Weekend Open Thread
[guest post by Dana]
Let’s go!
First news item
An unclassified summary of the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan has been released:
President Joe Biden’s administration on Thursday laid the blame on his predecessor, President Donald Trump, for the deadly and chaotic 2021 withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan that brought about some of the darkest moments of Biden’s presidency.
The White House publicly released a 12-page summary of the results of the so-called “ hotwash ” of U.S. policies around the ending of the nation’s longest war, taking little responsibility for its own actions and asserting that Biden was “severely constrained” by Trump’s decisions.
It does acknowledge that the evacuation of Americans and allies from Afghanistan should have started sooner, but blames the delays on the Afghan government and military, and on U.S. military and intelligence community assessments.
The brief document was drafted by the National Security Council, rather than by an independent entity, with input from Biden himself. The administration said detailed reviews conducted by the State Department and the Pentagon, which the White House said would be transmitted privately to Congress on Thursday, were highly classified and would not be released publicly.
Read the summary in its entirety.
Second news item
There are troubling reports of threats against the Manhattan district attorney and the judge in the Donald Trump case.
Since Trump’s arraignment, a law enforcement source tells CBS News Judge Juan Merchan was threatened on social media. Police are investigating.
A second law enforcement source says death threats against DA Alvin Bragg and his Trump prosecutors have also increased.
If you recall, Trump raged about Judge Merchan and his family before and after his arraignment. The former president also warned of death and destruction if charges were brought against him. And there was the baseball bat/Bragg image as well.
Also, there questions have been raised about Judge Merchan’s impartiality, given that he made a $35 contribution to Democratic candidates via the Democratic fundraising platform, ActBlue. This includes a $15 donation to Joe Biden.
“While the amounts here are minimal, it’s surprising that a sitting judge would make political donations of any size to a partisan candidate or cause,” said Elie Honig, a senior CNN legal analyst and former federal prosecutor…Stephen Gillers, a legal ethics professor at New York University, said that New York, like most US jurisdictions, has adopted language from the American Bar Association Model Code of Judicial Conduct, which prohibits judges from “soliciting funds for, paying an assessment to, or making a contribution to a political organization or candidate.”
“The contribution to Biden and possibly the one to ‘Stop Republicans’ would be forbidden unless there is some other explanation that would allow them,” Gillers said.
But Gillers said that the donation “would be viewed as trivial, especially given the small sums.” He said if a complaint was made, the state’s Commission on Judicial Conduct would remind the judge of the rules.
Asked if this could be grounds for a legal challenge or recusal, Gillers said, “Absolutely not. This does not come anywhere near the kind of proof required for recusal.”
Third news item
Republican lawmakers expel Democratic members who protested mass shootings on the House floor one week after an attack left three children and three adults dead in a Nashville school:
Republican lawmakers in Tennessee voted on Thursday to expel two Democratic legislators who joined a protest on the House floor last week after a deadly school shooting in Nashville. On March 30, protesters gathered at the State Capitol, and Democratic Reps. Justin Jones, Gloria Johnson and Justin Pearson led a chant of “power to the people” from the House floor…[L]awmakers first voted 72-25 to expel Jones, 27, one of the youngest members of the legislature. The resolution to expel Johnson failed by one vote, 65 to 30. But Pearson, 28, was also expelled, in a 69-26 vote. The GOP supermajority had accused the representatives of breaking house rules on conduct and decorum.
Johnson suggested that she was spared expulsion because she is White. Pearson and Jones are Black.
It’s puzzling that expulsion was the go-to consequence, given that it has so rarely happened, and when it has, it has been for considerably more disturbing issues. Why not censure the members instead?
In General Assembly history, a partisan expulsion vote like Thursday’s is unusual, and an expulsion push over a decorum breach is unprecedented…The House last expelled a sitting lawmaker in 2016, when the chamber voted 70-2 to remove then-Rep. Jeremy Durham, R-Franklin, over allegations he had harassed nearly two dozen women while in office. In 1980, then-Rep. Robert Fisher was expelled on a 92-1 vote after a bribery conviction…Six lawmakers were ousted during an 1866 special session after they tried to prevent Tennessee from ratifying an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to provide citizenship to former slaves.
Note that the protesters felt that the newly-voted on laws didn’t go far enough:
Several votes took place ahead of the vote to expel the legislators. Those votes were on bills including HB322, to harden schools with locked doors and drills, which was passed 95 to 4, with the “Tennessee Three” and one other Democrat voting no. House Bill 1051, which would expand mental health benefits across the state, passed with 97 yeas and no nay votes. The House also passed bills to increase school security and an amendment that would implement a mobile panic alert system that would allow first responders to communicate in real time was also voted on.
Here is David French, with whom I agree:
This is exactly the kind of performative, punitive action that thrills the base but hurts the GOP. The expelled legislators will likely be back, soon, with higher profiles and a longer reach. The GOP will have acted unjustly without deterring or intimidating anyone. /2
— David French (@DavidAFrench) April 7, 2023
It's particularly sad to see this moment in the aftermath of Covenant. There are serious proposals (like red flag laws, which have long enjoyed bipartisan support) that can help save lives. That's a priority that should trump flexing for the base. /end
— David French (@DavidAFrench) April 7, 2023
So, why would Tennessee Republicans jump to expulsion rather than the more reasonable and fitting consquence of a censure? Especially since the shooting had taken place only days before and at least one parent who lost their child in the attack was in the crowd? Was going hard after the three legislators more important than acknowldging the pain of a community and the loved ones of those left behind? Why would Republicans go this route? Well, Allahpundit has the goods on that:
That ain’t January 6. No cops were beaten, no threats to hang the presiding officers were heard, and no attempts to thwart the peaceful transfer of power were made. House Speaker Cameron Sexton tried to spin what happened as “at least equivalent” to the insurrection but that only proves my point about both-sides-ism and bad faith…Following the chaos in Tennessee, House Republicans decided something must be done about the three Democrats who broke the rules to inflame the protest. For Justin Jones in particular, punishment would be a lifetime achievement award of sorts given that he’s been disrupting business at the Capitol since before he worked there….Expulsions are rare, however, and should be….I wouldn’t say the Republican base wants to lose but I think it’s possible they’ve grown indifferent to losing. If right-wing populism is a cultural tribal identity more so than a political program, sticking with your tribal leader and your stance on abortion is a matter of being true to who you are. You would no sooner modify the tenets of your religious faith than you would the tenets of what you want from your political representatives. Maybe Tennessee’s Republicans sought the legislative death penalty for Jones and Pearson because it was the maximum lib-owning retaliatory option available and therefore had to be chosen as a matter of tribal identity, whether or not it was destined to backfire. Retaliation is a big part of what it means to be a Republican in the Trump era…It’s not that they thought expulsion was wise or justified, perhaps, it’s that they’re all prisoners of a red-state base that doesn’t care whether a policy is wise or justified so long as it inflicts some superficial pain on its enemies. There’s another way to view what happened on Thursday, not as a statement of tribal identity but as an assertion of dominance. The more insecure Republicans feel about their hold on power, the more harshly they try to reassert it. In Wisconsin they used extreme gerrymandering to build a huge legislative majority; Protasiewicz’s election has put that at risk, so here they are already weighing an extreme measure like impeachment to stop her. In Tennessee, Jones, Pearson, and Johnson chose to rebel at a moment when anti-gun sentiment was likely higher than usual because of the school shooting. Republican legislators might have felt obliged in the moment to send a message that the pro-gun majority will not yield to public pressure. Result: Another extreme measure, expulsion instead of censure.
At the end of the day, this, this, this:
There’s also the small matter of what motivated the March 30 protest. If ever there were a moment not to fault members too much for letting their passion about an issue get the best of them, the aftermath of children being slaughtered is it.
Fourth news item
The Education Department on Thursday unveiled its proposed rule on athletics eligibility that bolsters transgender students’ rights to play on sports teams — but includes some limitations.
The proposal would bar schools from adopting or enforcing policies that categorically ban transgender students from participating on teams consistent with their gender identity. But the Education Department also added the caveat that “in some instances, particularly in competitive high school and college athletic environments, some schools may adopt policies that limit transgender students’ participation.”
The rule is a rebuke to sweeping laws in at least 19 states that bar transgender women and girls from participating in sports consistent with their gender identity. Lawmakers in those states insist their laws are not meant to isolate transgender students, but to protect fair play in women’s sports.
Meanwhile, Kansas legislators overrode the governor’s third veto banning transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s sports teams. While the language is alleged to be vague in its enforcement, lawmakers are asssuring the public – and I can’t believe I’m saying this – that they don’t forsee “genital inspections” being necessary… Note that bills in Ohio (2022) and Florida (2021) also referred to “genital inspections” but were later removed after public opposition.
Fifth news item
This is sick: both because it’s a barbaric mockery of the Crucifixion, and because no living person on earth is going to accomplish what the Son of God did by hanging on a Cross. God doesn’t demand this from us. To the contrary, he demands that we receive his Grace and Mercy. Gruesome spectacles are just that:
Eight Filipinos were nailed to crosses to reenact Jesus Christ’s suffering in a gory Good Friday tradition that draws thousands of devotees and tourists to the Philippines despite being rejected by the Catholic church.
The real-life crucifixions in the farming village of San Pedro Cutud in Pampanga province north of Manila resumed after a three-year pause due to the coronavirus pandemic. About a dozen villagers registered but only eight men participated, including 62-year-old sign painter Ruben Enaje, who was nailed to a wooden cross for the 34th time in San Pedro Cutud.
Sixth news item
China has imposed sanctions on Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the United States, Hsiao Bi-khim, after the Taiwanese president visited House Speaker Kevin McCarthy this week. Replying to news of the sanctions, Hsiao tweeted: “Wow, the PRC just sanctioned me again, for the second time.” The sanctions bar Hsiao and her family from entering the Chinese mainland, as well as Hong Kong and Macau. Other U.S. entities involved in President Tsai Ing-wen’s time in the U.S. were also punished, including the Hudson Institute—which presented Tsai with an award in New York—and the Reagan Library, which hosted Tsai’s meeting with McCarthy in California.
Kudos to President Tasia Ing-wen for defying China with her acceptance of Kevin McCarthy’s invitation. China didn’t take kindly to the demonstration of a mutually supportive Taiwan and United States.
Seventh news item
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas on Friday defended luxury trips he has taken over decades, funded by real estate magnate and Republican donor Harlan Crow, saying he had been advised that he was not required to report this type of “personal hospitality” under federal rules.
In a statement, Thomas also said that he has always sought to comply with disclosure guidelines.
“Early in my tenure at the (Supreme) Court, I sought guidance from my colleagues and others in the judiciary, and was advised that this sort of personal hospitality from close personal friends, who did not have business before the Court, was not reportable,” Thomas said.
Citing new guidelines taking effect by the Judicial Conference responsible for financial disclosure requirements for the entire federal judiciary, Thomas added, “It is, of course, my intent to follow this guidance in the future.”
Eighth news item
Former President Donald J. Trump has told aides to hire Laura Loomer, a far-right and anti-Muslim activist with a history of expressing bigoted views, for a campaign role, according to four people familiar with the plans.
Mr. Trump met with Ms. Loomer recently and directed advisers to give her a role in support of his candidacy, two of the people familiar with the move said. It is unclear whether she would serve on his campaign or the main super PAC backing his presidential bid. On Tuesday, after Mr. Trump’s arraignment in Manhattan, Ms. Loomer attended the former president’s speech at Mar-a-Lago, his resort and residence in Palm Beach, Fla.
Ms. Loomer has not yet been hired, the people familiar with the discussions said. Some of Mr. Trump’s aides are said to have concerns that such a hire will cause a backlash, given her history of inflammatory statements and her embrace of the Republican Party’s fringes.
Reached by phone on Friday morning, Ms. Loomer said, “Out of respect for President Trump, I’m not going to comment on private conversations that I had with the president.”
“The president knows I have always been a Trump loyalist,” she added, “and that I’m committed to helping him win re-election in 2024. He likes me very much. And it’s a shame that he’s surrounded by some people that run to a publication that is notorious for attacking him in order to try to cut me at the knees instead of being loyal to President Trump and respecting their confidentiality…
Look, my guess is that this isn’t going to cause much of a backlash – at least with Trumper loyalists because they are in lockstep with Loomer. Many seem to view her as a martyr for the cause, and her bigotry, white nationalism, and conspiracy theorist ways resonate with both Trump and his supporters. Plus, she flatters the guy, so she’s in.
Have a lovely weekend!
–Dana
Hello.
Dana (1225fc) — 4/7/2023 @ 10:00 amIt seems like the punishment didn’t the “crime” in the TN legislature, including the unequal punishments between the white lady and two young black dudes for similar “crimes”. IMO, all three should’ve been equally sanctioned because they were out of line.
Question: Is there anything stopping Jones and Pearson from running for the seats they were expelled from in the special election?
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 4/7/2023 @ 10:30 am“It’s puzzling that expulsion was the go-to consequence, given that is has so rarely happened, and when it has, it has been for considerably more disturbing issues. Why not censure the members instead?”
I’m certain that if there would’ve been 3 Republican Reps using bullhorns to lead and further rile up the crowd on Jan 6, 2021, a censure would’ve followed, yes?
Colonel Haiku (13427a) — 4/7/2023 @ 10:58 amAll 3 should’ve been kicked out. No excuse to spare the overweight white woman, just because she didn’t use a bullhorn.
Colonel Haiku (13427a) — 4/7/2023 @ 11:00 amif there had been 3 Republican…
Colonel Haiku (13427a) — 4/7/2023 @ 11:02 amYikes:
You can read the reports on these specific events at the link.
Dana (1225fc) — 4/7/2023 @ 11:06 am8 months of a Biden Administration with its hands tied? What utter horseschit.
Colonel Haiku (13427a) — 4/7/2023 @ 11:06 am3,
You are not making the point you think you are.
Dana (1225fc) — 4/7/2023 @ 11:08 amJust as Obama tried to push all blame onto Bush, so does Dementia Joe try to do same with Trump.
Colonel Haiku (13427a) — 4/7/2023 @ 11:08 am8… oh, I think I did…
Colonel Haiku (13427a) — 4/7/2023 @ 11:09 amRe the fifth item, the biggest turnoff about Good Friday processions held in certain Latino neighborhoods in Chicago like Pilsen and Cicero was they tended to draw gangbangers along the route I wonder actual through-skin nailing to wood was happening in those as well. I was content merely to tour multiple churches in a single afternoon and do the stations.
urbanleftbehind (6cac58) — 4/7/2023 @ 11:14 am“I suspect that if there really were no plans, that’s because the generals and senior snivel servants at the Pentagon were confident that they could convince the new Admin to postpone the withdrawal essentially indefinitely.
Of course, if they had paid attention to Biden during the Obama Admin (I know, who did, right? But stick with me), they would have known that he’s been very pro-GTFO for a long time. So this was one of the few areas where Trump and Biden were essentially on the same page. But after almost two decades of “managing” Bush and Obama, they were pretty sure that Trump was just a weird aberration, and they’d be able to manage Joe “Return to Normalcy” Biden just fine.
Whoops.
Another miscalculation for a Pentagon that’s made far too many miscalculations lately.”
Colonel Haiku (13427a) — 4/7/2023 @ 11:15 amI remember the media and others giving Biden a pass on his disastrous withdrawal… they said Biden was just following Trump’s plan, he had no other choice.
Now the story we’re being told is that it’s not Biden’s fault because Trump didn’t have a plan?
Colonel Haiku (13427a) — 4/7/2023 @ 11:24 amSo, some people invaded the TN legislature, demanding that the GOP super-majority pass gun-control laws, and 2 Democrat legislators who persisted in that, um, interruption of business (with bullhorns!) were ejected. The press is all up in arms over the “overreaction.” After all, children’s lives were at stake.
Consider what would happen to anti-abortion demonstrators and allied assemblymen who cause the same kind of invasion and disruption of the California State Assembly. The press would be hollering for imprisonment and expulsion. Babies lives would not be a concern.
TN voters have given 75 of 99 House seats (and 27 of 33 Senate seats) to the Republicans. Assertions that TN voters want gun control or much else of the Democrat agenda are weak. The CA GOP has more power than this.
The invasion and interruptions of the TN House demonstrated an inability to accept the voter’s choices and the same sort of election denial that the Trumpies are accused of.
To hell with them.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/7/2023 @ 11:25 am@3. Blame Bragg. This ‘tit-fot-tat’ stuff between parties is going to surface at all levels of government now.
DCSCA (3999e1) — 4/7/2023 @ 11:34 amIt must suck to be a landlord in Los Angeles, where the mayor is extending the Covid emergency regarding renters.
https://mailchi.mp/lamayor.org/happy-new-year-o4pvm28y9b-184182
And there’s more, including advice on how to fight evictions. RtWT.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/7/2023 @ 11:37 amFrom David French:
Here is the exchange to which French is referring.
I think French is right on a few levels: the expulsion is performative and clearly partisan. Why not censure the legislators for breaking decorum? Do they have previous complaints of misbehavior on the floor? If not, then I think censuring them would have sent the correct message. Also, the GOP only elevated these legislators’ profiles with the public. They will indeed be back in the office and I suspect, with that much more support. The actions also only served to inflame and further motivate the Tennesseans who want to see action other than what has been presented concerning guns. That cause just got a huge boost, thanks to the GOP.
Ah:
Dana (1225fc) — 4/7/2023 @ 11:38 amI think that Justice Thomas may have caused himself some problems, but I also think that the Democrats and their Press arm intend to attack any conservative justice they can, with the idea of coercing a resignation while the Democrats hold the WH and Senate.
Every time I hear a Senator bleat about someone’s “ethics” I hear a thief complaining about safes.
I do hope that Thomas takes the next GOP administration as an opportunity to hang them up, rather than do a Ginsberg (or Scalia) and die on a Democrat watch.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/7/2023 @ 11:43 amFrom the GOP sponsored documentary on his life:
“I prefer the RV parks. I prefer the Walmart parking lots to the beaches and things like that. There’s something normal to me about it,” Thomas said. “I come from regular stock, and I prefer that — I prefer being around that.”
Just another lying, government bureaucrat.
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/supreme-court-justice-clarence-thomas-153855948.html
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/04/clarence-thomas-luxury-vacations-walmart-parking-lot.html
How that search for the leaker going, Clarence?
DCSCA (3999e1) — 4/7/2023 @ 11:44 amRe: the TN expulsion.
To me, expulsion was too light. All 3 should’ve faced charges for willingly obstructing an official proceeding.
Re: disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan.
I still say that this was impeachment worthy.
Re: the threats to Judge Merchan and his family.
They should be met with full force of the law and prosecuted with the same fervor as the J6 prosecution.
Re: Kansas legislators overrode the governor’s third veto.
Maybe this was an age thing, but prior to engage in school sports I had to go through the physical examination of penis/balls and do the “cough test”. Is that the same as then “genital inspections”?? Do they just don’t do that now?
Re: Laura Loomer.
whembly (d116f3) — 4/7/2023 @ 11:48 amShe’s a bigoted clown and exemplifies the poor personnel Trump surrounds himself. I hope this stuff resonate with primary voters to choosing a not-Trump candidate.
Re Fifth News Item:
Rip Murdock (740542) — 4/7/2023 @ 11:53 amIn response to not being expelled, Representative Johnson said: “[I]t might have to do with the color of our skin.” It also might be for mot using a bullhorn as the others did, something the press seems unwilling to report.
https://www.newschannel5.com/news/bullhorn-in-hand-freshmen-lawmakers-could-face-sanctions-after-disrupting-tennessee-house-floor-session (with video)
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/7/2023 @ 11:53 amI really miss the preview feature.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/7/2023 @ 11:54 amWhere French goes, the best bet is to go in the opposite direction. IMO.
Colonel Haiku (13427a) — 4/7/2023 @ 11:56 amwhite evangelical penchant to believe that they are a persecuted minority
Some places they are. Like Maine, where their schools are required to accept moral instruction about gays, transsexuals, etc, in order to participate in this state voucher system. This mere months after the US Supreme Court ruled that in could not be denied based on religious instruction. Now the state is mandating the teaching of anti-Christian secular morality to continue their discrimination.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/7/2023 @ 11:59 amMAGA Jesus is not dead. He is rising in the polls and may be impossible for any Republican to beat.
I see that DeSantis is approaching his come-to-Jesus moment.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/7/2023 @ 12:01 pmTrump Civil Litigation Watch:
Rip Murdock (740542) — 4/7/2023 @ 12:08 pmRIP Craig Breedlove
Colonel Haiku (13427a) — 4/7/2023 @ 12:10 pmNot sure why you feel now is the wrong time for DeSantis to run. If he doesn’t, do you expect his supporters to coalesce around a single candidate (who?) or spread among the other ten minor candidates?
IMO, if DeSantis doesn’t run, it will be an easy Trump victory.
Rip Murdock (740542) — 4/7/2023 @ 12:16 pmYou say the same thing about judges. They’re no angels.
Rip Murdock (740542) — 4/7/2023 @ 12:29 pmRanting about Jan 6th, but turning a blind eye to the insurrection in Nashville? These are your rules. Own them.
NJRob (67ae9c) — 4/7/2023 @ 12:31 pmNot sure how I feel about this. The guy is an asshat, but criminalizing speech, even if it’s to mislead stupid voters, is a problem to me. If misleading voters is now a crime, how does MSNBC or Fox get away with it?
I think he could have been sued for repeated trademark infringement by Hillary’s campaign, but 10 years in prison for telling people to “text in their vote” seems a bit much. The charge (“Conspiracy against Rights”) is so vague that one wonders what the boundaries are.
https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/social-media-influencer-douglass-mackey-convicted-election-interference-2016
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/7/2023 @ 12:34 pmDavid French always supports the left. No surprise he offers yet another excuse and defense of their evil behavior.
May he rot.
NJRob (67ae9c) — 4/7/2023 @ 12:38 pmKevin M,
There’s also the selective prosectuon issue as well as failing to show harm when it comes to Mackey’s memes.
Further, it’s clearly political speech and a historical tradition of mocking your political adversaries.
Then you had the Clinton witch again whining that she lost due to these memes claiming her coronation was stolen yet again.
NJRob (67ae9c) — 4/7/2023 @ 12:44 pmIndictment
Rip Murdock (740542) — 4/7/2023 @ 12:45 pm@17 the expulsion is performative and clearly partisan
it was just an expulsion
if it was a performative and clearly partisan indictment, that would be much much worse
so glad we’re calling that sort of stuff out in an evenhanded manner
JF (21bde2) — 4/7/2023 @ 12:51 pmSadly, he’s right.
Rip Murdock (740542) — 4/7/2023 @ 12:59 pmMore Good Second Amendment News:
Rip Murdock (740542) — 4/7/2023 @ 1:10 pmjustice thomas hey my grift isn’t illegal!
asset (fda796) — 4/7/2023 @ 1:20 pmExpelling two black legislators in tennessee for protesting assault weapons killing school children and not white woman is racist. Democrat party and black community will they this go unavenged? Black athletes should boycott the state along with other boycotts by corporations and federal government.
asset (fda796) — 4/7/2023 @ 1:25 pmJan. 6 rioter who said he was following Trump’s ‘marching orders’ and wanted to arrest Biden and Pelosi is found guilty
Another rioter who confirms Trump as instigator. Hopefully some of them will testify at Trump’s trial.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/7/2023 @ 2:05 pmI find it a bit of a conflict in messaging when people who support the “right” to kill children in the womb (in the millions) get all up set when the Right to Keep and Bear arms leads to a handful of people dying (not just children — are they asserting that killing adults is OK?).
Among other things, they have no way of (or interest in) counting those saved by people with guns, and not just by firing them. Next we’ll hear demands to disarm the police since sometimes they shoot someone they shouldn’t have.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/7/2023 @ 2:11 pmExpelling two black legislators in tennessee for protesting assault weapons killing school children and not white woman is racist.
The two expelled used a bullhorn in the legislative chamber, the white woman did not. She should be censured though for slandering the 7 representatives who took her side.
The invasion of the chambers, and the later demonstration by the 3 legislators, was an act of election denial. Why do you support election denial, asset?
Oh, wait, I know. Anything done by your side, including putting opponents in camps, is OK. Anything done by the other side, including speech you don’t like, is criminal. Got it.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/7/2023 @ 2:16 pmjustice thomas hey my grift isn’t illegal!
It was ill-considered, but not illegal at the time he did it. I’m going to bet that black men aren’t upset with him, just like they were supportive when Anita Hill lied about him.
Black men have a history of being treated badly about their sex life. There’s a reason that Thomas called it a lynching.
I expect a lot of white people will be aghast at these revelations, just as they are aghast at many things black people do. It’s funny the difference between how asset views Justice Thomas and how he views the TN legislators with bullhorns.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/7/2023 @ 2:21 pmConspiracy against rights (18 USC 241):
(Ellipses by Wikipedia)
I can see how speech might intimidate or threaten, but “play for fools” is not that. He will win his appeal, but the process is the punishment.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/7/2023 @ 2:31 pm@29. DeSantis is an indecisive lightweight w/weak judgment. Defeating changeling Charlie Crist is nothing to brag about. So far, he has punched down to an idiot questionnaire from a TV opinion talk show host; an entertainer; Hommina-hommina’d on Ukraine:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK9odsWwfIo
…and was outsmarted by a Mickey Mouse outfit in his own state:
DeSantis threatens new taxes, tolls targeting Disney as feud escalates: ‘We’re going to win’ -NYPost.com
Tensions reignited after DeSantis’ hand-picked board officials discovered that Disney had secured approval on the 30-year development deal from members of the old board on Feb. 8 – just one day before Florida lawmakers approved the bill establishing the new oversight committee.
Battling a fantasy land known as ‘the happiest place on Earth’ spawned by a cartoon character ain’t like waging war w/real world Xi and & Vlad. They’ll eat his lunch.
DCSCA (67f252) — 4/7/2023 @ 2:32 pm@ DCSCA (67f252) — 4/7/2023 @ 2:32 pm
– He crushed CRT in schools
– Killed wokeism in FL
– Denied woke banks FL state biz
– Destroyed Fauci’s narrative
– Presided over a $24 billion budget surplus
– Signed Constitutional Carry
– Secured FL’s elections
– Posts conservative wins daily
– And the list goes on…
But sure, DCSCA, DeSantis is a lightweight. Sure.
whembly (d116f3) — 4/7/2023 @ 2:44 pmThe tentative settlement for the Sutherland Springs victims is for $144.5 million.
Rip Murdock (740542) — 4/7/2023 @ 3:06 pmBelief and proof are two different things.
Rip Murdock (740542) — 4/7/2023 @ 3:11 pmThis is where a DC jury is to Trump’s advantage: “I wouldn’t do nothing that Trump told me to. That [witness] is [intellectually handicapped].”
nk (49b610) — 4/7/2023 @ 3:36 pm@47. And got outsmarted by a Mickey Mouse outfit… and a TV talk show host.
He’s a lightweight; indecisive— and fast becoming another ‘Hamlet on the Hudson.’ Florida ain’t America, W.
… and Putin smiled, as Xi ballooned w/a grin
DCSCA (d418f5) — 4/7/2023 @ 3:38 pmActually, yeah, no. It’s not a defense that the person you persuaded to commit a crime is of diminished mental capacity. Just the opposite. It’s a factor in aggravation.
nk (49b610) — 4/7/2023 @ 3:40 pmThat expulsion of the two Tennessee legislators reminds me of a famous (and profoundly cynical) quote: “C’est pire qu’un crime, c’est une faute”.
(According to my quick search, it’s not clear who said it, though it is often wrongly ascribed to Talleyrand.)
Jim Miller (0e46f9) — 4/7/2023 @ 3:42 pmDana, I just read the summary on Biden’s botched withdrawal, and it’s a political arse-covering document.
Biden didn’t have to abide by Trump’s surrender agreement, because it was negotiated with terrorists and the Afghan govt was kept out of the process. If he was so gonzo about getting out, then he should have planned it in a way that didn’t cause a governmental collapse so damn quickly. But no, he wanted something to happen by arbitrary anniversary date and he rushed it, not unlike how Obama cut-and-ran from Iraq.
What made it worse was how bad actors like Putin saw this brain damage as a sign of Biden’s weakness, and I have no doubt that Putin saw this war fatigue from us as an opportunity for him.
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 4/7/2023 @ 3:44 pmBiden should have been impeached for the murder of our troops at the Kabul airport, and he the entire chain of command should be tried as war criminals for the retaliatory drone strike on the innocent Afghani family.
nk (49b610) — 4/7/2023 @ 3:58 pmAs for the Tennessee expulsion, the legislature did the right thing. Democracy is supposed to be orderly. A State Assembly session is not a BLM march.
And Fox News does not need to lie to its viewers all the time. The visitors did not invade the chamber floor. They were shouting from the visitors galleries. Only Bull, Horn, and Moo were on the floor, at the podium, leading them on.
nk (49b610) — 4/7/2023 @ 4:06 pmI’ve added to the post regarding the expulsion of the three legislators. My update includes David French’s thread about the event, and an excerpt of Allahpundit’s excellent observations, which you can read in full here.
Dana (1225fc) — 4/7/2023 @ 4:29 pmBy expelling the two members, all the Republicans did was to create martyrs.
Rip Murdock (740542) — 4/7/2023 @ 4:33 pmWhere does it say that? I guess you haven’t been to many city or town council meetings. It can get pretty raucous.
Rip Murdock (740542) — 4/7/2023 @ 4:37 pmGood comment, Paul @55, all of it.
Biden had input into this summary, so take it for what it’s worth. He wouldn’t be a politician if he wasn’t busy trying to cover his ass. I’ would like to read a summary from a not-Biden-friendly outfit. One that is more concerned with accuracy, rather than flattery.
Dana (1225fc) — 4/7/2023 @ 4:39 pmWhere does it say that?
Oh, I dunno, Rip. The election laws? The parliamentary rules? The constitutions and charters? The disorderly conduct statutes? The anti-noise pollution statutes? It’s written on the subway walls? In tenement halls?
nk (49b610) — 4/7/2023 @ 4:58 pmDemocracy doesn’t have to be orderly, but legislative sessions normally do, else why have sergeants-at-arms? The process is messy enough as it is, so hijacking a convened session with screaming and bullhorns is way out of line.
I think AllahNick had it right. Expulsion was an unnecessary nuclear option that only made Justin Jones a rising political star. Stripping committee assignments (which I think they did), levying fines and other sanctions should’ve been done first.
Nick’s other theme, which carried over from his previous post, is that maybe batsh-t was enough before Dobbs, but batsh-t and abortion bans (especially in battleground states) and power politics like in TN are unlikely to carry the day in 2024.
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 4/7/2023 @ 5:44 pmDana (1225fc) — 4/7/2023 @ 4:29 pm
Sock Puppet Nick: “That was the House GOP’s first error. If you’re going to use the legislative death penalty, you had better first consider the relative severity of the many ethical offenses in the past that weren’t punished with execution.”
LOL folks here won’t like you calling out Alvin Bragg like that, Mr. Nick
JF (4be2c7) — 4/7/2023 @ 5:51 pmPaul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 4/7/2023 @ 5:44 pm
so much for muh principles
JF (4be2c7) — 4/7/2023 @ 5:53 pm*Yawn*
Dana (1225fc) — 4/7/2023 @ 5:53 pmProPublica has responded to Thomas’ response.
I think an argument can be made about a yacht because it can be construed as a “home”. My neighbor lives most of the year on his 55-foot yacht, for example. But gratis flights on private jets? No.
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 4/7/2023 @ 5:59 pmSo, uh, not going for the nuclear option is a sacrifice of principles? Sure, JF, whatever.
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 4/7/2023 @ 6:00 pm@60. ‘Democracy is supposed to be orderly…’ Where does it say that?
The Royalist’s Handbook
DCSCA (d418f5) — 4/7/2023 @ 6:01 pmBTW, I wasn’t calling for sacrificing principles, I was supporting the sacrificing of the batsh-t in my party, embodied by Trump and his taint.
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 4/7/2023 @ 6:04 pmA federal judge in Texas has (in effect) ordered the withdrawal of RU-486 pending trial, saying that the plaintiffs are likely to succeed in their lawsuit claiming that the 2000 approval was illegal.
On the same day, a federal judge in Texas has ordered there be no change in the availability of RU-486 pending the outcome of a *different* trial.
The FDA cannot comply with both orders, quite clearly.
Presumably there will be an early race to the Supreme Court.
TX decision: https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/legaldocs/myvmojgodvr/ND%20Texas%20Abortion%20Pill%20Ruling%202023-04-07.pdf
WA decision: https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.waed.102225/gov.uscourts.waed.102225.80.0.pdf
aphrae (4c4719) — 4/7/2023 @ 6:13 pmTypical leftism calling for Republicans to sell out to leftist principles because…
NJRob (eb56c3) — 4/7/2023 @ 6:26 pmThe Tennessee House reportedly failed to expel a member who admitted to abusing teenage girls when he was their basketball coach.
Rip Murdock (740542) — 4/7/2023 @ 6:32 pmThe tyrant’s power ends with his death and the martyr’s power begins with his. Posters say I am crying about their expulsion. No! That would make me a phony and a hypocrite. I am ecstatic! An eye for an eye lets go tit for tat!
asset (819d48) — 4/7/2023 @ 6:33 pmTypical leftism calling for Republicans to sell out to leftist principles because…
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 4/7/2023 @ 6:37 pmYou said it, that batsh-t like Trump represents “leftist principles”.
As I can tell there a no criminal penalties for failing to file required reports, just fines.
Rip Murdock (740542) — 4/7/2023 @ 6:39 pm2022 Civil Monetary Penalties Inflation Adjustments for Ethics in Government Act Violations
Rip Murdock (740542) — 4/7/2023 @ 6:41 pm72… Byrd should’ve resigned, just as these three reps should’ve, if they were true to their principles and their office.
Colonel Haiku (67fc86) — 4/7/2023 @ 6:57 pmTrue, and it’s not an impeachable offense, IMO.
When/if Bezos and Soros start offering junkets to Sotomayor, Kagan and Jackson via private jets and yachts and, importantly, do not report such travel, then Thomas’ defenders for the same acts can’t argue.
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 4/7/2023 @ 6:57 pmThe Biden Administration acts like Trump tied their hands on Afghanistan due to binding agreements. As if binding agreements ever matter to either party. A real leader would look at bad agreements with a unsavory group and say sorry, new sheriff in town
steveg (d930cf) — 4/7/2023 @ 7:16 pmThe tyrant’s power ends with his death and the martyr’s power begins with his.
And he gets 72 virgins, too, I understand.
nk (49b610) — 4/7/2023 @ 7:22 pmRussian Media Watch, Viktor Bout Advice Edition:
……….
The threat against Trump’s life, Bout suggested, is not from an assassin or some unknown plot against him. Instead, he said, it comes from Trump’s own government…….
“The legal process which has now begun in New York won’t just end in Donald Trump being convicted and barred from the [2024] election,” Bout said on the Russia-24 news channel.
Most likely he will simply be eliminated there,” he continued. “Therefore, I think it’s in the best interests of all of humanity and primarily all of the American people to invite Donald Trump here, to Russia, to give him security and protection here so that he leads this uprising against the globalists and, most importantly, does not allow the elimination of the American people.”
Newsweek reached out by email to the Trump presidential campaign for comment.
…………
Trump should take his advice.
Rip Murdock (740542) — 4/7/2023 @ 7:25 pmHeh…
https://www.propublica.org/search?qss=jeffrey+epstein
Colonel Haiku (67fc86) — 4/7/2023 @ 8:37 pmBelief and proof are two different things.
Rip Murdock (740542) — 4/7/2023 @ 3:11 pm
“So, Fool, did Trump incite you?”
“Yes”
I’m not sure how your prove incitement — I don’t think there’s an objective test. Besides, you just have to convince a jury. Their “belief” is all the proof you need.
Kevin M (c8c8c7) — 4/7/2023 @ 9:11 pmThat expulsion of the two Tennessee legislators reminds me of a famous (and profoundly cynical) quote: “C’est pire qu’un crime, c’est une faute”.
Why it would remind you of that, and not “if you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime” I don’t know.
For a representative to haul out a megaphone and lead the gallery in chants that make business impossible — in a state where his party has less that 1/4 of the votes in the legislature — is beyond stupid. Which brings up the famous Latin dictim “Stulta facite, stultorum praemia vincite”
Kevin M (c8c8c7) — 4/7/2023 @ 9:22 pmBy expelling the two members, all the Republicans did was to create martyrs.
I am willing to bet that no one will again use a megaphone to rally protesters during a legislative session in Tennessee.
Their whole defense was whaddabouts.
Kevin M (c8c8c7) — 4/7/2023 @ 9:24 pmIt is interesting to see that the Caspar Milquetoast brigade of “let’s not use harsh words” soi disant Republicans are shocked here. This reaction is how Trump wins.
Kevin M (c8c8c7) — 4/7/2023 @ 9:28 pmAgain, if it had been Operation Rescue in the gallery and 3 GOP representatives from the inland counties with bullhorns protesting the failure to limit the slaughter of unborn children, they could have been expelled and sent to prison and the same people would be calling it just.
Kevin M (c8c8c7) — 4/7/2023 @ 9:35 pmbut batsh-t and abortion bans (especially in battleground states) and power politics like in TN are unlikely to carry the day in 2024.
Why the list? It’s abortion bans and nothing else. And it is so stupid. They could pass abortion limitation rules and there would be enough leeway in them to avoid creating a cause.
It is one thing for a young woman to go to the polls rejecting a total ban on abortion, forcing her to bring a postulated rapist’s child to term, it is another thing to deal with a 15 week limit which isn’t anywhere near as terrible. Most women would think that they could abide by such.
Kevin M (c8c8c7) — 4/7/2023 @ 9:44 pmproperties that they or their family own.
Jets are not property?
Kevin M (c8c8c7) — 4/7/2023 @ 9:48 pmThe FDA cannot comply with both orders, quite clearly.
Presumably there will be an early race to the Supreme Court.
I think the 5th Circuit can deal with this by Monday.
Kevin M (c8c8c7) — 4/7/2023 @ 9:51 pmThe Tennessee House reportedly failed to expel a member who admitted to abusing teenage girls when he was their basketball coach.
Whaddaboutism
Kevin M (c8c8c7) — 4/7/2023 @ 9:53 pmhttps://legalinsurrection.com/2023/04/maine-mother-suing-school-for-allegedly-hiding-her-childs-gender-transition/
School officials need to be imprisoned. They are playing God with other’s children.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 4/8/2023 @ 3:27 amhttps://hotair.com/tree-hugging-sister/2023/04/07/their-only-default-is-violence-riley-gaines-attacked-trans-female-planning-school-shooting-arrested-n542306
Trans fanatics attack and hold a swimming star hostage because she publicly speaks out against the lie that you can change your sex.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 4/8/2023 @ 4:05 amBiden has invited Bull, Horn, and Hag to the White House. https://nypost.com/2023/04/07/biden-invites-tennessee-three-to-the-white-house/
I don’t want to hear another word about Jan. 6. Not from nobody, not ever.
nk (c8fb2b) — 4/8/2023 @ 4:39 amThey are f***ing playing us.
nk (c8fb2b) — 4/8/2023 @ 4:57 amConflating a loud protest with Jan 6 is deeply dishonest. There have been countless protests by both the right and left that were similar in scale, if not more extreme, to what happened in TN last week. (Google “anti covid lockdown protests” if you don’t believe me)
We never had hundreds of supporters of a failed presidential candidate violently assault the police and seize control of the US capital in order to prevent the peaceful transfer of power before Jan 6.
I understand why republicans embarrassed by the violence of the Jan 6 riot want to minimize it but equating it to other, less violent and criminal, expressions of political disobedience. But it minimizes your credibility to do so.
Time123 (f5a475) — 4/8/2023 @ 6:26 amThanks for the gaslighting Time.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 4/8/2023 @ 6:29 amReally? Gaetz, Gosar, and MTG took over the podium at the House of Representatives and incited visitors sitting in the gallery to shout down the session? Even Trump had the grace to give his speech at the Ellipse, a public place outside away from the Capitol.
And that’s not the point, anyway. The point is the other senile old buffoon inviting them to the White House, and his impeachment insurance having already gone down to lionize them.
nk (c8fb2b) — 4/8/2023 @ 6:38 amRob, A violent Trump supporter plead guilty assaulting 2 police officers with a bear spray and was sentenced to 6 year for assaulting 2 police officers on Jan 6. How many police officers were assaulted with bear spray (or any chemical weapons) by protesters in TN?
https://www.npr.org/2023/01/27/1152111889/khater-sentenced-prison-pepper-spraying-officers-jan-6
Time123 (f5a475) — 4/8/2023 @ 6:40 amWe see you, Time123. Save your disingenuousness for frosty.
The protesters in Tennessee stayed in the gallery. The three supposed members of the legislature took over the podium and the floor and incited them. Inside the chamber. That’s whom we’re talking about.
nk (c8fb2b) — 4/8/2023 @ 6:49 amI’m not defending the Dems from TN. I’m saying what they did, and that protest isn’t remotely similar to Jan 6.
Time123 (f5a475) — 4/8/2023 @ 6:56 amin the case of TN, you don’t need a partisan primetime committee to conjure a link to elected representatives
JF (e68188) — 4/8/2023 @ 7:17 amThere is some humor in the situation. The kids in the gallery wanted a gun ban, and they got a goon ban. Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk!
Spelling matters! Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk!
nk (c8fb2b) — 4/8/2023 @ 7:20 amBah! Trump had a chutzpah failure when he needed chutzpah the most. Stategerie failure too.
On January 7, he should have pardoned all the Jan. 6 rioters. And invited the organizers to Sunday dinner at the White House.
The difference between Scranton and Manhattan, professional politician and parvenu playboy.
nk (c8fb2b) — 4/8/2023 @ 7:45 amThere is a test:
See also Hess v. Indiana, 414 U.S. 105 (1973):
Rip Murdock (a78f1f) — 4/8/2023 @ 8:20 amFisher Statement of Facts.
Fisher has been charged with the following felonies:
And misdemeanors:
Rip Murdock (a78f1f) — 4/8/2023 @ 8:34 amThey are f***ing playing us.
This is simply performance art for the Left. To take it up another level, the GOP ought to fill Congress’ gallery with social warriors, then have MTG pull out a bullhorn and lead them in chants.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/8/2023 @ 8:36 amI understand why republicans embarrassed by the violence of the Jan 6 riot want to minimize it but equating it to other, less violent and criminal, expressions of political disobedience. But it minimizes your credibility to do so.
Similarly, the penalties meted out in TN were not 5 year prison terms. Yet the knee-jerk reaction from the center, based on ignorance of the actual situation and prodding from the “responsible” press, has been very much against the relatively minor punishment handed out.
And there ARE similarities: to interrupt a legislature where over 3/4ths of each house consists of your political opponents, to demand something the voters roundly rejected, is election denial just as extreme as that of the J6 participants. Sure, they didn’t attack police, but then there was no police presence there to stop them from demonstrating inside the Capitol building. It’s clear from the video that an attempt by police to remove them would have resulted in violence.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/8/2023 @ 8:50 amAs I’ve said, the divisiveness of Trump has been returned with interest by Biden and the activist Left. To the point where more reasonable people, like me, like nk, are finding the Koolaid too bitter to drink.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/8/2023 @ 8:55 amOn January 7, he should have pardoned all the Jan. 6 rioters. And invited the organizers to Sunday dinner at the White House.
I think that would have been a step over the line, and he would have been convicted.
I also think that for the 3 Tennessee legislators to participate in Biden’s inevitable attacks on the state of Tennessee will be sticking a thumb in the Legislature’s eye and they may just get themselves expelled again. All 3 this time.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/8/2023 @ 9:00 amEntering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds;
Disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds;Disorderly conduct in a Capitol building;
Parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.
Yes, there are similarities with TN. Suppose the state police used video to start charging all the participants. They won’t, because it would be mean.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/8/2023 @ 9:02 amchatopenai Elmer Fudd “Strawberry Fields Forever”…
“Wiv eyes cwosed, it’s easy to see, dat nuthin’ is weally what it seams,
No one I think is in my twree, I mean it must be high or low.
Dat is, ewther ow ow ow or below.
(A pause, as Fudd ponders)
“Stwawbewwies, wet’s go! Wet’s go, stwawbewwies, yeah!”
And with that, Fudd launches into the chorus:
“Stwawbewwy Fields Foweva,
Colonel Haiku (966bd2) — 4/8/2023 @ 9:20 amNuffin’ is weally weal,
And nuffin’ to get hung about,
Stwawbewwy Fields Foweva.”
It’s performance art for all. The banned representatives can be voted back in as early as next week. The “punishment” will end up being a couple of days off, a whole bunch of free media exposure, and now a trip to the White House. Putting on your long-game spectacles, is this a win or a loss for the GOP?
AJ_Liberty (489f6f) — 4/8/2023 @ 9:29 amThat assumes there are equivalent crimes in Tennessee. There could also have been legislative immunity from arrest. I have no idea.
Rip Murdock (a78f1f) — 4/8/2023 @ 9:31 amAJ hits it.
Rip Murdock (a78f1f) — 4/8/2023 @ 9:32 amIt’s a win for the GOP AJ as it highlights the left’s double standards for all to see ajd shows that the left protects their own rioters and agitators.
NJRob (da59a2) — 4/8/2023 @ 9:45 amElmer Fudd gets moderated!
Colonel Haiku (966bd2) — 4/8/2023 @ 9:53 amIf you believe that the Tennessee protest is equal to the Jan. 6 insurrection, then it goes to follow that you believe that the consequences faced by all parties involved in the two alike events are justified.
Dana (1225fc) — 4/8/2023 @ 9:53 am@111, Republicans would have mostly been fine with it because any other position would have had political costs.
Time123 (f5a475) — 4/8/2023 @ 10:03 amThe Tennessee legislature protests were hardly rioting, unlike those at the Capitol on January 6th or even the BLM protests. No buildings were damaged or destroyed, no police were beaten or pepper sprayed, and they didn’t threaten anyone with death.
Rip Murdock (a78f1f) — 4/8/2023 @ 10:07 am@114 I thought it wasn’t supposed to be about winning or losing, only muh principles
JF (8d94b3) — 4/8/2023 @ 10:09 amDana (1225fc) — 4/8/2023 @ 9:53 am
It’s not equal.
What was the J6 committee about?
JF (8d94b3) — 4/8/2023 @ 10:11 amThey also didn’t try to overturn a legitimate election.
Rip Murdock (a78f1f) — 4/8/2023 @ 10:13 amIt is my understanding that all the Representatives and Senators who opposed the vote certification on Jan. 6 showed it by voting against it when their names were called from the role.
If I missed something, and some did eject Pelosi or Pence from the podium, and used to bullhorns to incite protesters in the gallery to shout down and shut down the session, then they most certainly should be expelled. And also be indicted for assault and unlawful restraint.
nk (c8fb2b) — 4/8/2023 @ 10:13 am@122, I’m trying to speak in your language. Forgive me for not being better practiced.
Look, there was no violence. Yes, it was wrong and there should be consequences. The question is whether booting them and pissing off their liberal constituency so they simply get voted back in next week was the smartest way to resolve this. I think it gave the “own the liberals” base a momentary win, but overall, the optics sends a mixed message. Liberals are annoying disruptors whenever it comes to guns. Republicans don’t think things through.
Now the elephant in the room is the usual: what to do, if anything, about gun violence. There are probably modest things to do that should be done: red flag laws with due process, background checks for secondary markets, and better background checks. Most of this is irrelevant to mass shootings which are still statistically rare and are just harder nuts to crack. Yes, we may want to slow shooters down: no bump stocks, lower capacity magazines, and the paradox of trying to eliminate guns that novices can shoot quickly and accurately.
However, we know where all this goes. No where. It’s just one more thing to get loud and boisterous about. We have to actually want to sit in a room and compromise if we want to move forward…even peripherally. It’s why we can’t resolve immigration even on matters there is a clear consensus. It’s why we can’t improve the details of Obamacare because it’s radioactive. It’s also why abortion will continue to ping pong around state houses avoiding the happy middle. Both sides are to blame with making the environment toxic. I would like my side to stop saying, “hold my beer”.
AJ_Liberty (489f6f) — 4/8/2023 @ 10:30 amLet’s see if this helps:
nk (c8fb2b) — 4/8/2023 @ 10:32 amJohnson, Jones, and Pearson are like Jacob Chansley (the shaman).
Kamala Harris should not lionize them and Joe Biden should not invite them to the White House.
Bring Out the Popcorn:
Rip Murdock (a78f1f) — 4/8/2023 @ 10:45 amWhat to do about gun violence.
Ban leftists from owning guns.
Problem solved.
NJRob (da59a2) — 4/8/2023 @ 10:50 amSarcasm aside, of course, what occurred in Tennessee and what occurred at the US Capitol on Jan. 6 are *not* the same, and should not be conflated. It’s a ridiculous assertion, and one made just to score gotcha points. What Time123 said at 97.
Dana (1225fc) — 4/8/2023 @ 10:51 amRIP Martin Sheen
Colonel Haiku (966bd2) — 4/8/2023 @ 10:51 amThe problem is not guns, but a leftist culture that denigrates God, family and country in that order to destroy it from within.
NJRob (da59a2) — 4/8/2023 @ 10:52 amWhat happened in Tennessee was worse. It had government officials trying to use the mob to overturn the will of the people.
Jam 6th has plenty of innocents going to jail for parading and obstructing a governmental proceeding.
Give me a break on justice.
NJRob (da59a2) — 4/8/2023 @ 10:54 amJuvenile takes on gun violence seem to be all that the hard right has to offer. It mistakenly assumes that gun violence is only committed by leftists. With this viewpoint, I don’t see any way that there will be any headway made via compromise. What a comfort to the parents who have lost their children in school shootings.
Dana (1225fc) — 4/8/2023 @ 11:00 amDana (1225fc) — 4/8/2023 @ 10:51 am
not a single legislator rioted in J6
so yes, J6 and TN are not the same
JF (ba7287) — 4/8/2023 @ 11:03 amThere is very little that can accomplished to end gun violence without violating the Second Amendment. Bump stock and magazine capacity limits, and age limits above 18 for firearm possession, are clearly unconstitutional.
I would also argue it’s unconstitutional to ban possession of firearms beyond handguns, rifles, and shotguns. I would also question whether banning firearm possession by felons convicted of nonviolent crimes is constitutional. The felon who committed fraud isn’t the same threat to society as the felon who committed murder.
Gun violence is a fact of life in America.
Rip Murdock (a78f1f) — 4/8/2023 @ 11:05 am@134 was blaming Stefanik and republicans for the Buffalo shooting supposed to be a nuanced and mature take on gun violence?
did that provide comfort to the victims?
JF (ba7287) — 4/8/2023 @ 11:09 amSource?
Rip Murdock (8044e4) — 4/8/2023 @ 11:15 amHaven’t seen anything yet, either…Jed Bartlett perhaps?
urbanleftbehind (bc1716) — 4/8/2023 @ 11:19 amThis appears to be fake news, as there is nothing on the Internet about it.
Rip Murdock (a78f1f) — 4/8/2023 @ 11:24 amHaven’t heard much about this guy before. But based on this interview I’m interested in learning more. I’m not likely to be a hard core supporter but I could see voting for him in the republican primary.
Time123 (ae7b06) — 4/8/2023 @ 11:25 amhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/playbook-deep-dive/id1111319839?i=1000607834263
Here’s the interview.
Time123 (56e0f3) — 4/8/2023 @ 11:26 am@133, there’s the NJ Rob we know and love excusing violence without any evidence to back up his claims.
Time123 (56e0f3) — 4/8/2023 @ 11:29 amVivek is currently polling around 1%.
Rip Murdock (a78f1f) — 4/8/2023 @ 11:30 amAOCs statements that the Biden admin should ignore a court ruling the left dislikes is detestable.
Yet another example of how big government populist (in this case on the left) who want to scrap the rule of law when it limits their ability to accomplish their goals.
Time123 (56e0f3) — 4/8/2023 @ 11:42 am@144 they mentioned that in the interview. He’s clearly not a front runner.
Time123 (56e0f3) — 4/8/2023 @ 11:43 am140… https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gFkLs0WA1K0&t=83s
Colonel Haiku (966bd2) — 4/8/2023 @ 11:49 amOuch!
Related:
Rip Murdock (a78f1f) — 4/8/2023 @ 11:53 amYou a co-religionist of nk, Haiku? Didn’t know their calendar applied to nonreligious celebrations as well.
urbanleftbehind (bc1716) — 4/8/2023 @ 11:54 amDana, thanks for the discussion
The Mayor of gun-free London, England wanted to ban knives. I think this was part of an ongoing problem where the tool is first conflated with the actor and then the tool is redefined as the actor. It is a intellectually simplistic way of dealing with a complex human problem. Its easier to ban the tools than to figure out the humans, so we throw up our hands and deny everyone the tools.
The hard heartless but honest truth is that we should never stop fighting things like crime, violence, drunk driving, but humans will continue to do mean, negligent, homicidal, criminal BS and taking away means of protection for the people who don’t do mean, negligent, homicidal, criminal BS is a capitulation to the lowest common denominator masquerading as an equitable solution
steveg (d930cf) — 4/8/2023 @ 11:56 amVivek has reached his peak.
Rip Murdock (a78f1f) — 4/8/2023 @ 11:56 amMore from Axios:
Rip Murdock (a78f1f) — 4/8/2023 @ 12:00 pmAnd the Democrats smiled………
Rip Murdock (a78f1f) — 4/8/2023 @ 12:03 pmthere’s the NJ Rob we know and love excusing violence without any evidence to back up his claims.
Time123 (56e0f3) — 4/8/2023 @ 11:29 am
Rob’s comment was factually correct
what is lacking in evidence is your smear
JF (6f8c40) — 4/8/2023 @ 12:06 pmSomebody should trick Vivek into attending an assembly at Morton HS or Waukegan HS up here
urbanleftbehind (8120c3) — 4/8/2023 @ 12:11 pmThat assumes there are equivalent crimes in Tennessee. There could also have been legislative immunity from arrest. I have no idea.
If you bothered to watch the video I linked, you would see hundreds of protesters inside the Capitol building, with a few cops trying to keep a modicum of order. Everyone inside the building was guilty of the following:
Entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds
Disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds
Disorderly conduct in a Capitol building
Parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building
There are people being jailed in J6 for doing only these “crimes.” That they won’t have that happen in TN is just an expose of the heavy-handed federal response.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/8/2023 @ 12:19 pmThe “punishment” will end up being a couple of days off, a whole bunch of free media exposure, and now a trip to the White House.
Were I TN legislator, having some of my number go to DC and participate in further election denial and trashing the state and it’s ELECTED legislature, I’d expel the lot of them again and again.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/8/2023 @ 12:21 pmYou’re ignoring the 2nd Amendment as well as the actual destructive policies of the left that create these broken people. Then you appeal to the families of the dead as a shield.
Follow the law and prosecute the guilty instead of electing leftists that protect the guilty and afflict the innocent.
NJRob (da59a2) — 4/8/2023 @ 12:22 pmYou are a liar as usual. I spoke about those who behaved peaceably, but have been unjustly jailed by an abusive leftist government. You deliberately ignored my words and spoke about people behaving violently. You are dishonest and deceitful.
NJRob (da59a2) — 4/8/2023 @ 12:27 pmKevin cites my exact point in post #156.
NJRob (da59a2) — 4/8/2023 @ 12:29 pmIf you believe that the Tennessee protest is equal to the Jan. 6 insurrection, then it goes to follow that you believe that the consequences faced by all parties involved in the two alike events are justified.
Only one person said they were “equal” but there are some similarities to compare, and you should get off your high horse and examine them.
Painting everyone at J6 as if they had all tried to kill cops is, well, lying. There are people serving time in federal lockup for actions that are very similar to the folks who took over the TN Capitol. If you don’t believe that demonstrators did that, go look at the video.
Sure, you can argue that there is no video of them entering the legislative chamber, but 99% of the J6 folks stayed out of the legislative chambers, offices, etc. They are being jailed for standing in the rotunda.
I guarantee you that if MTG pulled the same bullhorn stunt in the US Capitol, the Democrats would all want her expelled. Luckily for her (and the rest of us) the Democrats don’t have 330 seats in the House. Unlucky for us, the GOP would probably vote against.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/8/2023 @ 12:30 pmIt mistakenly assumes that gun violence is only committed by leftists.
Almost all gun “violence” happens in defense of people by good guys with guns. It’s just not what the media wants to report.
And if we are going to talk about kids getting killed, how does one square that concern with support for abortion?
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/8/2023 @ 12:35 pm@159, can you name 3 innocent ppl from Jan 6 unjustly sentenced to jail?
Time123 (56e0f3) — 4/8/2023 @ 12:36 pmDonald Trump and Ron DeSantis were nowhere to be found at this year’s spring gathering of conservative activists and donors in Sea Island, Ga., setting the stage for a private audition before a well-heeled crowd still hankering for a third option in the 2024 presidential race.
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu spoke about choosing the right messenger, arguing that if you can’t win in 2024, you won’t get results in 2025. Former vice president Mike Pence brought up his prayerful consideration as he contemplates a run. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin disappointed some in attendance by steering clear of any suggestion he wanted to tease a coming campaign.
Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie captured the crowd’s attention at the American Enterprise Institute-sponsored summit by offering the bluntest pitch of all. He compared former president Trump to a member of the living dead, saying that a stake would have to be driven through his heart or he would keep coming back like a vampire, according to three people in the audience, a comment that stirred debate in the crowd about whether he was best-suited to take on Trump.
…………
…………(I)nterviews with nearly two dozen GOP donors, strategists and voters suggest the desire for a backup option has intensified amid questions about how the Florida governor would fare in a protracted battle against Trump and how he can distinguish himself from the former president without alienating Trump’s supporters. ………
………..
Some donors looking to move on from Trump have expressed disappointment that Youngkin has not made moves toward running. Donors are also curious about Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who won reelection last year despite Trump’s opposition in the primary, and Sununu, who will travel to Southern California later this week to meet with potential backers as he explores whether there is a path for him to win.
…………
Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina, has been vigorously courting donors since her entrance into the race earlier this year, emphasizing her extensive foreign policy experience as the former ambassador to the United Nations and stressing that she has always been underestimated dating back to her first run for the state House.
……….
………. (S)ome unaligned donors have been underwhelmed in recent meetings with DeSantis. ……..
…………
”Nikki Haley……. emphasizing her extensive foreign policy experience as the former ambassador to the United Nations……”
LOL! She punched her ticket for two years as UN Ambassador, doing her job of parroting the Administration’s policy positions. She was no Jeanne Kirkpatrick.
If you want foreign policy experience, look at Mike Pompeo.
Free link.
Rip Murdock (a78f1f) — 4/8/2023 @ 12:38 pmYou can’t. But you assert that it’s happening to minimize the Republicans violent riot.
Time123 (56e0f3) — 4/8/2023 @ 12:38 pmI live in a state where the government flipped in 2018 from GOP to Democrat. Mostly thanks to Trump’s deep unpopularity in a state where many Hispanics can trace their US citizenship back the the Mexican Session (more than 60 years before Trump’s grandparents came to America).
But I digress.
The point is that policies such as outlawing cash bail, DAs who declined to prosecute “property crimes”, and woke supervision of police agencies has left the major cities rife with crime. The governor’s solution is to try to ban guns.
For a state that does not even have gun registration and allows unpermitted open carry, this is a hard sell, even with the Democrats holding 64% of each legislative house. She wants to ban AR-15s and start gun registration next session. Whether that’s posturing or not, it’s an indication of the Democrat Party’s continued hatred of the middle class.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/8/2023 @ 12:51 pmTime,
You are making demands after lying and intentionally misstating my position. You are in no position to make demands of anyone.
NJRob (654ec0) — 4/8/2023 @ 12:54 pmRIP actress Judy Farrell (84). Played Nurse Able on MASH, later marrying actor Mike Farrell.
Rip Murdock (a78f1f) — 4/8/2023 @ 12:56 pmHere’s some data for those who want to discuss gun deaths:
(Link omitted.)
If data on this question is important to you, you may want to read the entire thing.
(I find the suicide numbers especially troubling, because I think they show widespread mental problems for many in our society. The widespread acceptance of medically assisted suicide, in parts of the US, and in some foreign nations is disturbing for the similar reasons.)
Jim Miller (0e46f9) — 4/8/2023 @ 1:04 pmRIP Benjamin B. Ferencz (103). Last surviving prosecutor from the Nuremberg War Crimes Tribunal.
Rip Murdock (a78f1f) — 4/8/2023 @ 1:06 pmSource?
Dana (1225fc) — 4/8/2023 @ 1:12 pmcan you name 3 innocent ppl from Jan 6 unjustly sentenced to jail?
Time123 (56e0f3) — 4/8/2023 @ 12:36 pm
that’s not what he said
many went to jail despite being innocent
JF (6f8c40) — 4/8/2023 @ 1:22 pm@167, as I said, baseless claims used to justify and minimize political violence. Also, you keep calling me a liar, but you never point out any assertion I’ve made that are incorrect.
Time123 (56e0f3) — 4/8/2023 @ 1:27 pmJF, Ppl found innocent aren’t sentenced to jail time….how do you not know that?
Time123 (56e0f3) — 4/8/2023 @ 1:28 pm@159, can you name 3 innocent ppl from Jan 6 unjustly sentenced to jail?
And again, I did not say that. I said that the same crimes were committed in TN as some of those being arrested, arraigned, tried and convicted in DC. Please take the time to read that last sentence. The fact that they did not all receive jail time (outside of processing) is immaterial. The real punishment is their future life prospects.
As for 3 unjustly sentenced (using the TN case as baseline), here’s 5 (from Wikipedia)
Robert Ballesteros
Richard Franklin Barnard III
Boyd Allen Camper
Sean Carlo Cordon
Gracyn Dawn Courtright
Now, all of these people committed misdemeanors, so I don’t call them “innocent” but the protesters who invaded the TN Capitol committed similar offenses and not a single one of them will be charged with anything.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/8/2023 @ 1:31 pmTime123 (56e0f3) — 4/8/2023 @ 1:28 pm
he was arrested, jailed, put on trial, and found not guilty
fyi he also lost his job, and probably won’t find another one
NJRob mentioned nothing about being sentenced. You added that, cuz as has already been noted you’re disingenuous out of habit
let’s hope frosty gets out of moderation
JF (6f8c40) — 4/8/2023 @ 1:35 pm@161, pathetic comment Kevin. Dana deserves better. If you don’t see the difference between HOURS of violence and disrupting the counting of electoral votes (with the goal of delaying the peaceful transfer of power) and what went on in TN…which was non-violent and disrupted little of significance, then I recommend reviewing the footage from January 6th.
AJ_Liberty (5f05c3) — 4/8/2023 @ 1:36 pmKevin, my remark was addressed at Rob, I wasn’t trying to imply you had said that. Sorry about the confusion.
Looks like half the ppl you listed were left off with a fine and supervision. The ones that got custodial time
Committed theft or accepted the time as part of a plea deal. His charges included disorderly conduct so I assume he did more then just wander around.
Seems like a fair outcome to me on the part of federal justice system.
If the GOP controlled state of TN doesn’t press any charges what should I conclude from that?
Time123 (56e0f3) — 4/8/2023 @ 1:40 pmI see a Youtube prankster got shot 3 days ago while pranking the wrong guy and I have mixed feelings
steveg (d930cf) — 4/8/2023 @ 1:44 pmLiving outside of TN, which isn’t really a state being filled with Trump voters and trailer parks, we might view the insults to their Legislature as meaningless. But they assuredly do not. If they feel that the disrespect shown was comparable in some way to J6, well I disagree, but they really are not required to abide it.
They would be perfectly correct to bring the majesty of the law down on the protestors. After all, they committed crimes so they should be prosecuted, right? Or does the Rule of Law have asterisks?
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/8/2023 @ 1:45 pm@164. LOL! She punched her ticket for two years as UN Ambassador, doing her job of parroting the Administration’s policy positions. She was no Jeanne Kirkpatrick.
No, she’s not: Kirkpatrick was a Socialist (1945-48); a Democrat (1948-1985) and a Republican (1985-2006.)
Nikki’s been a Republican- and only a Republican– all her life.
DCSCA (7c91b2) — 4/8/2023 @ 1:51 pmSeems like a fair outcome to me on the part of federal justice system.
If you look at the list on Wikipedia, I obviously could have found more egregious injustice. But as I said above, the record of a J6 conviction will severely limit their lives. Now, maybe it would not have been prosecuted without the violence, but blaming these folks for the violence isn’t the answer.
The non-violent ones will all be pardoned soon enough, but still the record will be there.
As for their voluntary pleas, I personally am glad I have never stood in the federal dock because I don’t see a lot of “voluntary” involved. lLoser to “take it or risk 5 years on prison.”
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/8/2023 @ 1:51 pmAnd again I lament the loss of the preview function.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/8/2023 @ 1:51 pmJF, he was arrested, released on bail, put on trial and found not guilty. Which is normal. That’s what happens when you’re accused of a crime. You get arrested, then there is a bail hearing. It would be good if that happened faster. But there’s no evidence the Jan 6 defendants were denied the same due process all other accused people get. Robs comment was ambiguous and I assume
He was asserting innocent ppl were going to jail. If he was talking about ppl being held prior to bail hearings he should be more clear.
The federal response has been fair.
Here’s a picture of violent Trump supporters breaking into the capital.
Here’s another on show a very large mob of violent republicans as they overwhelmed the police.
It’s good that we’re holding the criminals involved in this accountable for their actions.
Time123 (56e0f3) — 4/8/2023 @ 1:51 pm@180, Kevin, I have no objection to TN prosecuting ppl who engage in civil disobedience in accordance with the facts and precedent.
Time123 (56e0f3) — 4/8/2023 @ 1:53 pm@161, pathetic comment Kevin. Dana deserves better. If you don’t see the difference between HOURS of violence and disrupting the counting of electoral votes (with the goal of delaying the peaceful transfer of power) and what went on in TN…which was non-violent and disrupted little of significance, then I recommend reviewing the footage from January 6th.
“Get off you high horse” applies to you, too. You obviously have read NOTHING I’ve posted if you think I was equating the two situations. What I was comparing was the treatment of those who did nothing more than was done in TN. Probably the majority of those arrested were not charged with violence.
Your assertion that no one in TN was in any way culpable, or that any legislator anywhere who used a bullhorn to incite a gallery packed with yet more demonstrators is what is pathetic.
Note: there were two events in TN — a day of protest then a later day of legislator-led protest. The first informs the reaction to the second.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/8/2023 @ 1:57 pm@177. ‘Don’t Break The Rules’…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McQ8a-7Ml-0
DCSCA (7c91b2) — 4/8/2023 @ 1:58 pm*that any legislator anywhere who used a bullhorn to incite a gallery packed with yet more demonstrators would not be called on the carpet, is what is pathetic.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/8/2023 @ 1:58 pmI’m waiting for you to find any injustice.
2 ppl got fines and probation.
1 got 60 days, but also committed theft.
1 plead guilty and took 60 days. Can’t tell from the link why he got 60 days and the others didn’t. Could be arbitrary, or bad lawyer, but could also be that there was more evidence of his disorderly behavior.
Not really seeing that anyone was punished for a crime they didn’t commit.
Time123 (56e0f3) — 4/8/2023 @ 1:58 pmKevin, I have no objection to TN prosecuting ppl who engage in civil disobedience in accordance with the facts and precedent.
But they won’t be, because that would be the “mean Republicans” acting out again. Instead, the legislature — after tolerating the intolerable, was subject to more of the same, this time within the chamber (yelling from the gallery IS inside the chamber) and led by 3 of their number.
The ones using bullhorns for their incitement were kicked out. Now they are going to go to the WH for a high five, and return to TN and be reappointed. After their trip to DC, there will be those who want to kick them out again for politicizing their discipline.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/8/2023 @ 2:02 pm@186. Good chance the ‘expelled’ will get voted back in via the ‘special elections’ in a few weeks anyway.
DCSCA (7c91b2) — 4/8/2023 @ 2:02 pmNot really seeing that anyone was punished for a crime they didn’t commit.
Time, you usually aren’t this dense. Did you look at the video link I’ve now posted twice, and not see those same (non-violent) crimes being committed? That is the point of comparison, not some fukwit trying to impale an officer with a flag post.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/8/2023 @ 2:06 pmGood chance the ‘expelled’ will get voted back in via the ‘special elections’ in a few weeks anyway.
And maybe re-expelled after going to the WH and disrespecting their state legislature. I wonder if this is just part of Biden’s campaign to delegitimatize red state governments.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/8/2023 @ 2:08 pmTime
I can’t give you names of innocent people who were sentenced to jail, but if you look you can find names of people who were arrested, held in jail, unable to make bail, who were later released charges dropped. You can also find names of people whose PD told them if they plead to parading, they could leave tomorrow, time served and they took that deal.
In the BLM riot days, Kamala Harris contributed to a bail fund that was used to bail out violent offenders, some of whom where repeat offenders from other riot venues. Trump is a cheap bastard so he didn’t facilitate or contribute to a bail fund for his people
steveg (d930cf) — 4/8/2023 @ 2:10 pmRethugs threaten memphis and nashville if two black expelled legislators are returned to office. (DU)
asset (5ff489) — 4/8/2023 @ 2:13 pm@193. Though that, too… it fits their pattern. Kamala showed up awfully fast to cluck for the cameras. Too bad she doesn’t tend to the border w/equal alacrity.
DCSCA (7c91b2) — 4/8/2023 @ 2:15 pmTime
I think we can conclude they are southern politicians who can’t control the national narrative and don’t want to be called racists.
steveg (d930cf) — 4/8/2023 @ 2:17 pmAlthough I don’t know why they can’t keep saying “we didn’t kick them out for being black, we kicked them out for using bullhorns to shout at us”
@187 thats what the police told rosa parks. We have civil war laws that allow Biden to send in federal troops to “deal” with the tennesse republican party. If tennesse legislature tries to punish memphis and nashville Biden can send in federal troops to shut down republican areas.
asset (5ff489) — 4/8/2023 @ 2:21 pmVP Kamala Harris is in charge of race relations. We used to think that job was to facilitate understanding and maybe even camaraderie between races, now its just to ensure certain races continue to vote Democrat. I have to admit that VP Harris is somewhat competent at this
steveg (d930cf) — 4/8/2023 @ 2:25 pm“What I was comparing was the treatment of those who did nothing more than was done in TN”
And why does that have any relevance? Dana looked at the two macro events and correctly saw important differences. You stared at minutia and now told us both that we should be focusing on that because something something. The non-violent perpetrators of Jan 6th helped embolden those that assaulted police. Many may not have thrown a punch or attacked with bear spray, but there is a moral culpability of participating in a riot where law enforcement were seriously injured. NO ONE was injured in TN. There was no insurrection looking to overturn an election. There was no one walking about with zip ties and looking to hang anyone for letting them down. We can disagree with their views on gun control and rightly denounce uncivil conduct, but let’s stop analogizing people trespassing through Nancy Pelosi’s office with people yelling in a public gallery. It comes across as goofy.
AJ_Liberty (5f05c3) — 4/8/2023 @ 2:30 pmGood for them:
This is another example supporting my argument that we should collect hostages in advance, from enemy nations like Russia and Iran.
Jim Miller (0e46f9) — 4/8/2023 @ 2:34 pm“If the GOP controlled state of TN doesn’t press any charges what should I conclude from that?”
Whatever you choose, no change from any other issue. Just another day.
Colonel Haiku (966bd2) — 4/8/2023 @ 2:34 pmKevin, AJ has done a nice job of summarizing important differences between Jan 6 and TN.
I think a fair comparison to the unruly protesters in TN would be the unruly protests about the covid lock downs. I’ve posted links to articles several times. Some of which involved small acts of violence (shoving and broken windows) that weren’t punished.
AFAIK none of those loud, unruly, disruptive protests resulted in criminal charges.
Time123 (9188c3) — 4/8/2023 @ 2:35 pmSteve, since you haven’t been misrepresenting the Jan 6 prosecutions I wouldn’t ask you to provide any proof. I’m certain that with ~2,000 offenders the police will make at least 1 error. But from what I’ve seen those accused of criminal acts as part of the violent Jan 6 riot have been treated fairly wrt to other federal criminal defendants. Most have gotten bail, which is appropriate as bail is a right.
Time123 (9188c3) — 4/8/2023 @ 2:38 pmKevin, Steve,& AJ, good conversation. I have to go get ready for Church (my son is getting babtised) and won’t be online tomorrow. I hope you and everyone else has a blessed Easter.
Time123 (9188c3) — 4/8/2023 @ 2:40 pmThese poll results should trouble every decent American:
Putin has been trying to divide us for years, and has had some success, despite his evil actions in Ukraine — and in Russia, itself.
Jim Miller (0e46f9) — 4/8/2023 @ 2:45 pmI believe Tennessee law would prevent that.
Rip Murdock (a78f1f) — 4/8/2023 @ 2:51 pmI’d be thrilled to find out 21% of Americans could spell Putin even if spotted a written poll question
steveg (d930cf) — 4/8/2023 @ 2:55 pmJanuary 6 was a phenomenon all its own. Comparing it to this Tennessee thing is like saying “Maybe Trump is a liar but so is [insert name of random Democrat politician who lies a lot but who also lies 1000 times less than Trump]!!!1!”
If you lack any sense of proportion, stay away from comparisons. You’re not the right person to make them.
Patterico (43cb92) — 4/8/2023 @ 3:07 pmIn other words, I’m skeptical of this poll. Now that I’ve seen the entire poll, I’m also curious about the 17% who like Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela and confused by the 20% who like Joko Widodo out of the 36% who have heard of him. Oddly Herman Cain is liked by 29% even though he is dead, which is nice.
Anthony Weiner remains tied with Putin at 21% approval which left me wondering how Huma voted. Right in there at 21% is also Rod Blagojevich.
36% of Americans claim to know who Cyril Ramaphosa is and 16% of them seem to like him.
https://today.yougov.com/ratings/politics/popularity/public-figures/all
steveg (d930cf) — 4/8/2023 @ 3:16 pmRecently, I’ve been enjoying Robert Heinlein’s Rocket Ship Galileo. It’s the first of his “juveniles” (or, in modern terms, the first of his young-adult) novels. Like others in that series, Heinlein is trying to teach people, especially adolescent males, about science, and how a man should behave.
I’m probably in a minority in this, but I think his juveniles are better, on the average, than his other novels. The discipline of writing for young people was, I think, good for him.
Since he wrote it early in his career, it isn’t as polished as most of his later novels. That makes it more interesting to me, since I can see more of where he started from.
I’ve read that it inspired Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.
(Both Jeff Bezos and Elon Muskk have said they were inspired by Heinlein’s the Man Who Sold the Moon.)
Jim Miller (0e46f9) — 4/8/2023 @ 3:36 pmMusk, of course, not Muskk.
Jim Miller (0e46f9) — 4/8/2023 @ 3:38 pmMany people were deeply offended by Jan6 and that offense to their sensibilities effects their sense of proportion as well. Jan6 was big and ugly but as far as rebellions go, it was not that big. When considering only US rebellions, I put jan6 well behind 1967-68, which had 150 race rebellions, 35,000 people tried to break into the Pentagon during an anti-war protest, some got in. The Detroit rebellion in 1967 saw 43 deaths, 1,189 injured, over 7,200 arrests, and more than 400 buildings destroyed. The NYC Civil War draft riots saw Irish/Americans shooting it out with US troops in the streets and 120 dead
steveg (d930cf) — 4/8/2023 @ 3:39 pm@201. In a rare joint statement, Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Friday demanded the immediate release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been detained in Russia since he was arrested during a reporting trip last month.
Actually, it’s ‘good for them’ only as pantywasted do-nothing Royalists.
If they had ANY political balls they’d have said nothing other than calling on the Biden Administration and his feckless State Department to initiate the immediate and methodical expulsion of Russian diplomats up the pecking order- including Ambassador Antonov- until Gershkovich is released.
DCSCA (c83f37) — 4/8/2023 @ 3:46 pm@211. ‘Rocketship Galileo’ was the genesis for the more adult oriented screenplay, which Heinlein helped quill, of the brilliant and quite prescient 1950 sci-fi class, ‘Destination Moon.’
‘Destination Moon was the first major U.S. science fiction film to deal with the practical scientific and engineering challenges of space travel and to speculate on what a crewed expedition to the Moon would look like. Noted science fiction author Robert A. Heinlein contributed to the screenplay.
The film’s premise is that private industry will mobilize, finance, and manufacture the first spacecraft to the Moon, and that the U.S. government will be forced to purchase or lease the technology to remain the dominant power in space. Different industrialists cooperate to support the private venture.’ – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Destination_Moon_(film)
It’s a stellar film [pun intended] and in 1969, John Archer, who played the Musk-like ‘Jim Barnes’ in the film wrote an essay for Variety in which he marveled at how many parallels in the film occurred w/t actual moon landing that July– including the dicey landing itself. Strongly recommend the film to anybody who has not seen it. It is as ‘inspiring’ in the genre as ‘2001: A Space Odyssey.’
Little wonder the film stirred the imaginations of visionary entrepreneurs. OTOH, that vision- Musk’s in particular- has been ridiculed by Biden… and in years past, competed w/t mindset of some more down-to-earth, junk-bonded leveraged buyout-types coddled in the 1980’s:
“What good is the Moon? You can’t buy it or sell it.” – Ivan Boesky
DCSCA (c83f37) — 4/8/2023 @ 4:09 pmTotally agree.
Am I allowed to ignore the guy trying to sell me a $20 Rolex when he tells me what a bad person Bernie Madoff is?
Because that second thing is my comparison. Sure, it’s a relative piddly little thing that Biden and Harris are sucking up to in Tennessee compared to Jan. 6, but it still makes the Democrats out to be manipulative grifters when they try to milk Jan.6 too.
nk (c8fb2b) — 4/8/2023 @ 4:32 pm@150. The Mayor of gun-free London, England wanted to ban knives
It’s understandable. Thing is, steveg, back in the day, when we were living in London, the city’s Metropolitan Police didn’t even carry guns. And among the more memorable encounters there was one of our first US/UK meet & greet gatherings w/some British students and one of the first questions a young lady asked was, ‘Where do you keep your guns?” And we responded, ‘We don’t have any guns.” And in an eye-opening, almost chilling response, she said, “ALL Americans have guns.” They believe it. It was truly an eyeopener of how U.S. society is perceived and projected to other cultures. We chalked it up to the television shows then aired from the U.S. on the BBC or ITV– and a lot of U.S. films, for example: ‘Bonnie & Clyde’ ‘The Wild Bunch’ etc. And the Brit own carbombing Irish troubles aside, the civil unrest stateside of that era- assassinations and so forth- was in the news worldwide. It projected U.S. society as perpetually violent and unsafe. ‘Course we countered that we’ve never beheaded folks and stuck their heads on pikes along the Brooklyn Bridge. But the way American society is viewed and marketed overseas does matter.
DCSCA (c83f37) — 4/8/2023 @ 4:36 pmCongratulations, Time123
Dustin (b57ac6) — 4/8/2023 @ 4:54 pmhttps://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/07/climate/electric-cars-biden-climate.html
The results when you support communists.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 4/8/2023 @ 5:11 pm#205 Time123 – Congratulations! And may you and your family have a Happy Easter!
Jim Miller (0e46f9) — 4/8/2023 @ 5:21 pmOne good thing about climate change. 😜
Rip Murdock (a78f1f) — 4/8/2023 @ 5:42 pmWell, I don’t think Elon Musk is Communist, but his over-engineered golf carts started a powerful juggernaut with all the major automobile companies joining in. A lot of economic and political power; a lot of crony capitalism; a lot of investment, retraining, and retooling that they cannot go back on.
nk (c8fb2b) — 4/8/2023 @ 6:19 pmI have no confidence in my spectacles, so I’ll just say how it’s affecting this independent, gettable voter. I’m repelled by the sanctimonious martyr-mongering of the three Dem legislators. Despite how everyone from MSNBC to Joe Biden is portraying them, they aren’t Martin Luther King, Jr. By itself that would make me run screaming from anything Dem, but today’s GOP can’t seem to take a win that’s handed to them gift-wrapped. When the left turns dopey outrage up to eleven, the anti-anti-Trumpers refuse to just shut up and sit down. They have to push it to twelve. As evidenced here, everyone who disagrees with them is a liar, even without a scintilla of evidence. It’s not enough that the Tennessee Dems were disruptive and self-aggrandizing; their embarrassing tantrum has to be equated with Jan.6. Thanks for the reminder that however objectionable the Dems are, and they are awful, the Trump-era GOP refuses to be a sane, responsible alternative. If you can’t see the meaningful differences between this bad thing and Jan 6 (as Patterico illustrates) you can’t be trusted to govern any more than your opponents can. In sum, it’s a wash. The Dems lose, but the GOP refuses to win. They prefer the tribal dopamine hit to modeling behavior that might stand a chance of attracting escapees from their opponents.
lurker (cd7cd4) — 4/8/2023 @ 7:12 pmI won’t tell you who not to ignore, but speaking for myself I’d tell the Rolex guy he’s a crook, while also listening to what he has to say about Madoff. If I demanded moral purity of everyone I granted standing to criticize others, I’d have no one to listen to, myself included.
lurker (cd7cd4) — 4/8/2023 @ 7:29 pmInteresting……
Rip Murdock (061f58) — 4/8/2023 @ 7:46 pm@223, the Dennis Green line comes to mind: “But they are who we thought they were! And we let ’em off the hook!”.
AJ_Liberty (0572b9) — 4/8/2023 @ 7:50 pmWhat “list”? This is less about abortion and more about the batsh-t that will prevent the GOP from winning, because the latter isn’t conservative or principled. Remember November 2022?
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 4/8/2023 @ 10:03 pmOops, wrong blockquote. I meant this one.
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 4/8/2023 @ 10:05 pmThe three participants were already caught on video. The crowd wasn’t prohibited from being there, and they weren’t violent. Being noisy in a convened session is a lesser offense than J6, similar to the noisy leftists outside the Kavanaugh hearings.
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 4/8/2023 @ 10:19 pmNeither did the T3. They broke a House rule, not the law.
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 4/8/2023 @ 10:27 pmBTW, nk is exactly right about the wrongness and blatant partisanship of Biden honoring their bad behavior at the White House.
Is this the same Secret Service that inserted themselves into the Hunter Biden, gun thrown into a trashcan issue in 2018? When Joe Biden was a former VP and Hunter a drug addict who lied on his firearm purchase document? The same Secret Service that denied this even though the gun shop owner that Hunter lied to clearly remembered them as identifying themselves as Secret Service? The Secret Service that says their records do not show any services rendered to Hunter Biden in 2018?
Maybe they were volunteers.
When I was young I paid a hauling company to get rid of a bunch of debris and a few months later woman from the State called and wanted to discuss some things, audit my subcontractor list so she set up an appointment with me. She started drilling down on my vendors, everything is going well until she sees the hauling company and started asking how many guys, trucks showed up etc and I asked what this was about. She says: [ ] the owner claims he has no employees. I said well I think you should take that up with him, she says do you have his phone number? I say yes, she uses my landline and calls. She gets some guy on the phone who says he isn’t the owner and she asks him how many employees the company has and the guy must have said none because she goes off…”so what the hell are you, a bleeping volunteer?”
steveg (d930cf) — 4/8/2023 @ 10:42 pmThe crowd wasn’t prohibited from being there, and they weren’t violent.
Parading inside the Capitol is OK in Tennessee? Disorderly conduct? There were TWO events, not just the one.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/8/2023 @ 11:43 pmBTW, I don’t know why this story isn’t bigger than Edward Snowden stealing classified data. Maybe it’s because the intel is rolling out more slowly, but the overall effect is major, and it’s made worse because we don’t know who the traitor is.
The Ukrainians and our allies have to be pissed that some American photographed all these classified documents and put them on the Internet.
More here and here and here.
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 4/8/2023 @ 11:52 pmOf-topic, no wait, it’s an open thread…
The theft and publication of TS documents is a direct result of Obama’s commutation of Chelsea Manning’s sentence. People will die because of this.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/8/2023 @ 11:55 pmI hope they find the traitor before s/he escapes to Russia. This reminds me of Manning’s crimes.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/8/2023 @ 11:57 pmThe crowd in the TN House didn’t break in to get there, Kevin, and it wasn’t violent. Like I said, their noisiness was a similar level to the screamers outside the Kavanaugh hearings, who were cited for misdemeanors and assessed minor fines. This isn’t me absolving the TN screamers, it’s recognizing that their offenses are are on different and lower level than J6, as Patterico more than clearly stated.
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 4/8/2023 @ 11:58 pmWhat “list”? This is less about abortion and more about the batsh-t that will prevent the GOP from winning,
You listed several things, when only the abortion bans resonated. Adding the things YOU don’t like to thinks that 80% of young single women don’t like is fine, but means nothing.
If there are only 20 million single women of child-bearing age, and 16 million of them resent the idea of abortion bans, that’s game, set and match.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/9/2023 @ 12:00 amIt’s recognizing that their offenses are are on different and lower level than J6, as Patterico more than clearly stated. And again, you conflate people charged with “parading” with people trying to kill cops.
I think I’m done.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/9/2023 @ 12:03 amIt’s recognizing that their offenses are are on different and lower level than J6, as Patterico more than clearly stated.
And again, you conflate people charged with “parading” with people trying to kill cops.
I think I’m done, and where is that preview function?
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/9/2023 @ 12:04 amIt should be clear that the real danger to Trump is in DC. These other cases may or may not work out, but they are pretty clearly going after Trump on insurrection charges.
Which is all good.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/9/2023 @ 12:06 am@206 republicans have replaced jane fonda on the anti-aircraft gun and are now the anti-war peace freaks! As they were in the 1930’s supporting hitler! See henry ford and pappy bush.
asset (0f442b) — 4/9/2023 @ 1:33 amhttps://datavisualizations.heritage.org/firearms/defensive-gun-uses-in-the-us/
Dana,
You wantwd data about defensive uses of a gun.
Here you go.
Guns save lives.
NJRob (1fdfee) — 4/9/2023 @ 7:45 amI still don’t know what you’re talking about, Kevin, that TN GOPers overreacted?
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 4/9/2023 @ 8:15 am“Gun violence”
Please stop distorting the language. As you well know guns don’t commit violence. I’ve never seen a gun prosecuted for violence, much less convicted and incarcerated.
This term exacerbates the anti-gun hysteria we currently experience in this totally divided nation. Words matter, and using this phrase as a shortcut for individual acting violently with firearms is incendiary.
Horatio (56364c) — 4/9/2023 @ 8:15 amThe evidence of that is what? It really appears that Jack Smith is building an obstruction case against Trump-forcing his lawyer Evan Cochran, as well as his MAL Secret Service detail, to testify regarding the classified information he held.
Even if Trump is charged with incitement, or insurrection, do you really believe that will convince his 30% of Republicans to vote for someone else? Either charge would make them more resolute in their views that Trump is being persecuted.
Rip Murdock (061f58) — 4/9/2023 @ 8:16 amI did no such thing. The people charged with parading broke the law when they broke into the Capitol. The crowd in TN didn’t break in. They were allowed to be there.
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 4/9/2023 @ 8:17 amBecause posters here are more obsessed with what a couple of minor TN legislators did than something that more deeply affects the country.
Rip Murdock (061f58) — 4/9/2023 @ 8:21 amThrow the Book At Him:
There appears to be a lot of “misunderstanding as to the facts surrounding the 2020 election.”
Statement of Facts
McCaughey was found guilty of following felonies:
Rip Murdock (061f58) — 4/9/2023 @ 8:49 amRip: “do you really believe that will convince his 30% of Republicans to vote for someone else?”
At some point some of those 30% will hate Democrats winning more than they love the Trump show. There will be a perception of too much baggage….and the 70% will start to push him into 2nd place. His inevitability will sink and his competition will have greater cover to make the case that he’s no longer the best choice. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
AJ_Liberty (0572b9) — 4/9/2023 @ 9:16 amNJRob: “Guns save lives.”
Horatio will not like this distortion of the language. As you know, a gun has never received a commendation for heroism or valor. I look forward to his rebuke.
AJ_Liberty (0572b9) — 4/9/2023 @ 9:22 am2023 Masters: Tiger Woods withdraws Sunday during third round after making 23rd straight cut at Augusta
‘Tiger Woods has withdrawn from the 2023 Masters after aggravating his plantar fasciitis. One day after tying the all-time record for most consecutive made cuts at Augusta National Golf Club by playing the weekend for his 23rd straight tournament, Woods struggled to get the gears turning in Round 3 on Saturday, visibly struggling — amid the harsh weather conditions and quick turnaround of rounds — to walk on his surgically repaired leg…’ – https://www.cbssports.com/golf/news/2023-masters-tiger-woods-withdraws-sunday-during-third-round-after-making-23rd-straight-cut-at-augusta/
DCSCA (3c802e) — 4/9/2023 @ 9:28 amTrue. A friend is a publisher and author of gun laws, and has a sticker that states exactly that. We’ve discussed it, and he recognizes the issue probably as well as anyone, yet despite that, he still passes them out to folks.
Horatio (56364c) — 4/9/2023 @ 9:40 amYawn. Sad attempt at humor.
Hey Rip, you missed this poll for some reason. Doesn’t put the GOP in a bad light either. Funny.
https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/biden_administration/election_2024_biden_trails_both_trump_and_desantis
NJRob (1fdfee) — 4/9/2023 @ 9:48 amApparently Donald Trump is the leading candidate for president, and the polls reflect that.
I don’t think any of the polls I have posted put the GOP in a bad light, they just reflect the support Donald Trump has in the party. There’s no need to be embarrassed.
And the same polls show Biden losing to both Trump and DeSantis, which you can see by viewing the links I provide.
Rip Murdock (061f58) — 4/9/2023 @ 10:19 amOops, book on gun laws
Horatio (56364c) — 4/9/2023 @ 10:25 amMcCaughey was found guilty of following felonies
Having read the statement of facts, I see that the “dangerous weapon” was apparently a police-style riot shield. While I think that’s a stretch, his use of it was intended to cause harm so to Hell with him..
He assaulted multiple cops and did all those other things, so he deserves prison and having his life wrecked as a felon. Sixteen years? I think he’ll get ten.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/9/2023 @ 10:30 amWe’ll see, but for the most part Trump’s hardcore supporters are in a suicide cult-it’s Trump or nobody. And as long as the Republican presidential field has more than four or five candidates, Trump can win primaries with less than 50% of vote. And Republicans are obliging.
Rip Murdock (061f58) — 4/9/2023 @ 10:33 amThe people charged with parading broke the law when they broke into the Capitol. The crowd in TN didn’t break in. They were allowed to be there.
If so — and neither of us know it was legal — it won’t be soon. If the few police had attempted to stop them, it is probable that they would have entered anyway.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/9/2023 @ 10:34 amGiven McFadden’s sentencing history, I’ll bet it will be 5-7.
Rip Murdock (061f58) — 4/9/2023 @ 10:36 amI still don’t know what you’re talking about, Kevin, that TN GOPers overreacted?
I guess I will have to go back and find comment you made (and which I quoted), since you are unwilling to do that.
but batsh-t and abortion bans (especially in battleground states) and power politics like in TN are unlikely to carry the day in 2024.
That’s three things, which make a “list.” My clear assertion in #89, now lost to time, was that only one of those three things — the abortion ban threat to young women — moved the dial, as it has in every state where a potential ban was at issue.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/9/2023 @ 10:39 amIt would behoove the GOP to pass a nation law making 1st trimester abortion legal, and later abortions only with judicial sign-off or emergent necessity. While many Democrats might not like such a law, it’s two-edged — women in states with a ban would see it as an improvement, and one that posed little thread to themselves or others.
If we are to believe Planned Parenthood and other clinic operators, later abortions are rare. They would prefer, I think, to reopen in states where they have had to close, if regulations were reasonable. It would be far less regulation that what gun stores put up with in New York.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/9/2023 @ 10:45 amIt appears that my fingers sometimes type homonyms.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/9/2023 @ 10:46 amIf Trump wins in ‘24, what are the odds he pardons everyone charged or convicted for the J6 issues?
Horatio (56364c) — 4/9/2023 @ 10:48 amThe Texas judge’s “why do you need mifepristone when there are coat hangers?” ruling on Friday, today has people asking “wasn’t Dobbs supposed to return abortion to the states?”.
Batsh!t is the word.
nk (404dd4) — 4/9/2023 @ 10:49 amThere is bat guano, right? Today it will be Wordle starter word.
nk (404dd4) — 4/9/2023 @ 10:52 amWordle in two.
nk (404dd4) — 4/9/2023 @ 10:56 amWith GUANO as my starter word.
nk (404dd4) — 4/9/2023 @ 10:57 amThe whole point of Dobbs was to return abortion law to the states and not nationalize it. On the whole the states have done a fine job reflecting the values of their voters. And if the voters disagree the can always replace their representatives.
Rip Murdock (061f58) — 4/9/2023 @ 10:57 amMore at 261:
Both parties are batsh1t at this point. For every MTG you have a Ilan Omar. This might not be clear, as the newsfolks prefer to bash MTG and not Omar so much, at least when she’s not overtly antisemitic.
Both parties engage in power politics, not just in TN. Democrats stripping minority congresspeople of their committee assignments due to their speech, for example, while supporting a presidential candidate who says really awful tings (e.g. Republicans want to reintroduce slavery).
What appears to one as power politics is mostly dependent on where you aready stand.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/9/2023 @ 10:59 amThis decision, while dealing with abortion, interpreted administrative law as to whether the FDA’s approval was correct.
If upheld, it will allow challenges to any FDA decisions regarding any past drug approvals.
Rip Murdock (b21959) — 4/9/2023 @ 11:10 amI can’t wait until a Biden-appointed judge overturns a Pentagon approval for artillery shell fuzes.
nk (404dd4) — 4/9/2023 @ 11:16 amThe whole point of Dobbs was to return abortion law to the states and not nationalize it.
Not true. It was to remove the law from the federal courts and return it to the several legislatures. It is becoming clear that this is not something where federalism works, just as racial matters were not.
The attempts to ban abortion at the state levels will mostly fail, and take GOP majorities with them. And even where state legislatures try to make law, state COURTS are increasingly “finding” an abortion right in their state constitutions.
There are 65 million women between the ages of 15 and 44. About half of them are single. While age 17 and under cannot vote, that still leaves 25-30 million voters who are UTTERLY REPULSED by abortion bans. That’s over 10% of all Americans eligible to vote (240 million), which should be of concern to those dead set on pissing them off.
Many other countries have found that a national law is required. Since you are on record preferring a national ban on abortions, I find your love of federalism on this point unconvincing.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/9/2023 @ 11:17 amIf upheld, it will allow challenges to any FDA decisions regarding any past drug approvals.
Because what we really need is slower drug approvals, with laymen coming in to argue that they don’t like a drug because of some issue. Maybe abortion in this case, maybe spelling in another.
The Administrative Procedures Act was not intended to be used to clusterfuk drug approvals. Imagine if the Covid vaccines approval has such a roadblock.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/9/2023 @ 11:21 amWordle in two.
Good for you. My past 5 were 3,2,3,4 and this one took 5, mainly because I thought I’d try for two rather than eliminating letters. Starting word, as always, SLATE.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/9/2023 @ 11:25 amIf Trump wins in ‘24, what are the odds he pardons everyone charged or convicted for the J6 issues?
I think that any Republican elected will pardon those not charged with violent acts. Trump might go further, which would be one of the charges on his next impeachment.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/9/2023 @ 11:28 amRemember that Carter pardoned all the Vietnam draft evaders, which were felonies.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/9/2023 @ 11:30 amHappy Easter to all who are celebrating it, today. (And a happy Passover to those who are celebrating that holiday.)
Jim Miller (0e46f9) — 4/9/2023 @ 11:35 amSince a nationwide ban is unlikely, I think state restrictions are the next best option.
As far as women voters demanding abortion, they need to make their case to their representatives.
Rip Murdock (061f58) — 4/9/2023 @ 11:38 amThat’s the point. It will be a boon to RFK Jr.
Rip Murdock (b21959) — 4/9/2023 @ 11:41 amSince the President is constitutionally empowered to grant pardons, I doubt that will happen. Also, that assumes the Democrats re-take the House-is that what you want?
Rip Murdock (b21959) — 4/9/2023 @ 11:44 amWhile attempting a Google search, I discovered that the word “cohort” now means “generation” (e.g. Boomers). *sigh*
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/9/2023 @ 11:51 amAs far as women voters demanding abortion, they need to make their case to their representatives.
No, they just have to vote for the Democrat. How many representative can survive a 10% swing? In initiative states, they just have to add words to their state Consitution — judges will do the rest.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/9/2023 @ 11:53 amSince the President is constitutionally empowered to grant pardons, I doubt that will happen. Also, that assumes the Democrats re-take the House-is that what you want?
No, just what I expect if abortion is still an issue.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/9/2023 @ 11:54 amSince the President is constitutionally empowered to grant pardons
Did you know that a number of delegates left the 1787 convention over the issue of presidential pardons for traitors? The worry was that a traitorous president would pardon all his followers. Oddly, they never considered that he might pardon himself.
In any event, while he may have a power, “abuse” of power is always grounds for impeachment. And Trump will always provide more, with his retribution agenda.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/9/2023 @ 11:58 amIf the pay and/or the spread is decent, why the h not?
https://www.businessinsider.com/desantis-trump-gop-crowd-size-super-pac-2024-presidential-election-2023-4
urbanleftbehind (b06e2a) — 4/9/2023 @ 12:11 pmLike Tennessee, voting for a Democrat in some states would be a useless exercise-Idaho, Indiana, and Utah come to mind.
Rip Murdock (061f58) — 4/9/2023 @ 12:12 pmRelated:
Rip Murdock (061f58) — 4/9/2023 @ 12:35 pmOne more reason why Russia is awful
“OTD in the early hours of 9 April 1989, a tragedy broke out in the center of Tbilisi, Georgia which went down in history as the NIGHT OS SAPPER BLADES. Soviet troops, armed with sapper shovels and tear gas, brutally dispersed a peaceful rally
As a result, 21 people died, 16 of them were women. 18 participants of the rally died at the scene, three more died in hospital. Hundreds of citizens were poisoned by the toxic agents Soviet troops employed against the demonstrators. Hundreds of activists were injured.”
𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔇𝔢𝔞𝔡 𝔇𝔦𝔰𝔱𝔯𝔦𝔠𝔱 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇺🇲🇬🇷
steveg (d930cf) — 4/9/2023 @ 12:39 pm@TheDeadDistrict
Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) warned that Republicans should consider defunding the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) if the Biden administration does not adhere to a ruling from a federal judge last week that blocked the long-standing approval of an abortion medication.
………….
“It’s very dangerous when you have the administration, the Biden administration, coming out and saying they may not uphold a ruling,” Gonzales said on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday. “The House Republicans have the power of the purse. And if the administration wants to not live up to this ruling, then we’re going to have a problem… it may come to a point where House Republicans on the appropriation side have to defund FDA programs that don’t make sense.”
…………..
The White House was quick to appeal the decision from the judge in Texas, but has not publicly weighed in on the idea of ignoring the ruling altogether…………
…………..
As the article points out, the Administration has not said it will ignore the ruling; AOC and Senator Ron Wyden are idiots to suggest doing so. It certainly would be an impeachable offense to ignore a court ruling. I am almost certain that the Administration will be granted a stay pending their appeal.
Rip Murdock (061f58) — 4/9/2023 @ 12:47 pmA. J. Somerset is a journalist, army reservist, avid hunter, gun collector….and a critic of the “nutty” gun culture. Let’s be clear, people collect all kinds of stuff and engage in all sorts of hobbies. There’s nothing wrong with having a lot of something (provided it’s legal or that you share) or deriving joy from doing something often in your spare time (provided it’s legal and your not prematurely wearing anything out). This is at the heart of liberty and privacy.
The overwhelming majority of gun owners are law abiding. Of the people I know who have concealed carry licenses, I have zero fear of them acting illegally or irresponsibly. Of the ones that have large collections, most have gun safe(s) and though I might find it odd to have guns spread out all through the house, it’s your castle. You be you, though I always find it a bit surprising to see you walking around your castle strapped. Dude, really?
Still, fifty years ago you could go to school, church, the mall, or a concert and not think twice about a shooting or even a stick up. It’s different now and the fear seems to push more and more people into getting a gun and wanting to carry. We are not a uniquely violent culture. Nor do we consume more violent imagery or play more violent video games, so what explains it? The gun seems to be replacing the car as the machinery fantasy of choice, and some disturbed individuals end up with high-visibility disturbed fantasies. We still don’t really know what drove the Vegas shooter.
It’s fun to shoot guns. It’s comforting to have an instrument of equalizing power. Just in case. It represents independence. You don’t have to wait defenseless for the cops. You get one because you worry that the man will prevent you from having one in the future. More than a third of households have at least one, and we have more guns than people in this country. But at what point does our uniquely-American love for the gun just statistically lead to more and more deaths?
People rightly understand to stay out of certain areas at night. We probably over worry about home invasions. Most crooks plan to not run into anyone, let alone the prospect of someone armed. So it’s really the random shiit and our belief that we can or should act. Reactions to Kyle Rittenhouse’s proactive response were revealing. Is the rise of militias a normal response to perceived threats? Most regulations are imperfect, but does doing “something” send a cultural message? How many saved lives justify some regulatory inconvenience?
We do have gun nuts and we do have people who should not have guns. We should see common purpose in disarming them.
AJ_Liberty (5f05c3) — 4/9/2023 @ 1:51 pm“Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) warned that Republicans should consider defunding the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) if the Biden administration does not adhere to a ruling from a federal judge last week that blocked the long-standing approval of an abortion medication.”
Do you think he cares about the other, competing ruling by the Washington judge?
Davethulhu (fe2f72) — 4/9/2023 @ 1:58 pmMy point was that the GOP has a much greater chance at success if the batsh-t is eradicated, especially in battlegrounds, but if you insist on my missing the point and saying “you made a list!”, well, whatever, you win.
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 4/9/2023 @ 2:13 pmAbortion foes seek vows from 2024 GOP hopefuls
It’s never “baby advocates.” You don’t have to be for the anti-abortion crowd to know the press hates them.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/9/2023 @ 2:17 pmLike Tennessee, voting for a Democrat in some states would be a useless exercise-Idaho, Indiana, and Utah come to mind.
But you would have said that about Kansas, with GOP super-majorities, where the anti-abortion question went down in flames.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/9/2023 @ 2:21 pmMy point was that the GOP has a much greater chance at success if the batsh-t is eradicated
My response was no, no it wouldn’t as the other party has just as much batsh1t. You just don’t read about it as the reporters don’t see the Left as batsh1t.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/9/2023 @ 2:23 pmBesides, one person’s batsh1t is another person’s principles.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/9/2023 @ 2:24 pmProbably not. The Texas ruling imposed a national injunction against the FDA’s approval of mifepristone. The Eastern District of Washington court ruling only applies to the states that were plaintiffs: Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Vermont, District of Columbia, Maryland, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania.
Given the variance between court rulings, I wouldn’t be surprised if the cases skipped the normal appeals process and went directly to the Supreme Court.
Rip Murdock (061f58) — 4/9/2023 @ 2:36 pmIt proves that voting for statewide initiative is easier than voting for a pro-abortion candidate in Kansas. And some who voted for the initiative probably voted for anti-abortion candidates. It allowed Democrats to focus their votes on the initiative while there may not be many pro-abortion candidates running for the Kansas legislature.
Rip Murdock (061f58) — 4/9/2023 @ 2:45 pmRevised for clarity.
Rip Murdock (061f58) — 4/9/2023 @ 2:52 pmCan the lawyers explain this:
How can a Federal judge in one district, say SDNY, issue a nationwide injunction when an appeal only goes to the 2 Circuit? It is my understanding that the Appellate Court’s decision only covers the States under its jurisdiction? If the judge is overruled, are the States not covered by the 2nd Circuit still under the injunction?
What law gives the Federal judge the power to issue an injunction on any State outside its Circuit? Can such a State tell the judge to pound sand and ignore the ruling?
Can a Federal judge in another Circuit overrule the first judge?
This whole process is insane from a lay perspective
Horatio (56364c) — 4/9/2023 @ 2:56 pmHere is an interesting discussion about national injunctions.
There is still a lot of controversy about national injunctions, but the Supreme Court hasn’t banned them.
Rip Murdock (061f58) — 4/9/2023 @ 3:22 pmThe true instigators told people that Trump wanted them to do it.
But he clearly did not, becasu=use he wanted to come to the Capitol in person.
Sammy Finkelman (03b88b) — 4/9/2023 @ 3:28 pm292. This defunding business is catching.
Sammy Finkelman (03b88b) — 4/9/2023 @ 3:32 pm@302 Rip Murdock (061f58)
Thanks for the link
Horatio (56364c) — 4/9/2023 @ 3:34 pmIn general, Republicans are for less drug regulation. The “Right toTry” bill.
I think the Texas injunction trumps the Washington State injunction because the Washington State injunction merely orders the FDA not to put more restrictions on abortion drug #1, while the Texas injunction reverses it on its own authority on the grounds iit was never properly approved in the first place.
Sammy Finkelman (03b88b) — 4/9/2023 @ 3:36 pmRIP actor Michael Lerner (81).
Rip Murdock (061f58) — 4/9/2023 @ 4:28 pmIf Trump wins in ‘24, what are the odds he pardons everyone charged or convicted for the J6 issues?
High.
DCSCA (e69c26) — 4/9/2023 @ 4:50 pmSo, for years Californians prayed for rain and snow, to save their lawns and swimming pools. Now they got it and STILL the complaints!
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/9/2023 @ 4:50 pmIf Trump wins in ‘24, what are the odds he pardons everyone charged or convicted for the J6 issues?
What are the odds it will matter?
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/9/2023 @ 4:51 pmIf Trump wins in ‘24, what are the odds he pardons everyone charged or convicted for the J6 issues?
Everyone? Zero.
Close cronies, like Eastman or Meadows, who stayed loyal to the end, for sure. See e.g. Bannon, Flynn, Manafort, D’Souza.
nk (404dd4) — 4/9/2023 @ 6:20 pmPrediction: Which ever president manages to bind together this clusterf**k of a country will have his face on Mount Rushmore, even if they have to scrape Jefferson off to do it.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/9/2023 @ 10:45 pm312 Alexander the great solved the problem with his sword and cut the gordion knot. Gov. abbot says he will pardon maggot who went out to kill black lives matter protesters and did. If I was donald trump I would tell abbot not to ;but trump is too stupid to understand what might happen if red and blue gov. get into a pardoning contest for political killings. And I am not crying about this tit for tat is just fine with me.
asset (8387f3) — 4/9/2023 @ 11:45 pmAsset,
did you support the Weather Underground and their objectives?
NJRob (eb56c3) — 4/10/2023 @ 6:16 am@96
I mean, there *is* a difference y’know.
The “right” party didn’t win.
whembly (e2380c) — 4/10/2023 @ 6:55 am@114
It’s a win for the GOP imo.
There are consequences and the possibility of a permanent expulsion should be on the table.
It signals to these activists that those behaviors will NOT affect the change they’d want.
whembly (e2380c) — 4/10/2023 @ 7:00 am@134
Dana… the problem is that there are intractable sides on this debate. All that’s left, sadly, is these sort of juvenile takes.
For me, if we want to stop school shootings, is allowing schools to be “hardened” in the same manner as court houses, banks, and the likes.
But the gun-control crowd mocks this idea ruthlessly, and would ONLY accept disarmament.
whembly (e2380c) — 4/10/2023 @ 7:07 am@171 Dana:
There’s a metric called “defensive gun use” or “DGU”.
Citation:
https://reason.com/2022/09/09/the-largest-ever-survey-of-american-gun-owners-finds-that-defensive-use-of-firearms-is-common/
“…use firearms in self-defense about 1.7 million times a year.”
whembly (e2380c) — 4/10/2023 @ 7:14 am@264
The problem here, nk, is that mifepristone wasn’t sent by mail prior to Dobbs (and for good clinical reasons). This was a response to the Dobbs ruling without any thought to clinical downsides.
whembly (e2380c) — 4/10/2023 @ 7:26 amIt appears at least one of them (Jones) may be returned to legislature tomorrow on an interim basis. If they are re-elected next year TN law prevents them from being expelled again for the same offense.
Rip Murdock (444959) — 4/10/2023 @ 7:30 am@273
I’m not a huge defender of the FDA, but they are a guardrail to preventing drug companies from flooding the market with all kinds of drugs, who’s sole existence is to extract as much money as possible in the market.
Drugs are almost NEVER a silver bullet. There are ALWAYS tradeoffs, and most of those tradeoff aren’t seen till years later.
whembly (e2380c) — 4/10/2023 @ 7:31 am@280
I don’t think anyone wants Democrats to retake the House.
But, to his point, Rip, is that if Dems do retake the House, they can impeach Trump for anything. Trump pardon of J6’er would be viewed as an abuse of power, and I think there’s a chance Democrats can make a strong case for that.
whembly (e2380c) — 4/10/2023 @ 7:34 amBreaking-
5 dead, 6 injured after gunman opens fire in downtown Louisville office building
Rip Murdock (444959) — 4/10/2023 @ 7:35 amThe shrinking loser: At his arraignment, Donald the Loser admitted to getting shorter:
He must not have been wearing his elevator shoes.
Oh, and that combination makes him, technically, obese, according to Mediaite.
(Why mention this? Because those past lies about his height and weight aren’t a threat to the nation, but they are both funny — and insulting to his followers, who he expects to believe them.)
Jim Miller (0e46f9) — 4/10/2023 @ 8:32 amPeople shrink as they get older. In fact, older as from the time they get up in the morning to the time they go to bed at night. The spine compresses. With age, it becomes permanent. But you can remediate it by going into space (read down a bit).
nk (bb1548) — 4/10/2023 @ 8:54 am320, whoever the afro wearing one is, I say reinstate them with open arms if they get to the barbershop for a tight fade instead.
urbanleftbehind (170188) — 4/10/2023 @ 9:03 amMacron making the case for America spending her blood and treasure to defend Eyrope, but telling China they will not do the same to defend Taiwan.
NJRob (c0bea7) — 4/10/2023 @ 10:21 amFrance and the US have treaty obligations to defend Europe, neither have treaty obligations to defend Taiwan. I expect domestic political pressures will drive the US to defend Taiwan, though doing so will be extremely difficult.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/10/2023 @ 10:32 am#325 nk – At 79, I am quite familiar with those shrinkages. But Trump wasn’t 6’3″” when he claimed to be, and probably isn’t 6’2″ now.
But I still think Trump’s fibbing about his height — whatever it is — is funny. Just as is his sensitivity about the size of his hands.
And an insult to the people who he expects will believe him when he lies so obviously.
Jim Miller (0e46f9) — 4/10/2023 @ 10:49 amSo, New Mexico, which received an enormous cash infusion from the federal government, is using $10 of that money to build and equip an abortion clinic in an “underserved” area. I’m sure there’s a reason the Hyde Amendment doesn’t block this (e.g. co-mingled funds), but maybe not.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/10/2023 @ 11:17 amDrugs are almost NEVER a silver bullet. There are ALWAYS tradeoffs, and most of those tradeoff aren’t seen till years later.
But sometimes they are. Ozempic and Mounjaro have revolutionized treatment for Type II diabetes, often controlling blood sugar to normal ranges, and they can be (and sometimes are) used for losing weight, with clinical trials showing losses over 18 months of 20% of body mass. More with proper dieting and exercise.
Turning obese people into simply overweight is a huge medical win, as nearly any ailment afflicting an obese person is drastically improved by significant weight loss.
People have said that the newer Mounjaro may make a dent in overall live expectancy.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/10/2023 @ 11:25 amAnd an insult to the people who he expects will believe him when he lies so obviously.
His followers are already credulous. Pretty much like the followers of Marx.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/10/2023 @ 11:27 amSo, New Mexico, which received an enormous cash infusion from the federal government, is using $10 (?) of that money to build and equip an abortion clinic in an “underserved” area. I’m sure there’s a reason the Hyde Amendment doesn’t block this (e.g. co-mingled funds), but maybe not.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/10/2023 @ 11:17 am
Source. Apparently the Hyde Amendment doesn’t cover funds used for construction.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/10/2023 @ 11:29 amI don’t believe there should be a “per-se” ban on possessing a machinegun. Law-aiding citizens should be able to possess any firearm, especially since the BATF considers some firearm accessories (like bump stocks and forced-reset triggers) as functioning like a machinegun.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/10/2023 @ 11:49 amFive killed, including gunman, and nine injured in Louisville bank shooting
‘Monday’s killing came during what was at least the US’s 146th mass shooting this year. The Gun Violence Archive resource website defines a mass shooting as one in which four or more victims are killed or wounded.’ – https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/apr/10/louisville-active-shooting-attack-deaths
DCSCA (acd348) — 4/10/2023 @ 12:02 pmMacron: Europe should not follow US or Chinese policy over Taiwan
April 9 (Reuters) – French President Emmanuel Macron said in comments published on Sunday that Europe had no interest in an acceleration of the crisis over Taiwan and should pursue a strategy independent of both Washington and Beijing.
Macron has just returned from a three-day state visit to China, where he received a warm welcome from President Xi Jinping. China began drills around Taiwan on Saturday in anger at President Tsai Ing-wen’s meeting with the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday. – https://www.reuters.com/world/macron-says-europe-should-not-follow-us-or-chinese-policy-over-taiwan-2023-04-09/
_________
Japan breaks with western allies and BUYS Russian oil above $60-a-barrel cap after OPEC cartel and Moscow slashed production and forced prices higher
Japan is now buying Russian crude oil above the $60-a-barrel cap after OPEC+ slashed production, forcing prices even higher. The country is now the only G7 nation that is buying Russian crude above the cap which was agreed upon by the allies after the invasion of Ukraine.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11933643/Biden-gives-permission-Japan-buy-Russian-oil-60-barrel-cap.html
And how much blood and treasure has the debt-riddled, inflation battered taxpayers of the United States endured and paid to protect these ‘allies’…
Attaboy, Joey.
… and Putin smiled… as Xi ballooned a big grin
DCSCA (acd348) — 4/10/2023 @ 12:17 pm“CIA Director William Burns paid a surprise visit to Riyadh last week to express frustration with Saudi Arabia for reestablishing ties with Syria and Iran with help from Russia and China, saying the US was “blind-sided.”
Wonderful work being done there at the State Dept. Being blind-sided. It makes sense to do this because the Saudi’s are probably tired of the ongoing Iranian funded festivities in Yemen, but clearly the Saudis are realizing the US is stalemated in the Middle East when it comes to Iran.
steveg (d930cf) — 4/10/2023 @ 12:21 pm@338. State is led by feckless fvck-ups.
DCSCA (acd348) — 4/10/2023 @ 12:24 pmHarlan Crow has an interesting hobby.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/10/2023 @ 12:52 pmTrump Civil Litigation Watch II:
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/10/2023 @ 1:14 pmMy guess that for Trump, the answer would be “No.” He wouldn’t be able to rail about the unfairness of it all inside the courtroom.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/10/2023 @ 1:16 pmHoratio
Google “demystifying nationwide injunctions” and go to the article at texas law review
steveg (d930cf) — 4/10/2023 @ 2:06 pmI think I posted this in the wrong conversation yesterday
steveg (d930cf) — 4/10/2023 @ 2:07 pm#345 is the link to the texas law review article.
steveg (d930cf) — 4/10/2023 @ 2:09 pmThat article at that link spends a lot of words on preclusion, so you might as well make a day of it and read this too
steveg (d930cf) — 4/10/2023 @ 2:16 pmhttps://exercisescivpro.lawbooks.cali.org/chapter/exercise-eleven-preclusion/
@314 Their objectives were vague as they themselves admit. They opposed the vietnam war, I opposed the vietnam war. We disagreed on economic policy and agreed on foreign policy. Their violence was counter productive. As we see today how to non violently take over the country. Breeding works far better then bombing.
asset (087a70) — 4/10/2023 @ 2:19 pmWe did not have that obligation with Ukraine. If Ukraine is necessary, Taiwan is even more critical.
NJRob (c0bea7) — 4/10/2023 @ 3:02 pmTrust but verify.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/10/2023 @ 3:06 pmBetter link.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/10/2023 @ 3:08 pmApparently not to the French. The problem with defending Taiwan is distance-7,600 miles by air from the US. And China does not need to physically attack Taiwan to succeed. It can choke the island with a blockade. In any event, a war over Taiwan will quickly go nuclear.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/10/2023 @ 3:15 pmThought experiment from 17 years ago in relation to an in kind donation.
https://www.nationalreview.com/2008/10/la-times-suppresses-obamas-khalidi-bash-tape-andrew-c-mccarthy/
NJRob (c0bea7) — 4/10/2023 @ 3:20 pmIf the Chinese blockade Taiwan, the Chinese navy is going to take some very serious losses doing so. The US Navy and the UK would certainly test that blockade and the US could shanghai a bunch of outbound containers ships and move massive amounts of equipment.
steveg (d930cf) — 4/10/2023 @ 3:49 pmWe’ll see.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/10/2023 @ 3:51 pmIt has been rich to see the LA Times coverage on the National Enquirer catch and kill items when they did the same for Obama. But it was Obama and the LA Times was just trying to make America great and even if thi8s was wrong, it was wrong for all the right reasons
steveg (d930cf) — 4/10/2023 @ 3:54 pmAll the Sunday shows – except Fox News – had story after story about abortion and Trump.
Fox News talked of impending war with China and they provided info and data that supported that contention.
I note the increased, somewhat frenzied activity at the Concord Naval Weapons Station. Don’t be shocked if/when.
Colonel Haiku (75e41a) — 4/10/2023 @ 3:55 pmTaiwan can be neutralized by China long before the US or UK could react, unless we stationed a seriously large naval force there. It will be over in a very short time.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/10/2023 @ 4:32 pmNashville council votes to reinstate ousted Tennessee legislator Justin Jones
It was a rigged and stolen expulsion. Jones and Pearson retained their seats by a landslide.
nk (71c6a6) — 4/10/2023 @ 4:56 pm@360. We have subs; but they can do little but try to deter. My neighbor, a Marine, was sent to Palau last summer for six months to game out scenarios w/China. The results were not favorable to the debt riddled U.S. A unilateral response- especially now w/a Eurasian Alliance in place, is all that can be expected as “allies” in the geographic region- and in Europe [see France] will not follow the U.S. lead… Reactive, not proactive- as any proactive moves only increases tensions. Our diplomats are feckless and lack the skills to deal w this. The U.S. is being left behind as a global leader on multiple fronts.
Attaboy, Joey.
DCSCA (b52901) — 4/10/2023 @ 5:20 pmTaiwan can be neutralized by China long before the US or UK could react, unless we stationed a seriously large naval force there. It will be over in a very short time.
And Maine will complain that China is not buying enough lobster.
nk (71c6a6) — 4/10/2023 @ 5:22 pmRIP long time (65 years) Mad magazine cartoonist Al Jaffee (102).
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/10/2023 @ 6:02 pmRip
You may be onto something
steveg (d930cf) — 4/10/2023 @ 6:24 pmhttps://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3205597/part-taiwans-most-advanced-anti-ship-missile-sent-mainland-china-repairs
Another victim has died in Louisville.
DCSCA (8cf876) — 4/10/2023 @ 6:29 pmRip
This is an interesting war gaming on what Taiwan could do. It leans heavily on long range missiles (possibly based on Guam as well as Taiwanese f16 based on Guam) aiming to take out China’s support and resupply.
This best scenario shows Taiwanese planes taking two hours from Guam to launch positions on both flanks using stealthy anti ship missiles with a 500 nm range. These would be launched from outside the Chinese carrier protection umbrella.
Obviously the further out the Taiwanese can draw out the umbrella, the less effective it gets due to the area increase of an expanding circle. If the US and UK submarines get involved, and the technology of US and UK missiles works, the Chinese will lose quite a bit of their navy.
https://thediplomat.com/2022/09/building-taiwans-own-area-denial-capabilities/
Italics is my opinion
steveg (d930cf) — 4/10/2023 @ 6:58 pmCall me skeptical, but I don’t see enough to be gained by China to attempt an invasion. China has focused since 1979 on generating economic growth, building markets, and gaining leverage. This would represent a stark shift to nationalism.
Reunification comes with great costs, unknown risks, and uncertain benefits. The cherry, the economic engine of Taiwan, would likely be busted in the process…and the people forever embittered. The country would likely see sanctions from the world and perhaps even a blockade. The U.S. might be pushed into interceding with the other regional powers with the potential for a nuclear exchange real. I also doubt that an attack on Taiwan would go quick. China has to be ready for a multi-year possibility all the while economic screws are being turned on it.
And why exactly? Because Xi is bored? Because Biden? I can see China making a power move but an all out invasion doesn’t seem in its interest. If the US continues to move forward with warming relations with the Philippines, things get even pricier for a move. I’m open for persuading…it just sounds like bravado.
AJ_Liberty (c1a4d2) — 4/10/2023 @ 7:03 pmI wonder if the US would grab all the Taiwanese chip brain trusts and equipment like they did at the end of WWII with the German Rocket scientists
steveg (d930cf) — 4/10/2023 @ 7:07 pmPresident Biden reminded us today the “Anything is possible in America”. Yes we know. First Trump warts and all, and now Biden the dementia patient. Its an outbreak of political plague. Countries around the globe a gaming what happens if VP is elevated and their defensive moves show they think the outlook is grim
steveg (d930cf) — 4/10/2023 @ 7:13 pmhttps://sfstandard.com/business/downtown-san-francisco-whole-foods-market-closing/
Leftists encourage theft. Businesses close.
Leftists cannot connect the dots.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 4/10/2023 @ 7:21 pmWe will know that China is about to invade Taiwan when Nancy Pelosi’s husband Paul and her kids all short sell Taiwan Semiconductor
steveg (d930cf) — 4/10/2023 @ 7:59 pmThis feel right
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FtTtlNDWIAAmzea?format=jpg&name=small
From Escalatory Memes for Depressed Majors
steveg (d930cf) — 4/10/2023 @ 8:23 pm@SecretNofun
“Members of the FBI and the US Army Special Operations Command who were conducting a training exercise in downtown Boston raided the wrong hotel room and detained the person inside before realizing their mistake, the FBI said in a statement to CNN.
The FBI said its Boston division was helping the military with a training exercise around 10 p.m. Tuesday “to simulate a situation their personnel might encounter in a deployed environment.”
“Based on inaccurate information, they were mistakenly sent to the wrong room and detained an individual, not the intended role player,” the FBI said.”
steveg (d930cf) — 4/10/2023 @ 8:28 pmMedea Benjamin chimes in on China:
Unbelievable arrogance of US Navy challenging China’s “unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea.” Hello?!? It’s the South CHINA Sea!!!
Readers added context they thought she might want to know
“Several countries lie along the South China Sea and therefore, by international law, have a territorial and economic claim to sections of the sea. China has unilaterally laid claim to nearly the entire sea in violation of international law.”
My best guess is that Medea Benjamin is still going to fight context by simply repeating Hello?!? It’s the South CHINA Sea!!!
I wonder if she thinks the Black Sea belongs exclusively to Africans and their descendants
steveg (d930cf) — 4/10/2023 @ 9:02 pmWhy are there other countries in the Gulf of Mexico?
If I told her the Yellow Sea is filled with pee, would she believe me? Odds are increasing shifting towards yes
The same fill in the blank – I don’t attack posters here who said ukraine would be overwhelmed in 3 days (not me) now say the same thing about taiwan. Remember what happened when the CCP attack Vietnam? Before russia attacked ukrane all you heard was how powerful the russian tank army was and now how powerful the chinese navy is. Go on the internet and google how difficult an invasion of taiwan is. Will you never learn defense weapons have gained over offense just like in world war I when the machinr gun and barbed wire stopped first cavalry and then infantry. China’s navy would be swept off the ocean and they know it. Most of their navy are small craft with very limited capacity to boost their numbers.
asset (7215cf) — 4/10/2023 @ 11:19 pmSince the US is frantically trying to rebuild its IC foundry business, which TSMC took over some time ago, I wonder just what our interests will be in Taiwan in 2030. Assuming that Intel’s newly opened fabs to support outside customers proceeds as planned, and they can regain their former dominance, our need for Taiwan’s semiconductor industry will be much reduced.
Coupled with this is Biden’s blockade of advanced technology to China. It’s reminiscent of FDR blockade of oil to Imperial Japan, and THAT led to war. It’s almost as we are forcing China to invade Taiwan, but not just yet; better to do it when American interests have declined.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/11/2023 @ 3:16 amIt would be smarter for the Celestial Empire to wait until 2035 when all the cars in America are electric and all their batteries are made in China. Bada bing bada boom!
nk (433140) — 4/11/2023 @ 3:27 amThe Arab gulf states call the Persian Gulf the Arabian Gulf.
Sammy Finkelman (1e2ea4) — 4/11/2023 @ 4:27 amYou know my Theory of Grift. “With eight billion people in the world, it doesn’t take much of a percentage of suckers to provide you with a living.”
nk (433140) — 4/11/2023 @ 5:05 am@360
If CCP wants to destroy Taiwan, then yes, it’ll be over in a short time.
However, if CCP wants the people/infrastructure, no it won’t be over that quickly and they can hold out until US comes. Amphibious assaults’ on that island is a bit of a nightmare.
whembly (d116f3) — 4/11/2023 @ 6:22 amTSMC says it won’t destroy its facilities inn the event of a war, but neither it nor any factory that may exist in China can continue fir long without any imports.
Sammy Finkelman (1e2ea4) — 4/11/2023 @ 7:08 am“It would be smarter for the Celestial Empire to wait until 2035 when all the cars in America are electric and all their batteries are made in China.”
I have nothing against electric cars *, but there certainly is a supply chain snag coming. Mining of other metals for batteries introduces other ethical questions. But China launching a war will certainly upset markets. I’m sure they’re ok with pruning their population some, but I wonder at what point regime change becomes a thing. We will see a lot of preparation moves prior to an attack on Taiwan. These days it will be clear. I don’t Xi wants to make a mistake.
* Battery life is looking pretty good (as much as 250,000 miles) which surprised me a bit upon investigation
AJ_Liberty (5f05c3) — 4/11/2023 @ 8:51 amA lot of the German rocket scientists also ended up in the USSR.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/11/2023 @ 8:55 amThat’s the point. It would direct any resentments that the Chinese people have toward their government to completing the last unfinished business of the Chinese Revolution-total reunification. Call it MCGA-Make China Great Again.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/11/2023 @ 8:58 amTaiwan will be a Chinese province by then.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/11/2023 @ 8:59 amThe main difference is there are no US troops engaged in direct combat with the Russians in Ukraine. Any US defense of Taiwan will necessarily involve direct combat with China.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/11/2023 @ 9:10 amInteresting, the Tennessee House Speaker appears to have a residency problem.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/11/2023 @ 9:12 amXi Jìnpíng probably doesn’t want to wait until he is 82, he wants to complete reunification long before then.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/11/2023 @ 9:49 am53 years ago today, April 11, 1970, when America was truly great…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C3NAj4jCb0
DCSCA (57050b) — 4/11/2023 @ 10:00 amIt’s more comparable to Edward Snowden.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/11/2023 @ 10:19 amHe may be impeached, but he won’t be convicted.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/11/2023 @ 12:44 pmIt’s more comparable to Edward Snowden.
The Snowden documents were regarding NSA’s practices, such as the breadtyh of their domestic spying.
Manning was a code clerk who copied nearly every document that crossed his [at the time] desk, most of which were CIA and embassy traffic. This is closer to that in content. Not clear where it came from, so method might be quite different.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/11/2023 @ 12:56 pmand all their batteries are made in China. Bada bing bada boom!
This may be why they put domestic content rules on battery subsidies.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/11/2023 @ 12:58 pm“The administration is not playing it straight with the American public when it comes to Ukraine. An inability to see the situation clearly and communicate the situation without any sugarcoating is a formula for long-term problems.”
—- Jim Geraghty
Colonel Haiku (fa2991) — 4/11/2023 @ 1:10 pmTheory of Grift
This explains Spam adequately, and why people still send the Nigerian Letter. But it does not yet explain the utter devotion that some hold for Trump.
I’m reminded of this, from Michael Radford’s impressive Nineteen Eighty-Four (released 1984), lyrics by Dominic Muldowney. It’s sung by a troop of children (think Trump Youth) on a train among fairly horrified adults.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/11/2023 @ 1:12 pmQuestion: How in hell does one take an AR-15 into the back offices of a bank without someone saying “WTF!?” I mean, sure, it’s Kentucky, but really?
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/11/2023 @ 1:16 pmMost of the information that Manning was released was historical in nature, covering the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Edward Snowden leaked details of current intelligence programs.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/11/2023 @ 1:16 pm“NSC Spokesman John Kirby Demands Media Not Publish Leaks Which Are Damaging to Biden’s Lies About the War Going Great”
Colonel Haiku (fa2991) — 4/11/2023 @ 1:18 pmCan’t wait for the Swingin’ Party
https://twitter.com/townhallcom/status/1645499884131295263?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1645499884131295263%7Ctwgr%5Eb33f43b81e90bf5bd26f098c6ec932298ec62af3%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Face.mu.nu%2Farchives%2F403951.php403951
Colonel Haiku (fa2991) — 4/11/2023 @ 1:21 pmBy even reporting on the content of the documents the media companies and their reporters have violated the Espionage Act.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/11/2023 @ 1:25 pmInteresting, the Tennessee House Speaker appears to have a residency problem.
He has to be a qualified voter in his district. What that means may not be what the “independent” journalists (praised by NYT, WaPo and Bloomberg) want you to think it is. Owning property there, which is occasionally used (e.g. for public meetings, campaigning, etc) may be sufficient. I believe they will send ballots out of state, or even to foreign lands.
US Senators spend inordinate time in DC, for example, but must meet constitutional residence rules. This guy living in Nashville is not unusual, and I suspect that some Democrats will come to regret this gotcha.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/11/2023 @ 1:27 pm@397 Banks will give you a gun if you open account. I remember seeing this on the news in the past maybe still do.
asset (66c7a2) — 4/11/2023 @ 1:28 pmBy even reporting on the content of the documents the media companies and their reporters have violated the Espionage Act.
By allowing the posts to persist, when they take down others by software, they undermine their arguments for purging political poss.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/11/2023 @ 1:29 pm@399 probably maggot they are the new anti-war peace freaks as many on the left like me support ukraine as we supported the abraham lincoln brigade during the spanish civil war.
asset (66c7a2) — 4/11/2023 @ 1:31 pmEdward Snowden leaked details of current intelligence programs.
He leaked details of how the NSA collects information. Not what the information was, except in passing.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/11/2023 @ 1:33 pmHow in hell does one take an AR-15 into the back offices of a bank without someone saying “WTF!?” I mean, sure, it’s Kentucky, but really?
Saw media reports someone actually did say– that as the shooter burst into the meeting room, just before they were shot to death. The guy bought the AR-15 just a week ago, too.
DCSCA (86aea7) — 4/11/2023 @ 1:34 pmFrom the link in post 388:
Apparently, the Tennessee House has given him a pass.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/11/2023 @ 1:35 pmFrom happier days… https://youtu.be/8JqCg0r-T-4
Colonel Haiku (fa2991) — 4/11/2023 @ 1:39 pmI was speaking of the NYT and Washington Post. While the newspapers haven’t posted the actual documents (unlike Twitter, which has allowed the posts to remain), the papers have seemed to describe them is sufficient detail that they should be prosecuted.
Of course, they won’t be.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/11/2023 @ 1:40 pmMy point exactly. He leaked how current intelligence programs work. Manning leaked a historical archive.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/11/2023 @ 1:45 pmManning’s information was classified only to prevent embarrassment to the US government and its allies, not that I am condoning the leaks. It’s just that the Snowden leaks were far more damaging to US intelligence operations, just as the current leaks are.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/11/2023 @ 1:47 pmTrump Civil Litigation Watch III:
Bring out the popcorn!
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/11/2023 @ 2:38 pmBanks will give you a gun if you open account. I remember seeing this on the news in the past maybe still do.
Generally not loaded, but I guess if things heated up someone might toss in ammunition. Especially now. Also, how did get ammo for that gun — it’s often hard to find because so many non-murderous folks have them and use them..
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/11/2023 @ 2:43 pmManning leaked a historical archive.
The current leaks are of the same type of material (information and comments about, analysis of foreign countries). They are indeed more current, but that was never the point.
The point is this: You leak information marked TOP SECRET, you would be well advised to take out all your retirement money now and blow it on hookers and crack, because where you are going it will be of little use.
At least until Manning was given a pass.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/11/2023 @ 2:48 pmcurrent Kentucky law allows guns seized by the police to go to auction, including those used in violent crimes.
Punish the gun!
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/11/2023 @ 2:49 pmSo the near-trillion-dollar-a-year Pentagon can’t keep track of its files.
Just like the SCOTUS.
Storm the castle.
DCSCA (7e76f5) — 4/11/2023 @ 2:51 pmApparently, the Tennessee House has given him a pass.
I would be surprised if they didn’t give all representatives leeway on this. Leaving your family for 5 months of the year isn’t a fair demand, nor is making them move twice a year.
That being said, if he is applying for per diem 365 days a year it would be a problem. Also the taxes.
IIRC, Poppy Bush claimed his residence as Texas while living in the White House, to avoid DC income taxes. If he had any brains, Trump should have claimed DC.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/11/2023 @ 2:55 pmPrediction: the TX judge who accepted the silly stupid suit against the FDA will be bit*h-slapped by the Fifth Circuit. See here for an utter takedown.
Assuming it gets past the standing grounds, they have to explain away a 23 year delay in filing, and why the statute of limitations should not be applied to them, and, after that, why they have not exhausted their claims elsewhere.
But if they get to that point, their actual case fails to identify where in the state (at the time or later) is the clause that the approval violates.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/11/2023 @ 6:06 pmHere is the same author’s takedown on the court opinion.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/11/2023 @ 6:16 pmCan you imagine if judges could block drugs like the Covid vaccines, or Paxlovid, or any number of smaller breakthroughs that save lives? “Hasn’t been tested enough” means “keep testing until I get the result my magic magnifying mind expects!” Much like how Trump wanted votes counted.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/11/2023 @ 8:18 pm* where in the statUTe
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/11/2023 @ 8:19 pmI would expect that most congressfolk with families live in the DC area. A home is maintained back in the state, too, but they are mostly not there. IIRC, I think that Congressmen do not have to live in the district, although it may improve their election chances.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/11/2023 @ 8:22 pm‘Leak’ from “outside the Pentagon…” Apparently 1,000-5,000 people in the MIC can have access to these sort of classified documents.
Look to a MIC contractor pissed at being dissed for the leak.
For example:
CT-based Sikorsky loses out on Army $1.3 billion Black Hawk replacement contract
Connecticut-based Sikorsky lost out on a $1.3 billion contract to produce an aircraft that the Army envisions would replace its fleet of Black Hawk helicopters, failing to win over Pentagon brass with its Defiant-X prototype in partnership with Boeing. The contract was instead awarded to Texas-based Bell, which aims to produce its own V-280 Valor tilt-rotor aircraft…
https://www.ctinsider.com/business/article/sikorsky-bell-black-hawk-helicopter-17633470.php
DCSCA (9f1f45) — 4/11/2023 @ 9:08 pmThat’s the point. If the decision is upheld, it will be a boon to anti-vaxxers like RFK Jr.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/12/2023 @ 8:44 amThey wouldn’t have access to these intelligence documents. I wouldn’t put it past a member of Congress or Congressional staff, though.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/12/2023 @ 8:46 am@427. They wouldn’t have access to these intelligence documents.
Except they would:
‘Tens of thousands of people working for the U.S. government both directly and as contractors have security clearances allowing access to classified information. Many people with security clearances never handle classified material but need to be cleared so they can be present when classified information is discussed.’ – https://dornsifecms.usc.edu/news/stories/3749/what-are-classified-documents/
DCSCA (cd81cb) — 4/12/2023 @ 9:49 amThe number of people with Top Secret clearance will shock you
‘[M]ore than 2.8 million people are described as having security clearance as of October 2017 – more than 1.6 million have access to either Confidential or Secret information and nearly 1.2 million are described as having access to Top Secret information.’ – https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/15/politics/classified-information-what-matters/index.html
DCSCA (cd81cb) — 4/12/2023 @ 9:52 amThis is why Biden stopped giving Trump the courtesy of intelligence briefings in early 2021.
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 4/12/2023 @ 10:13 am@430, Trump remains unqualified to be leader….unless maybe Russia. DCCCP can be his Joseph Goebbels.
AJ_Liberty (5f05c3) — 4/12/2023 @ 10:37 am“ But whatever you say about RFK Jr., he never drowned a woman, like his uncle. He never crippled one, like his brother. He never raped an underage babysitter, like another of his brothers. He’s never been accused of raping a woman, like one of his cousins, or beating a teenaged neighbor girl to death with a golf club, like another of his cousins.
Come to think of it, his opponent for the Democratic nomination, Joe Biden, has been accused of rape, by his former aide Tara Reade. And unlike Biden, none of Bobby’s daughters have ever written in their diaries that Daddy used to take long showers with them when they were 11 years old.
Compared to Joe Biden, in fact, Bobby Kennedy Jr. is a paragon of virtue.”
https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/04/12/howie-carr-rfk-jr-the-outcast-kennedy-has-dems-reeling/
Colonel Haiku (80064f) — 4/12/2023 @ 10:50 amWhat to do about gun violence.
Ban leftists from owning guns.
Problem solved.
Convince assoations of gun store owners to require a donation of 10% of the sale to the NRA.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/12/2023 @ 11:07 amRobert Kennedy, Jr should be red-flagged for guns. He is a bloody-minded extremist who would ban rabies vaccinations if he could.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/12/2023 @ 11:08 amTim Scott announcement without Twitter maniacs or talking heads:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhTP0kJ2M9I
Excellent. Listening to this I heard Ronald Reagan as he might be today. He’s a real threat to Trump.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/12/2023 @ 11:13 amBye for now, Nikki. Tim Scott has the energy you apparently lack.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/12/2023 @ 11:17 amOf course, they won’t be.
Biden gave them clearance just by thinking about it.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/12/2023 @ 11:37 amI wouldn’t put it past a member of Congress or Congressional staff, though.
Few of them get to see this range of info. Maybe “Foreign Affairs” or “Intelligence”, but the Intelligence Committee and their staff are selected and vetted; staff who leak from that committee will be prosecuted, maybe even Congressmen if it’s intentional.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/12/2023 @ 11:43 amDonated to Tim Scott. I’m so easy.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/12/2023 @ 11:43 am@431. =yawn= So don’t vote for him.
Read your Constitution. Trump’s totally qualified. So are you- assuming you’re over 35 and a U.S. citizen. Thanks for playing.
DCSCA (1495f8) — 4/12/2023 @ 12:24 pm@439. Donated to Tim Scott. I’m so easy.
Apparently so: he hasn’t even declared he’s running.
DCSCA (1495f8) — 4/12/2023 @ 12:26 pmThis appears to be fake news, as there is nothing on the Internet about it.
Confirmed as a hoax
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/12/2023 @ 1:21 pmApparently so: he hasn’t even declared he’s running.
No, so the donations now don’t count for the primaries, although they can be used for the primaries. But I’ll be very surprise if he does not run.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/12/2023 @ 1:24 pmConvince associations of gun store owners to require a donation of 10% of the sale to the NRA.
They could use this “window sign“.
Kevin M (1ea396) — 4/12/2023 @ 1:30 pmLOL! Winthrop University South Carolina Poll:
……..
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/12/2023 @ 1:37 pmSupport for Trump’s run for president is high among South Carolina Republicans who are registered to vote. Among nine Republicans who have either announced a 2024 presidential run or who are viewed as potential contenders, Trump is on top with 41%. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Haley are neck-and-neck with 20% and 18% respectively.
……..
Pretty poor showing for a former governor (with a 73% approval rating among Republicans) and current US Senator (at 69%) in the same poll.. Trump has a 74% approval among Republicans.
Tim Scott is no threat, less so than Darling Nikki.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/12/2023 @ 1:43 pmAnother non-disclosure? No, Thomas!
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 4/13/2023 @ 1:00 pmThis place never changes. 400 comments by the same 12 people
LOL!
rcocean (3fd2da) — 4/14/2023 @ 7:40 pmYou always were a week behind, rc.
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 4/14/2023 @ 8:09 pmhttps://trendingpoliticsnews.com/revealed-shadow-billionaire-funding-sexual-assault-suit-against-trump-is-linkedins-founder-jrupp/
Radical leftists abusing our court system for political advantage. Just like they did in Alaska.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 4/15/2023 @ 5:51 am