Steve Thomas

Kirk, Did you see where Trumps new lawyer said that Trump can't a fair trial because the jurors are biased? Voir dire them all !, I say. Steve Thomas

I was only joking, but as it turns out... Scoop: Fees — not just strategy — blew up Trump's legal team By Alayna Treene 02/02/21 https://www.axios.com/trump-legal-fees-impeachment-trial-8f6578e6-0662-4aea-8edc-aee2530c5165.html “Disagreements over legal strategy weren't the only reason Donald Trump's defense team collapsed just days before his second impeachment trial, Axios has learned. What we're hearing: The notoriously stingy former president and his lead lawyer, Butch Bowers, wrangled over compensation during a series of tense phone calls, sources familiar with their conversations said. The argument came even though Trump has raised over $170 million from the public that could be used on his legal defenses. The two initially agreed Bowers would be paid $250,000 for his individual services, a figure that "delighted" Trump, one of the sources said. However, Trump didn't realize Bowers hadn't included additional expenses — including more lawyers, researchers and other legal fees that would be accrued on the job. He was said to be livid when Bowers came back to him with a total budget of $3 million. Trump called the South Carolina attorney and eventually negotiated him down to $1 million. All of this infuriated Trump and his political team, who think the case will be straightforward, given 45 Republican senators already voted to dismiss the trial on the basis it's unconstitutional to convict a former president on impeachment charges. Trump's political arm also was planning to pay separately for audiovisuals, a rapid-response team and legislative liaison. In the end, the money dispute added to frustrations Bowers and the other lawyers felt about whether the former president's claims of election fraud should be central to their arguments. "I think there was some problems getting money for it, but it wasn't [just] that," said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who helped Trump secure Bowers and other impeachment lawyers. "Just too many cooks in the kitchen." Steve Thomas

What Ulysses Grant Can Teach Joe Biden About Putting Down Violent Insurrections By CASEY MICHEL 01/30/2021 https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2021/01/30/what-ulysses-grant-can-teach-joe-biden-about-putting-down-violent-insurrections-463976 “The deadly siege of the Capitol in Washington, which sought to overturn a legitimate election by targeting lawmakers with assassination, was not the first attempted insurrection in American history.” “Grant’s approach relied on a combination of brute military force and a drastic curtailment of civil liberties, yet it nevertheless has relevance for the current moment and contains lessons for lawmakers who fear that January 6 might have been only the first of widespread attacks on the government and elected officials at all levels, across large swaths of the nation.” Steve Thomas

The Texas High School Recruiting Its Mexican American Teens to Be Border Patrol Agents ‘At the Ready’ A good salary and playing with guns? Sundance doc “At the Ready” shows how Mexican American students in a border town are being recruited into immigration law enforcement. By Kevin Fallon Feb. 01, 2021 https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-texas-high-school-recruiting-its-mexican-american-teens-to-be-border-patrol-agents?ref=home “Watching them train in their tactical gear is surreal. It’s jarring to see these children—and they are just children—sprinting through the hallways with fake guns and riot helmets. Some of their frames are so youthful and slight that the bulletproof vests barely have shoulders to cling onto.” “Like in so many different areas of the immigration debate, you’re left with an upsetting aftertaste: They’re just kids. Kids who are pretending to disarm and incapacitate an active shooter in a hostage situation. But kids nonetheless.” Steve Thomas

Also, what was discussed the the meeting in Trumps private residence at the Trump Hotel on the night of January 5, 2021? Steve Thomas

Jim, In addition, that's not how the police who arrested him tell it. Detective Bob Carroll was the officer who grabbed Oswald's pistol out of his hand and stuck in his belt at the Texas Theater. He drove the car that carried Oswald back to City Hall. (7H25) Mr. BELIN. Did you ever hear anyone say anything about his having an address on North Beckley or on Beckley Street? Mr. CARROLL. I heard later, but I couldn't say who it was that said it. Mr. BELIN. When you say later, you mean later than what? Mr. CARROLL. Later that day. Mr. BELIN. Did he give two names? Or did someone in the car read from the identification? Mr. CARROLL. Someone in the car may have read from the identification. I know two names, the best I recall, were mentioned. Mr. BELIN. Were any addresses mentioned? Mr. CARROLL. Not that I recall; no, sir. Detective Guy Rose told the Warren Commission that: Mr. BALL. Did you ask him what his address was? Mr. ROSE. Yes; but from there, he wouldn't tell me--he just said, "You just find out." Mr. BALL. Now, did anybody ever tell you that his address was 1026 North Beckley? Mr. ROSE. Later they did--right then they didn't; no, sir. K.E. Lyon, who was also in the car transporting Oswald to City Hall in his report: Box 5, Folder# 2, Item# 78 makes no mention of obtaining Oswald's address In his after-action Report dated December 3, 1963, DPD Archives, Box 2, Folder# 7, Item# 4, page 2 http://jfk.ci.dallas.tx.us/box2.htm Detective Paul Bentley wrote: “On the way to the City Hall, I removed the suspect's wallet and obtained his name.... I turned his identification over to Lt. Baker. I then went to Captain Westbrook's office to make a report of this arrest.” There is nothing in his Report about obtaining an address. Steve Thomas

Ron, What astounded me, was that in his appearance in Wyoming, Gaetz wasn't just there to campaign against Liz Cheney, he announced his intention to take on Mitch McConnell for leadership of the the Republican Party. At his appearance, he said, "We are in a battle for the soul of the Republican party, and I intend to win it," said Gaetz "The truth is that the establishment in both political parties have teamed up to screw our fellow Americans for generations," Gaetz said. "The private insider club of Joe Biden, Mitch McConnell, Mitt Romney, Nancy Pelosi and Liz Cheney, they want to return our government to its default setting: enriching them." With Kevin McCarthy traveling to Mar Lago, and Gaetz making this appearance in Wyoming, we can see where this is heading. Steve Thomas

It is said that the disagreement was mutual. Trump said, "I'm not paying you." The lawyers said, "Well, we're not working for free." The breakup was mutual. Steve Thomas

Part of the Lincoln Project letter to Rudy Guiliani: For the text of the full letter, see here: https://twitter.com/ProjectLincoln/status/1355618315570393090/photo/3 Steve Thomas

Both Mr. and Mrs. Johnson told the Warren Commission and later interviewers that the police told them that Oswald had a piece of paper in his pocket that had the Beckley St. address on it at the time of his arrest at the Texas Theater. Arthur C. Johnson, the owner of the rooming house on Beckley told the Warren Commission (10H303) http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/russ/testimony/johnso_a.htm Mr. JOHNSON. Well, they just came down there looking for--uh--Oswald. Mr. BELIN. Did they say what his full name was? Mr. JOHNSON. Yes, I believe they did. Mr. BELIN. Lee Harvey Oswald? Mr. JOHNSON. I believe they did. Mr. BELIN. Did they say how they happened to come there? Mr. JOHNSON. "Well, uh--after he was--uh--apprehended out there, they searched him and found my address in his pocket. Mr. BELIN. Your address of 1026 North Beckley? Mr. JOHNSON. That's right. HSCA Interview with Amy Gladys Johnson 10/14/77 Bart Kamp in the ROKC Forum 02/08/2020 https://reopenkennedycase.forumotion.net/t1180p125-did-oswald-deny-living-at-1026-n-beckley Gladys Johnson’s WC testimony: http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/russ/testimony/johnso_g.htm Mr. BALL. Did you ever know his true name was Lee Harvey Oswald? Mrs. JOHNSON. No; not until we saw his picture flash on the television as the officers were out. Those particulars was found in his pocket after he killed Tippit, after his arrest. Mick Purdy in the ROKC Forum 12/08/2019 https://reopenkennedycase.forumotion.net/t1180p125-did-oswald-deny-living-at-1026-n-beckley Is this Washington Post reporter Ronnie Duggar? Neither one of the Johnson’s, nor Earlene Roberts were taken down to the police station to give affidavits. https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth340298/m1/1/?q=Affidavits I've never seen that piece of paper in any of the Police Department evidence sheets. Were the Johnsons lying? Did the police lie to the Johnsons' Steve Thomas

You will be happy to know that former Treasury Secretary, Steve Mnuchin's wife, Louise Linton, has starred in a 2021 B-grade movie as a sex-crazed, cannibal, nymphomaniac. https://youtu.be/8TBBE3FyHlI Ah, these Trump people. They're my heroes. When I grow up, I want to be just like them. Steve Thomas

Jan. 6 Rally Funded by Top Trump Donor, Helped by Alex Jones, Organizers Say Wall St. Journal 01/30/2021 https://www.wsj.com/articles/jan-6-rally-funded-by-top-trump-donor-helped-by-alex-jones-organizers-say-11612012063 “The rally in Washington’s Ellipse that preceded the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol was arranged and funded by a small group including a top Trump campaign fundraiser and donor facilitated by far-right show host Alex Jones. Mr. Jones personally pledged more than $50,000 in seed money for a planned Jan. 6 event in exchange for a guaranteed “top speaking slot of his choice,” according to a funding document outlining a deal between his company and an early organizer for the event. Mr. Jones also helped arrange for Julie Jenkins Fancelli, a prominent donor to the Trump campaign and heiress to the Publix Super Markets Inc. chain, to commit about $300,000 through a top fundraising official for former President Donald Trump’s 2020 campaign, according to organizers. Her money paid for the lion’s share of the roughly $500,000 rally at the Ellipse where Mr. Trump spoke.” If Trump can be impeached for inciting the riot, why can't we arrest the people who paid for it? Steve Thomas

Kevin McCarthy is the Stockholm Syndrome on steroids. Steve Thomas

New York State Investigating Stripping Donald Trump’s Name From Parkland He Donated https://www.huffpost.com/entry/donald-trump-new-york-state-park-name_n_6014050ac5b63b0fb280138b 01/29/2021 “New York state’s parks commissioner is trying to figure out if the state is obligated to keep former President Donald Trump’s name on a 436-acre state park on land he donated in the New York City suburbs 14 years ago, after local opposition sunk his plans for a golf course.” “A Change.org petition asks to rename the park for Sojourner Truth, an icon of the abolitionist and women’s rights movements. There’s also a bill under consideration to rename the park for Heather Heyer, who died when a car struck counterprotesters at the “Unite the Right” white nationalist rally in Charlottesville in 2017.” Steve Thomas

Congratulations to Donald Trump. He promised to drain the swamp Looks like he kept his promise. https://twitter.com/JaneMayerNYer/status/1354533185909043200 Steve Thomas

Kirk, I don't know. Look around and see who is stealing and grifting the most from his own supporters. The MAGA people seem to like that. Steve Thomas

National Terrorism Advisory System www.dhs.gov/advisories Bulletin 01/27/2021 Summary The Acting Secretary of Homeland Security has issued a National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin due to a heightened threat environment across the United States, which DHS believes will persist in the weeks following the successful Presidential Inauguration. Information suggests that some ideologically-motivated violent extremists with objections to the exercise of governmental authority and the presidential transition as well as other perceived grievances fueled by false narratives, could continue to mobilize to incite or commit violence. Details Throughout 2020, Domestic Violent Extremists (DVEs) targeted individuals with opposing views engaged in First Amendment-protected, non-violent protest activity. DVEs motivated by a range of issues, including anger over COVID-19 restrictions, the 2020 election results, and police use of force have plotted and on occasion carried out attacks against government facilities. Long-standing racial and ethnic tension—including opposition to immigration—has driven DVE attacks, including a 2019 shooting in El Paso, Texas that killed 23 people. DHS is concerned these same drivers to violence will remain through early 2021 and some DVEs may be emboldened by the January 6, 2021 breach of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. to target elected officials and government facilities DHS remains concerned that Homegrown Violent Extremists (HVEs)inspired by foreign terrorist groups, who committed three attacks targeting government officials in 2020, remain a threat. Threats of violence against critical infrastructure, including the electric, telecommunications and healthcare sectors, increased in 2020 with violent extremists citing misinformation and conspiracy theories about COVID-19 for their actions. DHS, as well as other Federal agencies and law enforcement partners will continue to take precautions to protect people and infrastructure across the United States. DHS remains committed to preventing violence and threats meant to intimidate or coerce specific populations on the basis of their religion, race, ethnicity, identity or political views. DHS encourages state, local, tribal, and territorial homeland security partners to continue prioritizing physical security measures, particularly around government facilities, to protect people and critical infrastructure.

Douglas, Is that why he was "arrested" just before the mob action on the 6th? Steve Thomas

Keyvan, That's part of the mystery that surrounds these tramps. The place they stayed could be one of a couple of places. One possibility is the Union Gospel Mission at 3211 Irving Blvd in Dallas. Another possibility is the Salvation Army at 5302 Harry Hines Bvd. near Parkland Hospital. Doyle told the FBI that they had arrived the morning of the 22nd. Gedney however, told the FBI that they had arrived in Dallas on the evening of the 21st and had spent the night st the Salvation Army. He also told the FBI that he thought the Salvation Army was south of the underpass, while it is actually north of it. Doyle told the FBI that they learned of JFK's assassination after they left the Mission. Gedney told the FBI that they learned of the shooting before they left the Salvation Army. It's a puzzle. https://web.archive.org/web/20191022151421/http://jfkassassinationfiles.com/fbi_124-10273-10381 FBI 124-10273-10381 Steve Thomas

How Oregon just proved Donald Trump isn't going anywhere by Chris Cillizza January 26, 2021 https://www.rawstory.com/hawaii-gop/ "On Monday night, the Oregon Republican Party issued a formal condemnation of the 10 House Republicans who voted in favor of impeaching President Donald Trump for his role in inciting the violent insurrection at the US Capitol on January 6. Here's a sampling of actual lines from the Oregon GOP's, uh, proclamation. * Whereas history tells us that after George Washington appointed Major General Benedict Arnold to command West Point, Arnold conspired to surrender the fort to the British." * "Whereas the ten Republican House members, by voting to impeach President Trump, repeated history by conspiring to surrender our nation to Leftist forces seeking to establish a dictatorship void of all cherished freedoms and liberties." * "Whereas there is growing evidence that the violence at the Capitol was a 'false flag' operation designed to discredit President Trump, his supporters, and all conservative Republicans; this provided the sham motivation to impeach President Trump in order to advance the Democrat goal of seizing total power, in a frightening parallel to the February 1933 burning of the German Reichstag." Hawaii GOP attacks Biden by promoting Holocaust denier who thinks Auschwitz gas chamber is ‘literally’ just a shower https://www.rawstory.com/hawaii-gop/ “Tarl Warwick built his audience as a blogger and author who focused on subjects surrounding religion and the occult. These days, his YouTube channel is filled with commentary railing against Big Tech censorship, Democrats, and the "woke cult." His commentary resonated so much with the Hawaii GOP that they felt the need to promote him in a tweet this Saturday. "@Styx666Official has an edgy name and frequently uses profanity - his commentary and analysis is generally high quality," the Hawaii GOP tweeted, referring to Warwick's Twitter handle. "It [is] good to periodically step outside the 'bubble' of corporate commentators for additional perspective." In an older video resurfaced by Twitter user Wild Geerters, Warwick regurgitates all the classic Holocaust denier rhetoric, questioning the Holocaust death toll and the true intent of the gas chambers. "The famous Auschwitz shower was quite literally a showering station -- they've got like swimming pools at these places," Warwick says. "I believe that there were death camps -- of course there were -- however, what's not clear is if this was a deliberate extermination effort on a grand scale or whether they were primarily focused on eliminating criminals and the sick."” Our country is in serious, serious trouble. Steve Thomas

Wall Street Journal: Trump pressured DOJ to file case with Supreme Court to overturn election results By Kelly Mena, CNN Updated 12:08 AM ET, Sun January 24, 2021 https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/23/politics/trump-department-of-justice-supreme-court-election-results/index.html Trump tried to get the Attorney General, the Assistant Attorney General, and the Solicitor-General to file a case directly with the Supreme Court, against four States. They all said no because the claims were false and the Justice Department didn’t have any standing. The White House Counsel was also opposed to the idea. So he tried to get the head of the Civil Division to file a case with Georgia falsely claiming that the Justice Department had found massive fraud in Georgia and not to certify their election results. This one, I think, is going to result in his conviction in the Senate. Steve Thomas

America and Donald Trump "Tainted Love" By Soft Cell https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=Tainted+Love Steve Thomas

Right-wing extremists and their supporters use Christian website to raise funds By Majlie de Puy Kamp and Scott Glover, CNN January 20, 2021 https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/19/us/give-send-go-extremism-invs/index.html “Before Proud Boys member Nick Ochs was arrested and charged in connection with the insurrection at the US Capitol, he raised $300 on the Christian-oriented website GiveSendGo.com to help get him to DC. Following Ochs' arrest, a supporter turned to GiveSendGo to raise money for his legal defense, a campaign that has garnered nearly $20,000 for the member of the right-wing extremist group. The campaigns for Ochs weren't the only controversial causes on the site. A CNN review found more than two dozen fundraisers related to protesting the outcome of the presidential election, raising travel funds to attend the January 6 protest in Washington and other right-wing causes. Among the campaigns and their beneficiaries: Ali Alexander, a Stop the Steal organizer who raised money for a "security and administrative team." As of today, he's reached 75% of his $40,000 goal on the platform. Friends and family of Enrique Tarrio, the leader of the Proud Boys, have raised more than $113,000 for his legal defense on GiveSendGo.com. Tarrio was arrested two days before the insurrection at the Capitol and charged with destruction of property for burning a Black Lives Matter banner after a protest in December and with possessing high-capacity firearm magazines. Jim Hoft, founder of the conservative news outlet Gateway Pundit, is currently the beneficiary of two campaigns on GiveSendGo.com, totaling more than $135,000, intended to fund an investigation into alleged voter fraud in Michigan and to "take on the tech giant censorship of conservative voices." At least five other campaigns that collectively raised nearly $200,000 are tied to self-described Proud Boys members looking for funds for "protective gear," travel expenses to the January protest in Washington, DC, and medical costs after a December rally in the capital turned violent.” Christian crowdfunding site GiveSendGo defends decision to host campaign for Kyle Rittenhouse By Roxanne Stone August 31, 2020 https://religionnews.com/2020/08/31/kyle-rittenhouse-give-send-go-defends-decision-to-host-christian-crowdfunding-campaign/ “Jacob Wells has been inundated with hundreds of emails and phone calls since Friday evening. “Some of the language has been very colorful,” he said. Wells is the co-founder of GiveSendGo, a Christian crowdfunding site that is currently hosting a campaign to raise money for the legal defense of Kyle Rittenhouse, who has been charged with two homicides and one attempted homicide in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The campaign, “Raise money for Kyle Rittenhouse Legal Defense,” has raised $280,000 as of Monday evening (Aug. 31), well beyond its $200,000 initial goal.” Steve Thomas

I kid you not. https://www.trumplibrary.gov/trumps/president-donald-j-trump "Donald J. Trump was born on June 14, 1946 in Queens, New York to parents Fred and Mary Trump. He has three older siblings and one younger brother. Trump attended the New York Military Academy and the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2019 President Trump was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives for abuse of power by soliciting the interference of Ukraine in the 2020 U.S. presidential election and obstruction of Congress by directing defiance of certain subpoenas issued by the House of Representatives. A trial in the U.S. Senate found the President not guilty of the charges brought against him. In 2021 President Trump was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives for having incited an insurrection against the government of the United States. President Trump has been married to his wife, Melania, since 2005. Together they have one son, Barron. Trump also has four adult children, Donald Jr., Ivanka, Eric, and Tiffany. He has 10 grandchildren. Main navigation President Donald J. Trump First Lady Melania Trump The Trump Presidential Library is part of the Presidential Libraries system administered by the National Archives and Records Administration, a federal agency." Steve Thomas

Goodbye Donnie. By Bette Midler. https://boingboing.net/2021/01/20/bette-midler-in-top-form-as-she-sings-goodbye-donnie-in-this-hilarious-video.html Steve Thomas