Sunny and mild this near-noon Thursday here in California’s Central Valley — and considering it’s still summer, use of the descriptive word ‘mild,’ is weather-wise saying a lot.
As for instance, Hurricane Idalia’s cruise through Florida and onto into Georgia and the Carolinas — although a massive hit, circumstances proved to be a ‘dodged-a-bullet’ scenario (CNN):
The damage this time would have been greater if not for two factors: The relatively fast speed Idalia moved through the region and where it made landfall.
“Unlike other recent events, the bulk (of the cost) comes not from a handful of counties that were decimated but instead a large, multi-state area experiencing significant but not catastrophic damage,” Adam Kamins, director of regional economics at Moody’s Analytics, wrote in a report on Thursday.
Kamins said it was “fortuitous” that the storm made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend, a region with fewer people and structures than other areas that have been hit by major natural disasters.
Kamins noted that property values in the Big Bend are lower than the rest of the state. That is also suppressing damage estimates.
Despite the destructive wind and flooding, loss of life has been way-way-low: ‘Most importantly, the death toll of the storm remains — officially — at zero. Two men died in car accidents during some of Idalia’s rain bands, but Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said that after a full day of search and rescue missions, officials have not yet chalked any deaths up to the storm.‘
Although a tree reportedly smacked DeSantis’ governor’s mansion in Tallahassee, he’s still an awful asshole — funny in the middle of Shitsville:
It could be you, your family, or a leading presidential contender that's dealing with the issue of #electiledysfunction. Symptoms include unlikability, overcompensating, and crashing poll numbers. Don't wait to try Byeagra – get the help that you or your loved one needs. pic.twitter.com/irGYu4ZulQ
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) August 31, 2023
Ha, ha, yet it’s horseshit as DeSantis is in reality political history — now for the bigger shitbird:
Trump's plea triggers a new phase of the criminal proceedings against him in Georgia.https://t.co/Iae4XCu77w
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) August 31, 2023
Cheney at Politico a short time ago:
Trump entered his plea Thursday in a two-page court filing meant to waive his appearance at an arraignment scheduled for Sept. 6, when he was slated to have the charges read to him in court. Several of the 18 defendants charged alongside him have also waived their appearances at the scheduled arraignment.
In the filing, Trump refers to himself three times as “President Trump” or “President Donald Trump.”
The plea signals a new phase of the criminal proceedings against Trump in Georgia, triggering the start of evidence-sharing by prosecutors as they advance toward a still unscheduled trial. District Attorney Fani Willis is seeking to try Trump and the other defendants at an expedited Oct. 23 trial date that was demanded by Kenneth Chesebro, an attorney charged alongside Trump for his role in the alleged scheme.
Further via the Guardian, also a short time ago:
“As evidenced by my signature below,” said the two-page-filing submitted in Fulton county superior court by Trump’s lead lawyer Steven Sadow, “I do hereby waive formal arraignment and enter my plea of NOT GUILTY to the Indictment in this case.”
Trump’s Sharpie-written signature marks the fourth time in as many months that he has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges, after previously being indicted in a hush-money case in New York, in a classified documents case in Florida, and in a federal 2020 election subversion case in Washington.
But it was no less momentous given the seriousness of the allegations in the sprawling 41-count Fulton county indictment, which alleges Trump and 18 co-defendants violated Georgia’s state Rico statute in pursuing a multi-pronged effort to undermine the results of a fair election.
The conclusion of the plea and arraignment process starts the pre-trial phase of the case. No trial date has yet been set for Trump, though Fulton county district attorney Fani Willis asked to try all 19 defendants together starting on 23 October after two ex-Trump lawyers sought a speedy trial.
Trump’s lawyers have also been weighing whether to seek to have the case moved to federal court, according to two people familiar with the matter, and are expected to make a decision based on whether Trump’s former chief of staff Mark Meadows is successful in his effort.
To have the case moved to the US district court for the northern district of Georgia, Trump would have to show that the criminal conduct alleged in the indictment involved his official duties as president – he was acting “under color of office” – and cannot be prosecuted at the state level.
And of Fani Willis, there seems to be some lawful, legal-minded Republicans found somewhere in the wolf pack:
BREAKING: Kemp rejects MAGA calls for a Special Session to impeach or defund Fani Willis. https://t.co/DnSSItEacf
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) August 31, 2023
Kemp was speaking of Idalia’s consequences to Georgia when he also discussed not being an asshole — per Meidas Touch:
Kemp said the following: “I have not seen any evidence that DA Willis’s actions or lack thereof warrant action by the prosecuting attorney oversight commission.”
He specifically addressed Senator Colton Moore’s warning of a “civil war” if they don’t remove Willis:
“There have been calls by one individual in the General Assembly and that got outside of these walls by the former president for a special session that would ignore current GA law and directly interfere with the proceedings of a separate but equal branch of government.”
“In Georgia, we will not be engaging in political theater that only inflames the emotions of the moment. We will do what is right .. We need to be honest with people about what we’re dealing with an not inciting people .. we have to be very careful when you’re in power … not to abuse that power.”
In the scope of shit, that’s saying a lot. Especially with a party that’s near-about 100 percent violent crazy.
And the tall tale to be continued without a doubt.
So with that let’s have Reba close us out this morning on a note from down Georgia Way:
Crooks and liars, or not, yet here we are once again…
