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Russ Wiecking's avatar

“Our scheme of society is more dependent than any other form of government on knowledge and wisdom and self-discipline for the achievement of its aims.” Chilling.

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Linda Blatnik's avatar

Scary. Wisdom and self discipline are not exactly

the qualities this federal government is working with.

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SandyG's avatar

Because those qualities are not valued by their supporters.

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Harper Thorpe's avatar

IMAGINE YOU’RE ZELENSKYY

In Munich, you’re facing Trump’s advance team: His VP who lied about Haitians eating pets & his State Sec who lied about USAID money flowing. Trump wants you to trust them to discuss the fate of your country in good faith. 🫤

In any case, Vance is not going to re-read any of his law books because the reading he’s been most influenced by is Curtis Yarvin.

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Linda Blatnik's avatar

I really enjoy and appreciate learning about the intricacies and careful language of our laws. This helps me explain things to my crew, who are working to help those who need it in these times. Thank you.

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Philip's avatar

It's refreshing to know that I can trust information provided by the Freedom Academy, and provided in such a manner that most ordinary citizens can comprehend. (Just want to pass along that Monday is a protest day across the country, at the White House, State Houses, City Halls, and Town Halls. Do you research to find where you might be able to show your support for the 99% (including those who voted for this disaster we now have to work at pushing back against).

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Asha Rangappa's avatar

Yes there is one in New Haven and I plan to go!

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Katharine Hill's avatar

What an excellent tutorial, Asha. And your forwarding of the ABA statement the other day gave me hope. For some restorative laughter, I highly recommend Jay Kuo’s Saturday post.

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Ivan Nevarez  🇺🇸 🇺🇦  🦋's avatar

After reading through a few Federalist Papers over the years (2016-2020 really stoked an interest), I had to chuckle at what I perceived as the naivete of the Founders....seemed like they were saying surely the electorate, and electors, would not pick an obviously unqualified fool to run things. They certainly warned of one person concentrating power, hence the 3 branches. But they also warned of a corrupt person working the system, and thought the better angels in everyone else would prevent it. Instead of spelling out more legal means (i.e. qualifications) to prevent it.

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Deborah Jacobson's avatar

This was excellent, high-level stuff. I wish there was a way to get more people to undestand what is happening.

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Bikracer's avatar

Way more people should read your posts! I am going to share this to Bluesky! I can’t pay until I figure out how much money I have coming in due to the shadow president and his youngins’

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SandyG's avatar

I too am waiting to see what happens with next month's check.

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Lark Leonard's avatar

What astonishes me, as Trump & Musk create wreckage, is that they both appear to believe that they themselves bequeath their own legitimacy! It is unreal. What planet have they been living on? I don't think I have ever encountered such a level of hubris. It is truly frightening.

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Jeanne Manion's avatar

Lentils are good, Asha.

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SandyG's avatar

Love the School Rock clip, Asha. I just wish they had numbered them the way they're numbered in the Constitution: Congress is the first of the three. I guess even as far back as the 197Os, we were already seeing Congress give too much authority to the Executive.

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Stephen Michael Kellat's avatar

I had spotted news about some of this weekend’s firings and was fairly livid this morning. Uncle Stupid is firing a lot of fairly dangerous employees that hostile powers would love to snatch up. The firings and apparently failed walk back of those firings at the National Nuclear Security Administration is a huge example where we’re going to be hurting for some time.

The key is to be able to take a break. Yes, the world is on fire. It isn’t going to be put right in one decisive action. The Biden years were effectively a time-out in the crisis that started on J6 where one side thought things were fine while the other devised stratagems.

Take in a series at your local community theater. Join a tabletop RPG group whether in-person or through virtual tabletop. Build ties. Start a hobby. Join a local gym with some friends. This is going to be a long haul.

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Hehami's avatar

JD should be disbarred and have his law degree revoked.

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Stephen W Luebke's avatar

Vance’s statement is essentially the Führerprinzip: “Der Führer hat immer Recht”

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Wayne Stiles's avatar

I reluctantly and regrettably splash a little cold water on Asha's informative and valuable legal discussion. Going forward you may be sure than no FBI agent will take on a case if there is the slightest hint that it could be offensive to his superiors, the US Dept. of Justice or President Trump, et.al. Who would do that? Who would risk their hard-earned retirement? No, those cases will be elided, mishandled, misrepresented or not even opened for fear of being running afoul of Trump's revenge train. Easier to just slide on by, wait for retirement, RIP (retire in place) or act as someone's co-pilot, but never the pilot. I know because I was both an FBI case agent and pilot. And should your case survive the investigative process, it would have to be approved for legal action by the US Attorney's Office in one's city. Is the suspect from the right party, will the case effect the next election, is the suspect a large GOP donor (or will he become one)? The reasons for prosecuting are legally dependent on satisfying the elements of the crime. The reasons to decline prosecution are both political and philosophical. If an AUSA doesn't want to give you a subpoena, empanel a Federal Grand Jury, approve a search or arrest warrant, an investigator is toast and the case if for all intents and purposes dead. In my opinion, this is where Federal justice is headed.

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Lori's avatar

Unfortunately, Trump is already a dictator supported by a powerful oligarchy and will probably never willingly step aside no matter what is decided in election results or court decisions. I’m pretty sure they will simply ignore it all. But it will be the end of the USA as a Republic only if our military acquiesces to their coup. A similar thing happened to the Romans when Julius Caesar came to power. He made himself Emperor and destroyed the Roman Republic. He also conquered new lands (Gaza? Greenland? Panama?) and developed real estate (Baths, Coliseums, Temples, Military Barracks?, Golf Courses???) to expand Rome’s dominion over as many as possible.

Trump is certainly no Caesar but he has tremendous wealth, media and economic control backing him. And after Hegseth replaces all the top military brass with Trump lackeys, it will be up to the captains, majors, ensigns and sergeants to lead the rank and file military patriots in disobeyance and resistance to illegal orders. The People will also likely have to be willing to put themselves, their lives and their families in harm’s way to save Our Republic. Ordinary people like you and me.

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