We previously discussed the controversy over the State of the Union. I view both sides as irresponsible in this dispute. I previously objected to Speaker Nancy Pelosi using a clearly manufactured excuse of security. After Trump confirmed that security was not an issue, Pelosi simply dropped the pretense and disinvited the President. The media was virtually silent about the earlier misrepresentation and misuse of the security rationale. Trump then dropped plans to give the speech and seemed to morph into Jack Nicholson and saying that “Nancy” cannot handle the truth. The problem is that that line was given by a trapped, unhinged perjurer in A Few Good Men. We are left not only without a SOTU but no leader in sight on this issue. Frankly, most of us cannot handle the truth about both parties and their apparent priorities.
Pelosi sent her original letter on January 16 raising security reasons as the only barrier to the SOTU. Once the security rationale was eliminated, she then refused to invite the president due to the shutdown.
Trump responded by saying Pelosi had cancelled the speech “because she doesn’t want to hear the truth . . . She’s afraid of the truth . . . She doesn’t want the American public to see what’s going on.”
Trump later said that he would wait to give the speech on the House floor. It was a smart move. A speech anywhere else would have made Trump look less presidential.
None of this does a thing to end this ridiculous and harmful shutdown. We have now expended more money than what was demanded for the wall. That is the illogical state in which we live as citizens with leaders who act solely for their insular political interests.
“The media was virtually silent about the earlier misrepresentation and misuse of the security rationale.”
Professor Turley, it sounds like you were surprised at the media silence on an issue that is painful to the left. You shouldn’t be. This type of thing happens all the time. Trump just recognized an alternate leader to Maduro something that is totally against Russian interests. I wonder how that will be reported by the press. We are not getting all the important news from the MSM.
President Donald J. Trump, as “…he may, on extraordinary Occasions,…” should “…convene both houses,…” and “…give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union,…” Nancy Pelosi has nullified and violated the Constitution as liberal progressive parasites have done for over 100 years.
“…he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses,…”
Article 2, Section 3
The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army…
He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.
George: where does the Constitution say that the information and recommendations given to Congress must be given personally or in person? The phrase: “from time to time” does not set any certain deadline or specific frequency by which to convey such information. It could be done via radio broadcast or conference call. George Washington gave his via a letter circulated among members of Congress. There is no right for a vainglory personal appearance.
You left out the part that requires both houses of Congress to invite him before he’s allowed to appear in person. I’ll let go for now the requirement of faithfully executing the law.
Please cite the Article and Section of the Constitution which abrogates or overrides Article 2, Section 3, which provides the option to the President to “…convene both Houses,…”
“…he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses,…”
Article 2, Section 3
He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.
STATE OF UNION SUCKS..
AS LONG AS SHUTDOWN PERSISTS
RIGHT-WING MEDIA MUST FIND AN EXIT FOR TRUMP
One has to wonder what Trump imagines he can say to justify this mindless shutdown. Public opinion polls clearly indicate the border wall is a losing issue. According to one poll, 43% of Republicans want to move-on from the wall. What’s more, strong majorities blame Trump for the shutdown. That is especially true among Independents. The polls, in fact, offer ‘no’ encouragement for Trump’s position.
I am hard-pressed to remember an issue where the president doubled-down on such a losing hand. At this point, the entire Federal workforce is turning solidly against Trump. That could spell big trouble even when the shutdown ends. A totally hostile Federal workforce might try very hard to sabotage Trump’s policies between now and the next election. Though it appears that Trump never considered their sentiments.
This shutdown persists for only one reason: ‘right-wing media’. Trump fears if he capitulates (on the wall), right-wing media will condemn him for ‘abandoning his campaign promise’. That, in turn, could alienate what remains of Trump’s base. Such a backlash could indeed play out. But persisting with this shutdown could be more damaging yet.
Right-wing media has to find an exit for Trump. Hannity, Coulter and Limbaugh must offer some cover. They have to spin events in such a way that Trump looks statesmanlike for ending the shutdown. Right-wing media created this crisis, they must take responsibility.
LOL, you are just the type of person Turley refers too. To blindly partisan to even see the truth, much less believe or handle it.
Polls say? Polls say Hillary has a 95% chance of winning!
You are as bad as the media, spreading manufactured poll data.
Before the shutdown, Democrats Boldly said, we won’t vote for any bill that has border wall funding, even though we’ve been voting for it under 3 previous presidents.
The house passed a bill, Schumer proudly said, we won’t vote for that bill, in essence saying, screw everyone, I’m not going to support something I have supported for years!
Who shut down the government, Democrats did. No matter much you and the media try to deflect, the facts remain.
“Right-wing media created this crisis, they must take responsibility.”
While not completely blameless, the almost constant negative, vindictive, leftist media plays no part? LOL!
You must be a shill writer for an activist left wing propaganda outlet.
Boy, JT really framed it well for Trump. The point is, Trump could care less about what his policies will do. Case in point, check out what he said about debt and deficits after he leaves office. Trump wants the spotlight and the applause and the TV cameras tuned on him, so he can tell the nation all is well. And tell business and republicans he has a way to make people work for no pay. And he will get a standing ovation from the right the likes America has never seen before.
LOL, and you can’t see that you are just the type of person Turley refers too, sad, just sad. Scared of the truth, defect and hide under lies.
that that line was given by a trapped, unhinged perjurer.
Who then proceeded to tell the truth about our common life in stark terms, something you won’t do. Soldiers and police officers perform necessary functions. The legal profession is shot through with rent-seekers.
(We used to train lawyers in office apprenticeships. A working lawyer I correspond with had this to say: law schools are set up to train appellate judges, something the vast majority of lawyers will never be. He noted that when he finished law school, he had no idea how to practice law and the senior partner of the firm which hired him looked at him and told him young lawyers are useless. It was his opinion that a year of law school followed by two years in office apprenticeship would be a proper way to train lawyers. So, sir, if we were working smarter, the odds are 2-to-1 that your job would not exist).
Thank you. So TRUE!!!! And add this, a young clueless lawyer can ruin lives as easily and completely as a young clueless Doctor. Why is there no requirement in the Legal profession for a solid 2 years of internship practicing AT LAW?
Is it too much to ask the hallowed halls of Justice and heavily weighed down w/gold Legal Corporations to give back to their Profession in a way that makes it work for instead of parasitizing the very people to which it owe it’s being? (this is not propper English, please excuse 😉
Not speculative….but learned the hard way……
Turley: you’re the one who can’t handle the truth. Just like Hannity and Faux News, you accuse Speaker Pelosi of lying when she initially expressed concerns about security. You assume she knew that even though there is a federal shutdown, that somehow security could nevertheless be provided. Therefore, she’s a conniving liar. Oh, wait. I forgot. That’s right. The priority of this entire nation should be feeding Trump’s ego, so Speaker Pelosi should have known that Nielsen would move heaven and earth to get his fat ass in front of cameras for a free campaign rally to unilaterally spew his rhetoric without having to answer questions like a news conference would require. Just think–Congress being forced to stand and applaud Putin’s lap dog as he proudly swaggers into the House of Representatives with his Slovenian lezzie porn star wife and Pence, the hypocrite in chief. People being forced to listen to him say anything he wants, without interrupting him with pesky questions. How outrageous that this moment of glory has been taken away!
So then Trump claims that security won’t be an issue, but Nancy disinvites him anyway. So, he tries to force her hand–announcing he’s showing up anyway. Many of us were hoping that he’d not back down–that he’d show up to a darkened building with a locked door, or that the Sergeant-at-Arms would bar the door, draw his weapon, and maybe even shoot him as he tried to force his way in for his glorious appearance.
Turley claims that giving the speech in an alternate location would make Trump look less Presidential, and therefore it was “smart’ not to use the Oval Office or campaign ralley. Short of dropping trow and flipping us all off between his chubby legs while we look at his doughy ass and the back of his tiny junk, there’s not much left that Trump can do to look less Presidential. The shut down is about trying to force the American people to pay to fulfill a campaign promise that was nothing more than bluster.
Peolosi did the right thing. Hey, Turley. The government has been SHUT DOWN for an historically long period of time. Federal employees are being forced to work without pay, and are facing eviction, getting their credit rating dinged, borrowing money and going to food pantries just to survive. So, the American people should pay to stage a vainglory appearance for Trump? He should be treated as though we are in normal times, and he’s a valid President, who should be accorded respect? I don’t think so.
“Short of dropping trow and flipping us all off between his chubby legs while we look at his doughy ass and the back of his tiny junk, there’s not much left that Trump can do to look less Presidential.”
This is LOL funny writing. A+
Like I said elsewhere, reading Natacha’s comments is more entertaining than watching an episode of Real Housewives of New Jersey. 😉
And Mark Warner of Virginia is questioning the IRS for recalling half of its staff to handle the tax filing season. He doesn’t want people to receive their refunds during the shutdown. “Inflict as much pain as possible”. These people are despicable. And despicable trolls like Becka G enable them to harm her fellow citizens.
Go back to the Country that supports you in your undermining, Troll……
I live in the suburbs now. You want me to move further out into the country? May I wait until I retire?
Trump says Mexico will pay for your retirement.
Amen, Foxtrot.
No. The public should feel the natural and probable consequences of a petulant, petty tyrant named Trump, who is forcing IRS employees to work without pay, to avoid more of his base abandoning him. Forced servitude to make him look good.
Pelosi, holding the federal workers hostage so that the wall stays unbuilt and the country innundated with more low education migrants. That is some deal for the workers!
Speaking to Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer in the Oval Office, Trump said on December 11, “I am proud to shut down the government for border security, Chuck. … I will take the mantle. I will be the one to shut it down. I’m not going to blame you for it.”
Was Trump lying then, or is Trump lying now?
wait. wait. wait. When did Trump become an “unhinged perjurer?” Lying to the media,and even the American public, is not perjury –notwithstanding that it may be quite harmful and despicable. Show me a politician who hasn’t. Trump does it more because every minute aspect of his extensive past has been challenged.
i think he was refering not to Trump but to the character from the movie with Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FnO3igOkOk
check the movie out its good. “A Few Good Men”
about Gitmo before Camp X Ray
https://twitter.com/CBPArizona/status/1088160469305634816
meanwhile the invasion continues aided and abetted by felonious traitors in the House of Representatives
OMG, we don’t need a wall…maybe we need to be a tad tougher on those AH’s that hire the illegal immigrants to begin with?
I believe Arizona tried that, penalties for hiring people without papers, It failed, because, well business didn’t like it. Dirty little secret is big and little business don’t want a wall.
Trump could’ve had his boondoggle wall the last time Trump shut the government down. The House Freedom Caucus demanded curtailment of the lottery program for asylum seekers from places that Trump, himself, then infamously derided as ‘pit latrine’ countries. Only Trump used a far more off-colorful term than ‘pit-latrine countries’.
I swear. The first thing we need to do is to restore the memory function of our once cognizant nation. Make America Remember Again.
oh, thanks for clarifying that for me,-apologies.
Government_Shutdown If Employees are going to get back pay then they should go to work anyway. Let them get gas / fuel at the white house gas pumps, and any other way WE can think of together to help them. If my employer was having financial issues I would not get back pay!
I agree, and further bring attention to two facts: (1) most federal workers are elogible for unemploymemt benefits from their respective states, and (2) the OVERWHELMING MAJORITY of Americans are non-union, “at-will” employees who could lose their job for good, for bad, or for no reason at all. What made America great was the old European work ethic brought over by the early settlers: woek hard, save your money, PREPARE FOR EMERGENCIES, and don’t make babies that you can’t pay for. I realize there are genuine need situationscreated by the shutdown, but the political stunt of federal workers showing up for free food was smashed across the media even before they would have normally received their first paychecks.
Reminds me of a grade school playground argument, and these people are running the country?
Be glad they are not running the country. As is we may have to use the military to get them out. and sent elsewhere. Where? At this point does it matter.? After all they rejected citizenship and lied when taking their oath of office. Not us. Just think of them as undocumented illegal aliens and save their spaces for some of the more deserving Mexican neighbors. We don’t need yet another century of socialist wars like the last one the progressive regressives gave us.
#Government_Shutdown President Donald Trump just signed bill that guarantees back pay ALL Government Employees who have been furloughed during the partial government shutdown. https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/1/10/18176849/furloughed-federal-employees-back-pay
Big deal they always get that it’s a pro forma part of the song and dance. That money was already approved and provided and paid for three months of the FY so what point is Pelosi trying to make besides she’s an idiot? And don’t forget agree to nothing if Schumer is in on it until your paid in advance.
It’s there turn to pay before playing.
‘their turn’ I keep asking when did the Moocher and Looter Party get so embedded. Answer it was incremental and ‘since 1909′ but we don’t have to keep them we could send them to someplace more to their liking. hmmmm USSR shucks it’s gone twenty some years ago and those folks would have Schmuckley and Peaglowskis’ lunch before it was time for breakfast. hmmmm not a bad idea. If they re-establish serf system we could volunteer our most useless rejects and even pay for the tickets. Anyone giving odds on survival time for the Putz’s?
Back pay someone receives in March or August–whenever–isn’t going to prevent an eviction when rent is due next Thursday.
Did you see where the House twice voted on a bill to pay Federal Employees during the shutdown? But Dems blocked it?
Who wants to “inflict as much pain as possible?” That would be Pelosi.
https://www.dailysignal.com/2019/01/24/house-republicans-have-twice-voted-to-pay-government-employees-during-shutdown/
do you know how much vacation federal workers get? only exceeded by teachers!
regular Americans not on the federal payroll have it a lot tougher.
that article is a week old. Back pay is lovely in the future but not if the banks and landlords forclose on your ass in the now…..I sometimes wonder if our Wealthy elite even know where money comes from and how difficult it is to actually acquire through labor? Do you? Trump seems so removed that he is clueless of the perils he is exposing the decent foundational people of our Country to….
The House of Representatives no longer represents the American People.
Really? So the house does not represent the people, only when republicans are in charge?
Because if that’s what you meant, you are right sir, the last congress did not work for the people, but it worked very well for the top 5%. They got what they wanted, the people as a whole, not so much.
^^^ Paid political asvertisement by George Soros
Networth:
Jared Polis $326M
Mark Warner $258M
Nancy Pelosi $175M
Scott Peters $112M
Nita Lowey $41M
Carolyn B. Maloney $28M
Rosa L. DeLauro $16M
ad nauseam
Hey Fishwings, a lot of those ‘top 5%’ actually hire people and create jobs for workers, right? And so far under Trump, “the people” are actually getting decent jobs — in large part due to Trump’s policies and the Republican’s tax reform (that not one Democrat voted for, btw) and regulation rollbacks.
Jobless claims fell to the lowest level in 49 years. I’d say this is pretty good news for “the people” don’t you think?
“Filings for ‘U.S. unemployment benefits fell last week to the lowest level since 1969, signaling the labor market remains tight despite the partial federal-government shutdown.”
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/us-jobless-claims-fall-to-49-year-low-despite-federal-shutdown/ar-BBSG50W?OCID=ansmsnnews11
What are the Dems doing for “the people” so far? Obstructing Trump? Investigating Trump? Pelosi keeps leaving town to go on vacations, junkets, and to be anywhere but here in Washington, hammering out a solution to the standoff. Yeah, that’s really working “for the people.”
He’s saying the House of Representatives works for their big donors. You know who owns the Democrats right now? Silicon Valley big tech does. That’s who the Democrats are working for. Ask Nancy Pelosi who she is beholden to. It’s not “the people.”
No reqjuirement to give a speech but as a courtesy to the citizens. Pelosi’s copy can be sent by regular mail. The Senate may care to have him use their chamber and probably would have room for the Constutionalists in the House of Representatives to squeeze in but I see no need to worry about the Do Nothing Party. Further think about ha ha ha selling seats to the media at the same price Pelosi charges for committee assignments. Acosta at the half a million level but no advance copies and no questions.
There is no need to be civilized to uncivilized people whose very citizenship is in doubt. Let them eat ethanol.
“A speech anywhere else would have made Trump less presidential”. 😏😊😂
Trump hasn’t exactly demonstrated a lot of concern about previous standards of presidential decorum and etiquette.
I would not eliminate the possibilty that he
shows up and parks in the street in front of Nancy’s DC residence, with a mobile unit, loudspeaker, and an invited entourage to deliver the SOTU address.
Pasha: “The private life is dead – for a man with any manhood.”
Zhivago: “I saw some of your ‘manhood’ on the way at a place called Minsk.”
Pasha: “They were selling horses to the Whites.”
Zhivago: “It seems you’ve burnt the wrong village.”
Pasha: “They always say that, and what does it matter? A village betrays us, a village is burned. The point is made.”
Zhivago: “Your point – their village.”
And the same side is still burning villages. Except their version of Stalin uses Botox
The SOTU is ridiculously obvious. I’m not sure why you think the security issue was pretense….?
To utilize unpaid security teams in this Country is not only slavish but patently irresponsible.
There is no pretense there…..
Illogical is rolling over and giving Trump 5 billion because of a temper tantrum for a wall that actually costs exponentially more than that.
That’s the “just give the kid what he wants to he shuts up” approach.
And what does the kid then do when it wants more candy? It throws another temper tantrum.
I’m surprised you’d imply they should give him his money just so we can move on.
Mr. Santos, I don’t recall your comments against the $11 billion recently gifted to Mexico/Guatemala with little fanfare. So honestly, it’s not about the money, it’s about the man?
More BS, provide proof or STFU.
So what is your business in all of this? Who are you? Anyone important? Or just another pre programmed robo clone?
we need the wall. witness invasion:
https://twitter.com/CBPArizona/status/1088160469305634816
Pelosi is a traitor to the security of our nation
This just proves how corrupt, conceited and irresponsible most of the Congress members and people with long time involvement in government political parties are.
“None of this does a thing to end this ridiculous and harmful shutdown.”
***************************
I see this as the seminal battle of the culture wars. It’s the POTUS representing the will of the American people versus SOH representing the will of illegal immigration. Given the stakes it’s worth a little pain to see who will win. Patriotism demands sacrifice that is neither equally distributed nor unnoticed.
the invasion coyote smuggers are happy the wall here is only 21 feet tall. trump’s would be 30. in any case the funding is urgent and Pelosi is a scoundrel who is aiding and abetting human trafficking, such as this:
https://twitter.com/CBPArizona/status/1088160469305634816
Is being left without a SOTU speech a bad thing?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bAyNXpCOILQ
Blogfen,
Personally, I would miss seeing the SOTU address every bit as much as if I missed watching the curling event in the Olympic; both are “must see”😉events I could not do without.
Are you channeling PCS?
No as most of it in the last decades has been just another campaign speech or the whining of the Menshevik Party. .