“According to Cassell's Dictionary of Slang, ‘to 86’ also means ‘to kill, to murder; to execute judicially’. Other slang dictionaries confirm this definition.”
It wouldn’t be a stretch to conclude that this is an interpretation Comey would have more than a passing familiarity with as it’s commonly used in that sense by the mafia.
Trump may have overreacted, but, given his position, Comey was acting irresponsibly.
Thanks for the comment. I know that Wikipedia also includes the "kill" interpretation of "86." And you are right that Comey may know that interpretation as well.
I also agree with you that Comey should not have posted the image. I would argue very strongly, however, that the last thing Comey intended to do was to threaten Trump or encourage others to engage in violence.
Trump is fixated on Comey now. Yesterday he also did the following:
- Reposted a threat towards Supreme Court justices who ruled against him.
- Demanded Walmart “EAT THE TARIFFS
- Posted a video promoting a wild conspiracy theory that links Bill and Hillary to the deaths of John F. Kennedy Jr., DNC staffer Seth Rich, former White House lawyer Vince Foster, and others.
He posted some other nonsense, too. He's more deranged with each passing day. I think it's time for the men in white coats to take him away. At the very least someone needs to take his phone away.
I saw all of the reposts you mentioned. Each one is deeply troubling, evidencing either a recklessness on Trump's part or a belief that he is entirely above the law. I focused on Comey, partly because I am tired of reading about every troublesome comment/action the President makes.
My pleasure, John. I appreciate your insights very much. You bring a unique perspective of having seen the abuse of presidential power up close.
To your comment on Trump, I think his unhinged posts are evidence of both recklessness on his part and the belief that he is above the law. His reality is informed by that thinking and is completely disconnected to that of sane, rational human beings.
You are right, the President's troubling comments are tiresome. His presidency has been like a bad reality TV show. I can't wait until it's canceled.
Thank you for your kind words. Please know that I am not the John Dean you may be thinking of—the one who worked for President Nixon. Although I went to the same law school he did, he is not related to me.
Someone pointed out on Substack this morning concerning what they are saying about Coby calling for him to be jailed
They addressed it with a picture of the GUILLOTINE that Trump Maga supporters brought to the January 6 insurrection riot, and attempt to take over our government as they were yelling
“ hang Mike Pence”
“Hang Nancy Pelosi “
It is all disturbing twisted demented, thinking and projection
They actually think speaking up about Trump is treason
This is a very malignant, narcissistic, vicious, fascist, authoritarian movement that has been decades in the making
Tonight I believe on CNN they will play Richard Nixon’s interview with David Frost where he was the first president to ever say when the president does it, it is not illegal. The Republicans that backed him in this thinking never went away.
Greg, I agree. I think he is so used to threatening people that he doesn't appreciate that he is making a threat. That makes his endorsement of prosecuting Comey all the more troublesome.
Not for nothing, but on the same Wikipedia page:
“According to Cassell's Dictionary of Slang, ‘to 86’ also means ‘to kill, to murder; to execute judicially’. Other slang dictionaries confirm this definition.”
It wouldn’t be a stretch to conclude that this is an interpretation Comey would have more than a passing familiarity with as it’s commonly used in that sense by the mafia.
Trump may have overreacted, but, given his position, Comey was acting irresponsibly.
Thanks for the comment. I know that Wikipedia also includes the "kill" interpretation of "86." And you are right that Comey may know that interpretation as well.
I also agree with you that Comey should not have posted the image. I would argue very strongly, however, that the last thing Comey intended to do was to threaten Trump or encourage others to engage in violence.
Yes! Hypocrisy!
Great piece. Thank you.
Trump is fixated on Comey now. Yesterday he also did the following:
- Reposted a threat towards Supreme Court justices who ruled against him.
- Demanded Walmart “EAT THE TARIFFS
- Posted a video promoting a wild conspiracy theory that links Bill and Hillary to the deaths of John F. Kennedy Jr., DNC staffer Seth Rich, former White House lawyer Vince Foster, and others.
He posted some other nonsense, too. He's more deranged with each passing day. I think it's time for the men in white coats to take him away. At the very least someone needs to take his phone away.
Thank you, Sara, for your kind words.
I saw all of the reposts you mentioned. Each one is deeply troubling, evidencing either a recklessness on Trump's part or a belief that he is entirely above the law. I focused on Comey, partly because I am tired of reading about every troublesome comment/action the President makes.
My pleasure, John. I appreciate your insights very much. You bring a unique perspective of having seen the abuse of presidential power up close.
To your comment on Trump, I think his unhinged posts are evidence of both recklessness on his part and the belief that he is above the law. His reality is informed by that thinking and is completely disconnected to that of sane, rational human beings.
You are right, the President's troubling comments are tiresome. His presidency has been like a bad reality TV show. I can't wait until it's canceled.
Thank you for your kind words. Please know that I am not the John Dean you may be thinking of—the one who worked for President Nixon. Although I went to the same law school he did, he is not related to me.
Noted. Thanks for letting me know. Your insights are valuable all the same.
Comey
Someone pointed out on Substack this morning concerning what they are saying about Coby calling for him to be jailed
They addressed it with a picture of the GUILLOTINE that Trump Maga supporters brought to the January 6 insurrection riot, and attempt to take over our government as they were yelling
“ hang Mike Pence”
“Hang Nancy Pelosi “
It is all disturbing twisted demented, thinking and projection
They actually think speaking up about Trump is treason
This is a very malignant, narcissistic, vicious, fascist, authoritarian movement that has been decades in the making
Tonight I believe on CNN they will play Richard Nixon’s interview with David Frost where he was the first president to ever say when the president does it, it is not illegal. The Republicans that backed him in this thinking never went away.
Thank you
Very well said
John, I'm no longer sure. He is obsessing on Comey or seashells? How do we know what he is thinking!!??
He has threatened Bruce Springsteen. Not sure he even knows what he is thinking.
Greg, I agree. I think he is so used to threatening people that he doesn't appreciate that he is making a threat. That makes his endorsement of prosecuting Comey all the more troublesome.
Good question. If I were a psychiatrist, I might give you an informed answer. Alas, I'm not. I think he is obsessing over himself.
More seriously, thanks for reading the piece.