Chebucto Regional Softball Club

@richpuchalsky

"All leaders think this way."

All? Always?

Being "one of the good ones" is no way to live.

Pardons should be about correcting the course of the justice system. The president shouldn't hawk perfume and cryptocurrencies.

Everyone *isn't* "in on the fix", or skimming off the top. I don't know how we claw our way back from this pit of cynicism.

When asked about who he might pardon our president is remarkably transactional. The first thing he wonders about out loud in interviews on the subject is simply "Is that person loyal to me? What have they done for me?"

Trump supporters hear "Is that person loyal to US?" The rule of law be dammed. He sat there considering if Diddy should get a pardon and never said anything about if he was guilty or if the trial was fair. The only question: "Is he one of the good ones?"

With the Epstein files Trump gave some of his base the experience we've all been having for a long time. He told them "No."

And then he went on to coddle Maxwell, basically saying "You don't get to know this about me. You have no power over me."

And it's not just taxes this time that's being hidden. It's the identities of many powerful people. Because he's always been on the side of the powerful (as long as they were on his side.)

But, this was the start of a pattern of breaking boundaries. Violations.

And it helped him grow popular with some people because to them it was the self-important news hosts liberal politicians who were being put in their place. "He told the elites no! And they couldn't stop him!"

But, it still meant that none of us got to see those tax returns. None of us know his conflicts of interest. But it's just taxes, right? They all cheat anyway, don't they?

Remember when pressuring Trump to release his tax returns was the biggest scandal that many of us thought would make him unfit for office?

There was a lesson in how that played out. The people asked him to follow some of the same rules that apply to all of us and he told us "No. I am exceptional." And I think this impressed some people, because to them the voices prattling on about "show us your tax returns" were elitist snobs on MSNBC.

... tax returns.

Donald Trump never released his tax returns for the years leading up to him entering office. Democrats tried to make an issue of this, but since there isn't any *law* that forces transparency we have people like Pelosi doing the soft corruption of stock deals and we know all about it, but we know much less about Trump and others.

I still want to see those tax returns because I think they may be connected to another set of famous files not exposed.

What on earth is going on with the Hamtramck city council in Detroit?

There are all kind of allegations and what might be really ballot box stuffing?

I am deeply confused. Can anyone who knows more recommend a good place to start?

@weirdestate

Strange decorative books notwithstanding ... this isn't that many books. If having a few book walls is enough to call your home "the book house" then I live in the book pit.

We had a huge open living room and used bookshelf walls (books on two sides) to divide it into a loft bedroom. In the bedroom you have books on all sides and you go in through a book arch.

Meanwhile every structural wall is also a bookshelf except in the bathroom and living room.

This is baby stuff.

@randahl

Ok maybe don't literally jump him but there is no reason not to talk over him, speak to the press before he gets a word in and just generally be rude.

It is clearly how things are done at this point.

@Ehay2k @randahl

Like out back behind the bleachers after school.

A birthday party is a celebration of having lived another year. Simply buying a cake and blowing out candles will not make you a year older.

When leaders of nations meet for a historic summit it's the birthday party. Everyone already knows what is likely to come out of it. That is what justifies the decorations and party favors.

I keep thinking about the imagery from Alaska. Like a cold war era meeting in formality and construct.

But no one is older or wiser.

@alexwild

Oh.

Well it's a nice photo.

@randahl

Where will they get all of the red carpets? Where would they fit all of the planes?

@randahl

Jump him.

@alexwild

But do they eat people? Most of them don't. (by species not by number)

@DaNanner

This is in BOSTON? I find that offensive. This belongs in the Bronx. We shall come in the night and take it.

@DaNanner

Oh My God!

I am in love with everything in this.

@JoBlakely

I say to her "Pica there is more to life than who you think you can eat and who you think might eat you."

But I don't think she's buying it.

@JoBlakely

My cat is terrified of redtails. She knows one lives around back on a nearby high-rise and when we go on the roof together she always has to stand at the door and scan around to see if it is there.

It's probably wise of her ... but I still find it funny how worried she is.