we win both houses in 2018 how about we start

[bluestarone]

investigating tRump pertaining to the Emolument clause? This be a good place to start with him? or am i dreaming?

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. Considering that a judge in New York has just thrown out a suit

about the emoluments clause because those who filed, according to the judge, have no standing to do so.

As despicable as it is that Trump is profiting this way, this is too obscure an issue to matter to very many people.

And before we start thinking about what we might do if (and that's a bigger if than most realize) we win back both houses next year, let's work on getting candidates elected. Let's also work on getting Dems elected at all levels, especially to state legislatures.

First things first.

[bluestarone]

2. good point but

it's high time tRump was questioned under oath about something, and this is good starting point. my opinion

[ClarendonDem]

7. Why should he be questioned under oath

About a potential emoluments clause violation? This seems like a huge reach to me.

[bluestarone]

8. why not

never been done before

[ClarendonDem]

12. Because this is a country that is ruled by laws

And not whims. The emoluments clause issue isn't likely to go anywhere, and as much as I dislike Trump don't think frivolous lawsuits are the answer to his despotism.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. The judge's decision was that Congress is supposed to determine that

and not the tax group (which is who has no standing).

Take back and Congress and one can get started doing what the judge suggested....

[unblock]

4. That doesnt mean no action can be taken.

I would think, at a minimum, the federal government has standing.

There are probably some criminal statutes he’s violated as well. I’m not aware of any specifically mentioning “emoluments”, but surely profiting off of public office is covered.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

5. I still think that there will be far more important things

to accomplish if we do take both houses of Congresses. Undoing this god-awful tax bill should be the first. And we'd need a veto-proof majority, which probably isn't going to happen. But maybe we can get some things passed that will alleviate some of the damage.

Of course, he's still going to have terrible people running things in every federal agency, so there's going to be a real limit on what can be done.

[bluestarone]

6. just thinking, if done right this could get to his taxes too

i feel we go right to the top (this will cause much pain for him) again my opinion! i have faith we can do all now that we know what there about just saying

[ClarendonDem]

10. This seems like a wild goose chase to me

And I think we need to focus on electing Dems in 2018 and 2020.

[bluestarone]

13. i will agree to disagree

We can do lots if we are smart

[ClarendonDem]

17. sure

[Hamlette]

24. We can question agencies about new regulations.

I think.

In my state, getting called before the state legislative Rules Committee was among the worst things that could happen. Only happened twice in my 30 years experience. And we rewrote the rule (in state government they are called rules, the federal government calls them regulations, tomato vs tomato.)

Grill those bastards on TV before a democratic committee.

Remember, LBJ brought down McCarthy back in the day by putting him on TV. And look what has happened to a couple of the judicial appointments when they were on TV.

[unblock]

25. As a practical matter I think the best hope on this front is

Better laws and regulations preventing this kind of abuse of office for future presidents.

I think Donnie will skate on the embezzlement even if somehow he is impeached, he’ll be allowed to keep all his ill-gotten gains.

[Gabi Hayes]

9. Doesnt congress have the power to initiate a lawsuit along those lines? If they dont have standing

on this, who possibly could?

[no_hypocrisy]

32. There's an Emoluments Clause case that's working its way through Maryland.

If we don't get him one way, we'll get him another way.

[Gabi Hayes]

11. Just think of Nunes, Jordan, Chaffetz, Gowdy, etal, in reverse. Dems will have no dearth of issues

to keep most pugs in legal trouble for the rest of their natural born lives

They only need one house to do it

Can you say Benghazi in reverse?

How many investors did they run on her?

[bluestarone]

15. i like

your thinking

[Bradshaw3]

14. Block the appointment of any more judges

The number I heard today was I think was hundreds that he could fill. That would change this country more drastically than any law. Just do exactly what the rethugs would do and refuse to seat any more judges, period, nominated by this POtuS. If they want to stop gerrymandering, redo the tax bill, impeach him, etc. then ok we can get back to governing how they used to. until then, no more new judges, no matter what it does to the court system.

[bluestarone]

16. yes to this also

[Gabi Hayes]

18. Ive been thinking about that a lot. Thats by far the most important outcome if the senate can

Somehow be flipped

The damage done by turtleboy keeping dems from filling those bench seats then filling them with federalist cretins is going to be incalculable; the most far reaching damage they can inflict....worse than the tax cut/enabling act, which can be overridden eventually....sooner the better obviously

[Bradshaw3]

19. I just hope the Dems would have the cajones to do it

McConnell certainly would. They have got to start fighting back in these ways or we are eventually going to lose this country. This is life and death for democracy. You can't play by the old rules any more.

[Gabi Hayes]

20. Couldnt agree more about LOD. Were on the way to DOA/DOA. Dead on arrival; death of America

How can they NOT stand up like the people we ELECTED, and DO their JOBS!?!

This is no time for jellyfish

So far they’re reacting pretty tepidly to the unbelievably vituperous attacks by these traitors who call themselves republican legislators.

Can you imagine if dems were trying to defend the fucking RUSSIANS just a few years ago?

That’s the whole plank of the pugs, from the time of the partititioning of Germany and Korea, for gods’ sake

McCarthy anyone? HUAC, anyone? Reagan’s Russian Bear commercials, anyone?

MSM is enabling them to a faretheewell, as usual

These maniacs going after Mueller are BARKING MAD

Have you heard the words they’re using, whipping up the imbeciles whose pittance they’re in the process of eliminating?

Beyond insane......

It’s time for.....

George Papoon!

https://goo.gl/images/UJ2DsB

http://www.firesigntheatre.com/papoon/

[bluestarone]

21. they want Mueller BAD

that's the writing on the wall for sure

[Bradshaw3]

22. Long time since I listened to Firesign Theatre

They were great and underappreciated today.

"It's nice out."
"Yes, think I'll leave it out."

[Gabi Hayes]

23. Put on that wide belt and work shirt, and

Tell it like it was!

Give me that, or I’m going over there!

Antelope freeway, one half mile....antelope freeway....one quarter mile....antelope freeway...one eighth mile.....antelope freeway......one sixteenth mile.....antelope freeway.....one thirty second mile......

It never ends. Did you see the papoon for president link?

[Bradshaw3]

28. Yes looked like from 2000

"If you lived here you'd be home by now."

"Roll another bummer and leave it on the side table."

"You haven't seen the last of me."
"No but the first of you turns my stomach."

Can't believe I remember these lines, especially considering my state when I listened to them.

[dflprincess]

26. Al Franken was blocking an appointment of a judicial nominee

The nominee is from Minnesota and if both senators from a nominee's state don't turn in their "blue slips" the nomination can't go forward. Good ol' Amy Klobuchar turned hers in but Al refused to and McConnell was spitting tacks over it.

So, Al takes down Sessions and then blocks a nominee and all of a sudden Tweeden remembers she has this photo...

No, the remaining Dems won't have the cajones.

[onenote]

27. The repubs have done away with the blue slip process.

They did so before Al resigned.

[dflprincess]

29. Grassley "tore up" the Blue Slip

the day before the Tweeden photo surfaced.

[onenote]

30. It was the same day and why would it make a difference

How did Al being accused make it any more likely that they would do away with it? They had been discussing it for several months.

[dflprincess]

31. But they hadn't stopped.

I think it has more to do with Al being a thorn in their sides between the Sessions questioning (among others) and very vocally blue slipping the guy. I find the timing of Tweeden photo and the other accusations interesting and I don't think it was a coincidence.