Agreed. Much like Abbot and Texas have now cleared the way to end Roe, Trump was perfectly content to finish the Republican's 50 year march to authoritarianism.
They see the end goal of their 50 year march to overturn the new Deal, roll back civil rights, and instill white conservative male minority rule. Even absent Donald Trump they believe they are winning and will continue to do so.
We keep underestimating them at our own peril, even though they have been VERY clear about who they are and what they are doing. That they would do this on personal cell phones, turn it over willingly and then seek to gum up the works by not answering questions about it ANOTHER example among many of their complete lack of shame or caring.
There are now two confirmed copies in the public sphere, with their attached meta data. That's not impossible to forge mind you, but it would take a lot more work then these folks think they need to put in here. That Meadows turned it over without any hint of duress tells me he thinks its fine.
Mark Meadows sent emails as early as November 7, 2020, about a plot for Republican-controlled states to send "alternate" slates of presidential electors to Congress on January 6 and texted a member of Congress about the idea, saying, "I love it," the House select committee investigating the Capitol insurrection said.
Or this from Mitch McConnell in May:
"I think at the heart of this recommendation by the Democrats is that they would like to continue to debate things that occured in the past," McConnell said. "They would to continue to litigate the former president into the future. We think the American people going forward, and in the fall of 2022, ought to focus on what this administration is doing to the country and what the clear choice is that we have made to oppose most of these initiatives."
Or this from Forbes in May:
About half of Republican voters characterize the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol as a “legitimate protest,” according to a new survey published Thursday, a finding that comes as a handful of GOP lawmakers continue to try and cast the riot in a more positive light.
Or this:
Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., said federal law enforcement was “harassing peaceful patriots” as it searches through photographic evidence of those who might have committed crimes on that day.
Rep. Jody Hice, R-Ga., added: “It was Trump supporters who lost their lives that day, not Trump supporters who were taking the lives of others.”
And maybe most jaw-dropping of all was Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., who compared those who entered the Capitol on Jan. 6 to a “normal tourist visit.”
“There was an undisciplined mob. There were some rioters, and some who committed acts of vandalism,” Clyde said. “But let me be clear, there was no insurrection and to call it an insurrection in my opinion, is a bold-faced lie. Watching the TV footage of those who entered the Capitol, and walk through Statuary Hall showed people in an orderly fashion staying between the stanchions and ropes taking videos and pictures, you know.”
I could keep going, but I suspect you don't actually care.
They are saying the "facts" as presented by CPD and the Prosecution are not to be trusted in this case because of a long history of CPD and other police agencies not actually sharing the facts. They do have a point.
He didn't decide it was unsalvageable - he bought it with the intention of taking it apart, making a much as possible on sales of the pieces and then bolting, leaving whatever was left (including the labor) to fend for itself. He was after a wealth transfer and nothing more.
The approach makes society and the country worse off and there’s nothing wrong with noticing that.
Sure there is - if you notice things like this, then you are noticing why libertarian economic thought and social policy might not actually work in the real world. Some people will object to that curtain being pulled that far back.
Well for starters some of us object to the obscene idea the generating ever more profit in ever shorter time frames - which is what happened here - is a good thing. We don't believe long term economic stability is compatible with sell it, sell it all NOW. And frankly, we object to the near monopolies in retail this creates, since Sears and KMart closing now leave only Target and Walmart in that retail sector. You can't sustain competitive markets by forcing all the competitors out of business. Or so I'm told.
he has been where he felt they were necessary - but its not working. Take Student Laon forgiveness. Biden has issued executive orders on this, and it is resulting in some relief to some people. But you'd never know about it from the news, as the E.O. Signing got buried in other stuff that other people think is more important.
Point being that Dems have the tools. They are using the tools, but they aren't the flashy showmen Trump is and so its not getting the media coverage he got. That's not something the Party can overcome by themselves, no matter what tool they deploy.
I suspect he get's indicted for multiple things before the campaign next year. Then you have 2022-2024 for a series of trials. You don't need to kill him to destroy him - just lock him up where no one can hear him.
Wow. Epic trolling. Except of course it has no basis in the real world. No one is restricting the right to free travel within national borders in the US. and I want fewer permanent restrictions on individual autonomy. Overturning Roe increases permanent restrictions on autonomy.
But sure, call liberals authoritarians if it makes you feel better.
Those 74 million voters (As Jay corrects me below) were in large sub groups, many of which overlapped. There's also been a TON of reporting on what motivated them. And i live among them - they are not hesitant to say what they based their voting on.
You also assumed in your answer that the one box he ticked was uniform across the voters in question. I said no such thing. I did say - which is correct - that they voted for him affirmatively based on him ticking at least one box they felt was important. I stand by that assertion.
My belief is that significant numbers of people are motivated by single (or a small handful of) issues without regard to coherency of political philosophy and gut level anti-incumbency sentiment arising from things the government only has so much control over like gas prices.
You'd be correct. Especially down here. Those 71 million people voted for Donald Trump because he ticked at least one major political box that they cared about, even after seeing him fumble and fail on other major important things.
Democrats must now start to identify Republicans with their ridiculous policies and proposals and to contrast those with the Democratic solutions to the nation’s problems. Arguing that issues are complicated is good metaphysics but terrible politics.
What would those proposals be? Few of the things they campaigned on under Trump came to fruition, because all they really wanted was another tax cut and a stacked SCOTUS. Republicans had no national party platform in 2020. And they are about to get Roe kicked back to the states, which effectively overturns it. With redistricting drawing ever more gerrymandered lines to harden existing minority rule, they don't need counter proposals.
Democrats have to argue that simply standing by and letting vaccines and shifting demand solve the nation’s problems is not good enough. A passive program will not work.
And yet 71 Million Americans voted for just this, believing it would keep white men in political and economic power they "deserved."
The only plan that will work is implementing the Democratic platform, whether that platform is targeted regulatory changes, speeding up infrastructure funds to ports, or relaxing intellectual property regulations for vaccines. Democrats have to embrace a plan and argue for the sanctity of that plan as implemented by their chosen candidate, Joe Biden.
Would that were enough. Sadly for Democrats, Republicans are all too happy to point out the great things coming to their districts and states from Democrats actions, and all the while refusing (like Jello on a nail) to be pinned down in their opposition to those things. My local Trumplican congress critter has spent days posting nothing to social media but all the benefits of the "Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill" that he voted against in the House.
Question - do you really observe that so many living in those alternate universes are this thoughtful on the subject? Is there something else driving them?
On “Texts Between Fox News Host and Trump White House Revealed By January 6th committee”
Agreed. Much like Abbot and Texas have now cleared the way to end Roe, Trump was perfectly content to finish the Republican's 50 year march to authoritarianism.
"
They see the end goal of their 50 year march to overturn the new Deal, roll back civil rights, and instill white conservative male minority rule. Even absent Donald Trump they believe they are winning and will continue to do so.
We keep underestimating them at our own peril, even though they have been VERY clear about who they are and what they are doing. That they would do this on personal cell phones, turn it over willingly and then seek to gum up the works by not answering questions about it ANOTHER example among many of their complete lack of shame or caring.
On “Is the Supreme Court Afraid of Democrats?”
Given how the Texas law is playing out, you are likely 100% correct.
"
I have a BUNCH of Republican politicians who would like a word.
On “From The Guardian: Capitol attack panel obtains PowerPoint that set out plan for Trump to stage coup”
There are now two confirmed copies in the public sphere, with their attached meta data. That's not impossible to forge mind you, but it would take a lot more work then these folks think they need to put in here. That Meadows turned it over without any hint of duress tells me he thinks its fine.
"
Well lets' start here:
Or this from Mitch McConnell in May:
Or this from Forbes in May:
Or this:
I could keep going, but I suspect you don't actually care.
On “From the Wall Street Journal: California’s Gavin Newsom Favors Gun Suits Modeled on Texas Abortion Law”
SCOTUS has already had two cracks at the the Texas law and left it alone. Your call as to what that means . . .
On “The Creative Destruction of Sears”
he definitely stayed within the lines.
On “Mastermind of Racist, Homophobic Attack of Jussie Smollett found Guilty of 5 of 6 Counts by Jury”
They are saying the "facts" as presented by CPD and the Prosecution are not to be trusted in this case because of a long history of CPD and other police agencies not actually sharing the facts. They do have a point.
On “The Creative Destruction of Sears”
And yet government goes right on picking winners and losers . . . .
"
Agreed.
On “Mastermind of Racist, Homophobic Attack of Jussie Smollett found Guilty of 5 of 6 Counts by Jury”
Good. Once it became clear he did this to himself, he lost any credibility he had much less sympathy.
On “The Creative Destruction of Sears”
He didn't decide it was unsalvageable - he bought it with the intention of taking it apart, making a much as possible on sales of the pieces and then bolting, leaving whatever was left (including the labor) to fend for itself. He was after a wealth transfer and nothing more.
"
Sure there is - if you notice things like this, then you are noticing why libertarian economic thought and social policy might not actually work in the real world. Some people will object to that curtain being pulled that far back.
"
Well for starters some of us object to the obscene idea the generating ever more profit in ever shorter time frames - which is what happened here - is a good thing. We don't believe long term economic stability is compatible with sell it, sell it all NOW. And frankly, we object to the near monopolies in retail this creates, since Sears and KMart closing now leave only Target and Walmart in that retail sector. You can't sustain competitive markets by forcing all the competitors out of business. Or so I'm told.
On “CNN Takes Bold Action In Firing Chris Cuomo On A Saturday Night”
Agreed.
"
With media in private sector hands and the Fairness Doctrine gone, that noble career path is probably dead.
On “Donald Trump’s 2024 Campaign Will Be Insane. It Also Might Win.”
he has been where he felt they were necessary - but its not working. Take Student Laon forgiveness. Biden has issued executive orders on this, and it is resulting in some relief to some people. But you'd never know about it from the news, as the E.O. Signing got buried in other stuff that other people think is more important.
Point being that Dems have the tools. They are using the tools, but they aren't the flashy showmen Trump is and so its not getting the media coverage he got. That's not something the Party can overcome by themselves, no matter what tool they deploy.
"
I suspect he get's indicted for multiple things before the campaign next year. Then you have 2022-2024 for a series of trials. You don't need to kill him to destroy him - just lock him up where no one can hear him.
On “The Center Cannot Hold”
lucky you. Those must be interesting conversations.
On “Donald Trump’s 2024 Campaign Will Be Insane. It Also Might Win.”
Wow. Epic trolling. Except of course it has no basis in the real world. No one is restricting the right to free travel within national borders in the US. and I want fewer permanent restrictions on individual autonomy. Overturning Roe increases permanent restrictions on autonomy.
But sure, call liberals authoritarians if it makes you feel better.
"
Those 74 million voters (As Jay corrects me below) were in large sub groups, many of which overlapped. There's also been a TON of reporting on what motivated them. And i live among them - they are not hesitant to say what they based their voting on.
You also assumed in your answer that the one box he ticked was uniform across the voters in question. I said no such thing. I did say - which is correct - that they voted for him affirmatively based on him ticking at least one box they felt was important. I stand by that assertion.
"
You'd be correct. Especially down here. Those 71 million people voted for Donald Trump because he ticked at least one major political box that they cared about, even after seeing him fumble and fail on other major important things.
"
What would those proposals be? Few of the things they campaigned on under Trump came to fruition, because all they really wanted was another tax cut and a stacked SCOTUS. Republicans had no national party platform in 2020. And they are about to get Roe kicked back to the states, which effectively overturns it. With redistricting drawing ever more gerrymandered lines to harden existing minority rule, they don't need counter proposals.
And yet 71 Million Americans voted for just this, believing it would keep white men in political and economic power they "deserved."
Would that were enough. Sadly for Democrats, Republicans are all too happy to point out the great things coming to their districts and states from Democrats actions, and all the while refusing (like Jello on a nail) to be pinned down in their opposition to those things. My local Trumplican congress critter has spent days posting nothing to social media but all the benefits of the "Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill" that he voted against in the House.
TL:DR - you can't shame the shameless.
On “The Center Cannot Hold”
Really interesting post.
Question - do you really observe that so many living in those alternate universes are this thoughtful on the subject? Is there something else driving them?