Barack Obama shares his favorite books of 2021, from medieval fiction to 1960s crime thriller
(Edward Segarra)
“Art always sustains and nourishes the soul,” Obama captioned the post. “But for me, music and storytelling felt especially urgent during this pandemic year—a way to connect even when we were cooped up.”
Congressman Adam Schiff:
GOP Seems To Be Putting In Place Apparatus For Overturning 2024 Election
“The House voting on Mark Meadows being referred to the Department of Justice for contempt of Congress
after refusing to comply fully with a subpoena from the Jan. 6 select committee is discussed by Rep. Adam Schiff, a member of that committee. He joins Joy Reid to discuss.”
“These texts leave no doubt: the White House knew exactly what was happening at the Capitol.
Members of Congress, the press, and others wrote to Mark Meadows as the attack was underway.”
(Vice Chair Rep. Liz Cheney tweeted)
“Cheney’s comment matches the language of the statute.
It states, “Whoever corruptly … obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.”
That law defines an “official proceeding” as including “a proceeding before the Congress.”
Cheney emphasis makes clear: possible Trump federal crime a focus of January 6th Committee
“Rachel Maddow points out Rep. Liz Cheney, vice chair of the January 6th Committee,
using the exact same language two days in a row to reference the criminal culpability of Donald Trump in the events of January 6th — language taken verbatim from the federal criminal code.
Warnock to Senate Democrats: Bipartisanship at whose expense?
“Highlights from Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock’s impassioned speech to the Senate
on the need to make an exception to the filibuster to pass voting rights legislation that will save democracy in the United States, just like they made an exception to the filibuster for raising the debt ceiling.”
(Rachel Maddow)
‘These are no ordinary times’:
Senator Warnock calls for action to stem erosion of democracy
“Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock talks with Rachel Maddow about the need for Democrats to take it upon themselves to prevent the continued dismantling of democracy in the United States before there is too much damage to repair.”
That deal was made way before he even tried to run for Prez. It was a hinky deal. The Old Post Office was a landmark, history etc. How the heck did Virus45 get his grubby little digits on it? Nah, someone got some kind of bribe. DC folks weren’t fooled.
Fox News hosts urged Meadows to push Trump to stop January 6 attack, texts show
“Washington — As a mob of former President Donald Trump’s supporters violently breached the U.S. Capitol on January 6, three hosts from Fox News and the president’s eldest son privately implored then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows to push the president to call for an end to the mayhem, according to text messages revealed by the House select committee probing the Capitol assault.
The messages, read aloud by Congresswoman Liz Cheney of Wyoming on Monday night, were among the roughly 9,000 pages of emails and text messages Meadows turned over to the House panel before he stopped cooperating with investigators.”
If Fox News had shown the violent insurrection in real time on Jan 6, trump would’ve seen it for sure,
as well as Fox viewers. Who made that decision at Fox not to conceal the violent insurrection from viewers
on Jan 6? Was it trump himself?
—Is there a way to subpoena Fox News hosts for more information?
Thanks to @POTUS and Democrats' Child Tax Credit in the #AmericanRescuePlan, child poverty is on track to decrease by 40%. Here are what some NC parents have said:'It's a blessing.''It takes away a layer of stress''I breathed a big sigh of relief'https://t.co/l0gldnqHVU— NC Democratic Party (@NCDemParty) December 15, 2021
Dark money groups have bragged (on video) about coordinating a national campaign to attack voting rights in battleground states. This is what democratic backsliding looks like on American soil – it’s time to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
Rest in peace and power bell hooks 🙏🏾😔
My heart sings to see that Thee Vice President of the United States acknowledged the loss of this great American writer and human being.
Our nation lost a prolific author, activist, and trailblazer. bell hooks’ profound and positive influence will be with us for generations to come. May she rest in power. pic.twitter.com/6yklT75Qqw
bell hooks is to my mind the mother of much of the current black feminist theory we see today online and beyond. She is endlessly complex and her work is vast in scope. She is simply everything. pic.twitter.com/U9DIiv0b6H
“Sometimes people try to destroy you, precisely because they recognize your power – not because they don't see it, but because they see it and they don't want it to exist.” – bell hooks
For months, Caroline Kennedy has been the leading contender to serve as US ambassador to Australia. The White House has just made it official, with President Biden also nominating Michelle Kwan as ambassador to Belize.
The country is harmed by not seating them…. It was harmful when they blocked Trumps, and it’s harmful when we block Biden’s. Let’s quit being children please. America deserves better politicians.”
Biden Delivers A Happier Holiday To Millions As Unemployment Claims Drop To Lowest Level Since 1969
“President Biden –
yes, the same President of the United States
on the receiving end of more negative press
In his first year of office than Trump got in his last year —
the year in which Trump was impeached for a second time and tried to overthrow the United States government, but hey, Joe is trying to make things better for working people so it’s all even in the end –
that President Biden is overseeing an economy that has unemployment over the last four weeks
hitting its lowest level since 1969.”
Election Officials Gain Defenders Against Trump Republicans Bent On Corrupting Democracy
“Bob Bauer, co-chair of the Election Official Legal Defense Network,
talks with Rachel Maddow about the rise in threats against nonpartisan election workers and the work being done to bolster their legal protections and to brace for 2024. “
“Last night, the collection grew, as Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland shared a text one lawmaker sent to Meadows on Nov. 4, 2020. If you saw Rachel’s A block from last night, you probably noticed this one:
“HERE’s an AGRESSIVE STRATEGY: Why can t the states of GA NC PENN and other R controlled state houses declare this is BS (where conflicts and election not called that night) and just send their own electors to vote and have it go to the SCOTUS.”
In the interest of accuracy,
I’ve published this exactly as it appeared, and included the abbreviations, typos, and grammatical errors
that were part of the original. That said, what the unidentified Republican member was clearly referring to was a corrupt strategy in which GOP state officials in Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and other states with Republican-led legislatures would agree to send pro-Trump slates of electors, regardless of voters’ will.
At that point, according to the plan, there’d be a legal dispute, which the conservative-dominated U.S. Supreme Court could try to resolve.”
Mary Trump said Don Jr texting his father on Jan 6th was:
“Donnie realizing he had made the wrong bet.”
“People who are his supporters…he wouldn’t be seen dead with.”
“I believe that so-called trumpism has moved beyond Trump. The movement doesn’t need him any more…the movement is about undoing our democracy..
If democracy is strengthened in America, they lose.”
“Going all in on brazening out the accusations that are being thrown at them based on factual evidence, based on documentary evidence. They’re just doing what he’s (Trump) been doing his whole life and getting away with it.”
—Her new podcast: “The Mary Trump Show”.
—Congrats!!
WHEN THE MYTH OF VOTER FRAUD COMES FOR YOU
To support the Republican narrative that our elections are rife with misconduct, someone needs to take the fall.
(Vann R. Newkirk II)
“Like tens of thousands of Texas voters, and millions of Americans across the country, (Crystal) Mason cast a provisional ballot, and went home.”
Crystal Mason cast a provisional ballot on advice from a neighbor at the polls – it was rejected.
After that neighbor told an election judge he thought she was on supervised release – the local Republican judge had her arrested for ‘illegal voting’. She was offered 10 years’ probation (for being innocent)
which she rejected. Crystal was convicted to five years in prison.
(TX GOP creating bad laws via other bad laws, desperate to make the case that Voter ID laws are needed – this racist total fabrication was apparently their strongest case.)
For those who responded about my knee update you. All the suggestions I wrote down. I do drink a lot of water all day and drink often through the night. The last two evenings/nighttime, the headaches haven’t been as bad. I slept only slightly better last night, but I will take slightly.
I have a list of questions for my dr tomorrow. First and foremast is what may end up being an argument regarding when I can get my booster. He has said must wait THREE MONTHS! Remember, I couldn’t get booster for three months after I had the antibodies when I had COVID. That date was November 18. If I have to wait another three months, that will be February 2. Wish me luck.
eh tnmtgirl1 thx for update. Am commissioned to tell you electrolytes on and off in the day…a bit of salt as well as the water…a few chips or a snack here and there. Liquid plus electrolytes helped a friend – whose work means she’s in the hot sun all day sometimes – to avoid headaches. She was once hospitalized with sunstroke and learned the hard way! //best wishes for your doc visit.
For Colbert.
Who lives yet for the ‘Lord of the Rings” Trilly and his love of Sir Mr. Jackson:
A Way To Save The Beatles (If Only Paul Knew About It) – Peter Jackson On “Get Back”
“Director Peter Jackson examines the mindset of The Beatles as they prepared for a rooftop concert
profiled in the new Disney+ documentary, “The Beatles: Get Back,” and sheds light on why the band suppressed the footage for decades. Jackson also mentions a chat between George Harrison and John Lennon that might have changed the direction of the band had they ever shared the details with Paul.
Raw, Potent, Honest, Real – The Private Conversations Overheard In “The Beatles: Get Back”
“We hear it all” says director Peter Jackson,
who stripped away layers of guitar noise to reveal intimate conversations between bandmates
Paul, Ringo, John and George in “The Beatles: Get Back”. (streaming on Disney+)
John, Paul, George & Ringo Find The Right Words In Peter Jackson’s “The Beatles: Get Back”
“Peter Jackson and Stephen marvel over footage of The Beatles working out the lyrics to “Something,”
and predict that people may come away from the documentary with a new opinion of the relationship between Yoko Ono and John Lennon.”
She also lied about saying it! I want her removed & cases reviewed! Louisiana Judge to Take Unpaid Leave After Using Racial Slur https://t.co/pOkOJ9t0Fz
We cannot ignore criminal activity, sedition.
The American Republic requires action.
We cannot allow or condone anti-Government, anti-American, anti-Democracy officials in Congress.
—-Criminal conspiracy must be investigated by our DOJ.
Kyle Rittenhouse and Greta Thunberg being born on the exact same day really destroys the whole zodiac system.— Yehudi "CHUNKY" Mercado (@ymercado) December 16, 2021
Folks, let me put it plainly: the restrictions on voting rights and the efforts to put elections into the hands of partisan operatives are outright attacks on American democracy. We must act on voting rights legislation now. pic.twitter.com/K4JsbmEgFp— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) December 16, 2021
In the final session of the year, proposed constitutional amendments that would disenfranchise PA residents by imposing sham voter ID requirements passed in the GOP-led State House. #BreakItDownFridaypic.twitter.com/jCgYeEtfyi
Senate Democrats get serious about protecting elections, voting rights
“Senator Maggie Hassan talks with Rachel Maddow about the looming partisan threat to U.S. democracy
and her change of heart about the Senate filibuster rule that Republicans are hiding behind
to allow state Republicans to compromise the integrity of the election process.”
(NH) Senator Hassan who previously did not support carving out the filibuster is now urgently calling for the Senate to change the rules to allow and up or down vote to protect the right to vote.
From her speech on the Senate floor yesterday:
“Congress has a responsibility to act now,
to ensure that the right of every American to vote is never taken away.
We must pass legislation to prevent partisan politicians from rejecting the will of the People,
and overturning election results.
And because that effort here in Congress is being blocked by a minority which is abusing its power,
I believe the time has come to change the Senate rules to allow a straight up or down majority vote
on this fundamental issue of democracy.
We must change the Senate rules to protect the right to vote.
Because if we don’t,
we face a very different kind of Election Day than we have now.
If the partisans who are attacking democracy have their way,
our Tuesday Election Day In November will be different.
We’ll wake up, cast our vote, drop our kids at school, go to work.
We’ll tune back in at the end of the day to see the election results.
Only to learn that the vote tally is being ignored.
That our votes don’t matter much.
We’ll learn that our legislators are going to throw out the results and pick their own winner.
We’ll see an Election Day that is a charade,
just like in countries where democracy doesn’t exist.
Our democracy is too important to allow a miniority of this body to let it slip away.
We must pass legislation to protect American democracy.
Our country depends on it.”
President Biden held a zoom call with dem senators yesterday to encourage the passage of voting rights legislation. Earlier this week he said: “There’s nothing domestically more important than voting rights.
It’s the single-biggest issue.”
The US system is no match for Donald Trump
Absence of consequences for the Capitol riots makes it likelier that democracy will be subverted again
“Thankfully for the republic, Pence on January 6 resisted a pincer assault from Trump and a mob ransacking Capitol Hill to subvert the election outcome.
“You can either go down in history as a patriot or . . . as a pussy,” Trump warned Pence. Pence chose the former and upheld the electoral college certification. But for him, Joe Biden might not be president.”
President's motorcade rolling 7:02 to undisclosed location – but it's likely to the cemetery where his first wife Neilia and daughter Naomi are buried. Both were killed in an auto accident this day in 1972. Neilia was 30; Naomi just 13 months pic.twitter.com/crwCHCdaOg
— West Wing Reports (by Paul Brandus) (@WestWingReport) December 18, 2021
President has indeed arrived at St. Joseph on the Brandywine, the Roman Catholic church where his first wife Neilia and daughter Naomi are buried. Private moments for him on this sad day – the 49th anniversary of their deaths in a car crash
— West Wing Reports (by Paul Brandus) (@WestWingReport) December 18, 2021
It is a wonderful video and report. I'm sad that the only way to compliment it is by being a Paid Subscriber. As a Senior, this report on The Blind Boys brings back wonderful memories that I'm not able to share on Steady. https://t.co/QbPROoS03p
Lil Nas X, Mitski, Lizzo and More:
Barack Obama’s 2021 Songs of the Year Are Very On-Trend
“I hope you find a new artist or song to add to your own playlist,” former president says of diverse playlist
“As per tradition, Barack Obama has closed out the year with his annual picks of his favorite songs, with tracks by Lil Nas X, Mitski, Brandi Carlile, and Lizzo among those that caught the former president’s ear in 2021.”
HARRISBURG, Pa. (@AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration and a voting-system manufacturer are trying to prevent Republican lawmakers from expanding what they call a “forensic investigation” of Pennsylvania’s 2020 election to a new front, inspecting voting machines.
Given the continued anxious headlines today, here’s your daily reminder to be reassured that the vaccines are doing their job really well and keeping vaxed folks out of the hospital and away from pulmonologists like me.
Mengele, the infamous mass murderer of Auschwitz: -conducted hideous experiments on children (including organ removal without anesthesia) -gouged out eyes for personal collection -selected kids for gas chamber -Fox's despicable @LaraLogan compares Dr. Fauci to him, another low pic.twitter.com/CRPsEBtABV
— West Wing Reports (by Paul Brandus) (@WestWingReport) December 19, 2021
Fox’s Lara Logan better check out her front stoop, or sidewalk. Didn’t they just arrest all walks of life in NJ, some were despicable for 10+ years. The perp walk was … Icky. Eff Fox & all the nefarious under that umbrella. Shitstorm’s coming directly your way, MoFo’s! 😖
NPR (claims the number is $2 trillion when Manchin’s number has been $1.75 trillion for some time):
quotes Manchin:
“If I can’t go home and explain it to the people of West Virginia, I can’t vote for, and I cannot vote to continue with this piece of legislation. I just can’t. I’ve tried everything humanly possible. (hehh)
I just can’t get there.”
Not true. Trumpy or no the majority people of West VA were vocally for the 3.75 Trillion plan.
He thinks we’ve forgotten, I have not. Guessing his next me-me-me play will be 1.5 Trillion…then
what…erase the climate action funding?
–imo just because he’s playing hardball doesn’t mean he’s not still transparent.
“Senator Manchin’s comments this morning on FOX are at odds with his discussions this week with the President, with White House staff, and with his own public utterances. Weeks ago, Senator Manchin committed to the President, at his home in Wilmington, to support the Build Back Better framework that the President then subsequently announced. Senator Manchin pledged repeatedly to negotiate on finalizing that framework
“in good faith.”
On Tuesday of this week,
Senator Manchin came to the White House and submitted—to the President, in person, directly—
a written outline for a Build Back Better bill
that was the same size and scope as the President’s framework,
and covered many of the same priorities. While that framework was missing key priorities,
we believed it could lead to a compromise acceptable to all. Senator Manchin promised to continue conversations in the days ahead, and to work with us to reach that common ground. If his comments on FOX and written statement indicate an end to that effort, they represent a sudden and inexplicable reversal in his position,
and a breach of his commitments to the President and the Senator’s colleagues in the House and Senate.
Senator Manchin claims that this change of position is related to inflation,
but the think tank he often cites on Build Back Better—the Penn Wharton Budget Institute—issued a report less than 48 hours ago that noted the Build Back Better Act
will have virtually no impact on inflation in the short term,
and, in the long run,
the policies it includes will ease inflationary pressures.
Many leading economists with whom Senator Manchin frequently consults also support Build Back Better.
Build Back Better lowers costs that families pay.
It will reduce what families pay for child care. I
t will reduce what they pay for prescription drugs.
It will lower health care premiums.
And it puts a tax cut in the pockets of families with kids. I
f someone is concerned about the impact that higher prices are having on families, this bill gives them a break.
Senator Manchin cited deficit concerns in his statement.
But the plan is fully paid for,
is the most fiscally responsible major bill that Congress has considered in years,
and reduces the deficit in the long run.
The Congressional Budget Office report that the Senator cites
analyzed an unfunded extension of Build Back Better.
That’s not what the President has proposed, not the bill the Senate would vote on,
and not what the President would support.
Senator Manchin knows that:
The President has told him that repeatedly, including this week, face to face.
Likewise, Senator Manchin’s statement about the climate provisions in Build Back Better are wrong.
Build Back Better will produce a job-creating clean energy future for this country—including West Virginia.
Just as Senator Manchin reversed his position on Build Back Better this morning,
we will continue to press him to see if he will reverse his position yet again,
to honor his prior commitments and be true to his word.
In the meantime,
Senator Manchin will have to explain to those families paying $1,000 a month for insulin
why they need to keep paying that,
Instead of $35 for that vital medicine.
He will have to explain to the nearly two million women
who would get the affordable day care they need to return to work
why he opposes a plan to get them the help they need.
Maybe Senator Manchin can explain to the millions of children
who have been lifted out of poverty,
in part due to the Child Tax Credit,
why he wants to end a program that is helping achieve this milestone—we cannot.
We are proud of what we have gotten done in 2021:
the American Rescue Plan,
the fastest decrease in unemployment in U.S. history,
the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,
over 200 million Americans vaccinated,
schools reopened,
the fastest rollout of vaccines to children anywhere in the world,
and historic appointments to the Federal judiciary.
But we will not relent in the fight to help Americans with their child care,
health care,
prescription drug costs,
and elder care—
and to combat climate change.
The fight for Build Back Better is too important to give up.
We will find a way to move forward next year.”
Media do not play both sidey.
Tell people what’s IN THE BILL and not the pro-insurrection Fox version.
Look to the future of America and an end to darkness and delusion.
Media what do you really want to see?
—Pick a side and stick with it.
Gary Walton,
a conservative West Virgina resident who voted 100% for trump:
Said just now that West Virginia
needs the BBB for economy and jobs,
and WV families need the financial support.
Mr. Walton:
“The cost of living is so high in WV that you can’t afford to buy anything.”
Mr. Walton on Manchin:
“I think it’s all what he wants to hear about – money in his pocket.
“I want him to support us and support us financially because we are struggling in West Virginia.”
Mr. Walton: About whether to support more programs
for less years or
fewer programs for 10 years:
“i would say get this started…there’s a lot of people suffering who need this right now.”
100% Trump supporter Gary Walton’s response to Manchin above:
—He wants the BBB NOW.
We know the hard part is that faction is so ideologically blinded.
They know that trump and his party is against the BBB and any financial help for their struggling state.
But still they’ll vote for gop candidates even if worse than Manchin.
That said trump voters in WV emphatically need and want the Build Back Better program
for their families,
and from the beginning
wanted the 3.5 trillion program.
Manchin is Manchin. But what kind of healthy democracy is structured in a way that can allow one man elected by 290,000 voters in one of the least populous states to thwart the agenda of his party and the President who was elected with 81 million votes. We need structural change.
The Court expansion conversations still haven’t taken hold of this structural flaw. A President Biden cld conceivably nominate addl justices but if McConnell’s Republicans control the Senate none would be confirmed? We are in crisis b/c too many structural flaws can be exploited.
READ THIS. When I repeatedly remind you of the importance of sheriff elections this is why. Our democracy is under threat & there is a concerted, funded effort to develop a law enforcement arm of the ongoing insurrection. https://t.co/rgvDik73wp
MAGA Lunatic Sarah Palin says she’ll get the covid vaccine over her dead body.
Whatever floats her cracked boat, but I’ll bet the putrid moronic fraud is already fully vaccinated and is doing what all GQPers do best, killing their base with lies.
"It'll be over my dead body that I'll have to get a shot," says Sarah Palin about not getting vaccinated. Honey, we don't give vaccines to dead people. #CovidiotPalin
He didn’t warn Sen. Schumer (or anyone) this was coming,
after telling President Biden personally at his home in Wilmington otherwise, earlier this week.
Instead, Manchin broke the news to his Fox buddies.
Looks like he is party to the trumpQ undermining of the American people – days before Christmas.
I learned today that I tested positive for COVID-19 after first feeling symptoms on Saturday. My symptoms are relatively mild. I’m beyond grateful to have received two doses of vaccine and, more recently, a booster – I’m certain that without them I would be doing much worse.
Obama White House.gov
The Obama Diary 
Barack Obama shares his favorite books of 2021, from medieval fiction to 1960s crime thriller
(Edward Segarra)
“Art always sustains and nourishes the soul,” Obama captioned the post. “But for me, music and storytelling felt especially urgent during this pandemic year—a way to connect even when we were cooped up.”
(https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2021/12/15/barack-obama-shares-his-favorite-books-list-2021/8911743002/)
Hi NW…here big news…it’s stopped snowing and sun is out !
Congressman Adam Schiff:
GOP Seems To Be Putting In Place Apparatus For Overturning 2024 Election
“The House voting on Mark Meadows being referred to the Department of Justice for contempt of Congress
after refusing to comply fully with a subpoena from the Jan. 6 select committee is discussed by Rep. Adam Schiff, a member of that committee. He joins Joy Reid to discuss.”
“These texts leave no doubt: the White House knew exactly what was happening at the Capitol.
Members of Congress, the press, and others wrote to Mark Meadows as the attack was underway.”
(Vice Chair Rep. Liz Cheney tweeted)
“Cheney’s comment matches the language of the statute.
It states, “Whoever corruptly … obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.”
That law defines an “official proceeding” as including “a proceeding before the Congress.”
(https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/12/14/liz-cheney-trump-crime/)
18 U.S. Code § 1512 –
Tampering with a witness, victim, or an informant
Cheney emphasis makes clear: possible Trump federal crime a focus of January 6th Committee
“Rachel Maddow points out Rep. Liz Cheney, vice chair of the January 6th Committee,
using the exact same language two days in a row to reference the criminal culpability of Donald Trump in the events of January 6th — language taken verbatim from the federal criminal code.
(https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/cheney-emphasis-makes-clear-possible-trump-federal-crime-a-focus-of-january-6th-committee-128754245957)
Warnock to Senate Democrats: Bipartisanship at whose expense?
“Highlights from Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock’s impassioned speech to the Senate
on the need to make an exception to the filibuster to pass voting rights legislation that will save democracy in the United States, just like they made an exception to the filibuster for raising the debt ceiling.”
(Rachel Maddow)
‘These are no ordinary times’:
Senator Warnock calls for action to stem erosion of democracy
“Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock talks with Rachel Maddow about the need for Democrats to take it upon themselves to prevent the continued dismantling of democracy in the United States before there is too much damage to repair.”
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Something always stank to hell & back w/ that “deal”! 😖
I couldn’t understand how he was allowed to keep the hotel but Jimmy Carter had to sell his farm.
That deal was made way before he even tried to run for Prez. It was a hinky deal. The Old Post Office was a landmark, history etc. How the heck did Virus45 get his grubby little digits on it? Nah, someone got some kind of bribe. DC folks weren’t fooled.
Fox News hosts urged Meadows to push Trump to stop January 6 attack, texts show
“Washington — As a mob of former President Donald Trump’s supporters violently breached the U.S. Capitol on January 6, three hosts from Fox News and the president’s eldest son privately implored then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows to push the president to call for an end to the mayhem, according to text messages revealed by the House select committee probing the Capitol assault.
The messages, read aloud by Congresswoman Liz Cheney of Wyoming on Monday night, were among the roughly 9,000 pages of emails and text messages Meadows turned over to the House panel before he stopped cooperating with investigators.”
(https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mark-meadows-trump-january-6-text-messages-fox-news-hosts-capitol-riot/)
If Fox News had shown the violent insurrection in real time on Jan 6, trump would’ve seen it for sure,
as well as Fox viewers. Who made that decision at Fox not to conceal the violent insurrection from viewers
on Jan 6? Was it trump himself?
—Is there a way to subpoena Fox News hosts for more information?
Correction:
Who made the decision at Fox to conceal the real time siege of Congress from their viewers?
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Let’s get the Child Tax Credit set for the next 10 years! if we are going to secure something, why not that.
Remarks by President Biden
During Briefing with Local Leaders on Tornado Response
(https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2021/12/15/remarks-by-president-biden-during-briefing-with-local-leaders-on-tornado-response/)
Remarks by President Biden
in Dawson Springs on the Response to the Tornadoes
(https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2021/12/15/remarks-by-president-biden-in-dawson-springs-on-the-response-to-the-tornadoes/)
Thank you so much for posting this information.
Rest in peace and power bell hooks 🙏🏾😔
My heart sings to see that Thee Vice President of the United States acknowledged the loss of this great American writer and human being.
What a legacy! RIP! 💜💜
Great news for efforts to flip that Senate seat in North Carolina! Party unity, love to see it!
Happy Thursday!
Happy Thursday Do-Over! ☺️
💞💞😘😂
“The President has a right to his ambassadors.
The country is harmed by not seating them…. It was harmful when they blocked Trumps, and it’s harmful when we block Biden’s. Let’s quit being children please. America deserves better politicians.”
(Rep. Adam Kinzinger)
(https://www.politicususa.com/2021/12/16/democrats-threaten-to-use-hardball-tactics-after-cruz-blockade-leaves-biden-nominees-in-limbo.html)
I never heard that Donald’s nominees were blocked.
I don’t remember that either.
Biden Delivers A Happier Holiday To Millions As Unemployment Claims Drop To Lowest Level Since 1969
“President Biden –
yes, the same President of the United States
on the receiving end of more negative press
In his first year of office than Trump got in his last year —
the year in which Trump was impeached for a second time and tried to overthrow the United States government, but hey, Joe is trying to make things better for working people so it’s all even in the end –
that President Biden is overseeing an economy that has unemployment over the last four weeks
hitting its lowest level since 1969.”
(https://www.politicususa.com/2021/12/16/biden-delivers-a-happier-holiday-to-millions-as-unemployment-claims-drop-to-lowest-level-since-1969.html)
—–yes there’s zero both-sidey here.
Election Officials Gain Defenders Against Trump Republicans Bent On Corrupting Democracy
“Bob Bauer, co-chair of the Election Official Legal Defense Network,
talks with Rachel Maddow about the rise in threats against nonpartisan election workers and the work being done to bolster their legal protections and to brace for 2024. “
“Last night, the collection grew, as Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland shared a text one lawmaker sent to Meadows on Nov. 4, 2020. If you saw Rachel’s A block from last night, you probably noticed this one:
“HERE’s an AGRESSIVE STRATEGY: Why can t the states of GA NC PENN and other R controlled state houses declare this is BS (where conflicts and election not called that night) and just send their own electors to vote and have it go to the SCOTUS.”
In the interest of accuracy,
I’ve published this exactly as it appeared, and included the abbreviations, typos, and grammatical errors
that were part of the original. That said, what the unidentified Republican member was clearly referring to was a corrupt strategy in which GOP state officials in Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and other states with Republican-led legislatures would agree to send pro-Trump slates of electors, regardless of voters’ will.
At that point, according to the plan, there’d be a legal dispute, which the conservative-dominated U.S. Supreme Court could try to resolve.”
Benen: (https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/why-specific-text-gop-member-sent-meadows-stands-out-n1286046)
Mary Trump said Don Jr texting his father on Jan 6th was:
“Donnie realizing he had made the wrong bet.”
“People who are his supporters…he wouldn’t be seen dead with.”
“I believe that so-called trumpism has moved beyond Trump. The movement doesn’t need him any more…the movement is about undoing our democracy..
If democracy is strengthened in America, they lose.”
“Going all in on brazening out the accusations that are being thrown at them based on factual evidence, based on documentary evidence. They’re just doing what he’s (Trump) been doing his whole life and getting away with it.”
—Her new podcast: “The Mary Trump Show”.
—Congrats!!
Speaker Pelosi
Remarks at Press Event in Support of Building Back Better For The Children
(https://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/121421-2)
President Joe Biden:
“There’s nothing domestically more important than voting rights. It’s the single-biggest issue.”
WHEN THE MYTH OF VOTER FRAUD COMES FOR YOU
To support the Republican narrative that our elections are rife with misconduct, someone needs to take the fall.
(Vann R. Newkirk II)
“Like tens of thousands of Texas voters, and millions of Americans across the country, (Crystal) Mason cast a provisional ballot, and went home.”
Words fail: (https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/01/voter-fraud-myth-election-lie/620846/)
Crystal Mason cast a provisional ballot on advice from a neighbor at the polls – it was rejected.
After that neighbor told an election judge he thought she was on supervised release – the local Republican judge had her arrested for ‘illegal voting’. She was offered 10 years’ probation (for being innocent)
which she rejected. Crystal was convicted to five years in prison.
(TX GOP creating bad laws via other bad laws, desperate to make the case that Voter ID laws are needed – this racist total fabrication was apparently their strongest case.)
All I want for Christmas is:
For someone to explain to me how illegally tampering with ballots was permitted in very first fraudit in AZ.
What’d life in America be like be now if it had been nipped in the bud?
(It is my understanding ballots cannot be touched for a year after the Election.)
—thank you and Go DOJ Santa !!
For those who responded about my knee update you. All the suggestions I wrote down. I do drink a lot of water all day and drink often through the night. The last two evenings/nighttime, the headaches haven’t been as bad. I slept only slightly better last night, but I will take slightly.
I have a list of questions for my dr tomorrow. First and foremast is what may end up being an argument regarding when I can get my booster. He has said must wait THREE MONTHS! Remember, I couldn’t get booster for three months after I had the antibodies when I had COVID. That date was November 18. If I have to wait another three months, that will be February 2. Wish me luck.
eh tnmtgirl1 thx for update. Am commissioned to tell you electrolytes on and off in the day…a bit of salt as well as the water…a few chips or a snack here and there. Liquid plus electrolytes helped a friend – whose work means she’s in the hot sun all day sometimes – to avoid headaches. She was once hospitalized with sunstroke and learned the hard way! //best wishes for your doc visit.
Thanks! I’ve been chugging water for an hour–after having my first coffee. I slept better last night–no headache. 🙂
For Colbert.
Who lives yet for the ‘Lord of the Rings” Trilly and his love of Sir Mr. Jackson:
A Way To Save The Beatles (If Only Paul Knew About It) – Peter Jackson On “Get Back”
“Director Peter Jackson examines the mindset of The Beatles as they prepared for a rooftop concert
profiled in the new Disney+ documentary, “The Beatles: Get Back,” and sheds light on why the band suppressed the footage for decades. Jackson also mentions a chat between George Harrison and John Lennon that might have changed the direction of the band had they ever shared the details with Paul.
Raw, Potent, Honest, Real – The Private Conversations Overheard In “The Beatles: Get Back”
“We hear it all” says director Peter Jackson,
who stripped away layers of guitar noise to reveal intimate conversations between bandmates
Paul, Ringo, John and George in “The Beatles: Get Back”. (streaming on Disney+)
Part 2: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd_mAEqYk3U)
John, Paul, George & Ringo Find The Right Words In Peter Jackson’s “The Beatles: Get Back”
“Peter Jackson and Stephen marvel over footage of The Beatles working out the lyrics to “Something,”
and predict that people may come away from the documentary with a new opinion of the relationship between Yoko Ono and John Lennon.”
Part 3: ((https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv2AIbcOtGI)
She needs to be gone. Im sure most of the judges Trump put in need to be looked at.
(Thus far six identified):
Jim Jordan Revealed As One Of The House Treasonous Six
Who Helped To Plot White House Coup
“Reps. Scott Perry,
Louie Gohmert,
Andy Biggs,
Paul Gosar,
Mo Brooks,
and Jim Jordon have been identified as House Republicans who plotted the coup.”
(https://www.politicususa.com/2021/12/16/jim-jordan-revealed-as-one-of-the-treasonous-six-who-helped-to-plot-white-house-coup.html)
We cannot ignore criminal activity, sedition.
The American Republic requires action.
We cannot allow or condone anti-Government, anti-American, anti-Democracy officials in Congress.
—-Criminal conspiracy must be investigated by our DOJ.
See above for my thank you to those who responded to my knee update. Put it in the wrong place.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Senate Democrats get serious about protecting elections, voting rights
“Senator Maggie Hassan talks with Rachel Maddow about the looming partisan threat to U.S. democracy
and her change of heart about the Senate filibuster rule that Republicans are hiding behind
to allow state Republicans to compromise the integrity of the election process.”
(NH) Senator Hassan who previously did not support carving out the filibuster is now urgently calling for the Senate to change the rules to allow and up or down vote to protect the right to vote.
From her speech on the Senate floor yesterday:
“Congress has a responsibility to act now,
to ensure that the right of every American to vote is never taken away.
We must pass legislation to prevent partisan politicians from rejecting the will of the People,
and overturning election results.
And because that effort here in Congress is being blocked by a minority which is abusing its power,
I believe the time has come to change the Senate rules to allow a straight up or down majority vote
on this fundamental issue of democracy.
We must change the Senate rules to protect the right to vote.
Because if we don’t,
we face a very different kind of Election Day than we have now.
If the partisans who are attacking democracy have their way,
our Tuesday Election Day In November will be different.
We’ll wake up, cast our vote, drop our kids at school, go to work.
We’ll tune back in at the end of the day to see the election results.
Only to learn that the vote tally is being ignored.
That our votes don’t matter much.
We’ll learn that our legislators are going to throw out the results and pick their own winner.
We’ll see an Election Day that is a charade,
just like in countries where democracy doesn’t exist.
Our democracy is too important to allow a miniority of this body to let it slip away.
We must pass legislation to protect American democracy.
Our country depends on it.”
President Biden held a zoom call with dem senators yesterday to encourage the passage of voting rights legislation. Earlier this week he said: “There’s nothing domestically more important than voting rights.
It’s the single-biggest issue.”
Would love to see a nationwide Ad:
Depicting the dystopic world we will live in if America falls to Authoritarian rule.
–imo in a Russian-style authoritarian leadership (vozhd) mafia state we’d see unimaginable suffering.
Biden Blasts Republicans For Blocking Bills And Demands Congress Pass Voting Rights
(https://www.politicususa.com/2021/12/17/biden-blasts-republicans-for-blocking-bills-and-demands-congress-pass-voting-rights.html)
Opinion: Here’s a roadmap for the Justice Department to follow in investigating Trump
By Laurence H. Tribe, Barbara McQuade and Joyce White Vance
August 5, 2021
(https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/08/05/heres-roadmap-justice-department-follow-investigating-trump/)
—— (who said: ’The DOJ not exerting full force…would mean extinction.’)
The US system is no match for Donald Trump
Absence of consequences for the Capitol riots makes it likelier that democracy will be subverted again
“Thankfully for the republic, Pence on January 6 resisted a pincer assault from Trump and a mob ransacking Capitol Hill to subvert the election outcome.
“You can either go down in history as a patriot or . . . as a pussy,” Trump warned Pence. Pence chose the former and upheld the electoral college certification. But for him, Joe Biden might not be president.”
Luce: (https://www.ft.com/content/85ff09bc-eb08-4d99-b7d5-57e07b191dd1)
—-We need laws to protect us against the trumpQ criminal enterprise.
—-And imo we need an AG bulldog right now.
Happy next-but-one Friday before Christmas with love !!
Dragon sisters and brothers, we must,
we have to.
God Bless you Joe
MVP Harris is AWESOME.
She shut his smart-azz mouth up. He always tries to shame people. I’m glad she rose up on his butt in a public format! 👏🏾👏🏾💃🏾😎🔥
https://steady.substack.com/p/the-blind-boys-of-alabama?r=g74tw&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Lil Nas X, Mitski, Lizzo and More:
Barack Obama’s 2021 Songs of the Year Are Very On-Trend
“I hope you find a new artist or song to add to your own playlist,” former president says of diverse playlist
“As per tradition, Barack Obama has closed out the year with his annual picks of his favorite songs, with tracks by Lil Nas X, Mitski, Brandi Carlile, and Lizzo among those that caught the former president’s ear in 2021.”
Kreps: (https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/barack-obama-favorite-songs-2021-lil-nas-x-mitski-lizzo-1273188/)
RT’d by Stonekettle
https://mobile.twitter.com/davetroy/status/1472069854907797504
Big hugs in these dark cold days… stay safe, take good care..
🕊🕯🪔🌟🪔🕯🕊
👍🏽👍🏽
THREAD
RT’d by Dr Gupta, this is the clarification we all need to pay attention to:
https://mobile.twitter.com/nickmmark/status/1472268443088916482
Goodnight {{{TOD}}}
Keep You The Heart
🕊🕯🪔🕯🕊
The link I posted below is from this thread, thank you very much, GGail, and Dr Gupta! My brain feels better now with clear explanations!
🕊🕯🪔🕯🕊
I also thank you for bringing this to us, GGail44!
Fox’s Lara Logan better check out her front stoop, or sidewalk. Didn’t they just arrest all walks of life in NJ, some were despicable for 10+ years. The perp walk was … Icky. Eff Fox & all the nefarious under that umbrella. Shitstorm’s coming directly your way, MoFo’s! 😖
NPR (claims the number is $2 trillion when Manchin’s number has been $1.75 trillion for some time):
quotes Manchin:
“If I can’t go home and explain it to the people of West Virginia, I can’t vote for, and I cannot vote to continue with this piece of legislation. I just can’t. I’ve tried everything humanly possible. (hehh)
I just can’t get there.”
Not true. Trumpy or no the majority people of West VA were vocally for the 3.75 Trillion plan.
He thinks we’ve forgotten, I have not. Guessing his next me-me-me play will be 1.5 Trillion…then
what…erase the climate action funding?
–imo just because he’s playing hardball doesn’t mean he’s not still transparent.
Happy Sunday Y’all! 😄❤️
So space station happenings today!
I might need to get back into that Mountain Dew! 😆
My cowboys out at the cattle auction drink only Mountain Dew. I can’t handle it. Too sweet.
How cool is this?
Well now how about this? Go Anthem.
For some reason, this commercial w/ Samuel L. Jackson & John Travolta makes me cackle. Must be the “naughty words” line! Ho ho ho! 😜😇
I love it too. I smile everytime I see it.
Tried to post this twice earlier but for some weird reason it failed….
Absolutely watch worthy, then share
The information here is needed by us all. Thanks for posting.
Statement from Press Secretary Jen Psaki
“Senator Manchin’s comments this morning on FOX are at odds with his discussions this week with the President, with White House staff, and with his own public utterances. Weeks ago, Senator Manchin committed to the President, at his home in Wilmington, to support the Build Back Better framework that the President then subsequently announced. Senator Manchin pledged repeatedly to negotiate on finalizing that framework
“in good faith.”
On Tuesday of this week,
Senator Manchin came to the White House and submitted—to the President, in person, directly—
a written outline for a Build Back Better bill
that was the same size and scope as the President’s framework,
and covered many of the same priorities. While that framework was missing key priorities,
we believed it could lead to a compromise acceptable to all. Senator Manchin promised to continue conversations in the days ahead, and to work with us to reach that common ground. If his comments on FOX and written statement indicate an end to that effort, they represent a sudden and inexplicable reversal in his position,
and a breach of his commitments to the President and the Senator’s colleagues in the House and Senate.
Senator Manchin claims that this change of position is related to inflation,
but the think tank he often cites on Build Back Better—the Penn Wharton Budget Institute—issued a report less than 48 hours ago that noted the Build Back Better Act
will have virtually no impact on inflation in the short term,
and, in the long run,
the policies it includes will ease inflationary pressures.
Many leading economists with whom Senator Manchin frequently consults also support Build Back Better.
Build Back Better lowers costs that families pay.
It will reduce what families pay for child care. I
t will reduce what they pay for prescription drugs.
It will lower health care premiums.
And it puts a tax cut in the pockets of families with kids. I
f someone is concerned about the impact that higher prices are having on families, this bill gives them a break.
Senator Manchin cited deficit concerns in his statement.
But the plan is fully paid for,
is the most fiscally responsible major bill that Congress has considered in years,
and reduces the deficit in the long run.
The Congressional Budget Office report that the Senator cites
analyzed an unfunded extension of Build Back Better.
That’s not what the President has proposed, not the bill the Senate would vote on,
and not what the President would support.
Senator Manchin knows that:
The President has told him that repeatedly, including this week, face to face.
Likewise, Senator Manchin’s statement about the climate provisions in Build Back Better are wrong.
Build Back Better will produce a job-creating clean energy future for this country—including West Virginia.
Just as Senator Manchin reversed his position on Build Back Better this morning,
we will continue to press him to see if he will reverse his position yet again,
to honor his prior commitments and be true to his word.
In the meantime,
Senator Manchin will have to explain to those families paying $1,000 a month for insulin
why they need to keep paying that,
Instead of $35 for that vital medicine.
He will have to explain to the nearly two million women
who would get the affordable day care they need to return to work
why he opposes a plan to get them the help they need.
Maybe Senator Manchin can explain to the millions of children
who have been lifted out of poverty,
in part due to the Child Tax Credit,
why he wants to end a program that is helping achieve this milestone—we cannot.
We are proud of what we have gotten done in 2021:
the American Rescue Plan,
the fastest decrease in unemployment in U.S. history,
the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,
over 200 million Americans vaccinated,
schools reopened,
the fastest rollout of vaccines to children anywhere in the world,
and historic appointments to the Federal judiciary.
But we will not relent in the fight to help Americans with their child care,
health care,
prescription drug costs,
and elder care—
and to combat climate change.
The fight for Build Back Better is too important to give up.
We will find a way to move forward next year.”
Manchin:
Shall you be attending confession and midnight mass on Christmas Eve?
—just curious.
In Cancun … 😂😷
eh he’s been saying Dems aren’t nice….tsss.
—merry Christmas Gazelle!!
May Santa deliver lots of lumps of coal to the Manchkins this Christmas!
THANK YOU, JEN PSAKI !!!
Media do not play both sidey.
Tell people what’s IN THE BILL and not the pro-insurrection Fox version.
Look to the future of America and an end to darkness and delusion.
Media what do you really want to see?
—Pick a side and stick with it.
Gary Walton,
a conservative West Virgina resident who voted 100% for trump:
Said just now that West Virginia
needs the BBB for economy and jobs,
and WV families need the financial support.
Mr. Walton:
“The cost of living is so high in WV that you can’t afford to buy anything.”
Mr. Walton on Manchin:
“I think it’s all what he wants to hear about – money in his pocket.
“I want him to support us and support us financially because we are struggling in West Virginia.”
Mr. Walton: About whether to support more programs
for less years or
fewer programs for 10 years:
“i would say get this started…there’s a lot of people suffering who need this right now.”
100% Trump supporter Gary Walton’s response to Manchin above:
—He wants the BBB NOW.
We know the hard part is that faction is so ideologically blinded.
They know that trump and his party is against the BBB and any financial help for their struggling state.
But still they’ll vote for gop candidates even if worse than Manchin.
That said trump voters in WV emphatically need and want the Build Back Better program
for their families,
and from the beginning
wanted the 3.5 trillion program.
Manchin is lying.
Sorry to hear that!
Chief Grinch Award to Manchin.
He didn’t warn Sen. Schumer (or anyone) this was coming,
after telling President Biden personally at his home in Wilmington otherwise, earlier this week.
Instead, Manchin broke the news to his Fox buddies.
Looks like he is party to the trumpQ undermining of the American people – days before Christmas.
GGooaal⚽ I don’t understand this need to be on a floating Petri dish, by any other name. 😷
New post.