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Above is a New Yorker cartoon of mine for your enjoyment. Since I am thinking about lawyers today (specifically Todd Blanche), I thought it might be appropriate.
Plus, kids, I hate to tell you but it’s getting perilously close to the first day of school.
Empty promises. Republicans keep caving. Even ones who are lame ducks.
The two GOP Senators, Cornyn and Tillis, who just a few days ago were unsure if they’d vote for Todd Blanche because he would not guarantee to stop the IRS suit and the slush fund for Jan 6th insurrectionists, are now going to vote for his nomination. Blanche provided a version of the assurance they wanted, in writing which seemed to satisfy them. But don’t they see that the written assuance is meaningless? I said it yesterday, and today many news outlets, including the NY Times, are saying the exact same thing. You can read about the written assurance here: it has loopholes in it as well as not being enforcable. Todd Blanche is Trump’s former personal lawyer and continues to be so; he is very bad news for the country, in so many ways.
Glenn Thrush (NYTimes) wrote: “One of the most striking aspects of Blanche’s expected confirmation is the willingness of Republicans like John Cornyn to put aside deep concerns about his lack of independence from Trump for the sake of partisan comity and their belief that he is simply the best nominee they will get from the White House.”
We are way past the point of gentlemanly agreements or promissory notes. Not only are they not legally binding, once Blanche is Attorney General, he can wave his hand and undo the written assuance he penned. Or use legal jargon to get around it.
Blanche has, in essence, been in charge of the Epstein Files since Trump came into office this time, and he has failed to release them in a meaningful way, nor release them all. Epstein survivors released a statement on the eve of Blanche’s nomination, this from the Aaron Parnas:
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Today is a primary day in Michigan for the Senate race. Democrats are choosing from two candidates: Abdul El-Sayed and Rep Haley Stevens. El-Sayed is a self described progressive who believes in capitalism, and is not a member of the Democratic Socialist Party. Stevens is a moderate Democrat, a centrist supported by the party elite. Some experts think that if El-Sayed wins this nomination, the party will lose to the Republican nominee, and Michigan will not flip their Senate seat blue. Michigan is a purple state, unlikely to support a progressive. The Dems have a chance at winning the Senate back, and this primary is significant.
This show-down is reflective of what’s going on in Democratic politics now, a battle between far left and centrist candidates. I surmise that this so-called “battle” within the Democratic party is really about messaging and not ideology. It’s not some sign that the party is moving far left towards socialism. While many of us liberals agree with some socialist ideas because they are about helping others (Social Security, health care, New Deal, anyone?). But I do not believe that most Democrats —let along all Americans— would embrace our democracy becoming a totally socialist country. This so-called “movement” of candidates emerging, some from the Democratic Socialists of America Party, across the country might not be significant. The media may be making more of it than is warranted. It is potentially disruptive and dangerous in our fight to get rid of Trump.
One primary voter who voted for the moderate, Stevens:
“I voted for her because maybe she would be able to grab some independents in the general.”
Case in point. We have to keeps our eyes on the prize: stopping Trump.
Here is some good news. With Trump seeking to cripple or destroy all that we have built to help others and our environment, there are people stepping up to fill the void.
Warms my heart.
I want to ask you all a question, so you can leave comments, and/or do this poll!
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Many of you tell me you appreciate my news updates and thoughts on this time we are in fighting Trump. I hope so, but I want to provide a mix here at Seeing Things, because we can’t think about politics every day.
Have a good Tuesday, and see you here tomorrow. Thank you for being here!