I took a minute to really think about this Mitch McConnell situation, and what it says about Republicans.

[hamsterjill]

Please take a minute and let's just think about what is happening here, and all that is going on. Reports are coming in that he's brain dead. There are things happening that would tend to point in this direction. We don't have confirmation, of course, but the lack of forth coming information is most likely by design. But let's just look at what all is happening IF the reports are accurate.

Republicans are keeping a dead person on life support. That's cruel enough alone. But let's go further.

They are not allowing his family and friends (yes, he has some, I'm sure!) to have closure and to say their goodbyes and grieve;

They aren't allowing his family to start the estate division and collect any life insurance;

They are running up medical insurance expenses under some pretext of medical care;

They are taking up valuable professional time with doctors and nurses and other hospital staff tending to the situation when their time could be better spent helping patients who have a capacity to recover;

They are keeping a hospital bed occupied when it might better be used for someone who needs it to recover; and

They are, of course, CHEATING to try to keep the seat in Congress.

Just when I think I've seen everything, when I think I've seen the maximum evil that I can see from Republicans grasping for power, just when I think they've stooped as low as they can possibly go, they surprise me yet again. They truly are monsters.

[intrepidity]

1. All of that, yes

And, as usual, taxpayers pay the bill.

Typical R behavior and "ethics".

[GiqueCee]

37. Even the word, ETHICS...

... is to Republicans what water was to the Wicked Witch of the West. They have a definite aversion to it.

[dflprincess]

2. Cheating to keep the seat in Republican hands

Is what Mitch would want. He probably has an Advance Directive that specifies when he can be let go depends on how close the date comes to an election.

[Coventina]

5. Came here to post the same

GMTA!

[malaise]

6. Indeed

He should have voted to remove Donvict.
I don’t have a flying fuck of either empathy or sympathy for MM or his family - not after what he put the US and the planet through with his cowardice re Trump.

[hamsterjill]

7. I wouldn't be surprised.

Honestly...I've wondered if Elaine was in China to see about some advanced medical technology, etc. that might be used to keep him alive longer.

The following is a true story. I knew someone a few years back who believed that the end times were going to occur very soon. Her father was gravely ill. She was adamant that each time he coded, he be revived because she didn't want him to "die" but rather be raptured up. I can remember her telling me that even the chaplains were pleading with her to let the man go in peace and cause no further harm to him. She blew that off as Satan talking. The man's body ultimately gave out and nature took its course. The whole situation shook me to the core and I've had no further contact with this person because of that. I cannot imagine what she put all of the medical personnel through insisting that they do something they knew was causing harm and that the man's death was inevitable.

I should stop as I'm getting a little far fetched as to the trip to China. Or am I?

[littlemissmartypants]

13. If he doesn't have a DNR then she may not have the option to "pull the plug."

Being out of the country gives her plausible deniablity.

[hamsterjill]

14. Interesting thought.

Hmmm...I've been through two extended family instances where an elderly person was dying and didn't have a DNR. There was no discussion either time as to heroic measures partly, I'm sure, due to age. They were both allowed to pass without intervention as there was no objection from any of the family. Neither of these persons were as old as McConnell.

Not disputing what you're saying at all. Merely a reflection on how things typically work for "ordinary" Americans. I realize we aren't dealing with anything ordinary here.

[littlemissmartypants]

23. You're right about that. They are despicable.

She's the daughter of a billionaire, so she could have seen her opportunity to bail permanently and never return.

She doesn't need his money. His lack of power and influence will probably make him pretty much useless to her going forward.

[orleans]

15. the idea she went to china in search of med. technology is something that hadn't occurred to me

but who knows? anything is possible. and some new technology would be a hell of a lot better than shoving a stick up his back, propping him up and telling us "see? he's fine"

and that is so sad and so terrible what that cult wife did to her husband. damn!

[MustLoveBeagles]

17. So cruel

That poor man 😔

[MyOwnPeace]

31. 'That poor man?' BULLSHIT!!!!!!!!

For the damage and harm that ‘that poor man’ has brought upon this country - FUCK HIM!!!!

[hamsterjill]

38. I think you read the post wrong.

I believe the poster was saying that the "poor man" was the man that I described in my post about his daughter insisting on keeping him alive as she felt the rapture was imminent.

Just sayin'...

[The Madcap]

39. I think they are talking about the man in Post 7.

His end was not fun.

[MustLoveBeagles]

40. Not talking about McConnell

I was talking about the woman who put her father through hell so he'd be raptured.

[MyOwnPeace]

41. SO sorry!

I was talking with others while I was scrolling through - I 'thought' I was responding to something about 'Mitch the Bitch!'
I meant nobody else - but it WAS sure meant for McTurtle!

[MustLoveBeagles]

45. No worries

I share you disgust for him.

[Attilatheblond]

52. Maybe, but I figure she has a lot of ducks to get in line re the family shipping company, and other legal issues

Probably checking on contract obligations, best ways to save money on taxes if Mitch's name is on anything regarding the shipping company. Maybe meeting with representatives of Putins re how new orders from the Kremlin will be transmitted and who their new Senate Leader will be.

You know, just the basic widow stuff before she tells them to pull the plug.

Honestly, when DEMs take control, one of the investigations might be 'just how much insurance fraud was involved with keeping a corpse from going bad in a very secure hospital suite'. Some medical corporation is probably making a bundle on going along with the GOP (Ghoulish Oligarch Protectors) orders that 'Mitch is speaking daily with Senate leaders'.

[Wiz Imp]

19. Um, no cheating is necessary.

That seat is up for election in November. It's Andy Barr(R) vs Charles Booker(D). Barr will almost certainly win. If a special election would need to be held, it wold only cover the seat for a few months at most. The Republican would almost certainly win the special election.

Leaving the seat vacant harms Republicans much more than a secial election would (vacant means they have one less vote for Trump. Special election almost guarantees they pick that vote back up)

[llmart]

3. I don't know...

In most cases, it's the next of kin (wife) who can make the ultimate decision when to pull the plug unless he designated someone/something else. Or maybe he gave his wife instructions on what to do.

I don't care about him personally, but you'd think his family wouldn't all be nutty enough to allow the GOP in Congress to tell them what decision to make.

[LuvLoogie]

4. They may be trying to keep him out of Hell according to his wishes.

He may have advocated for keeping him going in his will.

[Ray Bruns]

10. The ferryman comes for everyone eventually.

[vanlassie]

34. Well....

?is=18kh6-VUFX7lmaYf

[Torchlight]

8. I tend to agree. Power is the only currency they value

everything else is merely a means to advance or protect that objective. Behavior, ethics, past actions, and present circumstances can all be disregarded, justified, or leveraged depending on what best serves their immediate interests. That certainly explains their willingness to choose and continue supporting paxton and trump...

[Ray Bruns]

9. "They are not allowing his family and friends (yes, he has some, I'm sure!)"

Disagree. And his wife took off on a trip to China so she’s not missing him that much either.

[cab67]

11. No idea what his status actually is, but...

...if the whole he's-brain-dead-and-it's-being-kept-secret-for-political-advantage thing is real, McConnell would most likely have included a clause in any sort of advance directive dictating that his death or permanent incapacitation should not be divulged if it might cost Republicans in some way.

[Ray Bruns]

12. "Republicans are keeping a dead person on life support. That's cruel enough alone"

Yea but McConnell deserves it.

[barbtries]

16. we don't.

we the taxpayers do not deserve to have to pay the bill.

the mad king and his administration are robbing us blind. i suppose his deathbed bill will be peanuts compared to the damage they're doing.

[hamsterjill]

20. But someone else who might need those life support machines for a time, and then be able to recover

Does not need them to be held up for him and not available to others.

It's not up to me to decide what he deserves, etc. I'll leave that to God as is my practice. Do I think he was a horrible person? I do. I think he hurt a lot of people in very selfish ways. I just don't think manipulation of "time of death" should allow him to continue to hurt anyone else.

[forthemiddle]

18. Not withstanding the personal and family affairs

This is not unprecedented for either side.
Teddy Kennedy never cast another vote after April 2009 and didn’t pass away for 5 more months, thus depriving the Senate Dems of his presence, and robbing Massachusetts of its representative.
In the 15 months following his diagnosis he only cast 11 votes.
We also have Sen Robert Byrd, and infamously Strom Thurman.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein was said to have been totally incapacitated before her resignation.
All parties do everything they can to maintain power.

[hamsterjill]

21. Well then, it's wrong either way or either side.

n/t

[forthemiddle]

25. I totally agree

There should be Senate (and Congress) rules about being fit to serve.
The problem is with such razor thin margins neither side will give up a number unless it is 100% safe to do so.

[Wiz Imp]

22. Sorry but that is ridiculous.

That seat is up for election in November. It's Andy Barr(R) vs Charles Booker(D). Barr will almost certainly win. If a special election would need to be held, it wold only cover the seat for a few months at most. The Republican would almost certainly win the special election.

Leaving McConnell in the seat or leaving the seat vacant harms Republicans much more than a secial election would (McConnell can't vote now so McConnell or vacant means they have one less vote for Trump. Special election almost guarantees they pick that vote back up)

[wnylib]

49. Does a Senator have to be present to cast a vote?

Is possible that, if an important bill came up for a vote, McConnell's staff could claim that he had a lucid moment and told them how to cast his vote? Or could the staff claim that he could cast his vote electronically?

I don't know if that's even possible by Senate rules. Just trying to figure out how the Rs might benefit from pretending that he is recovering.

[31j20b3]

24. Several days ago I said this same things and was roundly criticized as pushing CT

I wasn't pushing CT I was saying there was something weird going on, and the people of Kentucky deserved to know, even if it took suing for proof of life.

We STILL need proof, of life or brain-deadness.

At least no one is laughing about this anymore.

R's cheating in this way breaks federal and state law. If the R's can't come clean it's time to pressure wash the situation

[hamsterjill]

28. I agree that his constituents are entitled to proof of life, and they aren't getting it.

His office has refused to either confirm or deny that he is brain dead. Their response has been very calculated "he's hospitalized and recovering" (paraphrasing).

I think this transcends HIPPA rules, etc. His constituents have a right to know that they still have living representation in Congress.

Just my opinion. I'm sure someone here will now post ten links that explain why that can't happen. That's not what I'm getting at.

I'm not debating whether it can or cannot, but stating that it SHOULD be something addressed at some point. He voluntarily ran for office and with that comes certain responsibilities AND waivers of privacy. This, in my opinion, would be one of those times.

[31j20b3]

30. Brain death is DEATH under federal law. ALL DEATHS MUST BE REPORTED

and treated as DEATH immediately.

That doesn't preclude delays to deal with various potential donations that maybe must await family signing off.

For an older person maybe not a heart or kidneys, but maybe cornea, bone marrow or such.

[hamsterjill]

32. And we know that Republicans always follow the law to the letter.

Right?

[mike_c]

26. they'll stuff his corpse and prop it up in the Capital rotunda...

...for as long as they can get away with it.

[Wiz Imp]

27. NO "reports" are coming in that he's brain dead.

That came from a tweet from Laura Loomer who is as reliable a source as Trump. Not a single reliable news organization has reported any such thing.

https://sundayguardianlive.com/world/fact-check-is-mitch-mcconnell-really-brain-dead-viral-rumours-spread-after-hospitalisation-heres-what-his-office-has-officially-said-about-his-health-check-latest-health-update-229805/

Fact Check: Is Mitch McConnell Really ‘Brain Dead’? Viral Rumours Spread After Hospitalisation — Here’s What His Office Has Officially Said About His Health | Check Latest Health Update
Viral social media posts claiming that US Senator Mitch McConnell is “brain dead” have sparked widespread speculation about his health. The rumours surfaced after conservative activist Laura Loomer shared unverified claims online while the longtime Kentucky senator remained hospitalised following a medical emergency in June.

However, McConnell’s office has continued to say that he is recovering and has not confirmed the viral allegations. Here’s what is officially known, what remains unverified and why the rumours have spread so quickly.

There is no official evidence that Mitch McConnell has been declared brain dead.

The claim began circulating on social media after conservative activist Laura Loomer posted on X that she had received information from what she described as a “high-level source close to the White House.”

[hamsterjill]

43. Desire Townsend has also indicated that her sources have made this claim.

My whole post is about "IF" reports are true. I clearly indicate in the post that we do not have confirmation. Perhaps in your haste to counter the narrative, you missed that part.

I haven't bothered to google and look for information to smear Ms. Townsend's reputation. I'll leave that to anyone else who might choose to do that.

Have a great afternoon.

[FakeNoose]

29. He should be lying in state in the U.S. Capitol, as we've done for other Senators and Presidents

But ... we're just speculating because we don't really know.

We can only guess, based on the lying and cheating that the Repukes do every other day.
Today is no different, until we learn otherwise.

[ColoringFool]

48. A minority of Senators.

[Nasruddin]

33. A Puzzling No-Op

It's a puzzling situation but probably irrelevant to the vast majority of us.
If I was a KY citizen, I'd want some answers. Since McC is no longer majority leader the rest of us don't have much of an issue.
As someone has pointed out, the seat is almost a sure-thing for the Republicans, regular election, special election, or "appointment" due to KY state law.

[Grim Chieftain]

35. Of course we aren't sure what the situation is

but I wouldn't put anything past the current day Republicans. One thing we can be sure of is that they put party above principles, integrity and decency.

If McConnell is indeed dead, I hope he haunts each and every one of them for all time.

[Wicked Blue]

36. McDeadguy cheated to keep President Obama from making a Supreme Court nomination

and he is STILL cheating, while barely alive, to prevent a fair election to choose his replacement in the Senate.

Once a cheater, always a cheater.

[Historic NY]

42. Would be the first time Republicans kept a dead body on life support.

maybe thats the reason for building a hospital at the White House. They could keep him hooked up through a 3rd term....


https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-05-19/trump-says-ballroom-to-include-military-hospital-research-site]

[hamsterjill]

44. Damn!!! You may be right!!!

Maybe Mitch is just their first Frankenstein!!! LOL Others to come perhaps.

[ColoringFool]

46. Newsflash! "REPUBLICANS ARE SELF-CENTERED SCUM!" Video at 11!

[Crunchy Frog]

47. We haven't even begun to see the maximum evil from them.

I don't think there IS a bottom.

Gilead and people hanging on walls may be in our future.

[moniss]

50. Germany passed laws about not allowing certain political

parties. We must consider how to go about describing political behavior that is not allowed and then enacting severe penalties. The 1st Amendment and the rest of the Constitution cannot be allowed to be used for destroying the country.

[twodogsbarking]

51. The MisSpeaker of The House had this to pass along......

https://tenor.com/search/frankenstein-its-alive-gifs

[KS Toronado]

53. Look, he's alive and well...........