tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26269923488714550062024-03-05T21:13:50.220-05:00District of Calamity
Some consider the Nation’s Capital as “Fantasyland on the Potomac”. Other outsiders are “Fed Up” with the Federal City. It's better to consider D.C. as “the District of Calamity” (sic).DC Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410579037445829658noreply@blogger.comBlogger893125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2626992348871455006.post-66828828074686989982023-02-06T10:41:00.003-05:002023-02-06T10:41:38.357-05:00Ronald Reagan on the Media<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiI82Fxa-tjQX4QEQRQPei4ozf2XSWiE4Aoak1-f2lqzO2wNZsNTB2E_ViltVqTB2PbjNOV8GFBRZFHMHOzX36r_EQTRM3zfYQkUH9IJOUEqLYUuH_itxe95KRdQSEXI7pTzjYwEbFwG5iYlvCPJsB47GhJSw5hc9w_M4bCM8OPvtgfhC2S5ds-9ANq9Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="545" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiI82Fxa-tjQX4QEQRQPei4ozf2XSWiE4Aoak1-f2lqzO2wNZsNTB2E_ViltVqTB2PbjNOV8GFBRZFHMHOzX36r_EQTRM3zfYQkUH9IJOUEqLYUuH_itxe95KRdQSEXI7pTzjYwEbFwG5iYlvCPJsB47GhJSw5hc9w_M4bCM8OPvtgfhC2S5ds-9ANq9Q=w454-h422" width="454" /></a></div><br /><p></p>DC Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410579037445829658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2626992348871455006.post-2016431630014246052022-03-13T13:01:00.001-04:002022-03-14T18:54:55.801-04:00Happy Pi Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJUOJ8-_Q_cQswBc5BtickUm3_nWh_Y6l9O5cn5C5xKylglliOywsfWoZOVQiEXGBH6-u0lLK5LJDNuxN2178-PLYflD7N9zMslbbm82PuTl-u7jJ9s1-uPJsHLRHl08uofdPYjohgVUA/s1600/Einstein+Pi+Day.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJUOJ8-_Q_cQswBc5BtickUm3_nWh_Y6l9O5cn5C5xKylglliOywsfWoZOVQiEXGBH6-u0lLK5LJDNuxN2178-PLYflD7N9zMslbbm82PuTl-u7jJ9s1-uPJsHLRHl08uofdPYjohgVUA/s640/Einstein+Pi+Day.JPG" width="468" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pi day (3/14) was created in 1988 by Larry Shaw, a physicist at the San Francisco Exploratorium. Some refer to Shaw as the Prince of Pi.</span><br />
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<a href="http://dcbarroco.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/larry-shaw-prince-of-pi.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1785" height="274" src="http://dcbarroco.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/larry-shaw-prince-of-pi.jpg" title="Larry Shaw Prince of Pi" width="224" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a non-binding resolution <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10194354-38.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-5">(HRES 224)</a> which proclaimed 3/14 as National Pi Day. Do you think that former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA 6th) really likes Pi or just wanted to give some sweet stuff to her constituent? Perhaps she wanted a House warming gift for a Tea Party?</span><br />
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<a href="http://dcbarroco.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/pelosi-caricature.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1786" height="400" src="http://dcbarroco.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/pelosi-caricature.jpg" title="Pelosi Caricature" width="303" /></a></div>
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DC Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410579037445829658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2626992348871455006.post-63999105197780118372022-02-08T16:49:00.001-05:002022-02-08T16:49:20.180-05:00Ron DeSantis on Mask Mandate Changes <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnm2HJJT_IEs9fo0xreQyXcaRy5qK7rkYbOyxd55bQv6NqRzSpTiIFnUo78xdQSXMGYupo1nCUd9XbeLwNzVv_zBAXBd1XD_TWrIom_nPIg-j42S0cjxHQOivkdQ0V--rVx39hDqhe4HT2Q5MMX6YduDPWGGZ4_0QD6YA4JrxTBDhiWQU1nG-Z5bRU4A=s700" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="700" height="629" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnm2HJJT_IEs9fo0xreQyXcaRy5qK7rkYbOyxd55bQv6NqRzSpTiIFnUo78xdQSXMGYupo1nCUd9XbeLwNzVv_zBAXBd1XD_TWrIom_nPIg-j42S0cjxHQOivkdQ0V--rVx39hDqhe4HT2Q5MMX6YduDPWGGZ4_0QD6YA4JrxTBDhiWQU1nG-Z5bRU4A=w669-h629" width="669" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has been a vanguard on coping with COVID-19, much to the consternation of authoritarian leftist politicians and the lapdog legacy media. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">DeSantis' suffered the slings from elites elites and produced some pushback, making him a serious contender for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, especially if former President Donald Trump does not run.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">While DeSantis' message is right and his no-nonsense approach is noteworthy, his messaging needs to be more pithy. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qWCP-YcHa88" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>DC Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410579037445829658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2626992348871455006.post-84569562474845441542022-01-26T12:11:00.003-05:002022-01-26T12:11:44.659-05:00Impressions from the Defeat the Mandates DC Rally <span style="font-size: x-large;"> Thirty thousand people recently rallied on the National Mall in a grassroots effort against vaccine mandates, vaccine passports, coerced COVID-19 vaccinations on children and censorship. People gathered at the Washington Monument and marched by the World War II and Vietnam Memorials while rallying at the Lincoln Memorial.</span><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOcuzO1u_Z1VsDRYduitv9eolYiftvWbHy90mebjZeo7dMagwURZE68nuhuW2ZJNjVIbdu1dUKZpmerEocR8LTEfHyPwYlT6vCPJrCm0YycDvzqCJmurASx0jnZ68-Z6lxkdG23xojj1JVRab4DA8NzMFrt30LpnvUob7ru5GENPVbJgDs8VXLHGQEjQ=s766" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="670" height="589" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOcuzO1u_Z1VsDRYduitv9eolYiftvWbHy90mebjZeo7dMagwURZE68nuhuW2ZJNjVIbdu1dUKZpmerEocR8LTEfHyPwYlT6vCPJrCm0YycDvzqCJmurASx0jnZ68-Z6lxkdG23xojj1JVRab4DA8NzMFrt30LpnvUob7ru5GENPVbJgDs8VXLHGQEjQ=w515-h589" width="515" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The scant coverage by so called Mainstream Media seemed content to echo the Biden Administration's framing that it was a gathering of right wing misinformed white supremacist contrarians. But as Mark Twain quipped: "A lie can travel half way around the world, while the truth is putting on its shoes.".</span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikLpMJliyFc2mE162OFcp6qXc-vwvttObGd1dJakUz8m0ncGks_XPcRt7oNdHD5qDfhYKxQhp5Ihct60iy8YGQYRtXVCyQxUyyJmC9hXugHtW5xc5j-aIUsoFysuFMBZeH6d483S2g60Dwt0VHwnge_iVX_Mzc1Czw3BbMh0FhMCD81FbL15YeJcVfBA=s3230" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2263" data-original-width="3230" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikLpMJliyFc2mE162OFcp6qXc-vwvttObGd1dJakUz8m0ncGks_XPcRt7oNdHD5qDfhYKxQhp5Ihct60iy8YGQYRtXVCyQxUyyJmC9hXugHtW5xc5j-aIUsoFysuFMBZeH6d483S2g60Dwt0VHwnge_iVX_Mzc1Czw3BbMh0FhMCD81FbL15YeJcVfBA=w641-h448" width="641" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">After two years of COVIDian confusion, conflicting science propaganda, censorship to support the official viewpoint and authoritarian instincts by governments around the world, skeptical citizens are fed up with unending progressive tyranny with questionable public health results. </span><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRZRiqmy0ByoGFMwHiE_Lht-jzQ8oC2YEG-cjb_0op8tHTM4pW65-bYG4GWn_RvcU1rFPEpah74r2vJ10iVNCoNDQW_5qc9SivQXLbgVOSbo8gfgbR6mj4u2VI6zkRX5Iz8kvZazX2hUEekK2NIm9oNcPE24fbuvWFQeklQq07QmBVes_4w_tvtiueJg=s3264" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="419" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRZRiqmy0ByoGFMwHiE_Lht-jzQ8oC2YEG-cjb_0op8tHTM4pW65-bYG4GWn_RvcU1rFPEpah74r2vJ10iVNCoNDQW_5qc9SivQXLbgVOSbo8gfgbR6mj4u2VI6zkRX5Iz8kvZazX2hUEekK2NIm9oNcPE24fbuvWFQeklQq07QmBVes_4w_tvtiueJg=w558-h419" width="558" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7-gn0z97zGhunHMeF-fm7Z8T_ouenhoXSTZf3rWL5mwAfmYEgKXirOfxSmkKLh9Tynw7hBi_avw4YBbbmQz76q_0NfuAH3yDrZl34hqSwuSJHqixrHKRrWdQqlnon8rMuTbI0AU4tWaYHZiFCdmmcxmzpavJBCl9a3YZ9K55trZasdcjPdjRnlpuGKw=s2421" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2421" data-original-width="2191" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7-gn0z97zGhunHMeF-fm7Z8T_ouenhoXSTZf3rWL5mwAfmYEgKXirOfxSmkKLh9Tynw7hBi_avw4YBbbmQz76q_0NfuAH3yDrZl34hqSwuSJHqixrHKRrWdQqlnon8rMuTbI0AU4tWaYHZiFCdmmcxmzpavJBCl9a3YZ9K55trZasdcjPdjRnlpuGKw=s320" width="290" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Of course, the Mainstream Media's scathing characterizations of the Defeat the Mandates crowd was scandalously skewed. There were signs and chants which stridently opposed the Biden Administration, but it was not dominated by an attitude of "Let's Go Brandon" or "FJB". Defeat the Mandate attendees were akin to less partisan Tea Party rallies from a decade ago. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. was a major speaker at the podium, so it was not a Republican rally. Speakers on the podium included a Muslim, Jewish rabbi and a Christian minister, thus is wasn't a narrow focused gathering of insular "Jesus freaks". </span><br /><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHRFvurxQ9yVYPGFLZLZFRfcksWPN1TK6pMLPr8NUuScZ1e8w9dnzg7RK8iQuD4N0ZCW-uv-n1BqA7il5bAAY9Kze09UeKN-kZb5KpqN-__1ajUupImHkE9s8L-74bXQFRs7NkUDNhr26dTpM2IOpBqmwqN11lp2EtDB9Ps5SsqpiWWho7cVYWzSYV7A=s3264" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="403" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHRFvurxQ9yVYPGFLZLZFRfcksWPN1TK6pMLPr8NUuScZ1e8w9dnzg7RK8iQuD4N0ZCW-uv-n1BqA7il5bAAY9Kze09UeKN-kZb5KpqN-__1ajUupImHkE9s8L-74bXQFRs7NkUDNhr26dTpM2IOpBqmwqN11lp2EtDB9Ps5SsqpiWWho7cVYWzSYV7A=w537-h403" width="537" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">A better indicator of what drew the Defeat the Mandates crowd was those keen on protecting individual liberties, railing against censorship and impeaching the preverification of public health officials and protecting the children.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgE64o830AlB9JwPVqJ1Neim1zQ0NqlISIAZcLRzG_UOze9y4VQuZ77z1xAfDIzhfC8d0dTIROuWMsD9fo1wpDoRW59cpWhfk_uTfytfRJBhMzhjUHGgvDe6trDJ8qnGfnPrDtBq5PvkUNhi2eJQzUxKPiGkSlP7HpmoNFm0uCkKnw7a5gyy1OHyXvxAQ=s3264" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="467" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgE64o830AlB9JwPVqJ1Neim1zQ0NqlISIAZcLRzG_UOze9y4VQuZ77z1xAfDIzhfC8d0dTIROuWMsD9fo1wpDoRW59cpWhfk_uTfytfRJBhMzhjUHGgvDe6trDJ8qnGfnPrDtBq5PvkUNhi2eJQzUxKPiGkSlP7HpmoNFm0uCkKnw7a5gyy1OHyXvxAQ=w623-h467" width="623" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">People came from around the country to participate. As I casually asked people around me from where they came, I was told central Pennsylvania, a busload from Long Island New York, the Finger Lakes New York, Dallas Texas, Tucson Arizona and Los Angeles California. This was a rather remarkable turn out for a rally which came together in less than a fortnight. <br /><br /><br />The messages from the dais were consistent and remarkably restrained. The panel of doctors including Dr. Robert Malone and Dr. Peter McCullough, offered compelling testimony that questioned the public health response of mandating COVID-19 vaccines to everyone and ignoring the efficacy of natural immunity. </span><div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBIkJ0uz5w6lb9FbilqyolDhaEcymf4ZOaA-WuHI3Zw69n8tZDpISMZiTO-BpXwu20-ly2Zg1JKt3KPDVv8yEWYg-KdPaEOCBC3XCx2quTtW5n1AqUfoOo63QRqyb4nWkl_sqYxuzrjYwRxhFRR1WRGWbMiY-_cnl0dHJnmEDZIWOqJ9Hr6vGkcON1ug=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBIkJ0uz5w6lb9FbilqyolDhaEcymf4ZOaA-WuHI3Zw69n8tZDpISMZiTO-BpXwu20-ly2Zg1JKt3KPDVv8yEWYg-KdPaEOCBC3XCx2quTtW5n1AqUfoOo63QRqyb4nWkl_sqYxuzrjYwRxhFRR1WRGWbMiY-_cnl0dHJnmEDZIWOqJ9Hr6vGkcON1ug=w671-h378" width="671" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><br />Doctors noted that the vaccines have not been particularly effective for mutated COVID-19 infections such as Omicron. Moreover, patient rights are being violated by not disclosing risks and side effects of experimental use drugs and the blanket immunity for Pharmaceutical companies as well as the disparaging of alternate use for cheaper proven drugs. <br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpfWDjaj26yZAzY8ROdRQLXFF_lPfrHrPk0s6FEnHi5lK5fh10lLd1YCV3xY9Sx6SCYkxxK0ZTYs-6kWZ8QhtTFJ0XfKtf0OCqipftAjba-anew9p5QP2B2SlnUzA-1BF3xo2MisKQpvPqxjyZbM31F7dikdeEgRTOlVQB_epHHxmdLWWzB3H4zpqmxQ=s197" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="146" data-original-width="197" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpfWDjaj26yZAzY8ROdRQLXFF_lPfrHrPk0s6FEnHi5lK5fh10lLd1YCV3xY9Sx6SCYkxxK0ZTYs-6kWZ8QhtTFJ0XfKtf0OCqipftAjba-anew9p5QP2B2SlnUzA-1BF3xo2MisKQpvPqxjyZbM31F7dikdeEgRTOlVQB_epHHxmdLWWzB3H4zpqmxQ=w299-h221" width="299" /></a></div><p></p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. had more of a pointed, political perspective warning that freedoms surrendered to the government in a pandemic will not be easily surrendered by authorities. After the speech, Kennedy walked back his inference that Anne Frank had more freedom under the Nazis than unvaccinated people have today in some places of the USA. <br /><br />That being said, Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser (D-DC) recently imposed a Vaccine Passport rule which requires prospective patrons of bar, restaurants and gyms to show their papers- namely proof of full vaccination as well as a photo ID and to wear a mask. Moreover the Deputy Mayor sent out an email warning DC residents of the March, noting that there was nothing to worry about but encouraged anyone to contact authorities. if they saw something suspicious. <br /><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8HWH1EcES2B5q4qHLPOX9LZpaakN4Awf9rqU3mO_8IJzu0ZZ70TXZQ4uNU3wXYly4sOaJoKSD9Cg9gAYlKT_SoNzPyoths90qxTvTTuOuQHcwAJYIGcQJHn_AiZCSA925tnrBUwAWP_NpK_ADuwQCrxgICvw93J6RnRoMWJKZWXWgtqaGAyvQlGhzyw=s3264" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8HWH1EcES2B5q4qHLPOX9LZpaakN4Awf9rqU3mO_8IJzu0ZZ70TXZQ4uNU3wXYly4sOaJoKSD9Cg9gAYlKT_SoNzPyoths90qxTvTTuOuQHcwAJYIGcQJHn_AiZCSA925tnrBUwAWP_NpK_ADuwQCrxgICvw93J6RnRoMWJKZWXWgtqaGAyvQlGhzyw=w670-h502" width="670" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglSE6Dxu7e4kuO7-eqXDb5aMAQGe-Gv7EpThkkF2ZcEcxA8SkV8Mk5xHl0wcoRPRAQ_pA4Ygvnl3p74xpV3sHKxHeLgNcbRTG_NMYzQdueS3VW9uv7TIQLrVuMssSBc-LYFQEDdb7sm0SbbxEvXDxFCxBL9efchR6k8_c8bbWvKdUVmz0cNkcDOo8U5A=s3264" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglSE6Dxu7e4kuO7-eqXDb5aMAQGe-Gv7EpThkkF2ZcEcxA8SkV8Mk5xHl0wcoRPRAQ_pA4Ygvnl3p74xpV3sHKxHeLgNcbRTG_NMYzQdueS3VW9uv7TIQLrVuMssSBc-LYFQEDdb7sm0SbbxEvXDxFCxBL9efchR6k8_c8bbWvKdUVmz0cNkcDOo8U5A=s320" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Again, Mark Twain wisdom seems apt: " History doesn't repeat itself but it often rhymes.". One can't help but wonder if these emergency public health measures are progressing into establishing a more authoritarian regime dictated by elites and favored public health officials with no accountability. </span><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6CW3K8_fzC4lAz6_XhmqqMRz5F9LC5P-7f_gbviAp0mCqlsUnUcIDQf5jLhY4QG1NEuINcqIJ-HETxMeFtF6U7sIk6RCTORHHBw4Lxa0MZU8eBP-rS6ZtcKiNUJpq01p1JWJCYc7j5hAo-VE-vTAAP7b1S5J1pJ6RlEFMzpU7R5RswNmH_l377Fx7cw=s3251" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2099" data-original-width="3251" height="403" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6CW3K8_fzC4lAz6_XhmqqMRz5F9LC5P-7f_gbviAp0mCqlsUnUcIDQf5jLhY4QG1NEuINcqIJ-HETxMeFtF6U7sIk6RCTORHHBw4Lxa0MZU8eBP-rS6ZtcKiNUJpq01p1JWJCYc7j5hAo-VE-vTAAP7b1S5J1pJ6RlEFMzpU7R5RswNmH_l377Fx7cw=w623-h403" width="623" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Defeat the Mandates rally in DC occurred as other anti-Mandate marches occurred in Stockholm Sweden and Brussels Belgium. In addition, the United Kingdom are letting their strict anti-COVID 19 measures lapse. What is happen in the self proclaimed "Land of the Free and Home of the Brave"? </span><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrkezCYRk-hWS5HBeG43osfPKhwnBdWnoLdjU9Keiag3lrrtpFn75Y5DGrX3qSL6R7jSMpURYIv7SSFSMFYHLlZsmJcGnIsot8CBSTpVIc8oPwmijCYHNepaf35xDn9J0KN6ZGuPyUlxeqmvNekfgWIDG9twV7GpYsLYcfGiR0plaDyU4FeJr8TPvnFw=s2774" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2421" data-original-width="2774" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrkezCYRk-hWS5HBeG43osfPKhwnBdWnoLdjU9Keiag3lrrtpFn75Y5DGrX3qSL6R7jSMpURYIv7SSFSMFYHLlZsmJcGnIsot8CBSTpVIc8oPwmijCYHNepaf35xDn9J0KN6ZGuPyUlxeqmvNekfgWIDG9twV7GpYsLYcfGiR0plaDyU4FeJr8TPvnFw=w638-h556" width="638" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p></div>DC Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410579037445829658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2626992348871455006.post-28404770039814101422022-01-18T12:20:00.023-05:002022-01-18T17:51:18.453-05:00Samizat Soviet Styled Scientism Agiprop <p><span style="font-size: large;"> Over the weekend, some street artwork appeared in the District of Calamity which raised me eyebrows. While it is not uncommon for fringe activists to paste notices of happenings on lamp posts, exposed brick walls and even some sidewalks. In a city which voted 95% for Democrats, the scrawled "Fuck Trump" graffiti was commonplace. And in response to the rioting in cities during the summer of 2020, Downtown DC even commissioned local artists to paint "Black Lives Matter" on boarded up building windows.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">With that in mind, it was remarkable to see peoples' propaganda that was not progressive street art as the oeuvres satirized "Scientism" and compliance in response to COVID-19.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiBfSLVqrfhHdm4jYlqoivUSs88Jn9AGmhmAM6ai-QvRQYaMjDPyY-G-_Sb-gT1Tn38HbqrjGtloWYsbjm93ClVPcUL-iDKWojRCFcR2PtrQyfNRovzwlKz3L4Z090VDlopckl8uI23XrmkVTVp-fQEdMw50jw7amrp6n2P8tJ9kXGVPWd93k3wd6VOg=s581" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="581" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiBfSLVqrfhHdm4jYlqoivUSs88Jn9AGmhmAM6ai-QvRQYaMjDPyY-G-_Sb-gT1Tn38HbqrjGtloWYsbjm93ClVPcUL-iDKWojRCFcR2PtrQyfNRovzwlKz3L4Z090VDlopckl8uI23XrmkVTVp-fQEdMw50jw7amrp6n2P8tJ9kXGVPWd93k3wd6VOg=w496-h422" width="496" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Even though we are bombarded by progressive platitudes that "All are welcome" and "Co-exist", as well as the notion that we are supposed to accept challenging artwork, even if it offends us, it did not take long for people to rip down "right wing" things which run contrary to their <i>weltanschaaung</i>.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='409' height='340' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwvqAlMX66IBCfnOpYOY0IClD-yPXqqqkaX0iyadYnIb6Z7x6aMU2hLfWNsrkR7EueNbafUcXuEpQjao2xAAg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Several years ago, <a href="https://t2m.io/xpb5HiOo" target="_blank">conservative street artist Sabo skewered Tinseltown</a> (a.k.a. L.A.) with some provocative posters just before the Oscars noting how political correctness is killing their box office. However, in Fantasyland on the Potomac (a.k.a. DC) the Soviet styled counter COVID agiprop really hits home, as it seems like insulated, unelected Commissars (like Fauci) have a profound effect on the US body politic. Moreover, the artwork questions the current regimes instinct to demand compliance because "it's science!", even if the underlying facts are contrary to the ukases. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">What seems particularly poignant is the poster about the children. Newly inaugurated Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) fulfilled a campaign promise to prohibit mandatory masking of children in schools, even though some Northern Virginia school districts, such as <a href="https://townhall.com/tipsheet/leahbarkoukis/2022/01/18/va-schools-push-back-on-youngkins-mask-order-n2601984" target="_blank">Fairfax and Arlington counties, vowed to defy this executive order</a>. There is increasing evidence that most masks are ineffective against COVID-19, even if they are properly worn (which is questionable with school children all day). This agiprop highlights that masking may not mainly be about public health concerns but indoctrination of ideology and inculcation of authoritarianism. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtqD_zuHW2A9Kg04TBhssBZlUlWQf1EJ75R1JPHA86U1-nTrpcaxtBv2-mGZndYCCORAb3W-WinF0JMPUFqy0HxQkX_i_ShDmxdYREqrpEOmQgOwmqgQMKE_GliiOhhUe08kCOygLCqLsH22oQkAGU-0TZe5pGeYQ6C2vRpgIKlMdCXc37PbNOUPLJpQ=s709" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="391" height="604" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtqD_zuHW2A9Kg04TBhssBZlUlWQf1EJ75R1JPHA86U1-nTrpcaxtBv2-mGZndYCCORAb3W-WinF0JMPUFqy0HxQkX_i_ShDmxdYREqrpEOmQgOwmqgQMKE_GliiOhhUe08kCOygLCqLsH22oQkAGU-0TZe5pGeYQ6C2vRpgIKlMdCXc37PbNOUPLJpQ=w332-h604" width="332" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span>What may be a better barometer as to how this agiprop is received by the public may be show in the<a href="https://defeatthemandatesdc.com/" target="_blank"> Defeat the Mandate DC rally</a> on Sunday January 23rd on the National Mall. </span><span> Of course the mainstream media will mostly ignore this gathering, like the National Right to Life March. But if this rally against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and vaccine passports is able to muster a giant crowd. it will demonstrate the unpopularity of authoritarian "answers" to a public health crisis.</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">H/T: @LeighWolf via Twitter</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> @neontaster (Noam Wolf) via Twitter</span></p>DC Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410579037445829658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2626992348871455006.post-36518677934374800202021-12-24T12:56:00.001-05:002022-01-13T19:55:17.650-05:00Apollo 8: Christmas Message Orbiting the Moon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Three </span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">NASA astronauts circled the Moon in December 1968 on a mission to prepare for the first human landing on the Moon the next year. </span></span><br />
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: x-large;">When transmitting to Mission Control in Houston, Frank Borman and the crew of Apollo 8 gave a Christmas Eve prayer which might scandalize avowed atheists or today's adherents to the creed of political correctness.</span><br />
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">[This piece was originally posted on DCLausDeo.US]</span></div>DC Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410579037445829658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2626992348871455006.post-72559314628319985252021-12-24T11:19:00.002-05:002021-12-24T11:19:53.519-05:00The Story of NORAD and the Santa Tracker <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A family tradition in my youth was worshiping at a Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve and driving around nearby neighborhoods with wonderful holiday light displays while listening for NORAD reports on Santa Claus' whereabouts. As a jaded grown-up, I presumed that these reports were performance shtick on a long media night. Little did I know that the reports were real and that a typo and the good cheer of an Air Force colonel brought joy to the world.</span></div>
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During the 1950s, America was engaged in a Cold War with the Soviet Union which threatened to become hot at any moment. School children of the era was raised to be prepared to duck and cover at any given moment due to a sneak nuclear attack from the enemy. Soon, Sputnik's successful launch made watching the skies even more important.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-f2Z4XCmAoayjMjUc8y8TWOivmLIRC4MDtCYPnEZetl3DXBLfM8NXuPWCMij61dgZ4AXBWdxzfGNtY1YC0aW0OVKrFyHyf9GCsHMIp0Gy8mSwDUmY0IhuIrww99uFryDXKqhqhpdJt1g/s1600/air_defense_command_emb_n11150.gif" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-f2Z4XCmAoayjMjUc8y8TWOivmLIRC4MDtCYPnEZetl3DXBLfM8NXuPWCMij61dgZ4AXBWdxzfGNtY1YC0aW0OVKrFyHyf9GCsHMIp0Gy8mSwDUmY0IhuIrww99uFryDXKqhqhpdJt1g/s1600/air_defense_command_emb_n11150.gif" width="157" /></span></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">In Colorado Springs,Colorado at the Continental Air Defense Command a.k.a. CONAD (the predecessor to the North American Aerospace Defense Command or NORAD), there was a red telephone on the commander's desk which had a secret telephone number known only by a four star General at the Pentagon, which would have been used to convey news of an enemy aerial attack.</span></div>
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However, in December 1955, the CONAD commander's red phone rang and the voice on the other line was a little voice which asked "Is this really Santa Claus". At first the Colonel was upset at what he thought was a crank call, but when he heard crying, the straight laced Colonel changed his demeanor. The CONAD commander ho-ho-hoed and asked the caller if he had been a good boy. Afterwards, the Santa Colonel asked to speak to his mother.<br />
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It seems that a copy for a Sears Roebuck newspaper ad had a misprint, so "Santa's private phone" number not connecting to Toyland but was actually the secret military number for what is now NORAD. Colonel Shoup delegated a few airman to act like Santa Claus for kiddie red phone callers.<br />
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Col. Shoup's daughter, Terri Van Keuren, recounted: "It got to be a big joke at the command center. You know, 'The old man's
really flipped his lid this time. We're answering Santa calls". So much so, on Christmas Eve 1955, airmen modified the big glass board used to track air flights and included a drawing of a sleigh and eight reindeer coming from the North Pole. <br />
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When Col. Shoup saw this modified big board, he exclaimed: "What is this?". His subordinates apologized and insisted that they were just making a a joke. Shoup pondered the predicament for a bit and then telephoned a radio station with the message: "This is the Commander at the Combat Air Center, and we have an unidentified flying object. Why, it looks like a sled.". Hence the tradition began.<br />
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</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNeCQUqYkmrANwbC_5O9-j69yvRv-6iJY8P0sFxByCOaSDn4aMFmaqFfJKVd4Xlmv8jcHGPx9kmLQe8gwPgAPR_ci1F0TqduoPKS_HJxrz1rTf_iL2859bvuFx3ieR9b-pj1oFQMgsjk/s1600/NORAD+Santa.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNeCQUqYkmrANwbC_5O9-j69yvRv-6iJY8P0sFxByCOaSDn4aMFmaqFfJKVd4Xlmv8jcHGPx9kmLQe8gwPgAPR_ci1F0TqduoPKS_HJxrz1rTf_iL2859bvuFx3ieR9b-pj1oFQMgsjk/s1600/NORAD+Santa.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Now kids can call 1-877 HI-NORAD (1-877-446-6723) to talk to NORAD staff about Santa's exact location. The internet tracker for the big man in red began in 1998 with the SantaCam. At noradsanta.org, people can view the SantaCams from around the world as well as understand NORAD's main mission. Last year, "Operation Feel" had F-18 fighter jets escorting Santa and his sleigh, which led<a href="http://youtu.be/pvym7q_xfZE" target="_blank"> CNN reporters questioning if the US military had taken possession of Santa Claus</a>. Of course, these reporters failed to report on "Operation Noble Eagle" with the Royal Canadian Air Force escorts over their territory or how these videos infuse some of NORAD's primary mission to girls and boys along with the spirit of the season.<br />
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Colonel Shoup died in 2009. But even in his 90s, Shoup proudly carried a briefcase which he treated like had top secret information that contained letters thanking him for having a good sense of humor in allowing NORAD to track Santa.<br />
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h/t: <a href="http://www.npr.org/2014/12/19/371647099/norads-santa-tracker-began-with-a-typo-and-a-good-sport" target="_blank">NPR</a><br />
<a href="http://noradsanta.org/">NORADSanta.org</a> </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">[This piece was originally published on DCBarroco.blogspot.com]</span></div>
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</script>DC Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410579037445829658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2626992348871455006.post-84738548601752698642021-03-14T08:58:00.000-04:002021-03-14T08:58:08.323-04:00Einstein on Stupidity<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">On Einstein's birthday, it is worth considering how Einstein expanded the boundaries of genius (with the help of the Animaniacs).</span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">No wonder Einstein did not want the Warner Brothers's (and sister too) cookies-- Einstein hankered for Pie.</span></div>
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DC Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410579037445829658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2626992348871455006.post-88640009812220076582021-02-12T16:14:00.001-05:002021-02-12T20:02:26.223-05:00Remembering Lincoln's Birthday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://dcbarroco.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/120212-abraham-lincoln.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-583" height="494" src="https://dcbarroco.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/120212-abraham-lincoln.jpg" title="120212 Abraham Lincoln" width="604" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">
On the 212th anniversary of his birth, here is a re-enactment of Abraham Lincoln's brief Second Inaugural Address, delivered on March 4th, 1865, less than six weeks before he was felled by an assassin's bullet.<br />
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If only blue and grey partisans had taken Lincoln's words urging reconciliation to heart. Instead we had twenty years of antagonistic Reconstruction and nearly a century of Jim Crow laws.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">These noble words are poignant today for real efforts of national unity. </span></div>DC Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410579037445829658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2626992348871455006.post-3621209172855455682021-02-09T09:43:00.001-05:002021-02-09T09:43:24.572-05:00Newt Gingrich on the Snap Impeachment Trial <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzJl9TWGHtuyGSy6pcEuOYw567X_eETfGeMKTFy4auP8P8ACiYZ258zWgwRiboRiWg_BZTp2HHiMLRqIMiGtPOstUduN34b_2I0FV4_QkAhp7KnotVFLJfF0qsfSCmKZvUvB5A0z17pB8/s793/210209b+Newt+Gingrich.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="638" height="677" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzJl9TWGHtuyGSy6pcEuOYw567X_eETfGeMKTFy4auP8P8ACiYZ258zWgwRiboRiWg_BZTp2HHiMLRqIMiGtPOstUduN34b_2I0FV4_QkAhp7KnotVFLJfF0qsfSCmKZvUvB5A0z17pB8/w544-h677/210209b+Newt+Gingrich.JPG" width="544" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0oAx_SHqFnY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>DC Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410579037445829658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2626992348871455006.post-70017805445943027352021-02-09T08:49:00.000-05:002021-02-09T08:49:48.393-05:00Nipsey Russell Questions Congress <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47nCtww1LAP0AxpTn914edHXBthnckkXncFlWwfGHk0Hmfbj4hESRplbI99BuaRj_dJsVQdwYNbd1zmZhAaHfLp9hIQynre0lyl67WsmeGx4Gypn-MD-llq7oTSOiT1FACbprmoCSwX0R/s762/210209a+Nipsey+Russell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="612" height="731" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47nCtww1LAP0AxpTn914edHXBthnckkXncFlWwfGHk0Hmfbj4hESRplbI99BuaRj_dJsVQdwYNbd1zmZhAaHfLp9hIQynre0lyl67WsmeGx4Gypn-MD-llq7oTSOiT1FACbprmoCSwX0R/w587-h731/210209a+Nipsey+Russell.JPG" width="587" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>DC Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410579037445829658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2626992348871455006.post-54075908358024282152021-02-06T12:15:00.000-05:002021-02-06T12:15:21.929-05:00Remembering Ronald Reagan's Birthday<a href="http://dcbarroco.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/120206-ronald-reagan1.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-982" height="409" src="http://dcbarroco.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/120206-ronald-reagan1.jpg" title="120206 Ronald Reagan" width="518" /></a> <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> Happy Birthday to the Gipper! His favorite candy were Jelly Bellys, which inspired artist Peter Rocha to to use 10,000 little candies when making his portrait. </span><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xPpKTE_zkp4" width="560"></iframe>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;">If the mural that was made out of Jelly Bellies, Reagan's favorite candy, wasn't sweet enough, let them eat cake.</span><br />
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<a href="http://dcbarroco.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/reagan-cake.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1356" height="564" src="http://dcbarroco.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/reagan-cake.jpg" title="Reagan Cake" width="464" /></a></div></div>DC Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410579037445829658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2626992348871455006.post-76182981009041073252021-02-02T11:22:00.001-05:002021-02-02T11:22:18.836-05:00Molly Hemingway on the Biden White House Press <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHlGsIWPz82UJy-nxgtFrz6x3aoJl5O_bC7uFPc2WmlotYPgOaAqSYg0zs8tXoPNwDsmDs-gBt9tHcghlL0aambBTK1E86TQ_Ncxby1gUftV2DGqLbf7f-z2cPJ6OyP0ae8a3eD-MvopY/s1062/210202a+Molly+Hemingway.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="1062" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHlGsIWPz82UJy-nxgtFrz6x3aoJl5O_bC7uFPc2WmlotYPgOaAqSYg0zs8tXoPNwDsmDs-gBt9tHcghlL0aambBTK1E86TQ_Ncxby1gUftV2DGqLbf7f-z2cPJ6OyP0ae8a3eD-MvopY/w630-h342/210202a+Molly+Hemingway.JPG" width="630" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> Is it any surprise that <a href="https://news.marketcap.com/report-shows-biden-staff-prescreening-psaki-press-briefing-questions/" target="_blank">the Biden White House Communication staff have requested that the press submit questions</a> before the daily pressers? What a wonderful way to avoid addressing tough subjects.</span><p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7WarofR5r60" width="560"></iframe>
</p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Even with that prescreening advantage, it is remarkable <a href="https://youtu.be/tLz4SK5RuJg" target="_blank">how often Biden Chief Spokesperson Jen Psaki has to "Circle back."</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQn30eXSqMDvUyGfBxFKe8Pao3gaftn47nBjewGmOWwTrRtBK5CzBWbZPWue27kSVgFCTk-p5rLJqqwMlxjoaZ_NF1SFwGpJHe63IqrZJ0bsJ1f4UJB5dMeWt8les6YdIYielE6KxQ3tnv/s881/Circle+Back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="881" height="495" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQn30eXSqMDvUyGfBxFKe8Pao3gaftn47nBjewGmOWwTrRtBK5CzBWbZPWue27kSVgFCTk-p5rLJqqwMlxjoaZ_NF1SFwGpJHe63IqrZJ0bsJ1f4UJB5dMeWt8les6YdIYielE6KxQ3tnv/w498-h495/Circle+Back.jpg" width="498" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">H/T Molly Hemingway</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>DC Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410579037445829658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2626992348871455006.post-61080317596343948852021-01-25T14:13:00.000-05:002021-01-25T14:13:11.880-05:00Matt Gaetz on Impeachment <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVR7hOPxONzAZVl6qf8nDAEPrnm463cPzi41PKJBHVHMEfaT0EdVYqxZz8nZTBnkKQwMVk1xlJjdUlR8jwLzLOhXqa8gO-678IcqWCqqqKyd1mIgROqSaYAE7-HZ4UgMCec4aHun7XZmYB/s862/210125b+Matt+Gaetz.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="862" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVR7hOPxONzAZVl6qf8nDAEPrnm463cPzi41PKJBHVHMEfaT0EdVYqxZz8nZTBnkKQwMVk1xlJjdUlR8jwLzLOhXqa8gO-678IcqWCqqqKyd1mIgROqSaYAE7-HZ4UgMCec4aHun7XZmYB/w587-h494/210125b+Matt+Gaetz.JPG" width="587" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>DC Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410579037445829658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2626992348871455006.post-25109546967389867852021-01-22T13:33:00.000-05:002021-01-22T13:33:12.136-05:00A Gaffe That Will Be Hard For Schumer To Live Down<p> </p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">During his first days as the Senate Majority Leader, Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), preened over his newfound power to set the agenda. But Schumer's smarmy remarks about the snap Second Impeachment of Donald Trump will be hard to live down.</span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="348" src="//players.brightcove.net/4137224153001/6aIMRO3kiI_default/index.html?videoId=6225294670001" width="618"></iframe> </span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWXsJBNA86VbKYbUZRNWx8etqyNFy6tywBURH_q3UBpimdRVr2C8_XQiNXKrh6Nvbym8XQNtO4iReJpPLeeLy2yExOhNLRtjI6DLcm-QC8WC3dB58_ujufwaXZoSyCDPyt3SO9_Wu3Eku/s829/210122a+Chuck+Schumer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="829" data-original-width="701" height="681" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWXsJBNA86VbKYbUZRNWx8etqyNFy6tywBURH_q3UBpimdRVr2C8_XQiNXKrh6Nvbym8XQNtO4iReJpPLeeLy2yExOhNLRtjI6DLcm-QC8WC3dB58_ujufwaXZoSyCDPyt3SO9_Wu3Eku/w577-h681/210122a+Chuck+Schumer.JPG" width="577" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"> Smooth move Chuck. Are you vying to replace President Biden as a walking gaffe machine?</span></div>DC Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410579037445829658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2626992348871455006.post-90706989755664757402021-01-18T10:33:00.003-05:002021-01-18T10:33:31.275-05:00MLK on Darkness and Hate <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgsY8BdzF2CuyOp3u7QC_qNiSQGXMCIY1d-_3zNsN_kf65VnP9pxe45pJwSohQcjrbhqL2gd4-j3tWVpW395prpSjP2Cperekh05FRywqmzCcxO8SM6r599XGnCN0bduRGlTtsgP3zohp/s807/210118a+MLK.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="489" height="775" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgsY8BdzF2CuyOp3u7QC_qNiSQGXMCIY1d-_3zNsN_kf65VnP9pxe45pJwSohQcjrbhqL2gd4-j3tWVpW395prpSjP2Cperekh05FRywqmzCcxO8SM6r599XGnCN0bduRGlTtsgP3zohp/w470-h775/210118a+MLK.JPG" width="470" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>DC Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410579037445829658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2626992348871455006.post-60944116441675543552021-01-14T20:08:00.001-05:002021-01-14T20:26:25.618-05:00Considering the Consequence of the Snap Second Trump Impeachment <p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeuhmQj6YATjwPtzjZ5U7WHpGogdL2uUyhtiUQrnkT1JKUHIXfSXwwrsISmw3iicFLudoUa926xjk6BdAp_ZyjbeHtxDB9EIYDqZTnHYKiTlkl2mTEW-ixE4ynkq7j5CeBRml1CGfttQZ/s1024/Cartoon+Impeachment+20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1024" height="415" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeuhmQj6YATjwPtzjZ5U7WHpGogdL2uUyhtiUQrnkT1JKUHIXfSXwwrsISmw3iicFLudoUa926xjk6BdAp_ZyjbeHtxDB9EIYDqZTnHYKiTlkl2mTEW-ixE4ynkq7j5CeBRml1CGfttQZ/w549-h415/Cartoon+Impeachment+20.jpg" width="549" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On January 13th, 2021, the US House of Representatives</span><a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-resolution/24/text" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank"> voted to impeach President Donald J. Trump for a second time</a></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> in a mostly party line vote 232 to 197 (with ten Republican voting aye). This second Snap Impeachment in H. Res. 24 (117th Congress) was on a single charge of “Incitement of Insurrection”, predicated on remarks made at a political rally at the Ellipse on January 6th, 2021 as Congress was set to certify the Electoral College results for the Presidential Election.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">After certification of the November 3rd election results, President Trump’s term ends on January 20th, meaning that the snap Impeachment, which only acts as a judicial equivalent of an indictment, was in the last seven days of President Trump’s term of office. The Senate was not scheduled be in session until January 19th and current Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) was unwilling to convene in emergency session, so the earliest that the Senate could take up an Article of Impeachment (presuming that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi promptly send it over this time) is 1 p.m. on January 20th, one hour after newly inaugurated President Joe Biden takes his oath of office. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Any astute political observers understand that this Second Impeachment was not meant to evict Mr. Trump out of the Oval Office but to besmirch his place in history and seek him from exercising any political power after January 20th. Unfortunately, this political stunt has some serious repercussions for the polity, the rule of law and even the Constitution.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Firstly, there was a rush to remove President Trump. When the <a href="https://t2m.io/AwYLcMTk" target="_blank">Capitol Siege</a> occurred on January 6th, Trump was only going to be in office for less than two weeks. When the Snap Impeachment was passed, the 45th President would leave office in seven days. But that perspective only looks towards part of the consequences and not the cause. Facts about the violence on Capitol Hill have been fluid. Vital questions such as who were the instigators of the insurrection and why a couple hundred agitators were allowed inside the Capitol. Thus is seems unwise to rush to judgment, but that did not deter Nancy Pelosi’s drive to impeach Trump again.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">A day before the Impeachment vote in the House, the<a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/read-the-house-resolution-calling-on-pence-to-invoke-25th-amendment-to-remove-trump" target="_blank"> House passed a Resolution</a> (on a purely party line vote) which implored Vice President Pence and the Trump Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment, which would (temporarily) remove President Trump and make Pence Acting President pending Congressional assent. The 25th Amendment was intended for instances when the Chief Executive was incapacitated, not for policy disagreements or “High Crimes and Misdemeanors”. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> The proper Congressional role in the 25th Amendment is to ratify the Acting President, not to instigate his or her installation. This Resolution abrogates the Separation of Powers, namely having part of the Legislative Branch leveraging the Vice President with a threat of an Impeachment vote unless Mr. Pence invoked the 25th Amendment. That kind of sounds like Speaker Pelosi was drunk on power for countenancing that Constitutional breach. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Snap Impeachment of 2021 was done at super speed in less than seven days from the Capitol Siege to passing the Article of Impeachment. The charge “Inciting an Insurrection” is a serious charge, verging on treason, thus one might try to justify an accelerated procedure. But it that were the case, then why didn’t the House stay in session to actuate the Impeachment. Instead, the House took the weekend off. The Impeachment was delayed by a voice vote on Monday January 11th rejecting the 25th Amendment Resolution and then passage of the unconstitutional 25th Amendment Resolution on January 12th before proceeding to the Snap Impeachment on January 13th.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> In 1974, the House Judiciary Committee labored seven months drafting the first Article of Impeachment against President Richard Nixon (who resigned before any final Congressional vote). The Impeachment process of President Bill Clinton lasted four months. Even President Trump’s first Impeachment took three months. Yet, the slim Democrat majority in the House lead by Speaker Nancy Pelosi managed to pass an Article of Impeachment with three HOURS of floor “debate” and no committee work. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Unlike in the Impeachment of 2020 when some of President Trump’s staff were allowed to offer some positive input, there was no fact finding or committee hearings before the Impeachment Debate. So the Snap Impeachment ignored precedent.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> It can be argued that an impeachment is like an indictment. Some cynically say that a Prosecutor could indict a ham sandwich with a Grand Jury, as the defendant is not entitled to counsel in that forum. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpJQiX1d0J4a1ci_m5KLaRQ9JpOlcyNqovqONJHfptaZJV5FIJs_Vy9J-Sr3hQYrdiYp34QULyYviXQ7AXjzl41d_5sEtR6ioTXzWRjEmAAPa6P8VGgjg_bVU4gHY-pFaeTTpx6DcefJd/s569/Indicted+Ham+Sandwich.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="433" height="599" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpJQiX1d0J4a1ci_m5KLaRQ9JpOlcyNqovqONJHfptaZJV5FIJs_Vy9J-Sr3hQYrdiYp34QULyYviXQ7AXjzl41d_5sEtR6ioTXzWRjEmAAPa6P8VGgjg_bVU4gHY-pFaeTTpx6DcefJd/w457-h599/Indicted+Ham+Sandwich.JPG" width="457" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>But at least in a Grand Jury there is fact presentation rather than ramrodding a predetermined outcome. No fact finding and just a three our debate? So much for Due Process.</span><span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre;"> </span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Part of the animus against President Trump is for his brusque manner which agitates people. The Article of Impeachment which passed cited “Inciting an Insurrection” and pointed to Mr. Trump’s rhetoric as part of the charge. With that in mind, it was curious that the rules for debate on the 25th Amendment and Impeachment resolution lifted decorum prohibitions. This allowed members like freshman <a href="https://fox2now.com/news/missouri/congresswoman-cori-bush-gives-floor-speech-in-support-of-impeaching-president-trump/" target="_blank">Representative Cori Bush (D-MO 1st) slanderously referred to the gathering on the Ellipse</a> to the White Supremicist-in-chief addressing White Supremicists (sic). Not surprisingly, this comes from the same Member who proposed expelling any Congressmen who voted against certifying electors (N.B. bill was dropped on January 5th, the day before the ruckus). With actions and language like Rep. Bush, one wonders who is inciting unrest.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">One of the things that were done on the first day of the 117th Congress was rules in the House which barred Members from using gender specific language in legislative business. Yet when Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA 12th) gave a rare floor speech in favor of the snap Impeachment, she proclaimed “I stand before you as a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a daughter, a daughter...” </span></p>
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</span><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Guess that rules are only intended to be applied for peasants or the opposition, even silly ones.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Even though the Snap Impeachment was done in an expedited fashion, it was not immediately walked over to the Senate. While Impeachment Managers were named, including Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA 15th) who was recently exposed as having involvement with Chinese spy Fang Fang, the Article was not conveyed to the Upper Chamber for trial. It is unclear when Speaker Pelosi will send over the Article of Impeachment. For the 2020 Impeachment, Pelosi held the Articles of Impeachment for a month before sending them to the Senate. So much for a supposed clear and present danger.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">With these facts in mind, it is reasonable to conclude that essentially this was not a second impeachment of impeachment of Donald Trump but more of a show trial, Soviet style which gave the illusion of some system of justice but had a predetermined outcome dictated by the ruling House legislative majority. Aside from exercising its rightful impeachment power, there were attempts at Congressional dominance over the Executive branch and eschewed principles of due process which have influenced America’s common law heritage. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">But that is only considering the ramifications from one chamber of Congress. The Senate is where the Impeachment Trial occurs. This will be made complicated due to timing. Again, it is unclear when the Article of Impeachment will be transmitted. If the House Majority truly wanted to eject President Trump from office, it would be immediately sent. <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-resolution/24/text" target="_blank">The snag with that is the Constitution requires that the Senate immediately take up the Impeachment and can conduct no other legislative business.</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Senate is not scheduled to reconvene until January 19th, and won’t be put into emergency session sooner. <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/533461-mcconnell-circulates-procedures-for-second-senate-impeachment-trial-of-trump" target="_blank">Current Senate Majority Leader McConnell is circulating a draft rule</a> which requires unanimous consent to doing business aside from Impeachment. It is improbable that in such a contentious environment that all 100 Senators grant such a deviation from customary procedure. So when the Impeachment Article is conveyed, it will dominate Senate business. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">It is conceivable that if House Impeachment Managers present themselves with House Res. 24 to the Senate on January 19th, that McConnell could press the Senate to immediately consider a Motion to Dismiss which could pass by simple majority vote. Looking at it politically, Democrats can crow that Trump was impeached twice and Republicans are forced to indicate if they still support a besmirched President Trump. But it is unclear if the Republican caucus in the Senate could hold firm to dismiss. If it is a razor thin vote, it might require current Vice President Mike Pence to break the tie. If the motion fails, then the Senate would immediately be broiled into an Impeachment trial.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">When the inauguration occurs on January 20th, Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) will become Vice President and surrender her seat in the Senate, but constitutionally she will become President of the Senate. This role will allow her to break tie votes, which will be crucial in a 50–50 split Senate, thereby giving Democrats the majority. This means that Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) becomes Senate Majority Leader and will call the tunes for the Impeachment trial, but changing the operational rules again could be a sticking point.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/clyburn-says-trump-impeachment-trial-could-be-delayed-until-after-n1253660" target="_blank">House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC 6th) has suggested that the Impeachment trial be delayed</a> to give President Biden his 100 day honeymoon. That won’t be possible if the House rushes the Article of Impeachment, but that is unlikely. Presuming the Impeachment is held until May, it will hang over the new President’s head and may well force involvement, either to allay the situation or verbally stumble into taking a stance.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">There is a significant Constitutional question as to the propriety of the Impeachment of a President after he or she has left office. Impeachment is a process in which the legislature brings charges against a civil officer of the government. Well, after Noon on January 20th 2021, Donald Trump becomes a private citizen again. It is moot as to whether it would be proper for the Senate to try a private citizen. Prominent contemporary legal scholars like <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/can-trump-be-tried-senate-impeachment-charges-even-after-he-n1253544" target="_blank">Cass Sunstein</a>,<a href="https://twitter.com/Ami_Magazine/status/1349506363215458304" target="_blank"> Alan Dershewitz</a> and <a href="https://lawandcrime.com/impeachment/jonathan-turley-says-democrats-may-rue-the-day-they-set-snap-impeachment-precedent-with-president-trump/" target="_blank">Jonathan Turley</a> argue against impeachment of an ex President. But there is a little historical precedence for it. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In 1876, there is the example of Secretary of War William Belknap who was investigated by the House for corruption. But minutes before the Impeachment occurred, Belknap submitted his resignation to President Ulysses S. Grant. However, the House impeached him anyways and the Senate tried him but failed to get the 2/3ds majority. This issue is not clear cut and would probably prompt judicial consideration which will likely be rejected as a political issue. Then again, it might force Chief Justice John Roberts to consider a difficult issue while proceeding over a Senate trial.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Why would Democrats go through all of the trouble to impeach a President who was essentially a short timer anyways? Aside from trying to blot out a Trump presidency either with black marks or essentially cancel him, it would seem that they are scared about his future viability. Post Presidency Impeachment may not be able to remove Trump but would also barr him from ever holding federal office again. Considering the 74 million plus supporters who seem undeterred by bad press or even a snap impeachment, Democrats do not want strong opposition in 2024 to a weak Biden Administration featuring Kamala Harris. Some establishment Republicans would feel safer if the Populist America First movement goes away with Donald Trump. Thus they might encourage impeachment to dampen his pull on the party and they can continue unimpeded in their quintessential District of Calamity (sic) cocktail party.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">There is a practical political consideration about a Senate Impeachment trial. Namely, are there the votes? Unlike procedural issues, the Senate is required by the Constitution to garner a 2/3rds majority to succeed. While there may be a few Republicans who despise Trump enough to vote for Impeachment, it would be hard to win 17 GOP votes. Even if Senate Democrats abolish the filibuster and push through Puerto Rican and Douglass Commonwealth (a.k.a. DC) statehood, they would still have to sway 15 Republicans.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPaGMf9b_k_SOMthdEWlmZR2w-u6USgcDLo3bp9Vy3KSihCacNfraAdSKeNF3fCYfT5TTNSZQwvKchCaM12YnCouq4QVSf3NRA9TwMNLt5RU5RQwneo6uolHJb31_dwTaeMtJA1c1nc1f2/s1291/New+Statehood.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1291" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPaGMf9b_k_SOMthdEWlmZR2w-u6USgcDLo3bp9Vy3KSihCacNfraAdSKeNF3fCYfT5TTNSZQwvKchCaM12YnCouq4QVSf3NRA9TwMNLt5RU5RQwneo6uolHJb31_dwTaeMtJA1c1nc1f2/w642-h196/New+Statehood.JPG" width="642" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><p><br /></p>Turncoat Republicans had better hope for success, because an enraged and engaged MAGA wing will primary those who vote for a snap impeachment of Donald Trump.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Then there are the procedural problems with Trump’s second impeachment. There is only one Article, and that cites “Inciting an Insurrection”. Aside from the<a href="https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/trumps-jan-6-full-speech-we-will-never-concede-when-theft-is-involved" target="_blank"> plain language of Trump’s Ellipse speech </a>which never incited his audience, it can be shown that trouble was occurring 1 ½ miles away on Capitol Hill before the President finished his speech. Furthermore, facts from the FBI and mainstream media sources reveal that some agitators who have radical BLM and Antifa connections had been planning for trouble prior to the Capitol Siege. This information will have to be fleshed out in a fair trial.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Moreover, the Resolution’s language points to Trump’s citation of false information about winning the election. Of course, all Americans (even a President) have the Freedom of Speech, even if it is demonstrably wrong. But by citing Trump's prior speeches and claims, that opens the door for Trump’s defense team to further expose and substantiate all of the election irregularities that state courts, Article III courts and the Supreme Court declined to hear on their cases merits. That may take a long time and could upset the apple cart about the 2020 elections, further throwing doubt into the legitimacy of Biden’s presidency. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Then there is the matter of Big Tech. Social Media giants like Twitter and Facebook censored President Trump when questioning the election. To add injury to insult (sic), these Social Media Cyber Nannies banned President Trump from even making statements to tell his supporters to go home peacefully. That may open the door to expose collusion amongst internet companies in Election 2020. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLff4YoUSrCcIUM1UE74CZ0QSVns-QOcQnAZkCAZakud3ObCNpWvSvsma241G5Fye-OeM11Qo9XcJMWHUo2LMa3TAMCYADTYGKLLWsn5W92M8GEvn6kHO5n-XMaF5ZO4aTALF27esCOhJ/s1239/Cartoon+Big+Tech+Censorship.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="1239" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLff4YoUSrCcIUM1UE74CZ0QSVns-QOcQnAZkCAZakud3ObCNpWvSvsma241G5Fye-OeM11Qo9XcJMWHUo2LMa3TAMCYADTYGKLLWsn5W92M8GEvn6kHO5n-XMaF5ZO4aTALF27esCOhJ/w535-h383/Cartoon+Big+Tech+Censorship.JPG" width="535" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><span>As the Article of Impeachment proof texts Trump’s remarks to find the most inflammatory takes, context might examine social media’s role in the matter. That avenue of defense open the door to expose collusion amongst internet companies in Election 2020. </span>If incoming Senate Majority Leader Schumer resists allowing the Trump team a vigorous defense, it will become clear that it is a show trial worthy of a Soviet state or a banana republic (not the kind selling safari clothing).</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsu7_p8NJrU1j-rZKQdX0ltq75NQkvPtpvIXTTezspHM066QiPYgoPise8ldebw0SZfIu8RhzfJ5KhttLs_IOlll5nqi3AkbisM7eG6iEJUNyJ54gtDNBnwHKbYmtLeEH2aEtPFkv-xK2/s601/Banana+Republic.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="601" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsu7_p8NJrU1j-rZKQdX0ltq75NQkvPtpvIXTTezspHM066QiPYgoPise8ldebw0SZfIu8RhzfJ5KhttLs_IOlll5nqi3AkbisM7eG6iEJUNyJ54gtDNBnwHKbYmtLeEH2aEtPFkv-xK2/s320/Banana+Republic.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large; text-align: left;">Since the first FDR term, Presidents have been historically measured by their accomplishments during their honeymoon period (i.e. the first 100 days). If the second Trump impeachment goes to a real Senate trial, it will overshadow everything. Thus the Biden honeymood will be like looking at a postcard of Niagra Falls and wondering: "If only..."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEUOMoB5zV_Fd6NW37fOW9yvgv8mwI8ylscx1wYfz40cLmI531N1zCQts9BmIwoMDF4EogJC9bO4GQG5qWEJxSYAH_6BbNygidPcbkomC0G4ZZilLGlDtxDxushoZtEEFig8mUOzW7-Pq9/s384/Niagra+Falls.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="384" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEUOMoB5zV_Fd6NW37fOW9yvgv8mwI8ylscx1wYfz40cLmI531N1zCQts9BmIwoMDF4EogJC9bO4GQG5qWEJxSYAH_6BbNygidPcbkomC0G4ZZilLGlDtxDxushoZtEEFig8mUOzW7-Pq9/w475-h362/Niagra+Falls.JPG" width="475" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;">However, if some wild cards come up during the trial, such as obvious election fraud or collusion, some may prefer visit Niagra Falls over a barrel, with or without Dr. Jill.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDZRDHfigyiDO7BSEQ9Tki2M7uLvaIhlfTLUpFA8-MeRyUYQ2NqtGJ9QTZdEFN173TIJfATINilfggE5lXkHj6I4Ph7LtAAkk3MEH8ibyTtPfczWXnn5pDT8RABayAx_Y7o3c9VnCNQDY/s512/Niagra+Falls+danger.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="512" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDZRDHfigyiDO7BSEQ9Tki2M7uLvaIhlfTLUpFA8-MeRyUYQ2NqtGJ9QTZdEFN173TIJfATINilfggE5lXkHj6I4Ph7LtAAkk3MEH8ibyTtPfczWXnn5pDT8RABayAx_Y7o3c9VnCNQDY/w491-h322/Niagra+Falls+danger.jpg" width="491" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Just as the Biden campaign was not about him but all about Donald Trump, the second impeachment trial of Trump may well overshadow the early Biden presidency. While the will to get Trump might be widely held among Democrats (and some establishment Republicans), actuating this animus may well impede the ambitions of “The Great Reset”.</span></p>DC Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410579037445829658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2626992348871455006.post-86107446451495765372021-01-12T15:17:00.000-05:002021-01-12T15:17:22.580-05:00Matt Gaetz on a Snap Second Trump Impeachment <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCmO2GGVyZFb4s7rpXQWLwZUoj42_Qh3x8BUpTfyKoNjWwWMvsgzIhXSfE24eLsU0loO4i9XBnywHs8zn1LZuzWhnqJlg52xYwjoc9PD-XxHWcaKMr5GGCx5MJ_Rcy5F-UO0yGf7T0Esh/s1436/210112b+Matt+Gaetz.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="1436" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCmO2GGVyZFb4s7rpXQWLwZUoj42_Qh3x8BUpTfyKoNjWwWMvsgzIhXSfE24eLsU0loO4i9XBnywHs8zn1LZuzWhnqJlg52xYwjoc9PD-XxHWcaKMr5GGCx5MJ_Rcy5F-UO0yGf7T0Esh/w691-h334/210112b+Matt+Gaetz.JPG" width="691" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>DC Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410579037445829658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2626992348871455006.post-71683146841518912622021-01-12T08:43:00.000-05:002021-01-12T08:43:09.106-05:00Ronald Reagan on Liberalism<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptwqzEdBOLXSquUrRkwSJna-7VbRknAPfCot1T0W1WFEloy7wxNJYyv9UQFmdsXuHBVWXApK23tg1Dk0cpLwjs8zta5NGqd9tolVqytLhbl9xG_TiX30dt4trEAOp5KpsB4bjP_CgYsHj/s783/210112a+Ronald+Reagan.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="783" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptwqzEdBOLXSquUrRkwSJna-7VbRknAPfCot1T0W1WFEloy7wxNJYyv9UQFmdsXuHBVWXApK23tg1Dk0cpLwjs8zta5NGqd9tolVqytLhbl9xG_TiX30dt4trEAOp5KpsB4bjP_CgYsHj/w537-h470/210112a+Ronald+Reagan.JPG" width="537" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> <p></p>
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DC Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410579037445829658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2626992348871455006.post-22445067318992062062021-01-11T16:43:00.000-05:002021-01-11T16:43:03.814-05:00Mike Pompeo on Authoritarianism<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8T_UDSdbvAMv4bwcbbvjShS5WRZMGgQNzC_5AMt3PkifwgT5A5GU0tymV8_7bS2DB_iPnXewXN4HymaGmnB3FxWvUJ5bpwoabyi-hqI90AyHNpR1yaebgYdTTEZFBKHXtKmXutFYcYbcr/s784/210111a+Mike+Pompeo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="784" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8T_UDSdbvAMv4bwcbbvjShS5WRZMGgQNzC_5AMt3PkifwgT5A5GU0tymV8_7bS2DB_iPnXewXN4HymaGmnB3FxWvUJ5bpwoabyi-hqI90AyHNpR1yaebgYdTTEZFBKHXtKmXutFYcYbcr/w564-h552/210111a+Mike+Pompeo.JPG" width="564" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>DC Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410579037445829658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2626992348871455006.post-2003836827890867332021-01-10T10:31:00.001-05:002021-01-10T11:03:16.363-05:00On Polity and Media <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2IhGctn9T-nRj7jmYT0hCX5KyGCpYdRau4HkNFaw43diWftt_pZDKt7Zfl33jJX3k5zpqMfUC_kDxQfqgvalvS45yOdeCmJ8SKluT67bh9zdVGw7AzyVbMO0NbVMDi87xZP3eQCnoEZ_t/s1428/210110a+Jack+Posebiec.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1428" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2IhGctn9T-nRj7jmYT0hCX5KyGCpYdRau4HkNFaw43diWftt_pZDKt7Zfl33jJX3k5zpqMfUC_kDxQfqgvalvS45yOdeCmJ8SKluT67bh9zdVGw7AzyVbMO0NbVMDi87xZP3eQCnoEZ_t/w584-h316/210110a+Jack+Posebiec.JPG" width="584" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Perhaps this illustrates a less cynical vision on preserving American Free Speech in a Democratic Republic </span></div></blockquote><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgng3UGYHZR3Na_rWqqLgpSjZ4eMyRomGK40USrQRRdr8UP1gDeZJxQ57ILl1t_J4eiLMEuOFE_KKYlJfrgdFjBY_AUMvsk218uB_FhXMHyXUv3Zs_N4GJ3scO3JI3ypMPh7kiV2wAfiupv/s613/Cartoon+Free+Media+Democracy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="613" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgng3UGYHZR3Na_rWqqLgpSjZ4eMyRomGK40USrQRRdr8UP1gDeZJxQ57ILl1t_J4eiLMEuOFE_KKYlJfrgdFjBY_AUMvsk218uB_FhXMHyXUv3Zs_N4GJ3scO3JI3ypMPh7kiV2wAfiupv/w657-h381/Cartoon+Free+Media+Democracy.JPG" width="657" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><br /> <p></p>DC Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410579037445829658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2626992348871455006.post-84357807288063334212021-01-07T11:23:00.002-05:002021-01-12T11:33:35.125-05:00Trying to Make Sense of the Capitol Siege on the Epiphany <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgMaATX6Z0haO9_mB4A8HWJWiSbaWYSJYj2zgauPlBQnIDMNqTdkvDR3TIXu_byLXIol18YsiTlN6XSqL69jjwntQX0axT3JRV9Lgky0fDqL7XLKhknOgFTJ4uf7MmtYI2gQRhfZUNZaG/s1306/Capitol+Siege.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="1306" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgMaATX6Z0haO9_mB4A8HWJWiSbaWYSJYj2zgauPlBQnIDMNqTdkvDR3TIXu_byLXIol18YsiTlN6XSqL69jjwntQX0axT3JRV9Lgky0fDqL7XLKhknOgFTJ4uf7MmtYI2gQRhfZUNZaG/w547-h205/Capitol+Siege.JPG" width="547" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">On the Christian calendar, January 6th was the Epiphany, a day of illumination. In the Constitutional process, it was the day when Congress would consider and ratify the results of the Electoral College. As President Donald Trump was convinced that election irregularities had stolen his victory from November 3rd, he called for a big Save America rally on the Ellipse to #StopTheSteal. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Instead of being remembered as a time when defenders of the rule of law in Congress put forth a case that some of the state’s election results were invalid, most people will remember a Siege of the Capitol, in which Congress left in haste, troublemakers overtook part of the building and one woman was shot and killed. Conventional wisdom will link the rioting with the Deplorables’ March on Washington, and establishment opinion makers will use it as a means to discredit the populist political movement, or even to remove President Trump by a late day impeachment or the 25th Amendment.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">In the fog of war, there is a lot of confusion. So when trying to make sense of the Capitol Siege, there are some things that do not add up. A basic question is how could agitators so easily breach the Capitol building? After all, the date was when all federal lawmakers and the Vice President would be gathering at the Capitol for what is usually a pro forma ceremony. It was clear that some objections would be raised and there would be debate over certification. Surely, security plans would afford added protection for the lawmakers. In addition<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-politics-electoral-college-muriel-bowser-1634bf71a27de48efef3cd1e6ed4abe4" target="_blank">, Mayor Muriel Bowser (D-Washington, DC) had requested (and received) help from the National Guard </a>while warning residents to stay home. With that in mind, how did the Capitol so easily find itself in peril?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Deployment of forces certainly was part of the problem. The National Guard called up was initially tasked with directing traffic around many of the blocked off streets around Capitol Hill and downtown DC. National Guard typically does not get front line security deployments because of <i>posse commitatus</i> concerns and letting local law enforcement take the lead. In retrospect, it seems silly to have troops play traffic cops when there were a half million protesters going to march up the National Mall to the Capitol to protest “Stop the Steal”. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">One also has to wonder about the Capitol Hill police. Video from when protestors breached the West lawn perimeter does not depict officers with full riot equipment as they clashed with troublemakers <a href="https://youtu.be/CEEEMB0c5So" target="_blank">wearing helmets and carrying shields who later broke into the Capitol</a>. But there are videos videos both on the <a href="https://twitter.com/i/status/1347203945526124544" target="_blank">West exterior stairs </a> and the <a href="https://twitter.com/i/status/1347018051649228802" target="_blank">West entrance</a> which give the impression that agitators were let into the complex by Capitol Police. This seemed strange.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Then one must consider the timing of the Capitol Siege. <a href="https://www.rev.com/blog/transcripts/donald-trump-speech-save-america-rally-transcript-january-6" target="_blank">President Trump was still speaking on the Ellipse </a>at 1 PM when the Joint Session of Congress met for Electoral College Certification. Shortly after certification began (ironically when the Arizona objections were raised), was when serious challenges of the Capitol building entrances began. The Ellipse is at least a mile and a half away from the Capitol. It seems like troublemakers were pre-positioned on Capitol Hill to riot. Adding to that conclusion is that the <a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/congress-electoral-college-vote-count-2021/h_9537c23b751bc4605fc82722a8f10f10" target="_blank">House Cannon Office Building and Library of Congress Madison buildings</a> had been evacuated earlier in the day for security concerns. Moreover, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/congress-electoral-college-vote-count-2021/h_9537c23b751bc4605fc82722a8f10f10" target="_blank">law enforcement found potential pipe bombs near the RNC </a>which had to be detonated. Kind of odd for conservatives and populists who needed Republican support to air their objections to physically threat the Republican National Committee.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">To make sense of the Capitol Siege, it is incumbent to examine who perpetrated the breach. A facile answer is MAGA types. While there is no doubt that a multitude of passionate protestors came to Capitol Hill to exercise their First Amendment rights, most milled around the Capitol steps and did not go inside. But that's hardly the whole story.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Many who were photographed trespassing in legislative chambers or the Rotunda did not fit the bill as quintessential MAGA rally attendees. Giving the BLM salute while sitting in the Senate President pro tem’s seat is incongruous with Trump supporters. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/q-shaman-qanon-influencer-capitol-siege-washington-dc-protest-riot-2021-1" target="_blank">Jake Angeli (aka QAnon Shaman), an agitator dressed like a Viking </a>had been seen at BLM and Climate Change rallies, again not run of the mill MAGA issues. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuaLNftuwTB0moVvaJIMpd-aWelikR9BFTLQ5H52AL2OtkXO9krr3w-PjvJZcrl2uWikRrbHStX_TlVID16XUwI0EUA07zNK1YeCSmCqBGivPxAYH_hlFdEKioSRqPahKgIiI9-7GWbP5K/s796/Viking+Capitol+Siege.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="796" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuaLNftuwTB0moVvaJIMpd-aWelikR9BFTLQ5H52AL2OtkXO9krr3w-PjvJZcrl2uWikRrbHStX_TlVID16XUwI0EUA07zNK1YeCSmCqBGivPxAYH_hlFdEKioSRqPahKgIiI9-7GWbP5K/w489-h241/Viking+Capitol+Siege.jpg" width="489" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><p style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"> There was an </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://twitter.com/stillgray/status/1346981505982074883" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank">agitator which investigative journalist Ian Miles Cheong identified</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> as an actual white supremecist. </span></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">A rioter who assumed the seat of the President pro tempe of the Senate made the quintessential BLM power gesture. </span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-3eXLP27FE2x-Mdor95Cmw3s_mtT_Q02w2EAMC1SQTKw6QXKuUtB5OZCLJhVpgNWEEYGTK95WSZc74riBG1mMPCmbNWbyp2_oOA3ScXw9O_7CuLcJf7WprKaeXBzZ_uaxko1nRhpDu9a/s742/Senate+BLM+gesture.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="742" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-3eXLP27FE2x-Mdor95Cmw3s_mtT_Q02w2EAMC1SQTKw6QXKuUtB5OZCLJhVpgNWEEYGTK95WSZc74riBG1mMPCmbNWbyp2_oOA3ScXw9O_7CuLcJf7WprKaeXBzZ_uaxko1nRhpDu9a/w519-h377/Senate+BLM+gesture.JPG" width="519" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://twitter.com/BernardKerik/status/1347046917512028162" target="_blank">Pro Trump protestors stopped Antifa agitators when caught ransacking the Capitol. </a> At prior DC MAGA rallies in November and December, Antifa had counter-protests and assaulted peaceful MAGA protesters on the streets. Where were such agitators on January 6th? Nonetheless, it seems that fringe elements and agitators were the instigating the violence. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97lfFHzjJej52ZxGyrzSwmDX4FdveKdUtNa0mC_XOkquPnsGxLuL1JZryd26AflPN7nEsIZzkPfG1PctCiKIdIeHII-luV63kZ86UGT87eWoU7bNPTsGqTNURsWm_BW3u_YamjZX-11u4/s760/Capitol+Siege+Climber.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="760" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97lfFHzjJej52ZxGyrzSwmDX4FdveKdUtNa0mC_XOkquPnsGxLuL1JZryd26AflPN7nEsIZzkPfG1PctCiKIdIeHII-luV63kZ86UGT87eWoU7bNPTsGqTNURsWm_BW3u_YamjZX-11u4/w474-h315/Capitol+Siege+Climber.JPG" width="474" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This is not to imply that some Trump supporters did not participate in the unlawful Capitol Siege. <a href="https://youtu.be/dOjzEj_r0E4" target="_blank">Leo Kelly, a Capitol Siege participant interviewed by LifeSiteNews</a> gave an interview saying that he participated in a communal prayer while trespassing in the Senate Chamber. <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/politics/decision-2020/west-virginia-delegate-records-himself-storming-us-capitol/2532227/" target="_blank">A West Virginia State lawmaker</a> recorded his storming the Capitol and was heard directing people in the Rotunda not to do any damage.<a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/01/07/ashli-babbit-air-force-veteran-california-shot-dead-plain-clothes/" target="_blank"> </a></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/01/07/ashli-babbit-air-force-veteran-california-shot-dead-plain-clothes/" target="_blank">Ashli Babbet</a>, the woman who was shot and killed by a Capitol Police officer, was a 14 year Air Force veteran who had flown into Washington for the rally.<a href="https://twitter.com/FordFischer/status/1347029906719469574" target="_blank"> Capitol Police report that three other people died at the Capitol</a>. But some of those casualties may well have stemmed from ordinary health maladies.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It is a reasonable presumption that a relatively small group of Antifa types created chaos on Capitol Hill, breached the Capitol and egged the many disgruntled MAGA demonstrators to participate. With the prior soft barricades being removed, many from the Ellipse surrounded the Capitol, probably with the attitude that “it’s the peoples’ house”.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">In trying to make sense of the fallout from the Capitol Siege, it was easy to see how this violence overshadowed any objections to certifying some of the Presidential Electors due to election irregularities. It was clear that the 117th Congress was unlikely to accept any objections, considering the slim Democrat majority in the House and Republican Senate leadership coming out against them. Moreover, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/06/politics/mike-pence-trump-electoral-college/index.html" target="_blank">Vice President Pence issued a statement </a>claiming that he had no power in the matter other than acting as a ceremonial manner, quashing hopes that some certifications would be sent back to the states. However, the objections to certification would have given a public forum to show the facts in a formal setting, so they would not be dismissed as conspiracy theory. Alas, debate on the first set of objections in Arizona was interrupted by the Capitol breach. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">When Congress reconvened that evening, some lawmakers who previously considering joining the objectors switched sides, and in general consensus Congress rushed through the certification. Those who wondered about the propriety of certifying states with voting and election irregularities will be left unsatisfied and will likely conclude that President-elect Biden holds office under questionable legitimacy. Seeing how quickly Republican establishment lawmakers folded under pressure gives the impression of being quislings. Those groups who make trade of violent street protests as a vehicle for change will feel empowered. The establishment in the media and on Capitol Hill may well use this as the pivot point to discredit populism and re–establish Deep State authority.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/06/politics/joe-biden-riots-capitol-speech/index.html" target="_blank">President-elect Biden gave a speech imploring President Trump</a> to condemn the violence and demand an end to the siege. At the same time, President Trump was recording a message for social media urging people to go home and be peaceful. <a href="https://abc7.com/president-donald-trump-news-twitter-washington-dc-protest/9414371/" target="_blank">But tech oligarchs on Twitter and Facebook interfered with distributing President Trump's message</a> and later suspended Mr. Trump until he withdrew that message because it might incite violence and questioned the election results. Now our cyber betters have <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/01/07/trump-twitter-ban/" target="_blank">indefinitely banned the 45th President from Facebook </a><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It is also odd that more<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/06/politics/pence-national-guard/index.html" target="_blank"> National Guard troops were called up and their mission was changed by Vice President Pence </a>and the Acting Secretary of Defense in conjunction with Congressional leaders. Isn't the President Commander-in-Chief? If one takes the rumors that Cabinet officials were talking (but not with Vice President Pence) about <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/06/politics/trump-capitol-impeachment-25-amendment/index.html" target="_blank">invoking the 25th Amendment to remove Mr. Trump, </a>doesn't this lend credence to something resembling a coup? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">In the aftermath of the Capitol Siege, many details are distorted or undiscovered so there is not a true Epiphany. One ought to give some consideration that these events may have been an attempt to actuate a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colour_revolution" target="_blank">Color Revolution</a> and progressive forces use the chaos to make a play and power and cement their dominance over the body politick. As noted before, Antifa was not present in their typical garb, but their tactics and some mannerism seemed evident amongst some rioters. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/06/politics/trump-capitol-impeachment-25-amendment/index.html" target="_blank">On January 5th, there were caches of bricks, lumber and propane tanks stowed on the street near Freedom Plaza,</a> close to MAGA protest sites. Those supplies have the hallmarks of Antifa or BLM rioting tools. But with the Capitol Hill Siege being successful, they were not deployed. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Time will tell if such kinetic tactics will continue in the 46th President’s Administration or will markedly expand to other fringe groups. Moreover, it is unknown if the civic response to this anarchistic agitation create crackdowns on civil liberties or against voices which challenge the Establishment "mainstream".</span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Post Scriptus 01/12/2021 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">There have been indications that there were Antifa Agent Provocateurs who planned to create chaos and egged passionate Pro-Trump protestors to storm the Capitol.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">In an extended interview with the Epoch Times, war correspondent Michael Yon noted how organized Hong Kong tactics were evident outside of the Capitol during the siege. In addition, Yon observed how peaceful Pro-Trump demonstrators tried to stop these agents provocateurs and sought to separate themselves from their anarchy.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">h/t: The Epoch Times</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p>DC Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410579037445829658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2626992348871455006.post-33039553661194516852021-01-05T13:58:00.000-05:002021-01-05T13:58:18.968-05:00Thomas Sowell on Tolerance <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfnRG3Vyqnm2k4DRrFttqrX0YBQiUhvuEkRstdnSrwLrhNmQMGcBQfmoc3p3H_uqaSiZpqgni9DY3ebB1PO1AEv49XmxCtQY1S7g1QrnZ0_v2bqz6YUfdsl2eXtm29mzVKncjNLa_9scS/s838/210105a+Thomas+Sowell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="838" height="499" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfnRG3Vyqnm2k4DRrFttqrX0YBQiUhvuEkRstdnSrwLrhNmQMGcBQfmoc3p3H_uqaSiZpqgni9DY3ebB1PO1AEv49XmxCtQY1S7g1QrnZ0_v2bqz6YUfdsl2eXtm29mzVKncjNLa_9scS/w517-h499/210105a+Thomas+Sowell.JPG" width="517" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>DC Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410579037445829658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2626992348871455006.post-64070644477956796192021-01-05T09:57:00.001-05:002021-01-05T09:57:37.571-05:00Margaret Thatcher on Consensus Politics <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjM7cZvwcK15KfQY687icPFQF10eAv_XIZP4ayTas5A1x09snwu6ubAIqCEHVKK9dhwtxm4KtArqowqSq7Ra4jB4BT9azTIf0OYUffvfavPFersJB_G8SWNVaZhhhtB2j_BifyVnV8ggU2/s814/210104a+Margaret+Thatcher.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="708" data-original-width="814" height="455" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjM7cZvwcK15KfQY687icPFQF10eAv_XIZP4ayTas5A1x09snwu6ubAIqCEHVKK9dhwtxm4KtArqowqSq7Ra4jB4BT9azTIf0OYUffvfavPFersJB_G8SWNVaZhhhtB2j_BifyVnV8ggU2/w524-h455/210104a+Margaret+Thatcher.JPG" width="524" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>DC Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410579037445829658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2626992348871455006.post-54688922135068963722020-12-23T12:28:00.000-05:002020-12-23T12:28:59.252-05:00On Lame Ducks, Christmas Trees and Pocket Vetoes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCLX1KILU2Uepb2TyIW0ES4cVzhruK7HsDzkiHIRhM3tm5WgUzNhwDe0-ZEs8IYYat3qcHenBOhNqI75EuSTwVP2rp_Pu5q4aLU-ozZfd9QbZUjq7eMEWeyWLud_Wwv5seXi4Vr3Oger3/s1013/Lame+Duck.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="1013" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCLX1KILU2Uepb2TyIW0ES4cVzhruK7HsDzkiHIRhM3tm5WgUzNhwDe0-ZEs8IYYat3qcHenBOhNqI75EuSTwVP2rp_Pu5q4aLU-ozZfd9QbZUjq7eMEWeyWLud_Wwv5seXi4Vr3Oger3/w676-h192/Lame+Duck.JPG" width="676" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">In response to COVID 19, much of America practically shut down for much of 2020. Many Americans lost their jobs, particularly in the hospitality and restaurant industries. Congress passed a few bills intending to funnel stimulus money as a lifeline to these economically vulnerable Americans. But as the second wave of extreme closures hit parts of America during the holiday season, such payments from Uncle Sam to stem the financial pain are critical.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The fourth COVID stimulus were held up by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for admittedly partisan reasons. Prior to the election, Pelosi demanded $2.5 trillion legislation, which included bailouts of states with underfunded extravagant public pensions. The Trump White House proposed a $1.6 trillion plan but was willing to increase it to $2 trillion to meet Democrats half way. Still, Pelosi was intransigent until it appeared that Joe Biden (D-DE) was the presumptive President-elect. So Congressional Democrats only got serious about another COVID stimulus bill until the December rush from Capitol Hill to be home for Christmas</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Lame Duck Congress sessions after an election often take a devil may care attitude since the scrutiny of the ballot box won't happen for another two years and some members are not returning to Capitol Hill. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The Lame Duck 116th Congress was tasked with passing tardy spending bills which were supposed to have been finalized by the end of the Fiscal Year (September 30th). It seems that the plan from leadership of both parties was to pass a couple of stop gap Federal Spending Bills to buy time from a government shutdown, then rush to pass an $2.3 Trillion Omnibus Appropriation Bill that is a Christmas Tree, meaning that there were all sorts of decoration of ancillary legislation which becomes a must pass bill. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">To add to the Slapdash Santa spirit, the powers that be agreed to pass a "skinny" COVID stimulus bill of ONLY $900 million of deficit spending, which earmarked a $600 check to Americans earning less than $75,000. Considering the financial insecurity of many Americans due to COVID, the Christmas rush when it was expected that people would not focus on the goings of Swamp City and the desire for President Trump to mitigate damage to his legacy, this must pass bill was expected to go through..</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">There were two flaws to this legislative strategy. While Congress only had a few hours to review a five thousand page bit of legislation before passage, the details started to leak out. Social media balked when it was discovered that only $190 million the the $900 million is set to go to needy Americans. The rest of it was a pork Christmas tree, with expenditures for earmarks like $25 million to Pakistan for gender studies, funding for an American Womens' History Museum and an American Latino Museum on the National Mall, and nearly $90 million for Senate building maintenance. This raised the rankles of an already agitated American public. The House passed the combined COVID Relief package and Consolidated Appropriations measure (HR 133) by a 359-53 margin and the Senate passed the measure 92-6</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The other thing impeding the typical jamming through pork barrel at the end of the year when people won't notice involves the 45th President. President Donald Trump deems himself a disruptor from the swampy ways of the Deep State. Even though the mainstream media has been parsing precious little time to President Trump since after the election, the Disrupter -in-Chief leveraged his social media skills to distribute a viral video. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">President Trump demanded that every American ought to get a $2,000 stimulus check and the bill sent to him should be stripped of the other pork barrel legislation. Trump intimated that he may not sign the tripe bill that was sent to him. Since Congress procrastinated to nearly the end of the 116th Congress, the President could have a pocket veto--meaning that by doing nothing (keeping it in his pocket) that the legislation fails. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This puts Congress in a perilous situation. They recognize that there constituents are really hurting and they will lose confidence in them if they fail on a stimulus, especially when their prior bill was laden with wasteful pork barrel projects that have nothing to do with COVID. While the Comprehensive COVID Stimulus and Appropriations legislation passed by veto proof majorities, a pocket veto does not require resubmission to Congress. They let legislative time effectively run out for the customary rule of legislation.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The second problem is timing. The Continuing Resolution only funds the government until December 28th. So if President Trump fails to sign HR 133 and uses a pocket veto, then there will be a government shutdown. Congress may well get the blame for pushing pork barrel pet projects and giving taxpayers a pittance whereas the President wants to give every American adult $2,000. To avoid a pocket-veto, they would have to stay in session during the week between Christmas and New Years Day. And they could not easily do pro forma sessions because the Spending Continuing Resolution expires on December 28th. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">A third issue is populist agitation. When the 117th Congress convenes on January 6th, they are supposed to certify the Electoral College results. Since President Trump is positioning his Congressional forces to contest some of the election irregularities in several battleground states. In conjunction with the Congressional vote, President Trump has called for a rally which he promised will be wild. Imagine the animus of a large group of "deplorables" against elected officials who won't "Stop the Steal", but due to their greed and indolence are holding back significant COVID relief packages for ordinary Americans. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It is unclear if and when additional COVID relief payments are doled out, as well as the fate of contested election. But because of lame ducks, Christmas trees and pocket vetoes, the next few weeks in Washington won't be as the Establishment had planned.</span></p>DC Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410579037445829658noreply@blogger.com0