Yesterday, Malcolm Nance predicted that the US will either put boots on the ground on multiple islands (including Kharg Island)in the Persian Gulf/Strait of Hormuz on Saturday – or else Donald Trump** will chicken out. And his two hosts – the Danish Intelligence officer and the Saudi Arabian political analyst – agreed. (Internet trolls didn’t – but I would no more listen to them than to the Apricot Antichrist himself.) None of them mentioned “No Kings.” (But I am. Not – absolutely not – to discourage anyone from taking part – but to suggest that signs denouncing him putting our troops into harms way and creating casualties might become more pertinent than they appear now.)
The Speaker of the Iranian house is far from the only one making this accusation. Malcolm Nance and his now two co-hosts are saying the same, and I am sure there are many others I don’t have time or energy to know about. Malcom even found a meme someone made with AI taking off on Sun Tzu – see below.
Quote from this Ukrinform article: “After World War II, defeated Nazi Germany managed to carry out reforms, reinvent itself, and become one of the most successful economies in the world. In contrast, the USSR, despite its status as a ‘victor,’ remained a poor and inefficient system that eventually collapsed. Modern Russia has inherited the same model: authoritarianism, [*,] corruption, and dependence on raw materials.” [* they left out “oligarchs.” I didn’t fix it – I’m just pointing it out.]
Joyce Vance on the Mueller investigation – what was in iy – and what is instead trolling.
HCR, barely 8 minutes and war-related (and grift-related)
Yesterday, I saw Virgil, we played cribbage, he loved my latest sweater. I now do not have to worry about getting home by sunset – but I do need to watch the time of sunrise. I drive south to see him, and, although the sun rises in the east, at this time of the year where I live, the sun is always toward the south (I’m guessing that where Lona lives, it always tends toward the north.) This makes it shine right into my eyes if it is too low. I was lucky yesterday in that it was just enough overcast to spare me until it got high enough to be above my windows. And, again, at this time of year, that will only get better up to the summer solstice. I had not heard from Nameless on my day off question, and I hasn’t heard from him here or in email since the 15, do I sent an email, and I’ happy to say he is fine – just computer issues. Well, we all know how that is! He mentioned he had commented Saturday, but I couldn’t see it, and it was not in moderation – I checked. Anyway, I am taking tomorrow off, so don’t panic if there is no Open Thread. I’ll be back on Wednesday.
This column is mostly about the SCROTUS calendar – which is normal during their argument-hearing season. Right at the top is the issue of accepting or not accepting ballots postmarked before (or possibly on) Election Day if they are received late. When Colorado went to all mail voting, it decided we would not accept them late (at least not from people inside the state – I don’t know about overseas and/or military since I was well out of the military when we went to all mail.) But for that reason, they send out the ballots very early so we have plenty of time to research. And also plenty of drop boxes in case we are procrastinators. And they print the must-be-received warning on virtually all election materials. As far as I know, it hasn’t been an issue here.
I moved (from California) to Colorado in 1976, to Alamosa, and then in 1991 to Colorado Springs, And the Air Force Academy was already doing this unconstitutional crap. But – in 1977 James Dobson founded Focus on the Family in Southern California. In 1991, FOTF moved to Colorado Springs. They were in a building downtown until they built their campus around 1998. If they were the only such organization I wouldn’t bother to bring it up. But in the 90’s (I think actually starting in the 80’s) fundamentalist “Christian” organizations were coming to Colorado Springs like flies to – well, you know. And that presence had an effect on the Air Force Academy. An Unconstitutional effect. Obviously I don’t know what the Academy was like before 1991. But as far as I can remember, it has been subject to Christian Nationalist pressure. I don’t think West Point and Annapolis have been affected – certainly not to the extent the Air Force Academy has – and I know darned well Quantico wasn’t when I was in OCS/OBT. I didn’t meet a whole bunch of Air Force officers when I was in, but the ones I met were not Christian Nationalists. I don’t doubt there were Christian Nationalists in the service when I was, but I was fortunate not to meet any – and not just including the chaplains – but especially not the chaplains. None of that is to say that the Air Force Academy doesn’t need a massive turning over of tables with whips, because it does. It has for a long time. Nor do I think it isn’t a danger, because it is. But I do think it’s still an anomaly – for now.
I’ve spent so much time following the Iran war, I didn’t even know there was a blockade of Cuba. Color me embarrassed. You can’t make this stuff up.
Robert Reich did not make this – but he endorsed it by putting it on his personal YouTube channel
Yesterday, the radio opera was “Tristan und Isolde” by Wagner, who is known for long operas – but this may be the longest (5 hours with intermissions) – unless you count the Ring Cycle as a single work. Probably everyone knows the story (even if you don’t think you do), it’s so iconic. Almost everyone betrays just about everyone else in one way or another, and in the end the doomed lovers die together. And you may well have heard parts of it too -it’s been quoted in multiple movie scores. At least one tenor and two conductors have collapsed and died after a performance. I looked up the photos of this new production and was somewhat spooked to see that they made Tristan and Isolde look almost like twins – or almost like the same person (Garnted, the photo is of the dancers who co-represented them – but still.) It fits, certainly, but it’s a new approach – at least to me – and it catches the eye, but it also startles. Debussy is credited with making the transition from 19th century art music to 20th century with “Afternoon of a Faun” (1912) – but without Tristan (1865) I’m not sure he could have (even though he made fun of it in “Golliwog’s Cakewalk”. People tend to either love it or loathe is (and sometimes both, though not at the same time.) Also – sadly – Robert Mueller’s death Friday night became public. if you want to wait a day before reading his eulogy (by Joyce Vance), I get it Off to see Virgil now – will check in.
This from Ukrinform is a bit late, and it is more political than I usually like to use on Sundays. But it made me smile.
In case you missed Gavin Newsom‘s response to the Saffron Sauron referring to him as the President of the United States – it’s classic.
Well, SOME people understand that Ukraine is important, and deserves its independence. And are willing to put their money where their mouth is.
And SOME other people understand the importance of bison – not only to the earth, but particularly to indigenous Americans.
And still SOME other people understand the value of music with relation to medical conditions, even in surprising ways.
Yesterday, I thought it was going to be a light email day – until I looked in my spam. My tutamail address is still learning what is and isn’t spam – and yesterday it was wrong a lot. But I did make it through the day. Let me throw this out for y’all – I’ve been thinking about asking whether anyone would mind if I started taking one day a week off. (Tuesdays would be good for me, since I’m always wrung out on Mondays.) Think about it and let me know what you think.
Archived from the Old Gray Lady. Pretty much everything the MSM is putting out now is more opinion than fact. Bu this piece is actually labelled as opinion. But it wouldn’t surprise me if there’s more fact in it than in most “news” articles.
Quite short – and just one expat’s view from a small country – but a voice which should count.
Archived from Huff Post. States, particularly blue states, are already putting precautions in motion to circumvent anything the Apricot Antichrist might attempt to do to invalidate the 2026 midterms. (I have no idea whether Wendy Weiser at the Brennan Center is any relation to Phil Weiser, my state Attorney General.)
Video: No effing wonder the GOP wants to get rid of Jon Ossoff. (And probably Sheldon Whitehouse for the same reason – but Rhode Island is blue – so they’re throwing all their money into Georgia. And I hope Ossoff has good security. I would not put violence past them.)
Yesterday, the “warcast” was so consequential (and it was long because it was so consequential) that I put it with a link into a comment on yesterday’s OT. I hope I don’t have to do that again today, but I might have to. S–t is getting more and more real. And it’s not like we don’t have things to worry about here. I have to be glad my mother didn’t live to see this (not that it was likely – if she were alive today ahe’d be 119.) Happy Eid al Fitr, if it’s today – if not today, it’s tomorrow. Today was predicted, but not certain. Also, my PCP has moved out of town, nd I called and made an appointment with a new provider. Then I got transferred to an RN to ask about symptoms – specifically, if I have two conditions which essentially show the same symptoms, how do I tell the difference? We kind of talked that through – she brought up a lot that I hadn’t thought of, and ended up telling me I am a “bright and funny lady.” Not sure I deserve that, but it was nice yo hear. Too late, I should have told her about “RN” standing for “Real Nice.” Today is Eid al Fitr probably – if it isn’t today, it’ll be tomorrow.
I hope to God Talking Points Memo sent this to Governor Polis. He could use a little starch in his spine right about now.
The current year is not just the 240th anniversary of the United States; it is also the 250th anniversary of “The Wealth of Nations” by Adam Smith. He has been called “the father of conservative economics, but his book is neither conservative nor about economics as we understand the term today. Robert Reich makes that case better than I could.
“Master Plan” is a group of podcasts, now in its second season, created by The Lever to answer the question “How TF did we even get to where we are now?” The first season has eleven episodes with an umbrella title of “Legalizing Corruption,” and a bonus episode with Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse. The second season’s umbrella title is “The Kingmakers.” Only one episode is available now, but there will be as many more as they think are needed. Every episode can be listened to from this link. The first season is now available as a book.
Yesterday, there was a hearing in committee for Markwayne Mullin, nominated to replace Kristi Noem. I’m just going to reproduce in full what Rand Paul asked him. (You may remember that in 2017 Paul was beat up so severely that he was hospitalized. And I do not agree with his proposed amendment, and you won’t either, but I do agree with him on Mullin):
“Recently, Senator Mullin, if you have time to listen, you were confronted by constituents that were angry because you voted against my amendment to stop all funding for refugee welfare programs,” said Paul. “Instead of explaining your vote to continue these welfare programs for refugees, you decided to transfer the blame. You told the media that I was a ‘freaking snake’ and that you completely understood why I had been assaulted. I was shocked that you would justify and celebrate this violent assault that caused me so much pain and my family so much pain. I just wonder if someone who applauds violence against their political opponents is the right person to lead an agency that has struggled to accept limits to the proper use of force. You have never had the courage to look me in the eye and tell me that the assault was justified, so today you’ll have your chance. Today, I’ll give you that chance to clear the record. Tell it to my face, if that’s what you believe. Tell it to me today. Tell the world why you believe I deserve to be assaulted from behind, have six ribs broken, and a damaged lung. Tell me to my face why you think I deserved it. And while you’re at it, explain to the American public why they should trust a man with anger issues to set the proper example for ICE and Border Patrol agents.”
Also yesterday afternoon, the Senate was debating the SAVE Act, but I have no details yet. (I doubt they decided anything – I would have seen or heard that.) Also, we had a high temperature of 80°F (~27°C) and for today, tomorrow, and Saturday are expecting 84°,85°, and 89° respectively – in an area known for snow storms happening (off and on, granted) November through May
Judicial fireworks – Harry Litman said he has never seen an attorney escorted out of a courtroom by marshals before. Talk about no nonsense!
Maybe I should save this from All Rise News for Sunday. On the other hand, the sooner people can get vaccinated as a result of the, the better.
And there’s this from Press Watch, which could turn out to be good news. We’ll need to watch, and wait, and see. But we can hope.
Yesterday was not the Equinox – but for all intents and purposes (don’t you just hate it when someone says “for all intensive purposes”?) it was here – we had 12 hours each of day and night. Also, I note that Ken Burns has endorsed Sherrod Brown. Not a surprise in one way, because Burns is wicked smart. And he kind of knows everyone – for instance, he knows the Vinman twins from when they were about ten years old. And he hasn’t been silent about national politics. But (and this is probably my ignorance) I’m not aware of his having made a statement about state politics before – and it’s not a state he has lived in. Kudos to him for this. I hope his endorsement hits hard. Also the Nance/Kaarbo Warcast pointed out that, with Israel striking Lebanon, a million people are leaving southern Lebanon – and that this could easily reinvigorate Hezbollah. I would like to point out that Kegsbreath’s no rules, no quarter approach is not only in violation of national and international law, but it is also a good way to lose both the war and the peace. It makes people hate a country. And if, after making the mistake, a country does not make transformational and very public reform happen, it will never be safe again. And the incompetence – it would just be absurd – except that people are dying. All kinds of people. On the other side, the Iranians (technically the Shia Muslims, but Iran is Shia majority) have their own concept of a Messiah – the “twelfth Imam” – who will one day return (and why not now?) And we can expect a shortage of generic drugs to happen fairly soon. And so much more. This one might be worth watching, long as it is.
And other things happened. For one thing, it dawned upon me (probably way too late) that the forms of identification mentioned in the abominable “SAVE Act” do not include a Certificate of Naturalization – nor a Consular Notification of Birth Abroad, nor a Certificate of Citizenship (for people who were entitled to a Consular Notification but their parents did not get one for them before they turned 18.) I sent an email to Senator Hickenlooper’s office, but it was pretty late, and, since they were supposed to be considering it yesterday afternoon, possibly too late. I wish that I, or anyone, had thought of it earlier. I am a birthright citizen, which means I did not have to do anything but breathe to have citizenship. I have the utmost respect for those who had to work for it.
Talking Points Memo from the weekend, yes. But you’ll want to see it – exactly because the Saffron Sauron won’t want you to.
Steve Schmidt from Monday – relining this. I’ve been reliving this since the girls’ school in Iran was bombed. I don’t know which is worse – the coverup then, or the pride and bragging now.
From Common Dreams. File under “No shit, Sherlock.” That’s probably unfair to a lot of civilians who don’t know what “No quarter” or even “Take no prisoners” actually mean. Both mean the same: Kill everyone, even civilians and anyone who wants to surrender. And yes, when the “Secretary of War” says it out loud and publicly, it’s a war crime. Brcause, unlawful order or not, there are some who will follow it.
Yesterday, I got an email from Johns Hopkins University, which just receives an Oscar for its (Netflix) documentary “All the Emppty Rooms,” which refers to the bedrooms of children who after school shootings did not come home. That documentary will be screened in DC on March 25 at their Bloomberg Theater on W Penn Ave. I sent an email to Indivisib;e Colorado and said that we have nine days to get Coloradans to either sign a petition or send individual emails to our Congressional delegation, and particularly to the Republican House members, to pressure them to go watch it. We’ll see if anything comes of that. I don’t have cable, but I assume if any of my readers is a Netflix subscriber, you can see it that way. Also, Glenn Kirschner did a (40 minute) video with Adam Klasfeld on the Halkbank case. I have mentioned it, but it has been pretty much under the radar – a $20 Billion money laundering case involving a bank in Turkey which is somehow tied to US sanctions on Iran and also to the Apricot Antichrist’s “bromance” with Erdogan. Glenn summed it up by saying, “I keep saying it is inexplicable because i look at it, as I do everything, through my justice glasses. But – if I take them off – of course it is perfectly explicable.” So you all probably don’t need to watch, but I’ll give the link anyway. Also – the Prime Minister of Denmark stated that the US is no longer Denmark’s most important ally. Denmark’s most important allies are the Scandinavian nations, the European Unon, and Canada. (I might add that there is an election in Denmark in a week. And that Denmark has always shown up for us in every conflict since WWII.) I got that last tidbit from Jacob Kaarsbo who works with Malcolm Nance (and who is Danish) on the daily war report. That whole report today made me want to repeatedly beat a wall with my head, so I’m not giving that link, but if you want it, say so in a comment and I will put it in a reply, or in an email if I have yours.
An update from Joyce Vance in the Fulton County election records seizure case. I don’t know about anyone else, but the moment the DOJ put their hands on those records I wrote this off on the basis that those records had already been corrupted and would no longer be valid for any purpose whatsoever. But apparently Fulton County thought it was worth taking to court.
A respected reporter writing about an FCC chair who royally disrespect reporters and the media they rode in on. And a couple more stories. Feel free to keep scrolling.
This from Axios was very brief when I collected it yesterday – but sometimes these alerts get fleshed out over time. It concerns me because – although in this regime there are NO adults in the room, she appears to be the closest thing to one that there is. Think about Miller getting promoted into that position. That truly scares me.
Dog
Did anyone watch the Oscars? I didn’t – I think the last time I did was the year Halle Berry won Best Actress. and thst’s been d minute. But Liza Donnelly (a New Yorker cartoonist who is involved in politics as a citizen) did, and linked to what she says is “the one speech from the Oscars that you actually need to listen to.” And I would bet she is right. Here’s that link.
