Sen. Harris had significant baggage, but it seems to me that her most pronounced failing as a candidate was that she was unable to articulate any particular reason that she should be President. She is a clintonista, and apparently figured (like HRC) it would be enough to declare "Here I am!" A sense of entitlement is definitely not enough; one must have some sense of the political, economic and social zeitgeist, show it, and act on it. IMO.
Politico on Harris’ downfall. [Click] They make much of her previous electoral successes, but don’t point out that in the senatorial election her opponent was wildly far to the right of the electorate. I did vote for her, but only because her opponent was so repulsive.
I was actually surprised she pulled out, but also not sorry. Funny that Biden would call her a first rate candidate given how she went after him in the debate. He must be courting her bereft followers.
I think Biden might have been honestly surprised because he overestimates the appeal of "centrist" candidates. And he is basically a decent fellow, who will do the socially expected thing. I recall an analysis of the various candidates' donations, and Harris's funding followed a "flash in the pan" pattern: a lot at the beginning, then a rapid decrease, followed by a longer and slower decrease. Beto's fundraising pattern was similar.
Once the articles of impeachment are voted on by the House, no pardon is available.
***Regardless of whether a sitting president can be indicted and convicted on such criminal charges, Trump will become liable to them at some point. But could he be pardoned, as Gerald Ford pardoned Richard Nixon 45 years ago?
Article II, section 2 of the Constitution gives a president the power to pardon anyone who has been convicted of offenses against the United States, with one exception: "In Cases of Impeachment."
If Trump is impeached by the House, he can never be pardoned for these crimes. He cannot pardon himself (it's dubious that a president has this self-pardoning power in any event), and he cannot be pardoned by a future president.
Even if a subsequent president wanted to pardon Trump in the interest of, say, domestic tranquility, she could not.
Gerald Ford wrote in his pardon of Nixon that if Nixon were indicted and subject to a criminal trial, "the tranquility to which this nation has been restored by the events of recent weeks could be irreparably lost."
Had the House impeached Nixon, Ford's hands would have been tied.***
Oh, that is MOST interesting; thank you for sharing, puddle! Speaking for myself, I could at the time understand Ford's rationale, and I still accept it. But at the same time it was the most important factor in my decision to vote for Carter.
The way I read it, this applies to the impeachment process. No pardon can stop impeachment (and note that is is not only presidents than can be impeached). I don't see this as blocking pardons for actual criminal charges, which are something different.
Quite so. Article I, Section III of the Constitution:
"Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law."
So all the Congress can do is remove him from office (no removing his head, like Parliament did for Charles the First), but he can subsequently be prosecuted for fraud, treason, jaywalking, or whatever charges are brought against him, just like any other citizen. I truly do wonder if Trump will flee the US.
From my home-town newspaper: Can California save higher education? [Click] “With a higher education budget of $18.5 billion in 2019-2020, it has invested heavily in helping community college students transfer into four-year programs.” Something I found particularly interesting is the increased effectiveness of intensive tutoring compared to remedial coursework. It is no surprise that many students spend more than necessary on housing and food (although the first reference to that in the article misstates the situation, it is later corrected). And trying to complete college while having spouse and kid(s)? Seems incredible to me, but it is evidently possible these days.
We had three children by the time Wil completed his 6 year program of study and apprenticeship. I finished my bachelor's while home schooling our five children. Then I went on to a three year study program on theology, scripture and spirituality, and after that a two year spiritual guidance program...all while home schooling the kids.
My folks married in 1932, in the depths of the Great Depression, and I absorbed life lessons from them and to a lesser extent their parents' generation. I don't know that they ever explicitly said so, but one lesson I absorbed was that a man has no right to go courting, much less marry, before he can support a family--which means before he has a regular job. Ideally, "first the nest and then the bird." I knew well several couples who married in graduate school, and one who married as undergraduates. One graduate/undergraduate couple. Many of them made it, but it was hard. I just couldn't bring myself to do it, but that was hard too, even though it was in my bones. I didn't have an account at the Bank of Mom and Dad (my father passed away and I helped my Mom), and government guaranteed student loans only came along after I was in graduate school and knew how to get by without them. I did have to be very careful with my money, but that was accepted as normal in my family.
Meaning no disrespect to Bill or to Listener's sweetie, but that's pretty much the way I think it ought to be. No marriage let alone children till at least one party (preferably the boy) has a solid job. Terribly old fashioned, I know.
Ah, well, perhaps it would reassure the forebears to know that Wil did indeed have a job that supported us. He was accepted into General Electric's Manufacturing Management Apprenticeship Program. Therefore it took 6 years to get a 4 year degree, since there is an apprenticeship as well. At first one works part time and goes to school full time. Then one works full time and goes to school part time. Upon graduation one is required to work for GE for two years. So Wil also had a job upon graduation which paid well. He then moved on to Digital Equipment Corporation. All good.
"By Tuesday there had already been more than 2ft of snow in some areas of central Massachusetts, and 16in in Somers, Connecticut. The Boston area had only about 4in of snow..."
We got about four inches yesterday, and by this morning about eighteen or so inches more. It has snowed in a desultory sort of way through the afternoon and evening. Don't know what the accumulation is up to at this point. Dad snow blew this afternoon, but hasn't yet dug out the cars. He'll do that tomorrow. Couldn't go for his monthly kumatin (sp?) check in the morning or to do his weekly food shopping. It's not like we had six feet or anything, but enough to be snowbound today.
Traditional 'foreign policy' no longer exists. [Click] Sanders and Warren are the only Democratic candidates to realize it.
ReplyDeleteJust got word that Harris has dropped out, mirabile dictu!
ReplyDeleteHere we are:
DeleteKamala Harris drops out of presidential race after plummeting from top tier of Democratic candidates - Click
Some other factoids here: Sen. Kamala Harris Ends Presidential Campaign [Click]
DeleteBiden Calls Kamala Harris a ‘First-Rate Candidate,’ seems shocked at her withdrawal. [Click]
DeleteSen. Harris had significant baggage, but it seems to me that her most pronounced failing as a candidate was that she was unable to articulate any particular reason that she should be President. She is a clintonista, and apparently figured (like HRC) it would be enough to declare "Here I am!" A sense of entitlement is definitely not enough; one must have some sense of the political, economic and social zeitgeist, show it, and act on it. IMO.
Politico on Harris’ downfall. [Click] They make much of her previous electoral successes, but don’t point out that in the senatorial election her opponent was wildly far to the right of the electorate. I did vote for her, but only because her opponent was so repulsive.
I was actually surprised she pulled out, but also not sorry. Funny that Biden would call her a first rate candidate given how she went after him in the debate. He must be courting her bereft followers.
DeleteI think Biden might have been honestly surprised because he overestimates the appeal of "centrist" candidates. And he is basically a decent fellow, who will do the socially expected thing. I recall an analysis of the various candidates' donations, and Harris's funding followed a "flash in the pan" pattern: a lot at the beginning, then a rapid decrease, followed by a longer and slower decrease. Beto's fundraising pattern was similar.
DeleteRebuilding local reporting across the country. [Click] Sounds promising.
ReplyDeleteOnce the articles of impeachment are voted on by the House, no pardon is available.
ReplyDelete***Regardless of whether a sitting president can be indicted and convicted on such criminal charges, Trump will become liable to them at some point. But could he be pardoned, as Gerald Ford pardoned Richard Nixon 45 years ago?
Article II, section 2 of the Constitution gives a president the power to pardon anyone who has been convicted of offenses against the United States, with one exception: "In Cases of Impeachment."
If Trump is impeached by the House, he can never be pardoned for these crimes. He cannot pardon himself (it's dubious that a president has this self-pardoning power in any event), and he cannot be pardoned by a future president.
Even if a subsequent president wanted to pardon Trump in the interest of, say, domestic tranquility, she could not.
Gerald Ford wrote in his pardon of Nixon that if Nixon were indicted and subject to a criminal trial, "the tranquility to which this nation has been restored by the events of recent weeks could be irreparably lost."
Had the House impeached Nixon, Ford's hands would have been tied.***
https://www.newsweek.com/trump-impeached-house-literally-unpardonable-1475096
Oh, that is MOST interesting; thank you for sharing, puddle! Speaking for myself, I could at the time understand Ford's rationale, and I still accept it. But at the same time it was the most important factor in my decision to vote for Carter.
DeleteHmmm.... on further reflection, doesn't that mean that he must be convicted by the Senate?
DeleteSeems like the two processes were considered different. Would also explain why Nixon didn't wait for conviction/removal, but left before mpeachment.
DeleteThe way I read it, this applies to the impeachment process. No pardon can stop impeachment (and note that is is not only presidents than can be impeached). I don't see this as blocking pardons for actual criminal charges, which are something different.
DeleteQuite so. Article I, Section III of the Constitution:
Delete"Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law."
So all the Congress can do is remove him from office (no removing his head, like Parliament did for Charles the First), but he can subsequently be prosecuted for fraud, treason, jaywalking, or whatever charges are brought against him, just like any other citizen. I truly do wonder if Trump will flee the US.
That hadn't occurred to me. I wonder what country would take him. Uncle Vladimir might be less than thrilled to have him as a permanent guest.
DeleteFrom my home-town newspaper: Can California save higher education? [Click] “With a higher education budget of $18.5 billion in 2019-2020, it has invested heavily in helping community college students transfer into four-year programs.” Something I found particularly interesting is the increased effectiveness of intensive tutoring compared to remedial coursework. It is no surprise that many students spend more than necessary on housing and food (although the first reference to that in the article misstates the situation, it is later corrected). And trying to complete college while having spouse and kid(s)? Seems incredible to me, but it is evidently possible these days.
ReplyDeleteI was married shortly after I started my PhD program and my son was borm a few months before I completed my degree.
DeleteWe had three children by the time Wil completed his 6 year program of study and apprenticeship. I finished my bachelor's while home schooling our five children. Then I went on to a three year study program on theology, scripture and spirituality, and after that a two year spiritual guidance program...all while home schooling the kids.
DeleteMy folks married in 1932, in the depths of the Great Depression, and I absorbed life lessons from them and to a lesser extent their parents' generation. I don't know that they ever explicitly said so, but one lesson I absorbed was that a man has no right to go courting, much less marry, before he can support a family--which means before he has a regular job. Ideally, "first the nest and then the bird." I knew well several couples who married in graduate school, and one who married as undergraduates. One graduate/undergraduate couple. Many of them made it, but it was hard. I just couldn't bring myself to do it, but that was hard too, even though it was in my bones. I didn't have an account at the Bank of Mom and Dad (my father passed away and I helped my Mom), and government guaranteed student loans only came along after I was in graduate school and knew how to get by without them. I did have to be very careful with my money, but that was accepted as normal in my family.
DeleteMeaning no disrespect to Bill or to Listener's sweetie, but that's pretty much the way I think it ought to be. No marriage let alone children till at least one party (preferably the boy) has a solid job. Terribly old fashioned, I know.
DeleteAh, well, perhaps it would reassure the forebears to know that Wil did indeed have a job that supported us. He was accepted into General Electric's Manufacturing Management Apprenticeship Program. Therefore it took 6 years to get a 4 year degree, since there is an apprenticeship as well. At first one works part time and goes to school full time. Then one works full time and goes to school part time. Upon graduation one is required to work for GE for two years. So Wil also had a job upon graduation which paid well. He then moved on to Digital Equipment Corporation. All good.
Delete"By Tuesday there had already been more than 2ft of snow in some areas of central Massachusetts, and 16in in Somers, Connecticut. The Boston area had only about 4in of snow..."
ReplyDeleteHow about where you are, Cat?
We got about four inches yesterday, and by this morning about eighteen or so inches more. It has snowed in a desultory sort of way through the afternoon and evening. Don't know what the accumulation is up to at this point. Dad snow blew this afternoon, but hasn't yet dug out the cars. He'll do that tomorrow. Couldn't go for his monthly kumatin (sp?) check in the morning or to do his weekly food shopping. It's not like we had six feet or anything, but enough to be snowbound today.
DeleteI was thinking you must have had at least 22" of snow, Cat. We got a whopping 4/10ths of an inch.
DeleteCoumadin, Cat. No big to be a week late if he's been stable.
DeleteListener--would it sound more impressive if you received ten millimeters? [he ducks]
DeleteSis confirmed this morning that she saw in the paper that we got eighteen inches yesterday. Somewhat amazed at my accuracy.
DeleteYes, Alan, he's stable. Glad you could decipher my spelling.
Feeling old and shunned, legendary writer Paul Theroux leaves the US and journeys to a country that reveres the elderly. [Click] A very nice little read.
ReplyDeleteThese may be my last posts for a while. I leave town tomorrow and won't be back until a week from today.
ReplyDeleteHave a safe trip, Bill.
DeleteTraveling Mercies, Bill!
DeleteMay you travel to sunny climes!
DeleteAlbuquerque. The high desert is rather chilly this time of year but will probably be sunny.
Delete