Flashback. John Thune in 1998: “Lying to the American people is a betrayal of trust … The pattern of deception and dishonesty that acts as a bodyguard to this president strikes at the very core of his ability to lead.” pic.twitter.com/V4w8cdjJRe
…Lying to the American people is a betrayal of trust.
All of us, including our public leaders, make mistakes. We’re all subject to the same universal truth. We all fall short. To err is human; to forgive is divine. But to err repeatedly and willfully with impunity defies another universal truth, and that is the law of the harvest. In other words, you reap what you sow. And the pattern of deception and dishonesty that acts as a bodyguard to this President strikes at the very core of his ability to lead. It is a matter of trust.
…We are left with one of two equally miserable realities: either the President chooses contempt and complete disregard for the truth, or his conscience is so diminished as to leave him unable to discern the truth from his lies. Both conclusions are ruinous to a constitutional republic whose leaders must command the trust of those they lead.
Our constitutional Government will stand the test of time, my friends, but only if we deal decisively with those who recklessly assault its foundations. Allegiance to our constitution leaves us with no alternative but to vote in favor of impeaching the President… [Then-Representative John Thune, speech in the House of Representatives, 1998.12.19, excerpted in New York Times, same date].
I was a Republican in 1998. I supported the impeachment of the President for lying. I still support Thune’s argument: lying to the American people betrays our trust and, in the highest office in the land, imperils our constitutional republic. Congress must take decisive action in the face of a habitually lying President.
Thune continues to lie to himself and the people of South Dakota.
Loren
2019-04-26 13:44
With all the recent revelations on obstruction, lying, incompetence, etc, notice how vocal our delegation has become? (sound of crickets) I can’t even stand to write to these goof bags. All one gets in return is the standard “Thank you for contacting our office” b.s. Thune and his ilk created this monstrosity with their silence. Why? They are afraid of a TWEET, for God sake! That is “courage”. Stand tall and smile, Johnny! That appears to be your job.
John Kennedy Claussen, Sr.,
2019-04-26 14:59
After the Access Hollywood tape came out, Senator Thune questioned whether Trump should be the nominee, then a week later, or less, he got over that and supported the Trump candidacy once again.
We see this Thune often, too often, and it is time South Dakotans begin to see him for what he is, which is an actor who plays many roles; but then again, what should you expect when he began politics as a mere Jim Abdnor Hollywood starlet find?
SDBlue
2019-04-26 15:48
Henceforth, the second most powerful man in the Senate shall be known as Over The Shoulder Guy. Thank you Lawrence O’Donnell.
Hypocrisy is the contrivance of a false appearance of virtue or goodness, while concealing real character or inclinations, especially with respect to religious and moral beliefs; hence, in a general sense, hypocrisy may involve dissimulation, pretense, or a sham.
____________________
I had to look elsewhere for fitting, nonprofane language because I was simply out of my own. Still, what I copied above seems inadequate. 🤨
Pecksniff. Thune and GOP/SDGOP leadership are Pecksniffs.
cibvet
2019-04-26 16:05
The Party who lays claim to morals and family values now considers lying an acceptable family value trait as it keeps getting them elected.
Loren
2019-04-26 17:26
Stand back, folks, Debbo is on a roll! :-)
mike from iowa
2019-04-26 18:41
About Marlboro Barbie and his over the shoulder stance, can we assume the worst and wonder if he is trying to get a peek at McCTurtle’s breasts? The reason I ask is sometimes he has a goofy grin on his mug like he has seen paradise from above and behind. Other times he has a ho hum look.
With some people you just can’t tell.
leslie
2019-04-26 19:33
Drama. Trump,“wrapping himself in the Amerian flag.” Julie Davis, Washington Week, tonight. Hugging the flag. A failed coup. This lying liar will take this nation down with his organization. A true criminal that is engaging ALL THREE divisions of government. Excuses all of his policy failure
Thune, twitter 04.02.19 calls out Democrats for “obstruction”: “…pointlessly delaying qualified nominees”! No mention of his direct involvement OBSTRUCTING MERRICK GARLAND’s SCOTUS nomination. Lies don’t get bigger than that.
Debbo
2019-04-26 20:58
Loren, I doff my hat. 🎩
Ed
2019-04-27 08:12
Thune new nickname should be Lurch, the creepy character from the Addams Family. He looks just like him hovering over McConnell silently all the time for his photo op. What a disgusting hypocrite! Bravo to Lawrence O’Donnell for exposing this lying fraud.
John Kennedy Claussen, Sr.,
2019-04-27 12:22
Which video do you think is more appropriate at this time?…….:
As for the Lurch, it appears that the title the “Lurch Shindig 65” was a reference to a performance of “The Lurch” on the TV show Shindig in 1965. The lyrics to “The Lurch” can be found at:
With that background, I enjoyed the video of the Lurch more than Politics, but the lyrics of “The Politics of Dancing” seem a bit more apropo to Thune. Thanks for these crazy links.
Debbo
2019-04-27 14:19
ukcivilservant.wordpress.com
Civil Service Ethics, in 700 Words
That’s where you find a brief essay that I believe should be forcibly imprinted on the brain of every person paid by the USA to serve its citizens. Here is a telling sentence just for Sen. Lurch but his GOP cohorts, especially Chinless Wonder McTurtle, ought to familiarize themselves with it too:
“From the very first you must learn to be precise and honest in your work.”
mike from iowa
2019-04-27 14:55
“From the very first you must learn to be precise and honest in your work.” Not hard for wingnuts to attain when they redefine words in their favor. Like high crimes and misdemeanors. Ethics. Legal.
kj trailer trash
2019-04-27 15:26
The only way I could hate Thune more is if he shot someone I love, and that would only be a slight increase from where I’m at now. He has sold his soul to be a trump apologist and a shill for big business. It’s my fervent desire that someday he will be thrown in jail for whatever the real reason is that he went to Russia on the 4th of July.
Adam
2019-04-27 15:59
John Thune lies as he does because his rural conservative voting base focuses on lies and conspiracy theories in order to ‘understand’ the world around them.
Conservatives no longer have a right to claim any moral ground. Every Obama related thing they pushed is most appropriately applied to Trump but country folk have such short memories and self destructive mental illness that it would be unfair to America if we called them anything but “filthy retarded animals.”
“You think like a country boy” is a growingly common insult in populated America – just as it should have been for decades prior.
Debbo
2019-04-27 16:17
Adam, having grown up on a farm in Hand County, SD, I find I must disagree with your blanket characterization of “country folk.”
Having taught public school near the state’s eastern, northern and southern borders, I find I must disagree.
Having lived in the Black Hills or nearby for about 10 years, I find that I must disagree.
Some “country folk” are ignorant and easy to dislike. Some are not. Some are highly educated, thoughtful, talented, wise.
Keep in mind that Demented Donny’s biggest support in terms of numbers and dollars in 2016 came from wealthy suburbanites. He seems to have lost the majority of suburbs since then as demonstrated by last year’s midterms.
Studies have repeatedly shown that racism and economic resentment are the biggest factors for GOP voters in rural areas. Ignorance, lower intelligence, lack of critical thinking skills and watching only Faux Noise and its ilk are factors too.
“short memories and self destructive mental illness” are not on the list of GOP and Demented Donny supporters’ characteristics.
In short, SD’s GOP voters may be resentful racists, but they’re not “filthy animals.”
Adam
2019-04-27 21:52
If not for country folk (including those who live as little as 20 miles out from the nearest suburb), and senile elderly folks, country club conservative BS would not have much leverage in GOP politics.
But since prairie people are prone to buying snake oil, that’s where the snake oil salesman goes to sell his BS.
mike from iowa
2019-04-29 17:04
This is what is in charge of stocking the courts with unqualified, extreme right wing ideologues with lifetime appointments-
McCTurtle is as bratty as Drumpf and both symbolize what the rethuglican/Grudzilla party has become.
Debbo
2019-04-29 17:34
Mike, I just saw a poll in Axios, I think, that said Chinless Wonder McTurtle is the most hated politician in DC. He’s also the only one who disapproval rating is 50% in his own state. He’s been very clear and openly said he doesn’t care what Kentuckians want. He knows what he wants. Apparently his goal is to destroy the USA.
leslie
2019-04-29 18:27
Lurch Mcturtle Wm Barr Trump-carve the back side of Stone Mt. w/their deer in the headlights stares for posterity.
Roger Cornelius
2019-04-29 19:26
Speaking of lying, WaPo reported that the orange one has surpassed 10,000 lies since taking office.
Some in the media often try to soften what type of lie Trump tells by using terms like misstatements, errors, mistakes, etc., when in fact Trump lies.
Thune continues to lie to himself and the people of South Dakota.
With all the recent revelations on obstruction, lying, incompetence, etc, notice how vocal our delegation has become? (sound of crickets) I can’t even stand to write to these goof bags. All one gets in return is the standard “Thank you for contacting our office” b.s. Thune and his ilk created this monstrosity with their silence. Why? They are afraid of a TWEET, for God sake! That is “courage”. Stand tall and smile, Johnny! That appears to be your job.
After the Access Hollywood tape came out, Senator Thune questioned whether Trump should be the nominee, then a week later, or less, he got over that and supported the Trump candidacy once again.
We see this Thune often, too often, and it is time South Dakotans begin to see him for what he is, which is an actor who plays many roles; but then again, what should you expect when he began politics as a mere Jim Abdnor Hollywood starlet find?
Henceforth, the second most powerful man in the Senate shall be known as Over The Shoulder Guy. Thank you Lawrence O’Donnell.
Hypocrite:
sanctimonious person, pietist, whited sepulcher, plaster saint, humbug, pretender, deceiver, dissembler, impostor; phoney, Holy Willie; creeping Jesus; bluenose; Pharisee, Tartuffe, Pecksniff, canter
Hypocrisy is the contrivance of a false appearance of virtue or goodness, while concealing real character or inclinations, especially with respect to religious and moral beliefs; hence, in a general sense, hypocrisy may involve dissimulation, pretense, or a sham.
____________________
I had to look elsewhere for fitting, nonprofane language because I was simply out of my own. Still, what I copied above seems inadequate. 🤨
Pecksniff. Thune and GOP/SDGOP leadership are Pecksniffs.
The Party who lays claim to morals and family values now considers lying an acceptable family value trait as it keeps getting them elected.
Stand back, folks, Debbo is on a roll! :-)
About Marlboro Barbie and his over the shoulder stance, can we assume the worst and wonder if he is trying to get a peek at McCTurtle’s breasts? The reason I ask is sometimes he has a goofy grin on his mug like he has seen paradise from above and behind. Other times he has a ho hum look.
With some people you just can’t tell.
Drama. Trump,“wrapping himself in the Amerian flag.” Julie Davis, Washington Week, tonight. Hugging the flag. A failed coup. This lying liar will take this nation down with his organization. A true criminal that is engaging ALL THREE divisions of government. Excuses all of his policy failure
Thune, twitter 04.02.19 calls out Democrats for “obstruction”: “…pointlessly delaying qualified nominees”! No mention of his direct involvement OBSTRUCTING MERRICK GARLAND’s SCOTUS nomination. Lies don’t get bigger than that.
Loren, I doff my hat. 🎩
Thune new nickname should be Lurch, the creepy character from the Addams Family. He looks just like him hovering over McConnell silently all the time for his photo op. What a disgusting hypocrite! Bravo to Lawrence O’Donnell for exposing this lying fraud.
Which video do you think is more appropriate at this time?…….:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLzDFbGdL5M
– or –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCAUY_ewptw
John, I couldn’t understand most of the lyrics in either video so I checked on line to discover the words they were singing.
The Politics of Dancing:
https://www.google.com/search?q=The+Politics+Of+Dancing+1983+lyrics&oq=The+Politics+Of+Dancing+1983+lyrics&aqs=chrome..69i57.9384j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
As for the Lurch, it appears that the title the “Lurch Shindig 65” was a reference to a performance of “The Lurch” on the TV show Shindig in 1965. The lyrics to “The Lurch” can be found at:
http://www.madmusic.com/song_details.aspx?SongID=11969
With that background, I enjoyed the video of the Lurch more than Politics, but the lyrics of “The Politics of Dancing” seem a bit more apropo to Thune. Thanks for these crazy links.
ukcivilservant.wordpress.com
Civil Service Ethics, in 700 Words
That’s where you find a brief essay that I believe should be forcibly imprinted on the brain of every person paid by the USA to serve its citizens. Here is a telling sentence just for Sen. Lurch but his GOP cohorts, especially Chinless Wonder McTurtle, ought to familiarize themselves with it too:
“From the very first you must learn to be precise and honest in your work.”
“From the very first you must learn to be precise and honest in your work.” Not hard for wingnuts to attain when they redefine words in their favor. Like high crimes and misdemeanors. Ethics. Legal.
The only way I could hate Thune more is if he shot someone I love, and that would only be a slight increase from where I’m at now. He has sold his soul to be a trump apologist and a shill for big business. It’s my fervent desire that someday he will be thrown in jail for whatever the real reason is that he went to Russia on the 4th of July.
John Thune lies as he does because his rural conservative voting base focuses on lies and conspiracy theories in order to ‘understand’ the world around them.
Conservatives no longer have a right to claim any moral ground. Every Obama related thing they pushed is most appropriately applied to Trump but country folk have such short memories and self destructive mental illness that it would be unfair to America if we called them anything but “filthy retarded animals.”
“You think like a country boy” is a growingly common insult in populated America – just as it should have been for decades prior.
Adam, having grown up on a farm in Hand County, SD, I find I must disagree with your blanket characterization of “country folk.”
Having taught public school near the state’s eastern, northern and southern borders, I find I must disagree.
Having lived in the Black Hills or nearby for about 10 years, I find that I must disagree.
Some “country folk” are ignorant and easy to dislike. Some are not. Some are highly educated, thoughtful, talented, wise.
Keep in mind that Demented Donny’s biggest support in terms of numbers and dollars in 2016 came from wealthy suburbanites. He seems to have lost the majority of suburbs since then as demonstrated by last year’s midterms.
Studies have repeatedly shown that racism and economic resentment are the biggest factors for GOP voters in rural areas. Ignorance, lower intelligence, lack of critical thinking skills and watching only Faux Noise and its ilk are factors too.
“short memories and self destructive mental illness” are not on the list of GOP and Demented Donny supporters’ characteristics.
In short, SD’s GOP voters may be resentful racists, but they’re not “filthy animals.”
If not for country folk (including those who live as little as 20 miles out from the nearest suburb), and senile elderly folks, country club conservative BS would not have much leverage in GOP politics.
But since prairie people are prone to buying snake oil, that’s where the snake oil salesman goes to sell his BS.
This is what is in charge of stocking the courts with unqualified, extreme right wing ideologues with lifetime appointments-
https://crooksandliars.com/2019/04/mitch-mcconnell-celebrates-death-merrick
McCTurtle is as bratty as Drumpf and both symbolize what the rethuglican/Grudzilla party has become.
Mike, I just saw a poll in Axios, I think, that said Chinless Wonder McTurtle is the most hated politician in DC. He’s also the only one who disapproval rating is 50% in his own state. He’s been very clear and openly said he doesn’t care what Kentuckians want. He knows what he wants. Apparently his goal is to destroy the USA.
Lurch Mcturtle Wm Barr Trump-carve the back side of Stone Mt. w/their deer in the headlights stares for posterity.
Speaking of lying, WaPo reported that the orange one has surpassed 10,000 lies since taking office.
Some in the media often try to soften what type of lie Trump tells by using terms like misstatements, errors, mistakes, etc., when in fact Trump lies.