WASHINGTON -- There is a mountain of evidence that President Trump obstructed justice. There is considerable evidence that the Trump campaign embraced and encouraged Russia's attempt to meddle in the 2016 election. Special counsel Robert Mueller laid out the facts -- and now Congress has a solemn duty to confront them. Contrary to what Trump says, the long-awaited Mueller … [Read more...] about Only Congress can hold Trump accountable
Mueller report: How Congress can and will follow up on an incomplete and redacted document
Morning clouds cover Capitol Hill in Washington, April 12, 2019. AP/J. Scott Applewhite Charles Tiefer, University of Baltimore The release on April 18 of a redacted version of the Mueller report came after two years of allegations, speculation and insinuation – but not a lot of official information about what really happened between the Trump … [Read more...] about Mueller report: How Congress can and will follow up on an incomplete and redacted document
Mueller’s report is the beginning, not the end
WASHINGTON -- The report from special counsel Robert Mueller provides a devastating portrait of President Trump's behavior that may invite the beginning of an impeachment inquiry and a constitutional confrontation. A collision of some kind between the president (along with his attorney general) and Democrats who control the House of Representatives is now inevitable. The … [Read more...] about Mueller’s report is the beginning, not the end
Ok, Now Let’s Kill All The Lawyers
The best news Attorney General William Barr delivered Thursday morning is that Congressional leaders from both parties will see the almost-naked Mueller Report. Grand jury testimony will remain sealed because Barr refuses to seek its disclosure. He’s exercising his discretion and is acting within the scope of his authority. Barr’s refusal lays the groundwork for House … [Read more...] about Ok, Now Let’s Kill All The Lawyers
Muller Report released: Muller couldn’t prove Trump’s obstruction attempts were “conscious wrong doing”
Special counsel Robert Mueller's has now been released. Those who expected it would provide a detailed smoking gun and would legally implicate Trump and help lead to his removal from office won't be happy. Those who predicted it'll have a ton of information that would shock and disgrace Trump won't be happy. And those who say the report completely exonerates Trump and that the … [Read more...] about Muller Report released: Muller couldn’t prove Trump’s obstruction attempts were “conscious wrong doing”
Branded: Barr-None
These facts are indisputable: William Barr had prejudged the Mueller investigation -- his letter delineating that prejudice got him his job interview, and, subsequently, his job. The ethics lawyers at Justice had, for that reason, advised that he recuse himself from that investigation. Barr overruled them. … [Read more...] about Branded: Barr-None
Too Many Cooks Spoil the Broth
The Democrats seem to be letting a great chance go by. They have too many candidates trying for the presidential nomination and there is not a strong unified message that is being presented. The candidates are spread from extreme left to right of center. Donald Trump is vulnerable and can be beaten, but only if the Democrats unite and produce a message of general appeal. Many … [Read more...] about Too Many Cooks Spoil the Broth
If We Must Have a Third Cup of Coffee, Make it Republican-Flavored This Time
In my “senior years,” I find that two cups of coffee a day are plenty, especially at Starbucks prices. As John Darkow suggests (above), that third cup begins to leave a bitter aftertaste, no matter whether you perk it or drip it, spice it or “latte” it. It is the same with my politics. Two political parties, as flawed as they both may be (or as good as one may be and … [Read more...] about If We Must Have a Third Cup of Coffee, Make it Republican-Flavored This Time
Barr Sinister
On the eve of the revelation of the Mueller Report, as futzed with by Attorney General William Barr, be prepared for a politically motivated edit, leaving out much of the good stuff. Whatever he leaves in will be for appearances only. No less an authority of putting party before nation than … [Read more...] about Barr Sinister
In the Mother of Parliaments, Democracy Dies
The U.K. used to be properly regarded as a representative democracy built on broad principles of liberty. As of 8 April 2019, that is no longer the case, and Britain's situation is now a close analogy to that of the colonists in the 1770s. The American revolution was essentially a conservative enterprise - like all revolutions in Anglo history - as it was conducted by … [Read more...] about In the Mother of Parliaments, Democracy Dies
Cult TV includes Flash Gordon, Land of the Lost, Star Trek …
By Steve D. Stones Flash Gordon – The Brain Machine – Season One – episode 21. Aired March 11th, 1955. The Mad Witch of Neptune, also known as the Mighty Zidarene, forces Dr. Hans Zarkov and Commander Paul Richards to release a deadly methane gas on the planet Neptune. Zarkov and Richards are then placed under Zidarene's Brain Machine on Saturn to empty their minds of … [Read more...] about Cult TV includes Flash Gordon, Land of the Lost, Star Trek …
Our president wants to put up a “No Vacancies” sign for non-white immigrants
WASHINGTON -- The Trump administration has manufactured and exacerbated an immigration "crisis" to further the president's most consistent goal: to Make America White Again. Tens of thousands of Central American asylum-seekers, even hundreds of thousands, do not constitute a serious crisis -- not for a continent-spanning nation of 330 million, a nation built through … [Read more...] about Our president wants to put up a “No Vacancies” sign for non-white immigrants
Tired Workers Cost America Billions Annually. Why Are We So Tired?
America is a place where people strive. Our founding fathers, catastrophically flawed as they were, strove to build a nation that was better than the one they'd left behind. Every subsequent generation has solidified this country as a place where we earn our keep and contribute to the whole. There was an inflection point, though, which is far behind us now in the rearview … [Read more...] about Tired Workers Cost America Billions Annually. Why Are We So Tired?
Notre Dame Fire (Cartoon)
Cartoon: Holy Moly – Notre Dame
Our parties need to learn the opposite lessons
WASHINGTON -- It would save pixels, ink and talking time if we all agreed on the obvious: Democrats are more divided than Republicans and will remain so for the foreseeable future. What matters is everything else you say once this reality is acknowledged. First, the facts: Democrats are more diverse than Republicans in almost every imaginable way: racially, ethnically, … [Read more...] about Our parties need to learn the opposite lessons
Department of Conspiracies (Cartoon and Column)
Russia helped Donald Trump win the presidency. They created troll farms and bombed social media with fake stories to promote Trump. They bought ads to help Trump. They hacked the servers of the Democratic National Committee and the Clinton Campaign. They contacted the Trump campaign. They sent representatives to Trump Tower to meet with Trump’s son, son-in-law and campaign … [Read more...] about Department of Conspiracies (Cartoon and Column)
How the alt-right corrupts the Constitution
The Constitution is interpreted differently by the alt-right. Shutterstock/Joseph Sohm John E. Finn, Wesleyan University About 10 years ago, I spent a sabbatical on the Maine coast writing a book about the Constitution. One afternoon, an eager reference librarian who knew about my interests invited me to a talk at the library. The featured speaker … [Read more...] about How the alt-right corrupts the Constitution
The danger of viewing politics as a team sport
By MICHAEL GERSON Washington Post Writers Group WASHINGTON -- There not being nearly enough discussion of chariot racing in American politics, it is worth recalling the story of the Greens and the Blues. These were the two main racing teams of the Byzantine Empire, and they generated considerable sporting enthusiasm. A clash of their fans in the riots of the year 501 took … [Read more...] about The danger of viewing politics as a team sport
It’s the season for treason, according to Trump
This must be the season for treason. In the Oval Office on Thursday afternoon, President Trump gave a lesson on American justice to the visiting South Korean president. Speaking about the Mueller investigation and its origins, Trump said: "This is actually treason." This wasn't offhand. On Wednesday, Trump tweeted that the probe was a "Treasonous Hoax" and that "what the … [Read more...] about It’s the season for treason, according to Trump