The inevitable end result of our last 56 years

[Kirk Gallaway]

So Paul,(Sorry I first called you Alan) in the first piece, elements of the U.S. political right and left unite, not to engineer a Joe Biden election victory, not to engineer a Donald Trump election victory but to ensure free and fair elections. They also possibly foresaw, as it turned out correctly that a neo facist President might try to overturn the results of a free and fair  election. This was made more difficult by the pandemic, there was information disseminated that because of mail balloting that the public shouldn't be alarmed if the results of the election will not be known on Election night.

The victory was obvious in shear numbers as a great turnout inevitably turns out for the Democrats, though there was healthy reactive response by the Trump campaign.Then as feared the neo fascist President tries to overturn the election.  Ultimately at certain points, it was touch and go.

Your author here in the second piece assumes the Democrats are now going for hegemony, in reality they lost part of the house, lost in state legislatures and eeked out the slimmest margin in the Senate. He doesn't even mention that the Republic Party is disintegrating on it's own, and his assertion that "the Trump-inspired “Make America Great Again” movement is struggling to purge itself of subversive QAnon elements" is ill informed at best and ludicrous at worst!

Why do the Democrats for now look better? Because the  Democrats didn't have the  Fascists elements in them and the Fascist lost!  It's that simple!

So I guess you're sour grapes like the author, because that leaves you out, Paul?.

I know you're a self proclaimed "expert" about American politics but maybe you're just another bitter Bit britching about the anti Bexit, eh?

If you choose to engage as little as last time, we'll just say.

"Chip Chip Cheerio!

heh heh

 

Edited February 11, 2021 by Kirk Gallaway

[Joe Bauer]

1 hour ago, W. Niederhut said:

Since this is a scholarly forum, I would like to elevate this impeachment debate to a higher intellectual level. 🤥

This is one of the most profound descriptions of the trial that I've seen anywhere.

HA!

[James DiEugenio]

On 2/9/2021 at 9:55 AM, Douglas Caddy said:

Biden is the most radical left-wing president in US history, period

By Rich Lowry

February 1, 2021 

Biden is the most radical left-wing president in US history, period (nypost.com)

 

 

This article is pure GOP baloney. How on earth can anyone characterize a president after just three weeks in office?  That is just silly.  But Lowry is from National Review and this is the NY Post.  The whole idea of raising taxes and comparing that to JFK is nuts.  Like somehow nothing happened to the tax code in the intervening 57 years? The GOP and their nutty supply side doctrines gave a free pass to the ultra rich, and taxed the heck out of the working and middle classes. Thereby bankrupting the Treasury to the point now you have to do everything out of the Fed.  It was Trump who endorsed a $2000 check if you recall.  And its necessary to pass a big CV 19 bill because Trump and the GOP has let the virus stampede throughout the country.  They did not even administer the vaccine once they had it in any significant way.

Calling Joe Biden a radical is pure boilerplate.  Biden has always been a moderate.  IMO, the emergency situation demands even more than what he is doing. I am really kind of sick of seeing growing colonies of homeless people under freeway overpasses in LA. While the richest man in America, Jeff Bezos, fights unionization at Amazon.  

 

 

Edited February 11, 2021 by James DiEugenio

[James DiEugenio]

If you are not watching Trump's trial, you really should.  The Democrats are presenting a really convincing case.  Its tight, to the point, and evidence backed. Some of this stuff, I did not know myself, even though I wrote an article about it.  

You can watch a live feed at Politico.

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/02/10/trump-impeachment-trial-day-2-468291

[Joe Bauer]

Watching the Impeachment hearing.

The Trump incitement evidence is rock solid.

Trump will always be acknowledged in truth as guilty of this crime.

But he won't be convicted. Simply because his biased Senate members will vote against impeachment, even though they know he's guilty of this offense.

Sad that justice will not be done and can be subverted by biased jurors.

[Ron Ecker]

4 hours ago, Joe Bauer said:

But he won't be convicted. Simply because his biased Senate members will vote against impeachment, even though they know he's guilty of this offense.

 

The poor things don't want to be "primaried." Who can blame them? They're still afraid of Trump's tweets even though he can't tweet anymore. Courage for the ages.

One positive thing out of all this is that it has contributed a new verb, "to primary," to the English language. At least I think so. I haven't bothered to look it up.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 11, 2021 by Ron Ecker

[David Andrews]

Why did Trump use "YMCA" as his theme song?  It screams Pizzagate.

[Ron Bulman]

5 hours ago, James DiEugenio said:

If you are not watching Trump's trial, you really should.  The Democrats are presenting a really convincing case.  Its tight, to the point, and evidence backed. Some of this stuff, I did not know myself, even though I wrote an article about it.  

You can watch a live feed at Politico.

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/02/10/trump-impeachment-trial-day-2-468291

Thanks for the tip.  I managed to catch about an hour an a half.  Some of it pretty damning.  Some new video was pretty emphatic.

The number 2 GOP seemed impressed.  "... was compelling".  Not that he or any of his compadres will change their votes to impeach.  Although one or two others have made interesting comments.  Cruz is still playing to the former prez's base.

Trump Failed to Intervene, Democrats Say: Impeachment Update (msn.com)

 

 

[Ron Bulman]

24 minutes ago, Ron Bulman said:

Thanks for the tip.  I managed to catch about an hour an a half.  Some of it pretty damning.  Some new video was pretty emphatic.

The number 2 GOP seemed impressed.  "... was compelling".  Not that he or any of his compadres will change their votes to impeach.  Although one or two others have made interesting comments.  Cruz is still playing to the former prez's base.

Trump Failed to Intervene, Democrats Say: Impeachment Update (msn.com)

 

 

I missed the video of Schumer running.

5 takeaways from Day 2 of Trump’s impeachment trial (msn.com)

"... we changed what we were going to do on account that we thought the House manager's presentation was so well done." 

Christie calls Bruce Castor’s performance in impeachment trial ‘unthinkable’ (msn.com)

A pin drop, graphic, disgusting.

GOP senators call Capitol riot videos 'disturbing,' 'powerful,' 'graphic' (msn.com)

[Joseph McBride]

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/08/business/media/maxine-cheshire-dead.html?action=click&module=News&pgtype=Homepage&fbclid=IwAR1LI8nwrr9s94JTrkm-721iYA7nLtx8fQlLrRYRx-lBlIKFIa1MK_e2m7Q

 

Maxine Cheshire was rotten. She tried to sabotage my Bush CIA/Kennedy assassination research in Texas, but I outfoxed her. You'll see in this obit what John and Jacqueline Kennedy thought of her.

[Ron Bulman]

10 hours ago, James DiEugenio said:

If you are not watching Trump's trial, you really should.  The Democrats are presenting a really convincing case.  Its tight, to the point, and evidence backed. Some of this stuff, I did not know myself, even though I wrote an article about it.  

You can watch a live feed at Politico.

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/02/10/trump-impeachment-trial-day-2-468291

I guess tomorrow is closing arguments for the Dem's.  Could be interesting.

Lay it all down.

MELANIE - LAY DOWN (CANDLES IN THE RAIN) LYRICS (songlyrics.com)

Edited February 11, 2021 by Ron Bulman

[Kirk Gallaway]

On 2/1/2021 at 11:58 PM, Kirk Gallaway said:

I'm now seeing the struggles that the Dem congress people had to go through during the Capital Riots. Some at first weren't directed anywhere. AOC was hiding in Congressman Katie Porters bathroom,and she gave AOC  tennis shoes in case she would have to run.

In any Impeachment trial worth it's a salt, they have to reconstruct what happened , get intelligence people's testimony to verify the timelines, show every relevant bit of film evidence.  If that one Capitol Cop  redirected the mob,they have to show how close Mike Pence was to being seen or apprehended. 

Then you bring Pence to the witness stand, verify through Mike Pence;s testimony that he has built his political career  as a man who professes  love of his family,  God, and Mother Country.   Then you verify that his  family was with him.  Ask him if he heard the mob, Were you frightened for the welfare of your family? If he downplays it, show film of the mob chanting to hang Pence., Don;t spare any drama and make Pence search his soul, on National TV. What did you feel like when you and your family could hear the angry mob down the hall? Did you  fear for your family?

You bring Congress women to testify as to their fears. Unfortunately I wonder If AOC's just too divisive a figure to the right, but unfortunately through Fox, even the center.  But there are other women including Republican women.

This isn't even to mention the Trump meeting on Jan.5th. To really investigate that right, and to effectively use the testimony of the victims which were the the members of Congress themselves, (now that's real life drama!) as well as the various police forces. You just need more time. The Democrats should hold on. They shouldn't spill all their beans in a hastily constructed trial. I think they gather evidence, lay low, get their witnesses ready and orchestrate it to maximum effect.

Wow! I've only seen snippets of this. AOC tonight accounting her experience during the Capitol Riots.

 

 

Wow This Impeachment Trial presentation today was almost exactly what I was hoping they'd do. Anyone who lies crime show reconstructions would have to love this. It was very focused, timelines, maps of the Capitol, showing films of Congressman escaping and maps of where the rioters were! Good commentary, driving their points home. Trump tweets call Pence a traitor to the cause only 2 minutes before Pence and his family are escorted through a back route.

It's too bad they couldn't subpoena some of the people around Trump to nail down that the President did nothing in response. But they instead mentioned how Ivanka a and Jared tried to get through to him to get him to call it to stop, but they quoted articles from NYT and WAPO, and of course  the Republicans would refute such sources.

I'm not sure if they're going to bring in other witnesses. I heard the Dems are giving their summation tomorrow.

 

[Paul Rigby]

To Conspiracy Theory or to Not Conspiracy Theory (That is the Question)

Posted By Scott Owen On February 11, 2021 @ 12:39 am In articles 2015 | Comments Disabled

Ever since the words were first introduced, conspiracy theories have carried the weight and stigma of mysterious enigmas wrapped in multiple layers of intrigue, deception, black-ops and lies. The very notion of conspiracy theories is itself considered by some to be a conspiracy theory. There are those who maintain that the CIA invented the term or at least brought it into our common language as a way of ridiculing those who questioned the Warren Report account of the murder of president JFK.

Whether the CIA did or did not intentionally use those words, conspiracy theory, to discredit those who were non-believers of the official Warren Report line, we will never know. And that’s the thing about a conspiracy theory, as to its truth, we may never know. What should be known however, what we would be better to believe, is that in this world of intrigue, deception, black-ops and lies, that there are without a doubt conspiracies. If the CIA ever had the desire to de-legitimize someone or some entire group, then or especially now, this moment is certainly ripe for supplying them with all the necessary ingredients for pulling off a grand conspiracy of mass de-legitimization of those they see as being political rabble-rousers.

The group who stormed the capitol on Jan.6th is one such group who follow conspiracy theories but although they are unique in being the ones who stormed the capitol, they are not unique in their beliefs in conspiracy theories. It might be hard, if one were to look, to find someone who does not believe in some conspiracy theory or another and it would be right for that to be the case because surely, one or the other of those theories is true, based on facts and even provable if the right material evidence could be produced. In this world of intrigue, deception, black-ops and lies however, it is sometimes very hard, impossible even for most of us, to get our hands on the right material evidence and those shady CIA operators are loving it. Nothing produces the environment where conspiracy theories thrive like reams of hidden or redacted evidence.

Are many of the conspiracy theories we hear nothing but pure bunk made-up by who knows who for no other reason than to confuse and distract? Yes, many of them are. Are some of those theories the result of half understood notions that are used in an effort to understand hidden truth? Yes, many of them are. Are some of those theories true but only the tip of even greater conspiracies that we still haven’t even begun to suspect? It’s likely so. Would it be of some value to the public to keep an open mind where conspiracy theories are concerned? Yes, as it would be one of the tyrants greatest moments in  psy-op history if we were not keeping an open mind where conspiracy theories are concerned. Are conspiracy theories currently being down-played and ridiculed as being absurd and the domain of idiots and fools? Yes they are!

Is this treatment of conspiracy theories as some form of mental illness or instability, coupled with corporate and government censorship of things that they and they alone deem as being conspiracy theories with no redeeming even harmful value to the public, a smart way to go in societies hoping to retain some shred of truth and freedom? No it is not. Let us ask ourselves then, would we be wise to write off as unacceptable any theories that suggest conspiracy and to then allow government and corporate control of censorship of those theories? I think not. Would you then prefer to live in a society where people are allowed to freely suggest conspiracies where there may or may not be conspiracies or would you prefer to live in a society where no conspiracy theories are allowed even though they may or may not be true?

Do you wish to live in a society where you and you alone are allowed to discern truth from fiction according to the evidence you yourself are able to uncover or do you want corporations and government to do that for you?

Article printed from CounterPunch.org: https://www.counterpunch.org

URL to article: https://www.counterpunch.org/2021/02/11/to-conspiracy-theory-or-to-not-conspiracy-theory-that-is-the-question/

[Bill Fite]

1 hour ago, Paul Rigby said:

To Conspiracy Theory or to Not Conspiracy Theory (That is the Question)

Posted By Scott Owen On February 11, 2021 @ 12:39 am In articles 2015 | Comments Disabled

Ever since the words were first introduced, conspiracy theories have carried the weight and stigma of mysterious enigmas wrapped in multiple layers of intrigue, deception, black-ops and lies. The very notion of conspiracy theories is itself considered by some to be a conspiracy theory. There are those who maintain that the CIA invented the term or at least brought it into our common language as a way of ridiculing those who questioned the Warren Report account of the murder of president JFK.

Are conspiracy theories currently being down-played and ridiculed as being absurd and the domain of idiots and fools? Yes they are!

Is this treatment of conspiracy theories as some form of mental illness or instability, coupled with corporate and government censorship of things that they and they alone deem as being conspiracy theories with no redeeming even harmful value to the public, a smart way to go in societies hoping to retain some shred of truth and freedom? No it is not.

Article printed from CounterPunch.org: https://www.counterpunch.org

URL to article: https://www.counterpunch.org/2021/02/11/to-conspiracy-theory-or-to-not-conspiracy-theory-that-is-the-question/

FWIW -  I've taken to using Coincidence Theory when discussing events dismissed by others as just another conspiracy theory.

It's quite easy to make a list of all the events a coincidence theorist has to believe are just unrelated coincidences to reject the hypothesis of a conspiracy being responsible for certain events.  Then ask what is the probability of all of them being coincidences.  If one isn't, there is a conspiracy.  If the probabilities of one or more occurring as coincidences are low then the probability of a conspiracy goes up.

[Paul Rigby]

1 hour ago, Bill Fite said:

FWIW -  I've taken to using Coincidence Theory when discussing events dismissed by others as just another conspiracy theory.

It's quite easy to make a list of all the events a coincidence theorist has to believe are just unrelated coincidences to reject the hypothesis of a conspiracy being responsible for certain events.  Then ask what is the probability of all of them being coincidences.  If one isn't, there is a conspiracy.  If the probabilities of one or more occurring as coincidences are low then the probability of a conspiracy goes up.

All very sensible: The approach will never catch on.