Lou

Members of the state’s all-Democrat congressional delegation are condemning Iran’s strike against Israel over the weekend and calling for stepped-up diplomacy to end the widening conflict.

Iran launched a missile and drone attack on Israel on Saturday in retaliation for the alleged Israeli strike on the Iranian embassy that took out two senior Iranian officers. Most of the drones and missiles were either shut down by Israeli, U.S. or British forces, or failed to hit their intended targets, authorities said.

Rep. Seth Moulton, a Salem Democrat, blasted the attacks and said Iran’s actions risk sparking a “catastrophic” Middle Eastern war that could drag the U.S. and other Israeli allies into the conflict.“Iran’s evil regime murders its own people at home and innocents abroad, funding terrorist groups across the Middle East — from Hamas and Hezbollah to the Houthis and proxies in Iraq that have killed scores of U.S. troops,” he said in a statement.

But Moulton, a Marine veteran, also urged Israel to show restraint in its response to the Iranian attacks and work toward a bilateral cease-fire in the Gaza strip.

“It is neither in America’s national security interests, nor in Israel’s, to escalate into a full regional war,” he said. “As Israel weighs its next steps, it is critical that it remains focused on finishing its operations in Gaza and achieving a cease-firefor- hostages deal – not on starting a new war while still having no endgame for their first.”

What’s clear is that People v. Trump, the first criminal trial against a former U.S. president, is historic.

A New York court will begin selecting jurors Monday to try an ex-president on criminal charges for the first time in U.S. history.

Former President Donald Trump managed to delay criminal cases against him in Georgia and federal court but will make history when he enters a Manhattan courtroom for a trial on 34 counts of falsifying business records.

The case also hinges on salacious claims that Mr. Trump, fearing bad press in 2016, paid $130,000 in hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels to cover up an alleged sexual encounter from nearly two decades ago, along with payments to a second woman who alleged an affair and a doorman who pushed an unproven story that Mr. Trump had a child out of wedlock.

Prosecutors allege Mr. Trump concealed the payments through reimbursements to his attorney-turned-accuser, Michael D. Cohen, recorded in official business ledgers on multiple dates in 2017. He did so days before the 2016 election in order to conceal this to influence the election.

Jury selection starts today, and here’s how Judge Juan Merchan will summarize the case for prospective jurors:

The allegations are in substance, that Donald Trump falsified business records to conceal an agreement with others to unlawfully influence the 2016 presidential election. Specifically, it is alleged that Donald Trump made or caused false business records to hide the true nature of payments made to Michael Cohen, by characterizing them as payment for legal services rendered pursuant to a retainer agreement. The People allege that in fact, the payments were intended to reimburse Michael Cohen for money he paid to Stephanie Clifford, also known as Stormy Daniels, in the weeks before the presidential election to prevent her from publicly revealing details about a past sexual encounter with Donald Trump.

Based on those allegations, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg charged Trump with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. The former president has pleaded not guilty and denies the allegations, as he has done in his other three pending criminal cases.

After a dozen different motions to stop or delay this trial, the twice impeached, liable sexual assaulter, NY business fraudster and alleged insurrectionist (and still the GOPs leader), is going on trial today. His lawyer, Michael Cohen, already went to jail for this in which a Trump was co-conspirator 1, for obvious reasons, does not want this trial to happen.

So, buckle up, here we go!

President Joe Biden was joined Thursday by two of his Democratic predecessors for a star-studded fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall that his campaign said brought in more than $26 million.

Actor and comedian Mindy Kaling hosted the program, which ended at around 10 p.m., and late night host Stephen Colbert moderated a conversation with Biden, Clinton and Obama. Special guests include celebrities like Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo and Lea Michele.

During the nearly hourlong moderated conversation, Colbert joked that the moment was historic because “three presidents have come to New York, and not one of them to appear in court,” taking a jab at former President Donald Trump’s criminal indictments and civil trials.

Clinton also took a swipe at the presumptive GOP nominee, arguing that “Trump had a good couple of years because he stole them from Barack Obama.”

“You’re all part of an incredible team we’re building, and we’re just getting started,” Biden said in his closing message during the discussion. “So let’s keep going. Let’s win this November.”

Trump’s historic criminal trial in the New York hush money case against him will begin with jury selection on April 15, Judge Juan Merchan said Monday, after a dispute over the late production of documents caused the judge initially to push back the start date. Barring another unforeseen hiccup, the former president will face a jury on criminal charges for at least one of his trials before the November election.

Finally, one of the judges is holding Trump to account and not indulging his constant motions whose only purpose is to delay. Does anyone including his MAGA cult really think that Trump is innocent of any of the charges against him. He certainly doesn’t act as a person who wants to clear his name.

So buckle up, the highlight will be when Trump takes the stand. Can he possibly not lie? We all know the answer to that.

Finally!!

Wow! Give ’em hell, Joe!

President delivered a fiery, terrific speech at the State of the Union. He owned the room from the time he entered the chamber until he left after seemingly talking to everyone in the chamber on the way out. (Rumor is that at midnight they had to flick the lights to encourage the President and others to leave.)

Maybe not noticed but President Biden, after giving a copy of the speech to VP Harris and Speaker Johnson, immediately started his speech, not allowing Speaker Mike Johnson do the traditional introduction. There was no slow introduction in the speech, he immediately went after the Republicans on not supporting Ukraine and bowing to Putin, not supporting democracy after January 6 and for taking away women’s rights.

Any concern by Democrats that Joe Biden was losing his edge was put to rest last night. He was on point and had command of all the issues. He took on the Republicans directly, seemingly baiting them to shout at him and then turning and making their views look foolish. He adlibbed about 30 times.

He turned the immigration issue around on the Republicans. He made clear that the strongest border bill ever was being held because Trump wants it as a campaign issue. He continually urged the Republicans to act and pass the Senate’s border reform bill. He cited what was in the bill with Senator Langford nodding mouthing, “it’s true”.

He took on the Supreme Court justices directly over Roe v. Wade. He said IVF banning is due to the court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade. He informed them that they will see women political power in the election.

President Biden gave what very much seemed like a campaign speech as he mentioned his predecessor 13 times highlighting Trump not supporting NATO, bragging about Roe v Wade, citing the insurrection etc.

He cited the success of the economy calling it the best story never told while recognizing home prices were still high and announced a plan to help first time buyers. He cited his success with more jobs, lowering inflation, lowering prescription prices, increasing taxes on the wealthy etc. The seemingly inevitable recession has turned to a soft landing.

Also addressed war in Gaza and issues within the party, relating the history of the conflict and announcing that the US will be establishing a port in Gaza to deliver aid by ship.

Dems were so excited, VP Harris got her exercise getting up applauding throughout the speech. Whereas Speaker Johnson looked very uncomfortable not knowing when/if to stand, when/if to applaud or ever applaud. Obviously, afraid that any incorrect applause would cause MTG to initiate a vote to remove him.

A big, successful night for President Biden, Democrats and the country.

The Republican response was by Sen. Britt of Alabama. It was weird and awful. First the Republicans had her give it in her kitchen which is where Republicans evidently think women belong. Her response focused almost entirely on the border citing a story of a woman repeatedly raped crossing the border and how this was Biden’s fault. Except… She didn’t say it was in 2005 when Bush was President and it was in Mexico. The woman in the story has since responded angrily for Sen. Britt using her story without permission. Sen. Britt also didn’t mention that she was on the committee negotiating the border bill and then didn’t vote for it. More disinformation, no solutions but lots of you should be afraid of. Bobby Jindal must have liked it as it was worse than his historically bad response speech.

A great night for President Biden and Democrats. Let’s keep it up!

Nikki Haley suspended her campaign this morning after a disappointing Super Tuesday. Haley won the state of Vermont but was far behind in red states. She did better in blue states but I suspect that this was due to Independents and Democrats crossing over to vote against Trump.

President Biden pretty much swept through all the primaries. Challengers were hard pressed to get above 3 -4 % but the “uncommitted” votes in some states was significant as Dems want to show their displeasure with Joe Biden’s support of Israel and Israels’ actions in Gaza. Of course, if you are dealing with Netanyahu, who is largely responsible for the war and keeping it going keeps him from facing charges (hmmm. sounds familiar), it is a difficult task.

So it’s “game on”. We have 8 months to save our democracy from arguably the most vile man in the country and his MAGA disciples.

In other news, Senator McConnell joined the ranks Lindsay Graham, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio etc. of the truly pitiful. All people that Trump mocks and embarrasses but they still kiss the ring (or other parts…). I fully expect that Haley will join this pitiful crew.

Don’t agonize… Organize.

We will be discussing how we can support Biden and the Dem ticket.

Here we go!!

The Danvers Senior Center bid a fond farewell Friday to longtime Director of Senior and Social Services Pamela Parkinson, who is retiring after more than 18 years of dedicated service.

Whether it’s providing people in need with food, helping them to find housing, starting new programming to address a specific need in the community, or working on an individual basis to advocate for seniors, Parkinson created a reputation in Danvers and beyond as someone to count on in times of need.

“We do take for granted what a wonderful seniors program we have. It does not happen by accident. Over (Parkinson’s) more than 18 years of service to the town of Danvers as the director of senior and social services, (she has) enriched the lives of countless elders in our community, not just from Danvers,” said state Rep. Sally Kerans, D-Danvers, who presented Parkinson with a citation from state lawmakers.

“You all are doing the work of supporting not only elders, but anyone in our community who needs a helping hand — and I’ve never seen such need. I’ve never had so many potential eviction cases of men and women in their 70s, unsure of where they’re going. So thank you all for all of that,” Kerans added.