Another Day, Another Criminal Defendant Pleads...

It's time to Break It Down!

 

It’s been 3 weeks since the United States of America had a Speaker of the House. Keep in mind, the Republican Party jettisoned its own Speaker because…well, because he actually engaged in brokering an agreement to keep the U.S. government running. Let that sink in.

 

In the squirrely sequence of events, first Patrick McHenry, Speaker Pro Tempore adjourned the House for a week, presumably so his Party of crack legislators could get their underwhelming, inauspicious act together. Fast forward to last week, and the emergence of two highly motivated, but apparent uninspiring candidates for the job; Steve Scalise, Louisiana, and Jim Jordan. Neither moved the needle enough to gain the 217 votes necessary to ascend to the Speakership. This week, Tom Emmer, Minnesota, and Mike Johnson, Louisiana, respectively, take their turn…and it’s only Wednesday. We should learn sometime this afternoon, whether Mr. Johnson has the right stuff (In the eyes of his GOP colleagues. We shall see.

 

In other news, elsewhere under the Big Tent, aka the GOP Circus, yesterday, another Trump associate negotiated a plea deal. 

 

“Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.” – Sir Walter Scott, circa 1808

 

Attorney, prominent conservative, and noted Trump supporter, Jenna Ellis pleaded guilty to a felony charge over her efforts to overturn Donald Trump’s 2020 loss in Georgia. A tearful Ms. Ellis told the judge she looks back on that time with “deep remorse.”

 

Ms. Ellis is the fourth defendant in the case to enter into a plea deal with prosecutors. She joins an august list that includes, Scott Hall, Kenneth Chesebro, and Sidney Powell. Ellis was vocal in her advocacy of Trump’s 2020 reelection bid, She was charged under Georgia’s  anti-racketeering law.

 

Ellis pleaded guilty to one felony count of aiding and abetting false statements and writings. After pleading guilty, she said, through tears, Ellis said she would not have represented Trump, is she knew then what she knows now. She claimed she relied on lawyers with much more experience than her, and failed to verify the things they told her. She went on to say,

 

“What I did not do but should have done, Your Honor, was to make sure that the facts the other lawyers alleged to be true were in fact true.”

 

All-in-all, three high-profile people responsible for pushing baseless legal challenges to Democrat Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory have agreed to accept responsibility for their roles rather than take their chances before a jury. A lower-profile defendant pleaded guilty last month. “Another Day, Another Criminal Defendant Pleads…”

 

I’m done; holla back!

 

Read my blog anytime by clicking the link: http://thesphinxofcharlotte.com. Find a new post each Wednesday.

 

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For more detailed information on a variety of aspects relating to this post, consult the link below:

 

https://apnews.com/article/jenna-ellis-plea-deal-georgia-election-case-c4dbacd3e4bbb5415ebd3d42d8fa3128

http://thesphinxofcharlotte.blogspot.com/2023/10/another-day-another-criminal-defendant.html

Jordan Chronicles: The Saga Continues

It's time to Break It Down!

 

For those who’ve been following along at home (as well as those who haven’t), to no one’s surprise, presumed leading candidate number 2 lost vote number 1. In the worst kept of secrets, Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan failed in the first vote in his attempt to become Speaker of the People’s House. By the way, the People’s House, which, admittedly, pols on both sides, often refer to institution, is such a pretentious word conglomeration. Makes it sound like an adjunct of some Chinese government, a constituent institution of The People’s Republic, perhaps. But seriously, I digress.

 

Going into Tuesday’s vote, as talking heads from a variety of media outlets breathlessly expounded on whether Mr. Jordan could or would cobble together the necessary coalition to enable him to do what Steve Scalise, aka leading candidate 1, couldn’t…wrap up the quest to become the nation’s 56^th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, commonly referred to as “the House.” Conventional wisdom was it wouldn’t happen. The GOP likes to say, that’s because Republicans are independent, and as such, are free to make up their own minds, unlike those “spineless” Democrats, who kowtowed to Nancy Pelosi, whenever they were given half a chance. At least that’s what the Party who seems to worship at the feet of Trump, has to say about the matter.

 

Hear this. When more than a minority of Republicans condemn Donald Trump for his exceedingly repetitive nihilistic behavior, I’ll pay attention to the GOP’s constant babbling about Biden’s alleged senility, and/or their views on what they assert is, his incompetence.

 

As for Jordan, and his stumble out of the gate, some say it’s a reflection of Republican’s inability to govern. I do not believe that’s the case. Rather, it appears to me, they don’t want to govern. In fact, it’s as though they’d prefer to tear down the whole thing. Increasingly, their view, judging by their actions is, if they cannot control every aspect of the process (of governing), they would just as soon, tear it all down. Moreover, in fact, they are trying, with increasing degrees of regularity…and success, to do just that. See January 6, 2021, the 15 votes to elect Kevin McCarthy Speaker in January 2023, the near-miss government shutdown on September 30, and the continuing on-going threat once again, to push the country over that cliff. They don’t care, and they don’t give a flying figuring, if you know it. The shameless hubris of it all!

 

No one knows whether Jordan will eventually prevail. That Donald Trump supports him suggests, in the current iteration of the Republican Party, he certainly has a shot. Will it happen in less that 15 votes? Let’s hope so. Every day without a decision propels us closer toward that proverbial shutdown. But then again, electing JJ may exacerbate the trendline leading to a shutdown, The Far-Right wing, which includes Jordan’s most avid advocates, seem to be hankering for that brand of chaos. I think the operative phraseology is “damned if we do, damned if we don’t.” Oh well, welcome to “Jordan Chronicles: The Saga Continues!”

 

I’m done; holla back!

 

Read my blog anytime by clicking the link: http://thesphinxofcharlotte.com. Find a new post each Wednesday.

 

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For more detailed information on a variety of aspects relating to this post, consult the link below:

http://thesphinxofcharlotte.blogspot.com/2023/10/jordan-chronicles-saga-continues.html

I Got The Jab: 6.0

It's time to Break It Down!

I Got The Jab: 6.0

In the ever-increasing cultural divide, in which we find ourselves enmeshed, here in America, and globally, public health has devolved from a mutual imperative to the third element, along with politics and religion, no longer suitable for public discourse. In contemporary times, culture wars dictate that you are either a sheep-like liberal, mindlessly following the dicta of the ideology bosses, or a conspiratorial zealot, convinced that conventional wisdom is, well, just another attempt to control you, obviously, to no good end.

In January 2021, I received my first COVID-19 vaccination, quickly followed by the second dose in February. Since that time there have been four subsequent boosters or updates, I’ve had each and every one. I realize there is a healthy dose of vaccine skepticism, as well as a highly charged debate around the validity of covid as an actual thing. 

This is where I say, with conviction, I don’t mind if someone doesn’t believe covid is real. I don’t care if someone rejects the notions that medical science has cured many people of myriad diseases, while, totally eliminating several diseases. After all, there are folks who don’t believe in the moon landing or who do believe that vaccines are the cause of all kinds of maladies, but don’t believe that OJ did it. Suit yourself.

As for me, I got the most recent covid shot a few weeks ago. Years ago, I resolved to avoid arguing about the efficacy of covid vaccines. When the next round of vaccines emerges, I plan to be in the queue to get mine. I will pass on the drama of debating folks about the topic. Do you; I’m good. “I Got The Jab: 6.0!”

I’m done; holla back!

Read my blog anytime by clicking the link: http://thesphinxofcharlotte.com. Find a new post each Wednesday.

To subscribe, click on Follow in the bottom right-hand corner of my Home Page at http://thesphinxofcharlotte.com; enter your e-mail address in the designated space, and click on “Sign me up.” Subsequent editions of “Break It Down” will be mailed to your in-box.

For more detailed information on a variety of aspects relating to this post, consult the link below:

http://thesphinxofcharlotte.blogspot.com/2023/10/i-got-jab-60.html

Unnamed Source No More: General Kelly Steps Up

It's time to Break It Down!

 

Just over three years ago, The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg published a staggering report on Donald Trump, his denigration of those who serve in the military, and his condemnation of fallen American heroes as “suckers” and “losers.”

 

Trump, still President then, was quick to respond, pushing back, and insisting the whole thing was “made up“ and a “fake story.” Mr. Trump, in response to the quotes attributed to him, said, at a Labor Day press conference, “Who would say a thing like that? Only an animal would say things like that.” Classic Trumpian denial.

 

So much so, even at the time, aside from Trump loyalists, the defense was hard to believe. Adding to the incredulousness of it all, much of The Atlantic’s reporting was corroborated by related reporting from The Associated Press, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and even Fox News.

 

Never doubt, Trump’s most avid advocates, defenders, and supporters denied it for him. They pointed to some Fox News segment in which a conservative on-air personality refuted or was said to have refuted the allegation. And that…was good enough for them. Even recently, after the Fox conglomerate had to pay out over three quarters of a billion dollars for less than truthful reporting…they still report stories in such a way that is music to their listeners’ ears.

 

However, now…we know, three hence, it’s also been confirmed by Trump’s former White House chief of staff. CNN reported:

 

John Kelly, the longest-serving White House chief of staff for Donald Trump, offered harsh and direct on-the-record criticism of the former president in an exclusive statement to CNN. 

 

Kelly confirmed and verified several damning stories about statements Trump made behind closed doors attacking US service members and veterans, listing a number of objectionable comments he witnessed Trump make firsthand.

 

CNN asked Kelly if he wanted to weigh in on Trump, on the record. Kelly responded, “What can I add that has not already been said? A person that thinks those who defend their country in uniform, or are shot down or seriously wounded in combat, or spend years being tortured as POWs are all ‘suckers’ because ‘there is nothing in it for them.’ A person that did not want to be seen in the presence of military amputees because ‘it doesn’t look good for me.’ A person who demonstrated open contempt for a Gold Star family — for all Gold Star families — on TV during the 2016 campaign, and rants that our most precious heroes who gave their lives in America’s defense are ‘losers’ and wouldn’t visit their graves in France.

“A person who is not truthful regarding his position on the protection of unborn life, on women, on minorities, on evangelical Christians, on Jews, on working men and women, A person that has no idea what America stands for and has no idea what America is all about. A person who cavalierly suggests that a selfless warrior who has served his country for 40 years in peacetime and war should lose his life for treason — in expectation that someone will take action. A person who admires autocrats and murderous dictators. A person that has nothing but contempt for our democratic institutions, our Constitution, and the rule of law.

There is nothing more that can be said. God help us.”

CNN, in turn, sought comment from Trump’s political operation. Trump’s campaign responded by going after retired Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Mark Milley, “who had nothing to do with this story.” Typical deflection and obfuscation by his camp.

After Trump left the White House, John Kelly, the man who served as the Republican president’s chief of staff for 17 months, has struggled to contain his contempt for his former boss. Over the last couple of years, the retired Marine general, who also served as Trump’s Homeland Security secretary, has accused Trump of, among other things, “poisoning” people’s minds, having “serious character issues,” and not being “a real man.” One wonders why the General is so inclined to hold back.

It should also be noted, however, Kelly has also raised concerns about Trump’s abuses while in office. Last fall, Kelly told the Times that Trump, during his presidency, told his chief of staff to “use the Internal Revenue Service and the Justice Department to target his critics and perceived political foes.” Apparently, the former president is as adept at projection, as he is deflection.

Now, Kelly is going even further, confirming that the former president, while in office, disparaged troops, veterans, and their families.

Trump’s followers reflexively distrust his opponents…and anyone who isn’t foursquare for him, 24/7/365, is considered an opponent…but it is worth noting that Kelly isn’t a pundit, scholar, or elected official — he’s a guy Trump personally tapped to oversee his White House, and lauded…until he didn’t.

He’s also a guy who appears desperate to warn the public about the former’s president’s character. Sadly, methinks, it may be too little, too late. “Unnamed Source No More: General Kelly Steps Up!”

 

I’m done; holla back!

 

Read my blog anytime by clicking the link: http://thesphinxofcharlotte.com. Find a new post each Wednesday.

 

To subscribe, click on Follow in the bottom right-hand corner of my Home Page at http://thesphinxofcharlotte.com; enter your e-mail address in the designated space, and click on “Sign me up.” Subsequent editions of “Break It Down” will be mailed to your in-box.

 

For more detailed information on a variety of aspects relating to this post, consult the link below:

 

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/john-kelly-confirms-trump-privately-disparaged-troops-veterans-rcna118545

http://thesphinxofcharlotte.blogspot.com/2023/10/unnamed-source-no-more-general-kelly.html