An artist’s depiction of Trump in court in Washington D.C.
It’s Monday July 31st, 2023. Kia ora!
There have been 3615 new cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand over the past week and 22 further deaths. Of the new cases, 1781 were reinfections. In addition, 116 people were in hospital as at midnight Sunday, and five in intensive care. The seven-day rolling average of cases was 514.
Last week saw 3764 new cases reported and 24 further deaths. The numbers are coming down, at last, although people are still getting Covid 19, many having avoided it up till now.
A friend of ours came for lunch. We had a lovely chat, and I think the food worked out all right! I don’t usually invite people for lunch! For the record, I made rare roast beef sandwiches with mustard, horseradish sauce, mayonnaise and mesclun leaves; Havarti cheese with crackers and quince paste; and a rather nice slice with coconut, sultanas and chocolate pieces, and plenty of tea and coffee, of course. I would have liked to buy some fruit, but at New World in Khandallah most things I wanted were either missing or really expensive.
It’s now Thursday August 3rd.
What a lot’s been happening! Yesterday Trump was indicted on charges relating to the January 6 2021 insurrection, not of inspiring his followers to be violent, but for his actions consequent on refusing to accept that Joe Biden had won the November 2020 presidential election and conspiring to stay in power. Many lies were told, not only by Trump himself, but by others who lied for him. Well, it’s been some time coming, but I felt yesterday morning, and still today, that it’s an important moment, and one to savour. As Susan Glasser said in this norming’s Bulwark podcast, justice is being delivered, even if politically Trump is stronger than ever, according to a recent poll. This poll had De Santis’ support declining further, and none of Trump’s other Republican contenders made over 2% in this particular poll.
Of course there were several emergency broadcasts and podcasts yesterday, providing a feast of listening, if one is so inclined. For the many Americans who’ve been on Indictment Watch, this has finally happened, and as it’s an ongoing case, there may be further indictments; of course, there’s still the Georgia case to drop, by brave Fulton County DA Fani Willis. And there’s another case to be held where E. Jean Carroll is suing Trump for defaming her again (n CNN!), and Alvin Bragg’s case about hush money payments to porn stars before the 2016 election. This is regarded as small beer by many, but not by all, however. Whatever the outcomes, it all adds up to a lot of time in court, and a lot of legal fees.
On Tuesday I met two old friends from Tai Chi for lunch in Johnsonville. How I miss Tai Chi! It was lovely to see them again. They’re both tutors, but they’re a bit short of other tutors for their weekly classes (now Thursdays only: I used to go on a Tuesday but they no longer hold classes on a Tuesday).
Afterwards JD and I went to Porirua where we bought cupboard handles and drawer handles. But sadly, no new curtains: Mitre 10 Mega doesn’t sell curtains. We had afternoon tea at the lovely Columbus Café there, sharing a cheese scone (still delicious) and an apple and berry shortcake with our oat milk lattés.
On Wednesday morning I got up early to go to hymn singing. During Tuesday night it was quite warm – I was too hot, although it was forecast to be much cooler. It was quite mild in the morning, too, although it rained off and on. However I went to a Te Reo Māori class afterwards, and when I came out it was freezing cold, with a very cold wind. JD wasn’t answering his phone; I had expected to stay later for an exercise class and go shopping, but it was too cold and I was too tired to stay. I caught a bus to Johnsonville, after waiting a few minutes in the cold bus “shelter”, and then another bus to Churton Park. Later that afternoon JD and I went to New World in Thorndon, where we bought rhubarb, raspberries and coffee beans, but sadly there were no potato-topped pies. It felt too cold for salads.
Last night it was very cold indeed. We are currently watching the latest series of “The Bay” on TVNZ+, since our viewing options are very limited now. I went to bed quite early, thinking I’d be warmer in bed. I’ve finished reading Ruth Reichl’s memoir, Tender at the Bone, and have that typical sense of dislocation on finishing a book which I’ve really enjoyed, and being reluctant to start another one.
This morning I went to my Thursday morning singing. Despite the freezing cold, there was a good turnout there. JD had dropped me off early, so I was able to have an oat milk latté and a cheese scone beforehand. The irony of avoiding dairy milk in my coffee, but presumably having it in my scone, does not escape me. However I enjoy them both. Afterwards a friend brought me home, and then JD brought some things home for lunch. Now I’m comfortable and nearly warm enough as I listen to more indictment stuff.
It’s now Friday August 4th.
Today (actually yesterday in the US) Trump was arraigned in a Washington court. MSNBC and TYT have reported on this. Also the BBC. The reporter bravely asked a Trump spokesman some questions. It was difficult to watch! Even the BBC aren’t used to this kind of stonewalling. She denied that Trump had committed crimes! And of course we had what-about-ism with how dreadful the Democrats are. Well, whatever your thoughts about the 2020 US presidential election, it’s hard to deny that Trump committed crimes, along with many who went along with his lies. Mehdi Hasan just did a show demonstrating police violence using tear gas and bomber planes towards Black Lives Matter peaceful protests in Washington after the death of George Floyd at the hands of police. Mehdi showed again the huge double standard where republicans are prepared to come down hard on BLM marchers, but give any of their own cronies a wide berth in overlooking their violent and disgusting behaviour.
Lawfare have also made another emergency recording about the Trump arraignment. Only the American media can make so much out of a seemingly smallish event, on every channel, but then this is a really big moment – for the world. The Lawfare broadcast gives lots of information, like the fact that Evan Corcoran is there, seemingly for Trump’s defence, although he is a likely prosecution witness in the Mar-a-Lago documents case. That is strange, although perhaps Trump is really short of lawyers. Apparently Jack Smith was there, looking relaxed and even smiling; he and Trump made eye contact. Unusually, several judges were there, including Amy Berman Jackson, who judged a number of the Mueller cases. Apparently Trump pled Not Guilty to the four charges (I heard there are 78 felony counts in all? That can’t be right, surely? (It was repeated by Chris Hayes on his All In program). He’s claimed that his arraignment is a sad day for America. Indeed, it is. Most presidents don’t do crimes: keeping and showing and lying about classified documents, raping someone, concealing hush money payments, and not only inspiring an insurrection, but failing to close it down, despite people being hurt and killed. Oh yes, he called on his supporters to hang his vice-president. Most people don’t do those kinds of things. But yes, on this occasion I agree with Trump. He was accompanied by Nauta, his body guard, also indicted, in the Mar-a-Lago documents case. None of his family turned up. There didn’t seem to be many fans outside, either. The biggest crowd was the press, and plenty of people who were there to celebrate this moment. The arraignment took place very near the scene of the crime – the January 6 crime.
Actually it’s really interesting listening to different reactions and descriptions. Apparently Trump had to wait quite a while (15 minutes) in court. That’s interesting; I doubt if he’s kept waiting very often. He was also addressed as Mr Trump in the court. He cut a rather sadly different figure, fidgeting while waiting for the judge to arrive; He was finger-printed! Some humiliation there then.
Back here, in Auckland, there’s been another shooting, leaving two people injured. The gunman got away on a Lime scooter. One of the men shot later died.
Today it’s not so cold, and it’s kind of fine and sunny. Still, we won’t get carried away just yet about the cold spell being over.
In the afternoon we went into town so that JD could get a blood test. We found a carpark, and he showed other people the routine – that you take a number, and scan it, and wait for your number to be called, but sadly the blood test request was out of date! We had put off going earlier because SCL staff were on strike! I went to the Mojo Café across the road, but sadly the kitchen was closed, it was very expensive, and not very good.
Afterwards we went out to North City at Porirua, where I moseyed around the shops. I do find the odours in the Food Court quite upsetting! It was nice to go but I didn’t see anything much to buy there.
It’s now Saturday August 5th.
It’s kind of fine, and quite cold here again; JD wants to see Barbie (the movie); he figures that since it was made by Disney, it won’t come on Neon or Netflix. But bookings for both Barbie and Oppenheimer are very full, if not fully booked, so I don’t think we’ll be going today.
I’ve watched and listened to yet more podcasts about the third Trump indictment. There are some great takeaways: Mike Pence selling merchandise with T shorts featuring “Too Honest” (Trump reportedly told him he was too honest to steal the election). Another one is from Jason Miller, still a Trump supporter, who talked about “Conspiracy S*** sent down from the mother ship”. Really, a line for the ages. And one of Trump’s lawyers, John Lauro, admitted in an interview to some of Trump’s wrongdoing. That too has been picked up by several commentators.
Meanwhile, local politics is annoying. The media seem to really want a National Party coalition to win. Act has ruled out working with Winston Peters’ NZ First; Christopher Luxon is not so sure. Peter Dunne (who once belonged to Labour) now decries them. Do people really want Luxon as Prime Minister? Hipkins is doing quite well as preferred Prime Minister, but some of his party are letting him down. Still, as I said to a friend recently, my biggest hope is that Biden wins the next US Presidential election. As long as that happens, I think I’d be prepared to put up with a National led government.
That’s it for now. Slava Ukraini! Ngā mihi nui.
Classic Barbarian 