The January 6 Committee may not have released their final report yet, but their release of the transcripts of committee depositions is “interesting reading,” as in the “Ancient Chinese curse” that isn’t ancient or Chinese but is indeed a curse: “May you live in
Charlie Pierce, whom I greatly admire, loves to post the Chris Rock clip where he talks about a man who says, "I take care of my family," as if that's something to be commended, and Rock then says, "You want a cookie?" In a sense, that's true here: Cassidy Hutchinson did the right thing. That should be simple.
Except that she is young, she was put in a difficult position, and then it would have been so much easier for her to sell out, and she didn't. She is indeed heroic in the way that we have to have different standards of and for heroism. She is certainly a lot more heroic than just about anybody else who worked in that building in those four years. In fact, I'm hard-pressed to think of anyone more heroic or admirable.
It’s sort of telling that none of the men who appeared and testified had the balls to stand up to trump and his goons, it took a woman to do it. Talk about gutless snowflakes…
I didn't get the "overthinking" thing either. what did she mean? it sounds like she was actually considering the "amnesia defense," but knew from the beginning how immoral it was. I assume her "dedicated Republican" position is one she inherited. but there I go again...
Yeah, the dedicated Republican thing was inherited. She was also homeschooled, so you know she got it all. she mentions having to go to her father, with whom she has no relationship, and beg him for help and he's a big Trumper and turns her down. How's that? As far as the "overthinking" she describes herself as someone who definitely looks at ALL the angles, including sometimes angles that aren't there.
And she "talks like a millenial" (surprise surprise, she is one). There are times when I want to get the bar of Palmolive and apply "the Ralphie treatment" to people who use "like" that much. :-)
the subversive thing (which I managed to master) was to talk yourself into LIKING the taste of soap. or at least PRETENDING well enough. do that two or three times and the powers-that-be (including, in my case, one ninth-grade homeroom teacher) lose their taste for the punishment.
the earned wisdom of the perennial "behavior problem."
I had one really, really smart homeschooled kid. his parents were Rastafarians and the little bastard knew more about the Presocratics than I did, so occasionally the parents CAN be academically rigorous. in this kid's case, the problems were social, including some very, very sticky fingers...all kinds of things were always missing after he'd visit my office.
I think that was her way of rationalizing that it was OK to follow Passantino's lead. Most likely, she'd been accused of "overthinking" some things in her past. Maybe she was uncomfortable with certain things and questioned them and was told, "you're overthinking". I'm glad she was an overthinker.
Cassidy Hutchinson was the bridge from the traitors to the truth. Her conscience was active from beginning to end. It took great courage for her to build that bridge. Cassidy Hutchinson, although fully aware of the risk she was taking wasn't free to betray her conscience and her country. Yes, she is an American Hero.
I’m not sure I would have had the guts or maturity or bravery at 25 to do what she did. I was amazed how composed and articulate she appeared. And her bravery weighs more than all the balls of the feckless chicken shit men who pled the fifth or didn’t even bother to show up. And BTW- why aren’t they in jail for contempt yet??
Well, TC, You didn't really have to break a sweat to have me signing up for your fan club after the Pelosi piece or the devastating portrait of Sinema (yes I know that's spelled wrong).
But you've turned me around on Cassidy Hutchinson. You have provided information I didn't have, in a coherent and impressive sequence of events and, you have iced all this with your own clear belief in this young woman.
In the process, you have exposed a few of my less than admirable presuppositions, knee-jerk reactions that led me to the conclusion that she was lying. Too young Too pretty Probably sleeping with Meadows Inappropriate clothes for a hearing ferchrisakes Specifically the low cut blouse (anyone knows that) I dismissed her outright, figured somebody would bust her one day, and I just hoped her dishonesty wouldn't damage the committee and its work.
Woo-Lawdy, Miss Clawdy I guess I should take comfort in the fact that I don't waste my time making little piddling mistakes. When I'm wrong I AM WRONG
But the part that makes this really good is you busting yourself for it. We've created a society where that doesn't really happen more than performatively anymore. So congratulate yourself.
jeez, Dean....none of that stuff occurred to me. I was dead sure she was telling the truth about everything from the get-go. you could almost certainly chalk that up to at least two things 1) I hate everything about TFF and am prepared to believe anything horrible about him and his so-called "people" and 2)I still tend to persist in the insane belief that people who are attractive physically are probably also GOOD. as you can easily imagine, that second bit (which I admit is probably sexist and even borderline misogynous) wasn't exactly a recipe for happiness when I was the callow youth the I remained until I was about fifty. and then there's 3) she had nothing to gain by telling the truth and a shitload to lose.
but we don't have to process this any further, since it turns out she WAS telling the truth. and I'll probably get in hot water if I say that the lawyer in question had a name right out of central casting but I said it. and yes, I DO remember that Tom Hagen was a foundling of German descent.
and Cassidy Hutchinson IS a hero. but I knew it all along.
I hope Cassidy Hutchinson continues to face life with the strength of her character to ferret out how to do the right thing in challenging situations. A role model and heroine indeed!
So agree, TC. I am so impressed by this young woman. I was in a situation when 25 years ago when I made the decision to leave a private company because my gut knew there were unethical and potentially illegal things going on. I walked away from a huge financial upside. The one thing I found out is that until you are in this type of situation, you really don't know whether you will have the courage to do the right thing. That Cassidy Hutchinson was able to take this step without the support of her family speaks volumes about her character. She's my vote for Time person of the year....maybe for 2023 when these crooks finally get taken down. From Cassidy Hutchison to Liz Cheney to Nancy Pelosi...Girl Power rocks!
I agree TC. Cassidy Hutchinson is truly an American Hero. The many sleepless nights that poor woman must have suffered and the guilt she must have felt and the fear... She knew if she continued to follow the advice of Passantino, she'd be selling her soul to the devil. Now she can rest assured that she did the right thing, not only for herself, but for our country. I hope and pray she has full security protection.
Ms. Hutchinson and now (sadly) former Rep. Liz Cheney have been two of the giants of the Jan. 6th Committee. I hope the lessons these two women are imparting are that it is important to be an American first and stand up for those values, regardless of the cost. As another commenter below pointed out, those two have shown far more courage than their male counterparts during this whole process. I hope this courage is contagious.
Thanks for this piece on Cassidy Hutchinson. When I heard her first, I was impressed by how carefully she answered and thought "Meadows and Trump and the Secret Service Guy Turned Body Guard to tfg, watch out." This woman knows as they do not get into the inner circle by their charms, but because they are whip smart, have total recall, and know how to comport themselves in any circumstance, and be a avowed Republican. Never underestimate the young folks who are legislative aides or staff chiefs. Our elected officials uniformly are availed to the best minds among those who want to work in government, as well as the smart-but-lowlifes (think of Trump’s speech writer). Those elected or working at the top, usually go for the bightest. Having had the opportunity to work with several of them (including those who stayed for careers along K Street) in my time, Ms Cassidy jumped out as one who could become Dump and Company's worst nightmare. I agree with you. She is an American Hero because she followed a moral compass which brought her first into public service and then to walk back when her mirror told her to risk everything and hope (trust?) in the institutions and rules of laws and do the right thing. Jack Smith will find in her a trove of knowledge and nuance and honor, I suspect, to stay the course. More to watch, including whether Liz draws upon her in the future or instead gets beyond this time and the loyalty test Ms Hutchinson might have failed as a loyal Republican of considerable promise.
Charlie Pierce, whom I greatly admire, loves to post the Chris Rock clip where he talks about a man who says, "I take care of my family," as if that's something to be commended, and Rock then says, "You want a cookie?" In a sense, that's true here: Cassidy Hutchinson did the right thing. That should be simple.
Except that she is young, she was put in a difficult position, and then it would have been so much easier for her to sell out, and she didn't. She is indeed heroic in the way that we have to have different standards of and for heroism. She is certainly a lot more heroic than just about anybody else who worked in that building in those four years. In fact, I'm hard-pressed to think of anyone more heroic or admirable.
It’s sort of telling that none of the men who appeared and testified had the balls to stand up to trump and his goons, it took a woman to do it. Talk about gutless snowflakes…
She accuses herself of "overthinking things" but I don't think that's true.
I didn't get the "overthinking" thing either. what did she mean? it sounds like she was actually considering the "amnesia defense," but knew from the beginning how immoral it was. I assume her "dedicated Republican" position is one she inherited. but there I go again...
Yeah, the dedicated Republican thing was inherited. She was also homeschooled, so you know she got it all. she mentions having to go to her father, with whom she has no relationship, and beg him for help and he's a big Trumper and turns her down. How's that? As far as the "overthinking" she describes herself as someone who definitely looks at ALL the angles, including sometimes angles that aren't there.
...and homeschooled as well? that really does explain a great deal. maniacs for parents.
And she "talks like a millenial" (surprise surprise, she is one). There are times when I want to get the bar of Palmolive and apply "the Ralphie treatment" to people who use "like" that much. :-)
In my family it was Dial soap--to this day, this 70 year old cannot stand even the smell of that stuff!😩
the subversive thing (which I managed to master) was to talk yourself into LIKING the taste of soap. or at least PRETENDING well enough. do that two or three times and the powers-that-be (including, in my case, one ninth-grade homeroom teacher) lose their taste for the punishment.
the earned wisdom of the perennial "behavior problem."
Oh, but it has such a piquant flavor.
My experience from working at a public high school. Many eventually ended up there, grossly unprepared academically and socially.
I had one really, really smart homeschooled kid. his parents were Rastafarians and the little bastard knew more about the Presocratics than I did, so occasionally the parents CAN be academically rigorous. in this kid's case, the problems were social, including some very, very sticky fingers...all kinds of things were always missing after he'd visit my office.
I think that was her way of rationalizing that it was OK to follow Passantino's lead. Most likely, she'd been accused of "overthinking" some things in her past. Maybe she was uncomfortable with certain things and questioned them and was told, "you're overthinking". I'm glad she was an overthinker.
that sounds exactly right.
Gym Jordan comes immediately to mind.
Cassidy Hutchinson was the bridge from the traitors to the truth. Her conscience was active from beginning to end. It took great courage for her to build that bridge. Cassidy Hutchinson, although fully aware of the risk she was taking wasn't free to betray her conscience and her country. Yes, she is an American Hero.
I’m not sure I would have had the guts or maturity or bravery at 25 to do what she did. I was amazed how composed and articulate she appeared. And her bravery weighs more than all the balls of the feckless chicken shit men who pled the fifth or didn’t even bother to show up. And BTW- why aren’t they in jail for contempt yet??
Ironic that telling the truth did not break her career. Instead it made her career. Take that, Trump World!
Well, TC, You didn't really have to break a sweat to have me signing up for your fan club after the Pelosi piece or the devastating portrait of Sinema (yes I know that's spelled wrong).
But you've turned me around on Cassidy Hutchinson. You have provided information I didn't have, in a coherent and impressive sequence of events and, you have iced all this with your own clear belief in this young woman.
In the process, you have exposed a few of my less than admirable presuppositions, knee-jerk reactions that led me to the conclusion that she was lying. Too young Too pretty Probably sleeping with Meadows Inappropriate clothes for a hearing ferchrisakes Specifically the low cut blouse (anyone knows that) I dismissed her outright, figured somebody would bust her one day, and I just hoped her dishonesty wouldn't damage the committee and its work.
Woo-Lawdy, Miss Clawdy I guess I should take comfort in the fact that I don't waste my time making little piddling mistakes. When I'm wrong I AM WRONG
But the part that makes this really good is you busting yourself for it. We've created a society where that doesn't really happen more than performatively anymore. So congratulate yourself.
What low cut blouse! I notice these things💥. Being young and dressing with current style does not a slut make. Meadows is a scumbag.
even worse, he's an INCOMPETENT scumbag. that is, he can't even get being a scumbag completely right.
jeez, Dean....none of that stuff occurred to me. I was dead sure she was telling the truth about everything from the get-go. you could almost certainly chalk that up to at least two things 1) I hate everything about TFF and am prepared to believe anything horrible about him and his so-called "people" and 2)I still tend to persist in the insane belief that people who are attractive physically are probably also GOOD. as you can easily imagine, that second bit (which I admit is probably sexist and even borderline misogynous) wasn't exactly a recipe for happiness when I was the callow youth the I remained until I was about fifty. and then there's 3) she had nothing to gain by telling the truth and a shitload to lose.
but we don't have to process this any further, since it turns out she WAS telling the truth. and I'll probably get in hot water if I say that the lawyer in question had a name right out of central casting but I said it. and yes, I DO remember that Tom Hagen was a foundling of German descent.
and Cassidy Hutchinson IS a hero. but I knew it all along.
She just seemed real to me, maybe because I agreed with her about the issue. My judgment has been known to be flawed on occasion
oh and bless your sweet heart
Serpico Territory
Yes!
I hope Cassidy Hutchinson continues to face life with the strength of her character to ferret out how to do the right thing in challenging situations. A role model and heroine indeed!
-->> "role model <<-- ✅
So agree, TC. I am so impressed by this young woman. I was in a situation when 25 years ago when I made the decision to leave a private company because my gut knew there were unethical and potentially illegal things going on. I walked away from a huge financial upside. The one thing I found out is that until you are in this type of situation, you really don't know whether you will have the courage to do the right thing. That Cassidy Hutchinson was able to take this step without the support of her family speaks volumes about her character. She's my vote for Time person of the year....maybe for 2023 when these crooks finally get taken down. From Cassidy Hutchison to Liz Cheney to Nancy Pelosi...Girl Power rocks!
Thanks, TC. This is excellent. I didn't realize how much I needed Cassidy to be a hero until you revealed the script. Yup.
I watched all of her testimony, both
video and before the Committee on
live TV. I was impressed with her
demeanor after she changed attorneys. That was a tell for me
that she had been under some type
of duress. Not to slight anyone here, but when you're deaf and have been for a long time, you pay
attention to faces and body language. Thank you Tom for
awarding Cassidy as a hero. She
truly is.
I agree TC. Cassidy Hutchinson is truly an American Hero. The many sleepless nights that poor woman must have suffered and the guilt she must have felt and the fear... She knew if she continued to follow the advice of Passantino, she'd be selling her soul to the devil. Now she can rest assured that she did the right thing, not only for herself, but for our country. I hope and pray she has full security protection.
The trump WH Ethics lawyer, engaging in “other duties as assigned.” What a treasonous shit show.
Ms. Hutchinson and now (sadly) former Rep. Liz Cheney have been two of the giants of the Jan. 6th Committee. I hope the lessons these two women are imparting are that it is important to be an American first and stand up for those values, regardless of the cost. As another commenter below pointed out, those two have shown far more courage than their male counterparts during this whole process. I hope this courage is contagious.
She's a Profile in Courage!
Thanks for this piece on Cassidy Hutchinson. When I heard her first, I was impressed by how carefully she answered and thought "Meadows and Trump and the Secret Service Guy Turned Body Guard to tfg, watch out." This woman knows as they do not get into the inner circle by their charms, but because they are whip smart, have total recall, and know how to comport themselves in any circumstance, and be a avowed Republican. Never underestimate the young folks who are legislative aides or staff chiefs. Our elected officials uniformly are availed to the best minds among those who want to work in government, as well as the smart-but-lowlifes (think of Trump’s speech writer). Those elected or working at the top, usually go for the bightest. Having had the opportunity to work with several of them (including those who stayed for careers along K Street) in my time, Ms Cassidy jumped out as one who could become Dump and Company's worst nightmare. I agree with you. She is an American Hero because she followed a moral compass which brought her first into public service and then to walk back when her mirror told her to risk everything and hope (trust?) in the institutions and rules of laws and do the right thing. Jack Smith will find in her a trove of knowledge and nuance and honor, I suspect, to stay the course. More to watch, including whether Liz draws upon her in the future or instead gets beyond this time and the loyalty test Ms Hutchinson might have failed as a loyal Republican of considerable promise.