On Sunday, the murderous 50-year rule of the Assad family in Syria came to an end as rebel fighters rolled into Damascus and President Bashar Assad fled to exile in Moscow.
The sudden fall of the regime must have given pause to other tyrants around the world, particularly Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose intervention in 2011 propped up Assad and kept him in power for another 13 years of ruthless repression. Putin failed to save his ally this time because the Russian army is bogged down with the invasion of Ukraine, so now he gets to host Assad for bleak breakfasts in the Kremlin.
It would be wonderful if this were a sign that the end is near for other despots, especially those in Russia, China, Iran and North Korea, but, as history teaches, bringing down dictators willing to commit any act of evil to preserve their power is no easy task. It took a world war and 50 million deaths to crush Adolph Hitler.
Today’s Hitlers employ surveillance technology magnitudes more sophisticated than the tools of control imagined by George Orwell in his prophetic book, “1984.” And it is more daunting to overthrow a dictatorial system, like that in China, than a ruling family or a single individual. Still, no one thought that the Soviet Union could crumble so swiftly, until it happened.
Any day a tyrant falls is a good day. We can hope for many more such days.
The lyrical ferocity of Wonder’s anti-Nixon songs (cf ‘You Haven’t Done Nothin’’) is underrated. This deceptively sunny folk-soul groove imagines Tricky Dick as half Orwellian tyrant, half conman, promising “I’ll change if you vote me in as the President of your soul.” Released during Nixon’s reelection campaign, before the Watergate break-in, the last lines are uncannily prescient: “I don’t even have to do nothing to you/You’ll cause your own country to fall.”
Poobah, they may, on what charge? Speech and Debate shields her from any successful prosecution for comments while in office about the J6 investigation. Not sure it would apply to interviews, etc. after she got out of Congress, or outside comments, but there’s the First Amendment for that, and I’m not sure what section of the US Criminal Code might apply at any rate. I’m sure Daddy can help raise money for her legal defense. There is also the issue of statutes of limitations. Most non-capital fed statutes are 5 years from what I understand, although there are a few that are longer if you want to comb through Title 18 of the US Code. Here’s DOJ’s tourist guide on the issue. Since the final report was issued on 12/22/22 SOL should not be an issue, but it’s an interesting exercise to try and identify an offense that a US Magistrate might find applicable to any act of Liz in violation of the US Code. From my very brief perusal I think it will take some creative lawyering to get a warrant for her arrest.
“Tesla’s crashes have sparked three major National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigations, according to federal data. According to the agency’s data, Teslas have accounted for 40 out of 45 fatal crashes reported to the agency through October 15.”
“The current rule requires automakers to report crashes if advanced driver-assistance or self-driving technologies were engaged within 30 seconds of an accident.”
“The regulation isn’t just a millstone around Musk’s neck; the NHTSA said data collected from the regulation has led to nine safety recalls from four different companies.”
“According to Reuters, which viewed a document reportedly proposing the change, the removal of the requirement could hamstring the government’s ability to effectively investigate crashes and regulate the safety of vehicles with self-driving systems, like Musk’s Teslas and Cybertrucks.”
Yes. Liz Cheney is target One. Not a joke. Reason? Charges? They don’ need no steenking CHARGES ! This is Kash Patel Law. Americans, we collectively voted for this coming sandstorm. Trump always says this nation is going to hell…and he vows to take it even lower. Mythology experts? Tell me what stage is lower than hell.
Now I believe Joe Scarborough and wife Mika went to visit at Mar A Lago was to beg him to let MSNBC continue, because that idiot Trump is going all-out to silence the network to blackness. Is he and Patel and Ramaswamy going to silence and “disappear” TrailMix blog?
one thing in his presser today he made pretty clear is that he’s out to sue everyone that he considers defamed, misquoted, insulted, and otherwise annoyed him. he specifically named woodward, 60 minutes and a few others while “weaving” his web of woes.
he had some choice words for the media as a whole interwoven in a ramble fidel, adolph and vlad could have made. goodbye free press.
POTUS Joe needs to preemptively pardon everyone on Orange Adolf’s hit list, starting with Liz Cheney. For some reason, Adam Kitzinger says he’s not afraid. Don’t forget E. Jean Carol, Fanni Willis and all of those judges, Jimmy Kimmel, etc.
Still hoping for a lightning strike on the golf course, or for cholesterol to do its one job.
Axios’ senior counsel told staff that the news organization anticipates the new administration will attempt to force reporters to out their sources, will ramp up lawsuits against news organizations for defamation, and could charge journalists with crimes using the Espionage Act. https://www.semafor.com/article/12/15/2024/axios-braces-for-future-trump-legal-action
The insanity of all that comes with the grifter, conman, criminal, rapist, diaper filler, and much more descriptors, is overwhelming. Which I suppose is part of the act.
But, drones in the air. Drones over – you name it. Big drones, small drones. Humming drones. Light flashing drones.
The truth. Most of those sightings are stars, planets, aircraft and helicopters. A tiny minority might be amateur operated drones. And, a few might actually be commercial drones. And, nah… not really.
As a commercial unmanned aerial system UAS pilot (technically, remote pilot in command) I will say that what people are seeing is not from “space critters over America”. Most are not ‘drones” or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The very few that are UAV are not doing anything illegal. There might be some UAV from private pilots trying to get a video, or trying to get a plane video, but there are no space aliens.l
BB – I know better, but I really want aliens. I actually thought someone was sending a message about drone usage in war, so folks would be unnerved and then think what it would be like if they were armed drones. Since the federal government is downplaying it, it’s probably a DOD test…or a public psych test. Still, wish it were aliens.
“First Felon,” that’s his new title as far as I’m concerned.
The judge’s ruling preserves, at least for now, the stain of Mr. Trump’s criminal conviction. And if it withstands Mr. Trump’s appeal, it will make him the first felon to serve as president.
Opining on events last week, David Horsey’s Tyrants tremble | The Seattle Times accompanied his ‘toon:
bad times too for the tried-to-be tyrants
South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol impeached by parliament 2 weeks after short-lived martial law decree – CBS News
looking for some background music for the thread, I came upon an interesting collection in We Don’t Need This Fascist Groove Thang: 10 protest songs that stood up to the state and found this that might fit our time now with DOTUS elect. it’s Stevie Wonder’s “Big Brother” from his Talking Book album and described as follows:
May OA take a hint from Assad and cut it the fuck out.
But our own tryant is on a roll. Here’s the test for when they take power. Will they arrest Liz Cheney?
GO FOR IT David Hogg.
DNC: Elect this man your Vice Chair!
Early on he saw the pivotal Dem loss of young men coming — we have to fix that.
Poobah, they may, on what charge? Speech and Debate shields her from any successful prosecution for comments while in office about the J6 investigation. Not sure it would apply to interviews, etc. after she got out of Congress, or outside comments, but there’s the First Amendment for that, and I’m not sure what section of the US Criminal Code might apply at any rate. I’m sure Daddy can help raise money for her legal defense. There is also the issue of statutes of limitations. Most non-capital fed statutes are 5 years from what I understand, although there are a few that are longer if you want to comb through Title 18 of the US Code. Here’s DOJ’s tourist guide on the issue. Since the final report was issued on 12/22/22 SOL should not be an issue, but it’s an interesting exercise to try and identify an offense that a US Magistrate might find applicable to any act of Liz in violation of the US Code. From my very brief perusal I think it will take some creative lawyering to get a warrant for her arrest.
yup….
Pogo
(In a fake Mexican accent)
“Charges? We don’t need no stinking charges.”
Jack
today’s meme…
Randy in fine form:
‘Trump ’28, come on, man!’: Steve Bannon calls for third term
https://www.rawstory.com/trump-28-come-on-man-bannon-calls-for-third-term/
Trump 28?
Hell why not. Just call in the taxidermist, stuff him and prop him up in the corner.
Jack
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-scrap-car-crash-regulation-musk-b2664278.html
“Tesla’s crashes have sparked three major National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigations, according to federal data. According to the agency’s data, Teslas have accounted for 40 out of 45 fatal crashes reported to the agency through October 15.”
“The current rule requires automakers to report crashes if advanced driver-assistance or self-driving technologies were engaged within 30 seconds of an accident.”
“The regulation isn’t just a millstone around Musk’s neck; the NHTSA said data collected from the regulation has led to nine safety recalls from four different companies.”
“According to Reuters, which viewed a document reportedly proposing the change, the removal of the requirement could hamstring the government’s ability to effectively investigate crashes and regulate the safety of vehicles with self-driving systems, like Musk’s Teslas and Cybertrucks.”
Yes. Liz Cheney is target One. Not a joke. Reason? Charges? They don’ need no steenking CHARGES ! This is Kash Patel Law. Americans, we collectively voted for this coming sandstorm. Trump always says this nation is going to hell…and he vows to take it even lower. Mythology experts? Tell me what stage is lower than hell.
Now I believe Joe Scarborough and wife Mika went to visit at Mar A Lago was to beg him to let MSNBC continue, because that idiot Trump is going all-out to silence the network to blackness. Is he and Patel and Ramaswamy going to silence and “disappear” TrailMix blog?
Today’s topic has me humming Columbia the Gem of the Ocean.
one thing in his presser today he made pretty clear is that he’s out to sue everyone that he considers defamed, misquoted, insulted, and otherwise annoyed him. he specifically named woodward, 60 minutes and a few others while “weaving” his web of woes.
he had some choice words for the media as a whole interwoven in a ramble fidel, adolph and vlad could have made. goodbye free press.
POTUS Joe needs to preemptively pardon everyone on Orange Adolf’s hit list, starting with Liz Cheney. For some reason, Adam Kitzinger says he’s not afraid. Don’t forget E. Jean Carol, Fanni Willis and all of those judges, Jimmy Kimmel, etc.
Still hoping for a lightning strike on the golf course, or for cholesterol to do its one job.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/16/politics/third-federal-judge-backtracks-on-retirement-plans/index.html
“Third federal judge backtracks on plans to retire, depriving Trump of key nominations”
*They are true patriots.
Axios’ senior counsel told staff that the news organization anticipates the new administration will attempt to force reporters to out their sources, will ramp up lawsuits against news organizations for defamation, and could charge journalists with crimes using the Espionage Act. https://www.semafor.com/article/12/15/2024/axios-braces-for-future-trump-legal-action
The insanity of all that comes with the grifter, conman, criminal, rapist, diaper filler, and much more descriptors, is overwhelming. Which I suppose is part of the act.
But, drones in the air. Drones over – you name it. Big drones, small drones. Humming drones. Light flashing drones.
The truth. Most of those sightings are stars, planets, aircraft and helicopters. A tiny minority might be amateur operated drones. And, a few might actually be commercial drones. And, nah… not really.
As a commercial unmanned aerial system UAS pilot (technically, remote pilot in command) I will say that what people are seeing is not from “space critters over America”. Most are not ‘drones” or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The very few that are UAV are not doing anything illegal. There might be some UAV from private pilots trying to get a video, or trying to get a plane video, but there are no space aliens.l
BB – I know better, but I really want aliens. I actually thought someone was sending a message about drone usage in war, so folks would be unnerved and then think what it would be like if they were armed drones. Since the federal government is downplaying it, it’s probably a DOD test…or a public psych test. Still, wish it were aliens.
ps POTUS Joe needs to pardon Randy Rainbow, too.
“First Felon,” that’s his new title as far as I’m concerned.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/16/nyregion/trump-immunity-criminal-case.html
First Felon’s transition: Cronies R Us.
Not even sworn in yet and he’s already annexed Canada.
He’s a monster. FrankenFelon. What’s going on with his hair and square head?
Can we just have universal healthcare like Canada, please?
Didn’t he do something crazy with Greenland last time? He’s an idiot.
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