Ep. 52: “They Don’t Want Us To Be Engaged” – w/ Lindsey Simmons
FEBRUARY 22ND, 2021 | 01:44:57 | E52
EPISODE SUMMARY
Adam Sommer is joined for a chat by Lindsey Simmons (fmr. Dem candidate for congress) to talk about the state of play in Missouri and issues of local control, tell some truth about Josh Hawley, and talk about the way to fill the void of Rush Limbaugh with positive voices. Then Rachel Parker, Sean Diller, and Zack Schwartz are back for Talkin’ Politics to dig into the issues of local control and a Last Call to talk about the GOP’s ongoing civil war.
Leadership from a former Congressman and unsuccessful candidate for the U.S. Senate in Texas:
Beto O’Rourke @BetoORourke
We made over 151,000 calls to senior citizens in Texas tonight. One of our vols talked to a man stranded at home w/out power in Killeen, hadn’t eaten in 2 days, got him a ride to a warming center and a hot meal. Help us reach more people, join us tomorrow:
[….] 11:57 PM · Feb 17, 2021
Meanwhile, this morning:
Manu Raju @mkraju
Cruz’s office has not responded to photos on social media showing him traveling to Cancun. They haven’t confirmed or denied anything yet, not responding since last night. Comes as residents in Texas are left without running water or power amid the winter storm. 7:57 AM · Feb 18, 2021
Rep. Vicky Hartzler @RepHartzler
Experts have long urged schools to #SafelyReopen for our children, but Dr. Fauci is now moving the goalposts.
With over $60 billion for schools still left unspent from previous COVID relief packages, are we listening to science or politics?
[….] 10:09 AM · Feb 15, 2021
As always, there’s much hilarity in the comments:
I absolutely hate it when science continues to move the goalposts as new data is made available. I want to go back to a time when Earth was the center of the universe and blood letting was a common practice.
Let’s make vaccinating teachers in Missouri a priority. What can you do for 4th District teachers? Step up to the plate and do something.
Unfortunately our esteemed Representative doesn’t really care about this issue. She seems to be completely oblivious to the fact schools in her district have been opened since August.
You are just misinterpreting the guidelines like so many others politicians , the facts are and haven’t changed whether schools can open fully depends on virus spread in the community and the schools ability to meet mitigation requirements.
No, Vicky, science is at work. We on the Left believe in science. We know that as new information is derived via the scientific method, plans change to reflect the new data. Now, PLEASE stop politicizing the pandemic!
Most of the things that need to be done in order to safely reopen could be accomplished, but many of them would take time. You can order PPE and tech quickly, but ventilation and cramped classrooms won’t be solved so fast.
Prioritize vaccinating teachers should be your message. Followed directly by vaccinating library workers. Quit playing political games and get to work to help your state.
Do you have a brain or do you just do what your GQP handlers tell you to do?
We see what you did there.
We listen to facts and science unlike the MO GOP.
You only listen to politics. So I know better than to listen to you.
The Trump Party Doesn’t believe in Science.
Dr. Fauci is an expert. YOU are not. Why are you so surprised goalposts are moving?? Virus with new variants that has the entire world stumped and trying new things. I would be shocked if goalposts were NOT moved. Follow the damn science. Which is why we are in this situation!
Bullshit. He isn’t moving anything. He has ALWAYS said as long as it can be done safely. SCHOOLS NEED THOSE FUNDS TO DO SO. Stop the lying. It’s tired.
What experts? Provide your source?!
Yet, you seem to be completely unaware that most schools in your home district are in fact open. You also don’t seem to care that the teaching and support staffs of those schools continue to show up every day without being vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.
Was it science or politics that drive your party to consider masks as unconstitutional? Because that line of thinking killed hundreds of thousands of hard working Americans. The @housegop is the party of contradiction, partisanship, and division
It was nearly two weeks ago that Jill and I paid our respects to Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, who laid in honor in the Rotunda after losing his life protecting the Capitol from a riotous, violent mob on January 6, 2021.
Today, 57 Senators – including a record 7 Republicans – voted to find former President Trump guilty for inciting that deadly insurrection on our very democracy. The Senate vote followed the bipartisan vote to impeach him by the House of Representatives. While the final vote did not lead to a conviction, the substance of the charge is not in dispute. Even those opposed to the conviction, like Senate Minority Leader McConnell, believe Donald Trump was guilty of a “disgraceful dereliction of duty” and “practically and morally responsible for provoking” the violence unleashed on the Capitol.
Tonight, I am thinking about those who bravely stood guard that January day. I’m thinking about all those who lost their lives, all those whose lives were threatened, and all those who are still today living with terror they lived through that day. And I’m thinking of those who demonstrated the courage to protect the integrity of our democracy – Democrats and Republicans, election officials and judges, elected representatives and poll workers – before and after the election.
This sad chapter in our history has reminded us that democracy is fragile. That it must always be defended. That we must be ever vigilant. That violence and extremism has no place in America. And that each of us has a duty and responsibility as Americans, and especially as leaders, to defend the truth and to defeat the lies.
That is how we end this uncivil war and heal the very soul of our nation. That is the task ahead. And it’s a task we must undertake together. As the United States of America.
“The most dangerous place to stand in Washington D.C. is any place between Senator Josh Hawley and a live microphone” – Charles P. Pierce
On Thursday:
Senator Hawley Press Office @SenHawleyPress
“You’re not going to get anything but condemnation from me for what happened with those criminals at the Capitol,” Hawley says on @FaulknerFocus. “But that doesn’t make this trial any more legitimate than it is, which is totally illegitimate. No basis in the Constitution.”
[….] 11:54 AM · Feb 11, 2021
Useless tool.
Some of the comments:
@YaleLawSch @abaesq @mobarnews @SenSchumer @LeaderMcConnell @HawleyMO is a seditionist who violated his oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. Revoke, disbar, expel. And prosecute.
Hawley didn’t address those who invaded the Capitol. He didn’t say,“Friends, I’m making your arguments on the floor, but what you’re doing is wrong. You must leave.” Why didn’t he speak to the crowd? Did he not understand his own people? Or did he understand them all too well?
Your colleagues voted, it is constitutional. Unless you’re not into democracy that is.
Raising your fist in solidarity to the violent mob and sitting in the gallery w your feet up while your colleagues describe the murder and destruction they committed and your refusal to hold trump accountable seems to say you don’t condemn it
He not only does not condemn it, he supports it.
@HawleyMO what do you know about constitutional legitimacy, when you spent all your time in the Senate saying “no” and playing Candy Crush?
Not true–it’s completely constitutional…would make no sense for it to be okay for a president to incite an insurrection but be let of the hook because he did it in January As Rep Raskin said there is no January exception!
That argument was put to bed 56-44. You were there, in the minority, but the question is settled and no longer an excuse to acquit.
By “condemnation” does Josh mean that wishy-washy “hey guys, we need to stop the violence” tweet from January? Because the only thing Josh has really condemned since he tried to overturn the election was the loss of his book deal.
As a member of congress it is more unconstitutional to argue the unconstitutionality of the Congress taking on it constitutional duties. The vote was made. The trial is ongoing. The VERY LEAST you can is care. You just want to be right.
The Constitution grants the Senate the sole power to try impeachment.
The Constitution makes no exceptions to that power.
All means all.
Trump was impeached while in office.
The Senate is required to try it.
The Senate voted that it has Constitutional authority.
Basis confirmed.
Senator, John Quincy Adams, Founders, & your law professors disagree. Can your staff not help you balance your response? Only the Senate can hold Trump and future presidents accountable. To acquit weakens the Senate’s power in the future and it encourages others to ignore the law
This is not a symbol of condemnation.
“Profiles in Cowardice”, a 2022 book about the US Senators who stood with the cop-killing seditionists and turned their backs on America.
The question of Constitutionality is resolved. The only question before you now is… guilty or not. [….]
Great game of what-aboutism! Thumbs up buddy! Good job inciting violence and for feeling no remorse. You’re a winner!
Joshie trying to pin the trial on a faux procedural point so he can excuse his failure as a senator.
I’m just glad you’ve copped to only representing Republicans.
I guess you won’t need to vote then. Wouldn’t want you participating in anything unconstitutional so as to give it credibility.
We don’t need anything from you because you incited the insurrection. Uh-oh.
Here’s Hawley condemning the mob.
Just saying things doesn’t make them true.
“The election was stolen!”
“No basis in the Constitution”
One false statement after another from @SenHawleyPress
He is just scared of offending Trump. Even though he has the ability to rid himself and the Republicans of Trump by disqualifying him from ever holding office again. Will he do it… probably not. Trump already castrated him and other long ago.
That sentence is mushy.
…not going to get anything but condemnation from me for what happened with those criminals?…
But I haven’t heard him condemn the Big Lie. Instead he continued with it on January 6, objecting to another state’s electoral votes.
@HawleyMO #Gaslighting as usual. As if WE THE PEOPLE don’t know HE knows full well that the #ImpeachmentTrial is in fact #Consitutional. One might even say it is #totallyappropriate.
This is like interviewing Al-Qaeda for their thoughts on 9/11.
56 to 44 vote that it was constitutional. Articles filed on 1/13. Trump was holding office. McConnell delayed trial. Clearly, Missouri deserves better!
Clearly, Hawley sees himself fundamentally as a party functionary, not a member of the representative government.
You left out the part about needing to find your soul.
Making quite a name for yourself. Not gonna be pretty.
Co-conspirator
Excuse me but your opportunism is showing. (Missouri resident that does not support you.)
The Senate, as a body, has considered this. In its sole power, it has determined it *does* have Constitutional authority. In our system of government, that decision is binding on you. Your vote on guilt is required. Your oath of office & your impeachment oath both require it.
To Hawley Staffers: Remember how you felt on Jan 6th? How you ran & hid from the mob? It’s your time to tell Josh to vote Guilty for the person who sent them. If you didn’t run & hide like other staffers, then you knew they weren’t coming for you, which makes Josh guilty too.
There Is No Defense—Only Complicity
Insurectionist
Partisan coward
As much as you try you will never play with the big boys Joshie.
Social media team…what does Josh think would actually be cause for impeachment and conviction?? Because if this doesn’t do it, I cannot fathom a situation that does. We should just eliminate from the Constitution.
Apparently lying about a blow job is impeachable to these nut cases
That’s not what every constitutional lawyer says.
So, SenHawley is rejecting the decision of the Senate who litigated the Constitutionality of the jurisdiction question and bipartisanly voted that they do have jurisdiction. Hawley should therefore be removed from the Senate immediately.
Hawley’s legal position represents a fringe view that is contrary to history, contrary to precedent and roundly rejected by legal authorities from both parties. It is a sham. Josh was for the seditious mob on Jan. 6. He remains for the seditious mob today. He should be removed
Yesterday we received separate calls from our local hospital asking if we’d like a COVID-19 vaccination scheduled for a mass clinic today. We had signed up with various local entities several weeks ago. Our immediate responses were “Yes” and “Hell yes.” We were told the location, at a large local church, and given appointment times. We were also given appointments for the second dose – a month from now. We were asked to show up five minutes before the appointment.
Well, we did this morning and got our first doses. The set-up was efficient, with individuals to guide us and check paperwork. I was directed to a table. A nurse told me her name and had me fill out a form. I told her, “You know, thirty years from now people are going to remember your name as the person who gave them this vaccine.” She told me she was an OB/GYN nurse and usually only vaccinated babies. When I later recounted my conversation to my spouse she quipped, “She still does.” I got my shot and band-aid and was directed to a sitting/observation area with chairs spaced at six foot intervals, left and right and front and back. Another nurse took my paperwork and returned with a filled out CDC vaccination card with my name on it. I was directed to sit for fifteen minutes. After that time elapsed the nurse directed us to another table. We were handed several sheets of information and asked if we had any questions. I responded, “Does the microchip have a data cap?” All three nurses at the table laughed.
If you get the opportunity to be vaccinated for COVID-19, take it.
