The Supreme Court heard argument today in a number of consolidated cases that seek release of Trump’s tax returns. For a man who appears to commit crimes and abuse power in public view ALL THE TIME, the tax returns have proven to be quite a sticking point. Trump demonstrably has no shame whatsoever, yet is fighting tooth and nail to keep the taxes secret. Could this be the smoking gun that finally brings down his presidency?
The next couple weeks may prove me and several others wrong, but as of today, Biden looks ready to pick Senator Kamala Haris from California as his running mate. This would fulfil Biden’s promise to select a woman and reinforce his demonstrated advantage with African Americans going into the general election. Also, Harris has shown excellent prosecutorial skill during Senate hearings (esp. Barr’s confirmation) and in a primary debate where she put the smackdown on Biden himself.
What a time to be a governor. I know it’s cynical because of the death and suffering caused by COVID-19, but we should also remember that anyone who has run for any statewide office must have more than a bit of ambition. They are seeking power to do good, but they are still all seeking power. And the pandemic, along with Trump’s anemic response, has left a power vacuum that governors are filling to help save lives (and burnish their public personas). …
Today’s big story is Biden’s response to the Tara Reade allegations. To briefly recap, Reade is making allegations that Biden sexually assaulted her in 1993 by forcibly inserting his fingers into her vagina without consent. This is horrifying conduct that is uncomfortable to even talk about, but the focus of the conversation should start with the allegation, and not everyone’s reaction to the allegations. …
There was no need for him to veto action by the New Jersey legislature that would have protected marriage equality. But, as Tom Moran notes in the Star Ledger:
he’s trying to limit the damage by emphasizing that he supports equal rights for gay couples under the state’s civil union law, and is prepared to strengthen it if needed.
It is good to see that even conservatives like him feel the need to underscore their commitment to equal rights. But in the end, it’s a phony attempt to have it both ways.
For a guy who acts so tough, it’s pretty weak to see him cave to the extreme right. He’s going against what he knows to be right for personal, political gain. And that’s sad.
There are those who are jaded who will say that, “Of course, this thing happens all the time.” And there are those who will say that Philadelphia and corruption go together like a bagel and cream cheese, but the practiced described herein is not illegal. And now that I see some of my peers (Emily’s peers, actually) running for Judge, well, I just don’t know. But, in the meantime, here’s some facts for you from today’s Inquirer:
“It’s ‘the process,’ ” said Ladov, among 45 candidates for 10 spots on Philadelphia’s Common Pleas Court. The 10-year term comes with a $164,602 salary.
Eleven candidates are vying for one slot on Municipal Court, a job that lasts six years and pays $160,793.
“Either you fold your arms across your chest and say you don’t like the process and, therefore, ‘I am not going to be involved and not going to serve the people,’ ” Ladov said, “or you say, ‘This is the process. If I get elected, I can do good, and I can make a meaningful contribution.’ “
She chose the latter, and she is paying thousands of dollars to hire two “consultants,” including still-influential former U.S. Rep. Michael “Ozzie” Myers, jailed in 1981 in the Abscam scandal, and a 30-year ward leader, John Sabatina, who works to persuade other ward leaders to back his judicial candidates.
“I’m working 24 hours a day trying to make sure these people get covered all over, from wards to churches to wherever there can be an asset to their candidacy,” said Sabatina, who also is helping three other would-be judges this year. For his work, they pay him $20,000 to $35,000 apiece.
You thrilled to her in Flight of the Conchords, now enjoy the lovely Kristen Shaal on The Daily Show, which comes to you from me via Talking Points Memo. Because you only thought you knew what “rape” meant.
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Rape Victim Abortion Funding | ||||
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I am so sick of Sarah Palin. She is a dimwitted fool who holds no political office. She is a racist, a bigot and completely insulting to those feminists who actually know what that term means. I have often thought, with regard to the excessive piling on that the left does at Ms. Palin’s expense, why bother? Why give her any more attention? That’s exactly what she wants. Just don’t pay any attention to her and that will be the end of it.
But one could say the same thing about Facebook – why complain? You don’t like it, just leave it alone. But if you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, then you know that I’m not inclined to leave it alone. There are too many people on Facebook. It has achieved a firm foothold, like a tick that is dug in deep, and ignoring it can lead to dire consequences.
After the absurdity of Ms. Palin’s own tweets over the past few days, I feel that the same is true. We ignore her and her ignorance at our peril. These two pearls confirm it. 
Talkingpointsmemo has the complete analysis, but the two key points are that (1) any Muslim who wants the mosque near ground zero is not peaceful, and (2) refudiate is obviously not a word. Whoever among her handlers that is allowing this woman to use twitter should be fired. But, like any experienced tweeter, Palin deleted the above, but rather than admit she did anything wrong, we got the following.
I want to know which works of Shakespeare this woman has read, that she would compare herself to the greatest writer the English language has yet known. And please, gentle ex-governor, do tell which words the bard made up, so that we might learn from you ample knowledge.
But when I read about young Ryan Murdough, running for political office in New Hampshire, I realize there is good reason to worry about ignorance and hatred. If there is no effort to make note of these frightening politicians, their influence will spread unchecked.
So, on I rant.
(h/t Talkingpointsmemo)
First it becomes the state with the most backwards and xenophobic immigration policy in the Union, and now the schools will not be permitted to teach ethnic studies because it promotes an atmosphere of resentment and increases the possibility of a violent takeover – I know, WTF indeed.
The 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game is scheduled to be held in Arizona and, given the high percentage of Latin and Hispanic players that play professional baseball, it seems like there may be a problem. A number of players have thrown their support behind MoveTheGame.org, which is an offshoot of MoveOn. Commissioner Selig has said that he doesn’t expect the game to be moved, but he’s just biding his time while waiting to see which way the winds of public opinion blow. The man is a coward.
Elon James does an excellent (and humorous) job of helping us put some of Arizona’s policies in perspective. The thing is, I’ve been to Arizona. It seems like a nice place. Can anyone tell me how it got so fucked up?