Is it time to watch the mud stick with TFG? Watch this space!

[Roussette]

www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4396017-Big-Bird-may-be-innocent-but-who-can-vouch-for-Elmo?page=40&reply=120171921

Previous thread!

This thread is now full, here is the link to the new thread www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4912378-trump-gets-gagged-mccarthy-gets-booted-whats-next-in-trumpworld? (added my MNHQ)

www.cnn.com/2022/11/17/politics/trump-candidate-legal-problems/index.html

Good article on the ins and outs of Doofus' legal 'troubles' and the effect/non-effect on candidacy and electability.

Right now it's GOP 218, Dem 211, with 6 races not yet 'called'. So the 'best' we could do would be 217. But that's not likely to happen.

A small majority matters not primarily for being able to change the majority due to vacancies, but due to only having to convince a few of the 'opposition' to cross the aisle. So I wouldn't say their majority is 'non-existent', just that it may be easier to get 7 Reps to cross the aisle than it would be to get, oh say, 25. And it means that they don't have a 'supermajority' in cases where 2/3 are needed to pass legislation. Some things are 'simple majority', some are 'supermajority'. Don't ask me what needs what, I've never been able to figure it out myself. I do know that 2/3 is needed to do anything that amends the Constitution, but that's all I know.

Thanks for the updates Across

Despite slight disappointment, am I right in saying that the results are good for midterm and a sitting Administration?

Thank Across, that makes sense.

Nancy Pelosi has said she will stand down from Democratic leadership in the new Congress

And ofcourse Kari Lake declines to concede, says she’s assembling legal team

Yes, they are good. Historically there has been an 'opposite party wave' during the midterms when the current Congress has been held by the same party as the sitting POTUS. So it's good in the sense that historically it could have been much worse.

I don't blame Nancy one bit. She's 82 years old and her husband was nearly murdered by some maniac who was actually coming after her!!! I'm not slamming her age, she's sharp as a tack, but there's 'a lot more road in her rear view mirror than there is up ahead' and she's probably realized that maybe it's time for her to hand over the reins to give her more time to spend with Paul and her family. There is plenty of 'young blood' in the Dem Party that are more than able to pick up where she left off (Hakeem Jeffries, you listening to me?). She's done her District as well as the rest of California proud for the last 35 years. I have a feeling when her current term ends, she won't run for reelection.

BREAKING: Attorney General Merrick Garland named a special counsel to oversee the Justice Department's investigation into the presence of classified documents at Donald Trump's Florida estate as well as a separate probe involving the Jan. 6 insurrection.

twitter.com/AP/status/1593677875668025346?t=TMz1iLTk0j7uJPsRKvz8XQ&s=19

The role will be filled by Jack Smith, a veteran prosecutor who led the Justice Department's public integrity section in Washington and who later served as the acting chief federal prosecutor in Nashville, Tennessee, during the Obama administration.

Hello, apparently Trump and his MAGA mates are in meltdown now, because of the appointment of Jack Smith? I don't really see how anything is any different - Trump should have been jailed (or at least indicted) years ago, he should never have been elected President, he got away with it then and he'll get away with it forever. It seems to me that the American Constitution wasn't built for Trump and election-deniers, riot-fomenters and plain liars (exponents of fake news), and until that can be sorted, Trump will just keep on doing what he's doing. Can anyone enlighten me as to why it will be otherwise?

Jack Smith is the Chief Prosecutor at The Hague regarding war crimes, maybe that's why they are squeaking?

Thanks for the prompt reply @DuncinToffee. But Jack Smith wouldn't be acting in that particular capacity, would he? Or would there be assumed to be a crossover between the two positions? Sorry, forgive my ignorance. I really don't understand what's happening here.

I don't understand either.

I read that a special prosecutor can't be fired or removed the ways an AG can, dont know if that is true.

It feels like just another delay though.

Yes, it is hard to fire or remove a special counsel. There are only certain reasons it can be done, so they can survive changes of administration, which an AG wouldn't. John Durham, appointed under Trump continued under Biden and brought charges, although it all essentially fizzled out.

It may have to do with manoeuvring to make it harder for the Republicans who will shortly be controlling congress to interfere/derail the investigations. Certainly, they're planning to tie the justice department up in endless hearings and investigations (even threatening to impeach Garland) as soon as they can and this move places the investigation out of reach of that.

It may be because they're moving close to indictments and Garland believes (because he still lives in the world of doing things properly) that this could help de-politicise the situation. I also read someone theorising that it might be because it gives them scope to expand the investigations into some sitting members of congress.

Garland certainly seems unswerving in doing things the right way, so I really hope this is a good move.

NYT Special Counsel explainer

relaxing saturday morning folding laundry and watching cnn

I heard them explaining that they chose him as special council because he is politically neutral as well as experienced dealing with shifty characters.

TBH, my reaction to a SC being appointed was pretty much....."Yeah, and?".

We were all so excited and optimistic when Mueller was appointed and it turned out to be a big nothing burger as far as any actual 'action' being take. So I'm having a hard time really caring this time round.

Not that I think Mr Smith isn't qualified or won't do a good job. He's eminently qualified and sounds like a 'tough cookie'. I just feel that the 'results' (like with Mueller) will get us all riled up, but nothing will actually happen to hold Doofus accountable. And to boot, as long as the SC investigation is going on, we're going to have to see Doofus' orange bloviating face all over the media screaming 'witch hunt', 'being persecuted', ad infinitum. It just feels like Lucy, Charlie Brown, and the football all over again.

I know. It's so hard to keep the faith that something will stick, but I'm going to choose to stay optimistic until there are no options left. Andrew Weissmann, from Mueller's team who has been very openly critical, seems to think it's an ok move. I know there are plenty of counter-arguments, but I just can't let myself believe they'll let him walk away (or at least not yet).

On another note, that supreme court leak story is bizarre. If John Roberts had an ounce of decency or gave the smallest shit about the legacy of his court, he'd retire today and let Biden name his replacement.

@Wallaw I hadn't heard about the Hobby Lobby leak. I can't decide if the person who is speaking out is doing it because it was 'wrong' and he's remorseful, or because he is trying to position himself as a more 'progressive' evangelical in light of many Christian's rejection of Doofus. Or because someone wants Roberts 'out' since I guess there are now calls for him to retire.

The tweets you posted do give a bit more reason for optimism. I'd forgotten how Doofus tried to interfere with the investigation and exert 'influence' through possible pardons & other favours. At least with this SC we have a POTUS who will abide by protocol and the rules.

He seems to have had a crisis of conscience, but who knows what drives people. Evangelical Christians are sort of a mystery to me at the best of times.

www.nytimes.com/2019/05/30/opinion/abortion-schenck.html

Lawrence Tribe also thinks the special counsel is a good thing. Chin up!
twitter.com/YasminMSNBC/status/1594062597451571201?s=20&t=OuGVPKO6nwZVsrMyAO4Ltg

Florida man gets his Twitter account re-instated

And God knows he's the ultimate 'Florida Man'

Oh, and now that he's been reinstated on Twitter, if one wants to know what he's tweeting, don't to go his account. Instead follow or check 'UnfollowTrump' Twitter feed.

They will re-post his diarrhoea of the brain and you won't be giving him 'clicks'.

I grew up So Baptist, so they aren't much of a mystery to me, unfortunately, although they aren't as hardcore as some evangelicals.

I like Lawrence Tribe. From his mouth to God's ear. (to keep things religious lol). We shall just have to wait and see. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

A very Happy and healthy Thanksgiving to all our American friends on here. 😊

Thanks so much, @Roussette

This year we're skipping it, sort of. DH, DS2, and I will be having a ham dinner tomorrow, but we're calling it a 'pre-Xmas dinner' rather than Thanksgiving. My DB has Covid and my DS1 had a close friend take his own life last weekend so neither of them will be here.

DS1 is absolutely devastated and is full of self-blame, as so many others feel who have lost loved ones this way. This is DS1's 1st loss of a friend and to have it be this way is doubly hard. Obviously he's not in the mood to feel thankful for anything and doesn't want to talk or see anyone right now. But I will say that I am so thankful for my lovely DiL. He has turned to her for comfort (as is right) and her care of him is so beautiful to see. If it wasn't for her I'd be frantic and she's keeping us updated. So if you (or anyone seeing this) would pray for him or send him your positive thoughts, I'd appreciate it.

Ugh, sorry to be such a downer!

Oh how awful for your DS.

I will never forget losing a friend at probably the age your son is now. It really hits home, it's not an elderly aunt who has lived her life, but a contemporary and someone who has their life in front of them. Just so wrong and hard to understand

Add into that the circumstances. And having worked with suicidal people I just can imagine what your son is going through. So shocking and so hard for him to try and understand why. Your poor son 😥

Positive thoughts to you all. So glad to hear your DiL is there for him.

Oh Across. Sending all the positive thoughts the ether can carry.