George Rebane
Government inevitably corrupts and/or badly screws up the projects it initiates in the public sphere. This thesis has been a common RR thread for years and forms a basic tenet of Rebane Doctrine. The 9jun24 WSJ has a short and succinct column, ‘Your Government at Work’ by Andy Kessler that summarizes this ongoing process of ineptitude. And, of course, our government is not the only one charged; it is a common trait of all large bureaucracies operating without proper incentives and feedback.
Women’s basketball phenom Caitlin Clark didn’t make our Olympic team, it turns out, because she wasn’t diverse enough – i.e. white, straight, European, and all that. The given bullshit reason was the claim that her fame would disrupt the historical somnolence with which women’s basketball has been received in the Olympics. And all this in the face of multiple efforts to promote a more broad and enthusiastic reception of the sport’s distaff participation. So now the public pushback has caused the sport’s political hacks to instate Clark as a first alternate in the event one of the twelve chosen can’t play. Can you imagine the mentality of the jerks who made the decision to exclude her in the first place? (more here)
[11jun24 update] Pelosi pleads pretermission about J6 security preparations for the Capitol. Finally, the former Speaker admits that a mass protest with unknown consequences was long anticipated at the Capitol by both the DHS and the FBI for the Senate’s 6jan21 electoral vote certification. Neither agency issued a timely intelligence report on this, and “Congressional leaders, including Pelosi, chose not to deploy the National Guard early over concerns of ‘optics’ amid 2020’s Black Lives Matter riots, according to a 2022 GOP report.” Meanwhile, everyone including then President Trump got blamed for the Capitol breach, even though he was perfectly in his rights to encourage his supporters to protest the certification – there is no evidence that he directed the demonstrators to enter the building or do anything illegal. (more here)
[12jun24 update] ‘Sports Should Unify, Not Divide Us’ writes Clay Travis in a compelling piece featured in the recent issue of Imprimis (here). He again illustrates the deep evil that the woke Democrats have unleashed on the land – in this version another piece of established western culture targeted for destruction to achieve their dissolution of America. And it boggles my mind to realize that these people walk and live among us as they do their dirty work while we remain ignorant and/or indifferent about the impact of their labors.
[13jun24 update] Ignorance on parade. In a recent Union Jo Ann pointed out the asymmetric street level responses of the Left vs Right when addressing public policies they don’t like. As evidence abounds, the Left likes to riot, burn things down, and in general favor violence instead of more peaceful means. Local leftwing worthy Daryl Grigsby writes in today’s Union (here) that my sweetie is totally wrong in her observation. His cutting response alleges equity in that conservatives are “silent as election workers are harassed and threatened, promote divisive language, and see anyone seeking basic human dignity as Marxists.” And, of course, J6 “was an attempt to burn down democracy”. His intellectual coup de grace was citing the 1921 Tulsa massacre when white Jim Crow Democrats “burned down 1400 black homes and businesses, murdered over 300 African-Americans, destroyed the black business district, …” Reaching back over a century and then missing the politics of his own white racist forebears is the best counter he can offer? Point, set, match!
[20jun24 update] Democracy on the block. The Democrat sleazebags continue telling their know-nothing constituents that Trump and the Republicans will kill democracy in America if they get elected. Meanwhile it's the progressives who now actively thwart democracy wherever they find it. Check this that just came out of Sacramento.
I was thinking about 'government' this very morning.
It occurred to me that you could watch our modern secular religion spread it's wings by using archive.org
Local example, for Nevada City gubmint.
2006 - utterly vanilla web page, some words about a sister city
2007 - job opening
2009 - granny cottage leniency program
2010 - add mission statement: "The City of Nevada City is dedicated to preserving and enhancing its small town character and historical architecture while providing quality public service for our current and future residents, businesses and visitors."
2011 - some words about water conservation
2015 - economic plan added! "Nevada City's new economic strategy positions the City for accelerated business growth and prosperity by helping to create an environment where business thrives."
2016 - core values added! "A commitment to public service Ethical and transparent behavior Fiscal responsibility Preserving and enhancing our community Excellent, responsive customer service A commitment to our community as a whole"
vision statement! "Nevada City, nestled in the Sierra foothills, will be a vibrant, uniquely beautiful small town that balances art and culture, historical preservation and progress."
note:first appearance of 'vibrant'.
2017 - addition of big ol' 'non-discrimination' statement
2019 - core values gets new addendum: 'A Resolution in support of Racial Justice 2018-4'
2020 - add city council great big ol' 'code of conduct'
2021 - city council statement 'We, the members of the Nevada City City Council, pledge our commitment to working together collaboratively for the good of Nevada City. We believe in respecting each other's opinions, both those we agree with and those we disagree with. We will show this respect by demonstrating both consideration for each other and members of the City staff. We intend to maintain our focus on the City's most important priorities, keeping an awareness of the world around us, but working diligently on issues that are local to our community and relevant to the quality of life of our constituents.'
note: I believe this is about when the Nuremberg-like Pride Flags crept in. Look askance at them at your peril.
2023 - new core values! 'Embracing and promoting diversity' 'A commitment to our community as a whole Support for and commitment to a safe, just, equitable, diverse and inclusive Nevada City'
2024 - call for community conversation! adopt strategic plan! strategic plan issues are ulta-important for the small town....mainly consist of Nisenan! Climate Change! Vibrancy! Cannabis! (plus a few words about parks and fires).
----
You know, it really didn't take long. I'd say that non-progressives are pretty much doomed until they learn how to capture local office rather than just bitch about Biden.
A person could probably build a similar timeline around most publicly-traded large companies, especially those defacto run by BlackRock.
Posted by: scenes | 10 June 2024 at 01:03 PM
scenes 103pm - Agreed.
Posted by: George Rebane | 10 June 2024 at 03:02 PM
By the by, I did like the Strategic Plan graphic and words. It's recognizable to anyone who has worked for a large company on the skids.
https://www.nevadacityca.gov/pview.aspx?id=20812&catid=563
and judging from this:
https://www.theunion.com/news/ideas-opinions-judith-lowry-under-this-regime-no-one-has-the-right-to-prevent-this/article_2dd7d0e8-1c43-11ef-a2bb-5fd884fb8ccd.html
the A-number one focus, the capstone, the Parthenon roof (at least until the Venetians blew it up) of city government, the Nisenan, is a more complicated subject than you might think. It all looks as complicated as John Nichols' New Mexico trilogy, but I'll wait for the movie version.
Posted by: scenes | 10 June 2024 at 04:01 PM
By the way here's a heads up. The cult publication Epoch Times is making a move in our community. I received a sample edition last week. I'm sure you are all aware but if not it was founded in 2000 as an arm of Falun Gong. If I have to tell you about who they are that would be evidence of your ignorance.
Posted by: Paul Emery | 10 June 2024 at 04:19 PM
Says the po' ol' ponytail of ignorance @419 ROFLOL
;-)
Posted by: Don Bessee | 10 June 2024 at 04:43 PM
Posted by: Don Bessee | 10 June 2024 at 04:43 PM
Says the po' ol' ponytail of ignorance @419 ROFLOL
That's a good point Don....when I need professional expertise in "ignorance" I feel like I should consult an expert!
Someone who actually has "ignorance" in his title!
Posted by: fish ole' | 10 June 2024 at 04:50 PM
Compared to Democracy Now!, what makes ET a "cult publication"?
Posted by: Gregory | 10 June 2024 at 04:52 PM
"Epoch Times is making a move in our community."
As I first read that, I thought it was interesting. There's plenty of empty commercial space in the area as everyone leaves after all.
But then it occurred to me that all that happened was that you got something in the mail. They probably bought some database, maybe Nevada County voter rolls, and did a mailing. Oh well, BFD. It seems to me that I've seen those before.
Next up, outrage because somebody saw a Mormon newspaper at the post office. Super duper hard extreme far right cult that believes in multiple 'kingdoms of glory'. Better get the protest signs out dude.
Posted by: scenes | 10 June 2024 at 05:00 PM
"If I have to tell you about who they are that would be evidence of your ignorance."
More like:
"If I have to tell you about who they are that would be evidence of my ignorance."
Fixed it for you, Paul.
No need to thank me.
We'uns already know all about them. Long ago.
But you were ignorant of that, weren't you, Paul?
Have you lined up at the cattle call so you can be in the movie? You could dress as a tranny with a huge fake joint and be included as an extra as "local color".
Posted by: Scott O | 10 June 2024 at 05:14 PM
But, seriously, Paul - thanks for warning us about this grave threat to "Our Democracy".
Posted by: Scott O | 10 June 2024 at 05:16 PM
Have you seen Sec Of Trans Alfred E Nueman explain why after 7.5B and 3 years the feds have only 7 or 8 charging stations installed?
I like how he smiles as he goes sideways with the weasel talk.
"It's really a new category of federal investment".
Sure - they need years to set up the DEI dept and then start lining up grifters experienced in such art.
He seems totally pleased with such a dismal record.
Over the last few weeks I watched the progress of a completed install of a stand alone ATM in the parking lot of the local grocery store. I've watched far more than 7 or 8 charging stations go in at stores in the area just over the last year.
She was laughing at him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Rkn-HFLg14
Posted by: Scott O | 10 June 2024 at 05:32 PM
PaulE 419pm - A little research on your part would show you that the ET is as much a "cult newspaper" promoting Falun Gong as Christian Science Monitor is a cult newspaper promoting Christian Science. I think you don't like them because they're not just another lamestream echo chamber.
Posted by: George Rebane | 10 June 2024 at 06:18 PM
Here is one for the po' ol' ponytail of ignorances TDS ranting, it was botox nancy all along -
New video footage provided to House Republicans reveals then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) admitting responsibility for not having the National Guard protect the Capitol building ahead of protests on January 6, 2021.
The footage, Politico notes, was “was shown in a video shot by the former speaker’s daughter, documentarian Alexandra Pelosi, and recently provided to congressional investigators by HBO.” It was never aired — nor did Alexandra Pelosi provide it to the January 6 Committee when it was supposedly investigating the Capitol riot.
The January 6 Committee also never subpoenaed Speaker Pelosi or her daughter for documents about the riot.
The video substantiates claims by former President Donald Trump that Pelosi was responsible for failing to prepare sufficient security ahead of the protest. Trump offered the National Guard in the days before the “Stop the Steal” rally 6, but was refused. (Trump was later faulted by critics for not intervening quickly to send the Guard during the riot.)
In the video, Pelosi is shown lamenting: “We have responsibility … we did not have any accountability for what was going on there. And we should have. … Why weren’t the National Guard there to begin with?”
She continues: “I take responsibility for not having them [the National Guard] just prepare for war.”
Pelosi later rejected Republican nominees for the minority positions on the January 6 Committee — the first time in congressional history that the leader of the majority party had done so — and instead hand-picked two anti-Trump Republicans. The result was a completely one-sided investigation that declined to question Pelosi’s role in events.
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2024/06/10/watch-unaired-video-shows-nancy-pelosi-admitting-responsibility-for-not-having-national-guard-at-capitol/
;-)
Posted by: Don Bessee | 10 June 2024 at 06:43 PM
Gregory
Do you know much about Falun Gong and their relationship with QAnon? If not I'll leave it up to you to find out.
Posted by: Paul Emery | 10 June 2024 at 09:01 PM
Hilarious!
"Do you know much about Falun Gong and their relationship with QAnon?"
Let's guess - they both use flush toilets?
Mostly right-handed?
I wonder if it's anything like the link between Biden and human slavery and the Jim Crow era of the United States?
Posted by: Scott O | 10 June 2024 at 09:38 PM
"Anti-vaccine activist and presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. calls The Epoch Times a daily read, among his most trusted news sources. “They have a real bias against China, but on other reporting, they’re very courageous and it’s real journalism,” Kennedy said in an interview with NBC News this summer."
Posted by: Gregory | 10 June 2024 at 09:49 PM
I decided that if Paul is so frightened of the Epoch Times, I thought I'd check out their web site.
I can definitely see the link between ET and stuff Paul is scared stiff of:
https://www.theepochtimes.com/opinion/remembering-the-heroes-of-d-day-5663976?ea_src=frontpage&ea_med=opinion-5
Their connection with "QAnon" (whatever that is) is obvious to Paul.
Posted by: Scott O | 10 June 2024 at 09:49 PM
"They have a real bias against China"
Actually, the CCP.
But Paul's fav POTUS says that the commies are not our enemies. I can see why Paul likes Biden.
Posted by: Scott O | 10 June 2024 at 09:55 PM
psul: "Do you know much about Falun Gong and their relationship with QAnon? If not I'll leave it up to you to find out."
roflmao. You believe in these conspiracies don't you? Is QAnon in the room right now? Did it touch you somewhere?
Check out the size of this wiki entry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QAnon
It's like a giant game of Telephone. Some guy on 4chan/8chan says some stuff, it gets passed around, some people pick it up, then 100x as many people on the other side blame it for their ills. A pyramid of nonsense.
Paul old son, you're losing it. That guy with all the infowars stickers on his tailgate is not the vanguard of a huge revolutionary movement that's gonna come get ya.
Posted by: scenes | 11 June 2024 at 06:51 AM
re: The Epoch Times.
Took a look. None of the op-ed writers seem inappropriate. Less Trumpnews than a lot of places (listen to ABC news on KNCO sometime). About 1 in 20 articles views the Chinese poorly, so maybe that's their editorial policy. Like most world news sites, war in Ukraine has almost completely disappeared.
I guess I should look at stuff like this more. The Union, being skint and all, just runs My Feelz columns from locals along with the crossword (the main point of the rag to me). It's always worthwhile to look at general news magazines from 20,30,40 years ago and watch how all the 'emergencies' just flowed by. The trick is catching the long-term civilization-changing trends.
Posted by: scenes | 11 June 2024 at 07:09 AM
"It is difficult to work within a group when you are omnipotent"
-Q
Posted by: Gregory | 11 June 2024 at 07:24 AM
Let me admit I don’t know a thing about QAnon. Went looking at the beginning, decided it was a rabbithole topped off with BS. A big joke, on who by whom I have no clue.
Posted by: Gregory | 11 June 2024 at 07:43 AM
Fighting homelessness never had it so good...
California leads the way!
They can call it Cabrini-Green West.
"LA Homeless Tower Cost as Much as 5-Star Hotel to Build"
https://californiaglobe.com/fr/la-homeless-tower-cost-as-much-as-5-star-hotel-to-build/
Sadly - there's no mention of charging stations for the E-cars.
Posted by: Scott O | 11 June 2024 at 07:50 AM
re: Gregory@7:43AM
I went hunting for QAnon posts,perhaps to better understand psul's mental issues.
Damn, it's hard to find anything. Basically all that I proved to myself is the incredible politicization of what you might think of as 'neutral' media sources. It's funny how The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists or Scientific American has had feature creep into choosing sides in the culture war. Google searches basically churn up feelz-based essays on the evils of QAnon, based on little evidence or research.
The best I've done is to look for https://qposts.online in the wayback machine section of archive.org
It'll be a shame when the copyright police shut down that site. It's bound to happen sometime. Maybe some Russians will host the thing, but it would be pricey, a lot more than libgen or SciHub.
Posted by: scenes | 11 June 2024 at 07:59 AM
Welcome to another episode of "Great Moments in Self Awareness" .....tonights guest....Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania.
Won't you give generously to help the governor get the treatment he so desperately needs?!
https://www.mediaite.com/politics/stop-shit-talking-america-democratic-governor-unloads-on-whining-trump/
Posted by: fish ole' | 11 June 2024 at 10:03 AM
my 743a appears to have shut paul up.
Posted by: Gregory | 11 June 2024 at 01:07 PM
Trump is losing his support from the mainstream Republican Party. This is an example:
From former House Speaker Paul Ryan on Fox News saying that former President Donald Trump is unsuitable for another term in office — and that he believes the former president isn't loyal to upholding the Constitution.
"I voted for him in 2016, hoping that there was going to be a different kind of person in office," Ryan told host Neil Cavuto. "And I do think character is a really important issue. If you put yourself above the Constitution, as he has done, I think that makes you unfit for office."
"But what happened?" asked Cavuto. "What turned you off? Was it the whole January 6 thing?"
"That's a part of it, I think it's a contribution of factors," said Ryan. "But I think it really is his character at the end of the day, and the fact that if you're willing to put yourself above the Constitution, an oath you swear when you take office, federal office, whether there's president or a member of Congress, you swear an oath to the Constitution. And if you're willing to suborn it to yourself, I think that makes you unfit for office."
https://x.com/acyn/status/1800626156066206061?s=46&t=cdIVxMmIPG5io6ExW9A9zA
Posted by: Paul Emery | 11 June 2024 at 03:19 PM
Trump is losing his support from the mainstream Republican Party. This is an example:
If he wins this will be the reason....
Posted by: fish ole' | 11 June 2024 at 05:53 PM
"Epoch Times is making a move in our community."
And the Home Guard is on it! Right now somebody is taking his foot locker down....making sure the uniform still fits and pulling on the pink "Pussy Hat" (Helmet). Tonight....a little close order drill in the living room with a mop!
Posted by: fish ole' | 11 June 2024 at 05:56 PM
A bunch of self-loathing America haters -
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2024/06/11/poll-only-19-of-joe-biden-voters-say-society-benefits-from-marriage-having-children/
;-)
Posted by: Don Bessee | 11 June 2024 at 08:22 PM
If he loses fish this will be the reason and for sure he's going to lose. Trump is the biggest political loser since the 1800's and that's not going to change. He is indeed a gift to the Dems.
Posted by: Paul Emery | 11 June 2024 at 08:42 PM
Dont count your chickens po' ol' ponytail of ignorance -
Head-to-head, Trump leads Biden in the battleground states of Arizona (45%-44%), Georgia (47%-44%), Michigan (47%-45%), Nevada (49%-40%), North Carolina (48%-41%) and Pennsylvania (48%-45%), according to the Cook Political Report survey released Thursday.
In a five-way race, Trump is up 41%-37% in Arizona; 42%-38% in Georgia; 43%-40% in Michigan; 43%-35% in Nevada; 44%-36% in North Carolina; and 43%-40% in Pennsylvania.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-leads-biden-in-six-swing-states-and-tied-in-a-seventh-poll/ar-BB1mWTQ7
;-)
Posted by: Don Bessee | 11 June 2024 at 09:53 PM
Posted by: psul "still confused about quotes in the 'Posted by:' line" Emery | 11 June 2024 at 08:42 PM
If he loses fish this will be the reason and for sure he's going to lose. Trump is the biggest political loser since the 1800's and that's not going to change. He is indeed a gift to the Dems.
But Punch™ if he loses what reason would you have to go on living?
Posted by: fish ole' | 12 June 2024 at 06:42 AM
"But Punch™ if he loses what reason would you have to go on living?"
Admittedly, if you're sure that Orange Hitler is going to lose, why even think about him?
I guess there's a peculiar OCD joy in putting up the same 4-5 posts again and again.
In any case, arguing with psul is like arguing with a parrot. No doubt he's one of those people who go like so:
--------
psul: YOU KNOW, REAGAN PUT ALL OF THOSE POOR CRAZY PEOPLE ON THE STREET!!
me: 5 minute mini-lecture on Thorazine, how horrible asylums could be, JFK and deinstitutionalization, how California institution slots had already dropped by half when Reagan entered the governor's office, the whole machinery of thought on the matter. It's complicated, and I only know a little bit about it.
psul: (blank look)
psul: YOU KNOW, REAGAN PUT ALL OF THOSE POOR CRAZY PEOPLE ON THE STREET!!
It's tiresome, but certainly not unique to the man.
Posted by: scenes | 12 June 2024 at 07:12 AM
I guess there's a peculiar OCD joy in putting up the same 4-5 posts again and again.
Or a serious lack of concern for product quality by the developers of the limited and shoddy punchyBot™ software.
Posted by: fish ole' | 12 June 2024 at 07:54 AM
Not an original thought in her head....completely unscrupulous.....dumb as a sack full of hammers...willing to do exactly as she is told....?
Were these some of the poll questions?
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/06/12/kamala-harris-favorability-poll-00162093
Posted by: fish ole' | 12 June 2024 at 08:55 AM
How low can he go? -
https://www.breitbart.com/2024-election/2024/06/12/poll-joe-bidens-net-approval-rating-hits-historic-low-compared-to-past-presidents/
;-)
Posted by: Don Bessee | 12 June 2024 at 03:25 PM
NO! It can't be.....! The Biden Administration saying something to burnish the senile old grifters reputation?
That's just crazy talk!
https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/fed-chair-powell-admits-biden-admin-overstating-jobs
Posted by: fish ole' | 12 June 2024 at 04:37 PM
The fallout from the eu rejection of the greens/left continues apace -
The move by the center-right leader sent shockwaves throughout the political establishment, sparking backlash from the far-left, the Macronists, and even many
Should the new centrist-populist alliance hold, it could have significant ramifications for the French political landscape. According to early surveys for the snap legislative election on June 30th and 7th, Le Pen’s party is currently on pace to pick up a relative majority in the National Assembly, but with the support of the Républicains, an absolute majority could be attained.
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2024/06/12/macron-blasts-centrists-for-making-deal-with-devil-in-allying-with-le-pen/
;-)
Posted by: Don Bessee | 12 June 2024 at 06:07 PM
Say it aint so creepy grampa joe -
"While still strong, Biden has lost his formidable support among Black voters. 68% break for Biden to 23% for Trump. Biden handily won the support of most Black voters in the 2020 presidential election, 92% to 7% for Trump," the poll's release spotlights.
The poll also points to a Trump surge among voters under age 45 in Pennsylvania. Biden carried the group by 24 points in his victory four years ago, but the survey indicates Biden's edge at just two points over Trump.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/key-battleground-tips-trump-according-141236180.html?.tsrc=fp_deeplink
;-)
Posted by: Don Bessee | 12 June 2024 at 06:34 PM
re DB 6:34 - Amazingly, the Dems will still have a 120 to 130% vote count compared to voter registration polls in "certain" areas.
If you challenge this, you be hatin'.
Mr Jimmy hisself warned against mail in voting.
No wonder the Dems love him. He pointed the way for them to gain power.
Posted by: Scott O | 12 June 2024 at 07:52 PM
The pendulum is swinging back to normal after the pro criminal policies in cali -
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2024/06/13/referendum-to-amend-proposition-47-qualifies-for-california-ballot-despite-democrat-opposition/
;-)
Posted by: Don Bessee | 13 June 2024 at 07:23 AM
Oh my gosh - more of what no one is surprised to hear:
"White House 'Equity' Requirements Holding Back EV Charging Station Construction, Internal Docs Show"
"Shortly after taking office, the president signed an executive order mandating that the beneficiaries of 40 percent of all federal climate and environmental programs should come from "underserved communities."
https://freebeacon.com/biden-administration/white-house-equity-requirements-holding-back-ev-charging-station-construction-internal-docs-show/
The local ward heelers need their cut before anything can start and then locating the charging station is dependent on having a well connected pal sell a worthless building to the govt at an inflated price so it can be torn down. Some white ladies society will start screaming about the building being historic...
The power company needs to tear up the street to get a feed to the location and some nearby businesses sue to stop that because no one can get to their store...
If the station actually gets built the charging cables are stolen for the copper but no one cares because no one in the neighborhood has an e-car...
But the important thing is the grift - so it's all good.
Cue Gomer Pyle...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HvKjPOPAjQ
Posted by: Scott O | 13 June 2024 at 08:10 AM
re: scotto@8:10AM
It isn't like Biden is behind any of that. Too old, too out of it. There's some mafia within the White House who pushes stupid requirements, although perhaps it's just that the woke virus is everywhere. Anyone hired by the executive branch to help make policy shares a common philosophy for various reasons.
But...it would be really interesting to know who is captaining the boat. I don't ever see articles on staff expertises or shenanigans, and since the federal bureaucracy is as tight-lipped about (D) matters as they were leakers about (R), details seem light on the ground.
Of course the insane thing is that the feds are involved with this at all, but that's the nature of cancer I'm afraid, at least until it kills the host.
The local version will be re-use of the county courthouse in downtown NC. Bet there's lots of good deeds being cooked up to rebuild it, with scads of grant money of course, for various things. Maidu Museum? Warming center? Low income apartments? Fire Safe Council HQ? Emery Memorial Performing Arts Center? Who knows? Somebody will get a piece of the action though, lotsa opportunities for 'non-profit' skulduggery.
Posted by: scenes | 13 June 2024 at 09:08 AM
"It isn't like Biden is behind any of that."
I've seen versions of this long before Biden. Large cities used to be run like this in the 1800's.
It's mostly a feature of a govt entity getting a hold of large amounts of money. Then a portion is siphoned off for good deeds (various kinds of vote buying) and it becomes part of the bio system the govt entity operates in. Humans being what they are tend to over-do it once in a while. Tammany Hall became an embarrassment and provided the other side with an opportunity to gain back power so they could cook up their version for a bit.
The California High Speed Choo Choo Train has become the scam of the century, but they managed to include enough power groups (cities, counties, unions, politicians) that it will go on and on like Mrs Winchester's house. But it does provide a steady flow of millions a year to the CA Dem Party, so it's all good.
Posted by: Scott O | 13 June 2024 at 11:14 AM
I'm aware of things like Tammany Hall, or 'Hinky Dink' Kenna and 'Bathhouse' John of Chicago, but was thinking more in terms just who is the power behind the throne right now. It really is flat out amazing how crooked large cities can be, although it's a bummer how up to their elbows teachers unions can be, given their proximity to children.
Is there a group formed around Doctor First Lady Doctor Jill Biden? Some chief of staff? Simply a few well positioned pressure groups? A bunch of younger staff who are hell bent on 'fixing' the country? Dunno.
Trump is a funny case in that he (probably) paid bribes rather than Biden who (probably) received bribes. My gut tells me that the second is less moral.
Biden seems to me to be like one of those super-old congressmen who are re-elected by a political machine or sheer inertia. There's always some staff members who actually run things and that is who is actually being elected.
Posted by: scenes | 13 June 2024 at 01:19 PM
I hear Ron Klain and Susan Rice mentioned quite a bit as well as Samantha Powers as the actual "deciders" of policy.
I wouldn't be surprised if it were those folks, but I don't really know. Years from now some one in a position to know will write a book about it.
Maybe.
Posted by: Scott O | 13 June 2024 at 02:13 PM
New Metal Leo dropped.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBb9hewnAN4
GOOONNE NOW!!
Posted by: scenes | 13 June 2024 at 02:17 PM
We are going to pay in a bad way for the creepy grampa joe sponsored invasion -
The Biden administration has put the country on a dangerous "pre-9/11" footing on terrorism, says one expert in the wake of the arrests of eight migrants with alleged ties to ISIS.
"The Biden Administration has done grave damage to information sharing among agencies, with state and local law enforcement, and enforcing travel and immigration consequences against foreign governments that refuse to share information with the U.S.," Lora Ries, director of the Heritage Foundation's Border Security and Immigration Center, told Fox News Digital.
According to a report from the New York Post, at least one of the individuals arrested in the sting had been caught on wiretap discussing how to make a bomb.
The illegal entry of the individuals and subsequent release into the country highlighted growing fears about the threat of terrorism emanating from the southern border. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., has been sounding the alarm about such a threat for months, even going so far as to point to Central Asia, where Tajikistan is located, as a potential origin for terrorist attempting to slip into the U.S. during a February press conference.
During those February remarks, Daines noted that a "high-level individual" warned him that over 50,000 Central Asians had crossed into the U.S. illegally in 2023, with the senator expressing concerns that some of those people could be "part of sleeper cells for a possible terror attack on our soil."
Those concerns have also been echoed by FBI Director Christopher Wray, who warned the Senate Appropriations subcommittee last week about the threat of a coordinated attack in the U.S. similar to the Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) attack at a Russian concert hall earlier this year.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/bidens-pre-9-11-posture-blame-isis-migrants-slipping-through-cracks-expert
;-)
Posted by: Don Bessee | 13 June 2024 at 06:29 PM
Boy are creepy grampa joe and the wokesters mad at serpent head for telling the truth -
James Carville sounds off on Dems hemorrhaging support of Latino male voters: 'We're gonna f---in lose 'em!'
In an expletive laden response, the political strategist said the Democratic Party has a 'huge male problem across the board'
"We have a huge male problem all across the board, but particularly, I hate this term, but I’ll use it, ‘communities of color,’ as if all people that are not white are the same. It’s stupid," Carville said.
"And I do think, and people got a little upset with me when I told The New York Times, I think Democratic culture has too many preachy females. It’s too much," he said.
"‘Don’t eat hamburgers, don’t watch football, wear a condom.’ Like, man, sh--, leave me alone, OK? I’ve got a god---n life to lead," Carville said. "You know, a guy works at a tire repair shop in suburban Atlanta, motherf---er’s working 50 hours a week, making $16.50 an hour, and he wants to watch the football game, and he wants to smoke dope and drink beer."
Carville said that the narrative that they are "slothful" frustrates minority voters.
"And then everybody’s telling him he’s slothful, and they reject that sh--," he added. "I just think some of it is this cosmopolitan condensation, if you will. Like, you need to lead the kind of life we lead, not the kind of life you lead, and it p---es people off."
Recent polls have showed minority voters appearing to sour on President Biden.
The surveys, released in May by the New York Times, Siena College and the Philadelphia Inquirer, show Trump with the lead in five of the six key battleground sates where he was narrowly defeated by Biden four years ago.
Especially concerning for Democrats is the polls found Biden leading Trump among Black voters 63% to 23%, which would be a sharp drop from the 87% of Black voters who supported Biden in 2020, and helped him flip Georgia and other swing states.
If the results stand on Election Day, Trump winning more than 20% of the Black vote would be the highest level of backing by Black voters of a GOP presidential candidate in generations.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/james-carville-sounds-off-dems-hemorrhaging-support-latino-male-voters
;-)
Posted by: Don Bessee | 13 June 2024 at 07:05 PM
We'll know on Nov. 6 (maybe) just how accurate these polls are. For now, they are speculative and wishful.
If the polls turn out to be correct, then listen for the sound of responding fire engines in major cities; and to the Cali complaints that Shasta Dam's Lake inexplicably will be drawn down by 50% in the following week if the fires continue.
Posted by: The Estonian Fox | 14 June 2024 at 09:01 AM
We are such a rich country - we allow all foreigners to enter, we print so much money, and then this:
"'Part of moving forward': Parkland school building set for demolition"
"Other schools have closed and demolished buildings after a mass shooting. After the shooting in 2012, the old Sandy Hook Elementary School was torn down and reopened in 2016. Officials announced in 2022 that they planned to demolish Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas."
These buildings must run the top side of $20M. And we do it with alacrity. Will our money never run out?!
Posted by: The Estonian Fox | 14 June 2024 at 10:00 AM
California leads the way!
In debt.
But wait - what if we make companies pay retro-taxes?
It won't balance the budget and it will drive business away even more.
https://californiaglobe.com/fr/californias-last-minute-budget-maneuver-retroactive-corporate-taxes-on-foreign-dividends/
Posted by: Scott O | 14 June 2024 at 06:20 PM
Today's quote from Trump talking about where the illegal immigrants are coming from:
"They’re coming from countries, not just South America, but Venezuela,"
Scott, this is who you want to be President of the Unites States
https://www.rawstory.com/donald-trump-2668532121/
Posted by: Paul Emery | 14 June 2024 at 10:00 PM
"Scott, this is who you want to be President of the Unites States"
Paul Emery still showing up here lying through his teeth.
Posted by: Scott O | 14 June 2024 at 10:40 PM
? Rawstory?
Rea)ly, Punch?
Really?
Posted by: Gregory | 15 June 2024 at 02:08 AM
Paul Emery at 10:00 PM
I'm pretty sure that Barack Obama said that Venezuela was the 57th state that he had been to, back in 2008. Of course he said that before he became president, upon which he got a bunch more folks to cover up for his further malapropisms.
Yes Paul, you'll have to look that word up on your own, though I'm sure fish might be more than glad to give you a hand.
Posted by: The Estonian Fox | 15 June 2024 at 07:02 AM
California leads the way, again!
"California has No. 1 US wage gap between haves and have-nots"
Remember when the left used to go on and on about the Gini Index?
After a heaping helping of Democrat rule - CA is worst.
All political factions have some hypocrisy, but the Dems are nothing but hypocrisy. And yet they thrive. Wonder what happens when the bill comes due?
https://www.ocregister.com/2024/06/13/california-has-no-1-us-wage-gap-between-haves-and-have-nots/
Posted by: Scott O | 15 June 2024 at 08:33 AM
Posted by: The Estonian Fox | 15 June 2024 at 07:02 AM
I'm pretty sure that Barack Obama said that Venezuela was the 57th state that he had been to, back in 2008. Of course he said that before he became president....
Thank you Fox ....I'd forgotten the "57 states" gaffe from the bestest, most noble, most capable man ever!
I was going to ask psul if perhaps a brief bit of confusion over geography was as troubling to him as President brainstems' propensity to dodder off seemingly at random while on stage, attempting to sit on invisible furniture, or randomly lock up during public appearances much to the consternation of both the "in the tank" media and his minders?
https://www.the-express.com/news/us-news/139800/Joe-Biden-Xi-Jinping-Vladimir-Putin-gaffe-d-day
Posted by: fish ole' | 15 June 2024 at 08:36 AM
PaulE 1000pm - You misunderstand again. Trump's quote that highlights Venezuela out of South America in general is meant to emphasize that Venezuelan illegals are not just any ordinary South Americans seeking a better life, but people from a socialist thugacracy who in the large are likely to intend doing us harm. I know the expression is a bit nuanced, but if you try, you can grasp it. Don't give up!
Posted by: George Rebane | 15 June 2024 at 10:14 AM
George
That is really a stretch George. You always seem to justify everything Trump says even if he talks about injecting bleach as a possible treatment for Covid.
Here's his exact words: “A question that probably some of you are thinking of if you’re totally into that world,” Trump began, clearly thinking the question himself, “So, supposing we hit the body with a tremendous — whether it’s ultraviolet or just very powerful light — and I think you said that that hasn’t been checked, but you’re going to test it. And then I said, supposing you brought the light inside the body, which you can do either through the skin or in some other way, and I think you said you’re going to test that, too. It sounds interesting. And then I see the disinfectant, where it knocks it out in a minute. One minute. And is there a way we can do something like that, by injection inside or almost a cleaning. Because you see it gets in the lungs, and it does a tremendous number on the lungs. So it would be interesting to check that.”
https://www.politico.com/news/2021/04/23/trump-bleach-one-year-484399
Posted by: Paul Emery | 15 June 2024 at 01:09 PM
lol.
OK psul, we get it. Orange Hitler shouldn't be President because:
1) He said that rich guys are allowed to grope wimmen.
2) He said that it would be interesting to use disinfectants internally on people.
To everyone else. I did run into a few studies with hydrogen peroxide nebulization with fairly promising results on COVID. Dunno how it turned out, although whether direct anti-viral measures used internally is useful is an interesting idea, at least to a non-specialist. Maybe you just need finer application via mini-robots or something.
Remember COVID? That's the thing that required everyone to stay home, until it didn't. For everyone to wear a mask, until it didn't. To have shots and boosters and booster boosters, until it didn't.
What an insane mess. If nothing else, it (properly) caused people to trust the medical establishment a whole lot less. You'd think they'd have airborne virus prevention a little more nailed down at this point. Maybe we all need the product that is constantly advertised on the radio, the Navage.
Of course, there's people that think you need all those bottles of pills at the health food grocery stores. Next thing you know, Trump will tell us we need something useless like vitamin D pills. psul can then bitch about vitamin D pills.
Posted by: scenes | 15 June 2024 at 02:33 PM
Punchy...
What a useless putz you are.
Posted by: Gregory | 15 June 2024 at 02:37 PM
Gregory@2:37
Oh well. it's the low-risk thing to do if you want to argue. Go bug the local not-insane people a bit, have a coffee, get some status points from your peers for givin' the evil people what fer.
If he really wanted to fight, he'd take a stance in the local native American uproar (The Mayor vs. The Artist) or some other progressive-oriented outrage (Israel vs. Palestine), but it ain't like that's gonna happen.
Posted by: scenes | 15 June 2024 at 03:19 PM
Once again Gregory has nothing to say.
Posted by: Paul Emery | 15 June 2024 at 03:52 PM
PaulE 352pm - scenes has a point. In these pages you are strictly a one-tune band. All you can do is repeatedly exhibit your TDS in its endless forms and formats. Why don't you give some other right/left issues a try and offer cogent arguments why the Left's position is correct, moral, socially beneficient, or non-fattening.
Posted by: George Rebane | 15 June 2024 at 04:05 PM
scenes 2:33 - "He said that rich guys are allowed to grope wimmen."
I strongly disagree - he simply affirmed that there exists a cohort of babes that ALLOW and even WANT wealthy and powerful men to to grope (and more) them. This is actually a small percentage of women.
Latest exhibit A:
"Ex-Patriots coach Bill Belichick dating former cheerleader 48 years his junior"
https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/06/15/bill-belichick-girlfriend-dating-jordon-hudson-cheerleader/
Paul would have us believe this is true love and she would crawl into bed with Bill if he was an Amazon delivery driver.
Posted by: Scott O | 15 June 2024 at 05:17 PM
George
Do you remember when the Republicans made good character a major requirement to be President of the United States? What has caused them to abandon that principal and embrace Trump as the spiritual leader of our country? Also what a joke it is that most fundamentalist Christians view his presence as some kind of second coming? Their acceptance of his sexual activity with Stormy D while his wife was home with a babe in arms is just one example as to how far Christianity has fallen in our culture. Remember when Jimmy Carter confessed to the American people he was guilty of a sin because he had lustful thoughts?
So George my question is how low will we go if Trump is elected President?
If moral character is not an important factor in leadership what is? That question needs to be discussed and answered.
Posted by: Paul Emery | 15 June 2024 at 06:36 PM
The po' ol' ponytail of ignorance is so funny when he stomps his tiny feet and wails why? why? why? @636
==============================================
Screwed again by creepy grampa joe and the socialists -
“The Biden Administration is barreling towards a broadband blunder. Congress has appropriated enough money to end the digital divide, but the Biden Administration is squandering the moment by putting partisan political goals above smart policy,” the FCC commissioner explained. “It is doing so through rate regulation, through union, technology, and DEI preferences, and through a thumb on the scale for government run networks. All of this threatens to leave rural communities behind.”
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2024/06/15/brendan-carr-biden-has-not-connected-one-person-with-high-speed-internet-with-42-5-billion-from-infrastructure-bill/
;-)
Posted by: Don Bessee | 15 June 2024 at 06:43 PM
Can you answer this question Don?
If moral character is not an important factor in leadership what is?
Posted by: Paul Emery | 15 June 2024 at 07:08 PM
What a total moron:
"If moral character is not an important factor in leadership what is?"
Who said moral character is not important?
We are all sinners in the eyes of God.
Bill Clinton forcibly raped women and his pit-bull wife went after the women because they threatened her food source. Then she and Bill made a huge display of "believing all women". These are not people we want running anything. The Clintons and the Bidens and Obama only gain money through selling out their office and our country. Trump doesn't need money. He didn't and won't sell out this country.
So you take your pick of what sin you want in office. Paul picked a lying, perverted, crooked man who sold American foreign policy for money.
Trump possibly screwed a whore.
Gee - what's a Christian to do?
Write in Jesus Of Nazareth on the ballot?
Posted by: Scott O | 15 June 2024 at 07:24 PM
Didn't vote for either Clinton Scott. Thought you knew that.
Posted by: Paul Emery | 15 June 2024 at 07:45 PM
Scott write:
"Trump possibly screwed a whore."
More precisely a Porn Star. Do you doubt that Scott?
Posted by: Paul Emery | 15 June 2024 at 07:48 PM
Sounds like the po' ol' ponytail of ignorance has hes ann coulter doll out tonight! ROFLOL!
;-)
Posted by: Don Bessee | 15 June 2024 at 08:24 PM
DOH his. lol
;-)
Posted by: Don Bessee | 15 June 2024 at 08:24 PM
"Didn't vote for either Clinton Scott. Thought you knew that."
I did know that and it has nothing to do with what I wrote.
"Do you remember when the Republicans made good character a major requirement to be President of the United States?"
You wrote that, Paul - And that was what I was referring to. Try to keep up - not everything is about you.
"More precisely a Porn Star. Do you doubt that Scott?"
Screws people for money = whore.
Do you doubt that, Paul?
The camera is so everyone else can watch her be a whore and she can make more money.
"Scott write:" (sic)
You know, Paul - they have ESL classes in Nevada County.
Maybe you should sign up.
Posted by: Scott O | 15 June 2024 at 10:06 PM
"If moral character is not an important factor in leadership what is?"
Good question. I'd say that it's long term success, but it's both hard to measure and hard to attribute.
If moral character mattered, the Kennedy brothers wouldn't be near-saints in the Democratic party. Those dudes, plus their father, were really pieces of work. I guess it's a case of public speaking skills uber alles.
Given the takeover of the country by Crazy Cat Ladies, men-in-dresses, the Pride religion, mass immigration from the Third World, and a surveillance-industrial complex driven by advertising, it's more a matter of damage control anyway. Metastasizing government and the movement of people to non-useful work will run us into the rocks in any case. In that case, maybe 'leadership' is more a matter of who is best at starting over.
Posted by: scenes | 16 June 2024 at 06:41 AM
"and a surveillance-industrial complex..."
Yes - Didn't they get the message that you need to boil frogs slowly?
"Microsoft delays controversial AI Recall feature on new Windows computers"
Whoa! They'd better figure out a way to slip that little darlin' in a bit more slyly.
https://apnews.com/article/microsoft-ai-recall-windows-6ba8df3f22e9fca599d20f2d5770cd95
Already your cell phone and your car can rat you out.
Big Brudda' be watchin' you!
Posted by: Scott O | 16 June 2024 at 11:24 AM
"Whoa! They'd better figure out a way to slip that little darlin' in a bit more slyly."
No problem, just re-brand it.
There's a lot of ways to skin the surveillance cat, and a lot of ways to use the data, so it will march in bit by bit.
Advertisers are the least of it. Various types of bossware could easily be added and expanded upon, plus super-special bonus points for using office worker input as training data, the better to replace you with my dear.
My current theory on the future of computer privacy is simply to split your world in half. Two computers. Use whatever makes sense to you for internet access, but nothing else...use whatever is needed for applications but keep it completely offline. The problem arrives in terms of enterprise setups and things like SaaS I guess, but at least individuals can keep a relatively clean split. As a guess, I think you're going to see a lot of talk about airgapping from here on. It's not perfect given crazy trickery, but there's essentially no real security in systems with 1.3B lines of software (Debian), and the various motives for spying on you.
Posted by: scenes | 16 June 2024 at 11:42 AM
"IT EXPLAINS JUST ABOUT EVERY CURRENT “CRISIS” DECLARED BY THE LEFT: The March of Dimes Syndrome. Why have activists declared a “national state of emergency” for LGBT people? Why was the election of the first black president followed by the Black Lives Matter movement? Why, as radical prejudice declined, was there a rise in the number of “hate groups”? Why, as sexual violence declined in America, did academics and the #MeToo movement discover an “epidemic of sexual assault”?
These supposed crises are all examples of the March of Dimes Syndrome. That organization, founded to combat polio, didn’t go out of business after it succeeded. It switched to a new cause, preventing birth defects. When activists achieve their original goals — like their victories for civil rights, women’s rights and gay rights — they immediately find new ones. It doesn’t matter how bad the new mission is — or even whether it actually sets back progress toward the original goal.
What matters to the activists is to stay in business.
https://www.city-journal.org/article/the-march-of-dimes-syndrome
Posted by: fish ole' | 16 June 2024 at 11:47 AM
The level of analysis that comes from a person spending far too much time near the brain parasites that live in cat poo.....
The afflicted.....
https://www.quora.com/profile/Stephanie-Finucane-2
https://www.aol.com/news/donald-trump-return-shopping-cart-120000051.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAIAc4h9GWRAUOgBJeVnyZZ8_fp6Zp66EgB10v8ROqxMcWkOwc-A6-pQkzK6ZRs4zXsPQziWkxBPjCaqxL8z3nUYbnD_Nlol-6GvkzdxPKCeqtZ8LpkvUtgirI9mL7zDdgrAK80T-v1OxhVenv-0RtGDyR7sRwDmtz-jDyJRJah1j
Posted by: fish ole' | 16 June 2024 at 03:44 PM
Is the battery running out -
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2024/06/16/watch-joe-biden-appears-freeze-obama-escorts-biden-off-stage-during-star-studded-fundraiser/
;-)
Posted by: Don Bessee | 16 June 2024 at 03:51 PM
fishy 11:47 - re "the March of Dimes Syndrome"
I was first turned on to this issue by Mailer back in the 60's with The Idol And The Octopus.
https://archive.org/details/idoloctopus0000norm
I just might still have my copy. Don't always agree with him, but he was spot on with the observation that ANY organization is exactly like a living organism in that it wants to not only survive but to grow. What organism has the capacity to understand or care for the reason for its existence?
Well - a few humans, perhaps...
Posted by: Scott O | 16 June 2024 at 06:55 PM
You only have to watch for 4 minutes if you haven't time for it all.
Paul won't watch it because there's nothing about Trump.
We are sliding down the hill to financial ruin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ig-88jMq0bk
Posted by: Scott O | 16 June 2024 at 07:27 PM
By financial ruin Scott do you mean like what Bush left us in 2009? Also like what Trump left us in 2020 and Hoover in 1933? It takes the Repubs to really screw up the Economy.
Posted by: Paul Emery | 17 June 2024 at 07:44 AM
Paul - "By financial ruin Scott do you mean..."
Did you watch the video, Paul? Of course you didn't.
You have no idea, Paul. None.
BTW - hows that new California state budget coming along?
Hmmm?
Posted by: Scott O | 17 June 2024 at 07:58 AM
I admit that Democrats know how to get you out of economic doldrums. Start a war.
James Polk.
Woodrow Wilson.
FDR.
Truman.
LBJ.
It took until the Bush neocon people moved in, and they run both parties, before war became the in-thing in modern times.
It does appear that President Biden (or President Bumblefuck as he is known on one popular youtube channel) looks to be resurrecting the concept. Shoveling arms into Eastern Europe and blowing up pipelines is good for business, and you never know when the Big Show might start. Given the lack of practical abilities in progressives, dunno who is going to fight it though. Maybe that's a large part of the push for drones and the like.
Posted by: scenes | 17 June 2024 at 09:06 AM
scenes 9:06 - "Start a war."
Add to that - grow the fed govt - big time.
Posted by: Scott O | 17 June 2024 at 09:42 AM
Posted by: psul “Nobel Prize winning economist” Emery | 17 June 2024 at 07:44 AM
I didn’t vote for Hoover psul…..thought you knew that.
Posted by: fish ole’ | 17 June 2024 at 12:04 PM
More revisionist history from the po' ol' ponytail of ignorance -
Barny Frank and slick willey lit the fuse that begat 2009 by having the gov guarantee every mortgage to unqualified borrowers in substandard neighborhoods with no underwriting.
Thought you knew that! ROFLOL
;-)
Posted by: Don Bessee | 17 June 2024 at 07:30 PM
Creepy grampa joe and the socialist wokesters are alienating a number of constituencies -
President Joe Biden is in “precipitous” decline with black voters in the crucial swing states of Michigan and Pennsylvania, according to a USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll.
According to the poll, support for Biden among black voters in those two states has dropped dramatically, showing that the demographic “is unexpectedly in play in November’s election.”
Seventy-six percent of those surveyed in Michigan and Pennsylvania said they voted for Biden in 2020, but, now, only 56 percent in Michigan and 54 percent in Pennsylvania support him — at least a 20 percent decline
https://www.breitbart.com/2024-election/2024/06/17/poll-joe-biden-in-precipitous-decline-with-black-voters-in-swing-states-michigan-and-pennsylvania/
;-)
Posted by: Don Bessee | 17 June 2024 at 09:35 PM