(diary)
The DOJ has been destroyed with Barr, now on to the IC with Richard Grenell. No experience in intelligence (no pun), hated by Germany when he was Trump’s ambassador to Germany, Fox News contributor. He’s an “acting” director so, no Congressional oversight. A senior adviser to Grenell is Kash Patel. He worked closely with Giuliani and tried to discredit the Russia probe. Quoting Masha Gessen: “Institutions will not save you.”
Trump has started going after his enemies, proving Susan Collins wrong. </s>
- Fires Defense Department official who warned against halting Ukraine aid.
- Tasks John McEntee to root out anyone in government who is against him.
The first Presidential debate with Bloomberg and Warren makes quick work of him. Sanders wins the Nevada primaries.
Before the debate, I was in a funk and could only see The End with a squabbling Democratic field, an unelectable Sanders, an aging, old guard Biden, a freshman Buttigieg, etc. During and after: great hope. Now with Sanders: I just don’t fucking know.
Required re-reading:
- Autocracy: Rules for Survival by Masha Gessen (Russian reporter and activist), 10 Nov 2016 – Six rules that we wish we didn’t have to learn.
- We’re heading into dark times. This is how to be your own light in the Age of Trump by Sarah Kendzior (masters in Eurasian studies focusing on Soviet Union totalitarian states), 18 Nov 2016 – Includes the powerful realization that Trump wants to “strip our country down for parts.”
- Those Who Forget History by Jim Wright (retired Navy Chief Warrant Officer), 14 Feb 2020 – He reads the Declaration of Independence and points out the parallels between the reasons they had then and the reasons we have now.