The January 6th Riot

[Omar Bongo]

Republicans to stop seeing everyone to the left of their own 20-yard line as "radical" left (and drop the persecution complexes) and we might be on our way.

Saw more of that today, Pubs whining about how the "radical left" has the vast middle of the spectrum cowering in fear and thus gets to push its "agenda" at will...what a load

[John Q. Public]

But they're convinced of it. And they don't realize that the "agenda" for a good part - maybe even most - of what they're calling the "radical left" now is the same as theirs was up until recently. Very strange, indeed.

Boy, but they're sure upset about them for some reason.

[John Q. Public]

And the "supreme court" just made up their own rules and handed them most of what was on their wish list. I don't get it.

[John Q. Public]

Posting that podcast Wabash mentioned this morning. 37 minutes long and I've only been able to listen to 8 minutes but it sounds interesting if you have the time.

[Omar Bongo]

Thanks for that

[ShiftyMutt]

What IF Trump already pardoned his thugs, like Meadows and gang? Surely it’s not mandatory that a pardon is public? Is that why these guys are defying subpoenas and acting invincible?

[Vilepagan]

Normally there is a formal process for applying for a presidential pardon, but in fact there is no mandatory process and a president can pardon anyone at any time. Yes, the orange plague could have pardoned everyone "secretly" but I suspect we'd have heard about at least a few of those pardons by now.

[Wabash]

I doubt they have been pardoned. Anyone pardoned by Trump would lose most of the 5th Amendment’s protection against compelled testimony that might otherwise have incriminated the pardoned associate. Making it much easier for DOJ and Congress to require such individuals to give testimony that could prove highly incriminating to Trump himself.

[John Q. Public]

Seems like there would be some paperwork involved.

[ShiftyMutt]

How would anyone ever know if a pardon was privately granted ?

You’d think guys like Giuliani or Meadows would absolutely keep that secret until the moment he was sentenced to prison.

Then as far as I know, it’s not actually iron clad that the president can’t pardon himself.

[Wabash]

Posting that podcast Wabash mentioned this morning. 37 minutes long and I've only been able to listen to 8 minutes but it sounds interesting if you have the time.

I was fascinated by the Sons of the Soil mindset and how it affects the current body politic.

[Vilepagan]

You’d think guys like Giuliani or Meadows would absolutely keep that secret until the moment he was sentenced to prison.

No, I think they'd mention it before all the embarrassing testimony came out in court.

[Wabash]

Have a great 4th.

[Wabash]

The WaPo is reporting;

The Fulton County grand jury investigating Donald Trump’s potential criminal interference in the 2020 presidential election subpoenaed several close advisers to the former president Tuesday, including Sen. Lindsey Graham and Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, according to documents obtained by The Post.

This is the case that I believe is most damaging. Trump is recorded demanding others commit crimes on his behalf.

[Wabash]

This is one of those priceless moments.

[broman]

Military Coup...

[John Q. Public]

The witness with the face tats should be good.

[John Q. Public]

Actually, face tat guy was a good speaker and an effective witness. The other guy was also good as a non-eloquent working-stiff-from-Ohio-whose-life-was-ruined former cult member. Cipollone's testimony was also strong.

My one complaint about the televised hearings is that they're too slick, IMHO. I think they'd benefit from a less professionally-produced look. And Bennie Thompson impresses the hell out of me. Smart, eloquent and principled, and under it all he's the good ol' Southern boy John Kennedy only pretends to be.

Good picture of the second witness apologizing to our favorite man-mountain Capitol Police Officer.

[Wabash]

And there is silence from Blue Lives Matter.

[John Q. Public]

Not sure I believe all the people saying they told Donald he lost. Being a suck-up was a job requirement and it doesn't fit the profile. Covering their asses does, though.