Notable that yesterday even the commentators on Legal AF mentioned that Trump is looking unwell. Hardly surprising, considering the pressure he's under, his world collapsing around him and all. If I were a good person, I'd feel sorry for him.
In Mahayana Buddhist iconography, Kannon [AKA Kuan Yin] is considered the representation of absolute compassion. But compassion is not all sweetness and light; it is what is best for the person---and that can be very unpleasant. I remember seeing a medieval statue of the Horse-headed Kannon-- an absolutely horrifying, human-like, demonic creature about 7-8 feet tall, with bulging muscles and veins, the head of a horse with lips turned back, in a running posture, carrying a huge and particularly intimidating club in position to strike. Sometimes that is compassion.
I stand by my [non-professional and therefore inadmissible] opinion that Trump is not mentally competent to stand trial--- but he does seem legally capable of refusing such a defense [which would probably land him in a mental hospital for the rest of his life]. ---Alan
The kind of compassion you're talking about sounds like what is colloquially known as tough love. Indeed, it can be most unpleasant both for the one administering it and for the one it is administered to. That's probably why it isn't administered as often as it should be.
As to the law of cause and effect: There's no appeal against that, as Trump is finding to his cost. To put it in the vernacular: Karma comes back to bite you. He's reaping what he sowed.
Is he insane or evil? Is there a meaningful distinction? In either case, punishment doesn't cause him to change his ways.
Anything destructive has become subservient to evil...whether or not intended. Tough love may be a kind of painful creativity. But one had better be certain of it, lest they discover too late they were mistaken and have done harm.
Were I tapped for jury duty, I'd have to be honest and get disqualified. But it sure would be tempting to fein neutrality to vote against him. I imagine they do their homework, though.
I don't see that I would have the least difficulty following the rules; that might be in part because I have participated in so many trials and been familiar with many more cases. I know that there are things associated with crimes that do not get into the popular press, or are distorted in the process. I have also seen attorneys become so wrapped up in their theories of the case that they simply cannot process anything that doesn't agree with their preconceptions. (Full disclosure: I have also known attorneys who purposely attempt to mislead witnesses, although that seems to be rare.) ---Alan
The Supreme Court’s conservative majority indicated Tuesday that it may toss out a charge prosecutors have lodged against hundreds of people who took part in the January 6, 2021, riot on the US Capitol, a decision that could force the Justice Department to reopen some of those cases.
During over 90 minutes of arguments, most justices signaled concern with how the Justice Department is using the law enacted by Congress more than two decades ago in response to the Enron accounting scandal. Critics claimed the felony charge, which carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years, was intended to prevent evidence tampering – not an insurrection in support of a president who lost reelection.
Former President Donald Trump awaits the start of proceedings on the second day of jury selection at Manhattan criminal court, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in New York.
The court’s decision, expected by July, could have significant ramifications for some 350 people who were charged with “obstructing” an official proceeding for their part in the Capitol attack – including more than 100 people who have already been convicted and received prison sentences.
The high court’s ruling could also affect the federal election subversion criminal case pending against former President Donald Trump, who was also charged with the obstruction crime.
Brian Tyler Cohen video: Trump trial [Click] The attorney points out that most defendants in such a situation are tense to the point of being overwrought, and also that no Trump family members are present to offer moral support. Also why it would probably be a very bad idea to attempt obscuring one’s true feelings about the defendant in an attempt to derail the jury. —Alan
Too many news this morning . . .
ReplyDelete----Alan
Trump Bond Company Makes Makes Frankenstein Filing using signature page from E Jean Carroll case [Click]
ReplyDelete—Alan
TFG falling asleep in court again today. [Click] Sounds like some methamphetamine might be in order— but that could cause other problems . . .
ReplyDelete—Alan
Notable that yesterday even the commentators on Legal AF mentioned that Trump is looking unwell. Hardly surprising, considering the pressure he's under, his world collapsing around him and all. If I were a good person, I'd feel sorry for him.
DeleteOops---posted in wrong place. Will repost in proper location and rely upon Madame Zapper to clean it up.
Delete-----Alan
In re TFG, there is no reason to feel sorry for him; no one can set aside the law of cause and effect.
Delete---Alan
In Mahayana Buddhist iconography, Kannon [AKA Kuan Yin] is considered the representation of absolute compassion. But compassion is not all sweetness and light; it is what is best for the person---and that can be very unpleasant. I remember seeing a medieval statue of the Horse-headed Kannon-- an absolutely horrifying, human-like, demonic creature about 7-8 feet tall, with bulging muscles and veins, the head of a horse with lips turned back, in a running posture, carrying a huge and particularly intimidating club in position to strike. Sometimes that is compassion.
DeleteI stand by my [non-professional and therefore inadmissible] opinion that Trump is not mentally competent to stand trial--- but he does seem legally capable of refusing such a defense [which would probably land him in a mental hospital for the rest of his life].
---Alan
Zap accomplished.
DeleteThe kind of compassion you're talking about sounds like what is colloquially known as tough love. Indeed, it can be most unpleasant both for the one administering it and for the one it is administered to. That's probably why it isn't administered as often as it should be.
As to the law of cause and effect: There's no appeal against that, as Trump is finding to his cost. To put it in the vernacular: Karma comes back to bite you. He's reaping what he sowed.
Is he insane or evil? Is there a meaningful distinction? In either case, punishment doesn't cause him to change his ways.
Compassion can also be like telling children that fallen leaves are pieces of gold.
Delete----Alan
Anything destructive has become subservient to evil...whether or not intended.
DeleteTough love may be a kind of painful creativity. But one had better be certain of it, lest they discover too late they were mistaken and have done harm.
Joe Blogs video: Russia Authorizes More Private Armies as Drone Attacks Risk Shutdown of Oil & Gas Industry [Click]
ReplyDelete—Alan
Criminal referral made in Lecterngate case [Click]
ReplyDelete—Alan
Six Jurors Chosen for Trump ‘Hush Money’ Trial [Click] Speeding up!
ReplyDelete—Alan
Trump reprimanded for muttering and gesticulating during jury selection [Click]
ReplyDelete—Alan
You beat me to it.
DeleteVideo: Trump ADMONISHED BY JUDGE for Intimidating Jurors - Click
ReplyDeleteI imagine the defendant being outfitted with an electric shock belt, activated by a very big orange button in front of the judge.
Delete----Alan
I like it!
DeleteWere I tapped for jury duty, I'd have to be honest and get disqualified. But it sure would be tempting to fein neutrality to vote against him. I imagine they do their homework, though.
DeleteApparently one of the now 7 jurors is an oncology nurse who reads the NYT and watches CNN. She may be our greatest hope.
DeleteI don't see that I would have the least difficulty following the rules; that might be in part because I have participated in so many trials and been familiar with many more cases. I know that there are things associated with crimes that do not get into the popular press, or are distorted in the process. I have also seen attorneys become so wrapped up in their theories of the case that they simply cannot process anything that doesn't agree with their preconceptions. (Full disclosure: I have also known attorneys who purposely attempt to mislead witnesses, although that seems to be rare.)
Delete---Alan
‘A roof over our people’s heads’: the Indigenous US tribe building hempcrete homes [Click]
ReplyDeleteWikipedia: Hempcrete [Click]
——Alan
Gee, that's really interesting.
DeleteTakeaways from the Supreme Court’s arguments over obstruction charge used against January 6 rioters
ReplyDeleteAll I can think of is a Shakespeare quote:
"All is lost! To prayers! To prayers!"
From the article:
DeleteThe Supreme Court’s conservative majority indicated Tuesday that it may toss out a charge prosecutors have lodged against hundreds of people who took part in the January 6, 2021, riot on the US Capitol, a decision that could force the Justice Department to reopen some of those cases.
During over 90 minutes of arguments, most justices signaled concern with how the Justice Department is using the law enacted by Congress more than two decades ago in response to the Enron accounting scandal. Critics claimed the felony charge, which carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years, was intended to prevent evidence tampering – not an insurrection in support of a president who lost reelection.
Former President Donald Trump awaits the start of proceedings on the second day of jury selection at Manhattan criminal court, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in New York.
The court’s decision, expected by July, could have significant ramifications for some 350 people who were charged with “obstructing” an official proceeding for their part in the Capitol attack – including more than 100 people who have already been convicted and received prison sentences.
The high court’s ruling could also affect the federal election subversion criminal case pending against former President Donald Trump, who was also charged with the obstruction crime.
Seven jurors selected so far, judge hopes to have opening statements Monday!
ReplyDelete----Alan
Brian Tyler Cohen video: Trump trial [Click] The attorney points out that most defendants in such a situation are tense to the point of being overwrought, and also that no Trump family members are present to offer moral support. Also why it would probably be a very bad idea to attempt obscuring one’s true feelings about the defendant in an attempt to derail the jury.
ReplyDelete—Alan