You can tell from Trump's posts that MAGA is a movement steeped in nostalgia because they demonstrate a deep longing for the period from before English capitalization was standardized.
And the chilling lesson from other cults and extreme political movements is that the Second One tends to be less ideological but more ruthless, competent and power-hungry than the founder. Think David Miscavige at the Scientologists or Joseph Stalin.
The Hamburglar line is hilarious and it made me remember a story I hadn’t thought of in years. It’s so stupid I hope someone enjoys it as much as I do.
I used to be a prosecutor, and one of the boring things newer attorneys had to do was prepare the formal charging documents. When the government alleges a defendant did something, our old friend due process requires that you let them know what you’re intending to prove. If you charge theft, you can’t just say “the defendant stole some shit.” That’s too generic and doesn’t give enough notice.
But you don’t want to be too specific, either. As related to us in training, if you specifically alleged that the defendant stole a Chevrolet but it was actually a Ford, you risk a not guilty verdict or a loss on appeal.* So, for something like that they told us to just write that “the defendant stole a motor vehicle.” (Why “motor” vehicle? Because our state law defines “vehicle” to include, for example, bicycles. Which is why you can get a DUI while riding a bike where I live!)
Now to the story. A citizen said that she was walking home from the supermarket when the defendant attacked her and stole her food. When speaking to the police, she couldn’t remember what specifically she bought but vaguely recalled some details. Apparently, the new attorney thought “food” was too generic to list.
My colleague then had to pick up the case from another ADA, and the defendant opted for a jury trial given some victim credibility issues. The judge, as was his practice, read out to the jury the specific charges. And so my friend had to stand there and try not to laugh as the jury was told that he intended to prove that the defendant stole “ham and/or pork products.” So yeah, my friend prosecuted the Hamburglar.
*Yes, you can try to amend the language at trial if there’s a mismatch between the charges and the proof, which goes down a separate path about fairness, surprise, prejudice, etc. The thing is, the judge doesn’t have to let you do it.
The next step, of course, is for Trump to join the Lincoln Project and denounce J. D. Vance and Stephen Miller as extremists and betrayers of true conservatism.
"What if their unflinching defense of his actions was simply necessary because he was carrying their banner, but when he stops being useful to them, they’ll move on? "
Conversely, what if he was only courting them because he needed their votes and now that he doesn't, he's tired of hearing from them?
I was reading that Trump tweet[1] and thinking "oh this is someone off their meds" and then "oh right this is Jeff's blog, he makes stuff up" and then "wait I've thought that before and been wrong" and then "oh there's no way to know" and then actually clicking through his link.
I'm not sure I understand what the explanation is supposed to be though. 'The Epstein file was written by Clinton and James Comey, but they contain nothing that could embarass the Republicans, therefore we are not publishing them'? As someone thinking the files as MAGA imagined them never existed, that reads like absurdist humour.
As you note, it's not who Trump is as much as what he represents. I am one of those who thinks there is something desperately wrong with American culture and Trump represents those who'd like to see that changed. I dint want to return to post-WWII America (Make America Great Again) and in fact one cannot do that, we need to make America great Now. But there was a lot in the basic normal morality of that tike I do think we need to return to and Trump and the MAGA faction are for that.
Trump is unfortunately a horrid president, does some good things but out of touch w/reality. His tariff ideas are stupid and destructive, and the mass deportations are cruel. We should have returned to carefully vetted and managed immigration, yes, but not deported otherwise-law-abiding people who were here because of the mistaken policy of Democrat administrations. I would have preferred DeSantis or Haley or any other "normal" Republican.
I love your show but I might have to unsubscribe. I'm a paying subscriber - not just one of those freeloader shglubs we all look down on. But every time I try to listen to the audio, it dumps me out halfway through as a non-paying freeloader shglub. If you can tell me how to fix that, I promise to stay. If not...
You can tell from Trump's posts that MAGA is a movement steeped in nostalgia because they demonstrate a deep longing for the period from before English capitalization was standardized.
SO tRooo...🙃
And the chilling lesson from other cults and extreme political movements is that the Second One tends to be less ideological but more ruthless, competent and power-hungry than the founder. Think David Miscavige at the Scientologists or Joseph Stalin.
The Hamburglar line is hilarious and it made me remember a story I hadn’t thought of in years. It’s so stupid I hope someone enjoys it as much as I do.
I used to be a prosecutor, and one of the boring things newer attorneys had to do was prepare the formal charging documents. When the government alleges a defendant did something, our old friend due process requires that you let them know what you’re intending to prove. If you charge theft, you can’t just say “the defendant stole some shit.” That’s too generic and doesn’t give enough notice.
But you don’t want to be too specific, either. As related to us in training, if you specifically alleged that the defendant stole a Chevrolet but it was actually a Ford, you risk a not guilty verdict or a loss on appeal.* So, for something like that they told us to just write that “the defendant stole a motor vehicle.” (Why “motor” vehicle? Because our state law defines “vehicle” to include, for example, bicycles. Which is why you can get a DUI while riding a bike where I live!)
Now to the story. A citizen said that she was walking home from the supermarket when the defendant attacked her and stole her food. When speaking to the police, she couldn’t remember what specifically she bought but vaguely recalled some details. Apparently, the new attorney thought “food” was too generic to list.
My colleague then had to pick up the case from another ADA, and the defendant opted for a jury trial given some victim credibility issues. The judge, as was his practice, read out to the jury the specific charges. And so my friend had to stand there and try not to laugh as the jury was told that he intended to prove that the defendant stole “ham and/or pork products.” So yeah, my friend prosecuted the Hamburglar.
*Yes, you can try to amend the language at trial if there’s a mismatch between the charges and the proof, which goes down a separate path about fairness, surprise, prejudice, etc. The thing is, the judge doesn’t have to let you do it.
Check out Maurer saying respectful things about (old school) conservatives:
“moderation, common sense, knowing what the fuck you’re talking about, and being even remotely in touch with reality.”
Thanks for that.
The next step, of course, is for Trump to join the Lincoln Project and denounce J. D. Vance and Stephen Miller as extremists and betrayers of true conservatism.
Scary....😜
"What if their unflinching defense of his actions was simply necessary because he was carrying their banner, but when he stops being useful to them, they’ll move on? "
Conversely, what if he was only courting them because he needed their votes and now that he doesn't, he's tired of hearing from them?
I was reading that Trump tweet[1] and thinking "oh this is someone off their meds" and then "oh right this is Jeff's blog, he makes stuff up" and then "wait I've thought that before and been wrong" and then "oh there's no way to know" and then actually clicking through his link.
[1] fuck you it's a tweet
Trump writing a post that long trying to "explain" something is just weird.
And in politics isn't it said:
"if you're explaining you're losing?"
I'm not sure I understand what the explanation is supposed to be though. 'The Epstein file was written by Clinton and James Comey, but they contain nothing that could embarass the Republicans, therefore we are not publishing them'? As someone thinking the files as MAGA imagined them never existed, that reads like absurdist humour.
As you note, it's not who Trump is as much as what he represents. I am one of those who thinks there is something desperately wrong with American culture and Trump represents those who'd like to see that changed. I dint want to return to post-WWII America (Make America Great Again) and in fact one cannot do that, we need to make America great Now. But there was a lot in the basic normal morality of that tike I do think we need to return to and Trump and the MAGA faction are for that.
Trump is unfortunately a horrid president, does some good things but out of touch w/reality. His tariff ideas are stupid and destructive, and the mass deportations are cruel. We should have returned to carefully vetted and managed immigration, yes, but not deported otherwise-law-abiding people who were here because of the mistaken policy of Democrat administrations. I would have preferred DeSantis or Haley or any other "normal" Republican.
I think JD is going to be the victor in this cage fight.. cuz he's dumb enough, he's ugly enough, and doggone it, people hate him....😂
Imagine Trump yelling this in a cave "We have a PERFECT administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD"
I love your show but I might have to unsubscribe. I'm a paying subscriber - not just one of those freeloader shglubs we all look down on. But every time I try to listen to the audio, it dumps me out halfway through as a non-paying freeloader shglub. If you can tell me how to fix that, I promise to stay. If not...
What is your point here? Trump supporters are furious about this Epstein flop.
Do you often throw political tantrums on topics without actually working to understand the situation?
I think you're grasping at straws, Jeff. This will all blow over in a week. I dearly wish it would stick, but it won't.