Ratched-ing Up the Worry

From POLITICO:

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — President Donald Trump on Friday night tried to cast the global outbreak of the coronavirus as a liberal conspiracy intended to undermine his first term, lumping it alongside impeachment and the Mueller investigation.

He blamed the press for acting hysterically about the virus, which has now spread to China, Japan, South Korea, Iran, Italy and the U.S, and he downplayed its dangers, saying against expert opinion it was on par with the flu.

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It’s a Blog Mitzvah!

I realized the other day that February 17, 2007 was the very first post on Hysterical Raisins. Those were the pre-Photoshop days of The Raisin, and the MS Paint image is embarrassing when I look at it today. So, kids, in honor of The Raisin’s 13th birthday (its blog mitzvah!), I thought I would recreate and update the very first poster. I couldn’t find the same image, but I did find the cover of the DVD box.

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(Pictured: Bill Barr, Jared Kushner, Kellyanne Conway, Twitler, Stephen Miller, Mike Pence, Ivanka Trump)

Just when you thought the Barr couldn’t get any lower

From Vox:

For anyone concerned that President Donald Trump and Attorney General Bill Barr are politicizing the criminal justice system, Friday afternoon has been a real roller coaster.

First, news broke that Justice Department prosecutors had closed one politically controversial case, a lengthy criminal investigation into former Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe, without bringing any charges. McCabe had been under scrutiny for potentially lying to internal investigators about his role in leaks concerning an FBI investigation into the Clinton Foundation — though many wondered whether the investigation was truly about pursuing someone President Trump had deemed an enemy.

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Concerned Sue and Sad Lisa have BS all sewn up

From Dahlia Lithwick at SLATE:

Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski Think Donald Trump Is No Longer a Danger

On Wednesday, the Senate [voted] to acquit President Donald Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress following a marathon few days of speeches, half of which came from Republican senators justifying their votes to acquit. Having listened through the hodgepodge of whataboutism, process complaints, and occasional outright fascism, one hesitates to focus on Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins because their reputations as GOP “moderates” have always been more a stylist’s branding choice than reality, and because holding Republican women in power to a higher standard than men has never redounded to the benefit of anyone, including women. But when powerful women who should see through the gaslighting instead pick up the proffered gaslighting torch and set small brushfires, it’s worth taking note.

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The Zombie GOPocalypse

Lisa Murkowski on the floor of the Senate:

I rise to address the trial of Donald John Trump. The founders gave this body the sole power to try all impeachments, and exercising that power is a weighty responsibility. 

…snip…

The President’s behavior was shameful and wrong.  His personal interests do not take precedence over those of this great nation.  The president has the responsibility to uphold the integrity and honor of the office.  Not just for himself but for all future presidents.  Degrading the office, by actions or even name calling, weakens it for future presidents, and weakens our country.

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Here we go loop de loo!

From Newsweek:

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has been sent a letter from Joseph Bondy, attorney to Lev Parnas, urging McConnell to allow his client to testify at the ongoing Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.

…snip…

“For the past several months we have diligently pursued an opportunity for Mr. Parnas to provide complete and truthful testimony to the Government and Congress regarding Mr. Parnas’s activities in connection with the efforts of President Trump to secure concessions from Ukraine, in exchange for American aid,” the letter continued.

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