Mornin’ Politocadoes!
Trump’s trial continued on Wednesday with the jury going into deliberation over whether he, in fact, arranged hush money payments to a porn star to cover up his affair with said porn star. It all seems fairly cut and dry. It has been since Michael Cohen got hung out to dry for it all those years ago for arranging it.
Yet, the jury seem to be seriously taking their time. The jury handed several notes to have key portions of testimony read back to them. From testimony by tabloid magnate David Packer to star witness and former toady Michael Cohen, the jury want to be absolutely sure that Trump is the sort of asshole that would seek to snuff out scandalous stories about his personal life… and bribe people to do something about it.
The jury then asked Judge Juan Merchan to read his instructions again, which took over an hour on Wednesday morning. Apparently, they weren’t allowed a printout and the instructions themselves were complex to a layman. This is probably a good move. The jury seems to grasp how much of an impact their decision will make. It’s pretty important to make sure all their I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed. No one wants the right wing hateosphere to start targeting jurors because they “didn’t follow the instructions properly”.
The main question of the trial is whether Trump falsified business records to cover up another crime. Falsifying business records is a misdemeanor in New York and he is facing 34 counts of it. For him to be convicted of a felony, Trump must be found guilty of falsifying records to cover up another crime. The prosecution does not have to prove that a second crime took place or even precisely what it is. The District Attorney’s office however did raise the possibility of tax law infringements and violations of election law to deprive another of a victory.
Meanwhile, Trump is forced to sit in a courtroom that was once a dungeon. The old, speed-addled fraud rocks back and forth in his chair impatiently. His only place to vent is in a pen outside of the courtroom where he can vent to a bevy of cameras like the spoiled little baby birthday boy that he is.
It must be killing him to have sit all day and listen about all the shady shit he did from people he once looked at as allies.
Welcome to Thursday! Please be excellent to each other in the comments. The Mayor McSquirrel Rule remains in effect. Something to keep in mind! Police are using digital data to prosecute abortion seekers, and Facebook and Google are helping them! Even if they are not legally required to do so, the tech giants will aid them in this since it’s technically *against the law*. Please be careful when looking for abortion providers or helping someone who is looking for that assistance.
The Covid-19 pandemic continues even if the emergencies end, continue to vaccinate using the latest version of the FDA approved vaccines by Phizer and Moderna. Even if you are vaccinated, please continue to maintain social distancing measures, wear masks in public areas in accordance with CDC guidelines in regard to your own vaccination status.
Also, according to recent polls approximately 50% of adults are not planning on getting their Covid-19 boosters. So please get them and older adults should also look to be vaccinated for RSV! It’s been difficult to get adults onboard with getting the RSV shots as it is. Remember that getting these shots could potentially keep thousands of Americans who do not have to be there out of the ICU this winter.