As the Senate GOP Leader ramrods a cloture vote and final vote on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh let’s wonder how historians will remember his majority leadership. I lean toward this take:
If the US has someone whom historians will look back on as the gravedigger of American democracy, it is Mitch McConnell. He stoked the hyperpolarization of American politics to make the Obama presidency as dysfunctional and paralyzed as he possibly could. As with parliamentary gridlock in Weimar, congressional gridlock in the US has diminished respect for democratic norms, allowing McConnell to trample them even more.
— WWII Historian Christopher R. Browning (The New York Review of Books)
——————
NO, NO, NO!
By Pogo, a Trail Mix Contributor
The Washington Post Editorial Board urges senators to vote against Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination in the confirmation vote that will be held tomorrow (or whenever Mitch has all his votes in place )
AS SENATORS prepare to vote this week on Supreme Court nominee Brett M. Kavanaugh, they, and the rest of the country, must wonder: Which Brett M. Kavanaugh are they evaluating? Is it the steady, conservative jurist he was reputed to be before his confirmation saga? Or is it a partisan operative harboring suspicions and resentments about Democrats, with possible misdeeds in his past?
Unfortunately — and unnecessarily; it didn’t have to be this way — too many questions remain about his history for senators to responsibly vote “yes.” At the same time, enough has been learned about his partisan instincts that we believe senators must vote “no.”
We do not say so lightly. We have not opposed a Supreme Court nominee, liberal or conservative, since Robert H. Bork in 1987. We believe presidents are entitled to significant deference if they nominate well-qualified people within the broad mainstream of judicial thought. When President Trump named Mr. Kavanaugh, he seemed to be such a person: an accomplished judge whom any conservative president might have picked. But given Republicans’ refusal to properly vet Mr. Kavanaugh, and given what we have learned about him during the process, we now believe it would be a serious blow to the court and the nation if he were confirmed.
One element of the GOP vetting failure has been all but forgotten in the drama over alleged sexual assaults, but it remains for us a serious shortcoming. Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee refused to ask for all the potentially relevant documents from his time serving in the George W. Bush White House. The reason was not principled but political: Though they had kept a Supreme Court seat vacant for most of 2016, they wanted to ram through Mr. Kavanaugh before this year’s midterm elections. Those documents, which could have been processed without crippling delay, might end up supporting his case, or they might not; we have no idea. But any responsible senator should insist on seeing them before casting a vote.
* * *
And what of Mr. Kavanaugh’s political philosophy? Here we freely admit that Mr. Kavanaugh would not have been our choice. A president concerned for the court’s standing would have nominated someone of more moderate views for the seat vacated by Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, the court’s erstwhile swing vote — particularly given the Senate’s inexcusable refusal to consider Judge Merrick Garland when President Barack Obama nominated that eminently qualified jurist.
But we would not have opposed Mr. Kavanaugh on that basis, just as we did not think GOP senators should have voted against Sonia Sotomayor because they did not like her views. Rather, the reason not to vote for Mr. Kavanaugh is that senators have not been given sufficient information to consider him — and that he has given them ample evidence to believe he is unsuited for the job. The country deserves better.
Alright, it’s no surprise that the Washington Post Editorial Board does not support Kavanaugh – I think we can all agree that they as a group probably would never agree that a right wing “conservative” judge is a good choice to sit on the nation’s highest court. But it is a surprise that after they have not come out publicly against any nominee since Robert Bork they have chosen to do so now. Not Thomas, Not Alito, Not Roberts, and fuhchrissake not even Gorsuch. 31 years and 14 nominees since Bork and no public opposition to any of them has to say something. I think I know what it says, and we will live with this pick for 30 years if he’s confirmed and there’s not some bus out there with his name on the front bumper.And those whose rights he has already suggested will be stripped if he’s given the chance to do so will live with that legacy possibly for generations after that.
the beginning of the end per chance?
the new Yorker:
How State Officials and Unpaid Taxes Could Force Trump to Liquidate Part of His Family Fortune
Sean Shaw, the Democratic candidate for state attorney general in Florida, has a message for Donald Trump. If elected, Shaw will investigate the President’s financial activities across the Sunshine State. “We’ll pursue any area that is worthy of pursuit,” Shaw told me in an interview this week. “The charity not being charitable. Trump Mar-a-Lago and emoluments.” Shaw told me he would go “where the law takes me.” He plans to investigate whether “the President of the United States is personally profiting from the Presidency in Florida.”
Trump, of course, has several properties in Florida, including Mar-a-Lago, a private club that doubled its initiation fee after Trump was elected. Since Trump took office, three of its members have exerted sweeping influence on the Department of Veterans Affairs. Another member was named the U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic. Shaw also said that he will investigate reports that a Trump-branded development project in Sunny Isles, Florida, bears hallmarks of possible money laundering. Shaw made clear that his investigations would be broad and open-ended: “They may lead you to tax returns, financial records. I don’t know where they lead. No one is above the law in Florida. No one. We are going to make it such that if I find bad stuff going on, we’re going to go where it takes us, no matter how big.”
[…article after listing other states and other info concludes with this…]
Trump, though, has made clear throughout his life that his core goal is not political power; it is money. Or, more accurately, creating the public perception that he has a great amount of it. The Times investigation revealed that his wealth has been far more dependent on his father’s largesse and potential fraud than on Trump’s own business savvy. But 2019 could bring far worse news for Trump. Crain’s has reported that, based on the Times investigation, Trump and his siblings could owe four hundred millions dollars in taxes, interest, and penalties in New York State alone. His exposure to comparable tax bills at the federal level and in several other states could force the liquidation of parts of his family fortune. For Trump, the fear of losing money could be more terrifying than the fear of losing his office. He should be afraid.
🙂
That Browning fella seems like a bright guy.
Collins to anounce how she plans to vote on confirmation in a 3pm Senate Floor Speech. Apparently this means she’ll vote for cloture.
Elections have consequences?
Shame shame shame on many of the democrats and their childish behavior. Nelson will now lose the Senate in Florida for his support of the coordinated antics and the coming Republican Wave!!!! Nelson at least was honest by not even agreeing to talk with the candidate for SCOTUS. But his failure to show up for work is going to impact the election.
SPUDACUS aka cry baby Cory Booker is pictured leaving the Hill with a dirty diaper. The Dem’s have allowed these few extreme left wing activist damage a good party. Are they playing for the paying by the elite millionaires that are funding this stupidity?
I look forward to a few good Dem’s to step it up!
Oh, Happy Friday !!
The Ping and the Pong
Merrick garland? Whoozat?
nevah hoid of him.
These old geezers better pay attention. My granddaughter just sent pictures of her 6 year old getting her first marker on her White Belt in Jiujitsu and the 4 year old just graduated to sharp knives to cut vegetables. She’s raising some fierce ladies.
Mitch – gravedigger of American Democracy – that really does have a nice ring to it. He’s one of the most nakedly partisans I’ve experienced – with the possible exception of the Ent.
Red wave – that’s rich.
more like the red tide the kills things
The other Republican troll is here…we know what they have on Faux News Ping
How about an actual fact. Bill Nelson will win and you will have a Democratic governor and probably lose some house seats too
Maybe you should move to a reliably red state—like your president’s favorite Russia
Only Lisa Murkowski stepped out
The Sue the Loser Collins proves that she is just like Lindsay Graham only in drag
And Jeff Flake ..well the name says it all I hope he finds a new career something soft and squishy
As for Joe Manchin coward — I hope he is the victim of a sexual assault and no one believes him
Yawn, did ping say something?
What can I say,
Told you so };-0
Jack
open note to Senator Susan Collins -stupid idiot Maine
You are nothing but a hardline gooper. Don’t come around pretending to be anything
else –just a stupid and greedy as the rest of the old white people in the senate
Remember what happened to Kelly Arnott you are next!
Republican women now there’s an oxymoron
You credibility as a thinker is over
So will this rally the base or will they just go back to sleep. After all the Christian right got what they want. They have no real reason to vote except to say thankyou and they rarely do that, just whine.
Jack
yeah but Collins has made a long living with her game. She will try it again, wanna bet?
Jack
mr. pong, have missed your missiles from the netherworld. welcome back. the trail can use a little spice now and then.
Jack
I think people are done with her phony concerns and fake study of the issue – she always votes for Mitch maybe she is sorry she is not Mrs Mitch
McCain voted to bring anti-ACA to a vote and then voted against it. Who even knows what those a-rags are doing.
Now Collins is trying to pretend that might not be her final vote
We’ve been there with you..you like to pretend you are undecided but it never works out that way
Sue the Loser
Well, then, if you install that misogynistic, belligerent KavaNope, as the icing on your democracy-hating cake (in order to overturn Roe v Wade), then we will have your balls on every Election Day and that will take care of that.
But it is about so much more than KavaNasty. McConnell and the rest will find themselves on the wrong side of history.
It’s not about men, old or otherwise, white or otherwise. It’s about the mindset of the old, white men in power who are losing their grip on their preferred version of reality.
As for Joe Manchin coward – I hope he is the victim of a sexual assault and no one believes him
KGC, 11:05am
I hope he lives a long life of reflection in what he has done. History will judge him far harsher than we can.
I do believe the young folks from Parkland, FLA who held voter registration drives might have a big impact on the elections nationwide.
BID
a lot of new registered voters and pretty sure none of them are going to vote for the party of sexual assault and gun play
Republicans are worthless tools – they only care about $$$$$ — when Trump said he was their last chance to return to the 1850’s they all stood up an applauded because that is the era they feel most comfortable slave owners and women haters
So Susan Collins in an attempt to keep herself relevant is pretending we don’t know what her vote is….
another chance to keep herself in the news what a tool
We aren’t letting you hold the football again
We’ve had this before…..they called it McCarthyism……Tail Gunner Joe……same old recycled ugly, nasty, and dangerous……what was its shelf-life again?
It’s still on the shelf and the goopers use it whenever they can sneak it in
The Oakland Museum has a great exhibit California and Vietnam war and they have a workbook for school and in terms of the origin of US involvement and our stupid persistence in staying. They blame McCarthyism
Was talking to old band friend from Denver last night, he says you wouldn’t believe what a big difference legal weed makes, and extolled the virtues for a bit, cheap, plentiful, good quality, whereas it used to be expensive, scarce, and sometimes crap, etc…..and wads of money pouring into programs of the state of color-raydo……he tells me how he and his girl went up to Cheyenne to see another band friend play, a rare occasion that far west. He gets there, goes into the club, and people are smoking in the bar, which is illegal in Denver if not all of color-raydo, but pot in Cheyenne was illegal. He told me he just kept thinking, “This is upside down.”
Old moo-Jicians never die……just sometimes they forget and leave out the bridge.
too funny
Next time the national anthem is played, every woman and girl in this country should take a knee.
Not that Manchin gives a shit, but I emailed him, identified myself as a lawyer and lifelong Dem, and said I will not vote for him in November if he votes to confirm Kavanaugh. I know it will have little effect, but it does make me feel better and it is the truth. I will not vote for his opponent in November, but I won’t vote for him either if he votes to confirm Kavanaugh.
Republican party’s last gasp…literally
They may have 99% of all Republicans but at the rate of decline and death – that amounts to about 5 people
Project exit polling showed that 15.2 percent of Democratic voters participating in competitive primaries were aged 18–29, compared to just 8.3 percent of Republican voters.
A political party that can’t attract young people, especially in a generation that is as big as the Millennial generation—America’s largest demographic group—is not a party with a very bright future. So although Trump, while focusing on the base, has made the Republican Party his, come November it may not be as much of an advantage.
“I will not vote for his opponent in November, but I won’t vote for him either if he votes to confirm Kavanaugh.”
pogo, so what do you want for a “thank you” gift when we lose the senate by one seat? your comment reminds me of some of those made by the Bernie bots back in 2016 when they wouldn’t vote for Hillary but couldn’t bring themselves to vote for the twit and sat out the election.
“Nelson will now lose the Senate in Florida for his support of the coordinated antics and the coming Republican Wave!!!!”
ping, speaking of red waves…
the guardian: Florida red tide sweeps away Republican Rick Scott’s Senate poll lead
[…]
….Scott, who once reportedly banned state employees from using the terms ‘climate change’ and ‘global warming’, has seen a two-point polling lead at the beginning of September dissolve into an advantage for Nelson of almost the same margin. Last month he was harangued during a campaign stop by a crowd blaming him for escalating the red tide crisis.
“You see the result,” Nelson said of his rival at a fiery debate in Miami this week. “He has systematically in his eight years as governor disassembled the environmental agencies of this state. He has drained the water management districts of funding. He even abolished the department of community affairs, which was the growth management agency.
“All of this results in more pollution in the water supply, in the lakes, streams and rivers. We’re seeing all the dead fish and wildlife that are on the beaches.”
Scott hit back by accusing Nelson of promising and failing to secure federal money for urgent repairs to the ageing Lake Okeechobee dyke that he said was crucial to protecting Florida’s water supply.
[….continues…]
also see Miami herald’s carl Hiaasen: Rick Scott doesn’t want his Senate campaign swept away by the (red) tide
patd, right now I’m just pissed at Joe and am trying to get him to reconsider. In the end I’ll in all probability hold my nose and vote for Joe. So the “truth” is subject to change. 🙂 Joe’s lead is pretty comfortable right now at just over 9%, but it’s a “Leans Dem” rather than a “likely Dem” at the moment. Joe’s slipped a few points in the past 2 months but Morrisey hasn’t gained any. So right now I can talk tough, but I sure won’t do anything in the end to give Fat Pat the seat. (Thanks for reminding me).
pogo, whew… glad you’re just blowing off steam. hope the anti-Kav dems in Tennessee do likewise nose-holding come November.
Tennessee Democratic Senate candidate Phil Bredesen says he would support Kavanaugh nomination
Florida has no good choice for Senate this year! I was a huge supporter of Nelson however he is now just another follow the loser.
How do we not get better choices?
as bill maher said about liberal purists as quoted by huffpo in 2017
“This isn’t about reliving the last election or my great love for Clinton, which never was, but this is about winning the next election,” Maher said. “And that begins with learning the difference between an imperfect friend and a deadly enemy.”
After noting how various liberal politicians, activists and commentators had said that either a Trump or Clinton administration would be a disaster, Maher asked whether conservatives would now control the Supreme Court if the “just-as-evil-Hillary” had won.
“Just wait until the 5 to 4 decisions start rolling in, gutting unions, making it harder for minorities to vote, siding with polluters, overturning abortion rights,” he said. “Then maybe you’ll join me in saying to the liberal purists, go fuck yourselves with a locally grown organic cucumber.”
Senator Heidcamp is only down two points despite the rightwing spending bigly in her race
she could use some coin
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/hh4nd_nat?refcode=ads_fb_0918_d2d_nat_lib
If there was any doubt what a Quisling Collins is –her speech today is the answer.
I’m baaaaaaack. Had a great time in Maine.. yup stupid politics… beautiful state… at least along the coast. Jersey Boys was fun! Eating lobstah was fun! Watching the Patriots pound the Colts was fun!
Didn’t pay much attention to the Kavanaugh stuff… as I said before I left… IMO, it was always a done deal.
Now on to the mid-terms…
Excellent point just now on CNN: Paul Begala stating this is now the fourth Supreme Court Judge appointed by a President who lost the popular vote. A crisis of legitimacy.
Trump mocks Al Franken for “folding like a wet rag”
Food for thought:
Ruth Bader Ginsburg = 84 years old
Stephen Breyer = 78 years old
“the difference between an imperfect friend and a deadly enemy”
words to keep in mind
I love lobster — you have to be careful ordering it here you can get weird pacific lobster and that is not the same
Another good point from the CNN discussion: October 7, 2016 = the Access Hollywood Tape. “Trump is toast! Election is a done deal for HRC!”
Never assume anything or take your eye off the ball. Because ….. Trump.
A friend of mine is fond of saying, “What do I care? I’ll be dead.”
These people don’t give a damn about being on the wrong side of history or what history is going to say about them. All they care about is collecting all the power so nobody else gets a chance. They are small minded, mean spirited, afraid of anyone or anything that isn’t exactly like them, and they just don’t care how many people they hurt as long as they get whatever it is they’ve decided is best for them. The rest of us? Fuck us all.
History? What do they care, they’ll be dead.
RR & KC, and down in FL & the Caribbean they have “spiny lobster”, which is just tougher and more tasteless (and without the best part – the claws) than Maine lobstah which doesn’t raise the bar, it is the bar. (Apologies to F-150s.) I prefer the Maine lobster up to about 2 1/2 pounds max – beyond that and the tail meat tends to get tough. So here’s the question – tomalley or not?
I’m tomalley neutral but if given a choice no
That sure was some selective citation from Collins on Kavanaugh’s abortion-related rulings/dissents, left out where he restricted rights.
Ok, that’s over, let’s get back to Mueller and the Russians!
Why can’t we file a class action lawsuit against all republican members of Congress for taking the money but not doing their jobs
Susan Rice tweets “Me” when asked who could challenge Maine GOP Sen. Susan Collins
Washington (CNN) — Susan Rice, who was President Barack Obama’s national security adviser, caused a stir Friday afternoon when she tweeted “Me” when another former Obama official asked who could challenge Sen. Susan Collins in 2020.
OK patd, how’s this?
While I understand that Manchin did not want to lose voters to Morrisey and accordingly felt the need to announce his intended vote to confirm O’Kavanaugh, as a lifelong Democrat and a lawyer who does not believe Kavanaugh has anything like the judicial temperament to impartially consider the arguments of opposing sides before him and the ability to apply rather than change the law, it will be very difficult for me to cast a vote to re-elect Manchin in November, although considering how reprehensible Morrisey is, I probably will end up doing so.
Besides, there’s really no comparison between Manchin and Morrisey. Morrisey is a despicable human being who shilled for the drug industry while it and the state’s doctors hooked a huge percentage of WV people on opioids. Joe at least gives a crap about maintaining a system that provides healthcare to the state’s poor, and here that’s a huge chunk of the population.
Well that would be a fun race. They would need to do a lot of polling first .
Don’t forget to turn your clocks back tomorrow. About a hundred years should do it.
Wow, i haven’t been keeping up with the thread, here, but i just wanted to articulate my disbelief over the Republican scum following through on putting the rage-aholic fratboy with such an obvious contempt for others on our nation’s highest court. Despicable.
Good one, Corey.
Why, not? It’s Friday. Enjoy it?
When it comes to tomalley…. just say NO!
I’m concentrating on the mid-terms… but when they are over… I’ll consider voting for any Democrat that throws their hat in the ring with force and comes out roaring. If it’s done with politeness and political correctness…. no thanks… we need a fighter… scoring points is fine by me!
They should hold a telethon to find a way to give ball cancer to Trump and his evil minions.
Folks are already drumming-up committees to oust the wannabe McCain here in South Carolina. The little twerp wouldn’t make a pimple on John’s tortured, dead, Marine ass.
Can’t wait to hear Susan Collins explanation of why BrettBart is the deciding vote when Roe v Wade is overturned
travis, bet that “What do I care? I’ll be dead” friend of yours is a world class litterer, drives a behemoth gas guzzler instead of walking a block, and if s/he votes always votes down all school taxes.
pogo, good boy. 🙂
the guardian: Mormon church backs deal to legalize medical marijuana in Utah
The Mormon church joined lawmakers, the governor and advocates to back a deal on Thursday that would legalize medical marijuana in conservative Utah after months of fierce debate.
The compromise comes as people prepare to vote in November on an insurgent medical marijuana ballot initiative that held its ground despite opposition from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Utah governor, Gary Herbert, said he would call lawmakers into a special session after the midterm election to pass the compromise into law regardless of how the initiative fared. If it passes, it will be revised under the terms of the deal. It if fails, the legislature would consider a law under the new framework.
The agreement in such a conservative state underscores the nation’s changing attitude toward marijuana. Medical use is now legal in more than 30 states and is also on the November ballot in Missouri. So-called recreational marijuana goes before voters in Michigan and North Dakota. If passed, it will be a first for a midwestern state.
The Utah-based faith had opposed the ballot proposal over fears it could lead to more broad use, but its ranking global leader, Jack Gerard, said leaders were “thrilled” to be a part of the effort to “alleviate human pain and suffering”.
[….continues…]
I’ve asked Kathleen Cowley for some curses to lay on all those voting “yes” on Kavanaugh. The best one I’ve got is a very old one: “May the fleas of a thousand camels infest your hide.” I need something more painful and less itchy.
I guess Utah has decided the only way to keep the women quiet is to let them smoke Mary Jane since good old Romney said he would have voted for Kavanaugh.
those Mormons better be careful… med mj slippery slope, gateway drug will lead to sneaking cups of coffee before they know it
Pat – Nope. He’s actually a really good guy. He just won’t be bothered worrying about what might be said of him when he’s gone, because he’ll be dead and what does a dead guy care.
travis, “what does a dead guy care”… he’s a real philosopher in that sense