43 Comments

What has to happen to invoke the Constitutional prohibition of insurrectionists in office? (all of them)

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Tristan, 45 has done things that are illegal yet judges yield to him and he experiences no consequences. This rewards self-centered, illegal behavior and gives him permission to further implement his self-aggrandizing fantasies. Now he calls the press and many others, "the enemy within." So what happens when he assassinates his first "enemy," as Putin would do? We've got to hold the line somewhere before he begins to act out his annihilation fantasies. Please give us your perspective because this is exactly what happened with Hitler. No one stopped him.

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Good question!

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Your wonderful work is a shining example of what each one of us can do, Tristan. Thank you.

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Can Biden expand the Supreme Court before January 20?

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Tristan, what if a million people signed a petition to Judge Merchan demanding that 45 be sentenced for his 34 felonies? We can't stand idly by while individuals in the justice system FAIL to deliver justice to We The People. We're ALL suffering because no one in authority is using that authority to protect us from a sociopathic, vindictive man with no conscience. I suggest that we exercise creative, non-violent, self-assertion and give Judge Merchan a HUGE display of support for meting out the limits and the consequences that everyone in a democracy should feel when they behave in an illegal, anti-social manner. How do you feel about this? Not what do you think...how do you FEEL?

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This from WHYY(PBS/NPR) - Manhattan prosecutors told Merchan they want to find a way forward that balances “the competing interests” of the jury’s verdict and trump’s responsibilities as president.

They can opt to delay sentencing until trump leaves office, or order a new trial after he leaves office, or dismiss the indictment entirely.

Remember that sentencing probably won’t be a prison sentence.

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This personally makes me sick. It's just another rationalization by another segment of society regarding why they can't stand up for the rule of law because of feeling personally intimidated.

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I am waiting for the “home searches” and mass deportations to start. I am not Hispanic (Scottish/German here) but if you grabbed me on the street I couldn’t prove that I’m a citizen! I don’t carry my passport or birth certificate around on my person! The absolute terror and panic that these insane plans will cause can’t even be imagined! Not to mention the price increases on just about everything. I hope that those who voted for this dystopia suffer greatly for their choice. I know the rest of us will.

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Hi Tristan, thank you for your excellent newsletters. My understanding is that the Equal Rights Amendment has been ratified by all 50 states and it’s just awaiting Biden finalizing it and sending it to the archivist. Am I wrong about this? Why on earth will he not move forward with this? This is something very easy that he could do before leaving office.

Also, while Biden still has these 2 months before the inauguration, can he do something to secure the jobs of civil servants so that Trump and his cronies are not able to do a clean sweep? Are there any other executive orders that he could implement that would keep everything from falling apart once Trump takes over?

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Janet, It only needed to be ratified by 3/4 of the states, or 38. That amount was achieved but I think there's an issue regarding how long after the deadline that occurred. I'm getting somewhat confusing info. online. 'll call the White House comment line but it would be great if some journalist would ask that question at the next press briefing.

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Thank you.

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The ERA WAS RATIFIED?!?!

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Since when did this happen?????

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I’m sure it was-finally; finally being the operative word here. If memory serves, there is or was a time limit on its passage. The last state to ratify it though was well outside that time limit.

Google this to be sure. I’m eating lunch and depending on my memory 😊💙.

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Thank you Tristen always thoughtful. I do suspect that his picks are extreme and if/when they don’t pass, a less extreme one will pass and normalize once again the outer boundaries. He won’t get everything he wants but will push the boundaries anyway, emboldened by the 7x24 projection about “landslide” and “mandate”

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I agree.

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Good morning. My wife and I are in our late 60's and over the years, we have watched in horror as our elections have de-volved into a shit show with all the allowable disinformation and dark money. There is no truth in advertising in our presidential elections and with all the pac's out there, we have no idea where money is coming from. We believe that the Supreme Court, which is currently lead by and full of hacks made a grave mistake allowing corporations to be people and there by contribute to elections. And then there are the outright lies and disinformation in political ads. Both of these have resulted in the election of Trump. I've read that many people are having buyers remorse with voting for an all republican ticket this year. I believe that this is the result of all the dark money and disinformation-al ads.. This needs to be fixed and sooner than later!

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This Q/A is so helpful. Thank you!

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Also if anyone is interested start following Indivisible (resistance).

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Yes, and join your local chapter!

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This is not so much a question as it is a comment. There are so many things going sideways right now not the least of which is Elon’s presence. The Supreme Court has made many questionable decisions, among them the Citizen’s United case that allows players like Elon and major benefactors to have an outsized voice in government. I realize this is likely to remain the law of the land for years to come with the hard right majority in control, but now our government is openly for sale to the highest bidder. It has been a series of decisions by the courts that has paved the way for the likes of Trump: Voting Rights, gerrymandering and Roberts’ stated “fact” that racism isn’t a factor anymore to name a couple. We are under assault not only from the Executive branch, but the Judicial as well. The Legislative branch seems to have people more concerned with their “jobs” than with stamping their claim as a co-equal branch. I won’t go into any more, but I see the Court and their decisions that has allowed Trump to happen.

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Why isn't more being done to investigate the possibility of the election being stolen?

https://substack.com/@spoonamore/note/p-151721941

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Can we place any hope in the professionals working in our government that their knowledge and experience can shield our freedoms and rights from the potentially harmful decisions of Trump and his appointees?

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This was very informative. Thank you

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What is the rationale for a “hiatus” of NIH research into Infectious diseases for 8 years by RFK Jr? Do you think this would be approved?

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Please explain the speech and debate clause. What does it actually mean for elected officials who are currently in office?

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