Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Battle won, war still ongoing.

And now I have baud making fun of me. this day can’t get worse.

A democracy can’t function when people can’t distinguish facts from lies.

Too often we hand the biggest microphones to the cynics and the critics who delight in declaring failure.

Only Democrats have agency, apparently.

Some judge needs to shut this circus down soon.

People are complicated. Love is not.

I’d like to think you all would remain faithful to me if i ever tried to have some of you killed.

We are builders in a constant struggle with destroyers. let’s win this.

So it was an October Surprise A Day, like an Advent calendar but for crime.

They’re not red states to be hated; they are voter suppression states to be fixed.

Anyone who bans teaching American history has no right to shape America’s future.

Prediction: the GOP will rethink its strategy of boycotting future committees.

When do we start airlifting the women and children out of Texas?

Speaking of republicans, is there a way for a political party to declare intellectual bankruptcy?

Peak wingnut was a lie.

He really is that stupid.

Conservatism: there are some people the law protects but does not bind and others who the law binds but does not protect.

Today’s GOP: why go just far enough when too far is right there?

I’d try pessimism, but it probably wouldn’t work.

The cruelty is the point; the law be damned.

It’s the corruption, stupid.

A thin legal pretext to veneer over their personal religious and political desires

This really is a full service blog.

You are here: Home / Past Elections / Election 2016 / Is it a tarp?

Is it a tarp?

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I didn’t get to watch the whole Senate hearing on Russian interference in the election today, but I kept up on Twitter and various news outlets, and I’m cautiously encouraged. It didn’t resemble the House shit-show at all. There was no Nunes to run interference for Trump, for example. (An aside: Nunes reminds me of “the stupidest person on the face of the earth” in the criminally underappreciated 80s comedy “Ruthless People.”)

On the other hand, we can’t trust the Republican-led Senate, obviously. GOPers who spoke today seemed to take the matter seriously instead of focusing exclusively on who is inconveniencing the shitgibbon with leaks. That’s refreshing. But maybe it’s just to tamp down the growing calls for a special counsel and independent investigation. I wouldn’t put it past the Senatortoise from Kentucky to use McCain, Graham, et al, as mavericky fig leaves for a whitewashing.

Here’s an account of the hearings in WaPo if you need to catch up.

Senate windage means this investigation is likely to drag on for a good long while. That’s a plus for Trump’s enemies, aka, decent folks. And of course Comey will do his star turn eventually. Will he polish the legend in his own mind — that he’s the straightest straight shooter who ever shot straight — by doing a make-up call to balance his own inexcusable meddling in the election?

Beats me. Thoughts?

Reader Interactions

78Comments

  1. 1.

    HeleninEire

    Just got back from seeing Beauty and the Beast with my besties. I LOVED IT. We all did. I usually HATE those types of movies. Who am I? Do I know me? I’m telling ya; this city is sucking the bitch right outta me!

  2. 2.

    Doug!

    I don’t trust Burr but so far so good. I really would like to know more about Russian interference in the elections, and that includes interference in the Republican primary.

  3. 3.

    p.a.

    Sadly, I find the fox and scorpion fable, and the late Dennis Green, as the best predictors.

    Theu are who we thought they were.

  4. 4.

    PPCLI

    Now that it appears to be out that Russia helped Trump against Rubio, I trust Rubio to keep a knife handy with garlic on the blade, waiting for a moment where he can strike without harming his own prospects in any way.

  7. 7.

    gene108

    My fear is all the energy people had to oppose Trump does not get spent out, whether it is in regards to the Russia collusion, self-enrichment at the taxpayers expense, repealing Obamacare, etc.

    This is a long distance run to November 2018 and then to November 2020.

  8. 8.

    ThresherK

    Complete morons are rare., from the same movie. But in Nunes, I think we found one.

    “Ruthless People”, underappreciated? Not in my house. It has an actual comic structure, a tied-together plot, and two forces of nature (Danny DeVito and Bette Midler) tilting at each other.

  11. 11.

    The Moar You Know

    McCain and Graham will pontificate endlessly about patriotism and the like and then vote to exonerate Trump & Co. fully. It’s what they do.

    There’s nothing that Comey can do to make up for what he did. That needs to be understood by everyone.

    ETA: unlike the House, where the leadership is non-existent, this is McConnell’s playpen. There will be no mistakes and not a whiff of GOP wrongdoing will ever see the light of day unless it serves their greater interests. McConnell, unlike Ryan, is competent and dangerous.

  12. 12.

    Enhanced Voting Techniques

    Worth keeping in mind McCain living a life of pain thanks to a Russian made weapon. That might just weigh upon his mind more than party loyaty. Almost all of the Senate spent most of their lives under the Cold War.

    Not to mention it’s in the GOP’s intrest to control outside goverments buying elections. Since this could turn out as bad or worse for the Republicans than Watergate getting caught being honest is also a good career move.

    But, we will see.

  13. 13.

    ThresherK

    @Major Major Major Major: That is so neat.

    I hope the palliative care she receives becomes more widespread. (And I’ve said this before: My mom worked at the first hospice in CT when the idea was new.)

  15. 15.

    hovercraft

    @gene108:
    Liberals were pissed about Bush vs Gore, but we calmed down and accepted it. Then 2004 came and we lost again. That really pissed people off, Ken Blackwell in Ohio and talk about the Diebold machines and the debacle that was the Iraq war, kept us angry. When 2006 rolled around no one had forgotten their anger, and by the time 2008 came, yes Obama excited us, but the death and destruction wrought by W. would have gotten people out to the polls even if Hillary had won that primary. At the rate Twitler is going people will be eager to GOTV against anyone seen as an accomplice.

    This is what I believe and pray will be borne out.

  16. 16.

    cain

    oh man, cocktail party today, and I’ve gone all out… but I always do this, I over do it, my biggest fear is not having enough food to eat. So I start making more and more stuff. Today’s menu is 2 types of chicken kebabs, a more traditional indian one marinated in yoghurt (for 2 days) and a palestinian version with garlic, lemon, and sumac. Then paneer kebabs also marinated in yoghurt with a bunch of stuff in it.

    I wasnt going to make rice, but I decided to do it… secondly, I might make homemade naan, it didn’t look that hard, but perhaps I might be overdoing it since I have to heat up this stuff prior to everyone coming. Then I made some onion pakoras since we all love you know onion rings, and finally pani puri, but the pani or water is spicy vodka water cuz vodka shots is a thing! :-) The stuffing is sprouted moong daal, and potatoes.

    My friends have really been my rock in the past year, and so the best way I can ever repay their friendship is with food. (and booze)

  17. 17.

    themann1086

    Worth remembering: Burr is safe until 2022, but NC seems to be drifting pretty blue (at least at the macro level; poor gerrymandered state districts), so it’s in his best interest to run for reelection against a Dem president. He owes Trump nothing.

  24. 24.

    Turner Hedenkoff

    “Give the bag to Bozo!” Great scene, rivaled only by Danny DeVito’s wrong-number bit.

  26. 26.

    Betty Cracker

    @themann1086: Twitler’s calling out Freedumb Caucus members right now on Twitter. The infighting gives me some hope. Republicans won’t do the right thing because they give a shit about their responsibilities, etc., but they might do it to save their own hides and shiv Twitler into the bargain.

  30. 30.

    gene108

    @cain:

    oh man, cocktail party today, and I’ve gone all out…

    Yes you have!!!

    Amazing menu you’ve put together by yourself.

  32. 32.

    Miss Bianca

    @cain: Where are you, Chicago? Dang, by the time I’d finished driving to the airport all the munchies would likely be gone…

  34. 34.

    humboldtblue

    No surprises that Manchin and Heitkamp are the first two Dems to back Gorsuch Nomination.

  39. 39.

    Immanentize

    @humboldtblue:

    No surprises that Manchin and Heitkamp are the first two Dems to back Gorsuch

    We must remember that it is possible that their votes were ‘released’ by Shumer…. Not necessarily, but maybe.

  41. 41.

    WereBear

    Ruthless People is an absolute gem. In addition to all discussed previously, it had as close to perfect casting, across a wide range of roles, that I have ever seen.

  42. 42.

    Cephalus Max

    @ThresherK: Ditto here…. I love that movie. Definitely not underappreciated in my household! Somehow I’m not surprised to discover a secret cell of Ruthless People-appreciation at BJ.

    Fantastic screwball performances by Bill Pullman (in his first movie role!) and Judge Reinhold too, in addition to the Devito and Midler.

  44. 44.

    CaseyL

    @cain: Yum buckets! It’s terrific to have friends like that, who stick with you and help you out, and it’s terrific to be able to show your appreciation in a delicious and boozy (I assume boozy, because “cocktail party”) fashion. Hope it goes well!

    Since I avoid TV news coverage, I have no sense of how urgent the ongoing Trumpocalypse is. It all sounds rather sedate when information comes in via blog or Twitter.

    I take it as given that the GOP cares about nothing more or less than hanging onto power; therefore, I assume they’ll toss Donnie Boy overboard when and if he threatens their hold on power and not one moment before. IOW, if the 2018 midterms look like they could be a bloodbath, Donnie’s done.

    It has also occurred to me that, after two generations of creating scandals out of nothing at all – from BlowjobGate to Michelle’s vegetable garden – the GOP and its mouthpieces are no longer capable of recognizing a real honest-to-FSM law- and oath-shattering scandal. Plus the fact they have no concept of patriotism that goes any deeper than lapel pins and marching bands. They possibly feel this is a “fake” scandal, the kind they’re so good at ginning up.

    Burr may be an exception, though I have trouble believing that. We’ll see.

  46. 46.

    bemused

    I’d like to believe that Nunes is having sleepless nights this week and popping antacids but I think he’s too dumb and clueless to imagine his stunts could land him in deep shit one way or another.

  48. 48.

    kindness

    Special Prosecutor. I only hope it is our side that picks whom ever it eventually is that will bring enough data for impeachment.

  50. 50.

    Gelfling 545

    @cain: According to my family’s traditional way of entertaining, if you don’t have a lot of leftovers youve failed in your duty as a host because soneone MIGHT have wanted more of something but it wasn’t available. To prevent this, you prepare about double the amount a reasonable person would provide. I’m getting better about cutting down on the amounts but sometimes that old home training kicks in.

  53. 53.

    JWR

    @hovercraft:

    This is what I believe and pray will be borne out.

    I realize the (way too fast for me) blog has moved on to another thread, but I just wanted to express profound appreciation for your most excellent observation. Well said!

  54. 54.

    humboldtblue

    Goddamn all to hell! The Goddamn McCormick spice people will no longer package Old Bay seasoning in tin cans but in plastic containers instead. This is a goddamned violation of natural law, LA Law, food laws, laws of the land, Jude Law, lawbreakers and simple human goddamn decency!

    YOU CAN’T MAKE THE OLD BAY TIN CAN WOKKA-WOKKA SOUND WITH A GODDAMN PLASTIC CONTAINER!

  59. 59.

    humboldtblue

    @Ben Cisco (onboard the Defiant):

    See? It violates the bylaws, the in-laws, the property laws and the common law. It’s simply a goddamn travesty and I blame that dipshit, Trump. Orange-colored dipstick prolly thought the Old Bay can was flashier and prettier.

  61. 61.

    Hal

    Mike Pence Asks Waiter To Remove Mrs. Butterworth From Table Until Wife Arrives

    From The Onion

  65. 65.

    cain

    @Gelfling 545:

    @cain: According to my family’s traditional way of entertaining, if you don’t have a lot of leftovers youve failed in your duty as a host because soneone MIGHT have wanted more of something but it wasn’t available. To prevent this, you prepare about double the amount a reasonable person would provide. I’m getting better about cutting down on the amounts but sometimes that old home training kicks in.

    That is my exact fear, and why I keep adding to the list.. I mean it is only supposed to be a cocktail party, not dinner.. but you know.. I blame my mother. :P

    Everyone else: haha, thanks guys! Yes, in fact the kebabs came out fantastic.. the flavor is unbelievable. I wish I took pictures, I would have sent it to one of the headliners. :-) I’ve decided to add rice to the dish, because a) it’s damn easy b) goes well with all those kebabs and I know it will fill people up. I nixed the naan,too much work and I have to sit around doing htat while people are talking.. invariably, there will be a crowd of people behind my shoulder peering over it trying to see what’s going on. :D

  67. 67.

    Mnemosyne

    @cain:

    You know, I checked all of my email addresses and my spam folders and my invitation seems to have gotten lost. Can you re-send it? ?

    But you should definitely post the recipes the next time there’s a recipe thread here — I know I might want to try one of the kebab recipes.

  68. 68.

    Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD)

    @humboldtblue: We have managed to get several magnitudes of 10 closer than has thus been detected in the observable universe, which definitely counts for something.

  71. 71.

    SiubhanDuinne

    Was just catching up on a few of the other blogs I follow, and Booman is talking about the Nunez-White House connections — will not try to summarize; read it yourself — anyhow, he says this at the end of his post:

    Cohen-Watnick worked under Michael Flynn at the Defense Intelligence Agency (before Flynn was fired and flew the coup for Moscow) and Cohen Watnick was personally recruited by Flynn to work on the National Security Council.

    I swear, “flew the coup” in this context is the best fucking typo/spelling error I have ever seen in my life. I’ll never know, I suppose, whether Martin did it intentionally or accidentally, but it’s perfect.

  73. 73.

    efgoldman

    @Immanentize:

    it is possible that their votes were ‘released’ by Shumer…. Not necessarily, but maybe.

    Occam says likely. They are free votes, like Suzie Q Collins voting against whatever cabinet appointments she did.
    Two votes are not enough to break a filibuster

  75. 75.

    frosty

    @p.a.:

    the late Dennis Green,

    Is that Dennis G. from here aka dengre at dKos? If so, I’m very sorry to hear this.

    He’s the one who gave my my favorite explanation of America’s political parties as a combination of three: Republicans, Democrats, and Confederates. The Cs migrated from the Ds to the Rs with the Southern Strategy.

  76. 76.

    No One You Know

    @Ben Cisco (onboard the Defiant): I nearly caused a diplomatic incident when I told colleagues that Cambodia had earlier written evidence of the zero than India.

    It was another case of belief in, data out.

    Plastic containers are a heresy, and an abomination, and Old Bay won’t taste right in anything else, because of the Ketchup Conundrum, the Rule of 3, and the appeal to nature fallacy.

  78. 78.

    Provider_UNE_AndPlayersToBeHatedLater™

    @humboldtblue: Have you seen the cut of that guys jib? Noticed how handsome and how clean he is? That hair, they don’t grow that luxuriousness on trees, and to abuse a turn of phrase, well, White on rice doesn’t quite make the cut…

    Now Trump may have served his purposes for the Dominionist wing with this appointment and the potential implosion of his government will at worse, leave us with a President Ryan…
    …

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