1. One of Trump's lawyers, John Dowd, says that he himself authored Trump's email which some have interpreted as evidence of obstruction of justice [implying that Trump knew Flynn lied to the FBI earlier than he has acknowledged.] But Dowd went further and declared that "The president cannot obstruct justice because he is the chief law enforcement officer under the Constitution and has every right to express his view of any case." The sounds ominously like Richard Nixon's "When the president does it, it's not a crime." Team Trump is in dangerous territory when echoes of Nixon are the natural response to what they claim.
2. Billy Bush, -- the former TV host who was Trump's enabler (and eager audience) on the Hollywood Access tape -- has said about that tape: "Of course he (Trump) said it." He was referring to Trump's recent attempt to claim that it's not really his voice, suggesting it was a doctored tape. But his prime witness has now said, oh course it was him. Bush has more than a little reason to be pissed: he lost his job over just listening (and giggling) to Trump's bragging -- while Trump, the grabber, got elected president.
3. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, told the Des Moines Register why he favors getting rid of the estate tax. "I think not having the estate tax recognizes the people that are investing as opposed to those that are just spending every penny they have, whether it's on booze or women or movies." Indignant responses have been swift, especially from people who say they spend every penny on rent, groceries, and medical bills. It's not the first time Grassley has been tone deaf, but this may be his worst. In effect, he's saying: People are poor because they're lazy and self-indulgent and just want someone to take care of them.
4. The Alabama Republicans are in a dilemma. Since they were unable to get Moore to drop out of the race for senator, and since write-in candidates usually lose, what to do? In a recent article in the conservative publication The Federalist, Tully Borland suggests electing Moore and then supporting the Senate in not seating him. As to the objection some might have for "voting for a sex offender," he says: "All voting is voting for the lesser of two evils." He frames the choice between "a child molester" or a "baby killer," referring to Doug Jones' strong pro-choice position. Another writer for The Federalist, Hans Fiene, objected to Borland's point; instead, he says, "The lesser of two evils is still evil. . . . [and] his name is on the ballot because we put it there," and we should take responsibility for it. Yes, and what about all the other reasons that Moore is unfit for the position (see ShrinkRap, Dec 4).
5. In Donald Trump, Jr. testimony before the House Intelligence Committee this week, he acknowledge that he had talked with his father about the June 9th meeting in Trump Tower with the Russian group. But he declined to say what was said, based on his bizarre claim of "lawyer-client" privilege -- despite the fact that neither he nor his father is an attorney. But, you see, they had a lawyer listening in to the conversation. Numerous legal experts have said this is ludicrous. To me, such evasion is an admission that one or both of them would be in serious legal jeopardy if the content became known.
Ralph
Since I wrote the above, Roy Moore has dug his hole a little deeper. A comment he made back in September has resurfaced, and it has sparked a storm on social media. When asked when he thought America was last great, Moore chose the period in our history that included slavery. As reported by the LA Times in September, Moore said: “I think it was great at the time when families were united. Even though we had slavery, they cared for one another. ... Our families were strong, our country had a direction,”
FAMILIES WERE UNITED? United? Like the ones left behind in Africa when one family member was kidnapped and shipped to America on a slave ship? Or the ones that might appear together in the US on a slave auction block -- and then be separated as bidders bought some of the family and not others, often separating parent from child, husband from wife?
OUR COUNTRY HAD A DIRECTION? Until 13 states seceded and our country fought a bloody civil war . . . over slavery.
If this man gets elected; and if the Senate agrees to let him in -- then he should be required to take a course on US History and study the Constitution . . . and then pass an exam on both.
5. In Donald Trump, Jr. testimony before the House Intelligence Committee this week, he acknowledge that he had talked with his father about the June 9th meeting in Trump Tower with the Russian group. But he declined to say what was said, based on his bizarre claim of "lawyer-client" privilege -- despite the fact that neither he nor his father is an attorney. But, you see, they had a lawyer listening in to the conversation. Numerous legal experts have said this is ludicrous. To me, such evasion is an admission that one or both of them would be in serious legal jeopardy if the content became known.
Ralph
Since I wrote the above, Roy Moore has dug his hole a little deeper. A comment he made back in September has resurfaced, and it has sparked a storm on social media. When asked when he thought America was last great, Moore chose the period in our history that included slavery. As reported by the LA Times in September, Moore said: “I think it was great at the time when families were united. Even though we had slavery, they cared for one another. ... Our families were strong, our country had a direction,”
FAMILIES WERE UNITED? United? Like the ones left behind in Africa when one family member was kidnapped and shipped to America on a slave ship? Or the ones that might appear together in the US on a slave auction block -- and then be separated as bidders bought some of the family and not others, often separating parent from child, husband from wife?
OUR COUNTRY HAD A DIRECTION? Until 13 states seceded and our country fought a bloody civil war . . . over slavery.
If this man gets elected; and if the Senate agrees to let him in -- then he should be required to take a course on US History and study the Constitution . . . and then pass an exam on both.
No comments:
Post a Comment