Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

“Can i answer the question? No you can not!”

A norm that restrains only one side really is not a norm – it is a trap.

When someone says they “love freedom”, rest assured they don’t mean yours.

They love authoritarianism, but only when they get to be the authoritarians.

Fight for a just cause, love your fellow man, live a good life.

Incompetence, fear, or corruption? why not all three?

They think we are photo bombing their nice little lives.

You are either for trump or for democracy. Pick one.

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

The Giant Orange Man Baby is having a bad day.

The press swings at every pitch, we don’t have to.

Reality always lies in wait for … Democrats.

Sitting here in limbo waiting for the dice to roll

Welcome to day five of every-bit-as-bad-as-you-thought-it-would-be.

Not rolling over. fuck you, make me.

Text STOP to opt out of updates on war plans.

The republican ‘Pastor’ of the House is an odious authoritarian little creep.

The republican caucus is covering themselves with something, and it is not glory.

They are lying in pursuit of an agenda.

All hail the time of the bunny!

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

Sadly, media malpractice has become standard practice.

Sadly, there is no cure for stupid.

If you are still in the gop, you are either an extremist yourself, or in bed with those who are.

You are here: Home / Politics / Impeachment Inquiry / Thursday Morning Open Thread: Stay Defiant

Thursday Morning Open Thread: Stay Defiant

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… For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.

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163Comments

  2. 2.

    Betty Cracker

    I’m already bugging FL Dem officials about seeing if Rep. Demings is interested in running for governor in 2022.

  3. 3.

    Darrin Ziliak (formerly glocksman)

    Going solely by the evidence and being as objective as I can, Trump was clearly guilty.

    His total refusal to cooperate and prohibiting direct witnesses from testifying was also damning because what innocent person doesn’t want witnesses to exonerate him?

    With the exception of Mitt Romney, the Senate Republicans demonstrated that they value party & power over the Constitution and the rule of law.

    Because I am a patriot and place the Constitution and rule of law above party and power, I am not a Trump Republican.

  4. 4.

    OzarkHillbilly

    The trial is over, the preordained result is in the history books, but the story has yet to be told.

  6. 6.

    Betty Cracker

    Biden sounded sharp in that clip. He must’ve hit his stride later in that appearance. I watched a few minutes yesterday evening but had to switch to Great British Baking Show reruns because it was too painful and stress-inducing to watch.

  8. 8.

    MJS

    Not to be a downer, but I don’t expect Bolton to testify in the House. I expect he’ll ignore the subpoena based on direction from the White House. He may do it in exchange for getting his book published, or he may do it in exchange to avoid a sham prosecution by Barr, but I think the possibility of him testifying has passed.

    On a brighter note, I expect the House to have plenty of things to investigate related to Trump’s finances, and really hope that’s how they spend the next 9 months.

  9. 9.

    Chyron HR

    The only president in history to have members of his own party vote to remove him from office.  Both weak and sad.

  10. 10.

    OzarkHillbilly

    Bernard Madoff, the fraudster behind the largest Ponzi scheme in history, said Wednesday that he was dying of kidney failure and is seeking early release from his 150-year prison sentence.

    In a court filing Madoff’s lawyer said the 81-year-old uses a wheelchair, often requires oxygen, and suffers from cardiovascular disease, hypertension, insomnia and other chronic and serious medical conditions. He is too old for a transplant and has been moved to the Federal medical center prison in Butner, North Carolina.
    ……………………………….
    “Madoff does not dispute the severity of his crimes, nor does he seek to minimize the suffering of his victims,” his lawyer, Brandon Sample, wrote in the filing. “Madoff humbly asks this court for a modicum of compassion.”

    “but he humbly asks this court to minimize his own suffering anyway” because… ?????

  12. 12.

    Cermet

    @OzarkHillbilly: Hope it is granted – he stole but almost exclusively from the wealthy; hence, his ridiculously long sentence for stealing less money than so many other rich people (who stole and still do from the middle class an/or poor) the last few decades. Hence, no chance he’ll get any such release.

  16. 16.

    OzarkHillbilly

    @Betty Cracker: You’re a jackal, presumptuous goes with the territory. Besides, humility is is an ill fitting suit for one with a tongue as sharp as yours. ;-)

  18. 18.

    debbie

    @Betty Cracker:

    Listening to the BBC while falling asleep last night, they were reporting how tired and spent Biden looked, implying he may be ending his campaign. FWIW.

  19. 19.

    Gin & Tonic

    @Cermet:

    he stole but almost exclusively from the wealthy

    I believe you are mistaken. He took down a bunch of smaller mutual funds, most of which held the savings of people of modest means. That was the scam – he was promising consistent above-average returns, so the relatively smaller money managers, rather than having to do research, just blindly invested with him. But the source of funds for those smaller money managers was middle-class people. Really rich people knew better.

  21. 21.

    debbie

    Out here in the sticks, all I heard last night was people complaining about the do-nothing Dems and wanting them to focus on the “people.” I think Job One right now today is to get loud and specific about all the legislation wasting away on Moscow Mitch’s desk.

  22. 22.

    Baud

    I obviously don’t like Bernie, but he’s looked more tired than usual in the last few clips I’ve seem of him on the news.

  23. 23.

    John S.

    @MJS: I disagree. They need to spend the next 9 months piling up more legislation that sits on Moscow Mitch’s desk, and that seems to be what Nancy Smash is going to have them to.

    It’s better to run on a message of “we fought for you”, not “we fought the president”. They can do both, but focus on the former more than the latter.

  25. 25.

    Jeffro

    @p.a.: for the purpose of, however inadvertent, helping Dems sweep the House, Senate, and WH this November.  =)

    For the next nine months, his accelerating derangement – however stress-inducing it will be, and it will – only helps us make our case to voters: trumpov should have been thrown out, the GOP Senate should have honored its oath to the Constitution, and now it’s up to the voters.

    He drives their turnout up and ours WAY up.  Please proceed, Orangemandias.

  27. 27.

    JPL

    Major thunder storms rolled through earlier and Mr. Finch came running and jumped into my lap.   Normally he’s not bothered by storms, but this one was pretty noisy.   I guess we are going to have stormy weather until three pm.

  28. 28.

    Anne Laurie

    @Baud: Thank you!

    (I have been accused of taking the easy way by clipping stuff at random, but for the record, I actually *do* make an effort to curate these posts… )

  30. 30.

    Patricia Kayden

    1/ It was right & proper to impeach Donald John Trump, the mobster-in-chief. There was never much hope of conviction by a corrupt Senate, but there's now an indelible historical record of 45’s crimes. Right matters. I salute Pelosi & Schiff especially for their Herculean efforts.— Greg Olear (@gregolear) February 6, 2020

  31. 31.

    satby

    @Baud: he almost certainly ignored his doctor’s advice to dial it back and go for cardiac rehab instead of continuing his campaign, plus a constant diet of bile isn’t good for the heart either. It’s just amazing to me that his health isn’t more of a concern to his devotees or the media.

  32. 32.

    Jeffro

    Btw just realizing that Romney voting to impeach and remove trumpov In 2020 is the party and election cycle equivalent of John Kerry voting to impeach and remove Obama in 2012.

    Drop that on your TCNJ friends and relatives and ask them why one happened, and the other didn’t.  =)

  33. 33.

    johnnybuck

    @Betty Cracker: He was actually quite moving in the back half of his segment when discussing his stutter, very real and genuine. People were in tears and he managed to tie it all together into his message of inclusion. I don’t know, I like Joe. but his kind of politics belongs to a different time.

    I watched all the segments. Warren was outstanding, Yang was great. Even Steyer had moments. I actually feel much better about things having watched.

  34. 34.

    Betty Cracker

    @satby: It’s just irresponsible for a 78-year-old cardiac patient to be in the race. What if he wins the nomination and then has another heart attack before the election? Seriously, someone needs to ask him that on TV. I want to know the plan.

  36. 36.

    OzarkHillbilly

    @satby:

    It’s just amazing to me that his health isn’t more of a concern to his devotees or the media.

    Dying on the campaign trail makes for great news copy and his followers will love him as a martyr far more than they ever would as a loser.

  37. 37.

    Jeffro

    @satby: It’s just amazing to me that his health isn’t more of a concern to his devotees or the media.

     

    Well, it’s not like he’s Hillary Clinton (for the media part, anyway)

  39. 39.

    rikyrah

    Any Democrat that tells you Impeachment was a waste of time, isn’t really a Democrat.

    Our team was excellent.??

    The other side is full of traitors ?

    That’s not on us…period.

  43. 43.

    satby

    @Betty Cracker: he has no plan, narcissists can’t imagine a world without them in the center of it.

    @OzarkHillbilly: agree. We joke about him being the Saint from Vermont, but if the asshole has a fatal cardiac event before the election he’ll be canonized by his brain-dead groupies as sacrificing his life for them.

  45. 45.

    Princess

    @Cermet: I know some of his victims and I hope it is not granted. Poor men die in prison all the time. I see no reason why he should fair differently just because he is/was rich.

  46. 46.

    rikyrah

    We have Trump because too many white Americans are deathly afraid of the changing demographic in America. They'll live in a banana republic just to be white rather than free.— And The Tweet Goes On (@lacadri34) February 6, 2020

  49. 49.

    Betty Cracker

    My daughter (age 21) is a political junkie too, poor thing. Her peer group is heavily pro-Sanders, of course, and she shows me some of the more outrageous memes and conspiracy crap that come across her social media feeds. The Sandersites are absolutely losing their shit about Buttigieg’s Iowa lead, even as Sanders appears to be closing the gap.

  50. 50.

    artem1s

    My colleagues know they all just might. There’s an old Russian proverb: The tallest blade of grass is the first cut by the scythe.

    Sherrod Brown’s op ed in the NYT yesterday.  He’s right about the GOP being moral cowards. What I can’t fathom is what they are afraid of.  The MSM echoing the bully’s name calling?  Losing their seats?  That the entire GOP shown themselves to be such spineless whimps is unfathomable to me.  I do finally understand why they made such a big deal out of the nothingburger maverickiness of McCain.

    https://www.marketwatch.com/story/sen-sherrod-brown-says-republicans-acquitted-trump-out-of-fear-2020-02-05

  53. 53.

    Betty Cracker

    @satby: Still, someone should ask him the question. Maybe it’s been asked and I just missed it? I know Biden has been asked. Why not the opponent who is even older than Biden and recently had a freaking heart attack?

  54. 54.

    rikyrah

    She represents a rural Black district, so she is no firebrand…but, her ex-husband is a criminal mess, and THAT is what they would attack her with…

    GOP-affiliated group intervenes in Democratic primary for US Senate seat in North Carolina – CNNPolitics https://t.co/4MBnDpDC8M— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) February 6, 2020

  57. 57.

    Sab

    @artem1s: My belief is that anyone who took major campaign contributions from the NRA took laundered Russian oligarch money, and they probably all knew what they were doing. They want this thing to go away before investigations pull the wrong thread and unravel the whole mess.

  60. 60.

    Gin & Tonic

    @rikyrah: What they are apparently saying is that you can’t enroll or re-enroll in Global Entry if you’re a NYS resident because DHS can’t cross-check with the NY DMV database – which they don’t do anyway.

    This is purely political retaliation, but it also will not have the dramatic TV-ready impact of rich London-NYC commuters having to stand in line with the plebes. They’ll just have a problem when it comes time to renew. Hopefully by then we have a Democratic president.

  63. 63.

    Sab

    @Betty Cracker: The Wilmerites are not the most well-informed people, and the campaign and the MSM really down-played that whole incident. I think they have forgotten or never learned that he had a heart attack.

  66. 66.

    PST

    Speaking of Bernies in the news, my Bernie had the thrill this morning of leaving the first paw prints and taking the first dump in pristine snow. She seems to derive great joy from doing both those things. I, on the other hand, find this kind of early outing after snowfall more treacherous every year, especially when train tracks must be crossed. I’m glad the sun is rising earlier each day and we had a bit of daylight.

  68. 68.

    Mai naem mobile

    @Betty Cracker: I am ready to bug the DNC to let Adam Schiff to get in and run for 2020 POTUS. I am really really impressed by his smarts . And he knows exactly why Trumpov is dangerous.  I hope he gets serious consideration for a Veep spot

  70. 70.

    satby

    @Baud: can’t link because it’s FB, but Al Giordano says with 95% counted in Iowa that the %s haven’t changed and Pete won. And he went on a long rant about the Sanderites showing they’ll tantrum and cry foul in every primary they lose. Which has been true since 2016, so no real change.

    Vox did articles on all the front runners too, this one was on Pete and the others in the series are linked below.

  72. 72.

    Dorothy A. Winsor

    The narrative battle over Iowa is so disheartening. So much anger and distrust over a difference of maybe one delegate out of thousands needed for nomination.

    It’s irresponsible in intensity and lack of perspective.
    — Michael R. Trice, DM (@MikeRTrice) February 6, 2020

  74. 74.

    Chyron HR

    @Baud:

    It’s going to be a statistical tie, so we may as well give the babies their bottle and make them look petty for continuing to whine about it.

  76. 76.

    WaterGirl

    He’s also an independent who doesn’t use the Democratic party for personal advancement while shitting on it.  (referring to Angus King in contrast to Susan Collins, in the tweet above)

    Is it possible that they’re not just talking about Collins here, but also about Bernie?

  77. 77.

    What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?

    @John S.: I suspect it won’t matter with those people. No matter how much time Dems spend on legislation, the people for Trump won’t hear about or notice it because Fox News won’t talk about it. All that “they should focus on getting things done” crap is just a posteriori justification for why the Democrats were wrong to go after him in the first place. Happy to be proven wrong and I see nothing wrong with pointing out how much legislation you’ve past that addresses problems Trump claims he wants to solve that is sitting in the Senate without movement. I just don’t think the typical Trump voter really cares. They just need something to deflect from “our dude did crimes, but we still support him” and “the Democrats shouldn’t be wasting time on this stuff” is the easiest excuse at hand.

    As far as Bernie goes, what boggles my mind is why Bloomberg is keeping his powder dry vis a vis that guy. I mean, when he got in he said it was to prevent someone like Bernie or Warren from getting the nomination. Now Bernie is starting to surge, so why isn’t Bloomberg going after him? That was more than half the point of him getting in the race.

    I mean, if Bernie is the nominee I’ll vote for the guy, but there’s a lot of inconvenient, controversial stuff in his past that needs to be vetted so the electorate is making a fully informed decision regarding his nomination. Bloomberg could do the party a major service by getting that stuff out there and hey, if the Democratic electorate doesn’t have a problem with it and decides to “feel the Bern” anyway so be it. But, they should know what skeletons are in that closet before making that decision.

  80. 80.

    mrmoshpotato

    @satby:

    We joke about him being the Saint from Vermont, but if the asshole has a fatal cardiac event before the election he’ll be canonized by his brain-dead groupies as sacrificing his life for them. 

    You’re right, and I roll my eyes out of my head thinking about it.  “Not a cult!  Not a cult!”

  81. 81.

    What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?

    @Mai naem mobile: I think he’s gunning to replace Feinstein. Which would be a major upgrade in the Senate. I’d rather see him in the Senate than in a relatively powerless figurehead position.

  84. 84.

    Immanentize

    @Dorothy A. Winsor: exactly.  They probably will get the same number of delegates out of the Iowa process.

  85. 85.

    WaterGirl

    @JPL:

    I guess we are going to have stormy weather until three pm.

    I’m thinking we’re going to have stormy weather for the rest of the year, and possibly beyond.  Good boy, Mr. Finch.

  86. 86.

    SFAW

    @Gin & Tonic:

    Really rich people knew better.

    Except for the effing Wilpons. Of course, I don’t recall anyone ever saying they had “cornered the market on brains.” [Yes, I’m a bitter, one-note Mets fan. What’s it to ya? I’m especially peeved at them, now that those two morons have screwed yet another deal to sell the team.]

  90. 90.

    SFAW

    @satby:

    And he went on a long rant about the Sanderites showing they’ll tantrum and cry foul in every primary they lose.

    As well they should, since caucuses are so much more democratic than an actual primary.

  91. 91.

    WaterGirl

    @debbie: Maybe that could be part of an ad?  President Trump thinks of himself as first.  Let’s take a look at that.

    First President to be impeached in x number of years.

    First President to have a person of his own party vote to convict.

    First President to endanger the nation for…

    and so on.

  92. 92.

    Zzyzx

    The insane side of the Sanders crowd is turning on him. I had a long Twitter thread in my feed calling him a sellout for not going third party.

  94. 94.

    TC

    The aptly named Sen Angus King deserves all the attention that Collins constantly grubs for. He was a popular two-term governor and is one of the most well-liked Senators

    Is this the same Angus King that endorsed the likes of Lamar Alexander?  That spineless R who even though retiring couldn’t muster the moral courage to impeach?

    Sen King , BTW, is still less popular than that other independent Senator that the tweeter won’t name.

  96. 96.

    SFAW

    @Anne Laurie:

    I have been accused of taking the easy way by clipping stuff at random,

    J’accuse!!!

    Yeah, that whine has popped up from time to time for a few years now. It’s an easy whine to make — until one takes the time to think about the effort required to put your posts together. So, thanks for doing all that work.

  98. 98.

    Sab

    @What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?: I think Bloomberg’s approach is right. He still has to sell himself. Most people outside of NYC don’t know much about him. What with Rudy G, having been a NYC mayor is not necessarily a selling point.

    A lot of mayors like him because he has been alone out there with the gun fight, which is a big issue in many cities.

    Until he is better known, going after Bernie would just look like two old guys going at each other while the country falls apart.

    ( I don’t much like Bloomberg,  but he does seem to know how to sell himself. He’s winning over people around me that I never would have thought would go for him- the Biden fans.)

  101. 101.

    What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?

    @satby: SCOTUS would be fine with me too. I wouldn’t mind him for VP but don’t think he’d want a nearly powerless position, and don’t think he’d necessarily bring anything electoral-college-wise to the ticket so I don’t see anyone tapping him for the job. CA will go Dem no matter what.

    We need someone who will flip just one purple State that went Trump last time blue. Or someone who can flip a formerly red state (Texas, or AZ or some other State on the cusp). Kind of wonder…if Trump keeps going after Mitt, does Utah maybe go blue? The Mormons hate Trump and now he’s attacking one of their own. If they all decide on a spite Trump vote it could happen.

  105. 105.

    mrmoshpotato

    @SFAW: Ugh.  Notice how Dump didn’t attempt “God bless the United States of America” at the end of his word vomit the other night.

  107. 107.

    Mai naem mobile

    @What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?: I think he would be wasted in the Senate. I would like to see him as POTUS or Speaker. And a VEEP is as little figurehead as the POTUS wants you to be. I would be  very happy if Schiff had the power as a Veep as Cheney did as Dubbyas Veep.

    And fuck Bernie. Fuck Bernie. I am going to be really pissed off if I have to vote for Bernie in November.

  108. 108.

    What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?

    @Sab: Bloomberg has always been a Democratic centrist’s wet dream. I have an uncle in the Cleveland area that was a staunch Republican during the Reagan era but totally flipped during Bush vs. Gore…but he still has some bipartisan comity tendencies and every 4 years throws out Bloomberg as a potential POTUS candidate. I don’t have a huge issue with Bloomberg, except I know he’d go real easy on Wall Street, and it sets a dangerous precedent if both parties are just throwing up oligarchs as the nominee election after election. Is that what we want to be? A nation run by rich people?

  110. 110.

    Immanentize

    @Amir Khalid: Madoff is in federal prison for federal crimes.  I really dislike him — when his ponzi scheme collapsed, it took some very progressive non-profits with it, like the VERA Center, which funded criminal justice reform projects.  It was a huge tragedy in my world.  But, if he is really dying, he should be released, if only to save the tax payers end of life costs.

  112. 112.

    What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?

    @Mai naem mobile: I am definitely not a Bernie fan but will most definitely turn out to vote for him if he’s the nominee. I just think he’d be a one-termer for sure if he gets elected…he’ll quickly realize that rhetoric about revolution in the streets will get jack squat of his agenda accomplished, and he doesn’t have any other moves. We need someone who can follow up Trump’s disaster with real successful governance, and I don’t see Bernie being able to pull that off. But, he’s still a lot better than Trump.

  114. 114.

    Quinerly

    @Immanentize: looking back at Book of Faces memories the last 9 Februarys here with either Leo or Poco. Snow consistently around now on all trips. Temp a bit colder today, though. Plus this past weekend it was almost 60 degrees. Off to Albuquerque today for lunch with friends at a new to me place. Thinking about day trip to Abiquiu tomorrow. Doing pretty well with no dog on this trip. . Except when I take these little day trips out which usually have been the basis of my travels here. Miss that head poking up in the “Poco Compartment” of the Ford Escape. I’ve usually logged 3000 miles by now just poking around. Have logged half that. And it’s about a 1000 miles to get here. Says a lot about my change in routine…. Have a great day. Thanks for piping in.

  118. 118.

    Betty Cracker

    Stephen Robinson of Wonkette mused on Twitter that Biden’s crap showing in Iowa may actually help him in SC by giving Biden’s candidacy an underdog narrative rather than an “eat your spinach” appeal. Who knows, he may be right.

    Sometimes I want to tune the whole damned thing out since I’m 100% going to vote for whomever the Democratic Party primary voters eventually hork up, even if it’s someone I don’t like. I just can’t seem to make myself stop paying attention, damn it!

  121. 121.

    Jinchi

    @MJS: I expect he’ll ignore the subpoena based on direction from the White House.

    You might be right, but it would undermine his own case. His original argument for not testifying in the House was that he was awaiting a court ruling on Don McGahn. After that case was dropped, he publicly said he would testify in the Senate. So he is already on record saying he’d defy the White House order and he saw many of his subordinates do the same during the House hearing.

    There is no legitimate basis for him to refuse to to testify. He’s dropped public hints about corruption in the administration, he’s written a book due out in March about it, he asked to testify in the Senate trial — but he’ll refuse a subpoena from the House?

    That would ruin his own reputation and play straight into Trump’s defense.

  122. 122.

    Immanentize

    @Quinerly: Please keep moving.  No moss on you!  And I really like your road-grams, so keep them coming, please.  I think we all miss Poco on this trip.

  123. 123.

    Mai naem mobile

    @Betty Cracker: I am happy to see Bloomberg spending his money on his ads. I don’t even care if irs for his own candidacy. Maybe Bloomberg is aiming for a Veep spot. That would be fine with me. I think there have been studies showing that the Veep does not cause a purple state to flip for a POTUS candidate. I think if the Dems could get former Nevada governor  Brian Sandoval to flip to Dem he would be worth taking on as a Veep. I think he would pump up the Hispanic vote and bring in indies and some GOPrs at the margins. From what I understand he is a  moderate . He’s the one Obama floated as Scalias replacement to get rid of him as a possible POTUS candidate.

  126. 126.

    Zzyzx

    @Baud: a musician I like retweeted it but he had second thoughts this morning and it’s gone now.

    The thread was filled with people who think of themselves as the only smart person in the room and demonstrate it by showing that they don’t get basic strategy and game theory.

  127. 127.

    Enhanced Voting Techniques

    Sure seems like nothing but sullen anger in Conservative land. Like maybe it’s hit these people that they got what they wanted and it’s as awful as what the Left has been warning them about for decades? I mean are they not happy the that right kind of people are above the law? Of course it would be tragic if the right kind of person raped and murdered their granddaughter, but that’s a small price for White Privilege.

  128. 128.

    Immanentize

    @Jinchi:

    There is no legitimate basis for him to refuse to to testify.

    True, but — so?
    I always thought what he wanted was a Republican order to testify — the Senate. He can’t win back partisan cred by responding to a Dem order to testify from the House.

  129. 129.

    Amir Khalid

    @Immanentize:

    Thanks for the correction.

    But, if he is really dying, he should be released, if only to save the tax payers end of life costs.

    Maybe that’s the argument his lawyers should be making.

  130. 130.

    Immanentize

    @NotMax: I’m sure it’s like the major newspapers, they already have obituaries pre-written for the famous so they are ready for that fateful moment. And he was 103.

  131. 131.

    OzarkHillbilly

    @Betty Cracker:Sometimes I want to tune the whole damned thing out since I’m 100% going to vote for whomever the Democratic Party primary voters eventually hork up, even if it’s someone I don’t like. I just can’t seem to make myself stop paying attention, damn it!

    Same here, but I can tune out all the silly stuff like this mess in Iowa.

  133. 133.

    OzarkHillbilly

    @Mai naem mobile:Maybe Bloomberg is aiming for a Veep spot.

    The guy with an ego as big as his bank account? So big he didn’t even think he needed to participate in all the primary process? So big he thought he could leap frog every one else at this late date?

    No, he’s not playing 2nd fiddle to anybody.

  134. 134.

    SFAW

    @mrmoshpotato:

    Notice how Dump didn’t attempt “God bless the United States of America” at the end of his word vomit the other night.

    I get depressed enough thinking about him without also listening to his disgusting self.

  135. 135.

    Immanentize

    @Dorothy A. Winsor: Isn’t it possible caucus attendance didn’t increase from 2016 because word got around how awfully rude the Sanders people were?

    Which of course works to Sander’s advantage.

  136. 136.

    Betty Cracker

    @Mai naem mobile: I am happy to see Bloomberg trash Trump and get under his phyllo-dough skin, but I am very much opposed to the party rewarding oligarchs and Republicans with public office.

  137. 137.

    PST

    @Immanentize: I am very distrustful of the representations of a lifelong con man with good lawyers. I imagine it isn’t too hard to find a doctor who can say with a straight face that an 81-year-old man with end-stage kidney disease has a life expectancy of 18 months or less, but lots of people hang on for years in that condition. This is different from a person with dementia who can no longer understand that he is being punished. As for the expense, I would imagine that the cost of dialysis will be borne by some branch of the federal government whether he is in prison or out.

  138. 138.

    OzarkHillbilly

    @Immanentize: I always thought what he wanted was a Republican order to testify — the Senate.

    You thought he thought the Senate was suddenly going to turn on trump? I’m not at all sure what Bolton’s angling for, or what his strategy is, but a future in the GOP isn’t among the options available to him.

  139. 139.

    Geminid

    @rikyrah: the republicans are trying to mess with the VA presidential primary also. Every day on his radio show, Hew Hewitt cheerfully announces that he voted absentee for Sanders. Says, “yeah, I know Sanders could be tough to beat” (butter wouldn’t melt in Hewitts mouth) “but I want there to be a clear choice this November. Encourages VA Republicans to follow his example.

  141. 141.

    Dupe1970

    @Gin & Tonic: Well wealthy people did invest with him but the vast majority of them got paid out because they were early movers in the pyramid scheme, e.g. the Wilpons.

  142. 142.

    Dorothy A. Winsor

    @Immanentize:

    It’s possible. That didn’t happen at my caucus, but the Sanders precinct captain was a friend of mine who wouldn’t stir up stuff like that. Actually, the emotion in 2016 at the caucus felt flat to me compared to 2008. Maybe that was the negative Sanders energy.

  145. 145.

    laura

    @Quinerly: well that ought to take a bit of dust off those travelling shoes. When are you going to post about prickly pear cheesecake, hatch sauced scrummy enchiladas and such like?

  147. 147.

    Geminid

    @Dorothy A. Winsor:  all groups, including Sanders fans, have their good and bad people. Usually the bad people are the loudest. I often read a “progressive” web magazine  ( call it Common Screams), and because I have a strong stomach, I’ll read the comments. Those people are rabid. But I have to remind myself that most Sanders supporters are not like that. Misguided, maybe.

  148. 148.

    SFAW

    @Dupe1970:

    I think the Wilpons lost a good chunk of change, which was part of the reason they almost sold the Mets circa 2010. Apparently, the estimates of those losses vary widely, however.

  149. 149.

    frosty

    @Immanentize: Space Opera: have you read Rachel Bach? There’s half a dozen others I don’t recall ATM. I’m going to assume you’ve read Scalzi and the Expanse.

  151. 151.

    brantl

    Now,,the house needs to be continuing to investigate this crooked son of a bitch, he needs to looking under the bed at night, looking for Adam Schiff, and Jerry Nadler to be under the bed, lying in wait for him to pull the next crooked little operation.

  152. 152.

    brantl

    @Baud: I think somewhere there is a portrait of a newborn baby wearing whatever suit Bernie currently has on, like a reverse Dorian Grey.

  159. 159.

    glory b

    @debbie: Huh, I heard the opposite (I think on msnbc), that he seemed engaged and focused, saying if he keeps this up, he’ should look good for the next debate.

  162. 162.

    taumaturgo

    @tam1MI: Except that he is buying into the process. He bribed his way into the debates with a $300,000 bribe donation to the beloved DNC.

  163. 163.

    J R in WV

    @PST:

    I, on the other hand, find this kind of early outing after snowfall more treacherous every year, especially when train tracks must be crossed. I’m glad the sun is rising earlier each day and we had a bit of daylight.

    I am more glad every time one of the jackals talks about walking their pets in foul weather or prior to the crack of dawn that we live in such a remote patch of wooded hillsides that when our dogs or cats want out, I just crack the bedroom door and out they go. And then back in bed!

    I have walked dogs in the wee hours, an ill dog every two hours all night long in Las Vegas NM. Would do it again, but would rather not have to!

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