OMG, I keep telling myself “things can’t get worse” when it comes to the Supreme Court, well, I keep getting proven wrong. During the past week Justice Samuel Alito has been found to have been flying flags at both his DC home and at his “beach house” which imply he’s part of the MAGA movement – if there was any doubt before these things were made public. At his home he was flying an American flag upside down which is the “stop the steal” public statement of those Trump supporters (flying it between Jan. 6th and Jan. 20th in solidarity with the INSURRECTIONISTS) who firmly believe the 2020 election was “stolen.” The flag flying at his beach house was the symbol of “Christian nationalism” seen (usually) by Trump’s white nationalist base. There were probably a dozen or so of these flags in the assault on the Capitol.
Worse, Alito was apparently flying that “Appeal to Heaven” flag for a period of months – apparently his neighbors were worried about the blow-back if they reported it. There are photos of the flag flying during three separate months. Of course, we (those of us paying attention) already knew Alito – along with Clarence Thomas (whose wife was involved in the INSURRECTION) – was neck deep in Trump’s attempt to overturn our constitutional system of laws. They’ve been busy, right out in the open, in an attempt to “turn back the clock” on RIGHTS “we the people” have come to take for granted. We’re going to find out between now and November how many Americans take their rights for granted to the point of losing them.
Hyperbole? I think not. All you have to do is listen to Trump’s actual words and watch those who are his sycophants and you should be on HIGH alert. Of course, if you’re a member of Trump’s CULT (like, apparently, Alito and Thomas) you might be “giddy” at this point because there’s no way in any “normal” time in American history (save for the pre Civil War days) where our republic has been so under assault. And, speaking of the “Civil War” – trust me on this one – there’s a significant number of those “citizens among us” who are chomping on the bit for the second Civil War. It’s just that some are more subtle than others. Marjorie Taylor Greene just comes out and says it (wanting “red states” to succeed from the “Union”) while the neo-Nazi’s are much more covert – but, if a non “social media” person like me can find these discussions on the internet, well…..
The “right” in America has been working toward this end for the last (at least) 50 years and they are “playing chess” while the rest of us are playing “checkers.” Controlling the courts is a KEY to their strategy because these Judicial appointments are for the lifetime of the Judge. That’s why Thomas has been there over 30 years and will remain there for at least another 4 years unless Trump somehow CHEATS his way back into the “White House.” Alito hasn’t been there that long (around 20 years) but, if Trump “wins” they’ll both retire so YOUNGER judges can be appointed to replace them. It’s all part of the scheme.
Personally, I was devastated back in the 2000 election when the SCOTUS chose to decide the election – of course – in the favor of George W Bush and Dick Cheney. The history of that choice SHOULD still be clear in the minds of the American voters – but, as some have suggested, MANY of America’s voters have amnesia. (The reality is a bunch of them are, well, not too smart – sorry, that’s just the reality) Republicans are expert at appealing to these – what some people call – “low information voters.” Trump famously was quoted as saying “I love my uneducated voters.” Full stop!
Since Bush v Gore we’ve been saddled with “Citizen’s United v Federal Election Commission” which unleashed a TORRENT of dark money into our elections – from the grass roots all the way to the top. I’ve pointed out here numerous times the “foundation” of fascism is a government/corporate partnership. In America, we are often fed the “Russian Oligarch” “thing” – but, when you think about it, America has so many MORE “Oligarchs” than the Russians that it’s not even a contest. Here’s the definition of “Oligarch:” “A member of a small governing faction.” There are more detailed definitions, but that is it “in a nut shell.”
Think of all the Wall Street Billionaires who are funneling money to politicians – mostly republicans – by the MILLIONS. Do you really believe they want nothing for that money. For heaven’s sake, Trump is just coming out and OFFERING “quo” in “quid pro quo” to the oil barons in our nation. Here’s what he ACTUALLY said to them “Give $1 BILLION to my campaign to help me get re-elected and I’ll reverse ALL of Joe Biden’s “green” initiatives.” They’ll be able to, as Trump puts it, “drill baby drill.”
And, of course, these Billionaires aren’t just sitting in the background now that they have a 6 – 3 majority on the SCOTUS. Harlan Crowe has allegedly lavished HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of gifts upon Clarence Thomas – none of it reported. That doesn’t even include the value of him purchasing Thomas’s Mom’s home and then allowing her to live in it rent free OR the $250 THOUSAND motor home which was, for all intents and purposes GIVEN to Thomas by a different BILLIONAIRE. According to the records I’ve found Alito has ONLY taken one ($100,000) freebie trip sponsored by none other than Leonard Leo – the man MOSTLY responsible for the right wingers on the SCOTUS as I’m writing this. Seriously, TWO certain votes for, say, calling the INSURRECTION a “normal tourist visit” is difficult to overcome.
So, we’re depending on Alito and Thomas to be “non-partisan” as they decide whether or not Donald Trump has “absolute immunity” and, I don’t know about you, but my confidence level on that one is, well, ZERO. Neither SHOULD be able to even sit on the cases let alone participate in the deciding vote. If you listened to the arguments of the (absurd) case, you heard both Alito and Thomas asking questions about any thing BUT the case which was brought before them. (I have to say Kavanaugh and Roberts weren’t much better, if at all)
My prediction has been the Court will “throw” this case back to the district court on some kind of “imagined” technicality for Judge Chutkin to decide and then the appeal process will start all over again. Think this court isn’t in Trump’s “back pocket?” Well, Jack Smith attempted to get them to take the case in December of 2023 and they refused. The DC Circuit made what most people called a “bullet proof” opinion denying Trump’s ludicrous claim. THEN, the court decided to take the case and they set oral arguments for the LAST day of this year’s term – something like 90 days after it was put on the docket. This isn’t subtle.
To: “We the people” – and, I’m talking especially to all the young impressionable Americans who are justifiably upset with what Netanyahu is doing in GAZA. First, there’s not much President Biden can do to force Netanyahu to “back off.” He’s just as corrupt as Trump and, as I’ve said from the start of Israel’s response to October 7th, he’ll drag this out indefinitely because once the “war” is over, Netanyahu will likely be voted OUT and he’ll be facing the corruption charges he’s been avoiding for the last few years. Secondly, there’s a PLETHORA of issues which will affect America’s young people (and America’s women) on this year’s ballot. Getting tricked into voting for a third party is a “fool’s errand.” It’s going to be EITHER President Biden or corrupt (sleepy) Donald Trump.
The COURT is an issue which will HAUNT “we the people” if Trump is allowed to put more (younger) right wing hacks on it – that’s a paramount issue which would be at the top of the heap in any other year. But, how about the Climate crisis? Trump doesn’t believe in it (or he’s too STUPID to understand) Women’s health issues? Republicans are even going after contraception. I listened to Trump being questioned about laws affecting contraception and it seemed clear he didn’t understand the question. Just the same he dithered in a way suggesting he had some kind of plan to limit it. How about Voting Rights. The Roberts Court (with Alito at the forefront) has effectively GUTTED Section Five of the 1965 Voting Rights Act which people like MLK Jr. and John Lewis (and many others) risked their lives to get passed during the administration of LBJ. How about affordable education.
President Biden is attempting to find ways to “forgive” student loan debt for MILLIONS of Americans and republicans are trying to BLOCK him at every turn. Marjorie Taylor Greene said something like “they borrowed the money they should be forced to pay it all back.” Of course, Ms. Greene took out approximately $200,000 of PPP loans during the pandemic – loans which were COMPLETELY forgiven. I’ll let you decide: Is that a classic example of republican hypocrisy? Help with Childcare? Biden and the democrats are pushing for re-upping the “Child Care Tax Credit” which was significant for around HALF of America’s children living in poverty. Republicans have been blocking that! The list goes on and on – but America’s young people have a real stake in voting for democrats – this year and for as long as it takes to purge the right wing bent of this SCOTUS. Once that’s been accomplished, maybe we’ll have political parties which can work together for the benefit of the American people.
I know people who – when I criticize Trump – say, I’d rather have that than Biden’s “socialism.” I immediately think – “too much Fox ‘news'” Biden and the democrats, in his first two years were INCREDIBLY successful in making significant INVESTMENTS in the American people. That, of course, included the Child Tax Credit mentioned above, until republicans refused to extend the pandemic relief bill democrats passed shortly after Biden took office. But, there’s lot’s more. Trump had “infrastructure week” (over and over ) while Biden got a BIPARTISAN infrastructure bill passed – freeing up something like $1TRILLION for needed repairs of existing infrastructure and expansion of utilities (like high speed internet) into rural areas, etc. etc.
I read yesterday how Ted Cruz (of Texas) is now touting the infrastructure bill as if he had ANYTHING to do with it. (Texas is apparently getting $30 BILLION for their state’s projects) Of course, what Cruz won’t talk about as he’s cutting the ribbon for an important project is that he voted AGAINST the bill. About two thirds of republicans in the Senate voted AGAINST it and a higher percentage in the House. Biden got this through with a Senate split 50/50 democrats/republicans and Nancy Pelosi had the SAME margin of a majority in the House as the republicans did at the beginning of this term – where the ONLY way they’ve accomplished ANYTHING is by seeking democrats to vote with them (actually, like it should be)
Kevin McCarthy was voted out as speaker because he worked with democrats to prevent the nation from defaulting on its debt. The new speaker – Mike Johnson – would have suffered the same fate except the democrats came to his rescue in order to hold out hope something MIGHT get done which benefits the American people before this House term comes to an end. Apparently, right wing members in the House don’t understand that by working with democrats to actually pass useful legislation they would likely remain in control of the House. To me, kind of fundamental. (But along with many others I feel people like MT Greene, Paul Gosar, Lauren Boebert, Matt Gaetz, and many more are simply “mental.” (The Senate has a few “doozies” as well)
Final Thought: As usual, once I start writing about this “stuff” I can’t seem to stop and I’m too lazy to play out what I want to say ahead of time. I guess I’m comfortable with “off the cuff.” The main point here tonight is that even considering ALL the issues which are paramount in this upcoming election – and, there are MANY – in my opinion, when you think of the “long term” there’s nothing MORE important than preventing republicans from putting more wack jobs on the SCOTUS.
As we observe the CORRUPTION of Sam Alito and Clarence Thomas we SHOULD be seriously ALARMED. If they are replaced by younger right wing judges “we the people” will be facing YEARS of “turning back the clock” issues coming out of the court. Just the FACT they are even considering the ABSURD claim a president has “absolute immunity” should say it all. And, KNOWING that two out of nine judges are apparently willing to subjugate their own authority to a POTUS is astonishing and alarming. Just by taking Trump’s appeal, they are saying a president “might” (in certain circumstances) be “above the law.” Nonsense!
I have to add: Trump’s lawyer claimed a president COULD have “Seal Team 6” assassinate a political opponent and without being IMPEACHED and CONVICTED (by the Senate) he/she would be “above the law.” They would have “absolute immunity.” Here’s the irony. When Trump found out that the Search Warrant for Mar a Lago included a standard form of the “rules” of using lethal force by FBI agents he made the OUTRAGEOUS claim President Biden wanted him to be murdered – by the FBI. (Of course the same “rules” were part of the search of Biden’s home when he discovered he had classified documents from when he was VP) I thought, maybe the court will OK this while there’s still time in Biden’s term. Just sayin…. (Or should I say “Just thinkin….) Stay tuned………..