Political Voices Network – Neal Katyal: GOP Scared! Pence Gets an “A” for Loyalty, But Will He Have the Guts to Cross Trump?
The Lincoln Project – This Week in House Committee Hearings
MSNBC – Plaskett: GOP using ‘weaponization’ panel to air conspiracy theories ahead of 2024
Farron Balanced – Trump Goes Nuts After Conservative Group Snubs Him
Shy Rescue Puppy Asks For Pets For The First Time
Beau – Let’s talk about science in Montana….
Yesterday, Virgil and I had a good visit, even without cards. He is still dreaming things and thinking they happened, but if he starts to tell me about one, he now often catches himself up and says, “Oh, never mind.” And he did remember a few things that actually did happen, such as when a former boss of mine (whom we both adores) died – doing what she loved – rock climbing in Mexico. We were the only table for a couple of hours, but then gradually five others received visits. A couple of them left before I did, but the other three were still there when I left – at just the right time to minimize the sunset hindering me. There are some windows in the room, and they face roughly west. Their light on the floor gradually moves as the sun does, and eventually starts climbing up the wall, and acts as a makeshift sundial. When the top corner reaches a certain height, it’s time to leave. (If there isn’t sun, it doesn’t make as much difference when I leave because the sun won’t distract me if it can’t be seen.) Congratulations to Nameless on his team’s win (even though it still has an insensitive mascot. ;-)) After I got back and started looking around, I realized that Ohio is having an environmental catastrophe after a train derailment – near East Palestine – and I hope Spy Kat isn’t anywhere near it. Spy, I see you’ve been by (thanks for the upvotes) and I hope that means you’re fine and not in danger. On a happier note, Stevie van Zandt sent Jamie Raskin a gift – check this out.
Cartoon –
Short Takes –
Civil Discourse – Who Weaponized the Federal Government?
Quote – Yes, this subcommittee was a product of the “compromise” a desperate Kevin McCarthy struck to get the votes he needed to win the speakership on the 15th ballot. That’s apparent. But we need to understand the purpose the members who negotiated for its existence had in mind for it. We’ve already established it’s not about responsible governance. It’s purely performative. The goal seems to be producing a series of video clips and social media posts that Republicans can use for gotcha, for campaigning, and to advance fake claims that will only serve to push the country further into two opposing camps. It’s about writing bumper stickers and own-the-libs punchlines. Look no further than the fact that Fox News didn’t carry the hearing live. It’s all about some 60-second clips where Jordan and friends will be free to harpoon Democrats in a fact-free environment.
Click through for the details of her premise. While mostly obvious to us, it needs to be shouted from the rooftops. I do want to make one tiny correction – Stacey Plaskett of the Virgin Islands is not a Congresswoman but a delegate (USVI is not a state). She doesn’t have a vote on legislation. I presume she does on the committee, and in any case she has a voice – a strong one.
(New York magazine) The Cut – Misty Copeland on Becoming a Mom, Writing a Memoir, and Returning to the Stage
Quote – The self-doubt that comes with the responsibility of being the first, going onstage and performing these roles — Raven Wilkinson dealt with it herself, right before she left the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. She was being told by Nina Novak, who was the principal ballerina in the company, that her time pretty much was up. She was never going to be the White Swan. That’s just not a role for Black women. That was ingrained in us as Black women in the ballet world. So when I was given the opportunity to do Swan Lake, it was like this ancestral trauma that I’m bringing with me — this responsibility that if I don’t live up to these standards, what will that mean for future Black dancers taking on this role? Will they be given the opportunity, or will I be the reason not? All of these things were going through my head.
Click through for the rest of today’s Black History moment. I’m not a huge ballet fan, but I do admire Misty, and I’ve missed hearing/reading about her. (The first FFT is the cover of the children’s book she wrote – and the second is tips on how to use that.)
Food For Thought
Glenn Kirschner – Special Counsel Jack Smith subpoenas Mike Pence to testify to grand jury about Donald Trump’s crimes
Meidas Touch – Marjorie Taylor Greene LOSES IT during Hearing and it’s HILARIOUS
The Lincoln Project – This Is Leadership
Steve Schmidt – World War Stupid
Couple Cries After Sending Their Skinny Rescue Dog To New Home
Beau – Let’s talk about polling on a second Biden term….
Glenn Kirschner – Twitter executives testify at congressional hearing; make Jordan, MTG and others look foolish
The Lincoln Project – Last Week in the Republican Party – February 7, 2023
Political Voices Network – Joyce Vance: Trump’s House of Cards Crumbling! New Twist in Navarro’s Trial, & Barr Exposed!
Robert Reich – The Dangerous Reality of Police Traffic Stops
2-Pound Great Dane Puppy Has To Start Walking Before He Gets Too Big
Beau – Let’s talk about the male scale….
Glenn Kirschner – Prosecutor Mark Pomerantz pursued racketeering indictment of Donald Trump, DA Alvin Bragg said “no.”
Meidas Touch – MAGA Governor UNLEASHES HELL on Her Own State as it CRUMBLES (did anyone listen to her response to the State of the Union address? I couldn’t. I was actually pretty wrung out after the SOTU.)
Politics Girl – To My Fellow White Americans… (I don’t know why she soometimes posts twice – I’ve been reposting the newer one.)
Liberal Redneck – State of the State of the Union
Guy Who Only Liked Dogs Cat-sits For The First Time
Beau – Let’s talk about the 5th Circuit Ruling….
Glenn Kirschner – Chinese spy balloons, Jim Jordan, and the debasement of the House & Senate Judiciary Committees
The Lincoln Project – Built Back Better
Farron Balanced – Trump Threatens To Help Democrats If Republican Voters Reject Him
Armageddon Update – Book Banning
Bearded Dragon Comes Running When His Mom Calls Him
Beau – Let’s talk about a laptop and a change of strategy….
Glenn Kirschner – Pence conceals Trump crimes then profits off them in book; the need to reform ethics in government (It’s likely called misprision because that word, which originally meant just “take wrongly,” was from its inception mostly applied to actions of government officials. For the rest of is, there’s “aiding and abetting” and “accessory before/after the fact.”)
Meidas Touch – Jan 6 Insurrectionist gets BRUTAL sentence and COLLAPSES in Court (as a former Marine myself, I say it’s a step in the right direction. It probably includes concurrent service. Consecutive would have been better.)
Politics Girl – Fund the IRS (Like me, you probably learned this at your mother’s knee. Yet there are still peole who don’t get it.)
Armageddon Update – Really?
Woman Pulls “Aggressive” Dog From The Shelter Minutes Before It’s Too Late
Beau – Let’s talk about the Colorado River and deals….
Yesterday, it was pretty quiet – until late last night, when there was (literally) earthshaking news – from Turkey ans Syria. To quote Heather Cox Richardson, ”
A deadly 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Turkey late tonight has caused damage in Syria, and was felt in Lebanon, and Israel, as well. It has collapsed buildings, sparked fires in ruptured gas lines, and prompted Italian authorities to warn of potential tsunami waves. Aftershocks, including one of 6.7 magnitude and another of 5.6, have continued to hit in the wake of the first quake. Millions of refugees from Syria’s civil war and internally displaced persons live in the region of the epicenter, in tents and other temporary housing. It is winter there.” Winter in the Mediterranean is not the same as winter in the Colorado Rockies, but it is still no picnic. At least our President is on top of it.
Cartoon –
Short Takes –
Crooks & Liars – With A One-Word Answer, Maxine Waters Startles GOP ‘Colleague’
Quote – “You can’t condemn socialism?” Reschenthaler said. “In your opening remarks, you were talking about Putin, Kim Jong Un and Xi. You know what they all have in common, right?” “Trump,” Waters said.
Click through. Auntie Maxine – making Black History since 1938
The 19th – Two years in, Biden has prioritized nominating women of color as judges
Quote – While Jackson’s historic confirmation was the most visible sign of systemic change in the judiciary, the president has prioritized diversity throughout the federal court system. Biden’s judicial appointees are the most diverse of any U.S. president to date in terms of race, gender and professional background. Of the judges appointed by Biden in the past two years, 75 percent are women, 47 percent are women of color and 67 percent are people of color.
Click through for details. Few white people are in a position to make Blck History – and of those few, most don’t (or do it wrong.) I’m pretty sure Joe doesn”t expect (or care about) being named in Black HIstory. He’s just doing the right thing.
Food For Thought
