Facts, Speech, and Reach

George Rebane

We are all isolated from ‘facts’ by at least one layer of biased intermediaries.

In recent editions of our local Union we continue to read its columnists and letter writers who devoutly believe in and repeatedly cite versions of the late Senator Moynihan’s famous dictum – ‘You are free to have your own opinions, but not your own facts.’  In recent years our polarized country has demonstrated countless times that in addition to their own opinions, people now have their own histories, logics, social contracts, ethics, science, sense of justice, equality, equity, lexicons of highly charged terms, and, not least of all, their very own facts – and all of these backed by equally countless online citations.  The NYT acknowledges all this, asking “How do you unite a country in which millions of people have chosen to create their own version of reality?”  All of these realities are proudly on display in their heartfelt and intense communications that promote their own worldviews.  Who among us is the final arbiter of any of these cultural and ideological notions to pronounce that this is truth and that is not?

Apropos today’s cited science, those of us trained and practiced in the sciences are both amused and concerned about the beliefs the lay public holds in this important area of human enterprise.  Science has always advanced on two inviolable principles – Occam’s razor (adopt the simplest theory that explains all the observations) and falsifiability (every theory must contain tenets that, if disproved, will falsify the theory).  Major advances in science have always been met with widespread rejection by ‘established science’.  Therefore, almost all scientific and technological progress has been made by investigators free to strike out on many different initially promising tracks, most of which have ended in disappointment.  But progress has always depended on the freedom to debate and try alternative approaches.  This is why science has languished under autocratic governments in which its politically established science dictates what is accepted and rejected.  And any subsequent defense of ‘rejected science’ is then labeled as perfidiously advancing “misinformation”.

Today America is rapidly sliding toward such an autocracy where its government-sponsored science establishment is the arbiter and gatekeeper of scientific truth.  In this regimen open debate is proscribed in favor of the nation-wide promoted notion of ‘consensus science’.  Consensus has never been the strong suit of science, but consensus science is easy to promote, and even easier for today’s overwhelmingly innumerate lay public to embrace. 

NYT et al have launched the idea that our nation must fight “disinformation and extremism” in a concerted effort to be led by the federal government with a new Orwellian Ministry of Truth (“truth commission”) headed by a cabinet level “reality tsar”.  A task force of this commission “could also meet regularly with tech platforms, and push for structural changes that could help those companies tackle their own extremism and misinformation problems.”  In other words, the federal government would provide guidelines to the social media corporatists as to how and what communications to censor.

Since such obvious policies censoring free speech have already raised the ire of the politically alert who communicate on the internet, the new workaround policy bamboozle is to constructively inhibit selected free speech by limiting its reach.  That means that such speech will be only afforded limited distribution over the media required for its transmission.  The Left argues strongly that speech and reach are two separate policy areas, and that regulating reach does not violate the First Amendment right of free speech.  Upon a moment’s reflection, this liberal logic is beyond bizarre, and also a very cynical and scary plan for the de facto deconstruction of free speech in our land.

To clarify the portents of this approach, consider the bookend notion (a method frequently used in science) of enforcing a law that allows a person to say or write anything, but limits its communication to only one other person.  No reasonable person would agree that such a government promotes free speech.  A sincere liberal may push back that this is a ridiculous example, no government would make such a claim of free speech if its dissemination is so restricted.  OK, then let’s increase the permitted audience of such free speech to two individuals.  Of course, the counter claim would be the same.

But by such ‘analytical continuation’ we can increase the permitted audience to a size that finally conforms to the policy proposals outlined in NYT’s salutary reporting (more here).  Then who gets to decide which speech will enjoy what kind of distribution to what size audience and when.  Presumably this would be handled by some faceless bureaucrats in the bowels of the new Ministry of Truth. (more here) 

The bottom line of what is being proposed by progressivist social engineers is the complete control of what can be broadly distributed, discussed, and debated in America.  Anything that goes against the ensconced political establishment is effectively shut down in the name of national security or public safety as the dissemination of “harmful disinformation”.  Dissenters will be identified and annotated in numerous government and corporatist databases with an appropriate scarlet letter.  Their lives can then be made difficult along the many dimensions of modern life that depends on ‘the grid’ for everything from employment, credit, education, travel, purchasing, habitation, political activity, access to services, and so on.

All this is as draconian as it sounds, and at our own peril we dismiss timely responses to these stratagems of central planning and control at their inauguration.  As the Chinese discovered, the brave new world has arrived when a government of sophisticated technocrat elites can use leading edge population control technologies with impunity to enforce and sustain their own agenda.  The dawn of stable and sustainable tyrannies.

Comments

[RXCross]

Truth seems to be more a matter of political expediency than reality. McCarthy stripped Rep. Steve King (R-IOWA) of his committee assignments after King made statement condoning white supremacy. Yet he refused to strip Q-Anon Greene (R-GA) for multiple statements that were far more outlandish. So the Dems are forced to do what the Pubs should have done.. net result. once again the Pubs show the country that they have no backbone landcare more about partisan politics than ethics or morals.

"elites can use leading edge population control technologies with impunity to enforce and sustain their own agenda." sounds like the Billionaire Republican donors behind Newsmax, Breitbart, Fox, and everywhere else Trump's lies were repeated ad infinitum. And look what happened... a large collection of complete fools bought into it and invaded the Capital. Had this happened a couple of hundred years ago, or so, the framers of the Constitution probably would have had the rioters executed by firing squad for treason.

[Scott O]

Crossed Up Dude 6:03 - "Had this happened a couple of hundred years ago, or so, the framers of the Constitution probably would have had the rioters executed by firing squad for treason."
Hilarious!
Back then those kind of people would have had no reason to riot in DC because the rioters during Trump's inauguration years before would have been shot dead and voting this November would have been in person and fair.
Speaking of buying into corporate and big money lies, has Herr Cross ever admitted he was totally lied to by those in power about Hunter's lap top? Just a Russian disinfo campaign - right?
Hmmmmm?

[Scott O]

BTW Zir Cross - you seem to be quoting some source - you might want to post the link. Or is it too embarrassing?
Lots of statements with zero backup or record.
Such as "So the Dems are forced to do..."
Really?
At gun point or some one holding their kids captive?
Cut the BS - this isn't DK or Mother Jones.

[fish]

Posted by: Scott O | 04 February 2021 at 07:28 PM

Roberta’s a passionate woman Scott.

[Walt]

Poor Babs LIB news ain't called FAKE news for nothing. And you lapped it up like warm cream. LIB news was saying day in and day out Trump was GUILTY!! "Will be perp walked out of the White House any day! This is CNN"...
Ya?? How did that work out? Ever see any of the "evidence"?
You know,, what Schiff had? Where is it? But it was in plane sight!

[MikeL]

Ya right, the dems are doing the right thing... like removing Maxine Waters for openly advocating for people to resort to violence when they encounter Trump supports, like removing Adam Shit-4-brains for perpetuating a non sense Russian collusion fraud or Bernie Sanders for sending coded dog whistle messages to a nut with a gun to shoot republican Congress people.

[Bill Tozer]

re: The bottom line of what is being proposed by progressivist social engineers is the complete control of what can be broadly distributed, discussed, and debated in America.”

Add fact checkers to the list of players. A critical component to suppression and retaliation.

‘PolitiFact Editor-in-Chief Calls to Save America by Censoring Free Speech’

https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/techwatch/alexander-hall/2021/02/04/politifact-editor-chief-calls-save-america-censoring-free
————————-
Snopes RAGES at 'Bad-Faith Smears' Factually Noting AOC Wasn't In The Capitol

They [Snopes] cried "Mostly False"!

What's True

Ocasio-Cortez wasn't in the main Capitol building where the House and Senate Chambers are located.

What's False

When the attack on the Capitol began, Ocasio-Cortez was in her congressional office, which is located in a network of office buildings immediately surrounding the Capitol, and her office building was one of the two buildings that were evacuated.

“t's not "misleading" to say AOC wasn't in the Capitol building. She wasn't! Ben Shapiro was befuddled that his website was "Mostly False" when the headline underlined what was true:

This is a weird fact-check from Snopes. I mean, they say that "what's true" is EXACTLY what the DW tweet says. Then they call the DW tweet "misleading." Almost as though they're just a Left-wing spin outfit.”

https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/tim-graham/2021/02/04/snopes-rages-bad-faith-smears-factually-noting-aoc-wasnt-capitol

It’s is true that AOC was not in the Capitol Building. The name of the Capitol Building is ‘The Capitol Building‘ where the mayhem occurred. Some higher ups have their offices there. AOC’s office is down Independence Ave where other Congress Critters have their offices in other buildings. AOC’s building (.3 mile away, about a 6 minute walk, connected by tunnels) was not breached. Those other two congressional office buildings are known as the Capitol Complex, all connected by tunnels.

Anyway, a ‘mostly false’ rating can affect Twitter throttling you down.

The other thing the Lefty fact-checkers consistently do is pull a Punchy and erect a Strawman to slay, a two part fact-checking when fact checking one claim. They rate “false” over issues not raised or cannot be fact checkered, i.e., emotions and feeling. AOC was not in eminent danger, but she FELT she was. Thus, the story is mostly false. You can’t agrue with feelings.

Bottomline: Every single time in history when government starts censoring its people, it did not end well for said people. It has always ended up in a disaster of mass incarceration, death, and brutality, and loss of livelihood.

FEAR: false emotions appearing real. False evidence appearing real. And in AOC (and Snopes’s case), F@#k Everything and Run.

[Bill Tozer]

Walt @ 7:41 pm

“Poor Babs LIB news ain't called FAKE news for nothing. And you lapped it up like warm cream. “

Lapped it up like warm cream. More like the kitty spelt the cream, as they say in other geographic places.

[Walt]

Look how this worded. "To protect free and open elections" my ass.
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2021/02/05/time-magazine-secret-well-funded-cabal-worked-to-protect-2020-election/

"Time magazine has published a detailed account of what it describes as a “conspiracy” between “left-wing activists and business titans” to create “an extraordinary shadow effort” to “protect” the 2020 presidential election."

"The article by Molly Ball, titled “The Secret History of the Shadow Campaign That Saved the 2020 Election,” presents the effort as a heroic effort to preserve a free and fair election, and to fend off President Donald Trump’s anticipated claims of fraud."

Marginalize, deem "fake", bury the evidence, stomp on free speech, stop the ability of the opposition to tell their point of view, Ban from social media,, etc.

[Bill Tozer]

“Pas d’ennemis a gauche. No enemies on the left. The enemy is always to be found on the right. And because reality contradicts this central tenet of liberal ideology, it cannot ever be conceded.“

Who Are the True ‘Domestic Terrorists’?

https://buchanan.org/blog/who-are-the-true-domestic-terrorists-142768

Make America Think Again.

[Bill Tozer]

‘The QAnon Takeover Of The GOP Is A Fantasy Of Corporate Media And Democrats‘
There is indeed a fight underway for the future of the Republican Party, but it's not about QAnon conspiracy theories or crackpot lawmakers

“Indeed, the notoriety QAnon now enjoys has more to do with the media building it up than Republicans flocking to its banner. According to Pew Research, last spring during the Democratic primaries, more Democrats had heard about QAnon conspiracy theories than Republicans had (28 to 18 percent, respectively) and by the fall, that disparity had grown, with 55 percent of Democrats saying they’d heard of QAnon compared to less than 40 percent of Republicans. Notably, those most likely to say they had heard about it also reported that they got their news mainly from The New York Times, MSNBC, and NPR.

The reason Democrats and the media want to build up QAnon in the minds of Americans is fairly obvious: to tar all Republicans as crazy conspiracy theorists. That’s an explicit strategy among Democratic leadership in the House right now.“

https://thefederalist.com/2021/02/04/the-qanon-takeover-of-the-gop-is-a-fantasy-of-corporate-media-and-democrats/

[Walt]

Thug protection act on steroids.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gun-control-rep-sheila-jackson-lee-national-firearm-registry-licensing

Have a gun Emery? If this passes you won't. You can't pass the mental evaluation.

[Barry Pruett]

All of these policies are bad. Democrats are way overreaching. There is still a solid majority of Americans who still love freedom and the ideals of this country. Bad policy equals bad politics.

[Scott O]

BT 12:18 - I've noticed that for months. It seems it's always the leftys that want to talk about Q. In fact the first I had ever heard of it was from one of the leftys that posted here. I haven't heard a single person that I know of personally that has ever mentioned it.
I have no idea of who they are beyond the blather from the left. I guess it's the shiny new object for the left to obsess over. Anything to not have to face the train wreck they elected.

[paul emery]

Another one bits the dust:

"Fox Business Network has canceled “Lou Dobbs Tonight,” a show hosted by the staunch ally of former President Donald Trump.

The show will air for a final time on Friday, the Los Angeles Times first reported. Fox News Media confirmed the show’s cancellation to HuffPost.

Lou Dobbs, a top-rated host on the Fox Business Network and a fervent Trump supporter, repeatedly gave credence to the former president’s lies that the presidential election had been fraudulent.

Dobbs, who is still under contract with Fox Business Network, reportedly won’t appear on other shows moving forward, according to the L.A. Times.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/fox-cancel-lou-dobbs-show_n_601dd37bc5b6f38d06e39159

[Walt]

No fret Emery,, he will be picked up by NEWSMAX by end of next week. The other network that has your LIB side soiling themselves.

[Walt]

If you were any kind of "news man*" you would know that.

You just keep rooting for that liar you voted for.

[Bill Tozer]

Recommended for serious readers only.

Don’t know if Time realized they spilled the beans and you can bet CNN will have a fit. Long piece. You can go down about 4500 words (about 3/4 way down) to ‘5 Steps to Victory’ to get to the main thrust if time is a concern. It wasn’t about Trump, it was about securing victory for the oligarchy government and how they done did the dirty deeds.

‘The Secret History of the Shadow Campaign That Saved the 2020 Election‘

https://time.com/5936036/secret-2020-election-campaign/

[paul emery]

Walt

NEWSMAX Walt??? What joke

[Jason Hicks]

Who's truth is real? When conservatives start quoting the Bible as "proof", I can only walk away and shake my head. These are the same people that bash any news they don't like as fake news. Just another turn of the phrase, "Kill the messenger". But if the bible says it is so, it is the gospel truth. Ha ha ha!! The universe revolves around the earth and all that malarky. Carry one my widgets.

[fish]

Posted by: Jason Hicks | 06 February 2021 at 10:30 AM

I can’t help but think that was an earnest attempt at making a thoughtful comment.

.....which is really sad.

[George Rebane]

fish 1050am - Agreed. I'm not sure as to what commentary or idea Mr Hicks was responding - it surely has nothing to do with what I wrote. Perhaps he got confused when doing too much blog-surfing.

[Randy]

So here's what I'd like to see the liberal visitors to this site respond to. I identify as caucasian or "white" in tHe common parlance. I am apparently guilty of "white privilege" though I certainly do not feel privileged. I was raised in a broken home, my father leaving my mother when I was 11, she being a high school graduate raising two children best she could on an at, or below, poverty level wage. Yet we never felt like victims, she raised me and my sister best she could and instilled respect (sometimes at the end of a wooden spoon) and a strong work ethic/sense of PERSONAL responsibility. She NEVER taught us to look to rely on others for our good fortune and to take advantage of what life offers, job, education, whatever. Certainly NOT to consider the Government to be our salvation. Yet I am expected to provide my minimal and hard earned earnings to the benefit of others and/or in the form of reparations...to consider myself guilty of some indefinable wrong (read: slavery?) I don't get it and never will, guess I'm just not "woke." I work hard for what I have and what I hope to leave to my descendants, and I certainly do not believe the government knows best about how to spend the taxes I begrudgingly allow them to take ultimately at the pint of a gun..no matter how you slice the law that is ultimately what "the law" means. Sorry for the stream of consciousness rant but I cannot abide the "holier than thou" rantings or the "gotcha" questions of the Liberal posers to this forum who refuse to answer any of the more poignant questions the other posters posit and simply rely with " but what did Trump do?" And the worst offense is optics of the inauguration "insurrection," and I use THAT term loosely. Was in an ugly scene? Yes, Did it inform the "politboro" that they are not inviolate? Also yes. Regardless it was nothing, in my mind, compared to the countless riots over the summer by outfits such as Black Lives Matter and Antifa. Those were true riots and NOT protests!

[George Rebane]

re Randy 249pm - Hear, hear!

[Barry Pruett]

Same Randy. My family is from West Virginia. Poor. Dirt poor. Picking up beans and rice in burlap bags from the government to feed six kids with no dad poor. They moved to that Mecca known as the south side of Chicago finding dad and struggled and did better. They were simple and the one thing more important than anything was family. Still is. My dad who worked in the mill for 30 years vowed that all his kids would go to college. Here I am. BA JD and a class and a half from MA. Both sisters have BAs. We stand on their shoulders. They instilled an ethic of hard work and achieving goals and personal responsibility. I love them for it. Such is a unique story but generally a story of the American dream. There are millions of stories just like this. It is who we are.

[Walt]

Oh... Look at Emery.. Griping about something he has no clue about. Have you even watch 30 seconds of NEWSMAX Emery?
(Hell no... His squinty eyes would melt from his head

[Scott O]

Randy and Barry may not feel 'privileged' in the sense most use it, but there is that common thread of being raised in a family where they were loved and someone cared enough about them to instill an attitude of striving forward. That involves self-sacrifice and hard work, but no matter how wealthy they end up financially, they will end up with a better, happier life in the end.
That is true privilege.
The govt can't possibly ever give you that no matter what sort of economic system or social program it employs.
The govt can hand you a job and they can hand you money, but they can't give you a truly productive and happy life.

[Scott O]

Jason The Hick 10:30 - OK, dude. Whatever.

[Walt]

Hillary 2.0
https://dailycaller.com/2021/02/06/nancy-mace-aoc-alexandrai-ocasio-cortez-capitol-riot-story-twitter-argument/

Remember when Hillary flaunted her story of sniper fire?
(which was pure bullshit)

"Mace, a South Carolina Republican, also discussed tweets Ocasio-Cortez posted accusing her of minimizing people’s experiences.

“We should never ever, you know, accuse someone whose been a victim of trauma of exaggerating events, but when facts are literally made up, it’s our duty to tell the truth,” Mace said."
(AOC,, feeds you a second helping of pure bullshit)

[Don Bessee]

Ah yes, more peaceful protests that want to burn it down -

https://www.foxnews.com/us/antifa-members-threatens-to-burn-down-dc-during-black-lives-matter-march

;-)

[Don Bessee]

Fredos brother killed lots of little old ladies with his policy -

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ny-high-covid-19-nursing-home-mortality

How they changed their tune on vaccines and their rollout after jan 6th, gee ya think they were trying hard to make sure the socialists won?

Covid pandemic: Has the US turned the corner?

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-55952899

;-)

[Bill Tozer]

re: Facts, Speech, and REACH

‘The GameStop Saga Unravels Stakeholder Theory’
The GameStop saga shows some "equity" movements are more equal than others.

Stakeholder theory, the corporate version of social justice, attempts to install this hopelessly amorphous concept of "equity" in the business world. Equity, unlike equality, demands different treatment of individuals and different distribution of resources based on need, identity, and historical injustices. But now equity has evolved beyond a political buzzword, and finds growing support in calls for stakeholder capitalism. The animating impulse in big corporate boardrooms today requires cultivating an image of social responsibility. Under this theory business firms should entertain all kinds of noneconomic goals and outcomes. No longer may owners simply concern themselves with profit or loss, but instead must consider the broader societal implications of everything their business does. Whether corporate leaders concern themselves with social justice out of genuine desire or merely to avoid backlash is an open question, but the events of 2020 clearly changed the conversations in boardrooms.”

https://www.intellectualtakeout.org/the-gamestop-saga-unravels-stakeholder-theory/

[Walt]

Liz forgets who she works for.. They put her in office,, they sure as hell can take her out of it.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/cheney-not-resigning-state-gop-trump-impeachment-vote

[Bill Tozer]

New York Times ties itself in woke knots: Goodwin

"This is not moving the goal posts. This is rewriting the rules to satisfy the mob."

https://nypost.com/2021/02/06/new-york-times-ties-itself-in-woke-knots-goodwin/

[Bill Tozer]

Holy Smokes. Now even C-Span is raising concerns.

‘C-SPAN exec: House, Senate broadcasts are 'state TV' since news cameras not allowed inside,

Congress should allow C-SPAN's news cameras to broadcast House and Senate action from the chamber instead of only providing a video feed to the public affairs network, a C-SPAN executive told Just the News.

“C-SPAN Corporate Vice President and General Counsel Bruce Collins described the current setup as state-run television in an interview on the "Just the News AM" show.

During the CARES Act debate last March, some lawmakers in the House objected to passing the $2 trillion stimulus bill with a voice vote, but the public could not see a shot of the full chamber while the situation unfolded. "Well, that's the difference between journalism and government, I don't know, propaganda, or government television — state TV, is what we have in the House, in the Senate," Collins said, referring to the example above.”

https://justthenews.com/government/congress/c-span-executive-house-senate-broadcasts-are-state-tv-news-cameras-arent

[Randy]

Not surprised the liberal posters at RR are conspicuously absent when questions/challenges are made for them to defend their supposedly "humanitarian" positions here. By any chance was there discussion of the Smithsonian's poorly presented "whiteness" pamphlet that was presented in their African American museum that was promptly nixed due to complaint? There is such a volume of insightful discussion here at RR I've likely missed it if it was discussed? https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/jul/17/smithsonian-african-american-museum-remove-whitene/

Who knew that traits such as “hard work,” “self-reliance,” “delayed gratification,” being on time, and politeness were the sole purview of “white culture?” And here I thought these were the characteristics of a successful society. Silly me.

[Bill Tozer]

re: “The bottom line of what is being proposed by progressivist social engineers is the complete control of what can be broadly distributed, discussed, and debated in America”

Back in ‘colder than a well digger’s rear’ Minnesota,.....

THE LEFT-WING PLOT TO MISINFORM OUR CHILDREN

By 2022, as your first-grader is learning that two plus two is four, the Minnesota Department of Education intends to mandate that she also learn to recognize “stereotypes,” “biased speech,” and “injustice at the institutional or systemic level.”

Your middle schooler will be drilled in how his identity is a function of his skin color.

Your high schooler will be required to explain how Europeans invented “whiteness” and that America’s 19th-century westward expansion was the shameful product of “whiteness, Christianity and capitalism.”
***
If the new standards are adopted, the next generation of Minnesota citizens will be not only uninformed — but scandalously misinformed — about our nation’s history and democratic institutions. They will, however, be programmed to become the next generation of “woke” social activists, having spent their public-school years immersed in the lingo and thought world of the progressive left.
***
George Washington and D-Day rate no mention, though they were highlighted in earlier versions of the standards. Abraham Lincoln and the Battle of Gettysburg are omitted, but students study partus sequitur ventrem — the legal principle adopted in Virginia in 1662 that a child followed the slave or free status of its mother.

World history from classical Greece and Rome to World Wars I and II — a major focus of the current and original 2004 standards — has been virtually eliminated. In its place, for example, as young people study “where buildings can and cannot be built” in the U.S., they will learn about “feng shui” — a pseudoscientific Chinese practice that Merriam-Webster defines as configuring a site or structure to “harmonize with the spiritual forces that inhabit it.”
***
Indoctrination in identity politics under these standards would start in kindergarten, where 5-year-olds will “identify surface and deep characteristics of different ways of being (identity).” Fourth-graders are coached on how one’s “identity” and “biases influence decisions about how to use a space.” Seventh-graders are exhorted to “define race and ethnicity from different perspectives and make connections to one’s own ways of being (identities).”

By high school, students must “explain” — parrot back is more like it — “the social construction of race” and “assess how social policies and economic forces offer privilege or systematic oppressions for racial/ethnic groups.”

The standards portray America as a very bad place indeed. From elementary school on, students will be propagandized that we live in a greedy, “imperialist” nation, permeated by “powerful social, cultural and political inequities” which young people must “take action” to “address.” Yet they will lack the knowledge to put America’s alleged shortcomings in context, in part because the standards are silent on 20th-century totalitarian movements and atrocities like Soviet gulags, the Nazi Holocaust, the Chinese Cultural Revolution and the 9/11 terror attacks.

https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2021/02/the-left-wing-plot-to-misinform-our-children.php

I think Post Americans is more appropriate than leftinistas. The people were right. The troubling concern. There will always be an United States, but it won’t be America. The death of America.

First things Biden did out of the gate included destroying women’s sports was dumping Trump’s ‘racist’ 1776 project and put 1691 back on top, but new and improved. This time it is to be taught in all our government run public education. That’s a good example of reach... Why not start it Head Start?

[George Rebane]

Randy 158am - Thanks for that catch. What our Democrat deacons of dumbth don't know is that social and character attributes such as “hard work,” “self-reliance,” “delayed gratification,” being on time, and politeness were NOT the sole purview of “white culture”. As you point out, such characteristics were common to the social contracts of all successful societies. This includes societies like those of Japan, China, et al which developed independently from the white societies of Europe, North Africa, and the Levant.

[paul emery]

Walt writes about Liz Cheney concerning the Wyoming Pubbers Party wanting her to resign:

"Liz forgets who she works for.. They put her in office,, they sure as hell can take her out of it."

Bizzare statement Walt! I thought she works for those who put her in office-the voters. Correct me if I'm wrong

[Don Bessee]

The pony tail of ignorance might want to look at the registrations in her district @148. LOL

;-)

[paul emery]

What would that reveal Don that would be relevant to the question I posed at 1:48. Who does she work for the Republican Party or the voters that elected her?

[Walt]

So the ponytail of stupidity thinks she's immune from recall?

[Walt]

I bet Emery still believes Chanslor Biden's "election*" was "free and fair" too. Evidence already posted to the contrary Emery. Don't even try.

[Walt]

Maybe Emery can tell us when his hero Biden will produce those "millions of jobs" Herr Biden said he would create. And doing just what, to replace those 60 dollar an hour union jobs?

[paul emery]

Walt you're displaying you're ignorance. You cannot Recall a member of Congress. I'm surprised you didn't know that. That's what elections are for every two years for members of the House.

[paul emery]

Yes, free and fair election Walt. There were 60 lawsuits challenging the elections and over a dozen recounts. Not one investigation by States or the Federal Government revealed any fraud except for a few isolated examples of a couple dozen votes.. Trump has you under his spell. I feel sorry for your and your kind.

[Walt]

Ahhhhh. Emery sure DOESN'T pay any attention.
There is an effort to do just that you fool.
They are ready to change state law to DO SO.
Better search out what you believe before you go yapping.
Now go do some homework.

Let me guess. You also feel recalling Gavin Nousseline
is a coup attempt too.

[Don Bessee]

Someone is suffering the recurring comprehension issues -

What would that reveal Don that would be relevant to the question I posed at 1:48. Who does she work for the Republican Party or the voters that elected her?

She was elected by republicans oh great pony tail of ignorance, DUH!

;-)

[paul emery]

Walt

Recalling Gavin is legal under California law because it's a State position. Recalling House members is not. Surprised you didn't know that.

Here's details:

"The United States Constitution does not provide for recall of any federally elected official. The option was considered during the drafting of the document in 1787, but was not included in the final version. "

https://ballotpedia.org/Laws_governing_recall

[paul emery]

So Don you believe then that the Republican Party of the State of Wyoming has the right and ability to remove her from office. Exactly what is the process that they would use to do that?

[Walt]

Look harder Emery, you went the Libby rout. I'm not going to show you. You still haven't posted your denial as proof from the Nevada Silly BLM march. Why not Emery?

[Walt]

Here Emery,, here is a hint.
"Petition gains nearly 25k signatures asking to ‘Recall Liz Cheney’"

[Walt]

https://mybighornbasin.com/petition-made-to-recall-liz-cheney/

Soon to be the 20TH state to allow it.

[Walt]

If anything else Emery,, she will never survive the next election. Or does the RINO GOP say she stays,, not the voters?
You know,, that's how Biden got into office.

[Walt]

Emery says "free and fair" Despite all the fraud votes?
1000 dead voted in Nevada alone.

[paul emery]

Walt quote:

"she will never survive the next election"

Glad you agree with me that the next election is the proper process for changing
members of the House.

By the way exactly what did Liz Cheney do to throw her out of office? did she break the law?

[Walt]

Agree with you? 🤣🤣🤣 Not on your life.
She, like ALL OTHER elected people are there to represent the people. NOT their own damned opinions. If they go against the wishes of those that put them there, they should be removed by those that put them there.

Now where is your proof of denial Emery? You should be able to produce it.

[Walt]

When you let ANTIFA run wild and destroy downtown,, don't whine about them when they come knocking on your door...
Sac Mayor's house gets trashed by ANTIFA,,, and boy is he pissed. Now you know how the city feels. Isn't MOB rule great?

[Scott O]

Paul Emery 6:22 - "By the way exactly what did Liz Cheney do to throw her out of office? did she break the law?"
Paul thinks himself to appear wise by acting as if he has a room temperature IQ.
And despite claiming to be a 'newsman', he shows a complete lack of knowledge regarding current events.
His sentence structure is poor, but I'm guessing he means 'what did L Cheney do that has caused her constituents to want her removed from office?'
And then he asks - "did she break the law?"
Has anyone claimed that she did, Emery?
Or has charging up undefended hills become your new hobby during the lock down?

[Barry Pruett]

Cheney cannot be recalled under Wyoming law. She can however be taken out of her leadership position in the Republican caucus. Paul asks what law did she break? I ask Paul to articulate a law which Trump broke which necessitates the outrageous and unconstitutional action of impeaching a private citizen who happens to be a former president? I’ll patiently wait for an educated and direct response for if I hold my breath I will surely die.

[Scott O]

re Walt 6:50 - https://www.kcra.com/article/protestors-cause-damage-to-sacramento-mayors-home-staff-says/35443259
Money quote - "The idea that people would come terrorize his street, intimidate his family, damage his home is beyond the pale and he was quite upset about it," Vellinga said.
'beyond the pale'?
No, doofus - it's par for the course.
Hey Steinberg - You've got insurance, right? No biggie. Wasn't that the party line?
Golly gosh and gee - don't these louts understand you can do that to the proles, but fer garsh sakes, don't ever ruffle the feathers of the rulers.
Threatening the general citizenry in their homes is !DEMOCRACY! but threatening the ruling class is not allowed.
"he was quite upset about it"
Oh well, then - better call out the National Guard!

[paul emery]

Barry

That "former President" stance you assume is an interpretation of impeachment that will be argued and decided tomorrow by a vote of the Senate. Lets talk about it after the process is complete.

Scott

The Repubs in the House did not take any action against Liz Cheney. Why do you think that was?

[Barry Pruett]

That is not what I asked. I ask you what law Trump broke. I'll wait.

[paul emery]

Inciting a mob to loot and plunder. The protest he told everyone to participate had no permit and he said follow me there. Of course he lied and bailed but it created a riot scene and lynch mob that the police were not equipped to handle because they were not informed by the President was going to happen. It resulted in murder and looting of a public building. That's only a start. He was criminally negligent to incite a violent protest that he knew the police were not able to handle and that he knew had elements that intended to trespass and loot the Capital. How could he not have known what to expect? .

[Scott O]

Paul 8:05 - That's a nice story. I can just hardly wait for you to produce the links to evidence. BTW - linking to someone else's story is not evidence.

[Scott O]

Paul 7:34 - "Scott

The Repubs in the House did not take any action against Liz Cheney. Why do you think that was?"

Nice try, Paul - we aren't talking about the other Rs in the House. We're talking about L Cheney and her constituents. If you can't answer my direct questions just admit it.

[Barry Pruett]

Paul. I figured that was what you thought, but I never really thought that you would say it.

[Walt]

Emery.. The Constitution states.."The Chief justice WILL preside over an impeachment to remove from office".
Just where is Roberts? He has refused to show up.
The Constitution makes no provision for a bought and paid for stand in who has already voiced his verdict.

So your supporting a sham "court"? Not surprised in the least.
From the guy who said he was supportive of tens of thousands getting their jobs cut with the stroke of Biden's pen.
You deny that Emery? (you said you were happy with every one of Biden's exec. orders.)

[paul emery]

Scott

Cheney's constituents can't recall her so what are you talking about? Are you claiming they can?

Barry,

Trump will likely not get impeached but he is toast as far as having a political future. He will leave a trashed Republican party. Remember, he's the biggest political loser since before Teddy Roosevelt. I don't understand why you still support this pathetic clown.

[Walt]

Still smarter than you Emery. And better sense.
He loves America You don't.

[Scott O]

Paul 9:01 - Hilarious. Trying to have a 'conversation' with Paul is like trying to make sense from the actions of a squirrel on crack.

"Cheney's constituents can't recall her so what are you talking about? Are you claiming they can?"

If Paul would like to know what I'm talking about, he could go back and actually read what I wrote and possibly even answer my questions.
But I doubt it.
Meanwhile Paul - try to get some sleep or maybe see a therapist or something.

[Scott O]

BTW Paul - you still haven't provided the backup to your fantasy about Trump inciting a riot.
Maybe just admit you don't have any?

[Bill Tozer]

The New York Court, without explanation, dismussed the state charges against Paul Manafort.....despite what some low information lefties claimed that a Presidential pardon would not help Paul becuse if Trump pardoned him, NY would charge Paul.

[Walt]

Emery can't produce any proof of Trump causing the capital riot. That was pre-planned on Fascistbook.
Just Like Emery could never post evidence Trump was a Commie stooge as he claimed.(CNN told him to say that)

[Walt]

Emery is the Berkeley of the foothills Gungadin with a real leaky bucket.. But keep carrying the Lefty water Emery,, too bad that bucket is empty before you get to the fort.

[Walt]

Proggys pissed that Trump won't show up for his lynching.
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2021/02/08/democrats-threaten-to-punish-trump-for-not-testifying-at-impeachment-trial/

Damn,, Emery,, Why ain't Roberts showing up?
C'mon MAN,,, you think your so smart, answer up.
You can always tell us where Biden's "millions" of high paying jobs will be.

[Walt]

Now didn't Bush catch holy hell from the LIBS for doing just this?
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/biden-s-justice-department-ask-nearly-all-trump-era-u-n1257100

[Bill Tozer]

Oh Walt. You and I and everbody knows why Chief Justice Roberts is not showing up. Since the Constitution requies Roberts to proside over the trail of a President and since Trump is not President, Roberts has no obligation to show up. But Punchy knows that. Everybody know its just the Lefties desire to vent their TDS.

What Punchy knows all to well that while Trump was giving his speech up the road, the min-riot was well under way. Trump startrd speaking T 12:03 pm, EST, and gave a long speech. The mostly peaceful protest was underway before and during his speech at the White House.

Video shows the Proud Boys heading to the Capitol Building from the southeast, not from the WH. Yep, Trump should have known, ROFLMA0.

[Billl Tozer]

Here they come again...the peaceful protesters.

Antifa and Black Lives Matter protesters march through DC surrounding diners, skirmishing with police, and chanting 'burn it down'

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/BLM-antifa-washington-DC-burn-it-down

[Bill Tozer]

Punchy @ 9:01 pm

“Barry,
Trump will likely not get impeached”

Hate to be a nitpicker with facts and all, but Trump has now been impeached twice. Both times for high crimes and misdemeanors.

[Scott O]

Walt 9:44 - Walt, you should know the drill by now. When the Dems do it, it's business as usual. When the Rs do it, it's despicable evil.
A Dem has sex with not-his-wife, so what - Trump does the same, he's a horrible man.
The left only wants power and the narrative bends to fit the occasion.
This time the left is going for a full on power grab. They'll 'allow' both sides of the story as long as one side is their 'truth' and the side is considered to be pure evil to be done away with.
Even the legacy lefty-liberals are bailing on this one. It shows how lacking in self-awareness the left is when they refuse to acknowledge their former fellow travelers have fled the madness.

[Bill Tozer]

Guess Biden’s agenda and the latest impeachment trial should go into the Sandbox, but call this a one-off. I believe that the Senate Trial is just to take people’s eyes off Biden. Every second they focus on former President Trump is a second they don’t have to look at Joe Biden’s policies and fallibilities.
Or maybe we need to give the lefties time to adjust to reality. Just kidding. That would take until the end of time. As Robin Williams said in a comic routine, “Reality, what a concept.”

‘As Trump impeachment trial starts, the Biden Democrat agenda crashes into reality
Union anger over job losses, inflation worries, likely acquittal undercut new president's clout.’

https://justthenews.com/government/white-house/trump-impeachment-trial-starts-biden-democrat-agenda-crashes-reality

[Walt]

Yes Bill,, the LIB porn show has started.

[paul emery]

Walt laments that "the LIB porn show has started."

Yes, that's what happens when you lose elections because or supporting Trump, the biggest Presidential loser since before Teddy Roosevelt. The joke is that you actually want him back. Amazing watching the Republican party destroy itself because of the narcissistic Carnival Barker ex-President Donald Trump conning them for every buck he can.

[George Rebane]

PaulE 1011am - "conning them for every buck he can." Is this a talking point you are echoing from the lamestream, or do you some real evidence on which to base this allegation?

[paul emery]

Here is just one example George of Trump using fake claim of election fraud to raise millions of dollars:

The leadership PAC created by former President Trump in the wake of his November electoral loss raked in nearly $31 million in the final weeks of 2020, giving him a stockpile of cash that could help him retain influence over the GOP in his post-presidency.

The PAC, called Save America, reported raising $30.9 million in the end-of-year period spanning Nov. 24-Dec. 31, according to new filings with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). In that time, it spent only a fraction of what it brought in, doling out less than $218,000 on merchant fees for the GOP’s online fundraising clearinghouse WinRed.

Save America entered 2021 with nearly $31.2 million in the bank.

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/536744-trumps-new-pac-raised-millions-as-he-sought-to-overturn-election-results

[George Rebane]

PaulE 1144am - Very odd. You have not cited any evidence that he did anything illegal or immoral in collecting political dollars from his supporters. Just because you and yours don't like the uses to which he will put this money doesn't make his solicitation of it is "conning them for every buck he can." Or is that more of your byzantine leftwing logic?

[paul emery]

George

I recieved email from Trumps campaign that this money was going to be used for legal fee's. In fact he spent practically none of it for legal fee's and instead pocketed it for future use. Total lie.

[Bill Tozer]

“The bottom line of what is being proposed by progressivist social engineers is the complete control of what can be broadly distributed, discussed, and debated in America. Anything that goes against the ensconced political establishment is effectively shut down in the name of national security or public safety as the dissemination of “harmful disinformation”. —GJR
So true about “harmful disinformation”.

The renaming guru of SFSD schools is facing a little blowback. The SFSD says this of it’s critics.....’to question the group’s research was itself an effort to undermine the school district’s anti-racism crusade and “discredit” the renaming committee’s “work.”’
Ah, as to asking exactly which President Roosevelt has been banned and what for reason, they did not know whether it was a Teddy or FDR, but it was to cut ties with those historical figures and....hey...your questions are “Undermining Anti-Racism”! That’s hateful disinformation even if it’s true.

AOC is mad as hell that critics pointed out that she was not in the Capitol Building on Jan 6 and she did not experience a life threatening moment. What a drama queen. When the fight or flee instinct kicked in, she chose fight and ran to the office next door to her, was welcomed in by a Dem congresswoman who was her desk leisurely sipping coffee and asked AOC what the heck was she doing running around her office opening and shutting all the doors all frantic like. AOC said she was looking for a place to hide. ‘Alas, I won’t live to have a child. This is it...the end!’ Heck, the only one she talked to other than fellow Congresspersons and staff was one Capitol Police guard, who everyone but AOC found nice, friendly, and professional.
Now AOC wants all her millions of followers to get Twitter to ban all those who....shal we say, undermined her story. Silence them. They are haters. White Supremists, men like Ted Cruz who tried to have me murdered! Saying AOC was not in eminent danger is “harmful disinformation”.

Now, the big stuff:

‘Time Magazine Gushingly Profiles The Successful ‘Conspiracy’ To Rig The 2020 Election‘
Time magazine's article intones the 'Trump is crazy' mantra over his claims of a 'rigged' election while telling anyone who reads it how powerful people conspired to rig the 2020 election.

https://thefederalist.com/2021/02/09/time-magazine-gushingly-profiles-the-successful-conspiracy-to-rig-the-2020-election/

“As John Davidson says, the ruling class hates you, and they think you are stupid. In fact, they work to make you stupid and helpless, then laugh about it in your face afterward.”

[George Rebane]

PaulE 308pm - All politicians stash leftover political funds to retire debt or future use. So what's your beef?

[Scott O]

Paul - "In fact he spent practically none of it for legal fee's and instead pocketed it for future use. Total lie."
Since he hasn't spent it yet, how can you prove it won't be spent on legal fees?
He didn't say when he would use it.
You do realize, Paul - you don't have to send him any money if don't want to.
It's OK - calm down.

[Bill Tozer]

Our Illiberal Moment

“But an even bigger number, one suspects, are simply using the weapons they’ve been handed. One need not be an incisive student of history to understand that when a man is told that he can silence his critics by merely claiming to feel “unsafe,” he will quickly claim to feel unsafe.”

https://www.nationalreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/xml_20210222_Cooke.html