POLITICAL: FYI to Lindsey Graham — The Congress shall have Power To …grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal….

Sunday, March 6, 2022

https://nypost.com/2022/03/04/lindsey-graham-says-it-would-be-a-great-service-if-a-kremlin-official-killed-vladimir-putin/?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=news_alert&utm_content=20220304&lctg=6080ba40747925275a09dcd3&utm_term=NYP%20-%20News%20Alerts

NEWS 
Sen. Graham says it would be ‘a great service’ if a Kremlin official killed Putin
By Jesse O’Neill and Samuel Chamberlain
March 4, 2022 12:19am  Updated

*** begin quote ***

US Sen. Lindsey Graham called on Russians to assassinate President Vladimir Putin on Thursday night, as Ukraine pleaded with the West to fight the “nuclear terror.”

Graham (R-SC), 66, made the call to action on Twitter as he compared Putin to Roman dictator Julius Caesar and Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

“Is there a Brutus in Russia? Is there a more successful Colonel Stauffenberg in the Russian military?” Graham wrote.

*** end quote ***

Maybe if Senator Graham was more familiar with the US Constitution, then he’d know there was a Constitutional appropriate way for Congress to express its disapproval.

https://www.heritage.org/constitution/#!/articles/1/essays/50/marque-and-reprisal

*** begin quote ***

Marque and Reprisal

ARTICLE I, SECTION 8, CLAUSE 11
The Congress shall have Power To …grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal….

At the time of the Founding, the sovereign of any nation could authorize holders of “letters of marque and reprisal” to engage in hostile actions against enemies of the state. The common understanding of “Reprisal” is a seizure of property (or sometimes persons) of a foreign state as redress for an injury committed by that state. Because the word “Marque” is the French equivalent of “Reprisal,” the constitutional term “Marque and Reprisal” is best understood as a single phrase.

The only serious debate over the meaning of the Marque and Reprisal Clause is not whether it extends to authorizing private parties (known as “privateers”) to engage in reprisals for private, commercial gain. Rather, it centers on whether the clause gives Congress authority over all forms of hostilities short of declared wars.

That debate mirrors the larger war powers debate over the Declare War Clause. Supporters of congressional power construe the Declare War Clause and the Marque and Reprisal Clause jointly to cover all forms of armed conflict, from covert action to a full and open armed conflict. Under this reading, the President lacks any power whatsoever to initiate hostilities (except perhaps defensively to repel invasions), no matter their scope. They contend that the Declare War Clause requires Congress to authorize wars, whereas the Marque and Reprisal Clause requires Congress to authorize lower level hostilities, whether by public forces or by privateers.

*** end quote ***

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So Many Holes In SWIFT Sanctions On Russia, They Are Useless

Saturday, March 5, 2022

Authored by Mike Shedlock via MishTalk.com, …many did not think the EU would play the SWIFT card on Russia. It turns out they were correct… SWIFT is the international payment system. Cutting off a top country from SWIFT access is a very big deal.

Source: So Many Holes In SWIFT Sanctions On Russia, They Are Useless

*** begin quote ***

The ban will only come into effect in ten days, which will allow the Russians to reorganise their banking system, and we presume, re-route payments through banks that are not affected by the sanctions. What this means is that the Swift ban falls into the SINO category: sanctions in name only. The EU is cheering on the Ukrainian side from a safe distance, watching from warm living rooms, heated by Russian gas.

*** end quote ***

# – # – # – # – #

I like that SINO term.

I always try to follow the money.

In this case, I don’t see much pressure on Russia.  Especially since the Biden / Obama coup in Ukraine to displace a democratically elect but favorable to Russia leader is the root of all this trouble.

That and the promises not to extend NATO made by lots of prior administrations.

How silly was it of Russia and Ukraine to even listen to American “promises”?  I think that Ghadafi in Lybia, Sadam in Iraq, and a vast number of others could serve as suitable examples.

Argh!

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LIBERTARIAN: Sorry but little L libertarians don’t approve of “eminent domain”

Friday, March 4, 2022

https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/middlesex-county/2022/03/02/east-brunswick-nj-can-condemn-route-18-land-redevelopment-court/9331820002/

East Brunswick can condemn 80 acres along Route 18 for redevelopment, court rules

Susan Loyer — MyCentralJersey.com — March 2 @ 5AM

*** begin quote ***
 
EAST BRUNSWICK – A Superior Court judge has upheld the township’s ability to condemn about 80 acres in the Route 18 corridor for redevelopment.

Judge Thomas Daniel McCloskey affirmed a 2017 Township Council resolution finding that the properties met the requirements of a redevelopment area under the New Jersey Local Redevelopment and Housing Law. 

*** and ***

The properties that challenged the township’s redevelopment designation are owned by Christiana Enterprises, LLC, operating as Sweeney’s Auto Repair & Gulf Gas Station, 229 Route 18; Tongbu LLC, which runs a professional/office building at 223 Route 18 South; SL Property Holding LLC, doing business as Rt. 18 Carpet at 261 Route 18 South; and Office Depot, Inc., which previously operated at 257 Route 18 South. 

*** and ***

The project will include a transportation center, mixed-use buildings, hotel, tech center and a medical services office. The plan also includes restaurants with outdoor dining, shops, pedestrian walkways, bike paths, water features, a central public plaza, multiple open public greenways and an outdoor amphitheater to promote outdoor gathering and community events, as well as an environmentally sustainable indoor/outdoor pet facility.

*** end quote ***

The Gooferment is just a Gand written large.  Sorry but it’s a shame that the criminal gang can steal property.  

*** begin quote ***

“We are extraordinarily happy that the judge sided with the township in what we did in naming this area an area in need of redevelopment,” Mayor Brad Cohen said. “The judge’s decision unambiguously supports the township’s efforts and encourages us to continue moving forward with our plan.” 

*** end quote ***

So a Gooferment “judge” (aka bureaucrat) can decide that some other Gooferment bureaucrats (aka “the Township”) can steal property from their rightful owners under the guise of “law”.

*** begin quote ***

“… … if you’re one or two businesses that were fortunate enough to have survived in an area that’s clearly fallen into disrepair and underutilized, you don’t have the right to individually stop the process.”

*** end quote ***

Screw you little guy.  You were lucky enough to suvive because Customers valued your service, but we know what is “best”.

Argh!

Will this blog post stop the theft? No.  It didn’t stop Kelo in CT either.  But look what happened there.  After stealing people houses, the deal fell thru and all that’s left is vacant land.  It would be beyond ironic if the same thing happened here.

Wonder who will get paid off as a result of this?  I’m sure there will be lots of money sloshing around.  And, I bet the Taxpayers will pay too.

Argh!

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ECONOMICS: There should NOT be any taxes on “Virtual Currencies”

Thursday, March 3, 2022

https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/virtual-currencies

*** begin quote ***

Virtual Currencies
 
Virtual currency transactions are taxable by law just like transactions in any other property. Taxpayers transacting in virtual currency may have to report those transactions on their tax returns.

What is Virtual Currency?

Virtual currency is a digital representation of value that functions as a medium of exchange, a unit of account, and/or a store of value. In some environments, it operates like “real” currency (i.e., the coin and paper money of the United States or of any other country that is designated as legal tender, circulates, and is customarily used and accepted as a medium of exchange in the country of issuance), but it does not have legal tender status in  the U.S. Cryptocurrency is a type of virtual currency that utilizes cryptography to validate and secure transactions that are digitally recorded on a distributed ledger, such as a blockchain.

Virtual currency that has an equivalent value in real currency, or that acts as a substitute for real currency, is referred to as “convertible” virtual currency. Bitcoin is one example of a convertible virtual currency. Bitcoin can be digitally traded between users and can be purchased for, or exchanged into, U.S. dollars, Euros, and other real or virtual currencies.

*** end quote **

Sounds like they are defining “money”!

We don’t tax when “dollars” (i.e., Federal Reserve Note fiat greenbacks) are converted to Euros or visa versa.  So why are we taxed on “Virtual Currencies”?  For that matter, why are we taxed when buying gold or silver?  Doesn’t the Constitution define a “dollar” as an amount of gold or silver?

Argh!

Guess the IRS is going have a hard time finding all the non-custodial crypto wallets!!!

#endthefed 

If they can keep drugs out their prisons, how will the keep crypto out of a free society?

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SECURITY: CVS site won’t work with a VPN; so much for medical privacy

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

Thank you for contacting CVS.com.

We are writing in regard to the issue you are experiencing with not being able to login into CVS.com and have received a response from our IT department. 

At this time we advise not using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) when also trying to access the CVS.com website as this can cause issues with connectivity.
If you have further questions or require additional assistance, please contact us by email at customercare@cvs.com or by phone at (888) 607-4287. Reference number ******

As always, thank you for choosing CVS.com.

Sincerely,

 

Derek

BICDAW

Customer Care Department

# – # – # – # – #

Sigh, YET ANOTHER clueless IT organization!

(Maybe I should send in my resume?)

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POLITICAL: “Inflation” is always a monetary phenomenon!

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

https://nypost.com/2022/03/02/takeaways-from-president-bidens-state-of-the-union-address/?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=news_alert&utm_content=20220302&lctg=6080ba40747925275a09dcd3&utm_term=NYP%20-%20News%20Alerts

Key takeaways from President Biden’s State of the Union address
By Emily Crane
March 2, 2022

*** begin quote ***

Tackling rising inflation

Biden said investment was needed in US manufacturing capacity in a bid to lower prices, speed up supply chains and boost American jobs.

“I think I have a better idea to fight inflation: lower costs, not your wages,” Biden said. “Instead of relying on foreign supply chains, let’s make it in America.”

*** end quote ***

 “inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon” —  Nobel laureate Milton Friedman

So how can it “controlled” by any other action than “END THE FED”.

The Dead Old White Guys knew that inflation was tyranny from the phrase “Not worth a Continental damn”.  Hence the Constitutional restriction that only gold and silver could be “money”.  A restriction conveniently ignored by the politicians and bureaucrats in the early 1900’s.  

How did that slip by the Supreme Court?)

For the better part of the 1800’s, “prices” were stable or declining.  (Money supply was relatively static while the supply of goods & services increased.). Everyone could save their cash and it would retain it’s value.

In the 1960’s, the money supply was inflated by FED “printing” and the purchasing power dropped dramatically (i.e., my favorite example is “penny candy”!). 

Argh!

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MEME: Why the Gooferment’s “War on will NEVER end!

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Tweet war on covid never end bassler fear freedom unrealistic ruling class

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POLITICAL: Germany’s “green” push nukes 6 nuke plants; now they need power!

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2022/02/28/analysis-push-for-green-energy-not-russias-invasion-of-ukraine-driving-up-oil-prices-threatening-security/

Analysis: Push for Green Energy Not Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Driving up Oil Prices, Threatening Security
PENNY STARR — 28 Feb 2022452

*** begin quote ***

The website oilprice.com posted an analysis about how the push for green energy years before Russia invaded Ukraine – and on steroids since Joe Biden became president – is to blame for soaring oil prices and foreign policy weakness.

The analysis begins with a story about a team from MetalMinder, “the largest metals-related media site in the U.S.”, on a trip to Germany in 2018 where they discovered people’s health suffered from coal pollution because after the Japanese Fukushima nuclear disaster it began shutting down its nuclear energy operations.

“In hindsight, that decision by Germany appears both foolish and ironic,” the team concluded. “Foolish because Germany has lost its negotiating power (pun intended) with Russia for which it relies.  It’s ironic because the country already had ‘clean energy’ but now must turn back to dirty energy to avoid blackouts.”

Germany on Friday shut down half of the six nuclear plants it still has in operation, a year before the country draws the final curtain on its decades-long use of atomic power. The decision to phase out nuclear power and shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy was first taken by the center-left government of Gerhard Schroeder in 2002. His successor, Angela Merkel, reversed her decision to extend the lifetime of Germany’s nuclear plants in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan and set 2022 as the final deadline for shutting them down.The three reactors now being shuttered were first powered up in the mid-1980s. Together they provided electricity to millions of German households for almost four decades.

*** end quote ***

Greenies refuse to recognize that nuclear power is a “clean energy” source.

Argh!

How stupid are politicians and bureaucrats?

The free market would use prices and profits to ensure that all needs are met.

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INTERESTING: Red Plastic Can Boost Yields

Monday, February 28, 2022

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/covering-crops-in-red-plastic-can-boost-yields-up-to-37-percent/?utm_campaign=newsletters&utm_medium=weekly_mailout&utm_source=24-02-2022

Covering Crops in Red Plastic Can Boost Yields Up to 37 Percent
By  Andy Corbley – Feb 22, 202

*** begin quote ***

For centuries, humans have used greenhouses to help plants grow outside of tolerable conditions. Now, as it turns out, it might be much better if instead of greenhouses, we built redhouses.

The red spectrum of light stimulates the leaves of plants to produce more chlorophyll, and an Australian ag-startup is wielding this basic science to create thick red films to cover existing greenhouses in order to boost plant production beyond what either the sun, or greenhouses are capable of.

Luminescent-Light Emitting Agriculture Films, or “LLEAF” was founded by scientists from a partnership between the Universities of New South Wales and Western Sydney.

*** end quote ***

I wonder if this can be done at scale?

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RANT: Seems like the Totalitarians are taking control

Sunday, February 27, 2022

https://cafehayek.com/2022/02/some-covid-links-392.html

Some Covid Links
by DON BOUDREAUX on FEBRUARY 22, 2022

*** begin quote ***

Writing in the Wall Street Journal, Michael Taube wonders if Canadian democracy will survive strongman Justin Trudeau’s authoritarianism. A slice:

At the same time, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland announced the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada would be expanded to monitor funds raised by the Freedom Convoy through GoFundMe and cryptocurrency. Banks would also be able to freeze accounts of people suspected of contributing to this protest, without a court order. This has caused both average citizens and business owners embarrassment and potential harm to their livelihoods.

While some Canadians supported Ottawa’s decision out of frustration with the protests and blockades of border crossings like the Ambassador Bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, others were furious. Mr. Trudeau was criticized for abandoning civil liberties, free speech and the right to protest. He’s been called a “tyrant,” “totalitarian” and “dictator.” The Canadian Civil Liberties Association took the prime minister and his government to court last week. Left-leaning newspapers like the Toronto Star have condemned him.

*** end quote ***

This freezing the assets of contributors has exposed how fragile control of one’s own assets is!

Coming to the USA soon.

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INSPIRATIONAL: Somewhere In Heaven There’s A Black And White Dog Taking Care Of Seven Golden Lab Puppies

Sunday, February 27, 2022

https://www.boredpanda.com/wholesome-animals-uplifting-pics/?utm_source=3587019_0_0_0&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=WebPush

Feel good positive stories 37 5bcec4ff28186 700 61f963d1cf5d4 700

# – # – # – # – #

Something in the picture touched my heart.

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EVLYNN: 26 February is my suckiest day.

Saturday, February 26, 2022

Sadness
is the daily diet.
Gladness
is the state sought.
Madness
is try to understand.
Happiness
is at the end of the road.

26 February is my suckiest day.

Sorry to be a Debbie Downer.

Life is not all babies and birthday parties.

“My love, were it in my power, I would sadly grant thee this boon. But, we have to continue to follow His Plan for us. Let’s go forth and speak no more of this. Who ever is last will be last. It will be His choice; not ours. We’re but humble custodians of His temple on earth. It’s not our place to trump His plan. Whatever that plan be, know that I will be with you to my last breath.” — character “John” in CHURCH 10●19●62 Volume 2 Page 399

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TINFOILHAT: Did an engineer pinpoint where MH370 went down?

Saturday, February 26, 2022

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10532455/MH370-missing-Malaysian-Airlines-plane-Experts-bombshell-theory.html

Will MH370 FINALLY be found? Expert claims he knows EXACTLY where the doomed plane is as he drops bombshell theory the pilot ‘was being followed’ – and families claim it was NOT an accident

  • MH370 vanished shortly after leaving Kuala Lumpur for Beijing on March 8, 2014 
  • Despite an extensive international search effort, the wreckage is yet to be found
  • British aerospace engineer Richard Godfrey believes it’s 1933km west of Perth
  • He analysed disturbances in radio frequencies to pinpoint its ill-fated final path 
  • In light of his findings, victim’s families believe the crash was an act of murder 

By TITA SMITH FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA
PUBLISHED: 10:12 EST, 20 February 2022 | UPDATED: 02:52 EST, 21 February 2022

*** begin quote ***

An aerospace expert believes he has finally discovered the resting place of ill-fated flight MH370 using sophisticated radio wave technology, as he claims the pilot’s ‘strange’ course suggests he was ‘being followed’.

The Malaysian Airlines flight carrying 239 people, including six Australians, vanished without a trace on March 8, 2014, shortly after leaving Kuala Lumpur for Beijing.  

Despite an extensive four-year $200million international search effort spanning more than 120,000sqm, the Boeing 777’s wreckage is yet to be found, with devastated families claiming the crash was not an accident. 

But British aerospace engineer Richard Godfrey believes MH370 hit the ocean 1,933 km due west of Perth, and lies 4,000m under the water, along a line known as the ‘seventh arc’.

*** end quote ***

There is a great list of all the possible “theories” at the end of the article.

I’d really like for these families to have “closure”.  And, there is a mystery to be “solved”.

Who knows what the real story is UNTIL we find the plane.  It may not give the answer but may be it will.

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MEME: Preditor

Friday, February 25, 2022

Preditor

For some reason, I think this is funny, true, and great job advice.

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HEALTH: Pandemic or plandemic — is the jab the best way to reduce risk?

Thursday, February 24, 2022

https://abnormalreturns.com/2022/02/19/coronavirus-links-a-modifiable-health-risk/

“The pandemic’s greatest source of danger has transformed from a pathogen into a behavior. Choosing not to get vaccinated against COVID is, right now, a modifiable health risk on par with smoking, which kills more than 400,000 people each year in the United States.” (Mazer) https://buff.ly/3ByPebqti

# – # – # – # – #  

I’m not sure that we have to accept that the jab is the best defense. India has show that a cheap concoction of vitamins and stuff does great. And a diluted peroxide lavage is another tactic to be used.

Sigh. I think the “parasite class of humans” (i.e., Gooferment politicians and bureaucrats, “scientist with agendas”, “celebrities”, the corporate press, Big Pharma, Big Tech) is leading “We, The Sheeple” down the path to perdition.

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INNOVATION: A “Farmers’ Market” is an example of a new business model

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

https://modernfarmer.com/2022/02/new-lebanon-farmers-market/

This Market Stepped Up to Feed a Town With No Grocery Store
FEB 13, 2022
Robin Catalano 

  • In upstate New York, New Lebanon Farmers’ Market is filling a need and honing a model for others to follow.

*** begin quote ***

When Josh Young took over management of the decade-old New Lebanon Farmers Market (NLFM) in rural upstate New York in 2020, he needed to think creatively to mitigate the upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He didn’t anticipate those efforts would result in a new hybrid market model that would garner a major grant from the USDA, and serve as a fresh-fare blueprint for food deserts.

Like many Northeastern towns that prospered during the Industrial Era, New Lebanon declined when the passenger rail shuttered in the 1950s. The town’s only grocery store closed more than a dozen years ago. Residents had resigned themselves to the 10-plus-mile haul for shopping.

As the coronavirus rocked the supply chain, Josh Young, a freelance software engineer, and his sister, Eleanor Young, who runs a butchery and sausage-making business, took the NLFM virtual, with online ordering and weekly pickup and deliveries. It was an immediate hit. 

*** and ***

The Youngs are confident the New Lebanon Farmers Market can serve as a model for food deserts across the country. “Anyone can do this,” says Josh. “You can start small, and grow it a little bit every week. The next person to bootstrap an effort like ours will be able to point to us as an example in order to solicit capital for an even larger market.”

*** end quote ***

Now I am not keen on the term “food deserts”, but I’d like to patronize their NLFM.  I find that “food” today doesn’t taste the same as when I was a kid.  I remember the rolls from the bakery more like what Ben Franklin described than the “hockey pucks” we buy today. 

I’ve read posts after posts in the survivalist sites about how crops are “poorer” in nutritional value from Big Ag than home grown “victory gardens”.

Maybe our taste buds are detecting that and telling our primal brain to forage elsewhere.

Sigh!

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RANT: cablewifi down

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Argh

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INTERESTING: Never underestimate “Mother Nature”!

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

https://www.hcn.org/issues/54.3/north-wildlife-a-new-tundra-engineered-by-beavers

A new tundra, engineered by beavers
Once nonexistent in northwest Alaska, beavers are both benefiting from and changing a warming tundra.
Kylie Mohr Feb. 17, 2022

*** begin quote ***

Selawik, about 80 miles to the east, is a beaver hotspot, too, and some are upset that the animals are blocking hunting access by boat. “Elders said to start getting rid of the beavers, but nobody listened, and now it’s overpopulated,” said Ralph Ramoth Jr. (Inupiaq), a subsistence hunter who also works for the local airport and his town’s road, water and sewer department. Lodges up to 15 feet tall make navigating sloughs to hunt moose on the periphery challenging. “You can’t even go some places now with a boat, because it’s dammed up,” Ramoth said. Sometimes he tries to chip away at beavers’ handiwork, with little success. “If you tear up part of a dam or a beaver igloo, they’ll come right back and fix it up again,” he said. “They’re just busy beavers.” 

*** end quote ***

Nature abhors a vacuum?  Of course, the critters are going to expand and fill up any suitable range. And, there’s not a lot us humans can do. 

Aren’t we sort of like those beavers and expanding our “range” across the globe and eventurally the known universe?

Don’t some “greenies” view humans as the scourge of Mother Earth?

I’d be willing to be if that class of human parasites called Gooferment didn’t keep us down and monopolize “space travel” by force, humans would all ready be living on all the planets of “our” solar system.  And be pushing the boundaries of space exploration to the far away stars.

Watch out aliens — if there are such — I think there’s a good chance there are — we coming for you.  It’s our “manifest destiny”.

“Be fruitful and multiply is NOT just a Bible verse.  It’s in our DNA.

Ad Astra.  

As well as a bunch of other mottos — ad astra per aspera, etc. etc.  And my personal favorite — ad astra per alas porci!

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RANT: Maher getting “better and better” from a libertarian perspective

Monday, February 21, 2022

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10530431/Bill-Maher-lashes-born-Olympic-gold-medal-skier-Eileen-Gus-decision-compete-China.html

‘Is that cool now? To choose a totalitarian police state over America?’ Bill Maher slams US-born Olympic gold medal skier Eileen Gu for choosing to compete for China

  • ‘Real Time’ host Bill Maher criticized Olympic gold medal skier Eileen Gu, 18, for defecting to China’s team amid rampant human rights violations in the country
  • He also criticized the NBA, basketballer LeBron James and action star John Cena for ‘kowtowing’ to China’s regime
  • ‘Is that cool now, to choose to represent a totalitarian police state over America?’
  • ‘Because the “woke” now see race first and everything else never, fear of being accused of racism has given a free pass on human rights abuses to China’

By CHRISTINA COULTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 09:28 EST, 19 February 2022 | UPDATED: 10:32 EST, 19 February 2022

*** begin quote ***

‘Real Time’ host Bill Maher struck out at American celebrities who he said ‘kowtow’ to China on Friday night, including California-born Olympic skier Eileen Gu who is competing for China, her mother’s homeland, in this year’s Beijing Olympics. 

‘Is that cool now, to choose to represent a totalitarian police state over America,’ he asked, kicking off his monologue. 

‘The Olympics pretends to only be about sports but of course, the games have always been a bit of a proxy war for which country has the best system. 

‘And by choosing Team China, Eileen Gu became a living symbol of China’s triumph over the west, which wouldn’t bother me so much if I thought China had triumphed over us in the ways that really matter. But they haven’t.’

*** end quote ***

More and more, either I’m changing or Bill Maher is becoming more “libertarian”.

I was stunned that anyone would go over to China for the “genocide olympics”.

Give Bill Maher credit for calling out a “turncoat”.  Maybe that’s harsh.  But, I don’t understand the decision, unless it came with a big cash stipend.

Sigh!

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POLITICAL: A political prosecutor should not get two bites at the same “apple”!

Sunday, February 20, 2022

https://nypost.com/2022/02/17/donald-trump-ivanka-and-don-jr-must-testify-in-ny-ag-probe-judge/?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=news_alert&utm_content=20220217&lctg=6080ba40747925275a09dcd3&utm_term=NYP%20-%20News%20Alerts

Donald Trump, Ivanka and Don Jr. must testify in Letitia James’ probe: judge
By Priscilla DeGregory
February 17, 2022 3:08pm

*** begin quote ***

Donald Trump and his kids Ivanka and Donald Jr. must testify in New York Attorney General Letitia James’ investigation into the Trump Organization’s business dealings, a Manhattan judge ruled Thursday.

The Trump family trio has been fighting to quash the subpoenas for their sworn testimony, arguing that James’ office is targeting the former president for “selective prosecution” for political reasons and to bolster her career.

Trump’s camp says the AG’s office will use the depositions from the family members to aid a parallel criminal investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office in conjunction with the AG’s Office, rather than calling the family members before a grand jury — which would give them immunity from civil claims involving the same facts.

But Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron denied the motions to quash the subpoenas in a decision Thursday afternoon and said the three Trump family members must appear for depositions within 21 days.

*** and ***

“Let’s say your clients are compelled … to appear for a deposition,”  Engoron asked the lawyers for the Trumps. “Can’t they refuse to answer?”

“Isn’t that what Eric Trump did 500 times? Why can’t your clients protect themselves by refusing to answer questions?” Engoron said, referring to Eric Trump having already been deposed in the case.

But lawyers for the Trumps responded that a judge or jury could then draw an “adverse inference” at trial against them for choosing not to answer questions.

Ronald Fischetti, a criminal defense lawyer for Donald Trump, responded, “If he takes the Fifth, how am I going to pick a jury if it’s all over town?”

“You can’t put your civil hat on and then put your criminal district attorney hat on when it suits you,” Trump’s civil lawyer Alina Habba said.

“The civil and criminal actions involve the same subject material,” Habba said. “You’re putting my client in a position where they disclose evidence in a civil investigation or they have to invoke their rights and have an adverse inference. How is that fair, your honor?”

*** end quote ***

I’m not a fan of any politician or bureaucrat.  But this is obviously unfair.

The prosecutor should be forced to adjudicate the personal criminal case BEFORE getting to try the civil case. 

Anything less is unfair to ANY defendant.

Argh!

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INSPIRATIONAL: His fate was seal-ed.

Saturday, February 19, 2022

https://nypost.com/2022/02/17/california-man-who-fell-off-his-boat-thought-hed-die-until-seal-helped-him-swim-to-safety/

California man survives frigid five-hour night swim with a friendly seal as his guide
By Yaron Steinbuch
February 17, 2022 12:35pm  Updated

*** begin quote ***

His fate was seal-ed.

A California man thought he would die when he fell off his fishing boat and into the frigid Pacific Ocean — but a friendly harbor seal showed up in the nick of time and helped get him to safety.

Scott Thompson, a sea urchin diver, blamed a lapse in judgment for the mishap that sent him falling off his boat into the Santa Barbara Channel in the middle of the night last month.

“I thought to myself, ‘Great, this is how I’m going to die. Today is the day I’m going to die,’” Thompson, who was wearing nothing but his shorts and T-shirt at the time, told KABC-TV.

*** and ***

“Even putting on a wet suit, being prepared, getting in that water, and swimming to the platform was horrendous,” Paul Amaral, president of towing company Channel Watch Marine told KABC.

“I can’t imagine being in the water with shorts and a T-shirt at night. There was no moon, I mean it was pitch black,” he said.

In his post, Thompson wrote: “I’m a believer that there is a higher power now. I don’t know what it is, but there is a power greater than me. That was shown to me and I will never doubt that for the rest of my life.”

*** end quote ***

Guess someone can enumerate for all us land lubbers what this fellow did wrong.  I’ve read about dolphins and porpoises rescuing sailors adrift and downed military pilots.  It was always chalked up to the animals being “playful”.  But, maybe it’s just “Guardian Angels” is wet form.

In any event, an inspirational story.

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INSPIRATIONAL: Maybe there is an “oriental” way of raising children?

Friday, February 18, 2022

For no apparent reason, other than spending a lot of time with a four year old boy, I began to think of the children of a family who ran a Chinese takeout restaurant back in the 70’s.  Since I ate a lot of “Chinese food” (and not what was Goood for me), I watched their three children grow up.  While Mom and Dad were sweating their asses off, hustling food, the three children sat very quietly and did what looked to be schoolwork. As they got older, the started to work the business.  I remember watching an about ten year old girl stop doing schoolwork and help her overwhelmed Mom answer the phones to take orders.  I was amused to listen to one side of the conversation and then see her turn to the kitchen and yell the order just like her Mom.  She’d put the orders on the carousel and, when the phone volume died off, return to her studies. 

It was a model of decorum and hard work.

Last night, when I was drifting off to sleep, I wondered if the Chinese have a secret to raising children?  

Certainly seems like that to me.

Hmmmm?

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TECHNOLOGY: Old hardware gets a new life?

Friday, February 18, 2022

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/02/google-turns-old-macs-pcs-into-chromebooks-with-chrome-os-flex/

CLOUDREADY BECOMES CHROME OS FLEX —
Google turns old Macs, PCs into Chromebooks with Chrome OS Flex
Google acquisition results in free, downloadable Chrome OS.
SCHARON HARDING – 2/15/2022, 12:00 PM

*** begin quote ***

Google is positioning Chrome OS Flex as an answer to old Mac and Windows PCs that might not be able to handle the latest version of their native OS and/or that might not be owned by folks with budgets to replace the devices. Rather than buying new hardware, consumers or IT departments could install the latest version of Chrome OS Flex.

*** end quote ***

Sounds like something I want to try and maybe better than trying to run some version of Linux on old junk?

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SURVIVAL: Society is falling apart; “juveniles” they ain’t!

Thursday, February 17, 2022

https://nypost.com/2022/02/14/texas-coach-has-broken-arm-after-hes-chased-beaten-by-middle-schoolers/?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=news_alert&utm_content=20220214&lctg=6080ba40747925275a09dcd3&utm_term=NYP%20-%20News%20Alerts

Texas coach has broken arm after he’s chased, beaten by middle schoolers
By Patrick Reilly — February 14, 2022 12:13am 

*** begin quote ***

“Our campuses must be the safest places in our community for students, staff and visitors,” school officials said in a statement Friday. “We will not tolerate anyone compromising the safe environment of our campuses, and will address violations to the greatest extent possible.”

Four students involved in the attack were taken into custody and will be disciplined according to the code of conduct, district officials said in a letter to parents.

It’s unclear if the juveniles will face charges for the beatdown.

*** end quote ***

“juveniles” my tush.  They are “adults” and should be charged as such.

I thought Texas was Red State tough on crime jurisdiction.

This is an example of society on the road to perdition.  There should be public outrage.

And, I notice that no one is mentioning the race of all involved.  Could it be a “hate crime” too?

Also, teachers SHOULD be armed!

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Posted by reinkefj

POLITICAL: Release ALL the past “visitor logs” for EVERY past President?

Thursday, February 17, 2022

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10519203/Biden-rejects-Trumps-executive-privilege-claim-orders-release-WH-visitor-logs-1-6-panel.html

Biden rejects Trump’s executive privilege claim and orders the release of ALL White House visitor logs to the January 6 committee

  • Joe Biden rejected Trump’s executive privilege claim to stop the National Archives from releasing White House visitor logs to the January 6 panel
  • Is the former president’s second attempt to block the release of documents from the Archives to the panel
  • Unclear if Trump will take this case the federal court like he did the last
  • Court ordered the Archives last month to hand over to the panel a batch of documents and materials from Trump’s administration

By KATELYN CARALLE, U.S. POLITICAL REPORTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM 

PUBLISHED: 07:50 EST, 16 February 2022 | UPDATED: 09:15 EST, 16 February 2022

*** begin quote ***

Joe Biden is rejecting another executive privilege claim by Donald Trump as he tries to invoke the right in order to withhold the White House visitor logs from the House select committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riot.

In a letter sent to the National Archives on Tuesday, Biden’s White House Counsel Dana Remus told the archivist of the U.S. David Ferriero the agency should provide the material to the panel within 15 days. 

Former President Trump is attempting to invoke executive privilege to keep the panel form obtaining the logs, just as he did with other White House documents that were turned over to the committee earlier this month.

The White House plans to inform Trump Wednesday morning of the rejection for his executive privilege claim. 

Trump could try to block or slow the release of the logs like he did with other White House documents and materials.

*** end quote ***

NOW, I want EVERY past President’s visitor logs published.

I think the Bush’s, Clinton’s, and Obama’s would be very enlightening.

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Posted by reinkefj

Bob Saget’s family sues to block release of death records

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Saget suffered “blunt head trauma,” likely during an “unwitnessed fall” in his room at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, according to the results of an autopsy released last week. The medical examiner said the actor suffered severe skull fractures, but his death was ruled accidental.

Bob Saget’s family sues to block release of death records

# – # – # – #

Yes, but was a crime committed? Then all privacy concerns take a back seat to the investigation. How many “accidental deaths” weren’t?

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