Sugaring off
Mitch McConnell is yielding back, as they say, after eighty-nine years or whatever it is spent weaponizing the Gang of Putin against all that is decent. Joan McCarter writes his pre-obituary here. I will always remember the look on his face (if you can call it a face) during the drumroll-please vote to repeal Obamacare, when John McCain gave him the thumbs-down. Let me cherish that, please.
Unable to repeal Social Security either, the MAGA caucus makes us takers wait every month to see if we'll get our miserable pittance. It seems there's a tentative agreement to pass a continuing resolution today (if mealy-mouth Mike can herd his cats) to fund bits of the government for -- a week. Now all they have to do is figure out a way to support Israel without supporting Ukraine. Last time I checked, Israel was not running out of ammunition.
The only Moses little Mike resembles is Grandma Moses, and she had a lot more gumption. Clearly he's afraid of being tossed in the dumpster with Kevin McCarthy if he angers MAGA, and of having to move his hymnals and Jesus art back into a regular-size office. Hakeem Jeffries to the rescue! He promises a "reasonable number" of Democrats will vote to keep a weak and ineffectual Speaker (now why would they want one of those?) if he brings the Ukraine bill to a vote. Otherwise it could be Take a Hike, Mike.
McConnell's legacy will linger like radioactivity, nowhere more than in his Supreme Court. It will listen to Trump's ludicrous claim of "presidential immunity" in April, with a decision maybe in June, pushing the trial (if any) back to the summer. Delay, delay, delay has always been the criminal's friend. In the equally absurd but even more infuriating Fani Willis case, Trump's lawyers keep finding witnesses who turn out not to have witnessed anything, like Nathan Wade's former law partner. If they drag their feet any harder the courthouse will need re-surfacing.
The Guardian reports on companies that profited hugely from Trump tax cuts, including Netflix, General Motors and T-Mobile. It's gratifying that New York, at least, will make up some of the lost revenue when AG Letitia James starts taking control of Trump assets. If he can't post bond or pay up, James will be in a race with E. Jean Carroll's lawyers for the deeds to his buildings and golf courses. Not being a lawyer, I couldn't say whether defamation takes precedence over fraud. These last nine years have been informative and educational, and ironically, we have the most ignorant president since Warren G. Harding to thank.
Judge Tracie Porter of Cook County, Illinois, ruled Trump off the primary ballot because of his attempt to overthrow the government, but stayed the ruling pending the inevitable appeal. The white powder should arrive tomorrow, followed by swatting and death threats.
NSFF (not safe for Florida): In 2022 a couple of humpback whales were observed engaging in sexual behavior off the coast of Hawaii. Male humpback whales. The article from Marine Mammal Science is detailed. Very detailed. Illustrated. Trigger warning: One whale appeared to be injured. There may have been coercion. Also Cyamus boopis (whale lice).
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