January 11, 2021

There's a consequence to Trump being disbarred from holding office again, it gets the GOP off the

hook, as they don't have the courage to do what Democrats would do for them, and allows them to airbrush history (they're doing it already with this healing shit).

Rep Tom Malinowski states what I have been saying for the last few days, if he were biased, letting Trump be free to stand again in 2024, would be a big bonus to fighting Republicans, in that it would gen up the Democratic base.

Getting Trump barred from standing again is nice, but it would play into Republican hands who can then blame Democrats, vow to overturn it (as if they would !), and fire up their own base. Be careful what you wish for.

See here from 27:30

January 8, 2021

Rather than taking revenge on Pence, Trump needs him more than ever.

I have been saying for months that I believed the most logical outcome would be for Trump to resign and President Pence to pardon him "so the country can heal".

He has 3 options

1. Let the clock run out, with no pardon and take his chances.

2. Self Pardon before 11.59 on Jan 20

3. Do a deal with Pence, so that he resigns and President Pence pardons him. Pence becomes 46, even for an hour or a day, but Trump is protected from Federal charges. Yes he can still face State charges, but he would only be fighting on one front.

By far, considering the shit he's in,

Option 3 is the most logical.

Option 3 is also the option Biden hopes Trump will choose, because Biden can say that he can't go after him federally and there is much work to be done fighting Covid, and passing many of the 300+ House bills that McConnell blocked.

But really a interesting point by Michael Schmidt in conversation with Jeffrey Goldberg is that if Trump went with Option 2, it would absolutely force the Democrats to go after Trump, completely investigate all his criminality, because they would have to challenge a President being able to self pardon as it has long been held as unconstitutional for any man to be his own judge. It would effectively make a President, a King. It would have to be challenged by Merrick Garland and to build their case, Trump's criminality would have to be completely investigated, something Trump will obviously try to avoid.

Pence, I believe, is in an incredibly powerful position right now. Who knows, Trump could go a lot sooner that Jan 19/20.

Schmidt mentions this on Lawrence O'Donnell last night.

https://topnewsshow.com/the-last-word-with-lawrence-odonnell-1-7-21-msnbc/

November 7, 2020

SOTU 2021

https://twitter.com/marilyn561x/status/1324955021964767232

October 28, 2020

The Irish Pub

The Irish Pub is a eulogy to the greatest institution in Irish society, the pub or more specifically the traditional Irish publicans who run them. The characters in this exceptionally endearing film all run and own pubs that have been in their families for generations and it is through their warmth, wit and wisdom that we gain an insight into the heart and soul of The Irish Pub.

Directed by: Alex Fegan
Starring: Liam Aherne, Willie Aherne, Bobby Blackwell

Available on Amazon Prime: https://pixelfy.me/i8Zytd
Available on Tubi TV: https://tubitv.com/movies/490091/the_...

Film Website: https://irishpubfilm.com/

Reviews:
"It’s like a safety valve for the population of Ireland," Keane says. "We probably have less psychologists than any other country in the world. But there’s probably no country in the world who needs them more." - The Washington Post

"The Irish Pub" plays like a portfolio of lovely postcards, with splendidly photographed pictures of quaint buildings, cobbled streets, breathtaking landscapes, and smiling faces as hollowed and worn as the centuries-old stone floors of the title taverns. - The Boston Globe

October 17, 2020

Repugs may lose the WH, Senate and House, but they have 6-3 at the Supreme Court, and they will

use it to strike down everything/as much of what a Biden Administration tries to enact. They will also have a Trump sitting on the sidelines like a protection racket hoodlum, forcing them to enact revenge for his 2020 humiliation ("It would be a shame if something happened that turn my followers away from you" ) .

So what are the options ?

1 ) Hope that the Republicans will realise the error of their ways, and rush to re-embrace "Norms", and not take advantage of getting a big SC majority after planning to do so for the 40 years ?

2 ) Let the SC be damned and enact all the required laws, daring the SC to strike them down ?

3 ) Increase the SC by adding 4 new Justices, giving a 7-6 majority ?

4 ) Fundamentally reform the SC by increasing the number to 19 or 21 creating 3 Justice panels to hear cases (perhaps some specializing in areas, with specialist courts), and picked at random, but giving a 15-6 liberal majority.

Are there other options ?

What would be your preference ?

September 6, 2020

The Irish Lacrosse team have given up a golden ticket to allow the Iroquois Nationals

- who represent the Native American communities where Lacrosse originated - to take part in the sport's World Games

https://t.co/bX1i5RqAex?amp=1

The International World Games is due to take place in Alabama in the summer of 2022, but Ireland's lacrosse team, despite having qualified, won't be there.

The Games, which aim to showcase and provide a pathway to the Olympics for sports who want to take the next step, were supposed to be held next year but the coronavirus pandemic pushed it back.

Ireland had secured a select invite to the men’s tournament, which is run as an abbreviated version of the full game, with six players per team instead of the usual 10.

Only eight teams, based on finishing places at the 2018 World Championships, were picked to take part and Ireland was among that number.

And we have all seen in recent years what gold runs can do for minority sports on the island, creating profiles and stars and careers.

...

They are the soul of the sport, says Kennedy, and for a men’s lacrosse tournament, making its debut in the World Games, to go ahead without the Iroquois Nationals was not something they could allow.

International World Games organisers initially excluded them on the grounds that they were not a sovereign nation, without an Olympic Committee and therefore could not compete.

That upset the lacrosse community across the world and it prompted Kennedy and Ireland Lacrosse to make the ultimate sacrifice, moving aside once the association indicated that decision would be changed if a place could be found for the Iroquois.

"There's something special about lacrosse," Kennedy tells RTÉ Sport.

"It originated with Native American Indians, the Iroquois.

https://mobile.twitter.com/rtenews/status/1302566665796935685

https://mobile.twitter.com/CharlesPPierce/status/1302734918162829314

July 31, 2020

James Murdoch resigns from Newscorp.

https://twitter.com/oneunderscore__/status/1289312663365758976?s=09

Disagreement over direction of editorials.

July 21, 2020

Brexit : The UK is SO screwed in negotiating trade deals. MPs Vote to Give Up Control.

MPs Vote to Give Up Control Over Trade Deals

In parliament last night, MPs were given the opportunity to insist that they have oversight over all of our brexit trade deals, and a vote on the final agreement. They turned down the opportunity. Ironically, it was the pro-Brexit MPs who voted to give up control over our trade deals, which means they can own the collapse of British jobs that it will cause.

So essentially, Johnson can agree to anything, to get a trade deal, and the details of the deal can't be divulged for 5 years, or when the new rules come into operation.

So Trump can screw the hell out of the UK in trade negotiations (which he will), but it can't take effect until after the end of the EU Withdrawal agreement at the end of the year, by which time Trump will hopefully have lost.

July 17, 2020

UK Government Panic Over imminent Russian Report Release re Brexit

It may end up being a massive embarrassment for the Johnson Government, but as Bozo is entirely shameless, I'm sure he'll get over it.

However, here is the background

and this where the story has moved on

July 12, 2020

The Lincoln Project raised $16.8m this quarter.

NEWS w/ @AshleyRParker: The Lincoln Project raised $16.8 million this quarter and will soon expand to include ground operations. They plan to next target GOP Sens. Susan Collins (Maine), Joni Ernst (Iowa), Thom Tillis (N.C.), and Lindsey Graham (S.C.). https://t.co/ZDXveFQU8i