High minds and low

 The trial of Bob Menendez for corruption and bribery has been understandably overshadowed by the Trump show a few blocks away -- no sex, no need to conceal the jurors' identities, no unhinged defendant babbling after every court session (great TV!).  New Jersey's senior senator does not control an army of violent droogs and media apologists -- his own party abandoned him even before he was indicted.  When the FBI carried out a search of his home with a warrant that authorized the use of deadly force they found suspiciously large amounts of cash and some gold bars, and Menendez was charged with acting as a secret agent of the Egyptian government -- not as bad as acting as a puppet of the Russian dictator, one would think, but he was removed as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on suspicion alone.  No elected official has spoken up for him but his son Rob, a Congressman.  Colleagues, including Cory Booker, urged him to quit the Senate or at least not seek re-election.  (He has secured the signatures needed to run as an independent.)  He even got pranked by John Fetterman.   

Whether the government convicts him this time or not -- a previous corruption trial in 2015 ended with a hung jury -- the Democrats have raised questions about their ability to compete in the twenty-first century hunger games of US politics.  With equal high-mindedness they similarly deprived themselves of Al Franken, who was not even accused of a crime.  Franken was photographed clowning around (tastelessly) on a USO tour before even becoming a senator but he had to go because of his party's elevated morals, I guess.  But they can't afford to go high any longer, in a country where people get their news from social media, Russian bot farms and the Murdoch machine.  They're fighting fire with chocolate milk.  Senator Menendez may not be the battle to join, but there are plenty of others.

Here is some of what we're up against:

Salem Publishing issued an apology to Mark Andrews, the man slandered by Dinesh D'Souza's crockumentary 2,000 Mules, and promised to stop distributing the film and accompanying book.  Nevertheless D'Souza Xitted "What we saw in New York was state sponsored gangsterism, not justice.  Do not respect the jury.  Do not respect the verdict.  Our system, no less than Trump, was on trial and it failed miserably."  Then he quoted Edmund Burke because he is a deep thinker.

Advance Democracy reports that social media are exploding with demands for violence against Judge Merchan and DA Bragg.  In one instance Bragg's address appears to be given, along with alleged addresses for the jurors.  "We need to identify each juror.  Then make them miserable.  Maybe even suicidal," wrote one patriot, already thinking ahead to deniability.  One Proud Boys chapter called yesterday "Franco Friday," evidently a reference to the Spanish fascist dictator who is still dead.  

J.D. Vance wouldn't live in lawless New York, but he's willing to visit for some free publicity.  He assured Wolf Blitzer that Trumpers are not violent people, they're basically flower children with guns and rage because of all the injustice.  Sure, shit happens but what can you expect?  Jury verdicts are unAmerican unless you agree with them.

That was a loud one.  Court officer on the right wishes he had worn his mask.

Collagen victim Lara Trump is deeply concerned about the health of the jurors.  She fears that bad things will happen to them for reaching the incorrect verdict, and it's all the fault of Alvin Bragg.  Because, see, he "led them down a path" by presenting a better case than the defense, so it's his responsibility to protect them now.  Their blood is already on his hands, practically.  Eric is lucky to have such a caring wife.

Self-described Constitutional lawyer Mark Levin has his own Fox show but he went on Hannity's to insist that the Supreme Court should -- must -- vault over the state appeals process in "Shithole New York" and undo the thirty-four guilty verdicts right now!  ("Soros DA" is already a term, like "rigged and stollen" or "perfect phone call."  I'm not sure but I think it means a Democrat and therefore illegitimate.)  Mike Johnson concurs and adds that he knows several Justices personally.  A quiet chat, a quick trip to a luxurious fishing camp, perhaps a few prayers...who knows?  Sorry, Senator Durbin, it just wouldn't be right for the Chief Justice to talk to you.

Here is how we respond:

Acknowledging that Trump is "a serial liar, cheater and philanderer, a six-time declarer of corporate bankruptcy, an instigator of insurrection and a convicted felon," Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) calls on Governor Kathy Hochul to pardon him "for the good of the country."  You may remember Phillips from such movies as "I Challenged Joe Biden" and "Minneapolis's Rich White Suburbs Love Me."  Because the verdicts are "making him a martyr."  Phillips forgot "a thief and probable discloser of classified information, a twice-impeached fomenter of violence against his own vice-president, among others, an incompetent whose malfeasance contributed to a million covid deaths, a racist, a rapist, the operator of a phony charitable foundation, a semi-literate, a cornucopia of ignorance whose mind is deteriorating in public, a creep who was repeatedly photographed groping his young daughter" -- but yeah, let's throw him a parade on Fifth Avenue climaxing when he finally gets to shoot someone.  I know Phillips wasn't born in Lake Wobegon because he was never above average.

Makes you tired.