44 Comments
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Barking Justice Media's avatar

Michael-

Two American citizens are dead. Alex Pretti and Renee Good had families. And we're watching Washington turn their deaths into chess moves, who gets blamed, when the expiration date hits.

You're right about the whisper campaigns and code words. But Christ, it's exhausting watching human tragedy processed through bloodless calculus. Republicans aren't distancing themselves because two people died; they're distancing themselves because it's politically inconvenient.

Where's the grief? Accountability beyond survival math? The system treats enforcement like performance art and lives like talking points.

Two families plan funerals. Washington plans the next move.

Is that just Wedesday in America now?

Mika-

Maura's avatar

Yes. Really, it always has been.

Jennifer Kass's avatar

The saddest thing is that the deaths themselves are not a turning point for most Republicans. Instead, they put a finger up in the air and felt the political wind shift against them. Only then were they able to let their fear of Dear Leader slip just enough to voice their tepid reservations about what is going on in Minnesota. I truly don't know how these people sleep at night.

Barb O's avatar

It's also millions of gun owners who are suddenly saying "Wha?????????" About time.

Jennifer Raymond's avatar

They don't sleep at night. They were busy partying at the melania gala.

M. Shama's avatar

From your lips to God's ears!!!

Antonio Cruz's avatar

COME CLEAN ON EPSTEIN

Dianne K's avatar

Have you noticed Cohen doesn't do many livestreams on Substack anymore? He always overlapped one of my paid subscriptions, but that has ended. The last time he did that livestream, he was so unhinged and angry, he couldn't even speak coherently. People ask simple questions, and he goes nuts.

Barb O's avatar

Put yourself in his shoes. It's not that hard to figure out when you do.

Dianne K's avatar

He always played the bad ass for Trump. A few questions from paid subscribers should have no impact on him now.

Jennifer Lalonde's avatar

He has done livestreams. I attended them. He spoke very coherently and calmly. His message was clear. I think that being angry and unhinged is a normal reaction given what happened to him. Anyone would have an emotional reaction following something like this.

Roberta Houle's avatar

It’s interesting that his anger and frustrations become proof of his guilt.

Susan Hassinger's avatar

I can't wait till this "carton of milk"is thrown out with the rest of the garbage like Steven Miller! He's next!! Kristi blamed him for her inflammatory & premature comments about Pretti. I wish the Republicans would also demand him gone if not at the same time, SOON!

Maura's avatar

Absolutely. Stephen Miller is the architect of the horrors we have been seeing. He wrote the script for Noem and Bovino.

However, He has been with Trump since the first regime. I don’t see Trump firing him. Trump will let everyone else go before he’ll do anything about Miller. Trump and Miller think alike.

Jennifer Raymond's avatar

Don't forget Russell Vought.

Maura's avatar

Russell Vought is a very dangerous man. He and Miller were architects of Project 2025. He is absolutely right behind Miller in calling the shots. He is a nasty Christian Nationalist theocrat, with all that entails, including white supremacy, xenophobia and misogyny. Trump condones it all.

Jennifer Raymond's avatar

Miller is one of the puppet masters of Trump and all the other public faces.

Maura's avatar

I absolutely agree!! And believe me, Trump condones it all and knows about it. Miller is doing his bidding.

Al Draycott's avatar

Thanks Michael: Following the Project 2925 agenda to a tee, it may dampen the stewing sewage for a couple of weeks with,Kristi Noem sent packing along with her two timing Corey Lewandowski pensioned off on your dime. Tom Holman taking the lead with Greg Bovino and a few of his killers shipped off to unknown places will not change the agenda. Tom and Greg , different styles of brutality , same results. Even the live video of Alex and Renee's murder was a tad too much for the master despot and the gutless republican Nazis. New leaders new chaos. Keep peacefully protesting and don't be lulled into a false sense of complacency. They may change the hangman but the rope is still there. The author of this debauchery is Stephen Miller, ,,he has to be dealt with eventually.

Roberta Penn's avatar

You are a political soothsayer with a resume, at least regarding Noem and Bovino. Bring on the popcorn. Oh, and thank you Michael!

GingerLee's avatar

far more than 2 are dead but these 2 stand out because of their incredible humanity and their recorded assassinations.. the quivering dems have blood on their hands voting for noem and others like her ..."go along to come along" is not how you run a country in peril, if they are incapable of "seeing" the inhumanity these people embrace then they need to step down from congress, rfk anyone?... David Jolly is who we want to hear out here, not performitive nonsense while clutching their pearls in front of cameras.. dems are more than 2 dead bodies too late.. and , yes, I'm focusing on my party because the r's are so compromised it's not worth my time ...and your writing, as always, is superb

Katja Rejec Longar's avatar

Interesting analysis. I’m no expert on U.S. politics, but I wouldn’t be surprised if gun-lobby pressure was in the mix. Noem & co justified killing Pretti by pointing to the fact that he carried a gun — yet if it was concealed and legal, the logical takeaway would be calls to restrict carrying. I wonder if action came before that conclusion could catch on. Could be totally wrong — just a hunch.

RJM's avatar

Good analysis. And of course there’s another reason for Republicans to stir the No More Noem pot: it keeps the Epstein files in the background for another day.

Jennifer Raymond's avatar

Noem didn't make her accusations before all the facts were known. Her accusations were fabricated before ANY of the facts were known. And her henchmen did all they could to obliterate the evidence so that the facts would never be known and cold-blooded murderers would never be held accountable.

Suzanne's avatar

Judge in Minnesota orders ICE chief to appear in court, warns of possible contempt proceedings.

Dawn Cali's avatar

Every morning, I come onto the Substack in hopes that Michael comes on and writes an article about his lack of transparency and honesty to his Subscribers and the American People.

Michael was Trumps "#1 and Fixer" for 12+ years. There is no doubt he knows more about Epstein than he has said. Why would his Attorneys request a Rule 35 and note they had information on Trump and Epstein. He knows about Trump's Russian connections and more likely beyond the Real Estate dealings he was involved in with the Oligarchs. More about Trump's Personal and Business dealings.

Michael, you have made a lot of money on Substack and thru the books you wrote. But you continue to give only part of the story.

Help Americans bring the Trump Regime down! No doubt they could be scrubbing the Epstein files for your information right now. After all, Trump sent out a supporting text about you, didn't he? But others (Ellie Leonard and hundreds of others are looking) will find an email they missed (like the Rule 35 Email), something in Epstein Estate Files, something in Bank Records and something from Whistleblowers. Only a matter of time.

Americans deserve better.

Skip Day's avatar

Lev’s followers have been told to comment in all of Cohens lives and articles. I read you everyday and incorrectly guessed you were following lev’s instructions. As to redactions, yes. I’m aware. But specifically bc of cohen, as lev tells his people, is far fetched. The answer for me is simply, I Don’t Know. I trust Cohen and his explanations. I will unless there are hard facts explicitly citing him and his defense is inadequate. As of now, he has answered every accusation without spin of false narrative.

Dawn Cali's avatar

Skip, as I say to everyone, question and watch.

100% Trust? I hope before the end of my life, there will be someone I can trust 100%.

If it doesn't make sense, more often it doesn't make sense.

Have a nice nite.

Americans deserve better.

Skip Day's avatar
3dEdited

You really believe that the entirety of the Epstein files are being delayed because of Michael Cohen? I don’t want to hear Lev’s purported logic repeated. You think he is the most dangerous aspect of the files? Srsly? I don’t need an explanation you’ve already announced your lunacy.

Dawn Cali's avatar

Skip, I didn't say that. Epstein files are being delayed as a coverup on many, many people.

It has been shown that they are redacting more than victims. Because people have unmasked some of the redactions.

As to Lev Parnas, I read and listen to many. Why do you assume I am repeating anything that Lev has or hasn't said?

I would suggest you open up your mind.

No one could be that close to Trump for that long and know nothing. Really, you believe Michael is revealing all he knows? Come on.

Oh and no need for name calling. Ever. We can agree to disagree. Have a good day.

Americans deserve better.

Catherine Martinez's avatar

How about we all continue to pressure DOJ and Congress until the full files are released with victims' names blacked out. Then we can dispense with ominous implications and look at the full publication. So much time has elapsed, all the victims could have been scrubbed out and the files released by now. Release it all and let the chips fall.

Dawn Cali's avatar

Catherine, it will never happen.

DOJ is not honest and independent. Congress is divided.

Files will disappear. Files will be corrupted. We can only hope for accidental releases (like Cohen/Trump/Epstein Rule 35), Epstein Estate, Banking Records and Whistleblowers.

Americans deserve better.

Catherine Martinez's avatar

Remember AG John Mitchell, worked for Nixon? He ended up in prison after fighting for months to shield his boss. The tapes were found and used to bring down that president. We had better not reduce ourselves to hoping. We can make the consequences too bitter for Bondi. After all, she is not part of the Epstein mess and may have to protect herself from prosecution.

Dawn Cali's avatar

Catherine, good points.

Given latest picture releases, it is clear that Bondi goes all the way back to Epstein days.

I do believe a combination of significant info releases to come and Whistleblowers stepping forward will turn the tide.

Americans deserve better.

Michelle Bailey's avatar

ALL of their “Homes” should be in prison. Not following law and order in even the smallest of ways. We are sick and tired of it watching this happen every single damn day.

George's avatar

Hi Mr. C. I can't wait to see the end of bullshit Barbie! Amen brother :-)

Michelle Landa's avatar

We have been watching and waiting for this chess game to finally begin. Just moving the pieces isn’t enough. The pieces need to be completely off the board. Two American citizens have been murdered. Let’s not forget them while we are watching and waiting for the administration (if you can even dignity them with that moniker) to play their political games. There are more incompetents that need to go. And while I am waiting I am praying.