I admit, I was wrong regarding Garland.

[pandr32]

At first I held him in high regard. After all, President Obama nominated him to serve on the Supreme Court. He was denied that seat and was treated like garbage by McConnell and the Republicans. I figured they resisted him fiercely because he was a left-leaning moderate and likely a staunch defender of our Constitution.
Once President Biden had his opportunity to place Garland in a suitable position, and then did, I thought an Attorney General Garland was going to show us why those Republicans fought so hard to keep him from a SCOTUS seat. However, he appeared to dissolve like tissue in the rain. We all were aghast.
He did press appearances claiming "No one is above the law" and made it seem he was on it. We needed to be patient. He must have a strategy that would bring air-tight indictments if we would just give him some time. Time went by.
At this point I resisted jumping on the threads complaining he was a Milquetoast at best and a bought-off Repug at worst. He could still be effectively bringing in the former traitor-in chief. He must have a plan...maybe?
He has ran out the clock, or will have in three short weeks.
I now believe President Obama nominated him, not because he would fiercely defend our Constitution and stand up to the other Supremes who ignore clauses and reinterpret the intentions and meanings that have stood fast since our founding, but because he believed him to be the least objectionable pick at that time. He didn't withdraw the nomination because it was clear no-one would get through.
He could have nominated a fighter. At least, it would have meant something.
You all called it earlier, but now I join you.
We've been had.

[dalton99a]

1. Biden is a nice guy and he felt sorry for him.

Big mistake.

[slightlv]

26. It was one of a very few big mistakes from Biden and his admin.

I did some research and he seems to be what could be called a "dino"... he flip flops depending on who's case he's judging. But he's much more pro big business than any of us knew or would have approved of on the SCOTUS. Frankly, I think like the majority of Democrats, he was so terrified of MAGA and trump, it left them all paralyzed. Seems the paralysis hasn't resolved itself yet, either. If only the DPTB had the backbones many, many of us have exhibited through this decade. We have shown you don't have to violent to get your point across. You don't have to be mean, hostile, or crude to point out the problems and issues. But with no one who has a voice to magnify ours, we just don't make a difference regardless of the fact I honestly think WE are the majority in this country.

The other thing I can't get over about this admin is Biden creating a committee to study how to repair SCOTUS, the committee coming up with doable solutions, and Biden turning all of it down. Not to mention not being strong enough to throw care to the wind as other presidents in the past have done, and just packed the court. As a woman with a LBGTQ+ grandson, I don't know if I can forgive that one thing. No... I can probably forgive; but I will never forget. And I think it's a black mark against the enormous legacy of good the man accomplished.

The main thing we are forced to admit is our nature... our very essence... is so completely opposite Maga that there's no understanding them. We can say they're bigoted, sadistic, and submissive to higher authorities (which is probably one reason they tend toward the most sadistic of behavior towards everyone not like them). But understanding it? It's so foreign to the very people we are. Foreign to the spiritual natures of both those who have organized, declared religious paths and those who don't. How we can understand Evil? My opinion is to stay as far away from it as possible. It's just too bad it will be thrust upon so many of us, without our permission.

[pandr32]

54. I really appreciate your perspective.

We ARE the majority. We need to get to work together.

[Trueblue1968]

87. Garland sucks.

[MadameButterfly]

95. He wouldn't pack the court because

1)He's a moderate who reaches across the aisle, which worked in the 70's, sort of
2)He would have needed Manchin or Synema to go along
3)He wanted to be re-elected.

I suppose 2) would have been enough

[slightlv]

105. Not if they'd done what the R's are immediately doing right now...

killing the filibuster. Beyond that, other presidents stacked the court, came up with their own reasons I guess, and just lived with having certain people mad at them. The last two sentences I made up, of course... I don't have proof and I've just spent over an hour trying to find something to wear to a funeral and am too exhausted at the moment to go search. I DO know others have done it... I believe FDR was one.

BTW, let me state for the record, after spending the last 3 hours in a stupid Walmart, trying to find decent enough clothes for two men and me to where to a funeral where the two guys are pallbearers, I HATE Walmart with a white hot passion. And you wouldn't believe all the empty shelves!!! But lordy, if you want clothes that aren't sports-related or workout related... IOW, something nice you can wear to an event or even to work, they just don't do that anymore. And more's the pity... to not go there would be a drive into KC, and I'm just not up to it after all this snow!

[MadameButterfly]

108. If Manchin or Synema had been willing to kill

the fillibuster we'd be in a vastly different place right now. And of course Republicans will kill it right away.

[kimbutgar]

2. I wonder if someone threatened his family and that's why he's so timid?

There’s a lot of poisonous cretins in DC who would do this!

[pandr32]

4. I gave him that pass for a while as well.

If he is "timid" he is over his head. AGs need to be able to face down mob bosses. He is diminutive in both stature and character.

[Think. Again.]

18. Unfortunately...

...he has proven himself to be one of those DC cretins.

[2naSalit]

19. That's basically...

The genesis of my opinion of him. At this point, I hold him partially responsible for the next four years and all the shit we'll have to live through.

[MadameButterfly]

109. Partially responisble in that a number of things happened to bring us to this place

But if this one thing were different, if we'd had Doug Jones--Trump would be in jail right now.

[calimary]

40. It's NOT beyond the realm of possibility.

Unfortunately.

[msfiddlestix]

50. He exuded timidity during his confirmation hearing, and in early public speeches.

It wasn't what he spoke about, or what it was responded to.
It was in his speech pattern, in his vocalization pitch, vocal tonality.
I should know the specific terms I'm struggling with right now to explain how the minute I ever heard speak was during his confirmation hearing, and I knew right away he was the wrong for this position.
He didn't have it in him to do what he claimed, without fear (or favor), I didn't know much about him at all when he had been chosen to serve on SCOTUS, just that reports I read was that Garland was favored by Republicans as was the Democrats, the dick move on Moscow Mitch's ploy not withstanding was purely political and power play.
It maybe that Garland is a kind enough soul and should have just retired. But I'm feeling like the dude's ego betrays any notion of being a wise and rational soul. I also believe the job was simply way over his head out of his league. Whatever the ultimate factors involved, we are living with a monumental clusterfuck of disaster we all predicted would be the reality. except for the Garland defenders they could not see it, , didn't want to, whatever reasons, itit's all moot point, the ship of fools and despots have sailed and that's that.

[Clouds Passing]

66. He has been a traitor to the Constitution along with the SC6 and many lawmak.....breakers

[msfiddlestix]

71. I think that's a very fair assessment.

[IbogaProject]

74. Wasnt he a member of the Federalist society?

Or in the past?

[pandr32]

8. Thank you.

[NNadir]

70. You had more than 100 hidden comments? You beat even me!

Mine, however, were not about Garland.

[Sky Jewels]

5. Obama nominated him because he was palatable to Republicans

and Obama thought he might get through to SCOTUS.

Garland was never on our side.

I am FURIOUS with Biden for picking him. That decision literally helped destroy our democracy.

I'm beyond sick of appeasing, cowering Democrats who want "bipartisanship" while the right goes full Nazi.

SICK.OF.THEM.

[FoxNewsSucks]

56. Same here.

That kind of timidity and appeasement, combined with failure to understand the importance of media ownership, is why we keep losing.

[LizBeth]

6. I didn't like the choice way back when with Obama in SC and was really opposed with Biden.

So disappointed.

[SheltieLover]

7. I will never understand why Dem presidents always, without fail, appoint repugliCONS to head the FBI & be AG

WHY????

[pandr32]

11. Great question.

Anyone?

[SheltieLover]

14. I wouldn't let a repugliCON pay me to pick up the dog shit in my yard

I'd hardly put them in charge of "justice."

[pandr32]

16. Especially the MAGA ones.

[Think. Again.]

22. There is no difference anymore...

...anyone who still identifies as a republican (and therefore supports the current magat ideology), knowing what that party has become, is a magat.

[SheltieLover]

36. See #34

[SheltieLover]

34. Any of them these days

They appear to be incapable of independent thoughts & actions.

[AdamGG]

94. That would be redundant...

Shit picking up shit.

[slightlv]

28. Stockholm Syndrome?

Brainwashing by their constant lies and playing with words. Frank whatshisname is responsible for that. And man, was that republican good with turning words on their head. Democrats play fair and bipartisan and appoint republicans for all kinds of positions, which (IMO) not only is a knock against our own party but allows more repugs to burrow into forever jobs in government. They can wheedle their way into departments, keep their heads down for the time, and then come out flaming MAGA with trump (or another R in office). And finding them... let alone dismissing them... before they come out as flaming sadists is an investigative trick we democrats obviously have not mastered. Cause they just keep piling up in there, department after department after department.

[Skittles]

9. I cannot believe others are still defending him

it's just so obvious he did NOT do all he could have done, not by a LONG SHOT.

[Celerity]

64. They will never give up. They will never stop trying to recast him as a misunderstood, underappreciated hero.

As the years roll by, I am afraid more and more here will succumb to their organised, relentless attempts.

It is the way.

[KPN]

88. THIS.

[Silent Type]

10. Would not be surprised Biden and Garland knew what a chitshow the prosecutions would be.

If it were just Garland, Biden would have — or should have — told him to get in gear or resign.

Can’t prove it, but the prosecutions sure didn’t gain us any votes.

But the old axiom is proven true, if you go after a King or Prez trump, better make sure you can take him down.

[pandr32]

12. Our Jan 6 committee took on a shitstorm.

They held fast.
We can't have weak knees.

[Kid Berwyn]

13. Merrick followed the lead.

How to stay around in DC.

[Think. Again.]

24. No, garland could have followed the lead of any of the actual patriots...

...instead he covered for the false ones.

[slightlv]

31. I don't give him that. He's the lead law enforcement officer for the country.

If he couldn't stand the heat, he should have resigned and recommended someone who was a hard nosed law/order spitfire. There's no excuse for the pussyfooting around Garland did. There are millions of people scared to death of trump, his magas, and what any of them would do to us. And many of us... including me... are no longer keeping quiet in public. I recently did my speech with a maga type standing next to me in the vegetable aisle. Hubby was antsy about it, but I no longer cared. It's about time we started giving it back to them. They get tired of that, and maybe the ship of state will begin a long turn.

[Silent Type]

41. I'm fine with giving MAGAts hell and even a punch. It does more good than prosecutions.

[slightlv]

106. It hits them where they live -- because they sure don't live in reality!

[Escape]

15. Thanks for your honesty, pandr

We all wish Garland had been productive, determined, strong and brave. Unfortunately, he proved that he is none of those things.

His legacy is .... "Some people ARE above the law".

Not sure our legal system will ever recover from the Merrick Garland experience..

[pandr32]

23. Sadly, we have lost our legal system.

It would take a groundswell of resistance to right things now. I am so glad we have picked up some fierce never-Trumpers, but we need more fighters who are Dems. We need to stand tall.
The pendulum swings if we can unstick it.

[Think. Again.]

25. Just as garland's federalist society buddies wanted it.

[Think. Again.]

17. I have to admit I was fooled at first too...

...but I also suffer from "always think the best of people" syndrome. It gets me hurt a lot.

[Fiendish Thingy]

20. .

[Lucky Luciano]

43. Oh hey Merrick.

[KPN]

89. ...

won't bother with the hyperbolic part

[iemanja]

21. Thank you for admitting it

Garland defenders still exist on this site, believe it or not. But most of those who did support Garland don't admit they were wrong. I'm glad to see you are an exception.

[DaBronx]

39. Pretty harsh.

And not helpful to any civil discourse.

[NoMoreRepugs]

29. Who vetted him for AG?? Don't lay it all on JoeB.

[Cha]

37. Pres Biden Admitted it "was the Wrong Decision"

He owns up to his mistakes.

[Silent Type]

44. Biden said that just before election and it was in reference to his son's prosecution.

[Groundhawg]

30. i think garland is getting a bad rap and he is the president's number 1 pick.

[Cha]

35. Except Pres Biden Admitted it

"was the Wrong Decision".

[Groundhawg]

47. those are rhumors.

[Intractable]

49. Joe Biden says he made a mistake in choosing Merrick Garland, documented in the Guardian and elsewhere.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/28/joe-biden-regrets-dropping-out-re-election

The US president has reportedly also said he made a mistake in choosing Merrick Garland as attorney general – reflecting that Garland, a former US appeals court judge, was slow to prosecute Donald Trump for his role in the 6 January 2021 insurrection while presiding over a justice department that aggressively prosecuted Biden’s son Hunter.

Many other links:
https://www.google.com/search?q=Biden+expressed+regret+over+merrick+garland

[Cha]

52. Deny it all you want.. Doesn't change the Facts of what

Pres Biden said.

49. Joe Biden says he made a mistake in choosing Merrick Garland, documented in the Guardian and elsewhere.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=19882591

[iemanja]

68. They are reports in the press

As opposed to your claim that he’s the president’s number one, which is a fabrication of your own imagination.

[orleans]

55. you forgot the sarcasm emoji

[iemanja]

67. He is Biden's number one pick for what?

Biden has already said he regrets appointing him. You are among the few people on the planet who still support him. He gave us Trump’s second term. Perhaps Trump is the president you meant?

[Cha]

32. And, Pres Biden says he was Wrong about Garland, too.

and So was I.

And, I believe you're right about why Pres Obama nominated him.. didn't work.

Hellava Mistake because here we are.

Mahalo, pandr

[pandr32]

46. Aloha, Cha.

Mahalo.

[Cha]

53. Aloha to you , pandr..

[claudette]

33. Yep

His legacy is spoiled forever

[Think. Again.]

60. I certainly hope so.

[Mr. Sparkle]

38. One easy way to show how incompetent he was, is to look at the way the right treats him.

He should be their no.1 enemy for putting their beloved cult leader's in jail after an attempted coup.

instead , they have practically ignored him over the last 4 years.

[pandr32]

48. That should be in the book of hot tips.

If it is okay with MAGAs, it needs looking into.

[Think. Again.]

61. The federalist society website has a page dedicated to him as an honored "contributor".

They have been laughing at us over him all along.

[msfiddlestix]

73. Interesting factoid. For wonder christo fascists leaders haven't come after him... there it is.

[FoxNewsSucks]

63. I never thought of that,

but it's absolutely true.

[DaBronx]

42. Thank you for the post

Ya win some, ya lose some. Time to move forward.

[displacedvermoter]

51. I will say it again, that is what President Obama

said about Bush and Cheney and their war crimes and corruption, look forward and not back, and we have the results of that failure staring us in face now.

[DaBronx]

59. What is the alternative to looking forward

Having learned from the past. Tomorrow comes always. It’s how we respond that matters.

[KPN]

90. There are different meanings to "looking forward" in application.

[moonbeam23]

45. I'd like to take away his SCORPIO card

he has been a disgrace to us.

[orleans]

57. i love all the analysis on this thread (seriously)

but i'm just gonna cut to the chase:

merrick garland is an ASSHOLE

[Think. Again.]

62. Well said.

[Bluetus]

58. We were not all aghast

Last edited Wed Jan 8, 2025, 09:51 AM - Edit history (1)

Some of us recognized all along that the only reason "No Drama Obama" picked Garland was because Obama thought he was so nondescript that the Republicans wouldn't object.

I mean, literally, the one thing that put him in that position was confidence that he would NOT rock any boats, ever.

And even that wasn't good enough for McConnell.

People don't seem to understand this is hardball. We are in the fight for the last days of our democracy and "American way of life". And if it looks like dystopia today, give it another 13 days.

[FoxNewsSucks]

65. Actually, it wasn't just "wouldn't object"

Obama asked republicon Senator Orrin Hatch who to nominate. Garland was the name he was given.

Neither he nor Biden should have nominated an "acceptable republion nominee" to anything. Ever.

We'll all pay the price for that mistake. A tremendous price.

[Bluetus]

69. We have one party that is "Go along to get along" and the other part

are ruthless thugs, yet we never seem to learn. We still have Democrats out there saying that our best strategy is to kill the Republicans with kindness.

At least in Obama's case, we can see some rationale for deciding to be "No drama Obama", being the first black President. But there was never any excuse for Biden doing that. And my point is that many of us saw that as soon as Biden went there. Likewise, many of us did not buy the legend of "Mueller time" or the mythology behind Jack Smith. These are all Beltway creatures that are carrying on as if our government is not actively being dismantled right before our eyes.

[DENVERPOPS]

83. Hey Blue

People,( dems), don't even begin to understand what "hardball" is, much less when "all out guerrilla warfare" is being waged against them. That certainly isn't the time for "a stern letter", or "taking the high road"...........

When I look at a group that isn't doing well, I first look at the Coach or Teacher. In other words.....THE LEADERSHIP. Then I look at their experience and ability to manage...............Next would be the gift of being able to listen to constructive criticism.........

[SARose]

72. Me, too

I thought he was just the ticket. Yeah, not so much.

Is he too much of an academic? Dunno

[Owens]

75. Garland should have quit the moment he knew he wasn't up for the job

That's his big betrayal to America.

[pandr32]

78. Agreed.

[Celerity]

84. He clearly was never going to step down. History will not be kind, no matter much his small fanclub tries to spin it.

[aka-chmeee]

91. I think he DID his job. But...

He wasn't working for President Biden. Probably never was.

[MichMan]

101. President Biden could have fired him anytime during the 4 years and failed to do so. n/t

[sop]

76. "The greatest failure of federal law enforcement in American history."

"The reasons for Donald Trump’s reelection...cannot be told without seriously grappling with how he managed to outrun four criminal cases, including — most notably — the Justice Department’s prosecution over Trump’s alleged effort to overturn the 2020 election."

"At the root of it all are the considerable and truly historic legal missteps by the Biden administration and Attorney General Merrick Garland, as well as a series of decisions by Republicans throughout the political and legal systems in recent years that effectively bailed Trump out when the risks for him were greatest."

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/11/07/trump-legal-failures-blame-column-00187945

[pandr32]

79. Should never had happened.

We had him in the defendant's seat with overwhelming evidence and witnesses.

[Jilly_in_VA]

77. I was too and I admit it

But here's my question. If Biden admitted he was wrong about Merrick the Slow, why didn't he just fire him? I can think of a number of people who would hav meade good AGs. Of course some of them might have had a hard time getting confirmed....

[pandr32]

80. Good question.

At that point I believe President Biden was still hoping to win re-election. He was facing criticism (mostly made up) about being old and demented. Admitting his AG was a bad decision may have been considered too risky by his team.

[bigtree]

81. cute, but just nonsense that deflects from the people who actually held up the prosecutions

...the perps, judges, and justices who deliberately delayed the trials until we voted.

We have the maga majority on the Supreme Court as the ultimate arbiter of any crime Trump committed or commits. But people are still working to convince us that courts packed with republican and Trump appointees would have allowed DOJ or Smith to try Trump before we voted, much less likely convict him, if only there was more time.

More stupidly, this nonsense presumes there is some law or something that prevents convicted felons from running, being elected, or assuming office. Whatever Garland did or didn't do, he's not responsible for the election. He just isn't.

And, more importantly, he's not responsible for the conduct of judges or justices in their scheduling or most anything they do on their courts.

If you don't recognize the shifting rationales for delaying the myriad appeals to evidence and testimony by successive courts packed with republican and trump appointees, you're just allowing yourself to be snowed and owned. There is no appeal available for when a judge or justice schedules their hearings or decisions. There just isn't.

Garland will be gone, but those judges and justices who let Trump off the hook by deliberately delaying the court hearings WHICH THEY CONTROL COMPLETELY will be more than happy to see that all of the ire from people who presume to be opposed to the outcome directed AWAY from the people actually responsible; away from their sweet selves and their purchased, lifetime appointments.

[pandr32]

82. I agree that many judges helped the traitor-elect.

Especially, Cannon. The "immunity" Supreme Court decision seemed made to order as well.
Many of the others indulged the appeals because of reasons we cannot assume. Perhaps they wanted to follow the legal processes sincerely and perhaps nervously, or because they were stalling or helping tRump. I have never heard of a person facing so many different investigations/charges/lawsuits all over the damn place before. As the send-up, speaking of his character and proclivities, so many of his picks or his first administration had faced indictments. It was obvious we were dealing with a life-long criminal with criminal friends.
Here we are, though. We need to buckle up.

[BannonsLiver]

93. Nobody likes to admit they got something wrong especially in today's culture, but it really is okay to let it go.

[Martin68]

85. He fooled me, too. Remember, Obama nominated him for the Supreme Court and the Repugs blocked it.

[somaticexperiencing]

86. no matter the Supreme Court nomination, he never ever ever should have been Attorney General!!!

[Montauk6]

92. Merrick's Spirit Animal...

[Evolve Dammit]

98. Federalist Society? We have been had for decades. Since 1980 in my life experience.

[BigmanPigman]

99. In 202I I had ZERO respect for Garland, still don't!

There were two very obnoxious Garland defenders on DU. They were huge bullies and working in tandem. Enough DUers complained and they were kicked off this site.

[Scrivener7]

103. Oh, God. Those two. They were both such obvious shit-stirring trolls, and so many thought they were

just darling.

One of them had a lot of trouble with syntax when he first started posting. He was here to disrupt, and he did for a long time.

Funny that I know exactly which two you are talking about.

[BigmanPigman]

107. I'm glad someone remembers

what was going on with those two popular DUers. I was so glad when they finally were permanently suspended. I wish it had happened sooner.

[LittleGirl]

100. For my 8500 post

I agree completely with the hesitation and being an empath.
This time though, We’ve been had!

I’m so mad!

[pandr32]

104. Congratulations on your 8500th post!

I am thrilled it is here.

[LittleGirl]

111. Thank you! I saved it for something special! nt

[Mark.b]

102. At least he's not in a life time appointment...

We can be done with him in a few days.

Feeling sorry for him over the SCOTUS deal was bad motivation.

[Meowmee]

110. I never trusted him completely because he is R

None of my family did either. Who needs to come out and make announcements that no one is above the law etc. That was just weird imo. This is B's biggest mistake because look where we are now. The single most important thing that had to be done was to STOP orange loon from running for office again. Also Smith should have charged him with insurrection as well.