We now know exactly who is in the Fifth Column to destroy American democracy. It is Kevin McCarthy and his "leadership team." That team seems to include not just Steve Scalise but such stalwarts as Marjorie Green, Matt Gaetz, Scott Perry and Paul Gosar.
If you tried to write a fictional novel akin to Designated Survivor you could not write one anymore accurately than what is playing out now in the House. Shame does not begin to describe what they have earned. They are truly treasonous.
Bringing up Steve Scalise’s name always triggers a intense gut reaction in me. How could a man who came thisclose to being assassinated go right back to being the absolute dick that he was before he almost died? It baffles me. What an odious being. Scum.
That is why I included his name with the other very dangerous clowns! Oh, I left out Elise Stefanik who has quickly proven there is no depth a GOP female will stoop to in order to become self important.
There was a time when Stefanik could legit claim to be a moderate, but Trump and an increasingly rural, white, racist and xenophobic district sealed her transition to full blow radical MAGA.
No, what sealed her transition to full blown MAGA was a combination of ego, zealous ambition and, yes, an underling lack of true character to represent her district and the national interest. Genuine patriots can do both. She is a turncoat, pure and simple. OBTW. It does not look good on her.
But does it look bad enough to cost her the seat? So far she seems to be able to hang on. At what point do the angry white people in the Adirondacks and the North Country finally decide they want someone who cares more about them than themselves?
Peter. so far the driving force in her district seems to be exactly "angry white people." So angry they lose sight of what is really important. But, therein lies the appeal of the modern GOP, my old party, to too many Americans ready to assign blame to someone else for their problems and too damn dumb to figure out you do not make progress going backwards.
We have all now learned from Lucian much about the subterranean escape routes from under the Capital buildings, a subject I, for one, have never given any thought. There have always been secret escape routes from castles and fortifications to protect royalty in the event of an attack or an uprising of the peasants. The ludicrous claim that there are parameters on the use of this video footage assumes we are all stupid. Who is the enforcer of these use ‘parameters’? What are the penalties for violating them? Are they allowed to be edited? Are others beyond Carlson allowed to have copies? How would anyone know? From a security viewpoint losing control of these highly sensitive records is one of largest threats to the safety of Congress and its staff. Only someone interested in overthrowing the government would have committed this traitorous act: looking at you, barely Speaker McCarthy. Others have been imprisoned for far less onerous breeches of national security. Why should he escape accountability? Have we lost our collective mind?
I'd like a far more detailed explanation of just how Carlson (and now, potentially, Jan. 6 defendants) is actually viewing them and what he's allowed to take from them. I read somewhere that the Capitol Police will review any copies that may be made before releasing the copies to Carlson (or whomever).. [Just got my answer from Mary Kay, below, who posted this helpful link https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3877350-copies-of-jan-6-clips-given-to-carlson-subject-to-security-review-republicans-say/ ]
Carlson does not actually have possession of the 44,000 hours of tapes as one might infer from most reports, including herein. According to Robert Hubbell: "Carlson was given unrestricted access to review the surveillance tapes at a private computer terminal at the Capitol so he could prepare a “special report” that would, presumably, demonstrate that the violent assault on the Capitol was just a big misunderstanding." From para. 2: https://roberthubbell.substack.com/p/kevin-mccarthys-devils-bargain
Let’s offer to trade Kev McCarthy for Edward Snowden. Outrageous that Snowden, who tried to make the US safer for its citizens, has to cool his heals in Russia, while Traitor Kev grandstands and sells the security of our lawmakers down the river.
If Snowden thought he was doing good rather than harm, then he woulda used his own password rather than jack a co-worker's. In addition, he woulda' screened and filtered the data rather than dump it all and wouldn't have told the daeshbags (ISIS) how to evade US and western geo-location surveillance. Suggest you take a look at the John Oliver's (yes, that John Oliver) interview in Moscow w/Snowden. Will not characterize it as to create a bias. Am sure it is googleable and/or on YOUTUBE.
Perhaps Dems should start calling for his removal. Every single day. If the House is to be useless for 2 years or a propaganda machine for Putin and the fascist party, give them some busywork like voting for their traitor every day...every single day.
Dems should play hardball like the legislator from Nebraska who has vowed to filibuster every single bill introduced by Republicans. Additionally, introduce a resolution to impeach McCarthy every single day.
Astounding. It proves McCarthy is sympathetic to the insurrectionists and in effect a traiter. Technically elements of that footage should be classified material. And even if not, does he have the right to give away government property to a private citizen?
As recent reporting on the Dominion Lawsuit against Foks Newz makes clear - if distortion of the truth is the objective, McCarthy went to the pros. Seriously, WTF is wrong with these people???
How can this action by McCarthy be legal? I think he should be charged with endangering our national security and sent to Gitmo or it’s equally hellish facility. McCarthy is a traitor to our country. Get him out of our House now!!!
Excellent column, Lucian! I wonder if this was part of the deal McCarthy cut with the ultra-right to get the Speaker's position. One of the big questions hanging out there is _why would McCarthy do this?_ Granted that politics is often transactional, what is in it for McCarthy? Tucker-love? Is it worth the price?
Calling Kevin McCarthy a pea brain is an insult to the lovely little green vegetable that grows in pods. Another nimrod who can be led around by the nose by anyone who knows how to cater to his ego.
So who exactly among Fox staff and assorted friends were in the room of secrets, and how exactly were they individually vetted other than just being friends of friends (ad infinitum) of McCarthy?
Did Fox get actual physical copies of the footage? I had read that they were able to review the footage in a room at the capitol complex similar to the way that congress members review classified information in a SCIF. Was that report mistaken?
I was wondering the same thing. "The Hill" reported that the tapes would be in a secure location and any clips Fox would want would be subject to a security review...
Yes. He said he promised to release the footage because it belongs to the public. Then gives it exclusively to Tucker Carson. Why didn’t someone put a stop to this before it happened?
While I read this, I was thinking "Damn! Now there's going to be a fight on the floor between Democrats who want to vote money to *redesign* the Capitol's security systems and entrances to escape tunnels to restore some secrecy, and Republican idiots who don't want to undermine Tucker's access to accurate information that could be used to sack the Capitol again."
We now know exactly who is in the Fifth Column to destroy American democracy. It is Kevin McCarthy and his "leadership team." That team seems to include not just Steve Scalise but such stalwarts as Marjorie Green, Matt Gaetz, Scott Perry and Paul Gosar.
If you tried to write a fictional novel akin to Designated Survivor you could not write one anymore accurately than what is playing out now in the House. Shame does not begin to describe what they have earned. They are truly treasonous.
Bringing up Steve Scalise’s name always triggers a intense gut reaction in me. How could a man who came thisclose to being assassinated go right back to being the absolute dick that he was before he almost died? It baffles me. What an odious being. Scum.
He has no soul. He’s just an empty vessel allowing evil to use him as evil sees fit. 🤬
That is why I included his name with the other very dangerous clowns! Oh, I left out Elise Stefanik who has quickly proven there is no depth a GOP female will stoop to in order to become self important.
There was a time when Stefanik could legit claim to be a moderate, but Trump and an increasingly rural, white, racist and xenophobic district sealed her transition to full blow radical MAGA.
No, what sealed her transition to full blown MAGA was a combination of ego, zealous ambition and, yes, an underling lack of true character to represent her district and the national interest. Genuine patriots can do both. She is a turncoat, pure and simple. OBTW. It does not look good on her.
But does it look bad enough to cost her the seat? So far she seems to be able to hang on. At what point do the angry white people in the Adirondacks and the North Country finally decide they want someone who cares more about them than themselves?
Peter. so far the driving force in her district seems to be exactly "angry white people." So angry they lose sight of what is really important. But, therein lies the appeal of the modern GOP, my old party, to too many Americans ready to assign blame to someone else for their problems and too damn dumb to figure out you do not make progress going backwards.
Remember where Scalise was hit by bullets. That is clearly where any brains and all of his conscience were once located.
Thank you--you voiced every thought I've ever had about that ungrateful cretin who purports to represent the decent citizens of Louisiana.
And the jerk is still against gun control. Go figure.
We have all now learned from Lucian much about the subterranean escape routes from under the Capital buildings, a subject I, for one, have never given any thought. There have always been secret escape routes from castles and fortifications to protect royalty in the event of an attack or an uprising of the peasants. The ludicrous claim that there are parameters on the use of this video footage assumes we are all stupid. Who is the enforcer of these use ‘parameters’? What are the penalties for violating them? Are they allowed to be edited? Are others beyond Carlson allowed to have copies? How would anyone know? From a security viewpoint losing control of these highly sensitive records is one of largest threats to the safety of Congress and its staff. Only someone interested in overthrowing the government would have committed this traitorous act: looking at you, barely Speaker McCarthy. Others have been imprisoned for far less onerous breeches of national security. Why should he escape accountability? Have we lost our collective mind?
Well stated 👏
I'd like a far more detailed explanation of just how Carlson (and now, potentially, Jan. 6 defendants) is actually viewing them and what he's allowed to take from them. I read somewhere that the Capitol Police will review any copies that may be made before releasing the copies to Carlson (or whomever).. [Just got my answer from Mary Kay, below, who posted this helpful link https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3877350-copies-of-jan-6-clips-given-to-carlson-subject-to-security-review-republicans-say/ ]
Carlson does not actually have possession of the 44,000 hours of tapes as one might infer from most reports, including herein. According to Robert Hubbell: "Carlson was given unrestricted access to review the surveillance tapes at a private computer terminal at the Capitol so he could prepare a “special report” that would, presumably, demonstrate that the violent assault on the Capitol was just a big misunderstanding." From para. 2: https://roberthubbell.substack.com/p/kevin-mccarthys-devils-bargain
Let’s offer to trade Kev McCarthy for Edward Snowden. Outrageous that Snowden, who tried to make the US safer for its citizens, has to cool his heals in Russia, while Traitor Kev grandstands and sells the security of our lawmakers down the river.
If Snowden thought he was doing good rather than harm, then he woulda used his own password rather than jack a co-worker's. In addition, he woulda' screened and filtered the data rather than dump it all and wouldn't have told the daeshbags (ISIS) how to evade US and western geo-location surveillance. Suggest you take a look at the John Oliver's (yes, that John Oliver) interview in Moscow w/Snowden. Will not characterize it as to create a bias. Am sure it is googleable and/or on YOUTUBE.
Perhaps Dems should start calling for his removal. Every single day. If the House is to be useless for 2 years or a propaganda machine for Putin and the fascist party, give them some busywork like voting for their traitor every day...every single day.
Dems should play hardball like the legislator from Nebraska who has vowed to filibuster every single bill introduced by Republicans. Additionally, introduce a resolution to impeach McCarthy every single day.
Astounding. It proves McCarthy is sympathetic to the insurrectionists and in effect a traiter. Technically elements of that footage should be classified material. And even if not, does he have the right to give away government property to a private citizen?
I believe the word Traitor applies here.
As recent reporting on the Dominion Lawsuit against Foks Newz makes clear - if distortion of the truth is the objective, McCarthy went to the pros. Seriously, WTF is wrong with these people???
Well, OF COURSE distortion of the truth is the objective! Fox and *ucker will joyfully twist the entire mess to their advantage.
After all it was the Capitol Police that attacked first wasn't it? 🤨
Ri-ii-iii-ght. Uh-huh. (wink, wink)
How can this action by McCarthy be legal? I think he should be charged with endangering our national security and sent to Gitmo or it’s equally hellish facility. McCarthy is a traitor to our country. Get him out of our House now!!!
How can this man not be behind bars?
Excellent column, Lucian! I wonder if this was part of the deal McCarthy cut with the ultra-right to get the Speaker's position. One of the big questions hanging out there is _why would McCarthy do this?_ Granted that politics is often transactional, what is in it for McCarthy? Tucker-love? Is it worth the price?
I wonder to whom and why.
Calling Kevin McCarthy a pea brain is an insult to the lovely little green vegetable that grows in pods. Another nimrod who can be led around by the nose by anyone who knows how to cater to his ego.
Is anyone else watching The Last of Us on HBO? Our country has been infected by the MAGA fungus. They are zombies and care only about themselves.
The coup is ongoing...
Yes it is ongoing. The original planners and organizers have gotten away without punishment so they are continuing to plan and plot their next move.
So who exactly among Fox staff and assorted friends were in the room of secrets, and how exactly were they individually vetted other than just being friends of friends (ad infinitum) of McCarthy?
Did Fox get actual physical copies of the footage? I had read that they were able to review the footage in a room at the capitol complex similar to the way that congress members review classified information in a SCIF. Was that report mistaken?
I was wondering the same thing. "The Hill" reported that the tapes would be in a secure location and any clips Fox would want would be subject to a security review...
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3877350-copies-of-jan-6-clips-given-to-carlson-subject-to-security-review-republicans-say/
Thank you for that link. According to Robert Hubbell: "Carlson was given unrestricted access to review the surveillance tapes at a private computer terminal at the Capitol ..." para. 2, https://roberthubbell.substack.com/p/kevin-mccarthys-devils-bargain
This whole thing is so outrageous, it literally makes me sick! The Democrats need to wake up
and finally do something -if it is not already too late!!!
Are Quevin and Trump Putin’s useful idiots?
Has anyone heard Kevin's explanation for why he did this ?
Yes. He said he promised to release the footage because it belongs to the public. Then gives it exclusively to Tucker Carson. Why didn’t someone put a stop to this before it happened?
While I read this, I was thinking "Damn! Now there's going to be a fight on the floor between Democrats who want to vote money to *redesign* the Capitol's security systems and entrances to escape tunnels to restore some secrecy, and Republican idiots who don't want to undermine Tucker's access to accurate information that could be used to sack the Capitol again."