The NYC Adams Case Is A Bellweather
More heroes in the city
The above drawing is not how I feel, but is how I feel sometimes. It’s complicated.
The only problem with taking two days off from writing about news is when I return, I feel an uncomfortable urgency to catch up. I’ve been reading news, but not more than that. I hate not being fully informed. Irrationally, it worries me.
Here are the things that actually worry me.
Our allies are disgusted by Vance’s recent comments in Germany at the German Security conference, “lecturing” European countries to not dismiss far right parties. And beyond the disgust, there is the danger of that attitude. The German Chancellor Olaf Scholz slammed Vance for his remarks about “including” far right parties, claiming “free speech.” Scholz emphasized that a commitment to "never again" also applies to political parties like Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany party, also known as the AfD, which has downplayed the horrors of the Nazi regime.
Britain’s Kier Starmer said today, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment for lasting securty in our continent. Only a lasting peace in Ukraine, that safeguards its sovernty, will deter Putin from further aggression in the future.” The UK is preparted to add troops on the ground if there’s peace, but there has to be a “US backstop” to deter Russia from attacking again. Starmer declared that Britain will take a “leading responsibility.” Does Trump want peace? I don’t know.
Signs of resistance: four deputy mayors to NYC Mayor Eric Adams, who is seeking a dismissal of his corruption case in exchange for helping Trump, have resigned. This is now up to Judge Dale E. Ho, a 2023 Biden appointed judge. Here is what we know about him.
I see this NYC case with Adams to be a bellweather for the resistance to the Trump administration. If Ho decides against the dismissal, it could signal that we are strongly in the fight, with many principled actors. Here is a good article about it: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/17/opinion/eric-adams-trump-justice-department.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
Heading back east this evening. See you tomorrow, thanks again for being such loyal supporters. I really appreciate you.
I so feel your drawing
Liza, thanks again for your level-headed comments. I recommend strongly that people read Timothy Snyder who has the best insights into dealing with Putin and how Trump and Musk are ruining our relationships with Europe and abandoning Ukraine to the criminal Putin.