PWB Peeps - Karaoke Night: Behind Bars edition

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Saturday June 10, 2023 · 7:00 PM PDT

2023/06/10 · 19:00

no image description available — Behind bars - on the inside, looking out.

Saved this for the right time.

It’s time for karaoke night! So I have a few tunes lined up which felt pertinent for the times.
We’ll change the lyrics just a bit to bring some new political relevance to these old classics.
I’ve included the music videos to sing along, or just to listen in.

And as with all karaoke parties, we need to bring plenty of good food, good drinks,
good friends and good fun!

cat in recliner with snacks and tv remote — Lot’s of snacks!

But before we get started, let’s remind all y’all about the PWB Peeps rules:

PWBPeeps is a group that posts a daily diary and nightly open thread for animal lovers. We share photos, seek & give advice about pet health and behavior issues, support each other in times of sadness and stress, celebrate together when times are good, and on most days have an inordinate amount of fun.

You are welcome to join us!

Here are few not-too-onerous PWB rules

Do not “Troll” the Pootie Peeps Diaries. If you don’t like animal diaries, there’s no need to tell us about it. Just go find some other diary more to your liking.
Whatever happens in the outer blog STAYS in the outer blog. This is a place to relax and play; please treat it accordingly.
If you would like a pic from the comment threads, please ask the poster. He/she may have a copyright to those pics. Many thanks!
There are some pics we never post: snakes, creepy crawlies, any and all photos that depict or encourage human cruelty toward animals. These are considered “out of bounds” and will not be tolerated.
If you’re not sure about an issue...please ask. Someone is always glad to help.

OK, it’s party time!!!!!

First up on our play list is this Sam Cooke classic:

You’ll Send Me

DA, you’ll send me,
I know you’ll send me,
DA, you’ll send me
shortly to jail, whoa-oh.

You’ll chill me,
I know you’ll, you’ll, you’ll chill me.
DA you’ll, you’ll, you’ll chill me,
shortly in jail. (shortly in jail, shortly in jail, whoa-oh)

At first I thought it’s just incarceration.
But then, you added huge fines.
Now I find myself wanting to
delay and avoid doing time.

You’ll, you’ll, you’ll, you’ll send me,
I know you’ll send me,
I know you’ll send me
shortly to jail. (shortly to jail, shortly to jail, whoa-oh)

(You’ll send me)
Whoa, whenever you try me.
(You’ll send me)
I know, I know, I know, whenever you hear me.
(You’ll send me)
Mhm, mhm, shortly to jail, shortly to jail.
Whoa, I know
(you’ll send me)
I know, I know, I know, that you’ll hold me.
(You’ll send me)
Whoa-oh, whenever you dis me
(You’ll send me)
Mhm, mhm, shortly to jail.

At first I thought it’s just incarceration.
But then, you added huge fines.
Now I find myself wanting to
delay and avoid doing time.

I know, I know, I know, you’ll send me.
I know you’ll send me,
Whoa-oh, you’ll, you’ll, you’ll, you’ll send me
shortly to jail. (Jail, jail, jail, jail)

x

x
YouTube Video

Now let’s pick up the tempo a bit with this catchy little number from Martha Reeves & The Vandellas:

Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide

Nowhere to run to, baby (Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide)
Nowhere to hide
Got nowhere to run to, baby (Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide)
Nowhere to hide.

It’s not Bragg I’m running from
It’s the jail time I know will come
‘Cause I know jail’s no good for me (Jail’s no good for me)
But soon will be a part of me

Everywhere I go, your face I see
Every step I take, you’re watching me, yeah

Nowhere to run to, baby (Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide)
Nowhere to hide
Got nowhere to run to, baby (Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide)
Nowhere to hide
I know jail’s no good for me
But free of crime, I'll never be, no

Each night as I sleep
Into my thoughts, Bragg creeps
I wake up feeling scared I met you
Hoping soon that I'll forget you

When I look in the mirror to comb my hair
I see Bragg’s face just smiling there

Nowhere to run (Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide)
Nowhere to hide from you, babe
Got nowhere to run to, baby (Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide)
Nowhere to hide
I know jail’s no good for me
But soon will be a part of me

How can I fight justice
That soon will be?
When crime's so deep, so deep
Deep inside of me

My guilt reaches so high, I can't get over it
It's so wide, I can't get around it, no

Nowhere to run (Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide)
Nowhere to hide from you, baby
Just can't get away from you, baby (Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide)
No matter how I try
I know jail’s no good for me
But free of crime, I'll never be

Nowhere to run to, baby (Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide)
Nowhere to hide (Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide)
Got nowhere to run to, baby (Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide)
Nowhere to hide (Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide)

Got nowhere to run (Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide)
Got nowhere to hide (Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide)

x

x
YouTube Video

And finally, to round out the evening of songs and fun, here’s a real classic from Etta James:

At Last

At last,
my judge has come along.
My party nights’ll be over
In jail, where I belong .
Oh, yeah, yeah.

At last,
the bunk above’s in view.
My cell mate’s under the covers
he took from my bunk, too.

I found a sock that I could speak to,
a sock that I could call my own,
a sock that I can press my cheek to,
or confide in when we’re alone.
Oh, yeah, yeah.

Judge ruled, judge ruled,
oh, and then my lot was cast.
And here I am in prison,
where I belong at last.

x

x
YouTube Video

OK, kitties! That’s all for tonight!

Be good, and don’t do crimes.
But if you do, make sure it rhymes,
So we can share in more good times.
Yea, yea, yea!

Madison Cawthorn tried to take a loaded gun onto a plane. Again. [Updated: new grifting accusation]

bethann

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Tuesday April 26, 2022 · 4:09 PM PDT

2022/04/26 · 16:09

042522.Madison_CAWTHORN.jpg — Madison Cawthorn - NC’s biggest embarrassment

So. NC’s biggest embarrassment tried to sneak a loaded handgun onto a plane.
For the second time!!!!

Add that to his episodes of illegally taking knives into schools and school board meetings, and all of his “lose your license” severity speeding infractions, and it’s a miracle this bozo isn’t sitting in jail yet!!!!

(You know that if you or I did any one of these illegal actions we would be cooling our heels in a jail cell immediately!)

Here are a few excerpts from a news article about it from the local News & Observer:

U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn was cited for having a gun at a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint at Charlotte Douglas International Airport Tuesday morning, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police said.

Police said they released Cawthorn and confiscated the gun. ...

This is the second instance where Cawthorn has been caught with a gun at an airport. In February 2021, Cawthorn tried to go through security with a gun at the Asheville airport.

He’s also been accused of bringing knives to two school board meetings and, separately, two schools.

I can’t believe the police just let him board the plane (after they confiscated his gun)!!!!

Please read the full article at:

Rep. Madison Cawthorn found with a loaded gun at Charlotte airport, police say

And check out a second related article from the News & Observer:

A timeline of NC Rep. Madison Cawthorn’s run-ins with the law over driving, weapons

04/27/2022 Update!

So now Senator Tillis (another less than stellar NC GOP embarrassment) is calling for a criminal investigation of Cawthorn! Just how bad do you have to be for a fellow MAGAt republican to call you out for illegal grifting (which appears to be the national GOP pastime)?

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis called on the House Ethics Committee to investigate fellow Republican Rep. Madison Cawthorn on Wednesday, a day after the Washington Examiner broke a story saying Cawthorn could be implicated in insider trading. ...

Tillis and Cawthorn have been at odds in recent weeks after a series of controversies involving the 117th Congress’ youngest member. ...

Now that’s really the charcoal calling the cinder “burnt”!

Please read the full news article from the News & Observer at the following link:

NC’s Tillis calls for insider trading investigation of fellow Republican Madison Cawthorn

Here’s hoping they’re both “burnt toast” in their respective elections!
Let’s give the boot to Cawthorn (this year), and to Tillis (in his next election in 2026)!
Both of them are unfit for office!

"NC operative accused of election fraud is sentenced to prison for financial crimes"

bethann

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Thursday September 02, 2021 · 2:26 PM PDT

2021/09/02 · 14:26

FlightlessCormorant.ElizabethNeerman.2012.JPG — This isn't him. It's a Galapagos Flightless Cormorant. But it's a lot cuter.

Leslie McCrae Dowless has been sentenced to 6 months in prison for “financial crimes”. (The charges for his ballot harvesting crimes in the 2018 NC election are still “ongoing”.)

I would have liked it to have been a longer sentence, as this was not his first crime, but I guess that 6 months is a lot better than giving him a pass.

From today’s The News & Observer:

“In June, Dowless pleaded guilty to charges of theft of government property and Social Security fraud and agreed to pay up to $14,000 in restitution for the fraudulent disability payments he received. As part of that plea deal, prosecutors dismissed two other charges related to his financial crimes.”

“In 2017 and 2018, Dowless cashed more than $135,000 in payments for his work on at least two campaigns while also collecting Social Security disability payments, the U.S. Attorney’s office said. One of the campaigns Dowless worked for at the time was Republican candidate Mark Harris of Charlotte, who was running for U.S. House in North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District.”

Please read the full news article here:

https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article253947168.html

PWB Peeps Caturdai: Cat Games

bethann for PWB Peeps

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Saturday August 14, 2021 · 7:00 PM PDT

2021/08/14 · 19:00

Kitties have their own games, and their own set of rules, by which they play.

And we mere mortal humans are completely at their mercy!

But first da rulz:

Pooties are cats; woozles are dogs. Goggies are dogs too. Birdeez are birds. Peeps are people. PWB Peeps are Pooties, Woozles, Birdeez People.

Don’t troll the PWB diaries. If you hate animal diaries, leave now. No harm, no foul; these aren’t to everyone’s taste.

You are welcome to share photos of your own animals, or ones you just like.

If you’d like a pic from the comment threads, please ask the poster. He/she may have a copyright to those pics.

If you have health/behaviour issues with your pootie or woozle, feel free to bring it to the community. We just may have someone whose experience can help.

There are some pics we never post: snakes, creepy crawlies, any and all photos that depict or encourage human cruelty toward animals. These are considered “out of bounds” and will not be tolerated.

If you’re not sure about an issue, please ask. Someone is always glad to help.

Cat Games (I)

by Bethann

They sit with eyes all wide, and stare

at little bugs which are not there,

just to see if you’ll look, too.

It’s something that cats like to do.

“You scared away my wren! Now I’ll just stare through you till you leave!” Bruler

What are you staring at? There’s nothing there! Bruler and Ember

black-cat-lol-lolcats-tinfoilhat-nowords-humor-joke-photo-picture-funny.jpg — “Oh. Mai. Gawd!” PWB file photo

They chase the dust motes on the floor,
then run and hide behind the door.
They jump straight up without a sound,
then fluff their fur and race around.

Lucy - neighbor cat — “I iz hiding!” PWB file photo

Eeeeee-ei-iah! Almost got it! PWB file photo

bethann for PWB Peeps

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Tuesday June 22, 2021 · 7:00 PM PDT

2021/06/22 · 19:00

elenacarlena can’t be with us tonight, her mom is in hospital and needs her love and attention. So I have posted this fun piece from the queue.

With apologies to Nancy Sinatra,
meowed to the tune
These Boots are Made for Walkin’

Refrain:

Deez pawz iz made fer walkin’.
Cuz dat’s jes’ what deys do!
An’ one deez days deez pawz
is gonna’ walks all ober you!

Verse 1:

Youz keep pattin’ when I’ze wanna’ be skritchies.
An’ youz be skritchin’ when I’ze wanna’ be pet.
Youz keeps readin’ when I’ze wan’ youz be feedin’.
Now wha’s rite iz rite, but youz no been rite yet!

Refrain

Verse 2:

Youz keep playin’ when I’ze wanna’ be sleepin’.
An’ youz be sleepin’ when I’ze wan’ youz to play!
Youz keeps stoppin’ me when I’ze needs to be skratchin’,
Eben doh dat sofa alreddy’z trash enysway!

Refrain

Verse 3:

I’ze be purr in youz ear to tellz you I’ze lubs you.
I’ze crawlz under da sheetz to sleeps nex’ wif you.
But when I’ze sitz on youz chest an’ pokes you to wakies,
Youz jes’ push me offa’ da bedz an’ telz me to “shoo”!

Refrain

Verse 4:

Youz keeps tellin’ me “noes” be walkin’ on counterz.
Youz be tellin’ me “noes” what eber I’ze do.
I’ze jes’ wanna’ be free ta do what I’ze wanna’.
Nex’ “noes” I’ze hear, an’ I’ze gonna’ barf in youz shoe!

Refrain

An Open Letter to Trump - a song (written by bethann) final (?) verse added

bethann

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday January 13, 2021 · 3:48 AM PST

2021/01/13 · 03:48

Trump behind bars in orange jumpsuit — Can't come soon enough!!!!

I started writing this song (as a means of stress relief) after we learned his regime was caging immigrant children.

I kept adding more verses to it every time his crimes drew public outrage yet again!

Today I added my final (or second to final, perhaps) verse to the song.

It’s a postlude about what has happened over the past week.

I hope that the FBI and Capitol Police are finally taking their jobs and this threat seriously (and that the treasonous co-conspirators amongst the Capitol Police, Congressional Republicans and Pentagon are quickly removed from duty pending investigation and trials) so that the MAGA promised additional attacks and insurrection on our Capitol and our democracy are quickly and effectively put down without any additional loss of life.

I look forward to Biden’s presidency with great anticipation of the restoration of the rule of law, the purging of dRumpf’s treasonous and psychotic criminal appointees, grifters and cultists from our federal government, a renewal of our diplomacy and cooperation with our allies, a return of pride in our government and leadership, a sane and scientifically sound plan to gain control over the spread of dRumpf’s genocidal plague and the deaths it is still causing in ever increasing numbers, a sane and scientifically sound plan to reverse climate crisis, and eventually, a return to normal life and less drama from our elected leaders.

I pray we are all still here to welcome the day when we can resume our normal activities and relationships without risking our lives.

An Open Letter to Trump

written by bethann

(sung to a calypso beat — imagine the sound of steel drums, and perhaps a ukulele, in the background)

Refrain (sung before, after and between each verse):

I’m not tryin’ to get in your face
or invade your personal deep space,
but here you are on my turf
despoiling the Earth.

You really need to back off, you jack-off.
Get real, or get out of the way.
‘Cause no-one wants to play
in your sandbox today!

Verse 1:

You are vile, you are cruel,
and you think you can rule
like a third rate banana despot.

You put children in cages,
and that really enrages
anyone who is not a bigot.

Verse 2:

You deny what is real
as you’re trying to steal
what Americans fought to preserve.

You tell lies to distract
while the Russians still hack.
One day you’ll get just what you deserve!

Verse 3:

Your nepotistic appointments
are not “Caesar’s anointments”.
You are not immune under our laws!

Investigations are working
to uncover your jerking,
so democracy’s only on “pause”.

Verse 4:

As the people cry out,
you sow hatred and doubt,
tryin’ to change what we all think and feel.

But your circus of hate
won’t stand up to the state
when convictions get suddenly real!

Verse 5:

You gave science short shrift
and used the COVID to grift,
as you stood telling lie after lie.

You let the plague run its course, as
you withheld health resources,
and our people continued to die!

Verse 6:

We’re just trying to seek justice,
but you sent soldiers to bust us,
and abused all the president’s power.

You court gun nuts and racists,
then sic cops to shoot and mace us,
while you hide in your bunker and cower.

Verse 7:

Your diplomacy’s lacking.
You sought enemy backing,
as you trashed all our former allies.

You broke treaties and contracts,
and blackmailed foreign contacts,
tryin’ to steal a political prize!

Verse 8:

Your huge grift is outrageous,
and your treason’s contagious,
all while Putin’s still pulling your strings.

But the people have spoken
and our courage awoken.
So we’ll see what November’s vote brings!

Verse 9 (POSTLUDE) [new verse]:

You incited sedition
tryin’ to thwart your rendition,
but the voters made one thing quite clear:

All the treason you’re yellin’
will soon make you a felon.
Then the whole world will all clap and cheer!

These videos are not the melody for my song, but they should help get you into the calypso mood!

x

x
YouTube Video

Song for Barr and dRumpf: "You'll be Gone" (a.k.a. November 4th)

bethann

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Monday October 12, 2020 · 2:00 PM PDT

2020/10/12 · 14:00

636059851920046506-Benson-Trump-Crying-Baby-08-15-16.jpg — 23 Days and counting ......

Writing songs is one of the ways I de-stress.
That said, here’s my latest (country-western style) effort,
intended as a prediction to dRumpf and his “little dog” Barr.

You’ll Be Gone
**(a.k.a. November 4^th)**

A song by Bethann

Refrain (sung before and after each verse)

You’ll be gone in the mornin’
While you’re still abed snorin’.
You’ll be gone afore you ever knew,

All your lies and cheatin’
Have been self defeatin’.
Then the one who’ll be cryin’ will be you.

Verse 1

Ev’ry time you hurt us,
Ev’ry time you’d desert us,
Ev’ry time you did things you oughtn’t do,

All the love we had was
Turnin’ sour and bad, ‘cause
We can’t trust a single word you spew!

Verse 2

You built walls between us
With your stubborn meanness.
And you still just haven’t got a clue!

We’ll be takin’ ev’ry score
You ever cared for.
And the one who’ll be cryin’ now is you!

L to R: Ember and Bruler
Bruler expresses her opinion of the current WH resident.

How will you celebrate on November 4th (assuming a mostly fair election)?
Please elaborate in the comments.

And if you haven’t already, get out and VOTE!!!!!

Instead of making cake for my sister's birthday this year, I decided to make her some Pi.

bethann

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday August 28, 2020 · 1:17 AM PDT

2020/08/28 · 01:17

I started by making my myself and my sister some Banana Pi.
Banana is always a good choice in the summertime. It’s cool and creamy and delightful.

I had decided to make two types of Pi, because some people like traditional Pi, and some people prefer deep-dish Pi. It’s a matter of taste I guess. Whatever makes you happy and comfortable.

I was really getting into it, so I thought I would make her some other “flavors” of Pi, as well.

Perhaps something more “wintry” would be nice.

So next I made us both some Blueberry Pi.

Well, that turned out quite nice, too.

I found I was really enjoying this Pi making process, so perhaps another batch was in order.
This time I decided it would be nice to make something a bit more autumnal.

So made us both some Pumpkin Pi.

OK. So now I had made Pi for three seasons. It occurred to me that I needed to complete the seasonal series with something in a vernal theme. So I made these:

OK, OK! And before you ask, let me just say this:

My sister is a middle school science teacher.
Therefore, my sick sense of humor will fit in quite nicely with that of her students!
So, yes! This WAS absolutely necessary!!!!!

(Besides, it’s just another example of “bored engineer syndrome”.)

I also made some of each of these “flavors” of Pi for the hubbie.

He seemed a little less enamored of this Pi “flavor”.
He had already taken the rest of the Pi I made for him to work.

The Pi I made all had 3 layers — an outer layer, a lining layer, and a pocket layer (to insert a disposable filter, if desired). I tried to coordinate the color schemes with the fabrics I had on hand. They also all have a nose wire for better fit, and the elastic is replaceable and/or can be tied tighter.

I made the hubbie’s Pi a little bit larger than these, so they would fit over his (larger) face and beard. It took a number of tries/tweaks to get the pattern just right to fit him and work well with his glasses.

(But, then, I’m used to tweaking recipes. And sewing is a lot like cooking. You start out with a published recipe, and then make lots of little “adjustments” until it suits you just right!
One size never fits all!)

P.S.

In addition to all the Pi I made for my family, I have also been keeping busy during the pandemic by sewing for my BFF:

She wanted Green and Pink because it is her sorority colors. No problem!
And I made her an assortment of sizes and styles to see which would work best for her.

And, because I’m retired, and the pandemic is pretty much keeping me at home, I had plenty of time to sew these, which I donated to the new local Veterans Life Center (which supports both men and women veterans):

I shipped these (locally) via the USPS over a week ago, and they finally arrived to their destination.
(I could have driven them there myself in less than 30 minutes!)

And here comes the political message:

Please remember the postal delays if you vote by mail, and leave enough time to return your ballot (or else hand deliver your ballot)!

Check your voter registration status online weekly between now and when you vote!
(to ensure you don’t get dropped from the voter registration rolls)

Make sure you vote!
And make sure your vote is counted!!!!

Please feel free to share stories about your “pandemic projects” in the comments.
(And share pictures! We all want to see the pictures!)

Thanks!

Poll

28 votes Show Results

Your honest (but not TOO cruel) opinion:

28 votes Vote Now!

Your honest (but not TOO cruel) opinion:

I love a good pun!

19 votes

Meh! Only marginally funny!

0 votes

Please stop!!!!!

0 votes

9 votes

From The INDY: Duke Hospital Sends Bill Collectors After Student Rape Victim

bethann

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday February 19, 2020 · 3:24 PM PST

2020/02/19 · 15:24

Photo is from Pexels - a free public open source for downloading photos.

You would think that rape victims would be treated with a little more kindness and care after seeking a medical exam following a rape. But you would be wrong.

This is yet one more reason why we need Medicare For All.

“This is a call from a debt collection agency for Duke Health,” the person said, according to the student. The caller informed her that she owed hundreds of dollars for her emergency room visit for the rape examination.

“Before that, I had no idea I owed any money,” the student, who asked not to be identified, told The 9th Street Journal in an interview. “I asked them to talk to my mom because it was really traumatic and hard, but they didn’t do that. They kept calling me over and over again.”

Rape victims are not supposed to be charged for sexual assault exams, but the rules have loopholes.

Read the full online article in the INDY WEEK (article by Cameron Beach Feb. 14, 2020, 11:34 a.m.)

Duke Hospital Sends Bill Collectors After Student Rape Victim

Of course, if we had Medicare For All, this type of re-victimization of rape victims would not happen — because nobody would be billed for getting an exam or treatment following a rape! Victims would get the medical care, exams, and the discretion they need to be able to resume their lives, while at the same time ensuring any bio-evidence of the crime is preserved for future litigation against the perpetrator. And they wouldn’t have to worry about hospitals siccing collection agencies on them afterward.

It really is ridiculous and obscene that we are still having to fight the re-victimization of victims of sexual assaults in 2020. When you go to the polls to vote, think about which candidates support Medicare For All. Then think about and remember which candidates are just fine with allowing rape victims to be billed huge amounts of money to get the treatment and exams they need versus which candidates support healthcare plans that put all patients (including victims of sexual assault) first. There is a significant difference between the candidates!

My lying NC Senator's reply to my request for a fair and unbiased impeachment trial

bethann

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday January 17, 2020 · 2:14 PM PST

2020/01/17 · 14:14

The proper disposal method for feckless GOP Senators!

I sent an email to my NC Senators (Tillis and Burr), via a dKOS petition, asking them to ensure the impeachment trial is run in a fair and unbiased manner, and weighing all of the facts, and allowing new evidence to be heard. Here is a copy of the GOP form letter Tillis sent back:

Senator Thom Tillis

Fri 1/17/2020 2:46 PM

Dear Ms. Neerman:

Thank you for taking the time to contact me about the impeachment of President Trump. I appreciate hearing from you.

As you may know, on December 18, 2019, the House took a partisan vote to impeach President Trump. Article I, Abuse of Power, was passed with a vote of 230-197, and Article II, Obstruction of Congress, passed with a 229-198 vote. In an unprecedented act, Speaker Pelosi withheld the Articles for 28 days until January 15, 2020, when the House voted to appoint Impeachment Managers and to transmit the Articles to the Senate.

On January 16, 2020, the Senate Impeachment Trial formally began with the swearing-in of Chief Justice John Roberts and the swearing-in of Senators. During the impeachment trial, the House Managers and the White House Counsel will present their respective cases by offering opening arguments and presenting evidence. Following these presentations, Senators will have the opportunity to question the House Managers and the White House Counsel. At that time, the Senate could consider whether to call additional witnesses or to request additional evidence.

I have been clear that, based on the unpersuasive evidence collected by the House, and the weakness of their case for impeachment, I do not see the need for additional witnesses. The Constitution provides that the House “shall have the sole Power of Impeachment,” and that the Senate “shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments.” It is the responsibility of the House of Representatives during an impeachment inquiry to collect evidence and to make the case for impeachment. It is not the responsibility of the Senate to do the work that the House failed to do, particularly when they failed to issue subpoenas for testimony. This is especially true where the Speaker and the majority have been insistent about the strength of their case justifying the impeachment and removal of a duly-elected President.

As a U.S. Senator, I have a constitutional responsibility to participate fully in the Senate impeachment trial. I will listen to both sides, carefully consider the evidence, and join my colleagues in rendering a verdict. I will also make sure that President Trump is treated fairly and receives a presumption of innocence rather than a presumption of guilt. The President deserves this basic guarantee of due process during the most consequential of constitutional events.

Unfortunately, the majority in the House ran a blatantly partisan impeachment process, which presumed the President was guilty while denying the President and the minority basic due process rights. Despite the lack of evidence presented, the House still voted to impeach President Trump along purely partisan lines. Compared to previous inquiries, the investigation into President Trump happened seven times faster than the investigation of President Nixon, and twenty times faster than the investigation of President Clinton.

Instead of focusing on real issues like securing our border, modernizing our infrastructure, or supporting our military, certain outspoken House members and Speaker Pelosi are using all of their time and resources to once again try to cast doubt on the results of the 2016 election. It is unfortunate that their partisan games have now prevented the Senate from conducting the work of the American people.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me. Please do not hesitate to reach out again about other important issues.

Sincerely,

[Element removed — his electronic script signature was removed from the copy]

Thom Tillis
U.S. Senator

And here is what I replied back to him:

Tillis - You are, and always have been, a fucking liar! There isn't one spec of truth in your reply. And in November, the voters of NC will show you their disapproval of your duplicity and willingness to tolerate illegal and outrageous behavior by our criminal president just for the sake of holding onto power in your crooked and morally bankrupted party.

And I, for one of many, will be more than happy to see the back of you! Rest assured I will do what I can to help your democratic opponent to get elected in November. And then there will be a reckoning for your immoral self-serving anti-Constitutional behavior. As Benjamin Franklin said, "If you lie down with dogs, you will wake up with fleas". And you have certainly made your bed with the most vile and pestilence riddled vermin ever to violate their oath of office.

Yes, I know my email was quite rude and not for the faint of heart. But I’m just so tired of our two useless and criminally complicit NC senators. I will do whatever I can to see Tillis replaced in November’s election. And I will work equally hard for Burr’s democratic replacement when he’s up for election again. But it will be much easier “with a little help from my friends”.

There are still a lot of good, honest people in NC, despite the more visible minority of racists, theocrats, gun nuts and misogynists. Although NC’s history a hundred years ago was far from an egalitarian society, when I moved to Raleigh in 1987, NC was a “purple” state, with a fairly balanced political palette of Democrats and Republicans. Our state government and governor’s office regularly switched back and forth between the two parties, and we tended to have a “split ticket” in the US Senate and House — up until the last major GOP gerrymandering of our state. We have been oppressed by the same GOP tactics of gerrymandering, voter suppression and outright election fraud which is plaguing so much of our nation lately. We will work hard to help our Democratic candidates get elected. But your help will also be very much appreciated in helping to support and fund their campaigns (just as I also donate to democratic House and Senate candidates in other states).

Once the primaries are over, please check back on Act Blue to see who your Democratic candidates for the Senate are in every state, and then donate to their campaigns, even if it’s only a small amount. If we all pull together, we can flip the Senate and hold onto the House, and then kick these lying curs to the curb!

Defendant in bribery case involving former NC GOP Chairman Robin Hayes requested charges dismissed

bethann

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday September 20, 2019 · 4:01 AM PDT

2019/09/20 · 04:01

You can read the (1 page long) subject 09/19/2019 Raleigh News & Observer article online here:

Defendant in federal bribery case that snared NC GOP official wants charges dismissed

Here’s a short excerpt from the article:

Businessman Greg Lindberg is asking a federal court to throw out his indictment on … charges of conspiracy and bribery for their [Lindberg, Robin Hayes and 2 others] alleged attempts to influence state Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey, a Republican.

The indictment claimed the defendants offered Causey millions of dollars in campaign contributions in exchange for specific “official action” favorable to Lindberg’s company, namely the removal of a certain deputy commissioner.

The request for dismissal was based upon the SCOTUS overturning a 2016 bribery conviction of former Virginia Governor McDonnell, stating the definition of “official acts” was too broad.

I hope the federal court denies this request from these corrupt Republican criminal scumbags.

These Republican politicians and their rich oligarchic patrons seem to think the laws just don’t apply to them. And in NC, the level of Republican grift, bribery, election fraud, legislative rule breaking and general chicanery has reached new levels of ethics violations and lawlessness! They don’t even pretend to represent the NC citizens anymore.

These lawbreakers belong in jail. We must start making examples of them in order to deter more lawlessness by our elected officials and those who would bribe them.

"An Open Letter to Trump" - a song by bethann

bethann

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday November 02, 2018 · 12:17 AM PDT

2018/11/02 · 00:17

Miss Pansy demonstrating one of the definitions of "sandbox".

Sometimes I just gotta’ express myself in verse! So here’s my latest song, written as a way for me to vent my anger and frustration at the awful fornicator-in-chief defiling our nation’s White House.
(Yes, I have a melody in my head for it, but it doesn’t translate to this medium, so I invite you to apply your own melodies to it.) And please do feel free to add your own verses in the comments!
For your commiseration and amusement:

An Open Letter to Trump
written by bethann
(Note: All double entendre intended)

Refrain (sung before, after and between each verse)

I’m not tryin’ to get in your face
or invade your personal deep space,
but here you are on my turf
despoiling the Earth.

You really need to back off, you jack-off.
Get real, or get out of the way.
‘Cause no-one wants to play
in your sandbox today!

Verse 1

You are vile, you are cruel,
and you think you can rule
like a third rate banana despot.

You put children in cages,
and that really enrages
anyone who is not a bigot.

Verse 2

You deny what is real
as you’re trying to steal
what Americans fought to preserve.

You tell lies to distract
while the Russians still hack.
One day you’ll get just what you deserve!

Verse 3

Your nepotistic appointments
are not “Caesar’s anointments”.
You are not immune under our laws!

But Bob Mueller is working
to uncover your jerking,
so democracy’s only on “pause”.

Verse 4

As the people cry out,
you sow hatred and doubt,
tryin’ to change what we all think and feel.

But your circus of hate
won’t stand up to the state
when convictions get suddenly real!

Verse 5

Your huge grift is outrageous,
and your treason’s contagious,
all while Putin’s still pulling your strings.

But the people have spoken
and our courage awoken.
So we’ll see what November’s vote brings!

Author’s note: By the way, I hear it sung to a calypso beat.

“Boom chi-ca chi-ca, boom boom chi-ca chi-ca”

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