listener, I just read on Facebook that in a civil trial, which is what Lardo & kids have to testify in - using the 5th doesn't protect them. Instead it is seen as proof of guilt. Hope that's true.
It isn't proof of guilt, because that would negate the constitutional right to take the 5th. However, in a civil trial it does cast a strong negative connotation, and is considered unwise. Of course, in the case of DT, he can't not lie, so it's dangerous for him to say anything else!
I think poor Donald is still convinced that "words can never hurt me." And, he does not realize that civil courts and criminal courts are very different. Civil courts rely mostly and rcords and written submissions. Criminal courts do consider evidence, but testimony carries much more weight. It was stunning as MSNBC pointed out that the lawyers argued, Donald should not be intrviewed because he does not know the particulars and then Donald sent a letter saying he knows everything. One of the reasons the judiciary has not been very supportive of poor Donald is because the judiciary is very protective of its autonomy.
Re what Alan said about standard of proof: That's why, in the O. J. Simpson case, both the criminal verdict of "not guilty" and the civil verdict of "liable" were the correct decisions.
Re listener's question about masks ln the last thread: Having everybody who might conceivably be infected masked definitely makes a real difference. But a mask, especially an N95 mask, does provide the wearer significant protection regardless of other circumstances.
I've been asked my beloved Town Clerk to help with Absentee Ballots on Town Meeting Day (March 1st). I'd be opening the ballots with a person I know and trust, and we'd be opening ballots in the Library of the high school, adjacent to the polling place.
I'm waiting to hear if everyone working that day will be wearing masks. Last night our town Selectboard decided to lift the mask mandate as of February 21st. Sigh. So I don't know if the Town Clerk can require workers to be masked. If so, I might help out. If not, I might not. I'm very protective of Wil, given his heart condition. Would my wearing an N95 mask be enough?
I think a properly fitted N95 mask ought to do the job, but it would be reassuring if others took similar precautions out of respect for your situation. That would fall under the rubric of "reasonable accommodation."
It turns out everyone entering the polling place and all election workers must wear a mask!
So, yes, I am going to go help count the mail-in ballots. I'll be in a large room off to the side of where the polls are, with just election workers and some volunteer high school students (to feed ballots into the machine).
I think it will be okay. My main concern was if there were some Republican election workers not wearing masks. But that won't be the case.
"If a state Representative or Senator resigns or dies in office, how is the vacancy filled? The vacancy is filled by a special election called by the governor." ~ Wikipedia
There was a report the other day of increased Russian naval activity off the northern regions of Japan. [Note: Japan and Russia/USSR have never signed a WWII peace treaty because of a boundary dispute. Japan is willing to give Russia the great majority of what it demands, but not all.]
The big thing that President Biden said (and said well, with great seriousness), is that he is sure that Putin has made the decision to invade Ukraine. He was asked how he knows and he mentioned that we have good intelligence. I don't think I've ever before seen him look so gravely serious.
Judge Allows [Civil] Lawsuits Against Trump for January 6th [Click] "To deny a President immunity from civil damages is no small step. The court well understands the gravity of its decision. But the alleged facts of this case are without precedent.” "After all, the President's actions here do not relate to his duties of faithfully executing the laws, conducting foreign affairs, commanding the armed forces, or managing the Executive Branch," Mehta added. "They entirely concern his efforts to remain in office for a second term. These are unofficial acts, so the separation-of-powers concerns that justify the President's broad immunity are not present here."
Bill, how are you tonight? Without a service for Penny, have you found a way to honour her memory? Any small gathering of family or with your son, you know, just to process this major life event? So good of Penny to donate her body to science. No need to even say how it's going, unless you want to. Just wanted you to know I'm thinking of you.
I appreciate the thoughts. I'm a little bit down, but because of her slowly fading cognition there is a sense in which I have been saying good-bye for years.
At this point, Penny had no real friends outside her immediate family. She wasn't one to put any emphasis on ceremony -- she even refused to celebrate her birthday -- nor do Marcus and I feel any need. Penny's sister lives in Connecticut. Maybe the phone call last night counts.
That call definitely counts. It's a rather different sort of grieving when you've been slowly grieving for years. By the time the end comes there's a measure of relief mixed in...relief that your loved one isn't suffering anymore, and a physical relief that the work and energy it took to tend things isn't needed now. It makes sense that you're also feeling a bit down, no longer having your lifelong companion close by. There is no right or wrong in grieving. You just deal with it as you can, in your own time. A gentle night to you.
listener, I just read on Facebook that in a civil trial, which is what Lardo & kids have to testify in - using the 5th doesn't protect them. Instead it is seen as proof of guilt. Hope that's true.
ReplyDeleteIt isn't proof of guilt, because that would negate the constitutional right to take the 5th. However, in a civil trial it does cast a strong negative connotation, and is considered unwise. Of course, in the case of DT, he can't not lie, so it's dangerous for him to say anything else!
DeleteAnd in a civil trial the standard of proof is lower than in a criminal trial--"more likely than not," rather than "beyond a reasonable doubt."
DeleteI think poor Donald is still convinced that "words can never hurt me." And, he does not realize that civil courts and criminal courts are very different. Civil courts rely mostly and rcords and written submissions. Criminal courts do consider evidence, but testimony carries much more weight.
DeleteIt was stunning as MSNBC pointed out that the lawyers argued, Donald should not be intrviewed because he does not know the particulars and then Donald sent a letter saying he knows everything.
One of the reasons the judiciary has not been very supportive of poor Donald is because the judiciary is very protective of its autonomy.
🤞
DeleteRe what Alan said about standard of proof: That's why, in the O. J. Simpson case, both the criminal verdict of "not guilty" and the civil verdict of "liable" were the correct decisions.
DeleteEvidence of quark matter cores in large neutron stars [Click] I JUST KNEW IT! [not]
ReplyDeleteTesla investigated over 'phantom braking' problem [Click]
ReplyDeleteSurgeon General tests positive for Covid-19 (as well as his wife and children, ages 5 and 4)
ReplyDeletehttps://www.cnn.com/2022/02/18/politics/vivek-murthy-covid-19/index.html
Re listener's question about masks ln the last thread: Having everybody who might conceivably be infected masked definitely makes a real difference. But a mask, especially an N95 mask, does provide the wearer significant protection regardless of other circumstances.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bill! I didn't realise I had posted that comment in the last thread instead of this one. I'm grateful you founded and appreciate your comment.
DeleteReprise: listener2/18/2022 01:59:00 PM
DeleteI've been asked my beloved Town Clerk to help with Absentee Ballots on Town Meeting Day (March 1st). I'd be opening the ballots with a person I know and trust, and we'd be opening ballots in the Library of the high school, adjacent to the polling place.
I'm waiting to hear if everyone working that day will be wearing masks. Last night our town Selectboard decided to lift the mask mandate as of February 21st. Sigh. So I don't know if the Town Clerk can require workers to be masked. If so, I might help out. If not, I might not. I'm very protective of Wil, given his heart condition. Would my wearing an N95 mask be enough?
Thoughts?
*founded = found it
Delete(I've been posting between spurts of "Spring" cleaning...and apparently that's not my most focused way to post. LOL!)
We meant what you know.
DeleteI think a properly fitted N95 mask ought to do the job, but it would be reassuring if others took similar precautions out of respect for your situation. That would fall under the rubric of "reasonable accommodation."
DeleteIt turns out everyone entering the polling place and all election workers must wear a mask!
DeleteSo, yes, I am going to go help count the mail-in ballots. I'll be in a large room off to the side of where the polls are, with just election workers and some volunteer high school students (to feed ballots into the machine).
I think it will be okay. My main concern was if there were some Republican election workers not wearing masks. But that won't be the case.
Plus, I'll only be working 11:00am to 1:00pm.
President Biden will address the nation at 4:00pm ET/1:00pmPT with a Ukraine update.
ReplyDeleteMSNBC: Hillary Clinton Slams Fox News Attacks, Hints At Potential Defamation Lawsuit [Click] Where can I buy a ticket?
ReplyDeleteTrump took classified documents to Mar-a-Lago, National Archives says. Lock him up!
ReplyDeleteToo bad the Presidential Suite at Fort Monroe has been turned into a museum. Perhaps the door could be repurposed? [Click]
DeleteDoesn’t Fort Jefferson look like a dandy place for a golf course? [Click]
DeleteGOP Rep. Jim Hagedorn of Minnesota has died, aged 59
ReplyDelete~ was being treated for kidney cancer and had Covid last month; cause of death not yet named
https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/18/politics/jim-hagedorn-dies-republican-minnesota-congressman/index.html
Note: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is a moderate Democrat
Delete"If a state Representative or Senator resigns or dies in office, how is the vacancy filled? The vacancy is filled by a special election called by the governor." ~ Wikipedia
Delete^ The above was with reference specifically to Minnesota.
DeleteStill waiting for President Biden to begin speaking.
ReplyDelete(The delay makes one wonder what is going on. Have I watched West Wing too much?)
I haven't read up on the President's speech, but I noticed it was on the NHK news within the hour.
DeleteThere was a report the other day of increased Russian naval activity off the northern regions of Japan. [Note: Japan and Russia/USSR have never signed a WWII peace treaty because of a boundary dispute. Japan is willing to give Russia the great majority of what it demands, but not all.]
DeleteThe big thing that President Biden said (and said well, with great seriousness), is that he is sure that Putin has made the decision to invade Ukraine. He was asked how he knows and he mentioned that we have good intelligence. I don't think I've ever before seen him look so gravely serious.
DeleteJudge Allows [Civil] Lawsuits Against Trump for January 6th [Click] "To deny a President immunity from civil damages is no small step. The court well understands the gravity of its decision. But the alleged facts of this case are without precedent.”
ReplyDelete"After all, the President's actions here do not relate to his duties of faithfully executing the laws, conducting foreign affairs, commanding the armed forces, or managing the Executive Branch," Mehta added. "They entirely concern his efforts to remain in office for a second term. These are unofficial acts, so the separation-of-powers concerns that justify the President's broad immunity are not present here."
Far-[wrong] Oath Keepers leader to stay in jail until Capitol attack trial, judge rules [Click] Same judge who allowed civil cases against Trump to proceed.
DeleteI very much appreciate someone in this nation in a position of power having an actual spine when it comes to these atrocities!
DeleteTexas’ Largest County Asks DOJ For Help As SB1 Causes Thousands Of Ballots To Be Rejected [Click]
ReplyDeleteBill, how are you tonight? Without a service for Penny, have you found a way to honour her memory? Any small gathering of family or with your son, you know, just to process this major life event? So good of Penny to donate her body to science. No need to even say how it's going, unless you want to. Just wanted you to know I'm thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteI am sure we are all thinking of you, Bill.
DeleteI appreciate the thoughts. I'm a little bit down, but because of her slowly fading cognition there is a sense in which I have been saying good-bye for years.
DeleteAt this point, Penny had no real friends outside her immediate family. She wasn't one to put any emphasis on ceremony -- she even refused to celebrate her birthday -- nor do Marcus and I feel any need. Penny's sister lives in Connecticut. Maybe the phone call last night counts.
That call definitely counts. It's a rather different sort of grieving when you've been slowly grieving for years. By the time the end comes there's a measure of relief mixed in...relief that your loved one isn't suffering anymore, and a physical relief that the work and energy it took to tend things isn't needed now. It makes sense that you're also feeling a bit down, no longer having your lifelong companion close by. There is no right or wrong in grieving. You just deal with it as you can, in your own time. A gentle night to you.
Delete