Impeachment, the Democrats and Putin's poodle
The parallels to Watergate are astounding and the result will be the same. People are not stupid. They also have Trump fatigue. They may just enjoy the holiday instead. That is not a bad thing.
Polls are moving toward removal. Targets, including Mulvaney, Pompeo, Giuliani and Miller, don't get asked to testify. They get arrested. On December 9th, the Supreme Court will announce whether they will hear Trump v. New York. They could also uphold U.S. v. Nixon per curium and give the Democrats the upper hand. Once the trickle of information becomes a flood, the GOP caucus will act in their own interest, just like Watergate.
Finally, Pete Walsh just quit. The Steady State has left the building quite Anonymously. Expect the White House to implode next week. Until then, Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Links for 11/26/19
Links for 11/26/19
At any time, a third of Senators want to be President. Trump is gone once the most embarrassing disclosures start.
The late deciders in 2016 were motivated by their bishops over partial birth abortion, which was already illegal. Abortion needs to be handled early to make sure this does not happen.
Gratitude is an action, not a feeling. It implies Someone to be grateful for. As for utility, it is not a bad thing. Moral teaching with no utility does not come from God. Vigano's idiocy proves that point. Faith without freedom is simply loyalty to hubris. Economic reactionaries are full of the same stuff. They are for liberty for the few. Triply so for politicians who wrap the Cross with the Flag. Shapiro confuses natural law with natural rights. One is human dignity, the other is partisan.
At any time, a third of Senators want to be President. Trump is gone once the most embarrassing disclosures start.
The late deciders in 2016 were motivated by their bishops over partial birth abortion, which was already illegal. Abortion needs to be handled early to make sure this does not happen.
Gratitude is an action, not a feeling. It implies Someone to be grateful for. As for utility, it is not a bad thing. Moral teaching with no utility does not come from God. Vigano's idiocy proves that point. Faith without freedom is simply loyalty to hubris. Economic reactionaries are full of the same stuff. They are for liberty for the few. Triply so for politicians who wrap the Cross with the Flag. Shapiro confuses natural law with natural rights. One is human dignity, the other is partisan.
Monday, November 25, 2019
Mayor Pete brings his youth and old, tired ideas to the Democratic race
Mayor Pete brings his youth and old, tired ideas to the Democratic race
Mayor Pete has time to become Governor Pete. His rise in Iowa mostly shows that both Biden and Sanders have a 2024 problem. As the assistant to the City Administrator in DC responsible for management reform in public safety, I may have better experience than Mayor Pete. I certainly have a better tax reform plan. Better than the others too.
Mayor Pete has time to become Governor Pete. His rise in Iowa mostly shows that both Biden and Sanders have a 2024 problem. As the assistant to the City Administrator in DC responsible for management reform in public safety, I may have better experience than Mayor Pete. I certainly have a better tax reform plan. Better than the others too.
Friday, November 22, 2019
Who would go to jail for Donald Trump?
Who would go to jail for Donald Trump?
Giuliani, Pompeo, Perry and Mulvaney have likely become or already had been targets of the investigation, the criminal kind, not the impeachment kind.
The main issue for prosecutors is whether Pence is involved in any of Trump's crimes. They may already have some answers on this, (ask Rick Perry) or will once the claim of absolute presidential immunity is laughed out of the Supreme Court. The prosecutors will then decide whether to offer the Vice President a deal which includes his resignation and invoking the 25th Amendment. Acting Cabinet Secretaries still get to vote
If Trump is smart, he will quit before Pence has to and hope for a pardon. If he tries to pardon Pence in hopes that Pence will return the favor, the honorable thing for Pence to do is quit. Any other action would end the GOP forever.
Trump and the press hold onto the meme that they will rule partisanly on this issue. They won't. Indeed, unless they see a flaw in U.S. v. Nixon, they won't hear the case. They conference on Fridays. If Respondent briefs have been filed, the Court could decide on Trump's petition to quash on Mazars today and could announce on Monday, if not sooner. Once one motion to quash is rejected, all blocking actions will end.
When embarrassing information starts flowing and McGahn starts talking (his subpoena case is due for a decision on Monday, if not sooner), the Senate Republicans will save themselves rather than covering for Trump. Cue Senator Graham for the role of Brutus. Et tu Lindsey?
Giuliani, Pompeo, Perry and Mulvaney have likely become or already had been targets of the investigation, the criminal kind, not the impeachment kind.
The main issue for prosecutors is whether Pence is involved in any of Trump's crimes. They may already have some answers on this, (ask Rick Perry) or will once the claim of absolute presidential immunity is laughed out of the Supreme Court. The prosecutors will then decide whether to offer the Vice President a deal which includes his resignation and invoking the 25th Amendment. Acting Cabinet Secretaries still get to vote
If Trump is smart, he will quit before Pence has to and hope for a pardon. If he tries to pardon Pence in hopes that Pence will return the favor, the honorable thing for Pence to do is quit. Any other action would end the GOP forever.
Trump and the press hold onto the meme that they will rule partisanly on this issue. They won't. Indeed, unless they see a flaw in U.S. v. Nixon, they won't hear the case. They conference on Fridays. If Respondent briefs have been filed, the Court could decide on Trump's petition to quash on Mazars today and could announce on Monday, if not sooner. Once one motion to quash is rejected, all blocking actions will end.
When embarrassing information starts flowing and McGahn starts talking (his subpoena case is due for a decision on Monday, if not sooner), the Senate Republicans will save themselves rather than covering for Trump. Cue Senator Graham for the role of Brutus. Et tu Lindsey?
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Links for 11/21/19
Links for 11/21/19
On the Koch money, it is not the cash that is the problem, but the strings attached (like at the Mercatus Center at George Mason U.). The Rubio comments at CUA are not as much a cafeteria Catholic view as much as a misunderstanding of how economics works at all. Consider the audience. The reality is that capitalism is what hurts the poor and the environment, not the Pope's views. Marco is projecting.
Testing the term Latinx is a branding question. It is better to test it before using it. Also, there is no one Latino economic picture. We should not try to paint one.
The association is all about supporting constitutional rights. Note that supporting the defense of federal supremacy on civil rights cases, equal protection rights for women and their doctors (no criminal investigation of voluntary abortions and not therapeutic abortions or expecting people who contract for murdering an adult have a different penalty for killing a fetus) or, for that matter, investigation of first trimester pregnancy loss at all are the relevant issues, not the moral issues of abortion itself. Anyone who is not literate on these issues should not have a law license at all. Or write about abortion at all.
There are few voters who are not very partisan if they are planning to vote. The question of how to explain abortion rights is important in Midwestern swing states where Catholic bishops have a say in how people vote. If Warren, Klobuchar or Harris treat abortion as a women's issue rather than explaining what I just wrote above so that even Catholic bishops and theologians can understand it, the Blue Wall may be not as much a wall as Rachel 'Doc' Bitecofer says - and she correctly concluded that Hillary's choice of a running mate and her flub on partial birth abortion cost her the election. The main question for voters is still Trump.
Doc will be the first person to take a new look at the election in the likely event that Donald Trump resigns once the Supreme Court rejects his claims of absolute presidential immunity. He thinks that the Republican appointees will vote party on this issue. They won't. Indeed, they will not even hear the case. The popular media meme that questions the loyalty of the Court to the Constitution is toxic. Pence as pro-life candidate will make abortion the main swing state issue. If Pence is implicated and resigns too, all models go out the window - although I suspect that the GOP will still be trounced with Marco Rubio or Lindsey Graham as their standard bearers.
On the Koch money, it is not the cash that is the problem, but the strings attached (like at the Mercatus Center at George Mason U.). The Rubio comments at CUA are not as much a cafeteria Catholic view as much as a misunderstanding of how economics works at all. Consider the audience. The reality is that capitalism is what hurts the poor and the environment, not the Pope's views. Marco is projecting.
Testing the term Latinx is a branding question. It is better to test it before using it. Also, there is no one Latino economic picture. We should not try to paint one.
The association is all about supporting constitutional rights. Note that supporting the defense of federal supremacy on civil rights cases, equal protection rights for women and their doctors (no criminal investigation of voluntary abortions and not therapeutic abortions or expecting people who contract for murdering an adult have a different penalty for killing a fetus) or, for that matter, investigation of first trimester pregnancy loss at all are the relevant issues, not the moral issues of abortion itself. Anyone who is not literate on these issues should not have a law license at all. Or write about abortion at all.
There are few voters who are not very partisan if they are planning to vote. The question of how to explain abortion rights is important in Midwestern swing states where Catholic bishops have a say in how people vote. If Warren, Klobuchar or Harris treat abortion as a women's issue rather than explaining what I just wrote above so that even Catholic bishops and theologians can understand it, the Blue Wall may be not as much a wall as Rachel 'Doc' Bitecofer says - and she correctly concluded that Hillary's choice of a running mate and her flub on partial birth abortion cost her the election. The main question for voters is still Trump.
Doc will be the first person to take a new look at the election in the likely event that Donald Trump resigns once the Supreme Court rejects his claims of absolute presidential immunity. He thinks that the Republican appointees will vote party on this issue. They won't. Indeed, they will not even hear the case. The popular media meme that questions the loyalty of the Court to the Constitution is toxic. Pence as pro-life candidate will make abortion the main swing state issue. If Pence is implicated and resigns too, all models go out the window - although I suspect that the GOP will still be trounced with Marco Rubio or Lindsey Graham as their standard bearers.
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
US billionaires will back anyone who isn't Warren, Sanders
US billionaires will back anyone who isn't Warren, Sanders
Tax plans originate in the House and billionaires already own it. Rachel "Doc" Bitecofer puts the Blue Wall at 278 electoral votes, although Warren needs to be careful of how she talks about abortion. Come June, both the Trump and abortion issues may be settled. Unless the GOP nominates a Never-Trumper, it may die. Only then will the Blue Wall break. What really worries the billionaires is a social democrat party that won't take their money. Unless they divide and conquer, they are toast, with the Neoliberals in a permanent minority and MAGA Republicans limited to the fringe.
Tax plans originate in the House and billionaires already own it. Rachel "Doc" Bitecofer puts the Blue Wall at 278 electoral votes, although Warren needs to be careful of how she talks about abortion. Come June, both the Trump and abortion issues may be settled. Unless the GOP nominates a Never-Trumper, it may die. Only then will the Blue Wall break. What really worries the billionaires is a social democrat party that won't take their money. Unless they divide and conquer, they are toast, with the Neoliberals in a permanent minority and MAGA Republicans limited to the fringe.
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Links for 11/19/19
Links for 11/19/19
Do Democrats for Life demand criminal penalties for abortion? If not, they are really Pro-Choice. If they do, they are not welcome in the Democratic Party. Words mean certain things in politics. LifeSiteNews is simply nutty. They only have the influence we give them, rather than ignoring them.
The jury us out on Barron and many of the bishops. The people talking about the Nones, don't know many of them. It has nothing to do with sex abuse or Francis. It is about realizing that religion is optional.
Thinking that the GOP won't pull the plug on Trump if he costs them votes does not know many Republican Senators.
Gov. Patrick realizes Biden has a 2024 problem. Running for POTUS is fun if you are funded. He may be in it to appeal to the base as a VP candidate, but cannot do so for Warren. If the GOP dies and the Dems split, however, he would be in a very good spot to lead the neoliberals.
Do Democrats for Life demand criminal penalties for abortion? If not, they are really Pro-Choice. If they do, they are not welcome in the Democratic Party. Words mean certain things in politics. LifeSiteNews is simply nutty. They only have the influence we give them, rather than ignoring them.
The jury us out on Barron and many of the bishops. The people talking about the Nones, don't know many of them. It has nothing to do with sex abuse or Francis. It is about realizing that religion is optional.
Thinking that the GOP won't pull the plug on Trump if he costs them votes does not know many Republican Senators.
Gov. Patrick realizes Biden has a 2024 problem. Running for POTUS is fun if you are funded. He may be in it to appeal to the base as a VP candidate, but cannot do so for Warren. If the GOP dies and the Dems split, however, he would be in a very good spot to lead the neoliberals.
Monday, November 18, 2019
US bishops are not really that interested in forming consciences
US bishops are not really that interested in forming consciences
The Bishops are not only partisan, they are wrong about both the law and politics. Roe is going nowhere. Passage if the Partial Birth Abortion Act was the golden opportunity to get rid of Roe. Roberts, Kennedy and Alito disagreed. Roberts and Alito are still there, Scalia is still dead and he and Kennedy were replaced by two Kennedy proteges.
The Court will never surrender the final US bishops are not really that interested in forming consciences over abortion rights, or any other civil rights, to state legislators, nor should they. No evolving political consensus will ever change that. In June, June v. Gee will make this obvious.
Neither Trump nor Pence will be on the ballot in November. No Republican will win. The only political way to reduce, if not end, abortion is not to go after women or try to impose a misogynistic ideal of sexual purity on the culture. Doing so is a rejection of Dignitatis Humanae, which the majority of bishops don't seem to like (nor did St. John Paul).
The path forward is the path the GOP will never take, a middle class income of $1000 per month per child refundable tax credit. Even without abortion, the bishops should be for that. It is the only road to make protecting the unborn the preeminent issue. The consciences the bishops need to change are their own. The option they now favor, relecting Trump, is unconscionable.
The war on women began with Augustine's Confessions. Humanae Vitae marked the beginning of the end. It is time to surrender and ordain them to the priesthood.
The Bishops are not only partisan, they are wrong about both the law and politics. Roe is going nowhere. Passage if the Partial Birth Abortion Act was the golden opportunity to get rid of Roe. Roberts, Kennedy and Alito disagreed. Roberts and Alito are still there, Scalia is still dead and he and Kennedy were replaced by two Kennedy proteges.
The Court will never surrender the final US bishops are not really that interested in forming consciences over abortion rights, or any other civil rights, to state legislators, nor should they. No evolving political consensus will ever change that. In June, June v. Gee will make this obvious.
Neither Trump nor Pence will be on the ballot in November. No Republican will win. The only political way to reduce, if not end, abortion is not to go after women or try to impose a misogynistic ideal of sexual purity on the culture. Doing so is a rejection of Dignitatis Humanae, which the majority of bishops don't seem to like (nor did St. John Paul).
The path forward is the path the GOP will never take, a middle class income of $1000 per month per child refundable tax credit. Even without abortion, the bishops should be for that. It is the only road to make protecting the unborn the preeminent issue. The consciences the bishops need to change are their own. The option they now favor, relecting Trump, is unconscionable.
The war on women began with Augustine's Confessions. Humanae Vitae marked the beginning of the end. It is time to surrender and ordain them to the priesthood.
Friday, November 15, 2019
In impeachment hearings, Democrats must speak as moral patriots
In impeachment hearings, Democrats must speak as moral patriots
Bribery and Treason are explicitly listed in the Constitution. Trump has done both. The jury is the Senate GOP. The evidence they are looking for is whether their donors will fund challengers against them who will run ads calling them traitors. Hearings will embarrass donors into saying no, at which time McConnell well tell Trump to go. Luckily, many donors fund both sides. Democrats making a few phone calls is as important as the public case. So much for fighting bribery.
Bribery and Treason are explicitly listed in the Constitution. Trump has done both. The jury is the Senate GOP. The evidence they are looking for is whether their donors will fund challengers against them who will run ads calling them traitors. Hearings will embarrass donors into saying no, at which time McConnell well tell Trump to go. Luckily, many donors fund both sides. Democrats making a few phone calls is as important as the public case. So much for fighting bribery.
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Links for 11/14/19
Links for 11/14/19
Synodality of the bishops does not change what ails Catholicism, which is still governed by a community of despots. Among the reactionaries are those who still resent Garibaldi and cling to the lie that freemasonry is an evil. Real democracy is an ordained lay diaconate with a vow of obedience to the parishes they would administer. Formal acceptance of assigned priests, with the freedom to reject and remove would show a commitment to democracy. I trust the reader to guess what this implies for the selection of bishops. Democracy reflects the operation of free will seeking the good. The Church need not fear it.
The reaction to Francis by the reactionary fringe, especially lifesitenews, proves this out. Bishop Flores, however, proves that all bishops are not reactionary fools or that neoliberals toeing the Wall Street line are all that Democratic. (big and small D).
Not running against Pence or dealing with the possibility of Pelosi as incumbent shows either stupidity or cowardice. Ten points to the candidate who mentions it first. Assuming McConnel allows confirmation of a Pelosi 46 Veep, the action should be seeking that position.
Does Gov. Patrick have an inside track? This may split the Democrats, with Patrick stealing the never-Trumpers and sealing the GOP's fate as a fringe party. The only way it could survive is wooing a billionaire like Steyer or Bloomberg. Their base likes billionaires. If the rich want to stop Warren, encouraging such a move may be their best play.
All of America has crumbling infrastructure, even before hurricanes.
Synodality of the bishops does not change what ails Catholicism, which is still governed by a community of despots. Among the reactionaries are those who still resent Garibaldi and cling to the lie that freemasonry is an evil. Real democracy is an ordained lay diaconate with a vow of obedience to the parishes they would administer. Formal acceptance of assigned priests, with the freedom to reject and remove would show a commitment to democracy. I trust the reader to guess what this implies for the selection of bishops. Democracy reflects the operation of free will seeking the good. The Church need not fear it.
The reaction to Francis by the reactionary fringe, especially lifesitenews, proves this out. Bishop Flores, however, proves that all bishops are not reactionary fools or that neoliberals toeing the Wall Street line are all that Democratic. (big and small D).
Not running against Pence or dealing with the possibility of Pelosi as incumbent shows either stupidity or cowardice. Ten points to the candidate who mentions it first. Assuming McConnel allows confirmation of a Pelosi 46 Veep, the action should be seeking that position.
Does Gov. Patrick have an inside track? This may split the Democrats, with Patrick stealing the never-Trumpers and sealing the GOP's fate as a fringe party. The only way it could survive is wooing a billionaire like Steyer or Bloomberg. Their base likes billionaires. If the rich want to stop Warren, encouraging such a move may be their best play.
All of America has crumbling infrastructure, even before hurricanes.
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
U.S. bishops' conference clearly divided between Team Francis, culture warriors
U.S. bishops' conference clearly divided between Team Francis, culture warriors
With the rise of the Council of Cardinals, the actions of the national conferences become less important. Cupich is likely the next member after O'Malley retires. His part in the debate show why.
With the rise of the Council of Cardinals, the actions of the national conferences become less important. Cupich is likely the next member after O'Malley retires. His part in the debate show why.
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
US bishops: Consensus by bromides
US bishops: Consensus by bromides
Either Archbishop Pierre or Cardinal O'Malley need to do something about their brother from Tyler. Sometimes, in hierarchical organizations, examples must be made.
Faithful Citizenship will always be a document about abortion voting. It should be dropped and the linkages between the Pro-Life Activities, certain Midwestern Bishops and the Republican Party explored. The nature of abortion law in the U.S. must be addressed. Unlike the rest of the world, abortion rights are constitutionalized, not legislated. There is no such thing as pro-life voting. The two George W. Bush appointees declined to ban all abortion when given the chance and the two Trump appointees will likely lean the same way. We will not know for sure until after June v. Gee is decided, later this term.
There can be no state-by-state solution without bringing back the state legislative power regime of Plessy v. Ferguson. Neither can the government, in response to the Congress granting legal status for the unborn, selectively investigate elective D&C procedures and ignore therapeutic ones. Congress will not, and probably cannot, allow investigating any early term abortions at all. The right to life in the Constitution is a protection against execution, not murder. One must have legal status to be protected from murder. Until this is all made clear, conservative bishops maintain a license to squeal.
Either Archbishop Pierre or Cardinal O'Malley need to do something about their brother from Tyler. Sometimes, in hierarchical organizations, examples must be made.
Faithful Citizenship will always be a document about abortion voting. It should be dropped and the linkages between the Pro-Life Activities, certain Midwestern Bishops and the Republican Party explored. The nature of abortion law in the U.S. must be addressed. Unlike the rest of the world, abortion rights are constitutionalized, not legislated. There is no such thing as pro-life voting. The two George W. Bush appointees declined to ban all abortion when given the chance and the two Trump appointees will likely lean the same way. We will not know for sure until after June v. Gee is decided, later this term.
There can be no state-by-state solution without bringing back the state legislative power regime of Plessy v. Ferguson. Neither can the government, in response to the Congress granting legal status for the unborn, selectively investigate elective D&C procedures and ignore therapeutic ones. Congress will not, and probably cannot, allow investigating any early term abortions at all. The right to life in the Constitution is a protection against execution, not murder. One must have legal status to be protected from murder. Until this is all made clear, conservative bishops maintain a license to squeal.
Monday, November 11, 2019
The church at its best and its worst, in one day
The church at its best and its worst, in one day
Happy Veterans Day to all who served. I will be impressed when McElroy ordained women. I don't care about USCCB press releases.
Happy Veterans Day to all who served. I will be impressed when McElroy ordained women. I don't care about USCCB press releases.
Saturday, November 9, 2019
Just another Friday
I listen to the quotes from Anonymous and the latest transcripts from Fiona Hill and wonder whether Donald J. Trump is competent to hatch a long term plan to trade Aid for Dirt. Hill and other witnesses indicate the Mick Mulvaney gave the orders, claiming presidential authorship. Really?
If Trump has the attention span of a cicada, I can't see it unless Trump is really Anonymous and his presidency is a false flag operation to kill the Republican Party. If I were writing this as a work of fiction, it would be the perfect end of the story, except for the sadism on the southern border and Trump's past history of incompetence. It is more likely that he both senile and bipolar, given his grandiosity and sexual and financial histories. Sadly, this American tragedy is all too real.
Could Mulvaney be Anonymous? He has certainly been in the Trump orbit long enough. Could Aid for Dirt be his way of disposing of Trump where Mueller (who should have had Trump arrested) failed?
Is Mick a conservative ideologue in a candy store, killing everything he touches from the OMB to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to the White House? Worse, are he and Vice President Pence simply idiots. They certainly gave that impression when they were in the House together, fighting against the poor in the name of deficit reduction. Are they clueless about the harm they cause and so inept that they had to be caught eventually? Either option is awful for America.
We will know soon enough.To think that at some point, Republican Senators will let congressional hearings continue to the detriment of the Party is a failure of imagination. Once the Supreme Court denies Certiorari in the Mazar's case, the dominoes will fall very quickly. Tuesday's primary results in Kentucky have to be sending a chill up Moscow Mitch's spine.
In today's other news, Mayor Mike Bloomberg has entered the Democratic race, ostensibly to keep Warren out of the nomination because that would give the election to Trump. If he and Tom Steyer are so worried about Trump, they would run as Republicans. The GOP likes billionaires.. Either of their campaigns would bring sanity back to the GOP, and with it, the nation. To not see that Trump will not survive until election day is a big reason that neither is qualified to be President. No instincts.
If the Republican Party dies as the party of MAGA and Leningrad Lindsey, the Democrats will likely split into rival camps with the Neoliberal Clintonites on one side and Warren and Sanders Socialists on the other. If that is the case, Mayor Mike would be the ideal Neoliberal leader. Biden has a 2024 problem. So does Sanders.
If Trump has the attention span of a cicada, I can't see it unless Trump is really Anonymous and his presidency is a false flag operation to kill the Republican Party. If I were writing this as a work of fiction, it would be the perfect end of the story, except for the sadism on the southern border and Trump's past history of incompetence. It is more likely that he both senile and bipolar, given his grandiosity and sexual and financial histories. Sadly, this American tragedy is all too real.
Could Mulvaney be Anonymous? He has certainly been in the Trump orbit long enough. Could Aid for Dirt be his way of disposing of Trump where Mueller (who should have had Trump arrested) failed?
Is Mick a conservative ideologue in a candy store, killing everything he touches from the OMB to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to the White House? Worse, are he and Vice President Pence simply idiots. They certainly gave that impression when they were in the House together, fighting against the poor in the name of deficit reduction. Are they clueless about the harm they cause and so inept that they had to be caught eventually? Either option is awful for America.
We will know soon enough.To think that at some point, Republican Senators will let congressional hearings continue to the detriment of the Party is a failure of imagination. Once the Supreme Court denies Certiorari in the Mazar's case, the dominoes will fall very quickly. Tuesday's primary results in Kentucky have to be sending a chill up Moscow Mitch's spine.
In today's other news, Mayor Mike Bloomberg has entered the Democratic race, ostensibly to keep Warren out of the nomination because that would give the election to Trump. If he and Tom Steyer are so worried about Trump, they would run as Republicans. The GOP likes billionaires.. Either of their campaigns would bring sanity back to the GOP, and with it, the nation. To not see that Trump will not survive until election day is a big reason that neither is qualified to be President. No instincts.
If the Republican Party dies as the party of MAGA and Leningrad Lindsey, the Democrats will likely split into rival camps with the Neoliberal Clintonites on one side and Warren and Sanders Socialists on the other. If that is the case, Mayor Mike would be the ideal Neoliberal leader. Biden has a 2024 problem. So does Sanders.
Friday, November 8, 2019
The seven deadly sins of Donald Trump
The seven deadly sins of Donald Trump
Sin requires agency, the ability to act sanely. Trump is not sane. His behaviors, grandiosity, sexual excess, out of control spending, insomnia and tantrums are all classic symptoms of bipolar disorder. He simply cannot help himself, so the fault is not his.
Donald Trump is a cash cow and his enablers exploit his excesses for their own gain. He inherited his father's retainers in the Trump organization. Their livelihoods are dependent on spending the inherited Trump fortune when they should have intervened for his benefit.
Trump's children should have done so as well. Growing up Trump likely has distorted their reality and any sense if morality. Loyalty triumphs over truth and courage. Involvement in their father's schemes is heady stuff. They are willfully blind to their father's dysfunction when they should be The one's protecting him from himself.
His immediate staff, who experience his dysfunction on a daily basis, love their positions of power rather than their boss, yet they do nothing.
Robert Mueller and the members of the last two Congresses have acted with cowardice. Instead if acting with courage, they took familiar paths. Instead of building a case against Trump, They should have arrested him. It would have been worth it for the nation and more charitable to Trump himself.
Trump's main sin eater is Vice President Pence. Unless he is a total idiot, he had the capacity and freedom to act. Pence, as a constitutional officer, cannot be fired, yet doing so is one of his main constitutional duties. Instead, he is Trump's chief enabler. The President's actions are his sins. He bares these in hope of future gain. As justice would have it, Pence may be forced out sooner than Trump for involving himself in Trump's crimes. He is the one who should have known better and did nothing. History will not treat him well.
History shall not be kind to us as well. Our sin is less in magnitude but if the same kind as those who supported or tolerated the slave power, Hitler and Stalin. We have used our brother Donald as a partisan cause rather than loving him, as required by the Lord. Perhaps our sin is worst of all.
Sin requires agency, the ability to act sanely. Trump is not sane. His behaviors, grandiosity, sexual excess, out of control spending, insomnia and tantrums are all classic symptoms of bipolar disorder. He simply cannot help himself, so the fault is not his.
Donald Trump is a cash cow and his enablers exploit his excesses for their own gain. He inherited his father's retainers in the Trump organization. Their livelihoods are dependent on spending the inherited Trump fortune when they should have intervened for his benefit.
Trump's children should have done so as well. Growing up Trump likely has distorted their reality and any sense if morality. Loyalty triumphs over truth and courage. Involvement in their father's schemes is heady stuff. They are willfully blind to their father's dysfunction when they should be The one's protecting him from himself.
His immediate staff, who experience his dysfunction on a daily basis, love their positions of power rather than their boss, yet they do nothing.
Robert Mueller and the members of the last two Congresses have acted with cowardice. Instead if acting with courage, they took familiar paths. Instead of building a case against Trump, They should have arrested him. It would have been worth it for the nation and more charitable to Trump himself.
Trump's main sin eater is Vice President Pence. Unless he is a total idiot, he had the capacity and freedom to act. Pence, as a constitutional officer, cannot be fired, yet doing so is one of his main constitutional duties. Instead, he is Trump's chief enabler. The President's actions are his sins. He bares these in hope of future gain. As justice would have it, Pence may be forced out sooner than Trump for involving himself in Trump's crimes. He is the one who should have known better and did nothing. History will not treat him well.
History shall not be kind to us as well. Our sin is less in magnitude but if the same kind as those who supported or tolerated the slave power, Hitler and Stalin. We have used our brother Donald as a partisan cause rather than loving him, as required by the Lord. Perhaps our sin is worst of all.
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Links for 11/7/19
Links for 11/7/19
This may force Mitch to behave on impeachment and removal. Once SCOTUS denies Mazars petition, Trump is done.
In June, on June v. Gee, when all Trump, Obama, Bush 44 and Clinton Justices vote the same way, the magic link of the movement to the GOP will be dead. The movement must embrace or go away.
The M4A debate will/has sparked a larger debate on tax reform. That is a good thing if Warren promises to make April 15 a non-event and supports expanded family income. A two-term promise ends Biden and Sanders.
The only GOP chance is some beside Trump on the ballot. Outing the pro-life GOP partisanship of the bishops Makes Wisconsin Blue Again.
If the GOP does die with Trump, Wall Street will look for a Clintonite home. It won't be with Sanders or Warren. Maybe Klobuchar might help form a new second party.
Health issues need to be asked, but the big issue is to separate the question of cost from the question of price. The GOP solution is leaving making everyone face the hazards of the market. Ideal way is hire doctors for big companies & include them in leases for small.
I have great faith in the ability of the GOP to dump Trump if donors insist. They likely have already. The question was never MAGA challengers, just MAGA challengers wit ad money. The question is when, not if. See above.
This may force Mitch to behave on impeachment and removal. Once SCOTUS denies Mazars petition, Trump is done.
In June, on June v. Gee, when all Trump, Obama, Bush 44 and Clinton Justices vote the same way, the magic link of the movement to the GOP will be dead. The movement must embrace or go away.
The M4A debate will/has sparked a larger debate on tax reform. That is a good thing if Warren promises to make April 15 a non-event and supports expanded family income. A two-term promise ends Biden and Sanders.
The only GOP chance is some beside Trump on the ballot. Outing the pro-life GOP partisanship of the bishops Makes Wisconsin Blue Again.
If the GOP does die with Trump, Wall Street will look for a Clintonite home. It won't be with Sanders or Warren. Maybe Klobuchar might help form a new second party.
Health issues need to be asked, but the big issue is to separate the question of cost from the question of price. The GOP solution is leaving making everyone face the hazards of the market. Ideal way is hire doctors for big companies & include them in leases for small.
I have great faith in the ability of the GOP to dump Trump if donors insist. They likely have already. The question was never MAGA challengers, just MAGA challengers wit ad money. The question is when, not if. See above.
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
The question behind the synod: How can and should change happen in the church?
The question behind the synod: How can and should change happen in the church?
Ultra-conservatives do not believe in Darwin, but they will soon be an example of Natural Selection. So will those who fight against ordaining women, performing gay weddings (God makes the marriages) or who forget that the Spirit can only speak through people and that she is continuing to do so. Jesus was a people too. So are donors, who can spur sudden paradigm shifts (or try to stop them). So do prophets, like Francis, even though speaking in such a voice comes at a cost, although in the end, God speaks through them most strongly. Ibid Jesus.
Ultra-conservatives do not believe in Darwin, but they will soon be an example of Natural Selection. So will those who fight against ordaining women, performing gay weddings (God makes the marriages) or who forget that the Spirit can only speak through people and that she is continuing to do so. Jesus was a people too. So are donors, who can spur sudden paradigm shifts (or try to stop them). So do prophets, like Francis, even though speaking in such a voice comes at a cost, although in the end, God speaks through them most strongly. Ibid Jesus.
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Links for 11/5/19
Links for 11/5/19
Senator Sanders' bill is the baseline. Abortion funding prohibitions will not be repealed in the first round and not possible when it covers everyone. Middle class voters want their abortion coverage; even Republicans. Funding for a broad based program should be through a broad based tax. Making the rich pay is why the ACA had so much opposition.
The way to tame the rich is to make them want to pay more tax. They won't do so for Medicare for All, the Green New Deal or more money for families. They will pay to reduce the debt liability their kids must eventually pay.
2024 hurts Biden and Sanders, not so much for Warren. New Hampshire and South Carolina will not be good for Mayor Pete. Some voters are not that woke. The Bishops never will be, until we elect them. Caballe was.
Senator Sanders' bill is the baseline. Abortion funding prohibitions will not be repealed in the first round and not possible when it covers everyone. Middle class voters want their abortion coverage; even Republicans. Funding for a broad based program should be through a broad based tax. Making the rich pay is why the ACA had so much opposition.
The way to tame the rich is to make them want to pay more tax. They won't do so for Medicare for All, the Green New Deal or more money for families. They will pay to reduce the debt liability their kids must eventually pay.
2024 hurts Biden and Sanders, not so much for Warren. New Hampshire and South Carolina will not be good for Mayor Pete. Some voters are not that woke. The Bishops never will be, until we elect them. Caballe was.
Monday, November 4, 2019
The Amazon synod is about the concept of social sin, not married priests
The Amazon synod is about the concept of social sin, not married priests
I wonder if anything would have been different if the Synod had taken place in Amazonia. It is a list opportunity that would have forced the world to see its inequality. Increased consumption is a part of that. It buys off enough of the working class to stop revolution. Capitalism also abets climate change. Viewing it up close would underline it. You cannot experience it from Rome.
I wonder if anything would have been different if the Synod had taken place in Amazonia. It is a list opportunity that would have forced the world to see its inequality. Increased consumption is a part of that. It buys off enough of the working class to stop revolution. Capitalism also abets climate change. Viewing it up close would underline it. You cannot experience it from Rome.
Friday, November 1, 2019
Bolstered by bad eucharistic theology, the 'wafer wars' are back
Bolstered by bad eucharistic theology, the 'wafer wars' are back
I have been busy in this topic. From yesterday:
This entire controversy comes from a memo out of CDF on giving Communion to legislators who vote for abortion laws. Abortion in the U.S. is a matter of constitutional law, not legislation.
The Ratzinger memo does not apply. Of course, Biden has an obligation to explain the logic of Roe to the hierarchy. He has ducked it for decades.
The pluralistic explanation of Cuomo is in line with freedom of conscience promulgated in Dignitatis Humanae. The Ratzinger memo ignored this doctrine. It is not enough to separate the USCCB office of Pro-Life Activities from the a Republican Party. Explaining Roe publicly will shore up the Blue Wall permanentlty. This will move the movement from using criminal law to fiscal redistribution to oppose abortion, which is in line with the real Magisterium.
From yesterday in America:
The failure of education is not the Church's failure, it is the failure of Catholic politicians to educate the Church. One's position on abortion as a voter or legislator has no impact on the legality of abortion. There is no law permitting abortion, nor can there be one prohibiting it (except the Unborn Victims of Violence Act).
Using police power to investigate list or aborted pregnancy is simply not allowed in the first trimester. Speaking the truth cannot be a sin. It is the duty of Catholic politicians to do so and the duty of USCCB staff to inform the bishops of their error rather than participating in Republican coalition politics.
Homicide is a term of law not applicable without federal legislation. Do you eat fast food? If so, you pay more for abortions that way than in paying your taxes if Hyde is repealed. Indeed, almost all abortions paid for with cash are subsidized through the health insurance excision to corporate income taxation. The question is not whether to subsidize abortion, but whether to do so for all but the poor.
To justify revoking Roe you must reject equal protection in investigating pregnancy loss (protection against selective enforcement). No. Give law enforcement the power to investigate all pregnancy loss (privacy). Heck no. Give state government final authority to investigateitself regarding 14th Amendment issues for women, Freemen, Latinos, undocumented children, consensual sodomy in all its combinations, including going down on the wife, and gay marriage - This bringing back Plessy v. Ferguson). HELL NO! These are all constitutional issues.
Doing an abortion is a mortal sin. Saying abortion rights should not or cannot be changed is more complicated and not mortally sinful. Bad doctrine is not sinful or Pius X would be toasting in Hell.
From what I wrote when the incident was first reported:
Joe needs to explain both Roe and Dignitatis Humanae to the local bishop. Letting it hang in pluralism does not move the needle. Explain how Roe relates to all civil rights law and how overturning it restores Plessy.
It is the public stance which the priest is reacting to. The priest is confused about the difference between acknowledging the constitutionality of Roe and advocating abortion.
Not being executed is a basic right. Not being murdered is a social contract right if the government choses to. The unborn have no claim to the power of the state to investigate their mothers, but it does against those who hurt it's mother. The same law also recognizes the right to abortion.
I have been busy in this topic. From yesterday:
This entire controversy comes from a memo out of CDF on giving Communion to legislators who vote for abortion laws. Abortion in the U.S. is a matter of constitutional law, not legislation.
The Ratzinger memo does not apply. Of course, Biden has an obligation to explain the logic of Roe to the hierarchy. He has ducked it for decades.
The pluralistic explanation of Cuomo is in line with freedom of conscience promulgated in Dignitatis Humanae. The Ratzinger memo ignored this doctrine. It is not enough to separate the USCCB office of Pro-Life Activities from the a Republican Party. Explaining Roe publicly will shore up the Blue Wall permanentlty. This will move the movement from using criminal law to fiscal redistribution to oppose abortion, which is in line with the real Magisterium.
From yesterday in America:
The failure of education is not the Church's failure, it is the failure of Catholic politicians to educate the Church. One's position on abortion as a voter or legislator has no impact on the legality of abortion. There is no law permitting abortion, nor can there be one prohibiting it (except the Unborn Victims of Violence Act).
Using police power to investigate list or aborted pregnancy is simply not allowed in the first trimester. Speaking the truth cannot be a sin. It is the duty of Catholic politicians to do so and the duty of USCCB staff to inform the bishops of their error rather than participating in Republican coalition politics.
Homicide is a term of law not applicable without federal legislation. Do you eat fast food? If so, you pay more for abortions that way than in paying your taxes if Hyde is repealed. Indeed, almost all abortions paid for with cash are subsidized through the health insurance excision to corporate income taxation. The question is not whether to subsidize abortion, but whether to do so for all but the poor.
To justify revoking Roe you must reject equal protection in investigating pregnancy loss (protection against selective enforcement). No. Give law enforcement the power to investigate all pregnancy loss (privacy). Heck no. Give state government final authority to investigateitself regarding 14th Amendment issues for women, Freemen, Latinos, undocumented children, consensual sodomy in all its combinations, including going down on the wife, and gay marriage - This bringing back Plessy v. Ferguson). HELL NO! These are all constitutional issues.
Doing an abortion is a mortal sin. Saying abortion rights should not or cannot be changed is more complicated and not mortally sinful. Bad doctrine is not sinful or Pius X would be toasting in Hell.
From what I wrote when the incident was first reported:
Joe needs to explain both Roe and Dignitatis Humanae to the local bishop. Letting it hang in pluralism does not move the needle. Explain how Roe relates to all civil rights law and how overturning it restores Plessy.
It is the public stance which the priest is reacting to. The priest is confused about the difference between acknowledging the constitutionality of Roe and advocating abortion.
Not being executed is a basic right. Not being murdered is a social contract right if the government choses to. The unborn have no claim to the power of the state to investigate their mothers, but it does against those who hurt it's mother. The same law also recognizes the right to abortion.
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