“Habeas Corpus is a right the president has to be able to remove people from this country.”
I asked Elon Musk’s AI (Grok): “Should a member of the U. S. president’s cabinet know what Habeas Corpus means?”
Answer: “Yes, a member of the U.S. president’s cabinet should understand habeas corpus, as it’s a fundamental legal principle in the U.S. Constitution. Habeas corpus (Latin for “you shall have the body”) is a legal mechanism that protects individuals from unlawful detention, allowing them to challenge the legality of their imprisonment before a court. It’s enshrined in Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution, which states it can only be suspended in extreme cases like rebellion or invasion.”
got a kick out of the look on her face when she had to answer “congress” to the following question about HC’s place in the Const. and what Art. I concerns (i.e. powers and duties of congress).
BTW made it through the predicted stormy weather without a scratch. Haven’t yet checked if any trees toppled, neighbors OK, garbage can tops lost or ruts in gravel driveway deeper. ahhh another beautiful day to enjoy.
Sad to hear that George Wendt passed away. 76 years old.
I watched Wendt recently on Conan’s podcast, also Ted Danson’s, and thought he did not seem long for this world.
Wendt did a great job as the murderer on a Columbo episode.
The Episode doubly memorable for guest star Rod Steiger’s portrayal of a mob boss.
“Strange bedfellows” 1995
Patd
Good news you are OK. It was rough out there.
With various members of the Trump crowd, I can’t decide if they are stupid, historically ignorant, or just willfully faking their issue positions.
Glad you’re safe, Pat.
I wonder why the Senators bother asking questions in these hearings. Just make the witness sit there and receive a good tongue lashing.
Today’s sad news is George Connely has died. [free access}
Norm enters the Bldg.
might as well, eh?
Sadly, this year so far has taken a high toll on the number of Democrats in Congress.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/21/politics/representative-connolly-dies?
So sad about Gerry Connely and George Wendt.
I’m very proud of NH Senator Maggie Hassan for setting Noem (puppy killer) straight.
Every time I see her commercial about immigrants on tv… I give her the finger.
today’s meme…
and for those screaming about Biden…
Boomers be like:
Don’t bother us, we busy shuffling off all these mortal coils over here.
When any vacancy occurs in the representation of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the House of Representatives, or when a representative-elect dies or resigns, the Governor shall issue a writ of election to fill the vacancy.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/21/politics/medicaid-food-stamps-gop-proposed-cuts
House Republicans are pushing to slash nearly $1 trillion from two of the nation’s bedrock safety net programs, Medicaid and food stamps…
The House GOP package would reduce federal support for Medicaid by nearly $700 billion over a decade…
The bill could also hurt those who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, the latter of which helps cover their Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket costs, as well as pay for long-term care.
Under the GOP package, more food stamp recipients would have to work to qualify for benefits.
The legislation would extend the work requirement to those ages 55 to 64, as well as to parents of children between the ages of 7 and 18. Plus it would curtail states’ ability to receive work requirement waivers in difficult economic times, limiting them only to counties with unemployment rates above 10%.
Grocery store owners are also sounding the alarm, highlighting that food stamp recipients plow their benefits back into the local economy. Food stamps funding supports about 388,000 jobs and more than $20 billion in wages, and results in more than $4.5 billion in state and federal tax revenue, according to the National Grocers Association, which represents independent grocers.
“SNAP is not just food assistance for families — it’s an economic engine that bolsters jobs on Main Street,” Stephanie Johnson, the association’s group vice president for government relations, said in a statement. “This data confirms what independent grocers see every day: SNAP dollars circulate directly through local businesses, helping to pay local wages, keep shelves stocked, and support essential services in communities nationwide.”
Medicaid is the largest single source of federal funding for state budgets, and the second largest expenditure for states, behind K-12 education.
So a reduction in federal support will be felt, especially in states that are already facing budget shortfalls. (Unlike the federal government, nearly all states must approve balanced budgets.)
Also, with more people expected to be uninsured, hospitals could see their uncompensated care costs rise. While states have typically helped cover the added expense, they may not be in a position to do so if they are receiving less federal funding for Medicaid, Burns said.
These budget strains could prompt some hospitals and nursing homes to curtail services, increase rates for other patients or, in the worst case scenario, shut down. The impact may fall even more heavily on providers in rural areas and low-income communities.
*No hospitals. No grocery stores. No fast, mass transit like in Japan and China. The US is a 3rd-world country, and Republicans are making it 3rd worldlier.
Elon has fairly well trashed his reputation for all time which may not have happened as quickly or easily had he not doge-binged for three nonstop months.
https://www.commondreams.org/news/cuts-to-medicare
‘They’re Not Just Cutting Medicaid’: GOP Bill Would Trigger Over $500 Billion in Medicare Cuts
“This is what Republicans do—pay for massive tax breaks for billionaires by going after programs families rely on the most: Medicaid, food assistance, and now Medicare.”
The CBO analysis, requested by Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), came just hours before Republicans convened a dead-of-night House Rules Committee hearing on the budget legislation as they scramble to meet their Memorial Day deadline.
According to the CBO, the bill’s addition to the deficit would trigger a process known as sequestration under the Statutory Pay‑As‑You‑Go (PAYGO) Act of 2010, a law long reviled by progressives that requires spending cuts equal to legislation’s average deficit impact.
Unless lawmakers offset the deficit impact of the Republican bill or agree to waive the PAYGO requirements—which the GOP measure does not do—the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) “would be required to issue a sequestration order not more than 14 days after the end of the current session of Congress (excluding weekends and holidays) to reduce spending by $230 billion in fiscal year 2026,” the CBO said.
Under PAYGO, automatic Medicare cuts are capped at 4%. The CBO estimates that the Republican legislation would trigger roughly $45 billion in Medicare cuts in 2026 and a total of $490 billion in cuts to the program between 2027 and 2034.
“This Republican budget bill is one of the most expensive—and dangerous—bills Congress has seen in decades,” said Boyle, the top Democrat on the House Budget Committee. “The nonpartisan CBO makes it clear: The deficit will explode so badly it will trigger automatic cuts, including over half a trillion dollars from Medicare.”
“This is what Republicans do—pay for massive tax breaks for billionaires by going after programs families rely on the most: Medicaid, food assistance, and now Medicare,” Boyle added. “It’s reckless, dishonest, and deeply harmful to the middle class.”
https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/10/politics/federal-employee-pension-benefits-republicans
House Republicans are looking to make several big adjustments to federal workers’ retirement benefits to help pay for the party’s sweeping tax and spending cuts package. The House Oversight Committee last week approved a plan that would squeeze $50 billion in savings out of the retirement system over the next decade.
They’ll be done robbing the treasury before there’s a protest or a general strike. Once it’s gone, it’s not coming back.
Study of ‘enry the 8th’s reign of terror is a cautionary tale for our times. The BBC series of Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall trilogy is worth the watch if you’re not a reading type.
Cromwell robbed all the monasteries to fill up Henry’s empty coffers.
jamie & ivy, thanks for kind tho’ts. once more my favorite *way to ward off a tornado worked again. it also seems to repel attacks by martians, lions, tigers and bears… so far.
*over prepare the storm room, glue oneself to the weather alert news, bring in Bu the dog, Bodhi the cat and coop-up Ethel the chicken.
Pat, I refused to live in the South until I got a weather radio. We even got hold of a hand-crank transistor radio that worked like a charm.
Always keep a fireman’s axe down there in the shelter.
The Free’dumb Caucus just wants some extra attention before they fold.