Jon, are you aware of a "must read"piece that explains Trump's support. With the incredible baggage that makes Nixon seem like a choir boy, I just don't get it. What explains the resentment of rural and southern America? Kinda wish I were back in school to debate this.
Honestly, Phil, I haven't seen that piece. It's a combination of the "asshole vote"--maybe 20 percent of Trump's support--and rural Americans feeling with some justification that they have been left behind. Trump plays grievance politics very effectively and we're a nation of umbrage.
Thank you for this great daily report and all the ones so far and to come. Perfect mix of what we need to know and entertaining bits like the radio reporter in the bathroom.
If Trump is finally forced to confront himself, which is what the final scene sounded like, it’s hard not to feel sorry for him even after all’s said and done.
Thanks for checking in Cate, but we disagree. While I think all human beings deserve to be treated fairly, that doesn't compel my sympathy for a truly rotten person.
I knew that would be controversial! I was surprised myself to feel sympathy, of course. But I did. More perhaps for the totality of what a pathetic person he is. I wouldn’t wish that on anybody.
Trump knows his house of cards is falling down. We are witnessing a malignant narcissist "melt-down" in real time. If any other defendant ranted the way that trump does (gagged?🙄)...they would have been fined or imprisoned already.
He doesn't quite deserve to be bound and gagged, as some criminal defendants have been (e.g. Bobby Seale in the Chicago 7 trial). But he should be held in contempt on Tuesday....
I’m glued to every word of your reporting, Jon. So glad you’re there. Reading your observations and insights, I feel as if I’m in the courtroom too. Thank you!
A rather high proportion of Jurors seem to be playing the Woody Allen card, i.e., they claim they are anxious or have emotional problems which merit exclusion from serving as a juror.
Although most of my cases don't go to trial, I distincly remember the antics I witnessed during jury selection. In one case, a young man opened up a bag and started jiggling three vials of pills, excitedly and eagerly chirping about his myriad nervous conditions which called for a respite from anything as arduous as jury duty.
The pathology of the jurors seems to compliment the pathology of the Criminal Defendant. The country seems to get crazier and crazier
But none of that craziness was as stark and as sick as that scene from Saigon in 1963 when a Buddhist monk set himself on fire. I am of course referring to that poor and wounded soul who set himself on fire outside the courthouse.
Yes, there were monks who died subsequently. But I was thinking of the first monk, the guy who immediately before his death notified the Press that a dramatic and shattering event was coming.
Quite frankly, S Vietnam was tthe first thing I thouhgt of when I heard of that incident at the Court hourse.
And Trump seems to be the resurrection of either Diem or Colonol Key. Key said that S
Without TV coverage in the courtroom and relying only on first-hand accounts (like Jon's), we readers necessarily create pictorial images in our minds. My mind carries me to classic films to flesh out the setting. I'm hoping for a dramatic scene like Nicholson's breakdown in "A Few Good Men", or a confrontation like Spencer Tracy and Frederic March had in "Inherit the Wind". But the most vivid scene that comes to mind is Al Pacino's manic opening speech in "And Justice for All".
While this trial's main focus is accountability, it seems to be full of great dramatic possibilities as well. After all, as Oscar Wilde wrote, "Life imitates art far more than art imitates life."
Jon, are you aware of a "must read"piece that explains Trump's support. With the incredible baggage that makes Nixon seem like a choir boy, I just don't get it. What explains the resentment of rural and southern America? Kinda wish I were back in school to debate this.
Honestly, Phil, I haven't seen that piece. It's a combination of the "asshole vote"--maybe 20 percent of Trump's support--and rural Americans feeling with some justification that they have been left behind. Trump plays grievance politics very effectively and we're a nation of umbrage.
Thank you for this great daily report and all the ones so far and to come. Perfect mix of what we need to know and entertaining bits like the radio reporter in the bathroom.
Thanks, Elaine!
Thanks, Elaine!
If Trump is finally forced to confront himself, which is what the final scene sounded like, it’s hard not to feel sorry for him even after all’s said and done.
Thanks for checking in Cate, but we disagree. While I think all human beings deserve to be treated fairly, that doesn't compel my sympathy for a truly rotten person.
I knew that would be controversial! I was surprised myself to feel sympathy, of course. But I did. More perhaps for the totality of what a pathetic person he is. I wouldn’t wish that on anybody.
Why feel sorry for a narcissistic sociopath? He feels sorry only for himself
Yeah, I know. It’s not a rational thing.
Trump knows his house of cards is falling down. We are witnessing a malignant narcissist "melt-down" in real time. If any other defendant ranted the way that trump does (gagged?🙄)...they would have been fined or imprisoned already.
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He doesn't quite deserve to be bound and gagged, as some criminal defendants have been (e.g. Bobby Seale in the Chicago 7 trial). But he should be held in contempt on Tuesday....
I think I seriously almost came reading this piece...
Trump getting savaged to his face by NY-ers (nonetheless..ha ha ha) and having to STFU and deal with it.
Marchan essentially telling him: "sit the fck down, dumbass.."
Oh lordy...too too good...phew...
I’m glued to every word of your reporting, Jon. So glad you’re there. Reading your observations and insights, I feel as if I’m in the courtroom too. Thank you!
Thanks, Annie!
A rather high proportion of Jurors seem to be playing the Woody Allen card, i.e., they claim they are anxious or have emotional problems which merit exclusion from serving as a juror.
Although most of my cases don't go to trial, I distincly remember the antics I witnessed during jury selection. In one case, a young man opened up a bag and started jiggling three vials of pills, excitedly and eagerly chirping about his myriad nervous conditions which called for a respite from anything as arduous as jury duty.
The pathology of the jurors seems to compliment the pathology of the Criminal Defendant. The country seems to get crazier and crazier
But none of that craziness was as stark and as sick as that scene from Saigon in 1963 when a Buddhist monk set himself on fire. I am of course referring to that poor and wounded soul who set himself on fire outside the courthouse.
Unfortunately it was not just one monk. I wrote about this many years ago.
Yes, there were monks who died subsequently. But I was thinking of the first monk, the guy who immediately before his death notified the Press that a dramatic and shattering event was coming.
Quite frankly, S Vietnam was tthe first thing I thouhgt of when I heard of that incident at the Court hourse.
And Trump seems to be the resurrection of either Diem or Colonol Key. Key said that S
Vietnam needed 5 Adolf Hitlers.
Without TV coverage in the courtroom and relying only on first-hand accounts (like Jon's), we readers necessarily create pictorial images in our minds. My mind carries me to classic films to flesh out the setting. I'm hoping for a dramatic scene like Nicholson's breakdown in "A Few Good Men", or a confrontation like Spencer Tracy and Frederic March had in "Inherit the Wind". But the most vivid scene that comes to mind is Al Pacino's manic opening speech in "And Justice for All".
While this trial's main focus is accountability, it seems to be full of great dramatic possibilities as well. After all, as Oscar Wilde wrote, "Life imitates art far more than art imitates life."
We're gonna find out, JoAnne!
Great commentary. Thanks!
Thanks, Mary!
Absolutely love the commentary. So glad you got access.
Thaks, Jim!
Jonathan,
Trump ain't gonna testify. It is all more blowhard.
I wish he would, but he won't.
Probably not, but we don't know for sure.
Jonathan your reporting is wonderful. I read it every day. Keep going. N
Thanks, Nancy!
Excellent.
Thanks, Lese!