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You are here: Home / Open Threads / A Few Quick Things

A Few Quick Things

by John Cole|  March 26, 20199:11 am| 38 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

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1.) I’m seeing an awful lot of hot takes about the Mueller report- winners and losers, who got it most wrong, etc., and it’s sort of flabbergasting to me that we’re already rolling with these since NO ONE HAS READ THE FUCKING REPORT AND KNOWS WHAT IS IN IT. I’m assuming that is the Republican plan- gaslight us for a couple weeks until the conventional wisdom has sunk in, and then when public opinion is firmed up the way they want, release the report.

I mean, I’m a realist, so I don’t think anything is ever going to come of it in regards to Trump- I suspect there will still be more convictions and indictments rolling out of the work of the report in SDNY and elsewhere, but the main thing for me is I don’t want to make up my mind about what the report says until I have READ IT. As a wise man once said:

This is, imho, when Obama ended Ed Henry’s career as a journalist, and he then ended up a philandering adulterer at Fox.

2.) Barr and the Justice Department have decided to take the word of the wingnut judge in Texas and are now going for a complete invalidation of ACA:

The Trump administration on Monday said it supports a federal judge’s ruling that the entire Affordable Care Act should be thrown out, signaling a shift in the Justice Department’s position and alarming Democrats who vowed to oppose the move.

“The Department of Justice has determined that the district court’s judgment should be affirmed,” three Justice Department lawyers wrote to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, which is now considering the case. “[T]he United States is not urging that any portion of the district court’s judgment be reversed.”

Regardless of the outcome, legal experts anticipate that the 5th Circuit’s ruling will be appealed to the Supreme Court. If the courts ultimately strike down Obamacare — over the objections of a group of Democrat-led states, which have spent more than a year defending the health law in court — the consequences could be substantial for patients, health care organizations and other groups that have adapted to the nine-year-old law.

And if it goes to the Supreme Court, I would not be surprised if Roberts finally says fuck it and caves.

3.) I am very upset at the passing of EFGoldman. All you people go get a checkup now. Karoli over at Crooks and Liars had her own health crisis and fortunately is doing very well. You people go to your doctor and get checked up.

4.) A little assembly line brushing:

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Next Post: Open Thread: Sen. Warren Charms Stephen Colbert — And His Audience »

Reader Interactions

38Comments

  1. 1.

    The Very Reverend Crimson Fire of Compassion

    March 26, 2019 at 9:19 am

    Goddamnit. That is all.

  2. 2.

    Elizabelle

    March 26, 2019 at 9:28 am

    Agreed re the toadying “hot takes” on the Mueller report. Fuck ‘em.

    Your dad looks fit and happy. Yea!

  3. 3.

    Joe Falco

    March 26, 2019 at 9:29 am

    Evergreen quote:

    The Republicans’ health care plan for America: “Don’t get sick.” That’s right — don’t get sick. If you have insurance, don’t get sick; if you don’t have insurance, don’t get sick; if you’re sick, don’t get sick — just don’t get sick! That’s what the Republicans have in mind for you, America. That’s the Republicans’ health care plan. But I think that the Republicans understand that that plan isn’t always going to work — it’s not a foolproof plan. So the Republicans have a backup plan, in case you do get sick. If you get sick in America, this is what the Republicans want you to do. If you get sick, America, the Republican health care plan is this: “Die quickly.” That’s right. The Republicans want you to die quickly if you get sick.”

    Alan Grayson

  4. 4.

    Betty

    March 26, 2019 at 9:35 am

    Yes to everything you said. And your Dad looks so happy taking care of the pups. Sweet.

  5. 5.

    karensky

    March 26, 2019 at 9:36 am

    Great post. Thanks for that Obama video. Viva efgoldman!

  6. 6.

    gene108

    March 26, 2019 at 9:41 am

    What gets me about the media is, contrary to Trump’s repeated claim there was no Russian interference in 2016, Barr’s memo says there can be no doubt that Russia interfered.

    That’s the one non-mealy mouthed statement in the memo.

    The media has decided to ignore it.

    Republicans have mastered the art of getting away with crimes.

    The next time Republicans control the Federal government, they will probably ban all opposition.

    I am very depressed about this.

  7. 7.

    gene108

    March 26, 2019 at 9:44 am

    @gene108:

    Also, Barr’s not releasing the report or if does, it will be heavily edited.

    He’s under no obligation to release it and he’s not growing a conscience anytime before the heat death of the universe.

  8. 8.

    TaMara (HFG)

    March 26, 2019 at 9:47 am

    Thanks for the puppies. Your dad is looking great!

  9. 9.

    geg6

    March 26, 2019 at 9:51 am

    Papa Cole looks great! Puppehs also look great! But didn’t poor Lily get a brushing? Just because she’s a short hair doesn’t mean it doesn’t feel good to get one!

  10. 10.

    Skepticat

    March 26, 2019 at 9:53 am

    What JC said.

  11. 11.

    White & Gold Purgatorian

    March 26, 2019 at 9:54 am

    You people go to your doctor and get checked up.

    This. Exactly this. Go before the Republicans completely screw health care for the whole country. And for Pete’s sake, if you are due for a colonoscopy, put on your big kid pants and get one. So many people I cared about had unfortunate outcomes because they just couldn’t bring themselves to get a colonoscopy. It is not bad, people! Even if it is, you won’t remember. They give you drugs.

  12. 12.

    Nicole

    March 26, 2019 at 9:56 am

    Thanks for the doggy pictures. Much needed. Right now, this is the worst I’ve felt since November 2016.

    It’s just unfathomable to me that someone responds to getting what they want by looking to cause pain to other people. Barr served his King, and the King’s response is to take away health care and aid for Puerto Rico. What goes wrong in a human brain that they turn into this kind of horrible, horrible person?

    Although, judging from the number of people who are thrilled with ALL of this news, maybe it’s not something that goes wrong in the human brain. Maybe it’s just how a lot of people are, and, unfortunately, some of those people are born to rich parents, so they grow up with the opportunity to cause a lot of harm to a lot of people.

    I had a horseback riding instructor who said, of a particularly grumpy steed, “Some horses have had their ears pinned back from the moment they dropped out of their mommas.” I think that applies to some people, too.

  13. 13.

    oclday

    March 26, 2019 at 9:58 am

    I am tired of pundits like David Brooks and “journalists” like Hailey Jackson calling for Democrats to apologize. No one has anything to apologize for. Trump is the a**hole he always was just apparently not an indictable one. If one Democrat apologizes, THAT will make my head explode.
    I am tired of people giving the Democrats advice on how to proceed regarding the Russians and obstruction worrying that the public will weary of the constant investigations while they say NOTHING about Republican over reach in re investigating the investigation of Hillary.

  14. 14.

    cain

    March 26, 2019 at 9:59 am

    I’ve been traveling and I’m really sad to hear that efgoldman has passed on. :( He was a staple in this place.

  15. 15.

    CaseyL

    March 26, 2019 at 9:59 am

    Wonderful to see Daddy Cole looking so well, giving the dogs a good brushing.

    No comment possible on the news re ACA, other than: The GOP simply wants to kill everyone, so they can rule absolutely over a pile of ash and trash.

  16. 16.

    Bemused senior

    March 26, 2019 at 9:59 am

    Just got the results of lab work after cancer surgery. Not optimistic. I am trying to keep a positive outlook, but the world isn’t helping.

  17. 17.

    rikyrah

    March 26, 2019 at 10:00 am

    Two huge gerrymandering cases at Supreme Court today. If court upholds extreme partisan gerrymandering that will allow Republicans to rig elections for next decade. Pay attention to this https://t.co/fQIEuXndOO

    — Ari Berman (@AriBerman) March 26, 2019

  18. 18.

    rikyrah

    March 26, 2019 at 10:00 am

    Y’all want to know why @senatemajldr McConnell is unwilling to release the full report?
    Because it’s gonna tell how Russia compromised the GOP too.
    Keep the report buried, keep the GOP’s grip on power.

    Share this and break their attempt to silence truthhttps://t.co/TmTjYQZ9YS

    — random facts girl. (@soychicka) March 25, 2019

  19. 19.

    Elizabelle

    March 26, 2019 at 10:03 am

    @Bemused senior: All the best to you.

    @rikyrah: Agreed. I think this is eventually gonna break real bad on the GOP.

    And take note of the journamalists falling for their spin. They are not your friends. Look for the good ones. They’re out there, and they know they have (likely) not seen the Mueller report either.

  20. 20.

    stinger

    March 26, 2019 at 10:03 am

    I love your dad so much.

  21. 21.

    Nicole

    March 26, 2019 at 10:06 am

    @Bemused senior: I am so sorry. Fuck cancer. Fuck it right in its fucking face.

  22. 22.

    Chris Johnson

    March 26, 2019 at 10:09 am

    They need time to rewrite the whole report from scratch and kill Mueller and everybody he knows.

  23. 23.

    schrodingers_cat

    March 26, 2019 at 10:09 am

    I was depressed about the Barr summary and the media reaction yesterday. Today my resolve is stronger.
    We know we are right, so we must fight. Rs and their media toadies want us to give up so that they can carry on their power grab without resistance. Don’t forget, we took back the house in 2018 against those odds. We can win even if Rs and their toady media would have you believe otherwise. They are strong but we are not powerless either.

  24. 24.

    Miss Bianca

    March 26, 2019 at 10:10 am

    @Bemused senior: Oh, no! We’ll try and keep a positive outlook for you as well, but damn…you’re right, the news of the world is making that hard right now. : (

  25. 25.

    WaterGirl

    March 26, 2019 at 10:11 am

    Dad Cole, you are looking good!!

    Oh, and don’t think we didn’t notice that the only dog who got a smile was dog #3. Is that Samantha?

  26. 26.

    rikyrah

    March 26, 2019 at 10:17 am

    @Bemused senior:

    Sending you positive thoughts.

  27. 27.

    rikyrah

    March 26, 2019 at 10:18 am

    Papa Cole looks so adorable with the animals :)

    Glad that you’re spending this time with your family, Cole.

  28. 28.

    rikyrah

    March 26, 2019 at 10:19 am

    @Joe Falco:

    He didn’t lie about this. It is exactly what they want.

  29. 29.

    Denali

    March 26, 2019 at 10:21 am

    Your Dad looks great! This is really good news.

    For the other, I with the rest of the world, think it is imperative that the report be released. The only issue is that it is sure too be dauntingly long and detailed, which will put off many people. There has to be a way to get at the findings and conclusions without relying on a whitewash. The Republicans are masters at diverting our attention with the Aventetti (?) arrest, and the threat to do away with health care.

  30. 30.

    Ruckus

    March 26, 2019 at 10:39 am

    @White & Gold Purgatorian:
    Colonoscopy was the easiest procedure I’ve had in a long time. Go to sleep, probed, recovery, report, go home. Every other thing I’ve been awake for, biopsies (yes multiplies), angiogram, the list goes on. And on. And….
    There is a reason they want to do these tests and it isn’t to pad their bills. It’s for you.

  31. 31.

    Adam

    March 26, 2019 at 10:46 am

    I’m not so much concerned about what’s in the report – im sure it’s far more damaging than the Barr memo insinuates. I’m just pissed that them putting it out there sets the narrative, and that the media just completely fell for it – again. I’m also irritated that the Dems didn’t seem to have a rapid response team in place to shred this within minutes.

    OT – I was at the doctor’s office this morning, and the radio was playing Hold The Line, and it took everything I had not to crack up.

  32. 32.

    JoeyJoeJoe

    March 26, 2019 at 11:05 am

    @schrodingers_cat: Exactly, those fuckers are guilty and we all know it. They’re just trying to save their asses, and hoping that Democrats just accept the crooked Barr report. I already called the White House with a Lock Him Up message to let them know it’s not going to work. As for anyone in the media who says stuff like Democrats should apologize, that’s total nonsense, not worthy of any more thought than anything on Fox and those people are the enemy, fuck them.

  33. 33.

    Kathleen

    March 26, 2019 at 11:19 am

    @Joe Falco: I would contend the Rethugs’ new “branding” is “Don’t bother to get sick just fuck off and die already”.
    Also glad to see John’s dad looking strong

  34. 34.

    Kathleen

    March 26, 2019 at 11:29 am

    @Bemused senior: So sorry to hear that. Holding you in light.

  35. 35.

    VOR

    March 26, 2019 at 12:35 pm

    I thought Colbert handled it well last night. Paraphrasing: Bad news America, Donald Trump is not a Russian asset. We own this idiot. He’s acting like Putin’s lackey all on his own.

  36. 36.

    Aleta

    March 26, 2019 at 12:40 pm

    @Bemused senior: Sending love and light.

  37. 37.

    Ohio Mom

    March 26, 2019 at 1:59 pm

    @Bemused senior: Been there, done that (as have a number of other Juicers).

    Things may look better after the onc lays out your treatment plan. For most cancers, there are lots of options, and the medical world has learned that keeping patients as comfortable as possible is key.

    Please keep us posted!

  38. 38.

    Ohio Mom

    March 26, 2019 at 2:05 pm

    @Bemused senior: P.S. Stay off google. Most of what you’ll find is very outdated and as a result, will not paint an accurate picture.

    If you must, the national association of whatever cancer you have will up-to-date but likely very watered-down info. Cancer is complex, the best source is your doctor.

    Also, don’t be hesitant to get a second opinion. A good doctor will not be insulted if you go for another viewpoint; if your doctor balks, all tne more reason to look for someone else.

    Good luck! We’re pulling for you!

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