The current situation in Congress is EXACTLY what the Kochs, Mercers, etc. have been spending many millions of dollars of campaign and conservative think tank contributions over decades to achieve, i.e., the end of effective democratic government. Since an effective democracy is the only thing that stands in the way of them hoarding ever more of the nation's wealth for themselves and leaving the rest of us to beg for crumbs from their tables, they see democracy as their enemy and want to kill it. As many have pointed out, their interests are more aligned with Russian oligarchs, kleptocratic dictators, oil sheiks, etc. than with their fellow Americans, and they are finally seeing some real return on their investment.
People often say we are a country of laws, which is true. However, we are also a country of norms, behaviors society recognized as leading to a more harmonious society. Those norms started decaying in the 1990s and now we live in a world (to paraphrase Daniel Patrick Moynihan) where deviance is perpetually being defined down. Behaviors that would have been abhorrent 10 years ago are tolerated, even embraced. We should not be surprised at the chaos in the House or the behavior of January 6th--once the norms were thrown out, everything became possible and allowable.
There are many meanings of the events of Jan6 and Charlie ably lays out a few. I would like to mark the anniversary by channeling Officer Fanone and offering up a hearty "Fuck You" to all those who condemned anti-Trumpists as hysterics suffering from "Trump Derangement Syndrome." The whole lot are whores.
If the Republican majority had some sense as well as some patriotism they would cut a deal with the Democrats for shared governance/splitting committee chairs and then blame the deal on the 20 insurgents and then expel them from the Republican caucus. But sadly they do not.
Two years ago, I watched in horror as a mob of rioters swarmed the Capitol, broke out windows, destroyed furniture, and screamed like deranged zombies as they scoured the halls looking for members of congress. I haven't felt that kind of sickening fear since I watched the attacks of 9/11 unfold on my TV screen. There's no question in my mind what would have happened to Nancy Pelosi or Mike Pence or so many others if they'd been found that day.
This morning I watched a short but moving tribute to the law enforcement officers who died as a result of that attack. And, of course, not one republican had the decency to show up and honor those fallen officers or commemorate the day we nearly lost our democracy.
I guess it wasn't until today that the disgusting spectacle taking place in the house really hit home. What's wrong with so many Americans that they saw fit to send a bunch of insurrectionists back to the scene of the crime? There is something truly broken about what passes for republicans these days. I'll say again that I'm glad my life-long conservative republican parents didn't live to see this.
I am glad that Biden is holding a ceremony today to honor those that supported democracy during this debacle, regardless of their political affiliation.
The Capital visitor center needs to include what happened on Jan 6, but I think it is still a bit too raw. If I recall, the term Holocaust was not used until some years later. Disruption of this magnitude needs time to work through.
The GOP was and remains dishonored by their silence regarding Stop the Steal and the Jan 6 insurrection. They will continue to show this for the next few years. Question is, now that some of the electorate denied victory to election deniers, will they/the rest of the country start/continue to disapprove of the GOP?
McCarthy should take a page from Trump's book and declare that the election is rigged, and he is declaring victory. Since he's already in the building, he doesn't even need to call his supporters "To fight like Hell." He could go break the glass on the chamber entrance for effect.
Eventually he'll get what he really wants: The green vest for a Walmart greeter.
Charlie, thanks for aligning what happened two years ago to what is happening today, with the list of the clown car circus members who said Trump should still be president and now say that Kevin McCarthy should not be speaker (and of course, like MJT, who say he should be speaker.) It's funny, sad, and somewhat scary to watch what's happened to one of our government institutions.
If these people don’t want a government perhaps they should not run for Congress. If their constituents don’t want a government, perhaps they should blockade their districts and refuse all federal interference, such as highways, Social Security, Medicare, military bases, aid to education — everything.
I also enjoy how one of them called for an end to the national debt, and in the next breath called for a tax cut.
Is it time for Marty Walsh to bring in federal mediators, or just psychiatrists?
2 years ago MAGA found out that "when the looting starts, the shooting starts" can apply to their own people. Ashlii Babbitt sure as shit found out. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
Trump said of Jan. 6, “Remember this day forever!”; it is right there beside my memories of 9/11, and for the same reason- an attack on our country, this time by its own citizens, which heightens the outrageousness. The Republicans desperately wanted power, and on this Epiphany it is fittingly made manifest by the House Speakership debacle. The lyrics “Watch out! You might get what you’re after!” come to mind- Talking Heads’ “Burning Down the House”.
The current situation in Congress is EXACTLY what the Kochs, Mercers, etc. have been spending many millions of dollars of campaign and conservative think tank contributions over decades to achieve, i.e., the end of effective democratic government. Since an effective democracy is the only thing that stands in the way of them hoarding ever more of the nation's wealth for themselves and leaving the rest of us to beg for crumbs from their tables, they see democracy as their enemy and want to kill it. As many have pointed out, their interests are more aligned with Russian oligarchs, kleptocratic dictators, oil sheiks, etc. than with their fellow Americans, and they are finally seeing some real return on their investment.
People often say we are a country of laws, which is true. However, we are also a country of norms, behaviors society recognized as leading to a more harmonious society. Those norms started decaying in the 1990s and now we live in a world (to paraphrase Daniel Patrick Moynihan) where deviance is perpetually being defined down. Behaviors that would have been abhorrent 10 years ago are tolerated, even embraced. We should not be surprised at the chaos in the House or the behavior of January 6th--once the norms were thrown out, everything became possible and allowable.
There are many meanings of the events of Jan6 and Charlie ably lays out a few. I would like to mark the anniversary by channeling Officer Fanone and offering up a hearty "Fuck You" to all those who condemned anti-Trumpists as hysterics suffering from "Trump Derangement Syndrome." The whole lot are whores.
If the Republican majority had some sense as well as some patriotism they would cut a deal with the Democrats for shared governance/splitting committee chairs and then blame the deal on the 20 insurgents and then expel them from the Republican caucus. But sadly they do not.
It's heartwarming to see a picture of Madge "Dude Looks Like A Lady" Greene sidling up to celebrity con-man/Congressman Santos.
Like water seeking its own level, con-persons seek out each other to compare notes.
I'm sure Madge has given him notes on how to set up a website to rob his supporters in the name of patriotism.
Two years ago, I watched in horror as a mob of rioters swarmed the Capitol, broke out windows, destroyed furniture, and screamed like deranged zombies as they scoured the halls looking for members of congress. I haven't felt that kind of sickening fear since I watched the attacks of 9/11 unfold on my TV screen. There's no question in my mind what would have happened to Nancy Pelosi or Mike Pence or so many others if they'd been found that day.
This morning I watched a short but moving tribute to the law enforcement officers who died as a result of that attack. And, of course, not one republican had the decency to show up and honor those fallen officers or commemorate the day we nearly lost our democracy.
I guess it wasn't until today that the disgusting spectacle taking place in the house really hit home. What's wrong with so many Americans that they saw fit to send a bunch of insurrectionists back to the scene of the crime? There is something truly broken about what passes for republicans these days. I'll say again that I'm glad my life-long conservative republican parents didn't live to see this.
I am glad that Biden is holding a ceremony today to honor those that supported democracy during this debacle, regardless of their political affiliation.
The Capital visitor center needs to include what happened on Jan 6, but I think it is still a bit too raw. If I recall, the term Holocaust was not used until some years later. Disruption of this magnitude needs time to work through.
The GOP was and remains dishonored by their silence regarding Stop the Steal and the Jan 6 insurrection. They will continue to show this for the next few years. Question is, now that some of the electorate denied victory to election deniers, will they/the rest of the country start/continue to disapprove of the GOP?
McCarthy should take a page from Trump's book and declare that the election is rigged, and he is declaring victory. Since he's already in the building, he doesn't even need to call his supporters "To fight like Hell." He could go break the glass on the chamber entrance for effect.
Eventually he'll get what he really wants: The green vest for a Walmart greeter.
Charlie, thanks for aligning what happened two years ago to what is happening today, with the list of the clown car circus members who said Trump should still be president and now say that Kevin McCarthy should not be speaker (and of course, like MJT, who say he should be speaker.) It's funny, sad, and somewhat scary to watch what's happened to one of our government institutions.
Today is Epiphany. Think Kevin’s gonna get one?
Logic dictates that when nihilists fight it must be about nothing.
And the 1st thing the sedition caucus wants to do is get rid of the ethics committee.
McCarthy seems to be caught in the 'contempt' cycle. The more he caves in to appease the contemptible the more contempt they have for him.
If these people don’t want a government perhaps they should not run for Congress. If their constituents don’t want a government, perhaps they should blockade their districts and refuse all federal interference, such as highways, Social Security, Medicare, military bases, aid to education — everything.
I also enjoy how one of them called for an end to the national debt, and in the next breath called for a tax cut.
Is it time for Marty Walsh to bring in federal mediators, or just psychiatrists?
2 years ago MAGA found out that "when the looting starts, the shooting starts" can apply to their own people. Ashlii Babbitt sure as shit found out. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
Trump said of Jan. 6, “Remember this day forever!”; it is right there beside my memories of 9/11, and for the same reason- an attack on our country, this time by its own citizens, which heightens the outrageousness. The Republicans desperately wanted power, and on this Epiphany it is fittingly made manifest by the House Speakership debacle. The lyrics “Watch out! You might get what you’re after!” come to mind- Talking Heads’ “Burning Down the House”.