Isn't this just posturing on Johnson's part? Doesn't the DOJ already have access to the un-blurred tapes? Granted, his statement still signals a bad message, but it seems void of any real meaning.
Not just posturing, blurring faces of the culprits enables DJT, the GOP, & their MAGA to continue peddling their lies & false narratives about who instigated & participated in the attempted violent coup.
Not posturing. Re-read the piece. This is a message to Trump, we are on board with your plans. This is also a message to the brownshirt base: as Trump put it, "stand firm and stand by; don't worry about the DOJ; when we come in, your fealty will be rewarded.
100% accurate! If re-elected Trump will become the sole authoritarian in power! His enablers, like Mike Johnson, will carry out his commands! All of them must be stopped in their tracks NOW! 😡
I am increasingly finding it hard not to give into despair for the fate of our nation, even though aspiring authoritarians depend on those who value democracy to do just that.
Despair for me began when Garland wasted two full years not holding trump and his openly corrupt administration legally accountable for their illegal actions. He still hasn't. Every day that the US Army doesn't recall Flynn and try him for treason, sedition or at the very least, fomenting violence against the US deepens that despair. Every day that trump is allowed to threaten someone else's life without being held legally accountable further concretizes that despair. Thanks to all the above (and more) I now have zero faith in our justice system.
I also have zero faith in our government. None that Biden will ever rise to the moment we are all facing or, better yet, pick a younger successor who has what it takes to take on the entire Republican Fascist Party and back them for the job instead of letting his ego and his team of 'yes men' convince him that he and only he can beat trump.
I'm beaten down and it's not by trump and the RFP, it's by the lack of justice and the lack of common sense on what's supposed to be the 'good side' (non-fascists, the legal system, etc). Why are we citizens being told - yet again - "vote blue to save democracy" when those in charge do next to nothing when they have the authority and the bully pulpit of the Presidency?
Well said. I'm afraid a criminal element has invaded our formerly treasured institutions. Formerly respected business enterprises? Congress? Senate? Executive branch? Military? Supreme Court? Educational institutions? Altruism, justice, fairness, and the public good are no longer considered values, but rules for "suckers or "losers."
Perhaps the one saving grace we share is situations can turn on a dime. Today's disaster can be overcome. Winston Churchill gave a speech to school children following his being voted out of office following World War II. Churchill, in all humility, said "Never, never, never, ever, quit." A better tomorrow is not possible if we quit today.
Thank you for your reply. I know it sounds like I've given up but I haven't. My childhood & years in the military (full of ugliness & brutality) taught me it's possible to be completely full of despair and ground down to a nub but as long as you have breath you can keep fighting, even if for what you absolutely cannot see and can only barely, barely hope for. I'm still breathing so I'm still fighting.
My best to you & thanks again for your very well said, supportive reply.
As challenging as it is, I believe Timothy Snyder's #2 -- Defend institutions. We cannot give up or give in. The pillars should hold, as they did on J6. Democracy is messy and slow to justice, that is frustrating.
While I agree with that recommendation I do so only to a degree. My childhood of being raised in a white supremacist home & strict religious cult taught me to question everything (quite the opposite of what each attempted to harangue, beat & brainwash me to do). My ten years of military service strengthened that questioning. I don't give anything or anyone blanket support or allegiance. (This does not apply to personal friendships.)
What all that means with regard to Snyder's recommendation is that I watch what an institution does -- or doesn't do. I will not support corruption, complicity (outright or silent) or incompetence. (Reference incompetence - meaning if it is widespread and permeates the institution. Examples: like the DNC, DCCC & the Democrat Leadership Team - all are seriously out of touch with voter's concerns - imo).
My hard-earned motto is - the moment anyone or anything says you can't ask questions is exactly when you not only should but need to. This applies even now as our country faces a potential fascist takeover.
Every time I see Johnson - he looks like the picture of EVIL. You can see the evil on GOP's faces. & that's what pure evil looks like.
Also isn't this aiding & abetting-- after the fact--? Johnson did it during the buildup to J6 too-- he was one of the "architects of the coup". Why hasn't he been indicted? & all traitors in Congress expelled??
The biggest failure of Biden's admin is that Biden did not fire AG GOP MG who seems more loyal to GOP than rule of law. He says the right words but read (Sarah Kensior Twitter) he's as enabling as the rest of the GOP to wait out the clock, etcetc & not charge GOP traitors at highest levels.
GOP always protect GOP
Which beings me to Liz Cheney-- she protected her friend, Mrs Ginni SCOTUS Thomas. She also voted with TRUMP 0ver 90% of the time. & now when cashing in with her book rehabilitation tour.
Revenge and holding grudges is equally awful from either side. Of COURSE Cheney is a big-time conservative, and I would never vote for her. But she is now a valuable voice in reaching what remains of any serious conservatives who aren't seduced into absolute MAGAdom, and so what if she makes money on a book?
she could have spoken out way before Jan 6-- she may not be a full fledged traitor but everything she stands for is the same as the rest of the GOP. I'm sure if she were elected -- she'd implement project 2025 too.
whatever makes you think that she'd implement full on authoritarianism? January 6 was what changed her MIND about trump, showing her his character would always trump any policies he might implement. Being an old style conservative doesn't make you a fascist.
I agree, project 2025 applies to any republican who would be voted into office. Cheney is a died in the wool Republican, supported trump twice, in 2016, and 2020. This disqualifies her from any serious run for the presidency as far as I’m concerned. This shows poor judgement on her part, she knew full well who trump was, and what he was capable of. If she is willing to do anything to make sure trump never gets elected again, like she has said, then she should supportBiden. A third party will just ensure a trump victory.
I sort of recall during the conclusion of the Jan 6 hearings, most of the Democrats were mad at Cheney because they thought there should be more and harsher conclusions to the findings. Cheney would not budge. I was thinking (because she’s a Cheney) why would she do this? Hoping the MAGAnauts would fade away? Well they didn’t.
Excuse me, “Revenge and holding grudges is equally awful from either side.” Is that what you think is happening when Dems & DOJ work to hold the GOP lawbreakers accountable for their attempt to overturn the legitimate 2020 presidential election and stop the peaceful transfer of power, in order to overthrow the U.S. government & permanently install DJT despite the fact that he lost the election.
not at all. I was speaking to holding a grudge against Liz Cheney because at one point she supported trump's policies. BEFORE he and his minions flat out attacked democracy. Revenge and defense are two different things: holding people accountable is the latter.
In stating that he would blur the faces of Jan. 6 thugs he's admitting that these individuals are thugs. This is no different than Trump telling Hannity he'll be a dictator on day one if he's re-elected. Everything is in the open now. McCarthy is getting out because he's very transactional. Either Trump is re-elected and McCarthy, the loser, will not fare well, or if democracy wins and Biden is re-elected he also won't fare well. At the end of the day, I don't think most Americans want a dictator, fascism or an authoritarian in the White House or in Congress. VOTE
Re: voting. Next year at this time, we will be living the outcome of our work. I think it behooves us to talk to as many people everyday, in casual conversations about voting. Repetition is our friend. I agree I think most Americans do not want a dictator. Our job may be to communicate well and destroy apathy.
It is interesting to note that criminal is a relative term. "I can't be a criminal. I'm a victim." Though immigrants are illegal. Transgender athletes are breaking the law. Black people are followed in the store because those might steal something. yet those who showed up at the Capitol on Jan 6th were tourists and didn't break the law. A huge need for an us/them dualistic dichotomy. Rigidity (in the name of clarity) as a hallmark of autocracy (unless it doesn't serve the autocrat, but the autocrat benefits from cultivating the definitions of right/wrong around rigid/dualistic thinking.
If you wonder, how many times per day does Trump talk to Johnson? You will receive no honest answer! Johnson is Trump’s APPRENTICE! Johnson is painfully inexperienced and needing aid and assistance. Jeez! What is going on in our country? And what lies ahead?
This is off subject , but what most scares me about the election are the 3rd party candidates , RFK jr, Joe Manchin ? , handing the election to Trump ….I have liberal friends who are for RFK jr, I don’t think they get how dangerous that is …..
When Mike Johnson says that he wants to blur out the faces of potential perpetrators in the Jan 6 video so that they won’t be identified and potentially arrested, that sounds to me like “obstruction of justice”. Johnson is a crook, - and there’s nothing worse than crooks who hide behind their crucifixes for “cover”. I hope Mike Johnson is called upon in the Jack Smith investigations for the Jan 6 insurrection; in my mind, Johnson is an accomplice.
Johnson was a mastermind for J6, trying to get colleagues to sign onto a state AG’s suit. He is also an accessory after the fact and engaging in obstruction of justice. DOJ does have the footage; Johnson is stopping the public’s help and tips (think sedition hunters). He has hired personnel to blur faces, but did not want to pay forIRS agents to go after tax cheats. These are his priorities.
Once MAGA traitor Johnson and his criminal cohorts in congress finish releasing all the footage of the violent insurrectionists with blurred faces to paint the false narrative that this was just " legitimate political discourse". Then the very same footage that Johnson originally blurred should get leaked by those who can do it with all those same criminal MAGA faces un blurred.
I also believe trump and his MAGA cult don’t want to see the DOJ prosecute these rioters is because they need to recruit these experienced characters in their next attempt to overthrow the 2024 election and democracy. These are the foot soldiers that can be useful in the near future, for the next coup attempt.
The MAGAretUMPlican cult of DJT and his GOP loyalists are being manipulated based on fear of becoming the minority and the possibility of no longer being in control because they assume what was perpetrated on ppls of color to found make America will be revisited on them tenfold. But BIPOC & LGBTQ+ ppl just want their rights/freedom protected and to be left alone without discrimination. History proves it. This patriarchal white Christian Nationalist crusade is a desperate fascist misogynistic xenophobic racist ploy to cling to power. How far down this rabbit hole will democrats, the courts and the media let us descend before they do what’s necessary to stop this spiral to autocracy? Can it be stopped now that they’re saying the quiet part out loud with impunity?!
Isn't this just posturing on Johnson's part? Doesn't the DOJ already have access to the un-blurred tapes? Granted, his statement still signals a bad message, but it seems void of any real meaning.
But, all MAGAs believe every word!
Yes, it's a massive case of motivated reasoning.
Not just posturing, blurring faces of the culprits enables DJT, the GOP, & their MAGA to continue peddling their lies & false narratives about who instigated & participated in the attempted violent coup.
Many of the rioters have been recognized by members of the public who have notified the authorities of their identities.
I think the message is purposeful, and it's not for US.
Sending a message to once and future insurrectionists that
‘They will be protected from accountability’ so go forth and violently attack
Not posturing. Re-read the piece. This is a message to Trump, we are on board with your plans. This is also a message to the brownshirt base: as Trump put it, "stand firm and stand by; don't worry about the DOJ; when we come in, your fealty will be rewarded.
100% accurate! If re-elected Trump will become the sole authoritarian in power! His enablers, like Mike Johnson, will carry out his commands! All of them must be stopped in their tracks NOW! 😡
I am increasingly finding it hard not to give into despair for the fate of our nation, even though aspiring authoritarians depend on those who value democracy to do just that.
Despair for me began when Garland wasted two full years not holding trump and his openly corrupt administration legally accountable for their illegal actions. He still hasn't. Every day that the US Army doesn't recall Flynn and try him for treason, sedition or at the very least, fomenting violence against the US deepens that despair. Every day that trump is allowed to threaten someone else's life without being held legally accountable further concretizes that despair. Thanks to all the above (and more) I now have zero faith in our justice system.
I also have zero faith in our government. None that Biden will ever rise to the moment we are all facing or, better yet, pick a younger successor who has what it takes to take on the entire Republican Fascist Party and back them for the job instead of letting his ego and his team of 'yes men' convince him that he and only he can beat trump.
I'm beaten down and it's not by trump and the RFP, it's by the lack of justice and the lack of common sense on what's supposed to be the 'good side' (non-fascists, the legal system, etc). Why are we citizens being told - yet again - "vote blue to save democracy" when those in charge do next to nothing when they have the authority and the bully pulpit of the Presidency?
Well said. I'm afraid a criminal element has invaded our formerly treasured institutions. Formerly respected business enterprises? Congress? Senate? Executive branch? Military? Supreme Court? Educational institutions? Altruism, justice, fairness, and the public good are no longer considered values, but rules for "suckers or "losers."
Perhaps the one saving grace we share is situations can turn on a dime. Today's disaster can be overcome. Winston Churchill gave a speech to school children following his being voted out of office following World War II. Churchill, in all humility, said "Never, never, never, ever, quit." A better tomorrow is not possible if we quit today.
Well said yourself. 😺
Thank you for your reply. I know it sounds like I've given up but I haven't. My childhood & years in the military (full of ugliness & brutality) taught me it's possible to be completely full of despair and ground down to a nub but as long as you have breath you can keep fighting, even if for what you absolutely cannot see and can only barely, barely hope for. I'm still breathing so I'm still fighting.
My best to you & thanks again for your very well said, supportive reply.
As challenging as it is, I believe Timothy Snyder's #2 -- Defend institutions. We cannot give up or give in. The pillars should hold, as they did on J6. Democracy is messy and slow to justice, that is frustrating.
Hi Jan. Thanks for your reply.
While I agree with that recommendation I do so only to a degree. My childhood of being raised in a white supremacist home & strict religious cult taught me to question everything (quite the opposite of what each attempted to harangue, beat & brainwash me to do). My ten years of military service strengthened that questioning. I don't give anything or anyone blanket support or allegiance. (This does not apply to personal friendships.)
What all that means with regard to Snyder's recommendation is that I watch what an institution does -- or doesn't do. I will not support corruption, complicity (outright or silent) or incompetence. (Reference incompetence - meaning if it is widespread and permeates the institution. Examples: like the DNC, DCCC & the Democrat Leadership Team - all are seriously out of touch with voter's concerns - imo).
My hard-earned motto is - the moment anyone or anything says you can't ask questions is exactly when you not only should but need to. This applies even now as our country faces a potential fascist takeover.
Every time I see Johnson - he looks like the picture of EVIL. You can see the evil on GOP's faces. & that's what pure evil looks like.
Also isn't this aiding & abetting-- after the fact--? Johnson did it during the buildup to J6 too-- he was one of the "architects of the coup". Why hasn't he been indicted? & all traitors in Congress expelled??
The biggest failure of Biden's admin is that Biden did not fire AG GOP MG who seems more loyal to GOP than rule of law. He says the right words but read (Sarah Kensior Twitter) he's as enabling as the rest of the GOP to wait out the clock, etcetc & not charge GOP traitors at highest levels.
GOP always protect GOP
Which beings me to Liz Cheney-- she protected her friend, Mrs Ginni SCOTUS Thomas. She also voted with TRUMP 0ver 90% of the time. & now when cashing in with her book rehabilitation tour.
Revenge and holding grudges is equally awful from either side. Of COURSE Cheney is a big-time conservative, and I would never vote for her. But she is now a valuable voice in reaching what remains of any serious conservatives who aren't seduced into absolute MAGAdom, and so what if she makes money on a book?
she could have spoken out way before Jan 6-- she may not be a full fledged traitor but everything she stands for is the same as the rest of the GOP. I'm sure if she were elected -- she'd implement project 2025 too.
whatever makes you think that she'd implement full on authoritarianism? January 6 was what changed her MIND about trump, showing her his character would always trump any policies he might implement. Being an old style conservative doesn't make you a fascist.
IMO all GOP are on the same page. Trump is just the figurehead for now. time will tell; it always does,
you live in your reality, I'll live in mine. Mine still has actual GOP voters (not toadying leaders) with common sense.
I agree, project 2025 applies to any republican who would be voted into office. Cheney is a died in the wool Republican, supported trump twice, in 2016, and 2020. This disqualifies her from any serious run for the presidency as far as I’m concerned. This shows poor judgement on her part, she knew full well who trump was, and what he was capable of. If she is willing to do anything to make sure trump never gets elected again, like she has said, then she should supportBiden. A third party will just ensure a trump victory.
I sort of recall during the conclusion of the Jan 6 hearings, most of the Democrats were mad at Cheney because they thought there should be more and harsher conclusions to the findings. Cheney would not budge. I was thinking (because she’s a Cheney) why would she do this? Hoping the MAGAnauts would fade away? Well they didn’t.
Excuse me, “Revenge and holding grudges is equally awful from either side.” Is that what you think is happening when Dems & DOJ work to hold the GOP lawbreakers accountable for their attempt to overturn the legitimate 2020 presidential election and stop the peaceful transfer of power, in order to overthrow the U.S. government & permanently install DJT despite the fact that he lost the election.
not at all. I was speaking to holding a grudge against Liz Cheney because at one point she supported trump's policies. BEFORE he and his minions flat out attacked democracy. Revenge and defense are two different things: holding people accountable is the latter.
In stating that he would blur the faces of Jan. 6 thugs he's admitting that these individuals are thugs. This is no different than Trump telling Hannity he'll be a dictator on day one if he's re-elected. Everything is in the open now. McCarthy is getting out because he's very transactional. Either Trump is re-elected and McCarthy, the loser, will not fare well, or if democracy wins and Biden is re-elected he also won't fare well. At the end of the day, I don't think most Americans want a dictator, fascism or an authoritarian in the White House or in Congress. VOTE
Re: voting. Next year at this time, we will be living the outcome of our work. I think it behooves us to talk to as many people everyday, in casual conversations about voting. Repetition is our friend. I agree I think most Americans do not want a dictator. Our job may be to communicate well and destroy apathy.
It is interesting to note that criminal is a relative term. "I can't be a criminal. I'm a victim." Though immigrants are illegal. Transgender athletes are breaking the law. Black people are followed in the store because those might steal something. yet those who showed up at the Capitol on Jan 6th were tourists and didn't break the law. A huge need for an us/them dualistic dichotomy. Rigidity (in the name of clarity) as a hallmark of autocracy (unless it doesn't serve the autocrat, but the autocrat benefits from cultivating the definitions of right/wrong around rigid/dualistic thinking.
If you wonder, how many times per day does Trump talk to Johnson? You will receive no honest answer! Johnson is Trump’s APPRENTICE! Johnson is painfully inexperienced and needing aid and assistance. Jeez! What is going on in our country? And what lies ahead?
This is off subject , but what most scares me about the election are the 3rd party candidates , RFK jr, Joe Manchin ? , handing the election to Trump ….I have liberal friends who are for RFK jr, I don’t think they get how dangerous that is …..
Not really off subject at all, I agree!
I generally vote Green Party but I wouldn't dare vote Green with fascism at the doorstep. Too much is at stake.
When Mike Johnson says that he wants to blur out the faces of potential perpetrators in the Jan 6 video so that they won’t be identified and potentially arrested, that sounds to me like “obstruction of justice”. Johnson is a crook, - and there’s nothing worse than crooks who hide behind their crucifixes for “cover”. I hope Mike Johnson is called upon in the Jack Smith investigations for the Jan 6 insurrection; in my mind, Johnson is an accomplice.
Chessboard positioning?
💔
Johnson was a mastermind for J6, trying to get colleagues to sign onto a state AG’s suit. He is also an accessory after the fact and engaging in obstruction of justice. DOJ does have the footage; Johnson is stopping the public’s help and tips (think sedition hunters). He has hired personnel to blur faces, but did not want to pay forIRS agents to go after tax cheats. These are his priorities.
Once MAGA traitor Johnson and his criminal cohorts in congress finish releasing all the footage of the violent insurrectionists with blurred faces to paint the false narrative that this was just " legitimate political discourse". Then the very same footage that Johnson originally blurred should get leaked by those who can do it with all those same criminal MAGA faces un blurred.
I also believe trump and his MAGA cult don’t want to see the DOJ prosecute these rioters is because they need to recruit these experienced characters in their next attempt to overthrow the 2024 election and democracy. These are the foot soldiers that can be useful in the near future, for the next coup attempt.
Thank you Ruth for bringing Peter Dominick as the December 10th guest to focus on humor as an effective tool in messaging. Really great news.
What’s the solution ?
The MAGAretUMPlican cult of DJT and his GOP loyalists are being manipulated based on fear of becoming the minority and the possibility of no longer being in control because they assume what was perpetrated on ppls of color to found make America will be revisited on them tenfold. But BIPOC & LGBTQ+ ppl just want their rights/freedom protected and to be left alone without discrimination. History proves it. This patriarchal white Christian Nationalist crusade is a desperate fascist misogynistic xenophobic racist ploy to cling to power. How far down this rabbit hole will democrats, the courts and the media let us descend before they do what’s necessary to stop this spiral to autocracy? Can it be stopped now that they’re saying the quiet part out loud with impunity?!