They “saved” the election

Translation: how the bipartisan ruling party tried to hide their steal of the 2020 election for the Deep State:

In a way, Trump was right.

There was a conspiracy unfolding behind the scenes, one that both curtailed the protests and coordinated the resistance from CEOs. Both surprises were the result of an informal alliance between left-wing activists and business titans. The pact was formalized in a terse, little-noticed joint statement of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and AFL-CIO published on Election Day. Both sides would come to see it as a sort of implicit bargain–inspired by the summer’s massive, sometimes destructive racial-justice protests–in which the forces of labor came together with the forces of capital to keep the peace and oppose Trump’s assault on democracy.

The handshake between business and labor was just one component of a vast, cross-partisan campaign to protect the election–an extraordinary shadow effort dedicated not to winning the vote but to ensuring it would be free and fair, credible and uncorrupted. For more than a year, a loosely organized coalition of operatives scrambled to shore up America’s institutions as they came under simultaneous attack from a remorseless pandemic and an autocratically inclined President. Though much of this activity took place on the left, it was separate from the Biden campaign and crossed ideological lines, with crucial contributions by nonpartisan and conservative actors. The scenario the shadow campaigners were desperate to stop was not a Trump victory. It was an election so calamitous that no result could be discerned at all, a failure of the central act of democratic self-governance that has been a hallmark of America since its founding.

Their work touched every aspect of the election. They got states to change voting systems and laws and helped secure hundreds of millions in public and private funding. They fended off voter-suppression lawsuits, recruited armies of poll workers and got millions of people to vote by mail for the first time. They successfully pressured social media companies to take a harder line against disinformation and used data-driven strategies to fight viral smears. They executed national public-awareness campaigns that helped Americans understand how the vote count would unfold over days or weeks, preventing Trump’s conspiracy theories and false claims of victory from getting more traction. After Election Day, they monitored every pressure point to ensure that Trump could not overturn the result. “The untold story of the election is the thousands of people of both parties who accomplished the triumph of American democracy at its very foundation,” says Norm Eisen, a prominent lawyer and former Obama Administration official who recruited Republicans and Democrats to the board of the Voter Protection Program.

This is an outright confession spun for the suckers. 


If Q is a fairy tale

Then why are Congressional Democrats clearly so terrified of it?

House Democrats are heading into a showdown with Republicans Thursday over GOP Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene’s past promotion of conspiracies that threatens to provoke an escalating cycle of political retaliation.

The conflict over Greene is one of two that had been festering for House Republicans and reflect tension in the party over its future direction and former President Donald Trump’s continued influence even after he was voted out of office.

GOP lawmakers Wednesday night decided to stand with both Trump loyalists and the old-line establishment. They rejected pressure from Democrats to take steps on their own to punish Greene, who has aligned herself closely with the former president, and voted to keep Representative Liz Cheney of Wyoming as one of their leaders despite scathing criticism over her vote to impeach Trump after a mob of his supporters stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6.

“It was a very resounding acknowledgment that we need to go forward together,” Cheney, 54, told reporters after a more than four-hour meeting of House Republicans where she and Greene were the main topics. She did not apologize for the impeachment vote, according to other lawmakers in the room.

Democrats are continuing the battle over Greene. Earlier Wednesday, they set up a vote on the House floor to remove her from the two committees she was assigned by GOP leadership, Education and Labor and Budget.

Just an observation. (whistles innocently) 


Totally has NOTHING to do with election fraud

It’s just a coincidence, you see, that the PA Secretary of State is resigning after presiding over some of the worst election fraud in state history.

Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar is resigning following news that the Department of State failed to advertise a proposed constitutional amendment that would extend retroactively the timeline for victims to file civil actions against their abusers.

Her last day will be Friday, Feb. 5, according to Governor Tom Wolf. The department will immediately institute new controls, including additional tracking and notifications of constitutional amendments, to ensure similar failings do not occur in the future.

“This change at the Department of State has nothing to do with the administration of the 2020 election, which was fair and accurate,” said Gov. Wolf. “The delay caused by this human error will be heartbreaking for thousands of survivors of childhood sexual assault, advocates and legislators, and I join the Department of State in apologizing to you. I share your anger and frustration that this happened, and I stand with you in your fight for justice.”

Sure, Governor. We TOTALLY believe you. Remember, liars only tell the truth when they’re denying it. 


Arrested for illegal tweets

Ricky Vaughan is arrested for four-year-old tweets… which “amounted to nothing short of vote theft”:

A Florida man was arrested this morning on charges of conspiring with others in advance of the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election to use various social media platforms to disseminate misinformation designed to deprive individuals of their constitutional right to vote.

Douglass Mackey, aka Ricky Vaughn, 31, of West Palm Beach, was charged by criminal complaint in the Eastern District of New York. He was taken into custody this morning in West Palm Beach and made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce E. Reinhart of the Southern District of Florida.

“According to the allegations in the complaint, the defendant exploited a social media platform to infringe one the of most basic and sacred rights guaranteed by the Constitution: the right to vote,” said Nicholas L. McQuaid, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This complaint underscores the department’s commitment to investigating and prosecuting those who would undermine citizens’ voting rights.”

“There is no place in public discourse for lies and misinformation to defraud citizens of their right to vote,” said Seth D. DuCharme, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. “With Mackey’s arrest, we serve notice that those who would subvert the democratic process in this manner cannot rely on the cloak of Internet anonymity to evade responsibility for their crimes. They will be investigated, caught and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

“Protecting every American citizen’s right to cast a legitimate vote is a key to the success of our republic,” said William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s New York Field Office. “What Mackey allegedly did to interfere with this process – by soliciting voters to cast their ballots via text – amounted to nothing short of vote theft. It is illegal behavior and contributes to the erosion of the public’s trust in our electoral processes. He may have been a powerful social media influencer at the time, but a quick Internet search of his name today will reveal an entirely different story.”

The complaint alleges that in 2016, Mackey established an audience on Twitter with approximately 58,000 followers. A February 2016 analysis by the MIT Media Lab ranked Mackey as the 107th most important influencer of the then-upcoming Election, ranking his account above outlets and individuals such as NBC News (#114), Stephen Colbert (#119) and Newt Gingrich (#141).

As alleged in the complaint, between September 2016 and November 2016, in the lead up to the Nov. 8, 2016, U.S. Presidential Election, Mackey conspired with others to use social media platforms, including Twitter, to disseminate fraudulent messages designed to encourage supporters of one of the presidential candidates (the “Candidate”) to “vote” via text message or social media, a legally invalid method of voting.

Now they’re just trolling us. 



Failure has consequences

If, as it is now widely assumed, President Trump’s courage failed him, his intrinsic Boomer civic nationalism won out over his genuine patriotism, and he failed to seize the historic opportunity that lay before him, it appears much of the good work he accomplished over the last four years will be rapidly undone.

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris arrive at the Capitol to make history: New president is minutes away from being sworn in as former presidents mount display of unity after Donald Trump snubbing him and flying to Florida.

After becoming president, Biden will immediately begin work on signing at least 15 executive orders he promised would take priority from the moment he entered the White House.

IMMIGRATION  

END THE ‘MUSLIM BAN’

‘A priority for Biden is nixing the ban on those traveling to the U.S. from seven Muslim-majority countries – one of Trump’s first orders as president, which was dubbed the ‘Muslim travel ban.’

While Biden plans to reverse the order, his administration vows to improve screening of visitors by strengthening information sharing with foreign governments.

HALT THE WALL 

During Trump’s presidency, more than 400 miles of border wall have been built, whether that be new portions of the wall or improvements to existing fencing. 

Biden will immediately halt ongoing construction of the wall, but will need to review active contracts and how that money could potentially be redirected.

So far, $15 billion in taxpayer dollars have been allocated for more than 700 miles of border wall. It is still unclear how many miles are under contract and what penalties the government would have to pay if they were canceled now.

DACA IS BACK

His orders also seek to fortify the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, known as DACA, a signature effort during the Obama administration that provided hundreds of thousands of young undocumented immigrants protection from deportation and a pathway to citizenship. 

CORONAVIRUS

MASK MANDATE 

Biden’s team has repeatedly promised to take the coronavirus pandemic more seriously and implement more strict public health measures they claim will stop the spread of the disease.

Biden is mandating mask wearing and social distancing in all federal buildings, on federal lands and by federal employees and contractors. He is also challenging Americans to wear a face covering for the first 100 days of his administration.

VACCINE MOVES 

He also shared in unveiling his coronavirus team that his goal is to distribute and administer 100 million shots in his first 100 days as president.

EVICTIONS, FORECLOSURES STAYED AND STUDENT LOAN PAUSE 

On Day One, Biden also plans to extend a moratorium on foreclosures and extend the pause on federal student loan payments, both initiatives started by Trump and extended a few times already in the midst of the pandemic.

BACK INTO WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION 

During Trump presidency, he withdrew from several foreign organizations and pacts, which Biden plans to reenter – including the World Health Organization. 

The president withdrew from the World Health Organization in 2020 after accusing it of incompetence in its handling of the coronavirus pandemic. He also claimed it caved to Chinese pressure over COVID-19 and lamented the U.S. helped fund the group too much.

Biden’s incoming White House coronavirus coordinate Jeff Zients announced top infectious disease experts at National Institute of Health, Dr. Anthony Fauci, will deliver a speech Thursday to the WHO.

In the speech as the new head of the U.S. delegation to WHO, Fauci, who often sparred with Trump over the last year, will lay out how Biden’s administration plans to work with the group on reforms.

CLIMATE  

BACK INTO PARIS ACCORD 

Trump also withdrew from the Paris Climate Accord, lamenting it wasn’t fair that the U.S. was funding much of the program aimed at cutting global fossil fuel emissions while other countries, like China, contribute much more to these emissions.

Biden will sign an executive order to rejoin the Paris climate accord, fulfilling a campaign pledge to get back into the global climate pact on Day One.

It will take 30 days for the U.S. to officially be back in. 

CANCEL KEYSTONE XL

In an effort to roll back more of Trump’s climate-related orders, Biden will also revoke a presidential permit for the Keystone XL oil and gas pipeline.

BAN ON ARCTIC DRILLING IS BACK AND EMISSIONS STANDARDS ARE REVIEWED

He also plans to implement a temporary moratorium on new oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and review Trump’s freeze on vehicle and emission standards. 

NATIONAL MONUMENTS ROLLBACK FROZEN 

The incoming president also wants to set in motion an evaluation of Trump’s cut in protections for some national monuments.

CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT ON ALL DECISIONS 

Federal agencies under Biden’s presidency will also be issued a new requirement to consider the impact that fossil field emissions have on climate change and how that will affect disadvantaged communities and future generations.  

GOVERNMENT

ETHICS

A pointed order will compel federal employees to take an ethics pledge that commits them to upholding the independence of the Justice Department.

CENSUS: EVERYONE WILL BE COUNTED 

He will revoke a Trump order that sought to exclude noncitizens from the census.

RACE AND ENVIRONMENT MARCHING ORDERS 

Biden will order a review of all Trump regulations and executive actions that are deemed damaging to the environment or public health. 

He will order federal agencies to prioritize racial equity and review policies that reenforce systemic racism. 

It’s hard to comprehend that President Trump is willing to allow all of this to happen to the people about whom he obviously cares so much, and to the nation that he loves. He still has 17 minutes left, but at this point, it’s hard to blame anyone who believes his courage failed him in the end.

UPDATE: Joe Biden has been officially sworn in by John Roberts. However, Washington DC is still occupied by troops. Focus on the material possibilities, not the superficial ceremonies. In other words, as always, wait 48 hours before reaching any conclusions.

UPDATE: Just a random thought. It’s unlikely, but it is going to be extremely amusing if “10 days of darkness” turns out to be a reference to how long Biden is permitted to pretend he is President. I always thought that was more likely than a reference to a communications blackout or show trials.


President Trump leaves the White House

 Read the speech. Read the whole thing and read it carefully.

For nearly 250 years, in the face of every challenge, Americans have always summoned our unmatched courage, confidence, and fierce independence. These are the miraculous traits that once led millions of everyday citizens to set out across a wild continent and carve out a new life in the great West. It was the same profound love of our God-given freedom that willed our soldiers into battle and our astronauts into space.

As I think back on the past four years, one image rises in my mind above all others.  Whenever I traveled all along the motorcade route, there were thousands and thousands of people. They came out with their families so that they could stand as we passed, and proudly wave our great American flag. It never failed to deeply move me.  I knew that they did not just come out to show their support of me; they came out to show me their support and love for our country. 

This is a republic of proud citizens who are united by our common conviction that America is the greatest nation in all of history.  We are, and must always be, a land of hope, of light, and of glory to all the world.  This is the precious inheritance that we must safeguard at every single turn.

For the past four years, I have worked to do just that.  From a great hall of Muslim leaders in Riyadh to a great square of Polish people in Warsaw; from the floor of the Korean Assembly to the podium at the United Nations General Assembly; and from the Forbidden City in Beijing to the shadow of Mount Rushmore, I fought for you, I fought for your family, I fought for our country.  Above all, I fought for America and all it stands for — and that is safe, strong, proud, and free. Now, as I prepare to hand power over to a new administration at noon on Wednesday, I want you to know that the movement we started is only just beginning.  There’s never been anything like it.  The belief that a nation must serve its citizens will not dwindle but instead only grow stronger by the day. As long as the American people hold in their hearts deep and devoted love of country, then there is nothing that this nation cannot achieve.  Our communities will flourish.  Our people will be prosperous.  Our traditions will be cherished.  Our faith will be strong.  And our future will be brighter than ever before.

I go from this majestic place with a loyal and joyful heart, an optimistic spirit, and a supreme confidence that for our country and for our children, the best is yet to come.

Thank you, and farewell. God bless you. God bless the United States of America. 

This is widely supposed to be a concessionary speech. Perhaps it is. But I don’t think so. Perhaps “the new administration” to which he will hand power at noon on Wednesday is the Biden administration. But I don’t think so.

In any case, remember the 48 hours rule.

UPDATE: And now they’re all showing up in DC….

Lady Gaga prays at the Capitol for ‘a day of peace for all Americans’ ahead of Biden-Harris inauguration… as she joins stars jetting into D.C.

UPDATE: As I previously told you, this guy clearly hasn’t been commanding the military in DC.

How petty can you get? Biden and family arrive in DC on charter plane after Trump REFUSES them government jet.


If at first you don’t succeed

Impeach, and impeach again:

TEN Republicans join Democrats to impeach Trump for a second time – by 230 votes to 197 – for ‘incitement of insurrection’, but Senate leader Mitch McConnell rules out trial until AFTER president leaves office.

I’ve never been more convinced that The Storm is approaching. Seriously, what on Earth could possibly be the point of this? Or, more pointedly, what on Earth is this supposed to prevent? 

Also, in what may or may not be related news, the Italian government is looking very likely to collapse before this weekend. This means Matteo Salvini should be the favorite to return to power at the head of Lega in the elections that the unstable PD-M5-IV alliance was formed to prevent.


Curiouser and curiouser

The State Department claims President Trump’s term ended today.

Donald J. Trump

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

JANUARY 20, 2017 – PRESENT

Donald J. Trump’s term ended on 2021-01-11 19:48:42.

Wait and see…. Secretary of State Pompeo is now live and babbling about Uzbekistan and Voice of America, expanding freedom and democracy, and American exceptionalism. He may be leading up to something, but whatever it is, we’re clearly not there yet.

UPDATE: President Trump Speaks in Alamo, TX. Scheduled for Jan 12, 2021

UPDATE: Sources tell BuzzFeedNews a “disgruntled staffer” is behind the State Department site’s change of Trump and Pence’s biographies.


Desperate indeed

Nancy Pelosi sure seems to be a) scared and b) in an awful hurry. I wonder what has her in such a tizzy on this happy Rubicon Day?

Dear Democratic Colleague,

On this Sunday, as we pray that God will continue to Bless America, I write to inform you of our next actions, which will be made with the great solemnity that this moment requires.

I want to call to your immediate attention the action to be taken tomorrow morning, when Majority Leader Hoyer will request Unanimous Consent to bring up the Raskin resolution. This resolution calls on the Vice President to convene and mobilize the Cabinet to activate the 25th Amendment to declare the President incapable of executing the duties of his office, after which the Vice President would immediately exercise powers as acting President. The text of the resolution can be found here.

If we do not receive Unanimous Consent, this legislation is planned to be brought up on the Floor the following day. We are calling on the Vice President to respond within 24 hours.

Next, we will proceed with bringing impeachment legislation to the Floor.

In protecting our Constitution and our Democracy, we will act with urgency, because this President represents an imminent threat to both. As the days go by, the horror of the ongoing assault on our democracy perpetrated by this President is intensified and so is the immediate need for action.

I look forward to our Caucus call tomorrow. I am grateful to all Members for the suggestions, observations and input that you have been sending. Your views on the 25th Amendment, 14th Amendment Section 3 and impeachment are valued as we continue. I am answering your communications in chronological order and will do so into the night.

Thank you for your patriotism.

Prayerfully,

I wonder to which devil god she is praying? Deus vult….