The lines were long this morning to get into the Manhattan courthouse where longtime Trump fixer Michael Cohen, the star witness in the Trump hush money case, will testify against his old boss.
TPM’s Josh Kovensky made it in despite the limited access and heavy demand for seats. His liveblog is already up and running this morning. I’d put it up against anyone’s live coverage, including the bigs and their teams of reporters. Check it out. [Click] ——Alan
I figure Cohen is just frosting on the cake--- he can only confirm the previous testimony and evidence. But the jury's response should be telling, and he will probably be very effective on cross-examination (if the defense should go there). IMO. ----Alan
I hope so. This morning on CNN everyone except his former lawyer - a Lanny somebody - was on Cohen like a ton of bricks griping, for instance, that he hates Trump and makes no bones about saying so. Well, wouldn't you hate someone who stole ten plus years of your life, made you do terrible, despicable things and totally destroyed your livelihood? Nobody finds it odd when a person who escaped Scientology or the Moonies is bitter and angry. Why the surprise that Cohen is? He was in an unhealthy, cult-like relationship with Trump. As far as I'm concerned, the best thing that ever happened to him was Trump dumping him. Otherwise, he might never have gotten free. And you know what? He has paid and he will continue to pay. For lawyers and news presenters to sit in their cozy studio and sneer and look down their noses at him is most unattractive and, I think, unconscionable.
Beat me to it; very nice! It doesn't surprise me at all that Michael Cohen was such an effective witness. The defense team and their buddies seem to have been getting high on their own supply. Direct not yet complete, I expect that cross should be a body blow to whichever Trump attorney is assigned to it. Aside: when I was being cross-examined and was presented with a statement in place of a question, I would wait for a while without taking the bait, then ask "Is there a question pending?" ----Alan
Not that I recall, but it usually broke their pace and signaled that I had some experience. Stormy Daniels "answered" a statement at least once during her cross, which gives an illustration. But she avoided falling into the trap. The fact that she answered a statement is evidence that she was not coached by the prosecution; but she was certainly self-confident. (Not surprising, that.) ----Alan
On the episode of the MeidasTouch Podcast: Michael Cohen faces down his former boss and connects the dots in powerful testimony in the Trump criminal trial; Trump conjures another scam in New Jersey – and the media falls for it; President Biden and Donald Trump spend Mother’s Day in very different ways; and more! Ben, Brett and Jordy break it all down.
Today I noticed that I still have on my iPhone two voicemail messages from 2022. One is from puddle...so I got to hear her voice again. She began by saying, "Hi babe, it's me." And she ended with "Love ya!" Which definitely choked me up. The other is from a dear friend who died last year in her 90's. She had called me two years ago to say, "Happy Mothers' Day!" That, it turned out, was her last Mothers' Day.
I hope I get to keep those voicemail messages forever.
Putin removes Shoigu as defense minister, replaces him with civilian economist. [Click] This makes no sense at all; Putin seems to be slipping further into madness.
ReplyDelete——Alan
Or at least incompetence.
Delete----Alan
I think, both.
DeleteSchools Brace for Widespread Teacher Layoffs [Click]
ReplyDelete—Alan
From Talking Points Memo:
ReplyDeleteThe lines were long this morning to get into the Manhattan courthouse where longtime Trump fixer Michael Cohen, the star witness in the Trump hush money case, will testify against his old boss.
TPM’s Josh Kovensky made it in despite the limited access and heavy demand for seats. His liveblog is already up and running this morning. I’d put it up against anyone’s live coverage, including the bigs and their teams of reporters. Check it out. [Click]
——Alan
I figure Cohen is just frosting on the cake--- he can only confirm the previous testimony and evidence. But the jury's response should be telling, and he will probably be very effective on cross-examination (if the defense should go there). IMO.
Delete----Alan
I hope so. This morning on CNN everyone except his former lawyer - a Lanny somebody - was on Cohen like a ton of bricks griping, for instance, that he hates Trump and makes no bones about saying so. Well, wouldn't you hate someone who stole ten plus years of your life, made you do terrible, despicable things and totally destroyed your livelihood? Nobody finds it odd when a person who escaped Scientology or the Moonies is bitter and angry. Why the surprise that Cohen is? He was in an unhealthy, cult-like relationship with Trump. As far as I'm concerned, the best thing that ever happened to him was Trump dumping him. Otherwise, he might never have gotten free. And you know what? He has paid and he will continue to pay. For lawyers and news presenters to sit in their cozy studio and sneer and look down their noses at him is most unattractive and, I think, unconscionable.
DeleteSounds bizarre to me; but the numbers of people spouting silly things online is unnecessarily large.
Delete----Alan
Well said, Cat!
DeleteThanks, Listener.
DeleteJoe Blogs video: Russian Oil Refineries Crisis as Staff Quit Jobs as Drone Attacks Increase in both numbers and range. [Click]
ReplyDelete—Alan
At 1:30 PM (about 20 minutes from now) we will set out to engage with some weeds in the garden. High temperature should reach about 90F.
ReplyDelete----Alan
Video: Trump LOSES IT Over SHOCKING MOMENT at Trial - Click
ReplyDeleteBeat me to it; very nice! It doesn't surprise me at all that Michael Cohen was such an effective witness. The defense team and their buddies seem to have been getting high on their own supply. Direct not yet complete, I expect that cross should be a body blow to whichever Trump attorney is assigned to it. Aside: when I was being cross-examined and was presented with a statement in place of a question, I would wait for a while without taking the bait, then ask "Is there a question pending?"
Delete----Alan
Did that disconcert the lawyer?
DeleteNot that I recall, but it usually broke their pace and signaled that I had some experience. Stormy Daniels "answered" a statement at least once during her cross, which gives an illustration. But she avoided falling into the trap. The fact that she answered a statement is evidence that she was not coached by the prosecution; but she was certainly self-confident. (Not surprising, that.)
Delete----Alan
Here is the augmented/complete video of the day's Manhattan courtroom activities. [Click] I haven't watched it yet, but intend to watch the whole thing, including the first segment linked above. I think it is an hour and 17 minutes, but worth it, I am sure.
Delete—Alan
Thanks. It should be interesting.
DeleteVideo: Trump PUT IN HIS PLACE at BIGGEST DAY of Trial - Click
ReplyDeleteOn the episode of the MeidasTouch Podcast: Michael Cohen faces down his former boss and connects the dots in powerful testimony in the Trump criminal trial; Trump conjures another scam in New Jersey – and the media falls for it; President Biden and Donald Trump spend Mother’s Day in very different ways; and more! Ben, Brett and Jordy break it all down.
Three 98 year old women celebrated their 80th class reunion
ReplyDeleteToday I noticed that I still have on my iPhone two voicemail messages from 2022.
ReplyDeleteOne is from puddle...so I got to hear her voice again. She began by saying, "Hi babe, it's me." And she ended with "Love ya!" Which definitely choked me up.
The other is from a dear friend who died last year in her 90's. She had called me two years ago to say, "Happy Mothers' Day!"
That, it turned out, was her last Mothers' Day.
I hope I get to keep those voicemail messages forever.
Hundreds of ‘emaciated’ and stranded pelicans turn up along California coast [Click] Reason not clear; they seem to be starving, but food seems abundant.
ReplyDelete——Alan
Trump trial updates: Michael Cohen testifies that Trump directed him to pay hush money to Stormy Daniels and approved scheme to conceal reimbursement For me, the cricial fact is that Cohen's conviction included campaign finance law violations related to the payments. That establishes that the misrepresentation was intended to conceal a crime, which is crucial to the felony charges.
ReplyDeleteoops, noy clickable. Will try again.
DeleteTrump trial updates: Michael Cohen testifies that Trump directed him to pay hush money to Stormy Daniels and approved scheme to conceal reimbursement