Sloppy Work on the 6 January Events

For John, BLUF:  The events and outcomes from 6 January 2021 are still not clear to a lot of us.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Whatever happened to “independent journalist” John Sullivan, who filmed the killing of Ashli Babbitt?

From Neo, by Neo, September 21, 2023.♠

Here is the lede plus three:

In connection with yesterdays’ thread about a man claiming to be an “independent journalist” who has been convicted for the Capitol breach on J6, commenter “gallchobhair” has this question:

Does anyone happen to remember what ultimately happened to “journalist” John Sullivan, who gleefully filmed the Ashli Babbitt murder? If I recall correctly, he got off pretty much scot free.

I hadn’t thought of him in a long while, but he certainly got a lot of attention at the time. Most of the articles about him were written in the initial weeks after the event. But I found an update from this past August:

John Earl Sullivan, arrested in Salt Lake City, no date listed. Indicted on 2/3/21 and pleaded not guilty to six counts. Remains free on personal recognizance.

And then Neo goers on to talk about the situation.

Two things strike me abnout this.  The first is that our justice system is so inefficient that we are still conducting prosecutions against all these clearly dangerous and dasterdly people who demonstrated at our nation's Capitol on 6 January 2021, two and a half years ago.  It is a good thing for our Republic that they weren't an orgnized revolutionary body or they would have finished the job long ago.

The second thing that strikes me is the uneven way in which justice is being administered by the Department of Justice with regard to the totality of participants on 6 January 2021.  The level of punishment seems uneven to me

Then, there is the sense some of us have that the House Commission on the events of 6 January was weak and uneven, leaving a lot of questions unanswered, with misinformation filling in the gaps.  For exsmple, a friend of mine is convinced that National Guard Troops were available thaz day, but never called upon.  I, on the other hand, believe thst National Guard Troops were offerred, but rejected by the authorities on Capitol Hill.  Both views can not be correct, can they?

I think this is a fail for Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, but also a fail for Attorney General Merrick Garland.  We will just have to wait for the revisionist historians to get around to revealing the truth.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  Who is Neo?  Just another Conservative living near here and surrounded by Progresives.

For John, BLUF:  I wrote this up for my middle Brother, to help explain some of what is going on the the Grand Old Party.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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The Uniparty circa 2023

Here is the sub-headline:

Does it exist?

From Past/Present/Future, by Mr Michael Slipko, 12 January 2023.

Here is the lede plus one:

If you spend enough time listening to House Republicans Chip Roy, Matt Gaetz, and Lauren Boebert you will soon hear about the Uniparty.  In right-wing dogma, the concept of the Uniparty has existed for about a decade, and has become de facto far-right Republican doctrine.

That is, a shadow party composed of both moderate Republicans and Democrats, is the backbone of Washington. And according to them, it is up to patriotic Americans to disable and destroy it in any way possible.  In doing so, the “swamp” will be drained, and Americans will experience true freedom and liberty.

Today in a speech on the House floor, Chip Roy (R-Texas) mentioned the Uniparty:

We used to have a lot of back-and-forth between Democrats and Republicans…we used to accuse them of being tax-and-spend Democrats…Then something changed along the way, and we stopped debating tax policy…and now everybody in this Congress, for the most part, are spend-and-spend members of Congress…spend-and-spend members of a Uniparty.

The concept is not as outlandish as it sounds. One academic theory put forth by historian Michael F. Holt, says the concept of a Uniparty was a primary cause of the 1850s political crisis that led to civil war.  Then, the two major political parties of the time - the Whigs and the Democrats - effectively became a Uniparty.

Lance has come up with the term “Awoke” to describe the mentality of Republicans and Conservatives (and Libertarians and some Liberals).  However, as this article suggests, “The Uni-Party” may be a better catch phrase to describe the mentality.  Not that they want to be the Uni-Party, but that they loath the Uni-Party.  They see it made up of squish Republicans and Democrats.

Those who loathe the Uni-Party are the bane of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s existence.  He wants compromises so as to pass the FY2024 Budget before 1 October 2023.  Those Republicans who hate the Uni-Party see it as just more compromising away the future of our Children and our Republic.  In fact Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz (Panhandle Republican) threatened Speaker McCarty with a motion to vacate his chair, which, if done, would muddle ongoing budget negotiations.

It is only a small rift in the House Republican Majority.  However, the majority is thin.  And President Biden has just vetoed the Defense Appropriation Act.

Regards  —  Cliff

Hunter's Indictment

For John, BLUF:  The indictment of Mr Hunter Biden didn't make sense at the time.  This helps clear it up a little.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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The Hunter Biden Indictments Are a Ruse.  Here’s Why.

From PJ Media, by Reporter Matt Margolis, 15 September 2023, 11:04 AM.

Here is the lede plus three:

It’s a true reflection of the sad state of our justice system that we have to be suspicious of anything it does.  When we first learned that Hunter Biden would likely be indicted, I was skeptical and felt that even if Special Counsel David Weiss did indict him, it would be a ruse.  Still, when the indictments came down on Thursday, it was hard not to feel somewhat elated—but that suspicion still nags at me.

Seriously, does anyone believe that Hunter Biden will actually face any jail time?  Would Weiss, one of the architects of Hunter’s ridiculous plea deal, actually put Hunter Biden behind bars? I don’t.  But in the meantime, many think it is a possibility.

According to Mike Davis, a former law clerk for Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, we shouldn’t be fooled by these indictments, and he explains why.

“Don’t be fooled,” he began in a lengthy post on X/Twitter. “Today’s indictment of Hunter Biden for gun felonies is just more coverup by Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss, who has protected the Bidens for years.”

And then Mr Davis explains in some detail.

It appears to me the Democratic Party Establishment does not want President Biden to run in 2024. To avoid a messy fight at their Convention, 19-22 August 2024, Mr Biden needs to step down before the Primaries get serious.  For that to happen, Mr Hunter Biden needs to be in a safe harbor.  That task falls to DoJ and Special Counsel David Weiss.

The other loose end is Ms Kamala Harris.  If she isn't going to slide in as the Democratic Party nominee someone will have to talk to her, or force her out as Vice President.♠

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  à la Spiro T Agnew.

White House War Room

For John, BLUF:  I think the Biden Administration is taking his Impeachment Inquiry very seriously.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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CNN Breaks Story About Secret White House Media Directive to Bash Impeachment — to Bash Impeachment

From PJ Media, by Writer Athena Thorne, 13 September 2023, 12:55 PM.

Here is the lede plus one:

A Tuesday report from CNN Business is a real piece of work. It’s probably the most egregious example of media bias I’ve seen this year.

The report is blatant following of ze orders by a Left-wing news outlet even as it openly reveals that it is following ze orders. This goes way beyond your basic self-awareness fail to land somewhere between dereliction of journalistic duty and utter immorality in the pursuit of partisan service.

A CNN headline that read, “White House to send letter to news execs urging outlets to ‘ramp up’ scrutiny of GOP’s Biden impeachment inquiry ‘based on lies’” surprised me this morning. I was ready to grudgingly give the left-wing rag some credit for speaking truth to power for once. But a quick read through the article shattered my dreams of CNN actually committing an act of journalism.

The gist of the story is that, on Tuesday, CNN obtained an advance draft of a media directive from the White House that it would have received on Wednesday anyway. The newsworthy part is that the directive is absolutely shocking for a White House to send to the allegedly free media. And the first two paragraphs of the CNN piece almost read like a real news item (emphasis is added throughout all quotes).

I was disappointed in my Senior Senator's response to the House embarking on an Impeachment inquiry.  On the surface there are indications of issues.  It should not be this way.  Granted, without a smoking howitzer there would be no conviction by the US Senate, but still, that is not a reason to dismiss the indications out of hand.

That said, this is a distraction for Congress, which should be focused onte Authorization and Appropriation Bills, and the Hyde Amendment (DoDshould not be unilaterally ignoring US Law.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

Banning Hard Drugs

For John, BLUF:  Portland, Oregon, has a major drug problem, big enough they are taking action to correct it.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Portland’s Cry for Safety:  The Impending Ban on Hard Drug Use

From Conservative Fix, by Ms Alexandra Russel, 10 September 2023

Here is the lede plus five:

In an era where most political issues point fingers at the current Democratic administration’s weaknesses and alleged corruption, the beautiful city of Portland shines a spotlight on a more immediate, localized concern.  Portland, once a beacon of creativity and innovation, now desperately seeks the state’s permission for a monumental move: banning hard drug use to protect public property and its citizens.

This potential decision comes after years of observing the devastating impact of unchecked drug use on public spaces, local businesses, and most importantly, its residents.  It’s an outcry for a safer environment, for a city that deserves to reclaim its lost vibrancy.

• Rising Crime Rates:  Cities that have reported higher drug use often face a subsequent rise in crime.  In fact, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, drug abuse and addiction cost American society over $740 billion annually in lost workplace productivity, healthcare expenses, and crime-related costs.
• Public Health Crisis:  The rampant spread of drug abuse leads to a significant strain on public health systems.  It’s reported that every day, 128 people in the United States die after overdosing on opioids – a dire reflection of the nation’s opioid crisis.
• Loss of Community Spirit:  The once-thriving community spaces in Portland are now overshadowed by drug-related activities, causing residents to avoid these areas, leading to a loss of community interaction and spirit.

As the 2024 presidential race heats up, it’s essential not to lose sight of local issues like these that affect everyday Americans.  Cities like Portland are at the heart of our nation, and their well-being directly reflects our national health.

It is a little amazing that Portland has reversed course on hard drugs, but there it is.  Conditions in the City are causing leaders to cast about for potential solutions.  I wish them well in this effort.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

Musk Restores Balance

For John, BLUF:  It appears Mr Elon Musk has restored balanve to X, but that is seen by some as inbalance.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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"X, Elon Musk’s social media platform formerly known as Twitter, appears to be attempting to limit its users’ access to The New York Times."

From Althouse, by Professor Ann Althouse, 12 September 2023.

Here is the lede plus rhree:

"Since late July, engagement on X posts linking to the New York Times has dropped dramatically.  The drop in shares and other engagement on tweets with Times links is abrupt, and is not reflected in links to similar news organizations including CNN, the Washington Post, and the BBC...."

From "Twitter appears to throttle New York Times" (Semafor).

We're told this might have something to do with "a broad shift in platforms over the last five years... toward a splintering in which Facebook has largely gotten out of the news business, Twitter has shifted increasingly toward becoming a conservative media company, and Google and Apple are the remaining the platform giants interested in distributing other outlets’ news."

That's so sloppily written I feel insulted putting my time into trying to understand it.  There's been a "shift" in which "Twitter has shifted."  The double "shift" tells you no one serious is proofreading over there.  And what's the "splintering"?  It sounds exciting, but the sentence just goes on to make vague, questionable assertions.  My impression was that Twitter (AKA X) has stopped censoring conservative speech.  If you think it now looks like "a conservative media company," perhaps you're observing how important censorship has been to the dominance of liberal speech in social media.

Professor Althouse writes:  "If you think it now looks like "a conservative media company," perhaps you're observing how important censorship has been to the dominance of liberal speech in social media."  Yes, there has been a sense from some quarters that there was a thumb on the scale.  And Federal Courts are recognizing that.

Mr Stewart Brand coined the phrase Information wants to be free.  I take it to mean that information wants an even playing field, so people can determine the truth, for themslves.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

Stopping Internal Migration

For John, BLUF:  It seems President Biden is looking to fix the illegal immigration problem by allowing them in. but restricting them to the border states.  This is a bad idea.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Biden Move to Keep Illegals in Texas Is Part of the Democrat Long Game

From PJ Media, by reporter Matt Margolis. 9 September 2023, 11:42 AM.

Here is the lede plus one:

Remember when Democrat officials nationwide virtue-signaled their support of illegal immigration by declaring themselves sanctuary cities and states?  That was amusing.  But then, when red states starting shipping their illegal immigrants to these illegal-immigration-loving locations, suddenly, they weren’t so keen about it?  That was even more amusing.  Just as quickly as these illegal immigrants started showing up in liberal enclaves the local population and leaders figured out they didn’t actually want them there—and they’re complaining endlessly about the drain on resources and increase in crime.

In comes Joe Biden, the architect of the ongoing border crisis, who is now considering forcing illegal immigrants to stay in Texas as they await screening for asylum.  This would severely limit their ability to travel in a country they don’t belong in in the first place.

“Administration officials have been considering the idea as a way to stem recent increases in the numbers of migrant families crossing the southern border, which reportedly reached an all-time high last month,” the Los Angeles Times reports.  “Supporters of the remain-in-Texas idea, which has yet to be finalized, hope that it would help the administration advance its goals of quickly deporting families who fail initial asylum screenings and deterring other families from crossing in the first place.”

The first question is why, if the US border is not sacred to the immigrant, why would the border between Texas and Louisiana or Arkansas or Oklahoma be sacred:  The second question is if the Biden Administration will tax the rest of the nation to help fund the "remain in Texas" consequences.  As New York City Mayor eric Adams points out, providing for illegal immigrants is not cheap.

This is a national problem, but without national solutions.  I would like to see politician of both major parties coming together, with experts from relevant institutions, such as the Congressional Research Service, to inform the People and to craft laws to allow for orderly absorption of immigrants in a manner that allows orderly absorption.

There is the question as to if the President can stop interstate migration of immigrants will he try to stop other migration between states.

We should all be communicating with our Representatives in Congress to encourage them to fix this, and if they don't we should vote them out.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

Closing the Circle

For John, BLUF:  In Virginia Horse Country the arrogance of a School Board helped elect Glenn Youngkin as Governor, and Winsome Sears at Lieutenant Governor.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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‘We Righted a Wrong’: Virginia Governor Pardons Father Whose Daughter Was Sexually Assaulted at School

From Natioonal review, by Reporter Ari Blass, 10 September 2023 1:16 PM.

Here is the lede plus one:

Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin has pardoned a father, Scott Smith, who was convicted of disorderly conduct for protesting a school-board meeting after his daughter was sexually assaulted by a male wearing a skirt in a girls’ bathroom.

“I spoke with Mr. Smith on Friday, and I had the privilege of telling Mr. Smith that I will pardon him, and we did that on Friday,” Youngkin told Fox News Sunday.  “We righted a wrong.  He should’ve never been prosecuted here.  This was a dad standing up for his daughter.”

Of course he did.  This is closing the circle.  The actions (and inactions) of the Loudoun County School Board helped put Governor Youngkin in office.  The pruported rapist not only committed this crime, but when transferred to a new school, went on to repeat his performnce.

Unless the nomenclature cleans up its act there will be more distrust in institutions, and more office holders displaced.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

The Indirect Approach

For John, BLUF:  Former President Donald Trump must be seen as a major threat to Democrats and Bureaucrats, for them to go to these extremes to prevent him running for office.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Will Colorado Force Trump Off the Ballot?

From PJ Media, by Reporter Lincoln Brown, 7 September 2023, 6:12 PM.

Here is the lede plus three:

No matter where one stands on Donald Trump, one must agree that it is the understatement of the century to say that the saga is unprecedented in American history.  The efforts to ensure that the man never sets foot in the Oval Office again are destined to become the stuff of legends and history lessons, not to mention a docudrama on Netflix or Amazon Prime.

The latest effort to ensure that nothing orange ever passes through the West Wing again (with perhaps the exception of an actual orange) involves invoking the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, specifically, Section Three:

No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.  But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability. (Emphasis added.)

The D.C.-based group Citizens for Responsibility & Ethics in Washington (CREW) has joined the fight to keep Trump off the 2024 ballot by filing a lawsuit Wednesday in the District Court in the City and County of Denver, Colo.  A press release on CREW’s website states that Trump has, in fact, violated the 14th Amendment, and Crew has filed the suit on behalf of six Republican and unaffiliated Colorado voters.

But, yet, Impeachment failed and recent indictments do not include either "insurrection or rebellion".  So insurrection or rebellion can be imputed by the exclusion of Mr Trump from the ballot?  It would appear so.

There is a gamble here.  That would be that the tens of millions who have voted for Mr Trump in the past, and wish to vote for him in the future will not rise up against the Government, in a real insurrection.  I would not encourage such acton.  If Mr Trump is denied the opportunity to stand for office then his suppoorters should unite around another candidate, one who promises to go after the deep state.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

The Cars Are Evil School

For John, BLUF:  .  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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'ALL CARS ARE BAD':  Pete Buttigieg's Equity Advisers Want You To Stop Driving

Here is the sub-headline:

Transportation secretary's equity committee aims to bring 'diversity' and 'inclusion' to America's infrastructure

From The Washington Free Beacon, by Reporter Charles Hilu, 1 September 2023.

Here is the lede plus three:

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is appointing a group of "leading experts" to advise him on "transportation equity," including several who argue that cars cause climate change and promote racism and therefore should be phased out.

Buttigieg earlier this month appointed 24 new members to his Advisory Committee on Transportation Equity, an Obama-era body that Buttigieg is reviving after the Trump administration scrapped it.  Included on the committee is Andrea Marpillero-Colomina, a "spatial policy scholar" who says "ALL CARS ARE BAD" given that they cause "a myriad of environmental issues and conditions."  Another Buttigieg appointee, self-described "transportation nerd" Veronica Davis, argued in an August essay that cars perpetuate "systemic racism" and are therefore "the problem" in America's transportation system.

Buttigieg's appointments—and his decision to revive the equity advisory committee—reflect the Biden administration's whole-of-government emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion.  President Joe Biden shortly after taking office in 2021 issued an executive order that called on federal agencies to "pursue a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all."  Under the order, agency heads must conduct an "equity assessment" to identify policies that create "systemic barriers" in minority communities.

The committee will advise Buttigieg on "promising practices to institutionalize equity into agency programs, policies, regulations, and activities" and plans to meet for the first time this fall, according to Buttigieg's August announcement.  Marpillero-Colomina told the Washington Free Beacon that she is not "advocating for a complete erasure" of cars but intends to push Buttigieg to move America away from its reliance on private motor vehicles.

Regarding equity, we should all be in favor.  However, we should all have a sensae of the future we are lookoing for.  Is it one where we roll back the advantages of some to gain equity. or is it one where we advance some so they have equity with others?  The folks at this Equity Advisory Committee of the Department of Transportation sound like they are the "roll back" kind.

Free Enterprise, and oother freedoms, have allowed hundreds of millions to lead a better life.  I would hate to see that global progress come to a halt, so we can have equity at a lower level of prosperty.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

Alternative to Impeachment

For John, BLUF:  We don't need another Impeachment Hearing and Vote, followed by a Senate Trial.  I would like those folks in DC to cut a deal.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Letter to Lori, 28 August 2023

Here is a letter I wrote to my Congresswoman, Lori Trahan:

I was disappointed to hear on the news on Sunday that there is talk of opening an impeachment investigation of President Joseph R Biden.  I think that would be bad for governance and bad for our nation.  This is not to say I believe President Biden was not involved in his Son’s business, but that the best solution would be for him to resign for health reasons.  Then the House, and the Senate, can get down to working important issues for the people, such as dealing with illegal immigration (my rough guesstimate being two million such immigrants a year, and about forty thousand being our Commonwealth’s fair share).

I would like to see the DOJ take Mr Hunter Biden into a safe harbor, with a solid plea deal.  That would give President Biden an opportunity to then step down, knowing his Son is safe.

Then we can all knuckle down to the important work we face.  All of us, Republican and Democrat and others.

I have yet to hear back.

Regards  —  Cliff

Into Africa

For John, BLUF:  Africa is still emerging from a period of colobialism.  We are not doing a good job of being the Good Guys.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Ignoring Biden's Fallout in Africa

From ewerickson sunstack, by Blogger Erick-Woods Erickson, 1 September 2023.

Here is the lede plus two:

As a growing number of African countries devolve into chaos and seek alliances with countries opposed to US policy, the Biden administration is nowhere to be seen on the national stage.

Just this week, military leaders in Gabon instigated a coup that ousted the country’s longtime leader.  If you follow the news, you’ll notice this story sounds familiar.  The exact same thing happened in the West African country of Niger that turned a historically American ally into chaos and fleeing to Russia for help.  Earlier this year two Sudanese generals declared war on each other devolving one of the world’s poorest countries into civil war.  Additional countries like the Central African Republic, Libya, and Mali have ignored the US and sought help from Russia’s Wagner military.

It’s worthwhile noting that before Biden handed Afghanistan over to the Taliban, progressives at the State Department hoisted the rainbow flag over Kabul in a symbolic gesture that thoroughly infuriated small conservative nations around the world.  Aside from the optics of turning our friends over to the terrorists, the Biden administration forgets that gestures like this do not sit well with many of the small African countries sitting on valuable oil and rare earth minerals.

What is happening in Africa should be important for two reasons.  First, we are dealing with fellow human beings.  Some 14% of our population can trace its roots, in whole or in part, back to Africa.♠  Second, Africa is a mineral rich area, at a time when things like oil and rare earths are in increasing demand.  That is to say, for a better life, we need to be able to purchase things that are produced in various African nations.

Our current focus is the Indo-Pacific, and rightfully so.  There are nations there we wish to see prosper, such as Japan, Korea, Taiwan, The Philippines and India.  Then there is South America and the Middle East, not to mention Europe.  But, the President needs a strong player to cover Africa.  Someone who is believed to have access to the Oval Office.  Not John Kerry, but someone like John Kerry.  We need to think of Africa, especially Sub-Saharan Africa as more than an anti-terrorism campaign.  It needs to be about human rights and self-determination.  It needs to be about capital investment and human development.  It needs to be about human freedom.

If we snooze we lose.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  I suspect the number is higher if we all looked, at least at the single digit percentage level in a DNA test.  For example, the Iberian Peninsula was a great mixing bowl for half a millennium. : Then there was Latin America, with its own mixing of peoples.