Four Years of Ignorance

For John, BLUF:  What are Democrats talking about when they talk about an insurrection on 6 January 2020.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Just a rant:

From , by Blogged Charles Glasser, 7 Januaary 2025, 10:02 am.

Here is the lede plus two:

LOOKING BACK (A bit long): I’ve studied an awful lot of history in getting a degree in political philosphy, and that through the very left-leaning CUNY school system.  On reflection, it has become clear to me that anyone who uses the word “insurrection” descibing the idiocy of Jan. 6 has no idea what they are talking about.

Was it a riot?  Yep.  Were many of the particpants dopes?  Yep.  But read how John Adams, Robespierre, Lenin, Mao and Castro pulled off genuine “revolutions” and you’ll see that mobbing a capitol building isn’t even close.  You need to control central information and transportation hubs, get the army to back you, and bring weapons.

None of that happened on J6.  If you use the word “insurrection” to describe J6:  You have zero credibility.

Sums up my view on the issue.  For example, who went to the studios of NPR to take control of that source of information to the Citizens?

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

6 January 2021

For John, BLUF:  Democrats seem to have long memories, but an inability to understand that some are less locked in on the events of 6 January and its long term impact on our Democracy.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Wow, Democrats Lost the Capitol Riot Narrative Big Time

From PJ Media, by Writer Matt Margo,is, 6 January 2025, 6:14 PM.

Here is the lede plus one:

In the four years since the Capitol riot, Democrats have tried incessently to turn it into a national tragedy akin to 9/11 and/or the Pearl Harbor attack. With the goal of preventing Trump from being able to seek the presidency again, they even called it an insurrection (it wasn’t) and accused Trump of inciting it (he didn’t).

There efforts failed, and Trump was reelected on November 5, becoming the first Republican presidential candidate to win the national popular vote since George W. Bush. Oh what a sweet victory it was. On Monday, Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris was certified, and once again, Democrats proved they just can’t let their phony baloney narrative go.

The article comtains numbers showing how attitudes have shifted on the events of 6 January 2021.  One paragraph that stood out was this.

A deeper dive reveals an even more striking reality.  In January 2021, 48 percent of voters blamed Trump for the Capitol riot.  By December 2023, that number had fallen to just 37 percent.  Fewer Americans blamed Trump, fewer thought it made him ineligible to lead, and, perhaps most tellingly, far fewer cared enough to remember it.  When asked about their biggest memory of Trump’s first term, only 5 percent of Americans pointed to January 6.  Among Republicans, it was a meager 2 percent.

Politico reported that today the US Department of Justice announced it is considering more prosecutions with regard to the events of 6 January 2021.

Federal prosecutors are weighing charging as many as 200 more people for their involvement in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol — including 60 suspected of assaulting or impeding police officers during the riot that nearly derailed the transfer of power from Donald Trump to Joe Biden.

I expect it is to the advantage of Republicans that leading Democrats, such as Senator Chuck Schumer, remain fixated on the events of four years ago.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

Lighting a Candle

For John, BLUF:  We should all be aware of the Miracle of Hanukkah, and fortunately, it falls during the general time of CHristmas.  This movie captures the spirit of the event. And it can be found in song.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Hanukkah on the Rocks

From IMDB.

Here is the story line:

One week before Hanukkah, corporate lawyer Tory finds herself unexpectedly unemployed and questioning the career she's dedicated years to.  As she helps her Bubby prepare for the holiday, she embarks on a quest across Chicago to find the last box of coveted Hanukkah candles.  Her search leads her to Rocky's, an Old Town bar, where she encounters Jay, a charming doctor from Florida, his grandfather Sam and a cast of quirky regulars who make her rethink everything.  Torn between keeping her job loss a secret and embracing a newfound sense of belonging, Tory ends up bartending at Rocky's, transforming it into the vibrant "Hanukkah on the Rocks" celebration.  Through festive food, drinks, and games, she revitalizes the bar, bonds with Jay, and finds the courage to pursue her true calling.  As Tory navigates the holiday, she learns that sometimes a detour can lead you exactly where you're meant to be, lighting the way to a future filled with joy, romance, and self-discovery.

I admit I was totally charmed by Actress Stacey Farber, playing the lead as recently terminated lawyer Tory.  The rest of the cast is pretty good also.

The movie is about hope and spiritual growth, as Tory and other cast members work through their early trials.  And their spiritual issues.  Thus, it is a true ovie in the spirit of Christmas.

Hanukkah is a holiday that Americans should honor.  The eight days of Hanukkah represent the period needed for ritual purification of the victorious returning Maccabee soldiers, so they could produce ritually pure oil for the Temple.  upon returning, they had found one cruse (cruit) of ritually pure oil available.  The miracle, aside from the victory of the Maccabees over the Greeks, was that the one day of oil lasted for seven more, so that properly ritual oil could be produced.

The Maccabees were fightong for religious, freedom to worship God as they thought right and proper.  This is a goal that all Americans should applaud and support.

Regards  —  Cliff

Kevin, alone in His Father's House

For John, BLUF:  Well, it made me think of Kevin in Home Alone.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Cycle C

Here is the Gosoel Reading (Luke 2:41-52):

Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover,
and when he was twelve years old,
they went up according to festival custom.
After they had completed its days, as they were returning,
the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem,
but his parents did not know it.
Thinking that he was in the caravan,
they journeyed for a day
and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances,
but not finding him,
they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.
After three days they found him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the teachers,
listening to them and asking them questions,
and all who heard him were astounded
at his understanding and his answers.
When his parents saw him,
they were astonished,
and his mother said to him,
“Son, why have you done this to us?
Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.”
And he said to them,
“Why were you looking for me?
Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
But they did not understand what he said to them.
He went down with them and came to Nazareth,
and was obedient to them;
and his mother kept all these things in her heart.
And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor
before God and man.

The thing I took from the Gospel was the way Jesus, alredy demonstrating knowledge of who He was and His eventual mission, still understands the importance of family and family relations.  He returns with his Parents to Nazareth "and was obedient to them."  This is a model for all families.  Members of families need to respect their place in the group and all work together to make everyone succeed.

Regards  —  Cliff

The Christmas List

For John, BLUF:  Not every movie has to be serious.  This is a movie that relaxes and entertains.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS WISH

Here is the sub-headline:

"CHRISTMAS ROMANCE MEETS OLD HOLLYWOOD MAGIC"

From Movie Guide, by .

Here is the lede plus one:

ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS WISH on Great American Family is a delightful “Christmas romance meets Old Hollywood” spectacular.  Mario Lopez stars as Brian Ortega, a small-town mayor who revisits his childhood Christmas wish list.  He discovers a deeper meaning of Christmas and a rekindled appreciation for his community.  Meanwhile, a real estate tycoon has plans to turn the town into something more modern, trendy and corporate.  With the help of his childhood sweetheart, played by Mario’s real life wife, Courtney, the Mayor must find a way to bring in more revenue to save his special town.

ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS WISH is an unusually highly entertaining Christmas romance promoting Christmas spirit and the importance of community.  Full of dancing, singing and festive fun, it’s a holiday delight.  Great acting and choreography keep viewers clamoring for more fun.  The movie opens with schoolchildren singing the classic Christmas carol “Silent Night.”  It also has plenty of delightful singing, dancing and Christmas cheer promoting the reason for the season and celebrating love and community.  ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS WISH is a win!

I thorooughly enjoyed this movie, although I fully admit that it is corney.  It is, however, pure Christmas, with Saint Nicholas showing up in the guise of a local Santa playing helper.  The Christmas Wish List has been hidden in a wall in the back stage of the Elementary School Auditorium.  The Mayor, watching a Fourth Grade Student sing a Christmas Carol reminds him of his time in Fourth Grade and the list and why he hid it.  It was his Fourth Grade sweetheart announcing that the family was moving away that made him abandon the list.♠  When he pulled out the list he found the items on the list come to fruition.  And thus the story evolves as the list is completed.

I strongly recommend this movie as a good Christmas relaxation story.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  Is there something about Fourth Grade?  The prettiest, smartest, strongest student in Fourth Grade, Susan Sawyer, moved away at the end of the school year.  Her Father had been given the job of Assisstant City Manager for Philadelphia and they had to move to the City.  Tragically, her Father died of a heart attack a short time later.  We never saw Susan again, unlike our Hero, Mayor Ortega, who gets to reacquaint with his Fourth Grade love.

A Long Trip to Bethlehem

For John, BLUF:  Be skeptical of fancy new ideas.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Fourth Sunday of Advent

Here is the sub-headline:

Cycle C

Here is the First Reading (Micah 5:1-4a):

Thus says the LORD:
You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah
too small to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel;
whose origin is from of old,
from ancient times.
Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time
when she who is to give birth has borne,
and the rest of his kindred shall return
to the children of Israel.
He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock
by the strength of the LORD,
in the majestic name of the LORD, his God;
and they shall remain, for now his greatness
shall reach to the ends of the earth;v he shall be peace.

Just in time for Christmas, The Daily Mail has an article "Scientists reveal exactly where Jesus was born - and say it probably Wasn't in Bethlehem".♠ 

On the otherr hand, Bethlehem-Ephrathah fits with scripture, not just the book of Micah, but also the Gospel of Matthew (Chapter 2:1-6).

Wise Men from the East Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, [a]wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:

6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;
For out of you shall come a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”

The Wise Men out of the East knew to come to Jerusalem, in Israel, where they inquired about the one they sought.  The priests and scribes went ot Micah and guided the Wise Men to Bethlehem, in the land of Judah.  That makes sense to me.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  I question the use of the term "Scientist" to describe the people doing this speculation.  Is this science or is it something else?  I was not convinced by the article.

His Last chance to Make Everyone Happy

For John, BLUF:  As the Biden Administratino winds down there is a question some minds as to how it will end.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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How Can I Miss You When You Won’t Go Away?

Here is the song:

Dan Hicks Sings It

President Joseph Robinette Biden has been in politics since 1970, and in Federal Office since 1973.  He did have a four year hiatus while Donald J Trump served his first term.

Some wondered if Cabndidate Biden running his 2020 Campaign out of his Basement was a sign that he was being hidden away.  That was viguriously denied by one and all, including by Presidential Spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre, including, recently, with her classic line regarding "'Cheap Fake' Videos".

REPORTER:  There seems to be a sort of a rash of videos that have been exited to make the president appear officially frail or mentally confused. I'm wondering if the White House is especially worried about the fact that this appears to be a pattern.

KARINE JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah, and I think you all have called this the cheap fakes video and that's exactly what they are. They are cheap fakes video, they are done in bad faith and, and some of your news organizations have been very clear, have stressed that these right-wing, the right-wing critics of the president have a credibility problem because of the fact-checkers have repeatedly caught them pushing misinformation, disinformation.

And so we see this and this is something coming from your part of the world, calling them cheap fakes and misinformation. And I'll quote the Washington Post where they wrote, they wrote about this and they said how "Republican used misleading videos to attack Biden in a 24 hour period" and to their credit, we have a conservative Washington Examiner did call them out as well, calling out the New York Post.

Ironically several recent cheap fakes actually attack the president for thanking troops -- for thanking troops. That is what they're attacking the president for, both in Normandy this happened and again in Italy, and I think that it tells you everything that we need to know about how, how desperate, how desperate Republicans are here. And instead of talking about the president's performance in office, and what I mean by that is his legislative wins, what he's been able to do for the American people across the country, we're seeing these deep fakes, these manipulated videos. And it is again done in bad faith.

This all came up for review two days ago in an article in The Wall Street Journal.  .

I believe some are asking themselves if President Biden will make it to 20 January.  His deteriorization has been slow.  Is it to a point when it could pick up speed and he could find himself undeniably incapable of czrrying on as President.  None of us should wish that on him, but it is possible.  It could happen to any of us who have reached the 82 age mark.

There is, however, another possible branch for this story.  It is possible that President Biden could step aside and allow his Vice President, Kamala Harris, to become President for the last month of this Administration.♠  I, for one, think this is a distinct possibility.  I would give it a one in three chance.  If President Biden ressigned, it would make Vice President Kamala Harris the first female President, even if it were just for a month.  It might also set a precedent as to the idea of Presidents stepping down when they find that physically or mentally they can't keep up.  A previous example could have been President Woodrow Wilson, who sufferred a stroke in October 1919, with his Wife, Edith Wilson, basically assuming the office.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  While President Biden appears to be angry with the leadership of the Democratic Party, and thus is unlikely to take actions to help out the party, his Wife, Dr Jill Biden, may well be thinking that such a move would enhance his place in history, and thus be an good thing.