Francis on folly.

The political trenches are heavy with commentators who write smart, literate pieces but who are utterly filled with folly. Folly, as Barbara Tuchman once wrote, is knowing better but doing worse. Persons who promote follies typically refuse to heed the lessons of the past. At least, that’s the most common form of folly in politics and political advocacy.

Here’s a sample of current relevance:

One of the big fears that some conservatives have about Republicans doing the simple thing that they were elected to do by confirming a conservative Supreme Court justice is that Democrats would respond by packing the court. As such, they are proposing a “compromise.” The idea, first put forward by Adam White in a thoughtful piece, is that President Trump nominates somebody, but Republicans agree not to vote until after the election (and to not confirm a nominee in a lame-duck session if they lose) as long as Democrats agree to not pack the court. The idea has gained adherents, including David French and Jonah Goldberg.

I don’t know anything about Adam White. I know little more about David French, other than that he’s a foaming-at-the-mouth NeverTrumper. But I followed Goldberg’s essays for some time, and I own one of his books. I have no doubt that he’s a smart fellow, his aversion to President Trump notwithstanding. However, these three persons are united in a folly of monumental dimensions: They believe the Democrats would keep a promise when violating it would be massively favorable to their interests.

The Democrats do not keep promises. The record is quite definite on this subject. Why, therefore, would the GOP’s Senate caucus trust the Democrats to do so in this supremely important matter – a matter the Left has been talking about for years?

Do I hear someone in the back rows nattering about “collegiality?” Where was collegiality during the Kavanaugh confirmation hearings? Where was it during impeachment hearings and the Senate trial of President Trump? Where is it today, when prominent Democrats routinely slander President Trump as a dictator and anyone who supports him as either stupid or evil?

Given the open, venomous viciousness of the highest-placed Democrats at this time, why would anyone believe, against the historical evidence, that “this time it will be different?”

Folly, pure and simple.

He couldn’t be more right. From this day forward, Republicans should adhere to one rule first, last, and always: No deals with Democrats. Period, full stop, end of story, and to hell with French, Goldberg, this Smith fellow, and any and all others still foolish enough to believe that the Democrat-Socialists ever, EVER operate “in good faith,” or have any intention of honoring agreements made with them.

When in power, the Demonrats simply run roughshod over their opposition. They ignore reasonable objections; negotiate dishonestly; quash legitimate disagreement; and promote “compromise” with every intention of breaking its terms right from the beginning. No “deal” with them is ever worth the proverbial bucket of warm piss; they consider no oath, covenant, or contract to be binding—for THEM, that is.

At the moment, Trump inarguably has complete Constitutional authority to nominate a replacement for RBG at any time he chooses. Likewise, Senate Republicans are without question empowered to confirm that nominee, by whatever process they deem appropriate, at whatever time they deem expedient. Not one Democrat-Socialist shitweasel can say a word about any of it, either. Or rather, they can say anything they want. Republicans, however, are under no obligation to listen, much less to allow any suggestion and/or complaint from Team Tyranny to influence how matters do or do not proceed.

Democrat-Socialists have for decades wielded power ruthlessly, without the slightest regard for appearances, consequences, or blowback. Their ruthlessness, their faithlessness and megalomania, should now be repaid in full, to the last dram. In the SC fight, as everywhere else, they should be flatly disregarded, any attempt to slither their way into meaningful input beyond the yes-or-no vote the Constitution grants them smacked down with extreme contempt. In all situations, they should be dealt with not as the “partners” they falsely claim to be when they see advantage in it, but as the enemies they truly are.

In a different but still certainly related context, General Flynn’s family pulls no punches.

Abusive, intentional lawless actions committed against the Republic, the President of the United States Donald J Trump and his NSA Director and our brother, General Mike Fynn, by a vile cabal of thugs in the FBI, DOJ, and Special Counsel’s office threatened the national security of our country and all Americans…

The abject abuses of power of the Obama-Biden administration and those who deceived, lied, and conspired to destroy Gen Flynn and violate his rights must be held to account. He has been denied his liberty and freedom for four years. This must end. Judge Sullivan has one obligation. That obligation is to dismiss this case with prejudice, immediately.

The American people deserve to know the truth as to all the misconduct and the dishonest people culpable for their actions. Gen Flynn demands that the Government unredact this exculpatory evidence. It is high time that Barack Obama and Joe Biden be held to account for leading their campaign of injustice against Gen Flynn, the President, the American public, and the Rule of Law.

DAMNED. STRAIGHT. Lots more good stuff between my ellipses; the original is an image file, and my weary old fingers could only transcribe so much before conking out with an agonized creak. But you’ll enjoy reading the whole thing, I promise.

As Sundance so pithily puts it: “The time for diplomatic niceties is over.” And so it is. I repeat: no deals with Democrats. Our side has nothing to gain, and everything to lose, by continuing to pretend that they’re honorable men. As Francis said, that’s folly, pure and simple. No more of it. If crush them we must—and it’s clear that we must—the only thing we need to concern ourselves with now is getting on with the job.