TIWT: Living the Trump Lies

credit: KAL

Guilty on all counts. That is what the jury of peers decided today after nine hours of deliberation.  They deserve this country's thanks for their dedicated service to justice.  Donald J. Trump, former President of the United States is now a convicted felon.  There will be an appeal of the verdict, but odds are it will be upheld.  It is unlikely that Justice Merchan will sentence the defendant to incarceration given he is a first offender, his age (77), and the crimes, while numerous, are not violent*.  The logistical nightmare of custody will also be a practical consideration whether it rightfully should be or not. No secret service agent wants to spend his work day in prison with Don 'the Con'. A suspended jail term, probation, and fines are more likely.  The presidential defendant  is scheduled to be sentenced July 11th.

The jury's conclusion was not surprising given the overwhelming weight of evidence and the lack of a coherent alternative explanation of the defendant's behavior. His defense essentially amounted to a sustained attack on the credibility of the state's star witness, Michael Cohen, which ignored the testimony of other participants in the suppression conspiracy, and documentary evidence of the reimbursement scheme (12 ledger entries, 11 invoices and 11 checks) that corroborated Cohen's testimony.  Hope Hicks, still a Trump supporter,  provided unimpeached testimony about his motivation to hide his encounter with Daniels from the voting public, and then broke down in tears on the stand.  Another impactful moment in the trial came when prosecutor Jeff Steinglass read to the jury during his summation a scenario of Cohen's 94 second phone call to Trump and his bodyguard in which he told Trump the payment to Daniels had been made.  The recitation of the call took 47 seconds.

Don 'Legit' faces three other criminal cases and a possible fourth in Arizona for his election interference and illegal retention of defense secrets. The New York case was often criticized as being blown out of proportion, but the proceedings uncovered the Boss' efforts to win the presidential election of 2016 by any means necessary including falsifying his business records--a serious political crime against the democratic order in US Person's book.  His criminal propensities had not abated by 2020 when he instigated a coup attempt. Readers will remember that another 'Boss', Al Capone, was only ever convicted of tax evasion despite being suspected of numerous murders and racketeering. Well done, New Yorkers.

The felon, Donald J. Trump

and a dead Fascist

*One analysis by CNN's legal analyst, Norm Eisen of recent data shows that only one in ten felony business records fraud in New York result in custody.  On the other end of the scale is the defendant's particularly defiant attitude towards the justice system in which he has been fined for contempt multiple times, and the political context of his, "unlawful attempt to influence the 2016 presidential election."

Panda Diplomacy?

Will giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) succeed where humans have failed? That is the question to be asked as China renvews its breeding and research agreement with the National Zoo by sending two new pandas to Washington, DC. The National Zoo has been without pandas since last November when three pandas, Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and their cub, Xiao Qi Ji were flown back to their homeland. Bao Li and Qing Bao were born within a month of each other at a conservation center in Sichuan province,  China began sending pandas to other countries as a form of diplomacy in 1972. The pandas face a thirty day quarantine before being exhibited to the public. In 2016 the giant panda was reclassified by the IUCN from endangered to vulnerable thanks to intensive conservation efforts in China that have increased the wild population.

Conservation Works

A meta-study published in Science concludes that two-thirds of conservations efforts are successful in improving biodiversity.   These efforts return $100 in ecological services for every dollar invested. The meta-study covered 186 studies involving 665 trials.  Controlling invasive species, restoring habitat, breeding programs, and creating protected areas are among the strategies found to have a positive impact on wild populations.  Controlling invasive on islands is particularly effective.   For example two Florida islands managed for predator control, resulted in immediate improvement of loggerhead turtle and least tern nesting success. The meta-study also found a correlation between effectiveness and time as conservation techniques improve. [photo credit: B. Neptune]

Rangers in Virunga NP, DRC

More than half the world's GDP, almost $44 trillion, is dependent on nature. Some estimates are that a global conservation program would cost between $178 and $524 billions. In comparison, the amount spent on subsidizing fossil fuels in 2022 hit $7 trillion. The IUCN estimates that 44,000 species are documented to be at risk of extinction.  Amphibians are at the top of the list with 41%. Only six years remain to reach global biodiversity targets, increasing the need for effective action including the control of unsustainable production and consumption that drive biodiversity loss.

TWIT: Clown Corp, Inc.

 

The Real

The Ersatz
Wackdoodle axes:  Why can't we have the real thing?

The New York election fraud case is the only game in town and it is going to the jury next week.  Mar-a-Lago is mired in judicial nullification by a corrupt appointee, and District Attorney Fani Willis is under Repugnant attack in Georgia.  The MAGA justices have surrounded Dear Leader on Fifth Avenue while he takes pot shots at democracy:

credit: Bramhall, New York Daily News

New Inflatable Sail Promises Fewer Emissions

Michelin, the French tire company, has produced an innovative sail design that can help cargo vessels lower carbon emmissions. Currently cargo vessels account for 3% of global greenhouse emisions. Michelin says that the sail/wing design could cut emissions from fuel oil engines by 20% for existing ships and up to 50% for new designs. The WISAMO design--which stands for wind, sail and mobility--is automated, retractable, and inflatable which gives it extra stability over conventional sails and does not require additional crew members with sailing experience. It will not replace engines, but lightens the load and decreases the dependance on fuel. 

The International Maritime Organization has set a goal of reducing emissions by 20% by 2030 and 70% by 2040 to reach a net zero goal by 2050. Consequently fuel saving and emission reductions have become a priority for the shipping industry that currently relies almost exclusively on heavy fuel-oil to power cargo vessels that account for 90% of the world's goods in international trade. Michelin introduced WISAMO at a trade convention in 2021. Since then it has been testing the concept on the MN Pelican, a ro-ro ship (roll on, roll off) in the Bay of Biscay known for its strong winds and rough seas. Pelican's crew is impressed with its performance particularly into the wind The first tests were carried out on a yatch owned by champion French sailor, Michel Desjoyeaux.

When conditions are suitable the wing telescopes up a mast and fans inside the sail structure inflate it. When returning to port or when winds exceed 55 knots, the mast automatically retracts, folding the sail neatly on deck. The system is marked by its simplicity of operation and installation is feasible on many types of craft. Large container ships could use up to six of the sails. Retractability makes loading and unloading easier. Michelin estimates WISAMO could save companies money by carrying less fuel; WISAMO pays for itself in about five years.

Heat Killing Mexican Monkeys

Howler monkeys, Alouatta palliata mexicana,are dropping dead out of trees in Mexico. A brutal heat wave is the apparent cause. 83 howler monkeys were found dead in the state of Tobasco. Others were rescued by residents before succumbing to the heat. An examining veterinarian said they were suffering severe heatstroke. The heat wave has also killed at least 26 people since March. The die-off began around the 5th of May and peaked over the weekend of Cinco de Mayo, a commercial event in the US. By May 9th at least nine cities in Mexico set high temperature records including Tamaulipas that recorded a sizzling 117. Water shortages are also occurring due to the lack of rain.

Five of the rescued monkeys are responding to treatment and are bitting again, a good sign. Wildlife biologist Gilberto Pozo says the monkeys are a sentinel species that is telling us something is changing in the climate. He attributes their deaths to a number of factors including habitat destruction.

COTW: Where the Burden Lies

Oregon does not have a state sales tax, but it does have an income tax and property taxes is some areas like Portland metro that rival New York's.  The map shows the tax burden as a percentage of an average person's income paid to state and local taxes. Several states do not have an income tax including Alaska where the state pays residents a dividend from oil development. New Hampshire has an  interesting set-up where there is no state income tax but a flat 4% tax on unearned income like dividends and interest, which is akin to taxing the rich.

COTW: The "Unified Reich"

Latest:  The defense rested its case without calling Don 'Legit' Trumpilini to the stand.  His lawyers did not present a plausible alternative explanation for payment to Daniels beyond unsupported allegations, since the burden of proof rests with the state.  After arguments over jury instructions, it has been made clearer that the New York election law statute which is the underlying crime that make the record falsifications felonies is NY§ 17-152 which prohibits a conspiracy to prevent the election of a person to public office by unlawful means.  In this case Trump conspired to prevent the election of Joe Biden by falsifying business records of a pay-off to prevent publication of a damaging story on the eve of the election.  Do the math jury members: $420,000 / 12 = $35,000!

Update:  The defense called just one substantive witness, attorney Robert Costello, and he laid a bomb on the defense.  Costello is a Trumpworld minion who discussed representing Cohen.  Cohen testified that he did not trust Costello to keep his communications confidential.  Emails in evidence confirm his suspicion was well-founded as he acted as a "black-channel" to Trump.  Costello drew the ire of normally placid Justice Merchan who theatrically cleared the courtroom to admonish him for his lack of decorum.  Costello had audibly disagreed with a ruling by the judge, and then gave the judge a look, which clearly further upset Merchan.  He said on the record that Costello's behavior was contemptuous. The judge is apparently feeling the effects of Trump's repeated violations of his gag order. The clearance only lasted a few minutes, but it must have left a negative impression on the jury when compared to the composed testimony of Michael Cohen under cross-examination.  Justice Merchan scheduled closing arguments to begin on Tuesday after the Memorial Day break.

{19.08.24} Literally:  Michael Cohen paid a tech consulting firm called "Red Finch" only twenty thousand of the fifty thousand he received from Trump.Org. He pocketed the difference. He paid Red Finch cash in a paper bag according to Cohen!   That is the big revelation from the defense's cross examination, which came to a close today.  Cohen explained on re-direct that he felt he was entitled to the money as a bonus that he did not get paid by Trump.Org.  This is the same organization that was found  guilty of criminal tax evasion.  Birds of a feather and all that.  The jury's body language and expressions indicate to practiced jury readers that they believe Cohen's explanation of the pay-off to Stephanie Cliffords, aka Stormy Daniels.  They should because there is a 'smoking gun document' (Peoples' #35) in evidence before them.

The 97 second phone call to bodyguard/Trump was again covered in re-direct.  Prosecution wants to introduce into evidence a C-SPAN clip showing Trump and body man in close proximity of each other leaving a rally a few seconds before the October 24, 2016 phone call occurred according to records in evidence.  To prove it was entirely possible that Cohen spoke to both Schiller, the bodyguard, and Trump during that minute and a half.  Defense objected vigorously to the clip as evidence claiming relevance and hearsay since the clip contains a time stamp.  Justice Merchan has already decided that the clip is relevant to show context.  In US Person's opinion it is also within the business records exception of the hearsay rule.  The prosecution has already submitted a C-SPAN archivist testimony showing how the digital time stamps regularly occur in the course of its business. Faced with the jury viewing a potentially damaging video authenticated by a C-SPAN witness flown in from Louisiana, the defense stipulated to a single frame of the video showing Schiller and Trump together put into evidence through Michael Cohen. He has been on the stand for approximately 25 hours without being significantly impeached. The prosecution rested its case.

Wild Orangutan Self-Medicates

A wild orangutan (Pongo abelii) living in Sumatra was observed to apply an ointment he created to a facial wound. The orang,named Rakus by researchers, chewed the leaves of a known medicinal vine,Fibraurea tinctoria,that has anti-bacterial, anti-inflamatory and pain-reliving properties, and applied the salve to his wound. He then fully covered the wound with the chewed leaves. The wound healed without infection within days. 

Experts thought that orangs were intelligent enough to self-medicate, but the obervations in Gunung Leuser NP are the first field confirmation of this ability. Previously there was only one confirmed report of chimpanzees self-medicating. The vine is used by local people to treat malaria, diabetes and dysentery.  Indigenous healers in Borneo have adopted treatments learned from Bornean orangutans.  Previous analysis of the vine's chemical properties showed the presence of furanoditerpenoids and protoberberine alkaloids, which are biologically active in wound healing. After treatment, Rakus was see to rest more than usual, but resumed normal activity after the wound closed completely. He was left with only a slight scar from a nasty-looking wound below his right eye [photo credit: A. Fitras].

Orangutans are facing extinction in Indonesia despite government claims that populations are recovering. Habitat loss and poaching are the main threats. Juveniles and infants are captured for the illegal pet trade. All three species of orangs are protected under Indonesian law, but enforcement is considered lax by conservationists.

TWIT: Cohen Finally Takes the Stand

credit: N. Anderson
Wackydoodle sez:  He's no Roy Cohn!

Latest:  Trumpilini made another effort Thursday to get Justice Merchan to throw him in jail for contempt by criticizing one of the prosecution attorneys for being a DOJ operative allowing Joe Biden to run the trial. Justice Merchan should, at this late stage of trial simply fine the jerk again, because putting him in jail before a jury verdict would cause chaos and further undermine judicial process.  Or simply take the contempt under advisement and rule after the jury come back with a verdict.  The prosecution has not prominantly raised the contempt issue, but the CMM will no doubt continue to cover his hallway antics.

Update: Michael Cohen appears to have survived a second day of cross-examination by an inelegant and confusing Todd Blanche with his testimony intact. Blanche drew laughter from the courtroom when he asked the judge if he could approach the bench for a conference to which Justice Merchan replied curtly, "No". Blanche's goal is to establish that Cohen is motivated to lie against his client; has lied repeatedly in the past including while under oath; and is a convicted felon. These are points already covered in Cohen's direct examination, so no surprises here.  Blanche landed one blow: inconsistencies in Cohen's testimony about a 97 second October 24, 2016 phone call Cohen described initially as a phone call to Trump about making payment to Daniels. There were six other such calls in October around the same subject according to phone records. All Cohen needs to do is remain calm until his ordeal is over because the defendant's Roy Cohn-inspired trial strategy is failing. Prosecution has announced that Michael Cohen will be their last witness. The defense wanted to call an expert witness on campaign finance; Merchan rejected the request, saying "we are not going there" since he has already ruled on the issue.

{14.05.2024} US Person, aka the Cur, has one criticism of the prosecution's case so far.  The trial is in its third week of testimony and it is still not completely clear what exactly are the underlying crimes that make the record falsifications felonies*. That the hush money paid is a type of illegal campaign contribution is the theory used by the prosecution. Alternatively, the "grossing up" of Cohen's reimbursement constitutes a tax fraud. The underlying crime does not need to be proved beyond a reasonable doubt, but only the intent to commit the crime according to the statute. Defense will certainly argue that the falsifications, which cannot be plausibly denied at this point given the evidence, are only misdemeanor offenses.

The prosecution lost a round when Justice Merchan refused to allow the state to put into evidence CFO Weisselberg's severance agreement that pays him $750,000 if he does not cooperate or testify in any action against Trump. Weisselburg's absence from the stand will raise questions in the minds of the jury after hearing his name mentioned multiple times by more than one state's witness.  Whether he would be helpful to the state by further corroborating Michael Cohen is problematic.  Cohen's direct testimony has been effective, but his credibility may suffer during upcoming cross examination.

People's Exhibit 35 is central to the state's case because it demonstrates Donny's personal knowledge and approval of the payment for Daniel's silence. It is an Essential Consultant bank statement that contains the handwritten marginalia of both Cohen and Weisselberg detailing how Cohen was to be reimbursed for his $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels. This memo was hand-carried to Trump's office where the three individuals reviewed its contents.  Trump then gave his go ahead for the payments. The Boss reassured Cohen that he had his back when Cohen's home and office was eventually raided by the FBI and his cell phones were seized. The Trump.Org was paying his legal bills until Cohen broke with his former boss in August 2018 after his family intervened against his slavish adherence to the cult of Trump.

*A person is guilty of falsifying business records in the first degree when his intent to defraud includes an intent to commit another crime or to aid or conceal the commission thereof. Falsifying business records in the first degree is a class E felony under New York statutes.

credit: P. Byrnes

Reconnecting the Land

Elk crossing overpass in CO

US Person posted recently about the bison slaughter on the edge of Yellowstone National Park.  The culling would not be necessary if mega fauna like bison and bears had room to live freely as they once did.  Now, they are hemmed in by man made boundaries they do not know exists.  Yellowstone could be expanded to its more natural boundaries exemplified by the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) designation.  Affected private land could be compensated for by the process of eminent domain.  More importantly, the GYE is separated from the Bob Marshall and Glacier NP by only 47 miles.  If these two reserves were connected by a wild corridor,  bears and other migratory creatures would benefit immensely by increasing their genetic diversity.  Inbreeding is one of the first signs of inadequate habitat. [photo credit: Southern Ute Wildlife]

The NA tribes have taken a lead in establishing corridors and passages for wildlife.  One of the little known provisions of the Bipartisan Infrastructure law is the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program which will distribute $350 million over five years to tribes and states for the construction of wildlife-friendly infrastructure.  A member of the Upper Skagit tribe in Washington applied for one of the first grants awarded in 2023.  A crossing could cost upwards of $8.5 million in rural areas, so federal funding is much needed.  The Skagit proposal was approved, one of ten awarded in the West.  The tribe will work with biologists and engineers to design a bridge over State Route 20 that elk and others will find suitable.  The passage will not just benefit elk, but human motorists.  Last year, a motorist died when they swerved into a telephone pole to avoid a collision with an elk.  Some 1600 elk make the Skagit Valley home.  

In Montana, the Confederated Tribes of Salish and Kootenai objected to the widening of  US 93 unless wildlife needs were considered.  State and federal planners in consultation with the tribes eventually allowed for fencing around the 40 or so crossings including a wildlife overpass in their construction plans.  The passages allow bears, deer and other species to cross the highway safely without posing a danger to travelers.  In 2022 the Southern Ute Tribe of Colorado guided the state in building a wildlife overpass and underpass on their reservation land.  The tribe contributed $1.3 million to the $12 million cost of the passages.   The federal help comes with a requirement that tribes contribute up to 20% of the cost of construction, which is an obstacle for tribes that are not flush with funds.  The Secretary of Transportation refused to waive the requirement on grounds of equity when petitioned in 2022.  But tribes have proven inventive in meeting the funding requirement.  

The Stillaguamish worked with a couple who purchased five land parcels worth $1.2 million on either side of the proposed overpass in the Skagit Valley to protect the elk herd.  Their combined effort overcame the funding barrier.  The fact is that native lands have been fragmented by more than a century of settlement and development.  It is time  the process be reversed and consideration given to the needs of the other creatures living on this planet. Native people understand their moral and historical obligations that the rest of us should support.

TWIT: The Cynical Plan to Defeat Prosecutions of Trump

credit: R. McKee

Latest:  Justice Merchan is pondering whether to call Alan Weisselberg into court to determine if he is willing to testify.  Neither side has subpoenaed him.  His testimony became an issue when the prosecution wanted to enter his severance agreement into evidence to explain why he is not called to be a witness to a conspiracy he in which he participated in a major way. The contract calls for him not to cooperate or  testify in any action against his former boss in return for $750,000.  Merchan may rule on this issue Monday; he apparently is considering summoning Weisselberg from jail and allow him to be question outside of the jury's presence. Weisselberg is currently severing a five month sentence for perjury at Rikers' Island, New York.  If called he could be examined as a hostile witness and shed even more light on the money for silence scheme, further corroborating Michael Cohen's testimony.  But he is a loaded gun that could backfire on the prosecution.  If questioned he would likely plead the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. Weisselberg was the Trump CFO and worked for the family for 50 years. He is still loyal to his former boss, refusing to turn state's evidence on Trumpilini.  He directed the comptroller McConney to pay Cohen reimbursement for the $130,000 Cohen paid to Daniels' attorney for her non-disclosure.  The amount was "grossed up" to $420,000 to account for Cohen's tax bracket and a bonus of $15,000. The payments came in eleven installments in 2017.  

Update: {05.10.2024}Stormy Daniels survived a heated cross examination by Trump's attorney with her credibility in tact.   She countered her interrogator with humor at times, scoring points with jury. Friday was consumed with custodial witnesses who introduced into evidence supporting evidence that will no doubt be referred to during Michael Cohen's testimony that is expected on Monday.  Justice Merchan warned the prosecution to control Cohen's out of court statements about Trump before his testimony begins,

{09.05.2024}Team Trump's plan to defeat or delay the four criminal prosecutions against him until after the election is clear.   In NewYork they intend to provoke the judge into incarcerating the Ochre Menace for contempt to disrupt the proceedings and allow more grounds for appeal including perhaps a habeas corpus petition  to the highest court in New York, the Court of Appeals where he will claim he was jailed for defending free speech.  Meanwhile the MAGA partisans in the US Supreme Court have stalled the Jan 6th case until at least June, and will probably grant him limited immunity from prosecution for "official acts" that will a time-consumer require remand to a lower court.  The MAGA jurist Trump installed in Florida has indefinitely postponed his espionage trial by refusing to rule on outstanding motions and giving the defense more time to respond to deadlines previously set. When you give someone a lifetime job at $250,000 a year, what do you expect but favorable rulings? The Repugnant legislature in Georgia is set to put District Attorney Fani Willis on the witness chair for a grilling, and the judge's ruling allowing her to stay on the case will be reviewed by an appeal court.  Once again, possibility of a trial before the election is put out of reach.  

Of course should the nascent dictator achieve an Electoral College victory, the federal prosecutions will be  terminated on a partisan basis.  The state prosecution in Georgia could go forward if DA Willis survives an appeal or a legislative removal from office, but at a much slower pace and it stands a good chance of any verdict being overturned on appeal.  In New York, the case will probably be tried before the election.  Appeals on multiple grounds lie ahead, and the New York appellate judiciary have already demonstrated a willingness to accomodate Trump.  His appeal bond in the civil fraud case was reduced by more than half without explanation, and when questions were raised about the legal sufficiency of his surety, a hallway deal was cut to remove the substantial objections and protect him from execution on his assets.

Stephanie Clifford aka Stormy Daniels took the stand to testify in his criminal trial Tuesday, and her testimony apparently riveted the jury.  Although her sexual encounter is tangental to the charges concerning fraudulent records, it provided context for Trump's extraordinary effort to keep her quiet.  The media salivated over "Honey bunch's" details that ranged from his spanking with a rolled Forbes magazine to his Hugh Hefner pajamas, and the lack of contraception.  Remember dear readers, this was the President of the United States who attempted a historic autogolpe! Michael Cohen, the fixer, who set up the fraudulent scheme with his client's approval and participation, is the next substantial witness. Perhaps a more significant witness is Deborah Terasoff, a current accounts payable employee of Trump.Org who identified Trump's jagged signature on the check reimbursements to Michael Cohen. His testimony has been heavily corroborated by tangible evidence and unimpeached witness testimony.  But you cannot get around the fact that he is a convicted felon., which the defense will endlessly repeat before the jury. 

Arizona has issued an indictment of the Boss' co-conspirators, but the Arizona Attorney General did not indict the ringleader.  Perhaps she is hoping one or more of the plotters will turn on him, or does the politics of the state made indictment imprudent? Either way, don't hold your breath.  All of this obstructionism is possible because a corrupted legal system suffers wealthy, connected litigants to manipulate legal process to their advantage.  Trumpilini has had a lifetime of experience in court. 

credit E. Wexler
BC Idonwanna axes, how do you spell "Coup d' état"?

CA Brown Penguins are Dying

They are protected under law, but California wildlife officials do not understand the cause.  Many of the birds are dying from starvation despite the presence of prey in the coastal waters they inhabit.  Wildlife rescuers are attempting to save as many as they can by feeding them in their facilities.  The Huntington Beach Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center has taken in a hundred pelicans that are anemic and dehydrated, weighing only half of what a healthy peguin weighs.  Some hungry penguins become entangled in fishing gear suffering deep cuts as they attempt to grab fish from fishers.

A spokesperson from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife told interviewers that the problem may be related to poor visibility caused by storms in April.  A similar die off occurred in 2022.  Hundreds of pelicans were nursed back to health and returned to the wild.  The number of sick brown pelicans in 2024 is down compared to 2022.  Avian experts still have not determined a root cause of the illness. [photo credit: B. Peters]

COTW: The Big Rip-Off

It is no secret that the biggest friend the ultra-wealthy have is Don 'Legit'.  This chart shows that the richest Americans now enjoy an effective tax rate below what the rest of us pay! A so-called progressive income tax is no longer progressive thanks to Trump's massive tax cut for the wealthy while he was in office. It did not spur the economy nor raise wages--dishonest arguments used to pass the measure.  What happened is that corporations used the tax savings in corporate stock buybacks which benefited their already wealthy executives. 84% of the stock markets are owned by the top 10% of incomes. The shrinking of the middle class began with Ronald Reagan's "trickle down". [see chart] We can expect more of the same if the conman climbs back into the Oval Office.  A wealth tax and removing the earned income cap for social security is urgently needed to restore fairness to society.  The truth, not delusional scape-goating, will set you free.

More From Moscow

US Person found this video interesting.  It has more background and close-ups of the captured Abrams tank and other western armor.  The reporter does not identify for whom he is working, but note that he gets access to the tank beyond the barricades and even climbs on top of it. Clearly a person with privileges. He interviews an American living in Moscow with his Russian wife and child. The American seems non-plussed about looking at a piece of destroyed American equipment. Since the story about Ukraine withdrawing its remaining Abrams from the front, a video was posted of an Abrams allegedly being operated near Adiivka. If anything the video shows the propaganda war is alive and well.

More Humane Treatment of NA's Wildlife

US Person asks why this country resorts to violence so readily, whether it be violence against other creatures or other human beings. (See, Governor shoots family dog and goat in gravel pit!) The frontier and its anything goes attitude has been gone for more than a century.  Does it not make more sense to expand park boarders to provide more space for wild bison that have suffered so much at the hands of man?  

TWIT: Citizen Trump on Trial

credit: C. Bok
BC Idonwanna sez: Or maybe Barron's graduation?

Latest: Justice Merchan held Donny the Mouth in contempt again, fining him the maximum $1000, bringing his total fines to $10,000.  Merchan directly warned him that the next contempt will result in jail for his "direct attack on the rule of law." In court, Monday morning was spent leading the jury through the granular details of accounting documents for reimbursement of Michael Cohen.  After occupying the White House, reimbursements came out of Trump's personal checking account rather than from his company, former controller Jeffery McConney testified.  Merchan also reminded Don Trumpilini  that his gag order does not prevent him from taking the stand in his own defense.

Update: It was only a matter of time before crocodile tears showed up on the witness stand. The photogenic former White House Press Secretary and campaign aide, Hope Hicks (not a Playmate!) filled in more details about the scheme to suppress damaging press during the campaign. She shed some tears before cross-examination. Her testimony on Friday made the connection between Don 'Legit' and the illegal payments clearer: he signed the blasted checks after all! She was especially impactful when describing the campaign panic created by the "Access Hollywood" grabbing videotape, which motivated the scheme to suppress salacious stories about the Boss. She inserted a dagger when she said that Trump told her he knew about the payments, but blamed them on his fixer.  She testified Cohen was not one to make such  large payments on his own accord. Michael Cohen, who facilitated the money transfer to Daniels by taking out a house equity loan, will supply the final links, but he is in for a blistering attack on his credibility. Defense attorneys will argue that because he did not get a White House or Cabinet job, he has a grudge to settle with his former Boss.  US Person is betting that the jury will be believe his story since he is so heavily corroborated by physical evidence.  One of those is an admission in court that Trump made the payment to Daniels by reimbursing Michael Cohen. (p20).

{02.05.2024} While we wait with abated breath for the Supremes to decide the obvious, that a President does not enjoy absolute immunity from criminal prosecution, Justice Merchan in New York decided to fine Don 'Legit' $9000 for his contempt of his gag order. It may be Trump change, but more fines may be on the way this week as Merchan hears four more contempt charges on Thursday.  In his decision he sternly warned Donny the Mouth that further contempt of court will result in his incarceration. 

At his criminal trial this week, a Beverly Hills lawyer who represented both Karen McDougal and Stormy Daniels, described in detail the arrangement to pay both of his clients to keep their sexual encounters with Trump private. The National Enquirer bought McDougal's story for $150,000, but balked at paying Daniels. Pecker notified Cohen that Daniels was shopping her story. Lawyer Keith Davidson told prosecutors that Trump's go-between, Michael Cohen, "did not have the authority to actually spend any money", and it was his "understanding that Mr, Trump was the beneficiary of this contract."  His testimony and David Pecker's lays the foundation for the sensational testimony to come from Daniels and Cohen about the conspiracy to make illegal, in-kind campaign contributions by burying Daniel's sex story.

credit: M. Lukovich, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
BJ Idonwanna sez:  Jury not impressed!

Abrams M-1A1 Withdrawn From Battlefield

a captured Abrams on display in Moscow

The American super tank, Abram M-1A1, which earned its outsized reputation in Iraq by destroying T-72s at long range without losses to enemy fire has been withdrawn from the Ukraine battlefield.  AFU has lost five of its 31 Abrams to enemy fire.  As predicted here, the Abrams is too heavy (70+ tons) and lacks effective anti-aircraft defense to be effective in the mud-soaked, drone-filled theatre. {23.01.2023} Abrams has also proved vulnerable to Russian anti-tank missiles. A T-72B3 crew reportedly took out an Abrams with one shot in March near Avdiivka. The projectile was probably a Reflex ATGM fired at a range of 5k.  The twenty-five remaining 8-9 million dollar armored vehicles are withdrawn from the front pending a re-think of how they can be tactically useful in the current battle environment.  There are some complaints from American sources that the Ukrainians are not using the tank in suitable roles.  Ukrainians have been suing the Abrams in limited reconnaissance missions and single tank attacks supported by more maneuverable  M-2 Bradley IFVs.

The older M1-A1 was delivered in January 2023, but not put on the front lines until February. Thenewer M1-A2 was held back by the Pentagon for fear of possible secret technology transfer. All of the western MBTs have proved to be vulnerable to portable ATGMs, and especially to low-cost UAVs, which are effective against various types of targets. These developments were not yet available on the Iraqi battlefield. [photo credit: AFP].

Some pundits are claiming the tank era in warfare is over, but US Person thinks these speculations are premature. Effective air defense weapons such as laser-guided auto-cannons and jamming equipment mounted on tanks could minimize the drone threat. Establishing close air support would also help. Armor is constantly being improved against ATGMs. The role of the MBT supporting infantry in offensive operations is still needed on the modern battlefield; the tank ended attritional trench warfare on the western front in 1918.