8/18/2023

Heaven, please help those who can’t help themselves – the DEMOCRATS – there minds have been infected with the OBAMA/BIDEN KOOL-AID.

Mid-Day Snapshot · August 17, 2023

THE FOUNDATION

“Is there no virtue among us? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation.” —James Madison (1788)

Fellow Patriots, on this day in 1998, Bill Clinton became the first sitting U.S. president to testify before a grand jury. Joe Biden should be the second. —Mark Alexander

IN TODAY’S DIGEST

ON THE WEB

Jack DeVine: The Decline and Fall of American Civility
Douglas Andrews: Biden Bends His Knee to Iran
Scarlen Valderaz: From Democrat to Republican
In Brief: The Flawed RICO Charge

FEATURED ANALYSIS

A Bridge Too Far for Lyin’ Joe

It was another day and another whopper for the president who seems utterly unable to tell the truth.

Douglas Andrews

As Joe Biden has aged, he’s developed a subtle but sure-fire tell to indicate when he’s lying: His lips move.

I’m literally, literally, literally serious, as Joe himself might put it. I’m not joking. I’m not making this up. This is not hyperbole.

So it was on Tuesday, when Biden told a crowd in Milwaukee that he watched a bridge collapse in Pittsburgh last year, honest and for true.

Biden was in Cheesehead territory to tout the smashing success of Bidenomics. He began, innocently enough, with an attempt at damage control for his incredibly callous “No comment” remark over the weekend when he was asked about the rising death toll from the wildfire in Maui. And then, as he’s wont to do, Biden wandered off script and began talking about last year’s Fern Hollow bridge collapse, which sent four people to the hospital.

“A lot of you were with me when I was in Pittsburgh,” he told the, er, crowd. “By the way, Pittsburgh is a city of bridges — more bridges in Pittsburgh than any other city in America.”

We somehow doubt that “a lot” of the paid attendees people there in Milwaukee also happened to be with him on that fateful late-January day in Pittsburgh, but when ol’ Joe gets rolling, you’d better believe the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor. “I watched that bridge collapse,” he continued. “I got there and saw it collapse with over 200 feet off the ground going over a valley. It collapsed. Thank God school was out during the — during the pandemic.”

Indeed, thank God for the blessed pandemic that killed more than a million Americans, and for the politicians and teachers unions that used it to rob our kids of years’ worth of education.

And thank God for Joe Biden himself, who enthralled Wisconsin Democrats with the tale of how he ripped off his sport coat, raced down the bank, dove straight into frigid Fern Creek, and singlehandedly raised up a span of the bridge to free the poor souls who’d been trapped beneath it. (Okay, we kid.)

Alas, as the Washington Examiner’s Paul Bedard helpfully corrected, Biden didn’t see any such thing: “He showed up hours later since he was in town on an infrastructure mission.”

From there, it was off to the next well-worn lie — this one about how an Amtrak conductor congratulated the then-vice president for having ridden more miles on the train than on board Air Force Two.

How do we know that the Amtrak story is a lie? Because the conductor, a man named Angelo Negri, retired from Amtrak roughly 20 years before Biden says the conversation took place.

Some might find this Walter Mittyesque self-aggrandizement endearing, but we tend to find it irritating. This is no doubt in part because the mainstream media lets him do it with impunity. Remember how he was “appointed” to the U.S. Naval Academy? How he graduated in the top half of his law class at Syracuse? How he was arrested in South Africa while trying to see Nelson Mandela? How he was arrested during the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s? How he used to drive an 18-wheeler for a living?

Lies, lies, and more lies.

But some of his lies are bigger and more awful than others. Like the one about how his first wife and daughter died. And the one about how his son Beau died.

Those lies are just plain sick, but they’re a fundamental part of who Joe Biden is.

Comment | Share

Homelessness in Joe Biden’s America

Presidents don’t control everything, but an awful lot of blame for a growing crisis belongs on Biden’s desk.

Nate Jackson

“Only 36% of U.S. adults approve of [Joe] Biden’s handling of the economy,” reports the Associated Press. There are reasons that may not matter all that much in 2024, but it should. Because when there’s a huge increase in homelessness nationwide, something is greatly amiss with its leadership.

Before we get to that, let’s pause for a minute to mock the AP’s first graf: “President Joe Biden has devoted the past several weeks to promoting the positive impacts of his policies — but his efforts have yet to meaningfully register with the public.”

Oh, his efforts are registering alright. It’s just that most Americans know Bidenomics stinks and he’s full of [insert scatalogical reference].

Our evidence? Well, for this analysis, it’s that drastic increase in homelessness. Just this year, estimates are that the number of homeless has increased 11% over last year. That “sharp jump,” says the Wall Street Journal’s news division, “would represent by far the biggest recorded increase since the government started tracking comparable numbers in 2007.” It’s not even close, given that the next highest increase was 2.7%.

The Journal acknowledges that “point-in-time” numbers are likely an undercount, given how difficult it can be to locate homeless people and the fact that places like San Francisco and Seattle are yet to count anyone yet this year. More official numbers will come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development later this year.

Obviously, it’s not all his fault, but what did Joe Biden do to make the problem worse?

For starters, it goes back to Bidenomics, which means massive government spending and heavy-handed regulation causing rampant inflation, which in turn yielded Federal Reserve actions to raise interest rates.

When it comes to home prices, the trouble then comes from every direction. Materials and labor to build homes cost a lot more, which shifts prospective buyers to look for existing homes. Increased demand puts pressure on supply, which drives up those prices to a new median of $441,000. Two-decade-high interest rates obviously add to the cost of buying an already more expensive home.

It’s not just home buyers being squeezed. Staying in your home costs far more than it did two years ago. Increased home values cause (sometimes drastically) increased insurance and property tax rates, which most people pay out of escrow with each month’s mortgage payment. If you own a home, you likely received notice that your mortgage payment is going up, maybe by hundreds of dollars a month.

Then there are utilities, all of which have increased in the last two years. Rates for electricity and natural gas have risen thanks to Biden’s war on energy, but water and sewer aren’t far behind.

Thanks, Joe.

But we’re not done. Fewer home buyers and owners means more renters, which again increases demand for a smaller supply, raising rent prices. Landlords just hope to recoup increased costs. Tenants are really struggling to keep up with median rents of $2,000 a month.

Put all that together and it’s no wonder there’s been a drastic increase in people just not living in a home anymore.

Of course, mental illness and drug abuse are at least as much of a factor as economic considerations. Indeed, homeless people used to be called vagrants, and we used to do otherwise than just let them set up a tent on a city sidewalk or unroll a sleeping bag at the local transportation station. Today, it’s considered more “compassionate” to not institutionalize people who probably ought to be. So, instead, schizophrenics and opioid addicts end up sleeping under bridges and yelling at clouds on public streets. It’s tragic, and it shouldn’t happen in America (or anywhere else).

Finally, there’s Biden’s border crisis, which has brought a massive influx of needy people with nowhere to live. Ask the sanctimonious blue cities and states now panicking under the weight of the crisis they invited. New York City alone reports more than 82,000 people in its shelter system. An LA hotel-to-homeless shelter conversion just sustained $11.5 million in damages from inhabitants. It’s not sustainable for either city.

Presidents aren’t in charge of creating jobs, setting wages, mandating home prices, or dealing with addictions. But Joe Biden pretends are actually tries to be, and the results are clearly devastating.

Comment | Share

Latest Podcast

PopCon #9: ‘Barbie’: Brilliant or Brainless?The new “Barbie” movie is on track to be the biggest film for 2023. Feminists are touting it as “girl power” gold, while many conservatives refuse to even watch it. But is “Barbie” really so cut and dried, as it is easy to assume? You might be surprised.

Biden’s Misguided Priorities

Our nation stands at a crossroads, grappling with a complex web of challenges that stretch far beyond typical crime and poverty.

Armstrong Williams

Hawaii, once a symbol of nature’s grace, now lies devastated, a chilling semblance of a war zone. At least 100 lives have been lost to the flames of a devastating wildfire, with hundreds of homes obliterated and families shattered. But in the face of this profound tragedy, America’s President Joe Biden has responded with a suggestion that borders on the absurd. If you thought his disregard for the American people had reached its lowest point, think again. While the embers of destruction still glow in Hawaii, Biden has made a jarring proposal to Congress: provide an additional $24 billion in aid to Ukraine.

Underneath America’s leadership, a perpetually angry and misguided segment of left-winged Americans has eroded our nation’s priorities. They argue that America should always be second to the needs of others. But this is not the America that the majority yearn for; it’s the America that those who resent our nation’s principles desire.

Our nation stands at a crossroads, grappling with a complex web of challenges that stretch far beyond typical crime and poverty. Among these challenges are the haunting problems of human trafficking and the trafficking of drugs and firearms. Yet, the threats we face are not limited to these insidious enterprises. Thousands of Americans fall victim to petty criminals every year through crimes such as carjackings and robberies.

When will the American people receive the attention and care that Ukraine gets? When will the homeless veterans, who once fought bravely for their nation only to be left in the cold, the needy families struggling to make ends meet, single mothers laboring to provide for their children, and the helpless poor families waiting for a glimmer of hope receive the same level of commitment and assistance that Biden offers to a foreign nation?

The concern doesn’t end at Ukraine. We can cast our eyes to our own cities, like New York City, now facing a migrant crisis unparalleled in its history. It’s reminiscent of the European migration crisis of 2015 when open borders led to over 1 million migrants entering the EU. New York’s far-left city council and state politicians are now grappling with the aftermath of such policies. Tens of thousands of migrants are now dispersed across New York’s cities, burdening communities large and small with both actual and unrealized fears.

Will those who feign righteousness, those who boldly fly the Ukrainian flag outside their homes, who offer to take migrants into their homes, who march in protests in support of Ukraine and who decry the right for simply asking that we take care of our own first also fly the flag of Hawaii?

Of course they won’t, and we all know why. It’s because there’s a prevailing yet misguided doctrine that America is so powerful and mighty that when its own people are harmed, we can conveniently ignore them, treating them as though they are privileged and unworthy of attention. Pay no mind to the stark contrast between images of overindulgence and peaceful streets in many Ukrainian cities under threat of conflict and the devastation on the ground in Hawaii. This selective empathy is obvious. It’s hypocrisy at its finest, and it clearly shows that those who stand for righteousness falter when their own countrymen are in need.

While my heart aches for the Ukrainians affected by this war, and I vehemently believe in halting Vladimir Putin’s aggression, America cannot turn a blind eye to its internal struggles. America’s families are faced with choosing which meals to skip, struggling to pay rent or managing unexpected expenses. I ask you, Joe Biden, when will these families receive the same assistance you provide to everyone else?

So, what shall we do for the displaced people from Hawaii? Will we abandon them? No. We must treat them better than we treat everyone else, for any expense spared is a blot on our national honor. I urge our government to welcome displaced Hawaiians with more than just open arms. They deserve five-star hotel accommodations, luxurious meals, free health care and child care. Why? Because that’s how we should treat Americans. And yet, it’s how we’re currently treating the migrants.

“America First” has been wrongly maligned due to the left’s deliberate misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the principle. It’s about preserving a nation’s dignity, offering help and utilizing resources wisely, without exhausting them. The American people’s welfare must not be sacrificed for Ukraine or the migrants crossing our borders. Perhaps time will tell whether we will be able to provide them assistance. But, until that day comes, America must first care for its own.

Comment | Share

Executive News Summary

Trump Georgia trial, “transing” kids in the states, court sides with pro-life activists, and more.

Thomas Gallatin & Jordan Candler

Cross-Examination

Trump Georgia trial on Super Tuesday Eve? March 4, 2024, is the requested date for the trial of Donald Trump in Fulton County, Georgia. That date just happens to be the day before Super Tuesday, when the largest number of states hold their presidential primaries. While some contend that this move is designed to force Trump off the campaign trail at a pivotal moment, strategically this actually plays in his favor, making him front and center news as voters go to the polls. Meanwhile, the question of whether Trump will show up to the first GOP primary debate is still up in the air. If he does decide to forego it, he can steal the limelight by scheduling his Georgia jailhouse booking to coincide with the debate.
Blue on blue: Apparently, New York Governor Kathy Hochul is none too keen on New York City Mayor Eric Adams’s handling of the increasing number of illegal aliens moving into the Big Apple. In a 12-page letter sent from the Democrat governor’s lawyer to the Democrat mayor’s office, Hochul indirectly chastised Adams’s leadership, arguing, “The city can and should do more to act in a proactive and collaborative manner with the state.” The letter further noted that the state has committed $1.5 billion to help with the migrant crisis. “The City did not prioritize this critical effort,” the letter says. “Had the City done so, it is likely that thousands more migrants would be able to work today.” When questioned about the letter’s criticism, Hochul claimed that she and Adams weren’t at odds, but she did admit, “It is true they didn’t accept some of the help we offered.” NYC Deputy Mayor Fabien Levy acknowledged the letter, saying, “We’re encouraged to see our partners in Albany want to deeply engage on this crisis and take a more proactive role in their response … because this is such a significant crisis, we need more.”
“Transing” kids in the states: North Carolina Democrat Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of a bill banning gender-bending “treatments” on children and minors has been overridden by the Republican-led legislature. The law bars medical professionals in the Tar Heel State from providing puberty-blocking hormones and drugs, as well as bans gender mutilation surgeries on minors. Meanwhile, on the other end of the country, America First Legal brought a lawsuit against Washington Democrat Governor Jay Inslee to stop the enforcement of a law he signed in May — SB 5599 — that allows children to undergo gender-bending treatments, including gender mutilation surgeries, without needing parental consent. Under the new law, not only do children not need parental consent, but there is no requirement that parents be notified of their child undergoing gender “treatment.”
Former FBI Russiagate agent pleads guilty to money laundering for a Russian: Former FBI special agent Charles McGonigal, who was a key individual in the “Russiagate” investigation, has pleaded guilty to his involvement in money laundering for a Russian oligarch. According to Matthew Olsen, assistant attorney general of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, “Charles McGonigal, by his own admission, betrayed his oath and actively concealed his illicit work at the bidding of a sanctioned Russian oligarch.” Given the lie that the Russia hoax was, it comes as little surprise that McGonigal would be involved in other lies.
Good news: free speech on some campuses: Presidents from 13 colleges and universities have announced their partnership to promote free expression at their schools. Calling it the “Campus Call for Free Expression,” the presidents are from high-profile schools like the University of Notre Dame, Cornell University, Duke University, and the University of Pittsburgh. The partnership was arranged by the Institute for Citizens & Scholars, whose president, Rajiv Vinnakota, explained, “This diverse coalition of college presidents — from institutions large and small, private and public — is united in its commitment to ensuring students are civically well-informed, productively engaged, and committed to democracy.” Each of the participating schools will promote programs such as James Madison University’s partnership with the Bipartisan Policy Center to hold “free expression training for every incoming first year and transfer student.”
Court sides with pro-life activists: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia unanimously upheld a lower-court ruling that the 2020 arrest of pro-life protesters for writing a chalk message on the street during George Floyd protests was a violation of their First Amendment rights to free speech. At the time of the incident in question, a number of BLM protesters who wrote chalk messages on the road and sidewalk were not arrested, but two students who wrote “Black Pre-Born Lives Matter” on the sidewalk were singled out for arrest. They were charged with violating a defacement ordinance. “The government may not play favorites in a public forum — permitting some messages and prohibiting others,” the court ruled. “We conclude the [plaintiffs have] plausibly alleged the District’s selective enforcement of the defacement ordinance constituted viewpoint discrimination in a public forum in violation of the First Amendment.”

Headlines

Hilary rapidly intensifies into hurricane with significant impacts to Southern California, Southwest (Fox Weather)
Biden shouts during speech, challenges anyone to name “one thing” the U.S. set out to accomplish and failed (Fox News)
Blaze Media founder Glenn Beck says Apple removed his podcast from iTunes without warning (Daily Wire)
AOC owed up to $50,000 in student loans while leading calls for debt cancellation (Washington Examiner)
Social Security checks on track to be slashed in less than a decade (Free Beacon)
Biden administration tells 9/11 families that attack mastermind, four others could be spared death penalty (NY Post)
Biden administration investigates Vanderbilt University over release of transgender clinic patient records (Daily Wire)
Pro-abortion attacks on pro-lifers face little to no consequences from DC authorities (Daily Signal)
Blind Side author Michael Lewis breaks silence on Michael Oher petition against Tuohy family (Fox News)
Humor: Target attempts to win back customers with new “Straight White Male Pride Collection” (Babylon Bee)

****

Look for the silver lining – each negative situation can be positive eventually – President Trump is that silver lining – he knows where Obama buried all of the bodies.

kommonsentsjane

KOMMONSENTSJANE – MID-DAY SNAPSHOT – AUGUST 17 2023.

Mid-Day Snapshot · August 17, 2023

THE FOUNDATION

IN TODAY’S DIGEST

ON THE WEB