Thank you, puddle. It's my second try; the first (a mushroom) was a learning experience. Not original (that's my art class difficulty): it started out as a picture of a beet done in black marker that I found online; Naomi suggested adding a leaf to make it fill the page, and the instructor suggested the frame and lined background. The next project will be a polychrome woodcut--how we will do that I don't know. But I clearly did right by choosing to take art classes at the local junior college rather than the adult school.
That's a test print on inexpensive brown paper. Next week we make multiple prints on good printing paper and submit three. Oh, and I didn't cut myself with the wood gouges even once! And as in my previous two Art classes, my work seems to be middling--which is outstanding for me.
After Rand Paul’s question was declined by the Chief Justice, because he was trying to identify and out the whistleblower, the Senator stormed out of the chamber and took his question (name and all) to reporters.
DT tweeted, questioning the Chief Justice’s action.
Bloomberg to visit Sacramento, Fresno, and Compton on Monday. [Click] I will be interested to see how big a crowd he attracts—but not interested enough to go myself. The guy impresses me as a bullshitter. The article corrects a misimpression of mine; in California delegates are awarded to anyone who gets 15% in a given congressional district, not the state as a whole.
A new NBC News/Wall Street Journal national poll finds Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden statistically tied at the top of the Democratic field.Sanders leads with 27% support, followed by Biden at 26% and Elizabeth Warren at 15%, Michael Bloomberg at 9%, Pete Buttigieg at 7% and Amy Klobuchar at 5%.
The Murkowski Wildcard [Click] If Murkowski votes for more witnesses in the impeachment trial, that produces a 50-50 tie, which John Roberts could break if he follows precedent.
"Given the partisan nature of this impeachment from the very beginning and throughout, I have come to the conclusion that there will be no fair trial in the Senate. I don't believe the continuation of this process will change anything. It is sad for me to admit that, as an institution, the Congress has failed." "It has also become clear some of my colleagues intend to further politicize this process, and drag the Supreme Court into the fray, while attacking the Chief Justice," she said. "I will not stand for nor support that effort. We have already degraded this institution for partisan political benefit, and I will not enable those who wish to pull down another."
They may be waiting until Wednesday to take the vote on whether to convict or acquit. Negotiations under weigh (spelling carefully chosen). The White House wants the vote before the State of the Union. But Senators want the chance to make individual statements on the Senate floor.
Everything the Democrats do if PARTISAN (according to the Republicans). Meanwhile, stacking the courts with conservatives, refusing to bring bills to a vote, allowing a criminal to escape consequences. Partisan? Oh, no, no. Not if you're a Republican.
Murkowski's statement quoted above sounds statesmanlike, until you realize that, as Susan says, whatever a Democrat does, however patriotic and honorable, is partisan while whatever a Republican does, however criminal, treasonous or sleazy, is totally lacking in any hint of partisanship. I don't know whether to throw up or cry.
Though I appear to be logged in, can't figure out how to comment or respond to comments. *shrug* Guess they don't need my two bits today. I'll have to look into the matter though.
Yesterday, as I was pruning the cherry tree in our back yard, I noticed that the small peach tree we planted there was already blooming--even before the plum in the front yard (which has good southern exposure). It was the same last year; it is an early bearing variety.
Thanks, Bill. I find it hard to understand how Buttigieg could enact Progressive policies, as he is quoted in the article as claiming he is better qualified to do than Biden or Bernie, when he doesn't espouse any.
75% of the American people want witnesses. So DT's team is saying that if the Senate votes for witnesses they will require every witness the House heard from to be cross examined by them, to drag out the case and make the concept unpalatable to the Senators.
So now there is a break "appearance of lack of quorum" which just means they wanted time to talk amongst themselves. The leadership from both parties was huddled for a time. Now they are huddled with their own people. Chief Justice has just returned.
US underprepared for coronavirus due to Trump cuts, say health experts [Click] “Steps put in place after Ebola outbreak have been scrapped; post of global health czar eliminated and CDC funding cut.” Why, who could have anticipated this? Except for those who pointed it out at the time, that is…
So now there is a break "appearance of lack of quorum" which just means they wanted time to talk amongst themselves. The leadership from both parties was huddled for a time. Now they are huddled with their own people. Chief Justice has just returned.
Apparently some Senators want a chance to speak on the Senate floor into the record. That would happen off camera, though individual Senators are free to release a copy of their remarks. It seems that Sens Collins and Murkowski want a chance to speak and maybe others, and this would mean the Republicans wouldn't have the votes to deny it. It may be that Sen. Schumer would like the final vote to take place after the State of the Union (to not let DT gloat there, I imagine). Stay tuned.
It looks like the Republicans have the votes to have no witnesses. But some Republican Senators want the chance to speak before a final vote. No one anticipates that it will change the final vote. It seems they just want a chance to explain themselves to their constituents.
Pigweed I don't know, but we had skunk cabbage in places where I grew up--it grew in marshes. Our next project is to be a polychrome (4 colors plus black and white) inspired by a Tarot card. I puzzled about a subject; thought of a yeti but couldn't come up with a good model. Then thought of Bigfoot, Campy, and the like--ditto. Then I thought of, and decided on, making a Taro card. That is to say, a figure of a Taro plant, with a pair of forks, maybe some mountains and a red sun in the far background.
Could well be calculated to keep those senators that are running tied up and unable to make last minute barnstorming appearances. Smart from both Trump's and Corporate Dems' point of view, since one of those senators, Sanders, is running strong and poses a threat to both equally.
"Republicans in Congress have fully embraced Trumpism. The Senate impeachment trial revealed that most of the GOP -- including the so-called moderates -- made a decision to stand by the President at all costs and accept the way that he governs. Even as incredibly damaging information continued to emerge in the media, the Senate Republicans stood firm. While some commentators have concluded that the President can get away with whatever he wants to, it is more accurate to say that members of the GOP are allowing him to get away with whatever he wants to, for the sake of their own partisan interests..."
"In the coming months, Democrats should drive home the ways Trump has abused his power and make that a central message of the 2020 campaign. They need to keep asking: Do voters want another four years of this and can the nation withstand the risk? They need to adapt Ronald Reagan's 1980 message and ask: Is our democracy better off than it was four years ago?"
We received our sample ballots and associated materials today. My apologies, but it looks like Devin Nunes will be reelected "our repreaentative." There are three Dems running.
Oh, that's right, sort of--it's the primary. Jungle primary, top two go to a runoff in November. I suppose I am being a little defeatist given the present political conditions. But I am probably right.
Alan, that is goremous! I did one once, but not nearly so ambitious or lovely.
ReplyDeleteThank you, puddle. It's my second try; the first (a mushroom) was a learning experience. Not original (that's my art class difficulty): it started out as a picture of a beet done in black marker that I found online; Naomi suggested adding a leaf to make it fill the page, and the instructor suggested the frame and lined background. The next project will be a polychrome woodcut--how we will do that I don't know. But I clearly did right by choosing to take art classes at the local junior college rather than the adult school.
DeleteAlan did that? WOW!
DeleteThat's a test print on inexpensive brown paper. Next week we make multiple prints on good printing paper and submit three. Oh, and I didn't cut myself with the wood gouges even once! And as in my previous two Art classes, my work seems to be middling--which is outstanding for me.
DeleteAfter Rand Paul’s question was declined by the Chief Justice, because he was trying to identify and out the whistleblower, the Senator stormed out of the chamber and took his question (name and all) to reporters.
ReplyDeleteDT tweeted, questioning the Chief Justice’s action.
Paul should be held in contempt!
https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ny-rand-paul-whistleblower-john-roberts-ukraine-20200130-uzp2yf2fpzcjvp6ifa2l2koerm-story.html
Today those who were
ReplyDeletesupposed to protect us
will set us in harm’s way
and free the beast.
Horse race items for the morning:
ReplyDeleteNew ARG Iowa Poll shows Sanders leading among likely caucus-goers with 23%. [Click] All the followers-up are bunched up at 15% to 17%, with a statistical uncertainty of 4%. Undecided and supporters of minor candidates total 29%.
Bloomberg to visit Sacramento, Fresno, and Compton on Monday. [Click] I will be interested to see how big a crowd he attracts—but not interested enough to go myself. The guy impresses me as a bullshitter. The article corrects a misimpression of mine; in California delegates are awarded to anyone who gets 15% in a given congressional district, not the state as a whole.
U.S. farm bankruptcies hit an eight-year high [Click]
A new NBC News/Wall Street Journal national poll finds Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden statistically tied at the top of the Democratic field.Sanders leads with 27% support, followed by Biden at 26% and Elizabeth Warren at 15%, Michael Bloomberg at 9%, Pete Buttigieg at 7% and Amy Klobuchar at 5%.
The Murkowski Wildcard [Click] If Murkowski votes for more witnesses in the impeachment trial, that produces a 50-50 tie, which John Roberts could break if he follows precedent.
Sen. Murkowski has revealed she is going to vote No on witnesses.
Delete75% of Americans want the Senate to call witnesses.
DeleteRepublicans simply don't care about Americans.
"Given the partisan nature of this impeachment from the very beginning and throughout, I have come to the conclusion that there will be no fair trial in the Senate. I don't believe the continuation of this process will change anything. It is sad for me to admit that, as an institution, the Congress has failed."
Delete"It has also become clear some of my colleagues intend to further politicize this process, and drag the Supreme Court into the fray, while attacking the Chief Justice," she said. "I will not stand for nor support that effort. We have already degraded this institution for partisan political benefit, and I will not enable those who wish to pull down another."
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/gop-sen-murkowski-says-she-will-vote-against-witnesses-calls-n1127381
They may be waiting until Wednesday to take the vote on whether to convict or acquit. Negotiations under weigh (spelling carefully chosen). The White House wants the vote before the State of the Union. But Senators want the chance to make individual statements on the Senate floor.
DeleteEverything the Democrats do if PARTISAN (according to the Republicans). Meanwhile, stacking the courts with conservatives, refusing to bring bills to a vote, allowing a criminal to escape consequences. Partisan? Oh, no, no. Not if you're a Republican.
DeleteMurkowski's statement quoted above sounds statesmanlike, until you realize that, as Susan says, whatever a Democrat does, however patriotic and honorable, is partisan while whatever a Republican does, however criminal, treasonous or sleazy, is totally lacking in any hint of partisanship. I don't know whether to throw up or cry.
DeleteHamilton Nolan: Bernie Sanders' real obstacle is not Trump; it's the Democratic establishment [Click] Very, very well put IMO. Highly recommended.
ReplyDeleteThat statement is absolutely true! Off to read the article.
DeleteDandy article. Thanks, Alan.
DeleteThough I appear to be logged in, can't figure out how to comment or respond to comments. *shrug* Guess they don't need my two bits today. I'll have to look into the matter though.
Yesterday, as I was pruning the cherry tree in our back yard, I noticed that the small peach tree we planted there was already blooming--even before the plum in the front yard (which has good southern exposure). It was the same last year; it is an early bearing variety.
ReplyDeleteBolton reportedly writes Trump asked him to help pressure Ukraine in May meeting with Cipollone
ReplyDeletehttps://theweek.com/speedreads/892936/bolton-reportedly-writes-trump-asked-help-pressure-ukraine-may-meeting-cipollone
Incase you aren't sure who Patrick Cipollone is, he's on DT's team, defending him in the Senate, and he's been the one who spoke the most.
DeleteNew Iowa caucus rules could spark clashing claims of victory, muddling the results.
ReplyDeletePete Buttigieg is courting ‘future former Republicans’.. (I.e., people who voted for Trump but are now sufficiently turned off to switch their party affiliation.)
ReplyDeleteFormer Maryland Rep. John Delaney drops out of presidential race. In part because he doesn't want to hurt the chances of other moderates. Although, given how caucuses work, it's not clear that this matters.
ReplyDeletePete Buttigieg calls out Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders in Iowa for rehashing past arguments.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bill. I find it hard to understand how Buttigieg could enact Progressive policies, as he is quoted in the article as claiming he is better qualified to do than Biden or Bernie, when he doesn't espouse any.
DeleteThe Senate's 15 min break has stretched to more than 45min. Hmmm.
ReplyDeleteReturning now.
Delete75% of the American people want witnesses. So DT's team is saying that if the Senate votes for witnesses they will require every witness the House heard from to be cross examined by them, to drag out the case and make the concept unpalatable to the Senators.
DeleteSo now there is a break "appearance of lack of quorum" which just means they wanted time to talk amongst themselves. The leadership from both parties was huddled for a time. Now they are huddled with their own people. Chief Justice has just returned.
ReplyDeleteJ.D. Scholten on what he thinks the national media misunderstands about Iowa [Click] Sounds to me like it’s not so different from a lot of other places. He makes an interesting point about why senators from big states typically don’t do well in Iowa; they don’t have experience in retail politics.
ReplyDeleteUS underprepared for coronavirus due to Trump cuts, say health experts [Click] “Steps put in place after Ebola outbreak have been scrapped; post of global health czar eliminated and CDC funding cut.” Why, who could have anticipated this? Except for those who pointed it out at the time, that is…
Looks to me like the Four Horsemen are assembling. Indeed, who'd'a thunk? :P
DeleteThe Four Horsemen, indeed.
DeleteWe need a National Nurse!!
DeleteSo now there is a break "appearance of lack of quorum" which just means they wanted time to talk amongst themselves. The leadership from both parties was huddled for a time. Now they are huddled with their own people. Chief Justice has just returned.
ReplyDeleteApparently some Senators want a chance to speak on the Senate floor into the record. That would happen off camera, though individual Senators are free to release a copy of their remarks. It seems that Sens Collins and Murkowski want a chance to speak and maybe others, and this would mean the Republicans wouldn't have the votes to deny it. It may be that Sen. Schumer would like the final vote to take place after the State of the Union (to not let DT gloat there, I imagine). Stay tuned.
It looks like the Republicans have the votes to have no witnesses. But some Republican Senators want the chance to speak before a final vote. No one anticipates that it will change the final vote. It seems they just want a chance to explain themselves to their constituents.
ReplyDeleteAh, I guess they're trying to get the okay to do the Senator statements in public. But that would require unanimous consent. Not going to happen.
DeleteAcquittal vote may be being pushed to next Wednesday.
DeleteAlan, if you are still looking for a subject for another woodcut, may I suggest, in honour of the Senate Trial:
ReplyDeleteSkunk Cabbage or Pigweed?
;-)
Pigweed I don't know, but we had skunk cabbage in places where I grew up--it grew in marshes. Our next project is to be a polychrome (4 colors plus black and white) inspired by a Tarot card. I puzzled about a subject; thought of a yeti but couldn't come up with a good model. Then thought of Bigfoot, Campy, and the like--ditto. Then I thought of, and decided on, making a Taro card. That is to say, a figure of a Taro plant, with a pair of forks, maybe some mountains and a red sun in the far background.
DeleteGreat idea!!
DeleteHere comes the witness question...
ReplyDelete51/49 as expected.
DeleteNo witnesses.
*** THE ACQUITTAL VOTE WILL BE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.
ReplyDeleteSenators will take time to speak on the Senate floor Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Not sure but it sounds like all the Senators will have to be in the Senate all Monday afternoon on IOWA Day.
DeleteDUMB!!!
Could well be calculated to keep those senators that are running tied up and unable to make last minute barnstorming appearances. Smart from both Trump's and Corporate Dems' point of view, since one of those senators, Sanders, is running strong and poses a threat to both equally.
DeleteCNN thinks they have the option not to show up on Monday. Hope so.
Delete"Republicans in Congress have fully embraced Trumpism. The Senate impeachment trial revealed that most of the GOP -- including the so-called moderates -- made a decision to stand by the President at all costs and accept the way that he governs. Even as incredibly damaging information continued to emerge in the media, the Senate Republicans stood firm. While some commentators have concluded that the President can get away with whatever he wants to, it is more accurate to say that members of the GOP are allowing him to get away with whatever he wants to, for the sake of their own partisan interests..."
ReplyDelete"In the coming months, Democrats should drive home the ways Trump has abused his power and make that a central message of the 2020 campaign. They need to keep asking: Do voters want another four years of this and can the nation withstand the risk? They need to adapt Ronald Reagan's 1980 message and ask: Is our democracy better off than it was four years ago?"
https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/31/opinions/dems-should-pivot-from-impeachment-to-iowa-zelizer/index.html
We received our sample ballots and associated materials today. My apologies, but it looks like Devin Nunes will be reelected "our repreaentative." There are three Dems running.
ReplyDeleteBut doesn't he have to get a majority?
DeleteOh, that's right, sort of--it's the primary. Jungle primary, top two go to a runoff in November. I suppose I am being a little defeatist given the present political conditions. But I am probably right.
Delete