At exactly 9:30 this morning, the director of the FBI, Kash Patel, stood in front of photojournalists, members of Congress, and their staff, wearing a deep blue suit with a delicate pastel pink tie. With his right hand held up high and his left hand clenched tight at his thigh, he pledged “to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.” Minutes later, he was defending his department’s decision to remove bestiality as an automatic disqualification for employment with the FBI, making it possible for applicants who engaged in repulsive acts with an animal to still be eligible to join the most powerful law enforcement agency in the country.
Every day something worst comes up but it is great to hear that huge cracks are starting to appear.
I have heating oil to run my household heating , I need to refill my tank and had hoped prices would go down but they have just soared again and I am now looking at a £1.10 a litre cost, in April it was £.65p a litre.
And no it’s not Zelensky’s fault the hero of our time it is PUTIN, TRUMP,NETANYAHU and Pete ridiculous Hesketh who are completely and corruptly to blame.
We also fill our fuel oil tank full before winter. My husband filled our truck up with gas yesterday, he has a Country Fair discount card but it was still $4.40 a gallon. The day before at Walmart we needed the necessities for just the 2 of us, toilet paper, coffee (we don't drink anything else) meat for some suppers, plus fresh veggies. The total was $166. Honestly, how do others afford it who have children to feed??? This needs to change soon, every one, Republican, Independent and Democrat hopefully will vote to make a change in the Senate and the House this November!
We are low on our oil tank right now - for heating in New England. Can't imagine how much a tank is going to cost to fill it up. It's already in the 40's at night and the house is cold in the morning so I need to call and have it delivered. I've been putting it off because I'm not looking forward to that bill. Social Security and VA pension doesn't stretch that far. Thank you Donnie. You've really got us in a mess.
Yet another example of how trumpet chooses the officials in his administration solely based on how loyal they are to him, and not for their expertise or competence.
F, 64, immobile, in a nursing facility and I have made it my damn mission to make sure EVERYONE is aware that they can vote in here. This is a deep red pocket in a super 💙 state, so they are certainly not going to VOLUNTEER that info. Working in conjunction with the activities director, who is also koolaid free. Thank you for reminding us we DO have the power.
My question is which employee of the FBI committed bestiality, animal cruelty, theft from an employer and paying for sex? Who is being protected by these lowered hiring standards?
I want to know who (supposedly) told Patel potential employees couldn’t apply because of that rule. He was lying through his teeth on the whole subject.
Two questions regarding FBI candidate qualification changes — 1) why any time or age limit for any of these crimes/acts; and 2) for whom is Patel covering by making these changes? Clearly it’s for someone or several someones.
It is surely a sign of the times that Rep. Thomas Massie is often cited by the opposition for standing up to Trump (and appropriately so). However, does anyone remember Massie's family Christmas card a few years ago? What a country!
The worst thing I saw yesterday was an ancient, feckless committee chair utterly failing to use his OVERSIGHT committee, created by to investigate/stop this (and other) weasels’ misconduct/crimes and failure to do the job. The Committee has the power to hold accountable those whose shifty-eyed lies, failure to answer questions, and insults hurled at the Democrats doing their jobs. And what did he do? Nothing. Instead, he (and every other Republican Chair) is acting in furtherance of Trump’s conspiracy to end our democracy. And it is they we have the opportunity to defeat NOW by giving Democrats the power to take these chairs—I don’t think the media/candidates are doing enough to educate voters about who is helping Trump get away with stealing our democracy.
thank you for this summary - I chose not to watch any new, substack, podcast, etc yesterday - just needed a break. Your summary was great - thank you for what you do each and every day. And thank you for "not taking a break" as you posts are important to keep us informed
Thank you Heather for another excellent article. Your insights never cease to inspire me and give me so much to think about beyond the news story of the day.
I also watched a good deal of yesterday’s hearing. As Patel lobbed personalized opposition research gathered by his staff ala Pam Bondi whenever a senator asked him a question he didn’t like, which were most, Senator Chuck Grassley did absolutely nothing in support of the senators Patel was disparaging. If anything, he allowed Patel’s disgusting behavior to escalate in quiet, and at times vocal support, to condone each inflammatory, unfounded accusation that left his smirking mouth.
Much to my dismay, Chuck Grassley, who turns 93 years old tomorrow (9/17) has already threatened to run for another term, which would be his sixth as a senator which followed nine terms in the House of Representatives. His term expires January 2029, and if he manages another win, it will mean he will be 101 when that term ended in 2035.
Senator Grassley’s arrogance has turned him into one nasty old man who refuses to retire and freely sold his soul to the devil to stay in power. He is barely coherent when reading opening statements prepared by his staff, becomes spitting mad if anyone disagrees with him, or Heaven forbid, interrupt him, yet easily turns a blind eye when Senator contemporaries are being maligned by a witness the likes of cringey doofus, Patel.
Grassley openly supports in his words and deeds what will be considered by historians the worst executive cabinet of misfits ever chosen by a U.S. President. A tantrum throwing, felonious toddler who is more interested in plastering “Trump”the world over and building monuments to himself, enriching himself, his family and billionaire friends, emptying taxpayer coffers, starting wars, ending voting rights, cutting Medicaid, Medicare, and community support programs, and enlisting a privatized army of henchmen to reign terror on immigrants and U.S. citizens alike.
We need to link arms, attempt to call out this madness at every opportunity, and vote.
I started reading your post today as usual, anticipating some new horror but after a few lines I thought, oh good grief I can't read this so early in the morning. I decided to go to the little church across the road where I go to paint. It gives me the space away from the housework etc. It is a beautiful Autumnal day, I meet pleasant people and a curious little girl came to see what I was doing and went away with some grapes, (that are part of my still life!).
So, now fortified, I have read your post. First of all Heather, how do you do it? Having to scroll through all the daily dross emanating from DT and co takes real guts and I cannot say how much I admire your dedication! 🩷😘
Thankfully though, there are shafts of light beaming through the dark! People are not kowtowing to DT's henchmen! Al Green defiantly saying, STUFF YOU! (as we quite often say in the UK.)
Wish the Democrats would make but keep their plans about who they are going after quiet until after the midterms. It just gives drumpf and his cult/allies more incentive to cheat. And I think Booker is wrong about Patel. If he was going to be fired, it would have been for the macho fraternity house chugging beers stupid incident. It’s not going to be for incompetence or screaming at senators.
Please keep fighting
Every day something worst comes up but it is great to hear that huge cracks are starting to appear.
I have heating oil to run my household heating , I need to refill my tank and had hoped prices would go down but they have just soared again and I am now looking at a £1.10 a litre cost, in April it was £.65p a litre.
And no it’s not Zelensky’s fault the hero of our time it is PUTIN, TRUMP,NETANYAHU and Pete ridiculous Hesketh who are completely and corruptly to blame.
We also fill our fuel oil tank full before winter. My husband filled our truck up with gas yesterday, he has a Country Fair discount card but it was still $4.40 a gallon. The day before at Walmart we needed the necessities for just the 2 of us, toilet paper, coffee (we don't drink anything else) meat for some suppers, plus fresh veggies. The total was $166. Honestly, how do others afford it who have children to feed??? This needs to change soon, every one, Republican, Independent and Democrat hopefully will vote to make a change in the Senate and the House this November!
Same. See my comment below...
We are low on our oil tank right now - for heating in New England. Can't imagine how much a tank is going to cost to fill it up. It's already in the 40's at night and the house is cold in the morning so I need to call and have it delivered. I've been putting it off because I'm not looking forward to that bill. Social Security and VA pension doesn't stretch that far. Thank you Donnie. You've really got us in a mess.
Good luck, all race forward to the midterms waving your democratic swords.
The only light I can give you is in uk diesel is £1.91 a litre ! Not a gallon
We are all in this together so must stay strong and friends and make Trump and his corrupt side kicks history.
Yet another example of how trumpet chooses the officials in his administration solely based on how loyal they are to him, and not for their expertise or competence.
F, 64, immobile, in a nursing facility and I have made it my damn mission to make sure EVERYONE is aware that they can vote in here. This is a deep red pocket in a super 💙 state, so they are certainly not going to VOLUNTEER that info. Working in conjunction with the activities director, who is also koolaid free. Thank you for reminding us we DO have the power.
Bless you, Ame.
My question is which employee of the FBI committed bestiality, animal cruelty, theft from an employer and paying for sex? Who is being protected by these lowered hiring standards?
I want to know who (supposedly) told Patel potential employees couldn’t apply because of that rule. He was lying through his teeth on the whole subject.
Good Job, Heather. Nail the enablers. Keep going—when is Stephen Miller's turn?.
Two questions regarding FBI candidate qualification changes — 1) why any time or age limit for any of these crimes/acts; and 2) for whom is Patel covering by making these changes? Clearly it’s for someone or several someones.
Great post, as usual. Thank you for your diligence in getting the facts out.
The Congressional rebellion has begun. At last.
only by people with nothing left to lose, apparently.
Yes, well, maybe I'm an idealistic dreamer for hoping that we'll discover a moral fiber or two in Congress.
It is surely a sign of the times that Rep. Thomas Massie is often cited by the opposition for standing up to Trump (and appropriately so). However, does anyone remember Massie's family Christmas card a few years ago? What a country!
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-59543735
oh wow
OMG! I’d completely forgotten that. What an awful thing to put on a CHRISTMAS CARD‼️‼️‼️‼️.
Massie still a Chickenshit Republican.
What an incompetent! Such a contrast with Adam Schiff, who was calm and incisive. I do enjoy watching him!
totally agree
HDR, We LIKED it! Thank you.
The worst thing I saw yesterday was an ancient, feckless committee chair utterly failing to use his OVERSIGHT committee, created by to investigate/stop this (and other) weasels’ misconduct/crimes and failure to do the job. The Committee has the power to hold accountable those whose shifty-eyed lies, failure to answer questions, and insults hurled at the Democrats doing their jobs. And what did he do? Nothing. Instead, he (and every other Republican Chair) is acting in furtherance of Trump’s conspiracy to end our democracy. And it is they we have the opportunity to defeat NOW by giving Democrats the power to take these chairs—I don’t think the media/candidates are doing enough to educate voters about who is helping Trump get away with stealing our democracy.
thank you for this summary - I chose not to watch any new, substack, podcast, etc yesterday - just needed a break. Your summary was great - thank you for what you do each and every day. And thank you for "not taking a break" as you posts are important to keep us informed
Thank you Heather for another excellent article. Your insights never cease to inspire me and give me so much to think about beyond the news story of the day.
I also watched a good deal of yesterday’s hearing. As Patel lobbed personalized opposition research gathered by his staff ala Pam Bondi whenever a senator asked him a question he didn’t like, which were most, Senator Chuck Grassley did absolutely nothing in support of the senators Patel was disparaging. If anything, he allowed Patel’s disgusting behavior to escalate in quiet, and at times vocal support, to condone each inflammatory, unfounded accusation that left his smirking mouth.
Much to my dismay, Chuck Grassley, who turns 93 years old tomorrow (9/17) has already threatened to run for another term, which would be his sixth as a senator which followed nine terms in the House of Representatives. His term expires January 2029, and if he manages another win, it will mean he will be 101 when that term ended in 2035.
Senator Grassley’s arrogance has turned him into one nasty old man who refuses to retire and freely sold his soul to the devil to stay in power. He is barely coherent when reading opening statements prepared by his staff, becomes spitting mad if anyone disagrees with him, or Heaven forbid, interrupt him, yet easily turns a blind eye when Senator contemporaries are being maligned by a witness the likes of cringey doofus, Patel.
Grassley openly supports in his words and deeds what will be considered by historians the worst executive cabinet of misfits ever chosen by a U.S. President. A tantrum throwing, felonious toddler who is more interested in plastering “Trump”the world over and building monuments to himself, enriching himself, his family and billionaire friends, emptying taxpayer coffers, starting wars, ending voting rights, cutting Medicaid, Medicare, and community support programs, and enlisting a privatized army of henchmen to reign terror on immigrants and U.S. citizens alike.
We need to link arms, attempt to call out this madness at every opportunity, and vote.
Dear Heather,
I started reading your post today as usual, anticipating some new horror but after a few lines I thought, oh good grief I can't read this so early in the morning. I decided to go to the little church across the road where I go to paint. It gives me the space away from the housework etc. It is a beautiful Autumnal day, I meet pleasant people and a curious little girl came to see what I was doing and went away with some grapes, (that are part of my still life!).
So, now fortified, I have read your post. First of all Heather, how do you do it? Having to scroll through all the daily dross emanating from DT and co takes real guts and I cannot say how much I admire your dedication! 🩷😘
Thankfully though, there are shafts of light beaming through the dark! People are not kowtowing to DT's henchmen! Al Green defiantly saying, STUFF YOU! (as we quite often say in the UK.)
Thanks again!
Love from the UK.🇬🇧
Wish the Democrats would make but keep their plans about who they are going after quiet until after the midterms. It just gives drumpf and his cult/allies more incentive to cheat. And I think Booker is wrong about Patel. If he was going to be fired, it would have been for the macho fraternity house chugging beers stupid incident. It’s not going to be for incompetence or screaming at senators.