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Our normal weekend rendezvous at the whisky bar was convened early this week to get out our fresh reactions to the Trump indictment for his role in the events of January 6, and our general reaction after reading the filing is—is this all there is? Where is incitement? Where is conspiring with violent groups like the Proud Boys and Barbie and Ken? There is very little if any new evidence or facts in the filing, and there are some stunning assumptions of fact that will surely fall apart in the courtroom.
More seriously, John Yoo rightly describes this filing as the most serious political-criminal trial since the trial of Aaron Burr way back in 1807—a trial that, keep in mind—acquitted Burr on the charge opf treason. And the timing, coming amidst a lot of new revelations of Biden corruption this week—seems suspicious.
Where do we go from here? Should the GOP House move right away to an impeachment investigation of Biden, before the Justice Department names a special counsel that would ironically lock down a House investigation into an "ongoing investigation" by Justice?
We do, finally, get back to our leisurely summer stroll through best books, this week laying out criteria for what makes a good biography, with each of us offering up some representative picks, such as Lord Charnwood's Lincoln, Jean Edward Smith on John Marshall, and Plutarch. You'll have to listen to see which of us recommended what book or author—you may be surprised!
Hosted by Steve Hayward
Discussion (4)
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And now for my segment: Jabs at John:
The parallels I see between Jack Smith's pursuit of legal grounds to indict Trump and John Yoo's quest for legal justifications to sanction torture are undeniably striking. Both instances undoubtedly engender a sense of skepticism concerning the inner workings of the deep state and the individuals who, seemingly content, lend their support to such morally questionable pursuits.
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I think the Republicans should own it as the first ones to undermine confidence in elections; but it should actually go back to Lincoln and Grant's presidency. Unconstitutional acts to the South, Reconstruction, court packing, legal tender laws. No confidence since then.
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Me just before COVID
Dear Steve:
Love your podcast & hope to hear many more of them.
I don’t know a delicate way to say this but you’ve put on a few pounds since your track & field days. As someone who has traveled that same path as you, I invite you to consider the wisdom of dropping some ballast.
Unfortunately, the overfeeding that causes the added poundage leads to dire health consequences sooner or later. The good news is that healthy habits for eating, exercising and sleeping can reverse many of these consequences. I know about it from my experience. While there are no easy solutions and any effort to control your weight will definitely eat into your frenetic schedule, it can be done if you want it badly enough.
Here’s the story of how I’m keeping off 100 pounds of body weight without the help of drugs or surgery. Given your athletic past, some of this may work for you.
angelinvestboston.com
Open link
I hope you will pardon my presumption. It is motivated by appreciation of your intellect and good humor. Our movement needs you. We lost WFB, we lost Rush, we can’t lose you. Then, we’d be stuck with just Yoo, who does not believe in natural law, and Lucretia, who hates Burke.🤔
Sal
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Burk isn't grounded...