Chicken Salad

Hot Takes: The temperature is climbing in New York, especially around Trump Tower.  Late yesterday we learned that New York State Attorney General Letitia James informed the Trump Organization that her office’s investigation into the company is “no longer purely civil in nature” as they are now “actively investigating” the organization in a “criminal capacity, along with the Manhattan DA.”  So far no comments from anyone named Trump, though comments from the Former Guy are likely forthcoming.  Coments on Twitter ran the gamut from don’t get your hopes up, this could be just another Mueller fakeout, to odds making on which Trump flips first with most pointing the finger at Ivanka largely because with Jared footng her bills can afford to see her dad go down and she’ll be getting the best self preserving legal advice   It’s not clear when or if any of the Trump’s will turn on each other but it’s fair to assume that CFO Alan Weisselberg isn’t sleeping well these days.  In other New York news, Rudy Giuliani scion Andrew announced his plans to seek the Republican nomination for New York State Governor in 2022; that will put him up against Suffolk County Congressman Lee Zeldin among others. The two are now duking it out for the Former Guy’s endorsement.  Zeldin who has spent the past few years demonstrating his fealty to all things Former Guy is probably the more credible candidate, not that he’s all that credible.  Anyway, the chances of any Republican making it to the New York State Gubernatorial mansion where they’ll be able to pardon for state crimes is unlikely but Zeldin will probably get the FG nod but not before Andrew figures out a way to monetize his run because with Rudy’s legal bills mounting and few other no show type job prospects, Andrew probably needs the cash. By the way, Rudy and his lawyers want the courts to know that he didn’t really mean it when he exhorted those nice tourists attending the Former Guy’s January 6^th festivities that it was time for “trial by combat,” that’s just what he says when he’s caught up in a moment.  As to the Former Guy, he still has lots of clout outside of New York, especially in Washington.  He appears to have called in some chips to make sure that his party doesn’t support the formation of an independent January 6th Commission.  Responding to Trump’s direction yesterday GQP Leader Kevin McCarthy who fears he’ll be called into testify under oath in front of any such commission announced that he wouldn’t support legislation creating one even though his designated negotiator, Republican Congressman John Katko had reached an agreement with Democrats on how the commission should be structured.  McCarthy now has his second in command Steve Scalise whipping the Republican crowd to vote against the commission.  The expectation is that despite McCarthy’s direction, quite a few Republican members of the House will buck leadership and vote for the commission. The legislation is expected to easily pass through the Democrtically controlled House but is likely to get stuck in the Senate where Democrats will need ten votes to meet the needed sixy vote threshold.  Mitch McConnell appears to have gotten one of those former guy nudges too and though a number of members of his caucus have expressed an interest in seeing the legislation come to fruition, he spent the day crawling away from it as only he can. The Former Guy’s influence is also being felt in Arizona where despite pull back from some Republicans the Cyber Ninjas remain all in on continuing their “audit” of Maricopa County’s 2020 election results.  The Ninja’s are currently investigating whether some chickens ate a bunch of “tossed” Former Guy ballots, really. It wasn’t the ninja’s but a few other Former Guy guys spent the days of his administration doing weird stuff.  Over the weekend, we learned that a group funded by folks including one time and maybe still mercenary Erik Prince, brother of former Education Secretary Betsy Devos, tried to besmirch one time national security advisor HR McMaster by luring him into compromising honey pot type relationships and that the Bill Barr led Justice Department tried to have Twitter persona @DevinCow unmasked for the crime of poking fun at Former Guy fanboy/Ranking Intelligence Committee member Republican Congressman Devin Nunes.     

Viral Musings: The seven 7-day average of daily COVID deaths in the US is now at 546, the lowest level since March of 2020.  Yesterday there were 385 COVID deaths and “only” 29,387 new cases. That’s remarkable and proof that the vaccinations are doing what they are supposed to do.  Recent studies indicate that they even work well against the known variants.  Still you aren’t alone if you’re having a hard time giving up your mask, especially indoors, because though a lot of people are vaccinated far too many aren’t, a portion of them will never be and it’s not like the vax avoiders emit a warning glow when they pass too close or stand next to you on line. My inbox included a notice from Equinox this morning telling me that it was time to resume my membership because in accordance with NYC lifting its mask mandates, starting today vaccinated members will no longer need to wear a mask while in the club. Yikes, I know the science tells me I am protected but it still feels like it’s too soon for group perspiration. 

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