Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Miles Archer
Miles Archer's Journal
Miles Archer's Journal
April 25, 2023
Tacopina doesn't waste a fucking SECOND in his race to smear E Jean Carroll at the trial.
Live Updates: The Civil Rape Case Against Donald Trump Goes to Trial
Kate Christobek
April 25, 2023, 4:30 p.m. ET16 minutes ago
16 minutes ago
Kate Christobek
Court is back in session. Trump’s attorney, Joseph Tacopina, is delivering his open statement. Tacopina starts out by acknowledging that he knows people have very strong feelings about Donald Trump. He goes further, telling the jury they can hate Donald Trump. But he says there is a time and a secret place to do that: the ballot box.
April 25, 2023, 4:38 p.m. ET8 minutes ago
8 minutes ago
Kate Christobek
Tacopina, Trump's lawyer, tells the jury that Carroll wants the jury to focus on everything but her actual account of what happened in 1996, a story he calls “unbelievable.” He says Carroll’s case will bring up the so-called "Access Hollywood" tape, which recorded Trump speaking crassly about manhandling women, and also include other people who have accused the former president of sexual assault. Tacopina says this is all an effort to detract from the lack of details in Carroll’s story.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/04/25/nyregion/trump-carroll-rape-trial
Kate Christobek
April 25, 2023, 4:30 p.m. ET16 minutes ago
16 minutes ago
Kate Christobek
Court is back in session. Trump’s attorney, Joseph Tacopina, is delivering his open statement. Tacopina starts out by acknowledging that he knows people have very strong feelings about Donald Trump. He goes further, telling the jury they can hate Donald Trump. But he says there is a time and a secret place to do that: the ballot box.
April 25, 2023, 4:38 p.m. ET8 minutes ago
8 minutes ago
Kate Christobek
Tacopina, Trump's lawyer, tells the jury that Carroll wants the jury to focus on everything but her actual account of what happened in 1996, a story he calls “unbelievable.” He says Carroll’s case will bring up the so-called "Access Hollywood" tape, which recorded Trump speaking crassly about manhandling women, and also include other people who have accused the former president of sexual assault. Tacopina says this is all an effort to detract from the lack of details in Carroll’s story.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/04/25/nyregion/trump-carroll-rape-trial
April 25, 2023
I regret that Harry Belafonte had to witness Trump, and Trumpism, in America
Many stories today...all true...about Harry Belafonte's contribution to the civil rights movement and his breaking the color barrier in entertainment.
But when I learned of his passing, the first thought that came to mind is how terrible it is that he was around to see the rise of Trump and Trumpism. How do you cope with that? How do you knock a wall down and then see a despot gather his followers with chants to build a new one? And I'm not just talking about the literal wall Trump "promised" on the US / Mexico border. I'm talking about the walls that he and Republicans continue to build between white people and people of color, because that anger and fear and bitterness brings Republicans votes.
So on Mr. Belafonte's passing, what I'd say to him if I could would be "Thank you for everything you've done, and I am so sorry that we were unable to make the world a better and more fitting place for you in your final years."
R.I.P.
April 25, 2023
The E Jean Carroll case...a tragic, shameful litmus test for the soul of America
"IF" Trump is found guilty at this trial, there will be no prison time...being a civil case...but the word "RAPIST" would be permanently and indelibly stamped on his resume, along with "one-term, twice-impeached, former president."
I HAVE TO WONDER if Trump supporters have mothers, wives, sisters...I wonder if they have any female presence in their lives. If they do, how can they cheer Trump through this? If he loses this trial, how the hell would they be able to turn their heads the other way and chant "four more years?"
BUT...what this trial WILL provide, whether we want it or not, is a clear picture of the morals and values and ethics of the people who condemn him / write him off, versus the people who simply screw on their red hats a little tighter.
Trump fans have been presented with adultery, tax fraud, The Washington Post documenting 30,573 "lies or falsehoods over 4 years, non-stop bullying and name-calling, the January 6th attempt to overthrow our democracy, the $140 million (plus or minus) that taxpayers ponied up for his 3-day golf weekends, the Access Hollywood tape...
...these were all dismissed as Trump fans swooned over his non-existent, imaginary efforts to "make America great again."
So if he loses...
...what will it say about Americans who give him a pass and just shrug it off? Rape is assault, rape is dominating and humiliating another human being, rape is sickness and the most base, vile human behavior that any mentally imbalanced individual can exhibit.
What then?
April 25, 2023
Carlson's "repeated use of the c-word" was "a key factor in his demise"
Tucker was already pissing off Fox management between his conspiracy-laden coverage of the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, including the repeated and baseless targeting of Trump supporter Ray Epps as being an FBI agent who instigated the insurrection; a looming lawsuit from his former producer Abby Grossberg alleging a sexist work environment; and his disparaging remarks about Fox brass in documents made public.
But most egregious, and what loomed large in his termination, people familiar with the matter told Confider, was how during his deposition with Dominion lawyers, when he was asked if “this wasn’t the only time you referred to Sidney Powell as a cunt,” the Fox News star responded: “You know I-I-I can’t know and I just want to apologize preemptively. I mean you’re trying to embarrass me, you’re definitely succeeding as I am embarrassed.”
Carlson being nailed in court documents for his repeated use of the overtly misogynist c-word was a key factor in his demise, as Fox News had rid itself of Roger Ailes and Bill O’Reilly after years of sexual-harassment complaints and could not have its biggest star undermining any supposed progress.
Carlson, who was given no reason for his termination, was stunned by the development, people familiar with the situation told Confider. He told staffers who inquired: “I have no idea what’s going on.” Neither Carlson nor Fox News responded to requests for comment.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-inside-story-of-tucker-carlson-and-don-lemons-monday-media-massacre?ref=home?ref=home
But most egregious, and what loomed large in his termination, people familiar with the matter told Confider, was how during his deposition with Dominion lawyers, when he was asked if “this wasn’t the only time you referred to Sidney Powell as a cunt,” the Fox News star responded: “You know I-I-I can’t know and I just want to apologize preemptively. I mean you’re trying to embarrass me, you’re definitely succeeding as I am embarrassed.”
Carlson being nailed in court documents for his repeated use of the overtly misogynist c-word was a key factor in his demise, as Fox News had rid itself of Roger Ailes and Bill O’Reilly after years of sexual-harassment complaints and could not have its biggest star undermining any supposed progress.
Carlson, who was given no reason for his termination, was stunned by the development, people familiar with the situation told Confider. He told staffers who inquired: “I have no idea what’s going on.” Neither Carlson nor Fox News responded to requests for comment.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-inside-story-of-tucker-carlson-and-don-lemons-monday-media-massacre?ref=home?ref=home
April 24, 2023
Breaking on MSNBC: "Fulton County DA Tells Law Enforcement To Prep For Indictments This Summer"
Just now on Nicole Wallace's show, MSNBC, so no link
"Fulton County DA Tells Law Enforcement To Prep For Indictments This Summer"
Between July 11 - Sept 1
Via the Atlanta Journal Courier
ON EDIT: THE AJC LINK: https://www.ajc.com/politics/trump-probe-da-urges-law-enforcement-to-prep-for-indictments-this-summer/56OGCLMNOVGPXMJ6YXDPXQOSWY/
DA says indictment announcement coming this summer in Trump probe
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis on Monday said she would announce this summer whether former President Donald Trump and his allies would be charged with crimes related to alleged interference in Georgia’s 2020 election.
Willis revealed the timetable in a letter to local law enforcement in which she asked them to be ready for “heightened security and preparedness” because she predicted her announcement “may provoke a significant public reaction.”
In the letters, Willis said she will announce possible criminal indictments between July 11 and Sept. 1, sending one of the strongest signals yet that she’s on the verge of trying to obtain an indictment against Trump and his supporters.
“Please accept this correspondence as notice to allow you sufficient time to prepare the Sheriff’s Office and coordinate with local, state and federal agencies to ensure that our law enforcement community is ready to protect the public,” Willis wrote to Fulton Sheriff Patrick Labat.
DA says indictment announcement coming this summer in Trump probe
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis on Monday said she would announce this summer whether former President Donald Trump and his allies would be charged with crimes related to alleged interference in Georgia’s 2020 election.
Willis revealed the timetable in a letter to local law enforcement in which she asked them to be ready for “heightened security and preparedness” because she predicted her announcement “may provoke a significant public reaction.”
In the letters, Willis said she will announce possible criminal indictments between July 11 and Sept. 1, sending one of the strongest signals yet that she’s on the verge of trying to obtain an indictment against Trump and his supporters.
“Please accept this correspondence as notice to allow you sufficient time to prepare the Sheriff’s Office and coordinate with local, state and federal agencies to ensure that our law enforcement community is ready to protect the public,” Willis wrote to Fulton Sheriff Patrick Labat.
April 24, 2023
Carlson, then Don Lemon. I think I "respect" them equally.
If HALF of what has been written about Don Lemon lately is true, the "parting of ways" is LONG overdue. I rarely watch CNN but I'm glas to know I can turn it on without seeing him,
April 24, 2023
WHERE will white supremacists get their "NEWS" every night?
I would give just about ANYTHING to have a beer with Jon Stewart today. That boy must be sporting an ear-to-ear grin.
I KNEW the sound of wailing and gnashing of MAGAt teeth meant SOMETHING WAS UP.
Tucker Carlson out at Fox News – effective immediatelyWHERE will white supremacists get their "NEWS" every night?
I would give just about ANYTHING to have a beer with Jon Stewart today. That boy must be sporting an ear-to-ear grin.
Sara Fischer
@sarafischer
🚨#BREAKING:
@FoxNews said it and @TuckerCarlson "have agreed to part ways."
—"We thank him for his service to the network as a host and prior to that as a contributor."
https://twitter.com/sarafischer/status/1650522842818134024
@sarafischer
🚨#BREAKING:
@FoxNews said it and @TuckerCarlson "have agreed to part ways."
—"We thank him for his service to the network as a host and prior to that as a contributor."
https://twitter.com/sarafischer/status/1650522842818134024
April 23, 2023
*****
AND THEN, THERE'S THIS:
HMMM. Trump bragged about forcibly kissing women, but Trump attorneys want to block testimony
HE SAID
BUSH: "Sheesh, your girl's hot as sh**. In the purple."
TRUMP: "Whoa! Yes! Whoa!"
BUSH: "Yes! The Donald has scored. Whoa, my man!"
[cross talk]
BUSH: " It better not be the publicist. No it's her, it's..."
TRUMP: "Yeah that's her in the gold. I better use some Tic Tacs [breath fresheners] just in case I start kissing her. You know, I'm automatically attracted to beautiful... I just start kissing them. It's like a magnet. Just kiss. I don't even wait. And when you're a star they let you do it. You can do anything."
BUSH: "Whatever you want."
TRUMP: "Grab them by the p****. You can do anything."
https://www.voanews.com/a/transcript-of-donald-trumps-conversation-with-billy-bush-of-access-hollywood/3542128.html
TRUMP: "Whoa! Yes! Whoa!"
BUSH: "Yes! The Donald has scored. Whoa, my man!"
[cross talk]
BUSH: " It better not be the publicist. No it's her, it's..."
TRUMP: "Yeah that's her in the gold. I better use some Tic Tacs [breath fresheners] just in case I start kissing her. You know, I'm automatically attracted to beautiful... I just start kissing them. It's like a magnet. Just kiss. I don't even wait. And when you're a star they let you do it. You can do anything."
BUSH: "Whatever you want."
TRUMP: "Grab them by the p****. You can do anything."
https://www.voanews.com/a/transcript-of-donald-trumps-conversation-with-billy-bush-of-access-hollywood/3542128.html
*****
AND THEN, THERE'S THIS:
Carroll lawyers issue legal smackdown dismantling Trump's plea to keep woman he allegedly forcibly kissed off stand
Trump previously asked that E. Jean Carroll be forced to nix Natasha Stoynoff from their list of possible witnesses. She is one of several other women that alleged Trump forcibly kissed them or physically assaulted them. Judge Lewis Kaplan already dismissed his claim. So, Trump sent another letter asking for "clarification."
"...we submit this letter in opposition to Defendant Donald J. Trump’s motion purporting to 'request clarification' of the Court’s decision concerning Natasha Stoynoff’s testimony," the letter said. "Trump does not really seek clarification of that decision, which was perfectly clear in admitting Stoynoff’s testimony and rejecting Trump’s grounds for seeking to exclude it. Instead, what Trump actually seeks is reconsideration of the Court’s ruling. But because he does so: (1) well after the reconsideration deadline lapsed; (2) in sole reliance on a document that he has possessed for over seven months; and (3) in disregard of the legal and factual grounds on which this Court admitted Stoynoff’s testimony, Trump’s motion should be denied."
The two parties have already submitted their motions over the issue and, a little over a month ago, on March 10, Trump lost.
Carroll's lawyers explained that there is nothing that needs to be clarified.
Trump previously asked that E. Jean Carroll be forced to nix Natasha Stoynoff from their list of possible witnesses. She is one of several other women that alleged Trump forcibly kissed them or physically assaulted them. Judge Lewis Kaplan already dismissed his claim. So, Trump sent another letter asking for "clarification."
"...we submit this letter in opposition to Defendant Donald J. Trump’s motion purporting to 'request clarification' of the Court’s decision concerning Natasha Stoynoff’s testimony," the letter said. "Trump does not really seek clarification of that decision, which was perfectly clear in admitting Stoynoff’s testimony and rejecting Trump’s grounds for seeking to exclude it. Instead, what Trump actually seeks is reconsideration of the Court’s ruling. But because he does so: (1) well after the reconsideration deadline lapsed; (2) in sole reliance on a document that he has possessed for over seven months; and (3) in disregard of the legal and factual grounds on which this Court admitted Stoynoff’s testimony, Trump’s motion should be denied."
The two parties have already submitted their motions over the issue and, a little over a month ago, on March 10, Trump lost.
Carroll's lawyers explained that there is nothing that needs to be clarified.
April 23, 2023
Please read this Dept of Veterans Affairs release and see what Republicans are attempting.
I'm obeying the "4 Paragraph Rule" here. Please go to the link and read the whole thing.
VA » Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs » News Releases
Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs
Budget Cut Proposals Would Hurt Veterans
April 21, 2023, 01:02:00 PM
Threaten Medical Care for Veterans. The proposal would mean 30 million fewer Veteran outpatient visits, and 81,000 jobs lost across the Veterans Health Administration, leaving Veterans unable to get appointments for care including wellness visits, cancer screenings, mental health services, and substance use disorder treatment.
Undermine Access to Telehealth. Access to remote care through telehealth is essential for Veterans, particularly in rural areas. By reducing funding for necessary IT infrastructure and support, the proposal would impair VA’s ability to expand video-to-home telehealth services and limit the availability of medical equipment that can be provided to Veterans so they can attend important telehealth appointments from home.
Worsen Wait Times for Benefits. Under the proposal, the Veterans Benefits Administration would eliminate more than 6,000 staff, increasing the disability claims backlog by an estimated 134,000 claims and forcing Veterans and their surviving loved ones to wait longer for the benefits they have earned, including pensions, life insurance, GI Bill educational supports, and employment services.
Prevent Construction on the Health Care Facilities that Veterans need. Veterans deserve to receive care in state-of-the-art facilities, but the median VA hospital was built nearly 60 years ago – compared to just 13 years ago in the private sector. This proposal would cut up to $565 million for major construction projects, including critical clinical upgrades to hospitals and clinics. These cuts would negatively impact Veteran health care across America.
VA » Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs » News Releases
Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs
Budget Cut Proposals Would Hurt Veterans
April 21, 2023, 01:02:00 PM
Threaten Medical Care for Veterans. The proposal would mean 30 million fewer Veteran outpatient visits, and 81,000 jobs lost across the Veterans Health Administration, leaving Veterans unable to get appointments for care including wellness visits, cancer screenings, mental health services, and substance use disorder treatment.
Undermine Access to Telehealth. Access to remote care through telehealth is essential for Veterans, particularly in rural areas. By reducing funding for necessary IT infrastructure and support, the proposal would impair VA’s ability to expand video-to-home telehealth services and limit the availability of medical equipment that can be provided to Veterans so they can attend important telehealth appointments from home.
Worsen Wait Times for Benefits. Under the proposal, the Veterans Benefits Administration would eliminate more than 6,000 staff, increasing the disability claims backlog by an estimated 134,000 claims and forcing Veterans and their surviving loved ones to wait longer for the benefits they have earned, including pensions, life insurance, GI Bill educational supports, and employment services.
Prevent Construction on the Health Care Facilities that Veterans need. Veterans deserve to receive care in state-of-the-art facilities, but the median VA hospital was built nearly 60 years ago – compared to just 13 years ago in the private sector. This proposal would cut up to $565 million for major construction projects, including critical clinical upgrades to hospitals and clinics. These cuts would negatively impact Veteran health care across America.
April 23, 2023
Salon: Here are the weak GOP seats that could let Dems win the House in '24
Bye George! Here are the weak GOP seats that could let Dems win the House in '24
George Santos and Lauren Boebert top the list of vulnerable Republicans — and there are more than enough others
By RAE HODGE
Staff Reporter
PUBLISHED APRIL 23, 2023 6:00AM (EDT)
Technically, Democrats only need to flip five seats in. '24 to regain a majority — but that's assuming they can hold all the seats of their own vulnerable members, which isn't a safe bet. For once, Democrats seem determined to go on the offensive, with a strategy that provides a thicker buffer against net losses and targets 31 seats from the party's New York war room.
*****
As Wasserman has repeatedly noted in recent months, gerrymandering has meant that most congressional districts are non-competitive, but an unpopular presidential candidate can definitely change that calculus. Ironically, if Republicans nominate Donald Trump that's likely good news for Democrats in a number of suburban swing districts where many conservative and independent voters are tired of extremism and over the former president. Those voters could make Kevin McCarthy's tenure as House speaker exceedingly brief.
*****
Rep. George Santos (New York 3rd district) — The already-notorious Long Island congressman with the largely fictional résumé and the nonexistent volleyball injuries (from a college he did not attend) heads their list of no-brainer losses. According to a Newsday/Siena College poll. 78% of the voters in Santos' own district (including 71% of Republicans) said they want him to resign. In first-quarter FEC filings, Santos' campaign is in the red, a truly bizarre thing to report: He claimed only $25,000 on hand, $715,000 in debt, just $5,000 raised and $8,000 refunded. The real kicker? As spotted by the New York Times, McCarthy's New York defense fund is missing just one name: George Santos. Ouch.
*****
Rep. Lauren Boebert (Colorado 3rd district) — One of the biggest surprises of 2022 was something that didn't quite happen, as the ultra-MAGA Colorado congresswoman with a passion for firearms and a colorful past was re-elected by a whisker, eventually beating Democrat Adam Frisch by about 600 votes, the closest congressional race anywhere in the country. Frisch plans to be back for a rematch, and according to Punchbowl News, Republicans now view Boebert as their most vulnerable incumbent next year.
George Santos and Lauren Boebert top the list of vulnerable Republicans — and there are more than enough others
By RAE HODGE
Staff Reporter
PUBLISHED APRIL 23, 2023 6:00AM (EDT)
Technically, Democrats only need to flip five seats in. '24 to regain a majority — but that's assuming they can hold all the seats of their own vulnerable members, which isn't a safe bet. For once, Democrats seem determined to go on the offensive, with a strategy that provides a thicker buffer against net losses and targets 31 seats from the party's New York war room.
*****
As Wasserman has repeatedly noted in recent months, gerrymandering has meant that most congressional districts are non-competitive, but an unpopular presidential candidate can definitely change that calculus. Ironically, if Republicans nominate Donald Trump that's likely good news for Democrats in a number of suburban swing districts where many conservative and independent voters are tired of extremism and over the former president. Those voters could make Kevin McCarthy's tenure as House speaker exceedingly brief.
*****
Rep. George Santos (New York 3rd district) — The already-notorious Long Island congressman with the largely fictional résumé and the nonexistent volleyball injuries (from a college he did not attend) heads their list of no-brainer losses. According to a Newsday/Siena College poll. 78% of the voters in Santos' own district (including 71% of Republicans) said they want him to resign. In first-quarter FEC filings, Santos' campaign is in the red, a truly bizarre thing to report: He claimed only $25,000 on hand, $715,000 in debt, just $5,000 raised and $8,000 refunded. The real kicker? As spotted by the New York Times, McCarthy's New York defense fund is missing just one name: George Santos. Ouch.
*****
Rep. Lauren Boebert (Colorado 3rd district) — One of the biggest surprises of 2022 was something that didn't quite happen, as the ultra-MAGA Colorado congresswoman with a passion for firearms and a colorful past was re-elected by a whisker, eventually beating Democrat Adam Frisch by about 600 votes, the closest congressional race anywhere in the country. Frisch plans to be back for a rematch, and according to Punchbowl News, Republicans now view Boebert as their most vulnerable incumbent next year.
Profile Information
Name: Miles ArcherGender: Male
Hometown: Hamilton Massachusetts
Home country: USA
Current location: Nevada
Member since: Wed Oct 16, 2013, 07:49 PM
Number of posts: 18,837
