Weekend Open Thread
[guest post by Dana]
Let’s go!
First news item
Second firm hired by Trump found no 2020 election fraud:
Former president Trump’s campaign quietly commissioned a second firm to study election fraud claims in the weeks after the 2020 election, and the founder of the firm was recently questioned by the Justice Department about his work disproving the claims.
Ken Block, founder of the firm Simpatico Software Systems, studied more than a dozen voter fraud theories and allegations for Trump’s campaign in late 2020 and found they were “all false,” he said in an interview with The Washington Post.
“No substantive voter fraud was uncovered in my investigations looking for it, nor was I able to confirm any of the outside claims of voter fraud that I was asked to look at,” he said. “Every fraud claim I was asked to investigate was false.”
Just yesterday, Trump appeared at a rally and whined to supporters that the 2020 election had been stolen, despite two firms hired to analyze the results arriving at the same conclusion: no substantive fraud was uncovered.
Yesterday, as the one-trick pony took the stage at a rally, he proceeded to whine that the 2020 election had been “rigged,”
…CNN published excerpts from a draft RNC report exploring the reasons Republicans underperformed in the 2022 midterms. One conclusion stood above the rest: Voters are tired of hearing about election fraud.
“The American people want to move forward and rarely, if ever, are concerned about what happened in the past. The balance of survey data makes it clear that voters are done with the 2020 and 2022 elections. They have no patience for endless conversations relitigating previous elections from Democrats and Republicans,” reads the draft. “Those who don’t heed that lesson from 2022 will be more likely to lose in 2024 and successive cycles.”
Second news item
Targeting civilians again because that’s what a genocide looks like:
Russia launched a barrage of long-range cruise missiles at Ukraine in the early hours of Friday morning, according to Ukrainian officials.
At around 4 a.m. local time (9 p.m. ET), 23 missiles were launched from Russian aircraft in the Caspian Sea area, along with two drones, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. Twenty-one of the missiles were intercepted by Ukrainian air defenses, it said.
But missiles did hit the central Ukrainian cities of Uman, in the Cherkasy region south of Kyiv, and Dnipro.
Uman: Officials say the death toll in Uman stands at 20, including three children. At least 18 people have been wounded.
According to Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko, there were 46 apartments inside one of the buildings that were hit, of which 27 were completely destroyed. He said it may take a day to clear all the rubble.
Note that this strike has caused more civilian casualties in a single incident since January when an apartment was hit in Dnipro in January. Also, as of this morning, the death toll stands at 20 including 3 children
Ukraine Minister of Foreign Affairs DmytroKuleba responded to the latest strike:
Missile strikes killing innocent Ukrainians in their sleep, including a 2-years-old child, is Russia’s response to all peace initiatives. The way to peace is to kick Russia out of Ukraine. The way to peace is to arm Ukraine with F-16s and protect children from Russian terror.
And pointing out what has now become obvious:
Types of weapons that, we were told, would ‘provoke Russia to escalate’ if supplied to Ukraine but never did:
Artillery
MLRS
Air Defense
Tanks
Long-range missilesF-16s will not either. Giving Ukraine F-16s will deter Russia rather than ‘provoke’ it. Time to take this step.
Thoughts about Ukraine’s urgent need for F-16s and our reluctance to provide them:
Ukraine must be ready soon for an offensive. Europe understands the urgency but doesn’t have the stockpiles. The US has the necessary ATACMs and F-16s gathering dust but refuses to provide them. Why? The answers are disturbing. Putin hopes for another long, frozen conflict that doesn’t put enough pressure on his domestic problems to crack his regime. That offers him hope of offramps and negotiations that only empower him, as has happened for the past decade. Tragically, influences in the Biden White House also seem to want this. Sullivan, Burns, Kerry, treating this like the Cold War where the evil they know is better than the uncertainty of victory, even if it means undermining the counteroffensive against a war criminal regime. Ukraine needs long-range fires and jets to free all its territory and people and end this war. Everyone understands this, including SecDef Austin, who has been trying his best. But the politicians don’t want to burn figurative bridges with Putin–or real bridges to Crimea. Sullivan can be a moral idiot, but here it’s costing many thousands of lives. The US must declare its strategic and political goals for this war. At Ramstein they again were unwilling to provide the decisive advantage Ukraine needs, dragging out the war as Putin desires. The national security of the US can be served in no better way than Ukraine defeating Russia decisively. Any result with Russia still occupying Ukraine will be a huge loss for the US and all democracies. Don’t negotiate with terrorists. Give everything now for Ukraine to win.
Third news item
Would a true ally of the United States do this:
China resumed construction of a military base in the United Arab Emirates, a move likely to alarm US officials and increase concerns that another US ally in the Middle East is drawing closer to China.
According to leaked US intelligence documents obtained by The Washington Post, construction has resumed at a Chinese military base just outside Abu Dhabi.
…
China in recent months has made an audacious power play in the Middle East, organising a diplomatic thaw between longtime rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran. Beijing has exposed the limitations of US influence in a region where it’s long been the dominant international power.
Fourth news item
On day two of testimony from E.Jean Carroll:
And, in perhaps the most heated moment of the day, Tacopina questioned why she wouldn’t have screamed if she were being sexually assaulted.
“I’m not a screamer. You can’t beat up on me for not screaming,” she replied, growing agitated. “I’m not beating up on you. I’m asking you questions,” Tacopina said.
“Women don’t come forward. One of the reasons they don’t come forward is because they’re always asked, why didn’t you scream?” Carroll told the courtroom. Women are told, she said, “You better have a good excuse if you didn’t scream.”
At that point, Carroll raised her voice. “I’m telling you: He raped me whether I screamed or not,” she exclaimed.
“Do you need a minute, Ms. Carroll?” Tacopina asked.
“No,” she replied. “Go right on. I don’t need an excuse for not screaming.”
This was puzzling:
Tacopina also questioned Carroll about a 2017 email referencing Trump between her and her friend Carol Martin, in which Martin wrote: “As soon as we are both well enuf to scheme, we must do our patriotic duty again …” Carroll responded: “TOTALLY!!! I have something special for you when we meet.”
When Carroll testified, as she had also done Wednesday, that she couldn’t recall what the email meant, Tacopina asked how she could remember details from the alleged rape from at least 27 years ago but couldn’t recall anything about a six-year-old email.
“Those are facts that I could never forget,” Carroll said of the alleged attack. “This is an email among probably hundreds of emails between Carol and I that I have no recollection of.”
Fifth news item
This is disgusting. On the same day that Mike Pence testified before a federal grand jury as part of special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation, his former boss did this:
Micki Larson-Olson, a QAnon supporter who said she considers Trump the “real president,” was convicted last year of unlawful entry on Capitol grounds. On Thursday night, she met Trump for the first time at the Red Arrow Diner in Manchester. [Ed. She was pointed out to Trump: “Where is she?” Trump asked. He sought her out and, absent any solicitation, told her to “hang in there.” Trump later pulled Larson-Olson, who was among the hundreds arrested and convicted for their participation in the January 6 riots, toward him for a photo. ]
…
Larson-Olson was introduced to Trump as a “Jan. 6er,” and he signed the backpack that she said she was carrying with her that day and waived her past security so he could embrace her. “Listen, you just hang in there,” Trump said, calling her a “terrific woman” and kissing her on the cheek. Trump said it was “so bad” what has been done to Jan. 6 “patriots.”
On Jan. 6, Larson-Olson climbed the scaffolding set up for Joe Biden’s inauguration and held on when police tried to remove her…she “refused” to leave the platform and has “absolutely no regrets” about her actions that day…Larson-Olson said she believes that the members of Congress who voted to certify Biden’s presidential election should be executed…“The punishment for treason is death, per the Constitution. I believe every single person, every single person that stole a voice from our collective voice of ‘We the people, of the people, for the people, by the people,’ deserves death, and no less than that.”
Larson-Olson added that she “would like a front seat of Mike Pence being executed” and that he should be the “No. 1” person on her list of those who committed treason.
Unfuckingbelievable.
Sixth news item
Surprising results from Fox News poll:
One of the key takeaways from the poll published Thursday night was the finding that 61 percent of Americans surveyed are in favor of banning all assault weapons, while only 45 percent of Americans believe more citizens carrying guns is a solution to lowering gun violence.
The idea that more “good guys” carrying guns will lower gun violence has been a popular talking point on the right for many years.
Broken down by partisan affiliation, however, 61 percent of Republicans believe more citizens carrying guns will lower gun violence – while only 27 percent of Democrats agreed.
Additionally, the poll found that the vast majority of Americans are in favor of additional gun buy restrictions:
— Requiring criminal background checks on all gun buyers (87%)
– Improving enforcement of existing gun laws (81%)
— Raising the legal age to buy a gun to 21 (81%)
— Requiring mental health checks on gun buyers (80%)
— Allowing police to take guns from those considered a danger to themselves or others (80%)
— Requiring a 30-day waiting period for all gun purchases (77%)
Seventh news item
The DeSantis v. Disney or Disney v. DeSantis saga continues as Republicans double-down:
The Florida Senate passed legislation late Wednesday that would get rid of a development agreement between Walt Disney World and its special district signed before the district’s board was replaced with government appointees, further escalating Florida Republicans’ feud with Disney despite the company filing a lawsuit over those attacks hours earlier.
…
The bill will now go to the Florida House, which is also controlled by Republicans and is likely to pass it. If it becomes law, the legislation would throw a further wrinkle into Disney’s lawsuit, which already alleges that the board’s attempt to revoke the development agreement violates the U.S. Constitution’s Contract Clause, which states that “[n]o State shall … pass any … Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts.” Disney’s lawsuit asks for the court to overturn the board’s decision to revoke the development agreement, leaving the agreement in place, and also asks the court to overturn laws that overhauled Disney’s special district, returning the district to how it was before Republicans’ attacks.
This is nuts. Again, how does the DeSantis attack on one of the state’s most successful businesses make even a little bit of sense? What if another successful business in the state criticizes a DeSantis bill, is he going to go to war on them too?
A 2019 study found Disney dominates the Central Florida tourism industry, according to Oxford Economics, and produced: $75.2 billion annual economic impact for Central Florida. 463,000 jobs. $5.8 billion in additional state tax revenue.
Anyway, the “new sheriff in town” shot himself in the foot even before officially announcing a run for the presidency.
Eighth news item
The first Barbie doll representing a person with Down syndrome was released by Mattel “to allow even more children to see themselves in Barbie,” the company said.
“We are proud to introduce a Barbie doll with Down syndrome to better reflect the world around us and further our commitment to celebrating inclusion through play,” Lisa McKnight, the executive vice president and global head of Barbie & dolls at Mattel, said in a statement.
Enough with the bobble-headed, bleached-blonde, giant-boobed toothpicks being presented to young girls as some sort of idealized “beauty”!
Have a great weekend!
–Dana
Hello.
Dana (560c99) — 4/28/2023 @ 12:08 pmAll of the above. Ukraine might not use long-range missiles if Russia stops, but deterrence is obviously necessary. Putin does not seem to be concerned about escalating because there is no cost to him. There must be one.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 4/28/2023 @ 12:22 pmThe answers are disturbing. Putin hopes for another long, frozen conflict that doesn’t put enough pressure on his domestic problems to crack his regime. That offers him hope of offramps and negotiations that only empower him
This is exactly the way Vietnam went, from a few advisers at the beginning, then one day we are bombing dams and neighboring countries.
The frog never notices the carefully gauged increases in the water temperature.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 4/28/2023 @ 12:25 pmBeijing has exposed the limitations of US influence in a region where it’s long been the dominant international power.
China may be assh0le, but China is not stupid and they play a long game. It should be obvious to anyone that sooner or later the US will wash its hands of Middle East oil and the job of protecting that commerce. UAE is just securing a new friend for when the old friend bails.
Does anyone doubt that Trump or Biden or some successor won’t bail the moment we don’t need no stinking Arab oil?
China, for its part, will be using Middle East oil for some time to come. They make noises about Climate Change, but they, like the Germans, are building more coal plants as we speak.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 4/28/2023 @ 12:32 pmOne of the key takeaways from the poll published Thursday night was the finding that 61 percent of Americans surveyed are in favor of banning all assault weapons
Quite a few of those people think we are talking about machine guns, a point on which the media seems quite willing to deceive, inveigle and obfuscate.
Better to ask this:
Would you favor banning all guns that fire multiple bullets each time the trigger is pulled?
Would you favor banning all guns that fire a single bullet each time the trigger is pulled?
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 4/28/2023 @ 12:38 pmAnyway, the “new sheriff in town” shot himself in the foot even before officially announcing a run for the presidency.
Indeed. And to prove his lie was good, he’s aiming at the other foot.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 4/28/2023 @ 12:39 pmSeventh News Item: This is nuts. Again, how does the DeSantis attack on one of the state’s most successful businesses make even a little bit of sense? What if another successful business in the state criticizes a DeSantis bill, is he going to go to war on them too?
Cut to the chase: Ron Desantis is a fool going to war with one of the most recognized American institutions on Earth– and it is a major employer as well as massive revenue draw for his home state and for the associated businesses that service same.
With an average annual attendance of over 58 million visitors, Walt Disney World is the most visited vacation resort in the world.
He’s not only a fool, he’s a damn idiot.
DCSCA (5dcfdf) — 4/28/2023 @ 12:42 pm@7
If that business enters the political arena, meaning active participation, that doesn’t mean the government isn’t allowed to respond.
whembly (d116f3) — 4/28/2023 @ 12:45 pmRequiring a 30-day waiting period for all gun purchases (77%)
What earthly good would that do? As for the rest of it, we keep finding that the background checks that are conducted by the bureaucracy are cursory and limited in scope. To increase that scope noticeably would require LOTS more well-trained people and money. Which won’t happen.
If you are going to try to keep criminals and nutjobs from guns, you need to do a deep-dive investigation, perhaps similar to a secret clearance background search (and a similar detailed history provided by the applicant). If done to process a gun-license application (at the federal level), this needs to be done only once, so you can spend some time and energy on it.
Selling a gun to someone without such a license would be game over for any gun shop.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 4/28/2023 @ 12:49 pmIf that business enters the political arena, meaning active participation, that doesn’t mean the government isn’t allowed to respond.
So, you favor bans on Chick-fil-A?
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 4/28/2023 @ 12:50 pm@10
Please re-read what I said.
whembly (d116f3) — 4/28/2023 @ 12:53 pmThis thread has more on the Russian terrorist missile attack on the residential building in Uman. It’s hearbreaking.
The toll is 23 dead, 4 of them children. What makes this attack even worse is that the town is nowhere near the front lines, 115± miles south of Kyiv and 185± miles northwest of Kherson.
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 4/28/2023 @ 12:54 pmGiving Ukraine F-16s will deter Russia rather than ‘provoke’ it. Time to take this step.
No. No way. They’ve been freely ‘given’ more than enough by the taxpayers of the United States. Debt riddled USA doesn’t need nor can afford to send Ukraine reconfigured-to-withhold-proprietary-technology-F-16s when THERE ARE EQUALLY IF NOT BETTER AIRCRAFT MUCH CLOSER to them to extort from the European nations immediately affected by the conflict:
The 7 Best European Fighter Jets
1. Dassault Mirage III
2. SEPECAT Jaguar
3. Panavia Tornado
4. Dassault Mirage 2000
5. Dassault Rafale
6. Saab JAS 39 Gripen
7. Eurofighter Typhoon
https://aerocorner.com/blog/european-fighter-jets/
Let Europe “pay the freight” and ‘GIVE’ Ukraine fighter planes- after all, the fire is in their backyard.
DCSCA (5dcfdf) — 4/28/2023 @ 12:55 pm@12
It’s a terror campaign not unlike the kinds in WW2.
How does the world respond to such against a nuclear-capable country?
whembly (d116f3) — 4/28/2023 @ 12:59 pmOne of the key takeaways from the poll published Thursday night was the finding that 61 percent of Americans surveyed are in favor of banning all assault weapons, while only 45 percent of Americans believe more citizens carrying guns is a solution to lowering gun violence.
I’m sure that polls taken in 2018 would have shown that 61 percent of Americans surveyed thought that cashless bail and restorative justice would help decrease crime, and only 45 percent believed that sentencing criminals to prison kept Americans safe. We all know how that turned out.
JVW (1ad43e) — 4/28/2023 @ 1:01 pmTo me, it’s two-pronged: Arm the Ukrainians with the weapons they’re requesting, and sanction the hell out of Russians and Russian entities. On the latter, there are thousands more that can be sanctioned.
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 4/28/2023 @ 1:07 pmThe Ones That Didn’t Receive a Pardon and Got Caught Holding the Bag:
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/28/2023 @ 1:10 pmI can’t stop watching the video here, watching people agreeing to be “scanned” by a masked person in an Adidas business suit with a lint roller. I don’t know whether to laugh or smdh.
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 4/28/2023 @ 1:10 pm@16
I’m reasonably confident that US/EU can give most of what Ukraine wants.
But, the hard part is the sanctions.
We can’t even get the oil sanctions to stick, and that’s a failure of the WhiteHouse’s and other NATO nation’s leadership.
whembly (d116f3) — 4/28/2023 @ 1:11 pm@14. The ‘world’ doesn’t have to. It’s a regional affair and this is not World War II scale. And postwar organizations were created in the wake of that global carnage to deal with and manage such regional conflicts; everything from the EU to the UN and multiple organizations in between.
You want “the world” to deal with Hong Kong? Sudan? Syria? Myanmar?? And the rest of the ongoing conflicts you don’t see on your interweb gadgets? Here’s the list– pick your poison:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ongoing_armed_conflicts
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wars:_2003%E2%80%93present
This little rock is festering with bloodshed. But if you’re advocating for World Government- which is inevitable for planetary management in the centuries ahead, welcome to the Planet Earth of ‘Star Trek’ 400 years from now.
DCSCA (5dcfdf) — 4/28/2023 @ 1:15 pmMost countries in the world are neither US allies on in the EU (NATO has nothing to do with sanction enforcement).
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/28/2023 @ 1:16 pmChina, for its part, will be using Middle East oil for some time to come. They make noises about Climate Change, but they, like the Germans, are building more coal plants as we speak.
And of course we will soon be subsidizing them for doing that, thanks to the sheer incompetence of the Biden Administration and the United Nations Climate Change Cartel.
JVW (1ad43e) — 4/28/2023 @ 1:18 pmSad! Unfortunately the crew survived.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/28/2023 @ 1:19 pm@20
How does WWI and WWII start?
Mayhaps we try to avoid getting there?
whembly (d116f3) — 4/28/2023 @ 1:19 pm@21
Of course.
Just opining how difficult to enact and enforce sanctions.
whembly (d116f3) — 4/28/2023 @ 1:20 pmMost countries in the world are neither US allies on in the EU (NATO has nothing to do with sanction enforcement).
Rip, don’t be pedantic. NATO members make up the entire leadership of the EU, so they should be the ones leading the push for sanctions enforcement. And the idea that most countries in the world aren’t US allies would sure come as a surprise to the Team Biden, who spent all of 2020 assuring us how respected and beloved their man was in international circles.
JVW (1ad43e) — 4/28/2023 @ 1:21 pmAre you suggesting that NATO should enforce sanctions through military force against non-NATO countries?
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/28/2023 @ 1:27 pm@24. Multiple organizations and institution were created in the wake of such carnage to contain the fire which is why- in the case of Ukraine- it is the responsibility of Europe, the EU and assorted nations on the European continent to contain same. They are well armed- some of the finest ground equipment and aircraft in the world BTW- w/t wealth to absorb the costs and the diplomats to ‘put the fire out.’ And if you ‘hope’ Europe will rush to aid the United States when it unilaterally has confront China over Taiwan as conflict erupts- dream on. Lest you forget, ‘Allies’ were scarce to virtually nil when it came to the proxy fight over Vietnam.
DCSCA (5dcfdf) — 4/28/2023 @ 1:28 pmHow does the world respond to such against a nuclear-capable country?
Nothing we do (aside from using nukes) will force Putin to use nukes. We will, or he will not, just like nothing we’ve done has required him to bomb apartment buildings.
Now, the reason he won’t use nukes is not because he doesn’t want to, but because WE have nukes and he is attentive to that. If Ukraine still had nukes, we would not be talking about the invasion of Ukraine.
But Ukraine also hasn’t the power to deter these attacks on civilian targets. Giving Ukraine that power is not to say they will use it, but that the Russians might refrain from continuing attacks such as these.
==========
This is the entire walking-on-eggshells thing that battered women and children learn. Don’t upset daddy when he’s been drinking, because you’ll make him hit you. It’s not a good place to be.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 4/28/2023 @ 1:39 pm* He will, or he will not
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 4/28/2023 @ 1:40 pmRIP Ken Potts (102); oldest known survivor of the sinking of the USS Arizona:
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/28/2023 @ 1:45 pmWhembly, companies engage in politics all the time. The right of ppl to criticize the government and elected officials is protected by the first amendment. This is unlawful retribution for protected speech.
Time123 (3ece93) — 4/28/2023 @ 1:48 pmPFC Story’s Medal of Honor Citation:
Paragraph breaks added.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/28/2023 @ 1:58 pmWSJ Weekend Interview: Justice Samuel Alito:
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/28/2023 @ 2:24 pmDana. Here’s another completely insane one.
time123 (3ece93) — 4/28/2023 @ 2:27 pmHow long it takes to get a non controversial FOIA request result back
https://www.newser.com/story/334609/photos-capture-white-house-during-obamas-bin-laden-raid.html
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/28/2023 @ 2:29 pmThe Air National Guardsman Teixeira was twice denied a gun license by Massachusetts because of his love for violence nut got one after he was in the military.
He searched for information about Uvalde and another gun crime
https://www.wsj.com/articles/denied-a-gun-license-over-school-threat-accused-leaker-jack-teixeira-later-got-top-secret-clearance-1b0cd54
In an article I missed that was lined here I read that he claimed to have better access than most people with Top Secret security clearance.
Nothing was compartmentalized for him, apparently Whatever IT person set the system up wanted to make sure he could read everything. And nobody at the base did anything to prevent removal of printouts.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/28/2023 @ 2:42 pmhttps://www.wbur.org/news/2023/04/27/jack-teixeira-espionage-prosecutors
The death penalty and the fact it would ruin is career may perhaps have deterred him from doing a mass shooting.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/28/2023 @ 2:44 pmChange in war strategy. NATO now wants to avoid any place getting even temorarily occupied by Russia
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 4/28/2023 @ 2:44 pm‘Justice Alito finds the whole notion appalling…’
Why doesn’t Berobed Bureaucrat Alito find The Leaker instead; start by looking at himself in the mirror.
DCSCA (e60743) — 4/28/2023 @ 2:54 pmAre you suggesting that NATO should enforce sanctions through military force against non-NATO countries?
Good Heavens, warmonger, have you never heard of diplomacy and persuasion? It doesn’t always have to be warships and bombers.
JVW (1ad43e) — 4/28/2023 @ 3:21 pmSince NATO is a military alliance, they use warships and bombers as part of their “persuasion.”
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/28/2023 @ 3:23 pmSixth News Item:
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/28/2023 @ 3:33 pmRelated:
Understanding Firearm Deaths by State—and How to Reduce Them
By visualizing state-level mortality data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this interactive map shows that states in the northeast and the coastal west have among the lowest firearm death rates.
Conversely, in the south and mountain west, firearm death rates are especially high.
To see how each state compares with the national average, explore gun mortality outcomes by gender, race, ethnicity, urbanicity, or age in the map below.
………
Key Takeaways:
………
There are wide and geographically specific differences in state firearm homicide rates; states in the northeast, west, and north-central regions have low firearm homicide rates, while states in the central midwest and south have among the highest such rates.
Firearm suicides are less geographically concentrated than firearm homicides, but rates of such suicides are especially low in several northeastern states, California, and Hawaii. In contrast, rates are high in the mountain west and midsouth. Indeed, rates in Wyoming, Montana, and Alaska are more than eight times higher than rates in Massachusetts or New Jersey.
Overall, firearm death rates vary a great deal by subgroup, but across all subgroups, death rates remain lower than average in California, Hawaii, Minnesota, and several northeastern states. Death rates are highest for many subgroups in the south-central and central midwestern states and the mountain west.
…….
Firearm death rates are lower in urban counties than in nonurban counties. This is driven by higher rates of firearm suicide in nonurban areas.
Risk of firearm homicide is more than ten times higher for non-Hispanic Black populations than non-Hispanic White populations nationally. This is the largest demographic disparity in the data set.
Hispanic populations have firearm homicide rates that are more than twice as high as non-Hispanic White populations. In contrast, non-Hispanic White populations have firearm suicide rates that are more than double those of non-Hispanic Black populations and more than three times larger than those of Hispanic populations.
Firearm homicide rates decrease with each successively older age group, while firearm suicide rates increase with age.
………..
This model shows that implementing the most restrictive combination of these laws could substantially reduce homicides and suicides, particularly in the states with existing, more-permissive firearm laws. In contrast, enacting a permissive law regime could substantially increase firearm deaths, especially in states with existing more-restrictive gun laws.
Users can explore how adding or removing certain laws within each state’s existing legal framework might increase or decrease existing death rates within five years of implementation. Note that these are estimates that are subject to considerable uncertainty. See the individual state estimates for descriptions of the range of uncertainty for each estimate.
Changing a state law compares your selections with the state laws in effect at the end of 2018. Our estimates of gun law effects change over the first five years after implementation. The estimated effect of implementing a law assumes that the law was in effect for at least five years.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/28/2023 @ 3:43 pm………..
Is Anyone Really Surprised?
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 4/28/2023 @ 3:59 pm@41. Good Heavens, warmonger, have you never heard of diplomacy and persuasion? It doesn’t always have to be warships and bombers.
No kidding. And the irony is, “diplomacy” is precisely the means by which this- as with every other modern conflict– will conclude.
DCSCA (ca5289) — 4/28/2023 @ 4:33 pmWhat the data says about gun deaths in the U.S.
Where’s the section about self-defense? And most self-defense doesn’t involve shooting.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 4/28/2023 @ 4:37 pm@41. ‘Warships and bombers’… yes, warmly recally how the United States faked involvement by warship then B-52’d North Vietnam back into the stone age to claim ultiomate and glorious victory over Ho’s NVA… =sarc=
DCSCA (ca5289) — 4/28/2023 @ 4:42 pmWSJ Weekend Interview: Justice Samuel Alito…
Memo To Berobed Alito:
Golly Sam, saw ‘The Thin Man’ movies, too. You know what Nick & Nora would say…
‘methinks thou dost protest too much…’
DCSCA (ca5289) — 4/28/2023 @ 4:48 pm‘methinks thou dost protest too much…’
That was from the Thin Man movies? Gosh, what you learn these days.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 4/28/2023 @ 8:40 pmWell said, Kevin.
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 4/28/2023 @ 8:54 pmCathy Young has more on Amnesty’s victim-blaming report. The organization should be ashamed.
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 4/28/2023 @ 9:44 pmWhen The Don;
Mocks the shufflin’ along;
Of the Joe;
Gettin’ more lost and slow;
As our prez,
Shows he’s out of his head;
That’s Entertainment!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ith__Oce5to
DCSCA (5e6a62) — 4/29/2023 @ 12:00 amRFK’s interview with ABC censored about covid and autism. Seems they want to make him more palatable to democrat voters so they can protest vote in the primary.
asset (0445d8) — 4/29/2023 @ 1:17 amDoing away with preferential zoning and unearned tax breaks is a win for all. But it’s easy to tar DeSantis when all you do is get information from leftist sources.
Disney is trying to harmn the citizens of Florida. They don’t deserve special privileges.
And when the Obama judge rules in Disney’s favor, he will get overturned yet again in the Court of Appeals like has been done repeatedly when he has ruled for the left against DeSantis. The recent overturning of his noxious remarks on voting laws is particularly telling.
NJRob (eacb83) — 4/29/2023 @ 7:06 amThird news item
Would a true ally of the United States do this
Wasn’t this was supposed to be the administration that would shore up relations with our allies?
We brought the “adults” back in the room, but our friends are straying. Must be bad friends LOL
JF (56de52) — 4/29/2023 @ 7:27 am‘I Have Six Grandchildren’: Biden Leaves Out Hunter’s Illegitimate Child While Speaking To Kids At White House
What a POS
JF (56de52) — 4/29/2023 @ 7:32 amEight news items
Quick, find the current president’s name in any of them.
He must be doing everything right.
JF (56de52) — 4/29/2023 @ 7:37 amFirm Of Ex-Intel Officials Behind Hunter Biden Letter Advising VC Giant Pouring Millions Into China
JF (56de52) — 4/29/2023 @ 7:44 amIrony in Chief
Biden tells ‘Tennessee Three’ that GOP efforts to expel them were ‘undemocratic’
JF (56de52) — 4/29/2023 @ 7:54 am“I’d vote for him again!”
—- dime store buddha
Colonel Haiku (b4b8ea) — 4/29/2023 @ 7:58 amAre you talking about a vote for Biden or Trump, Haiku? Both fit
DRJ (fda1b5) — 4/29/2023 @ 8:18 amDeSantis is doing everything by the book. Rule of Law.
But, the Alvin Bragg and Weissmann fans are telling us it’s bad to use government power against opponents.
JF (56de52) — 4/29/2023 @ 8:22 amQuick, find the current president’s name in any of them.
He must be doing everything right.
Knock it off, JF. The President comes in for his share of criticism at this site. And this being an open thread, you are welcome to post comments criticizing him, as you already have done.
JVW (1ad43e) — 4/29/2023 @ 8:26 amWho’s the leader of the club
That’s made for you and me
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E
Hey there, hi there, ho there
You’re as welcome as can be
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E
Mickey Mouse, Mickey Mouse
Forever let us hold our banner high
High, high, high
Ah, Annette! No Latina minx (Latinx for short) could hold a candle to you.
nk (0e86a8) — 4/29/2023 @ 8:37 amManhunt after 5 dead in Texas shooting: Suspect attacked neighbors after they complained about gunfire, authorities say
‘AUSTIN, Texas – Authorities in Texas are searching for a 39-year-old suspect accused of fatally shooting an 8-year-old and four other neighbors after they asked him to stop firing his rounds in his yard late at night.
On Saturday morning, San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said authorities were still searching for the suspect, a Texas man who was armed with an AR-style rifle. Authorities said he went next door and began shooting after the family asked him to stop firing rounds in his yard because they were trying to sleep. The shooting occurred overnight in the town of Cleveland, about 45 miles north of Houston.
Capers said the suspect is a resident of Mexico. According to an update posted on the sheriff’s office’s Facebook page Saturday morning, a judge has issued an arrest warrant for the suspect and assigned a $5 million dollar bond.’ – https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2023/04/29/5-people-shot-north-huston-texas/11765852002/
DCSCA (f4c5e5) — 4/29/2023 @ 9:00 amUnbelievable:
Rip Murdock (e6d601) — 4/29/2023 @ 9:03 amIf Alito was the the leaker, Politico would have fingered him already in an attempt to burn his reputation to the ground.
They haven’t.
SaveFarris (7c77ac) — 4/29/2023 @ 9:04 amWhich means he wasn’t.
Goes either way, drj. If you like what you’ve seen you are welcome to it.
Personally, I like what I’ve heard from/seen of Vivek Ramaswamy.
Colonel Haiku (e24642) — 4/29/2023 @ 9:05 amNo Justice was the leaker of Dobbs. It was some low-level dweeb of the ilk of Bradley Manning, Reality Winter, and MTG’s current cougar-crush.
A Justice would be too conscious of their sense of dignity and self-worth to stoop that low. Not to mention that whoever they leaked to would henceforth have them, and their legacy, in the palm of their hand. The whole speculation that it was a Justice is stupid, because whatever else they may be Supreme Court Justices are not stupid.
nk (0e86a8) — 4/29/2023 @ 9:17 amnk, so much of what I read that is over the top criticism of almost anyone just seems like projection.
It reminds me of when I was in grad school, and I was afraid that my advisor would write a bad letter of recommendation for me.
A friend said, “If they did such a thing, it would reflect badly on them.”
But I was so insular, I couldn’t see it.
Your point with the SCOTUS justices is spot on. We all know it is most likely an activist clerk. And it will come out.
Simon Jester (c8876d) — 4/29/2023 @ 9:33 amThe only Justice who would do it is Sotomayor, because she’s doctrinaire and an apparatchik at heart.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 4/29/2023 @ 9:45 amwhich of these scenarios is the more preposterous?
1. the FBI can’t figure out who the leaker of a landmark SCOTUS decision is, out of a very limited list of suspects
2. the FBI knows who it is but won’t reveal it cuz political fallout
answer:
3. the fact that these are reasonable questions to ask
JF (56de52) — 4/29/2023 @ 9:46 am@68/@70. Politico, hell… Columbo would have nailed him in two hours, with commercials.
Of course a justice could leak it- the safest source. And Alito protests about it too much. It’s an old ploy to deflect suspicion. His worst enemy is his own big mouth. Just review his history over the years. The CJ- who probably knows by now given the small circle who had access to the file — sure as hell isn’t going to out a colleague- a sitting justice– and further destroy the credibility of the court on top of the exposure of their inability to keep track of a simple file of papers and recent ethics questions surfacing… you’ll find out in his memoir- or after Sam buys the farm. Revisit his history over the years at public events- he can’t keep his mouth shut. Alito is the leaker, which is no surprise… but the disappointment is the CJ. Expected better management skills from him. But once a bureaucrat, always a bureaucrat.
DCSCA (f4c5e5) — 4/29/2023 @ 9:55 amThe reasonable questions to ask are:
1. Did the FBI investigate the Dobbs leak in the first place?
Answer: No, the Supreme Court marshal did.
2. But, but, but … why not the FBI?
Answer: What was the crime over which the FBI would have jurisdiction?
3. Why do you answer a question with a question?
nk (0e86a8) — 4/29/2023 @ 10:03 amAnswer: Why not?
@73. Leaker Alito is shooting his mouth off because he knows he’s safe from being outed by the CJ as the source in this environment.
DCSCA (f4c5e5) — 4/29/2023 @ 10:04 amBreyer because it’s not like they’ll pull his pension and health insurance over it.
urbanleftbehind (abd770) — 4/29/2023 @ 10:10 amIs Samuel Alito Auditioning for Tucker Carlson’s Replacement?
‘The justice says he has a “pretty good idea” who the Supreme Court leaker is—and descends into an angry, petulant rant.’
“I personally have a pretty good idea who is responsible,” Alito said, declining to name names, “but that’s different from the level of proof that is needed to name somebody.” He then claimed, without providing any evidence, that the leak was an effort to protect abortion rights.” – https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2023/04/samuel-alito-supreme-court-leak-2/
Golly. What a great parlor game; even judges can play! “I have a pretty good idea who is responsible” too, Sam: YOU.
DCSCA (f4c5e5) — 4/29/2023 @ 10:16 am“TRUNALIMUNUMAPRZURE!”
—- Joe Biden
No joke…
Colonel Haiku (e24642) — 4/29/2023 @ 10:17 amThe perp will be revealed, dcsca. Only a matter of time.
Colonel Haiku (e24642) — 4/29/2023 @ 10:18 am@79. He was babbling Leprechaunese dontcha know.
Hey Joe, what was the last country you visited??? ……….. uh……… uh……… uh…….
“It’s Ireland!” – Charles Lindbergh [James Stewart] ‘The Spirit Of St. Louis” 1957
DCSCA (f4c5e5) — 4/29/2023 @ 10:20 am@80. When Sam buys the farm and the CJ quills his memoir. You can smell the seething resentment Leaker Sam has for Roberts with every word… he thinks HE should be CJ, not Roberts.
DCSCA (f4c5e5) — 4/29/2023 @ 10:23 am@80. Eventually… we waited over 30 years for the Deep Throat reveal, too.
DCSCA (f4c5e5) — 4/29/2023 @ 10:26 amIf the leaker was a clerk, they’d be gone by now in any event. Yet several justices have spoken of a destruction of trust that continues. I guess it could be a janitor or other permanent staff, but if a member of staff was seriously suspected, they’d be transferred to somewhere else.
So, someone they cannot easily transfer, retire or otherwise get rid of. A justice or a spouse.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 4/29/2023 @ 10:44 amMore Election Fraud:
Rip Murdock (5ab8fa) — 4/29/2023 @ 10:58 amI think that all the justices know who leaked it, but do not have enough evidence to prove it.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 4/29/2023 @ 11:04 amGiven the lax internal security and the fact that over 80 persons could have had access to the draft opinion, it won’t surprising that we never find out.
Rip Murdock (5ab8fa) — 4/29/2023 @ 11:22 amFrom the link:
Rip Murdock (5ab8fa) — 4/29/2023 @ 11:28 amMy point is that these gun shooting reports overstate the problem, and massively understate the utility. They are easily confused with propaganda.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 4/29/2023 @ 11:57 amit won’t surprising that we never find out.
It will “leak” before the next election.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 4/29/2023 @ 11:59 amA-10s Return to Middle East with a New Mission, and a New Weapon
But I’ve bee told repeatedly that these planes are no use in a modern combat zone.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 4/29/2023 @ 12:20 pmThe same reasoning applies to not providing A-10s to Ukraine.
Rip Murdock (5ab8fa) — 4/29/2023 @ 12:23 pmThe public sees that, even if some don’t. Like everything else, it depends on your tribe:
Paragraph breaks added.
Rip Murdock (5ab8fa) — 4/29/2023 @ 12:40 pmThe same reasoning applies to not providing A-10s to Ukraine.
Syria has plenty of Russian air defense systems, as does Iran.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 4/29/2023 @ 12:42 pmAmong Democrats, though, Disney fares especially well in the fight against DeSantis. Since Disney voiced opposition to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill in 2022
Repeating the propaganda in the poll report makes the whole thing meaningless.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 4/29/2023 @ 12:44 pmHere’s one possible explanation for the “reverse Flynn effect”:
(Links omitted.)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flynn_effect
The more I read Dr. Wen’s columns, the more I like her. In her latest she confesses that she didn’t learn to swim as a child, and was afraid of the water. But when her three year old son pushed her one year old daughter into a swimming pool, and Wen was afraid to jump in to rescue her daughter, she realized she needed to learn to swim. And she has. (You’ll be pleased to know that no harm came to the daughter, since there was a life guard on duty. And parents should know that “drowning is the No. 1 cause of death among children ages 1 to 4.”)
Jim Miller (0e46f9) — 4/29/2023 @ 12:47 pmReuters/Ipsos poll questions and responses.
Rip Murdock (5ab8fa) — 4/29/2023 @ 12:49 pmOne more time:
Reuters/Ipsos poll questions and responses.
Rip Murdock (5ab8fa) — 4/29/2023 @ 12:50 pmThe Reveal!
https://youtu.be/qD38C8gf1oA
Colonel Haiku (e24642) — 4/29/2023 @ 12:51 pm
Rip Murdock (5ab8fa) — 4/29/2023 @ 12:58 pmAs the article states, the A-10s will be used against Syrian and Iranian backed militias, not the countries themselves. That is why the USS Florida (SSGN 728) has been deployed to the Middle East.
Darling Nikki, Keeping It Classy:
Sister Toldjah at Redstate is Not Amused:
Rip Murdock (5ab8fa) — 4/29/2023 @ 1:45 pmRelated:
Rip Murdock (5ab8fa) — 4/29/2023 @ 2:09 pmIn his deposition for the E. Jean Carroll lawsuit, Trump misidentified Carroll as Marla Maples, his wife at the time, in a photograph.
Rip Murdock (5ab8fa) — 4/29/2023 @ 2:24 pmGo show L.A. how it’s done!
https://twitter.com/RealJamesWoods/status/1651957227375431680?s=20
Colonel Haiku (e24642) — 4/29/2023 @ 3:38 pmCold, compassionless Dr. Jill had to lead America’s bewildered, maskless, teetering, tuxedoed corpse into the WHCD. Truly an inspiration– for another season of ‘The Walking Dead.’ He looks so bad…
DCSCA (f4c5e5) — 4/29/2023 @ 5:18 pmA 51-year old woman talking about death would give some men pause, I think.
And it’s totally gratuitous. The science is that no 82-year old man (or 79-year old man for that matter) has the energy to carry out the duties of the Presidency. No way.
nk (bb1548) — 4/29/2023 @ 5:30 pmDown the Drain:
Rip Murdock (5ab8fa) — 4/29/2023 @ 5:42 pm@103. With numbers like those (in the Reuters/Ipsos poll showing 64% of Republicans supporting DeSantis against Disney) it is risky to bet against DeSantis’ move. ………
Reuters/Ipsos Poll: Americans say DeSantis is punishing Disney for free speech
Washington, DC, April 26, 2023– In the wake of disagreements between Disney and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis about discussions of gender and sexuality in public schools, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll finds that the majority of Americans believe that DeSantis is punishing Disney for exercising its right to free speech. While most are aware of DeSantis’ recent efforts to revoke some of Walt Disney World’s legal privileges and Disney’s objection to recent Florida laws banning the discussion of gender and sexuality in public schools, nearly half of Americans say they do not know who is winning the fight. In response to the fight, though, about two in five Americans say they now have a less favorable opinion of DeSantis, while half say the fight has had no impact on their perceptions of Disney. However, reactions largely differ along party lines, as Democrats and independents generally side with Disney while Republicans largely side with DeSantis.
Following recent arguments between Disney and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, seven in ten Americans (73%) say they are aware of Disney objecting to recent Florida laws banning the discussion of sexuality and gender in public schools, while nearly four in five (78%) say they are aware of recent efforts to revoke some of Walt Disney World’s legal privileges in Florida. Despite such high awareness of these events, a plurality (47%) of Americans say they do not know who is winning the fight. Regardless, 64% of Americans say they believe DeSantis is punishing Disney for exercising their right to free speech, while only 36% say they believe he is rightfully rolling back special treatment for Disney. Opinions are largely divided along party lines, where 87% of Democrats and 67% of independents say DeSantis is punishing Disney while 64% of Republicans say DeSantis is rightfully rolling back Disney’s special privileges.
In contrast to Disney, opinions of DeSantis have fallen as a result of their fight over LGBTQ+ issues in Florida. Two in five (42%) Americans say they see DeSantis less favorably now, while only 36% say recent events have had no impact on their opinion. This effect is most pronounced among Democrats, although the impacts on independents and Republicans are also notable. Seven in ten (68%) Democrats say they see DeSantis less favorably following recent events, and 34% of independents say the same. Although 44% of Republicans say they view DeSantis more favorably following the fight around LGBTQ+ issues in Florida, a fifth (19%) say they view him less favorably. – https://www.ipsos.com/en-us/reutersipsos-poll-americans-say-desantis-punishing-disney-free-speech
DCSCA (147d31) — 4/29/2023 @ 6:13 pmGo Sacramento Kings!!!
Colonel Haiku (b4b8ea) — 4/29/2023 @ 6:53 pmIn the eastern conference where the NBA can easily be the 4th most popular pro sports team in a city, they would be KANGS!
urbanleftbehind (64c0d7) — 4/30/2023 @ 6:44 amRip:
If Biden had a stronger VP, Nikki going after Biden on the age issue would be tacky, but still within political norms. (See political commentary circa 1980 and 1984). Given that Kamala has been tried and found wanting but still hangs around anyway, this is legitimate. Problem Haley has is that she has not found a way to go after Trump other than the age thing — and that’s not really a vulnerability for him.
The Dems need to take a clue from FDR’s 1944 campaign and find another VEEP. Maybe, like Henry Wallace, she can be sent on a lengthy listening tour with less important allies, while the search is made.
Appalled (e33c7f) — 4/30/2023 @ 7:57 amIt’s part of her campaign to be Trump’s VP. She would do it no matter who Biden’s VP choice was.
Rip Murdock (5ab8fa) — 4/30/2023 @ 8:26 amYou missed this quote from the Reuters/Ipsos poll in post 94, which is referred to in post 103:
DeSantis (at this point in the campaign at any rate) doesn’t care what Americans believe, only what Republican primary voters believe.
Rip Murdock (5ab8fa) — 4/30/2023 @ 8:37 amThe Dems need to take a clue from FDR’s 1944 campaign and find another VEEP
It’s a real good thing that Henry Wallace wasn’t VP when FDR died.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 4/30/2023 @ 10:17 amRyan/Manchin ’24
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 4/30/2023 @ 10:19 am“Rust/Coal You’ll Be On The Dole!”
Colonel Haiku (f6ab35) — 4/30/2023 @ 10:26 am#112 – Appalled. I agree with you, but I think the Democrats are trapped by identity politics. Kamala Harris is a “three-fer”: a black, south Asian woman. (She’s no more than a quarter black, but that doesn’t matter for the symbolism.)
At the very least, you would have to replace her with a black woman — and persuade her to leave quietly, which seems unlikely.
Jim Miller (0e46f9) — 4/30/2023 @ 10:50 amHarris, despite ticking off the three boxes, still polls dismally as FiveThirtyEight and LAT report. Brazenly playing identity politics has locked the Democrats in, especially as there doesn’t appear to be anyone else that Biden’s team considers worth the inevitable upheaval that would come if Biden dropped Harris.
Dana (560c99) — 4/30/2023 @ 11:07 amFox News Poll 4/26/23:
Top lines and cross tabs.
Rip Murdock (c7888c) — 4/30/2023 @ 11:28 amFirst paragraph in post 120 reformatted for easier reading.
Rip Murdock (c7888c) — 4/30/2023 @ 11:29 amDana: “Harris, despite ticking off the three boxes, still polls dismally”
This is no doubt and she seems stuck with her impression. I can’t imagine Biden giving up on her and struggle to imagine who he would even pick to satisfy the box counters. But if he’s determined to run, he has to have a running mate that voters can feel comfortable with as President. Maybe a Gretchen Whitmer, though how does that play in the African American community? I’m still committed to the proposition that Biden will eject from the race this summer, still giving others time to mount a race.
I don’t know how other Democrats are viewed in Democrat circles, but I know Biden was an also-ran in 1988 and 2008 and a not-even-considered in 2016. It’s not like he’s loved or generates so much love or affection. He was a placeholder in 2020 and little more. His job performance has been up and down, but it hardly cries out to finish the job. Others that I think could jump in include: Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, John Hickenlooper, Jared Polis, Roy Cooper, Andy Beshear, Amy Klobuchar, Cory Booker, Martin O’Malley, and Gavin Newsom. Newsom would be awful but he has some of the better name recognition…same with Booker. My list focuses on current or past governors, trending toward moderates who might have cross appeal. I’ve given it no further thought as to who makes sense state wise or career wise. I’ve left off the Bernie-AOC-Warren wing because it ain’t time for crazy. I doubt I would like any of the candidates policy wise….as they would all be singing income redistribution and identity politics….but I think it would be good for the country to have a “Normal” DEM primary instead of the Biden death watch.
AJ_Liberty (5f05c3) — 4/30/2023 @ 12:09 pm@114. Not missed; it is in there- just not relevant [except selective spin] to the overall take away of the poll as noted in their headline.
DeSantis excels at punching down; either by responding to the now-canned Tucka questionnaire– or waging war on Disney- among the top and most recognizable projectors of America worldwide- and a major employer and massive revenue draw for his home state and for the associated businesses that service same.
With an average annual attendance of over 58 million visitors, Walt Disney World is the most visited vacation resort in the world.
Going all Ernie Smuntz chasing after the House of Mouse is a fool’s errand; it may entertain certain constituencies amongst the chattering class but battling the best investment to happen for Florida since the Feds pumped billions into Cape Canaveral– is just stupid.
“He’s Hitler with a tail. He’s “The Omen” with whiskers. Even Nostradamus didn’t see him coming.” – Ernie Smuntz [Nathan Lane] ‘MouseHunt’ 1997
DCSCA (88474b) — 4/30/2023 @ 12:55 pmI’d prefer some on your list to Biden — though definitely not Newsom — but I think it’s academic. I strongly doubt Biden is going anywhere, and worse, I doubt Harris is either. Worse still, it’s looking like Trump still owns the GOP. So, while anything can happen in 18 months, as of now I suspect we’re looking at 2020 redux. And I have no reason to doubt that will include another insurrection attempt if Trump loses, this time refined to overcome the kinks that undid the first effort. I don’t know how they get around a Dem presiding over the Senate, but where there’s a will there’s a way.
lurker (cd7cd4) — 4/30/2023 @ 1:04 pmDon’t think for yourself. Just read polls and follow the Leader.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 4/30/2023 @ 1:12 pmI expect Harris to resign to head United Way or President of Harvard or something. Maybe Biden will put her on the Supreme Court if he has a chance.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 4/30/2023 @ 1:16 pmAnd what evidence do you have to inform that expectation?
lurker (cd7cd4) — 4/30/2023 @ 1:18 pmOnly if Darling Nikki’s prediction becomes true sooner rather than later.
Rip Murdock (c7888c) — 4/30/2023 @ 1:19 pmI agree. Everything else is wishcasting-it doesn’t matter who someone wants to be a candidate, it only matters who actually runs. And we don’t have control over that.
Rip Murdock (c7888c) — 4/30/2023 @ 1:25 pmHow would their policies be any different from Biden? Not much if at all.
Rip Murdock (c7888c) — 4/30/2023 @ 1:27 pmThe Dems need to take a clue from FDR’s 1944 campaign and find another VEEP.
The race and gender driven box checkers of today [Clyburn & crew] did that already- hence she’s still on the ticket, in spite of failing to demonstrate competence and manage the assignments in her portfolio- the border and so forth.
In FDR’s case- [and remember, there was a world war raging at the time]- the small circle of party insiders aware of FDR’s heart issues and ‘selected’ Truman as he’d demonstrated competence and was popular due to the success of the ‘Truman Committee’ monitoring government waste and war profiteering:
‘Chairing the committee helped Truman make a name for himself beyond his political machine origins and was a major factor in the decision to nominate him as vice president, which would propel him to the presidency after the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt.’ – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truman_Committee
Competence is not a qualification for a gig in the Biden Administration; ethnicity and gender are.
DCSCA (88474b) — 4/30/2023 @ 1:31 pmAnd what evidence do you have to inform that expectation?
Just about every Democrat’s desire to replace her on the ticket without “replacing her on the ticket.”
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 4/30/2023 @ 1:38 pmOther than Newsom, I don’t know the listed governors well enough to say, but the senators, past and present, are all more fiscally conservative than Biden. I suspect all of them, with the possible exception of Booker, would also be less cravenly pandering to the coalition of Dem-aligned identitarian interests.
lurker (cd7cd4) — 4/30/2023 @ 1:39 pmStumbling, bumbling, and mumbling. Who will want to run that campaign? This is an optics nightmare even before the attack ads start. One could make the case in 2020 between Sanders, Warren, Bloomberg, and Biden, it was a battle of septuagenarians, with Biden comfortably moderate and with the VP experience. Now, there’s an opportunity for a clean reset. The economy is doing better for Biden, but there is still Afghanistan, immigration, crime, financial sector concerns, and lingering inflation. It’s not a slam dunk….and if you don’t think people behind the scenes are nervous and want a plan B other than Harris (or cough cough Kennedy) come the run-up, you’re nuts. If it’s not Trump from the GOP, the contrast with Biden will be remarkable.
AJ_Liberty (5f05c3) — 4/30/2023 @ 1:40 pmThose “just about every” Democrats would, I suspect, bear an ironic resemblance to the “just about every” Republican we’ve been told are fed up with Trump.
lurker (cd7cd4) — 4/30/2023 @ 1:42 pm“How would their policies be any different from Biden?”
This is optics…voters want energetic, intellectually nimble, and in their prime. How do you see a guy who will be 82 at inauguration? It ain’t getting better….and if he’s stuck with Harris….that ain’t helping either. If he drops out, then Harris just becomes another option. There might be pressure to pick her, but DEMs can read poll numbers too and I think they would see others have a better shot against Trump or DeSantis.
AJ_Liberty (5f05c3) — 4/30/2023 @ 1:44 pmIf it’s not Trump from the GOP, the contrast with Biden will be remarkable.
There is always something to be said about the “smoke-filled room.”
Also, if it IS Biden vs Trump, nearly any qualified centrist could win on a independent ticket. That would be actual populism at this point.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 4/30/2023 @ 1:51 pm“more fiscally conservative than Biden”
Probably. But I doubt that this will be the cycle for Utopian budget largesse. The battle will be for moderates and independents. The base will already be energized to keep Trump or DeSantis out. Put someone like Warner and Whitmer on a ticket, it would be hard to describe it as scary or age-challenged. DEMs want DEMs picking judges. I’m not sure that this is the moment to go all green economy and universal health care.
AJ_Liberty (5f05c3) — 4/30/2023 @ 1:53 pmWanting it and getting it are different things. I want a beach house in Malibu, but I can’t afford it. Likewise those “behind the scenes” Dem operatives know that the Dems can’t afford the drop in African-American, especially African-American women, turnout that ditching Biden and Harris would cost them.
lurker (cd7cd4) — 4/30/2023 @ 1:55 pm“nearly any qualified centrist could win on a independent ticket”
Trump will still win deep red states; Biden will still win deep blue states. Unfortunately I think a centrist will just play spoiler in the toss-up states. I would be open to another option, but realistically I think it would be hard to organize unless started right now.
AJ_Liberty (5f05c3) — 4/30/2023 @ 2:00 pmYeah, a viable third party run is the wishcastingest of wishcasts.
lurker (cd7cd4) — 4/30/2023 @ 2:07 pmAnd if Biden is dead or stroked-out by February, where does that leave them? Trump is promising retribution — I think DEMs will get pragmatic quick. Will the party leaders want to put all their bets on an Irish guy that can’t remember he was just in Ireland. Hey, crazier things have happened….I just wouldn’t categorically rule out a pull out.
AJ_Liberty (5f05c3) — 4/30/2023 @ 2:07 pmThe Bernie/Squad may not the behemoth asset thinks it is, but it is formidable and growing, and it’s not shy about demanding a pound of flesh in return for its support, contrary economic imperatives notwithstanding. I was surprised how far left they dragged Biden, and while I can only guess, I suspect at least the senators on your list wouldn’t have caved so completely and cheerfully. But again, I suspect this is all academic.
lurker (cd7cd4) — 4/30/2023 @ 2:07 pmI don’t categorically rule it out.I just strongly doubt it, for the reasons I gave. It would cost significant turnout. Given how tiny the electoral margins are, that cost could very well, maybe even likely, be decisive. Which means ditching Biden and Harris would have to be a desperation move. And while I think Biden/Harris is awful, I’m not sure they’re as awful electorially, at least against Trump, as they are in fact.
lurker (cd7cd4) — 4/30/2023 @ 2:12 pm@136. Stumbling, bumbling, and mumbling. Who will want to run that campaign?
This is who’s running Joe Biden’s campaign
Julie Chávez Rodríguez, Campaign Manager
After serving as one of Biden’s senior advisors and White House director of intergovernmental affairs, Chávez Rodríguez will pivot to leading the reelection push. She has never run a campaign before, but she served as the deputy campaign manager on Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ last campaign and is close with the president. A longtime Democratic aide, she’s currently the highest ranking Latina in the White House. She also served in several roles in the Obama administration, and is the granddaughter of labor icon Cesar Chávez.
Quentin Fulks, Principal Deputy Campaign Manager
A democratic strategist, Fulks was most recently the campaign manager for Sen. Raphael Warnock’s reelection campaign last year — the first successful reelection bid for a Democratic senator in Georgia in more than 30 years. Before that, he was the deputy campaign manager and senior political adviser to Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, helping flip the seat blue in 2018. He has also held several positions at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, EMILY‘s List and Priorities USA.
Kevin Muñoz, Media Relations
Most recently an assistant White House press secretary, Muñoz will take care of press for the reelection bid initially as a larger team is built out. None of the other hires on the comms team or their potential roles in the campaign have been set in stone, two people familiar with the process said. At least one other campaign staffer is set to be announced soon.
National Co-chairs
Rep. Lisa Blunt-Rochester (D-Del.) has been close with Biden for years, helping him choose his running mate for the last campaign. A long-time family friend, she’s also the first woman and first African American to represent Delaware in Congress.
Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), another longtime ally, threw his support behind Biden in 2020. That gave the president a stamp of approval among Black voters at at a critical time for the campaign, following a string of losses to Sen. Bernie Sanders and coming just days before the state’s primary.
Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) has served as the “bridge” between the Hill, the White House and foreign capitals during the Biden presidency. Abroad, he has served almost as a proxy to Biden, being talked about in the U.S. and internationally as a shadow secretary of State.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), a veteran and the first Thai American woman in Congress, was floated as a vice presidential candidate in 2020. Since then, she has been a Biden ally, but also challenged the president two years ago for not naming Asian American Cabinet secretaries, vowing to oppose nominees on the floor before backing down.
Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) has been a staunch defender of the administration’s handling of the southern border crisis, an issue that’s likely to be central in the 2024 presidential campaign. One of the first two Latinas to represent Texas in the House of Representatives, she represents El Paso, the largest city at the U.S. border.
Jeffrey Katzenberg, a film producer and major Democratic fundraiser, has been key to Biden’s presidential endeavors, backing him in 2020 and raising millions of dollars for Dems alongside the president.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who was also floated as a potential vice presidential candidate, has been a close Biden ally for years. She vocally backed the president despite dwindling Democratic enthusiasm earlier this year, and endorsed him for president in 2020.
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/04/25/bidens-campaign-team-00093671
DCSCA (0a163e) — 4/30/2023 @ 2:14 pmYeah, a viable third party run is the wishcastingest of wishcasts.
Group Backed by Joe Lieberman Seeks Third Party for ’24
‘When former Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman ran for vice president in 2000 on the Democrat ticket, he lost Florida by 537 votes; Green Party nominee Ralph Nader won more than 97,000 votes in Florida.
Nevertheless, the Democrat turned independent attended a meeting last week to support the centrist group No Labels and its efforts to get on the 2024 ballot in all 50 states. The group reportedly describes its campaign as an “insurance policy” against the nomination of “unacceptable” candidates by the two major political parties…’
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/joe-lieberman-no-labels-president/2023/04/03/id/1114842/
DCSCA (0a163e) — 4/30/2023 @ 2:17 pmRight now, anything other than cheering on Biden vs Trump is wishcasting, praying, and/or refusal to accept reality. But I refuse to accept that reality until it is upon us. So, I will continue to agitate for nearly anything else. IF you want to use pejoratives to describe that, fine. But I view than as an attack on me, not my argument that we shoudl do better.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 4/30/2023 @ 2:18 pmThird party history is replete with failures. But most of them are run from the fringes, attracting the extreme ends of one party or another.
So, the Libertarians, the Greens and the Dixiecrats. NONE of them appealed to the center, and if you do not appeal to the center there is no chance at all. George Wallace’s 1968 campaign was a regional effort that had no hope outside the South.
But what of those that do appeal to the center? There were only 2 in the 20th century: TR’s Bull Moose campaign of 1912 and Ross Perot’s Reform campaign of 1992.
TR won 6 states and 88 electoral votes, coming in second in popular vote with 27%. Wilson won with 42% of the popular vote. Eugene Debs (Socialist) came in 4th with 6%.
Ross Perot won zero electoral votes with 19% of the popular vote. Bill Clinton won the election with 43% of the vote. Note that Perot was leading in the polls in June 1992, when he abruptly dropped out, then re-entered later with much of his support gone.
I can’t speak to the divisions of 1912, but the divisions now are such that make 1992 look like kumbaya. That Perot polled between 32% and 39% in June 1992 is an indication that a more-credible candidate who rejects the major-party expremists could win a national election in 2024.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 4/30/2023 @ 2:36 pmIt should also be noted that TR was the presumptive GOP nominee in 1919, when he dropped dead.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 4/30/2023 @ 2:38 pmHere’s a question for all of you who don’t live in the Seattle area: Did your local newspaper(s) do this?
On the western Easter Sunday (April 9th), the Seattle Times almost completely ignored the Christian holiday. There was no mention of Easter on its front page, or anywhere else until page 11 of the first section (A), where there was a small article titled: “Easter Sunday could be wettest day so far this year in Seattle”. (If it wasn’t the wettest, it was close to it.)
This area is more secular than most of the United States, but the population is large enough so that as many as a million people might have attended services that day. (There are about 5 million people in the Seattle Times area.) When that many people do something in your area, it’s news, even if you hate them for doing it, perhaps especially if you hate them for doing it.
In a neat example of turning the other cheek, Hobby Lobby had their usual half page ad inside the first section — and a full page Easter ad on the back of that section.
(Religion was not completely neglected by the Seattle Times on that day. On the first page of section E (“the Mix” was an article, “Salmon Fishing — the Lummi Way”, which helpfully explained: “It’s a technique the Lummi people believe was given to them by the Creator.”)
So, did you see anything similar in your area?
Jim Miller (0e46f9) — 4/30/2023 @ 2:50 pmI don’t think there is anyone who doesn’t think we can do better, and I don’t think anyone is cheering on a Biden v. Trump rematch (certainly not the American public). It’s just that the partisans on both sides are so wedded to their leaders there is very little that will change that calculus, no matter how bad Biden or Trump are. Democrats aren’t going to suddenly dump Biden and Republicans aren’t going to dump Trump (absent any intervening events).
Even if Trump is charged with a January 6th related offense a trial wouldn’t happen until 2024, or even 2025. And during that time he will be able to run for President and possibly get elected.
Do I wish our choices were different-of course. I just don’t see anything happening that will change the current political reality. It’s beyond our control.
Rip Murdock (c7888c) — 4/30/2023 @ 2:56 pmAnd in 1920 Debs ran for President from prison (for sedition), winning 3.4% of the vote.
Rip Murdock (c7888c) — 4/30/2023 @ 3:10 pmHobby Lobby had the same “Saved by His Grace” full page inside the California section.
Rip Murdock (b11e59) — 4/30/2023 @ 3:19 pmThe problem with third parties, especially new ones, is getting on enough state ballots to make a difference. Both the Democrats and Republicans have made it very difficult to do so in order to protect their own interests.
Rip Murdock (c7888c) — 4/30/2023 @ 3:29 pmThe problem with third parties is finding good credible candidates and people not feeling that their candidate(s) can win.
The goal will be to deny anyone a majority of the Electoral votes,
I would suggest running different candidates in different states and having the election be decided in the House of Representatives,. Since the House is limited to three, this will encourage people to vote to have a third party candidate carry their state, The Senate can pick the Republican VP, who may be half decent.
Sammy Finkelman (0e7ef0) — 4/30/2023 @ 3:39 pmThat’s right TR was, or was close to that.
Sammy Finkelman (0e7ef0) — 4/30/2023 @ 3:41 pmI disagree for two reasons.
First, you’re confusing “is” for “ought.” I never said you shouldn’t agitate for a third party. I just said it’s a pipe dream. Agitate to your heart’s content.
Second, where’s the attack? What’s the insult? If I predict a spate of school shootings, and you accuse me of wishcasting, that’s an attack. Only a terrible person would wish for that. But if I make a low probability but otherwise benign prediction, e.g., the Oakland A’s will win the World Series, and you say I’m wishcasting, I’m not insulted. That’s no attack. It’s just another way of saying, “you’re dreaming.” Likewise your far-fetched but benign prediction of a third-party presidency, which by the way would make me happy if it came to pass.
I’m not cheering on Biden vs Trump. I’m saying based on the evidence to date, Biden vs Trump is the likeliest outcome. Any change in that reality which doesn’t end with Trump in the White House is OK with me.
lurker (cd7cd4) — 4/30/2023 @ 3:44 pmHenry Wallace was the last VP dumped, although it happened more usually in the 1800s – with Andrew Jackson, AbrahamLincolnn and US Grant when they ran for a second term (Garner quit voluntarily) unless you count the replacement of Nelson Rockefeller by President Ford,
Wallace was given the choice of any Cabinet post he wanted and to the surprise of regular Democrats, chose Commerce.
FDR had temendous political cowardice in 1944 in respect to the VP job.
Sammy Finkelman (0e7ef0) — 4/30/2023 @ 3:45 pmI don’t like the No Labels party and feel they won’t pick a good candidate,=
Sammy Finkelman (0e7ef0) — 4/30/2023 @ 3:48 pm….if they pick only one, across the country.
Sammy Finkelman (0e7ef0) — 4/30/2023 @ 3:49 pmBiden isn’t going to dump Harris. She’s taken one of the two most useful routes in being a VP, she’s been invisible. I bet half (or more) of the country doesn’t even know who the VP is.
Nic (896fdf) — 4/30/2023 @ 4:56 pmRain, all day yesterday and today, ranging from almost nothing to medium. It got heavy now.
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr==================
Sammy Finkelman (0e7ef0) — 4/30/2023 @ 6:08 pm“It would cost significant turnout”
I see this differently. I think it is less likely that the party dumps him. I see an 80+ year old guy who definitely sees himself slowing down and finding it harder to keep up a grueling schedule (and who cn read polls with the best of them) deciding that it’s better for the country and party if someone else takes the nomination. I understand why he had to announce the run…that’s validation for the term. But he can always bow out saying his health is not up to the rigors. No one would fault him and he leaves as a statesman. I can see that fitting his personality.
AJ_Liberty (dce1e7) — 4/30/2023 @ 7:02 pm@165. Of course he might bow out if his health really does deteriorate. Not that I rule your scenario in which he uses health as a subterfuge, but I doubt he’d do it merely because he’s unpopular. History is littered with unpopular presidents who won re-election. This one has already beaten his likeliest opponent, and being a politician he has an inordinately high opinion of himself. I doubt he even knows he’s not very smart. For Biden to back out I suspect at minimum he’d want to be convinced that another actual Democrat, not just a hypothetical one, was likelier to win the general election. With no one serious (I’m looking at you RFK Jr) likely to declare and be publicly vetted, I don’t see how the evidence of his/her electoral superiority to Biden could be adduced.
lurker (cd7cd4) — 4/30/2023 @ 9:26 pm*rule out*
(Why are the typos so much easier to see after they’re posted?)
lurker (cd7cd4) — 4/30/2023 @ 9:30 pmI know that the creator of this site is Catholic, but given this, I say f-ck the Pope. Mr. Bergoglio is on the wrong side.
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 4/30/2023 @ 11:15 pmRepublican gov. stitt ends funding in oklahoma for pbs over l-g-b-t-q m-i-c-k-e-y m-o-u-s-e Good riddence now pbs can survive on listerners and can do shows on the racist tulsa massacre and how evil republicans are and what can be done about the racist republicans.
asset (965961) — 5/1/2023 @ 1:31 amI agree that there is no clear alternative and an abrupt Biden exit would likely create a feeding frenzy of ambition. My vision of an orderly mix of moderate governors would be over-run by everyone and their sister trying to fill the void, including the usual hard-left “stars”.
Still, how does Biden do against a younger opponent like DeSantis (provided he vectors back toward the middle)? If Biden drops out, the Hunter Biden saga returns to page-20 news. Jill doesn’t have to manage every gaffe or senior moment which are coming more frequently. Joe doesn’t have to pretend that the DEM polls suggesting a new candidate is needed don’t exist. As much as Biden might think he’s got the best chance against Trump, he must also acknowledge that he’s one major health crisis away from handing the Presidency back to Trump.
AJ_Liberty (dce1e7) — 5/1/2023 @ 3:56 amBiden officials lying under oath and using private emails to avoid records requirements. Where have we seen that before?
Nothing to see here.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 5/1/2023 @ 4:37 amI think Mike Morell did not tell the full truth, or the dull extent of his testimony was not told in the committee press release (he refused to comment on it)
I don’t think it was an accident that he decided to write and get signatures on that statement that said that the Hunter Biden files had all the earmarks (sic should be hallmarks) of Russian disinformation>
https://judiciary.house.gov/media/press-releases/new-testimony-reveals-secretary-blinken-and-biden-campaign-behind-infamous
I just don’t think Mike Morell decided on his own to create that statement.
Sammy Finkelman (0e7ef0) — 5/1/2023 @ 5:57 amDemocrats have a “Big Lie” of their own
JF (ea6ed2) — 5/1/2023 @ 6:18 amPeople say things would have changed their votes that in reality wouldn’t because they want to say that it matters, And this poll relies on a description of what it says, and means,
Sammy Finkelman (0e7ef0) — 5/1/2023 @ 6:25 am@32
So, is corporate welfare protected under the 1st Amendment? Particularly a unique welfare that no other like entities enjoys?
whembly (1a398e) — 5/1/2023 @ 6:32 amI don’t understand why we’re so concerned about who the Democrats nominate for President. I would think Biden is the perfect opponent for Republicans. It’s who should be the Republican nominee that is concerning.
Rip Murdock (c7888c) — 5/1/2023 @ 7:23 amwhembly, it’s certainly a honey-deal that Florida used to attract Disney and become its biggest employer….but do you believe the bill was retaliation or is it only now that Florida Republicans discovered the deal and believe government needs to oversee Disney operations? Seems like quite the coincidence
AJ_Liberty (5f05c3) — 5/1/2023 @ 7:39 amHere’s a list of America’s most (and least) popular governors.
Eight of the top ten are Republicans, a ratio that I have seen before in these lists. I wonder whether Doug Ducey’s low rating may be more the result of the weird people in Arizona’s Republican Party than anything he did, or didn’t do, in office. (As far as I know he’s been a good governor.)
Jim Miller (0e46f9) — 5/1/2023 @ 8:15 amThe problem with third parties, especially new ones, is getting on enough state ballots to make a difference. Both the Democrats and Republicans have made it very difficult to do so in order to protect their own interests.
Indeed. But Perot did it in 1992 with mostly grass-roots efforts. The LP has done it for decades. The “newspaper” for this activity is Richard Winger’s Ballot Access News.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/1/2023 @ 8:36 amFirst, you’re confusing “is” for “ought.” I never said you shouldn’t agitate for a third party. I just said it’s a pipe dream. Agitate to your heart’s content.
And I reply with a raspberry. I have seen, with my own two eyes, a third party candidate not only get on every ballot but lead in the polls over the two major party candidates. And this at a time with major parties that were not all crazy fukks.
Again, see here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polling_for_United_States_presidential_elections#1992
If Perot had not dropped out in mid-summer he might well have won.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/1/2023 @ 8:41 am@177
It’s not a coincidence and it’s obviously a “Will to Power” exercise that is between a large corporation and the government.
It’s delusional to think that this doesn’t happen daily across the United States, even though it may not hit the public conscious.
Corporations are always seeking to extract the most favorable relationship possible in their work environment, in order to maximize the profits.
The problem here, is that Disney chose to engage in the kind of politics that puts their “honey-deal” as you described on the table. Disney is free to do so. Disney is STILL free to do so, even today.
The FL GOP Legislature, voted in by their constituents with clear mandates that included the Parental Rights law (ie, the misnamed ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill).
It took a loud LGBTQ advocates within Disney (mainly from California mind you) to “force” an initially-reluctant CEO to enter this fight against Florida.
Few things to keep in mind:
1) Those arguing from the premise that this is a “Don’t Say Gay” bill is not only stretching the truth, but its an easily observable outright lie. No where in the bill’s text does the word “gay” appears.
2) The voters, particularly parents, are reacting to “sex/gender/orientation” discussions in schools w/o their approval. All this movement is saying, is to leave those kinds of talk with the parents.
3) There’s a dynamic here that I don’t think get discussed much, and it’s this: Disney is known as a industry for kids and wholesome entertainment. Yet, Disney was advocating that teachers *should* be allowed to talk about “sex/gender/orientation” in their curriculum has cause a visceral reaction against Disney.
I think most of us would agree, that we should almost always err in favor of the rights on a individual/corporation’s expression. One hard-fast exception, is anything surrounding children. The most dangerous place in the world, is getting in between a child and their parents.
4) Florida Legislature didn’t even respond with a bill changing the laws over Reedy Creek Improvement Development (RCID) until Disney outright promised that they’ll use their considerable influence to vote out these GOP states congress critters and work to overturn that Parental Right’s law.
Questions for you @AJ_Liberty – what makes RCID so beneficial to Disney was that they placed their own people on this board. That’s the power that Disney had over their literal kingdom. That kind of board membership is unique to only Disney. No other “Improvement Development” district works like that (ie, The Village, that Nascar district, etc…).
The new law changes/clarifies quite a bit, but the biggest change is this: The Governor can now nominate board memberships. Frankly, the RCID is still heavily favored to Disney that no other “Improvement Development” in Florida shares. But, Disney does effectively lose control and now must negotiate with board members to manage RCID.
This isn’t even what most Floridian wanted. Most Floridian wanted the entire RCID district dissolved and for Orlando to take control (like the do for Universal Studios).
Having said all that, even *if* the changes to RCID is in “retaliation” to Disney’s political advocacy against the Parental Right’s bill, how does the 1st Amendment protect Disney’s RCID interests?
The other, hard legal question is this: RCID was defacto-Disney but legally? RCID is a separate entity on paper. Florida making changes to RCID, not Disney.
I do think it’s a compelling legal case and can see Disney prevailing in district courts, but stands a good change in losing at the Court of Appeals.
whembly (d116f3) — 5/1/2023 @ 8:46 amDeSantis didn’t have a problem with Disney’s special district during his first term as Governor and willingly accepted $100,000 in campaign contributions (and hasn’t returned any of the funds) from the company before Disney criticized the Parental Rights in Education Act. Whatever the merits of the special district, its revocation at this point in time sure looks like retaliation.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/1/2023 @ 8:46 amPolls?
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/1/2023 @ 8:49 amhttps://spacecoastdaily.com/2023/05/real-estate-under-biden-administration-rule-set-to-take-effect-today-it-pays-to-not-pay/
Biden and his supporters once again punishing the responsible, those with good credit, to subsidize the irresponsible.
Grasshopper and the Ant is for suckers.
NJRob (41221e) — 5/1/2023 @ 9:00 amTrump Civil Litigation Watch:
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/1/2023 @ 9:11 amwhembly, will Florida, through its taxpayers, now cover the $1B of Disney debt and will it cover a portion of its $355M that it spends to run the district? Do you think the taxpayers are looking forward to picking up the tab so government can “run” the district?
AJ_Liberty (5f05c3) — 5/1/2023 @ 9:12 am@187
You are grossly misinformed.
Disney is still obligated to their previous debts and the cost to run the district. Disney would be obligated to new bonds if the current RCID board allows (with Disney’s blessing of course).
Here’s the gooey details that the outgoing board member’s last contract is voided:
whembly (ea5e48) — 5/1/2023 @ 9:33 amhttps://blogmickey.com/2023/04/desantis-oversight-district-declares-disney-worlds-reedy-creek-contract-null-and-void-approves-superior-authority-resolution/
it happened more usually in the 1800s – with Andrew Jackson,
Calhoun had been JQ Adam’s VP, and on both Jackson’s slate and Adams’ slate in 1828. His loyalty was suspect.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/1/2023 @ 9:39 amI don’t like the No Labels party and feel they won’t pick a good candidate,
The name is kind of condescending, but it might appeal to those who think both major brands suck. I’m a little concerned about their many reasons for backing out — it’s full of out-of-work pros who may just be looking for a payday.
Their real problem is getting 50-state ballot access BEFORE they have a candidate. That hasn’t happened ever for a new third party, centrist or not, as it’s hard to generate grass-roots support for the player-to-be-named-later. Your worry about who they might pick is probably widely felt. With TR or Perot or Wallace (or even Strom Turmond) you knew what you were getting.
Having said that, there are qualified candidates currently on the sidelines or already independents. But for every Paul Ryan there’s a Michael Bloomberg, so it’s hard to say.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/1/2023 @ 9:49 amReally, the bottom line on a third party is this: There has not been a better time to run a centerish candidate than now, with one party running a wild man and the other party running a Chernenko. A vast gulf. Nature abhors a vacuum.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/1/2023 @ 9:54 am@175, No. but changing the regulatory structure as a reprisal for speech the government doesn’t like is a violation of the first amendment even when there’s no fundamental right to the existing regulatory scheme.
.”
This is a good article on the subject.
Time123 (30934d) — 5/1/2023 @ 10:01 amThat’s because the Florida Senate’s own financial impact analysis of the bill found that in most cases when a county takes over a special district, it “shall also assume all indebtedness of the preexisting special district.” It’s also why Moody’s gives the debt its highest rating. These differences are settled in a court of law, not on a blog by non lawyers.
AJ_Liberty (5f05c3) — 5/1/2023 @ 10:04 amWhembly, are you denying that Fl is trying to punish Disney for their political speech are you saying that it’s ok for the reasons you’ve laid out?
Time123 (30934d) — 5/1/2023 @ 10:08 amhttps://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/21/disney-special-district-florida-taxpayers-could-face-a-1-billion-debt-bomb-if-dissolved.html
AJ_Liberty (5f05c3) — 5/1/2023 @ 10:12 amDisney World at 50: Disney has influenced all aspects of Central Florida life
– Since opening in 1971, Disney World has influenced so many aspects of Central Florida life
– The resort’s influence can be seen in everything from the economy to the culture
More than 75 million people visit Orlando every year, with most coming just to visit Disney World. Compare that to the 21 million permanent residents living in Florida, and those numbers highlight just how central Disney World is to Central Florida’s economy, and by extension, our local culture.
In fact, Walt Disney World is so big, the state of Florida created two new cities just for Disney — Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista (formerly Reedy Creek).
Megan Morris actually moved to Orlando in 2013 just for Disney. She’s been a Disney fan ever since she was a little girl, but the Disney culture has become so much more than that. It’s been a lifeline of sorts.
Morris has a life-threatening genetic disease with a typical life expectancy of 55 years old. She is currently 36.
Throughout this journey of hardship and hospitalizations, Morris has looked to Disney as a representation of a better tomorrow.
“There are a lot of circumstances I can’t control but Disney uplifts me a lot during those times,” Morris said.
After moving to Orlando, Morris got a job at Disney, working there until she had to leave for health reasons. She says her daily route under the Walt Disney World entrance banner always makes her smile and gives her spirits a boost.
And Morris isn’t alone. UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management Professor Dr. Carissa Baker also moved to Orlando for Disney, studying theme parks and storytelling.
“Our identity is so closely linked with this idea of this form of entertainment, of the theme park capitol of the world,” Dr. Baker said.
It’s one reason why Orlando is the number one tourist destination in the U.S. — a destination that started with a dream 50 years ago.
Disney World was the vision of Walt Disney and has since grown and expanded to include four theme parks, two water parks, more than a dozen Disney-owned hotels and millions of jobs created.
With Central Florida welcoming about 75 million visitors a year, every aspect of the area’s economy and identity is tied to Disney World.
One of the biggest is guest services — “Be Our Guest” and spend your money, if you will.
UCF Rosen School of Hospitality Management has close ties with Disney and the other theme parks, as many of the school’s graduates go on to work at these parks. “One of the main reasons that we’re here is because Disney World especially started here in the 1970s and there just became a growing need in this area to have a lot of strong hospitality services,” Baker said.
One of those services? Housekeeping. Renaly Madera is one of thousands of housekeepers working at a Disney hotel. She moved here in 2018 from Puerto Rico to provide a better life for her daughter. Unite Here Local 737 is the union which represents many of Disney’s housekeepers and other staff. Next year, the union’s contract is up and of the biggest sticking points? Income.
According to the union’s website, in 2017 a housekeeper’s minimum wage was $10.50 an hour or $21,840 a year. In October of this year, the minimum wage jumps to $17 an hour or $35,360 a year. Madera says as a single mother, living off of $10.50 an hour was incredibly difficult. After bills, there wasn’t any extra money left for her daughter.
“Everything here is expensive. Food, her lunch, I have to go to the market with a calculator- mom, I want this! I said- no, I can’t because of the money,” she said. Money and magic going hand-in-hand. Walt Disney World producing a product that has continued to evolve for the past 50 years.
https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2021/09/27/disney-s-impact-within-central-florida
The Mouse that need not roar: How Disney World at 50 shapes Florida, wields influence
https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2021/10/14/walt-disney-world-remains-florida-biggest-political-power-50-years-later/5919720001/
DeSantis is de-idiot.
DCSCA (95725c) — 5/1/2023 @ 10:18 amKnowing that it was real, and that Biden was lying about that in the debate could have switched votes at least to a third party, but not necessarily would have,
Sammy Finkelman (318437) — 5/1/2023 @ 10:35 am……….In a new federal lawsuit, the Walt Disney Corporation alleges DeSantis waged a “relentless campaign to weaponize government power” against the company and “orchestrated at every step” a crusade meant to punish Disney for its political views.
……….
According to Ari Cohn, a First Amendment and defamation attorney, “Disney’s complaint sets out, in damning clarity, what was already obvious: Ron DeSantis was peeved that Disney spoke out against a piece of his legislation, and set out on the warpath to get retribution.”
……….
As Cohn went on to point out, “Anyone who claims to care about free speech should be deeply troubled by a government explicitly retaliating against anyone for their political advocacy—whether one agrees with it or not. The right to speak about or against government action is sacrosanct, and every attempt by the government to undermine that right opens the door for more of the same (and sometimes in ways you might not like as much). That some of Florida’s loudest cheerleaders have been quick to accuse government (or private platforms) of censorship when they agree with the speech just demonstrates how fundamentally disingenuous their alleged principles are.”
………
“Courts are often hesitant to examine the motivation behind legislation that doesn’t prohibit or regulate expression on its face. It’s difficult to say whether the chilling effect alleged by Disney will get them over all the hurdles—but if there’s a case in which that might happen, it’s hard to think of a more obvious set of facts,” he continued.
………
“A DeSantis win would not mean that the First Amendment has remained unscathed; it would mean that legislators around the country have a roadmap for punishing speech critical of the government. Nobody should want that,” Cohn said……..
……..
Not only were DeSantis’ actions wildly outside the bounds for anyone who believes in a limited government and free market. They also mark a detrimental turn within the GOP. The party, in complete desperation to win a culture war it’s currently badly losing, has become unmoored from the guiding principles it used to champion.
Increasingly, we see Republicans who are eager to expand the government’s power and weaponize it against their political enemies. ………
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/1/2023 @ 10:36 am……….
There was an old case about political retaliation involving Governor Huey Long of Louisiana.
https://www.npr.org/transcripts/746568840
https://www.mtsu.edu/first-amendment/article/497/grosjean-v-american-press-co
But it may not be much of a precedent, since the Court’s opinion said this unique tax amounted to a licensing fee. (so it didn’t decide it on the basis of retaliation)
Sammy Finkelman (318437) — 5/1/2023 @ 10:49 amThey will win at trial because it’s a leftist, Obama judge that makes blatantly illegal rulings that get overturned on appeal. But carry on.
NJRob (41221e) — 5/1/2023 @ 10:51 amThis Disney thing is hardly new, at least not at a more local level. Let’s say you own a tow truck company and you loudly support Candidate A for mayor and say terrible things about how corrupt Candidate B is. After B wins, you attempt to renew your Police Tow license and find that there are problems and delays.
Happens all the time.
I don’t defend what DeSantis has done, and I question his judgement in dialing it up to 11. But Disney tried to sanction a state for the democratic action of its freely elected government, using lies to justify it in the press (some of which they owned).
To take sides in this is to ignore quite a bit. Either side.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/1/2023 @ 10:56 amKevin M (f94f4f) — 5/1/2023 @ 9:39 am
Sammy Finkelman (318437) — 5/1/2023 @ 10:58 am@199: Not remotely on point.
Disney is attacking the sovereignty of the state of Florida by sanctioning them for their passing a law legally and democratically.
DeSantis is attacking Disney not for “free speech” but for its economic actions.
Both sides have chosen to double down again and again. It’s a pity they can’t both lose.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/1/2023 @ 11:01 amSammy, you’re right. Calhoun was on both ballot lines in 24, not 28. My bad.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/1/2023 @ 11:04 amhttps://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/30/opinion/disney-desantis-florida-lawsuit.html
It’s not only aa question of rights – doing something like this turns the tow truck business into a form of political patronage, and that’s probably prohibited by some state laws,
Sammy Finkelman (318437) — 5/1/2023 @ 11:06 amIn 1824, all candidates ran independently, There were really no parties. The Federalist Party was dead. In 1820, James Monroe had been re-elected practically without opposition. Some history writer later decided to call it :”The Era of Good Feelings.”
https://npg.si.edu/blog/james-monroe-era-good-feelings#:~:text=In%201817%20Monroe%20became%20the,generation%20to%20hold%20the%20presidency.
Sammy Finkelman (318437) — 5/1/2023 @ 11:11 amThe suit (and now counter-suit) have little to do with Disney’s speech or DeSantis’s vendetta.
The outgoing special district board voted to give all its powers to Disney as the headed for the door.
The new (DeSantis-appointed board) rescinded that vote and declared the transfer of powers null and void. Disney sued the board. Now, the board has counter-sued Disney. The dispute is over the gift of regulatory power to the regulated entity, and speech by DeSantis or Disney isn’t really on point.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/1/2023 @ 11:15 amPerhaps, Sammy, but the ballot lines are listed today as if they were a ticket. Calhoun received almost all the votes from Jackson and Adams electors, and almost no votes from Crawford or Clay electors.
See here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1824_United_States_presidential_election#Vice_presidential_electoral_vote_breakdown_by_ticket
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/1/2023 @ 11:22 am@207 speech is the explicit reason this is happening.
Time123 (66af52) — 5/1/2023 @ 11:27 amIncreasingly, we see Republicans who are eager to expand the government’s power and weaponize it against their political enemies. ………
……….
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/1/2023 @ 10:36 am
the fans of Alvin Bragg and Weissmann and Schiff seem really concerned about this
JF (1bdfa5) — 5/1/2023 @ 12:17 pm@207 speech is the explicit reason this is happening.
Perhaps, but the suit isn’t about the speech, although it’s all you will hear from the pundits because gnarly governance and contract law doesn’t sell papers.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/1/2023 @ 12:18 pmIncreasingly, we see Republicans who are eager to expand the government’s power and weaponize it against their political enemies
Yes, and while the Democrats have done this for a while, its heretical for a supposed small-government party to do this.
Of course, the GOP has not been a small-government party for most of its existence: TR, Prohibition, the Interstate Highway System, Nixon’s building of the modern regulatory state, W’s spending and giveaways (e.g. restarting farm supports), etc.
But the rhetoric, right?
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/1/2023 @ 12:23 pm@211, it is. Last section details the 1A claims
Time123 (89ccab) — 5/1/2023 @ 12:33 pm@212, ok. But I have no interest in supporting a big government party. I don’t care if it’s big government to increase the safety net, or big government to enforce Christian nationalism. I’m not interested. The deal was “family values, small government, balance budget, national defense.” Take away balanced budget (which we didn’t see at all in the last gop administration) and small government and all that remains is “family values”. Which I don’t think is a legitimate aim for the government to force.
Time123 (89ccab) — 5/1/2023 @ 1:01 pmI don’t disagree with you, Time. The two parties are on the same Statist path, differing only in which set of mores they are willing to enforce. Do you want to be bound by Humanist Ethics (constantly updated)? Or Judeo-Christian Ethics from Leviticus (never updated)?
Again, I argue for working for a centrist choice. Doesn’t matter all that much what it is at this point. At one point I favored the Libertarians, but they went down a rabbit hole years ago and won’t come up.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/1/2023 @ 1:17 pmLibertarians hit the bottom of the rabbit hole and started digging for wonderland.
Time123 (89ccab) — 5/1/2023 @ 1:25 pmSee pages 66-72 here for the alleged First Amendment violations.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/1/2023 @ 1:32 pm@194
No.
I’m saying “they can”.
In fact, I’d say Disney already lost.
This all started after Disney threatened to defeat anti-woke laws. Not only did Florida pass the original bill, they’ve since enacted more and Disney never even lobbied the legislature.
They surrendered.
The remaining disputes are about Disney losing absolute power over RCID.
I have lots of family (and one really good friend) who lives there and they’ve always told me that most Floridian never really supported Disney’s near total control over RCID. Its just that the issue never really became big enough to get elected officials to do anything about, because most knew that Disney, in the past, supported candidates on both side of the aisle.
Then, Disney took a “last stand” here, albeit reluctantly. There was no room for compromise on Parental Rights in Education. We either protect children or we don’t.
There’s no middle ground.
There really isn’t a sustained backlash anymore locally. Disney is trying for a hail marry to reclaim control over RCID, which I don’t think it’s happening.
Regarding the 1st Amendment case, I do think Disney will prevail because it’s in front of an extremely favorable judge for them (they forum shopped). However, if they do get a favorable ruling, I can certainly see the 11th Circuit overturning that lower court ruling as Kevin said, it’s really about “regulatory power to the regulated entity”.
whembly (d116f3) — 5/1/2023 @ 1:36 pmNot sure who you are talking about; the case was assigned to Judge Martin Fitzpatrick, who is a magistrate judge. Magistrate judges are not appointed by the President but by a majority vote of the active district judges. Fitzpatrick recused himself “because he is related in the “third degree” to someone who is employed by one of the parties……pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 455 (b)(5)(iii).” No other reason was given. The case was reassigned to Magistrate Judge Michael Frank.
Fail!
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/1/2023 @ 1:45 pmWho?
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/1/2023 @ 1:48 pmI doubt they ” forum shopped.” They filed suit in the Northern District of Florid because that is where Disney World is.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/1/2023 @ 1:51 pmFlorid= Florida
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/1/2023 @ 1:52 pm.
I don’t think the law did much to protect children. I think it did a lot of push gay ppl back in the closet and empower bigots, which seemed to be its desired goal.
I also think it’s revealing the rights previously stated concerns about free speech to be empty. Even you, one of the more thoughtful ppl I discuss politics with seem to be cheering the state punishing someone for political speech you disagree with.
Time123 (89ccab) — 5/1/2023 @ 1:54 pmSpeaking of “forum shopping“:
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/1/2023 @ 2:04 pmOut:
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is not running for re-election
Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland says he won’t seek re-election in 2024
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/1/2023 @ 2:08 pmFirst Amendment, First Shmamendment. DeSantis is taking a page from his national heroes, Benito Mussolini, Al Capone, and John Gotti. He saw a piece of valuable property owned by a profitable business and he wants to muscle in for a piece of the action. Disney should be suing in RICO.
nk (83bdb0) — 5/1/2023 @ 2:20 pm@223
I disagree, and that law does exactly ZERO to “push gay ppl back in the closet and empower bigots”.
It provide clear guidelines on topics that should remain with parent. States has directive to issue such guidelines.
In fact, I question your judgement on this, as the only other take away I can take from your position, is that you’re okay with school teachers discussing inappropriate sex to kids.
Is that your position?
I’m not so much cheering, as I’m simply shaking my head on the stupidity on Disney’s part. They literally FA & FO here.
Disney is not entitled to their corporate welfare.
whembly (d116f3) — 5/1/2023 @ 2:27 pmIn which election?
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 5/1/2023 @ 2:38 pmOne thing that was done wrong even years ago was listing Jefferson and his immediate successors as members of the “Democratic Republican” Party. Congress did that in its historical publications.
It was actually called, simply, the Republican party. The newly formed Republican Party inn the 1850s took its name from that.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 5/1/2023 @ 2:42 pmNobody claims Disney was entitled to receive the discretionary grant in the first place. The question is whether, once granted, the state is permitted to claw it back to punish Disney for its constitutionally protected criticism of the state’s laws and policies. Here’s Anthony Kennedy in his 7-2 opinion in the tow truck case alluded to above,
As David French puts it in his informed, persuasive analysis (NY Times paywall):
lurker (cd7cd4) — 5/1/2023 @ 3:33 pmHere is a free link to the David French NYT piece.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/1/2023 @ 3:38 pmDisney is not entitled to their corporate welfare.
Neither was NBC when it threatened NY State and NYC to leave Rockefeller Center and move to better, more financially favorable digs in the Secaucus Meadowlands across the river in New Jersey. A sweet tax deal was cut by NYC and NY ststge… and NBC remains at 30 Rock.
DCSCA (ef6538) — 5/1/2023 @ 3:48 pmReview the history of how ol’Walt quietly planned creating WaltDisneyWorld…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Disney_World
DCSCA (ef6538) — 5/1/2023 @ 3:58 pmThat’s great. Thanks. Where’s that link from? I’d love to be able to give up my NYT subscription.
lurker (cd7cd4) — 5/1/2023 @ 4:33 pmIt’s a benefit of your NYT subscription; you can share up to 10 articles a month. I didn’t want to deprive the posters here of French’s fact-based commentary. 🙂
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/1/2023 @ 5:40 pm@235. Oh yeah. I keep forgetting about that.
lurker (cd7cd4) — 5/1/2023 @ 6:26 pmRIP Gordon Lightfoot (84).
Rip Murdock (c7888c) — 5/1/2023 @ 7:10 pm“Conservative” French supports the leftist position. In the NY Times no less.
I’m shocked.
It’s what they pay him for.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 5/1/2023 @ 7:13 pmWorth reporting some would think.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 5/1/2023 @ 7:25 pmConservative French (no scare quotes) supports the First Amendment irrespective of who benefits. Principles over tribe.
lurker (cd7cd4) — 5/1/2023 @ 8:22 pmOfficially out:
Rip Murdock (c7888c) — 5/2/2023 @ 4:39 amvirtually invisible rain, or none, with pools of water in places (corners, or spread thin) and large drops on park benches.
Forecast is: it won’t be dry until Friday. Mostly cloudy, although you could see the moon sometimes at least last night,
Sammy Finkelman (318437) — 5/2/2023 @ 6:23 amlurker (cd7cd4) — 5/1/2023 @ 3:33 pm
Don’t say agreement, say support. Or not joining with the opposition to pressure the government, which is the thing that Disney did, because of its workforce, most likely.
Sammy Finkelman (318437) — 5/2/2023 @ 6:28 am@241, at one point I liked him…but his enthusiastic embrace of lake and election denial ended that.
Time123 (96c904) — 5/2/2023 @ 7:30 amSpeaking of “forum shopping“:
In every contract I’ve been involved with, the jurisdiction in which any suit arising hereunder may be filed is a critical point. Generally, we end up with the defendant getting the “home” court.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/2/2023 @ 9:12 amNewspaper subscriptions:
Some newspapers notify you before your auto-renewal (at exorbitant rates) is scheduled to occur. Some only notify you after your non-refundable renewal has processed.
In the latter camp we have the LA Times and The Washington Post. Beware.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/2/2023 @ 9:16 amApril 2023 Emerson College Tracking Poll:
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/2/2023 @ 9:26 am@247 the polls in az, ga, mi, and wi. that is where the electoral collage will decide the election.
asset (ac6b63) — 5/2/2023 @ 2:28 pmTrump Civil Litigation Watch II-Sad! Edition:
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/2/2023 @ 3:00 pmDefinitely not a cult. Nope. Not at all.
lurker (cd7cd4) — 5/2/2023 @ 4:58 pmGonna really miss this guy. What an artist!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4Iw7Jei8XOo&t=1116s
Colonel Haiku (df7c7b) — 5/2/2023 @ 5:14 pmhttps://www.inquirer.com/author/snyder_susan/
Leftist media cultist uses her position to go after President of Thomas Jefferson University for not staying in lockstep with the leftist cult. Would it be fair to return the favor?
She’s inciting a mob against him using the power of the press.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 5/2/2023 @ 5:21 pmMemo to Disney:
Put your Donald to work:
‘Ven DeSantis sez, Da Kingdom’s a woke place…
Vee go, ‘Heil! Heil!’ Right in DeSantis’ face…’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L90smU0SOcQ&t=1s
DCSCA (43bdc1) — 5/2/2023 @ 6:48 pmWhy look around for the media spin on the election. Rip brings it all here for us. Believe in the polls! Vote like we tell you! Everyone else is, trust us.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/2/2023 @ 9:01 pmBiden’s Baghdad Bob says that illegal immigration is down 90% on his watch.
Is that because he’s just letting everyone in and saying they are legal?
Does anyone care?
NJRob (eb56c3) — 5/3/2023 @ 4:58 amhttps://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/apr/30/us-drones-protect-bus-convoy-hundreds-americans-fl/
International news actually affecting Americans. Afghanistan redux?
NJRob (eb56c3) — 5/3/2023 @ 5:01 amThree Russian vessels, with transponders off, were in proximity of where the Nord Stream pipelines blew up, sometime between June and September 2022, and they have the capability of planting explosives on a pipeline 260± feet below the surface.
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 5/3/2023 @ 5:02 amYes, the evidence is circumstantial, so it means that you can’t rule Putin in, but you can’t rule him out.
https://hotair.com/david-strom/2023/05/03/democrats-are-threatening-to-remove-security-funding-for-supreme-court-n547972
15 communists under the Democrat party banner are trying to remove security protection from the Supreme Court because the Court won’t submit to their radical beliefs. And this is after their radical speech has caused multiple assassination attempts against conservative justices.
NJRob (bdefc1) — 5/3/2023 @ 6:28 amThat’s 15 out of more than 200. I don’t know if you can call them Communist, whatever they are..
Sammy Finkelman (b434ee) — 5/3/2023 @ 6:47 am246. Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/2/2023 @ 9:16 am
Or they may claim they notified you – if you contact them before it goes into effect, you may be able to continue at the lower rate.
Non-refundable? You can always dispute the transaction I think.
Sammy Finkelman (b434ee) — 5/3/2023 @ 6:53 amwhembly (d116f3) — 5/1/2023 @ 2:27 pm to Time123
Sammy Finkelman (b434ee) — 5/3/2023 @ 7:09 am@262
That’s for the parents to determine.
Not what the activists wants.
whembly (d116f3) — 5/3/2023 @ 7:41 amIs that because he’s just letting everyone in and saying they are legal?
Yes.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/3/2023 @ 8:36 amI think an essential part of Ukraine’s plan to end the war (it also probably includes some battlefield defeats of Russia) is to assassinate Vladimir Putin. This was maybe the second attempt.
Sammy Finkelman (d0f76f) — 5/3/2023 @ 9:05 amHe’s letting a select group in on parole, (and requiring sponsors, so maybe they are not the same people, but he’s offering some hope to others) and citing aa statistic that applies to only four countries.
He’s dealing in half truths
Sammy Finkelman (d0f76f) — 5/3/2023 @ 9:08 amwhembly (d116f3) — 5/3/2023 @ 7:41 am
How can that be?
Everyone seems to agree there is only one true and right system of sexual morality (even if they disagree on what it is)
Except that the LGBTQ actividts don’t brook aany disagreement in the public square. ‘
Sammy Finkelman (d0f76f) — 5/3/2023 @ 9:16 am‘
It’s an extension of the opposition to racism (although that is based on the equality or equal worth of all human beings)
https://twitter.com/RNCResearch/status/1653448224517271552?
The invasion is overwhelming our b9rder and destroying our cities, but it’s not politically useful to discuss so let’s ignore it.
NJRob (bdefc1) — 5/3/2023 @ 10:03 amAdmitting people without giving them the right to work and without family is creating problems, but the Republican opposition cannot be trusted to describe the truth or describe what the alternatives are.
They tell obvious lies about fentanyl and disease and foreign countries letting people out of prison (!) and try to cultivate in the American people the wirst form f==of prejudice,
Sammy Finkelman (d0f76f) — 5/3/2023 @ 11:28 amPresident Biden, or his administration, per the New York Times is seriously considering an approach to the debt limit which is not legally sound (a habit with Democrats) and could be economically damaging because of that – he thinks this is the safest position for him to take and will blame the Republicans for any fallout but that won’t be where the public will lay the blame.
Sammy Finkelman (d0f76f) — 5/3/2023 @ 11:35 am“During a July 2011 meeting, Hunter was reportedly attempting to negotiate a deal worth billions of dollars with these associates, one of whom was likely a foreign national, with then-Vice President Joe Biden and his deputy chief of staff Alan Hoffman. The individuals present were energy executive David Gamperl and two relatively unknown businessmen named Xi Wang and Andre Lasserre. The meeting was arranged after the trio had previously pitched a lucrative Brazilian bond deal to Hunter Biden, the son of Joe Biden. Two intermediaries, including Sean Conlon — who would later become the co-host of CNBC’s “The Deed” and the founder of Conlon & Co. — facilitated the meeting with the aim of helping Conlon and Hunter’s Rosemont Seneca investment firm “get more bonds to move.”
On June 22, 2011, Gamperl emailed Conlon about the “substantial profit” being offered by Nagi Ghawi, president of the now-defunct Mercantile Investment Group of the West Indies. Conlon later forwarded the email to Hunter Biden, insisting “We need to put our heads together on this.”
On the same day, Ghawi proposed a meeting with either then-Vice President Joe Biden or his chief of staff, “ASAP.” In another email forwarded to Hunter Biden by Conlon, Ghawi confirmed his acceptance of a letter of engagement “based on 7% fees + 3% fees as a bonus if the first structured instrument (LTN) is executed within 60 days.” The deal would cover all intermediary fees, with any other fees to be deducted from that amount.“
https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/matt-margolis/2023/05/03/new-emails-prove-hunter-biden-was-selling-access-to-his-father-n1692250
Colonel Haiku (85c800) — 5/3/2023 @ 11:44 amNo different than the trillion dollar coin gambit.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/3/2023 @ 11:47 amSammy,
How many criminal aliens have you brought home?
Where do you think fentanyl comes from?
What jobs are illiterate, non-English speakers supposed to do? Live? Who supports them?
NJRob (bdefc1) — 5/3/2023 @ 11:50 am@271. ‘During a July 2011 meeting, Hunter was reportedly attempting to negotiate a deal worth billions of dollars with these associates, one of whom was likely a foreign national, with then-Vice President Joe Biden and his deputy chief of staff Alan Hoffman…’
LOLOLOLOL Does he even remember being Vice President? Did he like Hoffman better in ‘The Graduate’ or when he went after Nixon in ‘All The President’s Men’ ? And given his history, can he fake it with the famed ‘I don’t recall’ line under oath? “We pause five seconds for our affiliates and station identification… ‘This is the T-D-S Blogovision Network…’” 😉
DCSCA (ca32e0) — 5/3/2023 @ 12:45 pmHere’s something different: a lifespan calculator: https://media.nmfn.com/tnetwork/lifespan/index.html#0
I’m not sure how seriously to take it since it estimated I will live to 102 (103 if I start seeing a doctor regularly. I’ll turn 80 in August.)
But I think it does give you some idea of what you should be doing if you want to live longer.
Jim Miller (0e46f9) — 5/3/2023 @ 1:53 pmTrump Civil Litigation Watch III:
Sad!
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/3/2023 @ 2:08 pmNJRob (bdefc1) — 5/3/2023 @ 11:50 am
Agriculture. Construction with other people who speak their language. Home attendants. Child care. This is not a problem.
What is stupid is spending enormous amounts of money per client.
NYC built an emergency shelter on Randall’s Island that met most building codes — then tore it down.
The problems are legal.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 5/3/2023 @ 2:29 pm272. Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/3/2023 @ 11:47 am
The trillion dollar coin(s) gambit s legal, although created accidentally.
People are taking things off the table in order to try to get their way.
This is the situation:
1. Yellen says the drop dead date may be June 1, although historically Treasury has undershot. The estimate was lowered because of fewer tax receipts (owing to the Fed raising interest rates)
2. Biden called for a meeting on May 9. But he hasn;t changed his position: A clean debt ceiling rise, while agreeing to separate budget decisions. McConnell is not getting involved. Schumer opposes a short term debt limit increase. McCarthy has barely passed a bill, which raises the debt ceiling while cutting things republicans regard as unpopular or unnecessary. like most of the “Anti-Inflation” act passed last year. Democrats in the House are planning a discharge petition to force a vote in the House. The strategy was semi-secret. A bill was written back in January that would get referred to many committees – they started the clock but the bill cannot possibly be passed till June 12 or 13.
3. Biden is considering the claim that the 14th amendment authorizes the Treasury to borrow without consent of Congress. This theory has been around for ten years. It is as bad law as the sovereign citizen claim but it has been strenuously argued
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/02/us/politics/debt-limit-us-constitution.html
It’s got three big things wrong with it:
o it merely means that the debt cannot be repudiated
o It doesn’t authorize any borrowing
0 The debt can be paid without more borrowing (Yellen claims it’s just as bad not to pay anything on time “in the eyes of the market”)
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 5/3/2023 @ 2:44 pm277… gosh, Sammy… nothing that a lawyer can’t resolve.
/sarc
Colonel Haiku (85c800) — 5/3/2023 @ 2:44 pmThe new debt could be repudiated because not authorized by law
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 5/3/2023 @ 2:44 pmIf anyone spent money or borrowed money without authorization from a law ppassed by Congress, they’d be violating the Anti-Deficiency Act.
The only reason it’s even legal at all times to spend money to pay back the debt is that Congress made a permanent appropriation for that purpose in 1847.
But any level of borrowing has not been authorized most of the time.
Sammy Finkelman (d0f76f) — 5/3/2023 @ 3:04 pmCol Haiku: The things creating a difficulty are legal.Prohibitions and mndates and the fact that budgets are exactly balanced. How else could such a small number of people create a semi-crisis. (which the Republicans propose solving by a combination of waving a magic wand and cruelty
Sammy Finkelman (d0f76f) — 5/3/2023 @ 3:11 pmAdams has reiterated that NYC is a Sanctuary City, Sammy. He needs to stop complaining and step up.
The Biden administration has severely worsened the illegal immigration problem. Put the blame where it belongs. Stop the distractions.
Colonel Haiku (85c800) — 5/3/2023 @ 3:16 pmThe Obama Administration had a simple fallback position in the event they could not raise the debt ceiling:
1> Pay the federal debt duw,
2. Don’t prioritize the rest by category but by date due, Say the US government cannot make al payments it is supposed to make on Friday, June 16. Postpone checks/direct deposits till the next business day (June 20) and simply trail by one day or two days till thiss gets resolved.
zin the case of salaries you could even arrange with banks for tthe banks to give interest free loans to their customers, J P Morgan Chase does this now (new feeature) Credits accoubt two days early
https://www.chase.com/personal/secure-banking/deposit#:~:text=is%20%22early%22%3F-,Early%20direct%20deposit%20is%20a%20service%20that%20comes%20with%20your,submits%20the%20information%20to%20us.
Sammy Finkelman (d0f76f) — 5/3/2023 @ 3:19 pmLooks like Justice Thomas has some more ‘splaining to do.
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 5/4/2023 @ 5:55 amIANAL, but I’m pretty sure it’s not kosher to have a sugar-daddy billionaire pay for a judge’s grandnephew’s $6,000/month private school tuition, perhaps more than $150k worth.
A gift to a foster child is a gift to the child, not to the foster parent. The foster parent can manage it for the child, but if he claims it as his property, he is committing several different crimes.
nk (8e3e79) — 5/4/2023 @ 6:13 amAnd how come they be going after the prep-school grandnephew and not the imprisoned drug-dealer nephew? Didn’t nobody done give nothing to him?
nk (8e3e79) — 5/4/2023 @ 6:17 am#286
Usually ethics rules apply to spouses, parents, children and siblings. Grand nephews are more remote, particularly if Thomas never adopted the kid in any way. So Thomas may have got away with something here but I don’t see how the ethics rules touch him, particularly if Crowe paid the fees directly.
By the way, google the school the kid went to. It’s…interesting.
Appalled (7447aa) — 5/4/2023 @ 6:55 amReform school, not prep school?
nk (8e3e79) — 5/4/2023 @ 7:01 amThomas was the grandnephew’s legal guardian, responsible for his education, which Thomas left his sugar-daddy to pay for. How is that kosher, nk?
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 5/4/2023 @ 7:07 amBecause the money was spent on the kid, not Thomas, and directly on the kid, not through Thomas.
nk (8e3e79) — 5/4/2023 @ 7:34 amAnd I’m pretty sure the Thomases were required to report periodically what was going on with the kid to a court or county guardian or someone like that, which would have included the kid’s education and who was paying for it. But that’s not the form ProPublica wants to look at.
nk (8e3e79) — 5/4/2023 @ 7:41 amLook, all this is about a vacancy on the Court while Biden is still President with a Senate majority, and they have picked Thomas as the softest target to harass into resigning.
Hang tough, Ginni! Girl, you know you still got it!
nk (8e3e79) — 5/4/2023 @ 7:46 amIt was money that Thomas would’ve otherwise spent, but then didn’t have to.
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 5/4/2023 @ 8:06 amLook, I know that Thomas’ detractors have been trying to detract him from serving on our highest bench since his “high-tech lynching” remarks, but that should mean that he needn’t give them the ammunition, and he and his delusional wife aren’t helping themselves.
@291
You’re going to need to explain how this violates any ethics.
I mean, you can look at it several ways.
This looks like its a gifts from the Harlans based on an obvious relationship (Thomas’ and Harlans are known friends).
Again, there’s no cases in past nor current that affects the Harlans.
Why this “gift” is such a problem to you?
whembly (d116f3) — 5/4/2023 @ 8:08 amPaul, does ProPublica have any ‘splaining to do…” exposé on other Justices?
https://www.dailywire.com/news/liberal-scotus-justice-took-3m-from-book-publisher-didnt-recuse-from-its-cases
BuDuh (047c66) — 5/4/2023 @ 8:13 amYa’ll need to stop playing the lefts game in trying to high-tech lynching of Thomas:
whembly (d116f3) — 5/4/2023 @ 8:15 amhttps://twitter.com/MarkPaoletta/status/1654086444594483200
I heard a statement which can be transformed into an argument: If Michael Cohen paying Stormy Daniels with his own money is a campaign contribution, then surely paying off Hunter Biden’s tax debts, paying for lawyers, arranging for him to become an artist and all the other things are also unreported, over the limit campaign contributions to Joe Biden’s campaigns.
Possible defenses:
1. He was a personal friend of Hunter or someone in his family.
2. He gave nothing – it is all on credit.
3. They are unco-ordinated independent expenditures.
It really has to rest on #3, and they probably found a way to thread a number of needles. They’d probably have to break attorney-client privilege to find proof of co-ordination and nobody came to prosecutors with an accusation, which is about the only way an investigation of the help Hunter Biden got from one or more Democratic contributors could get started,
By the way, Michael Cohen is in the clear also unless Donald Trump approved his payment in advance, which MC claims but DT denied – and he’d have no reason to believe MC would be willing to do that.
Sammy Finkelman (d0f76f) — 5/4/2023 @ 8:31 amThere is no way to draft conflict of interest rules or laws that will capture all serious conflicts of interest, and it is easy to be too inclusive.
You have to rely on other things than pre-codified rules.
Sammy Finkelman (d0f76f) — 5/4/2023 @ 8:35 amA “dependent child” probably has to be anyone who could be claimed as a dependent on a federal tax return.
Some children are virtually automatic but other people can be claimed if more thaan half of the support comes from the tax filer.
Clarence Thomas probably made too much money to actually claim the child as adependent even if he could.
Sammy Finkelman (d0f76f) — 5/4/2023 @ 8:40 amNo, I really don’t, because I asked the initial question: How is it kosher that a billionaire Friend of Clarence covered the $6,000/month nut for the education of the yute under his guardianship?
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 5/4/2023 @ 8:42 amNo, just like Dana isn’t obligated to write open thread items to satisfy NJRob’s political culture war preferences.
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 5/4/2023 @ 8:47 amProPublica’s bias is no secret, yet there doesn’t seem to be any dispute that Mr. Crow’s made the payments.
Breaking-
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/4/2023 @ 8:51 amSammy the New Yorker is finally upset with the lack of support for immigrants now that it affects New York. When California made the same complaints back in the 90s (before it was overwhelmed), New York and the rest of the crooked East told them “tough sh1t!”
Now the chickens are home to roost and New York is discovering the problems 30 years too late.
Tough sh1t.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/4/2023 @ 8:55 amwhembly (d116f3) — 5/4/2023 @ 8:08 am
After exhaustive examination, they found a case where a denial of certiorari might possibly affect Harlen Crow.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/bloomberg-flings-mud-at-clarence-thomas-harlan-crow-supreme-court-business-cert-petition-2df8b193
So they say Justice Thomas should have recused himself.
But the catch is, a recusal in a decision about certiorari has exactly the same effect as a denial. And denying that petition benefited the litigant related to the Crows,
Sammy Finkelman (0691d7) — 5/4/2023 @ 8:57 amMore:
Of course, what the Proud Boys believed that what the former President wanted and Trump’s own belief are two different things.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/4/2023 @ 8:58 amHow is it kosher that a billionaire Friend of Clarence covered the $6,000/month nut for the education of the yute under his guardianship?
And I answered it at 292 and 293:
My turn: How is it that a chicken which has its throat slit with a blunt-pointed knife is kosher, but one which was killed with a sharp-pointed knife is not?
nk (fb05db) — 5/4/2023 @ 9:02 amAssumes facts not in evidence.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/4/2023 @ 9:05 amIt is impossible that it could cause a problems – talk radio has been screaming about illegal aliens since 1974 – without some alteration in the lws or procedures. They are just not telling us what it is. Most likely it is their being admitted into the United States sort of legally but without the right to work legally and without any attemppt to find sponors. Then we have the right to shelter laaws in New York State,
Sammy Finkelman (0691d7) — 5/4/2023 @ 9:05 am‘After the ast big surge last fall, many men accepted offers to work illegally in Florida and then the city tore down the emergency shelter they buillt on Randall;s Island.
a coin worth $1 trillion
Why stop there? Make 31 of them and buy back all our debt! Problem solved!
(except for the world viewing it as a massive default, Wiemar-level inflation, and the dollar losing ANY status it once held. Shortly to be followed by the New Dollar, with some number of zeros lopped off)
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/4/2023 @ 9:07 amnk (fb05db) — 5/4/2023 @ 9:02 am
Isn’t it the opposite?
But it might be that there could be very specific regulations about the knife, in which you could find two knives where the sharper knife is no good and the less sharp one is.
It was very logical long long ago to make soecific regulations about the knife,
Sammy Finkelman (0691d7) — 5/4/2023 @ 9:10 amI have no opinions about chickens and Jewish rendering practices, but I would find it equally un-kosher if Ketanji Jackson’s sister’s kids had a free ride at a swank private school, courtesy of George Soros.
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 5/4/2023 @ 9:11 amProPublica is a “progressive” front group. This is like a Newsmax expose of Justice Jackson.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/4/2023 @ 9:12 amBy the way, Michael Cohen is in the clear also unless Donald Trump approved his payment in advance
No, he isn’t cause he plead guilty. Then he plead Trump guilty, too.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/4/2023 @ 9:16 amProud Boys Enrique Tarrio, 3 others guilty of Jan. 6 seditious conspiracy
More to testify against Trump, for a sentence reduction. If you don’t think they will, go talk to James McCord.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/4/2023 @ 9:20 amIs ProPublica Progressive? Yes. Are they a left-wing equivalent of Newsmax? No.
ProPublica
Bias Rating: LEFT-CENTER
Factual Reporting: HIGH
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY
Newsmax
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 5/4/2023 @ 9:22 amBias Rating: RIGHT
Factual Reporting: LOW
MBFC Credibility Rating: LOW CREDIBILITY
Assumes facts not in evidence.
Knows guardianship law.
nk (fb05db) — 5/4/2023 @ 9:23 amPaul,
Thanks for bringing up my name for no reason. It’s appropriate that you once again attack a stalwart Conservative Justice using leftist smears while ignoring any activity done by leftist judges, the left8st president or his staff.
But you’re “conservative.”
Pull my other leg birdie.
NJRob (011d6b) — 5/4/2023 @ 9:25 ambut I would find it equally un-kosher if Ketanji Jackson’s sister’s kids
It would be the sister’s daughter’s kids. Why would this bother you if Soros had no matters before the court?
Do you think that a Justice will be swayed by a few thousand dollars of generosity? If they would, they should not be on the court in the first place. People of high character would not be vulnerable to this kind of persuasion.
Of course, this is character-assassination, brought by people up to no good and themselves subject to FAR more influence than they allege, and propagated by the usual fellow travelers and so forth.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/4/2023 @ 9:26 amPaul pulling out the leftist fact check to support the leftist site.
Thanks.
NJRob (011d6b) — 5/4/2023 @ 9:28 amI think making them worth $100 billion each would be better – would allow the Secretary of the Treasury to fine tune things better.,
And $1 trillion would not be enough to push away the issue of the debt ceiling past the year 2024.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/4/2023 @ 9:07 am ,
This could create an apprehension of hyperinflation, because there would be no limits, and besides, as Alexander Hamilton said I think, we need to have some federal debt outstanding because it is an extremely risk free security.
It’s not a default, The Biden Administration is trying to argue that delaying Social Security payments or federal pay by even one day is a default, but federaal pay has been delayed before,
They’ll most likely do the option of paying debts traded inn the market and otherwise paying only when they can make all the payments scheduled for that day, trailing behind first one business day then two, etc while Biden would be pledging to veto anything that is not a clean debt limit rise for whatever period of time. He’s not going to undo his most prized piece of legislation. He might agree to budget cuts later, making sure the public blamed the Republicans for them, in conjunction with the budget or continuing resolution in September.
The Republican proposal by the way is pure political symbolism which they might characterize as a start.
Estimates change more than their cuts would,
Sammy Finkelman (0691d7) — 5/4/2023 @ 9:29 am@317: Does that site list themselves?
Go look at Propublica’s board. Do you consider Louis Henry Gates “center-left” or even-handed when it comes to Justice Thomas.
It is part of a concerted effort to drive him off the court, one that started at his confirmation hearings and has generally not let up. Fess up, Paul, you never saw him as legitimate.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/4/2023 @ 9:30 amIsn’t it the opposite?
Blunt-pointed, not blunt-edged, Sammy. The edge has to be sharp and nick-free, but the knife can only cut, not stab.
nk (fb05db) — 5/4/2023 @ 9:31 amBut that’s what you do, Rob. That, and name-call anyone you disagree with as “leftist” or “socialist”, which is what you just did.
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 5/4/2023 @ 9:42 amBTW, it’s only a “smear” if it’s false, Rob, and no one has disputed that Crow didn’t pay the kid’s tuition. What I am hearing is basic garden-variety ad hominem, only you’re whining about it the most.
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 5/4/2023 @ 9:47 amIn order for Trump to be convicted of seditious conspiracy, the government would need to show communication between the Proud Boys and himself. A wink and a nod is not sufficient. If such communication existed, you would think the PB would have introduced it into evidence and called Trump as a hostile witness in their defense. Given the fact that Trump is notoriously famous for not putting things in writing (such as emails and private texts), I doubt such evidence exists.
As I said, it doesn’t matter what the PB believed Trump meant, the only thing that is important is what Trump himself meant.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/4/2023 @ 9:48 amMore like other Trump supporters taking the rap and being hung out to dry.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/4/2023 @ 9:51 amBTW, it’s only a “smear” if it’s false, Rob, and no one has disputed that Crow didn’t pay the kid’s tuition.
A half-truth is a lie, Paul. And this only aspires to be a half-truth.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/4/2023 @ 9:57 amyou would think the PB would have introduced it into evidence and called Trump as a hostile witness in their defense
Why? It would not have helped their case. In fact it would have cemented their guilt. NOW that they have been convicted, arguing that they were acting under presidential direction might reduce their culpability (and sentence) but it would not absolve them of the crime.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/4/2023 @ 10:00 amMore like other Trump supporters taking the rap and being hung out to dry.
More like Cohen, with an actual crime to allege.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/4/2023 @ 10:01 amThis is how this sh*t is tried and how it ultimately fails…
https://twitter.com/PolitiFact/status/1653749253720666115
Colonel Haiku (c4dc82) — 5/4/2023 @ 10:04 amKevin M (f94f4f) — 5/4/2023 @ 9:30 am
Not really that, although it can look like that.
It’s part of an effort to drive up Democratic voter turnout.
Sammy Finkelman (0691d7) — 5/4/2023 @ 10:07 amThe PB actually considered subpoenaing Trump exactly to make that argument:
Needless to say, it never happened. I doubt that the PB have anything to offer that would justify a sentence reduction, unless they can provide direct proof of Trump’s involvement.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/4/2023 @ 10:11 amWhat’s only “half true” about a kid under Thomas’ wing getting a $6,000k/month free ride at a private school, courtesy of his billionaire friend?
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 5/4/2023 @ 10:12 amBecause the Democratic voters believe there is a concerted effort to drive him off the court?
Or something unrelated?
BuDuh (047c66) — 5/4/2023 @ 10:12 amCohen made his own bed and pled guilty. Others, like the Build the Wall guys and the fake electors, are disposable.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/4/2023 @ 10:13 amWhy are you sweating a “free ride” so much, Paul? If it was free, then there is no possible quid pro quo.
Any comment on Sotomayor?
BuDuh (047c66) — 5/4/2023 @ 10:14 am“Not really that, although it can look like that.
It’s part of an effort to drive up Democratic voter turnout.”
It’s past time, Sammy, for you to embrace the awesome power of “and”.
Colonel Haiku (c4dc82) — 5/4/2023 @ 10:15 am“$3M” Sotomayor?
Colonel Haiku (c4dc82) — 5/4/2023 @ 10:16 amExactly Haiku. The extent to which leftist “fact checkers” lie to our face to cover for each other never ceases to amaze. And then “conservatives” cite those lies as facts for cover.
NJRob (011d6b) — 5/4/2023 @ 10:27 amHow many times does Propublica have to release “bombshells” attacking the Right, that are quickly debunked, before their rating becomes
Bias Rating: LEFT
Factual Reporting: MIXED
MBFC Credibility Rating: QUESTIONABLE
Answer: never. “By any means necessary” includes damn lies.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/4/2023 @ 10:28 amMuch like when Frenchy made the “conservative case” for child mutiliation by supporting trannying kids as individual rights.
Just happens to perfectly support the wicked left’s agenda… from a conservative perspective of course.
NJRob (011d6b) — 5/4/2023 @ 10:29 amPaul, if a wealthy distant relative of the child, that had no business before the court, paid for the 1st year tuition, would you or ProPublica still be so gobsmacked?
BuDuh (047c66) — 5/4/2023 @ 10:29 amIt was free to the kid, BuDuh, but Clarence was also freed from shelling out $6k/month, thanks to said billionaire.
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 5/4/2023 @ 10:32 amI don’t have a comment yet on Sotomayor. Do you have something in particular?
It’s as I didn’t make a comment about Judge Jackson.
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 5/4/2023 @ 10:33 amI left you a link on Sotomayor.
BuDuh (047c66) — 5/4/2023 @ 10:34 amWhat’s only “half true” about a kid under Thomas’ wing getting a $6,000k/month free ride at a private school, courtesy of his billionaire friend?
That it excludes 12 years prior of guardianship and upbringing, and then finding it necessary to put him in a more structured environment and being unable to shoulder the cost.
That it excludes the fact that the payments were only for one year, and the rest was paid by Thomas.
That it excludes the fact that the benefactor did not have cases before the court.
That it ignores Propublica’s motives for his in-depth investigation of theirs.
=======
People with kinds in expensive schools often reach out to relatives and friends for financial help. My parents reached out to several of my uncles to help fund my college education (along with the scholarships and side-work I did, my parents were lower-middle-class putting a kid through a 1st rank private college).
I view this charge as rank politics. That you propagate it is telling.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/4/2023 @ 10:36 amYour comment on Jackson mentioned Soros. Is Soros a distant relative of Jackson’s nieces and nephews in your hypothetical?
BuDuh (047c66) — 5/4/2023 @ 10:37 amI don’t have a comment yet on Sotomayor. Do you have something in particular?
https://www.dailywire.com/news/liberal-scotus-justice-took-3m-from-book-publisher-didnt-recuse-from-its-cases
I wish I could quote the NY Times on this, but for some strange reason they aren’t interested. This isn’t so much whaddaboutism but “how did Propublica miss this”-ism.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/4/2023 @ 10:42 amIs Crow a relative of the Thomas’ clan?
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 5/4/2023 @ 10:50 amYou are having a tough time answering my question, Paul. I didn’t mention Crow. I mentioned a “distant relative.”
You even quoted the question.
BuDuh (047c66) — 5/4/2023 @ 10:52 amIf it helps, let’s call the hypothetical relative “Mr Widget.”
BuDuh (047c66) — 5/4/2023 @ 10:55 amHow do you know that?
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 5/4/2023 @ 10:59 amAs for the years Thomas was guardian, I assume he provided for the kid, which wasn’t at issue.
Sotomayor’s non-recusal is also not kosher, especially since her colleague, Breyer, did recuse.
I have no idea what you’re asking, BuDuh, and my policy is to avoid hypotheticals as much as possible.
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 5/4/2023 @ 11:00 amI’ll try it this way, would you be ok if a wealthy relative of the child, who had no business before the court, paid the child’s tuition?
BuDuh (047c66) — 5/4/2023 @ 11:10 amTroublesome, sure, but it appears neither Thomas nor Jackson would be acting against the law or ethics rules doing this.
IMO the legal/ethical focus should be on making sure justices recuse themselves if there are conflicts. If they want to avoid refusal issues, they won’t take perks. If the people giving the perks have no cases before the court, then who cares?
DRJ (882dd2) — 5/4/2023 @ 11:13 amHow would a Justice know when a case might come up involving the gifting party? A Justice (or their families) could receive perks for years, and then suddenly a case comes up. And given complex corporate structures, a Justice may not know whether the gifting party has a stake in the outcome.
Better to ban the receipt of perks rather than risk favoritism (inadvertent or deliberate) at some point.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/4/2023 @ 11:25 amDRJ, several weeks ago I was scrolling through and you mentioned my name as part of a discussion of some of the discontent here. I don’t remember what others were doing or saying in that comment section but I had not posted in some time or in that particular comment section at all.
I would like to formally apologize to you. I never ment to be a bone of contention for you or to make your visits here troublesome. The last we exchanged comments I thought my initiation here was well behind and we moved on to being cordial. I have a different way of discussing and debating and I can see how that might be off putting.
Right now I am trying to get an answer from Paul that I feel should not be as difficult as it has become, so I end up looking obsessed. I get that. But I don’t mean to offend.
I really do appreciate your comments and I think that you genuinely think things through before you write.
That said, I am sorry for anything that I did to offend you.
BuDuh (047c66) — 5/4/2023 @ 11:27 amThey wouldn’t. That is why most judges decline perks and some even decline to socialize with people who aren’t judges, because they never know.
I don’t know any Supreme Court judges but I know lots of Texas judges. This is always on their minds and it impacts their behavior and their families. But some judges feel like that is asking to much to expect them and their families to give up so much to avoid an appearance of impropriety.
DRJ (882dd2) — 5/4/2023 @ 11:37 amI saw this, and I am unsuprised.
https://therightscoop.com/i-have-many-receipts-jenna-ellis-exposes-trumps-connections-to-bush-and-swamp-operatives/
Simon Jester (ff9c91) — 5/4/2023 @ 11:37 amThanks, Buduh, but I’ve moved on for the most part.
DRJ (882dd2) — 5/4/2023 @ 11:38 amThen why do you say “Who cares?” when it comes to SC Justices?
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/4/2023 @ 11:40 amDoes this mean that it is universally accepted that the Bushes are bad and that The Swamp is real?
BuDuh (047c66) — 5/4/2023 @ 11:42 amYour welcome, DRJ. Just thought I should say something.
BuDuh (047c66) — 5/4/2023 @ 11:43 am#364: I think that when you criticize an opponent for doing something, you probably shouldn’t do it yourself.
PS: I like your comments to DRJ very much. She is a gem and I miss her comments.
Simon Jester (c8876d) — 5/4/2023 @ 11:45 amGood point.
BuDuh (047c66) — 5/4/2023 @ 11:47 amKevin M @350:
In 2009, when she was nominated, the New York Times ran this:
https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/02/us/politics/02recuse.html
Sammy Finkelman (0691d7) — 5/4/2023 @ 11:47 amEach judge decides what s/he needs to do to avoid the appearance of impropriety, which is the legal/ethical standard. That is obviously nebulous.
My feeling the real issue is recusal, judges can’t hear cases when they have a conflict. Getting significant perks from a third party creates a conflict, BUT ONLY IF the third party is in a case before the court.
If a third party wants to give something of value to a judge and a judge is willing to accept it, but the judge can’t use his or her position to reciprocate — then who cares?
DRJ (882dd2) — 5/4/2023 @ 11:51 amFound this website: https://justthenews.com
Seems to be a collection of Republican leaning stories. Some I didn’t hear of.
Sammy Finkelman (0691d7) — 5/4/2023 @ 11:56 amSupreme Court spouses often give up their jobs because of potential conflicts, and most justices take big pay cuts. Being on the Supreme Court is awesome professionally but misery for the families and wallets. My guess is this isn’t uncommon, although probably not to the degree the Thomas family has monetized it.
DRJ (882dd2) — 5/4/2023 @ 11:58 am@357
@369
Thank you for dropping these great succinct posts.
whembly (d116f3) — 5/4/2023 @ 12:33 pmBeing on the Supreme Court is awesome professionally but misery for the families and wallets.
What Are the Perks of Being a Supreme Court Justice?
Salary and Benefits
As of January 1, 2018, the chief justice of the Supreme Court earns a salary of $267,000 per year and the associate justices earn $255,300 per year. A Supreme Court judge who chooses to retire at 70, with 10 years of service, or age 65, with 15 years of service, is eligible to receive his entire ending salary each year for the rest of his life. In return, retired judges without a disability are required to remain active and perform a certain amount of judicial obligations each year.
Job Security
A Supreme Court justice is appointed to the high court for a lifetime term. According to the Constitution, justices “shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour.” They cannot be removed from office unless they are impeached by the House of Representatives and removed after a trial in the Senate. To date, only one Supreme Court justice, Samuel Chase, has ever been impeached. That occurred in 1805 and he was acquitted by the Senate.
Fame, Prestige and Power
Serving on the Supreme Court is one of most prestigious roles an American judge or lawyer can hold. Their names are known throughout the world and they’re treated with a great deal of respect. The justices have the power to check the activities of the president and Congress, providing them with the ability to have a huge impact on American history as they did with decisions like Brown v. Board of Education, which desegregated schools. In total, the justices hear oral arguments in approximately 75 to 80 cases per year.
Generous Vacation Time and Workload Assistance
The Supreme Court has a three-month recess, which the justices receive as vacation time. During this period, they do not have any judicial obligations and are free to do as they please. When court is in session, they receive a great deal of administrative assistance from clerks who read petitions sent to the court and summarize them for the justices. Clerks also assist the justices in writing their opinions on cases. Because of their lifetime appointments, the justices, unlike Washington’s politicians, can make decisions without worrying how it will affect their tenure in office.
Private Earnings
Financial disclosures for Supreme Court justices demonstrate that the additional notoriety the position provides creates the opportunity for side earnings. Justices earn side money by speaking at events for a fee or lecturing at universities during the recess. Many also earn advances and royalties from memoirs and other publications.
https://work.chron.com/perks-being-supreme-court-justice-31187.html
Supreme Court justices’ perks revealed in new report
Documents provide rare glimpse into one of the least transparent branches
https://rollcall.com/2020/03/24/supreme-court-justices-perks-revealed-in-new-report/
DCSCA (f4c5e5) — 5/4/2023 @ 12:38 pmDoes someone get the feeling that this is somewhat another Dobbs leak?
The *big* case we should be hearing soon is the affirmative action case. I wonder if someone knows something and they’re focusing on Justice Thomas because he is going to write the majority opinion striking down Affirmative Action on college campuses and they want to get him to tamper it down?
whembly (d116f3) — 5/4/2023 @ 1:06 pmJustice Scalia once wrote an opinion saying recusals could be manipulated by litigants so should not be too frequent or automatic.’
In the Cheney case.
I think the manipulated by litigants issue is outside the memorandum
Scalia also says recusal is different for the Supree Court, since another judge cannot be substituted,
Sammy Finkelman (0691d7) — 5/4/2023 @ 1:11 pmNo.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/4/2023 @ 1:14 pmSupreme Court justices are allowed to earn outside income in only a limited number of ways, mainly investments, teaching and publishing their writings.
Sammy Finkelman (0691d7) — 5/4/2023 @ 1:16 pm“This isn’t so much whaddaboutism but “how did Propublica miss this”-ism.”
What is there to miss? She reported the income.
Davethulhu (fe2f72) — 5/4/2023 @ 1:16 pm338, Part of an effort to argue the court has biased justices so a Denocratic president should be elected. And in general tooo generate outraage because outrage drives voter turnout,
Sammy Finkelman (0691d7) — 5/4/2023 @ 1:27 pm@376
Ok.
I disagree.
What’s really going on here is that those same Democrats/activists/leftist publications are trying to impose, informally or formally, through public opinion or through some unenforceable formal system, some rules on the Supreme Court, and use that as a bludgeon against future bad rulings.
The left is about to lose on a lot of cases in the near future, and they’re trying to drum up support for either impeachment and/or court packing efforts.
whembly (d116f3) — 5/4/2023 @ 1:38 pm@368:
A hearty “so what?”
Sotomayor’s recusals before she came on the court make her non-recusals worse.
If one is going to recuse because they know one of the avocates, why stay on a case involving a company that had already paid her $3.6 million, and continued to pay her royalties while cases they had were pending.
If Thomas had done that, it would be front page news in the MSM for a week. Here, it’s crickets. And not just for the MSM, but for certain posters here. It’s almost as if they had a bias.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/4/2023 @ 1:58 pmDoes someone get the feeling that this is somewhat another Dobbs leak?
I think that’s a one-off. If it was a clerk or other temporary employee, they’re gone. If it was a staff employee, those suspected are being watched and their access is curtailed. If it was a justice and it was handled quietly, doing it again would have the Chief telling them to resign, and asking Congress to impeach if they did not.
In any event, I’m sure that sensitive documents are handled better now.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/4/2023 @ 2:05 pmWhat is there to miss? She reported the income.
Not in the bribe section, under “Funds received from companies with matters before the court”
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/4/2023 @ 2:07 pmSupreme Court justices are allowed to earn outside income in only a limited number of ways, mainly investments, teaching and publishing their writings.
And, unlike many high-powered lawyers, Thomas came up from abject poverty, without family connections, and doesn’t make a ton of money as a judge. Other justices have such familial connections to fall back on in times of need. Thomas does not. As for teaching and speaking, he is blackballed by most colleges due to the Woke Veto.
I am sure that he was quite careful in connecting with someone not before the court and not likely to be before his court.
I don’t have a problem with that so much as I have with Sotomayor accepting 7 figures from a litigant and not rescusing.
Sotomayor’s actions are 1000% worse, blatant, and possibly criminal.
Kevin M (f94f4f) — 5/4/2023 @ 2:18 pmTrump Civil Litigation Watch IV:
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/4/2023 @ 2:31 pmWhat crime?
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/4/2023 @ 2:31 pmFailure to recuse is not a crime, as we have seen.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 5/4/2023 @ 2:32 pmWhembly,
They are going after Justice Thomas for that exact reason and their racism is shining for all to see. They want people to stay on the plantation, keep their heads down and do as they are told. Thomas is too outspoken and uppity so the left must pound him down.
NJRob (5a505e) — 5/4/2023 @ 2:49 pm384.
They’re trying to make a problem with what’s he’s getting from George Mason University. (And the teaching is combined with travel for several justices but Thomas isn’t doing that.)
https://www.alternet.org/how-george-mason-university-bought-its-way-into-the-hearts-of-far-right-supreme-court-justices-report-2659932575/
Acquired? Somebody’s doing some illegal spying or leaking.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 5/4/2023 @ 3:48 pmProbably even if the amount of money received was justified by business considerations. She had an important to her contractual arrangement or had had.. Did she earn her advance?
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 5/4/2023 @ 3:51 pmAgreed, DRJ. I used the phrase “un-kosher” because I’m not opining that these actions are illegal and I don’t know what the ethical boundaries are. But one question, if none of these “gifts” are being reported, how do we know if a judge has waded into recusal territory?
Paul Montagu (8f0dc7) — 5/4/2023 @ 7:55 pmWe have to take their word for it, I presume. The legal profession has legal requirements and ethical obligations, but it also is based on the concept of avoiding the “appearance of impropriety.” My feeling is that means lawyers and judged are supposed to self-discipline. Some might feel that is a joke, and maybe it is. There are a lot of lawyers and judges who take that responsibility seriously, but there are also many that don’t.
FWIW, during its history, I think the Supreme Court has had some justices who were incredibly brilliant and ethical. I think it also had some real scoundrels. It wouldn’t surprise me to learn that is still true today.
DRJ (fda1b5) — 5/4/2023 @ 9:05 pmThis is another reason why character matters in a President. It makes it more likely the President will care about nominating justices who have good character.
DRJ (fda1b5) — 5/4/2023 @ 9:09 pm