Yesterday morning, I happened to wake up to make the early morning run to the bathroom at Just The Right Moment - the light outside the bedroom window facing east was such a bright red it looked like the sky was on fire.
I am astounded to read about the new WH Chief of Staff. Just another amoral guy out for a few more quick millions. The dems rarely hold the line. Thanks for all the insight TC. But it brings zero comfort.
When I first read that documents were found at Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement office, I wondered if someone planted them there. That probably says more about me than about the facts. I realized that. Then when Pence was also found to have documents, I wondered who would want to discredit both of those guy? I guess I would feel better about this if everyone turned in their old documents.
God dammit, Tom, you could have at least waited until I got home.
Let’s hope Zients gets bored with the paycheck and drops out early.
And what is Jeffries up to? He should stay in his goddamn lane. Who needs more con judges? And why did Hochul (whatshername) pick a con in the first place? I absolutely don’t understand NY politics.
I think I saw someone suggest that she didn't want to give the appearance she was too "soft on crime" or too much in the pocket of those evil "Progressives."
remember that she's a politician from Buffalo vicinity, where they like to wake up in the morning and prove they're alive by kicking a Progressive or two before they've had coffee.
the first thing you need to understand about NY politics is that NYS is not NYC. NYC might be a shithole, but at least it's MY shithole, if you know what I mean.
I'm not so sure it works quite that way. that is, I don't think it's a direct "the farther north you are, the more right-wing you become" kind of thing. having said that, have you ever tried to find, say, a nice place to stay in Albany? there's, like, nothing there.
I assume that it's NOT more expensive than SF, which has consistently beaten NYC for unaffordability for quite a while now. plus, I'm told that the weed in Vancouver is not up to snuff...was that an unintentional joke?
and along the same lines...is it true that Fucker C., the tv dinner heir, has been defending tobacco? or is he just defending nicotine which (aside from being far more addictive than any street drug) has virtually NO clinical application? I'm not even talking about cigarettes, which will kill you twenty different ways (and this is from someone who never met a cigarette he didn't LOVE).
and I haven't heard a lot of tv folks talking about how Big Oil virtually replicated the tobacco companies' playbook of suppressing negative information in their possession...or have I just not been listening enough?enough?
Well, one reason why I was always a bit upset with the people saying Pelosi should leave because she was old, was to say "Who do you suggest as a replacement?" The problem is, a speaker with that power and ability only comes along once every other generation or so. Tip O'Neill was good 40 years ago, Sam Rayburn for 20 years ending 60 years ago. So almost anyone else is going to not measure up in comparison to someone like that.
I had a problem with the same thing. I don't think age necessarily disqualifies someone, and it certainly shouldn't have disqualified her. She was damn good.
yeah...wasn't Grassley part of the whole 1/6 plot...he was supposed to "suggest" they throw the electors' ballots out or something. I remember being sort of surprised that such an old fuck was part of it since I would have expected him to be more of an "institutionalist."
Some short months ago, Lawrence O’Donnell did a spot about Ron K going to resign in the new year. He had on his show, Jenn O’Malley Dillon who was set to be the new Chief of Staff. She was Biden’s campaign manager and received lots of recognition for the winning campaign, including running it almost entirely from her home in a remote area somewhere, while she was also taking care of two, toddler aged babies! During the Last Word interview, she was standing on the lawn in front of WH.
There's an old New Yorker cartoon, two "intellectuals" (they have patches on the elbows of their jackets and are speaking in a room full of books) and one says "the problem is that those who have learned from history are condemned to go along with those who have not."
Ha! the first thing I decided to post when I read it this morning was the "Nation" story. then later today, I was reading "The American Prospect" online and decided I was going to post THAT link. but you quote both, saving me the trouble.
is it possible that Biden is going to heed what people are saying about Zients? as the past victim of some really shitty medical billing mishaps (with some friends who were screwed even more egregiously), I'm especially sensitive to these clowns who seem to not give a shit when they send out these bills for vast amounts of money at the precise moment when people are feeling especially disempowered. and we all know perfectly well that it's no "coincidence:" they COUNT on it. and if there are all those better guys for the Chief of Staff job, why is Zients the front-runner? whose choice is he?
as to the Biden documents thing, I read a recent post from Seth Abramson's Substack, in which he makes a very good point I haven't seen anywhere else (I'm not saying that it hasn't appeared other places, just that I haven't seen it). Seth points out that when a President is leaving office, National Archives makes it very clear that they are there to consult with him as much as he might require, any time of day or night, whatever the question. this makes it even viler that TFF had to "workaround" them in a way that is, for him, highly unusual...he had to THINK; even worse, he had to THINK AHEAD (of course, there IS that old "possession is nine-tenths of the law" thing, which certainly applied here). on the other hand, the Vice President gets no such help and Senators, less than nothing. I sort of understand why Biden's people might be avoiding mentioning this aspect of the issue...it makes Biden look dumb and somewhat careless. the already-chosen narrative is that Biden and his people did their "due diligence" when the shit hit the fan. it's therefore somewhat understandable that they might be reluctant to change narratives. that all of this also makes TFF look even worse is nothing that HIS scumbags can't handle, relying as they do on the proven existence of an impenetrable wall of ignorance shielding their voters from ever having to reckon with anything like actual FACTS.
ALL of this makes me remember the famous catchphrase from the old "Life of Reilly" show from the '50s, when Bill Bendix would break the fourth wall by looking straight at the camera and saying "What a revoltin' development this is."
Thanks for the info about the National Archives not assisting VP or Senators. Presumably same for Representatives? Or Cabinet members? Or...?? It makes my skin crawl thinking about the possibilities of what's in boxes and who might come upon hard times and need a few bucks from the highest (malevolent) bidder.
Thanks, David .Perhaps it’s been discussed ? but also wonder about different level of access for classified docs for President vs VP. And now let’s see how this all plays out with milquetoast Pence.
I kept saying, "Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear" as I read this. And now I'm supposed to go to bed and sleep well? Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. What a momentously wrong decision Biden just made!
I am astounded to read about the new WH Chief of Staff. Just another amoral guy out for a few more quick millions. The dems rarely hold the line. Thanks for all the insight TC. But it brings zero comfort.
Does anyone else wonder how many former Senators & Vice Presidents have classified documents in their boxes of "stuff" from their time in D.C.?
Now I do
you made me laugh! Now I wonder too.
When I first read that documents were found at Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement office, I wondered if someone planted them there. That probably says more about me than about the facts. I realized that. Then when Pence was also found to have documents, I wondered who would want to discredit both of those guy? I guess I would feel better about this if everyone turned in their old documents.
Pence apparently did.
🗽
Wellllllll....... ???
Just a little something to perk us all up? Or possibly make it impossible to sleep?
In other words - we've had a really good 2 years run - now back to normal - seizing defeat again.
God dammit, Tom, you could have at least waited until I got home.
Let’s hope Zients gets bored with the paycheck and drops out early.
And what is Jeffries up to? He should stay in his goddamn lane. Who needs more con judges? And why did Hochul (whatshername) pick a con in the first place? I absolutely don’t understand NY politics.
I think I saw someone suggest that she didn't want to give the appearance she was too "soft on crime" or too much in the pocket of those evil "Progressives."
remember that she's a politician from Buffalo vicinity, where they like to wake up in the morning and prove they're alive by kicking a Progressive or two before they've had coffee.
the first thing you need to understand about NY politics is that NYS is not NYC. NYC might be a shithole, but at least it's MY shithole, if you know what I mean.
As another New Yawkah told me, one has to understand that Hochul is an "upstate Democrat." A different breed, as you point out.
Glad I'm sort of "midstate" - far from NYC AND Albany! Right on the PA line.
I'm not so sure it works quite that way. that is, I don't think it's a direct "the farther north you are, the more right-wing you become" kind of thing. having said that, have you ever tried to find, say, a nice place to stay in Albany? there's, like, nothing there.
LOL.
That decides it. I’m staying in costal California.
As hard as it is to do (stay here) I don't see much of anywhere else I would feel comfortable.
Not in the US.
Vancouver, eh?
(Actually, the “eh” would drive me nuts.)
Vancouver is more expensive than either LA or SD, believe it or not.
I assume that it's NOT more expensive than SF, which has consistently beaten NYC for unaffordability for quite a while now. plus, I'm told that the weed in Vancouver is not up to snuff...was that an unintentional joke?
and along the same lines...is it true that Fucker C., the tv dinner heir, has been defending tobacco? or is he just defending nicotine which (aside from being far more addictive than any street drug) has virtually NO clinical application? I'm not even talking about cigarettes, which will kill you twenty different ways (and this is from someone who never met a cigarette he didn't LOVE).
and I haven't heard a lot of tv folks talking about how Big Oil virtually replicated the tobacco companies' playbook of suppressing negative information in their possession...or have I just not been listening enough?enough?
Oh, shit. This is really bad news.
Something wicked this way comes. American government.
And that truly applies, doesnt it? There is so much "wicked" already here!
I thought Jeffries was supposed to be really good, but not at all from what you're saying. I want Pelosi back!
And why the fuck did Biden pick Zients, or however you spell his name?!!! What a sh!t he is!
Well, one reason why I was always a bit upset with the people saying Pelosi should leave because she was old, was to say "Who do you suggest as a replacement?" The problem is, a speaker with that power and ability only comes along once every other generation or so. Tip O'Neill was good 40 years ago, Sam Rayburn for 20 years ending 60 years ago. So almost anyone else is going to not measure up in comparison to someone like that.
I had a problem with the same thing. I don't think age necessarily disqualifies someone, and it certainly shouldn't have disqualified her. She was damn good.
I agree BUT then consider Feinstein or Grassley? It all depends upon the individual.
It does depend on the individual. Feinstein definitely needs to go, and I don't follow Grassley closely, but probably.
I dont "follow" him but he sure does line up with the rest of the repubs.
yeah...wasn't Grassley part of the whole 1/6 plot...he was supposed to "suggest" they throw the electors' ballots out or something. I remember being sort of surprised that such an old fuck was part of it since I would have expected him to be more of an "institutionalist."
I think you just wrote new season of "American Horror Story"
Stay away from the bathroom window.
What is the actual story behind Klain’s departure?
“Oh, I’m tired” isn’t ringing true
Most people don't do more than 2-3 years in that position.
Ok then
But certainly Klain would have advised Biden regarding his replacement
What is Klain going to do now?
Some short months ago, Lawrence O’Donnell did a spot about Ron K going to resign in the new year. He had on his show, Jenn O’Malley Dillon who was set to be the new Chief of Staff. She was Biden’s campaign manager and received lots of recognition for the winning campaign, including running it almost entirely from her home in a remote area somewhere, while she was also taking care of two, toddler aged babies! During the Last Word interview, she was standing on the lawn in front of WH.
Yeah, I don't know what happened there.
2 preschoolers?
That could be it. I would imagine that position wouldn't be very family friendly.
What the fuck? This does not bode well for the next two years.
nope.
It must be a torment to know so much, and see so many missteps by those who are charged with opposing the cretins, this one maybe off the cliff...
There's an old New Yorker cartoon, two "intellectuals" (they have patches on the elbows of their jackets and are speaking in a room full of books) and one says "the problem is that those who have learned from history are condemned to go along with those who have not."
Ha! the first thing I decided to post when I read it this morning was the "Nation" story. then later today, I was reading "The American Prospect" online and decided I was going to post THAT link. but you quote both, saving me the trouble.
is it possible that Biden is going to heed what people are saying about Zients? as the past victim of some really shitty medical billing mishaps (with some friends who were screwed even more egregiously), I'm especially sensitive to these clowns who seem to not give a shit when they send out these bills for vast amounts of money at the precise moment when people are feeling especially disempowered. and we all know perfectly well that it's no "coincidence:" they COUNT on it. and if there are all those better guys for the Chief of Staff job, why is Zients the front-runner? whose choice is he?
as to the Biden documents thing, I read a recent post from Seth Abramson's Substack, in which he makes a very good point I haven't seen anywhere else (I'm not saying that it hasn't appeared other places, just that I haven't seen it). Seth points out that when a President is leaving office, National Archives makes it very clear that they are there to consult with him as much as he might require, any time of day or night, whatever the question. this makes it even viler that TFF had to "workaround" them in a way that is, for him, highly unusual...he had to THINK; even worse, he had to THINK AHEAD (of course, there IS that old "possession is nine-tenths of the law" thing, which certainly applied here). on the other hand, the Vice President gets no such help and Senators, less than nothing. I sort of understand why Biden's people might be avoiding mentioning this aspect of the issue...it makes Biden look dumb and somewhat careless. the already-chosen narrative is that Biden and his people did their "due diligence" when the shit hit the fan. it's therefore somewhat understandable that they might be reluctant to change narratives. that all of this also makes TFF look even worse is nothing that HIS scumbags can't handle, relying as they do on the proven existence of an impenetrable wall of ignorance shielding their voters from ever having to reckon with anything like actual FACTS.
ALL of this makes me remember the famous catchphrase from the old "Life of Reilly" show from the '50s, when Bill Bendix would break the fourth wall by looking straight at the camera and saying "What a revoltin' development this is."
says it all.
I loved "Life of Reilly," and that as always the best part.
Perfect description from “Life of Reilly”. Now that’s a blast from the past.
Thanks for the info about the National Archives not assisting VP or Senators. Presumably same for Representatives? Or Cabinet members? Or...?? It makes my skin crawl thinking about the possibilities of what's in boxes and who might come upon hard times and need a few bucks from the highest (malevolent) bidder.
Thanks, David .Perhaps it’s been discussed ? but also wonder about different level of access for classified docs for President vs VP. And now let’s see how this all plays out with milquetoast Pence.
Welcome back John Irving.......between Zientz andthe " drip,drip" of the documents it does feel as if the Dems are self destructing.
So sick of this horror story. Been watching it for way too many years…. This time, it will be our Waterloo
I kept saying, "Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear" as I read this. And now I'm supposed to go to bed and sleep well? Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. What a momentously wrong decision Biden just made!
This is hair raising. It is late at night and I need to read again in the morning.