A quick review to get us up to speed for what promises to be a fraught week, launching a fraught year. The big story of the new year is what we will learn from the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol, whose members have announced they will hold public hearings early in 2022. As the
When, on the same night, on different shows, you have both presidential historian Michael Beschloss and presidential campaign genius David Plouffe say that "the question of whether this country will be a democracy in 2025 is a coin flip," you know we're not in Kansas anymore. It's starting to get clear even to a lot of people I had listed under "Vichy French Morons" that the republic is in danger, and that the guy lighting matches in the fireworks factory is Trump.
Now if we could just get him arrested at dawn this coming Thursday, so that when his "press conference" is held (which should be boycotted by CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, and every other reputable outlet) they announce that he's on a plane being taken to DC for arraignment for "conspiracy to commit treason against the United States," things would be Looking Good.
While in general I do not agree with Liz Cheney on her political stance on many fronts , on her service on the Jan 6 Committee her work and words have been exemplary. I wish she would show that same toughness when it comes to things like the BBB act and the voting rights legislation. In memory of the late Ms Betty White a quote "Why do people say "grow some balls"? Balls are weak and sensitive. If you wanna be tough, grow a vagina. Those things can take a pounding.”
Heather provides further evidence of the Trump-led conspiracy behind the BIG LIE and the 1/6 Capitol Hill insurrection. I am increasingly confident that the Department of Justice, based on the ‘smoking gun’ evidence being assembled by the Hous 1/6 committee and the diligent work of over 40 staffers and former federal prosecutors, will issue criminal indictments of some of the perpetrators by Spring, while the 1/6 committee public hearings are being conducted. One or more of the scum bags are likely to seek a John Dean-type deal to spill the beans to avoid or lessen a prison sentence.
While a criminal indictment of Jabba the Hutt seems politically unlikely, in Watergate, though Nixon was spared indictment, many of his sycophants squealed and/or went to the slammer. The House 1’6 committee should move swiftly, long before the November elections. I write as someone who was privileged to be on the Nixon White House Enemies List.
I actually shared this NYT editorial this morning on my Facebook page and opined that I think it should be required reading of every American citizen. I even pulled some of the same quotes that HCR did! Sadly, as one commenter noted, the "plea to Republican Party leaders to be honest with their voters is a noble call to an ignoble faction. There is no hope in that direction." Too true. The Republicans have become so radicalized nothing will phase them. It's up to Democrats. Get this reality call to all Americans. "Republican Party propaganda has poisoned minds of too many Americans. We need the truth told widely, loudly, boldly," as one commenter put it. Can we? I want to be hopeful in the New Year, but that gets harder and harder...
In the scheme of things, it really doesn’t matter what a Canadian thinks. But we are neighbours, and mostly, good ones at that. It is horrifying to see what is happening to your country, and a great turnoff to the rest of the world. Good luck, be brave and for heavens sake call the instigators to account….even with your right wing Supreme Court.
"not an attorney" indeed. Thankfully, you are not an attorney, but a truthful, literate, compassionate historian! Dear Dr. Richardson, I am breathlessly awaiting your words of wisdom, your synthesis of events and information, your lifeline to democracy every day.
I am filled with gratitude for your courage in the face of fascism. Endless blessings upon you.
Well, I was a lawyer for over 30 years in the Federal Northern District of California with trials in the CA State Courts ringing the Bay Area. Felony obstructing an "official proceeding" (up to 20 years) -is now DOJ battle tested in DC Federal Court. Amended complaints, plea bargains, sentencing, criminal trials are set & more than 300 new cases are now under active DOJ investigation. "Watch this space."
"We’ll see where this goes, but to this historian and non-lawyer (!) it does seem like he’s coming perilously close to being called out for leading a conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding. "
Currently, from my perspective, Trump is, in fact, being "called out" for his progressively well understood role in that Jan 06 event.
However, the way he is being called out is similar to the way some folks might "call out" a bully who just beat up some kid smaller than him in the hallway, by going to tell the principal.
That never, ever works.
What works is if someone steps in before all the teachers and principal shows up and beats on the bully enough to make him remember that next time a little kid looks tasty. With intent to hurt. I hate to write this. But, I know from experience that "callling out Trump" by writing in the NY Times, or on this page, or even serving him up subpoena's will make zero difference to him.
Finding a place where he can be hurt (not physical pain to be clear in this case) and then hitting that place hard enough to hurt? That is what is needed.
Foreclose on Mara Lago and evict him.
Foreclose on his two Scottish Golf courses obtained with laundered Russian money.
Lock the bank account that is receiving millions of dollars a day from suckers sending him money for his "campaign".
Post the FBI around Mara lago in an visual and open way that says: We are coming.
Because, Dr. Richardson, Trump, like any bully, LAUGHS when the principal warns him that "next time".........
The Bully could not care one whit about what the Principal might do because: He knows the principal can do nothing.
Rep Cheney also promoted the voting rights legislation to stave off further anti-democratic voting laws written by red states last year. She sees that as much as a threat as what happened on 1/6. She is also imploring Republicans to drop and run from Trump if they can.
The 1/6 investigation will dovetail nicely with the debate on voting rights. This is the time to question your representatives about what happened that day, and whether they still defend their decision to stall the inevitable by repeating
The time came when -- yesterday, last year, 5 years ago...? Some have said the trouble began 50, 45, 40 years ago. 'IT' is the decline of the United States of America. The decline that ushered in a cheap, sleazy real-estate conman with a terrible reputation, and he was a perfect match for what America had become only he made it worse.
'We know now that top Republican lawmakers and right-wing media figures privately understood how dangerous the riot was and pleaded with Mr. Trump to call a halt to it, even as they publicly pretended otherwise. We know now that those who may have critical information about the planning and execution of the attack are refusing to cooperate with Congress, even if it means being charged with criminal contempt' (NY Times)
Can the American people so worn out by the Pandemic, so disappointed with the promises to them that weren't kept come together? Can Americans believe again? Can President Biden, his administration, a great team of civil servants, other Democrats, the Free Press, Teachers, Nurses, Doctors, Construction Workers, Office Workers, Service Workers, Business Leaders -- will we pull together? That's what we are going be doing this year and next for as long as it takes. Get out your grassroots contacts, friends, family, everyone you can think of. WE have a mountain to climb, and we will climb it. Yes, we can!
The January 6 committee is doing masterful work . . . but faces a critical danger: the elections. If Republicans retake the House this fall, their first order of business will be to disband the committee. So if the Justice Department isn't rolling out indictments and arrests by late summer, we should appoint a special prosecutor to carry the ball into the end zone. I'd love to see the GOP get the Ken Starr treatment . . .
An unanswered question about Jan 6: why wasn't TFG in the bunker for his security during the attack? Presumably, it was because the WH knew he was in no danger- the insurrectionists were doing his bidding.
I hope that the first hand witness to TFG actions on Jan 6 has explained why the Secret Service did not perceive the invasion of the Capitol as an imminent threat to POTUS that required him to be in the bunker during the attack?? Or if they did try to secure him, how he acted in refusing that precaution be taken? After all, the next 3 officials in the presidential line of succession were under attack in the insurrection and had been whisked away by Secret Service.
When, on the same night, on different shows, you have both presidential historian Michael Beschloss and presidential campaign genius David Plouffe say that "the question of whether this country will be a democracy in 2025 is a coin flip," you know we're not in Kansas anymore. It's starting to get clear even to a lot of people I had listed under "Vichy French Morons" that the republic is in danger, and that the guy lighting matches in the fireworks factory is Trump.
Now if we could just get him arrested at dawn this coming Thursday, so that when his "press conference" is held (which should be boycotted by CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, and every other reputable outlet) they announce that he's on a plane being taken to DC for arraignment for "conspiracy to commit treason against the United States," things would be Looking Good.
While in general I do not agree with Liz Cheney on her political stance on many fronts , on her service on the Jan 6 Committee her work and words have been exemplary. I wish she would show that same toughness when it comes to things like the BBB act and the voting rights legislation. In memory of the late Ms Betty White a quote "Why do people say "grow some balls"? Balls are weak and sensitive. If you wanna be tough, grow a vagina. Those things can take a pounding.”
“The Republican Party “can either be loyal to Donald Trump or we can be loyal to the Constitution, but we cannot be both.”
Nailed it Ms. Cheney!
Heather provides further evidence of the Trump-led conspiracy behind the BIG LIE and the 1/6 Capitol Hill insurrection. I am increasingly confident that the Department of Justice, based on the ‘smoking gun’ evidence being assembled by the Hous 1/6 committee and the diligent work of over 40 staffers and former federal prosecutors, will issue criminal indictments of some of the perpetrators by Spring, while the 1/6 committee public hearings are being conducted. One or more of the scum bags are likely to seek a John Dean-type deal to spill the beans to avoid or lessen a prison sentence.
While a criminal indictment of Jabba the Hutt seems politically unlikely, in Watergate, though Nixon was spared indictment, many of his sycophants squealed and/or went to the slammer. The House 1’6 committee should move swiftly, long before the November elections. I write as someone who was privileged to be on the Nixon White House Enemies List.
I actually shared this NYT editorial this morning on my Facebook page and opined that I think it should be required reading of every American citizen. I even pulled some of the same quotes that HCR did! Sadly, as one commenter noted, the "plea to Republican Party leaders to be honest with their voters is a noble call to an ignoble faction. There is no hope in that direction." Too true. The Republicans have become so radicalized nothing will phase them. It's up to Democrats. Get this reality call to all Americans. "Republican Party propaganda has poisoned minds of too many Americans. We need the truth told widely, loudly, boldly," as one commenter put it. Can we? I want to be hopeful in the New Year, but that gets harder and harder...
In the scheme of things, it really doesn’t matter what a Canadian thinks. But we are neighbours, and mostly, good ones at that. It is horrifying to see what is happening to your country, and a great turnoff to the rest of the world. Good luck, be brave and for heavens sake call the instigators to account….even with your right wing Supreme Court.
"not an attorney" indeed. Thankfully, you are not an attorney, but a truthful, literate, compassionate historian! Dear Dr. Richardson, I am breathlessly awaiting your words of wisdom, your synthesis of events and information, your lifeline to democracy every day.
I am filled with gratitude for your courage in the face of fascism. Endless blessings upon you.
Well, I was a lawyer for over 30 years in the Federal Northern District of California with trials in the CA State Courts ringing the Bay Area. Felony obstructing an "official proceeding" (up to 20 years) -is now DOJ battle tested in DC Federal Court. Amended complaints, plea bargains, sentencing, criminal trials are set & more than 300 new cases are now under active DOJ investigation. "Watch this space."
Dr. Richardson:
"We’ll see where this goes, but to this historian and non-lawyer (!) it does seem like he’s coming perilously close to being called out for leading a conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding. "
Currently, from my perspective, Trump is, in fact, being "called out" for his progressively well understood role in that Jan 06 event.
However, the way he is being called out is similar to the way some folks might "call out" a bully who just beat up some kid smaller than him in the hallway, by going to tell the principal.
That never, ever works.
What works is if someone steps in before all the teachers and principal shows up and beats on the bully enough to make him remember that next time a little kid looks tasty. With intent to hurt. I hate to write this. But, I know from experience that "callling out Trump" by writing in the NY Times, or on this page, or even serving him up subpoena's will make zero difference to him.
Finding a place where he can be hurt (not physical pain to be clear in this case) and then hitting that place hard enough to hurt? That is what is needed.
Foreclose on Mara Lago and evict him.
Foreclose on his two Scottish Golf courses obtained with laundered Russian money.
Lock the bank account that is receiving millions of dollars a day from suckers sending him money for his "campaign".
Post the FBI around Mara lago in an visual and open way that says: We are coming.
Because, Dr. Richardson, Trump, like any bully, LAUGHS when the principal warns him that "next time".........
The Bully could not care one whit about what the Principal might do because: He knows the principal can do nothing.
The other students have to handle this.
Rep Cheney also promoted the voting rights legislation to stave off further anti-democratic voting laws written by red states last year. She sees that as much as a threat as what happened on 1/6. She is also imploring Republicans to drop and run from Trump if they can.
The 1/6 investigation will dovetail nicely with the debate on voting rights. This is the time to question your representatives about what happened that day, and whether they still defend their decision to stall the inevitable by repeating
THE BIG LIE.
The time came when -- yesterday, last year, 5 years ago...? Some have said the trouble began 50, 45, 40 years ago. 'IT' is the decline of the United States of America. The decline that ushered in a cheap, sleazy real-estate conman with a terrible reputation, and he was a perfect match for what America had become only he made it worse.
'We know now that top Republican lawmakers and right-wing media figures privately understood how dangerous the riot was and pleaded with Mr. Trump to call a halt to it, even as they publicly pretended otherwise. We know now that those who may have critical information about the planning and execution of the attack are refusing to cooperate with Congress, even if it means being charged with criminal contempt' (NY Times)
Can the American people so worn out by the Pandemic, so disappointed with the promises to them that weren't kept come together? Can Americans believe again? Can President Biden, his administration, a great team of civil servants, other Democrats, the Free Press, Teachers, Nurses, Doctors, Construction Workers, Office Workers, Service Workers, Business Leaders -- will we pull together? That's what we are going be doing this year and next for as long as it takes. Get out your grassroots contacts, friends, family, everyone you can think of. WE have a mountain to climb, and we will climb it. Yes, we can!
That so many Republicans refuse to stand with Rep. Liz Cheney is beginning to look very worrisome.
Why not just say it: The present Republican Party is operating as a criminal organization and needs to be treated as such.
The January 6 committee is doing masterful work . . . but faces a critical danger: the elections. If Republicans retake the House this fall, their first order of business will be to disband the committee. So if the Justice Department isn't rolling out indictments and arrests by late summer, we should appoint a special prosecutor to carry the ball into the end zone. I'd love to see the GOP get the Ken Starr treatment . . .
An unanswered question about Jan 6: why wasn't TFG in the bunker for his security during the attack? Presumably, it was because the WH knew he was in no danger- the insurrectionists were doing his bidding.
I hope that the first hand witness to TFG actions on Jan 6 has explained why the Secret Service did not perceive the invasion of the Capitol as an imminent threat to POTUS that required him to be in the bunker during the attack?? Or if they did try to secure him, how he acted in refusing that precaution be taken? After all, the next 3 officials in the presidential line of succession were under attack in the insurrection and had been whisked away by Secret Service.
If they can make the hearings into a reality tv show, maybe they can win over those who elected a reality tv star.