Subpoenas – Politics Plus

Yesterday, I put everything physically in place to go quickly in the morning. I’m not expecting to need to take off my sweater then I leave. After tomorrow, it’s supposed to warm up some here, but not, for the next week, to ever break 80°F.

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

The Hill – Jan. 6 panel subpoenas 11, including Pierson, other rally organizers
Quote – Each of the 11 individuals is identified by the committee as having been involved with the Women for America First-sponsored rally where Trump spoke on Jan. 6. “You assisted in organizing the rally held on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021, in support of then-President Trump and his allegation of election fraud. President Trump spoke at the January 6th rally shortly before the attack on the Capitol, urging the crowd to ‘fight much harder’ and to ‘stop the steal,’” the committee wrote in letters to each.
Click through for names. Note that the Congressinal select committee, while it has powers, does not have judicial powers. It can’t indict, or try, or convict, or sentence. The best it can do is to refer its findings to those who can do those other things.

Wonkette – Huzzay! We Shan’t Have A Government Shutdown Tonight! Probably!
Quote – This is where we reassure you that for years now, Congress has passed continuing resolutions to keep the government funded at current levels, often on the day a shutdown would otherwise kick in, and the only times there’s been an actual shutdown have been when the threat to force a shutdown was telegraphed well in advance. Then again, this is 2021, so we can’t completely rule out the possibility that once the CR is passed by the Senate, the entire House side of the US Capitol may be spirited away by Tralfamadorians in flying saucers, leaving President Joe Biden without a bill to sign. But that seems at least only a 30 percent possibility at the moment.
Click through for story. Every publication has its own house style (some more distinctive than others), and also individual writers’ treatments of the house style. This article is by Doktor Zoom. By the time you see this, you will know whether or not a CR has been passed.

Food for Thought –

Yesterday it was still pretty cool but I know it won’t last. It’s been nice while it did, though.

Cartoon –

Short Takes

The Hill – Five big questions as Jan. 6 panel preps subpoenas
The Questions – 1. Will the panel hit roadblocks for subpoenaed documents?
2. Should lawmakers like McCarthy and Jordan be called to testify?
3. Could any Democratic witnesses offer testimony?
4. Will they go after former Trump officials?
5. Will there be an August hearing?
Click through for expanded speculation. Of course the first rule of lawyering is “never ask a question if you don’t know the answer,” and though this is not exactly a trial, it is a kind of court.

The New Yorker – New York State Weighs Ban on Male Governors
Quote – “If, at the end of fifty years, we have reason to believe that a male governor could behave in an appropriate manner, then the law would expire,” State Senator Carol Foyler, one of the bill’s sponsors, said. “If, however, it’s determined that New York could not tolerate a male governor at that time, there is a provision to extend the law for an additional fifty years.”
Click through – it’s short.

HuffPost – I’m An ICU Doctor And I Cannot Believe The Things Unvaccinated Patients Are Telling Me
Quote – I am angry that the tragic scenes of prior surges are being played out yet again, but now with ICUs primarily filled with patients who have chosen not to be vaccinated. I am angry that it takes me over an hour to explain to an anti-vaxxer full of misinformation that intubation isn’t what “kills patients” and that their wish for chest compressions without intubation in the event of a respiratory arrest makes no sense. I am angry at those who refuse to wear “muzzles” when grocery shopping for half an hour a week, as I have been so-called “muzzled” for much of the past 18 months.
Click through for full article.

Food for Thought (of course this doesn’t apply to anyone here!)

Politics Plus

Open Thread for October 1, 2021

Open Thread for August 6, 2021