies absolutely anything to win.  It's really diabolically smart.  They have been working on the message for decades.

    Parent

    Trump just endorsed Viktor Orban (none / 0) (#17)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 03, 2022 at 04:25:46 PM EST
    NBC

    The American right's favorite strongman

    To imagine the problem is Trump .....the problem is the American right.  Which is the Republican Party.  

    The really ironic part of the above comment is it's true.  We are in an existential battle with good and evil.  It's the ultimate projection they have done.

    Parent

    Yeah (none / 0) (#29)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Jan 04, 2022 at 05:53:06 PM EST
    and they are the Good German Nazis of today. I look back and see how Hitler defined Jews as evil and seeing the parallels here.

    Parent
    True. (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by Chuck0 on Mon Jan 03, 2022 at 04:40:25 PM EST
    I have read a lot of articles recently where MAGAts and/or anti-vaxxers are interviewed. They consistently talk about a fight between good and evil. Where Democrats are the evil.

    And the talk of socialism. Jeez Louweez. They don't even know what it is, but by gawd Joe Biden is shoving it down their throats.

    This country would not win WWII today. People then had to sacrifice and work together. Half the country today would want to join the Axis.

    Parent

    Anyone have any thoughts (none / 0) (#13)
    by jondee on Mon Jan 03, 2022 at 03:59:57 PM EST
    on this "the left has become the Right"  narrative that people like Greenwald and Matt Taibbi and the (so-called) IDW have been pushing?

    Parent
    Greenwald (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Jan 04, 2022 at 05:50:35 PM EST
    and Taibbi are perfect examples of horseshoe politics. Both of them have spent a lot of ink apologizing for Vladimir Putin.

    Parent
    I feel so validated (none / 0) (#15)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 03, 2022 at 04:09:21 PM EST
    for having despised Greenwood publicly basically forever.

    About your question.  It's horseshoe!t.  

    Parent

    Greenwald (none / 0) (#16)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 03, 2022 at 04:10:06 PM EST
    Greenberg.  Whatever.

    Parent
    Twelfth Night... (5.00 / 2) (#48)
    by desertswine on Wed Jan 05, 2022 at 09:49:08 PM EST
    In the olden days, the festivities of Christmas lasted twelve days, which was the time supposed to have been taken by the three wise men or kings in their journey to Bethlehem.

    The final evening (January 5) was called "Twelfth Night" and marked the end of Christmas festivities and, in ancient Celtic tradition, the end of the 12-day winter solstice celebration

    ---Old Farmers' Almanac---

    Our Christmas tree (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by Peter G on Wed Jan 05, 2022 at 10:42:59 PM EST
    comes down on the 6th. Tonight (the 5th) is the last night the lights on the porch stay on.

    Parent
    The light returns (5.00 / 1) (#51)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Jan 05, 2022 at 11:52:50 PM EST
    Our tree comes down of the 6th also. Epiphany. (none / 0) (#52)
    by desertswine on Thu Jan 06, 2022 at 01:05:47 AM EST
    All I know is that around here (none / 0) (#53)
    by jondee on Thu Jan 06, 2022 at 05:21:45 AM EST
    the winter is forbidden till December and exits March the second on the dot..

    The smallish fake tree with the twinkling lights could stay up till April, cuz I always get too attached to it.

    Parent

    In short, there's simply not... (none / 0) (#102)
    by desertswine on Sat Jan 08, 2022 at 12:29:03 AM EST

    A more congenial spot.

    Parent
    For happy ever aftering.. (none / 0) (#103)
    by jondee on Sat Jan 08, 2022 at 09:31:21 AM EST
    Than here, (none / 0) (#129)
    by desertswine on Thu Jan 13, 2022 at 09:12:24 PM EST
    in Cam--- eh  --  laaaaaht...!!

    Parent
    Pretty (5.00 / 3) (#58)
    by FlJoe on Thu Jan 06, 2022 at 08:16:58 AM EST
    strong speech by Biden.


    Sure was. (5.00 / 3) (#59)
    by KeysDan on Thu Jan 06, 2022 at 09:36:08 AM EST
    Unique circumstances of the attempted coup anniversary brought out a fiery President.  Perhaps, his best presentation.  

    Parent
    Why does the jobs report (5.00 / 1) (#95)
    by Chuck0 on Fri Jan 07, 2022 at 04:21:15 PM EST
    have so much focus on jobs created? I keep reading about the "great resignation" and how companies can't fill the jobs that they have available. Shouldn't the focus be on filling those jobs? Not creating more unfillable positions?

    Also, does anyone else see the correlation between the last administration slamming the door on immigration and companies now not being able to fill jobs? Perhaps the whole "stealing American jobs" meme is being shown for the lie that it always was. This country needs immigrants and always has.

    I have pointed (5.00 / 1) (#100)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Jan 07, 2022 at 07:26:45 PM EST
    out to quite a few business owners here locally that immigration reform could easily solve their workforce problems.

    Parent
    Not bad (5.00 / 1) (#121)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 12, 2022 at 05:43:52 PM EST
    Schumer finds loophole to advance elections reform package


    Driving the news: The House is expected to take up an amendment in the coming days related to NASA leasing "underutilized" property to private groups. Democratic leaders are referring to this as the "shell bill."

    It will then strip that legislation of its existing language and replace it with the text for the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

    The House would then pass the updated bill and send it to the Senate as a "message." Then, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) will file a motion to concur with the House amendment.
    Between the lines: This would allow the Senate -- for the first time -- to quickly take up the bill and debate it on the floor.

    Up until now, every time Schumer has tried to bring up both elections bills, Republicans have blocked it from even being debated by opposing a cloture vote on the motion to proceed.



    Similar to "gut and amend" here in CA (none / 0) (#123)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 13, 2022 at 11:56:40 AM EST
    We used that process about a decade ago to get a law passed that was under a strict time limit.

    Parent
    The Hawaii State Supreme Court ... (none / 0) (#163)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jan 19, 2022 at 06:10:32 PM EST
    ... just ruled last November that this process - which is known out here as "gut and replace" and had been in place for decades - is unconstitutional.

    Speaking as a legislative policy analyst, that's too bad. But as a proponent of good and open government, I also see the ruling as positive because over the past five years, that process had been increasingly abused by the Hawaii state legislature.

    "Gut and Replace" was really only meant to be used occasionally to meet a compelling need, whereas many legislative committee chairs were abusing it to indulge personal whims or special interests, as a means to avoid public input and scrutiny on what could be seen as controversial or unpopular proposals.

    One specific case in point was the renaming of Honolulu International Airport in 2017 after our late U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye. Notwithstanding the public's perception of Inouye's stature on the U.S. mainland, the name change was not a popular proposal at all in Honolulu when it was first floated and due to the significant public opposition, the bill was quickly shelved and never heard in committee. Everyone thought it was dead.

    Silly us, because where there's a will, there's obviously a way. State senators circumvented the public's opposition in the final days of the regular session by quietly gutting the contents of a House concurrent resolution on the Senate floor and replacing it with language from the original Inouye airport bill, which then quietly passed the Senate on Final Reading without the public ever realizing what was just done. The House then quickly agreed to the Senate amendment the following day, and the measure was thereby adopted and signed by Gov. David Ige.

    At no time was that measure's contents ever subjected to a public hearing, yet it became for all intents and purposes a fait accompli, one which the public was not aware until several days after the legislature had already adjourned sine die.

    Hawaii Dept. of Transportation officials may have beamed "with immense pride" at what they accomplished with that public ruse, but the public itself was not at all happy with the legislature's bait-and-switch. People were rather furious, actually, and are probably still pretty unhappy about it.

    And that's not how the legislative process should ever work.

    Parent

    Ours was the only way to rapidly correct (none / 0) (#166)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jan 19, 2022 at 09:01:51 PM EST
    a very niche oversight that was under a strict time limit. Everyone was happy, no one was unhappy, and I have a framed copy of the law on my wall with the pen that Schwartzeneger signed the bill into law with and several Senator's thank yous. There are some legislative processes that simply need to happen quickly.

    Parent
    And that why it's needed. (none / 0) (#169)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Jan 21, 2022 at 08:58:43 PM EST
    We lost it because of our legislators' repeated abuse of the process to circumvent public opposition.

    Parent
    I'm sorry that happened. (none / 0) (#170)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Jan 21, 2022 at 11:01:40 PM EST
    So am I. (none / 0) (#172)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jan 24, 2022 at 01:27:10 AM EST
    But that's to be expected when you have weak legislative leadership that operates with a lack of focus, discipline and impulse control.

    Parent
    The not insignificant upside (5.00 / 1) (#140)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jan 15, 2022 at 07:20:19 AM EST

    Hundreds of Trump Voters Are Dying Every Day

    January 15, 2022 at 7:57 am EST By Taegan Goddard 112 Comments

    Donald McNeil Jr.: "As of this week, about 1,800 Americans a day are dying of Covid; the C.D.C. expects that number to rise above 2,600."

    "Virtually all are adults. If 95 percent were unvaccinated and we assume that 75 percent of those were Trump supporters, that's 1,300 to 1,900 of his voters being subtracted from the rolls every single day.
    Donald Trump lost Arizona by a mere 10,000 votes. He lost Georgia by 12,000, He lost Wisconsin by 21,000. He lost Nevada by 33,000."

    "Right now, about 60 Arizonans, 36 Georgians, 34 Wisconsinites and 14 Nevadans are dying of Covid each day. Seventy five percent of 95 percent of that would be minus 103 Trump voters per day -- just in those four swing states. Week after week. That adds up."



    Someone might have gave Trump that info (5.00 / 1) (#141)
    by MO Blue on Sat Jan 15, 2022 at 09:49:46 AM EST
    Might be the reason he is suddenly talking about being vaccinated and boosted as a good thing.

    Only problem (if you are a R) with that is the anti-vac  voters don't want to hear it. Which might actually turn off some Trump voters just enough to get them to stay home from the polls.

    Possible two upsides for the price of one.

    Parent

    S/b (5.00 / 1) (#142)
    by MO Blue on Sat Jan 15, 2022 at 09:51:32 AM EST
    Might have given Trump info.

    Parent
    Hope this is the case, (5.00 / 1) (#145)
    by KeysDan on Sat Jan 15, 2022 at 11:19:16 AM EST
    but Republicans are quite good at pretending like the thing he did was the opposite of what he did.   Trump can proclaim he invented the vaccines and everyone should get his vaccine and they will hear that vaccines are a conspiracy for mind control by Hillary and should be avoided like the plague
    And, too, the nature of the cult is that it is possible to be Trumpy without agreeing with everything-it could just be a momentary lapse of reason to be forgiven.

    Parent
    Actually (5.00 / 1) (#147)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jan 15, 2022 at 12:28:46 PM EST
    I know of one person and granted it was just one who was very anti-vaxx prior to anybody even knowing Trump was president who was the biggest Trumper on the planet but the minute he mentioned helping develop the vaccine she was done forever.

    Parent
    I agree there will not be a (5.00 / 2) (#150)
    by MO Blue on Sat Jan 15, 2022 at 04:42:05 PM EST
    mass exodus of R's away from Trump. My hope is for "just enough."

    Parent
    Honestly (none / 0) (#151)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jan 15, 2022 at 06:52:58 PM EST
    that is all that is needed in a lot of states like Florida. Maybe even more states.

    Parent
    The country (5.00 / 1) (#152)
    by KeysDan on Sun Jan 16, 2022 at 10:01:00 AM EST
    is going to need every vote possible if it is to be a democracy.  The media is after President Biden, According to that embarrassment, Peter Baker of the NYTimes, Biden does not have persuasive powers--he did not persuade the Supreme Court on his OSHA vaccine!masking-testing.  And, Putin. And Sinema.  Also, Maureen Dowd is after him in her phonedi-in  mess of a column.  Biden should have wined and dined Thomas, Alito and Barrett--what would these pundits think of that?  Bad if a Democratic President does it, no doubt.

    Parent
    Oh, I agree (none / 0) (#153)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Jan 16, 2022 at 12:12:35 PM EST
    and I hope every person will now realize how important it is to show up. I am also hoping that Glenn Youngkin and his nonsense like letting sex traffickers off becomes a campaign issue for Dems and they use it in every ad to show how Republicans pretend to be moderate but really are all Trumpers.

    Parent
    Another thing (none / 0) (#154)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Jan 16, 2022 at 12:16:20 PM EST
    is too many liberals think these reporters are our "friends". Obama seemed to get a pass on a lot of things Clinton and Biden do not.

    However my original point stands that losing 50K voters could be enough for a lot of Republicans to lose their jobs as long as we show up. And we need to show up in presidential level numbers.

    Good news: Jamie Raskin says people are going to be totally shocked at the things the 1/6 committee has found. I don't think a good portion of the country will be but once again we just need enough people to care about criminals running congress to win.  

    Parent

    Denial is not just a river in Egypt (none / 0) (#155)
    by MO Blue on Sun Jan 16, 2022 at 12:39:28 PM EST
    If they can deny a virus that is killing them, they can surely deny anything that the 1/6 committee comes up with. Doubt that they will even take the time to hear what is proven.

    Parent
    I am (none / 0) (#156)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Jan 16, 2022 at 01:11:22 PM EST
    not worried about those people. The ones that I am thinking about are the ones are not that hardcore. I know 2 people that left the GOP over J6. I will be watching them to see what they do. Unfortunately they are still calling themselves conservatives.

    Parent
    Number is more like 60% than 75% (5.00 / 1) (#143)
    by RickyJim on Sat Jan 15, 2022 at 10:05:18 AM EST
    According to a survey that came out in November.  However, the Republican percentage keeps going up every month.

    Parent
    I can almost guarantee you (5.00 / 1) (#144)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jan 15, 2022 at 10:28:35 AM EST
    in my area it's closer to 80-90%.  Maybe different in urban areas.  But local elections matter.  I was talking to a local democrat who ran for office last time just yesterday.  He thinks it matters.  I do too.

    Parent
    In rural (5.00 / 1) (#148)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jan 15, 2022 at 12:35:57 PM EST
    GA the vaxx rate is really low like 18% vaccinated in 1 county. I would say the Republicans in Atlanta are probably likely to be vaccinated. In the exurbs here the vax rate is around 38%.

    Parent
    I have heard (5.00 / 1) (#146)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jan 15, 2022 at 12:25:56 PM EST
    this discussed. The biggest loser appears to be DeSantis that only won in 2015 by like 35K votes. He's already in the hole hence the desire to stop people from voting.

    And that is before you get to the fact that the GOP relies on elderly voters who are dying off on top of COVID.

    Parent

    This is very cool: (5.00 / 1) (#149)
    by leap on Sat Jan 15, 2022 at 02:03:42 PM EST
    The only thing that can stop a bad guy (5.00 / 6) (#157)
    by Peter G on Mon Jan 17, 2022 at 03:37:02 PM EST
    University of Michigan (5.00 / 2) (#158)
    by oculus on Mon Jan 17, 2022 at 06:41:20 PM EST
    is justifiably proud of this alum.  

    Parent
    Hey, Jeralyn, I am still hoping you will post (none / 0) (#7)
    by Peter G on Mon Jan 03, 2022 at 10:52:53 AM EST
    a comment on the Maxwell trial and conviction(s), as you said you would the other day.

    Peter I have been working on it (5.00 / 4) (#20)
    by Jeralyn on Mon Jan 03, 2022 at 04:51:57 PM EST
    and trying to figure out how to do it without writing a book.

    Parent
    Anyone watching Mayor of Kingstown (none / 0) (#19)
    by Chuck0 on Mon Jan 03, 2022 at 04:50:07 PM EST
    on Paramount+? One more episode and I don't want it to end. I'll be looking forward to the next season more so than anything from HBO or other premium TV. Except for maybe The Wire.

    Jeremy Renner's character is reminiscent of Omar Little. He's got a code.

    I tried but couldn't get into it (none / 0) (#104)
    by McBain on Sat Jan 08, 2022 at 12:39:18 PM EST
    I like the cast but wasn't in the mood for that kind of show right now. I've been enjoying the western series 1883, also on Paramount+.  

    Parent
    In the same boat (none / 0) (#112)
    by Yman on Sun Jan 09, 2022 at 09:55:12 PM EST
    Really good - wish it wasn't over, but hope it's getting renewed.

    Parent
    Jeralyn thanks for your thoughtful response (none / 0) (#21)
    by hilts on Mon Jan 03, 2022 at 05:59:25 PM EST
    Jeralyn, I appreciate your candor and clarity.

    My biggest wish for the new year is that the First Lady, Barack and Michelle Obama, Chuck Schumer, and Nancy Pelosi will hold an intervention with Joe Biden after the midterm elections and convince him not to seek re-election. I don't believe that Biden can win in 2024 for various reasons. For starters, there's the age issue.

    Biden recently turned 79, but looks and sounds at least 5 years older. He has less charisma than a glass of warm milk, he's profoundly inarticulate, and he's a human gaffe machine.

    Due to the widespread availability of vaccines, Biden won't be able to campaign from the comfort of his own home. He'll have to crisscross the nation which will lead him to make many verbal miscues which will then have to be corrected by his staff.

    Personally, I'd like to see Cory Booker or Kirsten Gillibrand as the 2024 Democratic Party nominee.

    @jondee

    As far as Greenwald and Taibbi are concerned, they're simply nothing more than useful idiots for the Republican party.

    Biden has his issues (fair or not) (5.00 / 2) (#26)
    by Yman on Tue Jan 04, 2022 at 05:46:12 PM EST
    All candidates do, but some people were claiming his campaign was dead and he was "on the path to political oblivion" in Feb., 2020, less than 5 months before he won the nomination and less than 9 months before he beat Trump.  Seems a bit premature to calling for an intervention and proclaiming his candidacy dead ...

    ... again.

    Parent

    Maybe (none / 0) (#30)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Jan 04, 2022 at 05:55:32 PM EST
    he will be able to hold it together. Kamala Harris would be the front runner in your scenario but I am not sure she can win a general election.

    Parent
    More than 1 million new cases yesterday (none / 0) (#24)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jan 04, 2022 at 02:29:20 PM EST
    Actually (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jan 04, 2022 at 02:32:16 PM EST
    Ghastly... (5.00 / 2) (#32)
    by fishcamp on Tue Jan 04, 2022 at 06:20:20 PM EST
    The restaurant's down here in the keys are packed every night.  I don't understand what these people are thinking all crammed together in our low ceiling small restaurants.  If I did go out to a restaurant it would be by boat to one of the outdoor joints, but I don't even want to do that.  The grocery store scares me, especially the produce section, where I mostly shop.  It's a bummer not seeing friends anymore.  I do stop and chat sometimes out on the water, boat to boat, but that's it.  Will it ever be over?

    Parent
    I feel feel feel ya! (none / 0) (#34)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Jan 04, 2022 at 11:42:55 PM EST
    I miss city living fierce. I really miss just hopping on the metro. I miss Bistrot Du Coin on a Friday night. I miss exploring the Eastern Market any weekend I feel I itch to. This blows.

    This is the second year DC has made a try at a European Christmas market (love those too). I did not go last year because it was skeletal due to C19. This year there was more participation. My son-in-law here for a school and also spent his childhood in Germany checked it out. Came home and said, "not this year". May next year be the year for the Christmas Market.

    Parent

    Yesterday (5.00 / 1) (#44)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 05, 2022 at 04:38:37 PM EST
    I had an appt with my primary care Dr.  He was sick.  Rescheduled.  I just got a call from the Ortho I have a appt with tomorrow.  He is sick.  Rescheduled.

    I really feel for these guys.  And healthcare people in general.

    Parent

    The CDC (none / 0) (#45)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jan 05, 2022 at 05:12:26 PM EST
    needs to get on board with a fourth(second booster) vaccination  for health care workers.  Israel has adopted a fourth vaccination for health care workers, immunocompromised, and Thomas's over age 60.  Five  or six months after the first booster

    Parent
    Note, (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jan 05, 2022 at 05:21:51 PM EST
    "Thomas" must be an undetected autocorrect for --those.

    Parent
    Governor Jim Justice (R.WVA) (5.00 / 1) (#84)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jan 07, 2022 at 02:22:49 PM EST
    has asked. President Biden, through the FDA and CDC, to authorize a fourth (second booster) of the Covid Pfizer/Moderna vaccine for those over the age of 50 and health care workers. The Governor cited the Israeli program and indicated his concern for the heath care capabilities of West Virginia.

    Parent
    WV isone of the worst (none / 0) (#109)
    by Towanda on Sun Jan 09, 2022 at 03:02:25 PM EST
    states for even first and second shots.

    Those ought to be his priority.

    Parent

    The CDC has (none / 0) (#113)
    by KeysDan on Mon Jan 10, 2022 at 12:48:28 PM EST
    authorized a fourth (second booster) vaccination for mildly to moderately immunocompromised as of the coming week.  Immunocompromised includes those with genetics factors, those taking corticosteroids, HIV, transplant, and chemotherapy patients.  The interval recommended is five months after the first booster.

    As for a second booster for the general population, the focus of efforts will continue for getting the unvaccinated fully vaccinated, and.for first booster for the fully vaccinated.  The Israeli data for a second booster will continue to be monitored.

    Parent

    I am finally seeing my primary Dr tomorrow (5.00 / 1) (#114)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 10, 2022 at 01:12:00 PM EST
    after weeks of delays because of covid.  I plan to ask, as I did before, when and if I get a second booster.

    Parent
    On the 27th of this month (none / 0) (#115)
    by fishcamp on Mon Jan 10, 2022 at 05:59:45 PM EST
    I will be five months from my booster vaccination and get a steroid shot in my shoulder every three months.  It's hard to believe that I am immunocomprised.  It must be for people who receive corticosteroids for respiratory problems.  I wonder which doctor to ask?

    Parent
    Yes, (none / 0) (#119)
    by KeysDan on Mon Jan 10, 2022 at 07:59:18 PM EST
    immunocompromise is most likely in steady administration of corticosteroids and when used in concert with chemotherapy. Also, depends on underlying health issues.  It can be tested for with immune-indicators such as T-cells and immunoglobulins (infection fighting proteins)  in the blood.

    Parent
    My Dr. Is in quarantine (none / 0) (#46)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Jan 05, 2022 at 05:16:49 PM EST
    But can zoom from home

    Parent
    Hunkered down (none / 0) (#33)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Jan 04, 2022 at 11:26:25 PM EST
    Rewarching Boardwalk Empire. Just as good the second time, and it reminds me of pre-covid normalcy more than any other pre-covid series so far. I'll take it!

    Parent
    Im really sad (none / 0) (#36)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 05, 2022 at 07:32:56 AM EST
    To see Yellowjackets (2 more eps) and Dexter (finale on Sun) end.

    They are both some of the best stuff on tv in a long time.  I've been doing the Marvelous Ms Mazel.  I'm liking it more than I expected to.

    As far as the numbers, yesterday I heard several versions of "well the numbers are inflated because of the weekend back log" or something.

    The number today (for yesterday) is only 885,000.

    You can click the same link above,

    Parent

    Also (none / 0) (#37)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 05, 2022 at 07:34:30 AM EST
    I just finished Midnight Mass on Netflix which was excellent.

    Parent
    Josh got us to watch Midnight Mass (none / 0) (#50)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Jan 05, 2022 at 11:50:52 PM EST
    I haven't been interested in anything like it for a long while, but it grabbed me. We all were into it.

    Parent
    It's not about vampires (5.00 / 1) (#56)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 06, 2022 at 08:03:08 AM EST
    It's about religion.  The way they mix church traditions and vampire traditions is just brilliant.  

    Yes, I'm anti religion.  But this show was not.  It was the best argument for faith I have ever seen.  The ending scene of the ending episode is one of the most effective and affecting things I have seen in entertainment maybe ever.

    It was a brilliant homage to the death scene on the titanic and so much more.  

    I actually watched it again and I recommend it.  It's amazing how every scene, every word, is about religion and faith.  And not in a way that made me want to change the channel.

    The priest should get some award attention.

    Parent

    We had a great time (5.00 / 1) (#60)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 06, 2022 at 10:49:10 AM EST
    Cracking on Josh because he attends a Catholic University. I demanded to know exactly what IS going on at the grotto!

    Josh loves it I think specifically because he has had so much exposure to the juncture of religion and philosophy these past 3 yrs.

    Parent

    Hey! (5.00 / 1) (#63)
    by Zorba on Thu Jan 06, 2022 at 02:29:02 PM EST
    Don't crack on him because he's at a Catholic school! I got my Master's degree at a Catholic school- Boston College. And a darned good school it was.
    ;-)

    Parent
    His school is fab (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 06, 2022 at 03:52:31 PM EST
    A friend here graduated there, took her LSAT and just blew it up. She said she credits The Mount. I asked Josh if he was going to take the LSAT. He came out of his room hefting a giant textbook on Constitutional law, throws it down on the coffee table and says NO! ;)

    Parent
    Josh is taking Critical Race Theory (5.00 / 1) (#70)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 06, 2022 at 04:00:27 PM EST
    The actual course. The real one and not fear based one. It is part of his requirements. That made me horse laugh out loud though, that Josh.

    Parent
    Zorba, today in the photos section of the Guardian (none / 0) (#77)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 06, 2022 at 09:23:30 PM EST
    was a photo of Greeks near Athens wait seep in water.  One man held a wooden cross. No wet suits. Is this a Greek Orthodox tradition re Ephphany?

    Parent
    Yes (5.00 / 4) (#82)
    by Zorba on Fri Jan 07, 2022 at 08:31:42 AM EST
    Not just Greek, although the Greeks may be the best known for it.
    On Epiphany (usually called Theophany by the Orthodox), there is the Great Blessing of Waters. Small amounts are blessed to take home, and then if the church is near a body of water- ocean, lake, river- often the priest and parishioners go down to the waters edge to bless the water with a cross. (This blesses all the water in the world.)
    Traditionally the cross is thrown into the water and a bunch of the young men dive for it. Whoever retrieves the cross gets a special blessing

    Parent
    And the last line (none / 0) (#57)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 06, 2022 at 08:05:21 AM EST
    "I can't feel my legs"

    Parent
    The last time I took fresh laundry (none / 0) (#61)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 06, 2022 at 10:53:56 AM EST
    To Josh the seminarians we getting out of a class. As I drove by they all started waving at me. I don't know any of them, but I'm guessing I have been identified as Josh's mom.

    Parent
    I just discovered (none / 0) (#65)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 06, 2022 at 03:39:49 PM EST
    the Last Kingdom on Netflix.  I just finished season one.  It's very good.

    Parent
    You make me feel like (none / 0) (#68)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 06, 2022 at 03:53:49 PM EST
    I'm too picky

    Parent
    Have you seen this? (none / 0) (#72)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 06, 2022 at 04:48:50 PM EST
    Not sure how I missed 4 seasons.  It's 91% on RT.

    I think it's very good.  And I read the later seasons are better.

    Parent

    But (none / 0) (#74)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 06, 2022 at 04:59:41 PM EST
    I am very surprised you don't love Yellowjackets.

    Parent
    I really think my meh (none / 0) (#76)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 06, 2022 at 09:21:20 PM EST
    Over the first two episodes of Yellowjackets has to do with it colliding with the holidays. The holidays last year were terrible. I needed a festive season this year, and the subject matter just wasn't festive. I wouldn't have watched Midnight Mass either if it wasn't for Josh being in attendance.

    Parent
    It does take off (none / 0) (#78)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 07, 2022 at 06:11:09 AM EST
    a bit slowly.   The show turns out to mostly be about their lives as middle aged adults.  2 eps from the end we still don't really know what happened in the woods.

    But I think it's maybe the best thing this year,

    Parent

    The penultimate episode (none / 0) (#110)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jan 09, 2022 at 03:09:43 PM EST
    was killer.  So good.  I can't wait to see where they leave it for next season.  

    Parent
    I only recently realized (none / 0) (#111)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jan 09, 2022 at 03:15:06 PM EST
    that most series are available to stream on midnight of the premier day.  The episodes that will air tonight are already available to stream.

    Everyone probably knows this but me.  Just sayin.

    Parent

    Not a series but (5.00 / 1) (#116)
    by MO Blue on Mon Jan 10, 2022 at 06:03:34 PM EST
    the movie "Unforgivable" on Netflix is one of the best movies I've seen in awhile.

    Parent
    It is really something (5.00 / 1) (#122)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Jan 12, 2022 at 07:30:02 PM EST
    Lifetime acting

    Parent
    I think Sandra Bullock (none / 0) (#117)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 10, 2022 at 06:56:03 PM EST
    is sometimes underrated

    Parent
    IMO She definitely (none / 0) (#118)
    by MO Blue on Mon Jan 10, 2022 at 07:37:17 PM EST
    did a dynamite acting job in this movie.

    Parent
    I haven't been able to get into (none / 0) (#38)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Jan 05, 2022 at 08:48:23 AM EST
    Yellowjackets, but also kind of saving it for later. Dexter has been something our whole family is sharing together tho we are miles apart.

    Station Eleven is next for me.

    Parent

    Station Eleven is very good (none / 0) (#39)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 05, 2022 at 08:58:59 AM EST
    The division on Dexter I think comes down to this.  People who watched the old show and thought his sister was wonderful and those who thought she was the most annoying and frustrating part of the show

    When she appeared in this one I was filled with dread that he would let her F up his life.  again.  I have been thrilled that she has been kicked to the curb.  I think the show is going to have a "happy"ending.  With putting his sister in the past by stopping hearing her harping voice.

    In quotes for obvious reasons.

    Here's my prediction based on nothing.  His girlfriend the cop sees the big picture and does not try to arrest him.  Because her friend is dead.  Among others.    But she tells him he, and Harrison, have to go.  Somewhere else.
    She might date him but she won't want her daughter dating a serial killer in training.

    Parent

    PS (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 05, 2022 at 09:21:06 AM EST
    Harrison is brilliant casting.  He is perfect and could totally do a spin-off

    Parent
    Also (5.00 / 1) (#41)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 05, 2022 at 09:26:08 AM EST
    I would love it if for whatever reason Harrison lied about Hanna being dead and she could somehow return.  She was my all time favorite seasonal character.

    Who, by the way, tried to kill Debra.

    Parent

    I love (none / 0) (#107)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jan 09, 2022 at 09:04:38 AM EST
    being surprised

    Parent
    And they called it (none / 0) (#108)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jan 09, 2022 at 09:13:40 AM EST
    a season finale.  Excellent.

    Parent
    Alex Borstein (none / 0) (#62)
    by Chuck0 on Thu Jan 06, 2022 at 11:00:19 AM EST
    is the best part of Mrs. Mazel.

    Parent
    From one year ago (none / 0) (#54)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 06, 2022 at 06:56:18 AM EST
    They are inside (none / 0) (#134)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 06, 2021 at 01:21:14 PM EST
    The building.
    Get to your office lock the door.   Stay away from windows.

    Parent

    Where the h£ll are the (5.00 / 2) (#137)
    by MO Blue on Wed Jan 06, 2021 at 01:28:28 PM EST
    Capital Police, the National Guard and all the police. If these were BLM protesters, there would be dead bodies lying on the ground by now.
    They have been allowed to take over the Capital.

    Parent |  1  2  3  4  5

    It's hard to believe (none / 0) (#139)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 06, 2021 at 01:35:55 PM EST
    what we are seeing is real.

    Parent
    The police are milling around outside (5.00 / 2) (#141)
    by MO Blue on Wed Jan 06, 2021 at 01:48:25 PM EST
    They are talking about evacuating Pence. No talk about bringing in the Guard or making mass arrests. This country allows white supremacist/Trump supporters to take over state and Federal Capitals unimpeded. Others are gassed, beaten and shot for for far less. I'm throughly disgusted.

    Parent |  1  2  3  4  5
    Just heard National Guard (5.00 / 1) (#142)
    by MKS on Wed Jan 06, 2021 at 01:52:52 PM EST
    has been requested by Pelosi, but DOD is not responding right away.
    25th Amendment needed--today.  Trump must be removed from White House.

    Parent |  1  2  3  4  5

    Pence and half (none / 0) (#145)
    by MKS on Wed Jan 06, 2021 at 01:57:49 PM EST
    of Cabinet is enough under 25th Amendment.  Do they have that now?

    Parent |  1  2  3  4  5
    I think there is a question (none / 0) (#149)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 06, 2021 at 02:01:32 PM EST
    seriously, because so many of the cabinet are "acting".   I really read this.  It's not as clear if they are not confirmed by the congress.  So it might not work.  At least not quickly.  Courts.
    Interesting times

    Parent

    Yep. (none / 0) (#153)
    by MKS on Wed Jan 06, 2021 at 02:02:45 PM EST
    But Pence should be ready to go the 25th route.  

    Parent |  1  2  3  4  5
    DOD denies Pelosi's request (none / 0) (#154)
    by MKS on Wed Jan 06, 2021 at 02:06:19 PM EST

    Parent |  1  2  3  4  5

    worth going back for a re-read

    What he said (none / 0) (#55)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 06, 2022 at 07:41:07 AM EST
    Stop coddling these idiots.  Do what they would do. Get in their face.  Start triaging them to the back of the healthcare line.

    Macron toughens line on the unvaccinated, wants to `piss them off'
    Presidential comments sparked outrage from opposition lawmakers.



    The only republicans at the house ceremony today (none / 0) (#64)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 06, 2022 at 03:35:38 PM EST
    Was Liz and Dick Cheney.  

    I bet Johnny Isakson would be amazed at how may of his republican colleagues were at his funeral today.  In person.  During a massive Covid spike.  

    As some talking head said earlier, if you believe the date of that funeral was an accident I have a bridge to sell you.

    We are going to have (none / 0) (#66)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 06, 2022 at 03:47:14 PM EST
    A John Dean moment during 1/6 televised hearings. Chuck Schumer's prayer today seemed indicate more than one.

    I'm preparing to be shook, and I already expect the worst. I think that is what Garland's speech was about because there is a perception he isn't doing anything, he isn't on this.

    I took his speech as prep for the nation, he has been doing his job. He knows we are all going to be shook by what we learn, he wants us to know out of the gate he is on it and has been on it.

    Parent

    Prime Time (5.00 / 1) (#71)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 06, 2022 at 04:46:41 PM EST
    From The Hill

    The chairman of the House select committee investigating the events surrounding the Jan. 6 Capitol riot said in an interview with Bloomberg on Tuesday that the committee is considering holding multiple hearings that would be televised during prime-time hours.



    Parent
    I agree (none / 0) (#73)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 06, 2022 at 04:52:28 PM EST
    I think the hearings are going to change a lot of things.  And I am also holding out hope Garland is waiting for the committee report and referrals.  

    Parent
    Isakson (none / 0) (#69)
    by KeysDan on Thu Jan 06, 2022 at 03:57:18 PM EST
    is still a team player.   Still active in the Republican Party.

    Parent
    Well (none / 0) (#75)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jan 06, 2022 at 06:49:26 PM EST
    he was until he died or retired. It seems he picked a good time to retire. Never the Trumper that Perdue was and is.

    Parent
    Which reminds me that ... (none / 0) (#105)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sat Jan 08, 2022 at 04:38:55 PM EST
    ... the memorial service for former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is to be held today in Las Vegas. He's to lie in state next week at the U.S. Capitol.

    No word yet as to where Sen. Reid will actually be laid to rest, but a visit to the family plot where his parents and several siblings are buried at the local cemetery in his boyhood hometown of Searchlight, NV (about an hour south of Vegas on U.S. 95) is a stark reminder that he did indeed come from a very poor and humble background.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    UPDATE: Harry Reid was laid to rest ... (none / 0) (#136)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Jan 14, 2022 at 03:27:47 PM EST
    ... yesterday in a private ceremony at his family's plot at the aforementioned Searchlight Cemetery in the Mojave Desert town where he was born and raised.

    Parent
    I am tired of hearing about (none / 0) (#79)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 07, 2022 at 07:09:48 AM EST
    The "coming civil war".

    This is stupid click bait.  Even worse the idle chatter about a shooting war with the fat stupid Oaf Keepers misses the more important point that we are already in a civil war.

    But it's, and will become even more so, an information war. A war of messaging.  Democrats are losing this war.  And they have been for a long time.

    But it's the only war that matters and if they don't get their shite together the US will be Hungary in a few years.

    The civil war in progress (5.00 / 1) (#83)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jan 07, 2022 at 01:03:08 PM EST
    is based on two opposing ideas as to what the US is and should be: a diverse democracy or a "democracy" that is not a democracy that excludes segments of the citizenry and does not subscribe to the promotion of the general welfare as set forth in the US Constitution. The first, the Democratic Party, the second, the Republican Party.

    The Republican Party has already leapfrogged over Orban's autocratic vision of governance to, essentially, flat-out fascism. And, fascism requires enemies and depends on thuggery to be sustained.

    So far, as an example, the Republican Party has found a valuable enemy in Covid vaccinations and has embraced thuggery necessary to achieving power. The Republican Party has captured the Supreme Court--a judicial body that can veto both the executive and legislative branches of government. (It looks like the reactionary S.C. has not warmed to the Biden Administration;s test or vaccination mandates, via OSHA rules, in the face of the pandemic. And, a Court whose own building has been closed for two years because of the pandemic).

    The media does not know how to cover a fascist v democratic party--still admonished by their old journalism classes to present both sides. Even good messaging, while critical, will become lost to the fascist propaganda and propagandists, unless the fascist policies are recognized for what they are.

    Perhaps, private interviews by media with Republican office holders, for the most part, appear to be reasonable, if not sane. Or, that they believe these wacko ideas are given with a wink and a nod--just politics. Not yet realizing it is the actions that count.

    The danger to this civil war is the distinct possibility of guerrilla  warfare. The next step against enemies--starting with the most  vulnerable citizens deemed to be enemies.

     

    Parent

    No one is going to listen to (5.00 / 1) (#86)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 07, 2022 at 02:36:50 PM EST
    "Republicans are bad"..  that worked for Trump.  It did not even work for other republicans last time.  And it will not work next time.

    They have to start making people understand what they have done.  Which is a lot.  Tell them what has been done.  And what they want to do.  

    There is way to much self righteous preaching by elected democrats in primetime.

    Parent

    Oh yes, (none / 0) (#88)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jan 07, 2022 at 03:03:01 PM EST
    I agree.  It seems the Biden Administration's plan to address the Republican Party problem was good government and doing good things. And, they have.  But, as you  point out they have only been good at hall of it---the other half is to tell about it, not just once, but repeatedly. Especially critical when accomplishments are systematically lied about by Republicans and buried by the media, unless wrapped in attacks by space aliens on Hillary.

    Parent
    They need a positive rational message (none / 0) (#89)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 07, 2022 at 03:07:49 PM EST
    that they are all repeating every day everywhere.  Just like republicans.  God knows they have proved it works.  The bad stuff will, I think, take care of it's self

    WaPo

    Thompson confirmed plans to conduct televised public hearings in prime time.
    "We think January 6 and what happened is so important, we need to give the greatest number of Americans an opportunity to see firsthand what we have uncovered," he said, adding that he expected hearings to start within the next month or so and that hearings would likely be conducted on consecutive evenings.
    "So, I'm talking about like Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. We're not talking about one hearing one week, one hearing another week," he said.



    Parent
    On that (none / 0) (#91)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 07, 2022 at 03:21:38 PM EST
    I saw some of the CNN special.  With Liz.  I am SO glad she is involved in this.  It's important IMO not just because it will lend credibility and bi-partisanship but because she clearly brings the Republican go-for-the-jugular mindset.

    Democrats (after the Clinton's)  seem incapable of this.  And maybe that not the worst thing.  And it is precisely what is required in this case.

    I've been watching the excellent historical drama on Netflix The Last Kingdom.

    So many times history has been saved for good people by bad people with shared interest.

    Parent

    BTW (none / 0) (#90)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 07, 2022 at 03:09:20 PM EST
    "Good government doing good things" the great delusion of the Obama administration.  You would think they would have learned from that.

    Parent
    All true (none / 0) (#85)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 07, 2022 at 02:31:32 PM EST
    but not exactly what I mean by messaging.  Or not all I mean.

    I just heard that there have been more jobs created in the Biden administration so far than in the entire past three republican administrations.

    How many people know that?   I just think that's messaging that is becoming inexcusable.  There is a lot to be proud of for the Biden administration.  

    But people will not know that until they are told.  And told.  And told again.  

    Parent

    Here (none / 0) (#87)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 07, 2022 at 02:45:25 PM EST
    It's (none / 0) (#92)
    by FlJoe on Fri Jan 07, 2022 at 03:48:00 PM EST
    the media, Just been watching tapper and want to strangle him. It's all bad news on the economy,  job  even though the signals are mixed at worst. He has harped on the testing shortage for days now.

    I think these economists should quit making these predictions, Covid has reshuffled the job market in ways that nobody even understands yet.

    Parent

    Economists.. (none / 0) (#94)
    by jondee on Fri Jan 07, 2022 at 04:21:06 PM EST
    they had trouble enough seeing 2007-2008 coming..

    They seem so committed to 'instilling confidence' and deincentivizing policy-courses, that they've drained the science part out of 'the dismal science.'

    Parent

    The media (none / 0) (#96)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 07, 2022 at 04:24:34 PM EST
    much of the media, harps on republicans constantly.  It does not stop them from getting their message out.

    Partly it's because of the different news bubbles people live in.  I get that.  And that democrats rely to much on people like Tapper  But republicans have figured out a way to get their message out.  If they have to start a democratic propaganda station, and REAL one like FOX is for the reds, I say do it.

    But I don't think that the solution.  Democrats are all over the map.  On everything.  Back biting each other and feuding and finger pointing.  Republican leaders punish that shite.  

    If they could just shut their mouths, push, pull, or GTF out of the way someone might hear them.


    Parent

    I agree (none / 0) (#101)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Jan 07, 2022 at 07:30:51 PM EST
    the media is a major problem. However the problem I see and have experienced with friends is that they think the media is fair or even that there is a "liberal media" that the conservatives have been pushing. We have our own voters not recognizing the problem. At least they generally are getting the message about what Biden is doing or has done.

    Parent
    We all still have to contend (none / 0) (#93)
    by jondee on Fri Jan 07, 2022 at 04:15:32 PM EST
    with the reality that no matter how good the messaging and massaging, there is a very noisy, very entrenched, and very well-funded media complex fanatically committed to nothing but shoveling sh*t onto the ideas of people who want to live in the 21st century and not in the Gilded Age or the Antebellum South.

    These lizard-brains would reinterpret the Sermon on the Mount as a woke Marxist/Leninist call-to-arms.

    Parent

    I believe that is 30% (none / 0) (#97)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 07, 2022 at 04:27:30 PM EST
    Maybe 40 on a bad day.

    There are enough people who don't give a shite about what Jake Tapper or Sean Hannity thinks,  

    Who have no f'ing idea Biden has created a better job market than the last three republican administrations combined.

    Because no one has ever told them.

    Parent

    It's (none / 0) (#98)
    by FlJoe on Fri Jan 07, 2022 at 05:55:31 PM EST
    not just the day to day BS, it's decade by decade now. You are right, very few people watch this crap but it filters down. Many people only see the news at the garage when they are forced to watch Fox for 45 mins or so. Or more likely get their news from a true devotee at work or in the family.

    Day after day, week after week, year after year, Republicans are the adults in the room and the Democrats are communist baby killers in league with the devil

    Propaganda works.

    Parent

    Yes definitely (none / 0) (#99)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 07, 2022 at 06:45:40 PM EST
    Decades

    Parent
    Today's LA Times op-ed by Kurt Bardella ... (none / 0) (#165)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jan 19, 2022 at 07:21:45 PM EST
    ... outlines what you said here:

    "For four years, the phrase 'infrastructure week' was a punchline. A metaphor for the abysmal failure that was supposed to be Donald Trump's signature legislative achievement.

    "It took Joe Biden less than a year to make good on a transformational piece of legislation that will reshape America's cities, towns and communities. If Biden achieved little else for the rest of his term, the enactment of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act would be enough to cement his record for tangibly improving the lives of Americans.

    "And yet, I can't help but think that Biden has been short-changed in how his first year has been framed by the mainstream media, which has largely been guided by the playbook of politics-as-usual." (Emphasis is mine.)

    It's worth a read. LINK.

    Parent

    This (none / 0) (#80)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 07, 2022 at 08:03:33 AM EST
    How the Media Might Cover a Trump Coup

    January 7, 2022 at 9:06 am EST By Taegan Goddard 17 Comments

    Greg Sargent imagines "how the both-sides media would cover a successful Trump coup."

    Several times in the last few days, it's weird how these memes grow like fungus, that faith in election integrity really started being attacked when Trump won. "And the democrats were all `Russia Russia Russia" and `now republicans are doing the same thing'"

    Seriously?  I guess it should have been expected from the "both sides" media but it's really dangerous and it's making me crazy.

    BTW
    I am not hearing this on FOX.  I hearing it on CNN and MSNBC.  Steve Kornaki comes to mind.

    Acosta on CNN tonight (5.00 / 1) (#106)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Jan 08, 2022 at 06:12:13 PM EST
    Said no more both sides on his program. He has always been a trailblazer, a leader, with an ethical compass.

    Parent
    Sargent (none / 0) (#81)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 07, 2022 at 08:04:46 AM EST
    Dominick Black takes plea deal (none / 0) (#120)
    by McBain on Tue Jan 11, 2022 at 12:12:10 PM EST
    Link
    Dominick Black, who bought Kyle Rittenhouse the gun he used in deadly shootings during unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 2020, will no longer face criminal charges.
    Black instead will plead no contest to a county ordinance citation of contributing to the delinquency of a child and face a $2,000 fine, prosecution and defense attorneys said in court Monday.

    I've been very critical of prosecutors and judges lately, but this seems like the right thing to do.
    Prosecutor Thomas Binger cited three aspects of the Rittenhouse trial led to this plea deal.
    First, the misdemeanor charge against Rittenhouse, possession of a dangerous weapon by a minor, was dropped midway through his trial.
    Second, Binger noted Black was "cooperative" and "testified truthfully" during the Rittenhouse trial.
    Third, Binger pointed to Rittenhouse's acquittal by a jury.
    Black's pleading no contest to contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a non-criminal citation, "avoids a criminal conviction," defense attorney Tony Cotton said.
    Black, who was dating Rittenhouse's sister, testified that he purchased an AR-15 firearm for Rittenhouse.


    Vaccine mandates and the Supreme Court (none / 0) (#124)
    by KeysDan on Thu Jan 13, 2022 at 03:20:54 PM EST
    By a vote of 6/3 the court blocked implementation of the Biden Administration mandate to require Covid vaccination or masking/testing in workplaces that employ more than 100 employees. The majority (all the Republican-appointed justices) wrote " although Congress has indisputably given OSHA the power to regulate occupational danger it has not given the agency the power to regulate public health broadly".

    A grave public health crisis that manifests itself in the workplace is not applicable.  The actions went too far and too broad in the workplace.  And, the 1970 law was pretty old and too broad. Indeed, the regulations depend on an agglomerate of laws which is not good.  

      The virus is not just a problem at work, but anytime in a workers life so not applicable.  No noting that it is optional to go to a ballgame, but not to work.   Writing for the dissent, Justice Breyer stated "the majority seriously misapplied the applicable legal standards".

    In a much too close decision (5/4) the vaccination mandate for health care workers, as promulgated by the Secretary of HHS was stayed.  So good news for now.

    Apparently the dissent, written by Alito, and joined by Thomas, Gorsuch, and Barrett, was too much for both Roberts and Kavanaugh, who joined the majority.  And, Roberts probably had one ear tuned to the court's remaining legitimacy. The dissenters did not find that "infection control program requirements"  applied to employees, just facilities and they were not specified in the range of heath care facilities other than long term care.  And, the Secretary has no authority to require health care workers to undergo a "medical procedure", I.e, a shot in the arm.

    As at the oral arguments last week, Gorsuch was the only justice who was not wearing a mask.  Justices Sotomayor and Breyer participated remotely today.  Breyer is over 80years old and Sotomayor is diabetic presenting special risks.

    Please address the "major questions (none / 0) (#125)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 13, 2022 at 04:26:02 PM EST
    doctrine."  First I've heard of it.

    Parent
    A doctrine (none / 0) (#126)
    by KeysDan on Thu Jan 13, 2022 at 05:56:21 PM EST
    That sone issues are of such economic or political importance that courts will not defer to regulatory agencies unless congress has been very clear about the delegation.  It has been weaponized by right wingers bent on deregulation.  It stems  from the Burrell decision, but Peter G will be able discuss this better and in depth.

    Parent
    Sorry. TBH: I never heard of it (none / 0) (#127)
    by Peter G on Thu Jan 13, 2022 at 07:11:50 PM EST
    before.  Criminal law and civil liberties are more my thing than administrative law, particularly obscure corners of admin law. But now that you bring it up, I will go look at the opinion. All I did this afternoon was look to see who wrote it, who dissented, and what the vote was.

    Parent
    The major questions (5.00 / 2) (#128)
    by KeysDan on Thu Jan 13, 2022 at 08:56:00 PM EST
    Issue was brought up often in the oral arguments last week.  And, the doctrine appears in the OSHA majority opinion in that the Congress did not  set forth health and safety clearly enough, stating that it is telling that in the past 50 years since the establishment of OSHA a rule has not been made mandating vaccination.  

    And, the danger of this contagious disease is not special to the work place.  As if a public health- based reading of the delegated authority cannot be found that requires a chef to wash their hands after going to the bathroom since that activity      Is not limited to the work place.  Or, any rule  for driving a vehicle as a part of working.   Justice Breyer's dissent says it all--the court substituting their incompetence for the expertise of the rule makers.  The majority just does not seem to like OSHA.

    Parent

    I don't see how they can charge sedition (none / 0) (#130)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 14, 2022 at 09:10:34 AM EST
    without eventually getting to Trump.

    McCarthy Claimed Trump Admitted Responsibility for Riot

    January 14, 2022 at 10:22 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

    "House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said publicly and privately in the days following the deadly riots at the US Capitol that President Donald Trump admitted personally bearing some responsibility for the attack -- one of several reasons why the select committee on January 6 wants to hear from the House's top Republican," CNN reports.

    "McCarthy shared the details of his conversation with Trump in a little-noticed local radio interview done a week after the insurrection, in which McCarthy said he supported a committee to investigate the attack and supported censuring then-President Trump."

    Said McCarthy: "I say he has responsibility. He told me personally that he does have some responsibility. I think a lot of people do."

    He is still doing it.  

    Poor McCarthy (none / 0) (#131)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jan 14, 2022 at 10:09:26 AM EST
    He put his finger up to the wrong wind.  Kevin prematurely stuck a fork in Trump thinking he was done.  In sane times he would have been right--- an electoral loser, and heading for impeachment and jail.  But, he miscalculated the strength of the fascist movement and in quick order was down in Mar-a-Lago kissing Trump's  ...er -- his ring.

    Parent
    Bearing "some responsibility" (none / 0) (#132)
    by Peter G on Fri Jan 14, 2022 at 11:05:02 AM EST
    and having even indirect criminal liability that can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt are two very different things.

    Parent
    I'm sure it is (none / 0) (#133)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 14, 2022 at 12:06:11 PM EST
    and I don't really expect him to be indicted.  Although I don't think it's impossible.  An un-indicted  coconspirator seems quite possible.

    Parent
    As I recall, Nixon was named (none / 0) (#135)
    by Peter G on Fri Jan 14, 2022 at 03:06:56 PM EST
    as an unindicted co-conspirator in the Watergate case, in the criminal indictment of his top White House aides.

    Parent
    There is an intriguing-sounding legal article (none / 0) (#137)
    by ladybug on Fri Jan 14, 2022 at 03:41:40 PM EST
    on Google called "Sidestepping due process: federal grand juries and the unindicted co-conspirator" that is not available to download and I cannot access through my library. The library notes read: "Unindicted co-conspirators have no effective legal recourse to clear their names. It is up to the courts to curb abuses and ensure fundamental fairness." The article sounds interesting but may have too much legalese for me too. When I have time I will look up the Nixon case for comparison.

    Parent
    is that the armorer is suing the ammo supplier claiming he supplied her with live rounds mixed into the same ammo box with the dummy rounds.

    And additionally her lawsuit claims that a few days prior to the fatal shooting Baldwin did not respond her request to give him training for the specific gun-related moves that were required for the scene in which he shot the DP.

    Peacemaker is great (none / 0) (#138)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 14, 2022 at 05:06:47 PM EST
    from Inverse

    Cena is retired from pro wrestling (maybe), but his starring role in the HBO Max series Peacemaker, premiering January 13, feels like vindication of his past life. Not only is Cena actually emotive enough to be an engaging actor -- a common criticism of his wrestling ego was his lack of depth, like a sentient stone idol in jorts -- but as a foul-mouthed misogynist and casual racist, Peacemaker is Cena lampooning a twisted mirror self. Thankfully, he has the charisma to let anyone love his broken, wretched person.

    Under the guidance of writer/director James Gunn, Peacemaker is an almost sublime superhero satire shouldered by the magnetism, and literal broad shoulders, of John Cena. To its detriment, it can't resist dirty jokes no matter how repetitious and unsuited to the moment at hand; proof of Gunn's boundlessness is evidenced in his show's relentless, cranked-up humor that teeters on offensive. But as a contained superhero saga about family forged out of unlikely circumstances -- a recurring theme in all of Gunn's work -- Peacemaker is an early contender for one of the best streaming shows of the year.



    The title segment alone (none / 0) (#139)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 14, 2022 at 05:32:09 PM EST
    is worth catching it at least once.  I think I will want to watch it every time.

    Parent
    INSERTION this weekend (none / 0) (#159)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 19, 2022 at 07:12:01 AM EST
    I've been watching TROY (none / 0) (#162)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 19, 2022 at 05:36:19 PM EST
    on Netflix.  It's surprisingly good.  It's a lot more tragic and complicated than the many sanitized and abbreviated versions we have seen before.  

    That Brad Pitt movie.  For one.

    It is said to be pretty close to the original Homer version.  Im just about to watch the last episode.  With the horse.

    This was so good (none / 0) (#167)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 21, 2022 at 02:23:27 PM EST
    There is a lot of stuff you do not get in our modern sanitized versions.

    For example Odysseus, the great hero of Homer,  does something at the end of the war that is absolutely horrifying that I'm sure you won't see in a Hollywood version.

    I had not heard or seen this part of the story.  Anyone know the real story enough to know what I mean?

    Just curious.  Don't spoil the ending for anyone who wants to see it.

    Parent

    Spoiler alert (none / 0) (#168)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 21, 2022 at 03:35:27 PM EST
    According to WIKI there are other versions of the ending that would have been even more horrifying.

    Parent
    Ozark (none / 0) (#171)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jan 22, 2022 at 07:14:41 AM EST
    SITE VIOLATOR (none / 0) (#175)
    by jmacWA on Wed Apr 13, 2022 at 05:05:54 AM EST
    TWICE