GA House Speaker David Ralston And The Silence of the Dogs

What's up down South? The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported last week (Feb 13) on what looks (to my tired Yankee eyes) like an appalling abuse of power by the Republican Speaker of the House David Ralston:

Alleged victims say powerful Georgia lawmaker repeatedly delays cases

...

Yet more than four years after his indictment [on domestic violence, aggravated assault] Shell remains a free man, the charges against him stymied. A big reason: He paid a large retainer fee to hire an attorney who is also one of Georgia’s most powerful lawmakers, state Speaker of the House David Ralston.

Just as Ralston has done for other clients charged with violent or heinous crimes, he used his elected position to delay hearings and court dates, preventing the case from moving forward in the Gilmer County justice system.

“That’s why I gave him 20,000 bucks,” Shell told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “He’s worth every penny of it.”

A joint investigation by the AJC and Channel 2 Action News found that Ralston appears to be misusing the power of his public office to benefit his private law practice. By doing no more than writing letters to judges declaring that court dates interfere with his lawmaking duties, he has been able to keep cases perpetually off the docket. But his tactics can thwart justice, harm crime victims and put the public at risk.

Ralston has tied up cases for clients charged with child molestation, child cruelty, assault, terroristic threats, drunk driving and other crimes.

...

Under a state law dating back to 1905, judges and prosecutors must defer to the legislative schedule of any practicing attorney who serves in the General Assembly. Other attorney-lawmakers, though, are mainly relegated to claiming the exemption during the annual 40-day legislative sessions.

As House speaker, Ralston, who practices law in the rural, mountainous counties of North Georgia, can claim conflicts year-round. In 21 cases examined in four counties over a two-year period, he filed 57 requests for continuances.

This story seems to have it what it takes to generate a media storm, namely sympathetic (alleged) victims and a Republican evil-doer. But maybe the media can't rally without footage of Ralston in a MAGA hat (or blackface!). A Google News search on "David Ralston" returns articles by the AJC, Channel 2 Action News, and Fox News. I'll credit Erick Erickson with the Fox coverage, since he has been pounding the table on Twitter for more coverage.

So why the media silence? The AJC bloggers wondered about a related question today - why the muted response from Democrats?

***

Earlier this morning, we told you that House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, is facing criticism after an AJC investigation that found he frequently delayed criminal court cases by claiming the dates interfered with his legislative duties. 

But as we have often said in this space, the dogs that don’t bark are sometimes just as important as the ones that do. What goes unsaid can be just as important as what’s said. This is the statement that arrived late Friday from the state Democratic party, via spokeswoman Maggie Chambers:

“These revelations show that Speaker Ralston has abused his power as a public servant to delay and deny justice for crime victims. As a legislator who has been given the trust of his constituents, he needs to remember his duty and put the needs of Georgia families before his own self-interest.”

“Needs to remember his duty” is a far cry from calling for Ralston’s resignation, a demand which -- so far as we know -- hasn’t passed the lips of any elected official in the state Capitol.

The Democratic party statement is a reminder that Ralston has been an occasional partner with Democrats in the Legislature on some particularly crucial issues. And we’ve a long way to go before this session of the General Assembly is finished.

The silence has struck some as concerning. WSB Radio’s Erick Erickson is currently pushing his followers to contact members of the House Ethics Committee, Democrats included.

Huh. 

I would not presume to lecture either Erick Erickson or the AJC on the subtleties of Georgia politics, but... oh, let me do just that. This article describes the 40 day agenda in the GA capital and notes that Speaker Ralston diverges from the newly elected Republican governor on two attention-getting issues: a Religious Freedom bill opposed by Democrats (and nixed by the last Republican governor) and the state takeover of the Atlanta airport.

...

And they’ve become a very highly charged issue. Republican Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed a RFRA in 2016, saying he was not disparaging the motives of the bill’s supporters, but he found there was a chance it could lead to state-sanctioned discrimination.

State House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, he’s not sure there’s state House support for a RFRA.

He said his concern is that it’s an issue that has the potential to divide the state. 

“I would would just ask us to pause before we get into an issue that has the potential to tear the fabric of the state,” Ralston said at a pre-session press conference last week.

But new Gov. Brian Kemp and new Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan are interested. Both have said they want to pass a RFRA that mirrors the language of the federal law.

And...

Ralston said he’s not ready to embrace the idea of a state takeover of the airport.

If corruption is the concern, Ralston said, “We have law enforcement, we have prosecutors, and I say let’s turn them loose to do what they need to do. I don’t know that you change the entire system because of some bad actors.”

If - IF - that is all that is holding Democrats back, they need to man up, woman up, or hero-up. As to Republican silence, or the media silence generally, I can't explain it. Where is the fact-free rush to judgment when we need it?

BONUS BAFFLER: The media Cone of Silence has fallen over Virginia. Maybe after the political meltdown there, no media members want to go near any southern state political leader. Maybe!

PILING ON: In January the Speaker was trying to rein in the gun rights enthusiasts in his own party, which may be yet another reason Democrats don't mind having him around.

Comments

[hrtshpdbox]

First?

[hrtshpdbox]

Was there anything Kabuki about Trump not pushing the wall right out of the gate 2 years ago? Really, getting rid of the mandate was all he needed to do to kill Obamacare, it's difficult to see exactly why he didn't focus on the border from the outset (I suppose "no one is perfect" fits, though).

https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/how-paul-ryan-turned-trump-into-jeb-bush/

[henry]

Need terms limits lots of places.

[henry]

wht aren't the Dems after this guy? Modern Dems side with crime perpetrators, not victims. This Ralston dude is on their side.

[Buckeye]

Rocco

Hoping our new football coach is more successful than our new basketball coach:)

[Extraneus]

Farrakhan Praises Omar for Anti-Semitic Language: ‘You Have Nothing to Apologize For’

"Ms. Omar from Somalia – she started talking about ‘the Benjamins' and they are trying to make her apologize. Sweetheart, don't do that. Pardon me for calling you sweetheart, but you do have a sweet heart. You sure are using it to shake the government up, but you have nothing to apologize for," Farrakhan said. "Israel and AIPAC pays off senators and congressmen to do their bidding, so you're not lying, so if you're not lying. Stop laying down. You were sent there by the people to shake up that corrupt House."

[rse]

Although the approach to the airport is in fulton, the terminals and runways are in dysfunctional Clayton County, which is known outside Ga for being one of two school districts in 40 years that sacs stripped of their accreditation back in 2008.

https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94095347

27,000 daily jobs working at that airport.

I have never met ralston, but his predecessor was dumb as a post based on breakfast meetings I was in with her.

[rse]

Rather colorful sheriff as well. https://www.ajc.com/news/local-govt--politics/clayton-sheriff-victor-hill-issues-arrest-warrant-for-former-cop-who-wants-unseat-him/mUCyc4veQvRGUFwKebIZsM/

[Extraneus]

I missed why Barr should be upset over this tweet. Or was there another tweet?

Just the whole whining tweet thing about the perps irks me, TK. It's not like he has a recused AG anymore. If Barr said he'd handle it - and I assume he did so during his interviews - then let him handle it and stop interfering (and giving ammo to defense attorneys). If he's not up to the job, then fire him, but give the guy a chance first. He seems like a solid pick, with a hell of a lot more experience and credibility than Sessions.

[Jane]

OL,

I finally hit 51 today. It took a bloody month. But I'm no longer in a hurry and the rest is just a bonus so I'm ok with that. Made carrots wrapped in bacon (with a little maple syrup) to celebrate.

[Old Lurker]

You are my hero, Jane.

Again of course.

But 51 is astounding!

[Captain Hate]

Willowed

I don't think there is any Kabuki in this at all, Ext. I think it is Trump letting his "Drain the Swamp" fair weather fans know that he is still in the fight.

That's as good of an explanation as I've seen.

Regarding DJT not pushing the wall harder, I thought he was quite emphatic that campaign promises had to be delivered. It wasn't him who kept repeating "not who we are" and opening new Russia investigations instead of promptly voting for the same repeal and replace bill that never made it past a 404 veto. Same for the wall which the donor class that Jen Rubin fellates was adamantly opposed to.

[sbwaters]

Made carrots wrapped in bacon (with a little maple syrup) to celebrate.

My hero!

[Old Lurker]

Buckeye and SBW, I left you a coding funny at the end of the previous thread.

[Extraneus]

Farrakhan: The ‘Wicked Jews’ Use Me to Attack Women’s Movement, March Leaders

"The most beautiful sight that I could lay eyes on [was] when I saw, the day after Trump was elected, women from all over the world were standing in solidarity, and a black woman is the initiator of it," said Farrakhan, referring to Mallory.

"The wicked Jews want to use me to break up the women’s movement," Farrakhan said. "It ain’t about Farrakhan; it’s about women all over the world [who] have the power to change the world."

Later in his lengthy speech, Farrakhan asked the audience to applaud for "my poor little sister, Tamika" and appeared to imply that his critics used him to go after the Women's March organizers, CNS News reported.

"Tamika, Linda Sarsour, Carmen Perez, our sister with the #MeToo movement, Black Lives Matter – the women shook the world the day after President Trump was elected," he said.

"The women organized, and all over the world women rose up and men in government got shook. Because when women rise, change is going to come," he continued. "So when they saw that Tamika had helped bring that about, they came after her."

[Buckeye]

Well I have been doing physical therapy for 6 weeks now, dealing with a nasty sciatic nerve problem.

Barely making a dent.

When I changed my diet a couple years ago I managed to lose ~ 25 pounds. I suspect if I lost more it would improve the outlook for getting my L4 vertebra to stay where it belongs.

Maybe I should set a goal of losing 27 more, and give Jane a run for her money:)

[Jane]

LOL The carrots were easy as was the weight loss (and I never in a million years expected to say that or to lose that much.) A few more lbs and I'll be back in the 8th grade.

[D]

Georgia needs to solve their problems and I hope we have seen the last of Stacey Abrams.
Hopefully the new governor has got this.
Constant vigilance is needed .
I agree with Henry.
Term limits must be part of the future in public office.

[D]

Congratulations Jane!
What an accomplishment.
Wish I was coming down your way this year but subbing and family commitments are preventing it.
Would still like to meet some JOMers.
May make it over to Severance Hall near Captain. In either March or May.

[sbwaters]

Hah, OL.

Still have a box of punch cards in the basement.

[Buckeye]

...so I watched one end to end and was happy how much I still knew and all was good until the end, where the credits announced "This video tutorial has been designed for ages 5 and older...

I know the feeling OL.

Sometimes when I am struggling to do something on my phone, Jr. grabs it from me and gives me a tutorial while looking down his nose at me like I was...well, 4:)

[MissMarple2]

Punch cards! I had forgotten about them! LOL!

[MissMarple2]

Kelly O'Donnell
‏Verified account @KellyO
8m8 minutes ago

National Security Advisor John Bolton tells reporters here in Miami there is no plan to use US military to guarantee safe delivery of humanitarian aid to Venezuela’s people.
===================================

That does not preclude Colombia or Brazil from doing so.

[D]

Ext:
I agree with your post on the other thread wrt the tweets and hope to see some arrests and indictments before Easter.

[Captain Hate]

Well I have been doing physical therapy for 6 weeks now, dealing with a nasty sciatic nerve problem.

Barely making a dent.

When I had a disc related problem, the 6 weeks of water therapy didn't do anything tangible; so they re-upped me for 6 more. Midway through that the pain stopped like magic; whether as an accumulative effect of the PT or something which just ran its course. The therapy seemed like it theoretically should have worked but who knows.

Tammy Bruce is running a sound clip by Peter King in which he's shocked that imbecile Scott Pelley wasn't more incredulous at what McCabe was saying.

[MissMarple2]

https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/jason-chaffetz-fbis-andrew-mccabe-should-be-on-trial-not-a-book-tour

[Buckeye]

You wouldn't forget punch cards if you went through the misery of just one typo ruining the prospects of a good night of drinkin':)

When we were Freshman, and therefore lowest on the totem pole, we would submit our "deck" to the dweeb feeding the card reader. Was a window, just like a teller window at an old fashion bank.

Then your "job" got run at the level of your priority, which for us was zip, zero, nada.

Usually meant hours. Got pretty adept at sleeping on the tables in the keypunch room until the wee hours, and your "job" was done.

Fix your mistakes, and resubmit. Rinse and repeat.... God that sucked.

[MissMarple2]

https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/02/18/jussie-smollet-motive-staged-attack/

He was upset that a racially charged letter sent t the production company didn't get more of a reaction. (No word on whether HE sent it.)

This story comes from local Chicago reporters, who seem to be doing yeoman's work covering this.

[Another Bob]

Um, ‘Box? Obamacare ain’t dead.

All the preexisting condition nonsense still exists, which makes decent individual health insurance near impossible to buy. Only killing the “tax” for those who don’t buy made it all worse not better.

[daddy]

Buckeye,

Just wondering if you have tried one of those inclined tables and if that has offered any help? A few years back when I foolishly played a pickup-game of basketball and wound up the next few days unable to move, I took advantage of an inclined board and it sure seemed to help me get back to normal.

[JimNorCal]

Great story OL (last thread)

For Pres Day, this oldie.

[Stephanie Nene Not Your Normal Granma]

MM I have seen some reporting that the raid of the brothers resulted in taking magazines into custody.

Cutouts in the mags match the 'racially charged letter?'

Inquiring minds...

[JimNorCal]

Another oldie.

[Jane]

Buckeye, you're on!

D, you were about 5 miles away and I never heard from you!

[Buckeye]

He was upset that a racially charged letter sent t the production company didn't get more of a reaction. (No word on whether HE sent it.)

Bet my bottom dollar he did.

[JimNorCal]

One last meme ...

[MissMarple2]

Buckeye,

I never had to make punchcards. I didn't take computer classes in college. It wasn't used that much for geology, although in a few short years after I graduated, computer mapping based on key-entered data became all the thing. Gosh how things change quickly!

[Jim Eagle]

I did my Masters on punch cards. At AFIT you needed to reserve time for the machines, and as a junior officer, I usually got the 3am slot:)

I wanted to mention without any envy that we hit 90F today. I have been here since 2000, permanent since 2003 and cannot remember many February's over 80F. Flagler Beach is absolutely packed, 100's in the water, more on the restaurant decks drinking and eating. I can see thousands of fed up people from NY, NJ, CT, etc. moving down. But who is around to buy their houses?

[sbwaters]

Well I have been doing physical therapy for 6 weeks now, dealing with a nasty sciatic nerve problem.

The Mrs. will have two lower spinal nerve paths cleaned out a week from Tuesday. PT and nerve blocks tried and unsuccessful.

[MissMarple2]

Simon Chen
‏ @simonbchen
30m30 minutes ago
Replying to @RealSaavedra

As a classic British liberal and a former Chinese national, I’ve found that the only difference between the Chinese state media and the mainstream media today is that the majority of the audience of the former knows that they are being lied to by ideologues every minute and day.
=================================

It's going to take a lot to make Americans drop the "I saw it on TV so it must be true" mind-set.

[MissMarple2]

https://therightscoop.com/yikes-new-photo-shows-border-facility-overwhelmed-by-migrants/

[Jim Eagle]

Morrow, Huntley & Brinkley, Cronkite set up the appartus of fake news and confirmation bias in the news. Even Walter Winchell could sprinkle fake news in his reports from time to time. Then you have Walter Duranty.

Any others of note?

[Extraneus]

I liked the yeoman from the original Star Trek series, but she never seemed to work very hard.

[Buckeye]

daddy,

I suggested the tilt thing to my physical therapist, and she discouraged it, and suggested that she could apply traction at PT instead.

Since she is about 24 and hot, who am I to argue if she wants to grab my legs and pull:)

[daddy]

Just got to this from Sebastion Gorka on the previous thread:

Another prime example is Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). After having benefited for years by claiming Native American heritage in order to gain a prestigious teaching position at Harvard University, it was recently revealed that she also lied on her Texas Bar application in the 1980s by–yet again–claiming Native American ancestry. She has none. And, Warren has gone to great effort to hide the fact that she was a staunch Republican for most of her adult life. Now, instead, she parrots the correct political line about respecting LGBTQ issues, abortion (infanticide), and unfettered taxation upon “the rich.”

Well it worked. She very effectively hid that from me.

[sbwaters]

Re-linking the great Victor Davis Hanson.

Autopsy of a Dead Coup.

Game. Set. Match.

[daddy]

Since she is about 24 and hot, who am I to argue if she wants to grab my legs and pull:)

All's I'm saying Buckeye, is it worked for me and Mr Incredible.

[Narciso79]

So Ralston is a top man, that's why hands of, the peach tree version of Weatherford, the one he relocated Allen wests district 20 miles inland.

[Buckeye]

The Mrs. will have two lower spinal nerve paths cleaned out a week from Tuesday. PT and nerve blocks tried and unsuccessful.

Pray it all goes well SBW.

Keep us informed as to her recovery progress.

[MissMarple2]

Donald J. Trump
‏Verified account @realDonaldTrump
7m7 minutes ago

Hope you are enjoying your President’s Day, our Country is making unprecedented progress!

[MissMarple2]

http://thefederalist.com/2019/02/18/the-jussie-smollett-incident-was-never-very-important/

But it does tell us something about the media.

[Old Lurker]

Wonderful VDH, just perfect.

[MissMarple2]

sbw,

Please convey my prayers and wishes for a good outcome to your wife. I still remember meeting you guys here and I think that was 5 years ago!

[Narciso79]

Prayers for her sbw.

[MissMarple2]

A beautiful ceremony at @Nicklaus4kids hospital today to celebrate their new changes! I hope the garden nurtures & heals all the young patients who visit. Thank you to the generous donors & to @Nicklaus4kids for all the important work you are doing. #BeBest pic.twitter.com/qrxXgOGWkR

— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) February 18, 2019

Photos at link.

[Narciso79]

Anyone work with Skype, I tried using firefox but the browser isnt enabled and the internet explorer link doesn't connect to the contact.

[Buckeye]

daddy,

So far the traction has only provided short term relief, maybe an hour or so.

But don't tell Shandra:)

[Extraneus]

Yay!

Controversial liberal pastor has purity rings melted down into vagina sculpture, gives it to Gloria Steinem with a hug

Controversial pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber — described several years ago by the Washington Post as the "tatted-up, foul-mouthed" leader of "a new, muscular form of liberal Christianity" — has now targeted what's known as the evangelical Christian "purity" culture.

...

Giving the vagina sculpture to Steinem, Bolz-Weber gushed, "Isn't it amazing?"

Better pics at the link.

[Jim Eagle]

sbw,

Yowza! But of course, he is a multi-crowned intellectual, who disagrees with CW. No red X there. I am wondering if there is not a referee bias against Chelsea. Just seems so to this Yank.

[MissMarple2]

@POTUS stops by the #HabAHearts luncheon at #MarALago after his golf game.....before he heads to #Miami @WPBF25News pic.twitter.com/PZFEzLHkjg

— Tiffany Kenney (@wpbf_tiffany) February 18, 2019

Video at link.

[Porchlight]

This "anti-lynching" law is bad news. It appears to redefine lynching according to what I'm reading. To the effect of "being mean to someone online."

But I can't find any good analysis.

Since it passed the Senate unanimously (because who wants to vote against an "anti-lynching" law) we don't have much time to stop it, if it's even possible.

[Jim Eagle]

SBW,

Forget that post of mine. Some how my tweet to Frederick's godfather about the Chelsea game got into your comment. Interesting times

[D]

Agree with Chaffetz that McCabe should be on trial, not on a book tour.
Why isn’t he on trial?
This is a failure of this administration.

[clarice]

It is wonderful and Jane looks great. Inspirational.

[clarice]

Everything crossed for Mrs SBW!

[D]

Porch:
I know from experience that being mean to someone online or threatening them in any way can get you expelled from school or in a recent suicide case , jailed,

[pagar]

If it was promoted by Democrats, IMO, it would never be good for the USA, Porchlight.

[D]

Prayers for Mrs.SBW.

[MissMarple2]

Here is the statement on the Healing Garden that Mrs. Trump opened today, from the Office of the First Lady:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dzs__MgX0AEv7p8.jpg:large

[Dave (in MA)]

Best to Mrs. W.

Nifong Jr. has apparently landed a PJMedia gig, non-paying, I hope. https://pjmedia.com/columnist/patterico/

[daddy]

SBW,

Thanks for the repost of VDH. That is brilliant, and it takes someone with a handle on Ancient History (particularly post-Republican Roman History), to discern and so ably lay out for us the motivations and intrigues of the conspirators. Reminded me of Cataline, or a host of similar conspiracies from Tacitus in it's readings, and Shakespeare could have gone to town placing marvelous self-serving, unctuous speeches in the mouths of Comey, McCabe, Strzok, and a host of other villains in this evil, illicit coup.

I do hope we are at that moment in time equivalent to where Claudius's wife Messalina had overstepped her bounds and the hubris of herself and her court followers led to mass executions of the perps. The die has been cast---time to hang those who cast them.

[Porchlight]

Agree pagar.

maryrose, if what I'm reading is correct, this new law would make that behavior a hate crime and a felony. And I am not talking about targeting or bullying an individual, I'm talking about the types of general comments that are regularly found on this blog and thousands of others, plus other social media. Big difference.

[Ralph L]

I had a sharp pain at the bottom of my shoulder blade for 2 months. When I finally managed to get 8 hours of sleep, I woke up without it.

[Stephanie Nene Not Your Normal Granma]

Narc, download the Skype app and you can connect with users that also use skype. Not sure why you mentioned a browser as skype is a standalone program. There is no connectivity to the browser.

You have to 'find' your contacts on skype and connect through it to have a conversation or call through skype.

[MissMarple2]

https://nypost.com/2019/02/18/teen-who-didnt-know-she-was-pregnant-gives-birth-while-in-a-coma/?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_medium=SocialFlow&utm_source=NYPTwitter

There is a medical explanation for this event, but my goodness! Imagine going into a coma for 4 days and waking up a new mother!

[Old Lurker]

Porch, I have first dibs on Clarice as my attorney when they come for me. Unless they have already disappeared her.

[JimNorCal]

Is the Jussie Smollett thing a way to build indignation to support the anti-lynching bill? Or was it already passed into law?

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2019/02/was_kamala_harris_part_of_the_jussie_stollett_hoax.html

a film producer named Tariq Nasheed, who also goes by hip-hop rapper-like names of "K-Flex" and "King Flex," thinks this isn't the end of the story. He smells a political rat.

https://twitter.com/tariqnasheed/status/1097021206992166912

1. Let me do a quick thread about this Jussie Smollett hoax. Because we need to ask questions about who else was involved in this hoax. I have always been critical of the deceptive tactics of the white LGBT community. Now as we know, Jussie has campaigned with Kamala Harris

2. Kamala Harris was one of the people who authored the Anti Lynching Bill. Remember, these people below are funded by certain groups with certain agendas that has nothing to do with helping ADOS. That’s why whenever we bring up a Black agenda, Kamala & Cory changes the subject

[Jim Eagle]

Best wishes to Mrs SBW.

The whole DC world is in another orbtit than the orbit of most Americans.

Maybe our large snow moon tonight and tomorrow will kill that.

[henry]

So the “anti lynching” law negates the first amendment? How convenient.

[D]

Porch:
Currently civil charges can be brought so after a 10 day suspension from school a court date had to be kept.
It is serious business and this occurred 9 years ago.

[Jim Eagle]

Why do we need an Anti-Lyinching law?

I Thought John Wayne did away with that back in the 50's.

[Dave (in MA)]

.

[Porchlight]

Currently civil charges can be brought so after a 10 day suspension from school a court date had to be kept.
It is serious business and this occurred 9 years ago.

maryrose, I don't think you are getting it. If the law is as broad as I am reading, it would make it a felony and a "lynching" to post general comments about race anywhere online. Surely you can see the difference.

[D]

So Smollett doesn’t have to show up at the police station and what he did was a fourth degree felony.
My take:
Smolett is just dumb enough to not have known that it is against the law to fake an attack for publicity.
According to an attorney on TV, if he wrote those letters to himself that is not a crime.
I predict a slap on the wrist and community service with record expunged.
Lin’s don’t face consequences in our justice system
I can’t recommend enough article by Bictor cited 3 times here by Clarice, MM and SBW.
It is that good.
Sorry Jane, there was a mini college reunion plan that messed up our plans to go to the spot near you.

[Porchlight]

Is the Jussie Smollett thing a way to build indignation to support the anti-lynching bill? Or was it already passed into law?

The former. The bill was stalled in the Senate. Then the Smollett fake attack news broke, and Harris and Booker immediately came out with nearly-identical pro-Smollett comments about "modern-day lynching."

The bill has since passed the Senate unanimously.

[MissMarple2]

I happened to run across the Mt. Vernon web site. It is very interesting. This explains how so many people in the country got involved in purchasing and preserving it:

https://www.mountvernon.org/preservation/mount-vernon-ladies-association/the-kindness-of-strangers/

At the bottom of the page, the Mt. Vernon Society reminds the reader that they take NO funds from the state or federal government!

[D]

Lin is Libs and Bictor is Victor Hansen.

[Pinandpuller]

Sometimes a continuance Is just a continuance.

I hope Eric Erickson's GA wife keeps feeding him refined sugar.

[daddy]

In Miss M's 300 word story about that brand new mother, posted above, what's the one word never mentioned?

Father.

[D]

Porch:
I understand what you are saying and that kind of law won’t stand up for long if s liberal breaks it and posts something bad about President Trump.
If that were so, Malia Obama would be under arrest as we speak for calling our President evil.

[D]

For example , the first time someone calls me a white cracker , I will attempt to press charges and be immediately rebuffed.

[boris]

Probably okay to "lynch" a white person who is not LGBTXYZ.

[Extraneus]

Are there enhanced penalties in the law for fake lynching claims?

[Extraneus]

Mandatory sentences and the like?

[Dave (in MA)]

Has Jussie Blasey Ford "checked into rehab" yet?

[pagar]

"The bill has since passed the Senate unanimously."
My guess is it will pass the House also and be vetoed by President Trump. Then the veto will be overridden. Maybe someone else will be able to tell us how to get rid of it. But I sure don't know how.

[James D.]

I just read the actual bill Porch is taking about. Anyone who voted for it is unfit for office.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/3178/text/es

[Pinandpuller]

Jussie Smollette has an important message for young POC's and POS's. Learn to fake fight. It might save your life in a fake confrontation.

And for God's sake don't get in a fake confrontation until you join the Screenwriter's Guild.

[GUS]

Gosh, maybe I too was in a COMA, but, has there been a probem with LYNCHINGS that I am unaware of???

Thank you to all of you. I recieved many phone calls, texts and e-mails, and even a GROOVY HBD GUS card here on the blog. You're great peeps.

[Jim Eagle]

And this is how it goes....

The CIA had an opening for an assassin. After all the background checks, interviews, and testing were done, there were three finalists: two men and a woman. For the final test, the CIA agents took one of the men to a large metal door and handed him a gun.

"We must know that you will follow your instructions no matter what the circumstances. Inside the room you will find your wife sitting in a chair. Kill her."
The man said, "You can't be serious. I could never shoot my wife."
The agent said, "Then you are not the right man for this job. Take your wife and go home."

The second man was given the same instructions. He took the gun and went into the room. All was quiet for about five minutes. The man came out with tears in his eyes, "I tried, but I can't kill my wife."
The agent said, "You don't have what it takes, so take your wife and go home."

Finally, it was the woman's turn. She was given the same instructions to kill her husband. She took the gun and went into the room. Shots were heard one after another. They heard screaming, crashing, and banging on the walls. After a few minutes, all was quiet. The door opened slowly and there stood the woman, wiping sweat from her brow.
"The gun was loaded with blanks," she said. "I had to kill him with the chair."