The Supreme Court voted 5-4 to allow the sentencing of President-elect Donald Trump to go forward today. The bare majority was secured when Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett voted with their liberal colleagues, Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson. However, part of the rationale for the decision was that Acting New York Justice Juan Merchan indicated that he was going to issue an unconditional discharge without any jail or probation. The question is whether Merchan could pull a bait-and-switch and decide to impose punishment. It is highly unlikely but intriguing.
President-elect Donald Trump struck the right note and declined to criticize the Court. He simply stated that “This is a long way from finished and I respect the court’s opinion.”
Some of us predicted this result and specifically noted that Chief Justice Roberts would not want to issue a stay. Roberts prefers regular order and, like many jurists, prefers for cases to be finalized to allow for a complete appellate review. They tend to oppose interlocutory appeals for that reason.
In his earlier order, Merchan discussed various options and only said “an unconditional discharge appears to be the most viable solution to ensure finality and allow Defendant to pursue his appellate options.”
That is where some of us said that this case would land after the conviction. After the election, such a sentence became all but certain. It is the only option that would avoid the constitutional problems — and likely reversal — for Merchan.
The majority took that as a done deal and noted that the President-elect would not have to attend in person and would not face any punishment. The Court may believe that it has sealed Merchan’s suggestion in legal amber. There is little likelihood that Merchan will depart from the course, but could he?
The answer is probably yes. The Supreme Court did not issue a conditional order that the sentencing is allowed if it is unconditional.
That makes this notably informal. Defendants are allowed to address the court before sentencing and no sentence is finalized until the sentencing hearing. What if Trump came in and expressed open contempt for Merchan and mocked the case? Some judges might take such an allocution moment to increase punishment. Merchan could threaten contempt but that increasing punishment would go against the operating assumption of the Court’s 5-4 decision.
The Supreme Court decision itself does not order Merchan to issue an unconditional discharge. It simply treats it as a done deal.
It is not as a legal matter, but it is as a practical matter.
Today, we will see the ignoble end to a raw form of lawfare by one of its most committed warriors. After millions in costs and years of litigation, it will result in no punishment. What the left will get is the labeling of Trump as a convicted felon, a fact that will then be repeated like a mantra by the media. Merchan can be expected to add to that rhetoric with punishment soundbites, as he has in the past.
However, the result shows how this case was more inflated than the Goodyear blimp. It will be punishment by soundbite in a case based on a ridiculous criminal theory. He will be sentenced without our even knowing what jurors concluded happened in the case since Merchan did not require them to agree on the specific motivation or purpose of underlying acts.
The benefit for President Trump is that he can finally appeal this case. While expectations are low for the New York court system which failed to prevent the political weaponization of its criminal justice system, it can now be reviewed in its totality and eventually go back the United States Supreme Court.
Trump can appeal the conviction through the NY state appellate process and then, if necessary, to the US Supreme Court. In my opinion, Trump is likely to prevail on his appeal because , among other things, the charges do not state a felony under applicable law, the jury selection process was fatally biased, the trial court did not let Trump present his case on the election law issue, the prosecutor never stated how Trump should have accounted for the non-disclosure payments, accounting for the non-disclosure payments as a legal expense was proper, and the trial court did not require the jury to agree unanimously on the alleged underlying crime.
This is war!
Proclamation 80—Calling Forth the Militia and Convening an Extra Session of Congress
“On April 15, 1861,…President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation calling forth the state militias, to the sum of 75,000 troops, in order to suppress the rebellion. He appealed ‘to all loyal citizens to favor, facilitate, and aid this effort to maintain the honor, the integrity, and the existence of our National Union.’”
Proclamation 92—Warning to Rebel Sympathizers
“[On] July 17, 1862,…I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do hereby proclaim to and warn all persons within the contemplation of said sixth section to cease participating in, aiding, countenancing, or abetting the existing rebellion or any rebellion against the Government of the United States and to return to their proper allegiance to the United States on pain of the forfeitures and seizures as within and by said sixth section provided.”
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Now President Donald J. Trump MUST pull a full “Lincoln” and impose martial law, close the border, prosecute a war against the communist rebellion without a formal declaration, shred the Communist Manifesto and irrevocably extirpate all principles of communism in America, implement the “manifest tenor” of the Constitution and Bill of Rights including absolute freedom, absolute free enterprise, absolute free markets, and absolute private property including a fully constitutional dearth of taxation and regulation, eliminate the Departments of Labor, Education, Agriculture, Energy, HUD, and EPA, issue the “Deportation Proclamation” deporting all illegal aliens, past and present, including those who illegally pursued citizenship as criminal border crossers and “asylum” seekers who all made false and fraudulent claims of phantom, nonexistent persecution as foreign citizens with no U.S. rights, establish coherent voter qualifications by State legislatures per the Constitution, declare English the sole official language of the United States, suspend habeas corpus, smash opposition printing presses, networks, podcasts, social media platforms, etc., and throw anyone and everyone who opposes him in prison to Save the Union until America is placed squarely back on the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
SCOTUS got it right.
You have to consider the issue.
Merchan tied his own hands in denying earlier motions to set aside the verdict and to dismiss the case.
So the only thing Merchan could do was to sentence Trump to no jail time.
Without passing sentence, Trump couldn’t appeal the case. Its in this appeal that the courts could find that Merchan put his fist on the scale, along w the initial charges by Bragg and both conspired to violate Trump’s constitutional rights.
Its Election interference, but setting that charge aside, its a violation: 18 U.S. Code § 241 – Conspiracy against rights.
Here’s the kicker.
The evidence to overturn the conviction will come out in the appeal, and its that evidence can be used for 18 USC 241 charges.
Mechan’s defense would be that he couldn’t be held responsible because he was doing his job as a judge. Now while there is a bit of latitude, the issue is that he knew or should have known that his actions not only were violating his judicial canons, but also that his decisions and jury instructions were also improper.
A reasonable jury would find him guilty because there is a pattern of decisions that were improper.
Now all of this can move forward.
And for Trump, it has to.
Post the conviction being overturned… To stop further abuses of the law, these perps need to be held accountable.
-G
Michael Gumby, your take is way off. You can’t go around saying there’s election interference when Trump’s lawyers didn’t back it up with any proof. They just tossed around the idea of interference without any solid evidence. Sure, Trump can try to take his case to the Supreme Court, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to happen quickly. Sotomayor has the power to turn down the appeal herself since she handles cases from New York.
Trump’s going to be sworn in as a convicted felon. Merchan and the prosecutors can’t be prosecuted either because of qualified immunity.
A lot of Trump supporters are out for revenge, but they don’t get that public opinion doesn’t change what the law says. A jury found him guilty across the board, and the judge wrapped it up with a sentence.
Honestly, Trump’s arguments against the sentencing were just as ridiculous as his defense during the trial. That’s why he couldn’t convince the jury he was innocent.
“There are no extraordinary men…just extraordinary circumstances that ordinary men are forced to deal with.”
– Admiral William Bull Frederick Halsey Jr.
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“Extreme remedies are very appropriate for extreme diseases.”
– Hippocrates
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The singular American failure is the judicial branch, with emphasis on the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court today refused to correct the abject extirpation of law by “lawfare.”
The Supreme Court refused its opportunity to amend a massive chasm in the American system of justice and governance—the corruption and anarchy of antithetical, covetous, and power-hungry communists, juxtaposed with the desire for autonomy, sovereignty, and liberty of once-free constitutional Americans.
It was known and expected that the executive and legislative branches would “overreach,” and it was designed that the judicial branch would remedy those aberrations and place America squarely back on the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
The entire communist American welfare state is antithetical and unconstitutional and must have been struck down from the outset.
The maximal freedom concept of the American Founders will soon be gone with the wind, never to return.
The singular American failure is the judicial branch, with emphasis on the Supreme Court.
And, the California Democrat Follies continue! I found this on Free Republic-
“Those 60 engines sent yesterday to the Cali fires are not on the fire lines…yet.
https://opb.org/article/2025/01/08/oregon-sending-crews-help-battle-los-angeles-area-wildfires/
They’ve been ordered to submit to a DOT inspection in Sacramento that’s scheduled for 4:30 pm today.
If they clear the inspection, they’ll THEN be able to drive 400 miles to Pacific Palisades.
Talk about “looking a gift horse in the mouth.”
Then, on the way home, they get inspected again, and if they get red tagged, it’s “fix it before you can return.”
Does liberal stupidity know no bounds?
https://x.com/LarsLarsonShow/status/1877411906224533676
Floyd, your article says no such thing. Why lie?
Lars ultra MAGA is spreading BS.
George, you said – “Floyd, your article says no such thing.”
I am most certain that you, as a Democrat, see no Folly whatsoever, in holding up 60 firetrucks for a DOT inspection, while your city is burning down around you. This has happened before –
The article you posted didn’t say anything about holding up 60 trucks.
Judge Merchan tried, convicted, and sentenced himself.
Judge Merchan could impose no tangible penalties because there were no tangible charges against Trump.
The vacuous sentence by Judge Merchan proves his partiality and complicity in acts of corruption, usurpation, and abuse of power as political “lawfare.”
Judge Merchan had no concern for the effects of a penalty; he had concern only for the potential political effect of his acts of “lawfare.”
Judge Merchan failed to defeat President Trump in the 2024 election, which was his intent as a participant in the anti-Trump “lawfare” conspiracy.
Judge Merchan’s partial, political, and corrupt acts assisted President Trump in winning the election.
Judge Merchan tried, convicted, and sentenced himself.
* shouldn’t the scotus have restricted their decision to the arguments presented and not have included Merchan’s messaging? By leaving it to Merchan the scotus gave Merchan the opportunity to dismiss the case. Merchan chose to do the next best thing by sentencing absolutely nothing signaling there is no crime.
DJT is not a convicted felon until the process is completed by appeals. He’s still the accused and isn’t everyone in prison on appeal after appeal? It will be overturned for error.
* What is learned is turned into a fable. When accused by Hoes always pay in cash. We see the same in the Fani case. She paid her Ho in cash. It’s fungible. ☺. Unfortunately in Fani’s case she added, never with my money. I’ll pay with yours.
“ DJT is not a convicted felon until the process is completed by appeals.”
LOL!!!
First it was “Trump is not a convicted felon until he’s sentenced” now its not until the appeals is concluded. Hilarious.
Trump is a convicted felon who can appeal his felony conviction. Until it’s heard and decided. Trump will remain a convicted felon.
He’s no longer just accused. We are way past that. He’s been found guilty by a jury. He’s been convicted. Now he has been sentenced. He is officially and legally a convicted felon. A criminal. Trump still has a gag order in place. If he violates it he can be fined and technically jailed for it. Criminals don’t have special rights, except when they are president. It pays to be a criminal.
* What will you say when it’s overturned, George?
What makes you think it will be overturned? Sotomayor controls what can be heard from New York State. She already ruled against appealing his sentence based on his unconvincing arguments. Trump didn’t provide a compelling reason to suspend the sentencing.
Trump can appeal the conviction through the NY state appellate process and then, if necessary, to the US Supreme Court. Trump is likely to prevail on his appeal because , among other things, the charges do not state a felony under applicable law, the jury selection process was fatally biased, the trial court did not let Trump present his case on the election law issue, the prosecutor never stated how Trump should have accounted for the non-disclosure payments, accounting for the non-disclosure payments as a legal expense was proper, and the trial court did not require the jury to agree unanimously on the alleged underlying crime.
“Political weaponization of the Criminal Justice System”?
So, the justice system can decide whether or not to punish convicted felons if, in their opinion, it crosses some imaginary line into “political weaponization”?
We don’t need to weaponize the criminal justice system for a miscreant like Trump! But that isn’t the point! The point is that if you have enough money and popularity you can avoid punishment for any offense you may commit!
All democratic and republican forms of government cannot be influenced by money, popularity, or politics, because they all are based upon the equality of participation in the decision making process with equal suffrage to determine all matters of collective interest, and that equality renders the rich and popular as minorities, the 1% are only 0.00025% of the people, and they have a proportional level of influence in a democracy! That should be your first clue that the United States is not a democracy, or a Republican Form of Government, as we are required as established by Article 4 Section 4 of the Constitution of the United States.
But let’s get to why the Supreme Court is weighing in on this matter at all, they have no jurisdiction for this matter, neither original or appellate, as this is a State matter, not a federal matter, and the Supreme and Inferior Courts only have authority in matters of the States as the Union, not outside the Union, because the Constitution of the United States is a participation versus compliance agreement between the States, meaning the federal government can only make laws that relate to the Union of the States, and only the States have agreed to comply with those laws, and all petitions made in Congress as a last resort upon appeal are determined in Congress unless that cannot be resolved without adjudication. And if those matters require adjudication, the litigants have a right to agree with the adjudicators and the process for adjudication, meaning the Supreme Court in its current embodiment would not qualify as an adjudicator for any matter of conflict, dispute, or grievance, which means the litigants would not be required to abide by any decision of the current embodiment of the Supreme Court.
I think you political geniuses don’t understand what an Established Government Authority is, why it’s necessary, and why the Supreme Court cannot serve as the Established Government Authority. All these questions we have related to our governments, how they are assembled, and how they function are addresses by the Established Government Authority, including whether to consider Trump’s election victory as a valid application of the process established by Article 2 Section 1 of the Constitution of the United States.
It’s amusing to me that no one understands that in a democracy, everything we do as the Union must have the concurrence of All the States as the Union, and the States as the Union don’t even have to consider election results or court decisions to do whatever they want, if the States as the Union don’t agree to allow Trump to become President, oh well, Trump cannot become President. The power of the States as the Union is so immense, that if they wanted, they could allow Trump to take the oath of office while they impeached him and immediately took him into custody in the well of the Senate to face a custody trial while awaiting and during the trial in the Senate, and would never have to let him leave custody until they were finished considering his suitability for office, which they alone determine, the requirements are for the electors is to choose persons to hold office, the States as the Union in Congress consider their suitability, and if they determine that person is not suitable, then they are under no obligation to seat them as the President, or any office under the united States.
Yeah, you geniuses need to reacquaint yourselves what it means to be the Established Government Authority assembled as a democracy! Ever heard of “A Breach of the Peace”, I didn’t think so, it means we don’t have to tolerate this circus, I don’t care how many supporters a person has or how many elections they win, they could be excluded from service in any capacity on that basis alone, way too much drama and baggage!
312 to 226
“Speaking in front of a table of packaged foods, Trump used an August press conference to draw attention to food inflation during his campaign for president. “Grocery prices have skyrocketed,” he said.
“When I win, I will immediately bring prices down, starting on day one,” Trump continued. “We will drill, baby, drill,” he said, referring to increasing domestic oil production. “That’s going to bring down prices of everything.”
LIE, LIE, LIE. That is how he “won”–it’s called “cheating”. Savvy advisors told your hero that concerns about the high cost of groceries were a major issue to most voters–in fact it was the main issue for 78% of the idiots who voted for him. But the promise to “immediately” bring down prices was still A LIE, and he knew it was a lie when he said it. So, what lie will he you tell that MAGAs will believe when grocery prices don’t go down on January 20th? There is no connection between more drilling for oil and the cost of groceries.
GiGI: “There is no connection between more drilling for oil and the cost of groceries.”
lin: “Well, yes, GIgi, there actually is quite a connection.
First, crude oil and petroleum are used in the making of plastics–which MOST groceries are at least partially packaged in; second, groceries are delivered to our stores by interstate transportation semi-trucks and rail lines using massive amounts of petroleum to deliver to us. As you know, Gigi, the cost of transportation to us is factored into the final price we pay, and third, petroleum is used in pesticides/insecticides used on agricultural crops/products–again, factored into the final cost to consumers.” There’s probably more but that’s all I can think of off the top of my head.
OK, lin: just HOW MUCH of the cost of grocery items is linked to pesticides, packaging materials and transportation? Do you have any idea? And, how much of our produce is organically grown and doesn’t even use pesticides? What about locally grown produce that is delivered in bulk and not even packaged and is transported only a few miles? My local Kroger and Meijer stores sell locally-grown produce. And, even assuming that the cost of petroleum represents a significant amount of the cost of groceries, just how could Trump bring down the cost “immediately”, which is what he claimed? Just more of Trump’s vaudeville act–stealing the “drill baby drill” line from former 1/2 governor Palin, who stole it from black activists, and lying.
when you can’t win on your first argument, you always try to bring in another, “And, even assuming that the cost of petroleum represents a significant amount of the cost of groceries, just how could Trump bring down the cost “immediately” Then you throw in a third, “Trump’s vaudeville act–stealing the “drill baby drill” line from former 1/2 governor Palin,” (even though Biden plagiarized SEVERAL others to climb his ladder. you Clown.
giggles: Looks like you said NO connection. Doesn’t matter how much or how little (probably at least 25%-50% added for your “pesticides, packaging materials and transportation?” You said there was “NO connection.”
Why can’t you see why we laugh at you, LPN and lawyer wannabe?
lin: You beat me to it.
“There is no connection between more drilling for oil and the cost of groceries.”
What do you think powers tractors and transportation systems that get the food from the farmer to be processed and then to the consumer? What do you think powers irrigation systems? Fertilizers, in great part, are derived from natural gas.
Energy costs impact everything in our economy.
Why do you speak with so little knowledge?
You haven’t answered my question as to HOW MUCH of the cost of groceries is related to the cost of oil–OR, just HOW Trumpy Bear is going to “IMMEDIATELY” bring down the cost. Why do YOU speak with so little knowledge? Did Trump have any specific figures on these costs when he shot off his mouth about “immediately” bringing down the cost by “drill baby drill”? You know he didn’t. He’s just a big, fat liar. And, there are other factors–like the bird flu that required the culling of millions of chickens, driving up the cost of eggs and chicken products. Then, if he keeps his promise to deport 20 million migrants–who is going to replace them for planting, picking and packing fruits and vegetables, working in meat packing plants, and if replacements can be found, how much higher will the wages be and how will that affect food prices?
I have a business client who does multiple things with his various businesses in many states. I was on call to one of his ventures and made his systems whole, and he was explaining to me that the day after Trump won the election all the business orders that had stagnated for nearly 4 years under Biden immediately picked up again.
I had never thought about that, did not believe him initially, and probed, as I always do.
The problem you have is there was already a 4 year Trump term where the business people knew ahead of time what to expect, so as soon as Trump was elected in November, the very next day prices started coming down for consumers, business began rolling again.
This a severe predicament for you. If Trump does nothing prices will come down because of the attitude Trump has elicited in the markets from his former moves.
Trump cannot lose this, no matter how much you whine and complain. He has already started winning this just by being elected. That’s how great that side is, and how absolutely terrible your libturd oppressive red tape stop everything crap biden demoncrat side is, and big players in business and all their contacts know it and have started acting accordingly already.
You losing means the consumers win.
Shakdi: Yet another MAGA world claim that cannot be fact-checked, so I don’t believe you. WHY would “business orders stagnate” under Biden? What kind of business–orders for what, exactly, and why would the taking of the White House by your convicted felon suddenly lead to new orders? The only thing I can think of us items that are either imported or rely heavily on imported components–like appliances, automobiles, auto parts, shoes, clothes and other imported goods. Orders have increased because of concerns over the stupid Trump tariffs what will drive up the cost of consumer goods—that would be the only reason–not your implication that Trump is some kind of business genius. WHAT prices have come down? For what goods? Prove it. People who are knowledgeable about economics and business universally say the same thing–Trump is stupid, he doesn’t understand business or economics, his tariffs will drive up inflation because the the increased cost will simply be passed on to the consumer, his incarceration of migrants will deplete workers to plant, pick and pack perishable fruits and vegetables, and lead to slowdowns in meatpacking plants, all of which will drive up the cost of food. And, we are already extracting record amounts of petroleum, so why would we need to “drill, baby drill”?
We will ALL lose because of Trump–just like we did the last time. MAGA media spread the lie that our economy was faltering on the brink–but the truth is–it is robust, growing and continuing to grow. Unemployment is at a 50 year low, the stock market is booming, and real wages are going up, inflation is coming down. Trump will screw up all of this just like he did before–because he is stupid, won’t listen to experts and hasn’t a clue.
You are blind. The cost of oil factors into everything that touches your groceries. It’s additive and everyone who isn’t dumb understands that.
How will Trump lower prices? Take a look at Argentina and the success of President Milei. Inflation fell in 10 months from over 210% to 2.7%
S. Meyer, it seems you haven’t noticed that energy prices are not high. Gas prices have remained stable for the past couple of years, and diesel prices have also been low for some time. Trump promised to lower grocery prices immediately on his first day in office. However, the major issue is that oil production is at an all-time high in the U.S. So, what is he planning to do? Impose tariffs, which would raise the prices of groceries and other products. He has been backtracking on his promise to implement a blanket tariff on everything now that his staff has informed him that it would lead to higher prices across the board.
“Gas prices have remained stable”
The price per barrel of oil is 47% higher. Go back to school and study remedial math.
* whatbus this “fud” made of? Paper and plastic? The mystery fud.
This is entirely a matter of New York State law. The Federal Supreme Court has no jurisdiction over this matter.
They should never have accepted it for a ruling.
For shame…
Jonathan: You are not very good at Monday morning quarterbacking. I don’t recall you “predicting” Chief Justice Roberts would side with the other four Justices in DJT’s appeal of his sentencing. Justice Amy Coney’s vote was the real key to the Court’s decision. Coney Barrett now appears to be the swing vote in close cases. Something you don’t even mention.
The other part you fail to mention is the adroit way in which Justice Merchan handled sentencing. By indicating he would impose only an “unconditional discharge”, Merchan removed any reason for the right-wing SC to intervene in the sentencing.
Then in your column you engage in wild speculation. That “Merchan could pull a bait-and-switch and decide to impose punishment” based on the assumption DJT might personally attack the Justice and be subject to his 11th contempt citation. Whatever DJT might say at sentencing won’t alter Merchan’s decision. He won’t fall into that trap by giving DJT another opportunity to go back to the SC.
There was another important decision yesterday you fail to address. The 11th Circuit ruled DJT cannot prevent the release of Vol. 1 of Jack Smith’s report on the Jan. 6 insurrection case. AG Garland has promised to release the report as early as Sunday. DJT might well appeal that decision to the SC. Justice Thomas rules over 11th Circuit cases so it’s anyone’s guess whether he accept an appeal. That’s an uphill battle because by law Smith is required to file a report. The people paid for the report and they are entitled to see it.
What is clear is that DJT desperately wanted to keep from being sentenced as “convicted felon”. He didn’t want to start his second term with that hanging over his head. He lost that battle. And now he is trying to prevent the American people from seeing all the evidence of his conspiracy to topple the government to stay in power. Hopefully, that desperate effort will also fail.
Meanwhile, for some Happy News – an excerpt, and more at the link:
“Be careful what you wish for.
A vocal proponent of the state’s controversial congestion pricing plan who is nudging New Yorkers into the city’s troubled transit system was attacked at a Manhattan subway station over the weekend.
Layla Law-Gisiko, president of the City Club of New York, which sued Gov. Kathy Hochul to implement the unpopular toll for motorists driving into Manhattan, said she was left bruised and battered after the Saturday afternoon attack at the 23rd Street station.
“Today at around 3:30 PM, I entered the subway station at 23rd Street and 5th Avenue,” Law-Gisiko, 53, wrote in a post on X following the attack.
“At the bottom of the first flight of stairs, an individual with a shopping cart began screaming at me and spat in my hair.”
“I am shaken, with a bruised ankle and a sore shoulder from being pushed into the wall,” she said.
“This has been a distressing and painful experience.”
Police said Timothy Elliot, 45, was nabbbed at the station and charged with assault and harassment. He was released on a desk appearance ticket, cops said.
Hours after the attack, the $9 congestion toll went into effect and the City Club put out a statement co-signed by Law-Gisiko praising its launch.
https://nypost.com/2025/01/08/us-news/congestion-pricing-advocate-attacked-at-nyc-subway-station-as-new-9-toll-pushes-people-into-mass-transit/
You believe that it is “happy news” when someone is beaten up and injured? This is a perfect example of the issue we non-MAGAs have with you MAGAs. You think that physical violence, personal insults, posting pornographic pictures of human genitalia and other childish and immoral rants are appropriate for political discourse. But, you HAVE to believe these things to support someone like Trump–a childish, immature, convicted felon with absolutely no remorse, no respect for the rule of law, for the dignity and worth of other people or anything other than attention, adulation, and raw power. This is why you don’t have an issue with the attack on the Capitol, the deposit of human waste in the building, Capitol Police officers losing and eye or fingers, being beaten, battered and suffering pain, leading to suicide, or even one of your own getting killed while trying to break into the Speaker’s Lobby–all for the glory of Trump, a pathetic excuse for a human being, someone so immature and needy that he wastes the resources of the NY appellate courts and even the SCOTUS to avoid being sentenced for the felonies he committed, despite knowing that he wasn’t even going to get fined, much less jailed. And, he just can’t stop lying-continuing to insist that he won “in a landslide”, ignoring the fact that his “victory” in 2024 was the result of lying about immediately causing a drop in grocery prices, claiming to be a “victim” of “lawfare”. It’s sad that there are so many people like you out there who think that everything is a war and that engaging in violence, personal attacks and lying to get what you want is acceptable.
You said, “You believe that it is “happy news” when someone is beaten up and injured? ”
Yes, Gigi, in this particular case, I am ecstatic!
Sorry, Gigi, I posted before finishing.
You said, “You believe that it is “happy news” when someone is beaten up and injured? ”
Yes, Gigi, in this particular case, I am ecstatic! Because this idiot worked hard to force poorer people out of their cars, and into the unsafe subways – leaving the roads for the richer people to use. Normally, the people who do this, do not have to suffer the consequences of their advocacy. But she went down into the subways, and guess what – KARMA!
Thankfully, this idiot got to get a good dose of what she was dishing out to other people! That is called Justice! Had she been beaten up in Central Park, I would not have been happy about that.
Floyd—do YOU live in NYC? If not, why do you care? The issue wasn’t whether richer people got priority–the issue was doing something to address gridlock and emissions and to get more people to use the extensive NYC transit system. From “ABC News”:
“From April 2024, New York City’s most densely populated borough Manhattan is scheduled to introduce a tax for those who drive within its central business district.
It will be the first US city to introduce such a measure.
It’s hoped that the tax, which is recommended to start at US$15 ($22.5) per trip (charged no more than once per day), will reduce congestion and greenhouse gas emissions, and improve the city’s street safety and its transit system.”
The NYC Transit Authority is beefing up security ahead of anticipated increased usage.
MAGA media, ever present to spread lies and conspiracy theories, is misrepresenting the REASON for the tax and the potential benefits by making it a culture war issue–in this case, rich vs. poor. Other cities in Europe already do the same thing, including London and some in Belgium–and that’s where the idea arose.
Fine. You ride the subway system. See if I care.
Stick a fork in em! Their done.
Rather like watching remnants of the old Soviet Union in the days after the Commies were tossed out. Oh their still there, many of them pining for the old days telling long worn out stories about how great they were back in their heyday. Sputnik!
Meanwhile, magnificent Socialist policy victories are all aglow in California, while Cuba’s full blown Communist policies seem to have left them all in the dark.
I know collective punishment is not “fair” thing, but it is a NATURAL thing, and it is going to happen as a law of nature. If you are part of a group, and too many people in your group do bad or stupid things, then your whole group, including you, is more likely to be subject to collective punishment. This can happen even if you are part of a good group.
In WWII, when a bomb fell from an allied bomber, did it discriminate between a Nazi and an anti-Hitler German? No. Did a Nazi bomb, falling on London, discriminate? No.
Stupid, bad things done by too many people in your group similarly subjects you to The Wrath of The Gods of Collective Punishment. Maybe you can just call it Karma? For example, too many people in California voting Democrats, in spite of a history of ineptitude and gross stupidity, (no felony for under $900 theft, egs) brings down the lightning on all the members of the group. Bad and good alike. Now, everybody in the group has to wait as glass doors are unlocked by a clerk, to buy a coke or a razor or a pack of cookies. Stores close and prices go up for everybody. Businesses leave, and jobs are lost.
Now, Los Angeles, and California as a whole, are suffering because too many people voted for Democrats, and too many people sat on their a$$e$, and didn’t vote, and too many people who knew better, didn’t speak out. I don’t think that we should sit back and gloat at Los Angeles burning – although that is tempting. But can anyone say that Los Angeles didn’t have this coming? That they should have known better? That they should have allocated more money to infrastructure, knowing full well that fires like this are going to happen in that region? Just as naturally as earthquakes in that area. That they should have not wasted the run-off water from the northern part of the state? That they should be more concerned with the Fire Department as opposed to Midnight Transgender Stroll programs?
But it ain’t just Los Angeles, and it ain’t just California. It’s our whole country, and Europe, too, that are awaiting the fall of the sword. We are not, collectively, addressing our problems. We allow drug dealers to incapacitate a large number of the citizenry. We teach crap to our students. We spend money on social problems, most of which could be solved by marriages, and schooling. We ignore our infrastructure, and we ignore the human rot in our cities, and rural areas. We take in millions of immigrants, with no job skills, instead of forcing our own citizens, with no job skills, to work. We practice Catch and Release, instead of Catch and Kill, with criminals, and when we lock them up, subject them to brutal environments, that result in them coming out worse, than when they went in. We, as a collective, have been fine with an Alzheimers President for the last few years. Meanwhile, about a third of the country voted for a continuation of that regime. Even in large numbers in Red States.
To me, that means the whole country is Los Angeles, and we are just awaiting a good spark to set us off.
Los Angeles is on fire because last spring, there were historic rains that caused vegetation to grow better than ever–creating fuel for the drought in the fall–several weeks without any rain–followed by the dry, hot, Santa Ana winds from the desert. All of these extremes were driven by climate change. Some spark started a fire that was spread by the unrelenting winds and the fire kept spreading by more sparks driven by the wind. Because so many fire hydrants were open at the same time, water pressure dropped too low in some areas to pressurize the hoses. THESE ARE FACTS. Where the hell do you get off claiming that voting Democratic had anything to do with these climate events, or that God is somehow punishing Californians? There has never before been any fire of this type in that area of Los Angeles. Whatever MAGA media is feeding the crap you just spouted is lying to you. And, due to climate change, people in California, Florida, Louisiana and other coastal states may not be able to get any kind of homeowner’s insurance. Meanwhile, Trump, having been paid off by the fossil fuel industry, will roll back regulations aimed at curbing climate change. We only have so long before it is reversible.
You speak of the “fall of the sword”–if there’s any “fall of the sword” it is MAGAs like you who worship a defective person like Trump–a convicted felon, an adjudicated assaulter of women, a pathological liar, whose lies about bringing down grocery prices caused enough gullible people to vote for him–that, along with racism, misogyny and attacks on migrants–all of which are immoral. Trump is not valid–can never be, because he has to cheat to get everything. In your post above, Floyd, you praised a physical assault on a woman on the subway–if anything exemplifies a decline in civilization, it’s MAGA. The immigrants of which you complain are the ones who are keeping Social Security afloat, and they plant, pick and pack our produce and work in meatpacking plants. They also work in restaurants, hotels, construction and child care. And, Biden does not have Alzheimer’s or any other form of dementia–Trump, however, may well have. He frequently forgets words, misspeaks, but always lies every time he opens his mouth.
Exactly how long do you think takes for a tree to grow to its fullest height?
it takes
full height
6 months?
Not even in Florida.
No, Gigi, it wasn’t climate change that did not maintain the water pressure. The reservoirs were not re-filled. Trump specifically warned Newsome about this in 2019, and he also warned Newsome about not clearing the undergrowth. And the Fire Chief was more worried about hiring women and queers. The Democrat mayor cut the fire department budget to put funds towards Midnight Transgender Strolls. Trump warned Newsome back in 2018:
From the “Water Education Foundation”:
“More than two-thirds of California’s major water supply reservoirs are more than 90% full as the state’s record snowpack continues to melt, and most are well above their historic average levels for this time of year, according to data from the California Department of Water Resources. But there’s one major exception: Trinity Lake northwest of Redding (Shasta County), which has yet to exceed 60% of its capacity, and is at just 78% of its historic average. Trinity Lake, California’s third largest reservoir, has seen its water level steadily climb since the storms that pounded the state last winter, rising from about 20% of its total capacity last fall to 58% as of Tuesday. But that still lags behind most of the other major water supply reservoirs in the state, including nearby Shasta Lake, which is the largest in the state and is at 91% of its capacity, after nearing 100% last month.”
Trump is stupid and he lies, MAGA media broadcasts his lies–and you believe him. This fire started in residential areas–not in forested areas, and NO ONE goes around raking the forests–another stupid Trump lie.
https://cdec.water.ca.gov/resapp/RescondMaingigs, did you use a Jul 23 map-? Is that why you never provide provenance by specific link whenever you try to lift information?
Here’s what I see– only TWO yes TWO california reservoirs are at least 90 percent capacity
-https://cdec.water.ca.gov/resapp/RescondMain
https://cdec.water.ca.gov/resapp/RescondMain?os=ios0&ref=app
Get some help gigi. Seriously… it was the bank’s fault that my son robbed. The bank was open.
The Democrat party is finished. Done. Over.
The people of this country are now turning on them. Scales falling from eyes. Eyes wide open.
Democrats are the party of incompetent, sociopathic, lying criminal scum.
Every. single. one. of these Democrat politicians is a criminal.
The scum starts at the top with Biden and Harris.
Then Pelosi, Schumer, Schiff, Newscum, Karen Bass, et al.
(their incompetence combined with their sense of entitlement, criminal negligence, and corruption is shocking)
Hilariously, Turley’s diatribe regarding Democrats’ use of the “convicted felon” label to address Trump is ironic, considering he frequently refers to the so-called “Biden influence peddling scandal,” which lacks merit.
While Trump may appeal his case, the process will not be urgent, nor will it be immediately reviewed by the Supreme Court; the decision will likely fall to Justice Sotomayor. It could take years for the appeal to be heard.
Turley is avoiding the fact that Trump is now officially a convicted felon. Although he may not face the punishment he deserves, he undoubtedly loses certain rights due to his felony conviction. Trump’s felony is classified as a Class E offense, the lowest level under New York State law.
Canada does not permit felons to enter the country, nor does Mexico.
Trump, our soon-to-be felon-in-chief, will not be able to shed that label. He is all about image, and being labeled a convicted felon is detrimental to his reputation. This is why he fought so hard—yet so unsuccessfully—against sentencing. Even Turley could not defend Trump’s legal arguments; instead, he chose to criticize Merchan because that was easier for him.
George’s and Gigi’s own diatribes against Prof. T. have taken a real, enhanced, elevated turn these past few weeks (since the election?) Sour grapes make for the best vinegar. However, because each of them (G & G) fails to make cogent LEGAL objection, the vinegar must be flagged by the FDA for containing artificial ingredients.
George
If you think Biden’s influence peddling lacks merit, please explain to us all exactly what Hunter was selling as the Biden brand that was worth millions of dollars being laundered and distributed to the Biden Brand Klan?
<>
Trump thinks in an appeal all the evidence won’t be admissable. What a moron.
Let’s be precise, George. New York City says that Trump is a criminal. Florida didn’t say it. Illinois didn’t say it. California didn’t say it. Mississippi didn’t say it.
No, 12 or so dorks in New York City said it, which is why most of the country didn’t believe it. Because a majority saw it for what it was – a political witch hunt. Even, Democrats, who don’t like Trump, like Dershowitz, see it. And Cuomo.
BUT, your supposed INABILITY to see what is blatantly obvious, is why no one takes you seriously. Because you are either too stupid to see what is right in front of your face, in spite of all the articles here, or you are so extremely partisan that you pretend not to see it.
Sooo, congratulations on taking yourself out of the conversation!
George wants it to be true, so for him it’s true. Today’s event won’t change anything. People who hate Trump will continue to be insufferably obnoxious about it and people who are indifferent or like Trump will continue to muddle along. If things had transpired differently George, Dennis, Girly-Girl and the rest of the goon platoon would simply find other reasons to act like the jagoffs they are.
The law is clear on this matter. Every state recognizes a felony conviction from other states, which means that you are not just considered a felon in New York. If it were that simple, one could simply move to another state and be free of their felony conviction, right? Is that your argument?
You don’t fully understand how the law or juries operate. The law does not rely on the beliefs of the majority. Trump was found guilty by a jury that examined overwhelming evidence against him. He had the opportunity to defend himself but ultimately lost. The New York appeals court rejected his argument, as did the Supreme Court regarding his sentencing appeal. Even legal “analyst” Turley struggled to defend Trump’s arguments. That’s why you won’t see him providing a detailed analysis of those arguments. It’s easier to criticize the judge, especially when it aligns with popular opinion, but Turley knows that the law is not determined by what the majority believes.
George: Close, but no cigar. While a person enters a state with a felony conviction, almost all states that I know of will consider reduction to misdemeanor and potential expungement, especially when the receiving state’s criminal elements to establish a level of crime differ from the prior state.
Moreover, as you recall, the 34 counts for misdemeanor business records violations were only enhanced to felonies because of Bragg invoking federal campaign law–without presenting or proving same.
Soooooo, if Trump wins on appeal, I believe THAT will get much more attention in the news/media/voters’ minds.
No. I get that. But it doesn’t change the fact that you’re a jagoff.
Name one, just one, competent Democrat elected political leader.
You can’t.
There isn’t one.
Name one competent elected leader.
Donald J. Trump
Counter ‘Bait-and-Switch’ = Now convicted President Elect Trump (Bait) -N- (Switch) for incoming V.P. Elect J.D. Vance.
Then as President Vance he pardons Trump, and Trump comes back to eat the DEM’s; Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
That’s Doable – Unleash the Kraken redux