Garbage People Doing Garbage Things
[guest post by JVW]
Here is the least surprising development in the post-election era:
President Biden pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, after the first son was convicted in two separate federal cases earlier this year.
The announcement was made by the White House on Sunday night. The pardon applies to offenses against the U.S. that Hunter Biden “has committed or may have committed” from Jan. 1, 2014 to Dec. 1, 2024.
“Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter,” Biden wrote in a statement. “From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department’s decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted.”
The president went on to claim that his son was “treated differently” by prosecutors.
“Without aggravating factors like use in a crime, multiple purchases, or buying a weapon as a straw purchaser, people are almost never brought to trial on felony charges solely for how they filled out a gun form,” Biden added. “Those who were late paying their taxes because of serious addictions, but paid them back subsequently with interest and penalties, are typically given non-criminal resolutions. It is clear that Hunter was treated differently.”
Democrats like Biden, of course, are famous for continually preaching that we need more laws which prevent reprobates from owning and using guns. But in the end, it’s never in doubt that Democrats have a predilection for refusing to actually hold miscreants like Hunter Biden accountable for their irresponsibility with firearms, no matter how much they demagogue the allegedly lax gun laws which they insist lead to an epidemic of shootings. But even beyond that problem, we’re still left with the empty promises of President Joe Biden that he would not extend preferential treatment to his crackhead n’er-do-well son, an obnoxious whelp who spent his entire life trading in on his father’s position for his own ill-gotten gains. We all knew from the onset that it was a lie — that no matter what happened on November 5 there would be a pardon for Biden fils, it was just a matter of whether it would come over the Thanksgiving or Christmas holiday break. Today, the demented President announced the decision that others had no doubt made on his behalf, and forever consigned himself to the pantheon of dishonorable frauds who have so cheapened the standards for our nation’s leaders.
Of course the Trump family is awful and crooked, that’s a given. But let’s never overlook the fact that Joe Biden leaves office as one of the singularly most wretchedly dishonest men to have ever profaned the office once held by George Washington. After the debacle of November 5 it was pretty clear that the Biden Administration would likely disgrace themselves on the way out the door, and apart from the usual petty score-settling we now see fully what corrupt and disgusting people have led us for the past 46 months. Good riddance to poor trash, as Johnny Rotten (who is now apparently a Trumper, God help us) would say.
– JVW
FJB, I guess is what I am trying to say here.
JVW (6965e6) — 12/1/2024 @ 9:21 pmIf there is anyone here who wants to argue that had not Donald Trump — he of the felony convictions for which he will never be held accountable — been elected four weeks ago then Joe Biden would have gladly let Hunter suffer through the vagaries of the federal criminal system then my response is going to be simple and final: no, the pardon would have come no matter how this year’s election would have turned out. Don’t waste my time suggesting otherwise.
JVW (6965e6) — 12/1/2024 @ 9:28 pmBiden and the other corporate establishment democrats do as I say not as I do preaching has finally been repudiated by the voters. Their hypocrisy at behest of the donor class and deep corporate state for $$$ has finally caught up with them.
asset (b2ec60) — 12/1/2024 @ 9:30 pmSo, is it OK for Hunter to have a gun now?
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/1/2024 @ 9:31 pm4: Kevin: A wealthy and renowned artist needs no piece.
Harcourt Fenton Mudd (b88e9e) — 12/1/2024 @ 9:47 pmNever forget that the no matter how bad any other president was/is/will be, stupid Hitler has already been the worst, the most worst ever, so he says hold my well done steak with ketchup.
Colonel Klink (ret) (96f56a) — 12/1/2024 @ 10:15 pm@6 james buchanan would give trump a run for his money as the worst president.
asset (b2ec60) — 12/1/2024 @ 11:03 pmWell said JVW. Bravo.
Thabk you for a piece reminiscent of what brought me to this site in the first place.
This is the kind of fisking the Dog Trainer used to receive.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 12/2/2024 @ 4:07 amWhat a mess.
Simon Jester (053718) — 12/2/2024 @ 6:06 amPardoning Hunter was always going to happen.
Anyone who has argued that Biden is “letting Justice” take it’s course fooled themselves because it gave them “cover” in arguing that Jack Smith’s indictment against Trump were not lawfare.
Here’s the vital piece of information that everyone here seems to be missing.
This pardon covers that last 11 years, that not only covers Biden’s Presidency, but also his Vice-Presidency.
If you go back 11 years to this date, a few days later Hunters is on Burisa’s board.
The Pardon isn’t just about Hunter’s tax or gun charges. Not really.
It’s really about covering Joe Biden and his family’s ass of their “pay-to-play” corruption schemes.
Look for another pardon for Jim Biden too.
Combine that with SCOTUS immunity ruling, prosecuting the Biden’s for corruption is dead.
whembly (477db6) — 12/2/2024 @ 6:26 amThis is also justifies Trump pardoning the J6 folks too, because Joe Biden’s pardon of his son he brought up the “politization of the DOJ” as one of the justification.
Good job Joe…
whembly (477db6) — 12/2/2024 @ 6:36 amThe host of this site weighed in…
A Constitutional amendment to remove pardons is as likely as removing the Electoral College, IMO. The next president should pledge to make pardons great again, and not engage in patronage pardons.
Paul Montagu (f9a7fa) — 12/2/2024 @ 7:10 amPardons are the only way We The People can counter a third branch on a power trip.
Voters knew Trump’s plans regarding the J6 defendants. They voted for it. I do not fear the judgment of the people, or wish to demote it below an entrenched partisan bureaucracy. The founders included pardon power for a very good reason.
In contrast Hunter’s exploits were concealed by a corrupt media and FBI in 2020, knowing full well the potential impact on voters.
lloyd (70008d) — 12/2/2024 @ 7:50 amThe Trump Administration can prosecute President Biden for actions that are not within his official duties. Presumably any crimes committed by President Biden as outlined in the House Oversight, Judiciary, and Ways and Means Committees impeachment report are outside of his official acts.
Of course, if President Biden issues a self-pardon they would be precluded from any prosecution.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/2/2024 @ 9:14 amhttps://jonathanturley.org/2024/12/02/liar-in-chief-president-biden-cloaks-his-legacy-in-infamy-with-the-hunter-biden-pardon/
Prof Turley nails it as usual.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 12/2/2024 @ 9:17 amObama’s wingman. Oh yeah, he was also his Attorney General.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 12/2/2024 @ 9:26 amAfter excerpts of a letter from his attorneys calling for a pardon (on the grounds that the Trump justice department would persecute him) was published Saturday in the Washington Post.
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/miranda-devine-we-always-knew-biden-would-pardon-hunter-fitting-president-would-break-another-promise
I suppose this leaves Joe Biden with the out that his son’s lawyers convinced him – if he feels it necessary to offer a defense.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 12/2/2024 @ 9:41 am——————-
Note: About buying anti-Israeli books: Joe Biden was photographed carrying in his hand a book by Rashid Khalidi.
https://nypost.com/2024/11/29/us-news/biden-picks-up-anti-israel-book-during-black-friday-shopping-4-years-too-late-says-author
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 12/2/2024 @ 9:41 amThe gun case, standing alone. But it was part of plea bargain. which Hunter’s lawyers attempted to use too immunize him against all other federal charges. There was enormous tax evasion. (and they didn’t go into the legality of the activity)
Of course, he was a drug and a sex addict, and spent a lot on travel.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 12/2/2024 @ 9:45 amThis is a despicable pardon, especially since Biden said he would not pardon his son earlier this year. What an ignominious end to a halfwit presidency.
norcal (dc4087) — 12/2/2024 @ 1:51 pmI’m no fan of Biden and mostly agree with JVW but can’t get very angry about all this. It’s hard to get too upset at a man who pardons his own son. Plus, after the last 4 (or 8, or 12, or however many anyone wants to pick) years of upheaval my capacity for indignation and outrage is close to exhaustion, better to save what’s left for more important things.
RL formerly in Glendale (7a2d64) — 12/2/2024 @ 1:55 pmPoint taken, RL, but in that case, Biden shouldn’t have said he would not pardon Hunter. I just can’t accept an in-your-face lie like that.
norcal (dc4087) — 12/2/2024 @ 2:20 pmWhat is better?
To be born good?
Or to be redeemed by overcoming your evil nature through a blanket pardon for all of the egregious and obvious and well documented crimes, and all other crimes you committed?
I for one celebrate Joe Biden for being consistent. He is the same twerp from the 1980s presidential campaign, having a ridiculous outburst that shows us he simply thinks he is better than the rest of us.
As for the rocket scientists and nuclear astrophysicists explaining that gee whiz, dads just can’t help themselves but tarnish the social contract if it entitles their crackhead sons: good point. That is totally what good fatherhood is all about.
Dustin (b377bf) — 12/2/2024 @ 6:49 pm“Are people born wicked, or is wickedness thrust upon them?”
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/2/2024 @ 7:06 pmWhat an ignominious end to a halfwit presidency.
He still has 50 days to go.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/2/2024 @ 7:08 pmJoe Biden was photographed carrying in his hand a book by Rashid Khalidi.
No doubt recommended by Barack Obama, who’s always been a fan.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/2/2024 @ 7:09 pm@19:
There is also the question of being an unregistered foreign agent. Now moot.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/2/2024 @ 7:10 pmSpeaking of trash ex-convict dinesh d’souza now admits his claims in 2000 mules were false ;but will still pocket the money off of it.
asset (1031fb) — 12/2/2024 @ 11:33 pm@21&22 The lie not the pardon is the problem. Whopi goldberg on the view said don’t call it a lie! Why? “You can’t handle the truth!” A few good men.
asset (1031fb) — 12/2/2024 @ 11:39 pmSpare me the “devoted family man” garbage.
This is still the same “compassionate patriarch” who still refuses to meet with his own granddaughter.
SaveFarris (8940bf) — 12/3/2024 @ 6:04 amOn the one side…
…and on the other…
Paul Montagu (f9a7fa) — 12/3/2024 @ 6:30 amPaul’s on a “whatabout Trump” bender.
lloyd (7e8f35) — 12/3/2024 @ 7:44 am@31 “Americans were always going to not care. They know what they got when they brought the Trump circus back to town.”
Well that is the difference, isn’t it. The voters knew what they were voting for with Trump. The whole Hunter business was intentionally concealed from them when they voted Biden in.
lloyd (7e8f35) — 12/3/2024 @ 7:48 amNah, just a hypocrisy and bogus equivalency check. Those with eyes to see…
Paul Montagu (f9a7fa) — 12/3/2024 @ 8:12 amThen Joe Biden said “Hold Hunter’s Beer…”
SaveFarris (8940bf) — 12/3/2024 @ 9:07 amAnd now Biden is in Angola talking about the slave trade.
What exquisite timing. Let’s all forget about Hunter. After all, he’s talking about slavery here. Slavery! Whatever Hunter did pales in comparison to this historical outrage!
norcal (8e4e97) — 12/3/2024 @ 2:44 pmPaul,
Do you believe that most voters (i.e. the middle 60%) wanted Trump, or just didn’t want what they were getting from Biden-Harris?
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/3/2024 @ 2:51 pmlloyd,
Do you believe that most voters (i.e. the middle 60%) wanted Trump, or just didn’t want what they were getting from Biden-Harris?
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/3/2024 @ 2:52 pmIt doesn’t matter if voters were voting for Trump or against Harris. The consequences will be the same.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/3/2024 @ 3:33 pmTrump still didn’t get a majority, and I think a huge part of his victory stems from a doddering senescent Biden who didn’t have the good sense to not run for reelection. I think the Dems were fooling themselves, thinking that Kamala was a good candidate, and that the manner of her being awarded the nomination was okay. But bottom line, it comes down more to Biden for putting Kamala in that spot.
Paul Montagu (f9a7fa) — 12/3/2024 @ 4:04 pmTrump still didn’t get a majority
Trump got a higher percentage than Bill Clinton ever did, more than W did the first time and about what Jimmy Carter got in 1976. To put a finer point on it, no President since Nixon has received the percentage of the vote that Nixon got in 1972.
EVERY EFFING YEAR, the losing side drags out this hoary “didn’t get a majority” or worse “most people didn’t even vote so the election isn’t legitimate” crap.
The popular vote is immaterial — no one campaigns for that directly. It’s the electoral count that matters, and Trump got more of that than the winner in the previous two elections.
Lastly, there is some dispute about the popular vote total (a cautionary tale for the NPV folks): If you take the state-level reports, Trump got 50.18% of the vote. If you take county-level reports, Trump only got 49.77%. Part of this discrepancy is how nuisance candidates and write-ins are counted.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/3/2024 @ 4:21 pmBut that wasn’t the question I asked. Do you think that they were voting for Trump or against Harris (/Biden). IF you think they were rejecting the Democrats, do you actually think it was because Biden was senescent, or is that just the excuse used to paper over the fact that the Direction of the Country numbers were so terrible for Biden?
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/3/2024 @ 4:27 pmTo be fair, the last time the Direction of the Country average was non-negative was June-July 2009.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/3/2024 @ 4:33 pmNoted, Kevin, you already had your own pre-canned answer, so what was the point of asking both lloyd and me?
Two, I don’t need you lecturing me about the Electoral College. The point is that it was a close election, and Trump still couldn’t get a majority. Kamala wins if she wins PA, WI and MI, and she failed miserably.
Three, I don’t know what you’re talking about when you said “most people didn’t even vote so the election isn’t legitimate”. I’m in favor of the Electoral College. Trump won a constitutional majority. I accepted his victory before Election Day was over.
Four, my point stands about Biden.
Paul Montagu (f9a7fa) — 12/3/2024 @ 4:40 pmThat’s because not all states have certified their vote totals; the certification deadlines for nine states occur between December 4th and December 7th (the deadline to certify the vote in California is last on the 7th).
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/3/2024 @ 4:41 pmAs you said, the popular vote is immaterial, as are voters’ reasons for voting for Trump or against Harris. The results though clearly showed that Trump won on the issues, such as immigration and the economy, which accounts for his complete breaching of the Democrats “blue wall”. Given the number of states that he won, it is an endorsement from all regions of the country (except the Left Coast) to see his deportation and tariff policies implemented.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/3/2024 @ 5:01 pmAnd let’s clear about your lie, lloyd.
Paul Montagu (f9a7fa) — 12/3/2024 @ 8:53 pmYou linked to this Guardian article, which was about Lincoln Project members posing as white supremacists at Virginia GOP event, and then stated that lurker, nk, Klink and myself are on board with those dirty tricks. You have no factual basis for that. You made sh-t up. You lied, every bit as dishonest and full sh-t as what Kevin and Rob did in that thread.
That’s because not all states have certified their vote totals; the certification deadlines for nine states occur between December 4th and December 7th (the deadline to certify the vote in California is last on the 7th).
Mostly, I was pointing out the hilarity that would ensue if the NPV went into effect, with everyone (in a 1960-type close election) holding their breath for California’s total.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/3/2024 @ 10:26 pmGiven the number of states that he won, it is an endorsement from all regions of the country (except the Left Coast) to see his deportation and tariff policies implemented.
Until, of course they go wrong, or people find themselves disadvantaged by them. It will be interesting to see what happens when they tax produce from Mexico and find that CA has driven all the farmers off the land by withholding water.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/3/2024 @ 10:29 pmLooks like one nominee who likes underage girls will be replaced with another one. See picture of ron desatan partying at drinking orgy with his underage girl students when he was their high school teacher. (CBS NEWS, NY post, CNN and others)
asset (3b896a) — 12/3/2024 @ 11:17 pmSpeaking of the title to this post, Russia Today is saying, “Yah garbage!”
Paul Montagu (f9a7fa) — 12/4/2024 @ 6:39 amDeSantis as DoD secretary would be top-notch.
If you want someone to ‘put points on the board for your team’…DeSantis would be the superstar on that team.
whembly (477db6) — 12/4/2024 @ 7:36 amPaul, it’s really too bad that you, The Lincoln Project, Klink, nk and lurker all had the same bright idea of smearing the other side as fascists, Nazis, etc.
It’s asking a lot of anyone to know for sure who came up with it first. Go cry about it.
lloyd (d78e0a) — 12/4/2024 @ 7:43 am@51 Thank you Paul for keeping us abreast of Russian media’s take on everything.
lloyd (d78e0a) — 12/4/2024 @ 7:46 am#52
I agree that DeSantis is a good pick (if that’s what happens). Can team MAGA handle administrative competence. Will there be a battle between DoD and DOGE?
Appalled (d54f7e) — 12/4/2024 @ 8:09 amPaul Montagu (f9a7fa) — 12/3/2024 @ 4:04 pm
Last I heard (about a week ago) his share of the vote was being estimated at 49.997%.
I think those people who say that a primary process would have produced a better candidate are fooling themselves also. That’s not at all clear and a quite questionable proposition.
Yes, it was Biden’s fault for naming her vice president in 2020,
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 12/4/2024 @ 9:19 amCalifornia reports the vote late because votes on Election Day trump absentee ballots so all Election Day votes need to be counted, and the voters struck off the list of eligible voters for that election before any absentee ballots are examined, They must make sure that the voter in question did not vote on Election Day, It used to be that way in New York too, but the percentage of mailed ballots used to be small.
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 12/4/2024 @ 9:26 amSammy,
there is no excuse for it taking a month. It’s clear it’s about finding the necessary votes for their socialist utopia.
NJRob (8817ab) — 12/4/2024 @ 9:36 amThe fact that Trump’s voters may be disadvantaged by his policies is something they should have considered before voting.
As to the second point, large corporate farms will remain (and probably grow larger) as small family farms disappear. Family farms have declined every year since 1997 (the peak year), mostly due to the high cost of operating a farm and the aging out of farmers. This is a national trend, not just California.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2024 @ 9:37 amWith Gaetz gone and Hegseth on the way out, when will Trump stand firm and defend his nominees? Hegseth, like all nominees, deserves to have a hearing on his nomination.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2024 @ 9:44 am#60 — In fairness, Hegseth did not share his problems with Trump’s transition team. If the goal is a smooth transition, it’s best not to support someone who does not have the support in the Senate. DeSantis is a good enough pick that I am surprised he didn’t go down that road earlier. (Anti-woke — check. Willingness to play rough with contractors and big business — check. Good at getting stuff done in a bureaucracy — check)
Hegseth, on the other hand, may be anti-woke, but he’s also roofie, rapie type. He is also proved horrible at running bureacracies. His sole appeal is that his tats own the libs.
Now on to JFK, Jr, who will get people killed if confirmed. Just ask the Samoans.
Appalled (721968) — 12/4/2024 @ 9:55 amPer state law, California has until December 7th to certify its election results. As I pointed out above, nine states have certification deadlines between today and December 7th.
The number of self-identified Republican voters barely exceeds those of No Party Preference (24.9% v. 22.0%, or 652,143 voters) while the number of Democrats is nearly half of all registered voters (45.8%).
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2024 @ 9:56 amRan against Trump-uncheck
Also, JFK Jr. is dead.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2024 @ 9:58 amRFK Jr — Insane, alive. Shouldn’t be confirmed.
JFK Jr — Bad pilot, dead. RIP
DeSantis has kissed the ring and can be confirmed. He can also appoint Lara Trump to the senate.
Check that box again.
Appalled (721968) — 12/4/2024 @ 10:05 amYou’re still lying about the smearing, lloyd. The smearer is you. You’ll never find me supporting Lincoln Project dudes passing themselves off as Nazis at a Trump rally, or the like and you’re lying for making such an assertion.
Paul Montagu (f9a7fa) — 12/4/2024 @ 10:20 amI’ve made my case about Trump’s fascism, using his own words and actions. I regret your poor comprehension of the concept.
He could do that as soon as Rubio resigns, with or without being named SecDef.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2024 @ 10:25 amJust say no:
Another garbage person.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2024 @ 10:37 am#66 — But if he is put up for Sec Def, he’ll likely do it. If he isn’t, he’ll name someone else for Senate.
Appalled (721968) — 12/4/2024 @ 10:50 amSpeaking of garbage hiring garbage…
Paul Montagu (f9a7fa) — 12/4/2024 @ 10:59 amThe fact that Trump’s voters may be disadvantaged by his policies is something they should have considered before voting.
Yes, and I’m sure they will consider that before they get angry.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/4/2024 @ 11:57 amThe number of self-identified Republican voters barely exceeds those of No Party Preference (24.9% v. 22.0%, or 652,143 voters) while the number of Democrats is nearly half of all registered voters (45.8%).
And yet rent control keeps failing.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/4/2024 @ 11:59 amYes, because “what’s in it for me” is from the Nevertrump school of voting. /s
lloyd (fded49) — 12/4/2024 @ 12:13 pmRep. McGovern asked “are they going to replace FBI background checks with a Fox News screen test?” but I think the replacement has already happened, given all the picks Trump has made from the FoxNews stable.
The latest is Monica Crowley, for a State Department post titled “Ambassador, Assistant Secretary of State, and Chief of Protocol”, which is a ceremonial PR slot. Trump could do worse. The next question is whether there was an FBI background check, or whether he took her word.
Paul Montagu (f9a7fa) — 12/4/2024 @ 12:20 pmHunter Asks If He Can Get His Baggie Of Cocaine Back From The White House Now.
lloyd (fded49) — 12/4/2024 @ 12:36 pmHunter did ask for the case against himself to be dismissed. David Weiss fled papers saying that says that a pardon does not undo conviction
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 12/4/2024 @ 1:13 pmRip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2024 @ 9:44 am
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 12/4/2024 @ 1:17 pmActually, Trump does not defend his nominees at all past the initial announcement.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 12/4/2024 @ 1:19 pmHe doesn’t prematurely pull the rug out from under them either. He lets them defend themselves, with help.
His DEA nominee also withdrew (who evidently was recommended by Pam Bondi)
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 12/4/2024 @ 1:24 pmThe person Trump’s voters should be angry with will be themselves. There’s no one else to blame.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2024 @ 1:34 pmWhich shows even Democrats think it’s a bad idea. So much for a socialist paradise.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2024 @ 1:35 pmIt’s not a good sign that an alpha male like Hegseth is having his mom do his work for him at the Senate. I don’t see this ending well for the nominee.
Paul Montagu (f9a7fa) — 12/4/2024 @ 1:37 pmLOL!
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2024 @ 1:38 pmFamous last words: “I won’t back down.”
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2024 @ 1:47 pm@58 republican observers in ca. watch vote count and cure their own voters.
asset (d642cf) — 12/4/2024 @ 2:15 pm@81
Really Paul?
I found that endearing.
whembly (477db6) — 12/4/2024 @ 2:17 pmUnited health C.E.O. killed in NY today. Their will be a very long lists of suspects from family members who’s loved ones died when their treatments were denied to raise stock price and profits.
asset (d642cf) — 12/4/2024 @ 2:23 pmSupposedly CEO was under investigation by DOJ. Dead men tell no tales?
asset (d642cf) — 12/4/2024 @ 2:48 pmIt’s what she is being forced to defend against that is hardly endearing-her email essentially confirmed her son’s womanizing and infidelity (and fathering two children with two different women while he was married) and drinking behavior. Parents are unreliable witnesses; like President Biden and his sons, she sees Pete’s life through rose-colored glasses.
I see the Hegseth nomination more like that of former Sen. John Tower for the same job in 1989, when he was accused of basically the same behavior. And with the leaks about alternative candidates like Ron DeSantis, Elbridge A. Colby (who is far more qualified than Hegseth or DeSantis), or Sen. Joni Ernst, etc. replacing Hegseth, the signs are all there that Hegseth will probably drop out before Christmas.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2024 @ 3:00 pmOthers who could replace Pete Hegseth:
Sen. Bill Hagerty
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2024 @ 4:15 pmRep. Mike Waltz
Rep. Wesley Hunt
Michael Warren on Biden & Son…
Paul Montagu (f9a7fa) — 12/4/2024 @ 5:22 pmNot the Bee:
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2024 @ 5:47 pmHegseth Vows to Abstain from Alcohol if Confirmed
–Alcoholics Anonymous, page 31
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/4/2024 @ 6:35 pmBiden will be remembered as a failure, but not a terrible one like, say, Buchanan or Hoover. Of course, there’s still six weeks to go …
Sure, the nomenklatura will rate him is the top ranks, for a while, until it is impossible to maintain the fiction and he’ll be down in the lower quartile soon enough.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/4/2024 @ 6:50 pmBiden White House Is Discussing Preemptive Pardons for Those in Trump’s Crosshairs
Even Trump did not do this in Jan 2020. It sure would take the wind out of “No man is above the law”
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/4/2024 @ 7:00 pm* Jan 2021
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/4/2024 @ 7:01 pmI suspect that issuing blanket pardons to his cronies will result in an amendment.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/4/2024 @ 7:03 pmJoe would be compounding his stupidity if he tries preemptive pardons.
Paul Montagu (f9a7fa) — 12/4/2024 @ 7:43 pmAt this point, what are the detractors of Biden doing whatever he wants within official acts?
He’s 82 years old. He’s not going to move to any honorary position at any university or board of directors and he’s certainly not going to run for anything again. He’s not messing up anything for Hunter, who is also certainly not going to run for office or be appointed to any particularly respectable positions. The Dems aren’t in power anywhere in government for at least the next 2 years and 2 years is a long time in the voters’ memories, so it wouldn’t even hurt the party.
He could issue a pardon for the official acts of every single person working for the federal government during his entire administration and it would make zero difference in his future, the future of his family, or the future of the Democratic party. He could do anything and everything that would normally carry solely a political price because there is no one available who would be expected to pay it at any point. Assuming physical capability, he and Jill could go over to the Smithsonian and have sex on the glass case containing the Declaration of Independence, have it filmed, and put it up on Only Fans for money and it would make no difference at all.
Nic (120c94) — 12/4/2024 @ 9:23 pmSotomayor and Jackson continue to disgrace themselves and the seats they hold. To think some voted to put more of them on the Court. It’s insane.
NJRob (b88ed5) — 12/5/2024 @ 4:14 am#99
I’m just amazed a majority of people voted for Kash Patel as FBI Director and RFK, Jr as HHS director. It’s insane indeed.
Appalled (721968) — 12/5/2024 @ 5:58 am@88
Imma stop you there.
She’s not being forced to do this.
When she sent that email, a few hours later she sent another email to APOLOGIZE to him.
Going through a divorce is one of that sort-of relational “traumas”, and to me, it’s understandable.
What’s endearing, is that his mom was willing to talk about ordeal publicly. Hegseth’s “dirty laundry” is being aired and this stuff isn’t really disqualifying, when divorce (and the reason for it) is common.
I’d wager that other DOD and appointment posts had much more worrying personal foilables…and the pushback against Hegseth is being done in bad faith.
whembly (477db6) — 12/5/2024 @ 6:53 am@100
Kash Patel is fine…
But, understand that RFK was always going to be in this administration when he threw his support behind Trump.
whembly (477db6) — 12/5/2024 @ 6:57 amBut, understand that RFK was always going to be in this administration when he threw his support behind Trump.
I’m OK with him as White House Physician.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/5/2024 @ 9:10 amWhat I find amazing is the idea that Democrats fear unreasonable and vindictive prosecution from the guy who, along with a number of his appointees, was subjected to several prosecutions not all of which were reasonable and at least one with appeared vindictive.
Blanket pardons might not affect Biden, who could do anything (including starting a war) and not have it affect anything but his “legacy.” But they would affect his party and they would greatly damage the Rule of Law.
This is an example of projecting craziness on one’s opponent and using that craziness to justify your own.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/5/2024 @ 9:16 amSince Hegseth has denied he has a drinking problem, yet tells a Senator that he would abstain from alcohol if confirmed as SecDef tells me that he does have a drinking problem, but doesn’t recognize it. Instead he blames the media.
However, I believe he deserves a confirmation hearing, and the Senate Armed Services Committee needs to call all those that witnessed his drinking and alleged abuse of women. But as I said above, there are far more qualified persons for the job.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2024 @ 9:21 amImma stop you there.
She’s not being forced to do this.
When she sent that email, a few hours later she sent another email to APOLOGIZE to him.
Going through a divorce is one of that sort-of relational “traumas”, and to me, it’s understandable.
What’s endearing, is that his mom was willing to talk about ordeal publicly. Hegseth’s “dirty laundry” is being aired and this stuff isn’t really disqualifying, when divorce (and the reason for it) is common.
I’d wager that other DOD and appointment posts had much more worrying personal foilables…and the pushback against Hegseth is being done in bad faith.
whembly (477db6) — 12/5/2024 @ 6:53 am
I didn’t mean to imply someone was holding a gun to the head of Hegseth’s mom, but instead of saying what good boy scout he was she is having to defend his sordid behavior.
Has her second email been released by anyone?
I doubt any of other potential candidates have a sordid past-as elected officials (Ernst, DeSantis, etc.) or previously vetted appointees (Colby) such allegations would have been publicly known.
They just weren’t Fox News hosts.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2024 @ 9:29 amwhembly (477db6) — 12/5/2024 @ 6:57 am
What surprised me is that he was named ton a Cabinet position, I thought he was going to be appointed toa position (probably in the White House) that did not require Senate confirmation. But this way Trump cold avoid some responsibility for anything RFK Jr does,
That is what Trump did, by the way, with Homan, but maybe that’s because Homan wanted to avoid some financial disclosure and wanted to be able to more easily avoid Congressional subpoenas, He was named czar which can mean everything and nothing,
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 12/5/2024 @ 9:34 amtells a Senator that he would abstain from alcohol if confirmed as SecDef
My response to that would be: “Pete, show us. Refrain from right not to the confirmation vote. We may ask you to pee in a cup.”
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/5/2024 @ 9:34 am*now
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/5/2024 @ 9:35 amYou might expect from Joe Biden also a pardon for his brother Jim mixed in with a lot of other pardons.
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 12/5/2024 @ 9:38 amFir alcohol they take a blood test or a breathalyzer
Negotiations with Senator John Tower in 1989:.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/04/opinion/hegseth-alcohol-defense-tower.html
What are/were they doing negotiating with the New York Times? ANd reporters not even editorial writers?
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 12/5/2024 @ 9:46 amFor alcohol they take a blood test or a breathalyzer
I want him to prove a month of abstinence for booze and other drugs (which he might use as a substitute). Cold sober, for a month, Pete. I have faith in you.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/5/2024 @ 10:19 amHell, a simpler test. One shot of booze at noon, then a blood test at midnight. An actual alcoholic will be utterly unable to leave it alone those 12 hours, once started.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/5/2024 @ 10:22 amPresidents have made preemptive pardons throughout the country’s history:
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2024 @ 10:37 amCorrections:
Susan MacDougal was convicted and sent to prison; the list reflects only those that were preemptively pardoned before facing any charges or conviction.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2024 @ 10:50 amMore preemptive pardons:
2021-President Trump to
There were also a large number of persons who were pardoned after conviction but before sentencing (e.g. Michael Flynn), or pardoned before they entered prison.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2024 @ 11:30 amOh!
whembly (477db6) — 12/5/2024 @ 11:48 amhttps://justthenews.com/accountability/hldofficer-who-shot-j6-protestor-shown-favoritism-capitol-police-under-political
Tulsi’s Putin-friendly comments reflect her reading habits as a “devout consumer” of Russia Today. Unfit, on her bad judgment alone.
Paul Montagu (f9a7fa) — 12/5/2024 @ 11:54 amAll of the pardons Rip mentions (with the specific exception of Nixon) are for specified offenses. Nixon and Hunter weren’t just pre-emptive pardons for specified crimes, they were of the “from jaywalking to murder” variety.
SaveFarris (8940bf) — 12/5/2024 @ 12:00 pmSpeaking of the title to this post, Russia Today is saying, “Yah garbage!”
Paul Montagu (f9a7fa) — 12/4/2024 @ 6:39 am
Tulsi’s Putin-friendly comments reflect her reading habits as a “devout consumer” of Russia Today. Unfit, on her bad judgment alone.
Paul Montagu (f9a7fa) — 12/5/2024 @ 11:54 am
LMFAO
lloyd (32e712) — 12/5/2024 @ 12:20 pmJust the News is Low Credibility.
John Solomon is one of the goosiest of Trump’s goose-steppers, picked by Trump as his NARA liaison, until the FBI search ended his job, and he downplayed the death threats Byrd was receiving.
This is the MAGA world we’re in.
Paul Montagu (f9a7fa) — 12/5/2024 @ 12:21 pmAs opposed to the Nevertrump world where death threats are made good on.
lloyd (32e712) — 12/5/2024 @ 12:29 pmDo you have an example?
Paul Montagu (f9a7fa) — 12/5/2024 @ 12:41 pmPaul pretending to have lived in a cave the past five months. Precious.
lloyd (32e712) — 12/5/2024 @ 12:44 pmYou said “made good on”, as in a NeverTrumper killed someone. Whodunnit?
Paul Montagu (f9a7fa) — 12/5/2024 @ 12:52 pmSorry, I’m not in the game playing mood. Someone died, others seriously wounded. You figure it out. Bad faith commenter as usual.
lloyd (32e712) — 12/5/2024 @ 1:02 pm@125
Corey Comperatore?
whembly (477db6) — 12/5/2024 @ 1:02 pm@125 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killings_of_Aaron_Danielson_and_Michael_Reinoehl
whembly (477db6) — 12/5/2024 @ 1:03 pm???
@125 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/shannon-brandt-5-years-prison-death-cayler-ellingson-north-dakota/
whembly (477db6) — 12/5/2024 @ 1:06 pm???
Paul’s been reading too much RT.
lloyd (32e712) — 12/5/2024 @ 1:16 pmYeah, but that’s always true with you.
Since you can’t find an example to support your claim.
Colonel Klink (ret) (96f56a) — 12/5/2024 @ 1:23 pmNo, lloyd, you’re bad faith for making a claim and not backing it up, just like your other lie that I support posers posing as Nazis at a Trump rally.
If Biden was a more convenient target, then the shooter woulda picked him. That’s not NeverTrump, that’s a mentally unwell kid trying to go out in a blaze of glory. Even Trump-friendly FoxNews reported it so.blockquote>WASHINGTON – The FBI said the gunman in the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump searched online for events for both Trump and President Joe Biden, but saw the Pennsylvania campaign rally where he opened fire last month as a “target of opportunity.”And just so we’re clear, a NeverTrumper is defined as…
Sounds right to me, to a tee.
Paul Montagu (f9a7fa) — 12/5/2024 @ 1:23 pmExcuse the bad blockquoting.
Paul Montagu (f9a7fa) — 12/5/2024 @ 1:24 pmI’m about done with lloyd and his snark. It may be time for the blocking script.
norcal (ccef86) — 12/5/2024 @ 1:35 pmThe same goes for other people who only have one mode, and never criticize their own side.
norcal (ccef86) — 12/5/2024 @ 1:39 pmSocial media doesn’t have much symphony for united health care ceo. Most wonder if shooter had pre-existing conditions and other health care insurance horror stories.
asset (cc479c) — 12/5/2024 @ 1:40 pm@132 You don’t even know who made the threats against the Capitol officer. Hypocrite.
lloyd (32e712) — 12/5/2024 @ 1:43 pmYeah norcal, it would be really distressing if you blocked me. Of course, you’d keep wanting to read Klink’s juvenile rants where everyone is a Nazi. Looks like you’re taking the loss well.
lloyd (32e712) — 12/5/2024 @ 1:46 pmThat’s an evasion, lloyd.
Paul Montagu (f9a7fa) — 12/5/2024 @ 1:59 pmBe honest for once, you mentioned the “Nevertrump world where death threats are made good on”, which clearly means a NeverTrumper killed someone, and obviously for political reasons, so answer the question: Whodunnit?
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/5/2024 @ 2:23 pm1865-President Andrew Johnson issued a general amnesty to Confederate soldiers (excluding the leadership).
He eventually pardoned everyone (December 25, 1968).
But pardoning general officers or state governors who brought a war to the United States that killed several percent of the population, was unforgivable. There should have been 1000 hangings. Too bad that Thaddeus Stevens wasn’t VP.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/5/2024 @ 2:30 pmPresidents have made preemptive pardons throughout the country’s history:
Except for Andrew Johnson’s Civil War pardons and Ford’s pardon of Nixon, blanket pardons (“all crimes that may have been committed”) are highly unusual. Now we have a third example.
So, three reasons
1) Biding the woulds of a civil war
2) Preventing Watergate from swamping public thought, and
3) Saving his son.
But what they are NOW asking for is a pardon for all administration officials for their time in office, for anything they might have done. People who’ve been spying for China or Russia, or embezzling funds, or torturing prisoners at black sites would all be happy with that.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/5/2024 @ 2:36 pmHuh?
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2024 @ 3:13 pmWho are they-aside from the speculation in POLTICO’s article, there is nothing to suggest that anyone is specifically asking for such a pardon.
It’s neverTrumper paranoia run amok.
He sure waited a long time-over 100 years. 😉
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2024 @ 3:22 pmAnd yet every political scandal since then ends with a “-gate” suffix, including quite a few overseas.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2024 @ 3:30 pmRIP Shalom Nagar, the executioner of Adolf Eichmann.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2024 @ 3:38 pmasset (cc479c) — 12/5/2024 @ 1:40 pm
Horror stories there may be, and also the company deciding to stop facilitating fraud, but this was a hired or recruited killer. He was probably no older than 25. You can imagine many different scenarios some much more unlikely tan others.
What we know is that it was not random attack, somehow recognized his victim, and the killer he was waiting about an hour in a nearby Starbucks, went inside the Hilton conference room (called the Residences Hilton Club) on the second floor at aboutb6:20 am (bluffed his way in?) probably to check if Brian Thompson was already there, went outside hid behind aparked car, watched Brian Thompson pas him by at 6:44 am when it was still dark (sunrise in New York City on December 4 was 7:04 am) followed him – he started following him when he was up to 10 yards away – maybe that’s wrong) fired at him, ad the gun jammed twice because he was using bothasilencer and asubsonic bullet that made less noise (still about as loud as shoe hitting a table) unjammed his gun expertly (using something called “tap. rack, bang) and maybe expected it to jam because he had tested it out before, shot him first in the leg and he went down or maybe tried getting away and shot one or two more times, calmly walked om, crossed the street and ran up a walkway between 54 and 5th street, dropped his cellphone there, and went he got to 66th St turned right till he got to what people still call 6th Avenue in spite of the fact it was renamed Avenue of the Americas in 1945, boarded aCiti Bike there rode up to Central Park and disappeared inside the park, the one place nearby where there are not many cameras.
Going backwards, they discovered that got out of the subway at 5 am at the F train station at 57St and 6th avenue, was photographed on the subway and had left a building on the Upper West Side at 5 am. But that was not where he was staying. He was staying at a youth hostel. They got a search warrant for his room and they probably have DNA from a cup he used in the Starbucks. And they have a smudged fingerprint.
He was wearing a ski mask or something and it took some time to get a good picture. They were thinking of electronically processing bits where his face showed, and released a picture showing half his face from the Starbucks but later found a good picture taken in the lobby of the youth hostel.
The shell casings each had a word engraved, One said ‘Deny,’ one said ‘Defend’, and one said ‘Depose’
These words are similar to, but not exactly the same, as “delay, deny, defend” — which is also the name of a book published in 2010
https://www.amazon.com/Delay-Deny-Defend-paperback-JayM-Feinman/dp/0989501701
The full title is “Delay Deny Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It.”
but maybe there were more words engraved on other shell casings or maybe that’s a red herring or a coincidence or a play on words and refers to something about a lawsuit. (that’s where depose comes in if that word is right)
Maybe the words were used in a message containing a threat. If the murder was done to achieve something beyond its inevitable consequences someone had to know what they wanted.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2024/12/05/deny-defend-depose-what-to-know-about-words-reportedly-on-shell-casings-tied-to-unitedhealthcare-ceo-shooting/
He was pronounced dead at about 7:12 am but back at the investors meeting they didn’t know anything and when the first rumors hit the people thought that the man who opened the meeting sometime after 8 am had been the one who was shot
They didn’t call it off till after 9 and then only said something about there being “a very serious medical condition with one of our team members” (?!) Maybe the death had not been confirmed for them because they wanted to notify is family first.
Brian Thompson had a wife and two children in high school but lives separately from his wife who lived about a mile away from him.
Minnesota governor and former Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz knew him (he was a donor?)
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 12/5/2024 @ 3:55 pmBiding the woulds of a civil war
Sorry. Binding the wounds…
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/5/2024 @ 4:14 pmHe sure waited a long time-over 100 years. 😉
Man, you are hard on typos today.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/5/2024 @ 4:15 pmhttps://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/12/05/nyregion/brian-thompson-unitedhealthcare-news
Seems to have no paywall.
They know something more:
The Sunday before Thanksgiving. That’s some time to wait around.
They obviously have the name or names he was using.
They are considering the possibility that the cell phone was not a burner phone nor a decoy. hey need a search warrant to look into the phone’s contents.
The gunman probably did not use a Citi Bike which would have required using a debit or credit card, but some other unmarked e-bike. Who placed the getaway bike there?
A great deal of planning went into this.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 12/5/2024 @ 4:15 pmAnd yet every political scandal since then ends with a “-gate”
Reporters. Whatcha gonna do?
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/5/2024 @ 4:15 pmThe full title is “Delay Deny Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It.”
Maybe the shooter was doing PR for the book.
I don’t think The Turner Diaries got that much of a bump after the OKC bombing.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/5/2024 @ 4:19 pmhttps://www.newser.com/story/360625/house-blocks-releasing-gaetz-ethics-report.html
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/house-vote-gaetz-ethics-investigation-report-released/story?id=116495144
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 12/5/2024 @ 4:20 pmBut the books sounds like it’s against all insurance companies dealing with al kinds of insurance.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 12/5/2024 @ 4:22 pmIt’s a somewhat crooked company. Someone told me his idea was that somebody wanted his job. I think the probability of that is very low.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 12/5/2024 @ 4:31 pmIt just goes to show you that I read what you post. 😉
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2024 @ 4:34 pmBut the books sounds like it’s against all insurance companies dealing with al kinds of insurance.
Let’s ban insurance. Everyone should just save up.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/5/2024 @ 4:34 pmThere needs to be more competition with insurance and reliable consumer reporting. Insurance has a general problem
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 12/5/2024 @ 4:44 pmHere is the Delay Deny Defend….. website, and an excerpt from its introduction.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2024 @ 4:50 pmI have only had one experience with a claim that was (initially) denied and, on the face of it, the claim was outside the scope of the policy. Without going into details, it was a dental appliance that was required for a purely medical procedure and all they saw was “dental.” When the medical necessity was shown to them, they paid right up.
Now, that was with a 1st tier insurer (Blue Cross) and a first tier medical facility (UCLA Westwood). Maybe it’s not so good with a low-cost insurer at a community hospital or, worse, a short-term insurance “plan.” And don’t start me with folks who expect an HMO to pay for something out-of-network or without needed prior approval.
So, I’ll ask. Is there anyone here who personally experienced an insurer refusing to pay for something in-policy?
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/5/2024 @ 6:20 pm@160 I tried to look this up on google ;but the insurance companies did a good job hiding it. Some years ago an insurance company canceled an insurance policy of a sick man because wife made a 2 cent error in filling out the monthly check and the company didn’t want to pay for medical treatment. The internet is full of health insurance horror stories. Some years ago before Obama care which was put in when single payer was blocked by insurance companies. I was listening to a right wing talk show where guest said wealthy canadians come here to jump the line for treatment. (at the time az did not have medicade and pictures of children were on cans begging for money for their operations) I asked how do poor americans pay for medical treatment in the greatest health care system in the world? I was hung up on. I remember back before medicare going to county hospital with hundreds of people standing outside the emergency room waiting to go in. I was told people had died in line waiting to be seen. That is why negative comments about killing of c.e.o.
asset (c4c24a) — 12/5/2024 @ 11:01 pmYeah norcal, it would be really distressing if you blocked me. Of course, you’d keep wanting to read Klink’s juvenile rants where everyone is a Nazi. Looks like you’re taking the loss well.
lloyd (32e712) — 12/5/2024 @ 1:46 pm
Actually, the same goes for Klink. And anybody else who can only do vituperative argumentation, or bang a partisan drum, without ever seeing any nuance.
norcal (ccef86) — 12/6/2024 @ 12:18 amKevin, I’ve had terrible experiences with insurance. Just this summer, our car was stolen, and dealing with the insurance was awful. It felt like they were purposefully putting things off to not have to pay out money. Our car was found crashed and abandoned within 1 day of being stolen, but it took over 3 weeks for the insurance adjuster to come out to the car which caused a lot of problems. Over and over they told us they would do things they didn’t do. In the end I gave up on the process of recovering money I felt I was owed because their time was best spent not paying me and putting up hurdles, and my time I decided eventually was not best spent being on the phone with them. For the sake of brevity I won’t go into the details here.
THEN we got a new (used) car through Carvana that turned out to be a lemon, but was insured. On the first day of driving, the car popped up a message saying “Stop safely, vehicle will shut down soon.” We pulled over and read about it a little, and found this was a not super uncommon issue that needed the transmission to be replaced. Talk to insurance, bring it to the shop, no error code for what we experienced despite us having a video of what happened insurance wouldn’t cover the repair. Shop fixed an unrelated error code and told us to come back if it happened again. A few days later, on the highway with our kids in the car, the same thing happened. Car began shutting off as we tried to pull to the side of the highway. This time insurance allowed it to be fixed. We get it back (it’s now been like a month with the car having been in the shop for 25 of the days. The battery dies. Insurance says, no that’s a consumable item and isn’t covered. We drove the car for under 100 miles.
Insurance sucks.
Nate (cfb326) — 12/6/2024 @ 6:00 amThe only time I’ve had a problem with car insurance was when I had done something REALLY dumb — I cosigned on a relative’s loan — and had to repo the car, which he had banged up. The company wouldn’t cover it — not reported in a timely manner — and really there was no reason they should. I file that as “young and stupid.”
Car warranties from third parties are notoriously poor. I won’t defend them, but I also won’t buy them. I am extremely reluctant to buy extended warranties, even from the automaker, as I know they are a bad deal, and come with a lot of restrictions. I will self-insure, thank you.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/6/2024 @ 9:45 amBut I was really talking about health insurance. A lot of what I hear basically comes down to “out-of-network” or “uncovered services” and much of the fault of those is due to providers doing scammy things, not the insurers.
Example: A guy gets a CAT scan, which his insurance covers. The provider gets a tiny payment. But he sends the results to another doctor, not on the plan, for “analysis” and that doctor hits you with a huge bill which your insurer won’t pay.
Example: You go into an plan hospital for a surgery with a plan surgeon. But they choose (without notifying or consulting you) an anesthesiologist who isn’t on the plan. Again, huge bill and your insurer won’t pay.
Sometimes I think there are referral kickbacks.
People also complain about uncovered services, some of which are fairly common: dentistry, podiatry, hearing aids, chiropractic, acupuncture, weight loss, etc. You get what you pay for.
Narrow networks and crappy drug plans may come with lower costs (and many Obamacare plans are like this), but the problem is more in expectations not being met than in the insurer not covering what he said he would.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/6/2024 @ 9:49 amSome years ago an insurance company canceled an insurance policy of a sick man because wife made a 2 cent error in filling out the monthly check and the company didn’t want to pay for medical treatment
You want anecdotes? OK. Quite some time ago, my mom stopped paying for my sister’s car insurance because she didn’t have the money. There was a 30-day grace period. On day 31, sister totals the car. Initially, they weren’t going to pay (nor should they have), but mom beats them down and they grudgingly cover it so long as a check for the policy amount arrives promptly. Which it did.
Does my anecdote beat your anecdote?
Kevin M (a9545f) — 12/6/2024 @ 9:55 amInsurance in the United States is regulated by the states. They are excellent at preventing bankruptcy (and maybe sometimes prioritize it too much to the exclusion of all other considerations)
Insurance has two problems: Failure to pay, and false claims. Years ago, I read that insurance companies sometimes too readily pay false claims because they consider it not worth their while to investigate certain types of claims.
The book characterized itself as advice to consumers.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 12/6/2024 @ 10:34 amI read theother day in the Wall Street Journal of something else medical insurance companies do.
They sell Medicare Advantage policies to veterans.
The problem is many veterans always or almost always use the VA. There is long standing policy written into law, dating to when Medicare first began, and Medicare Advantage did not exist, that Medicare cannot bill the VA for services it delivers (to keep it out of the Medicare budget and because maybe help for veterans is more easy to get appropriations for)
https://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/veterans-medicare-insurers-collect-billions-bfd47d27
No paywall excerpt:
This continued under Medicare Advantage. Now the insurers charge Medicare Advantage less for their veterans policies (about 78%) and include dental but they are still making a big profit. To keep veteran signing up they give them a kickback of $100 or so — and they also strive to do something, like have a nurse pay a visit – so they can charge for certain Diagnosis Related Groups that pay more.
https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/insurers-collected-billions-premiums-medicare-veterans-wsj-says
There is no market, and a lot of gamesmanship is possible.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 12/6/2024 @ 10:47 amThis was particularly the case with fire insurance.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 12/6/2024 @ 10:48 amFor starters the assassin used a Sharpie and did not etch words on the bullets. I think there were more than three and more than 3 casings found and the police may be withholding key words to guard against false rips and confessions.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 12/6/2024 @ 11:07 amThe intercity bus on which the perpetrator arrived in New York City on November 24 was a Greyhound that started from Atlanta.
But he may have gotten on the bus much later and also Atlanta is an airplane hub and he may have flown in there.
He could be from the Midwest where United health (bo4th the parent company and the medical insurance division) is located
Maybe he is not even from the United States but nobody at the hostel (some of whom reported recognizing him) mentioned anything about him speaking with a foreign accent or any accent Admittedly reporters have only a few first hand or second hand accounts..
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 12/6/2024 @ 11:26 amThe killer made a phone call on his burner phone while he was walking to ambush spot.
<b This definitely was a conspiracy
although there was only one shooter. It was either n inside job or one done by someone very familiar or with contacts in the company. I think he got paid.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 12/6/2024 @ 11:29 amThe clearest picture comes from when he was flirting with the receptionist at the hostel and she asked him to uncover his face. He did but only partially.
That could be the reason facial recognition software still didn’t work or perhaps he is not in the database (maybe because he lives outside the country even if he is a U.S. citizen)
He probably had batteries for the bike inside his backpack. He did not have the backpack with him when he exited Central Park at 77 St. (The bike is not mentioned in any of the stories – whether he still had it or was walking. Did he hand off the bike, the backpack and the gun to someone who was waiting for him in Central Park?
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 12/6/2024 @ 11:36 amThe hostel is at 103rd or 104St and Amsterdam Ave, I think the place he was seen leaving early on the morning of December 4 is near 85 St (I think I remember hearing)
he paid in ash for what he bought at the Starbucks at56th Street and 6th Avenue
It sounds to me that Brian Thompson was rather close mouthed about the threats he had received. It’s just the way it comes across. Maybe he let his wife know but he didn’t tell her the nature of them.
He was in the line of succession for the top job at UnitedHealthcare
In addition to Gov Walz, Trump’s new hostage affairs envoy and former Middle East peace negotiator, Adam Boehler, also knew him.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 12/6/2024 @ 11:44 amI think the murder involved either someone (or a number of people) staying out of jail or fear of the loss of a great deal of money (or end of business)
Use of a silencer in street crime is rare. It was an almost unique weapon (the particular firearm)
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 12/6/2024 @ 11:56 am“If Biden was a more convenient target, then the shooter woulda picked him. ”
Trump provided perhaps the most valuable service in his life by distracting what would have been another school shooter.
Davethulhu (96c2bd) — 12/6/2024 @ 12:46 pm@166 No. Heres one united health has stopped asking for customer feed back!
asset (92d738) — 12/6/2024 @ 12:57 pmOne correction:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/unitedhealthcare-ceo-shooting-brian-thompson-suspect-what-know-rcna183155
He got rid of the bicycle on 86 St between 6:56 am and 7:00 am Wednesday but the bicycke has not been found, nor the gun. But a bakpack was finally found in Central Park (but not found on Wednesday)
When opened it contained a jacket and some Monopoly money (maybe the police are omitting something)
The fake NJ ID was also found somewhere.
The suspect took a cab from the area near where he dropped off/abandoned the bicycle to he Port Authority Bus Terminal near the George Washington Bridge.
The picture showing most of his face was taken when he checked into the hostel, not out, He kept his mask on almost all times, even when eating (but couldn’t have when shaving) and didn’t speak.
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 12/7/2024 @ 4:17 pmPerhaps the shooter was hired by someone competing for the top job.
Rip Murdock (4aa4a0) — 12/7/2024 @ 4:31 pmRip Murdock (4aa4a0) — 12/7/2024 @ 4:31 pm
That’s one idea. Not competing right now – this would be looking ahead a year or two or more.
This would be a bit similar to a portion of the plot of the 1972 movie “The Outside Man” in which the killing that starts the movie is a contract killing by someone hired by a person who wanted to succeed his father in organized crime. It’s really about the gunman trying to avoid being killed himself. Not apparently based on any real events,
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 12/8/2024 @ 12:39 amI think he business of both knowing and not knowing the killer’s identity (with Mayor Adams telling confusing things) is that they ay have narrowed his identity down to aa high probability using familial DNA. He’s not in the database but maybe some relatives are, who intersect most likely at one or two persons, so they need to surreptitiously get a DNA sample from him.
Then there’s the telephone call he was on less than 10 minutes before the murder. It could be with someone involved in murder (but they say there’s no connection) or it could be a call he placed to place himself very far from New York City — but that also could establish his identity somewhat.
It could be to a girl to whom he gave a false name so maybe that wouldn’t help much.
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 12/8/2024 @ 12:49 amMan arrested in Altoona Pennsylvania who bears a resemblance to the perpetrator.
If it is him, he didn’t take the bus to Atlanta but to Philadelphia. (There was a third long distance bus at the bus terminal, besides the local buses to places in New Jersey, I didn’t think he came from the Atlanta, where NYC chose to send detectives, even with the additional idea of Curtis Sliwa’s that he was associated with the “antifa” “Cop City” protesters, itself not inconsistent with the idea of him being a hired killer, since there might be criminal connections with the anti-Cop CIty protesters.)
This arrest seems to be the result of aa tip by someone who spotted him in aa McDonalds,
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 12/9/2024 @ 9:45 amThe tipster as an elderly customer at McDonalds. It is not clear if he was wearing a mask. That would have drawn more attention to himself. BTW, he was wearing a different mask in the taxi he took to Washington Heights than in the earlier pictures He got off the taxi in front of abuilding on AMsterdam Avenue (also near the bus terminal) but was not seen in any of the video shot by the building.
He had a ghost gun that could have been the murder weapon. Earlier today, a caller on a radio show speculated it could have been disassembled or broken but I don’t know why that would make disposal easier. Maybe harder to test for ballistics. They were searching in a lake in the park and also in a park in Washington Heights.
A caller had also speculated that the telephone call he was seen on shortly before the murder might have been a ruse – i.e. he was talking to nobody. I don’t know about that..
he was not initially arrested. I guess so they wouldn’t need to give him a Miranda warning – and one of the exceptions to Miranda is if you are trying to determine if there is an imminent threat of another crime.
he gave (they say) the same New Jersey ID that he had used to check into the hostel. But wasn’t that recovered? Maybe that report is wrong or maybe he had multiple similar IDs.
They earlier traced him to the hostel because when they traced him back he was last seen walking at 100 St and then they went to all the hostels in the area.
He had a manifesto on his person. TO mail from Altoona? He was not from Altoona. They later gave a name an said he was from Towson, Maryland (just north of Baltimore)
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 12/9/2024 @ 12:18 pmThey somehow found out early that the “person of interest” had arrived in Altoona, Pennsylvania by Greyhound bus from Philadelphia. I was right – he took the bus to Philadelphia. (But if he is from Maryland he could just as easily taken the bus to DC)
AlL they would need to do to definitely determine it was him is to test fire the gun and obtain his DNA.
But now, who prosecutes him?
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 12/9/2024 @ 12:28 pmHis name is Luigi Mangione and he was a high school valedictorian. He was 26-years old, like he looked. His New Jersey ID said “Marc Rosario” Maybe just the same name as the other ID he used in NYC. He was arrested on a firearms charge for the time being.
Born and raised in Maryland he also has ties to San Francisco and Honolulu.
On December 4:
https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-murder-shooting-hotel-nyc-philadelphia-altoona-pennsylvania/4049292/
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 12/9/2024 @ 12:39 pmJessica Tisch said the tipster was an employee at the McDonalds. He had a U.S. passport in addition to all the multiple IDs.
From the NYT:
He was on Facebook, X, Instagram
More:
The gun may have been made with a 3-D printer.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 12/9/2024 @ 12:54 pmThe Manhattan DA. Why is that a question?
Rip Murdock (4aa4a0) — 12/9/2024 @ 1:04 pmThe best executives plan ahead. 😉
Rip Murdock (4aa4a0) — 12/9/2024 @ 1:07 pmThe bottle deposit crook fearful that his war in the middle east will be settled and he will have to face the voters is now attacking syrian air bases and military infrastructure even though their military has stood down with no hostile action toward Israel. Casualties among syrian people reported from bombing of chemical weapons sites and Netanyahu’s land grab continues as he tries to cut a deal with druze arabs. (ap, al jazera, usa today, cnn, abc cbs news many others.)
asset (d87500) — 12/9/2024 @ 8:49 pmThe “bottle deposit crook” is testifying in court today – he got permission for his aides to pass notes to him because of the situation.
He does not the excuse of a ongoing conflict to want to continue in office, and an assertion that he is deliberately prolonging the war and avoiding the release of the hostages is an obvious malicious libel by his political opponents (for one thing he welcomed Donald Trump’s Jan 20 deadline) and his government is in danger of falling (which would keep him in office as caretaker till new elections) but because the chareidi (so called religious) parties are threatening to join
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 12/10/2024 @ 10:40 amin a no confidence vote if legislation authorizing continued draft exemptions is not passed.
188, There’s one thing: He was carrying over $10,000 in cash on him. So the question is did he make a big withdrawal from the bank (or cash in a trust fund or something, sometime in October or November or whenever he broke off regular contact with his online friends sometime in the fall.
In his 2 1/2 page written missive (did he want it to be found in the event of his death?) he said that to make things easier for them he was saying he acted alone.
If he took out more than $10,000 from a bank at one time, and een totals that added up to more in a short time, the bank should have filed a form with the U.S. Treasury. These forms are typically ignored, but they exist,
If he didn’t then maybe somebody else gave him the money. It could ne he swindled someone ioof course. Monopoly money is used in swindles.
He could have used a false identity with a bank but then he could also have used a credit or debit card, and he was spending only cash,
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 12/10/2024 @ 10:51 am183.
He was wearing a blue mas that first began being seem in public in 2020. This was his third mask, He must have been hanging around Altoona Pennsylvania for a few days. He probably drew some attention to himself wearing that mask – he had one hook over his ear and ate pulling it up and down. He was also using a laptop.
Maybe the different accounts of who spotted him can be resolved by speculating it was a customer who called attention to him and a McDonald’s employee who called 911.
He was first arrested for forgery after they checked his NJ Driver’s license and found it didn’t exist.
The Altoona police first asked him to pull down his mask and then if he had been in New York City recently, at which point he was visibly shaken up. He presented a fake NJ ID I think the name he used wasn’t widely known even in law enforcement
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 12/10/2024 @ 1:01 pmHe was charged last night with murder so I suppose they’ll let his Pennsylvania court date of Dec 23 go.
He lived in Hawaii according to his LinkedIn profile.
His missive said it was all self funded.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 12/10/2024 @ 1:02 pmActually, according to the Pennsylvania prosecutor, it was $8,000 (and about $200 in foreign currency – Canadian? Japanese? – souvenirs? – he visited Japan in the spring of this year – some special interest of his?)
If he had $8,000 left he must have started out with more than $10,000 – why they said $10,000 – maybe they didn’t count it or thought Japanese yen were worth about the same as American dollars.
His mother reported him missing to police on November 9 after his entire family not being able to contact him for several months,
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 12/11/2024 @ 8:13 amNovember 19
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 12/12/2024 @ 4:44 pmActually November 18.
On the evening of Sunday December 8, his mother was contacted by telephone, based on a tip from the San Francisco police (to whom she had reported him missing) hat was forwarded by the FBI to the NYPD on Friday about 45 hours after the murder on Wednesday December 4, and she acknowledged that it could be her son. He was recognized the next morning by someone in a McDonald’s in Altoona Pennsylvania.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 12/18/2024 @ 12:42 pm