The Department of Justice has released the affidavit it used to obtain permission to search Mar-a-Lago and seize files from Donald Trump. The document fills in some details but leaves many questions unanswered, largely because it is heavily redacted — as it should be. The sanctity of the investigation demands it. So does the security of the nation. What we knew before has been further confirmed — Trump absconded with hundreds of classified documents. We now know these were incredibly sensitive and included information on clandestine human sources and secrets not to be shared with foreign governments. We may never know the documents' exact contents — that's how sensitive this material is. What is so striking, as many others have observed, is that as president, Trump was notoriously uninterested in details. He doesn't read. He certainly doesn't pore over policy details. He is famous (or infamous, depending on who is assessing) for "not getting into the weeds." So why these documents? Why did he care so much? What, if anything, do they have in common? Can they point to a motive? We can speculate on what that might be, understanding that he has long ago lost any benefit of the doubt. The government said it gleaned the information it included in the affidavit from "a significant number of civilian witnesses." This detail will undoubtedly fuel Trump's paranoia, but it also suggests just how unsafe these national secrets were at Mar-a-Lago. As we learn more, as we look for clues, as we wonder and question, we should be careful not to lose track of the big picture. At the very minimum, this situation represents a major breach of national security. Do we really believe that any other citizen of this country, which is who post-presidency Trump is, would be walking free if found in possession of these documents? Rather than being persecuted, as Trump self-servingly claims, this affidavit makes it clear that the Department of Justice was extraordinarily patient — possibly to a fault. They gave Trump every opportunity to hand these over. And yet he didn't. Why not? At this moment, around the world, women and men are risking their lives for our country. We have a system of secrecy that protects the most sensitive aspects of our national security. It is in place for a reason. Because the lives of Americans and the future health and safety of the nation depend on it. That this saga has become "partisan" is not a reflection on the seriousness of these documents. Rather, it is a reflection of how unserious the Party of Trump is when it comes to our national wellbeing. As shocking as this episode is, we must not become inured to it. Shock like this should not wear off. It should propel us forward to ensure that justice is served and nothing like this ever happens again. Note: If you are not already a subscriber to our Steady newsletter, please consider doing so. And we always appreciate you sharing our content with others and leaving your thoughts in the comments. Thanks for subscribing to Steady. This post is public, so please feel free to share it. © 2022 Dan Rather |
Saturday, August 27, 2022
Dan Rather: We Should Not Become Inured to the Shock
Rainbow Café - Tuesday, August 30 at 10 AM
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| Rainbow Café - Tuesday August 30 |
Episode 023 - Weddings and Religion; Same-Sex Marriage, Interfaith Marriage, and more (audio)
A Priest, a Rabbi, and a Minister walk into a radio station:
"In this episode, Dr. Pandora Carlucci and Jay Horrigan are joined by Reverend Junger, Reverend McAdams and Rabbi Alpert to discuss the role of religion in marriage, what the responsibilities of religious leaders are in the marriage process, what religion teaches us about marriage, how the different religions have handled disputed types of marriages like same-sex and interfaith marriages and much more."
Audio link -> https://priest-rabbi-minister.captivate.fm/episode/023-weddings-and-religion-same-sex-marriage-interfaith-marriage-and-more-
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| "A Priest, a Rabbi and a Minister walk into a Radio Station…" |
Did you hear about the student loan announcements? Scammers did, too
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| Did you hear about the student loan announcements? Scammers did, too |
Friday, August 26, 2022
Franklin's Event Outlook: Aug 26, 2022 to Sep 1, 2022
1:00pm - Farmers Market (Franklin Town Common) NOTE time change due to weather forecast - market will open ONLY from 1 to 4 PM
6:00pm - Patrick Durkin (live music) (La Cantina Winery)
6:00pm - Dave Penza (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)
11:00am - Yoga in the Taproom (ticketed event) (67 Degrees Brewery)
9:00am - State Primary - In Person Early Voting (Franklin High School)
10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
3:00pm - Franklin Cable Block Party (Franklin TV Studios Hutchinson St)
4:00pm - Franklin Cable Annual Meeting (Franklin TV Studios Hutchinson St)
1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
9:00am - State Primary - In person early voting (Franklin High School)
9:00am - State Primary - In person early voting (Franklin High School)
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The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)
Find the full calendar https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html
If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication: https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6
The Town meeting calendar is found https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26
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| Community Calendar |
School Committee Space Needs working on vendor RFP evaluations
The Franklin Public Schools, School Committee - Space Needs Subcommittee met on Thursday afternoon, Aug 25, at 2:00 PM. My notes taken during the meeting while participating remotely are as follows:
- Discussion on recap of what got them to this point, three proposal out for evaluation by team members, need to evaluate the specifics of the proposed process then look at the dollars associated with the proposals to make an overall recommendation. Individuals to complete their evals by 9/5, Miriam to compile for subcommittee to review at next meeting (9/13) and prepare recommendation for full committee to review at the 9/27 meeting.
- Discussion on stakeholders to ensure appropriate representation of community segments, likely to request via a form for participation on such working group to have ready when vendor selection is complete so they can move forward. Expectation setting for stakeholders on work required and overall timeline for work to be completed (report Mar to May) for School Committee to decide before end of 2023 school year (June 2023). (Implementation timeline would be part of approval/decision but likely to be at least a year away from decision.)
Chair Al Charles began with a recap of prior actions of the subcommittee.
RFP proposals being evaluated by core team, between 15&27, to SchCmte for approval, and then to contract
Proposal evaluation includes two aspects, one for specifics, a second for the dollars, only evaluation on the work proposed before getting to the dollars, layer the $s in later
Reference checks on the proposals put forward, individuals can do so, as well as the procurement office, to be accumulated by Lucas to avoid open meeting law (OML) issues
Clarification questions on process: Dollar amounts determine level of involvement, between $10-50k, RFP allows for evaluation of separate proposals; Discussion on background of RFI vs RFP processing, out to bid can force acceptance of lowest 'qualified' bidder - qualifications need to be specified in the bid proposal process
Discussion on time to read, review, Lucas example of about an hour; individuals would be to be done by 5th, the Subcomm to meet the week of the 12th, to allow for review, etc, before SchCom meeting on the 27th where this would be up for discussion and approval
Redistricting cmte discussion (examples of stakeholder groups)
- Subcom
- Facility's
- Parents of each sch
- Town Council rep
- 3 non parent members (possible prior parents of redistricting)
Size problem with logistics, steering committee and communications absolutely required
Approx 30 as proposed
Target for a Mar to May report timeline, with recommendations by SchCom before end of school year
Discussion on school start time large group and multiple subcommittees, a different process
Setting expectations up front will be key, keeping all informed is important, it will be a lot of info to review and discuss, so over communication is better than missing someone/something
Clarity, and nonbinding req for responses, tied to release of info on process outline
There will be other resources as needed to provide specific data details as they arise
Next meeting, Sep 13 at 6:00 to 6:45pm
- Compilation of RFP data
- Questionnaire draft
- Comms draft
- Determine timeline targets, consultant approval at the 27th meeting, then contract required
- Laying foundation for the work to set up for the real work
The published agenda is here:
- Call to Order
- Recap of Events
- Review RFP process and Timeline
- Advisory Committee Planning
- Adjourn
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| School Committee Space Needs working on vendor RFP evaluations |
Escape Into Fiction sets up teacher wish lists
"New #teacher wish lists in the store for our #localteachers. Come in or email to create yours!
We love our #teachers. Mail@escapeintofiction.com 10 books/author, grade, school!
#franklin #franklinpublicschools #wrenthamma #kpschools"
Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/EscapeIntoFictn/status/1562446370036142080
Where is Escape Into Fiction? 12 Main St in downtown Franklin or visit them on the web at -> https://escapeintofiction.com/
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| Escape Into Fictions sets up teacher wish lists |
Senator Rausch: Sep 6 - Primary Voting Info
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