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Sunday Night Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sun Apr 02, 2023 at 05:44:32 PM EST
Tags: Trump Indictment (all tags)
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Talkleft was down yesterday and today. Colin (our webmaster) fixed it this afternoon and hopefully it is cured of whatever was ailing it. This will be a big week of news, so please bear with us.

Colin also fixed TalkLeft Premium, Marijuana Laws and Popleft (which I have neglected the past few years but one day will return to.) We will also restore the George Zimmerman and Duke Lacrosse forums one of these days, for historical purposes.

I think it's significant that the 2006 story of Stormy Daniels and Trump first was printed in an online gossip site called "Dirty" and then by In Touch Magazine back in 2011. (Here is a version of the In Touch Magazine article as modified in 2018). At the time, both Trump and Stormy (and Cohen) issued denials. It is inconceivable to me that Melania didn't know about it. So any defense that the hush money payment in 2016, or repayments to Cohen in 2017, were for the purpose of keeping Melania from learning about the alleged affair, rather than to keep his campaign from tanking (in the days following the Billy Bush tape) doesn't seem viable to me. [More...]

I can't imagine there wouldn't be a conspiracy charge. But because so so many people have gotten immunity in exchange for their testimony, maybe the count will read just him and "unindicted co-conspirators known to the grand jury".

Also, if it was just a repayment for legal fees, why did Trump also pay Cohen what he would owe on his taxes for the payment and give him a $60k bonus, for a total of $420k?

Cohen had a new description of Trump's encounter with Stormy on MSNBC a few days ago: He said this was all about Trump "getting his pecker pulled" by an adult film star.

I'm still hopeful the other shoe falls on Trump (Jan. 6, classified docs, Georgia, etc.). But I think his next battle will be in civil court in the defamation suit with Jean Carroll who claims he assaulted her in Bergdorf's decades ago.

Trump will be returning to Mar-a-Lago Tuesday after his arraignment, where he will give a speech.

While we wait for Tuesdays' unsealing of the Trump Indictment, here is an open thread, all topics welcome.

< A Well-Earned Jury Win in Utah for Gwyneth Paltrow | Trump Indictment: Half a Ham Sandwich and Missing the Mustard ? >

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    • Display: Sort:
    Sunday Night Open Thread | 200 comments (200 topical)
    I sure hope cameras are allowed (5.00 / 2) (#4)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Apr 02, 2023 at 07:14:07 PM EST
    if ever an event needed to be seen this is it. IMO.  

    God forbid (none / 0) (#22)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 03, 2023 at 02:31:22 PM EST
    A "circus like atmosphere" should be created.  

    Lawyers for former President Donald Trump urged a judge to deny a request by media outlets for cameras in a Manhattan courtroom where Trump is set to be arraigned on criminal charges Tuesday.

    "We submit that the media request should be denied because it will create a circus-like atmosphere at the arraignment, raise unique security concerns, and is inconsistent with President Trump's presumption of innocence," Trump's lawyers said in their letter to Judge Juan Merchan.



    Parent
    Only the circus he wants (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 03, 2023 at 03:15:35 PM EST

    Former President Donald Trump turned down the chance to have a low-key arraignment over Zoom, instead preferring a high-profile booking he hopes will fire up his supporters, Rolling Stone reported Monday.

    He wanted a perp walk

    "It's kind of a Jesus Christ thing. He is saying `I'm absorbing all this pain from all around from everywhere so you don't have to,' " a source close to the legal team said.



    Parent
    Once again, I point out that the first question (none / 0) (#26)
    by Peter G on Mon Apr 03, 2023 at 03:27:22 PM EST
    that any journalist should ask a knowledgeable expert source is, "Is there a New York state court rule of procedure that addresses this issue?" Most of the TV "expert" talking heads appear to be former federal prosecutors, who do not necessarily know anything about the range of options available to the judge in a NYS local courtroom. I certainly don't. Cameras in the courtroom are an example of that. Are they forbidden across the board (as in federal court), or are cameras allowed as a matter of right whenever requested by the press (as in a few states), or does the judge have case-by-case discretion?

    Parent
    This has been discussed a bit (none / 0) (#27)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 03, 2023 at 03:48:20 PM EST
    It appears to be at the discretion of the judge.  I believe    

    Parent
    They are discussing it (none / 0) (#28)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 03, 2023 at 03:54:12 PM EST
    On cable news, at least the ones I watch, because they all including FOX I think signed a letter to the judge urging him to allow cameras.

    Parent
    They are talking about this now (none / 0) (#30)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 03, 2023 at 05:08:29 PM EST
    it's up to the judge but it's not "the norm" in NY. So the judge might not.

    Parent
    Cable banners are saying (none / 0) (#32)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 03, 2023 at 07:10:26 PM EST
    AWAITING A DECISION ON CAMERAS

    and

    ON UNSEALING THE INDICTMENT

    Parent

    That was under (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 03, 2023 at 07:21:27 PM EST
    Breaking news and was on both CNN and MSNBC.

    FYI

    Parent

    No cameras (none / 0) (#34)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 03, 2023 at 09:14:12 PM EST
    It's official

    Parent
    Is today (none / 0) (#36)
    by KeysDan on Tue Apr 04, 2023 at 10:47:18 AM EST
    a national holiday?  No US mail delivery? Asking for a friend of democracy.

    Parent
    It's Finland joins NATO (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 04, 2023 at 11:19:18 AM EST
    day

    Parent
    Be kind to your plants... (5.00 / 2) (#13)
    by desertswine on Mon Apr 03, 2023 at 12:03:45 AM EST
    they're talking to you, but you can't hear them.  But certain insects and others can.

    In new research, biologists at Tel Aviv University recorded ultrasonic sounds emitted by tomato and tobacco plants inside an acoustic chamber, and in a greenhouse, while monitoring the plant's physiological parameters. They developed machine learning models that succeeded in identifying the condition of the plants, including dehydration level and injury, based solely on the emitted sounds. The frequency of these sounds is too high for human ears to detect, but they can probably be detectable by other organisms such as insects, mammals, and possibly other plants.
    It's (none / 0) (#14)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 03, 2023 at 07:22:40 AM EST
    ALL true!

    Parent
    Just checking. Was this story published (none / 0) (#20)
    by Peter G on Mon Apr 03, 2023 at 01:18:30 PM EST
    on April 1?

    Parent
    Here is the Link (none / 0) (#21)
    by RickyJim on Mon Apr 03, 2023 at 02:11:32 PM EST
    Not behind a paywall.

    Parent
    That book is pretty great (none / 0) (#23)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 03, 2023 at 02:38:53 PM EST
    The Secret Life of Plants

    I also recommend The Findhorn Garden

    Parent

    A scientist I knew in the 90s (none / 0) (#29)
    by MO Blue on Mon Apr 03, 2023 at 03:59:10 PM EST
    was conducting research in this area at Washington University in St. Louis. I'm not aware if anything was published as he moved to Canada soon after I became aware of his area of research.

    Parent
    One of Randy's best. (5.00 / 4) (#25)
    by leap2 on Mon Apr 03, 2023 at 03:26:21 PM EST
    "Grumpy Trumpy Felon from Jamaica in Queens!"

    "Rainbowland" a duet (none / 0) (#35)
    by KeysDan on Tue Apr 04, 2023 at 10:43:31 AM EST
    by Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton has been banned from a Wisconsin first grade concert because the rainbow might foster acceptance of LGBT people.

    No mention of elementary school students being banned by Wisconsin Fish and Wildlife to fish for rainbow trout, but, surely, Randy will need to change his name if he hopes to be allowed in the state.

    Parent

    Also tomorrow the Wisconsin court election (5.00 / 2) (#31)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 03, 2023 at 06:52:10 PM EST

    The most important election of 2023 is for the Wisconsin Supreme Court

    We did it! (5.00 / 5) (#42)
    by Towanda on Tue Apr 04, 2023 at 11:47:51 PM EST
    Liberal court majority for first time in 15 years (pre-Scott Walker).

    Look for challenges to 1849 anti-abortion law in effect now, to worst gerrymandering in the land, and to Walker's Act 10 law.

    Parent

    Thank you! (none / 0) (#44)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Apr 05, 2023 at 07:26:19 AM EST
    Some Dems are saying that WI is finally shaking off the Scott Walker autocracy. You know I think more of us should have been paying attention because Walker was the beginning of states becoming laboratories of autocracy. Autocracy never dawned on me unfortunately so much as it was just more Republican bad ideas.  

    Parent
    Great to hear from you, Towanda (none / 0) (#46)
    by Peter G on Wed Apr 05, 2023 at 09:37:02 AM EST
    Thought of you immediately when I heard this news last night. I'm sure you worked hard on this campaign. Another proud chapter in Wisconsin women's history.

    Parent
    It was good to see that the race (none / 0) (#47)
    by Chuck0 on Wed Apr 05, 2023 at 12:56:55 PM EST
    was not close. Janet Protasiewicz won by a good margin. Overturning Roe is biting the GQP in butt.

    Parent
    Pennsylvania -- another "swing state" -- (5.00 / 1) (#48)
    by Peter G on Wed Apr 05, 2023 at 02:15:54 PM EST
    is next on the State Supreme Court national-stakes election agenda this coming fall, with similar issues (gerrymandering, voter suppression issues, abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, education funding) at stake.

    Parent
    Martin Luther King Jr. (5.00 / 2) (#37)
    by Chuck0 on Tue Apr 04, 2023 at 10:55:39 AM EST
    was assassinated 55 years ago today in Memphis, TN at the Lorraine Motel. Honor his memory.

    (it's also my anniversary).

    Wisconsin Supreme Court race has been called (5.00 / 3) (#39)
    by MO Blue on Tue Apr 04, 2023 at 08:57:05 PM EST
    Liberal Milwaukee County Judge Janet Protasiewicz will be the newest Wisconsin Supreme Court justice, putting the court's liberal bloc in the majority for the first time in nearly 15 years.

    WHEW! (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by leap2 on Tue Apr 04, 2023 at 09:19:18 PM EST
    That's some good news.


    Parent
    And in additional good election news, (5.00 / 1) (#41)
    by Peter G on Tue Apr 04, 2023 at 10:03:05 PM EST
    it appears the more progressive candidate has won the run-off for mayor of Chicago. "Go Brandon!"

    Parent
    And it (none / 0) (#43)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Apr 05, 2023 at 07:23:37 AM EST
    is finally dawning on the GOP that they are going to have a problem in 2024 because of all the abortion bans.

    Parent
    Ron (5.00 / 1) (#45)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Apr 05, 2023 at 07:29:12 AM EST
    just signed a six week ban.  

    That'll work!

    Parent

    Like (none / 0) (#49)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Apr 05, 2023 at 03:21:06 PM EST
    his campaign wasn't already cratering...

    Parent
    He also just signed (none / 0) (#50)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Apr 05, 2023 at 03:43:27 PM EST
    a no training no permit concealed carry law.  Just stick it in your pants and go.

    Parent
    Well (none / 0) (#52)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Apr 05, 2023 at 04:06:55 PM EST
    that's great for the residents of Florida who are already having shootouts.

    Parent
    Well (none / 0) (#53)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Apr 05, 2023 at 04:06:55 PM EST
    that's great for the residents of Florida who are already having shootouts.

    Parent
    And, now Rhonda (none / 0) (#54)
    by KeysDan on Wed Apr 05, 2023 at 04:57:27 PM EST
    is going after Disney on a criminal investigation. After Rhonda's pantsing by Disney he looking for a fig leaf.

    Parent
    They criminally outsmarted him (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Apr 05, 2023 at 05:18:54 PM EST
    It's pretty sweet.  For anyone not following this, as I understand it, Ron planned to take over the Kingdom by packing some board of directors like thing that makes all the decisions for Disney world but the last thing the old board of directors did was take away all the powers of the board of directors.

    So Ron controls an impotent authority.

    And he's Pi$$ed.  So he is investigating.

    Pffft

    Parent

    Tis (5.00 / 1) (#56)
    by FlJoe on Wed Apr 05, 2023 at 05:29:18 PM EST
    a wonderful thing, I hate rooting for one of our corporate overlords, but I will definitely make an exception this time.

    Parent
    Yeah (none / 0) (#59)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Apr 05, 2023 at 05:50:12 PM EST
    trust me I'm not a fan of big D.

    But yeah.  Go Bob.

    Parent

    Yes, Rhonda (none / 0) (#58)
    by KeysDan on Wed Apr 05, 2023 at 05:45:43 PM EST
    and his "brain trust" are no match for Disney's crack lawyers.  Disney set up the Board prior to the legislature finalizing.their frolic to take over the Board and appoint Rhonda lickspittles.  And, Disney maintains control until the deaths of King Charles III and his living descendants.  The Disney action was properly noticed in accord with Florida sunshine laws, but it got by Rhonda's eagle eye.

    Parent
    and (5.00 / 1) (#61)
    by leap2 on Wed Apr 05, 2023 at 06:59:17 PM EST
    ...maintains control until the deaths of King Charles III and his living descendants.

    don't forget the plus 21 years.

    Parent

    One of the various commandments (none / 0) (#60)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Apr 05, 2023 at 05:51:37 PM EST
    one learns as an employee of Disney is that the lawyers are never wrong.  They are never wrong and they never lose.

    Parent
    Can you (none / 0) (#62)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Apr 05, 2023 at 07:07:29 PM EST
    imagine what a temper tantrum he had when he got home? He also thinks FL residents are stupid. Maybe they are since they voted for him but does anyone think there is anything criminal in what Disney did? No reasonable person would anyway.

    Parent
    The Courageto be Free (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by KeysDan on Wed Apr 05, 2023 at 09:02:17 PM EST
    Rhonda Santis' book is being reviewed in keeping with his Don't Say Gay law by Florida Democrats.  Rhonda's book uses the verboten word " woke" and may make little Conor and little Dakota feel uncomfortable due to gender references.   It should be banned, the Democrats say.

    Great trolling.

    Parent

    My house is dead center in the path of this (5.00 / 2) (#51)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Apr 05, 2023 at 04:01:13 PM EST

    COUNTDOWN BEGINS FOR THE GREAT NORTH AMERICAN SOLAR ECLIPSE!

    One year from now    

    This is a must-see event. (5.00 / 1) (#78)
    by desertswine on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 01:40:20 PM EST


    Parent
    A friend from (none / 0) (#81)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 01:51:58 PM EST
    South Korea just spoke for my extra bedroom as result of mentioning it on FB

    Parent
    A friend from (none / 0) (#82)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 01:51:58 PM EST
    South Korea just spoke for my extra bedroom as result of mentioning it on FB

    Parent
    Are you going to (none / 0) (#83)
    by leap2 on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 01:53:47 PM EST
    host a bevy of Talklefters that will descend upon your place?

    Parent
    Well (none / 0) (#84)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 01:59:46 PM EST
    Bedroom is taken.  As of today.   I guess there is the sofa.

    Parent
    Hotels (none / 0) (#86)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 02:02:06 PM EST
    Along the path fill up fast

    Parent
    We are due for about 90% eclipse (none / 0) (#149)
    by Peter G on Sat Apr 08, 2023 at 06:58:10 PM EST
    in the Philadelphia area. Considering how crazy everyone went in 2017 for a 75% blocking, it should be a lot of fun here, even though it won't be truly total. It will be 100% in Eire (the diagonally opposite corner of the state and 95% in State College, the dead center of Pennsylvania).

    Parent
    Oops, the city on the Great Lake in NW PA (5.00 / 1) (#161)
    by Peter G on Sun Apr 09, 2023 at 03:16:48 PM EST
    is Erie, not "Eire," regardless of how many Irish-Americans may live there.

    Parent
    The one in 2017 (none / 0) (#150)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Apr 08, 2023 at 07:41:10 PM EST
    was 90% here.  It was pretty cool. I had eclipse guests.  I wanted to drive a few miles NE to totality but edibles kicked in and we watched it from my backyard.

    tiny eclipses filtered thru the tree on my propane tank

    Parent

    This is the path (none / 0) (#85)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 02:00:44 PM EST
    I am the red X

    Parent
    Venting (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Apr 05, 2023 at 05:37:35 PM EST
    So I have been having this problem with my neck that involves tingling and numbness.  

    There's a whole other thing about my arthritic spine but, another story.  

    So after seeing several Drs, having been sent to and politely rejected by PTherapy - she was worried about messing me up further - today I had an appt with a Neurosurgeon in Little Rock which is a 2.5 hour drive that I made about 4 or 5 months ago.

    Sorry necessary BG

    You may have heard we have been having weird and scary weather. What happend today was predicted. Heavily, after recent events.  But I did not see I had a choice so I go.

    It's was a nightmare.  The storm line was not wide but I drove right squarely down the middle of it for 2 hours.  I have never driven in harder rain.  For literally 2 hours.  The wind was crazy.  I thought the car was going a few times.  There was lawn furniture and trash cans blowing across a four lane highway.

    Seriously.

    So as I am entering the Little Rock City limits I get a robo call saying my appt has been cancelled because of inclement weather.

    I talked to them later and it turn out the power in the Drs office went out.  It really was not their fault.  Still.

    My day sucked.

    Except for one thing. In addition to the appt I arranged to deliver Garuda which I was donating to the Central AR Hindu Temple.  Which is also in Little Rock.

    That part went well.  I think I like Hindus.

    I am (5.00 / 1) (#63)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Apr 05, 2023 at 07:12:19 PM EST
    sorry to hear this. I see Aunt Lydia is demanding that the government give her 100% instead of 75% even after saying the long arm of the government ended at the MS river. If I were Biden I would say oka, you don't want 75% we'll give you 50%. She apparently expects the blue states to pony up money for her while she does nothing but call them names. She is one of the most evil people I think I have ever seen in politics. She's living proof of the damage fundamentalist Christianity does to people especially women.

    Parent
    Clearly you don't remember her father (none / 0) (#64)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Apr 05, 2023 at 07:48:04 PM EST
    and mentor.  She just Mike Huckabee with cleavage.  He was every bit as bad.

    Parent
    Yep (5.00 / 1) (#66)
    by Zorba on Wed Apr 05, 2023 at 08:03:57 PM EST
    She's a chip off the old blockhead.

    Parent
    Obviously (none / 0) (#71)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 09:21:57 AM EST
    I wasn't paying attention when he was AR gov.

    Parent
    No one was (none / 0) (#74)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 10:19:47 AM EST
    perhaps the one way her reign is a bit better is pretty much everyone is noticing now.  She seems more concerned about her insanity making headlines.

    Perhaps learned in Trumpworld.

    Parent

    Great Googly Moogly... (none / 0) (#80)
    by desertswine on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 01:51:37 PM EST
    you can't screw around with tornados.

    Parent
    Chag Pesach Sameach (5.00 / 2) (#65)
    by Zorba on Wed Apr 05, 2023 at 08:02:54 PM EST
    To all our Jewish friends.

    Lock (5.00 / 3) (#68)
    by FlJoe on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 06:49:49 AM EST
    him up!
    For more than two decades, Thomas has accepted luxury trips virtually every year from the Dallas businessman without disclosing them, documents and interviews show. A public servant who has a salary of $285,000, he has vacationed on Crow's superyacht around the globe. He flies on Crow's Bombardier Global 5000 jet. He has gone with Crow to the Bohemian Grove, the exclusive California all-male retreat, and to Crow's sprawling ranch in East Texas. And Thomas typically spends about a week every summer at Crow's private resort in the Adirondacks.

    The extent and frequency of Crow's apparent gifts to Thomas have no known precedent in the modern history of the U.S. Supreme Court.

    These trips appeared nowhere on Thomas' financial disclosures. His failure to report the flights appears to violate a law passed after Watergate that requires justices, judges, members of Congress and federal officials to disclose most gifts, two ethics law experts said. He also should have disclosed his trips on the yacht, these experts said.

    My bold

    Well, (none / 0) (#72)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 09:22:24 AM EST
    hopefully the US Attorney for DC will take this up.

    Parent
    Yeah (none / 0) (#73)
    by FlJoe on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 09:53:47 AM EST
    nobody is above the law.

    Except for Supreme court justices.

    And their spouses.

    And ex-presidents.

    And so-on.

    IOW, fat chance.

    Parent

    And so on--- (none / 0) (#75)
    by KeysDan on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 10:40:59 AM EST
    Supreme Court leaker, if Alito or Clarence-Ginni.

    Parent
    Almost cartoonist indeed (none / 0) (#76)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 11:27:29 AM EST

    Ocasio-Cortez Calls for Impeachment of Clarence Thomas
    April 6, 2023 at 12:30 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

    Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) called for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to be impeached after a bombshell report revealed that he's been taking luxury trips paid for by a Republican megadonor for decades and not disclosing them, the HuffPost reports.

    Said Ocasio-Cortez: "This is beyond party or partisanship. This degree of corruption is shocking -- almost cartoonish. Thomas must be impeached."



    Parent
    Not an Onion Headline (5.00 / 1) (#108)
    by FlJoe on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 07:09:08 PM EST
    Clarence Thomas said he loves RVs and Walmarts in a documentary financed by the GOP megadonor who was taking him on luxury vacations

    Parent
    I am sure (none / 0) (#77)
    by KeysDan on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 01:13:00 PM EST
    Kevin McCarthy will get right on it.  And, there probably is a memo somewhere on the shelf of the OLC that does not permit an indictment of a sifting Supreme Court Justice during their  term of office.  But, maybe Merrick Garland will be looking into this, right?although is it bribery if Clarence would do Crow's bidding any way and for free?

    Parent
    Merrick Garland regrets... (none / 0) (#79)
    by desertswine on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 01:48:34 PM EST
    that he is still out to lunch.

    Parent
    To me (none / 0) (#89)
    by jmacWA on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 03:36:19 PM EST
    This shows how bad Chief Justice John Roberts controls his merry band of GOP justices.  How can this happen and Roberts not know.

    Parent
    He (none / 0) (#90)
    by FlJoe on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 03:41:23 PM EST
    knows, he just doesn't care. What's he going to do anyway, refer him  to the house for impeachment?


    Parent
    I wonder how (none / 0) (#91)
    by KeysDan on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 04:16:02 PM EST
    this would go down, if we substituted Elena Kagan for Clarence and George Soros for Harlan Crow?  

    Parent
    I (none / 0) (#92)
    by FlJoe on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 04:39:20 PM EST
    assume you are joking about the "wonder" part.

    Hounded by the press within hours, impeachment within days, DOJ investigation begun within weeks.

    To give credit where credit is due, CNN has been covering this but I am pretty sure it will be forgotten by this time tomorrow.

    Parent

    Probably (none / 0) (#101)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 06:21:14 PM EST
    but your average American has lost faith in the courts because of the Federalist Society and thinks they are hacks. Now they have another reason that will be added to that.

    Parent
    A knowing or willful violation (none / 0) (#116)
    by Peter G on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 08:31:12 PM EST
    of the Ethics in Government Act, which applies to the Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court -- the law that requires these annual written financial disclosures, including disclosure of nontrivial gifts -- is a criminal misdemeanor offense.

    Parent
    Does (none / 0) (#117)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 09:30:29 PM EST
    he care?

    Parent
    I mean (none / 0) (#118)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 09:31:51 PM EST
    can anything be done?  Really.

    Parent
    Rounding off to the nearest whole number? (none / 0) (#120)
    by Peter G on Fri Apr 07, 2023 at 08:32:33 AM EST
    No.

    Parent
    Then (none / 0) (#121)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Apr 07, 2023 at 11:50:15 AM EST
    he doesn't care.🙁

    Parent
    Better Call (5.00 / 1) (#126)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Apr 07, 2023 at 06:40:41 PM EST
    Rudy

    ?ż Who (none / 0) (#134)
    by leap2 on Fri Apr 07, 2023 at 10:32:00 PM EST
    is that supposed to be? I don't get it.

    Parent
    Its Trump (none / 0) (#140)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Apr 08, 2023 at 07:31:07 AM EST
    working at a Cinnabon with a mustache.

    To understand watch Better Call Saul.

    Parent

    oh. (none / 0) (#144)
    by leap2 on Sat Apr 08, 2023 at 09:46:55 AM EST
    I've never watched that show. Don't have a teevee.

    Parent
    Of course he does (5.00 / 2) (#148)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Apr 08, 2023 at 06:11:11 PM EST

    Clarence Thomas Benefactor Collects Hitler Artifacts

    Next (none / 0) (#153)
    by FlJoe on Sun Apr 09, 2023 at 05:53:32 AM EST
    week we will probably learn that he drinks the blood of children.

    Or maybe just old fahioned sex-slavery, it seems to run in the family

    In federal court documents filed in California, Dallas real estate heir and investor Trammell Crow Jr. is accused by two women of financially supporting and participating in an alleged human-trafficking ring that victimized them over the course of 12 years.


    Parent
    The Supreme Court (none / 0) (#157)
    by KeysDan on Sun Apr 09, 2023 at 10:13:46 AM EST
    Historical Society gives opportunity for "donors" to meet, greet and groom Justices, according to the anti-abortion leader, Rev Rob Schenck.  Clarence and Ginni have been pal'n around with this Hitler enthusiast since sometime right  after his appointment to the high court.

    After his appointment!   Now dearest friends.  How did these guys meet, I wonder?  That historical society should be disbanded or, if serving a public good, be funded by Congress and be  subject to oversight.  Justices should not be chasing funds. The fascist aficionado , Harlan Crow, is a director of the SC Historical Society.

    Parent

    Vice President Harris` (5.00 / 2) (#158)
    by MO Blue on Sun Apr 09, 2023 at 01:47:43 PM EST
    Speech in support of the Tennessee lawmakers is being used by the right to depict her as nothing more than an angry black woman.
    IMO it was one of the best speeches I've ever heard her give. Powerful.

    The Vice President (5.00 / 2) (#159)
    by KeysDan on Sun Apr 09, 2023 at 02:32:43 PM EST
    was angry, and with cause.  As should all Americans; indeed, thr right wingers may need to get used to that reaction.

    Parent
    As has been discussed elsewhere, (5.00 / 1) (#160)
    by MO Blue on Sun Apr 09, 2023 at 02:48:35 PM EST
    the actions of the Republican legislators in Tennessee was completely unacceptable but more importantly completely stupid. Without their attempts to put those uppity Negros ( paraphrase Rep. Jones ) in their place, this would have basically remained a local issue soon forgotten. Instead, the racism of Tennessee's ruling body and the issue of gun control has been elevated worldwide.

    Parent
    Truly (none / 0) (#162)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Apr 09, 2023 at 07:14:44 PM EST
    and the corruptions of the TN GOP has been now noticed too. A teacher who sexually assaulted teenage girls was promoted to head the education committee? Has the local press been on this and nobody noticed in other parts of the country? I don't know.

    but wow, it was living breathing Jim Crow Klan behavior in TN.

    Parent

    Justin time! (5.00 / 1) (#163)
    by Chuck0 on Mon Apr 10, 2023 at 05:11:28 PM EST
    Justin Jones just re-appointed to his TN House seat. Pearson expected to be re-appointed in Shelby County.

    This is one of the dumbest moves by the GQP yet (besides the orange moron). They have elevated the profile of these two young men nationally. They have ignited a fervor in young TN voters.

    I saw this (none / 0) (#165)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 10, 2023 at 05:42:10 PM EST
    they were in a good mood.

    Parent
    I hope (none / 0) (#166)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Apr 10, 2023 at 07:35:27 PM EST
    you are right. I think their profile is definitely elevated but as far as changing things in TN I'm not all that hopeful.

    Parent
    RIP - Al Jaffe.. (5.00 / 2) (#169)
    by desertswine on Mon Apr 10, 2023 at 10:19:54 PM EST
    You don't know him, but you do know him...

    Al Jaffe, the storied cartoonist who created two staple features of Mad magazine, the "Fold-In" and "Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions," died Monday, April 10, The New York Times  reports. He was 102.

    For 55 years, Jaffee was the only person at Mad who drew the "Fold-In," creating well over 500 and publishing his final one in June 2020 (a somber yet sardonic bit about the end of Mad).

    Bragg brings a gun to a knife fight (5.00 / 1) (#177)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 11, 2023 at 03:48:50 PM EST

    Bragg sues Jim Jordan over `campaign to intimidate and attack'

    I hope to be proven wrong, but (none / 0) (#181)
    by Peter G on Tue Apr 11, 2023 at 07:21:11 PM EST
    I think this gun will shoot blanks.

    Parent
    He's fighting back (none / 0) (#182)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 11, 2023 at 07:48:44 PM EST
    I'll take it.

    Parent
    yes (none / 0) (#188)
    by FlJoe on Wed Apr 12, 2023 at 06:39:18 AM EST
    ...we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds...'.


    Parent
    A judge refused to issue a restraining order (none / 0) (#183)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 11, 2023 at 07:54:13 PM EST

    Alvin Bragg's request for temporary restraining order on Jim Jordan rejected

    I don't care who wins.  The pushback is the point.

    Parent

    Joyce Vance (none / 0) (#185)
    by leap2 on Tue Apr 11, 2023 at 09:55:21 PM EST
    explains this. "Alvin Bragg goes after Jim Jordan."

    Parent
    I cannot see any reason why the indictment (none / 0) (#1)
    by Peter G on Sun Apr 02, 2023 at 06:33:10 PM EST
    should remain under seal prior to Tuesday afternoon, unless something in NY criminal procedure law requires that. And even if it does, it seems like a violation of First Amendment freedom of the press to me.

    what if more than 1 person is (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by Jeralyn on Sun Apr 02, 2023 at 06:54:51 PM EST
    charged in the conspiracy count and they don't want him or her to destroy evidence before being arrested?


    Parent
    My question was indeed premised on the (none / 0) (#10)
    by Peter G on Sun Apr 02, 2023 at 09:15:01 PM EST
    assumption that the only defendant named in the indictment already knows about it, and that the authorities have decided not to use the power of arrest to bring him before the court.

    Parent
    Since this is an open thread (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by MO Blue on Mon Apr 03, 2023 at 08:26:36 AM EST
    I'm hoping with your knowledge of ACLU and related issues you might be able to give me some information.

    ACLU-MO filed the suit on behalf of the Missouri Association of School Librarians and the Missouri Library Association (MLA) in an effort to overturn a state law passed in 2022 that bans sexually explicit material from schools. Since it was first enacted in August, librarians and other educators have faced misdemeanor charges punishable by up to a year in jail or a $2,000 fine for giving students access to books the state has deemed sexually explicit.

    Late Tuesday night, the Missouri House of Representatives voted for a state operating budget with a $0 line for public libraries to retaliate.

    Are there any actions the ACLU or private citizens can take to stop this from happening? The GOP in Jeff City are very good at ignoring calls, letters and protests. Voting them out would be preferable, yet I don't see that happening as we are a very red state.

    Parent

    I am very sure that ACLU-MO, quite possibly (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by Peter G on Mon Apr 03, 2023 at 01:17:46 PM EST
    with support from the national ACLU office, is looking aggressively into that very question. As far as what private citizens can do, make as much (rational sounding) noise as possible about all the good that local libraries do.  People love libraries. The Legislature might even back down.

    Parent
    I wonder if the judge will (none / 0) (#3)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Apr 02, 2023 at 07:12:37 PM EST
    try to make Trump not talk about the case?   He has a prime time event planned post arraignment.  

    Rough um up (none / 0) (#5)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Apr 02, 2023 at 07:38:10 PM EST

    Donald Trump has told advisers and associates in recent days that he is prepared to escalate attacks against the Manhattan prosecutor who resurrected the criminal prosecution into his hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016 now that a grand jury has indicted him," The Guardian reports.

    "The former president has vowed to people close to him that he wants to go on the offensive and - in a private moment over the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida that demonstrates his gathering resolve - remarked using more colorful language that it was time to politically `rough 'em up.'"

    However, the Daily Mail reports Trump's own lawyers believe he will be subject to a gag order after he is arraigned



    Parent
    The Scenario I'm Thinking About (none / 0) (#6)
    by RickyJim on Sun Apr 02, 2023 at 08:12:05 PM EST
    The judge puts a gag order on Trump.  Trump violates it almost immediately on Truth Social and dares the judge to jail him. What do you think will happen next?

    Parent
    Exactly (none / 0) (#7)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Apr 02, 2023 at 08:26:33 PM EST
    my point

    Parent
    I can see him (none / 0) (#8)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Apr 02, 2023 at 08:27:28 PM EST
    pushing to get the judge to do it so he can cry about his political speech.

    Parent
    My Guess (none / 0) (#9)
    by RickyJim on Sun Apr 02, 2023 at 08:46:41 PM EST
    The judge will ask the Secret Service to supervise Trump's house arrest at Mar-a-lago which will include having no access to phones or visitors. As we know from the Jan. 6 incident, when they refused to drive him to Congress, they can force him to do what he doesn't want to do.

    Parent
    House arrest (none / 0) (#15)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Apr 03, 2023 at 08:14:19 AM EST
    would mean no political rallies?

    FWIW Glenn Kirschner said that Trump could be put in the same place where they put witnesses for criminal cases who are under threat. They could clear it out of everybody else and have the secret service watch him there.

    Parent

    A proper gag order would not bar Tr*mp (none / 0) (#11)
    by Peter G on Sun Apr 02, 2023 at 09:19:47 PM EST
    from "talking about the case." It would bar him (or anyone acting on his behalf or in concert with him) from making public statements intended to influence potential jurors or that objectively would be understood as threats against the prosecutors, the judge, any witness, their families, or anyone else concerned with the case, or otherwise constituting an endeavor to obstruct the administration of justice.

    Parent
    Yes (none / 0) (#12)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Apr 02, 2023 at 09:27:07 PM EST
    My point was it doesn't matter what he tells him not to say he will say it.  And keep saying it.

    Then it will get interesting.

    Maybe not.  Maybe he has done this enough to know how to push the judge only to the edge and not over it.

    Parent

    This is my (none / 0) (#16)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Apr 03, 2023 at 08:15:06 AM EST
    thought. He never seems to follow the orders of his attorneys when they tell him to shut up. He seems to not respect the authority of judges.

    Parent
    I've become kind of obsessed with (none / 0) (#18)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 03, 2023 at 10:58:28 AM EST
    Tiny Homes

    Not sure why. I don't think I would want to live in one but I just like the idea.  They are becoming very big.  No pun intended.  

    Robert F. Kennedy, Jr (none / 0) (#69)
    by MO Blue on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 08:42:22 AM EST
    has entered the race for president in 2024 as a Democrat. Not sure where he thinks he has a constituency in the party.
    I would think the percentage of vaccine deniers in the party would be very, very small.

    Maybe he didn't want JFK jr (none / 0) (#70)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 08:49:10 AM EST
    to be the only Kennedy in the race🤨

    Trump superfans dream of a run again, and of JFK Jr. on the ticket



    Parent

    Well I hope that removes (none / 0) (#88)
    by jondee on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 03:13:18 PM EST
    any doubts you Q-deniers may have been harboring.

    Parent
    It will be remembered by many (none / 0) (#87)
    by fishcamp on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 02:42:44 PM EST
    that Bobby passed out in the bathroom, blocking the door in I believe, a United flight up in one of the Dakotas.  Drugs were discovered.

    TN Rep Gloria Johnson (none / 0) (#93)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 05:10:54 PM EST
    Has spent the afternoon making the TN state house look like a bunch of howler monkeys.

    MSNBC has been covering it live.  CNN has mostly ignored it.

    So far (none / 0) (#94)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 05:14:29 PM EST
    they have expelled a black man and let Gloria stay.

    They now vote on the other black guy.

    Tennessee House Votes to Expel Democrat
    April 6, 2023 at 5:06 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 223 Comments

    "Ten days after a shooter unloaded 152 rounds at a Nashville school and killed six people, Tennessee House Republicans on Thursday voted to eject Rep. Justin Jones, from the General Assembly for breaking House rules and mounting a gun-reform protest on the chamber's floor," the Tennessean reports.

    "Expulsion proceedings for Rep. Gloria Johnson, and Rep. Justin Pearson, were ongoing late Thursday."



    Parent
    CNN (none / 0) (#95)
    by FlJoe on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 05:16:50 PM EST
    has been on it, gave them an excuse to drop the Clarence corruption story. They did have time to tell us that the judge in the tRump case gave $35 dollars to the Biden campign so both sides.

    Parent
    Earlier (none / 0) (#96)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 05:29:46 PM EST
    When I was jumping back and forth they were not.

    They probably heard the black guy was booted and the white woman was not.

    Not enough for them to cover 3 reps being expelled for apparently having an unacceptably hig IQ.

    a racial thing they can cover without mentioning guns.

    I hate CNN.  And I believe they have gotten worse since Biden won.

    Parent

    I (none / 0) (#97)
    by FlJoe on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 05:47:43 PM EST
    actually think they are doing a fair job on this, tapper seemed genuinely disturbed by it, but didn't outright condemn it, while trying to pin some of blame on the rep "he did not follow the rules, he was disruptivre" (trust me this is good from Tapper).

    On the other hand their coverage of the Indicment could not have been worse. They started out reasonably, but by the end of the 2 week saga they had whipped themselves into a frenzy while adopting just about all of the Republican BS about it.

    Parent

    OMG (none / 0) (#98)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 05:54:46 PM EST
    they are right now doing a whole segment on the 30 dollars the Trump Judge gave to a blue organization

    But both sides with Clarence.

    Parent

    Exactly (none / 0) (#100)
    by FlJoe on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 06:14:25 PM EST
    They were ON this story, they even had the lead reporter of the original story on but were "forced" to quickly switch to Tennessee and never looked back.

    CNN does this all the time, they forget their own reporting when it comes to exposing these ratbastards. The NYTs also does this all the time, rember the story they broke about Durham, Barr and italy? Probably not, but neither does the NYT. I am fairly certain that CNN never even touched it.

    Ok they are on it now, so maybe I was a bit too cynical.

    Parent

    No (none / 0) (#102)
    by FlJoe on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 06:22:21 PM EST
    they have to wear out the $35 first,

    Parent
    As if (none / 0) (#104)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 06:26:44 PM EST
    a $35 donation is the same as luxury trips over many many years worth hundreds of thousands and the judge didn't even donate to the candidate.

    Parent
    How (none / 0) (#106)
    by FlJoe on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 06:37:38 PM EST
    about that Golden Oldie,  250K to Pam Bondi.

    Parent
    Florida (none / 0) (#107)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 07:00:37 PM EST
    IS the swamp these days. There really is no bottom in Florida.

    Parent
    watching (none / 0) (#99)
    by FlJoe on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 06:01:17 PM EST
    this sht in real time is very edifying. They just disappeared the Clarence capers, replacing it with the $35 contribution. At least one of the legal talkers clapped back and brought it up, but Wolf's replacement was not swayed.

    Parent
    Fascism in (none / 0) (#103)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 06:25:49 PM EST
    America in the red states is real.

    This shows why we need a federal government. Red states have become horrific totalitarian states. Its' the Hunger GAmes with guns.

    Parent

    The GOP (none / 0) (#105)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 06:27:24 PM EST
    is a criminal organization. You see it everywhere they control anything. And conservatives are going ot lie down and take it.

    In TN (5.00 / 1) (#109)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 07:15:31 PM EST
    They just kicked out the two black guys and excused the white woman (who afaik did the same thing).

    That'll work.

    They live in such a bubble they really have no idea how it looks to normal people.  

    I think the people are going to have things to say about this.  It's an authentic disgrace.  Already talking about boycotts.  

    But they actually think this stuff will win elections.  Even at the state and local level no shame can have a price.

    Parent

    There (5.00 / 1) (#112)
    by FlJoe on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 07:54:43 PM EST
    comes a time in every sucessful authoritarian movement when they don't need to win elections, in Russia elections win you.

    Parent
    Demographics (none / 0) (#113)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 07:59:40 PM EST
    is destiny.

    Parent
    Well (none / 0) (#131)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Apr 07, 2023 at 08:55:09 PM EST
    hopefully having the DOJ and the senate and house will slow some of that down.

    Parent
    Well (none / 0) (#132)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Apr 07, 2023 at 08:55:09 PM EST
    hopefully having the DOJ and the senate and house will slow some of that down.

    Parent
    OK then, no more Jack Daniels for me... (5.00 / 1) (#119)
    by desertswine on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 09:46:20 PM EST
    besides, they have that fungus thing going on.

    Parent
    It was freaking lynching. (5.00 / 2) (#122)
    by Chuck0 on Fri Apr 07, 2023 at 12:06:03 PM EST
    In public. Out in the open. For being uppity negroes. Can't have none of that.

    /s


    Parent

    The black (5.00 / 1) (#130)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Apr 07, 2023 at 08:53:59 PM EST
    guys are already superstars it seems. I saw one of the mothers from the Christian school hugging one of the black legislators. People are tired perhaps of all this pitting white vs. black and black vs. Hispanic and on and on. It really seems to have lit up a nation and reminds people that maybe the south hasn't really changed in 60 years. The white woman legislator also said she didn't get kicked out because she is white.

    The WSJ had an editorial screaming at the GOP after they lost the election in WI by 12 points to "get it right" about abortion. They have had half a century to get it right and they got what they wanted. They have been campaigning on ending abortion since I was 20 years old. I'm now 63. They are shook and this whole pill ruling is not helping.

    Parent

    Maybe (5.00 / 1) (#138)
    by jmacWA on Sat Apr 08, 2023 at 05:13:56 AM EST
    People are tired perhaps of all this pitting white vs. black and black vs. Hispanic and on and on.

    When the Rubes in the GOP finally wake up and realize, if you take a close look it's really rich vs poor and the rest is just a side show, this will end it all.  Until then the GOP will continually stir the pot.

    Parent

    Another thing (none / 0) (#110)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 07:19:37 PM EST
    this was the subject of a massive demonstration by school children.  Children who will vote soon.  These bozos are going to find it increasingly difficult to stop these privileged white children from voting.

    Brown and old people are easier.

    Parent

    Kansas Republicans have successfully .. (none / 0) (#111)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 07:53:38 PM EST
    ... overridden Gov. Laura Kelly's veto to now authorize the genital inspection of children who want to play organized sports. Why does that really not surprise me?

    ;-D

    Not sure, but I think the new Title IX regs (none / 0) (#115)
    by Peter G on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 08:07:33 PM EST
    announced by the federal Dept of Education today may negate these anti-trans state laws, at least as applied to schools that get federal funds (which is basically all of them).

    Parent
    This is very good (none / 0) (#114)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 06, 2023 at 08:07:18 PM EST
    A little hard to watch.  Called heavy-handed for telling the truth.  On APPLE

    In the near future, the effects of climate change have become embedded into people's everyday lives; eight interwoven stories explore the intimate, life-changing choices that must be made when the planet is changing faster than the population.

    Extrapolations




    BOOM (none / 0) (#123)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Apr 07, 2023 at 05:41:12 PM EST

    Federal judge blocks abortion pill approval

    Over reach will be their undoing.  The GOV has a week to respond

    Strange thing (5.00 / 1) (#125)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Apr 07, 2023 at 06:16:14 PM EST
    they seem to have this pathological need to rub your nose in it.  They can't just take the win.

    Banning books is a great example.  Banning a book is not going to stop a single person who wants to read it from reading it.  And it will in fact make many more people want to read it.  This is known.

    But they have to do it because it makes them feel good.

    This will not stop most women from getting this drug.  If they want it.  They will get it from Mexico or Canada.  I just heard there is a law against mailing it but the Biden DOJ has said they won't enforce it.

    It won't stop women from using it.  But it will really really pi$$ them off.

    Parent

    Not (none / 0) (#127)
    by FlJoe on Fri Apr 07, 2023 at 06:42:02 PM EST
    so strange when you consider when they are nothing more than schoolyard bullies or toadies to such (heres looking at you Lindsey).

    Parent
    It counter productive (none / 0) (#128)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Apr 07, 2023 at 07:11:09 PM EST
    It's almost like they are stupid.

    To be clear I don't mean to minimize the impact of this.   Obviously they understand this drug will be used in the states where it's illegal.  It's brilliantly ruthless.  Apparently this judge has spent his whole life planning this.

    Still think it will backfire.

    Parent

    There (none / 0) (#136)
    by FlJoe on Sat Apr 08, 2023 at 04:02:50 AM EST
    is nothing "almost" about their stupidity.

    Ignorant, powerdrunk, religiously insane, fools who control enough power to destroy this country. What could go wrong?

    Parent

    Enough (none / 0) (#137)
    by FlJoe on Sat Apr 08, 2023 at 04:53:26 AM EST
    about the supremes, the rank and file are best described with one word...rabid.

    Parent
    The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ... (5.00 / 1) (#133)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Apr 07, 2023 at 09:47:49 PM EST
    ... has already blocked the ruling by putting a stay on the 5th circuit's stay, as it were. So, this is likely heading straight to SCOTUS. Given this and the earlier ruling today putting a stay on the federal ban on bump stocks that otherwise turn semi-automatic rifles into de facto machine guns, the 5th Circuit has become the Wild West of American jurisprudence.

    And yeah, I agree with your assessment that overreach will be the GOP's undoing. It's as though Republicans have decided to go all out and seize control of everything they can lay their hands on or die in the attempt.

    In case Republicans didn't already learn from the shellacking that former justice Dan Kelly took in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election this week, they're going to find out that their culture wars are a big problem with the majority of increasingly exasperated voters who don't live in the GOP's own private Idaho.

    And speaking of private Idahos, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has decided to double down on stupid with the Walt Disney Co. today and further bite the hand that feeds his state. Never mind that Disney World is Florida's biggest visitor attraction (50+ million visitors annually) and its largest private employer (77,000+ workers). He's vowing to put that woke corporation in its place.

    Disney CEO Bob Iger is likewise exasperated by DeSantis' antics. No doubt, the company had deep enough pockets to tie the Sunshine State's First Floridian up in knots in state and federal court. But if Iger really wanted to phuque with that putz, he could have the Disney Board vote to shut down the Disney World complex after Labor Day and lay everyone off for the duration of DeSantis' tenure as governor, and then make some popcorn, sit back and watch what happens to Mini Mouse in Tallahassee.

    Oh, the games to be played ...

    Parent

    Neither of yesterday's conflicting rulings (5.00 / 2) (#145)
    by Peter G on Sat Apr 08, 2023 at 10:44:06 AM EST
    was made by the Circuit (Court of Appeals), neither Fifth nor Ninth. They are rulings by individual district judges within those circuits. How either or both will play out on appeal is very complex and remains to be seen. But I can say that the Northern Texas judge's ruling is just ludicrously incompetent and indefensible on any objective legal standard.

    Parent
    Thank you for that correction ... (5.00 / 2) (#167)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Apr 10, 2023 at 09:11:00 PM EST
    ... and clarification. I wholeheartedly agree with you about Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk's ruling in Amarillo. There are few more glaring examples of the right-wing rot that's presently corrupting our federal judiciary than his ideologically motivated "stay" of a 20-year-old FDA approval, which is a love letter to his fellow strident anti-abortionists. It's simply embarrassing that such an unbridled crackpot was ever appointed to the federal bench.

    Parent
    The US DoJ has now appealed on behalf of FDA (5.00 / 1) (#170)
    by Peter G on Mon Apr 10, 2023 at 10:22:16 PM EST
    to the Fifth Circuit, and asked for Kacsmaryk's 7-day stay to be extended indefinitely pending appeal. The court of appeals has ordered the phony plaintiffs to respond to the government's stay motion not later than midnight Tuesday night. If the Fifth Cir does not immediately extend the stay, the govt will undoubtedly renew their request later this week at SCOTUS. That would be routed through Justice Alito (who serves as Circuit Justice for the Fifth Circuit), but Alito will surely refer the application to the full Court rather than rule on it himself. The most Alito would do solo is grant an administrative stay pending further consideration by the full Court, and set the briefing schedule. (Now you can test my expertise by comparing that confident preview with whatever actually really happens. ;) )

    Parent
    I was thinking that (none / 0) (#176)
    by Jack E Lope on Tue Apr 11, 2023 at 03:40:34 PM EST
    ...the 45-day notice that an employer is required to give before a layoff should arrive in mid-October. Maybe a little later, to cut down on the time for a contrary story to be spread before the election.

    Maybe they could work in some mention that there is no threat of layoffs at the Disney operations in more-business-friendly locations - Japan, France, China and California.

    Parent

    So it would be appealed (none / 0) (#124)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Apr 07, 2023 at 05:44:40 PM EST
    To the "most conservative circuit court".

    Great.

    Dark days ahead

    Parent

    Not so fast (none / 0) (#129)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Apr 07, 2023 at 08:04:26 PM EST

    Second Abortion Pill Ruling Preserves Access

    April 7, 2023 at 8:44 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 39 Comments

    Washington Post: "In a competing opinion late Friday, a federal judge in Washington state ruled in a separate case involving mifepristone that the drug is safe and effective. U.S. District Judge Thomas Rice ordered the Food and Drug Administration to preserve `the status quo' and retain access in the 17 states -- along with D.C. -- that are behind the lawsuit seeking to protect medication abortion."

    "It seems inevitable the issue will move to the Supreme Court, and the dueling opinions and appeals could make that sooner rather than later."



    Parent
    I guess it's all up to.. (none / 0) (#135)
    by desertswine on Sat Apr 08, 2023 at 02:27:18 AM EST
    Harlan Crow, Republican billionaire.

    Parent
    Seems like a perfect name (none / 0) (#142)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Apr 08, 2023 at 07:58:36 AM EST
    For a Trump megadoner.

    Parent
    Is (none / 0) (#139)
    by FlJoe on Sat Apr 08, 2023 at 06:31:32 AM EST
    it normal for two major contrdictory decisions to come down simultaneously? It just seems like an extrodinary coincidence to me.

    Maybe the writers are trying to condense the time line or something.

    Parent

    Nothing normal about it at all (5.00 / 1) (#146)
    by Peter G on Sat Apr 08, 2023 at 10:55:06 AM EST
    But there is nothing "normal" in the legal sense about the Northern Texas case in the first place. The plaintiffs have no standing; their claims are ludicrously stale; their claims are factually and legally baseless; they improperly judge-shopped the venue; there is no basis for a nation-wide injunction; the judge is biased (literally prejudiced, that is pre-judged) on the issue; etc., etc., etc. The Eastern Washington case is legally debatable, but not absurd (17 states and DC sued FDA to argue that current restrictions and limitations on dispensing of mifepristone are excessive and unwarranted).

    Parent
    Been thinking the same thing (none / 0) (#141)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Apr 08, 2023 at 07:46:16 AM EST

    Scaramucci Says Trump Will Fake Illness to End Campaign
    April 7, 2023 at 11:46 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 158 Comments

    Anthony Scaramucci, who served as former President Donald Trump's White House communications director for 10 days in 2017, claimed on CNN that his old boss may fake an illness to end his 2024 campaign.

    Said Scaramucci: "I think the absence of his family members in this campaign is gonna knock him out of the race. He just doesn't do well without them."
    As far (none / 0) (#143)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Apr 08, 2023 at 09:18:59 AM EST
    as family members I think they are all on board so I'm not sure what he is talking about unless Javankas is the only family member that matters.

    However faking an illness to get out of running would be peak Trump. Remember this is what Manafort tried in court.

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    I always said Kucinich was an stupid tool (none / 0) (#147)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Apr 08, 2023 at 01:43:36 PM EST
    It's nice to be proven right.

    RFK Jr. Gets an Adviser
    April 8, 2023 at 12:44 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 31 Comments

    Former Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) is now advising Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on his presidential bid
    Good news (none / 0) (#151)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Apr 08, 2023 at 07:58:49 PM EST
    is Dennis knows how to lose a presidential primary.

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    Good news (none / 0) (#152)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Apr 08, 2023 at 07:58:49 PM EST
    is Dennis knows how to lose a presidential primary.

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    Coming (none / 0) (#154)
    by FlJoe on Sun Apr 09, 2023 at 06:52:26 AM EST
    soon to a red state near you, liberal hunting licenses! Meanwhile in Texas feel free to fire away
    Less than 24 hours after a jury in Austin found Daniel Perry guilty of shooting to death a protester, Gov. Greg Abbott announced on social media Saturday that he would pardon the convicted killer as soon as a request "hits my desk."
    Good news (none / 0) (#155)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Apr 09, 2023 at 09:16:33 AM EST
    is while he wants to do this from what I have read he can't just pardon someone. It has to go through pardon and parole board first. Not saying it won't eventually get to him and he will pardon the joker but it won't be tomorrow if ever.

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    Good news (none / 0) (#156)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Apr 09, 2023 at 09:16:33 AM EST
    is while he wants to do this from what I have read he can't just pardon someone. It has to go through pardon and parole board first. Not saying it won't eventually get to him and he will pardon the joker but it won't be tomorrow if ever.

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    This is a sad ending (none / 0) (#164)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 10, 2023 at 05:41:40 PM EST
    to a long important career.  Just sad.  


    Dianne Feinstein's prolonged absence puts Biden-appointed judges on hold: report

    If you can't do you job, leave.  Your replacement will be a democrat.  

    One who actually votes.

    Agreed. (5.00 / 1) (#168)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Apr 10, 2023 at 10:02:50 PM EST
    At this point, Sen. Feinstein appears physically and mentally incapable of doing her job. She needs to stand down. But given the vacuum of information regarding her present condition, I have to question whether or not she's even competent enough anymore to make that call. It is indeed a sad and rather pathetic end to what's been until now a rather remarkable and eventful political career.

    Feinstein was newly widowed and actually preparing to retire from politics as president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in Nov. 1978, when she was suddenly thrust into the mayor's office and the national spotlight by the tragic Moscone-Milk assassinations at City Hall.

    The incredible video of her public statement that morning with all those microphones shoved in her face - "As president of the Board of Supervisors, it's my duty to make this announcement: Both Mayor Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk have been shot and killed" - is still so compelling to watch, even 45 years after the fact. She clearly struggled to keep her composure in the moment and was perhaps even suffering from PTSD, given the look in her eyes.

    It's even more poignant since we know from her testimony at former Supervisor Dan White's murder trial that she was in her office when she had heard the gunfire just down the hall which ended Milk's life. Her immediate thought was that White - who had earlier that morning been denied reappointment to the Board by George Moscone - had just committed suicide, before realizing that there were too many shots for that to have happened. She rushed to White's former office only to discover that he had fled the scene, and then she saw Milk's body face down by the window. Several minutes later, the police chief informed her that Moscone was also dead, and she was now Acting Mayor.

    Aloha.

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    Mr. Zorba and I (5.00 / 2) (#174)
    by Zorba on Tue Apr 11, 2023 at 12:34:26 PM EST
    Were living in San Francisco at the time. Harvey Milk was our city supervisor.
    We lived just outside of the Castro area. Harvey's camera shop was just a few doors down from our bank. We had met him, and we liked him a lot.
    It was a very sad time.
    (And, to be honest, we were never very impressed with DiFi.)

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    I've been beating this drum (none / 0) (#178)
    by Chuck0 on Tue Apr 11, 2023 at 04:58:22 PM EST
    for a number of years now. Feinstein should have returned at the end of her last term.

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    Should have *retired* (none / 0) (#180)
    by Peter G on Tue Apr 11, 2023 at 07:04:45 PM EST
    but yes.

    Parent
    Yes. Retired. Bad proof reading. (none / 0) (#189)
    by Chuck0 on Wed Apr 12, 2023 at 10:28:54 AM EST


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    And elect Kevin De León to the U.S. Senate? (none / 0) (#186)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Apr 12, 2023 at 04:06:37 AM EST
    No, thank you. I'll take DiFi's dotage over De León's racism, any day of the week. That horrible man is a f*cking disgrace and public embarrassment as a Democrat. And if he had any sense of personal decency, he would've resigned from the L.A. City Council by now. He dishonors his constituents each and every day he remains in office.

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    Who said De Leon would get the seat? (5.00 / 2) (#190)
    by Chuck0 on Wed Apr 12, 2023 at 10:30:57 AM EST
    Adam Schiff and Kathy Porter have both announced they will run for the seat. Probably more to come.

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    The race in Nov. 2018 was between ... (none / 0) (#192)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Apr 12, 2023 at 07:22:05 PM EST
    ... Sen. Feinstein and then-State Senate President De León, who was termed out in Sacramento. That was your choice on the 2018 ballot, two Dems facing off in the final because none of the Republicans made it past the jungle primary earlier that June. Feinstein still kicked De León's ass, even though the California Democratic Party had endorsed him.

    Hell, Kevin De León's real name isn't even "De León." His birthname is Kevin Alexander Leon (without either the "De" or the accent over the "o"). Prior to running for the State Senate, he moved into a Latino-majority district and embellished / doctored his surname for political purposes.

    In obvious retrospect, California dodged a real bullet in 2018 with DiFi's return to the Senate. The Kevin De León who was overheard by the public making those explicitly racist and anti-Semitic remarks on that now-infamous recording was the real Kevin Alexander Leon. That De León persona is as phony as a three-dollar bill.

    Aloha.

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    Not according to LA Times (none / 0) (#193)
    by MO Blue on Wed Apr 12, 2023 at 08:24:01 PM EST
    Mar 15, 2021 -- If Sen. Dianne Feinstein retires, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday he would nominate a Black woman to fill the seat.

    LA Times

    Doesn't do Katie Porter any favors but does seem to eliminate De Leon.

    Parent

    Apparently, (none / 0) (#191)
    by KeysDan on Wed Apr 12, 2023 at 11:25:28 AM EST
    Senator Feinstein plans to ride out her term.. if this is the case, the Democratic caucus and the Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer, should reshuffle Committee assignments, replacing Senator Feinstein on the crucial Judiciary Committee with another Democratic senator, say Jon Ossoff.  Mrs. Feinstein could accept another assignment or she may welcome a less strenuous schedule.  

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    IMO, Schumer needs to (5.00 / 1) (#194)
    by MO Blue on Wed Apr 12, 2023 at 08:27:47 PM EST
    replace Feinstein on the Judiciary today if not sooner. Definitely should have been done the moment Feinstein was not able to fulfill the function.

    Parent
    Latest news (none / 0) (#196)
    by MO Blue on Wed Apr 12, 2023 at 09:10:15 PM EST
    Sen. Dianne Feinstein deflected growing calls to step down from her Senate seat Wednesday, and said that in the meantime, Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.-should remove her from the Senate Judiciary Committee.

    Hopefully Schumer jumps on this right away.  

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    Schumer (5.00 / 1) (#197)
    by KeysDan on Thu Apr 13, 2023 at 11:59:40 AM EST
    plans on submitting a resolution next week. Th rules are, apparently, that the senate must approve of the change in Judiciary Committee membership.  This will require 60 votes, necessitating some Republican votes.  Does not seem like much incentive for Republicans when Senator  Feinstein's absence stops judicial reviews and voting.

    Another senate rule that does not make sense,  Democrats and Republicans should be able to make replacements when needed.  Perhaps, if the replacement is being made without the consent of the particular senator-- and even then, the decision should be made by the respective caucus.

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    I cannot see where the Republicans (none / 0) (#198)
    by MO Blue on Thu Apr 13, 2023 at 01:31:43 PM EST
    will allow her to be replaced. Once they vote this down, she needs to resign. The judiciary is tainted by Trump appointments and that taint must be diluted while there is still time to do so.

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    I cannot see where the Republicans (none / 0) (#199)
    by MO Blue on Thu Apr 13, 2023 at 01:31:47 PM EST
    will allow her to be replaced. Once they vote this down, she needs to resign. The judiciary is tainted by Trump appointments and that taint must be diluted while there is still time to do so.

    Parent
    3 issues (none / 0) (#171)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 11, 2023 at 08:47:24 AM EST
    Guns, abortion and climate change are going to shape the 24 elections.

    If Trump is the nominee,I still can't believe it, icing on the three layer cake.

    These three things seem to be building in importance every day.

    11,623 bodies so far this year from guns.

    Sea levels are rising faster than the worst predictions.

    And abortion keeps getting worse by the day.

    Actually 4 layers (none / 0) (#172)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 11, 2023 at 11:04:06 AM EST
    Add idiotic morons banning books.

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    What she said (none / 0) (#173)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 11, 2023 at 12:00:28 PM EST

    Quote of the Day

    April 11, 2023 at 12:48 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 30 Comments

    "I think we've got some work to do on the young people who think differently on abortion, perhaps, or guns, or climate change. The thing I'm really concerned about with is that the left becomes a turnout machine with young people."

    -- Former Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway, on Fox News.



    Parent
    She also said (5.00 / 1) (#175)
    by Zorba on Tue Apr 11, 2023 at 12:40:17 PM EST
    "We need to compete for ballots, not just voters and not just minds,"
    That sounds to me like it's skating awfully close to encouraging voter suppression.
    And did you see some of daughter Claudia's posts? Wow!

    Parent
    Sorry MoBlue (none / 0) (#179)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 11, 2023 at 06:33:13 PM EST
    More over reach

    Missouri House Moves to Defund All Public Libraries

    April 11, 2023 at 5:50 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 211 Comments

    "Missouri House Republicans voted to defund all of the state's public libraries, in a proposed $45.6 billion state budget that will soon move to a vote in the GOP-controlled state Senate," WCPT reports



    Knew this was coming (none / 0) (#184)
    by MO Blue on Tue Apr 11, 2023 at 08:32:30 PM EST
    Can't express how angry this makes me. Jeff City ignores the wishes of its citizens even to the point of implementing policies that we have voted against at the ballot box. Believe it or not, we voted against conceal and carry only to having our politicians allow it anyway.

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    But then your state keeps re-electing them. (none / 0) (#187)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Apr 12, 2023 at 05:05:19 AM EST
    Until that bad habit changes, it's hard to take Missouri voters seriously, present company excepted, of course. I'm afraid that You'll have to continue to endure a state legislature and administration that prioritize white grievance and "owning the libs" over reasoned discourse and competent governance.

    Parent
    Like many other states, Missouri's (none / 0) (#195)
    by MO Blue on Wed Apr 12, 2023 at 08:42:57 PM EST
    political structure makes it almost, if not entirely, impossible to vote them out at the present time.  Large rural areas, strong Bible Belt and a lot of racism. Even the majority of the Democratic politicians are fairly conservative.

    The Democratic powers that be also IMO back poor candidates. Case in point was beer heiress Trudy Busch Valentine who was our candidate for Senate.


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    I'm already tired (5.00 / 1) (#200)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 13, 2023 at 02:00:01 PM EST
    or being considered the poor cousin by people lucky enough to live in a blue state

    You?

    Parent

    Sunday Night Open Thread | 200 comments (200 topical)