QUICK HITS! The Supreme Court Helps MAGA; Christian Schools; Biden is "very disappointed" with Bibi; The Presidential Debates; and Donald Sutherland's Brilliance.

When there’s too much news and not enough time, we have to unleash some Thursday Night Quick Hits!

1. The Supreme Court continues to be an instrument of MAGA

(AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

The highest judiciary in the land - which is now thoroughly corrupted by unelected right-wing extremists who serve their billionaire sugar daddies - yet again punted on critical decisions that will impact our democracy. 

Specifically, this Supreme Court has yet to rule on whether or not Trump can claim absolute presidential immunity relating to any actions he conducted while in office. A reminder that Trump is hit with 88 criminal indictments from four separate criminal cases, including his role in inciting a violent insurrection. A jury of his peers has already held him guilty on 34 out of 34 counts for falsifying his business records to hide his hush money payment to Stormy Daniels. Trump’s attorney has argued the President could be immune even if he assassinates his rivals while in office. (Does that include Supreme Court Justices? I wonder.) 

There’s absolutely no reason for the Supreme Court to delay its ruling unless of course they want to help Trump by punting this case until after the elections. Speaking about helping Trump escape accountability, it was revealed earlier today that Judge Aileen Cannon, who is overseeing (and delaying) Trump’s classified documents case in Florida and was appointed during his Presidency, was advised by two experienced federal judges to step aside due to her inexperience. Naturally, she refused.

The Supreme Court also hasn't ruled in Fischer, which will impact 330 defendants - including Trump - who have been charged with violating an obstruction statute due to their role in the January 6 insurrection. An overwhelming majority of judges have adopted a broad reading of the statute that allows for the prosecution of these cosplay traitors. Shockingly, two Trump appointed Justices and MAGA believe it should be read narrowly. How do you think our Supreme Court will rule on this considering the spouse of Justices Alito enjoys flying traitor flags and the spouse of Justice Thomas supported the violent insurrection while it was happening? 

Other big cases involve the “Chevron doctrine,” which most believe the Supreme Court will overturn thereby gutting federal regulations and consumer protections. (The billionaire sugar daddies who bought Justice Thomas are definitely going to get a big return on their investment.) There’s also their expected decision in Rahimi, which could overturn a federal law prohibiting domestic abusers with restraining orders from possessing guns. Considering the right-wing loves guns more than kids, how do you think this Supreme Court will rule? There are more rulings dropping on Friday, so we might not have to wait long for the answer. 

2. Who needs public schools when you can have Christian schools instead?

(Photo illustration by CNN/Getty Images/iStock/Jeremy Harlan)

If you have time, please read an excellent investigative piece done by CNN revealing how conservatives are succeeding in their decades-long effort to weaken public schools through “school choice” and voucher programs. Specifically, CNN looks at Arizona, the first state to enact a universal “education savings account,” which allows families to spend tax dollars on private schools instead of public education. 

Guess what happened?

A CNN investigation found that the program has cost hundreds of millions of dollars more than anticipated, disproportionately benefited richer areas, and funneled taxpayer funds to unregulated private schools that don’t face the same educational standards and antidiscrimination protections that public schools do. Since Arizona’s expanded program took effect in 2022, according to state data, it has sent nearly $2 million to Dream City (Christian School) and likely sapped millions of dollars from (public school district) Paradise Valley’s budget.

While public schools are closing down in Arizona, taxpayer dollars are going to dubious Christian private schools with a history of discrimination through the state’s voucher plan. This has been part and parcel of the right-wing agenda since the Supreme Court dropped Brown v. The Board of Education in 1954 which ruled that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. This was the beginning of the right’s unending “culture war.” Billionaire Betsy DeVos, an extremist Christian and Trump’s former Secretary of Education, has been funding and driving this initiative for years. I wrote about this toxic marriage between wealth, Christian nationalism,and MAGA for The Daily Beast two years ago.

Fast forward to 2024: Thanks to Project 2025, Republicans have already told us they’re coming after the Department of Education and attempting to radically alter and weaken our public schools which educate nearly 90% of American kids. Schools are a bastion of “woke indoctrination” according to MAGA and by taking them over they can exert control and push back against the alleged “woke” agenda that wants us to educate kids about slavery, give women rights, and teach science. Thankfully, at least the students in Louisiana public schools will now be able to read the Ten Commandments which their Republican leaders violate on a daily basis. 

(Run for your local school board, people! We have the numbers!)

3. The Biden Administration continues to be “very disappointed” with Netanayahu but will keep enabling him

(photo credit: Moshe Milner GPO)

White House spokesman John Kirby is becoming the Susan Collins of the Biden Administration. 

On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu again insulted President Biden by issuing a video claiming the United States was withholding weapons and slowing Israel’s brutal offense in Rafah. “Give us the tools and we’ll finish the job a lot faster,” he added. “The job” according to more than half of Biden voters and anyone with eyes is an ongoing genocide in Gaza which has claimed the lives of more than 37,000 Palestinians. This has been accomplished with direct support aid from The United States by the way. 

All of this whining over one paused arms shipment. The White House was so upset by its great ally Netanyahu, who has crossed Biden’s red line in Rafah and done nothing to minimize humanitarian casualties, that it canceled a high-level meeting with Israel on Iran that was scheduled for Thursday. Earlier today, Kirby said, “Netanyahu’s video was very disappointing, perplexing, and vexing. We expressed our concern to the Israeli government at different levels.”

Ah, yes, they expressed their “concern.” That will surely do the trick and inspire Bibi, one of the most unpopular leaders in the world, to turn the course, listen to the families of the Israeli hostages, and accept a peace deal that will bring an end to this failed war. 

Sadly, the expressed concern didn’t work! Bibi responded with fake victimhood, claiming he is “ready to suffer personal attacks provided that Israel receives from the US the ammunition it needs in the war for its existence"

With friends like Bibi, who needs enemies? 

4. I hope Trump attends the Presidential Debate 

Fox News announced they will join ABC News and air CNN’s presidential debate set for next Thursday. So far, both Trump and Biden are still committed to the geriatric slugfest. 

My quick take is that the more the public sees and hears from Trump, who is clearly showing signs of mental impairment alongside his usual vulgarian cruelty, they will wake up from their amnesia and remember how thoroughly unsuited he is to be President. Americans often have the attention span of gnats, and add to that we’re a nostalgic bunch. You have to keep reminding people of the unique threat of Trump and Trumpism every single day. 

This is a man who promised to be “dictator” for a day, incited a violent insurrection, was just convicted by a jury of his peers, and has taken credit for installing Supreme Court Justices who got rid of abortion rights and are coming after birth control. Oh, he also praises Hannibal Lecter and is obsessed with sharks. 

All President Biden has to do is look somewhat Presidential, not pass out, and remind people of Trump’s record, and in turn promise to expand women’s rights, protect Social Security, and not sell out our country or the Presidency to the highest bidder.

5. Donald Sutherland, a great American actor, passes away at 88. 

(Donald Sutherland and his son, Kiefer, in California, 1970. Co Rentmeester The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock)

1967: Vernon L. Pinkley, The Dirty Dozen

1970: Hawkeye, MASH

1971: Klute, Klute

1973: John Baxter, Don’t Look Now

1975: Homer Simpson (not the cartoon character), The Day of the Locus

1978: Matthew Bennell, Invasion of the Body Snatchers

1980: Calvin Jarett, Ordinary People

1989: Ben du Toit, A Dry White Season

1992: Merrick Jamison-Smythe, Buffy The Vampire Slayer

1993: Flamn Kettridge, Six Degrees of Separation

2000: Captain Jerry O’Neill, Space Cowboys

2005: Mr. Bennett, Pride and Prejudice

2013: President Snow, The Hunger Games Trilogy

2020: Franklin Renner, The Undoing

That’s seven decades of brilliance and pop cultural relevance. Respect to Donald Sutherland for a fantastic career and so many amazing, memorable performances. Rest in peace.