This week I’m writing to you from the Adirondacks of upstate New York. While I am covered in insect bites, I can confirm that these mountains are beautiful. I am surrounded by a babbling brook and luscious trees. I am excited to be here in this tremendous space. Over the past few weeks I have been traveling and so I haven’t been able to keep everyone up on all the news. I wanted to write a quick update to you all.
January 6th
The House Select committee on the January 6th attack proceeds apace. Each day we seem to get more damning information. A few highlights are:
- Ginni Thomas, wife of Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas has had her communications with Trump lawyers revealed
- There was a going pardons list for actions connected to the attack
- Militias prepared the groundwork thanks to the help of republican house members who gave tours of the building to help them plan their attack
- Donald Trump knew about the attack and was complicit in its planning and participated in the election by telling his crowd to march on the capitol. This provided cover for the militias to enter the capitol.
Overall, what we have learned so far is that this was not an accident. It took planning and coordination across everyone from Trump world. The justice department has asked for transcripts of all proceedings for its on-going criminal investigations. The committee has also exposed the Big Lie of election fraud for what it is using the words of people in Trump’s inner circle. All of this taken together shows that there was concerted effort to undermine democracy by Trump and his gang.
Ukraine
The war in Ukraine continues with losses for the Ukrainians in the east of the country. They are pleading for more weapons and more help. President Biden announced another $1 Billion in aid and weapons to Ukraine. From my view, it looks like Ukraine is likely to lose the eastern portion of the country that is Russian speaking and has been trying to separate from the government in Kiev since 2014. Although not Putin’s original end-game scenario, it would still count as a win for Moscow. With Mariupol in rubble, and Odessa days away from falling, Russia is beginning to cement it’s position…
