January 9, 2022
Afternoon Update:
Ashley Parker & Josh Dawsey of the Washington Post examine how important Fox "News" was to setting Donald Trump's policy priorities. Not only were Fox "News" personalities acting as advisors to Trump -- a relationship they did not reveal to their audience -- but Trump would make some decisions based on what their guests said.
The New York Times' live updates of Covid-19 developments Sunday are here.
Virginia. Gregory Schneider of the Washington Post: "Over three tumultuous years, [Gov. Ralph] Northam recovered from the scandal [of appearing in blackface in his medical school yearbook] to become what Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) [-- a former Virginia governor himself --] calls the most consequential Virginia governor of the modern era. Northam led a Democratic majority in the General Assembly to abolish the death penalty, expand access to the vote, legalize marijuana and pass a long list of other changes, large and small.
Georgia. Michael Levenson of the New York Times: "The owner of a Georgia auto-repair shop who dumped 91,500 oil-covered pennies in a former employee's driveway was not just creating a sticky mess..., the U.S. Department of Labor said. He was also retaliating against the former employee for having complained to the department that he had not received his final paycheck, the agency said in a lawsuit that accuses the shop owner of violating federal labor law. The lawsuit represents the latest turn in an employment dispute that gained nationwide attention last year after the former employee's girlfriend posted a video of the oily pennies on Instagram, attracting the sympathies of thousands of people who said they, too, had contended with difficult bosses.... 'By law, worker engagement with the U.S. Department of Labor is protected activity,' Steven Salazar, district director of the department's wage and hour division in Atlanta, said in a statement. 'Workers are entitled to receive information about their rights in the workplace and obtain the wages they earned without fear of harassment or intimidation.'"
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David Sanger & Eric Schmitt of the New York Times: "The Biden administration and its allies are assembling a punishing set of financial, technology and military sanctions against Russia that they say would go into effect within hours of an invasion of Ukraine, hoping to make clear to President Vladimir V. Putin the high cost he would pay if he sends troops across the border. In interviews, officials described details of those plans for the first time, just ahead of a series of diplomatic negotiations to defuse the crisis with Moscow, one of the most perilous moments in Europe since the end of the Cold War. The talks begin on Monday in Geneva and then move across Europe." ~~~
~~~ Marie: Yesterday, I inadvertently misrepresented Whyte O.'s skepticism about U.S. intervention in other nations' affairs. What Whyte most objects to intervention based on fear of "the other" and, worse, at the behest of U.S. capitalists; for instance, on behalf of United Fruit in Central America.
Maureen Dowd of the New York Times reflects on the "topsy-turvy" nature of Thursday's commemorations of the Capitol insurrection: Democrats greeted Darth Vader Dick Cheney "warmly," while supposed "law & order" Republican members of Congress "deserted the Capitol en masse on a day of appreciation for the bravery of the police, dead and alive, who risked their lives holding back the horde...." Meanwhile, a former "Dancing with the Stars" contestant was shaming a U.S. Senator for accurately describing the coup attempt as a "terrorist attack." But there was some encouraging news, MoDo concluded: "At least Joe Biden finally seemed to recognize that the old days are gone and that the Republicans are not going to be working with him. MB: And there's even more encouraging news: even MoDo, sister of Kevin, realizes "Trump's coup attempt is in its second stage."
Hugo Lowell of the Guardian: "The House select committee investigating the Capitol attack is examining whether Donald Trump oversaw a criminal conspiracy on 6 January that connected the White House's scheme to stop Joe Biden's certification with the insurrection, say two senior sources familiar with the matter. The committee's new focus on the potential for a conspiracy marks an aggressive escalation in its inquiry as it confronts evidence that suggests the former president potentially engaged in criminal conduct egregious enough to warrant a referral to the justice department. House investigators are interested in whether Trump oversaw a criminal conspiracy after communications turned over by Trump's former chief of staff Mark Meadows and others suggested the White House coordinated efforts to stop Biden's certification, the sources said." MB: This is different from bringing a possible obstruction or dereliction of duty charge for failure to try to stop the mob violence. (Also linked yesterday.)
Zolan Kanno-Youngs & Carl Hulse of the New York Times: "President Biden and former President Barack Obama honored Harry M. Reid on Saturday as a loyal son of Nevada who rose to become a plain-spoken but pivotal leader in the Senate, where he steered landmark Democratic legislation while tolerating little vanity or praise. 'Harry cared so much about his fellow Americans and so little what anyone felt of him,' Mr. Biden said at a memorial service for Mr. Reid, who died late last month at 82, at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas. 'He was all Searchlight and no spotlight,' the president added, referring to the mining outpost in Nevada where Mr. Reid grew up.... The memorial service also included testimonials from other prominent Democrats, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the majority leader, a sign of Mr. Reid's influence on his party. Vice President Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff, the second gentleman, as well as Jill Biden, the first lady, were also seated in the audience."
Marie: Following well-established Republican tradition, Mike Pompeo lies about everything. According to experts consulted by the Kansas City Star Mike's most recent whopped was his claim that he lost 90 pounds in six months simply by improving his diet & working out at home for half-an-hour five or six days a week. The experts' "Their response? Absolutely not, almost certainly not, and hahaha." (Also linked yesterday afternoon.)
The Pandemic, Ctd.
The New York Times' live updates of Covid-19 developments Saturday are here. (Also linked yesterday afternoon.)
Beyond the Beltway
A Florida Man.... AP: "Authorities said they found homemade explosives, including hand-style grenades and a pipe explosive, along with nails and duct tape while searching the home of a Florida man arrested after he was spotted running away from a Jan. 6 anniversary rally. Pinellas County [Clearwater, St. Pete] Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said Garrett Smith, 22, was near a political assembly supporting a jailed Oath Keeper who is charged with participating in the Capitol riot last year. When they searched his backpack, they found a pipe-style explosive device and a checklist detailing items to bring including armor, helmet, shaded goggles, a gas mask, duct tape and flammable rags. Deputies said they also found a helmet with a logo on it that had been seen at other protests in cities such as Portland, where Smith had spent time."
Iowa. Freedom Fear of the Press. Kim Bellware of the Washington Post: "Republican leaders in the state Senate told journalists last week they will no longer be allowed to work on the chamber floor, a change that breaks with a more than 140-year tradition in the Iowa Capitol. The move raised concerns among free press and freedom of information advocates who said it is a blow to transparency and open government that makes it harder for the public to understand, let alone scrutinize, elected officials. The new rule denies reporters access to the press benches near senators' desks, a proximity current and former statehouse reporters told The Washington Post is crucial for the most accurate and nuanced coverage. The position allows reporters to see and hear everything clearly on the Senate floor and to get real-time answers and clarifications during debates. Beginning this session, reporters will be seated in a public upper-level gallery."
New Hampshire. Dan Balz of the Washington Post interviews Bill Gardner, New Hampshire's nominally Democratic secretary of state, who is retiring after 45 years on the job. Gardner is at least partially responsible for New Hampshire's retaining its status as "first in the nation" to hold presidential primary elections.
New York. Troy Closson of the New York Times: "An Asian immigrant in New York died last week after he was left in a coma by a brutal assault in April that the police said was a hate crime, officials said. The man, Yao Pan Ma, was pushing a grocery cart full of bottles and cans that he had collected on April 23 when he was ... attacked in East Harlem. He fell onto the sidewalk, was kicked in the head and stomped on several times, the police said. Mr. Ma, 61, was placed on a ventilator and remained hospitalized since the assault occurred.... The man arrested in the attack, Jarrod Powell, 49, was charged with attempted murder and two counts of assault as a hate crime at the time. The Manhattan district attorney's office said on Saturday that upgraded murder charges were expected to be filed."
South Dakota Senate Race. Jonathan Martin of the New York Times: "Senator John Thune of South Dakota, the second-ranking Senate Republican, announced on Saturday that he would seek re-election, after an aggressive lobbying campaign by colleagues prompted him to put aside concerns about the future of his party and pursue a fourth term.... The South Dakotan, who turned 61 on Friday, had recently told associates that he was considering retirement, complaining about the strain of congressional service and privately expressing concern about ... Donald J. Trump's continuing grip on the Republican Party. But by seeking re-election in a heavily conservative state, Mr. Thune is well positioned to win again and potentially succeed Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the minority leader, as the chamber's top Republican." A CNN story is here. (Also linked yesterday afternoon.)
Washington State. Austin Jenkins of NW News Network: "In a surprise announcement Thursday, the anniversary of the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee [D] announced that he's drafting legislation to make it a crime for elected officials and candidates for public office to make false statements about election outcomes with the goal of inciting lawlessness. Inslee said such a law could withstand free speech challenges and is necessary to guard against ongoing attacks on democracy.... Hugh Spitzer, a University of Washington law professor..., said it would be difficult to make criminal charges stick in a case against a state official or candidate for making false statements about an election." ~~~
~~~ Marie: No kidding. However, I can see why Inslee wishes such a law were constitutional & enforceable: On Trump insurrection day, "Inslee was rushed to a safe room after pro-Trump supporters, including some who were armed, breached the security gate at the governor's residence in Olympia and made their way to the front portico.... 'They brought AR-15s to my front door and tried to get in...,' Inslee said Thursday."
News Ledes
New York Times: "At least 19 people, including nine children, were killed in a fire in a Bronx apartment building on Sunday morning, according to a city official who was not authorized to speak publicly, in what officials described as one of the city's worst fires in recent memory." The Times is live-updating developments at the linked page.
New York Times: "Dwayne Hickman, the affable, apple-cheeked actor whose starring role in the revered sitcom 'The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis' would dog him for more than half a century, died on Sunday in Los Angeles. He was 87."
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Reader Comments (9)
Looks like our governor is up to no good again, here in WA State.
Hadn't heard of the Inslee suggestion before, and am now wondering what our truly distinguished Attorney General thinks about the proposed new stick-it-to-election-liars law.
That AG, Bob Ferguson, has a remarkable record successfully suing everyone from the Pretender to the Sacklers to employers who confuse themselves with slaveholders, and if he supports it, there may be more to it than it would appear.
There are two sticking points, it would seem to me, with Inslee's proposal: the Constitutional free speech provision and then that slippery business of "intent."
It will be interesting to see where Inslee's proposal goes. Perhaps lying is so common and we have gotten so used to it as a way of life in business and politics that we have come to simply expect and even tolerate it.
But we're just lived through a period where the political lies have become so egregious they can no longer be shrugged off and dismissed as harmless. Lies that attack elections, the heart of a democracy, whether or not they lead directly to violent attempts to overthrow duly elected governments, have to approach or surpass the seriousness of shouting fire in that crowded theater...
And from what I've heard that's still not OK.
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RUBBLE AND REPRESSION: An intimate look at Germany in the decade after Hitler:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/09/books/review-aftermath-life-in-fallout-third-reich-harald-jahner.html?referringSource=articleShare
@Ken Winkes: I agree completely with your assessment of Inslee's proposed law. Compound that with Trump's well-practiced talent of "Trump-whispering" to his followers in a way that absolves him of responsibility & puts the onus on his followers for committing illegal acts. Someone I either heard or read this week compared Trump to Henry II when Henry supposedly said, "Who will rid me of this meddlesome priest?" Not an order of course, but Henry's minions sure inferred that whoever killed Thomas a Becket would get a career boost.
Marie,
The Henry II-Fat Fascist comparison is apt. And let’s look at the comparison between Henry’s murderous knights and Trump’s murderous brownshirts.
Henry’s knights could have jumped Beckett as he was walking the dog or riding his double-axled haywain. But noooo…these knuckleheads attacked him in the cathedral at Canterbury, in front of the altar, while he was presiding over a prayer service! The image of vicious, armed knights hacking to death a defenseless priest, blood and brain matter spattered across the altar, spread across Europe, turned Thomas into an instant holy martyr (he was canonized within two years, the Church’s version of the Hall of Fame) and put the onus on his killers.
Similarly, Trump’s heavily armed killers stormed the most sacred political site in the country, threatening to hang the Vice President and steal the election for the Fat King, while crapping on the floor and beating police officers senseless.
Other similarities? After doing Henry’s bidding, the killers were hung out to dry. Henry left them twisting in the wind. He didn’t have them arrested, but he ignored their pleas for help. They went into hiding and were eventually excommunicated by the pope, a big hairy deal in the twelfth century. Trump has received many pleas for help from his arrested brownshirts, but he’s too busy strutting in front of the mirror practicing his Napoleon hand placement and his Heil Trump salute to himself.
Also, family issues. Like Trump, Henry’s kids were stupid, greedy, grasping little whiners who thought being the beneficiaries of lucky sperm automatically guaranteed them a life of nepotistic privilege, wealth, and honor.
As someone once said, history may not repeat itself, but it often rhymes.
The difference, of course, one of the many, is that Henry II was an effective and competent (often ruthless) monarch. He was no fraudulent pretender. He established the Angevin Empire by the time he was 40. By the time he was 40, Fatty had lost hundreds of millions of dollars on poorly managed ego projects, filed for multiple bankruptcy protections, and oversaw numerous failed businesses.
But when it comes to inspiring horrific, historic violence, Fatty is up to the task.
Speaking of walking the dog…
The other day, while on my twice daily canine perambulations, I listened to a Fresh Air podcast, a repeat of Terry’s interview with the ever entertaining Fran Lebowitz, aka Madame Sardonica.
At one point in her remembrances, Lebowitz was asked by Terry if, in her peripatetic party going days back in the 70’s and 80’s, she ever ran into the Orange Monster. Her answer was a curt “No”. “We hardly ran in the same circles” she explained. It’s as difficult to picture Trump frequenting Village and upper West Side parties full of writers and artists (he doesn’t even read!) as it is to imagine Fran Lebowitz hanging out with bimbos, self-promoting con artists, Russian mobsters, and Mafia fixers, the Trump milieu.
Furthermore, Lebowitz continued, in those days, Trump was considered a joke by New Yorkers. A clown. Actual real estate developers in the city, she recalled, never took him seriously. It’s important to remember this today as millions of voters consider this clown, this joke, a hero genius sent by Jesus. Maybe Jesus has a sense of humor too.
Interestingly, as the discussion turned to the Fat Fascist, I saw my dog, Rocket, always attuned to the tiniest ripples in the zeitgeist, assuming the position for his morning dump. His contribution to the discussion.
Clown shoes and dog turds.
Trump all over.
Re: Pompeo Maximus. If it is true that he has lost 90 pounds in six months, my hypothesis: Bariatric surgery. A relevant question may be, does he have diabetes? When he runs for President, it'll be interesting to see if these questions are answered. Sadly, it's also fair to wonder whether these obvious questions will even be asked.
@Keith Howard: Regarding Pompeo Corpulento, when I was about the age Pompeo is now, I went on the South Beach diet. I stuck to it, and I walked 4 miles a day. I lost 45 pounds in what I recall was about 4 months. (Prior to that, I had been eating fairly sensibly & walking about a mile a day & doing a lot of physical chores.) Thus, I don't think it's impossible to lose the weight Pompeo claims to have lost in 6 months, but it's pretty unlikely. Also, he's a liar. And after our experiences with Trump's doctors, I wouldn't accept a note from Pompeo's doctor, either.
I was thinking Pompeo must have gone on the latest Yemeni diet.
Guess stupid is also transmissible.
And AOC was partying in Florida, no less.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/jan/09/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-positive-covid-test-omicron-new-york