The thing I admire most about Stormy Daniels is her persistence. So many other unpaid contractors threw their hands in the air and walked away. She endured.
— David Simon (@AoDespair) January 12, 2018
I’m sure at least one person in the Trump camp repeated the old mantra: You don’t pay a [professional] for the sex; you pay her to go away afterwards. But campaign professional Dana Houle raises a question —
Trump/Cohen/Stormy Daniels story, I keep seeing that Cohen “arranged” a $130,000 payment to buy her silence. Where did the money supposedly come from?
— Dana Houle (@DanaHoule) January 13, 2018
This detail is really important. John Edwards was brought up on felony charges for doing this, & John Ensign almost was (and pled to a related crime). In both cases their defense couldn’t have worked had they denied the affair, like Trump almost certainly will. https://t.co/CH7R8aEPJF
— Dana Houle (@DanaHoule) January 13, 2018
Would federal prosecutors bring charges against Daniels? No idea, given Trump’s appointees, I honestly can’t say. But if they did—or, esp, if Mueller did—who thinks Stormy Daniels would stay quiet to help Trump vs avoid being charged or get a generous deal on a reduced charge?
— Dana Houle (@DanaHoule) January 13, 2018
Maybe they should’ve remembered another venerable mantra: It’s not the crime, it’s the cover-up.
But if you had to choose when to roll out the settlement with the porn star, this isn’t the worst week to do it.
— Tommy Vietor (@TVietor08) January 13, 2018
hitchhiker
It would be hilarious if Mueller chose to have a look at this transaction.
hi-lar-i-ous.
opiejeanne
This lurid little detail isn’t the most important awfulness of this past week. It’s about #4 I think but wouldn’t it be deliciously ironic if paying her off is what brings him down?
Calouste
Wasn’t there another pron start who wouldn’t comment on the shitgibbon because she had an NDA? If might be worth checking if there are more who can’t comment.
Chet Murthy
@Calouste: Seth Abramson (I think) pointed out that for a hardworking journalist, there’s a great, great story out there just -waiting- to be plucked. I agree, too. Reminds me of how Farenthold got his Pulitzer — just tallying all the putative Trump Foundation contributions, and checking them, one-by-one-by-one. Dull, boring work. But it got one whopping story.
So yeah, getting a list of the actresses in that biz, ranked by some relevant metric and then just calling them one-by-one and getting either denials or “no comment” …. seems like an obvious thing for some journo to be doing.
1000 flouncing lurkers (was fidelio)
@opiejeanne: This is pretty much the comic relief. But where did the money complete from, and why hasn’t Melania rearranged his weave with a gold-plated knick-knack?
Yutsano
@1000 flouncing lurkers (was fidelio): I’m starting to wonder if she doesn’t care. Melania went into this marriage knowing he was a serial cheater. Plus she did her duty and bore him a child so her sexual obligations with him are over. If Dolt45 had lost this marriage would be over by now zero doubt.
Anne Laurie
@Yutsano:
Goddess forgive me, but from what I’ve read of Trump’s comments to Howard Stern, once she signed the pre-nup Melania was permitted to have one child. (The word ‘anchor baby’ was not used, but… ) Remember Don’s praise that she ‘could be trusted to always use birth control’ and ‘knows that it’s her job to stay in great shape for me’?
Gretchen
@Anne Laurie: Ugh. Imagine thinking so little of yourself that you’d take that deal.
Gretchen
One of my daughters is dating a terrific guy, and is struggling with the question of why she isn’t more enthusiastic, since previous boyfriends have been douchebags. I don’t know why she doesn’t have the self-esteem to expect to be appreciated and treated well, but I can’t imagine that, even though she deals with these issues, she would accept “She knows it’s her job to stay in great shape for me”. One boyfriend did have that expectation, but he also had the expectation that he would stay in great shape also. Trump has never had that expectation. For some reason, he can be a balding blimp, but his partner should be a young hot model anyway.
Viva BrisVegas
@Gretchen:
Could be said about every White House staffer.
Arclite
@Gretchen:
If you live by the sword, then chances are you will also die by it.
fuckwit
This whole thing keeps getting more disgusting by the day.
I have zero doubt that the shitgibbon used campaign funds to pay off a very high-priced, famous hooker.
And no doubt Mueller was already aware of this, but he’s busy chasing the millions of dollars of dirty money that Troll has laundered for the Russian mob, which is a much bigger deal. Straight-up RICO shit.
And then there’s the treason.
For Law Enforcement, Troll is what one might call “a target-rich environment”.
danielx
@Gretchen:
Remember who you ‘re talking about, now. He is a balding blimp indeed (putting it kindly actually) but that’s not what he sees when he looks in the mirror, any more than he thinks he’s lying when he comes out with some completely obviously horseshit. ‘It should be this way, it ought to be this way, I want it to be this way, therefore this is the way it is.’
westyny
@Calouste: Makes NDA sound like an STD.
Yutsano
@Anne Laurie:
Why does this scream to me there’s an abortion story there?
That explains the numerous plastic surgeries. Also: does she have a trainer/exercise regimen? She’s keeping that figure one way or another.
danielx
Clearly I’m getting older; this is the first time ever I’ve been kept awake by discomfort (let’s just say pain). Pinched nerve/sciatic pain sucks, and nothing to be done except get up, take advil and wait for it to subside somewhat.
Citizen Alan
@danielx:
Heh. Until the second sentence, I actually thought you were so grossed out by the thought of Shitgibbon having sex with anyone that it gave you insomnia.
David ??Merry Christmas?? Koch
They probably got a fat cat to make the pay off. The same way Drumpf got National Enquirer to pay off another woman.
Nevertheless, Edwards was charged for the same act. Prosecutors held the payments were made for his political benefit and thus were political contributions which exceeded limits. He was also charged with conspiracy because he lied about the arrangement during a tv interview. (see link).
Fascinating. You can see how Drumpf concocting the fake story about Junior meeting the Russians about adoptions was not only obstruction of justice, but also conspiracy.
Mnemosyne
@danielx:
If it’s sciatica, there are a couple of specific yoga stretches that will help over the longer term (ie a couple of days). Look for the ones called “pigeon” poses and see if any of them look possible in your current shape. There are a lot of modifications so almost anyone can do at least one version (like the one where you lay on your back rather than lean forward).
Splitting Image
@Chet Murthy:
To be specific: rank them by their resemblence to Ivanka.
Amaranthine RBG
@opiejeanne:
The most lurid detail and the one that could actually push Melania to divorce the son of a bitch is that she was about 6 months pregnant when this happened.
Gretchen
@danielx: I’m sorry you’re kept awake by pain. I hope conversation with the jackals helps keep you amused while you’re awake. Be well.
danielx
@Mnemosyne:
Thanks. This is all new territory to me, and all from twisting slightly as I got up from a chair the way I’ve done about five gazillion times in my life.
@Citizen Alan:
Well, I admit I was feeling nauseated after the description I read of Trump chasing her around the room in his tighty whities. That was from another porn actress who (supposedly) Trump was trying to inveigle into a threesome by phone. And if that image doesn’t at least trouble your sleep, you have a broader imagination than me.
Come to think on it, that may be an issue for Trump. Doing without hookers and blow probably is a serious sacrifice for him, and I’m not too sure about the blow. Then again, sneaking hookers into the White House might be a stretch. Mar-a-Lago? Not so much.
SWMBO
@westyny: Could be the same thing in this case…
SWMBO
@danielx: Jeff Gannon? Wasn’t he the one that didn’t get logged in every time? Hookers and blow can probably get in now. Trump doesn’t let anyone see the WH visitor logs now. Mar-a-Loco? Jesus the possibilities there are mind boggling.
Boatboy_srq
@westyny: STI: Sexually Transmitted Incrimination.
hellslittlestangel
No wonder he and Melania don’t sleep together. He’s probably afraid of a pillow over his face.
David ??Merry Christmas?? Koch
He only likes to sleep with his cheeseburgers.
Citizen Alan
@danielx:
Eh. I just imagine the Benny Hill theme playing in the background.
hellslittlestangel
@danielx: … Trump chasing her around the room in his tighty whities.
Depends are snug, not tight.
danielx
@hellslittlestangel:
Details, details….
Anne Laurie
@danielx:
Don’t know about the pinched-nerve part, but what helped my sciatica (apart from finding the right chiropractor) was sleeping with my knees draped over a solid bolster. This is the version I sleep on every night, but you can improvise with the pillows you have on hand to see how your own body reacts. Lots of similar products on Amazon, etc. Believe it or not, the relief when you find the right prop is so great, it’s easier than you’d expect to get used to sleeping that way — I can actually flip from my back to my side & slide the pillow between my knees without waking up.
J R in WV
@danielx:
Find a physical therapist who specializes in spinal rehab. I was having trouble with numbness in my hands, which actually becomes very painful fast, and after long careful interviews Dave gave me 3 neck exercises which cured that. Same PT shop for other back issues earlier gave me great relief for lower back pain, muscle spasms causing that kind of pain.
Much of the PT exercise regimen is related to yoga stretching with strengthening exercises added. Highly recommended.
ETA To add, what Annie Laurie said. My PT folks have added pillows, between my knees for my lower back and higher to support my shoulder and arm for my upper back and surgically replaced shoulders.
NotMax
@Anne Laurie
All those World of Tomorrow exhibits left out a lot about the downside. :)
Nearly miraculous, also too, is changing from generic one size fits all pillows. Nigh impossible to give a specific recommendation, as different fillings, constructions or shapes work best for different folks and their sleep interruptions or resultant discomforts. A case where it may be better to seek recommendations from trusted friends and/or relatives. And be aware that both quality and efficacy can vary immensely among different brands; not an item to be frugal about.
Quick check seems to show the particular brand and type of memory foam pillow which did wonders for both this old bod’s lower back pain and world class post-nasal drip is no longer available. More’s the pity
Just one more canuck
@danielx: stretching exercises and massage helped my sciatica a lot
Steeplejack (phone)
@danielx:
Two words: Thai massage. Helped me enormously during an extended bout of crippling sciatica.
I think of it as guided yoga. The practitioner moves your body through the positions. It’s very gentle and very effective. Lots of illustrative videos on YouTube. Here is one.
Just make sure you find a certified practitioner. It’s a field that is unfortunately woo-adjacent, for lack of a better term.
BretH
I second the endorsement for memory foam pillows. The unenlightened wonder how I can sleep on “that brick” but it truly is a sleep-changer. No more neck pain from “sleeping wrong” for me.
Jinchi
The fact that he had to pay over $100,000 to be with a woman, pretty much undermines his boast that women “let you do anything” if you’re a star.
What Have the Romans Ever Done for Us?
@fuckwit: Maybe he used campaign funds…but he also used his”charitable foundation” as a slush fund, so maybe he used that. It’s a virtual certainty that he didn’t use his own money though.
What Have the Romans Ever Done for Us?
@Anne Laurie: yeah I sleep with a pillow between my knees (I’m a side sleeper) and that helps a lot.
Enhanced Voting Techniques
@Jinchi: Throwing money around like makers the stories of the number of women Trump has been with make more sense (even his own fans don’t claim Trump is charming)
RobertB
@danielx: If it hurts bad enough to keep you up at night, a trip to the local urgent care for a cycle of steroids will help with the pain. I just got over sciatica, that was caused by nothing more than sitting on the couch funny. Steroids plus Aleve got the pain down to where I could get to sleep, drive, etc.
catclub
@What Have the Romans Ever Done for Us?:
It seems to me that if it went through his attorney, it would be a payment to the attorney for his services. Or at least look that way at first glance.
Not sure what scrutiny can be addressed to the attorney and his accounting.
catclub
@Jinchi: Except that is not what happened. 10 years later she got paid to keep quiet. No payments mentioned around the time it happened. (2006)
Ella in New Mexico
@danielx: get yourself a TENS unit. Even a less expensive one from the drug store will give you great relief and get you moving easier. I sometimes have to wear one to work all day or would not be able to pull off my 12 hr shift at the hospital. Hope you feel better!
Snarki, child of Loki
Good news for Trump!
Goats don’t talk
The Pale Scot
NDAs cannot be used to hide a criminal act.
Prostitution is a crime,
Daniel’s has no excuse for keeping this quiet
JDM
Looking for the money used? Check his foundation first, then the campaign money. It won’t be his money, that’s for sure
Constance Reader
@Viva BrisVegas: Ivana walked away with $25 million, plenty of women would take that deal (plenty of women *do* take that deal). Especially knowing that he’s going to fuck up and cheat, triggering your exit clause. This whole presidency thing was *not* part of the contract, I actually feel bad for her.
No Drought No More
“But wherever the $ came from, Daniels would had to have reported it on her tax filings. If she didn’t, she’s vulnerable to criminal tax violations..”.
Assume a person has taken payment to sign a non-disclosure agreement. That money is then used in furtherance a criminal action. In Ms. Stormy’s case, that would crime might be tax evasion, or, perhaps, the act of prostitution itself. That is, absent the money, no crime would have been committed, thereby making the money transaction central to a prosecutor’s case (i.e., where the money came from and why, and how it was used). Certainly the laws of the land cannot be thwarted by private agreements in the furtherance of criminal activity.
Which prompts my question: if Trump has been running an ongoing criminal conspiracy- and, of course, he has- is it reasonable to conclude that each and every non-disclosure agreement he’s entered into (i.e., during the years of that conspiracy) aren’t worth the paper they’re written on? Because if that is indeed the case, I say: “Smithers, release the hounds”.
celticdragonchick
@Anne Laurie:
Look at their body language when they are together. She loathes him. Rumor has it she was ready to bolt from the marriage before he ‘won’ the election.
celticdragonchick
@David ??Merry Christmas?? Koch:
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Exactly.
celticdragonchick
@The Pale Scot:
They were in Nevada I believe (at a charity golf event), where prostitution is broadly legal, and I’m not sure at all that he actually paid her for the initial act, although I understand he offered money to other women who work in the porn industry.
Rms
@danielx: I had spinal cortisone injection for sciatica. It worked really well. Check it out
Suffragette City
@danielx and anyone else interested.
Look up BobandBrad dot com
The “two most famous physical therapists on the internet”
They have a youtube channel and are on the book of faces and are pretty good at showing stretches, exercises for a variety of things.
They are also amusing.
Uncle Cosmo
,@The Pale Scot: Um…if “prostitution is a crime,” then admitting to having been engaged in it is self-incrimination, no? Little thing called the Fifth Amendment comes into play then…
The Pale Scot
I think 3 sticks could work something out.
Yea, I guess the time of actions element and Nevada ( Drat!! ) makes it unlikely, but somewhere there are more than a couple of woman who could make that claim.
Hell, that’s how he met Melanoma