Epstein Files – Politics Plus

Open Thread August 15 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 5:49 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Aug 152026

Yesterday was a fairly quiet day – which I certainly needed. I son’t know that you’ll see that in today’s blog, though you might. The hair-on-fire stuff I couldn’t sqeeze in earlier, and the lighter stuff is newer.

From Colorado Public Radio. What was I just saying about Colorado and water? This image is probably not of the Arkansas River – but it looks like the water in the Ark usually looks, and it does show why they call it “whitewater” rafting. Now compare this to the photo in the article. That water ain’t white, and ain’t gonna be, without a whole lot of snow this coming winter. And yes, I am posting a lot about water in a very short window. Consider it a preview of what’s coming unless all world leaders get their heads on straight – or get replaced with leaders whose heads are already on straight.

This is going to be time consuming – over a half hour if you watch, and of course if you read the stranscript, that will depend on your reading speed. (for comparison, Heather Cox Richardson’s Letters From An American, when she reads them on YouTube, are usually in the 12-16 minute range.) But the amount of time it took to put this information together to present was more like months. The presentation was put together to address the coming midterms, but there is information which anyone who uses AI for any reason should be aware of.

I’m pretty sure the “Duffel Blog” is the military version of The Onion. On the other hand – Kefsbreath is dumb enough for this to be true.

I’ve been wanting to post about this but waited until Joyce Vance put it in writing. I do want to share one thing that was in the videos but isn’t here. At the point when Block said “I’ve been told it should be coming (or forthcoming as soneone else quoted),” allegedly Judge Sullivan responded, “So is Christmas.” I remember that comeback being common in the fifties, but I still find it amusing.

2fer

Open Thread July 27 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:07 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 272026

Yesterday, I saw Virgil. and we played Cribbage. He asked me to thank you, Lona, for your birthday wishso – Many Thanks. Also yesteray, Heather Cox Richardson posted more 1-minute videos in her “250 to 250” series, which she might continue through December – since July 4 is past.. I have been sharing very few on individuals – not that that means I haven’t been leaving out some major events, because I have. I said when I started I would not possibly be able to share all of them. If you want to see what you are missing, all of them from the beginning (and last week was week #9), are at her YouTube channel – mixed in among her readings of her “Letters from an American”, her “Politics Chats,” and other videos, but they are clearly marked.

From The Root. Sorry, kids, humans – especially professors – are generally smarter than AI.

I for one never think about judges working on Saturdays. However – court doesn’t need to be in session for them to be working – and if thre was ever a time and place for a judge who respects his oath of office to be working overtime – the time is now and the place is here.

Open Thread July 15 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:07 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 152026

Monday, another killing by ICE. More on it and last week’s tomorrow. Also on Monday, Lindsey Graham’s sister was appointed to finish out his term. I don’t think I’ll hold my breath waiting for another Margaret Chase Smith. I expect to remain fully behind Dr. Annie Andrews. And yesterday – while I often use my new day up for catching up on personl stuff – I managed to strem I Puritani from the Met. It only became available on Sunday, and it will only be available until the 29th, so I knew I had to find time or miss it. I’m so glad I didn’t miss it! Yes, I had heard it on the raio when it was live. But there’s nothing like seeing it.

https://thefuckingnews.substack.com/p/lindsey-graham-noted-country-ruiner
Andy Borowitz’s take on this is amusing, but I think Jonathan Larsen is more level headed. Graham was only 71. I’m in spitting distance of 81, and I think I look younger than he did (although he could move better.) Robert Reich is kinder than either of the others.
https://robertreich.substack.com/p/lindsey-graham-rip

https://steveschmidt.substack.com/p/the-greatest-roosevelt-youve-never
Steve Schmidt knows what he wants to say, and he generally says it well. In this article, he wants to compare and contrast (but mostly contrast) two sets of brothers whose families have something out unusual in common.

https://www.muellershewrote.com/p/breaking-exclusive-fbi-admits-it
For anyone deeply invested, intellectually or emotionally, in the Epstein files, here is this. I hve not watched it as I type, but also have not deleted it, and may well watch it before you see this post. The woman in the screenshot is not Allison – Allison is blonde and has tattoos on both shoulders and both upper arms. She has filed a civil lawsuit against the DOJ on the release (failure to release) the Epstein files, citing professional harm as an independent journalist, and has the go-ahead from a district court that she has standing to sue, so she has a lawyer – apparently a good one. And – od course – there’s a transcript.

Open Thread May 6 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:00 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

May 062026

Yesterday, Malcolm Nance’s (along with Jacob Kaarsbo and Wajeeh Lion) made it pretty clear that Europe is working seriously to make lemonade from the lemons we are throwing at them. And that includes the UK at one end – Brexit be damned – and Ukraine at the other. And more power to them! In fact, Mark Carney of Canada made a speech for their negotiations which included the opinion tat the international rule of law is not dead, but will be led by Europe in the the future. Also, I spent over three hours setting up the printer/scanner I got to replace my all-in-one which died. I got to the point when I was supposed to insert the disc, and discovered I had somehow unplugged the computer. To get to the outlet, one must crawl under the desk. So Trinette is coming by to help me with that this evening.

For this article I only have one word – hope. Not that we don’t still have to be vigilant about getting free and fair elections in November – but this is still promising IMO.

This from The Conversation could explain a lot. Although I remind all that correlation is not the same as causation.

from Vicky Ward Investigates. Well, this explains why Melania did that speech out of nowhere to distance herself from Epstein. And a few other things.At the time, I didn’t really care why she did it – but now tht I know, I do care – if only a little..

Open Thread April 11 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 5:52 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Apr 112026

Yesterday, I was looking forward to today because the radio opers for today is by Mozart – Don Giovanni – and the title role will be plqyed and sung by Ryan Speedo Green. It won’t be the first time I have heard him in a leading role – he played the title role in Terence Blanchard’s opera “Champion ” (split with Eric Owens – Speedo was the young Emil and Owens the old and demented Emil, still coping with guilt.) But it will be the first time I have heard him in a leading role by Mozart, which may be scarier, because there have been so many fantastic singers who have assumed this role over 200 years that many will be comparing him to someone else (different someone else depending on the listener.) Speedo is the young man who didn’t even know opera existed until he was in juvenile correction as a teen and someone took several inmates to the opera and he was hooked. (I’m pretty sure there was a black lead in the production, because if there hadn’t, he likely would have figured it was not for him and his life would not have been turned around as it was – but I don’t remember who. It might have been Denyce Graves, but there are so many others also.) It’s a story that never fails to inspire me.

No comment. (Because I am speechless.)

History can be scarier than just about anything, particularly when it appears to be rhyming again. By now I expect everyone knows how upset I get by undeserved reputations attached to historical figures (and even fictional ones.) Why does it matter? Because truth always matters. Here’s Steve Schmidt having a case of “Truth matters.” (Heather Cox Richardson tells the same story in her April 8 letter, but doesn’t go in to the reputational inconsistencies as Schmidt does.)

Two articles – same subject – the Presidential Records Act. Take your choice of Joyce Vance or Harry Litman – or read both. IMO, it should be possible tp prosecute a president who destroys a document immediately, while he is still in office. Here’s my thinking: this is analogous to using a drug to rape someone. The victim does not even know she’s been screwed until it’s too late. In the case of a destroyed document, the victim – the nation – may not ever find out we;ve been screwed, but even if we do, it’s way too late.

Open Thread April 1 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:00 am Holiday, Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Apr 012026

Yesterday, April Fool came early for me. My email client was experiencing problems – by 2 pm I had only received four emails, and that is deflinitely not normal. When something like that happens, the first thing I do is try a different browser. I tried a total of four – no joy. I kept refreshing my main browser. Meanwhile, I went through Substack to get to some of my main sources. I have not been looking forward to today.

On Monday, Malcolm pointed out that everything he has pointed out might be possible in the war has subsequently showed up in the national news (NYT, WSJ, WP, etc.) not soon enough for them to have gotten the stories from him directly, but rather, in a time frame for someone to have suggested to Kegsbreath and him to – at least verbally – run with it. And Netanyahu is now poisoning Iran’s and other Gulf states’ water (a war crime, in case anyone didn’t know. (We did it to Kishem Island a couple of weeks ago – Just one of our war crimes.) I am beginning to understand, not just with my brain, but with my heart, why many Jewish people, Israeli and diaspora alike, think it is antisemitism to criticize Israel. When people anywhere in the world, including within the US, criticize the US, even though my brain knows it is the Saffron Sauron and his orcs and nazgul they are criticizing and not me personally, I can’t help feeling sad and a little hurt.

I know we are all worried about the Supreme Court, and we all know something is needed to change it. But we don’t all agree on what needs doing – and I don’t think we really have so much as a concept of a plan as to how the necessary changes can be accomplished. So you may be as encouraged as I am by this conversation between former US Attorney Joyce Vance and Brennan Center Senior Fellow Jesse Wegman (who was essentially hired by Brennan to address the Supreme Curt, but also has a book out about the Electoral College.) It’s 28 minutes, and if that’s too long, there’s a transcript.

I did mention this, but there is much more information here. May Day is the day.

Yeah. Well, that’s the headline. But I’m not seeing them voting that way, or even saying much about it. Certainly not in the numbers needed to make it happen.

It’s been a minute since we had an episode of this series, and this sounds like the final one. My father (who served in WWII, but as a telegrapher) was not in this one, having been medically discharged prior to November 1944. (If he had been there, I almost certainly would not be here.) I could wish that more people remembered – if not from life, at least from education – how important this war was for all of us.

Open Thread March 5 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:00 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Mar 052026

Yesterday, the Senate refused to take action to restrain the Degenerate Darth Vader’s illegal war in Iran. I, as you have probably noticed, an struggling this week to keep abreast of what day it is. I think that may be at least in part because the first was on Sunday, and, although I consciously know that the week is Sunday through Saturday, I, because school weeks and work weeks start in Monday, subconsciously still see Monday through Friday as one through five. Hopefully I’ll be more on track next week.

I had realized I missed the start of Ramadan, hence the image. It goes until roughly March 19 this year. The ending date is not totally predictable because the moon has to be in the right position at the time, but Eid al Fitr is predicted for March 20.

Tuesday, this happened. I hope you’ll find it as satisfying as I did. Of course, it’s still just words, no action – but coming from one Rethuglican to another, it’s like music. (Also, Josh Hawley even toreinto her, but I don’t have that quote.)

The first story at this link is the one I am posting -but just about every one is worth at least a look (and they are short.)

I don’t think Joyce is correct about every state. But, sadly, she doesn’t have to be right about every state for there to be fatal chaos. I stopped doing it when it became to much for my mobility, but I did work elections for many years administering elections in Colorado, and that under both Democratic and Republican Secretaries of State and County Clerks, during periods when Colorado was red, and periods when it was blue. The attitude of “If people are entitled to vote, we want them to vote” never changed through the years -though Democrats and Republicans disagreed on almost everything else. But that was then and this is now, and red states (and maybe counties, which might be worse) will ratf*** if they can.

Open Thread March 4 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 5:54 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Mar 042026

Yesterday, I didn’t get a response from Pat B. I hope she is OK and just living her life. Also, Axios reported that the Mango Moron plans to attend the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. I hope all the real journalists stay away, because I can’t think of a reason for him to attend other than to collect new names for his enemies list. Can you?

Today is the anniversary of the birth of Lois W, the wife of Bill w, who founded AA, and herself the founder of Al-Anon. She used to say it is the strongest day of the year. Also as expected, I watched Malcolm Nance’s Day 4 of the war, and picked up a quote for today’s meme-cartoon.

Archived from The Lever, which examines possible positions SCROTUS might take, should the question of the legality of the Saffron Sauron ‘s strike on Iran come before then at some point. I doubt there are any surprises in it.

Well, this is interesting. It would have been even more interesting, though, if he had done so before the Cantaloupe Caligula had bombed Iran.

From Talking points Memo. Best of luck to the investigators (no matter how smart they are, a little luck never hurts.)

In case anyone is wondering about the Nectarine Necromancer’s neck (I expect Nameless already knows):

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