Wouldn’t you know it, this thread would lapse just before Trump was kicked out of office. I wonder if the new thread will be as lively without the Orange Cheeto around to focus our anger? I think Joe might provide some prompting, at least.
Lynna is your curator. Type furiously!
“Speaker Pelosi on impeachment: ‘Why bother? Why bother? Ask our Founders why bother. Ask those who wrote the Constitution, ask Abraham Lincoln, ask anyone who cares about our democracy why we are bothering. You cannot go forward until you have justice’.”
Wonkette link
LOL.
This is not The Onion, In the Wake of the MAGA Insurrection, Jim Bakker Now Insists That :
The Onion, Republicans Accuse Ocasio-Cortez Of Not Being Anywhere Near Place They Told Capitol Mob She Would Be:
Rachel Maddow is reporting that the Hair Furor is using the Presidential Seal on his letterhead, and always refers to himself in correspondence and has himself referred as the 45th President, and by his lawyers, not the Former President. Cue the theme from the Twilight Zone.
Frankly, the last thing I ever expected to become is a rabble rousing, leftist, little old lady.
We did not have a riot to protest installing the orange buffoon. We had the biggest bipartisan protest in history. Then we hunkered down and got to work getting better people elected to congress.
I note a distinct lack of little old ladies in the footage of storming congress. I see mainly middle aged and younger white dudes, with some white women of the same age group, and a couple people of color.
Link to Rachel Maddow and Donald Trumps letterhead delusions
Two or three years ago, I learned the Kirin brewing company (Japan) had done a deal with teh wannabe-generlisimos in Myanmar. This was triply-distressing, a profit-making partnership business with a military, and with a known corrupt coup-prone force, and because Kirin beer is rather good (in my opinion). Since then, I’ve refused to buy it and complained about the connection (as have others). Some good news, Kirin beer company cuts brewery ties with Myanmar military over coup:
My beer supply is almost exhausted, when I replenish I can include some Kirin. (I currently have no reason to doubt their statement.) Yeah! (burp !)
I’ve not been following this story, but Al Jazeera has been running a series on corruption in Bangladesh. The UN has noticed, and is not happy with the reported corruption, UN calls for Bangladesh army probe after Al Jazeera investigation:
Fox lurches further to the right to win back ‘hard-edge’ Trump supporters. As background, faux is apparently now in the 3rd place in the ratings (and ratings are one of the drivers of advertising fees; the higher the ratings, the more costly the ads, so the more revenue for faux):
† Not set in because, whilst exaggerated hyperbole — most faux viewers were not, e.g., at the insurrection (albeit it’s possible most “support”, or at least fail to condemn, it) — it’s not substantially inaccurate (as far as I am currently aware).
Not really political… I live in a S.France Mediterranean seaside village a relatively short train ride from Marseille (close enough there are (pre-pandemic) commuters in both directions), and have done so for a rather long time now. Even so, I still (mostly) detest Marseille, albeit I could (pre-pandemic) point you to some excellent not-well-known restaurants and other attractions. So this Grauniad article was interesting, Marseille: a virtual tour through books, film, food and music. (I’ve not (yet) watched the videos (plural) at the link.) Some snippets:
Delete the “first-time” and I concur that it is (difficult to be) “impossible to be ambivalent about Marseille.”
I think I totally get where Ms Child is coming from. Marseille certainly is not Paris — that’s perhaps one of Marseille’s strongest points (I detest Paris even more than I detest Marseille) — but I broadly concur with the colourful analogy to “a rich broth of vigorous, emotional, uninhibited life”.
Here’s a link to the February 5 Guardian coronavirus world liveblog (support the Guardian if you can!).
Also – CNN – “Johnson & Johnson asks FDA to authorize its Covid-19 vaccine”:
Guardian world liveblog:
Guardian – “Alexei Navalny in court again on charge of defaming war veteran”:
“MyPillow magnate Mike Lindell is releasing a 3-hour movie Friday he claims will prove the election was stolen. If his movie fails to catch on, Lindell predicts it will mean the end times out of the Book of Revelation — ‘We pray and we go to heaven, it’s over’.”
re SC @16: Can we just skip the movie and send Lindell and all of his like-minded republicans on to “heaven” so that the rest of us can have a sane country?
AP – “Hundreds protest coup in Myanmar as resistance spreads”:
Matthew Gertz:
Marjorie Greene is tweeting:
She’s doing a press conference at 11.
So she seems to have really given some thoughtful consideration to her harmful actions. Good job, 199 Republicans.
“News: The U.S. Senate, 51-50, passed the budget resolution, marking a key step on the Dem path to crafting their Covid relief package.
@VP Harris cast the tie-breaking vote
Schumer notes it has been one month since the Georgia Senate run offs: ‘Just a month from that day, we have taken a giant step to begin to fulfill our promise’.”
Went late into the night. The Senate is now out until Monday.
Re #16 above: “A prominent QAnon believer predicting the apocalypse is worrisome. QAnon believers have been involved in murders, a terrorist threat, and the attack on the US Capitol. It’s past time for us to take it seriously.”
“The Senate Intelligence Committee will examine the influence of Russia and other foreign powers on antigovernment extremist groups like the ones that helped mobilize the deadly attack on the Capitol last month, the panel’s new chairman [Mark Warner] said….”
NYT link atl.
The Friday WH COVID briefing is starting now.
Six more companies will be producing at-home tests, eventually making millions available.
The military is being deployed to help at vaccination sites.
Deaths are now beginning to decline, following declines in cases and hospitalizations. But all remain high.
The CDC is releasing a report about the effectiveness of state mask mandates.
Three areas in which the Defense Production Act is being used: materials for Pfizer to ramp up vaccine production, surgical gloves (factories will be built in the US to make the materials and the gloves themselves), at-home tests (61 million to be produced).
Evan McMullin: “It’s become an accepted political reality these days, but it really is bizarre how devoted so many can be to such a singularly pathetic man.”
It really is.
Aaron Rupar is livetweeting the Lindell saga on OANN.
US citizen newborns sent to Mexico under Trump-era border ban (Grauniad edits in {curly braces})… Trigger Warning: Multiple very distressing examples contained within the link (redacted from the below excerpt):
The hair furor rule being used here is “Title 42”, from the CDC(!) as part of hair furor’s mostly non-existent response to the pandemic: “The rule allowed CBP officials to summarily all migrants who entered the US without authorization, instead of letting them access the legal avenue to request protection, even those seeking asylum.”
“NEW: Inside a QAnon meeting in Arizona.
Some attendees went on to DC on January 6th. One is in jail. Another’s home has been raided by the FBI….”
Video atl.
Quoting the excreable MTG from 20.
Oh honey, the D side has a list too and we plan to primary every single R congress critter that did not vote to get rid of you, or voted to impede democracy on jan 6th.
Plenty of conservative Rs in my state are also entirely fed up with the lying, gun toting, lunatic branch of their ‘party’.
“#Breaking Rachel Powell is the #BullHornLady #PinkHatLady has been taken into custody.”
CBS Pittsburgh link atl.
Russia expels European diplomats over Navalny protests, EU ‘strongly condemns’ move:
AJ – “Brazil’s Bolsonaro faces probe after hospitals ran out of oxygen”:
Democracy Now! – “‘A Moral Catastrophe’: Africa CDC Head Says Lack of Vaccines for the Continent Will Imperil World”:
Greene’s press conference earlier:
“Greene, prompted by multiple reporters following her remarks, will not apologize for — or clarify — her past comments suggesting that Nancy Pelosi is guilty of treason and deserving of death.”
Nerd @8, thanks for posting that link. That segment was excellent, and as far as I know, Rachel was the only one to focus on that aspect of Hair Furor’s post-presidency, crazy-pants, farcical performances. (PZ also posted about that weird behavior on Trump’s part.)
In other news: Romney jolts policy debate with plan for new benefit for children
That would benefit a lot of his constituents in Utah, Mormon families with a lot of children. Of course, it would benefit other families as well.
“Marjorie Taylor Greene on Trump: ‘The [Republican] party is his, it doesn’t belong to anyone else'”
Bits and pieces of news:
Link
GOP’s McCarthy keeps trying, failing to make sound choices
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has made a series of important decisions since Election Day 2020. They’ve all been spectacularly wrong.
“BREAKING: The labor board has denied Amazon’s request to stop the union election from going forward at its Alabama warehouse. Ballots are scheduled to go out in the mail Monday morning. This thing is on.
Amazon asked the board to review its case arguing that the election should happen in-person during a full-blown pandemic. In a two-sentence order the board said it found “no substantial issues warranting review.” Amazon’s motion to stay also denied.
Oof. Even two GOP members of the board shot down Amazon here, essentially saying there’s no good reason for an in-person vote in this case. That’s got to sting.
The full NLRB order rejecting Amazon’s request to stay the election can be read here:…”
Greene Speech To Fluff Up Rightwing Bona Fides Quickly Devolves Into Media Slugfest
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/greene-speech-committee-media
Follow-up to comment 43.
Comments post by readers of the TPM article:
Biden Hopes To Convert Anti-Maskers In Super Bowl Video Message
Greene has now confirmed exactly who she is and has long been and will continue to be. She holds no real position of power. I hope she drops out of the news cycle after today.
Conservatives tried to smear AOC on Twitter, but users hijacked the hashtag with cuteness overload
Republicans are afraid that Trump’s second impeachment trial is going to be ’embarassing’
From Wonkette:
https://www.wonkette.com/trump-nuns-not-even-real-nuns
Lynna@38, “Nerd@8, thanks for posting that link.”
Yes !
Apropos of nothing, by coincidence, I was watching that very link when I noticed Lynna’s comment… whilst also finishing off tonight’s vin (a nice rosé from the Loire Valley which went quite well with the Gnocchi and spicy sausage with cheese)… and hoping the mildly deranged one won’t notice it was her cheese (she didn’t immediately eat it, so it’s fair game)… and mid-video, realising I had to put the garbage out now (there’s a small window between when you can put the garbage by the street to be collected and the collection).
The Proud Boys are Using a Christian Crowdfunding Site to Raise Money for Legal Expenses:
More re my #498 on the previous thread – TPM – “‘We Must Do Better’: Tlaib, In Tears, Urges Colleagues To Reckon With Capitol Insurrection”:
Video atl.
The Onion, Fauci Warns Public Against Holding Any Large-Scale Celebrations Commemorating February 1708 Release Of JS Bach’s Cantata ‘Gott Ist Mein König’:
(I’m listening to the Michaelstein Telemann Chamber Orchestra at St Mary’s Church, Mühlhausen (video; performance picked at random) as I type this.
Also from the Onion, Americans Scrambling For Covid Vaccine After CDC Director Announces Thousands Of Doses Buried Somewhere In California (Onion’s edits in {curly braces}) — there’s an amusing image at the link:
Actually, the political propaganda in Disney wasn’t hidden at all!.
Rachel Maddow, Greene Makes Fool Of McCarthy Denying Her Space Laser Theory (video). Greene apparently told McCarthy she ; Maddow reads out the full(?) text she posted about the , it’s even more deranged deluded and antisemitic than I had previously understood.
KG@54, The “secret” messages in Disney films conspiracy theory has been around for forever… if my memory is correct (which can be disputed), I was reading about it on this (then-)new-fangled invention called clay tablets. Putting aside deliberately embedded jokes by the illustrators (which certainly do exist), I have no idea if there is anything to the claim. A quick search finds a lot of Highly Dubious sites making such claims, but a very Very Quick random(-ish) sampling suggests hyperactive imaginations and pareidolia are at work…
Talia Lavin at MSNBC – “Police have enough power. The Capitol riots shouldn’t give them more.”:
Just Security – “Social Media Video Evidence in Impeachment Trial: Lessons from International Tribunals”:
More atl.
“Trump Shifted Campaign-Donor Money Into His Private Business After Losing The Election”
Forbes link atl.
re SC @59: That “link” is not working for me.
US suspends Haiti deportation flights as Biden administration tries to control Ice:
Ronaddled Raygun fired air traffic controllers on a poor pretense. Biden has a much better reason to fire the entirety of Ice.
@60, https://www.forbes.com/sites/danalexander/2021/02/05/trump-shifted-campaign-donor-money-into-his-private-business-after-losing-the-election/
From the Graunaid’s current insurrection the sequel live blog:
Gohmert, possibly the stooopidest alleged-person in Congress, does not surprise me. Clyde is unknown to me, and Ye Pfffft! of All Knowledge doesn’t single him out as anything especial, albeit it is worth noting he’s a McShooty McShootface shop owner, and “sued the city of Athens, Georgia over the shelter-in-place order imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which compelled his business to close.”
“Best of the Handforth Parish Council Planning & Environment Committee Thursday 10th December 2020″
Video atl.
FFS.
Arkansas lawmakers OK bill to require women seeking an abortion to call a pro-life hotline
SC@64, The Grauniad on that meeting, Insults and expletives turn parish council Zoom meeting into internet sensation (“Swearing, hysterics and a heroically stoic clerk transform Handforth meeting into absurdist drama”). As a bit of background, the article observes “The extraordinary outbursts followed a series of complaints about the conduct of some councillors in the village and allegations of unlawful decisions which have resulted in expenditure of public funds, according to a notice posted on the council’s website by David Brown, director of governance and compliance at Cheshire district council.”
Link
blf @ #66, it was exactly what I needed today.
“You have no authority here, Jackie Weaver. No authority at all.”
ZAP
Loons in Texas dream of loosing another lopsided battle at the Alamo, Texas Republicans endorse legislation to allow vote on secession from US (Granuiad edits in {curly braces}):
I presume the only people within Texas in favour of seceding are a handful of nazis in the government, a moldly collection of columns-for-hire “journalists”, and some shadowy “donors”.
QAnon Believers Are Obsessed With Hillary Clinton. She Has Thoughts.
New York Times link
The mass execution cult has roots in three decades of demonization.
From Josh Marshall: “QAnon is Not a ‘Conspiracy Theory’”
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/qanon-is-not-a-conspiracy-theory
Fleeing the sinking ship:
Humor/satire from Andy Borowitz:
New Yorker link
From the Gruaniad’s current insurrection the sequel live blog:
I’m reminded of the claim the reason hair furor ran in the first place in the 2016 was as publicity for a proposed hair furor channel / show / network. The above could be construed as suggesting he tried to turn Parler into that hair furor branded scam.
Humor/satire from The New Yorker: ” The Biggest Changes to the White House Under President Joe Biden”
New Yorker link
Lynna@75, quotes “Carnivorous flowers uprooted from White House Rose Garden.”
Ok, ok, I admit it, I totally lost it at that point… Good thing I’d put the coffee down and had swallowed the mouthful when I read it, or I’d be cleaning ballistic coffee shards from the outside wall of the building across the street…
An interesting discussion I’m listening to as I type, What AOC Taught Us about Trauma (video): “This week Dana Schwartz and Kiran Deol join Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco to discuss AOC’s heartbreaking instagram live documenting her story and trauma from the Capitol attack. They talk about how her play-by-play was told from a narrative perspective that’s usually omitted, and how Republicans like Ted Cruz are trying to and place the blame on her.”
Fox canceled Lou Dobbs.
@77, Oops! Correct link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsbdCSJ3xD4 (Sorry!).
Follow-up to @417(previous page), from the Grauniad’s current insurrection sequel live blog:
ABC – “Congressional investigators probe videos of Trump associates’ actions ahead of Capitol riot”:
It might be the case that Stone “has repeatedly said that he ‘never left the site of my hotel until leaving for Dulles Airport’ that afternoon,” but his earlier story was that he didn’t leave his room that day:
Wisconsin Vaccine Saboteur Steven Brandenburg Is a Flat-Earther, FBI Document Reveals:
The mildly deranged penguin has no memory of talking to his guy, and she points out neither cheese nor peas are mentioned…
Mehdi Hasan:
David Allen Green – “Did Jackie Weaver have the authority? – the law and policy of that Handforth Parish Council meeting”:
Yes! This is just what I was thinking!
Trump’s string of executions a likely superspreader event.
More people now vaccinated against Covid-19 than infected worldwide, data shows:
Arrggghhhh!!!!! Doses ≠ people. With (several of) the currently-approved vaccines, it’s 2 doses (2 jabs) before the person is fully vaccinated.
I have no idea how many people have received a full two-dose regime, how many are awaiting their second jab, and hence how many are unvaccinated. France24’s reporting seems to muddle the counting (I have not checked the original Reuters and AFP reports).
Bloomberg, More Than 124 Million Shots Given: Covid-19 Tracker provides a more informed breakdown, both for the States (by state) and other countries. (The headline totals differ because, in part, the articles are from different days.)
One annoying thing — which I’ve been suspecting based on the statistics from France’s track-and-trace app — is the rate of vaccination in France is appallingly slow. The States is now administrating c.1.3 million jabs per day; in contrast, France’s total number of jabs since vaccinations started over a month ago is just c.1.7 million jabs (the current rate is c.85,000 jabs a day).
To be Trump, or not: what Shakespeare tells us about the last five years:
Posted by Reginald Selkirk in poopyhead’s Checking out the local real estate post: Steve Sack in the Minnesota Star Tribune, Occam’s razor (cartoon).
Follow-up to comment 78.
Michael Beschloss:
George Takei:
George Conway:
From Stephanie Ruhle:
All the batshit bonkers groups flocking together?
Link
Matt Gaetz takes more steps to prove that he is a total dunderhead:
Link
Oh no.
Supreme Court says California worship restrictions violate religious rights.
Washington Post link
Precautions such as required negative COVID tests, etc. have been applied to most “Hollywood” ventures, but have not been applied to those attending church services.
More at the link.
Just some of the bogus claims about Smartmatic and Dominion that were made by various rightwing doofuses, including Rudy Giuliani and Fox News hosts:
Washington Post link
More at the link, including what Mike Lindell said, what Jeanine Pirro said, and what Maria Bartiromo said.
All of the false claims have been debunked dozens of times. Multi-million dollar lawsuits have been filed against the liars (sometimes the lawsuits are for more than a billion dollars in damages). You can see that Smartmatic and Dominion have a good case. The lying dunderheads destroyed their businesses.
More lawsuits may be forthcoming:
Re blf’s #87 – I haven’t read the book mentioned in the post, but I did read Stephen Greenblatt’s 2018 Tyrant: Shakespeare on Politics:
Thought it was pretty insightful.
A few podcasts:
Mad in America – “Fascist Subjectivity and the Subhuman: An Interview with Critical Psychologist Thomas Teo.”
QAnon Anonymous – “Episode 128: From Anonymous to QAnon feat Dale Beran, Matt Alt, Fredrick Brennan & Fuxnet”:
Know Your Enemy – “Panic! In America (w/ the You’re Wrong About podcast)”:
Two more podcasts:
Stay Tuned – “Trial 2 for Individual 1 (with Daniel Goldman and Adam Schiff)”:
(I didn’t know the House had rehired Barry Berke and Joshua Matz for this trial. That’s good news.)
Our Hen House – “Episode 578: Justice for All, Including Animals, ft Senator Jabari Brisport”:
The (super interesting) interview proper begins around 10 minutes in. I liked the “Rising Anxieties” segment at the end.
Guardian – “Myanmar: tens of thousands protest against coup despite internet blackout”:
Excellent thread from last night:
In teh “U”K, Misogynists are trying to silence me: abuse bill commissioner:
The title of this article in the Grauniad, a “U”K-based paper, is focused on a relatively minor incident involving hair fair and the then-“U”K PM, Theresa May (shades of -headlines / -reporting “U”K newspapers are historically notorious for). It’s perhaps the rest of the article which is interesting, How Donald Trump’s hand-holding led to panicky call home by Theresa May (Grauniad’s edits in {curly braces}):
me@101, Good grief! hair fair → hair furor
Looks at his drink… probably too much Génépy des Alpes (a lovely artisanale liqueur (a type of gin? (not sure))), mixed with an limonade artisanale. Easy to drink. And lethal.
US to end deals to send asylum seekers back to Central America:
I have no fecking idea why, but yet again, poopyhead’s filter is blocking UAE spies monitored Michelle Obama, Sheikha Moza emails.
test:
blf@104,
I thought it might be the first four letters of the third word of my test @105.
KG@106, Test…
I was thinking it was the 5th word, which is an offensive / derogatory term for a female in English, but redacting the full quoted name didn’t help. (Nor did several other redactions I tried.) I’m puzzled.
2.1 million vaccinations yesterday in the US.
Republicans in three states are trying to ban the 1619 Project from schools
Link
“Serial disinfo actor, GatewayPundit, is ‘permanently suspended for repeated violations of our civic integrity policy’, per a Twitter spokesperson. Can’t overstate the part Gateway Pundit has played in the ‘Stolen Election’ lie and a million others before. This is a big deal.”
These are incredible photos by Reuters photographer Leah Millis.
“Using a trove of leaked smartphone location data, @cwarzel and @stuartathompson identified some of the Capitol rioters.
In this time-lapse animation, smartphones moved from Trump’s rally to the Capitol….”
Animation and NYT link atl.
The Fossil Fuel Debate’s Most Bizarre Byproduct: “Petro-Masculinity”
Lynna, OM@113,
Interesting article. Cultural divisions also crop up when the alternatives to fossil fuels are considered. The “macho” alternative is nuclear power; the “greenie” alternatives are renewables and demand reduction. There are genuine arguments on both sides (I think considerably stronger on the “greenie” side), but it’s hard to avoid the culture clash.
Wonkette: “It’s Super Bowl Sunday: Stay Home, Don’t Huddle With Strangers”
Link
KG @114, true. Remember the hardcore fossil fuel burners who indulged in “rolling coal”? YouTube link. That was definitely a cultural statement.
In other news: “U.K. coronavirus variant spreading rapidly through United States, study finds”
Washington Post link
Florida, where the Super Bowl is being held.
Lynna@116. I received an e-mail from the Lake County (IL) Health Department, which said the B.1.1.7 strain arrived in the county in late December from an international flier. So its spreading here too.
I received another e-mail from the charity I did volunteer driving for prior to the pandemic, taking seniors to their medical appointments, that their drivers are considered essential workers by state guidelines. This won’t change my general category (1b), but may allow me to get the vaccine quicker within that group.
“BREAKING: A narrow majority of Americans (56%) say former President Donald Trump should be convicted and barred from holding office again, according to a new @ABC News/Ipsos poll.”
Link atl. That’s not especially narrow.
This dog in the Puppy Bowl is trending on Twitter.
Nerd @117, thanks for the additional info. Also, do whatever you can to get the vaccine quicker.
I know a healthy 30-something school nurse’s assistant who is not currently required to go to work, but because the health care category is so loose, she has already had her two vaccination shots. Good for her, but people over 65 should have already received their vaccination shots in my opinion. Meanwhile, I’m still in a waiting line. Don’t even have an appointment.
SC @118, agreed. That is not really a narrow margin.
In other news: Biden inherited a USPS crisis. Here’s how Democrats want to fix it.
Washington Post link
USPO organizational chart, and more solutions to the USPO problems, are available at the link.
Trump’s lie that the election was stolen has cost $519 million (and counting) as taxpayers fund enhanced security, legal fees, property repairs and more.
Washington Post link
A table showing the costs, by category, is available at the link.
Amy Davidson Sorkin, writing for The New Yorker, “What’s at Stake in Trump’s Second Impeachment Trial.”
New Yorker link
Guardian (support the Guardian if you can!) – “Netanyahu’s corruption trial resumes weeks before Israeli election”:
Guardian – “Chechnya opens terror inquiry into gay men forcibly returned from Moscow”:
Also in the Guardian:
“Three-finger salute: Hunger Games symbol adopted by Myanmar protesters”:
“It’s time for Africa to rein in Tanzania’s anti-vaxxer president”:
It’s been very noticeable how one-sided the coverage of conflict between teachers’ unions and cities about reopening schools has been on cable news. I’ve seen Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot on MSNBC and CNN, and she’ll be on again today to talk about a tentative agreement. I don’t believe I’ve heard the cable hosts even say that they invited union representatives on to give their side but they declined. From what I’ve seen, they don’t think it’s important to get this perspective at all.
Here’s a link to the February 8 Guardian coronavirus world liveblog.
From there:
Guardian podcast (26 minutes) – “Inside the trial against the ‘Ndrangheta, Italy’s biggest mafia syndicate”:
Very informative. When they discussed the judges who were murdered in the 1990s, I was reminded of Alexander Stille’s Excellent Cadavers: The Mafia and the Death of the First Italian Republic.
Guardian world liveblog:
(Confirmation from the Moscow Times.)
Will Bunch in the Philadelphia Inquirer – “Roger Stone, Michael Flynn and the criminal conspiracy case of U.S. v. Donald Trump”:
More than 41 million vaccine doses have been administered in the US, and almost 10 million people have received both doses.
The WH COVID-19 team’s press briefing just began.
New York magazine – “Israel Is the World’s Most Vaccinated Country. Why Are Cases Rising?”:
More atl.
“Fox has learned that that Rep. Ron Wright (R-TX) has died.
Wright tested positive for coronavirus several weeks ago.
Wright had also battled lung cancer last fall. Wright was 67 years old. Wright succeeded fmr GOP TX Rep Joe Barton in 2019 after Barton retired.”
TPM – “Top Conservative Lawyer Dismisses Argument That Impeachment Is Unconstitutional”:
Guardian world liveblog:
(See #128 above for more.)
LOL.
https://missoulacurrent.com/government/2021/02/voter-registration/
“Weird attempt by Russian propagandists to attack Navalny by dint of the comfortable-but-not-luxurious flat he rented while recovering from Novichok poisoning in Germany. Trying to be Navalny’s Putin palace investigation. But erm… failing.”
Video atl. Hilarious.
Trump Banned From Rejoining Screen Actors’ Union
Donald Trump shall be denied.
Disgusting.
Wonkette: “Tampa Fans Throw Post-Super Bowl Superspreader Jamboree!”
Link
From a discussion about the best Super Bowl ads:
Background:
Washington Post link
New York Times: Dying of Covid in a “Separate and Unequal” Los Angeles hospital:
NY Times link
This feels very 2010, but still…:
Links atl. In my view, Barnett asked a reasonable, factual question – How many female imams are there in the UK? – which could, possibly with some clarification, have simply been answered. A few minutes of googling suggests it’s an interesting topic on which there’s some variation.
Brian Kalt:
Bellingcat – “How Instagram Celebrities Promote Dubai’s Underground Animal Trade”:
Much more atl. Not too big on humans today, I have to say.
“According to her sister Alia, Loujain al-Hathloul, a long-detained Saudi human rights activist, will be released on Thursday:…”
Vice – “Hacker Tried to Poison Florida City’s Water Supply, Police Say”:
NBC News:
NBC News:
Gohmert and Clyde announced their intention to appeal the sanctions.
Cartoon: “Bipartisanship.”
Trump’s lawyers want you to believe his pre-insurrection speech was focused on election security and peaceful protest. The article is written by Aaron Rupar.
Excerpt:
More, including video, at the link.
Wonkette:
Link
Tweet o’ the day.
Lynna @138,
How is this not satirical? “Your polling place will have shorter lines because you won’t be in them! Election officials can kick back and relax now that elections…aren’t.”
This is…it’s perfect. Representative Jedediah Hinkle is outraged that nonprofits were providing all the voters with food, warmth (it was nine degrees below freezing that night) and “literature”. Campaign literature? Who knows. It’s scandalous enough that those people feel entitled to read things.
And to remedy this terrible injustice he wants to — have organizations on his side feed and warm everybody too? haha, no — ban same-day registration. Checkmate, libs! Good luck nourishing the masses while they’re trudging home and mourning their disenfranchisement! Yes, I am banking on an impressed Satan hiring me out of hell!
Squawking bird blows the whistle on fake video trying to tilt Ecuador election:
Pastor Wore Oath Keepers T-Shirt at Trump in December: :
Reuters – “New Zealand suspends ties with Myanmar; to ban visits from military leaders”:
Guardian – “Germany, Poland and Sweden expel Russian diplomats”:
Here’s a link to the February 9 Guardian coronavirus world liveblog.
From there:
Wow, this guy called Trump’s tweets incitement on January 5.
“Social media posts from Bruno Cua, whom the New Yorker caught on video standing on the Senate floor and the Capitol’s closed circuit cameras caught assaulting a plain clothes officer, make it abundantly clear that Trump inspired him to violence….”
Evidence atl.
Josh Marshall: “Not watching the Neera hearings. But given the current composition of the Senate I really hope Neera brought the tiny violinist wind up toy I bought for her and put it on the committee table while these folks self-womp.”
They printed out her tweets about Ted Cruz to brandish them during the hearing.
Rep. Pressley:
“@neeratanden apologizes for some of her attacks on Twitter and other social media. ‘I regret that language and take responsibility for it’, Tanden says as she testifies before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Cmte on her OMB nomination….”
Worth noting that Portman’s second round of questioning, which just ended, was substantive and non-combative.
At least one semi-intelligent and sometimes-responsible Republican, Adam Kinzinger from Illinois is speaking out:
Link
AP – “Justice Dept. seeks resignations of Trump-era US attorneys”:
As Trump’s second impeachment trial is set to begin, here’s an update on the current state of affairs:
See SC’s comment 146.
Link
Follow-up to SC’s comment 167.
Link
Palm Beach council to decide whether Trump can live at Mar-a-Lago:
David Corn:
Link
Bits and pieces of news:
Link
The impeachment trial is just beginning now.
Guardian world liveblog:
Yeah, “Variant of Concern” isn’t a phrase I wanted to see today.
There seems to be a statistically improbable number of Senators whose last names begin with a W.
Warner
Warnock
Warren
Whitehouse
Wicker
Wyden
From the Grauniad’s current failed insurrection live blog:
Right out of the gate, Raskin is showing clips of Trump’s speech interspersed with clips of the siege and clips of McConnell speaking against the attempts to refuse to certify the election results. It’s going on for several minutes. He introduced it by saying if there’s no accountability for what Trump did, we open ourselves up for more of this in the future.
“‘If that’s not an impeachable offence, then there is no such thing’, Raskin says after the video concludes”
After that introduction, Raskin is talking about the Constitutional basis for the trial.
I thought Raskin, Neguse, and Cicilline all did a wonderful job, and Raskin’s last remarks were heartbreaking.
Guardian world liveblog:
Feck feck feck… According to France’s track-and-trace app, the ICU occupancy rate in the general area where I live is now 98% (in France as-a-whole it’s 66%). Vaccination started in France at the very end of last year — but to-date slightly less than 2m people(? jabs?) have been given. That total is only slightly more than the daily number for the (post-hair furor) States.
Tweet o’ the day.
“House impeachment managers introduce video evidence as part of their case against Donald Trump, depicting one of the darkest days in American history….”
This is the video shown at the very beginning. It’s 10 minutes long.
Trump’s attorney Castor is up now. I think he might be wearing a Zoot suit.
So I missed the beginning of Castor’s speech because I was on the phone, but from what I’m seeing now…not impressive.
Trump’s attorney’s are trying to cast the entire impeachment trial as a partisan exercise that is not constitutionally legitimate. They don’t have a leg to stand on.
The Grauniad — and Rachel Maddow — are in full-snark mode about Mr Castor, , presentation… from the current impeachment ][ live blog:
Ms Maddow:
(I still haven’t seen an image of Mr Castor, ‘s, “Zoot suit” (@185). The mildly deranged penguin tried a Zoot suit a few times. It didn’t work for her, either.)
I can’t really follow some of this. He seems to be partially winging it.
Away from DC, Republicans aren’t ‘moving on’ from Capitol attack
In D.C., Republicans say they want to “move on” from the events of Jan. 6. At the state level, it’s a very different story.
Republicans are still encouraging the public to engage in violence.
It’s really weird! And it’s not really connected to any of the Constitutional questions at issue.
I think he now just gratuitously insulted Sen. Sasse, who’s…a juror.
Follow-up to blf @188, and SC @189.
Matt Shuham:
Chris Hayes:
Dave Weigel:
Aaron Rupar:
More on Mr Castor, ‘s, opening presentation from the Grauniad’s current impeachment ][ live blog:
https://twitter.com/mattshuham/status/1359226278386278400
Video is available at the link.
This is the most emotional part of Raskin’s presentation, the one to which SC referred earlier.
“The most amazing thing here is that the guy appears to have notes.”
It’s almost like he’s making it harder for the Senators to go along with this bullshit argument.
“The reason I’m having trouble with the argument is…” – Trump’s lawyer
Now he said the people chose Biden because they didn’t like Trump and now Biden’s sitting in the White House, probably wondering why the Senate isn’t working on his stuff.
Wonkette:
Link
One of Trump’s impeachment lawyers sued him last year — and accused him of making claims about fraud with ‘no evidence’
Washington Post link
Trump’s lawyer Schoen is just ranting that it’s a partisan attack blah blah blah.
He just quoted something allegedly from the House Managers’ trial brief, p. 65, and I can’t find it on p. 65 of the document or of the PDF. Doesn’t sound like something from the document. Could it be the same thing they did with Kalt’s work?
The Grauniad explains that bad fantasy multiple aerocraft & flying saucer midair collision “argument” by Mr Castor, , in the current impeachment ][ live blog:
Caught off guard… focus on Senate’s jurisdiction… seemingly totally unawares most(?) Constitutional scholars don’t think there is an issue, and the impeachment managers have been signalling their basic strategy. All teh bestingerest peoples, post-Wacko House occupancy edition.
“We’re at pound the table stage already.”
Quite.
The Grauniad’s current impeachment ][ live blog points out David Schoen, , is ranting:
And slightly earlier:
I suspect that the lawyers for Darth Cheeto realize that it doesn’t matter how badly they fuck up their defense. He will not be convicted because it is impossible to find 17 Republicans who possess a spine, let alone a brain. What this shows is that it is impossible for a President to be convicted and removed from office unless a supermajority of 67 Senators are from the opposite party.
So, kiss off the Constitution. Democracy was nice while it lasted.
“We’re at pound the table stage already.”
No, we’re at the “pound the pudendum” stage.
Was that the little red book?
Chewbacca is trending on Twitter.
SC@204, I happened to catch that bit on PBS. I couldn’t quite make out the title, but suspect it was… or at least was intended to be presumed to be. It’s a bit telling the clown didn’t actually say what the book was; I suspect a competent lawyer would leave the jury in
noless doubt. (Granted, this is an opening statement.)“If it’s an affront to the constitution to ever bar someone from holding office, why was this very option written into the constitution?”
Here’s the full opening video on YouTube.
Raskin ceded his remaining time. They voted 56-44 to proceed. Will resume at noon tomorrow.
Republican ayes were:
Collins
Cassidy
Murkowski
Romney
Sasse
Toomey
Joy Reid: “Would I be off-base to say these are the worst lawyers since Trump’s other lawyers?”
SC@210 quotes Joy Reid, “Would I be off-base to say these are the worst lawyers since Trump’s other lawyers?”
No, maybe not the worst: They haven’t lost yet. IF they do manage to loose, then given the current suspicion is hair furor won’t be impeached, they would manage to be even worse than Rudy Giuliani — a Star Chamber, rigged in their favour, and they still manage to loose !
The Grauniad’s current impeachment ][ live blog notes several thugs who are not impressed with the trying-to-be-worse-than-Giuliani clowns:
● John Cornyn: “The president’s [sic] lawyer just rambled on and on”.
● Ted Cruz: “I don’t think the lawyers did the most effective job”.
● Bill Cassidy: “They talked about many things but they didn’t talk about the issue at hand”.
Senator Cassidy was one of the 45 thugs who voted on 27-January that the trial was , but today voted that it is constitutional.
Cartoon from The New Yorker.
Cartoon caption: “Shoot, I guess it’s too late to nab him since he already left the bank.”
https://www.newyorker.com/cartoons/daily-cartoon/tuesday-february-9th-left-bank
SC @210, This is Trump’s seventh team of lawyers, and that’s only if you leave out Bill Barr and Michael Cohen.
I don’t know. It’s hard to be worse than Sydney Powell or Rudy Giuliani. It is possible that the lawyers presenting the case today will not be sued by Dominion or Smartmatic.
Trump’s team did remind me at times of Mike Lindell.
Josh Hawley was in the gallery of the Senate for part of the presentation … not paying attention.
Other Republican senators engaged in conversation with each other while the Democrats presented the case.
5 people hospitalized in shooting at Minnesota clinic, explosives found and suspect in custody
Law enforcement officials responded to a report of gunfire at the Allina Health Clinic in Buffalo, Minnesota, on Tuesday, police said.
From Iowa Public Radio:
From Politico:
From The Washington Post:
The Grauniad with snark, from their current impeachment ][ live blog:
Link
Cartoon.
Hank Aaron.
About some of those white, middle-class or upper-middle-class white people arrested for participating in the attack on the Capitol:
Link
Humor/satire from Andy Borowitz:
New Yorker link
Coronavirus update for the USA.
Total cases: 27.1 million
Deaths: 464,921
…”Prosecutors then informed the judge they would need a temporary trial delay while they sought what they called a “Basilisk Tooth”.
Guardian – “Myanmar protesters return to streets in huge numbers amid police defections”:
Here’s a link to the February 10 Guardian coronavirus world liveblog.
Via the liveblog – Reuters – “Vaccine vs variant: Promising data in Israel’s race to defeat pandemic”:
Too much to excerpt.
DN! – “Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández Under U.S. Investigation for Bribery, Drug Trafficking”:
DN! – “ICC’s ‘Landmark Decision’ Could Open Door to Prosecuting Israel for War Crimes in Palestine”:
Very worthwhile interviews atl.
“Trump impeachment attorney David Schoen says that Democrats have used ‘rhetoric that is just as inflammatory or more so’ than Trump but ‘the problem is, they don’t have followers, dedicated followers when they give speeches’.”
Video atl. Remarkable.
“Bravo to @RepRaskin for what is instantly one of the extraordinary speeches in American public life.”
8-minute video atl. Apologies if anyone has posted a link above.
“NEW from @CBSNewsPoll: Large majorities of Democrats, Republicans, and independents, as well as Americans of all income levels, would approve of a new COVID relief package….”
More atl.
Rosa Brooks (link to her book about DC policing atl):
Just Security – “#StopTheSteal: Timeline of Social Media and Extremist Activities Leading to 1/6 Insurrection.”
Very well done.
“Democrats will air footage today from the security cameras in the Capitol showing a view of the attack that has never before been seen by the public….”
WSJ link atl.
“Breaking out of Fulton County, Georgia: Prosecutors Open Criminal Investigation of Trump Call…”
NYT link atl. CNN has confirmed.
Update to #148 – great news:
Bits and pieces of news:
Link
Weapons grade dunderheadedness: Michigan’s top GOP lawmaker: Jan. 6 Capitol attack was a ‘hoax’
Shirkey’s “occasional lapse in restraint” matters. What matters more is that Michigan’s top GOP lawmaker believes a hopelessly bonkers conspiracy theory.
Trumpism and Trump’s lies are still poisoning state-level Republican politics.
“Spanked”!? Throw in some misogyny while you’re at it.
Excerpt from a longer article about one of the disingenuous arguments some Republican senators are using to claim that no impeachment trial should be held:
Link
GOP senator says Trump is entitled to a ‘mulligan’ for Jan. 6
As far as Mike Lee is concerned, exactly how many “mulligans” is Trump entitled to?
Link
From today’s impeachment trial proceedings:
Brilliant … not.
Link
Here’s today’s TPM impeachment liveblog.
Raskin Dissects Trump’s Half-Hearted Attempt At Quelling Mob That Trump Incited
“‘When his mob overran and occupied the Senate & attacked the House & assaulted law enforcement, he watched it on TV like a reality show. He reveled in it. And he did nothing to help us as commander in chief. Instead, he served as the inciter in chief’, @RepRaskin”
I thought the use of “us” was both accurate and effective.
Kaitlan Collins:
Politico – “Proud Boy charged in insurrection blasts Trump’s ‘deception’ in new court filing”:
Tweet o’ the day.
“Two of the biggest QAnon channels on Telegram, with 180,000 and 56,000 subscribers respectively, have endorsed the baseless conspiracy theory that vaccinating children increases the probablity of them identifying as homosexual or transgender at a later stage.
This comes after Abbas Tabrizian, an Iranian cleric who proclaims to be an “expert on Islamic medicine” and is well-known for promoting health misinformation, false medical advice and cures, claimed a few days ago vaccines turn people into “cotrolled robots” and homosexuals.”
Bits and pieces from Wonkette’s coverage of the second day of the impeachment trial:
Link
Swalwell also pointed out that Trump spent $50 million of his legal defense fund to run advertisements like “Stop the Steal” ads, etc.
Update to #145 – I continue to find this argument unconvincing.
Garrett Haake:
Maybe Hawley is afraid to hear the truth.
Bits and pieces from Washington Post coverage of the second day of the impeachment trial:
Washington Post link
I like this segment by Dean. She’s recounting the history of Trump’s ignoring courts, pressuring and attacking state and local officials, pressuring the Justice Department, and bullying Pence. (There are five separate categories, but the slide isn’t up anymore.)
“NEW: Biden announces actions to impose consequences on leaders of coup: new EO to sanction leaders of coup, their businesses, and close family member. Also freezing assets helping Burma”
Ted Lieu is continuing the discussion started by Dean, talking about how Trump attacked and threatened legislators who didn’t go along with him.
“I’ll tell you how we got here. President Donald John Trump ran out of nonviolent options to retain power.”
NSA Jake Sullivan tweeted: “Pleased to see the release of Loujain al-Hathloul. This is a good thing.”
Charisma Carpenter speaking out about Joss Whedon: Link
Well, that was an effective presentation by Rep. Plaskett.
“Del. Stacey Plaskett says a permit to march from the Ellipse to the Capitol was not authorized for the January 6th rally until Trump and his team got involved in the planning.”
Video atl. I was cooking while the last few were speaking, but they were all extremely compelling.
Plaskett is back. She and Swalwell will talk about the events on the 6th.
Plaskett is playing audio of Capitol Police who already have multiple injuries calling desperately for reinforcements.
SC @265.
Even if he is still seated in the gallery, I wonder if Josh Hawley could ignore the audio of Capitol police officers desperately calling for help.
From Wonkette:
Link
They showed video of Senators and Senate staffers evacuating down a hall and you could see the mob down the hall, 58 paces, as Swalwell measured, away.
“The radio scanner traffic is chilling, especially the DC officer saying 10-33 over and over again, which is code for an officer being in danger and in need of emergency assistance.”
Officer Goodman deserves all the awards.
“Officer Eugene Goodman in a full sprint, directing Senator Mitt Romney away from the danger and on his way to facing the danger himself. Wow.”
Video atl.
“If you watch this closely you can see that if these guys had a clearer understanding of the layout of the Capitol building they could have cut off these escapes and either captured much of the national leadership or forced security to shoot their way through the insurgent mob.”
Yes! And even given their relatively limited knowledge it’s amazing it wasn’t far, far worse.
“Hmmm…. who else celebrated Trump’s followers trying to run Biden’s campaign bus off the road? I can’t remember his name. Only that he’s a tiny little weasel human from Florida currently acting like a judge in this impeachment.”
HuffPo – “At Least 9 Far-Right Insurrectionists Have A History Of Violence Against Women”:
Much more atl.
They’re back. Cicilline is talking about Trump’s dereliction of duty and worse during the siege.
“Here’s video of one of the rioters reading Trump’s tweet attacking Pence right as it was posted during the insurrection”
MSNBC will be televising the impeachment prosecutions case starting at midnight. I’ve seen some snippets. Very powerful.
Utah rejects bill that aimed to teach consent in sex education classes (Grauniad edits in {curly braces}):
Counterfeit N95 masks sold to US healthcare, government workers:
Amanda Grace Says Trump’s Impeachment Trial Is Proof He’s Still President [sic] (RWW edits in {curly braces}):
We interrupt this lunatic’s deranged rant to point out, with absolute certainty, teh magic sky faeries also never said — as just a few examples — , , , and . She may have imagined some of that, and some of it might even not be completely false nor contrary to evidence / fact, but by her “reasoning”, it’s all just as “true”, for the same-ish value of “true” she is (ab)using.
We now return to her ranting…
At least as quoted, she didn’t mention the also-lunatic hypothesis hair furor magically re-occupies Wacko House on 4th March, Hold the Line’: QAnon Adherents Claim Trump Will Become President Again on March 4. This astonishingly nutty claim apparently originated with teh sovereign crazies, that a law back in 1871 somehow changed the States into a corporation (controlled by <insert racist stereotypes here>). A snippet:
Guardian – “‘We all know what we’re facing’: divided Myanmar unites against coup”:
Here’s a link to the February 11 Guardian coronavirus world liveblog.
From there:
SC@281, I was under the impression one still needs to wait a few days (a week or so, cannot recall) after the second jab before there was “full” protection. If that recollection is correct, I’d be inclined to still isolate / quarantine for a week (at least), mostly on the off-change of becoming infected during that window.
More importantly, being fully vaccinated does not remove the need to use a mask ! As I understand it (and again, I could be mistaken), whilst one probably won’t be ill, one may still be or become a carrier, potentially infecting others. This need to continue wearing masks will persist (again, usual caveat about me possibly being mistaken) until there is true herd immunity — which in practical terms, presumably means most or all of this year (2021), and possibly longer, depending on region.
HuffPo – “Trump’s Tweet Attacking Pence Came Right After Learning His VP’s Life Was In Danger”:
The impeachment managers reflect a diverse US — unlike the senators they seek to persuade:
A snippet from ‘If you switch off, people think you’re lazy’: demands grow for a right to disconnect from work (my added emboldening):
I’m not at all certain a war, earthquake, volcano, the mildly deranged penguin, or any combination of thereof would stop the all-important French lunch hour — Just one hour?!!!1! Sacrilege! Heresy!! Pre-pandemic, whilst the “traditional” two-ish hour lunch is now perhaps a bit rare, hour-plus lunches are, in my own experience, still rather common. Whilst there is vin — this is France, after all — in my experience, French lunches aren’t normally “boozy” (yet again in my experience, British — or at least English — lunches seem to be that; as one example I recall rather well, I once watched two lawyers down two full bottles of claret over lunch).
CNN – “Justice Department says an Oath Keepers leader waited for Trump’s direction before Capitol attack”:
“Instagram has taken down the account of @RobertKennedyJr.
Kennedy is the most vocal anti-Vaxxer in the US. He had 800k followers on IG.
I can’t begin to tell you how dangerous this man is with respect to public health. He has spread a huge amount of misinformation re vaccines.”
LOL.
SC@287, According to the Grauniad, Instagram removes anti-vaxxer Robert F Kennedy Jr for false Covid-19 claims, that genocidal mass-murdering manic (and I’m being polite, poopyhead’s filter would have a meltdown if I fully described that shitestain on honesty and humanity), “Kennedy’s Facebook account, however, remains active, despite promoting false, dangerous claims about the safety of vaccines and Covid-19 treatments. A company spokesperson said that Facebook does not automatically disable users across various platforms.”
“…The FBI arrests three Kansas City-area Proud Boys and two associates
U.S. prosecutors alleged that 5 people worked with Proud Boys from Kansas City & other unnamed individuals to breach the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Charges for the KC group were unsealed after all 5 were taken into custody: William Chrestman, Christopher Kuehne, Louis Enrique Colon
all of Kansas City, and siblings Felicia and Cory Konold. …
The Kansas City group arrested Thursday interacted with the Nordean-Biggs group, appearing to move together and communicate during the riot, the FBI alleged….”
WaPo link atl.
“Raskin calls the takeover of the Michigan statehouse last year a ‘state-level dress rehearsal’ for 1/6. Notes that Trump pressured Whitmer to give into them the next day.”
Much more at the livetweeted thread atl. They’re getting started again.
Not at all political, but interesting nonetheless, Conch shell in French museum found to be 17,000-year-old wind instrument:
Other articles I’ve read don’t mention / imply a separate mouthpiece, rather that the carefully removed end of the shell was the mouthpiece. For example, from France24, Forgotten conch shell in French museum now thought to be world’s oldest seashell instrument:
Back to the Grauniad’s article (Grauniad edits in {curly braces}):
There is a video at the Grauniad.
Here’s today’s TPM impeachment liveblog.
From the Grauniad’s current moar hair furor insurrection live blog:
This is the sort of bureacratic nonsense I’d expect here in France — my own experiences with the NHS in teh “U”K, admittedly from last millennia, were that they were much more result-orientated / pragmatic, rather than blindly following somewhat-“arbitrary” rules — London doctors say they are running out of priority patients to vaccinate:
The article does note “some GPs around the country have already quietly been given the green light by NHS officials to offer inoculations to younger patients.” That sounds closer to the NHS I know.
Here in France, in contrast, the total people(? jabs?) is now just over 2 million. It took around six-ish weeks to reach that pathetically low total, which is only slightly more than the average current daily total in the States. According to Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccinations, the States is currently vaccinating at a rate of slightly over 12 per 100 people, whilst France is about 3 per 100. Arrggghhhh!!!1!
Republican Party struggles on multiple fronts
Unpopular, losing members, out of power, and lacking an agenda. All things considered, this is not a great position for a national party to be in.
Opinions change so slowly, so incrementally. Nevertheless, I still think this is important … and the trend continues.
Lynna@296 quotes an article which suggest the thugs are doing “nothing” in response to incremental popularity, membership (funding), and demographic changes. Eh? Trying for even more voter / vote suppression seems to be an antic teh thugs are up to, which could be considered a response, in part because, they are currently “Unpopular, losing members, out of power, and lacking an agenda.”
Still clueless:
Link
blf @297, True. Voter suppression is an agenda of sorts.
Follow-up to comment 296.
Oh for feck’s sake, more genocidal manics running rampant, Brazil: missionaries ‘turning tribes against coronavirus vaccine’:
Justice Dept switches sides, urges Supreme Court to uphold ACA
In the Trump era, the Justice Department urged the Supreme Court to destroy the Affordable Care Act. Yesterday, that position changed dramatically.
Senator Romney thanked Officer Goodman:
Link
Henny Beaumont in the Grauniad On parenting in a pandemic (cartoon).
More details concerning the way(s) in which Trump aimed that mob, like a gun, at Mike Pence:
Link
The Onion, Senators Overjoyed By Chihuahua Jumping Through Hoops During Impeachment Intermission:
Also, Trump Attorneys Argue He Spoke Metaphorically Of Ripping Chamber Doors Off Hinges, Crushing Pelosi’s Skull:
re Lynna @304:
And yet, the republicans will not vote to convict him. I would wager that every one of them that will vote to acquit spoke out negatively about the outcome of the OJ Simpson trial.
Humor/satire from Andy Borowitz:
New Yorker link
From the Associated Press:
In other news, Pompeo shows up again as a narcissistic, irresponsible asshole who wasted taxpayer’s money:
(Text above is from NBC News.)
Republicans warned about Trump and violence … five years ago
Donald Trump “has a consistent pattern of inciting violence,” Ted Cruz said — in 2016.
Rachel Maddow has the Fulton Coumty, GA DA on her show about the inquiry into the Hair Furor’s attempts to extort GA officials to rig the election fo him. Links in morning if available.
Guardian:
“Election officials detained in Myanmar ‘in bid to prove fraud'”:
“Facebook curbs Myanmar military over ‘misinformation’ as protests swell”:
Guardian – “China bans BBC World News in retaliation for UK licence blow”:
Links to Rachel’s interview with DA Willis of Fulton County, GA.
Link 1
Link 2
Link 3
Link 4
Trump better hire good lawyers.
Quite an oped by Irish president Michael D. Higgins in the Guardian – “Empire shaped Ireland’s past. A century after partition, it still shapes our present”:
Much more atl. Here’s some context from elsewhere in the Guardian: “Irish president attacks ‘feigned amnesia’ over British imperialism.” (“Attacks” seems an unduly strong word for Higgins or the oped. …Hm – I just noticed the link says “critiques.”)
Here’s a link to the February 12 Guardian coronavirus world liveblog.
From there:
CNN – “Military officials were unaware of potential danger to Pence’s ‘nuclear football’ during Capitol riot”:
Yesterday’s tweet o’ the day.
blf@295,
A friend who lives in London, and who, AFAIK, is not in the “top four groups”, has already been given the first dose. They do have an “underlying condition”, but unless there’s something about it I don’t know (which is possible) would be in group 6 (those between 16 and 64 with an underlying condition making them more vulnerable), not the higher-priority “clinically extremely vulnerable” group. I’m in group 5 (65-69 years old), and have been given an appointment for 21st Feb – although the Scottish government has just announced they are having to slow down because of limited supplies, so it’s possible it will be delayed. Could it possibly be that London is getting better supplies than Scotland? Under the glorious leadership of Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, self-appointed “Minister for the Union”?? Surely not!
NBC – “Biden administration finalizes deal for 200 million vaccine doses from Pfizer, Moderna”:
(These numbers don’t include the J&J one-dose vaccine, which should get EUA approval fairly soon, but might take time to produce in large numbers.)
CNN – “House committee advances key portion of Covid-19 relief bill hours after Democrats finish arguments in impeachment trial”:
Guardian world liveblog:
DN! – “‘You Guys Are Not Immune’: Modi Government Cracks Down on Independent Media Amid Farmer Protests”:
“I just wanted some joy. With the pandemic, just everybody’s feeling a little down. So, it’s just a little joy. A little hope. That’s all.”
Why it matters that some GOP senators huddled with Trump’s lawyers
Graham, Lee, and Cruz aren’t just ignoring their impeachment oath, they’re flaunting their indifference to their responsibilities.
The New Republic’s Matt Ford:
Trump’s Guilt Is Far Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
Yet that’s the problem: Senate Republicans are anything but reasonable.
Commentary:
Link
SC @323, so good! Every detail, including Biden’s blue jeans, including the dogs … it was all good.
Meadows Attempts To Rewrite History By Claiming Trump ‘Didn’t Delay’ National Guard During Riot
Yep, Trump’s lickspittles are still going on Fox News to peddle lies, lies and more lies.
Mark Sumner:
Link
Laurence Tribe:
Not at all political (barring any possible contentious choice of name), Andy Flurry and Mary Queen of Salt: craze for naming Scottish gritters goes global:
“Megameltasaurus” is one of the gritters currently being shown, as is “Hansel and Grit-All” and others.
Biden to begin admitting migrants forced by Trump to wait in Mexico
It’s part of the new administration’s work to undo the former president’s immigration legacy and end the Migrant Protection Protocols program.
LOL.
‘I’ve Been Plotting’: Lead Stop the Steal Organizer Promises to Restart Rallies, Punish His Enemies, and Build New Society for Trump Supporters (RWW edits in {curly braces}):
There already is such a city in S.America, Americana, São Paulo, Brazil. Founded by defeated slaveowners (Confederados) after the war to end slavery in the States. They fly what is presumably this nutter’s favourite flag, and on and on.
Livetweeted thread from earlier today: “Navalny is back on trial today on charges of defaming a 94-year-old World War II veteran. He’s pacing back and forth in the court ‘aquarium’ while his lawyers move to have the judge removed, accusing her of bias against him….”
The Onion, Ted Cruz Deeply Disturbed By Part Of Capitol Riot Video Where Chuck Schumer Not Beaten To Death:
Trevor Noah, The Daily Social Distancing Show, ImpeachPods (video): “Evidence-canceling headphones made just for Republican senators”.
From the Grauniad’s current insurrection ][ live blog:
† See Home free: Florida town lets Donald Trump keep living at Mar-a-Lago.
A snippet from Romesh Ranganathan in the Grauniad, When even my key-worker mother started to question the vaccine, I had to act:
This both laughable and horrifying: Trump Defense Turns Reality Upside Down To Cast Former President As Champion Of Peace
Follow-up to comment 338.
From comments posted by readers of the TPM article:
Oh, FFS.
Link
Rex Huppke:
Excerpts from a longer Wonkette article:
https://www.wonkette.com/impeachment-dumb-args-redux
More from Wonkette … just for the fun and the snark:
Josh Hawley did the same thing. Hawley claimed that Democrats were making things up.
Link
Washington Post: A running tally of Trump’s misleading impeachment defense
Link
blf @ #332:
There’s also Nueva Germania in Paraguay. It’s telling how they think about South America.
Lynna@343, quotes a description of hair furor’s defense, “WITCH HUNT! THE LEFT! SLANDER! RUSSIA!”
Benghazi !
re blf @346: BUTTERY MALES!!!
SC@346, Also Colonia Dignidad (now known as Villa Baviera) in Chile, albeit that one is more recent than the other examples, founded by actual nazis from Europe at the end of WW ][. It was a torture facility during the Pinochet era.
Quoted in blf’s #332:
At this point, you could string together any series of letters/numbers/symbols followed by “a…platform that appears to be growing in popularity among far-right actors” or “a hosting service making itself available to the far right” or “a payment app increasingly used by rightwing organizations” and I would accept it. It seems like every day they find a new one.
Ryan Goodman:
So I’m learning Trump’s defense lawyers brought up Charlottesville and the Raffensperger call, which is an…interesting strategy.
Some unhinged ranting found at site I won’t link to:
Also, Benghazi !
(And nowhere in the rant is the claim teh thugs are being put on some terror list “discussed”.)
Senators are now asking questions of both sides. They submit them to Leahy, specifying which side the question is for; the clerk reads the question; and the lawyers for whichever side have 5 minutes to answer.
This part lasts for four hours. (I’ll note one more time that it was during this portion of the previous impeachment that Rand Paul tried to get the supposed name of the whistleblower read out loud during the trial, because he’s a terrible person.)
Cops getting away with assaulting a 75 year-old man:
https://www.wral.com/charges-dropped-for-officers-seen-shoving-buffalo-protester/19522384/
Whether they “intended” to hurt the man or not should not matter. They assaulted him and his skull was fractured.
Collins and Murkowski just asked Trump’s lawyers what Trump did to respond to the insurrection and when, asking them to be as detailed as possible. The lawyer had 5 minutes to answer. He got up there and said (lied) that the House managers had produced no evidence concerning it, then said that because the process was allegedly rushed, the evidence hadn’t been developed. But they’re Trump’s lawyers! His response, all of about 30 seconds, made it plain that they couldn’t answer that question as it would further inculpate Trump.
“Wow. Trump lawyers have no explanation of what Trump knew on day of Capitol riot or what he did to stop it beyond a single tweet. Stunning.
For those not watching, Sen. Collins asked when Trump learned of the breach and what he did to stop it. Trump’s side pointed to a single tweet and said the House managers haven’t investigated enough and this is all moving too fast”
“Murkowski and Collins sit right next to each other. Murkowski gently shook her head at Collins after the answer”
Now Markey is asking basically the same question as Collins, but of the House managers. Plaskett is responding.
Romney and Collins are asking both sides “When Trump sent the disparaging 2:24 PM tweet re Pence, was he aware that Pence had been removed from the chamber for his own safety?”
Finally – Castro is bringing up the Tuberville interview and the timeline it provides. Excellent.
Trump’s lawyers: “The answer is no. At no point was the president informed that the VP was in any danger.” But he seems to be saying that he wasn’t informed in the sense that the House managers didn’t demonstrate that he was (which is false). Now he’s talking about the “rushed” process again. Wow, this is a weird and really inculpatory response.
The lie in #360 might be a basis for calling witnesses.
“Trump’s lawyers are probably like: can we just play the video again where various liberals and Democrats say the word ‘fight’? We felt like we really had something there…”
“Here’s Jason Miller on Newsmax admitting that Ted Cruz, Lindsey Graham, and Mike Lee not only met with Trump’s lawyers but are literally helping with Trump’s impeachment defense. Cruz, Graham, and Lee are supposed to be jurors….”
Video clip atl.
Follow-up to blf @346.
Link
Trump’s attorney van der Veen just had a little snit. It was odd and embarrassing and not at all responsive to the question.
Van der Veen is having another non-responsive tantrum.
Van der Veen is like the embodiment of the whining, aggrieved, lying asshole Trumper.
George Conway: “Van der Veen is truly odious.”
Odious and subpar.
“The headline here is: Trump’s own lawyers still won’t say he lost.”
“Reporters (including @nytimes and I) had tweeted Pence had left the Senate 8-10 minutes before Trump posted his tweet about Pence.”
Screenshots atl. (I might have even posted it here before he sent the tweet! Can’t recall.)
Raskin is doing a fantastic job responding to Cruz’s question.
I think van der Veen is suggesting Tuberville lied or something. This “defense” is ridiculously, shamefully bad.
Raskin is pointing out that Trump declined the invitation to testify. And using some sharp rhetoric to boot (van der Veen said this was his worst experience in DC – “Well, you should have been here on the 6th”; Trump responded more quickly to the invitation to testify than he did to the insurrection). He’s on fire.
Jonathan Turley tweeted: “Van der Veen just snapped at a senator with ‘who asked that?’ That is not just disrespectful but highly damaging for the defense. He appears to be getting increasingly angry. A president accused of incitement hardly needs a lawyer struggling with anger management.”
LOL.
Tweet o’ the day.
Abby Phillip: “Keep in mind Michael Van Der Veen, attorney to Trump, is a personal injury lawyer.”
“So Trump team saying that @SenTuberville isn’t telling the truth. Seems like something that can be very easily proven with phone records.”
Holy shit Raskin is in the Constitutional law professor zone.
Yes!
“Plot against America” – another great rhetorical turn from Raskin.
Raskin and Plaskett are tearing it up.
SC@377 I hope to see a replay of that night. I love seeing trolls getting shown their ignorance of facts.
Josh Dawsey, WaPo:
Alternative to “January Exception”: “Trumpspringa”
The question session is closed, and they’re celebrating Eugene Goodman’s award.
Sorry – of the Congressional Gold Medal.
“Standing ovation for officer Eugene Goodman who saved the lives of people in the chamber”
“NEWS: Tuberville speaks to reporters just now and stands by account he gave to @burgessev on Wednesday
‘I said Mr President, they’ve taken the vice president out. They want me to get off the phone, I gotta go … probably the only guy in the world hung up on pres United States’.”
CNN (so far unconfirmed) – “New details about Trump-McCarthy shouting match show Trump refused to call off the rioters”:
In Australian news, another indication of changing social mores:
The NSW Department of Education says a Sydney Upper North Shore principal, who warned female students not to wear “skimpy” clothes because it could “compromise” the employment of male teachers, will apologise.
Update to #387 – Republican Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, who voted to impeach Trump, has issued a statement: “Herrera Beutler Again Confirms Conversation with McCarthy Regarding January 6th U.S.Capitol Attack”:
(The wording is slightly different because it’s from her FB post rather than the tweet at the link.)
Philadelphia City Commissioner Al Schmidt tweeted: “@LeaderMcConnell The former POTUS incited supporters to threaten to kill my children and put their ‘heads on spikes’ because we counted votes cast by eligible voters. They named my children and included my home address in the threats. Please consider when voting your conscience.”
Dave Hayes Says God Will Compel the Military to Remove Biden From Office:
The Onion, Lindsey Graham Hisses Directions At Attorneys Messing Up Speech They Spent Hours Rehearsing:
The idea that Graham, arguably one of the stooopidist Senators, coaching some bottom-tier lawyers, seems very apropos.
Not political per se, albeit as pointed out some of the films very much have a political / historical tint, The show must go on: French animation industry thrives despite Covid-19 (video).
One tidbit I didn’t know was apparently the first animated film was French, and, depending on definitions, even predates the Lumière brothers, who (again depending on definitions) are often credited with the first commercial film. The history of early cinema is sufficiently convoluted all of those claims, both explicit and implicit, can be challenged.
QAnon and Iranian Theocrat agree: Covid-19 vaccine turns you gay!!! I guess I should warn my wife in advance of my first shot on 21st.
Sorry – @394 I forgot the link to this vital information.
Today’s hearing has begun. Rep. Raskin is saying they want to depose Rep. Herrera Beutler. Less than an hour, can be done by Zoom. They also want to subpoena her notes of the conversation with McCarthy. Now van der Veen is saying if the House managers do that, he wants more than 100 witnesses, I think including the insurrectionists. He’s ranting and growling.
“DEVELOPING: Japan Meteorological Agency says an estimated magnitude 7.1 earthquake has shaken the northeastern coast near Fukushima.”
Van der Veen is a total clown.
Now van der Veen is claiming Trump’s actions during the insurrection are irrelevant to the incitement charge, because that only refers to a single point in time when someone explicitly says to commit violence. If the managers depose anyone, he needs to depose Pelosi and VP Harris. And not by Zoom, but in his office in Philadelphia. The Senators are laughing at him. Leahy had to call for order in the chamber. VdV just said “I haven’t laughed at any of you. There’s nothing laughable here.” He’s ranting again. It’s hard to watch, to be honest.
SC@396, “van der Veen is saying if the House managers do that [depose Rep Herrera Beutler], he wants more than 100 witnesses”.
Other than extending the trial (with knock-on consequences for Biden and teh dummies legislation and appointments), and presumably only delaying the (probable) failure-to-convict, I can think of only one reason to not call his bluff (i.e., depose Beutler and let van der Veen call his ): Denying the (probable) clowns and insurrectionists a platform. Which presumes hair furor’s bottom-tier lawyers really do have witnesses lined up — and based on the performance so-far, that seems unlikely (and very Very unlikely). Perhaps especially as, if I recall correctly, witnesses testify under oath.
Along with the Democrats, Collins, Murkowski, Romney, and Sasse voted to hear witnesses.
Lindsey Graham just changed his vote to Aye.
Video of #399.
A detailed timeline of extremist activities leading up to the sack of the Capitol.
SC@401, So they did call the clown’s bluff. Any hints (besides @399) who these for hair furor (supposedly) will be? Or more likely, what excuses the bottom-tier lawyers will offer for calling very few — possibly no — witnesses, as I (currently) suspect is the case?
And why I am not surprised that Graham changed his vote? (Rhetorical question!) As the Grauniad put it in their current impeachment ][ live blog: “Lindsay Graham changed his vote from no to yes after it was clear the motion would pass.”
One positive result of calling witnesses is that the longer this goes on, the greater the chance of Trump speaking out. They’ve been able to keep him quiet this long because he expected the end of this to come today, but now that Herrera Buetler is going very public and calling on others to do the same and this won’t be over today, I don’t see how he’ll be able to restrain himself from self-destructive statements and actions.
blf @ #405, I think the names that he’s mentioned are: Nancy Pelosi, Kamala Harris, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, and the insurrectionists generally. None of those would help their case.
I’m currently listening to an interesting PBS interview (Amanpour and Company), Ronan Farrow: Who Were the Rioters on Jan 6th? One point being made right now is every one of the insurrectionists Mr Farrow interviewed in depth — from a previously-benign person, to the classic nutter, to a moderately-successful business-person — got their news from farcebork. Not the reliable MSM, or even faux, etc., per se, but farcebork (with some of the farcebork posts read, my guess, circulating excerpts of faux, etc., videos). They are all also racist, and “got very angry about BLM”.
The vote now is about whether any witnesses will be allowed. Then there’s a separate (simple majority) vote for each individual witness either side wishes to call.
“Sources close to president Trump are floored by what just happened. ‘Stunned’. ‘Stupefied’. ‘Digesting this’ are the words @KFaulders & me are hearing.”
I’m still watching this so might change my mind, but as another long-term expat, I agree (completely?) with what is being said, How I See the US After Living Abroad for 15 Years (video). I’ve lived outside the States for longer, and in fewer countries and within a smaller geographical area, and have not returned to the States, but what this vlogger (who I’ve never knowingly encountered before), Kristin Wilson, is saying seems very Very spot-on.
I’m surprised no one’s mentioned deposing Pence’s Chief of Staff Marc Short.
A snippet from the Grauniad’s current impeachment ][ live blog:
Also, Blunt, a juror, calls Trump’s lawyers on third day of impeachment trial (11-Feb):
Seriously. Contemptible.
“Rep. Taylor Greene unloads on Rep. Herrera Beutler, calling her fellow Republican ‘a tool as a witness for the Democrats’ and warning that Trump allies ‘are watching’….
This is borderline witness intimidation.”
Hair furor’s bottom-tier lawyers surprised again, again… from the Grauniad’s current impeachment ][ live blog:
The bit about “the lawyers left were only sticking together because they thought it was over today” perhaps also explains a (minor) mystery: My understanding was the Senate was, out of respect for one of the bottom-tier individual’s religious beliefs, not going to convene for the trial on Saturday (today), yet they obviously are. My guess then is those bottom-tier lawyers told the Senate convening on Saturday would be Ok, as their fellow bottom-feeding ambulance chaser didn’t need to be present for the (presumed) formalities.
And from a more recent live blog entry:
The blog also reports “When [the Senate] resume[s], there will be another vote on a simple majority basis to subpoena specific witnesses.” So, votes, possibly? (Rather doubt it, but teh thugs will try anything.)
me@416, Oops! The first live blog link should be this (16:48). Sorry !
Trump defense team ridiculed over video of Democrats saying ‘fight’ (Grauniad edits in {curly braces}):
blf @ #416, their whole bluff is pathetic. They obviously didn’t want any witnesses, were furious at the possibility, and don’t have the votes for any of these irrelevant witnesses. And no witnesses would help them (which is why they didn’t want them).
I believe that after Schoen’s request was granted he suddenly withdrew it and they decided to go ahead with the other lawyers. Oddly, there was also reporting that he’d quit the team on Friday – something about a disagreement about the video they were using – and then Trump tried to get him to return. I don’t know what happened with this, but it might have been decided that since it was going to end today before he could return anyway it didn’t matter. Now this has all thrown a wrench in those plans.
People on MSNBC are talking about the possibility of just entering a statement from Herrera Beutler into the record, which I wouldn’t be happy with. They could just have done that anyway.
“CNN reporting that the GOP and Dem sens may be discussing agreeing to a stipulation about Herrera Beutler’s testimony. That would be a ridiculous cop out. Have her testify. You can do it today. This is bullshit.”
“So @SenatorCardin just told @burgessev that he thinks the trial will pause fo TWO weeks as they come to an agreement on a narrow set of witnesses. Then go through depositions and/or subpoenas.”
Apparently teh thugs in the Senate are now threatening to not let any other business proceed until the trial is over. Since deposing numerous witnesses could take weeks, that would — as speculated in @400 — delay Biden and teh dummies legislation and appointments. From the Grauniad’s current impeachment ][ live blog:
It’s teh thugs, thug, who are trying to , with, supposedly, hundreds of witnesses. To-date, as far as I know, the dummies have proposed only one witness, to testify remotely, a very-probably rapid process.
I don’t know what Claire McCaskill is talking about. Putting a statement in the record would not be a fucking big deal, and they already have the votes for witnesses.
“I don’t understand how Democrats can look at the panicked reaction of their opponents to the witnesses vote and decide that capitulation is the best course. Just don’t get it.”
I don’t either!
“From @YahooNews live blog: Ex-Pence COS Marc Short, who was with VP 1/6, could be biggest wild card witness. Short has ‘real hatred and disrespect’ for Trump, says source who has talked to him. Jan. 6 ‘pushed him over the edge & was his breaking point’.”
I mean, come on! Do the two-week delay and witnesses!
“NEW: There is a fast-moving attempt to reach a deal today.
The idea is for the Senate to vote to allow stipuation of Herrera-Beutler’s statement for the record … and possibly a statement from McCarthy or someone else whose account varies.
And then go to closing.”
This is insane.
SC@419, The only source I am aware for that odd claim about David Schoen maybe quitting and then maybe returning is teh “U”K’s Daily Fail, which is not a source I trust without independent verifiable confirmation (rather like hair furor!) — of which there is none I know of for those claims.
And yes, the point I was trying to make is the one you made better, and more clearly (Thanks!): If teh bottom-feeders “thought” the remaining proceedings were mostly a formality and would be over within a day, then they might also have “thought” they didn’t need Mr Schoen present; ergo, the Senate could convene today.
From the CNN liveblog:
So now would be a perfect time for the Dems, who have the power, to fold and let it end today. JFC.
blf @ #428, Maggie Haberman at the NYT reported it last night. I didn’t have access to the article, but I saw her tweet.
SC@425 quotes someone (who claims to be a lawyer), “I don’t understand how Democrats can look at the panicked reaction of their opponents to the witnesses vote and decide that capitulation is the best course.”
There is a reason I (usually) refer to the Democrats as dummies… this would seem to be another example, albeit as noted above, they might be taking teh thugs’s threats to shutdown the Senate seriously (albeit wouldn’t they be able to win any vote to not shutdown, presumably with the Vice President tie-breaking?).
Raskin is reading Herrera Beutler’s statement into the record now, as a result of the agreement.
Gah.
blf @ #431, they could have done a two-week delay. They were only calling one witness, who was willing to be deposed, for a deposition of less than an hour. I think they’re going on break for all of next week. This sucks.
“this is one of the biggest & most inexplicable political fuckups I’ve ever seen.”
I’m at a total loss.
It’s also a betrayal of Herrera Beutler. They didn’t even get her fucking notes.
Chris Hayes: “I think they should absolutely pause the trial and depose witnesses. As many as they need! But In the end, basically everyone wants this over, because literally no matter what was found R’s are going to vote to acquit and time is precious. That’s the long and short of it.”
SC@433, Yes, the Senate is currently not scheduled to meet all of next week (15–21 February, inclusive). So that (hypothetical) “two weeks” could easily become three… which teh thugs drag out… four, five, … I don’t currently have a problem — despite being annoying and probably unproductive & unnecessary — with that per se, provided it doesn’t completely shutdown the Senate.
“Dem decision here was: Biden agenda is more important than Trump trial.”
Clarification to me@437, “I don’t currently have a problem […] with that”, meaning, similar to the quote in @436, “they should absolutely pause the trial and depose witnesses. As many as they need!” Again, however, provided the “pause”, etc., doesn’t completely shutdown the Senate.
It was one witness. They could have deposed her tomorrow and gotten her notes. The Democrats have to learn how to exercise power.
Pelosi knows how to exercise power. Schumer doesn’t.
“Inspiring to see both parties come together in the spirit of bipartisanship to waste Herrera Beutler’s show of courage”
Tweet o’ the day.
I wasn’t even able to pay attention to the beginning of the closing arguments, but Cicilline is doing a nice job bringing in the Herrera Beutler evidence. Now he’s reading the report about Pence’s team not agreeing that Trump was concerned about Pence’s safety. (Which then vdV started screaming about – “This hasn’t been entered into the evidence!”)
As the Grauniad puts it in their current
impeachmentbad joke ][ live blog:A short Grauniad article on Jaime Herrera Beutler, The GOP representative at center of Trump impeachment trial drama:
Chris Murphy:
The Grauniad’s starts snarking, For Trump, V is for victory — while his lawyers flick a V-sign our way (for confused USians, the V sign with the palm inward is a rude gesture (in some countries), and with the palm outwards it is the famous “V for victory” sign (in some countries), but a rude gesture in others; and both forms are also symbols in various deaf sign languages):
From the Grauniad’s current
impeachmentbad joke ][ live blog:Hair furor, …
More Van der Veen bellowing:
This nutter isn’t a bottom-tier ambulance chaser but a lowest-percentile
legalslies’R’us huckster. Alls teh besteringest peoples !He’s also now apparently repeated the lies the trial is unconstitutional because hair furor no longer occupies Wacko House (overlooking the Senate at the start of the trial voted that it was constitutional plus multiple historical examples), and the trial should have been held sooner (overlooking the Senate thugs didn’t allow that).
I suppose these sort of antics might convince a jury-less lay judge in small claims court (or similar), which might be the huckster’s normal arena for deploying their stooopidity. Sadly, he’ll probably be able to claim , which is wrong on multiple points: There are other alleged lawyers in hair furor’s lies brigade; and (probably) hair furor was not acquitted or found “not gulity”, but instead not convicted… by a biased “jury”, some of whom were involved in the crimes, wrote the trial rules, and some of whom seem to have helped the alleged lawyers.
Follow-up to blf @448, 449 and 450.
NBC News:
Commentary:
Link
From Wonkette:
Link
Wonkette: “Trump’s Postmaster General Still Trying To Take Down The Post Office From Within.”
Good plan, right? No!
Link
Despite a bipartisan vote to convict, Trump is acquitted after Senate fails to reach 2/3 margin
Washington Post:
Link
Trump’s idiotic, gloating statement:
Do not be taken in by any of this bullshit.
Link
New York Trump investigation looks at $280m in loans:
As far as I am aware, this expansion of the investigation is so-far unconfirmed.
How fitting that Congress should time its abdication of Constitutional responsibility on the exact 5th anniversary of the death of Antonin Scalia.
Rep. Neguse:
“Pelosi: I don’t know whether it was for donors or what but whatever it was, it was a very disingenuous speech”
Video atl.
“It is a sad commentary on our times that one political party in America is given a free pass to denigrate the rule of law, defame law enforcement, cheer mobs, excuse rioters, and transform justice into a tool of political vengeance”
well, Trump is almost entirely accurate. it’s just he thinks he’s not talking about his own party.
Backlash Begins: State GOPers Turn On Burr And Cassidy After Voting To Convict Trump
Not political per se, Tom Gauld in the Grauniad, Bedtime reading routine (cartoon). Replace “social media” with “news sites and music videos whilst wondering what the mildly deranged penguin is yelling / thumping”, and that is almost exactly what I do.
Ichthyic @462, true. Accurate observation. :-)
Comments posted by readers of the TPM article referenced in comment 463:
Part of the censure of Burr read: “North Carolina Republicans sent Senator Burr to the United States Senate to uphold the Constitution…” Now that’s funny.
A sampling of reactions to the Senate impeachment vote:
President Biden’s statement:
Bolding is mine.
Commentary regarding Biden’s statement (comment 467):
Boris Johnson, the alleged PM of teh “U”K, better known as teh NKofE (N.Korea of Europe), on the insurrection, Boris Johnson calls Trump impeachment over Capitol attack :
† Like hair furor, who claimed to be President yet essentially never performed or acted in manner broadly expected of the position, Johnson has rarely performed or acted for the position, PM, he claims to hold. Since in both cases their claims are betrayed by their actions, words, and inactions, referring to hair furor as “President” or Johnson as “PM” is extremely dubious, hence the frequent use of “[sic]” after their alleged titles. This is a new editorial markup decision on my part for Johnson.
“A great day for 30 percent of America”: SNL takes on Trump’s acquittal in its cold open.
Video at the link.
Wonkette: “F*ck You, Mitch McConnell”
https://www.wonkette.com/f-ck-you-mitch-mcconnell
Follow-up to SC@312, EU calls on China to reverse ban on BBC World News:
Some snippets from Maureen Dowd in the Irish Times, Trump’s taste for violence bloodies Congress:
This is apparently republished from the NYT.
Technical issues yesterday prevented me from commenting about the impeachment vote, which, given how tense I was about it, was probably for the best! After listening to the House Managers, McConnell, Pelosi, Graham, etc., I’m OK with the decision not to seek witnesses. The House managers did a phenomenal job, and the 43 craven Republicans were exposed forever. I do wish they’d made more of an event of presenting the statement from Herrera Beutler, but it’s there in the record. It turns out I’m glad it’s over and Trump’s falling out of the news. A friend was saying yesterday that she’s afraid he’ll announce he’s running in 2024 and the media will give him a bunch of attention, but I doubt it. I think they loathe him, for good reason, and will be happy to pull up stakes in Florida and not have to deal with him. We’ll continue to get more information about the Capitol siege, but can attend to the crises at hand.
From David Remnick, writing for The New Yorker:
New Yorker link
Sen. Murkowski’s statement on her vote to convict (emphasis added):
Masha Gessen, writing for The New Yorker:
Wow. The paragraph above reminds me of just how bad Castor’s opening defense speech was. (I tend to push things that are that bad out of my mind.)
Emphasis is mine.
Nicola Jennings in the Grauniad On Donald Trump’s impeachment result (cartoon).
Link
There’s a poll at the end of the article. You can vote on the question: “Who is Donald Trump’s most gutless toady?”
Women form human chains in Russia in support of Navalny’s wife:
Lynna@479, “There’s a poll at the end of the article. You can vote on the question: ‘Who is Donald Trump’s most gutless toady?'”
Thanks! Currently, “They’re all worthless” has 70% (c.3500 “votes”) of the pharyngulable poll. (“Lapdog Lindsey Graham” is currently in second with 16%.)
Not political. Appropriate for Valentine’s Day.
Link
Audio files are available at the link.
Sarah Vaughan (one of my favorites)
Arthur Prysock (reciting Walter Benton’s 1943 poem “This is My Beloved,” see excerpt below)
Miles Davis
and more
Excerpt:
When you think about the question of whether to call witnesses or not, remember this:
Washington Post link
Weekend Update (Saturday Night Live) anchor Colin Jost:
Lynna @482:
Yeah! “Miles Runs The Voodoo Down” is perfect for Valentine’s Day! Actually, any day.
Fascism advances in the world’s largest democracy. Support the Indian farmers!
Guardian – “Death of nurse detained over Covid curfew highlights violence faced by Honduran women”:
Reuters (see #229 above) – “Honduran president target of U.S. investigation, court filings show”:
Democrats have to stop siding with rightwing coupist oligarchs in Latin America. It’s morally indefensible, strategically foolish, and politically self-defeating.
Guardian – “Myanmar: troops and police forcefully disperse marchers in Mandalay”:
More atl.
Here’s a link to the February 15 Guardian coronavirus world liveblog.
From there:
LOL – yesterday’s tweet o’ the day.
“THREAD: Some horrors are described in a court filing against alleged US Capitol insurrectionist Michael Lopatic of Lancaster, PA. He’s accused of ‘pummeling’ a DC police officer as that officer attempted to save a wounded colleague…”
Christiaan Triebert, NYT:
Much more atl.
“THREAD: QAnon was enabled in part by former military and intelligence professionals ‘gone wild’. They lent credibility to the myth and laundered QAnon messaging to the public, sometimes via E-list ‘influencers’. Here are some of the key personnel….”
Interesting thread atl. I’m still pondering the Satanist.
SC @ 493: Damn, that’s almost overwhelming. But it also begs the question: why has this been allowed to go on so long and so deeply? If this (excellent) researcher can so easily show who is involved, and how this happened, then why aren’t more of them in trouble? I suppose many have been careful to not actually break any laws, or to cover their tracks well enough to make their law-breaking hard to prove.
Still, that’s why we spend billions each year on countering this kind of stuff, allegedly.
In acquitting Trump, Republicans formalize their embrace of American fascism
Cartoon: 2 partisan 2 convict.
It’s a good one.
A summary of Trump’s current legal problems:
Link
Iran says it will block snap nuclear inspections if 2015 deal terms are not met
India activist arrested over circulating Greta Thunberg ‘toolkit’
Wonkette: “Ron DeSantis To President Biden: Who Are You To Judge My Superspreader State?”