The voters elected this vulgar corrupt fool so we are getting what we deserve. If he had lost he would be facing numerous criminal charges and possibly jail. Congress is full of idiots. Again we the people elected them. This damage cannot be repaired. The USA is forever changed.
What comes to mind is the Lawyers' Movement that occured in Pakistan in 2007. Before brushing up on it, I only remember images of rotund men in black suit coats and narrow ties hitting the streets of Pakistan in protest. I found the lawyers' rage was in response to a power grab by then President Musharraf. He attempted to remove Pakistan's chief justice.
Lawyers died in the streets during a lengthy non violent protest. 7 were burnt alive.
Compare our lawyers with that crew and their dedication to the rule of law.
I'm not sure I have this response in the right place. Thanks Susan for bringing up important "labels" these days. You are right to do so as everything has changed, new definitions are in order and I probably should not have used them. I'm not sure how to express the view, but wanted to convey that surveys show now, and historically survey results, have shown that the majority of voters are what was called the "middle". Whatever the label should be, I simply think elected should represent that majority no matter what the party is....if there is a way to do that! Thank you for pointing out that labels need updating or more context.
As a retired president of a foundation and somewhat of a specialist on endowments, I need to disabuse Tom of his characterization of an endowment as a pot you can just dip into to solve all your financial problems. An endowment isn't something an institution creates and puts its savings into, like a savings account. An endowment is money people give to an institution for things the donor wants to give money to. So, for example, if Mr and Mrs Moneybags give $1 million to Columbia for the study of prehistoric Europe, then Columbia is bound by law to use the ACCRUED INTEREST on the $1 million to the Anthropology Department to study prehistoric Europe...usually a professor's salary. It is also bound by law to NOT use it for anything else. Most endowments are comprised of separate funds like this. Only very few institutions have "unrestricted" funds that can be used for whatever the university needs. And then, again, that unrestricted fund cannot be invaded, but the university must use only the accrued interest. If the university is lucky enough to have an Administrative Endowment (most institutions are NOT this lucky) again they can use accrued interest on administrative needs, like lawyers to protect them from evildoers like Trump. Endowments are heavily regulated by the IRS...because they don't really like endowments and, as many people believe, think that money should be spent in the here-and-now. But in any case, the IRS believes the DONOR and his/her wishes are sacrosanct and his wishes must be spent the way they were intended. The university may go to court to change that intent, but they would most likely lose. So, sorry Tom, the endowment won't be able to help institutions like Columbia...unless Columbia is a unicorn.
Awww Eli. My cat Rain likes to lay under my bench when I play our piano. Love your serene pix.
Yes, the capitulation is disheartening, to say the least. Enabling fascist bullies who tell law firms who they can represent, and how to pay out the extortion fees. Universities caving to the fpotus despot as to how they can discipline students, and what to teach about countries with a majority non-White population. Disgusting groveling indeed. And corporate media, ugh. It is astounding how so many groups are allowing this thug to bark orders at what are supposed to be the bulwarks of freedom - the press, universities, the legal institutions. It is sickening how we are being betrayed by not only the authoritarian politicians, but the entities supposedly defending our liberty and freedoms.
I hope karma bites all these traitors, every single one of them. It would be a shame to see every individual involved in these traitorous acts become penniless, and homeless, and scraping for food. Thrown in jail to rot. Ignored, and shunned, and deemed untouchable for the moral rot they espouse. I am angry and bitter and ready to fight these MFers on the streets. Unlike the amoral lawyers, and shameless media moguls, and university appeasers.
And how did appeasement work out for Great Britain before WW2? They still had to fight a long and bloody war - probably more long and more bloody than it might have been if they hadn't tried appeasement in the first place.
I know personally about appeasement. My stepfather was an alcoholic bully. He beat both my older sister and me.
Recently I was talking to my sister and she told me that she used to cry as hard as she could to appeal to his (assumed) "better nature." It never stopped the beating.
I defied him and our mother. He didn't have a better nature. He was a sadist and probably got more enjoyment from the tears.
When Shakespeare said "The first thing we do is kill all the lawyers" in Henry VI it was Dick the Butcher speaking sarcastically. A pretender to the throne, Cade, hoped to destabilize the existing social order.
The line served as recognition that lawyers, by upholding the law and administering justice, are impediments to anarchy.
But I will say Rachel’s comment “This fine mess” made me smile, not the fact that we are definitely in a mess, but the phrasing I haven’t heard for many years.
So well written and explained Charlie - thank you.
Trump today said that all the big law firms "who have been unfair" to him, who fought against his claims of voter fraud and defended prominent Democrats are now apologizing to him, adding "they need to behave."! Hard to believe Paul-Weiss could not see this coming. Once you bow to the bully, it's not over, he owns you and will continue to use you for his purposes.
Is this newsletter supporting anyone besides you? Do you have employees or people that you pay? You always say "us" and "we" - but who is us and we aside from you.
Eli looks exhausted. I don't know if he's dismayed at the capitulation of (most of) big law (with the exception of Williams Connely)....or if he's cringing at the military plans sent over a non-secure communication channel that included a liberal reporter in its chain
Right on, Charlie! If the lawyers cave in to the tyrant, then who is left to defend the innocent?
I love your pooch pictures.
The voters elected this vulgar corrupt fool so we are getting what we deserve. If he had lost he would be facing numerous criminal charges and possibly jail. Congress is full of idiots. Again we the people elected them. This damage cannot be repaired. The USA is forever changed.
What comes to mind is the Lawyers' Movement that occured in Pakistan in 2007. Before brushing up on it, I only remember images of rotund men in black suit coats and narrow ties hitting the streets of Pakistan in protest. I found the lawyers' rage was in response to a power grab by then President Musharraf. He attempted to remove Pakistan's chief justice.
Lawyers died in the streets during a lengthy non violent protest. 7 were burnt alive.
Compare our lawyers with that crew and their dedication to the rule of law.
Kinda sucks.
Susan,
I'm not sure I have this response in the right place. Thanks Susan for bringing up important "labels" these days. You are right to do so as everything has changed, new definitions are in order and I probably should not have used them. I'm not sure how to express the view, but wanted to convey that surveys show now, and historically survey results, have shown that the majority of voters are what was called the "middle". Whatever the label should be, I simply think elected should represent that majority no matter what the party is....if there is a way to do that! Thank you for pointing out that labels need updating or more context.
As a retired president of a foundation and somewhat of a specialist on endowments, I need to disabuse Tom of his characterization of an endowment as a pot you can just dip into to solve all your financial problems. An endowment isn't something an institution creates and puts its savings into, like a savings account. An endowment is money people give to an institution for things the donor wants to give money to. So, for example, if Mr and Mrs Moneybags give $1 million to Columbia for the study of prehistoric Europe, then Columbia is bound by law to use the ACCRUED INTEREST on the $1 million to the Anthropology Department to study prehistoric Europe...usually a professor's salary. It is also bound by law to NOT use it for anything else. Most endowments are comprised of separate funds like this. Only very few institutions have "unrestricted" funds that can be used for whatever the university needs. And then, again, that unrestricted fund cannot be invaded, but the university must use only the accrued interest. If the university is lucky enough to have an Administrative Endowment (most institutions are NOT this lucky) again they can use accrued interest on administrative needs, like lawyers to protect them from evildoers like Trump. Endowments are heavily regulated by the IRS...because they don't really like endowments and, as many people believe, think that money should be spent in the here-and-now. But in any case, the IRS believes the DONOR and his/her wishes are sacrosanct and his wishes must be spent the way they were intended. The university may go to court to change that intent, but they would most likely lose. So, sorry Tom, the endowment won't be able to help institutions like Columbia...unless Columbia is a unicorn.
I started reading this at 2:00AM and finished, all my replies to comments and really have my hackles up now.
Getting ready for the April 5th national protest here in MKE… making signs for our group… gathering ideas, slogans, phrasing. We have some goodies.
We’re going to be heard!!!
Awww Eli. My cat Rain likes to lay under my bench when I play our piano. Love your serene pix.
Yes, the capitulation is disheartening, to say the least. Enabling fascist bullies who tell law firms who they can represent, and how to pay out the extortion fees. Universities caving to the fpotus despot as to how they can discipline students, and what to teach about countries with a majority non-White population. Disgusting groveling indeed. And corporate media, ugh. It is astounding how so many groups are allowing this thug to bark orders at what are supposed to be the bulwarks of freedom - the press, universities, the legal institutions. It is sickening how we are being betrayed by not only the authoritarian politicians, but the entities supposedly defending our liberty and freedoms.
I hope karma bites all these traitors, every single one of them. It would be a shame to see every individual involved in these traitorous acts become penniless, and homeless, and scraping for food. Thrown in jail to rot. Ignored, and shunned, and deemed untouchable for the moral rot they espouse. I am angry and bitter and ready to fight these MFers on the streets. Unlike the amoral lawyers, and shameless media moguls, and university appeasers.
Eli has excellent taste in music 😊
Appeasement. Not to Putin, but to Trump.
And how did appeasement work out for Great Britain before WW2? They still had to fight a long and bloody war - probably more long and more bloody than it might have been if they hadn't tried appeasement in the first place.
I know personally about appeasement. My stepfather was an alcoholic bully. He beat both my older sister and me.
Recently I was talking to my sister and she told me that she used to cry as hard as she could to appeal to his (assumed) "better nature." It never stopped the beating.
I defied him and our mother. He didn't have a better nature. He was a sadist and probably got more enjoyment from the tears.
Nothing is ever won by appeasement.
When Shakespeare said "The first thing we do is kill all the lawyers" in Henry VI it was Dick the Butcher speaking sarcastically. A pretender to the throne, Cade, hoped to destabilize the existing social order.
The line served as recognition that lawyers, by upholding the law and administering justice, are impediments to anarchy.
But I will say Rachel’s comment “This fine mess” made me smile, not the fact that we are definitely in a mess, but the phrasing I haven’t heard for many years.
I love the dog pics, Charlie. I won’t even comment on all the other disheartening and disappointing news. 🤦🏼♀️
So well written and explained Charlie - thank you.
Trump today said that all the big law firms "who have been unfair" to him, who fought against his claims of voter fraud and defended prominent Democrats are now apologizing to him, adding "they need to behave."! Hard to believe Paul-Weiss could not see this coming. Once you bow to the bully, it's not over, he owns you and will continue to use you for his purposes.
Charlie,
Is this newsletter supporting anyone besides you? Do you have employees or people that you pay? You always say "us" and "we" - but who is us and we aside from you.
These things have never ended well but end they do and must
Eli looks exhausted. I don't know if he's dismayed at the capitulation of (most of) big law (with the exception of Williams Connely)....or if he's cringing at the military plans sent over a non-secure communication channel that included a liberal reporter in its chain