37 thoughts on “Let the Games Begin”

  1. that NBCNews story:

    ATLANTA — Georgia’s Supreme Court on Monday denied Donald Trump’s bid to halt the Fulton County district attorney’s probe into whether the former president and his allies interfered in the state’s 2020 presidential election.
    The rejected petition was one of two Trump’s lawyers filed in different Georgia courthouses last week, both seeking to effectively derail District Attorney Fani Willis’ investigation into whether there were “coordinated attempts to unlawfully alter the outcome of the 2020 elections.”
    The petition sought to disqualify Willis from investigating Trump and to quash a report from the special grand jury she used to help her investigation.
    In a brief, unanimous ruling, the nine-judge state Supreme Court said what Trump was seeking “is not the sort of relief that this Court affords, at least absent extraordinary circumstances that Petitioner has not shown are present here.”
    “Moreover, even if the petition were procedurally appropriate, Petitioner has not shown that he would be entitled to the relief he seeks,” the court said.
    A representative for Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
    The DA’s office declined to comment.
    A similar Trump petition filed Friday is pending before Fulton County Superior Court.
    Both petitions sought a court order barring Willis “from introducing any evidence obtained via the special purpose grand jury process to a regular grand jury.”
    The special grand jury recommended indicting more than a dozen people, its foreperson, Emily Kohrs, said on “NBC Nightly News” in February. Their names have not been made public.
    Trump’s petition asked both courts to act swiftly because Willis “has signaled that she will use the report — itself the fruit of contorted and coopted process — to secure an indictment against Petitioner within weeks, if not days.”
    Trump filed a similar petition in Fulton County Superior Court in March. The judge who has overseen the grand jury investigation, Robert McBurney, has yet to rule on that filing.
    Willis began her sprawling investigation in January 2021. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and maintained that Willis, a Democrat, is conducting a politically motivated “witch hunt.”
    In letters to local law enforcement agencies, Willis has indicated that she would most likely seek indictments during the first half of August.

    look for the indictment announcement as soon as the fulton county superior court does its thing and clears the board.

  4. Mark O’Connor Grammy nominated Heroes recording featuring 14 of his violin and fiddle playing heroes was released in 1992. The sequel to the original “Devil Comes Back to Georgia” was done here with an all star cast. Mark O’Connor plays Johnny’s fiddle solo and Marty Stuart is the voice of Johnny. Charlie Daniels plays the Devil’s fiddle solo and Travis Tritt is the voice of the Devil. Johnny Cash is the narrator who recalls this epic duel, “The Devil Comes Back to Georgia”.

  5. Manchin and Huntsman were at a “campaign style” event in NH yesterday. That would be a dangerous 3rd party combination.

  6. This week, we’re going to a musical about the Ferdinand/Imelda Marcos regime called “Here Lies Love.”   This morning, the co-writer will be on Morning Joe at 9:40 EDT to discuss it.  Considering Bong Bong Marcos is now in power, and with the threat of Republicans increasing presidential power if they win in 2024, this is a cautionary tale of folks getting swept up into, well, you know.  I would urge you to read Maria Ressa’s book, How To Stand Up To A Dictator, as well.

  7. Well, if a third-party candidate could peel off Republican voters, without doing the same with Indies and moderate Dems…  But, is that possible?
    Huntsman seems far more personable than Manchin.   
    Kennedy, I hope, is just screaming into the wind. 

  8. Maybe we should start calling Manchin -Joe Ralph Nader-Manchin
    what an asshole

  9. Pogo, bouncing this theory off ya: Because Manchin faces a tough reelection fight against Gov. Justice this No Labels gambit, widely seen by FOX viewers yesterday, is intended to prove he’s not a real Democrat. I remember in his last election he never mentioned being a Democrat in his advertising or literature. Good thing, or we wouldn’t have a Senate majority.

  10. craig, add to that it’s a bargaining tool fishing for who knows what kind of goodies dems (or others) can promise him.

  14. Joe Manchin knows very well what third parties do in an electoral college system. If he runs, it means he is now favoring the GOP and siding with Russia.

  15. I just received a back order on The Fourth Turning is Here so I haven’t had a chance to delve into it as yet, but you are likely to start seeing quotes from it.  Not quite sure why, but Neil Howe has become a favorite of certain Trump acolytes devotion to conspiracy theories.  

     

  16. People did everything they could for Sinema and she turned on those people.  I hope Gaellegos kicks her ass into Az.

    Happy to hear she lags in fundraising

  17. Over the weekend, I attended my 35th high school reunion. Someone uploaded a video of me dancing along to “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson. Some friend of a friend commented on the video. He said, “Glorifying a pedophile. Not cool.” This guy is wearing a Trump shirt in his profile pic on Facebook. So, I replied to his comment with this video from 2020.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDgnNb6Cklw&t=21s

  20. I am, too. But, that video was PERFECT. Oh, and the recall effort for one of the Ottawa County commissioners (A Republican) is being allowed to continue. As it turns out, she represents district 2, the district I live in. So, stay tuned to find out how that turns out.

  21. Based on J6 committee referrals, some of the likely charges:

    • Obstruction of an official proceeding (20 yr max)

    • Conspiracy to defraud the United States (5)

    • Conspiracy to make a false statement (5)

    • Inciting, assisting or aiding and comforting an insurrection (10, can’t serve in public office if convicted)

    At age 77, some of counts in this and the docs case could end up with a life sentence 

  25. Odds favor he flipped…

    CNN Paula Reid: “JUST IN: Rudy Giuliani has NOT received a target letter in 1/6 probe, his lawyer tells me. As CNN previously reported, Rudy, did a voluntary interview with Special Counsel investigators several weeks back. His lawyer does not expect him to be charged.”

  26. Now that his scheme to avoid indictments by running for president has not worked, Trump’s only sure way to stay out of jail is to make plea deals in exchange for not running. (Pardoning himself if elected only works in the federal cases.)

  27. Now that his scheme to avoid indictments by running for president has not worked, seems like Trump’s only sure way to stay out of jail is to make plea deals in exchange for not running. (Pardoning himself if elected only works in the federal cases.)

  28. Statement by conservative, GOP-appointed former U.S. appeals Judge Michael Luttig: “There is not an attorney general or special counsel in either party who would not bring charges against the former president for his efforts on January 6th to overturn the 2020 presidential election. He has dared, taunted, provoked and goaded DOJ to prosecute him for his offenses on and relating to January 6th for two and a half years. The former president has left Jack Smith no choice but to bring charges, lest the former president make a mockery of the Constitution of the United States and the Rule of Law”.

  30. Poobah, Joe’s a Democrat by lineage rather than policy.  He’s followed in his uncle A. James Manchin’s footsteps and went a few steps beyond him to be Governor and now Senator.  A James was a character – pretty much a lifelong democratic politician and was obviously Joe’s mentor early on.  I think socially Joe’s tolerant if not a leader, but he’s beholden to mineral and pharmaceutical industries. His problem for Dems if he runs under the no labels banner, particularly if Huntsman is part of the “ticket” is that he’s got the ability to turn  on the charm and draw voters who think he’s just a swell guy.

  31. Joe Manchin and drugs gauging  daughter are the worst kind of people.They should be Goopers

  32. what a laugh  Jim(Gym)Jordan says too many strange things are coming out of DOJ and he is going to invesitigate.
    He wouldn’t recognize what the DOJ is supposed to do this he is a follower of the cult of Trump justice

  34. I’ve taken a lot of medication that came from Heather’s former company. Good gig for her. Oddly enough in WV a doctor has to prescribe a “brand name” med or the pharmacy has to fill the Rx with a generic, which a number of very widely prescribed meds (e.g. atorvastatin & amoxicillin) were from Mylan, which no longer has a (a) plant in Morgantown and (b) a CEO with a maiden name of Manchin. I wonder whether the (a) Secretary of State, (b) Governor or (c) Senator with a last name of Manchin had anything to do with that generics law. Enquiring minds…

  35. So Alabama Republicans double down on racist district maps – giving SCOTUS a rousing FU, ignoring the mandate to add a second minority majority district. I detect a bit of irony here.  

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