The State of the Republican Reich

Posted by TomCat at 9:20 am Politics

Feb 052020

Last night, Nancy Pelosi told a lie. She said, “the President of the United States”. I looked at the screen, but there was no President there, just the criminal Resident Donald Trump”* Then his lies began, as soon as he began to speak, and I knew this would be no SOTU. It was the State of the Republican Reich.

Nancy Pelosi’s hands told the story of a nauseating night in Washington.

As Donald Trump took his place at the front of the House chamber for his third and possibly final State of the Union address, the House speaker and most senior Democrat in Congress reached out for a handshake, only to be rebuffed.

Seventy-eight minutes later, Pelosi, as she often tends to, got her revenge by ripping up her copy of the president’s speech while still in her position on the dais.

You could cut the atmosphere with a knife. Pelosi was the mastermind of Trump’s impeachment in this very chamber just weeks ago, staining his record in future school textbooks for all time.

But somehow, with seven of the Democrats who had pressed the impeachment case against him as impeachment managers glaring up at him from a prominent position, the president, like Bill Clinton before him, managed to resist using the “i” word throughout his speech. That, at least, was a departure from his gloves-off campaign rallies.

Yet Trump being forced to suppress his id was somehow even worse. The tension, grievance and resentment seething below the surface was almost palpable. The president’s tissue of lies and partisan swipes left Democrats heckling, throwing up their hands or walking out of the chamber in despair… [emphasis added]

Inserted from <The Guardian>

Fuhrer Trump’s* speech was wall-to-wall lies!

Here are seven notable lies that Trump told during the speech:

1. “We will always protect patients with pre-existing conditions.”

This one was flagged by CNN fact-checker Daniel Dale before Trump began speaking. Republicans, despite claiming credit for President Barack Obama’s achievement at passing into law protections for people with pre-existing health conditions, are in fact backing a lawsuit that seeks to dismantle those protections.

2. “Thanks to our bold regulatory reduction campaign, the United States has become the #1 producer of oil and natural gas in the world, by far.”

Dale flagged this one as false too, explaining: “The US became #1 in 2012, under Obama, though its advantage has grown under Trump.”

Inserted from <Raw Story>

I shared two. Click through for the other five.

Joe Scarborough covered Trump’s* lies and more.

Joe: How Do You Call It A Good Speech If It’s Fed By Lies?

Spot-on! As for Flush Limbarf, soon he’ll get to show his medal to Injustice Antonin Scalia!

CNN had a good panel, with one thoroughly vile exception!

Acosta: A state of the base speech, not a State of the Union speech

They had Frothy, aka “Man on Dog” on the panel?!!? Santorum is “the frothy mixture of lube and fecal matter that is sometimes the byproduct of anal sex”. Otherwise it was a good panel! And it was the State of the Republican Reich!

Finally, not everyone there was evil.

Here’s why Democrats chanted ‘H.R.3’ in the middle of Trump’s State of the Union speech

The women in white, including Nancy Pelosi, were the heroes of the event. Trump* and his Republican Reich were the villains.

RESIST!!

Open Thread–1/30/2020

Posted by TomCat at 10:38 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 302020

It’s a busy day here in the CatBox. First, I awakened just after midnight, itchy and sticky. I finally fell asleep again after 3:30 AM and overslept by a full two hours. Then, I overloaded my computer doing research this morning, crashed it. I had several web pages and several applications open at once, and had not rebooted in a couple days. I lost forty five minutes work. Finally, it’s a grocery delivery day, and I do not know when Store to Door is coming. Some days… You have a good one!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 5:32 (average 8:18). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoons:

Short Takes:

From Willamette Week: Portland-area voters could open their ballots in three months to find a surprise: a request for $250 million to $300 million a year in taxpayer funding for services to get homeless people off the streets.

WW reported Jan. 27 that the regional government Metro may place such a measure on the May 19 ballot. That marks a stark change since last month, when the Metro Council insisted to advocates it would take as long as two years to grind a measure through the bureaucracy.

Instead, local officials now want to construct a measure and present it to voters in 13 weeks.

This is still overdue, even though Oregon leads the way! RESIST!!

From USA Today: Attorney Alan Dershowitz, a member of President Donald Trump’s defense team, alarmed Democrats and many legal scholars with his argument in the first day of questions and answers in the Senate impeachment trial that presidents cannot be removed from office for an action they believe could help get them re-elected.

In response to a question from Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, about whether it mattered if Trump engaged in a “quid pro quo,” Dershowitz said that motive was what mattered and that if an act was in the public interest it was not impeachable. And he said it was reasonable for a public official to equate what is in their own political interest with the public good.

“Every public official that I know believes that his election is in the public interest,” he said. “And if a president does something, which he believes will help him get elected in the public interest, that cannot be the kind of quid pro quo that results in impeachment.”

Dershowitz said a quid pro quo that involved an illegal act, or was done for personal financial gain, would be impeachable, however. [emphasis added]

Dershowitz is so full of shit his eyes are brown. Hitler honestly believed that murdering six million Jews was in the national interest. According to the Republican Reich, that’s fine. Who would Fuhrer Trump want to murder…Jews? …Blacks? …Latinos? …Muslims? …Gays? …Seniors? …Poor People? …Libruls? In any case, Dershowitz missed a key point. Since the re-theft (Trump* was NEVER elected) of the White House would result in more personal profit for Trump* from having his entourage stay at Trump* resorts at considerable taxpayer expense, his campaign is for personal gain, so his campaign related acts are impeachable, even by the twisted, devious standards of the Republican Reich! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from Lona’s past): Shocking Blue – Venus

Ah… Lona’s memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Open Thread–1/29/2020

Posted by TomCat at 9:44 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 292020

If not one more drop of rain falls for the rest of the month, it will still be the wettest January in Oregon history. So it’s no surprise that the CatBox has been muggy as hell. I’m feeling so moist and sticky that my wheelchair sores are back. Fortunately, it’s a WWWendy night, as I’m a VERY stinky TomCat. I’m still keeping my food down, and my Republicosis seems to be at bay. Happy Hump Day!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:12 (average 4:41). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

And Bought Bitch Midnight Moscow Mitch is up to much more than that!

Short Takes:

From Politico: …one leading Democratic presidential candidate, Elizabeth Warren, just days ago unveiled a plan that, among other things, describes how she would move quickly to staff the government if she wins the White House.

In the plan, Warren voices the fears of many Democrats. “This will be no ordinary transition between administrations,” she states. “Unlike previous transitions, we will not be able to assume good faith cooperation on the part of the outgoing administration.”

That Democrats are making transition-related moves more than nine months before Election Day underscores not only their distrust of Trump but also the reality that taking over the U.S. government is a mammoth task with high stakes.

Any government is especially vulnerable during a transition of power, and Democrats who deal with national security are among those most concerned about a Trump-to-Democrat handover.

Crawford Caligula tried to sabotage Obama’s transition, but Trump* will be far worse! As I have said before, we’re going to have to drag him from the White House amid the temper tantrum to end all temper tantrums, with a strong possibility of gunfire from Ammosexual, Fascist Republican militias. RESIST!!

From YouTube (Robert Reich Channel): Impeachment Trial: The Big Picture

Of course the Reich on the Left, Robert Reich, is right. The Reich on the Right, the Republican Reich, is wrong. They want only to goose-step with their criminal Fuhrer, Trump*. RESIST!!

From YouTube (CNN Channel): Trump unveils Middle East plan that was swiftly rejected by Palestinians

Orange Asshole speak with forked tongue. It’s so one sided that that even Haaretz called it an invitation for permanent war. In 18th century Africa, slavers used to say it was good for their victims. This is good for Palestinians in the same way… That’s the Republican way! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Don McLean – American Pie (Good quality)

Ah… Lona’s memories! Thanks Lona!! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Open Thread–1/27/2019

Posted by TomCat at 8:54 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 272020

I’m not feeling too well this morning. I kept my breakfast and all yesterday’s meals down, but I’m suffering from a pretty severe case of Republicosis that has sent me to the throne nine times in the past twenty four hours, including twice in the middle of the night. My poor butt is so raw, it feels like Trump’s* must after a session with Putin [R-RU]. On the plus side, I put my foot down to Medical Mayhem this week. My next appointment is my cardiac stress test next Monday. Oh God! It’s Monday!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 5:01 (average 7:00). To do it click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

SCROTUS = Republican anti-Constitutional VD

Short Takes:

From Nation of Change: Democracy 21, a non-profit organization that aims to
combat the influence of private money in politics, has filed a complaint against
Attorney General William Barr for failure to comply with the Department of
Justice norms, rules and standards of conduct…

…Democracy 21’s complaint gives a detailed list of actions Barr has
taken since last year:

Barr testified before Congress, without any
substantiation, that FBI and Justice Department officials engaged in
“spying” on the Trump campaign during the 2016 presidential
election.

Barr sent a letter to Congress mischaracterizing the
Mueller report ahead of its release, leaving it as the only information
available to the public about the report for almost a month. Barr then
refused Special Counsel Mueller’s request to release the summaries included
in the report and held a press conference hours before the release of the
full report where he continued to mischaracterize it.

Barr failed to recuse himself from overseeing matters
being consideration by DOJ and related to the whistleblower complaint
about President Trump’s call with the Ukrainian President, in which Trump
mentioned Barr by name five times.

Kudos to Democracy 21. They picked a most worthy target in Barrf! I hope DOJ’s Office of Professional Responsibility and Departmental Ethics Office act on it. RESIST!!

From YouTube (538 Channel): ‘Sometimes going negative is a necessary evil’: Nate Silver

I tend to disagree. While it may be adventageous for a Democratic candidate to reveal facts about a Democratic rival, it must be done with dignity and respect, because we all need to unite behind our nominee. When attacking Republicans, no such restrictions apply, since for every decency and courtesy we have extended them in recent years, they have returned pure evil, and nothing but. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Stuck in the Middle with you – Stealers Wheel

Ah… Lona’s memories! Thanks, Lona! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Open Thread–1/26/2020

Posted by TomCat at 8:17 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 262020

It’s a busy day here in the CatBox, as WWWendy will be here in about an hour. I’m feeling a bit better as, after throwing up most of the day yesterday, I kept supper down. Then I kept breakfast down this morning. Have a great Sunday!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:07 (average 5:28). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From NY Times and YouTube: Even before the gas chambers were destroyed and the savage toll of years of industrialized mass murder revealed to the world, prisoners at the largest Nazi concentration camp were already repeating two words: Never again.

But as the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz approaches, an occasion being marked by events around the world and culminating in a solemn ceremony at the former death camp on Monday that will include dozens of aging Holocaust survivors, Piotr Cywinski, the director of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, is worried…

…Across Europe and in the United States, there is concern about a resurgence of anti-Semitism. Toxic political rhetoric and attacks directed at groups of peoples — using language to dehumanize them — that were once considered taboo have become common across the world’s democracies.

To find examples of the rabid antisemitism that led to Auschwitz, one need look no further than the US Republican Reich. Impeached Fuhrer Trump called the Republicans in this video “fine people”. RESIST!!

From YouTube (CNN Channel): New audio and video undermine President Trump’s claim about Lev Parnas

So the liar who had “never met Parnas” and didn’t even “know who Parnas is” knew him well enough to discuss the strategy of firing a US Ambassador and blackmailing Ukraine in the face of military aggression from Trump* buddy Putin [R-RU]. The Republican lackeys in the Senate wouldn’t mind hearing witnesses themselves. They already know how guilty Trump* is and don’t care. Those Republican cowards are afraid to have American voters hear the witnesses. RESIST!!

From YouTube (SNL Channel): Alan Dershowitz Argues for Trump Cold Open

The faces are slightly different, but the satirical reality they display is spot-on! However, Dershowitz should have taken his client downstairs and left him with his perv buddy Jeff! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Buffalo Springfield – For What It’s Worth 1967

I’ll never tire of this one. Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Seniors, Disabled and Poor: Beware!

Posted by TomCat at 8:48 am Politics

Jan 242020

Since Vladimir Putin [R-RU] and the Republican Reich helped Donald Trump* steal the White House, he hasn’t changed much. He has a penchant for saying whatever he thinks his audience want to here. On the campaign trail in 2016, his handlers knew that he could not endorse Paul Lyin’ Ryan’s standard Republican plan to gut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. If he had, he could never have gotten close enough to steal the election. However, at Davos, talking to fat cats, he forgot that he’s campaigning again, and said what he really thinks.

When President Trump suggested to an interviewer at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland that he would, “at some point,” look at cutting entitlement programs, his Democratic critics seized on the comments as evidence that Mr. Trump would gut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid in a second term.

“Even as the impeachment trial is underway, Trump is still talking about cutting your Social Security,” Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, said at the beginning of a news conference that was ostensibly about the Senate impeachment trial.

The Democratic super PAC Priorities USA posted on Twitter about Mr. Trump’s remarks, and others contrasted his statement with his 2016 campaign pledge not to touch entitlement programs… [emphasis added]

Inserted from <NY Times>

Is President Donald Trump Open To Making Medicare Cuts?

This was an obvious gaffe. While running off at the mouth, Fuhrer Trump* confirmed his support for Republican dogma. He and the rest of the Republican Reich want to give seniors the RepubliCare Death Benefit. If seniors can’t pay for care, or for rent or for food, Republicans will allow to die for free! However, they will charge for corpse disposal.

RESIST!!

Open Thread – 1/21/2020

Posted by TomCat at 10:26 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 212020

It’s a hectic day here in the CatBox, as medical mayhem is back in the driver’s seat. For some reason my Medicare Advantage premiums stopped being deducted from my social security check, so I have to pay the bill and get it fixed again. In addition, I have to call the hospital to get my stress test scheduled before my endoscopy (camera in stomach). Lisa (Cardiologist) tipped me off that, once the hospital finds the stress test ordered, they will delay the endoscopy until after the stress test, and you know how much trouble I had scheduling that endoscopy. Today is also a grocery order day and the first day of the Bought Bitch Midnight Moscow Mitch Show. ARGH! Have a great day!

Later: I scheduled the stress test and straightened out the Medicare Advantage premiums. Social Security Refusing to deduct Medicare Advantage premiums is a gift to American Seniors from Trump* and the Republican Reich. I have put it on my card automatically.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:39 (average 5:10). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Remember “Je suis Charlie”?

Short Takes:

From YouTube (CNN Channel): MLK Jr.’s son reacts to President Trump’s tweet

When the impeached twit* tweets, he often puts his Republican racism in display, but in this case, he’s just lying. RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Gun Rights Activists Rally Against Gun Control Legislation In Richmond

This is how Ammosexual, racist, violent Republicans celebrated MLK Day! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): The Platters – Only You – Lyrics

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Open Thread – 1/19/2020

Posted by TomCat at 7:44 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 192020

I’m hurrying to finish as much work as I can, before WWWendy arrives. This afternoon, I’ll meditate on the Holy Ellipsoid Orb. I’ll be rooting for the Chiefs in deference to one, who shall remain Nameless. I’ll also prepare tomorrow’s articles in advance, except for the puzzle.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 2:55 (average 4:12). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

In case you forgot, RepubliCare is the Republican Reich plan to replace ObamaCare.

Short Takes:

From Alternet: …Trump’s cold sweats are significant, because everyone who has been following this case knows that the Senate will acquit him. Not because he’s innocent — no one who has actually consulted the evidence is foolish enough to believe that — but because Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and the Republicans who control the Senate decided long ago that they would cover up for their shamelessly corrupt president no matter what he does. With such an assured outcome, Trump’s fears seem overblown and silly, even for someone crippled by sociopathic narcissism and its accompanying paranoia.

But it’s also true that high-profile travesties of justice, such as the one Senate Republicans are currently preparing to commit, can often provoke major political backlash. Getting a jury to acquit the obviously guilty can, as history shows, cause a public that’s already outraged about the crime to get even more furious. That, I suspect, is what Trump is sweating.

What the Senate is about to do is akin to the practice of jury nullification. That’s where a jury decides that either they don’t think the crime should be a crime at all, or that they believe people like the defendant should above the law, and so refuse to convict no matter how guilty the defendant is. This something that in theory, and sometimes in practice, can be used for good as when a jury refuses to throw someone in prison for a low-level drug offense, or refuses to enforce a law restricting free speech. But historically in the U.S., jury nullification has tended to be used to uphold injustice and reinforce racist or sexist systems of power….

As I so strongly implied yesterday, the Republican Reich is prepared to goose-step behind criminal Fuhrer Trump* into political extinction. RESIST!!

From YouTube (CNN Channel): Senator makes prediction ahead of impeachment trial

Coons is spot on that testimony from Jon Bolton and Lev Parnas is both relevant and probative, while testimony from Joe and Hunter Biden is neither. Coons’ argument would be valid, if this were a legal trial. It is not. Bought Bitch Moscow Mitch and the Republican Reich set the rules. They can would our objections to Joe and Hunter as an excuse to disallow all witnesses. So if Joe and Hunter appearing is what it takes to get us the real witnesses, bring them on! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

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