Not only are the extremists behaving like rutting pronghorns, but they are distracting and detracting from very salient, poignant and urgent global concerns, all for self-indulgent tyranny. To label their behavior shameful is a woefully understating the circumstances. Let's deploy some King Solomon justice at least in effigy by cutting their parry in two and dispersing the foul winds.
Yes, it really rankles to see her get off with such light punishment on this one. She was in touch with Ginny Thomas, and I'd like to see more scrutiny there.
Oh, she CAN be, but I'm guessing Mr. Smith will be calling her attorney with the approximate same deal as she's getting from GA - sing a pretty song, or I shall show you the inside of a federal prison for quite some time. And she will say, "Name the key" - she cray-cray, but she ain't stupid (evidence to the contrary notwithstanding).
Making a daily newspaper costs money. I don't consider my salary a ransom, I bet you don't consider yours a ransom, and the salaries of the reporters, editors, and other staff of the NYT aren't ransom money either.
If it was just news that you were interested then the AP or Reuters should be sufficient and, of course, free. Both the NYT and WAPO have far more to offer and I would have no problem paying for those goods and services if I was so inclined. Do you think the folks on Substack who offer their extras for a paid subscription are trying to hold those goods for ransom?
In the 1930s, when this sort of thing was happening, no one knew until it was too late. We only learned about what really happened decades later. Today, we won't have that excuse. We know now. In real time.
What did the MAGAts expect? They continue to support tRump, who bragged that he could stand on 5th Avenue and shoot people. . . Or sentence an honorable American general to death for attempting to deescalate tRump’s war threats. WTF did they expect? Do they think their exalted position in the House would protect them from the fascist hordes they are in bed with?
“A relatively small group of determined and principled members can deny him what he wants” ... so the shoe is now on the other foot. That game plays both ways. We have endured the MTG and Friends abuse of small minority blockage and now the “rational thinkers” have used that very weapon back on them. It’s time for the House Republicans to start caring about Governance for a change.
Except I don’t like their version of “governance”. Tax cuts for the wealthy, benefit cuts for the rest of us. Full speed ahead with fossil fuels, climate change be damned. Lies and threats, lies and threats. Rinse repeat. Etc etc etc.
By “governance” I meant discussion and compromise. There is no place for “my way or the highway” in Congress. It’s supposed to be give and take. A Representative should be just that.
Yeah, I get that. I don’t know of many Republicans currently in the House that know how to do that! Or that have enough of a spine to be able to vote independently of the former guy.
There really is a deeper problem with the republican caucus, and it is visible in the part of Rep. Miller-Meeks statement you left out Jay.
"Our party needs a consensus candidate so we can get back to the work forwarding appropriations, supporting Israel, and stopping the insane policies of the Biden Administration. Policies that are causing sky high prices and interest rates, an invasion of our southern border, undermining our national security, and bringing countless pounds of fentanyl and other illegal drugs into our country."
Imagine getting death threats, and STILL thinking that the opposing party is "insane." Not to mention some of these "moderates" go on TV, and blame all this on Democrats. Many times have I told republicans I know that as soon as you become unnecessary to the party they will turn on you. They just laugh at me. I have no sympathy for any of them; you reap what you sow.
I really don’t mind if Republicans have a strong difference of opinion when it comes to policy. That’s part of politics. We can disagree on the border, on inflation, on fentanyl, what have you. And to call our policies insane, that’s politics, too. Where I am happy to find common cause with these Republicans is the idea that our representatives should face threats when casting their votes. That is anti-democratic, and we can all unite behind this basic notion of civil order.
I can understand your point, and respect it. However, they have been okay with trump and his minions threating anyone who disagrees with them. Members of their base have attacked people, some have actually killed people. At this point I'm only willing to listen if they start showing some level of self awareness, and I don't see complaining about how their own creation has turned on them and, in the same breath, stating how "insane" democrats are as a good start.
With you. Their complaints about attacks are hollow if they don’t condemn all of the corruption their party has wrought. Silence is complicity. Every damn one of them is guilty.
Yup. But to do that would require a vote of Congress to refer the matter to the Justice Department, and that didn’t happen even under a Democratic controlled House.
Your best turn-of-phrase yet, Jay! And that's saying something because you are clever to the max. I'm visualizing a trump/jordan chimera (hideous) with soft little paws. Maybe with a manicure?
"But if Jordan is finally and utterly defeated, it will be an important victory for the forces of restraint, civility and moderation, even within the chaotic and dishonorable GOP conference."
Hear, hear. I love Meek's statement: "One thing I cannot stomach, or support is a bully." The sound you hear is teeth being ground into a fine powder. If you cannot lead, at least stop misleading and tell the truth to your people: Trump is the apex bully.
The suits took on the onerous task of aping their constituent's anger but few do it with much conviction. Those who do, like Mr. Jordan and Ms Greene, may have found this path to power has a built-in dead end.
I thought the same, but also feel they all supported the apex bully by never once speaking out about him. It's clear they've been scared silly, but they have all failed to uphold the oath of office.
They have courage to stand up to the mini-Trump but not the actual demon. To decry Mr. Jordan for bullying is weak tea. The suits sat on their hands when it mattered.
Mike Simpson of Idaho made a similar comment about bullying and intimidation. Which is why I've been calling, emailing and commenting on his page to show my support even though our politics are vastly different. I'm okay with a good conservative Republican with a backbone. Civil discourse is healthy.
There are no normal Republican congresspeople anymore. It's only magas and those so fearful of magas that they can't vote against magas. That second group will be seeking treatment for PTSD when this is all over.
Again.....SO glad I left the Republican party when I did. Nobody HAS to vote for anybody. If you are not led by principle or morals, then you have no business being Congress. Get out.
....led by principle, morals or....simple, practical COMMON SENSE. A commodity that appears to be in seriously short supply amongst the members of the Republican party in general and the Freedumb Caucus in particular.
Speaking of Stephan Miller, it should be noted that he is currently President of America First Legal which is one of the more than now 74 non-profit advisory board members of the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025, the goals and objectives of which are to dismantle the Federal Government piece by piece in order to create an authoritarian illiberal democracy.
On a separate, but related note, I am opposed to granting McHenry any extension of powers. This will set a bad precedent, especially in the light of Nazi era history in that it was precisely the same type of "emergency power" that was conferred upon Hitler during the first six months of his own election to office in 1933 that led to his being able to usurp and eventually take over total control of Germany's government.
1. Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party used intimidation and persecution to ensure the passage of the law. They prevented all 81 Communists and 26 of the 120 Social Democrats from taking their seats, detaining them in Nazi-controlled camps.
2. German judges did not challenge the law. They viewed Hitler's government as legitimate and continued to regard themselves as state servants who owed him their allegiance and support.
3. The Enabling Act became the cornerstone of Hitler's dictatorship.
I think this is a poor analogy to make, because it isn't remotely the same type of "emergency power" being granted. What "emergency power" means in this case is just the power to act like a normal Speaker of the House, as opposed to the currently diminished powers. The proposal doesn't expand the powers of the Speakership, it just grants Patrick McHenry the full powers of a regular Speaker.
While I can easily see the wording being twisted to do small things in the background that would make a Big difference later on. I can also already see MAGA members lining up for private meetings, whispering in his ear. Or becoming a close personal friend to a certain someone, bringing Tears to his eyes...
Gymbo has had his 15 min. of fame, no more appetite amongst the GOPers for such brutalizing tactics to win the speakership, and even if Jordan issues some face-saving rubbish about not permanently foreclosing yet another run in January, he done.
Not only are the extremists behaving like rutting pronghorns, but they are distracting and detracting from very salient, poignant and urgent global concerns, all for self-indulgent tyranny. To label their behavior shameful is a woefully understating the circumstances. Let's deploy some King Solomon justice at least in effigy by cutting their parry in two and dispersing the foul winds.
Well said!
If he goes for a third vote today it would be great if more than 22 votes were cast against him. About time a “No mas” message was sent.
Here's my T-shirt:
https://substack.com/@davidsea/note/c-42149334
My teeshirt is going to read: byebyebiff.com/don'tletthedoor24
Jeff Tiedrich just reported that Sidney Powell will plead guilty to six counts of election interference, and testify against her co-conspirators. Also, the NYT is reporting the same thing. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/19/us/sidney-powell-guilty-plea-trump-georgia.html
This is almost certainly the subject of my piece tomorrow!
Powell has some stories to tell, and they all point to Individual 1, aka Inmate No. P01135809.
I think Powell was finally able to do the math and realized she’d be 102 before seeing the sky again.
Hopefully, she can still be prosecuted at the federal level.
Yes, it really rankles to see her get off with such light punishment on this one. She was in touch with Ginny Thomas, and I'd like to see more scrutiny there.
Oh, she CAN be, but I'm guessing Mr. Smith will be calling her attorney with the approximate same deal as she's getting from GA - sing a pretty song, or I shall show you the inside of a federal prison for quite some time. And she will say, "Name the key" - she cray-cray, but she ain't stupid (evidence to the contrary notwithstanding).
If she is asked questions that benefit Jack Smith’s case she can be federally indicted.
I heard that at least 2 others have pleaded guilty, but didn't report Who. I dearly hope it means they've flipped & are spilling all the Dirty Dirt!
I don't consider subscribing to the world-class journalism of the NYT to be paying ransom. I also like to work the crossword every day.
Making a daily newspaper costs money. I don't consider my salary a ransom, I bet you don't consider yours a ransom, and the salaries of the reporters, editors, and other staff of the NYT aren't ransom money either.
If it was just news that you were interested then the AP or Reuters should be sufficient and, of course, free. Both the NYT and WAPO have far more to offer and I would have no problem paying for those goods and services if I was so inclined. Do you think the folks on Substack who offer their extras for a paid subscription are trying to hold those goods for ransom?
In the 1930s, when this sort of thing was happening, no one knew until it was too late. We only learned about what really happened decades later. Today, we won't have that excuse. We know now. In real time.
And we can stop it before it overtakes our whole system.
What did the MAGAts expect? They continue to support tRump, who bragged that he could stand on 5th Avenue and shoot people. . . Or sentence an honorable American general to death for attempting to deescalate tRump’s war threats. WTF did they expect? Do they think their exalted position in the House would protect them from the fascist hordes they are in bed with?
The Leopards Eating Faces party is surprised that the leopards are eating their faces.
Lol
Yes.
“A relatively small group of determined and principled members can deny him what he wants” ... so the shoe is now on the other foot. That game plays both ways. We have endured the MTG and Friends abuse of small minority blockage and now the “rational thinkers” have used that very weapon back on them. It’s time for the House Republicans to start caring about Governance for a change.
Except I don’t like their version of “governance”. Tax cuts for the wealthy, benefit cuts for the rest of us. Full speed ahead with fossil fuels, climate change be damned. Lies and threats, lies and threats. Rinse repeat. Etc etc etc.
Best to throw them all out.
I don’t like it either. But these are policy disagreements, which are in a different category than whether we play by the same rules of engagement.
Except for the lies and threats.
By “governance” I meant discussion and compromise. There is no place for “my way or the highway” in Congress. It’s supposed to be give and take. A Representative should be just that.
There is no such thing as democracy without compromise.
Yeah, I get that. I don’t know of many Republicans currently in the House that know how to do that! Or that have enough of a spine to be able to vote independently of the former guy.
I figured you well knew what I meant and I agree with you with the hope that the 22 votes from yesterday signify a kernel of hope for sanity.
May it be so.
There really is a deeper problem with the republican caucus, and it is visible in the part of Rep. Miller-Meeks statement you left out Jay.
"Our party needs a consensus candidate so we can get back to the work forwarding appropriations, supporting Israel, and stopping the insane policies of the Biden Administration. Policies that are causing sky high prices and interest rates, an invasion of our southern border, undermining our national security, and bringing countless pounds of fentanyl and other illegal drugs into our country."
Imagine getting death threats, and STILL thinking that the opposing party is "insane." Not to mention some of these "moderates" go on TV, and blame all this on Democrats. Many times have I told republicans I know that as soon as you become unnecessary to the party they will turn on you. They just laugh at me. I have no sympathy for any of them; you reap what you sow.
I really don’t mind if Republicans have a strong difference of opinion when it comes to policy. That’s part of politics. We can disagree on the border, on inflation, on fentanyl, what have you. And to call our policies insane, that’s politics, too. Where I am happy to find common cause with these Republicans is the idea that our representatives should face threats when casting their votes. That is anti-democratic, and we can all unite behind this basic notion of civil order.
I can understand your point, and respect it. However, they have been okay with trump and his minions threating anyone who disagrees with them. Members of their base have attacked people, some have actually killed people. At this point I'm only willing to listen if they start showing some level of self awareness, and I don't see complaining about how their own creation has turned on them and, in the same breath, stating how "insane" democrats are as a good start.
With you. Their complaints about attacks are hollow if they don’t condemn all of the corruption their party has wrought. Silence is complicity. Every damn one of them is guilty.
Agree.
Now would be a good time to hand Jordan that contempt of Congress indictment that should have come down months ago. Miserable scumbag.
Yup. But to do that would require a vote of Congress to refer the matter to the Justice Department, and that didn’t happen even under a Democratic controlled House.
Damn those pesky details!
"The little emperor has no claws."
Your best turn-of-phrase yet, Jay! And that's saying something because you are clever to the max. I'm visualizing a trump/jordan chimera (hideous) with soft little paws. Maybe with a manicure?
And small, very small thumbs!
But with thumbs at a wide angle to the hand, to go along with grasping behaviors seen in great apes--Trumpanzees
If you take five steps forward then turn around and take 20 steps backward, isn’t that like taking 25 steps forward? 😂
Math is hard!
Considering the direction they want to take the country, 20 steps backwards could be a good thing...
"But if Jordan is finally and utterly defeated, it will be an important victory for the forces of restraint, civility and moderation, even within the chaotic and dishonorable GOP conference."
Hear, hear. I love Meek's statement: "One thing I cannot stomach, or support is a bully." The sound you hear is teeth being ground into a fine powder. If you cannot lead, at least stop misleading and tell the truth to your people: Trump is the apex bully.
But she did support a bully. Well, at least 2 bullies.
The suits took on the onerous task of aping their constituent's anger but few do it with much conviction. Those who do, like Mr. Jordan and Ms Greene, may have found this path to power has a built-in dead end.
I surely hope so.
I thought the same, but also feel they all supported the apex bully by never once speaking out about him. It's clear they've been scared silly, but they have all failed to uphold the oath of office.
They have courage to stand up to the mini-Trump but not the actual demon. To decry Mr. Jordan for bullying is weak tea. The suits sat on their hands when it mattered.
Mike Simpson of Idaho made a similar comment about bullying and intimidation. Which is why I've been calling, emailing and commenting on his page to show my support even though our politics are vastly different. I'm okay with a good conservative Republican with a backbone. Civil discourse is healthy.
" I'm okay with a good conservative Republican with a backbone."
It's who we've been waiting for since 2016.
Mmmm... more like 1994...
Yep. Some of us have been waiting a lifetime.
There are no normal Republican congresspeople anymore. It's only magas and those so fearful of magas that they can't vote against magas. That second group will be seeking treatment for PTSD when this is all over.
Again.....SO glad I left the Republican party when I did. Nobody HAS to vote for anybody. If you are not led by principle or morals, then you have no business being Congress. Get out.
....led by principle, morals or....simple, practical COMMON SENSE. A commodity that appears to be in seriously short supply amongst the members of the Republican party in general and the Freedumb Caucus in particular.
Speaking of Stephan Miller, it should be noted that he is currently President of America First Legal which is one of the more than now 74 non-profit advisory board members of the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025, the goals and objectives of which are to dismantle the Federal Government piece by piece in order to create an authoritarian illiberal democracy.
On a separate, but related note, I am opposed to granting McHenry any extension of powers. This will set a bad precedent, especially in the light of Nazi era history in that it was precisely the same type of "emergency power" that was conferred upon Hitler during the first six months of his own election to office in 1933 that led to his being able to usurp and eventually take over total control of Germany's government.
1. Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party used intimidation and persecution to ensure the passage of the law. They prevented all 81 Communists and 26 of the 120 Social Democrats from taking their seats, detaining them in Nazi-controlled camps.
2. German judges did not challenge the law. They viewed Hitler's government as legitimate and continued to regard themselves as state servants who owed him their allegiance and support.
3. The Enabling Act became the cornerstone of Hitler's dictatorship.
https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/the-enabling-act
I think this is a poor analogy to make, because it isn't remotely the same type of "emergency power" being granted. What "emergency power" means in this case is just the power to act like a normal Speaker of the House, as opposed to the currently diminished powers. The proposal doesn't expand the powers of the Speakership, it just grants Patrick McHenry the full powers of a regular Speaker.
I am simply concerned that it might set a bad precedent, nothing more nothing less.
While I can easily see the wording being twisted to do small things in the background that would make a Big difference later on. I can also already see MAGA members lining up for private meetings, whispering in his ear. Or becoming a close personal friend to a certain someone, bringing Tears to his eyes...
Gymbo has had his 15 min. of fame, no more appetite amongst the GOPers for such brutalizing tactics to win the speakership, and even if Jordan issues some face-saving rubbish about not permanently foreclosing yet another run in January, he done.
My schadenfreude goes to 11 today.