At 11:11 this morning, a flustered and weary United States senator emerged from a heated meeting and stepped into the hallway lined with reporters inside the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill. John Cornyn, the senator whom Donald Trump had recently rejected for not being loyal enough to the president, confirmed just how dangerous this moment has become for our country. With cameras pointed directly at him, he admitted that Congress, at least its Republican members, voluntarily abandoned their constitutional responsibilities when the Senate Judiciary Committee voted moments before to advance Todd Blanche's nomination to attorney general. Cornyn was direct and didn't hold back when he made this admission: "There's nothing we could do to rein in the president."
They caved because they want future privilege. They want jobs for their kids. They want to go to future Christmas parties and feel that they were worthwhile, had a career status, belonged to the club. Vote against Trump now and you may not get any status in the future. Best be safe: throw a moral protest. Show you care. Then cave when it matters most, but still claim you were one of the pushbacks when times were tough. Bullshit upon bullshit. Chess games for the future of your status and family. But don’t think for a minute when it really came to a serious decision that the right decision was made.
Think about that. These holdouts were supposed to be the last moral stand for a filthy policy that puts an unqualified biased sycophant in charge of incredible assets that will benefit Trump, the most corrupt American in the history of power.
It’s more than a slap in the face for every single thing Americans have done to make the USA a world superpower, it’s a pass that supports the decline of anything good that worked.
Every single day another gross outrage. Every single day. With the number of guns in America, nothing to worry about for the future of your children here. Everything will turn out just fine.
I wonder what kind of air those children and grandchildren will breathe and what kind of safe food they will eat as von trump is destroying all environment and health protection laws so his billionaires friends can dig and pollute and poison more and more. Republicans are the real enemies. Punkt schluss.
Yes Jack. Our kids are breathing the air already; not just here, but in Europe. It’s already disastrous. Trump claims climate change is the greatest hoax ever created as we see with our OWN EYES real people losing real homes and real health and real security to wildfires as it happens in real time.
Today! For what? Money. Power. More money. More power. Never, ever enough. Never would a reasonable person have thought it would have gone so bad, so fast in our lifetime. But it has. Will climate get worse before it gets better?
Honestly, what do you think knowing what you know today? Trump will not be around for the damage he sows today, which grinds me to my soul. Maybe someday one of his grandchildren’s children will say holy fuck. Look what grandpa did. We are rich but I can’t breathe…
…and A.I. data centers using all our Water, poisoning our water, and environment, killing off animals, plants, crops, and people…already running towns dry from drought and Data centers.
Lawrence O'Donnell believes they caved because they want to come back as lobbyists and wouldn't be able to get anything out of Senators if they voted no and went against Batsby. If that is true, that is really a dumb reason to go against the Constitution, the rule of law and to give up any semblance of integrity.
My guess is death threats from Dump's crazy supporters. At least that's understandable if not excusable. I mean, Cornyn & Tillis obviously aren't ready to give their lives, their fortunes, and their (nonexistent) sacred honor for their country -- no matter how much in the way of "patriotic" kayfabe they've blathered about during their disgraceful careers.
Seriously, really “….Cornyn whimpered that "there's nothing we could do to rein in the president.”…. Are you fu€king kidding… Hey John for a start, get up off your knees, think that fellatio action is over and didn’t work, he endorsed Ken Paxton instead, second take your thumb out of your as$… Do Your GD Job!!
As for Tillis himself actually admitting outloud. “…The bottom line is nobody is clean here. And until we start recognizing this behavior as bad, we’re just going to one-up it.” then voted Yes to send Blanche off to be confirmed... Like what Thom you’re not a grown man, a Senator who has already recognized pretty sh*tty behavior and said “Ah Hell let’s just let the shite keep rolling down the mountain”…. Let’s give the Felon whatever he wants, not my problem, I’ve already checked out… “Th-th-th-that's all, folks!" where was the music Thom? You know that tune that should have instantly hit a loud, fast, comedic instrumental track which slows down to a frantic, stuttering rhythm horn-and-drum crescendo to the end of this fu€king cartoon… Hey Thom wanna know the name of this tune… “The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down”…. seems so fitting … What an utterly waste of human flesh, a mass of clowns, a carnival that at one time was called the United States Senate and Congress…
Well thank goodness we won’t have to hear another minute of feeble Collins clutching her pearls while proclaiming that mantra — “I'm concerned," "I'm deeply concerned,” “I’m troubled," and "I'm disappointed"… So she’s sticking with a No, for Blanche per her posting… How magnanimous of her running for cover - Oh BTW there Susie he did “… learn a pretty big lesson..” It’s not really worth explaining it to you — you don’t give a rats as$ for anything other than yourself. A waste of time talking to another mass of flesh, a clown…
Honestly not going to hold my breath awaiting Lisa Murkowski or Bill Cassidy voting No… Their track record of voting along with this regime like Collins at 95% is absolutely no better. Murkowski is at 94% and Cassidy well hot diggity we got Kennedy Jr..
If you haven’t heard along with cyclosporiasis you know that foodborne illness that still the source hasn’t been identified and isn’t slowing down that gives you explosive diarrhea. Well we have another. Apparently jalapeños are being investigated as the source of a salmonella outbreak from Chipotle.. Wow Senators not doing their jobs in the carnival, we are all running to the bathroom just expelling explosive waste out of every orifice… Good Times… Are we all Winning Yet? Are we all going to pretend we are the Hottest nation ever to be seen before?
Folks, there are 90 days from today until the 2026 U.S. midterm general election, which will take place on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Run to the polls, crawl if you have to…. Make a plan, organize with others, if need be give a ride to family, a friend a neighbor to the polls… To Big to Rig is the goal a Blue tsunami so wide and tall that it will take over this nation… make it happen - make it be heard and seen - make it count…
BTW - my apologies for swearing and using language that may not be appropriate..
Lately if you’ve ever watched the movie “Blazing Saddles” the song that Madeline Kahn performs is on a constant loop in the mind…
Glad could help with your mood for the day… lately am swearing like a sailor and going outside and screaming. It does feel good, a stress release. Do warn my neighbors ahead of time so they don’t freak out.. some of them are joining it’s a marvelous feeling..
I’m a lifelong sailor so I swear a lot 🤣. Did an America’s Cup for Larry Ellison who bought a mansion on Bellevue in town. He and his kid are doing quite a disservice with freedom of the press. Another client was Lachlan Murdoch. Again he runs a lie network. Yeah, I was a toy maker for these guys. See my avatar Tommy, he is with me everywhere I go. I get to tell anyone who asks what the initials FDT stand for. I’m swearing a lot 🤣🐕
As a Mainer, she only votes against when they have already sealed the deal. Susan “concerned” Pearl clutching Collins is bought and sold by AIPAC and now the Nazi, eugenics, technofascist, baby-maker, narcissistic sociopath, Elon Musk.
RepubliKKKans only care about saving their own asses. They sold their souls, morals, values, ethics, humanity to the devils of trump and his family, EPSTEIN Class, Elon Musk, Thiel and his Dialog club, the Heritage Foundation, “BORED of Peace” members ALL profiteering while Eliminating, EXTERMINATING the rest of us, people of color, “vermin,” undesirables, disabled, veterans, sick, poor, etc., by dismantling and slashing all the programs and benefits the most vulnerable need and the middle class.
Eugenics and EXTERMINATION…ICE Gestapo, inhumane for profit CONCENTRATION Camps.
‘Let them eat contaminated lettuce, vegetables, fruits, foods, drain and poison their water and air, schools, close the hospitals, make prescriptions and healthcare unaffordable, the cost of living to expensive, make them Self-deport, etc.”
“Off with their heads” and Eugenics ethnic cleansing…Hitler wannabe.
As Lance Rosen wrote, the similarities to Hitler and actions of Project 2025, Palantir and Dialog KKKlub of Thiel’s and EPSTEIN Class, etc.
Thank you for your comments. If could get away with just a well placed open hand smack across the cheek with some of these as$holes would do it in a heartbeat.. Believe they all have gone to the reflecting pool and have stored the scum water in their fridges. Just keep on swimmimg…
WOW! What an amazing commentary on EVERY point in Heather's article. This is ON POINT and I agree with everything you said. Thank you for laying it all out for us!
TJ- I agree 1000% with your comments and want to add additional ideas for the upcoming midterms and beyond. First, DO NOT RELY ON THE POLLS! Everyone needs to get out and vote so we can overwhelm any pushback, argument or legal challenges. Polls are not votes. Next, it should be beyond doubt now that the Republicans have abdicated their responsibilities and violated their oaths of office. I no longer care about any of them, they are traitors in my mind and should not be shown any type of mercy when we take over Congress and begin issuing subpoenas and holding public hearings. There is nothing they can say to excuse them. This also applies to any and all WH staff members that saw violations of our laws and decided to stay quiet and keep their paychecks. Lastly, for now, I am concerned that, assuming we win in November, that we will need to protect all activities leading to and beyond the swearing in of our new Congress on Jan 3. Thereafter, I would like to see multiple Special Prosecutors assigned to re-investigate Jan 6, the Epstein Files and the many violations that the current administration and Cabinet have committed. No mercy.
NYY4Ever thank you for the additional comments. When saying polls do mean the voting polls as to where any of us are registered to vote. Am not relying on mail-in ballots, we in this community have already organized to take people to those voting locations to vote during early voting. If some are unable too then they are all determined to get their mail-in ballots in early. Have held sessions in over 27 to 35 high schools in about over a 100 mile radius and lost count of colleges to have those younger who are just coming of age to register to vote before school let out for the summer. Schools will be in session soon and our group is planning to do the loop once again up to the cut off date for November.
Agree fully with subpoenas and moving forward with hearings. Similar to a Nuremberg trial that will continue on to include that Felon along with his adult children taking federal money contracts per those newly acquired companies. Have lost my mercy a long time ago. May seem harsh but some circumstances that have transpired that door is closed for any of them, down to the assistant to the assistant in the WH for any of them. Culpability needs to be addressed there is knowledge of a crime that has been committed and evidence of intent was found and presented. Every last one, this includes members of Congress who may still have office or have left.. Want the Epstein survivors to have their days in court for their vile perpetrators held accountable. As for those pardoned J6 people am not a lawyer yet would like to see if something could be worked out, but don’t know if that is a possibility.. it’s not an eye for an eye simply want the rule of law applied to each and everyone of them as it should be for all of us equally. Get that it doesn’t happen due to prejudice, bigotry or bias but we need to move forward in making it so… stay safe and healthy.. Going to make this count..
Perfectly stated and summarized. I really appreciate your clear and supporting activities to the voting effort. I’m going to apply your ideas even though I live in a blue state. THANK YOU!
First of all, Cornyn is lying...Congress, when they work together, has the power to "rein in" the power of the President...the Republicans have chosen, time and again, to cave to Trump's whims and remain silent, and Cornyn and Tillis, the ones that could have stopped this nomination had nothing to lose, yet they voted to advance. Two faced traitors...I hope they can live with themselves
"They could begin ending this authoritarian takeover today." Absolutely, and yet they're not. So be very mindful when you vote in the primaries and in November.
One hopes that public discussions like Heather's in this time of trials for our country, meaning all of us, will help teach American civic values to us and our children—showing how this country ought to work as contrasted with how it is being currently mismanaged, malmanaged, to coin a word.
Heather- I agree with everything you wrote in this outstanding essay. I have a minor quibble in the editing. The paragraph where you discuss how many more Republicans need to jump ship to sink the nomination is a little confusing. I would say it this way: the Senate is currently 50-47 in favor of Republicans. McConnell is not voting making it now 52-47. Collins is voting no making the current total 51-48, assuming all the remaining Republicans vote yes and all the Dems vote no. If Cassidy AND Murkowski vote no AND all Democrats vote no (I’m looking at Fetterman) Blanche would lose 50-49.
I hate to be cynical but I don’t believe there is a Republican currently in the Senate who has the backbone to pull a McCain (surprising the world by voting with the Democrats to block overturning Obamacare). One would think Cassidy has nothing to lose; Trump has already ended his career. And Murkowski can’t have any warm fuzzies toward the Republican Party. Remember that she had to run as a write-in candidate to win her last election as the incumbent Senator; the Republican Party had rejected her for a more conservative candidate.
I wonder if they have any conscience left so that they might feel some sense of remorse when, inevitably, all of Blanche's lies and the meaningless documents he alone signed, are undone the moment he is confirmed?
Maybe the promise that they would be able to become paid lobbyists (which I have heard is what happened) was more important to them than honour. Sad.
I wish I was confident that the midterms would make a real difference. But will we really see a change in behavior? The Democrats won’t win a veto proof, majority, so Trump can veto any laws they pass. Investigations will just be thwarted and labeled witch hunts, and the investigators will have to chase witnesses and subjects into court to get them to testify. We are at an even more critical juncture than we think. As cynical as Heather is, I think I may be even more cynical.
These are indeed troubling times as our country continues to be overthrown by “Christian” nationalists and extremists determined to divide our country against itself. I still believe that the current president is a puppet - a stooge - selected by his handlers to destroy our democracy and our Constitution. He is not worthy of the office he holds - he is simply a sick, demented old man who agreed to play a role in order to stay out of prison, feed his narcissistic ego, position the USA as a world threat, and glean as much money from our government and our taxpayers as he and his handlers and co-conspirators possibly can. I don’t know if the country will survive this horrible regime. But I thank God, Heather, for your exhaustive research and your keen insight, and for the Hope you help us cling to every single day.
I think your math is off regarding the number of Republicans to flip to block Blanche's nomination. With McConnell absent a majority becomes 50. Therefore 3 Republican senators would have to vote no to go below 50, not 2. Two would still leave 50 voting yes. That also doesn't take into account John Fetterman who has voted with Republicans on confirmations in the past saying that presidents deserve the Cabinet of their choice.
We replace the Epstein circle of oligarchs when we vote. Are you registered to vote? How are you getting to the polls? Make a plan, enlist family and friends. Let's stop the fascists!
Blanche is a disgrace to the DOJ and the bar. And he does not care a rat’s rump about the Constitution or the law so long as he can do his client’s bidding and reap the rewards of sycophancy and the corruption of his office.
The GOP Senate majority is as much a disgrace because those who know better go along rather than be the subject of nasty social media posts and a primary challenge boosted by big bucks from funders who have no actual interest in the wellbeing of the voters in that state.
They caved because they want future privilege. They want jobs for their kids. They want to go to future Christmas parties and feel that they were worthwhile, had a career status, belonged to the club. Vote against Trump now and you may not get any status in the future. Best be safe: throw a moral protest. Show you care. Then cave when it matters most, but still claim you were one of the pushbacks when times were tough. Bullshit upon bullshit. Chess games for the future of your status and family. But don’t think for a minute when it really came to a serious decision that the right decision was made.
Think about that. These holdouts were supposed to be the last moral stand for a filthy policy that puts an unqualified biased sycophant in charge of incredible assets that will benefit Trump, the most corrupt American in the history of power.
It’s more than a slap in the face for every single thing Americans have done to make the USA a world superpower, it’s a pass that supports the decline of anything good that worked.
Every single day another gross outrage. Every single day. With the number of guns in America, nothing to worry about for the future of your children here. Everything will turn out just fine.
I wonder what kind of air those children and grandchildren will breathe and what kind of safe food they will eat as von trump is destroying all environment and health protection laws so his billionaires friends can dig and pollute and poison more and more. Republicans are the real enemies. Punkt schluss.
Yes Jack. Our kids are breathing the air already; not just here, but in Europe. It’s already disastrous. Trump claims climate change is the greatest hoax ever created as we see with our OWN EYES real people losing real homes and real health and real security to wildfires as it happens in real time.
Today! For what? Money. Power. More money. More power. Never, ever enough. Never would a reasonable person have thought it would have gone so bad, so fast in our lifetime. But it has. Will climate get worse before it gets better?
Honestly, what do you think knowing what you know today? Trump will not be around for the damage he sows today, which grinds me to my soul. Maybe someday one of his grandchildren’s children will say holy fuck. Look what grandpa did. We are rich but I can’t breathe…
…and A.I. data centers using all our Water, poisoning our water, and environment, killing off animals, plants, crops, and people…already running towns dry from drought and Data centers.
"Look what grandpa did. We are rich but I can’t breathe…"
That got me like nothing else has today.
Lawrence O'Donnell believes they caved because they want to come back as lobbyists and wouldn't be able to get anything out of Senators if they voted no and went against Batsby. If that is true, that is really a dumb reason to go against the Constitution, the rule of law and to give up any semblance of integrity.
My guess is death threats from Dump's crazy supporters. At least that's understandable if not excusable. I mean, Cornyn & Tillis obviously aren't ready to give their lives, their fortunes, and their (nonexistent) sacred honor for their country -- no matter how much in the way of "patriotic" kayfabe they've blathered about during their disgraceful careers.
Right, in other words spineless
Or threats from Trump, the mob boss. Or bribes. Nothing good.
I wonder how many guns they own back in Texas? Surely they can defend themselves
Thank you Heather.
Seriously, really “….Cornyn whimpered that "there's nothing we could do to rein in the president.”…. Are you fu€king kidding… Hey John for a start, get up off your knees, think that fellatio action is over and didn’t work, he endorsed Ken Paxton instead, second take your thumb out of your as$… Do Your GD Job!!
As for Tillis himself actually admitting outloud. “…The bottom line is nobody is clean here. And until we start recognizing this behavior as bad, we’re just going to one-up it.” then voted Yes to send Blanche off to be confirmed... Like what Thom you’re not a grown man, a Senator who has already recognized pretty sh*tty behavior and said “Ah Hell let’s just let the shite keep rolling down the mountain”…. Let’s give the Felon whatever he wants, not my problem, I’ve already checked out… “Th-th-th-that's all, folks!" where was the music Thom? You know that tune that should have instantly hit a loud, fast, comedic instrumental track which slows down to a frantic, stuttering rhythm horn-and-drum crescendo to the end of this fu€king cartoon… Hey Thom wanna know the name of this tune… “The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down”…. seems so fitting … What an utterly waste of human flesh, a mass of clowns, a carnival that at one time was called the United States Senate and Congress…
Well thank goodness we won’t have to hear another minute of feeble Collins clutching her pearls while proclaiming that mantra — “I'm concerned," "I'm deeply concerned,” “I’m troubled," and "I'm disappointed"… So she’s sticking with a No, for Blanche per her posting… How magnanimous of her running for cover - Oh BTW there Susie he did “… learn a pretty big lesson..” It’s not really worth explaining it to you — you don’t give a rats as$ for anything other than yourself. A waste of time talking to another mass of flesh, a clown…
Honestly not going to hold my breath awaiting Lisa Murkowski or Bill Cassidy voting No… Their track record of voting along with this regime like Collins at 95% is absolutely no better. Murkowski is at 94% and Cassidy well hot diggity we got Kennedy Jr..
If you haven’t heard along with cyclosporiasis you know that foodborne illness that still the source hasn’t been identified and isn’t slowing down that gives you explosive diarrhea. Well we have another. Apparently jalapeños are being investigated as the source of a salmonella outbreak from Chipotle.. Wow Senators not doing their jobs in the carnival, we are all running to the bathroom just expelling explosive waste out of every orifice… Good Times… Are we all Winning Yet? Are we all going to pretend we are the Hottest nation ever to be seen before?
Folks, there are 90 days from today until the 2026 U.S. midterm general election, which will take place on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Run to the polls, crawl if you have to…. Make a plan, organize with others, if need be give a ride to family, a friend a neighbor to the polls… To Big to Rig is the goal a Blue tsunami so wide and tall that it will take over this nation… make it happen - make it be heard and seen - make it count…
BTW - my apologies for swearing and using language that may not be appropriate..
Lately if you’ve ever watched the movie “Blazing Saddles” the song that Madeline Kahn performs is on a constant loop in the mind…
https://youtu.be/IjmZbIwx1RE?is=ViObshA3P3PuZDau
Thank you TJ I needed your post before I get out of bed, I was becoming very dark. Keep up the swearing!
Glad could help with your mood for the day… lately am swearing like a sailor and going outside and screaming. It does feel good, a stress release. Do warn my neighbors ahead of time so they don’t freak out.. some of them are joining it’s a marvelous feeling..
I’m a lifelong sailor so I swear a lot 🤣. Did an America’s Cup for Larry Ellison who bought a mansion on Bellevue in town. He and his kid are doing quite a disservice with freedom of the press. Another client was Lachlan Murdoch. Again he runs a lie network. Yeah, I was a toy maker for these guys. See my avatar Tommy, he is with me everywhere I go. I get to tell anyone who asks what the initials FDT stand for. I’m swearing a lot 🤣🐕
Same...Navy veteran. It just flies out of my mouth. No apology needed!
Nice 😉🤣
TJ and Heather…ALL that and more!
As a Mainer, she only votes against when they have already sealed the deal. Susan “concerned” Pearl clutching Collins is bought and sold by AIPAC and now the Nazi, eugenics, technofascist, baby-maker, narcissistic sociopath, Elon Musk.
RepubliKKKans only care about saving their own asses. They sold their souls, morals, values, ethics, humanity to the devils of trump and his family, EPSTEIN Class, Elon Musk, Thiel and his Dialog club, the Heritage Foundation, “BORED of Peace” members ALL profiteering while Eliminating, EXTERMINATING the rest of us, people of color, “vermin,” undesirables, disabled, veterans, sick, poor, etc., by dismantling and slashing all the programs and benefits the most vulnerable need and the middle class.
Eugenics and EXTERMINATION…ICE Gestapo, inhumane for profit CONCENTRATION Camps.
‘Let them eat contaminated lettuce, vegetables, fruits, foods, drain and poison their water and air, schools, close the hospitals, make prescriptions and healthcare unaffordable, the cost of living to expensive, make them Self-deport, etc.”
“Off with their heads” and Eugenics ethnic cleansing…Hitler wannabe.
As Lance Rosen wrote, the similarities to Hitler and actions of Project 2025, Palantir and Dialog KKKlub of Thiel’s and EPSTEIN Class, etc.
https://lancefrosen.substack.com/p/from-beginning-to-end-this-regime?r=71veyx&utm_medium=ios
https://lancefrosen.substack.com/p/greed-alone-isnt-what-drives-maga?r=71veyx&utm_medium=ios
Thank you for your comments. If could get away with just a well placed open hand smack across the cheek with some of these as$holes would do it in a heartbeat.. Believe they all have gone to the reflecting pool and have stored the scum water in their fridges. Just keep on swimmimg…
WOW! What an amazing commentary on EVERY point in Heather's article. This is ON POINT and I agree with everything you said. Thank you for laying it all out for us!
TJ- I agree 1000% with your comments and want to add additional ideas for the upcoming midterms and beyond. First, DO NOT RELY ON THE POLLS! Everyone needs to get out and vote so we can overwhelm any pushback, argument or legal challenges. Polls are not votes. Next, it should be beyond doubt now that the Republicans have abdicated their responsibilities and violated their oaths of office. I no longer care about any of them, they are traitors in my mind and should not be shown any type of mercy when we take over Congress and begin issuing subpoenas and holding public hearings. There is nothing they can say to excuse them. This also applies to any and all WH staff members that saw violations of our laws and decided to stay quiet and keep their paychecks. Lastly, for now, I am concerned that, assuming we win in November, that we will need to protect all activities leading to and beyond the swearing in of our new Congress on Jan 3. Thereafter, I would like to see multiple Special Prosecutors assigned to re-investigate Jan 6, the Epstein Files and the many violations that the current administration and Cabinet have committed. No mercy.
NYY4Ever thank you for the additional comments. When saying polls do mean the voting polls as to where any of us are registered to vote. Am not relying on mail-in ballots, we in this community have already organized to take people to those voting locations to vote during early voting. If some are unable too then they are all determined to get their mail-in ballots in early. Have held sessions in over 27 to 35 high schools in about over a 100 mile radius and lost count of colleges to have those younger who are just coming of age to register to vote before school let out for the summer. Schools will be in session soon and our group is planning to do the loop once again up to the cut off date for November.
Agree fully with subpoenas and moving forward with hearings. Similar to a Nuremberg trial that will continue on to include that Felon along with his adult children taking federal money contracts per those newly acquired companies. Have lost my mercy a long time ago. May seem harsh but some circumstances that have transpired that door is closed for any of them, down to the assistant to the assistant in the WH for any of them. Culpability needs to be addressed there is knowledge of a crime that has been committed and evidence of intent was found and presented. Every last one, this includes members of Congress who may still have office or have left.. Want the Epstein survivors to have their days in court for their vile perpetrators held accountable. As for those pardoned J6 people am not a lawyer yet would like to see if something could be worked out, but don’t know if that is a possibility.. it’s not an eye for an eye simply want the rule of law applied to each and everyone of them as it should be for all of us equally. Get that it doesn’t happen due to prejudice, bigotry or bias but we need to move forward in making it so… stay safe and healthy.. Going to make this count..
Perfectly stated and summarized. I really appreciate your clear and supporting activities to the voting effort. I’m going to apply your ideas even though I live in a blue state. THANK YOU!
These fucking pale, male, stale old white men have NO BALLS
First of all, Cornyn is lying...Congress, when they work together, has the power to "rein in" the power of the President...the Republicans have chosen, time and again, to cave to Trump's whims and remain silent, and Cornyn and Tillis, the ones that could have stopped this nomination had nothing to lose, yet they voted to advance. Two faced traitors...I hope they can live with themselves
"They could begin ending this authoritarian takeover today." Absolutely, and yet they're not. So be very mindful when you vote in the primaries and in November.
I’m tired too by the way - and I’m Australian !!!
One hopes that public discussions like Heather's in this time of trials for our country, meaning all of us, will help teach American civic values to us and our children—showing how this country ought to work as contrasted with how it is being currently mismanaged, malmanaged, to coin a word.
Heather- I agree with everything you wrote in this outstanding essay. I have a minor quibble in the editing. The paragraph where you discuss how many more Republicans need to jump ship to sink the nomination is a little confusing. I would say it this way: the Senate is currently 50-47 in favor of Republicans. McConnell is not voting making it now 52-47. Collins is voting no making the current total 51-48, assuming all the remaining Republicans vote yes and all the Dems vote no. If Cassidy AND Murkowski vote no AND all Democrats vote no (I’m looking at Fetterman) Blanche would lose 50-49.
I hate to be cynical but I don’t believe there is a Republican currently in the Senate who has the backbone to pull a McCain (surprising the world by voting with the Democrats to block overturning Obamacare). One would think Cassidy has nothing to lose; Trump has already ended his career. And Murkowski can’t have any warm fuzzies toward the Republican Party. Remember that she had to run as a write-in candidate to win her last election as the incumbent Senator; the Republican Party had rejected her for a more conservative candidate.
Heather, absolutely spot-on again.
I wonder if they have any conscience left so that they might feel some sense of remorse when, inevitably, all of Blanche's lies and the meaningless documents he alone signed, are undone the moment he is confirmed?
Maybe the promise that they would be able to become paid lobbyists (which I have heard is what happened) was more important to them than honour. Sad.
I wish I was confident that the midterms would make a real difference. But will we really see a change in behavior? The Democrats won’t win a veto proof, majority, so Trump can veto any laws they pass. Investigations will just be thwarted and labeled witch hunts, and the investigators will have to chase witnesses and subjects into court to get them to testify. We are at an even more critical juncture than we think. As cynical as Heather is, I think I may be even more cynical.
These are indeed troubling times as our country continues to be overthrown by “Christian” nationalists and extremists determined to divide our country against itself. I still believe that the current president is a puppet - a stooge - selected by his handlers to destroy our democracy and our Constitution. He is not worthy of the office he holds - he is simply a sick, demented old man who agreed to play a role in order to stay out of prison, feed his narcissistic ego, position the USA as a world threat, and glean as much money from our government and our taxpayers as he and his handlers and co-conspirators possibly can. I don’t know if the country will survive this horrible regime. But I thank God, Heather, for your exhaustive research and your keen insight, and for the Hope you help us cling to every single day.
I think your math is off regarding the number of Republicans to flip to block Blanche's nomination. With McConnell absent a majority becomes 50. Therefore 3 Republican senators would have to vote no to go below 50, not 2. Two would still leave 50 voting yes. That also doesn't take into account John Fetterman who has voted with Republicans on confirmations in the past saying that presidents deserve the Cabinet of their choice.
https://share.google/aimode/4GD1BrrM94swXibQv
We replace the Epstein circle of oligarchs when we vote. Are you registered to vote? How are you getting to the polls? Make a plan, enlist family and friends. Let's stop the fascists!
Cornyn and Tillis did have something to lose. The cushy corporate jobs and lobbying jobs they would not get if they were on Trump‘s shit list.
Blanche is a disgrace to the DOJ and the bar. And he does not care a rat’s rump about the Constitution or the law so long as he can do his client’s bidding and reap the rewards of sycophancy and the corruption of his office.
The GOP Senate majority is as much a disgrace because those who know better go along rather than be the subject of nasty social media posts and a primary challenge boosted by big bucks from funders who have no actual interest in the wellbeing of the voters in that state.