Bobstandard
Bobstandard's JournalNo way he will testify. No f'ing way
They’re on MSNBC right now discussing what will happen if Trump testifies. They’re pointing out that he’s “forcefully said that he will testify,’ then acting as though they believe it.
All TFG does is lie. We all know that. This is just another one of those lies. When he doesn’t testify he’ll make some claim about how unfair the trial is, the judge, whatever. Bottom line: he won’t testify.
I’d love to be wrong. It would be great to hear how he gets ripped by the prosecutors and how he breaks down under questioning. But, dumb as he is, he’s canny enough to know that testifying would be suicide. Won’t happen.
I know the pundits need discussion fodder, but they should all disclose whether they think it will happen or not. I’m waiting for the person who just flat out says, “there’s now way he will testify.” Then discuss the origin and import of the lies he told claiming he would.
Trump elected? War with Mexico.
As Bibi Netanyahu, Putin, Hitler and others have demonstrated, the best way for a dictator to tighten hold on power is to stir up a war. In Israel Netanyahu appears to have-through action or inaction-set the stage for Hamas to initiate a provocation. That gave him reason to declare a state of emergency and to rain war down on Gaza. The apparatus of democracy there is not adequate to rein him in. He continues to demonstrate his power with that recent land grab in the West Bank.
Putin just won reelection with a totally improbable percent of the vote. His war powers have long given him the ability to arrest or harass anyone who might be in opposition so none was registered at the polls. I needn’t go on describing how Hitler and other dictators have used war to control their populations.
Trump has already said that he’ll declare a state of emergency if elected. God knows what crazy shit he and the jackals circling around him will get up to, but it won’t be good. For one thing, as with all Republican presidencies following a Democratic one, the economy will start to spiral down. Even his cult will begin to realize that his presidency is a disaster for everyone.
Rather than lose his grip, TFG would surely turn to that well worn page in the dictators playbook: war. He won’t go to war with Russia, China, or North Korea. They’re his pals. Instead, he’ll turn to the border where his rhetoric has already been bellicose, belligerent, and martial. He’s said that the US should send missiles into Mexico targeting the cartels. Ron DeSantis and Niki Haley have both proposed sending troops to fight the cartels, fentanyl producers and human smugglers. The stage is set. TFG and his minions are dumb enough to do it.
Imagine what that would be like! The instant closure of our border with our largest trading partner would destroy the economy in about a week. When you think of the American border cities that are in range should Mexico decide to retaliate look at pictures of Gaza. And what about the millions of good US citizens with relatives and familial ties to folks in Mexico who could become innocent victims of any American incursion. How would they be treated? And what would be their reaction? Shit show. Total shit show. But as I said, TFG and his minions are dumb enough to do it.
Garland again?
So Bragg’s hush money trial has been delayed. Apparently there are documents that both Bragg and Trump requested from federal prosecutors at the Southern District of New York that have not yet been supplied. And somehow, this only becomes known to the court and the parties now. The attorneys at SDNY may just be terrible at their jobs and didn’t know what they had. Or, they knew, but have delayed on purpose to help Trump. In any case, they work for Merrick Garland. We don’t know whether this is news to Garland or not. We do know from this that he’s not on top of what’s going on at one of his most important offices. His incompetence has been and continues to be a gift to Donald Trump.
Justice delayed is justice denied. Garland is ultimately responsible for a whole lot of delay. There can be no question about that.
Carvill on Ari. Not what he once was.
Just listened to two segments featuring James Carvill on the Ari show on MSNBC. He holds a lot of wisdom and experience. He’s analysis is smart, often cutting, and sometimes wildly insightful.
He’s not great at expressing himself anymore. Lots fitful starts and stops, mini digressions, and stutters while he reaches for that homely metaphor. He’s got so much going on in his head his mouth can’t keep up.
He’s like Biden. A brilliant guy who’s gotten older. Still anticipating positive outcomes while acknowledging the difficulty of achieving them. A good guy to have on our side.
I have a hard time listening to him anymore but a good guy to have on our side.
Where is Garland on the Hur report?
Special Counsel Robert Hur issued a report that exonerated President Joe Biden of willfully possessing classified documents. However, that’s not how he characterized it in the early paragraphs of the report. In fact, he appears to have violated DOJ guidelines and precedents in adding gratuitious comments that called into question the mental capabilities of the subject of his inquiry.
I remember that when Robert Mueller released his report, Attorney General Barr not only sat on it, he wildly mischaracterized it in remarks prior to it’s release. His remarks were crafted in a way to make it seem Trump was exonerated. It was a screw job of major proportions, a screw job that benefited Trump and Republicans. Another thing it did was establish a precedent of what an Attorney General could do with a special counsel’s report. You can sit on it. You can publicly and erroneously interpret it before it’s release.
Hur’s report was also a major screw job, again to the benefit of Trump and MAGATs. Presumably the report went to Garland before release. He could have sent it back for an edit that removed some of the calumny. He didn’t. He could also have issued a commentary. He didnt have to mischaracterized. H could have just pointed out the problems with the report. He didn’t. In fact, as far as I know, Garland remains silent on the subject. Worse, he appears ok with letting Hur testify before a crackpot Republican controlled committee that will inevitably give the report more power to screw Biden and Democrats chances to win the Presidential election.
What gives? Garland might be competing for the “paragon of probity and comity” crown. But as a practical matter he seems to be rolling over—again—when we need a stand up guy to actually stand up.
I used to give the folks who I now call ‘Garland apologist’s’ the benefit of the doubt, thinking that perhaps there was just too much going on behind the scenes for me to make a reasonable judgement. I no longer think that. I think Garland was, in retrospect, a terrible choice for AG. I think—today,—that he too is a danger to our democracy and the rule of law.
I don't think Trump makes it to the general election
Trump was coming apart before New Hampshire and the E Jean Carol verdict. Witness Trump claiming he beat Obama, that Niki Haley in charge of Capitol security on Jan 6, the list goes on and on. After E Jean Carrol verdict he’s gotten worse. In Nevada today he was constantly confounding listeners with weird statements and nonsensical claims among the same old litany of lies and grievances
I think he’ll get worse fast as the pressure from the campaign and the pending court cases builds. For a long time he’s seemed crazy as a fox. Increasingly he just seems crazy. (Not to mention oranger than ever).
I’m guessing he’ll beat Haley in SC, but not convincingly. That will trigger more bizarre behavior. The only momentum he’s building is toward the looney bin. And people are noticing. The MSM is starting to report on it and when that dam breaks he’s toast.
I’m not suggesting he will quit being a candidate. I’m suggesting that by the end of the primaries he’ll only be viable among the cultists. I think there’s a good chance the party will dump him in a panic. They love power too much to let a by-then obvious incompetent loser be their candidate. I think we’ve got to be ready to beat Haley in the general.
If Trump their candidate he’ll continue to deteriorate. By the general he’ll be so obviously incompetent that the nation will reject him. I hope he makes it that far—because I’d rather face him than Haley—but I don’t think so.
Another crackpot prediction: if he does manage to make it through the primaries, he’ll go radio silent as much as his campaign managers can arrange. He’s clearly his own worst enemy at this point.
Maggie Haberman is saving it for the book
That paragon of access journalism Maggie Haberman went on a TV talk show recently to brag about that access to Donal Trump. She obliquely admitted that she gets it because Trump knows he can use her.
She went on to tease about what she learned but admits she didn’t report on the really good stuff.
Given her track record we can be pretty sure she’s saving the dirty details for her next book—after the election.
Journalist dedicated to reporting ‘all the news that fits’ or self serving propagandist? You decide.
8:01 California: if this was yesterday what time would it be?
Awoke hungover.. Apple Watch saying one thing, body confused. Can a clear thinker help please?
Hey New Yorkers!
Can one or two of you go down to the courtroom and when Trump addresses the cameras outside, can you please shout insults? Or maybe give that woman who held the sign behind Peter Navarro a ride there?
It would be so good!
Links to folks covering Trumps trial from inside courtroom?
I’m looking for tweets (holding nose) or other missives from folks reporting on the trial from inside the courtroom. Can anyone help?
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