Sedition And So Much More

Let’s face it. There is a lot to be depressed about. The pandemic is still taking 2,00 lives a day (though there is some evidence that the number of daily infections are waning considerably in some places.) 

The Republicans continue to do everything in their power to upend voting rights, while claiming the Democrats attempt to legislate and protect voting rights is an outrageous abuse of power. How dare they work to interfere with each state’s right to do as they see fit, even though they know the constitution specifically designates that the “Election Clause,” in the constitution, gives the federal government that power, specifically to protect against rogue states undermining the franchise?

What’s so evil and nauseating about their unwillingness to support the voting rights legislation is that in 2006, the Senate voted 98-0 to reauthorize the bill. Here’s what McConnell said back then.

“America’s history is a story of ever-increasing freedom, hope and opportunity for all. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 represents one of this country’s greatest steps forward in that story. Today I am pleased the Senate reaffirmed that our country must continue its progress towards becoming a society in which every person, of every background, can realize the American dream”

What changed?

1. McConnell had just smoked weed and after eating a large bag of M&M’s was so giddy he couldn’t help himself. Now that he is cold stoned sober he realizes that people do and say stupid things when they are high?
2. Back then it seemed like a good idea to support democracy, but now that the gap between white and non-whites is narrowing, he had second thoughts, as too many of “those people” voting could upset the balance of things.
3. He’ll do anything to have power, and if that means returning us to the era of Jim Crow, then so be it!
4. The federal government is out of control and only the states are competent enough to decide who should vote.

This nefarious game of claiming foul when you are committing the foul is boilerplate Republican chicanery. Just outright change reality. Biden is illegitimate. January 6th was just a boisterous tailgating scene. There is no climate change. The virus is just, meh, even though Republicans in counties that Trump won are dying at alarming rates compared to people in blue states where the rate of vaccination is higher. Reducing child poverty and offering free pre-K to all Americans is socialism.

And then there is Joe Manchin and Kristin Sinema, who have decided that getting rid of the filibuster to ensure voting rights, which will make it possible for democrats to have a fair chance of winning elections, is just not something they can get behind. If I recall, Mitch McConnnell, as Senate Majority leader, carved out a filibuster exemption for Supreme Court nominees. As a result we are stuck with Brett Kavanaugh, Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barret for the next 30 years. It makes you want to scream! Okay, all together now: Aaahhhhh!

So what can we be happy about? How about the people who were part of an orchestrated plot to overturn the election being charged with sedition! Sedition, that’s serious stuff. Finally, the D.O.J is throwing down the gauntlet. Eleven ‘Oath Keepers’, including their fearless leader Stewart Rhodes are accused of recruiting participants, organizing training in paramilitary combat, coordinating travel, teams and logistics and bringing weapons to D.C. in order to carry out the conspiracy. For a dateline account of their actions go to the link below. Reading through it is riveting and frightening as hell. 

Then we have the delicious news that the New York State attorney general, Letitia James, accused Donald J. Trump’s family business of repeatedly misrepresenting the value of its assets to bolster its bottom line, saying in court papers that the company had engaged in “fraudulent or misleading” practices. As a result of James’ declaration Daddy, Jr. and Ivanka may all have to give depositions. Who wants to take odds on whether The Don will throw his kids under the bus if he can? Or maybe they will throw him under the bus?

How about Rudy G. and his co-conspirator legal team being subpoenaed by the January 6th commission for questioning in their effort to use the courts, state legislatures and Congress to try to overturn The Don’s defeat? Rudy G’s antics are well known, but here’s what the other three did.

Jenna Ellis, the committee said, prepared and circulated two memos analyzing the constitutional authority for Mike Pence to reject or delay counting electoral votes from states where The Don’s allies had attempted to arrange for the submission of an alternate slate of electors. Ellis advised that Pence had the authority to not count electoral votes from six states in which the Trump campaign falsely alleged there was widespread fraud.

Sidney Powell was among the leading promoters of some of the most far-fetched and fantastical claims of widespread voter fraud, including a bizarre conspiracy theory alleging a vast plot by China, Venezuela and the financier George Soros to hack into Dominion Voting Systems machines to flip votes away from The Don to Biden. 

Boris Epshteyn reportedly attended planning meetings at the Willard Hotel in the days leading up to Jan. 6, the committee said. The panel, citing reporting from The Guardian, said he also participated in a call with Mr. Trump the morning of Jan. 6 that included a discussion of Mr. Pence’s unwillingness to deny or delay the certification. Guess these folks could face some serious jail time if the D.O.J decides to prosecute them.

A grand jury is being convened by the District Attorney in Fulton County, Georgia investigating whether The Don committed a crime when he asked Brad Raffensperger to find him one more vote than Biden received in the state. They have a tape of him asking him to find the votes. Now that’s what I call a smoking gun!

And to top it off, the Supreme Court voted 8-1 to reject The Don’s appeal to block the release of White House  records requested by the January 6th committee. Could be some smoking guns there that tie The Don directly to planning the insurrection. 

Here’s to hoping!