Monday Reading

As always, please go to the links for the full articles/ op- eds.

David Von Drehle goes over the history of "Don" Trump's mob associations:

Walter Isaacson and Evan Thomas titled their classic group portrait of Harry S. Truman’s foreign policy team, “The Wise Men.” A book about Donald Trump’s associations might be called “The Wise Guys.” [snip] 

If it seems harsh to compare [Paul] Manafort to a mobster, take it up with President Trump, who got the ball rolling with a tweet before the trial began. “Looking back at history, who was treated worse, [Al] Capone, legendary mob boss . . . or Paul Manafort?” Trump mused. 

And the president ought to know: He has spent plenty of time in mobbed-up milieus. As many journalists have documented — the late Wayne Barrett and decorated investigator David Cay Johnston most deeply — Trump’s trail was blazed through one business after another notorious for corruption by organized crime.

Construction, gambling, boxing promotion, luxury real estate:  Trump's mob associations lace through all his businesses, and as Von Drehle notes, is he acting like he's clean?

Dana Milbank looks at the attempt by the likes of Rep. Devin Nunes and his fellow co- conspirators to impeach Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, and the shrinking cast of those who might serve as impeachment managers:

The House Republicans are ideally positioned to sit in judgment of Rosenstein because of their own unimpeachable conduct. So above reproach are they that one of their first votes after swearing in was an attempt to kill the House ethics office. [snip] 

Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Tex.), an obvious candidate, resigned over his use of public funds to settle a sexual-harassment lawsuit. 

Rep. Pat Meehan (R-Pa.), another ideal choice, resigned after word got out of a sexual-harassment settlement with a staffer the married congressman called his “soul mate.” 

Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Pa.) also can’t be of use. He resigned over allegations that he urged his mistress to seek an abortion. 

Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) likewise won’t be available. He quit when a former aide alleged that he offered her $5 million to have his child as a surrogate.

And the list goes on.  That's just since 2017.

Am the media is learning?

The Boston Globe has been contacting newspaper editorial boards and proposing a "coordinated response" to President Trump's escalating "enemy of the people" rhetoric. 

"We propose to publish an editorial on August 16 on the dangers of the administration's assault on the press and ask others to commit to publishing their own editorials on the same date," The Globe said in its pitch to fellow papers. 

The effort began just a few days ago. 

As of Saturday, "we have more than 100 publications signed up, and I expect that number to grow in the coming days," Marjorie Pritchard, the Globe's deputy editorial page editor, told CNN. 

The American Society of News Editors, the New England Newspaper and Press Association and other groups have helped her spread the word. 

"The response has been overwhelming," Pritchard said. "We have some big newspapers, but the majority are from smaller markets, all enthusiastic about standing up to Trump's assault on journalism."

One day is ... "nice."  Maybe they should consider actions that are not just one- shot wonders to make them feel bold and "relevant," like clearly pointing out in daily reporting what's not normal, what's an outright lie, what's a racist/ sexist/ etc. statement, and so on. That'll really make you bold and relevant, not just feel that way for a day. (Meanwhile, some in the media remain deliberately obtuse -- et tu, CNN?!)

Infidel 753 discusses "Britain's Trump" (and it's not who you might think) and a resurgent sickness in Europe:

For some time now the Labour party has had what is euphemistically described as a "problem" with anti-Semitism, in the form of recurring eruptions of anti-Jewish rhetoric and imagery which then have to be frantically denied, repudiated, or minimized by the leadership -- oddly reminiscent of the "problem" of eruptions of racism in the Republican party here.  [Labour leader Jeremy] Corbyn insists he isn't anti-Semitic, but his attendance at a ceremony honoring members of gangs dedicated to murdering Israeli civilians (and sometimes non-Israeli Jews as well), and some of his other rhetoric, speak for themselves.  The similarity with Trump's frequent verbal "dog whistles" is disturbing.

Many progressives, including us, have significant issues with some of the policies of the right- wing government of Bibi Netanyahu and his Likudniks. What must never happen is for that to bleed into sick anti- Israel/ anti- Semitic bigotry. Ever.

Speaking of Infidel, his link round- up is waiting for you here. Links to lots of interesting topics and discussions for the discerning reader (you!).