Steve Thomas

Cliff, Donald Trump will not be able to control the whirlwind he has unleashed. “Defend Your Vote” rally organizer thrown to the ground by rally-goers when he tells rally participants to abide by Milwaukee Covid-19 regulations. Crowd chants, “USA” “USA” https://twitter.com/hashtag/defendyourvote?src=hashtag_click “Release the Kraken” Steve Thomas

The Senate Republicans are writing a book. It's called, Profiles in Cowardice. Steve Thomas

Pompeo is abroad doing his usual damage. Pompeo in Turkey for fraught visit with no official talks By Agence France-Presse November 17, 2020 https://www.rawstory.com/2020/11/pompeo-in-turkey-for-fraught-visit-with-no-official-talks/ “Officials said Pompeo wanted to visit Istanbul to see the patriarch (Bartholomew I of Constantinople) and was only ready to meet (President) Erdogan and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on the condition they come to him from the capital Ankara.” Steve Thomas

Trump's Daily Spam Machine: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2020/11/4/1992528/-Trump-campaign-overnight-emails-agitate-fundraise-lay-ground-for-blocking-vote-counting Steve Thomas

Georiga? Where the hell is Georiga? They sending his people out in the middle of the ocean somewhere? Steve Thomas

There are 250,000 missing votes. They died. Steve Thomas

"Another Vaccine just announced. This time by Moderna, 95% effective. For those great “historians”, please remember that these great discoveries, which will end the China Plague, all took place on my watch!" — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 16, 2020 Historians looking back on your watch, huh? Umm... Steve Thomas

Politics makes for strange bedfellows. Azerbaijan delays takeover, denounces fleeing Armenians By JIM HEINTZ 11/15/20 https://apnews.com/article/peacekeeping-forces-azerbaijan-russia-vladimir-putin-armenia-07679eadaeb535be478331e6113463c9 MOSCOW (AP) — “Azerbaijan on Sunday postponed taking control of a territory ceded by Armenian forces in a cease-fire agreement, but denounced civilians leaving the area for burning houses and committing what it called “ecological terror.” The cease-fire ended six weeks of intense fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region and territories outside its formal borders that had been under the control of Armenian forces since 1994. The agreement calls for Azerbaijan to take control of the outlying territories. The first, Kelbajar, was to be turned over on Sunday. After the agreement was announced early Tuesday, many distraught residents preparing to evacuate set their houses ablaze to make them unusable to Azerbaijanis who would move in. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev assured Russian President Vladimir Putin, who negotiated the cease-fire and is sending about 2,000 peacekeeping troops, that Christian churches would be protected. “Christians of Azerbaijan will have access to these churches,” Aliyev’s office said in statement Sunday. Azerbaijan is about 95% Muslim and Armenia is overwhelmingly Christian. Azerbaijan accuses Armenians of desecrating Muslim sites during their decades of control of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding territories, including housing livestock in mosques.” Let's see... A Moslem President assuring a Communist leader that Christian churches will be protected... Steve Thomas

What happens when a narcissist loses? Expect "rage" and "terror," psychologists warn "A truly significant loss… may trigger not only a reign of terror but destruction without limit," one expert says By Matthew Rozsa October 28, 2020 https://www.salon.com/2020/10/28/trump-narcissism-psychology-election-loss-pathology-personality-disorders/ “If Trump loses, Durvasula says it will be like watching a three-year-old refuse to go to bed. "They will just stand there, poignantly in their Superman pajamas and say NO, I am NOT going to bed, and drop to the ground and scream," she explained. "Plan on an adult version of that. As is often the case when a difficult personality style like this faces disappointment we tend to see a cascade of reactions – oppositionality, denial, rage, despair, paranoia, more rage, entitlement, victimhood, and vindictiveness." “The next question, then, is what Trump could actually do in his vindictive rage to punish an America which he may believe has consigned him to "loser" status. (Indeed, one-term presidents are usually regarded as failures — and Trump would be the first one-termer in 28 years).” “Trump could also pick winners and losers in terms of who receives federal help during the pandemic and recession, helping those who sided with him and exacting vengeance against those who did not. He could egg on his supporters into committing acts of violence or, at the very least, do everything in his power to make sure they do not accept the legitimacy of a Biden presidency.” (Remember what Trump said about everyone getting the vaccine except New York State and California not getting Federal Disaster Relief Aid for its wildfires because Governor Gavin Newsome had been mean to him.) “Most ominous of all, a narcissist like Trump could simply refuse to leave office when his term ends on January 20, 2021.” Steve Thomas

Joe, You can feel some measure of sympathy for Trump himself, because he has a mental illness. I wonder how the people felt when Moses destroyed their golden calf. Steve Thomas

Will Saturday, November 14, 2020 mark Donald Trump's Waterloo? Napoloeon Bonaparte's Timeline: June 18, 1815: ·Defeated in the Battle of Waterloo by the British and Prussians, led by Wellington and Blucher June 22, 1815: ·Abdicates for the second time October 16, 1815: ·Napoleon is exiled to Saint Helena Steve Thomas

On December 6 each year, Belgian children wake up and rush to see if St. Nicholas, or Sinterklaas, as he is known in Flemish-speaking parts of the country, has left presents for them. In some parts of Belgium, tradition has it that St. Nicholas arrives by boat from Spain, and delivers gifts on the evening of December 5. On Thursday, Frank Vandenbroucke and Annelies Verlinden sent a letter to Saint-Nicolas, relayed by Sud Presse . The Ministers of Health and the Interior notably announced to the great saint the publication of a ministerial decree to allow him and Father Fouettard to brave the curfew on the night of December 5 to 6 in order to be able to bring gifts to good children. https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lesoir.be%2F337354%2Farticle%2F2020-11-12%2Fcoronavirus-le-gouvernement-ecrit-saint-nicolas-pour-lui-rappeler-les-regles "Dear Saint Nicholas, We hear that this damn virus has also created a lot of problems in Spain. So it gave us the greatest pleasure when we learned that, despite your old age, you have been able to escape the virus in recent months and that you are still in good health. But as you know, dear Saint Nicolas, Spain is in code red. According to the rules, you should therefore stay in quarantine for a few days here when you arrive (tomorrow night have we heard?). However, since we know that you have no time to waste, and that you need every hour to prepare the gifts for each child, we have decided to make an exception - for you and Father Whipper. The royal decree necessary for this purpose will appear shortly in the Belgian Official Gazette. Here is the legal content: the trip with your boat coming from Spain lasts 17 days, that is 7 days more than what we ask and therefore, this period is more than enough as quarantine. A second royal decree, still in preparation, concerns the curfew. On the night of December 5 to 6, the curfew will still apply in Belgium. But of course we also know that under these conditions it would be impossible for you to do your job. In addition, you should also go and get all the letters and designs in the shoes for the next few weeks. Now, you don't want to disappoint the kids. And neither do we. From then on, the legal basis for this second royal decree was directly ratified and you will receive - you and Father Fouettard - an exception for the curfew. And we can reassure you: you won't have to run from roof to roof in a spacesuit. However, we recommend that you always keep your distance, wash your hands regularly and wear a mask when necessary. With your miter, and your long white beard, it's probably no fun. In addition, a Spanish virologist also confirmed to us that your beard protects you enough and acts as a mask. But we want to be sure that you are not at risk when visiting Belgium. One more thing, Saint Nicholas: every child here has been especially brave this year. Or to use your words: very wise. Indeed, it is not easy every day: at school, everything has changed; for now, they can no longer see their boyfriends, they can no longer indulge in their favorite hobbies. Really, really, it's not cheerful for them. Without forgetting that they cannot even go to be cuddled by grandpa and grandma to be consoled. But still, they hold out, dear Saint Nicholas. Not only to protect themselves, but above all to protect others. During these two week vacation, moms and dads are doing their best to take care of them even more, but this year they deserve your visit more than ever. Every child is a hero, and for once you don't need to check your big notebook to see who's been good." Steve Thomas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krJfMyW87vU&feature=youtu.be German reminisces about his time in the war. Fighting Covid As a couch potato (I don’t speak German, so I have to depend on someone else for the translation), “I think that it was in the Winter of 2020, when the whole country looked at us. I had just turned 22, and was studying Mechanical Engineering in Chemnitz when the second wave came. 22... at this age, you want to celebrate, study, get to know someone, something like that, or go for a drink with friends. But fate had other plans for us. An invisible danger threatened everything we believed in, and the fate of this country was suddenly in our hands. So we all took our courage, and did what was expected of us... The only right thing... We did... Nothing. Absolutely nothing! Were lazy like racoons! For days and nights, we stayed home on our asses fighting the spread of the Coronavirus. Our couch was the Front, and our patience was our weapon. You know, sometimes I almost have to smile when I think back to that time. That was our fate. That's how we became heroes. Back then. This Corona Winter 2020.” 😄 Steve Thomas

Trump drove through his supporters in DC on his way to go golfing. He left them stranded there the way he left his supporters stranded in Omaha, NE, Butler, PA. and Tampa, FL. He announced his election fight dream team. They are the Giuliani Ukrainian Mod Squad. Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump “I look forward to Mayor Giuliani spearheading the legal effort to defend OUR RIGHT to FREE and FAIR ELECTIONS! Rudy Giuliani, Joseph diGenova, Victoria Toensing, Sidney Powell, and Jenna Ellis, a truly great team, added to our other wonderful lawyers and representatives!” 9:11 PM · Nov 14, 2020 Steve Thomas

Donald Trump Concedes! He put Rudy Giuliani in charge of his legal efforts. Trump is 1 for 20 in his legal efforts. Rudy sends notice that he intends to appeal to the Supreme Courtyard of the Four Seasons. Steve Thomas

Jim, Yes. It's true. From the New York Times: "That has not stopped some high-profile supporters of the president, including the talk radio host Mark Levin and Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, from suggesting that Republican-led legislatures should consider ignoring the popular vote in close-fought states won by President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. and handing their electoral votes to Mr. Trump." - Radio host, Mark Levin - “REMINDER TO THE REPUBLICAN STATE LEGISLATURES, YOU HAVE THE FINAL SAY OVER THE CHOOSING OF ELECTORS, NOT ANY BOARD OF ELECTIONS, SECRETARY OF STATE, GOVERNOR, OR EVEN COURT. YOU HAVE THE FINAL SAY -- ARTICLE II OF THE FED CONSTITUTION. SO, GET READY TO DO YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY” Steve Thomas

https://twitter.com/BeschlossDC/status/1327279633964937217 Michael Beschloss @BeschlossDC "On cold night, seeing a Secret Service agent outside Oval Office, JFK asked him inside but was told he couldn't—Kennedy brought out two cups of hot chocolate, which they both drank in the cold—years later, the weeping agent said, “That’s the kind of President I’ve been serving."" 9:58 AM · Nov 13, 2020·TweetDeck Steve Thomas

David, I watched this. How refreshing! And how different from what we have been experiencing over the last four years - to see someone take responsibility, and who reads. Steve Thomas

I'm sad. Paul Hornung died Friday. He was 84. Steve Thomas

Can Trump win with ‘fantasy’ electors bid? State GOP says no By BOB CHRISTIE and NICHOLAS RICCARDI 11/14/20 https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-legislature-pennsylvania-b199b2debc87fbb20612a48835bc0dba “Republican leaders in four critical states won by President-elect Joe Biden say they won’t participate in a legally dubious scheme to flip their state’s electors to vote for President Donald Trump. Their comments effectively shut down a half-baked plot some Republicans floated as a last chance to keep Trump in the White House. State GOP lawmakers in Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin have all said they would not intervene in the selection of electors, who ultimately cast the votes that secure a candidate’s victory. Such a move would violate state law and a vote of the people, several noted.” Steve Thomas

White House Unsure if Trump Will Attend His Own Inauguration. Alternative Plans Being Laid to Inaugurate Him In Absentia “White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany appeared on Fox Business Friday to chat with host Stuart Varney about the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20. “I think the president [Donald Trump] will attend his own inauguration,” she said, appearing in her capacity as a Trump campaign adviser.” Later, after realizing just how stupid she is, McEnany added, “He would have to be there, in fact.” Steve Thomas

“As far as a mandate, I’ve been very clear I don’t think this it’s the right thing to do,” said Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, who was infected earlier this year with the coronavirus. “This is a personal responsibility.” South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has provided her people with the full scope of the science, facts, and data regarding the virus, and then she has trusted them to exercise their personal responsibility to make the best decisions for themselves and their loved-ones,” her spokesman Ian Fury wrote in an email. “She will not be changing that approach.” No, it’s not a matter of “personal responsibility” You don’t have the right to spread your diseases anywhere you want, any more than you have the right to spread the bubonic plague, or Ebola any where you want. Over 130 Secret Service officers test positive for COVID after Trump’s campaign travels: report By Sky Palma November 13, 2020 https://www.rawstory.com/2020/11/over-130-secret-service-officers-test-positive-for-after-trumps-campaign-travels-report/ “According to a new report from the Washington Post, over 130 Secret Service officers have been infected with coronavirus in the wake of President Trump’s campaign travels.” Steve Thomas

‘Milk Him Like a Cow’: Russian State Media Mulls How to Take Advantage of Trump Before He’s Gone by Julia Davis Nov. 11, 2020 https://www.thedailybeast.com/russian-state-media-mulls-how-to-take-advantage-of-trump-before-he-leaves-office?ref=home “Appearing on 60 Minutes, Alexei Naumov from the Russian International Affairs Council predicted that Biden would fill his cabinet “with hawks and sharks” and American interest in Eastern Europe would be revived: “Trump decided not to rule the world from Washington, but Biden will.” Co-host of 60 Minutes Olga Skabeeva soberly noted: “We don’t like that.” Host Evgeny Popov added: “We want to rule the world from Moscow.” Skabeeva pointed out that with Trump as the lame duck and Biden yet to be inaugurated, there is a lull in U.S. politics: “No one is currently in power in America. We need to take advantage.” A chorus of concerned voices urged Putin to snap into action, taking advantage of Trump’s dwindling presidency before it’s too late. Appearing on Soloviev’s Sunday evening show, Zhirinovsky agreed with Skabeeva: “These are favorable circumstances for us. There is no president in America right now. For the next 72 days, neither Trump nor Biden can accomplish anything. We can do whatever we want: re-shuffle things in Ukraine, the South Caucasus [Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan], Central Asia... Our hands are untied. Do it now, while no one can intervene... Use every hole, every opening... Let them wake up with Russian flags all around them.” Steve Thomas

Right-wing outrage songified https://boingboing.net/2020/11/12/outrage-songified.html Steve Thomas

Kirk, According to Wikipedia, although Rob Reiner was the producer, the screenwriter was a man named Aaron Sorkin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Sorkin He also wrote, A Few Good Men, and West Wing. Good writer, I think. Steve Thomas