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anaphoristand.bsky.social
brian pillion
@anaphoristand.bsky.social
960 followers 1.4K following 2.2K posts
writer | antiantiantifa | (mostly philly) sports fan | he/him
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anaphoristand.bsky.social
In a letter demanding answers from POTUS regarding his looming commutation of sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell's sentence, @raskin.house.gov pretty directly calls out the Trump criminal defense counsel currently moonlighting as DAG's likely, "serious and far-reaching violation of the criminal law."
Meanwhile, any inmate or staff who questions or blows the whistle on the institution’s grotesque pampering of a serial sexual abuser and human trafficker at taxpayer expense is being punished and retaliated against by Warden Hall. Within FPC Bryan, the deference and servility to Ms. Maxwell have reached such preposterous levels that one of the top officials at the facility has complained that he is “sick of having to be Maxwell’s bitch.”[2] // In light of these shocking revelations, I write to demand that you make your former personal attorney and now Deputy Attorney General, Todd Blanche, available for a public hearing immediately with our Committee to answer for this corrupt misuse of law enforcement resources and potential exchange of favors for false testimony exonerating you and other Epstein accomplices. The time has come to cease any coy or sly answers about granting clemency to a convicted child sex predator. I am demanding answers to these three questions. // First, have you discussed a potential commutation—or any form of presidential clemency—for Ms. Maxwell with Mr. Blanche, his underlings or anyone else in your Administration? // Second, have you directed Mr. Blanche or anyone else in your Administration to provide Ms. Maxwell with the transfer to the prison camp, favorable and preferential treatment in prison, or special accommodations for her communications and interaction with her family and the outside world? // Third, what has Ms. Maxwell, her attorneys, family or representatives promised you or your attorneys? // I request that you provide responses to the above questions by November 24, 2025, and that you ensure Mr. Blanche reaches out to my staff to arrange time and place for his hearing by November 17, 2025. As I am sure you can appreciate, given the clear false statements of Ms. Maxwell in her interview with Mr. Blanche, the subsequent and repeated favorable treatment afforded to her, and her planned testimony before a congressional committee,[21] Mr. Blanche’s actions may constitute a serious and far-reaching violation of the criminal law.[22].
November 10, 2025 at 3:26 PM
anaphoristand.bsky.social
Has Smirnov been spotted out clubbing in Vegas with Kash and Sigal Chattah yet?
Tweet screenshot: brian pillion @anaphoristand - 4:18 PM · Mar 1, 2024: I maintain that it's incredibly difficult to understand the last decade in GOP politics without a moderately sophisticated understanding of the muddled overlaps btw Russian (often ethnically Ukrainian) and Israeli organized crime and both state's intelligence services.
November 7, 2025 at 6:52 PM
anaphoristand.bsky.social
I mean, are we sure he wasn't just calling to make a pass at her, while her husband was laid up?
“Trump liked to say that one of the things that made life worth living was getting your friends’ wives into bed. In pursuing a friend’s wife, he would try to persuade the wife that her husband was perhaps not what she thought. Then he’d have his secretary ask the friend into his office; once the friend arrived, Trump would engage in what was, for him, more or less constant sexual banter. Do you still like having sex with your wife? How often? You must have had a better fuck than your wife? Tell me about it. I have girls coming in from Los Angeles at three o’clock. We can go upstairs and have a great time. I promise … And all the while, Trump would have his friend’s wife on the speakerphone, listening in.” ― Michael Wolff, Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House.
November 7, 2025 at 3:52 PM
anaphoristand.bsky.social
Fun fact: ALL Nazis are miserable. That's what led them to being fucking Nazis.
Sad Elon.
November 5, 2025 at 4:35 AM
anaphoristand.bsky.social
Judge Walker with a fairly quick turn around on, "cool it with your drama."
47 Nov 4, 2025 The Court has received the government's filing regarding discovery on the issue of vindictive and/or selective prosecution (ECF No. 40). The Order on the parties' jointly recommended discovery plan (ECF No. 32) governs discovery in this case. To the extent any discovery dispute arises, the parties may address it in a motion. Signed by District Judge Jamar K. Walker on 11/4/2025. (Walker, Jamar) (Entered: 11/04/2025) Main Doc­ument.
November 4, 2025 at 8:26 PM
anaphoristand.bsky.social
Sure, but only one has "touch of death"-ed a Pope?
JD Vance grimly prepares to reap Pope Francis.
November 4, 2025 at 7:50 PM
anaphoristand.bsky.social
Leni Riefenstahl.
November 4, 2025 at 4:56 AM
anaphoristand.bsky.social
It's almost like Alex Acosta was precisely counting on his OPR whitewash's having successfully covered up the financial investigation his sweetheart deal thwarted, and @oversightdemocrats.house.gov having no documentary evidence to substantiate that.
Ms. Stansbury. Going back to the Federal nexus. It's our understanding that there were financial records collected as a part of the investigation that included an investigation into international wire transfers. Are you aware of that? Mr. Acosta. I don't recall a financial aspect of this. We were focused on the inappropriate acts that took place in Palm Beach. Ms. Stansbury. Was it ever discussed as a part of the Federal investigation? Mr. Acosta. This was 20 years ago. I don't remember -- Ms. Stansbury. You don't recall whether or not in the most high-profile cases of your life that led to your resignation from the administration whether or not financial transactions were investigated --. Mr. Acosta. With -- Ms. Stansbury. -- as a part of the investigation? Mr. Acosta. With respect -- with respect, at the time it was high profile, it was not the most high-profile case of my life at the time. Ms. Stansbury. Uh-huh. That's fine. Mr. Acosta. And -- but the focus -- Ms. Stansbury. But in any case - Mr. Acosta. Right. Ms. Stansbury. -- it's an established fact. Okay. You know, we've been working with the majority to get copies of the financial records. Why -- Mr. Acosta. Could I ask a question? Ms. Stansbury. Yes. Mr. Acosta. Are there communications about a financial aspect to the case? Are there -- you know, we've got a full OPR report here of 300 pages. I don't believe that there's references to a financial aspect to this case in this OPR report. Ms. Stansbury. I'm asking you -- Mr. Acosta. But-- Ms. Stansbury. --if-- Mr. Acosta. But -- but you said it was an established fact, and I'm just -- Ms. Stansbury. Well, let me -- Mr. Acosta. -- gently -- gently questioning how much of an established fact. Ms. Stansbury. You were the prosecutor, not me. I'm asking you questions to understand what you investigated. So what I am trying to understand is, did you look at potential financial crimes and discuss that as art of the decision as to whethe or not to pursue Federal charges? Mr. Acosta. To my recollection, the discussion was focused on the sex crimes. Ms. Stansbury. And why not on the financial crimes? Mr. Acosta. Again, this was 20 years ago, I can't speak to that. Ms. Stansbury. Was that not a part of what was recommended through the line prosecutor? Mr. Acosta. Again, I can't speak to that. I do not recall a discussion over financial -- if there had been, you know, a Federal nexus on financial crimes, again, we wouldn't have had these long discussions about a Federal nexus.
October 31, 2025 at 8:50 PM
anaphoristand.bsky.social
Wet Hot American Summer, Michael Showalter as Alan Shemper: "Day bidet".
October 31, 2025 at 6:57 PM
anaphoristand.bsky.social
And if delaying a plainclothes officer in an unmarked car's arrival at work can credibly be framed as a conspiracy to impede, how far afield of the Broadview facility might such conspiring conceivably extend? Cutting him off in traffic? Holding up the drive through line?
3. On or about September 26, 2025, at Broadview, in the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, MICHAEL RABBITT, KATHERINE MARIE ABUGHAZALEH, ANDRE MARTIN, CATHERINE SHARP, BRIAN STRAW, and JOSELYN WALSH, defendants herein, conspired with one another and others, known and unknown, to prevent by force, intimidation, and threat, Agent A, a United States law enforcement officer, from discharging the duties of his office, and to injure him in his person or property on account of his lawful discharge of the duties of his office, and while engaged in the lawful discharge thereof, and to injure his property so as to interrupt, hinder, and impede him in the discharge of his official duties.
October 30, 2025 at 11:45 AM
anaphoristand.bsky.social
Not to quibble with the estimable professor, but his substitution of the [United States] for 14.3's "the same" misconstrues the target of the barred insurrection/rebellion. It's not the United States itself, but against the Constitution.
Section 3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any state, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any state legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any state, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.
October 29, 2025 at 9:12 PM
anaphoristand.bsky.social
A still from Martin Scorsese's classic, "Lenape Manaháhtaan":
Daniel Day Lewis, in "Gangs of New York".
October 29, 2025 at 4:41 PM
anaphoristand.bsky.social
Et tu, Batman?
DL: Um, I also heard that, you know, he got through security in your building and, this is from some sources, and that he, you know, he basically like, you know, went outside your apartment, at around 11:30 p.m. one night or around that time, and you said ‘what are you doing here?’ and he said, “I’m batman.” W: Well, he's been to my building in general before as a friend but I was never like uncomfortable or mad that he showed up. DL: Okay, do you remember that batman thing? W: No, I don't ever remember him saying that he’s batman. DL: Did he show up one night in the last few months that like was late at night? W: He's never shown up where I've been uncomfortable or mad.
October 29, 2025 at 3:36 PM
anaphoristand.bsky.social
A play in two acts:
Josh Hawley fisting the Constitution. Josh Hawley flees from his recently fisted friends.
October 28, 2025 at 9:42 PM
anaphoristand.bsky.social
Curious for more seasoned legal reads, but as a layperson, I'm not sure I've ever seen such a direct call for en banc reversal in an appellate dissent before.
We have come to expect a dose of political theater in the political branches, drama designed to rally the base or to rile or intimidate political opponents. We also may expect there a measure of bending—sometimes breaking—the truth. By design of the Founders, the judicial branch stands apart. We rule on facts, not on supposition or conjecture, and certainly not on fabrication or propaganda. I urge my colleagues on this court to act swiftly to vacate the majority’s order before the illegal deployment of troops under false pretenses can occur. Above all, I ask those who are watching this case unfold to retain faith in our judicial system for just a little longer.
October 20, 2025 at 7:31 PM
anaphoristand.bsky.social
#GoBirds #FuckICE #FreePalestine #NoKings
October 18, 2025 at 4:39 PM
anaphoristand.bsky.social
Me seeing who wrote this piece:
Ethan Hawke's John Brown from 'The Good Lord Bird'.
October 15, 2025 at 9:17 PM
anaphoristand.bsky.social
Chef's kiss kisses chef:
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
11. Also, in a case involving some sensitive national security issues including Iran and nuclear weapons, Michael Murphy’s associate showed up in court the day before trial for hearing on pre-trial rulings, wearing old muddy tennis shoes, but on her jacket a large “Free Palestine” pin. Her positioning in the courtroom would have had her facing the jury. Also, news media was present because it was the eve of trial. All of this would show to the jury a negative impression of Byrne’s case, by showing that Bryne’s legal team did not believe in his own case. The combination of lack of readiness and appearance of associate counsel with a “Free Palestine” pin seemed to possibly cross the line into deliberate sabotage. Her pantsuit was covered in cat hair. This is not compatible with taking a case in Federal Court seriously especially involving national security issues and high profile media attention.
October 15, 2025 at 4:39 PM
anaphoristand.bsky.social
Just wait 'til Glenn Greenwald hears about this!
web.archive.org/web/20190803...
Greenwald 'The Professor' Dom MascHry31 -- After a long photo shoot, Butchel promised a substantial amount to RZ since in his and his partner's opinion, the boy would have a meteoric, fabulous career and with gains that were unimaginable until then for the young man. Before the legal part of the thing, a contract of about 80 pages on image use and other topics that practically exempted Greenwald and Buchtel from any strictness of the law, there would be the final proof, his sexual and artistic performance would have to be examined. Herr DomMascHry31, as he DEMANDED to be called, brought in other actors from the production company. RZ saw Greenwald dressed as an SS general, the Nazi paramilitaries. The sessions of Sadomasochism, Blasphemy and other horrors lasted five hours uninterrupted.
October 8, 2025 at 7:11 PM
anaphoristand.bsky.social
by 💵🪵
Portrait of Gen. Robert E. Lee, officer of the Confederate Army, via Library of Congress.
October 8, 2025 at 5:34 PM
anaphoristand.bsky.social
There was a lot of great stuff in there, and a lot that a good editor/clerk might've cut, but the entire ICE/immigration 'justice' section was absolutely fucking stellar!
ICE has successfully persuaded the public that it is our principal criminal law enforcement agency. Americans have an abiding faith in our criminal justice system. After all, ultimately they run it as jurors. “The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury[.]” U.S. Const. art. III, § 2, cl. 3. Despite the meaningless but effective “worst of the worst” rhetoric, however, ICE has nothing whatever to do with criminal law enforcement and seeks to avoid the actual criminal courts at all costs. It is carrying a civil law mandate passed by our Congress and pressed to its furthest reach by the President. Even so, it drapes itself in the public’s understanding of the criminal law though its “warrants” are but unreviewed orders from an ICE superior and its “immigration courts” are not true courts at all but hearings before officers who cannot challenge the legal interpretations they are given. Under the unitary President theory they must speak with his voice. The People's presence as jurors is unthinkable. And there’s the issue of masks. This Court has listened carefully to the reasons given by Öztürk’s captors for maskingup and has heard the same reasons advanced by the defendant Todd Lyons, Acting Director of ICE. It rejects this testimony as disingenuous, squalid and dishonorable. ICE goes masked for a single reason -- to terrorize Americans into quiescence. Small wonder ICE often seems to need our respected military to guard them as they go about implementing our immigration laws. It should be noted that our troops do not ordinarily wear masks. Can you imagine a masked marine? It is a matter of honor -- and honor still matters. To us, masks are associated with cowardly desperados and the despised Ku Klux Klan. In all our history we have never tolerated an armed masked secret police. Carrying on in this fashion, ICE brings indelible obloquy to this administration and everyone who works in it. “We can not escape history,” Lincoln righty said. “[It] will light us down in honor or dishonor, to the latest generation.” Abraham Lincoln, Second Annual Message to Congress (Dec. 1, 1862).
October 2, 2025 at 4:05 AM
anaphoristand.bsky.social
Alas, shortly thereafter, he was exiled from the alliance...
Arrested Development's Gob Bluth-led Alliance of Magicians hold up a sign saying, "We Demand To Be Taken Seriously." They weren't.
October 2, 2025 at 2:52 AM
anaphoristand.bsky.social
On that front, it's worth noting that the plaintiff's representation is a team from (Koch seed-funded) libertarian nonprofit Institute for Justice.
/s/ Jared McClain Jared McClain (DC Bar No. 1720062)* Jaba Tsitsuashvili (DC Bar No. 1601246)* Joshua Windham (NC Bar No. 51071)* INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE 901 N. Glebe Road, Suite 900 Arlington, VA 22203 (703) 682-9320 jmcclain@ij.org *Pro Hac Vice application forthcoming Counsel for Plaintiff.
October 1, 2025 at 3:19 PM
anaphoristand.bsky.social
Faruqui just gets it?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4WG...
1 Until last week, the Court was unaware that a form even existed for this filing. That is because prior to a month ago, there was never a need to repeatedly return no bill indictments. What has changed between now and then are the types of cases prosecutors are bringing brought to federal court—many with apparent Constitutional violations. See, e.g., United States v. Torez Riley, 25-mj-154. Indeed, earlier this month, the government indicted a case via a federal grand jury months after prosecutors refused to formally charge it. At the detention hearing, the prosecutor admitted that the reason for the initial declination was the self-evident “Fourth Amendment issues.” See United States v. Richard Thompson, 25-cr-271. Even there, the government followed longstanding norms and Rule 6 by taking its chances with a federal grand jury.
October 1, 2025 at 4:20 AM
anaphoristand.bsky.social
"Which one is Donnie, and which one is Darko?"
September 29, 2025 at 3:34 AM