Lazy Saturday Reads: The Constitution Protects Us From Trump
Posted: October 22, 2016 Filed under: morning reads, U.S. Politics | Tags: 2016 presidential campaign, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton 35 Comments
Good Morning!!
We’re living in a strange, chaotic world. As usual, I don’t know where to begin with all the craziness, so I’m going to open with the story of a wild car crash in Delaware County, Indiana, where I grew up. Two young guys were racing their souped up cars side by side on a country road near Albany, Indiana when they hit a railroad crossing and suddenly went airborne.
After landing 75 feet from the crossing, one of the cars — a four-door, 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by 18-year-old Grant Christopher of Parker City — veered off the edge of the road, struck a mailbox, returned to the road and sideswiped the other car, a four-door, 2016 Chevrolet Malibu driven by Darrian Lee, 20, of Albany, according to police.
Both cars then skidded into the yard of a residence, one smashing a wooden-barrel flower container, the other knocking over a tree. The cars then skidded into another residential yard, where Christopher struck a parked pickup truck, after which his vehicle and the pickup truck tore down a fence, police say. If you have unresolved issue such as unpaid parking tickets, speeding or red light violations. Check out maryland car registration renewal and learn more.
Meanwhile, Lee’s vehicle struck a horse trailer parked in a yard, damaging the trailer’s axles and body, before spinning into the side of a van parked in the driveway. The last thing Lee’s car hit was the corner of a pole barn.
No one was hurt.
I guess they must have been wearing seat belts.
Am I nuts, or could that dramatic crash be a metaphor for what’s happening right now in this crazy election campaign? We’re living through a chaotic period in which one of the candidates is an authoritarian populist psychopath and pathological liar who has blatantly encouraged racism, xenophobia, and misogyny among his followers for the past year-and-a-half. The other candidate is the first woman in history with a serious chance to become President of the U.S.–a candidate with 30 years of experience in public service and the brains and talent to be a great world leader who has been forced to spend much of her time educating the electorate about the dangers of a Trump presidency.
There has been lots of talk lately about what will happen if the ignorant, neo-fascist candidate Donald Trump refuses to accept the results of the November 8 election.
Will his followers–who have already demonstrated their willingness to be violent and threatening against anyone who disagrees with them–take to the streets in protest? Will Trump be able to weaponize his large following to delegitimize a President Hillary Clinton as he tried to delegitimize Barack Obama, the first African American president?
Or will the election build to a crescendo and end with a noisy crash that does some serious damage, but leaves our republic essentially unhurt–protected by a metaphorical seat belt, the U.S. Constitution?
I’m hoping for and expecting the second possible outcome. I have to thank Lawrence O’Donnell for that confidence. Last night he said he hopes Trump does not concede because it won’t matter. O’Donnell also predicted that Trump fans won’t violently revolt if he loses, because they know he has lied to them repeatedly; they will realize that he has been using them for his own purposes. Here’s O’Donnell’s argument.
If Trump refuses to accept the outcome of the election, he will only look like a sore loser and a fool. There is no need for him to concede; his lack of concession would only be one more bit of evidence that he has no respect for the norms of our democracy.
McClatchyDC: Whether Trump would concede an election loss doesn’t matter legally.
Though considered an essential act to foster a peaceful post-election political transition of power, concessions by losing candidates are a formality – not a legal requirement.
“Just saying the words ‘I concede’ have no legal effect,” said Richard Hasen, founding co-editor of the Election Journal and author of the Election Law Blog. “What would have a legal effect is if he filed for a recount or do some sort of election contest.”
“In short, we don’t have a constitutional crisis on our hands if we don’t have a gracious concession on election night, even if the result appears a blowout,” Edward “Ned” Foley, author of “Ballot Battles: The History of Disputed Elections in the United States,” wrote on his blog last Friday.
Still, Trump laying out the possibility of not accepting the results is unnerving, Hasen and other election analysts said, because it threatens a smooth transition and could help delegitimize a Clinton presidency in the eyes of Trump’s ardent followers.
Possibly. But that would happen regardless. We’ve already gone through 8 years of Republicans treating Barack Obama as if he’s not a legitimate president; why should we be surprised if they continue that behavior under our first woman president? That is all the more reason why they need to be soundly defeated so that Hillary Clinton will have a Democratic majority in the Senate–and maybe even in the House.
Politico on October 17: Democrats dream the unthinkable: Speaker Pelosi.
As Donald Trump’s poll numbers tank, dragging the whole GOP down with him, the possibility that Pelosi could return to the speaker’s chair after a six-year absence has suddenly grown very real. No one has done anything like this since the legendary Sam Rayburn did 60 years ago, and it is still unlikely to happen. Yet the House is definitely in play, according to experts on both sides of the aisle, which means the 76-year-old Pelosi could be wielding the speaker’s gavel again come January.
It would be a stunning, almost unthinkable, triumph for Pelosi. Democrats lost 63 seats in 2010, and many thought Pelosi would — or should — retire. But the California lawmaker hung on. Democrats won seats in 2012 as President Barack Obama was reelected, but then were wiped out again in 2014. House Republicans amassed their biggest majority in 80 years, and there was open grumbling from some rank-and-file lawmakers about whether Pelosi should step aside for a younger leader who could bring Democrats back to the promised land.
Pelosi resisted. She saw Republicans oust John Boehner last year and replace him with Paul Ryan, 30 years her junior. Watching the rise of Trump, she started saying months ago that Democrats could take the House. No one really believed her, seeing her comments as just ritualistic posturing by a political leader trying to rally her troops.
Yet now, with less than four weeks to go, Democrats are suddenly hopeful they can pick up the 30 seats they need to recapture the majority.
“It’s no longer, ‘Can we fight to win the House?'” said House Democratic Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra of California. “It’s, ‘Can [Republicans] fight to keep from losing the House?’”
Let’s make it so. We can end the GOP obstruction in Congress and continue down the road toward greater freedom and inclusiveness, toward greater autonomy for women. We can fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court, along with Court Reporters from Naegeli, with a qualified candidate. We can stop the GOP war on voting rights. Yes we can! With Hillary at the helm, we can continue the work of the first African American president and move on down the road to even greater horizons for our country.
More news, links only
NYT: Hackers Used New Weapons to Disrupt Major Websites Across U.S.
Defense One: Denying Trump’s Denial, US Intel Chief Says There’s More Evidence of Russian Hacking.
Kurt Eichenwald at Newsweek: How I Got Slimed by Russian Propagandist Site Sputnik.
NYT: Hillary Clinton Makes Pitch for Mandate and a Swing-State Sweep.
NPR: At Al Smith Dinner, Donald Trump Turns Friendly Roast Into 3-Alarm Fire.
WaPo: Donald Trump is in a funk: Bitter, hoarse and pondering, ‘If I lose. . .’
WaPo: Antiabortion activists face headwinds with Clinton leading and Trump stumbling on women’s issues.
Bloomberg: Clinton Campaign Ponders ‘What If’ Trump Doesn’t Concede.
Don’t miss this one from The Cut: These Teen Girls Are Giving Donald Trump a Piece of Their Mind.
Raw Story: Damaged brand: New Trump hotels will no longer bear his name.
What else is happening? Please post your thoughts and links in the comment thread, and have a terrific weekend!
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I really like Malcolm Nance.
Me too.
Here’s a great one for you from Tabatha Southey. It’s sure to cheer you up. And Happy Daughterweddingday, Dak!!
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/donald-trump-concludes-his-lord-of-the-whinge-debate-trilogy/article32470623/
Ditto Dak, have a super great DAY!
Hillary Clinton Stays Undefeated Against the Alpha Males
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/10/22/hillary-clinton-stays-undefeated-against-the-alpha-males.html?via=desktop&source=twitter
Cheers and best wishes to the mother of the bride! Dak, I hope you and your family have a wonderful day!
I second that.
Try not to outshine the bride, Dak!
“We’ve already gone through 8 years of Republicans treating Barack Obama as if he’s not a legitimate president; why should we be surprised if they continue that behavior under our first woman president? That is all the more reason why they need to be soundly defeated so that Hillary Clinton will have a Democratic majority in the Senate–and maybe even in the House.”
I’ve been thinking about how Paul Ryan can get rid of that faction of his party that forces him to yield to all reason. I know Ryan is also a piece of work, but the TeaParty/Trumpsters are making his job difficult and continuing to make his party look like a bunch of incompetent fools. If we win the Senate, which looks more likely by the day, I think it will be important to Ryan’s future to cooperate with Hillary on legislation that will benefit them both. John Boehner was so terrified of the TP faction that he folded at every turn, even during times he wanted to compromise. In order for Ryan to be an effective Speaker he cannot follow the Boehner model. If we can turn enough House Seats Ryan can likely muster enough votes from the Republicans that follow his lead to get some work done. If Ryan fails he can kiss his POTUS aspirations goodbye. The smart thing for Ryan to do is to build his resume as a Speaker who actually gets things done so that he has something to challenge Hillary with in 2020 or 2024. All of those bright, shining, up and coming Republican stars have now been reduced to rubble by Donald Trump. The only one remaining who isn’t thoroughly damaged by Trump is Ryan. He needs to see the way out and take it. It will be his last chance.
I received an email from a dear friend whom I cannot discuss politics with since she is a rabid Republican. She’s a nursing professional and highly respected in her field. So when I received her email I was appalled. She did not write it, but did pass it along and apparently this is going around on the internet and they are encouraging people to post it in their facebook account. Totally irresponsible.
The email reads: ““While discussing late-term abortions during Wednesday’s debate, Hillary Clinton said, “The kinds of cases that fall at the end of pregnancy are often the most heartbreaking, painful decisions for families to make. I have met with women who have, toward the end of their pregnancy, get the worst news one could get that their health is in jeopardy if they continue to carry to term …”
As a nurse with many years of labor and delivery experience, I must correct the bold lie being told and believed since Hillary’s response is being touted by not only liberal rag sites but other mainstream sources, showing their complete ignorance on the issue.
First, late-term abortions are sometimes referred to as post-viability abortions. That’s important because viability means the fetus is able to live outside the womb. So, at any time after 24 weeks gestation, which is considered the “point of viability,” a baby can be delivered to save the mother while also allowing the child a chance to live. During a late-term abortion, the child is still delivered, only it’s delivered dead rather than alive after the infant has been killed.
As a nurse, I want to be absolutely clear: If a mother’s life is in danger at any time after 24 weeks, let alone in the 9th month, the infant can be delivered via c-section to save the mother. The infant is given a chance at life. It does not need to be killed to save the mother. Never in the 9th month would that ever be a thought for most healthcare professionals. That’s not healthcare. That’s murder.”
There is more, including terrible graphics of the process. If any of you are healthcare professionals I can use some help defining a reasonable response to this as I’m sure there will be more of them.
“During a late-term abortion, the child is still delivered, only it’s delivered dead rather than alive after the infant has been killed.”
Your friend wants to believe this because she is wrapped up in the fear mongering that is the delusional right wingnuts. She is also never allowed herself to know and understand the reasons for last trimester abortion, which is extremely rare.
You might want to share this article with your friend.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/tarahaelle/2016/10/20/no-late-term-abortions-dont-rip-babies-out-of-wombs-but-they-are-needed/#53c1a8c11bc4
1.3% of abortions, I read, are done after the 21st week. 80% of those are because of fetus abnormality, death, etc. the rest are for the life of the mother, or other. A 9 month abortion is usually a C-section. Is this a correct summation, medics?
And Joanelle, my daughter is PhD Nurse who runs one of the largest hospitals in the U.S. She called me after the last debate to beat up on Donald Trump for the “ripping them out of the womb at 9 months” comment. She was outraged. Sorry you’ve basically lost a friend over this election. I’ve also lost a friend, but I have no regrets because anyone who would vote for Donald Trump I don’t want to be friends with anyway. I guess being gay taught me a great lesson in walking away from those who deal in shaming, blaming and condemnation of others, especially those who then proclaim to “love”.
I’ve been an Obstetrician for almost 30 years and I’ve never had a patient ask for a late term abortion. One patient had anencephaly diagnosed at 30 weeks(before routine ultrasound was done). She chose an early induction of labor as the baby had no chance of survival. Any woman with severe late term health problems such as severe pre-eclampsia would have delivery, C/S or vaginal, depending on the situation. I have seen babies as early as 24 weeks survive without significant sequelae.
I wish politicians would stay out of things they know nothing about. The rhetoric on both sides is very sensational and often inaccurate.
……..after the infant has been killed. There are many fetal anomalies, and this nurse knows damn well that if not cared for properly, mothers risk certain death, at all stages. It sounds like this nurse is blaming the mother for losing her baby, calling her a murderer. They can’t leave a fetus inside, that creates toxicity, and infection, and high risk for blood clotting. Bleeding can cause organs to rupture. Yes, stillborn babies can be removed by way of a C-section. There are other causes, like ectopic pregnancies, and diabetics. Let’s remember she is a nurse, not a Doctor.
True that Fannie.
The infant is “killed” by nature, not doctors. In most of these cases, the fetus is unlikely to live more than a short time or is already dead; and often the mother’s life is in danger.
Yes. It baffles and infuriates me that anyone working in healthcare doesn’t look at the evidence!
Thank you so much for your responses, Mouse & Fannie, valuable information. After two miscarriages and one perfectly live birth my doctor told me that my fourth pregnancy would have to be terminated because the baby had not developed properly and that little life had ended. We were heartbroken but knew what the consequences would be.
The broad Republican stance on abortion is not defensible.
And Joanelle, if your friend is a nurse she should also know that a c-section is a more dangerous procedure because it is surgery and for a woman whose health is already compromised the risk may be too great. Also there is a point in the process when the fetus gets too far down the birth canal and cannot be removed via c-section.
Childbirth is more dangerous for the mother than is a surgical — or medical — abortion!
I’ve come to believe that she’s become more republican than nurse.
Approximately 50% of all conceptions end in spontaneous abortion, aka “miscarriage,” because of problems which are incompatible with life. Most of those are early on, and some no worse than a heavy menstrual period. But they are very common. If the fetus doesn’t develop right, Nature tries to slough off the products of conception, and clean things out. Meanwhile, humans are imagining an infant, and of course any parent wants their baby to be perfect, but the world doesn’t work that way. If Nature wasn’t successful in letting the might-have-been-a-baby bleed away, we need to surgically intervene for the health of the mother.
Republicans need to stay the hell out of bedrooms, clinic rooms, and our personal lives!
There are also physicians — I won’t say “doctor,” since “doctor” comes from the Latin for “to teach” and anyone with a doctoral degree in any field is by definition a doctor — who promulgate the bullshit that Trump spouts about abortion. But the nurse in your story is probably one of those who doesn’t get flu shots either and who believes her abusive pastor rather than the evidence.
What really bothered me about the email is the fact that she got it through the internet, making me wonder how many others with absolutely little or no knowledge about healthcare also got and believe it
It strikes me as odd that we’re all up in arms over the Donald’s unwillingness to concede defeat on November 8. In this, too, he’s just a Republican. Those reprobates have never accepted the legitimacy of Obama’s two wins and, for that matter, they never respected Bill Clinton’s tenure and legitimacy either.
Exactly my point.
And a point well made!
I guess what I find most mind blowing is that, while lying is as natural to Trump as breathing, he’s the most honest representation of the Republican Party since Eisenhower.
Agreed. Everything out of his mouth is 30 years of rote, abeit disgustingly presented.
I got a message from a childhood friend who now lives in NC. She voted this morning and said she didn’t expect it to be so emotional, but she got choked up casting her ballot. She said she and her husband arrived at 7:45 am at the polling place which opened at 8:30. She said she finally got to vote at 9:30am and when she was leaving the line was huge. I think this election is going to be historic in many different ways. I’m thinking turnout is going to be very very big.
We voted early on Thursday. The polling place was packed and the line out the door. It took about an hour to vote which is very unusual here for early voting. I spent my time in line trying to gauge voters. I’d say most of them were Trump voters although I did see a couple of sisters, several AA’s and a Hispanic couple who had a camera and asked someone in line to take their picture. I know my state will stay red, but I hope enough Hillary voters show up to narrow the margin.
An really tired of the surrogates. I have no words for Kellyanne. Am listening to her and am speechless. Delusional and dangerous.
Anyone working for Trump would have to be that way. The self-delusion — or mercenary drive — must be immense.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/05/30/exclusive-former-wikileaks-employee-james-ball-describes-working-with-julian-assange.html?via=desktop&source=twitter