6 Nominees for the Most Disgraceful Member of Congress Announced

I'm going to go with Lawerence O'Donnell's recommendation on nominating Sen. Tommy Tuberville as the most disgraceful member in the Senate for blocking hundreds of military promotions.

It wasn't an easy choice. The competition for this year's list was fierce. Let's take a look at some of the other contestants:

* Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy

Without any evidence he opened an impeachment inquiry hoping to mollify the worst MAGA minions who are holding him hostage when it comes to passing any legislation in the House.

He's also proved to be the weakest speaker in history while trying to cling to power by selling his soul.

* Republican Rep. George Santos 

* A serious contender for the Liar of the Year award this December, Santos is facing a 13-count federal indictment centered on charges of money laundering and lying to Congress in his financial disclosure form. Party leader McCarthy has not asked him to resign despite the serious charges.

* Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez 

He and his wife have been indicted on bribery charges after the DOJ seized gold bars and a half of million in cash hidden in their house. This is the second time in 10 years he's been charged for corruption-related offenses. He managed to get off the first time. This time looks different.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for Menendez to resign immediately and took him off the panel he chaired, The Foreign Relations Committee.

* Republican Rep. Jim Jordan

As the House Judiciary Committee chairman Jordan has made numerous false claims in his blatant defense of Trump by accusing everyone from President Joe Biden to AG Merrick Garland of baseless conspiracies.

His committee is nothing more than a vehicle for spreading conspiracies as he's weaponized the panel to pursue partisan agendas.

Republican Rep. James Comer

After seizing the House Oversight Committee when the GOP became the majority, Comer has been a fixture on Fox News by accusing Biden - without evidence - of an influence peddling scheme and violating the Foreign Registry Act.

He's constantly promising dirt on the Biden Crime Family and every time he claims to have evidence it turns out to be a nothing burger. That doesn't deter the ambitious liar who has aspirations of moving up into the Senate someday.

Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz

He has only one agenda, blow up the government so he can be viewed as a MAGA star that hopefully will propel him into the governorship of Florida.

He and a couple of other miscreates aren't going to be happy until they force a government shutdown and cause complete chaos in the Republican party. 

As it stands, there was an impressive cast of corrupt characters to select from this year.

Trump Proves He's in Charge in Congress Despite Being a Loser

There's nothing subtle about Trump's dominance of the Republican's in Congress.

An unelected and criminally indicted egomaniac is calling the shots in the House and thus far his loyal minions are performing for him like well-trained chimps.

The weakest Speaker of the House in history has been cornered by a minority group of crazies who dream of burning up our democracy daily.

As the country grudgingly inches toward a shutdown Speaker Kevin McCarthy threw up his hands and let everyone go home this weekend... like there's all the time in the world left to avoid an economic disaster.

Meanwhile McCarthy is having a meltdown as he realizes his double-dealing to become speaker is coming back to bite him in the ass. Making deals with several groups under one roof is a recipe for failure. He's finding that out to everyone's dismay.

Even letting some of the crazy caucus committee heads conduct a bogus inquiry into impeaching President Joe Biden didn't solve his dilemma.

Throughout this disgusting drama Trump has proven he's the man in charge of the weak-kneed GOP lawmakers who treat him like he's still the president. 

They've cravenly threatening to defund the DOJ and the FBI if they don't stop persecuting Trump and drop the investigations against him. 

Despite the probability that Trump doesn't get re-elected after being charged with 91 felony counts in four jurisdictions, is pretty high. I simply don't see that happening.

What I do see happening right now is Trump is controlling Congress and the entire Republican party without being elected. A loser is leading the GOP down a destructive path that's not going to end well for anyone under his spell.

The majority of Americans are sick of Trump's antics and degradation of our democracy according to all of the polls.

As it stands, when, or if, Trump wins the Republican nomination for president the result will be the most humiliating loss in the party's history.  

What a 96 Year Old Judge Learned from Trump When She Was 'Sidelined' By Peers

There's a judge on the Federal Circuit appeals court who is 96 years old and she's fighting mad that her colleagues think she's losing it mentally.

Pauline Newman (photo above) has served as a judge since the 1980s. Recently she has been accused of saying some really crazy things like talking to a dead colleague out loud and showing signs of paranoia and memory loss in her interactions with the courtroom staff.

The court ruled yesterday that Newman, "Accused staff of trickery, deceit, acting as her adversary, stealing her computer, stealing her files, and depriving her of secretarial support." The report also stated that she threatened to have one of her assistants arrested during a paranoid rant.

A group of 11 judges barred her from hearing new cases for a year after she failed to cooperate with an investigation into whether health issues prevented her from keeping up the job's demands.

So, what does all of this have to do with Trump? I'm glad you asked.

Newman and her counsel have been trying to discredit the whole process by trying their case in public. Sounds familiar? Look at what Trump's been doing with his four indictments.

Going full MAGA, Newman's lawyer is creating a narrative of hostile, disrespectful, and appalling treatment marked by exercises of "raw power" all borne out of "personal animosity for Judge Newman.

To put the cherry on the propaganda pie Newman's lawyer sued to stop the investigation. That's classic Trump.

It's also line and chapter from Trump's book on How to Subvert the Court System with Blatant Lies.

As it stands, the subject of aging office holders has been swirling around the political landscape (think McConnell and Feinstein in the Senate) a lot lately. This is just one example of why it's so controversial.

The Current Movie in Congress: Ground Hog Day in Hell

Observers of the current session of Congress can be excused if they feel a sense of Deja vu while watching the re-occurring clown show in the House.

A comedy came out in 1993 where a cynical television weatherman (Bill Murray) becomes trapped in a time loop, forcing him to relive a Ground Hog Day event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Since then, the comedy has become a classic. 

There's nothing funny about what the clown caucus is currently doing in the House - day in, and day out. Their repeated attacks against President Joe Biden, his son Hunter, Merrick Garland, the DOJ, and the FBI have become a fixture cast in clueless concrete for the extreme Republicans agenda.

The same questions are asked repeatedly because they're not listening to the truth or following evidence in their sham investigations.

The whole purpose of these fake hearings is to keep the lies alive in the MAGA universe through sheer repetition. That form of brainwashing was used by crooked populist/ politicians for decades. Now Trump has refined that tactic (with the help of right-wing media outlets) and turned it into a threat to democracy.

When average Americans watch these shameful hearings, they have to be disgusted by the blatant partisanship that has nothing to do with improving their lives. 

Instead, those brave viewers who do watch (or read about) our current Ground Hog Day in Hell, realize a government shutdown is days away as the MAGA morons strut around the House repeating the same lies and hoping for a different result each time. 

The definition of stupidity is: " A lack of intelligence, understanding reason, or wit, an inability to learn."

Taking stupidity, a couple of steps further I recommend watching the 2003 movie titled Stupidity (it depicted examples and analyses of stupidity in modern society) ...and

the 2006 movie Idiocracy (it explores a dystopian future where the average American's IQ equates to mental retardation in our era.)

Because those rogue Republicans are in the majority (and controlled by their minority) there seems to be no way of moving on with what should be the business of the people's House.

As it stands, time is running out amidst these theatrical politics making a government shutdown seem almost inevitable. The drama from that will be another circle of hell brought to us by extreme Republicans.

Why Charge Ray Epps Now 3 Years After the Jan. 6 Coup Attempt?

Dear Reader:

In case you don't remember Ray Epps allow me to refresh your memory.

On January 6, 2020, Epps went to the U.S. Capitol to protest Trump's loss and a weird thing happened.

Epps, a big Trump supporter, somehow got caught up in a crazy conspiracy theory perpetrated by his fellow Trumplicans and suddenly he became the enemy!

He was instantly transformed into an undercover federal agent that was urging Trump supporters to storm the Capitol knowing they'd get in trouble if they did.

Meanwhile...

Three years later, on Monday, the Justice Department charged Epps with a single misdemeanor count of disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted area via a criminal information, which is often an indication a defendant is prepared to plead guilty.

Why now? From Day One there were photos of him in the thick of the assault and even encouraging people to storm the People's House... but no charges. Over 1000 rioters from that day have been arrested and tried with hundreds more yet to go.

Here's a crazy thought: what if the Justice Department filed the charge at the behest of Epps attorney in an effort to prove (for once and all) he wasn't working for the feds? I've heard crazier theories.

Epps has been living in fear for his life and his wife's since he became a central conspiracy figure in the MAGA universe.

In sworn testimony before the Jan. 6 Committee Epps denied being an informant or federal agent to hopefully set the record straight. 

It didn't work even though the government confirmed he was not employed in any government agency. In fact, Epps is a roofer who led a quiet existence prior to going to the Capitol to support Trump's lies.

Hiding for years from the harassment that upended his life Epps finally struck back at his main detractors - Fox News and former host Tucker Carlson - and filed a defamation suit against them.

As it stands, I can't help pointing out the irony of MAGA morons going after each other like sharks in a feeding frenzy. 

The 'Bobo" Files: She Thought She Was at The Rocky Mountain Horror Show!

Have you ever been to a theatre that showed the Rocky Mountain Horror Show?

It's an experience you'll never forget.

The audience dresses up in full costumes portraying the movie's characters and everyone joins in on the songs. Immersive and impressive.

Despite being made in 1975 the show continues to play in college towns and other parts of the country today.

Now it's time for the "Bobo" files featuring Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert's antics.

She recently went to see the Beetlejuice Musical with a boyfriend and got kicked out of the theatre for disrupting the audience, vaping, and putting on a show of mutual sexual groping.

I'm going to give Bobo the benefit of the doubt and say she was so stoned that she thought she was at the Rocky Mountain Horror Show and was doing what came naturally.

You could argue she wasn't dressed up as a character from the iconic movie so there was no excuse for thinking she was attending the cosplay event. But when someone is really high who can say what their thinking?

It was another memorable moment from the Bobo Files as she and her boyfriend were escorted from the theatre, and she showed her maturity level by flipping the staff the bird on the way out.

I recommend that Bobo and her boyfriend take in a performance of the Rocky Mountain Horror Show (it just so happens it's playing in Denver this week) and really let it all hang out. 

Bobo could go as "The Usherette" and her boyfriend could go as "Rif Raff." I'm sure they'd have a lot more fun where they could blend into the madness.

As it stands, maybe it's just me, but it seems like Bobo is doing everything she can to keep from getting re-elected.

House GOP Following the Smoke... from an Alternate Reality

Split screen: 

"Where there's smoke there's fire," House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, GOP committee chair James Comer, and GOP committee chair Jim Jordan have been claiming for months, while Democrats ask, "Where's the evidence?"

Flashback to iconic TV ad where a grandma holds out a burger bun and asks, "Where's the beef?"

For the record the Biden crime family myth has been debunked numerous times but the Trump minions in Congress keep repeating it like a Buddhist mantra.

To be clear the only smoke in the GOP controlled House is coming from Republican's asses. 

They're trying to convince gullible Americans that they are the fire fighters battling through the smoke concealing Democratic lawmakers' corruption. It's more like they're the pyromaniacs that have lite the fires with lies and partisan propaganda.

Smoke and mirrors have been part of the GOP's history for a long time, but they've recently updated their misinformation techniques with the power of social media by weaponizing it to promote fascism and authoritarian talking points.

It seems to me that those same clueless Republican House members need to check their internal smoke detectors because there's a fire burning in their own camp. McCarthy versus the Freedom Caucus is threatening to burn down their own house of clowns.

Normally I'd shrug off their bullshit but when it could lead to a government shutdown because GOP extremists are busy playing fantasy fire fighters to advance any bill, I take notice.

As it stands, "Always somewhere there is fire and smoke, insistent reminders of the greed consuming the world." - Sy Montgomery

Judge Considering a Gag Order for Trump - What Would That Entail?

How do you get the former president to stop "inflammatory attacks" on the courts?

If federal prosecutors get their way Judge Tanya Chutkan will issue a "narrow" gag order that would prohibit Trump from making statements "regarding the identity, testimony, or credibility of prospective witnesses" and "about any party, witness, attorney, court personnel, or potential jurors that are disparaging and inflammatory, or intimidating."

I suspect Judge Chutkan will grant Special Counsel Jack Smith's request to reel in the out-of-control twice impeached former president.

One caveat. Don't expect the judge to throw Trump into jail despite the fact that if it was anyone else in the USA who did what he's doing they'd be staring out from a jail cell already.

For starters Trump is getting special treatment and considerations as evidenced by how hard he's pushing back against the entire judicial system and its rules yet he's still walking around free to attack our democracy.

A lot of people are afraid of Trump. Especially Republican lawmakers in Congress who are following him like sheep ready to be sheared.

Prosecutors noted that Trump's attacks on social media have previously endangered the subjects of his wrath, sometimes leading to violence. 

Judge Chutkan is aware of this. She even warned him last month, "I caution you and your client to take special care in your public statements about this case. I will take whatever measures are necessary to safeguard the integrity of these proceedings."

As a matter of record the gag order request Friday came on the same day that unsealed filings that Twitter, now known as X, gave prosecutors at least 32 of Trump's private messages.

It's also important to note that Trump was cautioned by the judge in the Georgia trial that he was being released on the condition that he would not intimidate co-defendants, witnesses and others. Trump has ignored that caution and it's just a matter of time before that judge gets tired of his antics and seeks a gag order too.

The burning question today is:

What would Judge Chutkan's gag order involve?

Frankly I don't believe he's going to go to jail. Too many people are concerned it would cause major riots when his cult followers find out.

The next step involves putting him above the law (again) and letting him continue to attack everyone under the guise of the First Amendment by giving him a slap on the wrist.

I've heard political pundits say Trump could be confined to one of his estates and wear a tracking device. Honestly. Who really believes even that would happen?

It's tough watching Trump get away with mocking our judicial system and flagrantly defying everyone with no apparent consequences thus far.

Our system of government counts on judges treating everyone equally, but sadly that not what the reality is today.

As it stands, I hope Judge Chutkan (and the judges in the other three jurisdictions) don't make political decisions that will enable the most corrupt president in American history. The need to stick with the law and let the dice roll for the sake of the republic.

My Longtime Dream of Amsterdam-Style Cannabis Cafes is Coming True in California

Back in the 1970s when I lived and went to college in Humboldt County, California, I knew a lot of cannabis growers, mostly Vietnam veterans with plantations hidden throughout the Emerald Triangle.

I remember sitting in pot-infused roundtables of growers talking about what we hoped would happen in the future with their fancy marijuana strains.

The number one subject was having legal Amsterdam-Style Cannabis cafes. We all looked with envy at what was happening in that progressive country where tourists could have the ultimate marijuana experience.

The day has come.

California's Gov. Gavin Newsom has Assembly Bill 374 - passed by a wide majority of 33-3 in the Senate and in the Assembly in a final vote 0f 66 to 9 - sitting on his desk today awaiting his signature. 

Here's what the bill allows:

* Preparation or sale of non-cannabis food or beverage products (such as pastries and coffee).

* Live musical or other performances on the premises.

However, there are restrictions the state has put on the bill. They include:

* Access to the area where cannabis consumption is allowed would be restricted to people 21 or older.

* The pot consumption can't be within view of a public area.

* Sales of alcohol or tobacco won't be permitted on the premises.

When Newsom signs the bill, it will go into effect in January 2024.

I should note that the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network opposes the bill and is urging Newsom to veto it.

Still, I think he will sign it as his administration has passed other progressive pot bills and promoted marijuana since he came into office.

As it stands, there's a small irony in my delight at legalizing cannabis cafes in California... I've lived in Oregon the past 10 years! It's okay. I can still drive there!

Hunter Biden Indicted on Gun Charges

After five years of constant harassment of President Joe Biden's son Hunter, Republicans are seeing some of the fruits of their pursuit today.

Special Council David Weiss charged Hunter with three counts in connection to a gun he purchased in 2018.

The charges include making a false statement on federal firearms form and possession of a firearm as a prohibited person. The original plea deal collapsed for a multitude of reasons.

For five years Weiss (a Trump appointee) investigated the president's son for money laundering, felony tax evasion, illegal foreign lobbying, and other matters tied to Hunter's overseas business deals.

And this is what they're going after him for? Lying on a federal gun form and having a gun when he was prohibited from owning one due to his mental condition. I should point out coincidently (or not) that the stature of limitations for these charges was set to expire in early October.

The real damage is the fact Hunter made history as the first son of a president charged with felony counts. That's a smear that Joe is going to have to carry for the rest of his political career.

While corks are being popped in MAGA world right now they're far from done with him. The crazies in congress smell blood on the waters now as they ramp up a campaign with Hunter as the poster boy for the corrupt Biden crime family.

Again, coincidently (?) attorneys for Hunter Biden filed a civil lawsuit against former Trump White House aide Garrett Ziegler, alleging illegal hacking in violation of federal computer privacy laws.

The suit, filed in federal court in California, accuses Ziegler of "accessing, tampering with, manipulation, altering, copying and damaging computer data that they did not own and that they claimed to have obtained from hacking Hunter's iPhone data and from scouring a copy of the hard drive of what they claim to be Hunter's "laptop" computer.

MAGA morons please note that there is NO LAPTOP. Their talking about a hard drive. You'll have to ditch the evil laptop bullshit.

As it stands, one of the many things about this pursuit that really galls me is the fact that the Trump family grifted Americans for years (in and out of office) and yet none of the former president's kids were investigated for their crimes.

Republicans Pre-Emptive Strikes Against Laws Shows What Losers They Are

An increasing trend among GOP lawmakers is setting up their agendas with pre-emptive strikes.

Gov. Greg Abbott and Gov. Ron DeSantis are two blatant examples of what extremist Republicans can do with the help of MAGA legislators to enact their corrupt agendas.

The one big thing they have in common is they cover their asses with GOP legislatures that slowly eat away at people's rights. 

Take Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders latest example of how these MAGA minions protect themselves by withholding information from constituents.

She's colluding with her Republican cronies to create massive gaps in the Freedom of Information Act by trying to pass a bill that would shield her from public exposure on her actions.

The plan was to close off all access to her records, including any "reflecting communications" between the governor's office and her cabinet secretaries. 

It also would have created an attorney-client privilege exemption from the open-records law and change the standard for awarding attorney's fees in lawsuits over open records.

But Sander's first attempt to weaken government transparency was watered down when Arkansas lawmakers voted to NOT go lockstep on the scheme and ditched the more far-reaching proposals.

She is still getting her way to a lesser extent because legislators narrowed the bill down today to just shielding her travel and security records in a House vote. A final vote is set for Thursday. Local politicians say it's a done deal.

The issue isn't going to go away for long. The plot to hide all transparency of GOP lawmakers who dominate the state is now underway with the opening of this pre-emptive strike against Arkansas citizens freedoms.

Abbott and DeSantis have perfected the early strike scheme to a science. They're both turning their states into undemocratic banana republics.

Look no further for pre-emptive strikes than the crazy caucus in the House who are busy with fake investigations against President Joe Biden and his son Hunter.

They're throwing up flak for their leader the disgraced former president who is losing his battle with the courts which intend to hold him accountable for his coup attempt and stealing top secret documents (to name a couple of the 91 felony charges against him in four jurisdictions).

To be sure, Trump is a loser. He's proved that since losing the 2020 election by trying to destroy our republic, the constitution, and to form a fascist government with him as leader for life.

Trump's campaign of grievances and martyrdom is playing well with his base, but more importantly it's not stopping the courts from pursuing him with evidence regardless of his sob stories and lies.

As it stands, the Republican party is history and now conservatives/MAGA morons have chosen to cast their lot with a loser.