Mid-Week Song

 

ICYMI, New Zealand's star singer-songwriter Lorde debuted her new song "Stoned at the Nail Salon" on Seth Meyers' late night show. The song, with backing vocals from Phoebe Bridgers and Clairo and guitar by Jack Antonoff, is a low-key, folk-tinged tune reflecting on maturing in life.

"Well, my hot blood's been burning for so many summers now, It's time to cool it down, wherever that leads, 'Cause all the beautiful girls, they will fade like the roses, And all the times they will change, it'll all come around. I don't know, Maybe I'm stoned at the nail salon, Maybe I'm just stoned at the nail salon again"

Trump-Endorsed Candidate Loses In Texas

 

Yes, it was a Republicans- only runoff, and yes, the opponent ran a terrible campaign, and yes, a one- off election doesn't make a trend.  But...

Voters in North Texas rebuked former president Donald Trump on Tuesday, electing state Rep. Jake Ellzey to a vacant seat in Congress after Trump endorsed a rival Republican candidate.

Ellzey, a Navy veteran who ran on border security and stopping the Democrats’ congressional agenda, defeated Susan Wright, the widow of Rep. Ron Wright, whose death this year after contracting the coronavirus created a vacancy in Texas’s 6th Congressional District. Although Ellzey did not criticize Trump during the campaign, his allies suggested that the former president made a mistake by endorsing a first-time candidate who struggled to raise money and held few campaign events.

Ellzey declared victory two hours after the polls closed, shortly before the Associated Press projected him as the winner. He told supporters that voters had wanted “a positive outlook, a Reagan Republican outlook for the future of our country” despite a blizzard of negative ads.

Ellzey is a garden variety Republican obstructionist/ reactionary, and that's what the voters in that deep red district wanted.  It's notable, though, that he describes himself not as a Trump Republican, but as a Reagan Republican (remember that guy?).  Also notable, it's not the first time a Trump- endorsed candidate has lost, but again, this is in a heavily Republican district one would expect would be in lockstep with the wishes of their cult leader.

Of course, we applaud any sign that all might not be well in The Cult, and that their leader's grip might be weakening, if only slightly.  With his incessant focus on the Big Lie, the ongoing reminder that he attempted a violent coup to remain in office, plus Republican anti- vax rhetoric backlashing in the face of a pandemic of the unvaccinated, Republicans in local races will have a hard time running on the "positive outlook" that Ellzey said his voters wanted.  

#ETTD.

"Gym" Jordan Ducks Question About Talk With Trump

 

Rabid Trumper, pedophile protector and material witness in the January 6 insurrection Rep. Jim "Gym" Jordan squirmed when asked about conversations he had with the mentally unstable former guy during the Capitol insurrection. He tried to deflect to the latest Sedition Caucus' absurd talking point that Speaker Nancy Pelosi was responsible for the riot, but failed (warning: Fox "News" clip):

In a long rambling answer, Jim Jordan admits he talked to Trump on January 6th. When asked what they discussed, Jordan changes the subject to the Speaker and security posture pic.twitter.com/n6sLuudNoX

— Acyn (@Acyn) July 27, 2021

In the weeks leading up to the insurrection, Jordan was making speeches across the country spreading the "Big Lie" that Trump was cheated out of the election, stirring up crowds to "stop the steal." The House Committee investigating the insurrection is likely to call Jordan and his co-conspirators to testify under oath about his role.

The Sedition Caucus is on the run (literally) especially after yesterday's devastating testimony from four police officers about the brutal attack on January 6 by Trump's domestic terrorists. No one except their delusional cult members are buying the obvious diversion from the truth. 

BONUS: Yesterday, in a House Rules Committee meeting after the testimony from police officers about the January 6 violent insurrection, the great Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) confronted despicable Trumpist dead-ender Rep. Andrew Clyde (Insurrection-GA) about his statement that the rioters were like "tourists."  Keep confronting each member of the Sedition Caucus.

Pic Of The Day -- Thin Blue Line Testifies

 

(click on image to enlarge)

(Photo: from left, Sgt. Aquilino Gonell of the U.S. Capitol Police, Officer Michael Fanone of the D.C. Metropolitan Police, Officer Daniel Hodges of the D.C. Metropolitan Police and Private First Class Harry Dunn of the U.S. Capitol Police are sworn in to testify before the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on U.S. Capitol on Tuesday/ Jim LoScalzo, Getty)

Poll: Republicans "Uneasy" About Their Party's Future

 

A new Associated Press / NORC Center for Public Affairs Research has some troubling news for Republican / GQP politicians: 

"Fewer than half of Republicans, 41%, say they are optimistic about the GOP’s future. Just 13% say they are 'very' optimistic. And one third, 33%, say they are pessimistic.

Just a few seats shy of majorities in the House and the Senate, Republican leaders hope they are within striking distance of retaking control of Congress in next year’s midterm elections. But the findings about the party’s lukewarm optimism could be an early warning sign of lagging enthusiasm among Republican voters, particularly without Trump on the ballot after he helped lift congressional candidates in 2020."  (our emphasis)

Two thirds of Republicans predictably say that President Biden wasn't legitimately elected, swallowing the "Big Lie" spread by the corrupt and mentally unstable former guy. Among all Republicans, 47% say the former guy should have a lot of influence over the GQP.

As far as the general public is concerned, 60% of the public has an unfavorable opinion of the former guy, while 76% of Republicans have a favorable view of him, which tells that you any notion of dealing with them is fantasy and why their uneasiness needs to be made real.

Tweets Of The Day -- The Insurrection Investigation, Day 1

 

Officers recount their experiences --

 

Fanone: "I thought about using my firearm ... But I knew if I did, I'd be quickly overwhelmed & in their minds that would provide them w/the justification for killing me. So instead I decided to appeal to any humanity they might have. I said as loud as I could, 'I've got kids'" pic.twitter.com/8xpq6cfOWB

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 27, 2021

 

"The mob of terrorists were shouting 'heave, ho' and they pushed their way forward. A man in front of me grabbed my baton ... he bashed me in the face and head with it ... I did the only thing I could do and screamed for help" -- Officer Hodges pic.twitter.com/NwpDcPEKnx

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 27, 2021

 

"There are some who express outrage when someone kneels while calling for social justice. Where are those same people expressing the outrage to condemn the violent attack on law enforcement, the Capitol and our American democracy? I'm still waiting for them" -- Sgt Gonell pic.twitter.com/pIs57xyd9z

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 27, 2021

Officer Dunn: "I told them to just leave the Capitol, and in response they yelled, 'no man, this is our house. President Trump invited us here. We're here to stop the steal.'"

He goes on to detail how crowd yelled racial slurs at him. pic.twitter.com/NYZDPPKg0t

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 27, 2021

 

As we hear the powerful stories from officers on Jan 6 can’t help but think of the entire USCP force, including those that lost their lives as a result of that day.

As you walk around the Capitol today officers are glued to the hearing, watching their colleagues testify. pic.twitter.com/ljw2Br7tk3

— Haley Talbot (@haleytalbotnbc) July 27, 2021

 

Typical reactions from typical smarmy Trumpanzees (who "back the blue" as long they're beating up peaceful protesters);  fuck 'em all  --

 

Crisis actor Fanone just beat on the table and said it’s “disgraceful!” that any elected official denies his narrative of what happened on January 6.

Calls it an “insurrection.” Blasting GOP lawmakers. Now says this isn’t about politics, lol.

He has many tattoos.

— Julie Kelly 🇺🇸 (@julie_kelly2) July 27, 2021

 

In preparation for his performance today, they plied him with estrogen and West Wing re-runs. https://t.co/zN17fpuczn

— David Reaboi, Late Republic Nonsense (@davereaboi) July 27, 2021

 

Is there really a Capitol Hill Police Officer crying about hurty words live on national television right now?

Fucking whole world is laughing at this shit.

— Raheem J. Kassam (@RaheemKassam) July 27, 2021

 

Elise Stefanik is a sociopath.

She has no fixed morality, no principles other than to seek power for herself.

That makes her a perfect fit among her many sociopathic colleagues. https://t.co/bG3dZpfSdS

— The Hoarse Whisperer (@TheRealHoarse) July 27, 2021

 

Last words (for now) --

 

Officer Dunn: "Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger are being lauded as courageous heroes. And while I agree with that notion, why? Because they told the truth? Why is telling the truth hard? I guess in this America, it is." pic.twitter.com/CeBD6kHl7P

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 27, 2021

Sorry, as I listen to Capitol Police officers talk about the insurrection—being attacked by hammers, crushed by rioters, losing eyes—I keep coming back to Rep. Andrew Clyde comparing it to a "normal tourist visit" and the absolute depravity it'd take to make that statement.

— Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) July 27, 2021

 

 

Today's Cartoons

 

(click on images to enlarge)

(Clay Bennett, Chattanooga Times Free Press)

(Ed Hall, Artizans.com)

(Jack Ohman, Sacramento Bee)

(Mike Smith, Las Vegas Sun)

(Mike Luckovich, Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

(John Deering, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)

(Gary Markstein, gocomics.com)

(Jeff Stahler, gocomics.com)

(Bob Englehart, caglecartoons.com)

(Dave Granlund, politicalcartoons.com)

(John Cole, Scranton Times-Tribune, PA)

(Will McPhail, The New Yorker)

Quotes Of The Day: Insurrection Investigation

 

From Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), one of only two Republicans on the House Committee investigating the January 6 insurrection:

"Their goal was to subvert America’s democratic process — and their means to this end was brute force and violent assaults on the men and women of the Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police Department.

"How did this happen? Why? Who spurred this effort? Was it organized? When did our government leaders know of the impending attacks and what were their responses? What level of preparation or warnings did our law enforcement have? Was there coordination between the rioters and any members of Congress, or with staff?"

From the Washington Post editorial board, also offering questions to be answered:

"Top of the list is precisely what then-President Donald Trump did before, during and after the attack. How did he prepare his speech preceding the insurrection, in which he told the crowd to fight? What did he anticipate his audience’s reaction would be? When did he know the pro-Trump mob was threatening the Capitol? Why did he offer only mild statements long after the danger was clear? Did Trump-affiliated rally organizers coordinate with extremist groups? Answering such questions calls for subpoenaing former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows; Mr. Trump’s daughter Ivanka and her husband, White House senior adviser Jared Kushner; and other White House aides with useful information."

From committee chairman Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) on the committee's scope:

"This hearing is just the beginning of the select committee’s work; when it comes to the security of the Capitol — and our democracy — nothing will be off-limits. We will do what is necessary to understand what happened, why and how. And we will make recommendations to help ensure it never happens again. We owe it to the country we love to provide the answers that the American people deserve."

The hearings began this morning with a trenchant video overview of that day's violence, statements from Committee Chair Rep. Benny Thompson (D-MS) and Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY),  and testimony from four police officers who were subjected to vicious assaults by the Trumpist domestic terrorists. There's so much ground to cover in the investigation Dems need to be well prepared, and it's fortunate that they've got two of the best at fact finding on the Committee: Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA).

 

A "Hot Take" On The News

 

Stephen Colbert presents "Hot Take" (which looks a lot like a Fox "News" segment, except with cartoon characters -- wait, so it's exactly the same), plus a lot of tongue- in- cheek "commentary" from James Carville.

Tweets Of The Day

 

The Republican platform --

 

GOP 2022 platform appears to be: No to Vaccines, Yes to Insurrections and fuck your new bridge repairs https://t.co/W03H31lVtf via @TPM

— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) July 26, 2021

 

Depolarization for thee, not for me! --

 

wHy iS AMeRIcA so polariZed? pic.twitter.com/F4kIOmdHc5

— Molly Jong-Fast (@MollyJongFast) July 26, 2021

 

Here's depolarization expert Ben Shapiro two days ago in the New York Post. https://t.co/zzIOSsWGZW https://t.co/VjLwcxWNaq pic.twitter.com/1EZLcNwZaF

— Christopher Ingraham (@_cingraham) July 26, 2021

 

Tracking down the insurrectionists:  "Trump asked me and my mommy to come" --

 

ANOTHER ARREST: Feds have charged Antony Vo of Indiana in Jan 6 case

Court documents say Vo is seen inside Capitol with his mother & posted on social media: "President [Trump] asked me to be here tomorrow so I am with my mom LOL" pic.twitter.com/gNShPko4x8

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) July 26, 2021

More of this, please (since the Trumpers don't want them) --

 

Today, the United States delivered 1.5 million Moderna vaccine doses to Tajikistan. As close partners in security and health, we are working together to vaccinate more people, save lives, and end the pandemic globally. pic.twitter.com/f0CZSTy1UN

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) July 26, 2021

Theories from Trumpist tin foil hatters (Come clean, Joe; you too, Tyler!) --

the new Trump diehard theory is that Joe Biden was repelled from entering 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue by "the military" on inauguration day and has been living in an 80% replica scale model of the White House on Tyler Perry's Atlanta estate. pic.twitter.com/uK7QUFRInl

— K. Thor Jensen (@kthorjensen) July 26, 2021

 

Yukon gold --

 

Let your heart feel great, and give your lips a chance to smile! This will make you feel good. From the pristine waters of the Yukon, I am sending joy, hope and positivity across Canada and to the world.
YouTube: https://t.co/XLDVzFNnrS pic.twitter.com/FgxUVh4VD5

— Gurdeep Pandher of the Yukon (@GurdeepPandher) July 26, 2021

 

 

January 6 Insurrection Hearings Begin Tomorrow

The House committee investigating the January 6 insurrection will hold its first hearing tomorrow morning. One of the things it will do is play a new video of the domestic terrorists who threatened to overturn the election that day (frankly, it would be hard to beat the New York Times' 40 minute video of the events of that day, which should be entered into the official committee record). They'll also hear testimony from U.S. Capitol and Metropolitan DC police about what they witnessed that day. Thus far, only two Republicans have accepted Speaker Pelosi's offer to serve on the committee: Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, and Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger. Other Republican members are either in the Trump cult tank, or they're too intimidated to serve with those two.

Earlier today, "never Trumper" former Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA) was on CNN proposing actions that the Speaker could take to undermine cowardly seditionist Rep. Kevin McCarthy's efforts to torpedo the committee:

"'I think if Nancy Pelosi is smart about this, she'll invite back the three [Republicans] who Kevin McCarthy removed from the committee and, if they don't join, she'll seek three more Republicans like [Reps.] Peter Meijer (R-MI), Fred Upton (R-MI) or others or Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA). That is what I would do.

"Finally the thing I would do -- I would do to make sure this is fairly balanced -- I would give Kinzinger and Cheney all of the time of the Republicans. If there are only two, give them the time of the other three so this looks more balanced.  And I think this is smart of Kinzinger and Cheney; hopefully give this committee a better feeling of credibility to the American public.'"

The three Representatives that Dent listed voted for accepting the Electoral College results when the matter came up in the House of Representatives, but wouldn't be nearly as strong as Cheney and Kinzinger in keeping the spotlight on Trump and his insurrectionist cult. 

(photo: Peaceful Trumpers touring the Capitol on January 6. Kent Nishimura / Getty Images)

Today's Cartoons

 

(click on images to enlarge)

(John Buss, @repeat1968)

(Dave Whamond, caglecartoons.com)

(Ann Telnaes, Washington Post)

(Jimmy Margulies, jimmymargulies.com)

(Darrin Bell, comicskingdom.com)

(Marc Murphy, Louisville Courier-Journal)

(Guy Parsons, caglecartoons.com)

 

(Peter Steiner, @plsteiner)

 

Return Flynn To Active Duty And Court Marshal Him

We don't claim to know what tripped the switch in dangerously unhinged retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn's fevered mind to turn him into a Kremlin serving, insurrection supporting, lowIQAnon faithful, but it must have been potent. President Obama famously cautioned the malignant former guy not to hire Flynn as National Security Advisor, given his foreign entanglements and other compromising facts. Aside for being a convicted felon for lying to the FBI about his secret contacts with the Russian Ambassador to the U.S., Flynn recently suggested that a Myanmar-style coup should happen here, and participated in a ceremony where he pledged allegiance to the warped and sinister QAnon cult. 

Flynn again stepped over the line on July 16 when accepting a military-style weapon from a right-wing Trumpist "church" -- ironically named "Church of Glad Tidings" -- saying "maybe I'll find someone in Washington, D.C." to the applause and laughter from the audience. The implicit threat to shoot "someone" (e.g., President Biden or Speaker Nancy Pelosi) should be taken seriously, not that Flynn has the stomach to do it, but someone in that audience or listening to him might.

There are legal issues involved in enforcing the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) on a retired military officer (see here and here), but Flynn's increasingly violent messaging needs to be addressed somehow. Allowing him to hide behind his civilian First Amendment rights while collecting a fat military pension is unconscionable. Veterans groups line VoteVets.org have called for his court martial.  He's voiced what his cult leader wishes would happen: a violent "coup" against the Government. If that's not promoting sedition, contempt toward officials, and conduct unbecoming an officer, then there's no justice under the UCMJ.

(photo: George Frey / Getty Images)

 

Monday Reading

 

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

Michele Norris writes about why we must teach about "the haters and helpers" in our history:

When a former federal marshal named Al Butler died almost a decade ago, he asked his wife to spread his ashes in front of an elementary school in New Orleans where he protected Black children as they tried to integrate all-White schools. He made this request because, he said, it was the most important work of his life. And he wanted people to always remember.

I thought of Butler recently when a group called Moms for Liberty tried to shut down the use of a curriculum in Williamson County, Tenn., that includes an autobiography by Ruby Bridges. As a 6-year-old in 1960, Bridges became an international symbol of the civil rights movement, and one of the first Black children to integrate New Orleans schools.

The Tennessee Moms argue that her book, “Ruby Bridges Goes to School: My True Story,” contains too many truths that cut too close to the bone. The mothers find the story objectionable, citing a description of a “large crowd of angry white people who didn’t want Black children in a white school.” They say that’s too negative a rendering of a moment that is well documented in books, film and photography. [snip]

Students need to learn the full story — the haters and the helpers — and years from now, looking back on this moment too, they should know that a group of hesitant scolds tried to keep America’s schools from addressing the forces of racial bias and white supremacy that have shaped almost every aspect of American life.

Their effort to sweep away an uncomfortable history is like trying to step out from under the sky. Go ahead and try. In the end, you can’t escape.

We left out the main parts of the story about Al Butler, a white Federal marshal, and Ruby Bridges, at 6 years old one of the first to integrate a New Orleans elementary school.  You should read about these helpers and the past and present haters who want to erase their history.

ProPublica reports on the shockingly low vaccination rate -- even at this late date -- at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities:

Nursing homes faced a shocking mortality rate during the pandemic. In the U.S., COVID-19 killed more than 133,000 residents and nearly 2,000 staff members between May 31, 2020 and this July 4, according to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reports. The true toll is thought to be even higher as data gathering lagged in the early months of the crisis, health experts say.

Working in a nursing home became one of the “most dangerous jobs” in America in 2020, according to an analysis of work-related deaths by Scientific American.

Yet seven months after the first vaccines became available to medical professionals, only 59% of staff at the nation’s nursing homes and other long-term care facilities are fully or partially vaccinated — with eight states reporting an average rate of less than half, according to CMS data updated last week.

The excuses of the unvaccinated mirror those in the general population, and are especially found in states that voted for the malignant former guy.  If it's a condition of employment at some retail stores, it sure as hell should be a condition of employment at these care facilities for a vulnerable population.

Speaking of vaccines, you've doubtless heard or read about the "disinformation dozen" -- the dozen worst propagators of misinformation about the COVID vaccines.  Sheera Frenkel profiles the # 1 worst:

The article that appeared online on Feb. 9 began with a seemingly innocuous question about the legal definition of vaccines. Then over its next 3,400 words, it declared coronavirus vaccines were “a medical fraud” and said the injections did not prevent infections, provide immunity or stop transmission of the disease.

Instead, the article claimed, the shots “alter your genetic coding, turning you into a viral protein factory that has no off-switch.”

Its assertions were easily disprovable. No matter. Over the next few hours, the article was translated from English into Spanish and Polish. It appeared on dozens of blogs and was picked up by anti-vaccination activists, who repeated the false claims online. The article also made its way to Facebook, where it reached 400,000 people, according to data from CrowdTangle, a Facebook-owned tool.

The entire effort traced back to one person: Joseph Mercola.

Dr. Mercola, 67, an osteopathic physician in Cape Coral, Fla., has long been a subject of criticism and government regulatory actions for his promotion of unproven or unapproved treatments. But most recently, he has become the chief spreader of coronavirus misinformation online, according to researchers.

You can read about all 12 of the "disinformation dozen" here.  Facebook and other platforms have been put on notice, but yada yada Zuckerberg. 

There have been several articles from right- wing gaslighters and projectors lately scolding progressives for not treating the concerns and fee- fees of snowflake Trumpers with sufficient respect (!).  Digby responds with a visual reminder of who we're dealing with -- attire on sale at a recent Trump Loserpalooza in Arizona:

Yeah, sure, we'll ease up on the knuckle- dragging snowflakes!

Finally, please take some time to visit Infidel 753's link round-up of interesting posts from around the Internet. As usual, he's taken the time to curate dozens of links of varying topics that he found interesting -- and doubtless you will too.

Across The Universe, Cont.

 

(click on image to enlarge)

From NASA/ESA, July 19, 2021:  The centre of this image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope is framed by the tell-tale arcs that result from strong gravitational lensing, a striking astronomical phenomenon which can warp, magnify, or even duplicate the appearance of distant galaxies. 

Gravitational lensing occurs when light from a distant galaxy is subtly distorted by the gravitational pull of an intervening astronomical object. In this case, the relatively nearby galaxy cluster MACSJ0138.0-2155 has lensed a significantly more distant quiescent galaxy — a slumbering giant known as MRG-M0138 which has run out of the gas required to form new stars and is located 10 billion light years away. Astronomers can use gravitational lensing as a natural magnifying glass, allowing them to inspect objects like distant quiescent galaxies which would usually be too difficult for even Hubble to resolve.

This image was made using observations from eight different infrared filters spread across two of Hubble’s most advanced astronomical instruments: the Advanced Camera for Surveys and the Wide Field Camera 3. These instruments were installed by astronauts during the final two servicing missions to Hubble, and provide astronomers with superbly detailed observations across a large area of sky and a wide range of wavelengths.

Credit:  ESA/Hubble & NASA, A. Newman, M. Akhshik, K. Whitaker