This Week's Fudgin' Politics—Dec. 22. 2023
Message from Donald Trump. Lesson in Morality. Drivers beware in Texas. Rudy in debt. Lindsey's prose. Gym's funny math. Rocky Colorado. Tommy who? Find the Binder. Humbug of the Week.
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Grudgin’ Politics
Trump says immigrants are ‘poisoning the blood of our country.’ Biden campaign likens comments to Hitler
Trump doesn’t like immigrants. Remember. “Mexico . . . bringing drugs . . . crime”, etc. He’s made it very clear. But he keeps going further. Does anyone know what this means? “That’s what they’ve done. They poison mental institutions and prisons all over the world, not just in South America, not just to three or four countries that we think about, but all over the world.”
And now his surrogates are twisting themselves into pretzels saying that’s not what he said. When will everyone believe what he says? NBC News
Nudgin’ Politics
‘You can’t morally lead’: Florida Republicans strip party chair of power
Florida’s Republican Party stripped their party chair, Christian Ziegler, of his power. Plus, reduced his salary to $1. Why? An accusation of rape. Interesting Republicans are pushing Ziegler out over an accusation. But someone who has been found liable for sexual abuse not to mention the dozens of accusations? Are they pushing him out? He’s the head of the Republican Party and their lead nominee for President of the United States. Politico
Trudgin’ Politics
Donald Trump faces 91 criminal charges. His main defense strategy—delay.
Accusations of slow-walking Trump’s classified documents case. Hey, Judge Aileen Cannon! Where Trump not only took documents but also obstructed efforts to retrieve them. A trial date of May 20 is precarious. All indications say it won’t hold.
The difficulties dealing with classified documents. Clashes about the material. And he isn’t the only one facing charges, which complicates things.
Federal election interference in Washington starring Judge Tanya Chutkan. An impending March 2024 trial date. But that may not hold, either, because Trump’s attorneys are crying absolute immunity. Probably to the Supreme Court. And the prosecution's attempt at fast-tracking the case just failed.
State charges in Georgia and New York.
Georgia has no court date yet. Trump’s lawyers recently moved to dismiss this case. It was his First Amendment right. Wait, is it presidential immunity? Trump hopes something sticks.
New York’s Judge Arthur Engoron has faced Trump’s wrath. But the only decision in that trial is how much. Supposedly will wrap up by January. But then there are the appeals. So.
If Trump had his way, all the charges would go away. But infinite delay is the second-best option. At least until after the November 2024 election. His lawyers have their marching orders
But I’m running for president, WAAAH! I need to be out on the campaign trail.
If Trump wins reelection, he can make most of the charges disappear. Sorry, Donny, you’re stuck with the state charges. Pardon himself of the federal ones.
Oh. And one more. The E. Jean Carroll defamation trial.
He’s getting his lawyers to bog defense attorneys in procedure.
Petitions. Pre-trial hearings. Motions to dismiss. Claims he’s immune from everything! Notices of appeal. Up to the Supreme Court. Washington Monthly
Begrudgin’ Politics
Texas city is latest to debate ban on using roads to transport people seeking abortions
So-called “abortion trafficking” has the men in the Texas legislature upset. Texas shouldn't allow women who want reproductive care to leave the state. Since they can't get care in Texas. Will women be envious of men who can freely drive through Texas? Men won't get stopped for suspicion of being pregnant. Anti-abortionists want to throw out the Constitution and stop interstate travel. Waiting for the pregnancy test checkpoints? Amarillo is the next city that may jump on the bandwagon. The Guardian
Judgin’ Politics
Rudy Giuliani must pay $148 million dollars to two former Georgia election workers
And he is being sued again because he can’t keep his big, fat mouth shut. Money didn’t stop him. Will threats of jail? Will Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss see a dime? Giuliani has filed for bankruptcy. Morally? How many others does Rudy owe [his lawyers] and will probably never see any money? New York Times
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Fudgin’ Politics Comedy Break
Jordan: “When you do something that benefits your family financially and you’re a public official,” the Ohio congressman said, “that’s not supposed to happen.”
LMAO!
Hey Gym! Your memory might be a little fuzzy. Let’s remind you. Donald J. Trump. How much did he charge the Secret Service for staying at his hotels?
Clarence Thomas. How was that vacation on the billionaire’s yacht?
Jared Kushner. How many billions did he get from the Saudis?
James Comer. Seems he has some shady business in his past.
BTW, How much is Gym Jordan worth? Huffington Post
Fudgin’ Fourth Estate
Headline: Dumbest Senator of the Year: Tommy Tuberville [Dec. 21, 2023]
The Republican senator from Alabama [or Florida?] spent most of the year turning himself into a hated man in Washington—even by members of his party.
Tuberville single-handedly blocked more than 450 military promotions. Should someone investigate not allowing one person this much power? Throwing the entire U.S. military into disarray.
His problem? The Department of Defense policy of reimbursing service members who must travel out of their state of deployment for an abortion. Thanks, Supreme Court!
Note: military personnel don’t get to pick where they’re stationed.
He has finally stood down. Was it because Republicans finally turned on him?
What did Tuberville’s stunt accomplish? Nothing. The policy is still in place. Maybe making himself look like an ass. And he probably has a longer enemies list.
Some name-calling—idiot, knucklehead.
He tossed out the proverbial wokeness excuse.
If he's so concerned about the military. Maybe he should examine the sexual assault problem in the military.
Did the power go to his head? When is this guy up for reelection? His ouster may be the only punishment for his actions. The New Republic
Sunday Mornings Are For Couch Potato Politics
What we learned from Lindsay Graham on Meet the Press
He likes the word “obliterated” and the phrase “bit[e] them in the ass”. We would like a fact-check with all the numbers he threw out about immigration. He ignores his past comments when confronted. He dodges questions about Donald Trump who Graham has endorsed. He “could care less about his language.” And Graham doesn’t care for Pres. Biden.
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News Item to Read This Week
Headline: Colorado Removes Donald Trump from State’s Primary Ballot
The Colorado Supreme Court barred Donald Trump from their state’s primary ballot. On a 4-3 vote. Constitutionally ineligible. Next stop: The Supreme Court. The argument—he engaged in an insurrection on Jan. 6 thus violating the 14th Amendment. Colorado is the first state of many to pass a resolution.
FYI: six of the seven judges on the Colorado Supreme Court were duly elected.
More sympathy for Trump. More fury from Trump. The Court members are now getting death threats. Persecution! [as opposed to prosecution]. Even his Republican presidential opponents are jumping to his defense. Do they not want to be president?
The only reason he is running again is to stay out of jail. The Supreme Court will take the case. Rule in Donald’s favor making the 14th Amendment obsolete. Toss it on the trash pile. He’ll raise more money from his outrage. Trump is rallying all his sycophants.
“They’re out to get me, Witch Hunt! WAAAH!’ Democrat conspiracy! They’re trying to silence Trump! LMAO! Silence?
He’ll solidify more voters. Election Interference! Not like House Republicans are doing to Biden, right?
Note: Trump and his Republican sycophants blame Democrats. The watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington [CREW] brought the suit. On behalf of Republican and independent voters.
Question of the Week
Where’s The Binder?
A binder went missing. No, not Mitt Romney’s “binders full of women.” This one dubbed, “Crossfire Hurricane” contained highly classified unredacted Russia-related intelligence.
OK, who came up with that name?
When: at the end of the Trump administration in 2021. Two years ago! Did Santa abscond with it?
Where: last seen “reportedly” at the White House.
Was it in one of those boxes that “accidentally” ended up at Mar-a-Lago?
Is it bathroom reading material at Trump Tower?
Trump says no.
U.S. and NATO allies gathered the information involving sources and methods. Additionally, how Russia attempted to interfere in the 2016 presidential election. Maybe Trump doesn’t want that nugget to get out.
The original, unredacted binder presumed locked inside a safe. Safely, at the CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia.
Supposedly, Trump wanted to declassify what was in the binder and moved it to the White House.
Did Mark Meadows abscond with it? His former aide Cassidy Hutchinson’s eyewitness account. She saw Meadows leave the White House with it.
He denies it.
We just know it’s not where it should be at the National Archives or back in a CIA safe.
The trail has run cold. But there are a bunch of redacted copies of the binder floating around, including the FBI’s FOIA website.
3 To Read About This Week
New York Rep. Nicole Malliotakis—Malliotakis tried and failed this week to defend Donald Trump. She twisted herself into a pretzel in a CNN interview with Abby Phillip. Malliotakis had a unique version of Trump’s claim. The one where he said, immigrants are “poisoning the blood of our country." Pointing fingers at Democrats and their policies. Then saying it was not about immigrants. Then pivoting saying Trump married an immigrant. Give it up Nicole!
Monica Palmer and William Hartmann—Donald Trump caught on tape. No, not Access Hollywood. He and RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel chatted about the 2020 election. On Nov. 17, 2020, they rang up two Michigan GOP canvassers in Wayne County. Why? Trump: Don’t certify the election!
Monica Palmer characterized the call as, “Thank you for your service. I’m glad you’re safe. Have a good night.” Imagine Trump calling someone and saying that. LMAO! And why her? What was so special about Palmer?
But Palmer also said she didn’t remember the discussion. You get a phone call from Donald Trump and you don’t recall?
Allegedly Trump told them, they'd look "terrible" if they signed the certification. After initially voting against certification.
McDaniel promised legal assistance. For what?
Palmer and William Hartmann did not sign the official votes. Then tried to rescind their votes in favor of certification. They claim bullying and coercion into certifying the election.
Note: Hartmann died in 2021
Monmouth University—Poll reveals America’s least favorite leader in Congress. And the winner is Mitch McConnell. The esteemed Republican Senator from Kentucky with a 60% disapproval rating.
Humbug of the Week
Who sucked the joy out of this week?
An anonymous complainer. The cop who searched a school for the book, or the police chief who sent the cop?
The offense. A middle school supposedly had a banned book on the premises. The book—Maia Kobabe’s Gender Queer.
A Great Barrington plainclothes cop dispatched. And a search of a Massachusetts eighth-grade classroom ensued.
Yes, the cowardly anonymous complainer called the cops. Not the school principal, the school board, or the school district.
At least the police called the school superintendent to warn them. Curious what the superintendent said? Maybe they should have said, this isn’t a police matter?
The principal let the cop equipped with a body camera into the classroom to search. The teacher said the book wasn’t there. He searched anyway. And no book found.
Two pluses. The cop waited until after the school day was over and the cop was in plain clothes.
Case closed?
Teachers, parents, and students are enraged.
What precedent does this set?
Imagine: anyone anonymously can call the police. Say such and such book is in the library at [insert school name]. The cops show up. Equipped with body cams. March into the school. Rip apart the library or whatever classroom they want looking for the “offensive” book. Interrogate a few people.
Who says this wasn’t a SWATTING call—someone makes a false report of a crime to elicit a response from law enforcement?
Although, having a book in a school isn’t a crime. At least not yet.
Merry Christmas!
Housekeeping
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