I’d be willing to bet a week’s pay that right about now, Special Counsel Smith is wishing there was a “duh” emoji he could use in the new legal filings he has been caused to make by two courts run by judges with the skills of failing first year law students. I’m speaking of the superseding indictment Smith filed today in the D.C.
I had to laugh when I saw what Jack Smith had done-"of COURSE he gets a superseding indictment! He's not gonna give up-the feds never give up!"
That's the part everyone seems surprised by-but I think Mr. Smith is plenty pissed off at the Supreme Court enough to do this just to spite them: "Take that immunity ruling and put it where the sun doesn't shine because Donald Trump has committed crimes and I'm going to put him on trial and in prison if he's found guilty-and there's nothing you can do..so there!"
There's a reason he was appointed to the Hague as prosecutor. He's smarter than a lot of judges who think they wrote the Constitution and he knows it.
He is determined to see justice done for January 6th and I think we should all be very grateful for the one man who (IMO) is the only incorruptible man in the DOJ and government.
In fact, he reminds me of Inspector Javert from Les Miserables: "Javert can be summed up in one sentence, "He is a man who lives, breathes, eats, sleeps, and would die for justice, in the form of the law," and all that implies. "
Once we get VP Harris, our prosecutor in chief sworn in, she must increase the amount of judges at the extreme court and bring back some sanity to the justice system. Next we need to impeach Thomas and Alito and rid ourselves of this corruption!
Harris will need majorities in both houses of congress to attempt that, necessary as it is. Also the filibuster will have to be changed or abolished. Impeaching Thomas and Alito are more than likely exercises in futility since the votes to convict in the Senate (67) won’t be there. Better to put four new justices on the Court, which it really needs, and try to force Thomas, especially, into retirement. That might just create a durable 8-5 majority on the Court with an enforceable ethics code, and term limits. If Harris can achieve that her legacy will be secure.
I understand what you’re saying. I also think the exercise of impeaching those two criminals would be worth it just to let them know we see their corruption and will not ignore it!
Who would have thought twenty years ago that the SC would go full fascist and support an insurrectionist traitor. See how easy it is to lose a republic. How very easy.
Jack Smith is a serious man and I have no doubt that he's made this indictment as judge-proof as humanly possible. Of course the frustrating part is that with briefings, and the Felon's inevitable requests to delay, a decision from Judge Chutkan will likely be well after the election, and even then subjected to endless appeals. The only thing we can do is keep Sideshow Don and his traveling troupe of misfits and weirdos (Bobby Jr., JD, Tulsi, and the rest of the Congressional Toadies), out of the WH. Save the women, cats and dogs of real Americans!
You're right that it's beyond frustrating to see justice delayed. And delayed. And delayed.
But there's a silver lining: after he loses his shot at "one a those black jobs" to KH, he'll no longer be a candidate. So he won't be able to raise money to pay for his legal costs, and once he's spent what's left of his campaign funds, he'll actually be forced to pay his legal fees out of his own pocket.
Unless, of course, he tries to run again. And that will be fun to watch.
My guess is that when he once again loses - not in his own mind of course- he will announce immediately running again in 2028. He would then be 82. But it’s the only way his constant grifting campaign money from the MAGAs can continue. He will be found guilty when some of his trials actually occur. His dementia will only get worse, but his underlying personality of never giving up, admitting error, or accepting defeat will continue to his dying breath. The big money, however, will likely dry up as the super rich will finally see him as the loser that he is. His cult will keep shelling out.
Almost four years after all this awful and unprecedented criminality happened and the man responsible is not only still at large, but actually stands a 50/50 chance of once again being handed the keys to the White House and all that comes with it. We can’t say we weren’t warned. His whole life and Curriculum Vitae was testament to just how sleazy the guy was. There wasn’t a decent bone in his entire body, nor any record of him doing anything for anyone but himself. Thanks to him, the rot has gotten so deep that a whole political party has been contaminated. The Supreme Court is now about as worthless as yesterday’s issue of The National Enquirer. Trust in our institutions is at an all-time Low and the previously trusted stalwarts of Media have not fared any better. Up is Down. Right is Left. Who’s on First? Nobody Knows. I give props to Jack Smith and his dogged pursuit of this rancid stain on the political and social fabric of our nation. If there was ever a time to pray that Doing the Right Thing Pays Off, now is that time.
Thank you, Stan. I don’t mind at all. Feel honored, in fact. Also, I am surprised I was able to respond to your comment because for months now I have been unable to “Like” or acknowledge or comment on anyone else’s remarks or thread. It has been driving me nuts, because the net effect is to not only mute me when I’m burning to dive in and join the happy melee, but also (in my mind, anyway) makes me look incapable of climbing off my own perch—or worse, indifferent to everyone else. I am hoping this is now behind me, but…no guarantees.
Thanks, Mary Pat. I am still having problems with my ability to Like or Comment, but for some reason I was able to respond to both you and Stan (above) although that is an outlier. (As opposed to ‘Li’l Don the Con’ who is usually ‘out lyin’ somewhere LOL!)
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your comment. “…worthless as yesterday’s issue of The National Enquirer”, and “…rancid stain on the political and social fabric of our nation” are inspired descriptions of our current situation. I wish I could write so colorfully. About *Rump I would say there ISN’T a decent bone in his entire body, nor will there ever be. I am sure there have been, and are, other such irredeemable examples of the human species, but in the pantheon of such awful specimens (minus the worst violent and cruelest monstrous dictators) he stands out as worthless as sidewalk sweepings in the gutter. Perhaps composting his corpse might produce some useful fertilizer for growing potatoes.
Unable to “Like” your response, but….here I am at least able to respond. “Huzzah!” It has been suggested by some wag or another that a fitting resting spot for the remains of this vainglorious sociopathic oaf would be an unmarked grave on the weedy & untended patch at his Bedminster, NJ golf course. He would, of course, be close to where Ivana Trump can’t wait to harangue him for all Eternity for the indignity of being so callously abused after Death as she was in Life by The Great Deceiver-in-Chief. [P.S. Any ideas of how I can get out of this Hell Hole of Partial Purgatory? It grinds my gears that as a long-time subscriber to Lucian’s dispatches that I am having so much trouble.]
He will need an unmarked grave in a hidden spot somewhere or else it will become an attractive nuisance with people constantly relieving themselves on it. I have expressed the wish to live long enough (I’m six years older than *Rump) to get such a chance.
I wish I could help you with your problems with this site, but my problem solving skills with these programs are woeful. Fortunately I have someone much younger in the house that I can rely on. It can all be so maddening. Condolences.
Thanks, Richard. Again….unable to “Like” your comment, but at least able to respond to it. I took note of the fact that when Bill Clinton spoke last week at the DNC he made a point of telling us that he’s been ‘retired’ since 2001 when he handed over the office to one George “Dubya” Bush (the lesser of the two shrubs!) and that was 23 years ago. Also that he had just turned 78 y.o. a couple of days earlier and that even tRump (also 78) was older than him! (LOL!). The point being that the Repugs are going with their Old Geezer, despite him being a certifiable Loon and a convicted felon at that, in addition to being twice impeached, natch. But, the Repugs are nothing if not willfully ignorant and all pretty much gifted with Total Amnesia about recent history when it comes to anything negative in Dear Leader’s portfolio. My own satisfaction is that I am also 78 y.o. &, thanks to diet, exercise, good genes, and taking care of myself, I’m probably in better shape than either one of those guys. (And…just between you and me, did you happen to notice that not only was Bill Clinton’s speech not even half as good as Hillary’s, that he seemed to be possibly dealing with Parkinson’s? Something I would not wish on anyone.). As for ‘Mois’ I have recently got back into Aviation and am working to get my Flight Instructor certification renewed. I have really missed it these last seven years when I foolishly let it lapse due to going on the Road with my wife as “Full Time RVers for a few years. Now where’s that ten year old around here that can help me sort out my technical issues with these dang phones, iPads, websites, and all that other electronic wizardry that you and I did not grow up with? Grrrrrrr……..
" If even one charge stands against Trump – likely, all or most of them will – he will file yet another appeal which will go to the same Supreme Court, with the same Trump-appointed justices hearing the appeal, and a new decision will come down regarding the superseding indictment.
"Only then is it likely that Trump will stand trial in federal court in Washington D.C...."
Lucian, please clarify why you and knowledgeable attorneys believe the Supreme Court will rule to allow Trump to stand trial. They've done a jaw-dropping job as Trump's legal team up to now. Why would they abandon their boy now when they're so close to establishing the right-wing authoritarian Presidency they seem to want?
The first thing to remember is that by the time these decisions reach the SC, VP Harris will be the president elect and Trump will be out on the street for good and nobody will care what he wants.
Secondly the SC has been very consistent in ruling against Trump when he was trying to overturn elections. At this point there is no logical argument to throw out anything else with the possible exception of any testimony by Pence. This trial will go forward when Harris wins with 100% certainty.
It's not just the Supreme Court, it's the corrupt judges appointed by Trump, the corrupt Republican members of Congress and Senate, the corrupt conservative media like Fox, and the corrupt wealthy that have given these people the money to enable them to do their dirty deeds. Looking at it as a whole, it's the most corrupt system ever set up in our country. It makes the crime syndicates of the 1920s look like amateur hour. Pure tyranny. Total traitors to their country. All of these people from the high and mighty to the lowest of low should face a firing squad.
Banana Republic on the Potomac - looks like we have some serious re-tooling to do.
Whatever happened to "the swamp" that was going to be "drained!" It just keeps getting stinkier and more mosquito-infested!
Finger-pointing at other nations doesn't entitle us to a free pass to "The Eve of Destruction". We got here "the old fashioned way," as John Houseman used to say: "We earned it!"
This is going to be verry, verry eenteresting. (Thank you Arte Johnson). Allison Gill in Mueller She Wrote (The Breakdown) goes through the WHOLE indictment showing the changes and explaining their significance. I can't get over how CLEVER Jack and his crew are. The focus now is on trump as Candidate, where it should be.
Wonderful breakdown! Thanks, Susan. "A lot of folks were speculating that Jack Smith asked for more time because Merrick Garland was slowing him down, and now we know that wasn’t the case..."
Due to my culture obligated to take a longer view. History will record and Trump will forever be known for his two impeachments, the Jan 6 storming of the USCB, multiple Federal Indictments, multiple New York-based convictions including felonies, extraordinarily costly civil penalties, birtherism, big lies, and bad hair. No second term can erase history or how he will be remembered. A second term would see Trump add to his infamy.
While it's possible to escape justice, it's impossible to escape one's history.
Mentioned history for many reasons. Didn't the nation survive Trump's term? Didn't Germany survive Hitler? Didn't the USA survive the American Civil War?
Am not one who buys into any doom and gloom. Such negative emotions impact how people think, speak, write, and act. It manifests and sadly presents as fear.
When I hear legal and political "experts" label a small weak man as an existential threat to the nation I hear W., Bush, Rummie, and Tom Ridge talking about Usama. Fear Usama and AQ. Fear Trump and MAGA. Or a few other Presidents appealing to fear by invoking commies. It's as if FDR's the only thing to fear itself was not an aphorism to live by rather some Trivial Pursuit answer.
The worst thing people can do is OVERestimate Trump while simultaneously UNDERestimating America.
Yes! Totally agree. Stop all the fear mongering. Focus on the job of electing VP Harris, and hopefully the house and senate. It can be done. There are so many more of us who are done with the dumpster fire and are awake to the threat and ready to do the work. We can relegate the orange smear to the dust bin of history. It time!
This! A hundred times: THIS! These "experts" seem to be stuck in the here-and-now, with no understanding of history and no willingness to imagine a positive future. I hear them yapping at the heels of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz and all their supporters. Hope, they seem to think, is for suckers. They are, in a word, wrong.
Agree. Most in media are repeating Trump and R talking points regarding Kamala and the Coach zeroing in on the past when the Kamala-Walz campaign is about the future. And not limited to the short term feel good future by also including the long view on issue after issue. Something that flies over the heads of the talking heada-political experts.
Juxtapose w/Trump’s I can fix that the first day in office or better yet the day after the election. The media doesn’t point out how absurd that is because in their small minds that’s Trump being Trump. Or in the alternative and as you point out, they live in the here and now, one news cycle at a time.
Am not one that gives any thought to what goes on in Trump's noggin' because what little he has demonstrated is in there can be summed up by I, I, I, me, me, me.
FTR: Trump is not unique in that aspect. From being around a few I I I Me Me Me people do know they go cray-cray when criticized by people with name recognition. Sometimes they act out other times they let it burn within.
Eventually, that triggers an episode related or unrelated to the criticism or critics. People who save magazine covers and newsprint copies of articles about self reveal care deeply about what others think and say (reputation) about them. The same folk have no idea the measure of a person is found in their character, NOT in what others think and say (reputation) about them.
Best example of juxtaposition: Trump with Stormy Daniels. Stormy's reputation is in no way indicative of her high character. People of high character are comfortable in their own skin. People who are not are always in all ways seeking validation from others by conflating themselves far above who they really are and by knocking others to appear superior.
Sorry for the in-depth post. Is an important subject matter whether the person is Trump or a friend, relative, or people in the public limelight. Keep in mind it was my kind ~indigenous~ that get constant pressure on Gaming commissions to never ever allow Trump to return to the gaming industry. He has tried and tried ever since his was taken away. And he literally "hates" us for beating him over and over again, decade after decade including in NY, FL, and NV.
When the stupid MAGAts finally figure out that Trump WILL end the benefit they live on, THEN they will vote against him. But it's likely too late. Their combined ignorance and stupidity keeps them enraptured with their trump-Jesus. (Now we know why "Jesus wept.")
If the six justices had any integrity to begin with they sure don't now. They may as well make an announcement, "Do not question us, we are a law unto ourselves and can do anything we want, accept lavish gifts, change laws we don't like, we are untouchable, we are supreme!"
Since Trump came on the scene a negative dark cloud has hovered over the land. Election workers, fearful for they safety, their very lives have quit in droves, all kinds of people who speak out against Trump now get death threats laced with foul language. These are the kind of people Trump attracts. Then, there's the state mini-Trumps, aggressive, hateful mostly in the Red states. Here is just one example: All that's missing is arm bands with swastika symbols.
From NBC world news
By Suzanne Gamboa and Jane C. Timm
SAN ANTONIO — Raids on the homes of several Democrats in South Texas, in what the state attorney general said is an ongoing election integrity investigation, has set off a showdown with the nation’s oldest Latino civil rights group.
The Aug. 20 raids targeted Manuel Medina, chair of the Tejano Democrats, several members of the League of United Latin American Citizens, a state House candidate and a local area mayor.
Lidia Martinez
Lidia Martinez, who volunteers for LULAC and also does voter registration, questioned the search of all her belongings. NBC News
The raids have triggered outrage and accusations of voter suppression in a state with a long history of discrimination against its citizens of Mexican descent, which gave rise to LULAC in 1929.
Good pont, Marlene, Elder abuse and violation of her human rights, but again, these are the exact same kind of people as Trump, that is why they like him and see no fault in him. They have no empathy fr women who want their baby but become seriously ill and are denied treatment because their doctors are afraid of prosecution due to the new laws these monsters passed.. More children die of gunshot wounds than anything else, but they won't ban assault weapons,
Why am I NOT surprised the raids in Texass are happening? The state AG is merely carrying out the wishes of his fellow criminal, the governor. They've both probably considered providing the raid enforcers with capital T armbands.
I was just thinking the same thing, Stan, that it is like how the mafia buy legitimate business, and are now taking over state governments. They have no moral principles at all. I just heard one congressman this morning say that Abbot has removed one million people from the voter rolls. A guy asked the congressman in the barber shop how do I get my vote back again? When a lot of people go to vote in November they will b e told they are not eligible to vote as their name is not on the list. Trump is the biggest cheat of all and the entire Republican Party is now corrupt, They will do anything to win. The same congressman, Rep. Castro, said he is afraid many states will not certify the Electoral count if Harris wins. Just as many Senaters voted against certifying the election the last time.
My money's on Chutkan, and even though I'm not a lawyer, I knew it was cool that Smith did not ask for a new Judge. The filing seems meant to be bare bones. I do believe Cannon is gonna have her teeth handed to her.
Mr.Smith goes to Washington! The wording has been changed but not totally eliminated. He whittled the filing down by nine pages and presented everything to a brand new grand jury. Isn’t this like the 5th grand jury who has found Trump guilty? Hope Judge Chutkin and her staff approve this superseding indictment and pushes forward with a trial or SOMETHING that scares the crap outta of the Don and his co-conspirators! Thanks, Lucian!
Now, *that's* weird. I don't know book publishing, but that sounds like a huge best-seller. But biog/memoir publishers always demand candor, at least one big reveal—maybe the deal-breaker in this case.
Would be very appreciative if you would write up the steps that are needed to increase the numbers on SCOTUS. Do they begin with electing a sufficient number of sane both reps and senators?
Long time since I studied this, but i've heard often that FDR's actions to that end shocked the RW justices into retreat for the rest of FDR's life.. Henry?
Jack Smith will stay on the trail and get the traitorous Orange Menace. That's good for Democracy---but it going to take far too long. One more reason to get to work on postcards and all the rest!
Once Again, Lucian, thank you for saving us from having to get into the ‘cornflakes’ on the new indictment. You write such lucid analyses of legalese that it’s a pleasure to read them. I don’t know anything about Jack Smith’s personality other than he’s obviously very smart and determined, but he must be frustrated as hell about the delay, incompetence and corruption he’s surrounded by. ‘Judge’ Cannon is obviously in way over her head with her blatant attempts to protect *Rump. The six ‘clever’ ideological hacks on SCOTUS, clever in the sense that they believe they can just fill in the blanks of the Constitution to say what they would prefer absent the prescribed amendment process, actually further destroys the authority of the Court, and ramps up support for drastic court reform. *Rump‘s uncanny ability to manipulate the legal system to his advantage highlights its shortcomings, and undermines public support. Brazil’s speedy treatment of Bolsonaro for similar offenses should be a model for us. It is truly impressive, and would be hugely popular with our notorious short attention-span public.
I had to laugh when I saw what Jack Smith had done-"of COURSE he gets a superseding indictment! He's not gonna give up-the feds never give up!"
That's the part everyone seems surprised by-but I think Mr. Smith is plenty pissed off at the Supreme Court enough to do this just to spite them: "Take that immunity ruling and put it where the sun doesn't shine because Donald Trump has committed crimes and I'm going to put him on trial and in prison if he's found guilty-and there's nothing you can do..so there!"
There's a reason he was appointed to the Hague as prosecutor. He's smarter than a lot of judges who think they wrote the Constitution and he knows it.
He is determined to see justice done for January 6th and I think we should all be very grateful for the one man who (IMO) is the only incorruptible man in the DOJ and government.
In fact, he reminds me of Inspector Javert from Les Miserables: "Javert can be summed up in one sentence, "He is a man who lives, breathes, eats, sleeps, and would die for justice, in the form of the law," and all that implies. "
Go get him, Jack!
Once we get VP Harris, our prosecutor in chief sworn in, she must increase the amount of judges at the extreme court and bring back some sanity to the justice system. Next we need to impeach Thomas and Alito and rid ourselves of this corruption!
Harris will need majorities in both houses of congress to attempt that, necessary as it is. Also the filibuster will have to be changed or abolished. Impeaching Thomas and Alito are more than likely exercises in futility since the votes to convict in the Senate (67) won’t be there. Better to put four new justices on the Court, which it really needs, and try to force Thomas, especially, into retirement. That might just create a durable 8-5 majority on the Court with an enforceable ethics code, and term limits. If Harris can achieve that her legacy will be secure.
I understand what you’re saying. I also think the exercise of impeaching those two criminals would be worth it just to let them know we see their corruption and will not ignore it!
I don't want Thomas snd Alito retired. I want them imprisoned.
Go Mary!
Who would have thought twenty years ago that the SC would go full fascist and support an insurrectionist traitor. See how easy it is to lose a republic. How very easy.
The actual quote: “where the sun don’t shine.” So poetic.
Jack Smith is a serious man and I have no doubt that he's made this indictment as judge-proof as humanly possible. Of course the frustrating part is that with briefings, and the Felon's inevitable requests to delay, a decision from Judge Chutkan will likely be well after the election, and even then subjected to endless appeals. The only thing we can do is keep Sideshow Don and his traveling troupe of misfits and weirdos (Bobby Jr., JD, Tulsi, and the rest of the Congressional Toadies), out of the WH. Save the women, cats and dogs of real Americans!
I am hoping that by the time this gets to SCOTUS, Trump will be considered such a loser that they have no interest in defending him.
Dead would be good.
You're right that it's beyond frustrating to see justice delayed. And delayed. And delayed.
But there's a silver lining: after he loses his shot at "one a those black jobs" to KH, he'll no longer be a candidate. So he won't be able to raise money to pay for his legal costs, and once he's spent what's left of his campaign funds, he'll actually be forced to pay his legal fees out of his own pocket.
Unless, of course, he tries to run again. And that will be fun to watch.
My guess is that when he once again loses - not in his own mind of course- he will announce immediately running again in 2028. He would then be 82. But it’s the only way his constant grifting campaign money from the MAGAs can continue. He will be found guilty when some of his trials actually occur. His dementia will only get worse, but his underlying personality of never giving up, admitting error, or accepting defeat will continue to his dying breath. The big money, however, will likely dry up as the super rich will finally see him as the loser that he is. His cult will keep shelling out.
High stakes gambling on the grand scale. Anyone wanna buy a president?
Is it any wonder he used his casinos as cash cows for decades! I not making this up, just putting the pieces together.
I don't know. Billionaires who fun trump control the country. Trump is just the clown they employ.
As long as billionaires know they can control trump, and they easily can, he'll get funded by corruption.
Almost four years after all this awful and unprecedented criminality happened and the man responsible is not only still at large, but actually stands a 50/50 chance of once again being handed the keys to the White House and all that comes with it. We can’t say we weren’t warned. His whole life and Curriculum Vitae was testament to just how sleazy the guy was. There wasn’t a decent bone in his entire body, nor any record of him doing anything for anyone but himself. Thanks to him, the rot has gotten so deep that a whole political party has been contaminated. The Supreme Court is now about as worthless as yesterday’s issue of The National Enquirer. Trust in our institutions is at an all-time Low and the previously trusted stalwarts of Media have not fared any better. Up is Down. Right is Left. Who’s on First? Nobody Knows. I give props to Jack Smith and his dogged pursuit of this rancid stain on the political and social fabric of our nation. If there was ever a time to pray that Doing the Right Thing Pays Off, now is that time.
That is an excellent comment, Paul. Every word of it is true. I especially like your "rancid stain" term for him. Mind if I borrow it?
Thank you, Stan. I don’t mind at all. Feel honored, in fact. Also, I am surprised I was able to respond to your comment because for months now I have been unable to “Like” or acknowledge or comment on anyone else’s remarks or thread. It has been driving me nuts, because the net effect is to not only mute me when I’m burning to dive in and join the happy melee, but also (in my mind, anyway) makes me look incapable of climbing off my own perch—or worse, indifferent to everyone else. I am hoping this is now behind me, but…no guarantees.
Welcome, Paul, to "The Happy Melee!"
Thanks, Mary Pat. I am still having problems with my ability to Like or Comment, but for some reason I was able to respond to both you and Stan (above) although that is an outlier. (As opposed to ‘Li’l Don the Con’ who is usually ‘out lyin’ somewhere LOL!)
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your comment. “…worthless as yesterday’s issue of The National Enquirer”, and “…rancid stain on the political and social fabric of our nation” are inspired descriptions of our current situation. I wish I could write so colorfully. About *Rump I would say there ISN’T a decent bone in his entire body, nor will there ever be. I am sure there have been, and are, other such irredeemable examples of the human species, but in the pantheon of such awful specimens (minus the worst violent and cruelest monstrous dictators) he stands out as worthless as sidewalk sweepings in the gutter. Perhaps composting his corpse might produce some useful fertilizer for growing potatoes.
Unable to “Like” your response, but….here I am at least able to respond. “Huzzah!” It has been suggested by some wag or another that a fitting resting spot for the remains of this vainglorious sociopathic oaf would be an unmarked grave on the weedy & untended patch at his Bedminster, NJ golf course. He would, of course, be close to where Ivana Trump can’t wait to harangue him for all Eternity for the indignity of being so callously abused after Death as she was in Life by The Great Deceiver-in-Chief. [P.S. Any ideas of how I can get out of this Hell Hole of Partial Purgatory? It grinds my gears that as a long-time subscriber to Lucian’s dispatches that I am having so much trouble.]
He will need an unmarked grave in a hidden spot somewhere or else it will become an attractive nuisance with people constantly relieving themselves on it. I have expressed the wish to live long enough (I’m six years older than *Rump) to get such a chance.
I wish I could help you with your problems with this site, but my problem solving skills with these programs are woeful. Fortunately I have someone much younger in the house that I can rely on. It can all be so maddening. Condolences.
Thanks, Richard. Again….unable to “Like” your comment, but at least able to respond to it. I took note of the fact that when Bill Clinton spoke last week at the DNC he made a point of telling us that he’s been ‘retired’ since 2001 when he handed over the office to one George “Dubya” Bush (the lesser of the two shrubs!) and that was 23 years ago. Also that he had just turned 78 y.o. a couple of days earlier and that even tRump (also 78) was older than him! (LOL!). The point being that the Repugs are going with their Old Geezer, despite him being a certifiable Loon and a convicted felon at that, in addition to being twice impeached, natch. But, the Repugs are nothing if not willfully ignorant and all pretty much gifted with Total Amnesia about recent history when it comes to anything negative in Dear Leader’s portfolio. My own satisfaction is that I am also 78 y.o. &, thanks to diet, exercise, good genes, and taking care of myself, I’m probably in better shape than either one of those guys. (And…just between you and me, did you happen to notice that not only was Bill Clinton’s speech not even half as good as Hillary’s, that he seemed to be possibly dealing with Parkinson’s? Something I would not wish on anyone.). As for ‘Mois’ I have recently got back into Aviation and am working to get my Flight Instructor certification renewed. I have really missed it these last seven years when I foolishly let it lapse due to going on the Road with my wife as “Full Time RVers for a few years. Now where’s that ten year old around here that can help me sort out my technical issues with these dang phones, iPads, websites, and all that other electronic wizardry that you and I did not grow up with? Grrrrrrr……..
My take is that Mr Smith is a very smart lawyer indeed.
He and his team war games this even before the issues were set up to Trumps Toadies.
He kept a few cards back. Quite likely the strongest evidence was back so he could go after candidate Trump.
His experience chasing war criminals was definitely an asset for pursuing criminal candidate Trump.
And the orange monster is definitely War Criminal worthy.
Buy your futures in ketchup now
From your mouth to God's ear, as grandma used to say.
Your grandma, too?
I been sayin' buy thems popcorn futures. Befores the price go sky high an you can sit comfy watchin' it all come down on the tube.
" If even one charge stands against Trump – likely, all or most of them will – he will file yet another appeal which will go to the same Supreme Court, with the same Trump-appointed justices hearing the appeal, and a new decision will come down regarding the superseding indictment.
"Only then is it likely that Trump will stand trial in federal court in Washington D.C...."
Lucian, please clarify why you and knowledgeable attorneys believe the Supreme Court will rule to allow Trump to stand trial. They've done a jaw-dropping job as Trump's legal team up to now. Why would they abandon their boy now when they're so close to establishing the right-wing authoritarian Presidency they seem to want?
The first thing to remember is that by the time these decisions reach the SC, VP Harris will be the president elect and Trump will be out on the street for good and nobody will care what he wants.
Secondly the SC has been very consistent in ruling against Trump when he was trying to overturn elections. At this point there is no logical argument to throw out anything else with the possible exception of any testimony by Pence. This trial will go forward when Harris wins with 100% certainty.
I have exactly the same question. Why wouldn’t the same SC find some other completely made up bs pretext to grant immunity for everything?
How do they get away with this CORRUPTION!! it's heart breaking what has happened to our supreme court!
It's not just the Supreme Court, it's the corrupt judges appointed by Trump, the corrupt Republican members of Congress and Senate, the corrupt conservative media like Fox, and the corrupt wealthy that have given these people the money to enable them to do their dirty deeds. Looking at it as a whole, it's the most corrupt system ever set up in our country. It makes the crime syndicates of the 1920s look like amateur hour. Pure tyranny. Total traitors to their country. All of these people from the high and mighty to the lowest of low should face a firing squad.
Banana Republic on the Potomac - looks like we have some serious re-tooling to do.
Whatever happened to "the swamp" that was going to be "drained!" It just keeps getting stinkier and more mosquito-infested!
Finger-pointing at other nations doesn't entitle us to a free pass to "The Eve of Destruction". We got here "the old fashioned way," as John Houseman used to say: "We earned it!"
This is going to be verry, verry eenteresting. (Thank you Arte Johnson). Allison Gill in Mueller She Wrote (The Breakdown) goes through the WHOLE indictment showing the changes and explaining their significance. I can't get over how CLEVER Jack and his crew are. The focus now is on trump as Candidate, where it should be.
https://www.muellershewrote.com/p/trumps-superseding-indictment
Thanks, Susan. This is a wonderful breakdown! I have already shared it on LFAA and Joyce Vance's substacks.
Wonderful breakdown! Thanks, Susan. "A lot of folks were speculating that Jack Smith asked for more time because Merrick Garland was slowing him down, and now we know that wasn’t the case..."
Due to my culture obligated to take a longer view. History will record and Trump will forever be known for his two impeachments, the Jan 6 storming of the USCB, multiple Federal Indictments, multiple New York-based convictions including felonies, extraordinarily costly civil penalties, birtherism, big lies, and bad hair. No second term can erase history or how he will be remembered. A second term would see Trump add to his infamy.
While it's possible to escape justice, it's impossible to escape one's history.
But we will not as a nation survive a "second" term (which will never end, by the way, you know right? He ain't goin' nowhere).
Mentioned history for many reasons. Didn't the nation survive Trump's term? Didn't Germany survive Hitler? Didn't the USA survive the American Civil War?
Am not one who buys into any doom and gloom. Such negative emotions impact how people think, speak, write, and act. It manifests and sadly presents as fear.
When I hear legal and political "experts" label a small weak man as an existential threat to the nation I hear W., Bush, Rummie, and Tom Ridge talking about Usama. Fear Usama and AQ. Fear Trump and MAGA. Or a few other Presidents appealing to fear by invoking commies. It's as if FDR's the only thing to fear itself was not an aphorism to live by rather some Trivial Pursuit answer.
The worst thing people can do is OVERestimate Trump while simultaneously UNDERestimating America.
Yes! Totally agree. Stop all the fear mongering. Focus on the job of electing VP Harris, and hopefully the house and senate. It can be done. There are so many more of us who are done with the dumpster fire and are awake to the threat and ready to do the work. We can relegate the orange smear to the dust bin of history. It time!
well-said. well-said, indeed, Terry
This! A hundred times: THIS! These "experts" seem to be stuck in the here-and-now, with no understanding of history and no willingness to imagine a positive future. I hear them yapping at the heels of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz and all their supporters. Hope, they seem to think, is for suckers. They are, in a word, wrong.
Agree. Most in media are repeating Trump and R talking points regarding Kamala and the Coach zeroing in on the past when the Kamala-Walz campaign is about the future. And not limited to the short term feel good future by also including the long view on issue after issue. Something that flies over the heads of the talking heada-political experts.
Juxtapose w/Trump’s I can fix that the first day in office or better yet the day after the election. The media doesn’t point out how absurd that is because in their small minds that’s Trump being Trump. Or in the alternative and as you point out, they live in the here and now, one news cycle at a time.
And rape.
Of course, trump doesn't care what historians say about him.
Am not one that gives any thought to what goes on in Trump's noggin' because what little he has demonstrated is in there can be summed up by I, I, I, me, me, me.
FTR: Trump is not unique in that aspect. From being around a few I I I Me Me Me people do know they go cray-cray when criticized by people with name recognition. Sometimes they act out other times they let it burn within.
Eventually, that triggers an episode related or unrelated to the criticism or critics. People who save magazine covers and newsprint copies of articles about self reveal care deeply about what others think and say (reputation) about them. The same folk have no idea the measure of a person is found in their character, NOT in what others think and say (reputation) about them.
Best example of juxtaposition: Trump with Stormy Daniels. Stormy's reputation is in no way indicative of her high character. People of high character are comfortable in their own skin. People who are not are always in all ways seeking validation from others by conflating themselves far above who they really are and by knocking others to appear superior.
Sorry for the in-depth post. Is an important subject matter whether the person is Trump or a friend, relative, or people in the public limelight. Keep in mind it was my kind ~indigenous~ that get constant pressure on Gaming commissions to never ever allow Trump to return to the gaming industry. He has tried and tried ever since his was taken away. And he literally "hates" us for beating him over and over again, decade after decade including in NY, FL, and NV.
The tide of sentiment is going to turn against Donald Trump. Slowly at first, as we are seeing now, and then all at once. He is over.
Oh yeah!!!!!!
When the stupid MAGAts finally figure out that Trump WILL end the benefit they live on, THEN they will vote against him. But it's likely too late. Their combined ignorance and stupidity keeps them enraptured with their trump-Jesus. (Now we know why "Jesus wept.")
If the six justices had any integrity to begin with they sure don't now. They may as well make an announcement, "Do not question us, we are a law unto ourselves and can do anything we want, accept lavish gifts, change laws we don't like, we are untouchable, we are supreme!"
Since Trump came on the scene a negative dark cloud has hovered over the land. Election workers, fearful for they safety, their very lives have quit in droves, all kinds of people who speak out against Trump now get death threats laced with foul language. These are the kind of people Trump attracts. Then, there's the state mini-Trumps, aggressive, hateful mostly in the Red states. Here is just one example: All that's missing is arm bands with swastika symbols.
From NBC world news
By Suzanne Gamboa and Jane C. Timm
SAN ANTONIO — Raids on the homes of several Democrats in South Texas, in what the state attorney general said is an ongoing election integrity investigation, has set off a showdown with the nation’s oldest Latino civil rights group.
The Aug. 20 raids targeted Manuel Medina, chair of the Tejano Democrats, several members of the League of United Latin American Citizens, a state House candidate and a local area mayor.
Lidia Martinez
Lidia Martinez, who volunteers for LULAC and also does voter registration, questioned the search of all her belongings. NBC News
The raids have triggered outrage and accusations of voter suppression in a state with a long history of discrimination against its citizens of Mexican descent, which gave rise to LULAC in 1929.
Also:
https://www.khou.com/article/news/nation-world/biden-program-us-citizen-spouses-legal-692
Yeah, that is total bullshit! The woman is a lifelong activist and at 87 years old, she has a great case of elder abuse and racism.
Good pont, Marlene, Elder abuse and violation of her human rights, but again, these are the exact same kind of people as Trump, that is why they like him and see no fault in him. They have no empathy fr women who want their baby but become seriously ill and are denied treatment because their doctors are afraid of prosecution due to the new laws these monsters passed.. More children die of gunshot wounds than anything else, but they won't ban assault weapons,
I like the sound of that!
Why am I NOT surprised the raids in Texass are happening? The state AG is merely carrying out the wishes of his fellow criminal, the governor. They've both probably considered providing the raid enforcers with capital T armbands.
I was just thinking the same thing, Stan, that it is like how the mafia buy legitimate business, and are now taking over state governments. They have no moral principles at all. I just heard one congressman this morning say that Abbot has removed one million people from the voter rolls. A guy asked the congressman in the barber shop how do I get my vote back again? When a lot of people go to vote in November they will b e told they are not eligible to vote as their name is not on the list. Trump is the biggest cheat of all and the entire Republican Party is now corrupt, They will do anything to win. The same congressman, Rep. Castro, said he is afraid many states will not certify the Electoral count if Harris wins. Just as many Senaters voted against certifying the election the last time.
It's time to give Texas back to Mexico with sincere apologies.
Haha, Marcia, good idea.
My money's on Chutkan, and even though I'm not a lawyer, I knew it was cool that Smith did not ask for a new Judge. The filing seems meant to be bare bones. I do believe Cannon is gonna have her teeth handed to her.
I want him to be so successful against Cannon that I can taste the blood, as I gnash my own teeth for this to happen.
And she, poor thing, thinks she's going to the Supreme Court.
Too late in the day for me to laugh 'til I cry!
I wish Cannon would knock on my door. 🤬
Mr.Smith goes to Washington! The wording has been changed but not totally eliminated. He whittled the filing down by nine pages and presented everything to a brand new grand jury. Isn’t this like the 5th grand jury who has found Trump guilty? Hope Judge Chutkin and her staff approve this superseding indictment and pushes forward with a trial or SOMETHING that scares the crap outta of the Don and his co-conspirators! Thanks, Lucian!
Perhaps the only thing he has shown a knack for lately: trump trading cards.
Are they “virtual” - like Melania?
Her memoir, btw, is self-published. Has to be the only First Lady not to score a big deal.
Now, *that's* weird. I don't know book publishing, but that sounds like a huge best-seller. But biog/memoir publishers always demand candor, at least one big reveal—maybe the deal-breaker in this case.
Maybe the book includes nude photos and female eroticism? Oh wait, we've already seen her greased up and naked so not that.
Yes they are...pathetic! Extra points gets you a piece of his blue suit! YUCK!
Ohhhh Patris…😆 so good!
PO'TD (Post Of The Day)
they are, they are NFTs. No basis in reality at all.
Virtuous? Not a chance.
Trump Traitor Cards.
Would be very appreciative if you would write up the steps that are needed to increase the numbers on SCOTUS. Do they begin with electing a sufficient number of sane both reps and senators?
Yes. Congress can do it by statute.
Hopefully the President will not run into the buzz saw FDR did.
Long time since I studied this, but i've heard often that FDR's actions to that end shocked the RW justices into retreat for the rest of FDR's life.. Henry?
I'm not up on this but try Wikipedia on "The Switch in Time that Saved Nine." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_switch_in_time_that_saved_nine#:~:text=In%20U.S.%20Supreme%20Court%20history,Parrish.
Thank you—an instructive read.
VOTE!!
Jack Smith will stay on the trail and get the traitorous Orange Menace. That's good for Democracy---but it going to take far too long. One more reason to get to work on postcards and all the rest!
Once Again, Lucian, thank you for saving us from having to get into the ‘cornflakes’ on the new indictment. You write such lucid analyses of legalese that it’s a pleasure to read them. I don’t know anything about Jack Smith’s personality other than he’s obviously very smart and determined, but he must be frustrated as hell about the delay, incompetence and corruption he’s surrounded by. ‘Judge’ Cannon is obviously in way over her head with her blatant attempts to protect *Rump. The six ‘clever’ ideological hacks on SCOTUS, clever in the sense that they believe they can just fill in the blanks of the Constitution to say what they would prefer absent the prescribed amendment process, actually further destroys the authority of the Court, and ramps up support for drastic court reform. *Rump‘s uncanny ability to manipulate the legal system to his advantage highlights its shortcomings, and undermines public support. Brazil’s speedy treatment of Bolsonaro for similar offenses should be a model for us. It is truly impressive, and would be hugely popular with our notorious short attention-span public.