Thanks Jay!! Lately I find myself weary of the whole thing, but reading things from you and HCR keeps me well-enough in the loop. Much love to you, as I am sure you are weary, too!
My three go-tos as well, along with Erin Reed for trans news. That’s pretty much how I consume hard news these days. The NYT is mostly for puzzles, features, and Michelle Goldberg.
Politico just published this in-depth and incredibly informative article about how college towns are turning many swing states blue.
The article also highlights the Republican counter offensive which includes youth voter suppression (short term strategy) and cultural attacks on education a la DeSantis in Florida (longer term strategy). This is an article to read and study. It is important. https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/07/21/gop-college-towns-00106974.
Good read. Thanks for sharing. There was a good portion of the article about my town, Asheville, NC. The GQP have used gerrymandering for decades to split our county in crazy pieces to suppress the vote.
So glad you read it, found the Asheville section and thought it useful. I think it is one of the most significant pieces I have read - gives Dems our marching orders (register young people in droves) and explain why the GOP is so fixated on destroying and demeaning education.
Great writing as always. I get so frustrated with Alito and Thomas. I'm waiting for them to show me the part of the constitution that says they are allowed to sell rulings to the highest bidder. I think I must have missed that section.
Thank you. It does seem that trump filing these lawsuits isn't so much to win them, but to delay things, which is his goal. It seems to be working and that is disheartening. Justice delayed is justice denied.
*Justice* Alito has been making up Constitutional shit for so long, no surprise that he puts his own spin on Art III §2, saying in effect that it doesn't apply to THIS Court..."Do you believe me or your own lying eyes?" is his take. Douchery in action.
The "target" is presented to a grand jury by a public official or "officer of the court", the GJ then decides if the charges accompanying the "target" constitute probable cause of a criminal act, and if so issues an indictment. A "target letter" is presented to person or persons subjected to a GJ hearing, and usually indicates that an indictment is soon to follow.
just crazy enough to get a bunch of mileage out of being "targeted". After all, it seems to work for fundraising and the spotlight is again on him, just where he likes it most.
Already the GA Supreme Court unanimously tossed out tRump's initial suit challenging both the "special" grand jury convened several months ago by Willis re: election interference, and Willis' own position as prosecuting DA. Another similar suit is in court again, presided over by a Superior Court judge in another county, but the results will undoubtedly be the same...delay-delay-delay, no legal merit to the suit.
Isn't it just like a repulsive, arrogant Fascist like Alito to claim that he's untouchable by the law?
Almost any Republican who does anything the least bit immoral or illegal claims that they are exempt from the law. They love imposing restrictive, hurtful laws upon others but never want any applied to them. History books, the ones not controlled by DeSantis, will not be kind to this Supreme Court.
Trump can delay til he's orange in the face. When Biden wins in '24, Trump's chances of pardon go to nil. The trials can take as long as they take, then sentencing may proceed. Trust the system.
In Article III, Section 1 of the Constitution it states "The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office."
What does "during good Behavior" mean according to precedent? Thanks!
It essentially means they have a lifetime appointment, except under certain limited circumstances. Modern interpretation by Congress is that it doesn’t add any new ethics requirements above and beyond the “high crimes and misdemeanors” of the impeachment clause.
Going forward, it might be helpful to describe the indictments as being for Election Interference, including the Jan6th, intimidation, and fake electors. This came up in the Sisters In Law podcast, and I think they make a good point. The violations are far beyond the events on Jan 6 and it is useful to keep the breadth of the interference in the description.
One thing I would like to see: The Federal courts have a rule that hearings, trials, montions, etc. involving a sitting President or ex-President receive priority over other work of the courts. Minimize the delays. I do know that some of the Judges in the DC courts were quick to response with opinions.
Global is local, and local is global. Not only is there some movement on the front to hold Trump accountable for his treasonous actions, but also to keep the Supreme Court from running hog wild with corruption, although if it were not for ProPublica we might all still be in the dark. ProPublica should win a Nobel Prize for the work it is doing to defend our democracy. Not only are we watching Israel implode because of so much immigration from Right Wingers who have voted a convicted criminal into power and he is doing what Trump plans on doing which is just getting rid of anything that can stop him from doing whatever he damn well pleases. However, the people are not accepting of that, and if he finds that most of his doctors leave, not to be replaced, he is going to have a fiefdom that might not be worth having. A lot of what makes Israel both sympathetic and a destination is the fact that it has a lot of liberals. They may leave. We are also seeing that Putin feels conscripted to not leave Russia for any country where he thinks he might get arrested since there is an international warrant out for him. Does that mean his global power is diminishing? Medvedev with his ongoing nuclear threats also needs to be addressed. I am really counting on Gen Z not to vote for 3rd party candidates, but to vote for Democrats and help us move our country forward in the next election. Let us hope that our congress both passes and uses the laws to control the Supreme Court justices. There are two that clearly ought to be tried and convicted.
Thanks so much for your rich-in-detail comment. If you’d like to keep up with a political strategist who tracks Gen Z closely, you’ll want to look up Simon Rosenberg > Hopiun Chronicles < here on Substack.
A nice day here in Washington state as well....not too hot as we seem to have been spared the horrendous heat of so many states. Thank you once again for your informative letter. I would love to see Alito and Thomas removed from the SC....that would be a champagne worthy day! But, why isn't Roberts being held accountable for the actions of those on his court? Has he no power over them?
It is truly a glorious day in Maine also, free of both rain and significant humidity- a rarity these days, much as should be targeting librarians, of all people, in a cowardly and tyrannical fashion.
Here's to the fair winds and skies of Jistice and freedom.
Thanks Jay!! Lately I find myself weary of the whole thing, but reading things from you and HCR keeps me well-enough in the loop. Much love to you, as I am sure you are weary, too!
Add Joyce Vance to your list.😁
Yesss she is fabulous, too!
My three go-tos as well, along with Erin Reed for trans news. That’s pretty much how I consume hard news these days. The NYT is mostly for puzzles, features, and Michelle Goldberg.
Erin Reed is great and I also enjoy The Present Age which may also be up your alley
Ah yes I read that one, too.
Stay strong. The MAGAs are counting on our weariness and complacency ✊
Oh ya, the fight is still there, I just gotta stop with podcasts hourssss a day lol
Election Nerd Alert!
Politico just published this in-depth and incredibly informative article about how college towns are turning many swing states blue.
The article also highlights the Republican counter offensive which includes youth voter suppression (short term strategy) and cultural attacks on education a la DeSantis in Florida (longer term strategy). This is an article to read and study. It is important. https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/07/21/gop-college-towns-00106974.
Good read. Thanks for sharing. There was a good portion of the article about my town, Asheville, NC. The GQP have used gerrymandering for decades to split our county in crazy pieces to suppress the vote.
So glad you read it, found the Asheville section and thought it useful. I think it is one of the most significant pieces I have read - gives Dems our marching orders (register young people in droves) and explain why the GOP is so fixated on destroying and demeaning education.
Wow. Thank you for the article.
Thanks for sharing this!!
Great article! Brings me some hope. Thanks for sharing 💗
ALITO: No provision in the Constitution gives them the authority to regulate the Supreme Court—period.
CONGRESS: hold our beers.
Kavanaugh: "But I LIKE beers!"
Great writing as always. I get so frustrated with Alito and Thomas. I'm waiting for them to show me the part of the constitution that says they are allowed to sell rulings to the highest bidder. I think I must have missed that section.
Thank you. It does seem that trump filing these lawsuits isn't so much to win them, but to delay things, which is his goal. It seems to be working and that is disheartening. Justice delayed is justice denied.
*Justice* Alito has been making up Constitutional shit for so long, no surprise that he puts his own spin on Art III §2, saying in effect that it doesn't apply to THIS Court..."Do you believe me or your own lying eyes?" is his take. Douchery in action.
Thanks! I’m a retired teacher: any case involving education strikes a chord in me.❤️
As an aside, isn’t the whole point of a grand jury to target someone?😂
I'm glad someone asked about "targeting"! 😄
Of course I should know better than to accept a Trumped up charge. What was I thinking?🤦♀️😂
I’m a bit slow. The term “trumped up’ has a whole new meaning now!🤪
It now has a definition ANYONE can understand!😂
I hate it when I catch myself using that term now!
The "target" is presented to a grand jury by a public official or "officer of the court", the GJ then decides if the charges accompanying the "target" constitute probable cause of a criminal act, and if so issues an indictment. A "target letter" is presented to person or persons subjected to a GJ hearing, and usually indicates that an indictment is soon to follow.
I understand that, I just don’t know why Trump thought he had a case against Fanni Willis because of the targeting. Of course he’s insane!😂
just crazy enough to get a bunch of mileage out of being "targeted". After all, it seems to work for fundraising and the spotlight is again on him, just where he likes it most.
Already the GA Supreme Court unanimously tossed out tRump's initial suit challenging both the "special" grand jury convened several months ago by Willis re: election interference, and Willis' own position as prosecuting DA. Another similar suit is in court again, presided over by a Superior Court judge in another county, but the results will undoubtedly be the same...delay-delay-delay, no legal merit to the suit.
Isn't it just like a repulsive, arrogant Fascist like Alito to claim that he's untouchable by the law?
Almost any Republican who does anything the least bit immoral or illegal claims that they are exempt from the law. They love imposing restrictive, hurtful laws upon others but never want any applied to them. History books, the ones not controlled by DeSantis, will not be kind to this Supreme Court.
Trump can delay til he's orange in the face. When Biden wins in '24, Trump's chances of pardon go to nil. The trials can take as long as they take, then sentencing may proceed. Trust the system.
Thank you again. I have a question.
In Article III, Section 1 of the Constitution it states "The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office."
What does "during good Behavior" mean according to precedent? Thanks!
It essentially means they have a lifetime appointment, except under certain limited circumstances. Modern interpretation by Congress is that it doesn’t add any new ethics requirements above and beyond the “high crimes and misdemeanors” of the impeachment clause.
Thank you. I was hoping that it had ethics implications for the Supreme Court itself, but you know best.
Going forward, it might be helpful to describe the indictments as being for Election Interference, including the Jan6th, intimidation, and fake electors. This came up in the Sisters In Law podcast, and I think they make a good point. The violations are far beyond the events on Jan 6 and it is useful to keep the breadth of the interference in the description.
One thing I would like to see: The Federal courts have a rule that hearings, trials, montions, etc. involving a sitting President or ex-President receive priority over other work of the courts. Minimize the delays. I do know that some of the Judges in the DC courts were quick to response with opinions.
Global is local, and local is global. Not only is there some movement on the front to hold Trump accountable for his treasonous actions, but also to keep the Supreme Court from running hog wild with corruption, although if it were not for ProPublica we might all still be in the dark. ProPublica should win a Nobel Prize for the work it is doing to defend our democracy. Not only are we watching Israel implode because of so much immigration from Right Wingers who have voted a convicted criminal into power and he is doing what Trump plans on doing which is just getting rid of anything that can stop him from doing whatever he damn well pleases. However, the people are not accepting of that, and if he finds that most of his doctors leave, not to be replaced, he is going to have a fiefdom that might not be worth having. A lot of what makes Israel both sympathetic and a destination is the fact that it has a lot of liberals. They may leave. We are also seeing that Putin feels conscripted to not leave Russia for any country where he thinks he might get arrested since there is an international warrant out for him. Does that mean his global power is diminishing? Medvedev with his ongoing nuclear threats also needs to be addressed. I am really counting on Gen Z not to vote for 3rd party candidates, but to vote for Democrats and help us move our country forward in the next election. Let us hope that our congress both passes and uses the laws to control the Supreme Court justices. There are two that clearly ought to be tried and convicted.
ProPublica is doing astonishing work on behalf of our Republic.
Thanks so much for your rich-in-detail comment. If you’d like to keep up with a political strategist who tracks Gen Z closely, you’ll want to look up Simon Rosenberg > Hopiun Chronicles < here on Substack.
A nice day here in Washington state as well....not too hot as we seem to have been spared the horrendous heat of so many states. Thank you once again for your informative letter. I would love to see Alito and Thomas removed from the SC....that would be a champagne worthy day! But, why isn't Roberts being held accountable for the actions of those on his court? Has he no power over them?
It is truly a glorious day in Maine also, free of both rain and significant humidity- a rarity these days, much as should be targeting librarians, of all people, in a cowardly and tyrannical fashion.
Here's to the fair winds and skies of Jistice and freedom.
Trump is pressuring House Republicans to impeach Biden, or face primary challenges....
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/trump-amid-legal-perils-calls-gop-rally-threatens-101833266