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

[jimmyk]

Remember this, Andrew McCabe didn’t go to the bathroom without the approval of Leakin’ James Comey!

Shouldn't that have been "didn't take a leak without the approval of Leakin' James Comey!"?

[Dave (in MA)]

BREAKING Larry King Goes Public About Transition

[Narciso79]

I know its cobvolutex but that's how I roll.

[Captain Hate]

I've waited after Reagan through a slough of inarticulate stumblebums embarrassed by their constituents for someone like Trump. I surely can't be the only one feeling that way.

[Threadkiller]

From the link at @ 10:47:

Rod Rosenstein is expected to depart the Justice Department once a new attorney general is sworn in, media reports say.

Media sources say??

At least the recent Fox article states that they talked to a DOJ official (I'm betting this will prove true).

Is there a source that is more credible regarding RR's allegedly announcing his departure back in January?

[clarice]

CH, Instapundit and Mark Penn have an opposite view on RR:https://pjmedia.com/instapundit/322200/

[Narciso79]

The fox piece on captain musky is also weak on sources.

[President-Elect Jim,SunnyvaleCA]

I'm starting to love President's Day.
You can post all your old Hillary memes.

[President-Elect Jim,SunnyvaleCA]

Ebony and "Irony"

[Threadkiller]

The fox piece on captain musky is also weak on sources.

Is it this weak?

The media reports quoted a source familiar with Rosenstein’s thinking

LOL!

[Threadkiller]

To be clear, the seance source quote is from the January 9th story.

[Captain Hate]

Penn sounds like an idiot. It seemingly escapes him that McCabe hates Rosenstein almost as much as he does Trump.

[Narciso79]

That was a reference to Ginsburg re the way she resembles captain pike I also referenced holographic Anthony Hopkins

[lurkersusie]

Someone’s not happy with Jussie

Tariq Nasheed 🇺🇸 on Twitter: "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. No...

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

[Account Deleted]

Smollett has an album coming out ...
Maybe this was all a show to sell music.

from Breitbart - "There is also Smollett’s debut album, which is scheduled to hit store shelves on March 2, and the live performances promoting the album, which began just a few days after the attack."

Here's his twitter post about his album. The comments are brutal -
https://twitter.com/JussieSmollett/status/966373821665210369

Riots, slander, encouraging hatred,...
What would have happened if there was a video of this hoax played over & over.

[Account Deleted]

Oh NO...I'm wrong.
That album is from last year - March 2018.

[Pinandpuller]

Just read that lynching law. .

Posted by: The Infamous Ignatz | February 18, 2019 at 08:10 PM

It's a shame they didn't name it after Jussie. I guess the wounds were too fresh.

[Captain Hate]

Kabbalah's already had a game over week.

[Threadkiller]

Patterico just banned happyfeet because happfeet didn't praise Patterico in the PJM comment section.

Hahahaha!

[D]

I think on their airplane ride the President told Rosendtein
Hey pal,keep your nose clean until I confirm a new AG and let Whitaker take point withueller and I will let you skate on the FUSA warrant and the wire.

[Captain Hate]

I just saw that TK, but it's even dumber than that. One of the glorified public sector paralegal's chief toadies misread one of happyfeet's comments and got the retarded monkey all butthurt. Frankly I haven't understood happyfeet's extended presence there any more than I have narciso's. Both would spend their time better with the Horde. Or offline.

[Narciso79]

Well happy really doesn't care, I'm trying to get myself banned. All the best people at pajamas except for possibly Fernandez have migrated to American grsatness

[Captain Hate]

For some reason none of the confirmation emails from Instapundit have come through so I can't comment there otherwise I'd point out what a raving lunatic they've lashed to the mast. Idiots.

[Captain Hate]

Is Roger Simon still in a position of responsibility at PJM? I used to email him a long time ago...

[Narciso79]

So the Bezos smirking chimp who hoped smollets tall tale was true, is a former Obama justice department and interior official and at one time worked for hostess foods

[Narciso79]

The revolving door spins enough to create it's own gravity:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nana-efua-mumford-3617097/?fbclid=IwAR1vgC2oZqCPMHN82hj8wKIxv2sZe5F9pg819MPsRE2VG5oxwrdJxTt1Wi8

[Dave (in MA)]

Thanks for the heads-up, TK. I left my own comment about it over there.

[Narciso79]

Ok she appears on TMZ, but she could be like Helen Mirren in chronicles of riddick.

[Narciso79]

I guess he thinks the bulwinkle crowd is sane, that's kind of a delusional notion.

Speaking of it looks like captain marvel looked at green lantern and said hold my ale.

[Pinandpuller]

Did PJM pick up the Red State Never Trumpers?

[Pinandpuller]

You can explore anywhere a man can except the Atlas Mtns

[Threadkiller]

Geez, CH. What a doofus.

Dave, are there two comment sections? One at instapundit and another at PJM?

[jimmyk]

AFAICT the procedure was the people who drafted it were supposed to put a red flag telling the reviewers of any problematic thing in the FISA request. If none was there it was routinely just rubber stamped.

That may be so, but Cates says this:

Brian Cates
‏@drawandstrike

Rosenstein had from Feb. to April 2017 to get read in to what had been going on with all this illegal spying & FISA and Steele dossier shenanigans.

Then in the first few weeks after he's confirmed in April he rubber stamps an extension of the FISA warrant? And appoints Mueller to investigate Russia? That just seems too 4D for me.

Again, I'm not arguing he's a black hat, but I'm just not persuaded yet that he's the white knight to the rescue either. I hope he is, but I'm not seeing the hard evidence of that.

[Pinandpuller]

So do they have a campfire and a Ban Ceremony at PJM?

I need to go say hi to mr papertiger.

[Pinandpuller]

Demosthenes dropped a dime on mr feet. That's Regressive 101 behavior.

[jim nj]

Daddy,

That sounds great. A suite. I can live like a prince-ling. I smoke, but won't do so at your hotel. Maybe I can get a vape cigarette if that's OK with you. They don't leave any smell behind.

A Possible Journey for March 4th if the weather cooperates.

A subway trip to the Whitehall/South Ferry subway stop. Board the Staten Island ferry (free) 10-20 minute wait to board, about a 35 minute trip, disembark, 20-30 minute wait to re-embark. Views - Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Gold Coast (Jersey City, Hobo Ken, Weehawken on the the NJ side, oh yeah Bayonne too) with pithy commentary on the growth of the Gold Coast phenomonon. Return trip looking at the other side - Brooklyn, Gouvenours Island, looking at the Manhattan skyline as it looms ever larger. Feeling like an early immigrant upon first seeing what's ahead of you. Boat traffic on the Hudson.

De-bark ferry, take a look easterly down Water Street. Enter Battery park from the south past the The World War II East Coast Memorial is located in Battery Park, New York City. This memorial commemorates those soldiers, sailors, Marines, coast guardsmen, merchant mariners and airmen who met their deaths in the service of their country in the western waters of the Atlantic Ocean during World War II. Its axis is oriented on the Statue of Liberty.

Then https://www.nps.gov/cacl/index.htm

Castle Clinton "Located at the southern tip of Manhattan Island, Castle Clinton stands where New York City began, and represents not only the city’s growth, but the growth of a nation. Initially intended to prevent a British invasion in 1812, the fortification has transformed over the years to welcome theatergoers, immigrants, sightseers, and now, millions of visitors to New York Harbor."

Exit Battery Park to the north to see Bowling Green with the Roaring Bull (the girl is gone) and the old US Custom House, a glorious building, that now houses the American Indian Museum (free) if inclined to go inside. https://americanindian.si.edu/visit/newyork/

From there many sites are a short walk. Use Google map and zoom in and it will identify individual sites. Federal Hall, the NYSE exchange, Trinity Church, the World Trade Center, Fraunces Tavern, East India House, lots of ways to vary the tour.

Then on to City Hall Park. City Hall isn't worth visiting. The Tweed Courthouse behind it is worth visiting. I can't find out if you can walk around yourself or if you have to take a tour only available Friday. Right next door is the NYC Dept. of Records. We're not there to look up records but for the "deja vu" experience. If you have ever watched "Law and orer" or any other NYC police drama or movie you've seen the interior before. But seeing it live is gobsmacking.

From the City Hall Park and environs you can see all of the tall courthouse buildings that show up on TV and movies.

The piece de resistance of the walk is that you're also at the entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge Walkway. There is nothing comparable to a walk to the first tower and just taking in the views. And the Strand Book Store is another short walk, although at that point the subway is probably better.

Just a suggestion, but it's the kind of tour others can join into at anytime just by phoning in to see where we are or to meet up by pre-arrangement.

I didn't plan anything for Sunday.

Let me know how this sounds as I can re-arrange it to fit other requests from you or others.

[jim nj]

The Genghis Khan post was cool. If memory serves me correctly they had more than one campaign. One reached Budapest and was only stopped because the current Khan died and it was the custom to return home when that happened. Without that they would have gone all the way to the coast of France.

And, yes, the Mongols used brutal, but highly effective tactics at breaking down city defenses.

[Pinandpuller]

Only 99 comments and 10 of them are about browsers.

[jim nj]

I'm sure John Kerry was well received at the Munich talks. Munich.

The Warsaw meeting was mostly unreported because it was pro-US. Munich was more heavily reported because it wasn't pro-US. Also lost in that news was that the EU is still opposing the Iran sanctions. They're still trying to set up a financial conduit that will allow their companies to continue doing business with Iran.

The EU's feelings of grandeur are being trampled upon and they're still having a snit-fit about it. These people aren't our allies.

[jim nj]

PIN,

I love browsing. Was that a shot at Patterico?

[Pinandpuller]

PIN,

I love browsing. Was that a shot at Patterico?

Posted by: jim nj | February 19, 2019 at 01:55 AM

Not direct fire. The whole article wouldn't load for some people so there was a bit of browser talk.

I have Safari on my iPhone and a lot of apps open in it but I don't really like it. I'm almost always using Chrome now. For some reason Chromium opens up when I reboot my computer, I have no idea why. Who is it even made by?

[daddy]

So the Bezos smirking chimp who hoped smollets tall tale was true

Narciso,

Which Bezos smirking chimp, please?

[Pinandpuller]

I don't really like Disqus that much, or I didn't. I have three comments and mr happyfeet has 5,500.

[Pinandpuller]

Why are they called browsers? That's something ruminants do.

[daddy]

are there two comment sections? One at instapundit and another at PJM?

Yes TK, 2 comment sections. The one at Instapundit seems harshest but HappyFeet/Pikachu is dancing around at both.

1) Instapundit comment section

2) PJ Media comment section.

[jim nj]

https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/430502-west-virginia-set-to-go-on-teacher-strike

If memory serves me correctly they went on strike last year too. This year it's proposed charter schools.

[daddy]

I'm not arguing he's a black hat, but I'm just not persuaded yet that he's the white knight to the rescue either.

FWIW, I still think Rod Rosenstein's dirty as they come. Hopefully we'll find out someday, one way or the other.

[Dave (in MA)]

Posted by: Threadkiller | February 19, 2019 at 01:03 AM. PJMedia articles have Disqus comment threads under them. Insty linked to a Patterico-penned PJMedia article. Patterico has his own site, where he and his minions deal with dissenters in a manner not unlike post-breakdown Calhers Jnnohso.

[jim nj]

PIN,

Some browsers ask you to make them the default browser when you install them. You probably need to re-set your default browser setting.

[Dave (in MA)]

The aforementioned Mr. Feet has a 1 month exile from Patterico's own site, but is free to comment @PJMedia.

[Dave (in MA)]

One nice PJ feature is the ability to directly host images without having to find a 3rd party hosting site.

[jim nj]

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-47278902

Seven MPs leave Labour Party in protest at Jeremy Corbyn's leadership

The UK is fracturing further.

[jim nj]

https://www.apnews.com/76bc9dbc1b1e4d8b94afa919468177bb

Israel may become the 4th nation to land a vehicle on the moon. Launch on Thursday.

[jim nj]

https://hotair.com/archives/2019/02/18/eu-trump-repatriating-terrorist-citizens-not-easy-think/

Yes, they expect the US to send them all to Guantanamo so the EU nations can complain about them being illegally held.

Send them back to the EU. Provide the flights they will arrive on and let the EU decide what to do with them. Hypocrites.

[jim nj]

Democratic Presidential Nomination

Biden27.3
Sanders17.0
Harris10.8
Warren7.5
O'Rourke6.8
Booker5.0
Klobuchar3.3
Bloomberg3.3
Brown2.0
Gabbard1.3
Castro1.3

Biden +10.3

Biden is still the favorite because he hasn't declared yet. As soon as he does expect a coordinated attack on him.

[Stephanie Nene Not Your Normal Granma]

Bob can't get an erection so he goes to the doctor.
The doctor tells him the muscles at the base of his penis are broken down and there's nothing he can do unless he's willing to try an experimental surgery.
Bob asks what the surgery is and the doctor tells him they take the muscles from the base of a baby elephant's trunk, insert them in the base of his penis, and hope for the best.
Bob says that sounds pretty scary but the thought of never having sex again is even scarier, so he says ok.
The doctor goes ahead and performs the surgery and about 6 weeks later he gives Bob the go ahead to "try out his new equipment".
Bob takes his wife out for dinner. While at dinner Bob starts feeling incredible pressure in his pants. It gets unbearable and he figures no one can see him so he undoes his pants.
No sooner does he do this, his penis pops out of his pants, rolls across the table, grabs an apple from the fruit basket, and disappears back into his pants.
His wife sits in shock for a few moments, and then gets a sly look on her face.
She says, "That was pretty cool! Can you do that again?"
With his eyes watering and a painful look on his face, Bob says, "Probably, but I don't know if I can fit another apple up my ass..!"

[Pinandpuller]

A lot of truth there

[Pinandpuller]

New Jersey waitress shot in the face in Puerto Rico still can’t talk because of injury.

Angelis Molina, 20, stayed behind in Puerto Rico during a vacation apparently in hopes of pursuing a modeling opportunity, despite warnings from her mother.

The aspiring model was shot in the face during an apartment party near San Juan on Jan. 31. Angelis has not been able to speak with investigators because a bullet went through her mouth and cheek.

One of Angelis Molina’s eyes was also removed in surgery.

Since the waitress from Atlantic City, New Jersey was shot, the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear, while stories and leads keep changing.

Originally, the shooting was reported as a robbery, Puerto Rican authorities said. But, for reasons they could not divulge, it became clear it was not a robbery, they said.

Once Angelis can be interviewed, police hope to develop some stronger leads.

https://www.nj.com/atlantic/2019/02/who-shot-aspiring-model-in-puerto-rico-remains-an-island-mystery-amid-shifting-stories-as-nj-woman-fights-for-her-life.html

[jim nj]

via Insty

https://warontherocks.com/2019/02/the-chinese-military-speaks-to-itself-revealing-doubts/

This is interesting. China may be moving quickly to modernize weapon systems, but it may not be able to deploy it properly.

Other than the Vietnam incursion, they haven't fought a war since.

Their naval encounters have mostly been about harassing single ships. No fleet actions. How coordinated in action are their ships and planes? That is second nature to us. US naval fleets with their own dedicated airships and the ability to interface with the US air force.

I suspect the belligerence of some of their newspapers' diatribes isn't matched by the confidence the military has in its' own abilities.

Is it possible that within the Chinese military that there is no wish to go to war?

I suspect so. Oh I'm sure there are some hot-heads who believe they can win, but I wonder what the rest of the staff think.

[Pinandpuller]

https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1015568/Brexit-news-robot-fruit-picking-farmers-labour-jobs-AI

[daddy]

Jim nj,

That sounds great for the 4th. I've done some of that stuff, but not much. We used to layover in Weehauken and take the Ferry to the City but I'd love to know all what I was looking at. Never done the Brooklyn Bridge, nor most of the other stuff you mentioned, except seeing the Bull, a tour of the Stock Exchange, Trinity Church, and Fraunces Tavern. Since I've seen those before I don't have to see them again, same with McSorley's. Sounds like a good game plan for the 4th. That leaves me free whenever I get up on the 3rd to hit the Strand quick and knock that out, and then zip up and say Hey to JimmyK or Peter or whatever, but yeah, that sounds fine with me. And by check in on the 3rd I'll know soon enough if the Assistant Manager lied to me or not:) Bring whatever you want. I check out just before noon on the 5th heading home, so that's when we have to leave, but SBW says it's a decent hotel so great!

Snowing like crazy here and just in from taking 2 of the dogs out for evening poops in the blizzard. Nelson left to go, and still never caught up on the previous thread. Sameold, sameold.

[Pinandpuller]

Meanwhile, the FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service has been quietly working on the origins of Smollett’s letter for nearly a month. Giving it far more “attention” than he knew.
Late Monday, CWBChicago received confirmation that the letter case has been before a federal grand jury and multiple subpoenas have been generated over the course of the investigation.
In a conversation on Feb. 8th, before police met with brothers Ola and Abel Osundairo, a leading source within the Smollett attack investigation called the hate crime a "false flag" and said “There is a direct line between (the letter) and (the purported attack)." In the same conversation, the source hinted at what was to come: "This is not a whodunit. It's a how-many-people-dunit."
Federal charges were "certain" against whoever mailed the letter. That person, we were told, "made an enormous mistake."
http://www.cwbchicago.com/2019/02/smollett-threat-letter-called-enormous.html

[daddy]

The UK is fracturing further.

I am totally clueless as to what is going on in Britain for the last 2 weeks. And about 90% clueless on France and the Yellow Vests. Tomorrow I'll try to catch up.

[Pinandpuller]

What is the punishment for lynching, hanging?

[jim nj]

https://nypost.com/2019/02/16/this-nyc-bookstore-can-a-print-a-title-for-you-in-minutes/

I like this, if a book isn't is stock we can print you a copy.

I've used these people before for genealogy and local history books before.

https://higginsonbooks.com/

They can print out a copy of a book beyond copyright protection, bind it, stencil the name on the spine and have to you in a week or two.

[jim nj]

https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/passaic/wayne/2019/02/18/wayne-hills-mall-demolition-underway/2906399002/

Even in northern NJ, the mall capital of the world, not all malls survive as originally envisioned.

[daddy]

From Pin's 04:08

Since being created by Benjamin Franklin—yes, that Benjamin Franklin—the service has learned a few things about tracing mail-based crimes. Figuring out who mailed a letter has been made easier because, while most criminals know to wear gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints, most criminals also forget to leave their cellphones at home when they go to the mailbox.

Even without tracking phones, inspectors have a catalogue of techniques developed over the course of 200 years to track a letter to its source...

That would make sense as to why Smollett didn't want to turn over his phone to the cops, except for very limited and select bits.

And there's this: "This is not a whodunit. It's a how-many-people-dunit."

Man, do I hope he had been chatting with Kamala or Corey, or with somebody who had been chatting with Kamala or Corey or bigshots from the DNC or the MSM.

A law firm partner who asked not to be identified by name spoke with us about the federal problems ahead for whoever mailed the letter: “If they have Smollett on the letter, he’ll be facing ’terroristic hoax’ charges, a felony. There may be federal obstruction charges as well.”

All in all, the federal legal options are numerous: “If they want to bury him, they can.”

Attorney General Barr, if you're not busy...

[jim nj]

Daddy,

The Labour Party is decidedly anti-Semitic. The 7 MPs quit because of that and Brexit strategy.

France? 14 Saturdays of protests with no end in sight. It seems to have a life of its' own. I don't see a solution.

[jim nj]

Daddy,

If there is a Sunday night and a Monday night hook-up I'd like to be there for both. I want to meet as many JOMers as possible.

I think you'll like the Lower Manhattan and harbor tour. It's the oldest part of the city and lot's of stuff is nearby so it's a very flexible thing that we can modify on the fly.

I didn't include the South Street Seaport and its' district of restored buildings as I'm not sure if it's re-opened yet. It's a tourist trap, but the ships are worth looking at. I'll look into that/

Fraunces Tavern and McSorleys are tourist traps in my opinion.

I'm looking for atmosphere and history mostly.

[daddy]

Jim,

I lost track of that side of the world about 2 weeks back and am clueless. Tough to keep up.

[jim nj]

https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2019/02/trumps-emergency-declaration-john-yoos-take.php

John Yoo calls the president's actions legal.

[daddy]

Jim,

Whatever Peter or JimmyK or anyone else wants to do on the evening of the 3rd or the 4th is fine with me also, as long as it ain't Cats or the Lion King.

[jim nj]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/celebrity/brothers-questioned-in-jussie-smollett-case-speak-out/ar-BBTLXAX?li=BBnb7Kz

They don't want to go down for this.

[jim nj]

https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2019/02/black-humor-from-the-new-york-times.php

"Republicans Hope to Sway Voters With Labels That Demonize Democrats"

Oh, come on.

[daddy]

"Mr Smollett, GNS tracking records show that your cel-phone was at the location of the Mail Box on Lower East North Water Street, on the day and at the time that this terrorist Letter was mailed to you. Now why would it show that? "

[jim nj]

Daddy and others,

I have no wish to interfere with anybody else's plans for Daddy. Everybody seemed to be busy during Monday daytime, so I advanced my proposed itinerary.

You're welcome to join us on our travels and I'm more then welcome to defer to your ideas of what to do Sunday or Monday nights.

[daddy]

...In a joint statement the two Nigerian brothers said, "We are not racist. We are not homophobic and we are not anti-Trump."

Not Anti-Trump? That ought to be enough to get 'em the chair in Chi-Town.

[jim nj]

Daddy,

The brothers have thrown Smollett under the bus.

Chicago PD and prosecution lawyers have probably already given them immunity. They're not worried about Chicago. They're worried about the feds.

[daddy]

From Clarice's link from this morning:

Jussie Smollett’s sisters, actresses and activists, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, and Jazz Smollett-Warwell, worked as leading campaign surrogates for former President Barack Obama.

Boy, do I hope this snowball keeps roling down the hill collecting bad guys.

[jim nj]

As to keeping track of the UK, France, Germany and the EU. Even if you follow it closely there are no answers.

Germany is embittered for reasons unknown. The UK can't solve the Brexit issue, in part because of Germany and the EU. France is going down the toilet since its' citizens don't trust the government.

The EU is doing everything to oppose the US. The EU seems to be a dying institution lashing out where ever it can.

[daddy]

From catch-up: Smollett’s mother Janet Smollett is an activist... and good friends with Angela Davis...

Ha!

[jim nj]

Jussie Smollett had connections to the Obama's?

Nah. They'll throw him unedr the bus too.
What's Barack going to say, "We sent him on a mission and he failed."

[jim nj]

nytol

[daddy]

Happy Birthday to Copernicus
Who in his Orbium Coelestium De Revolutionibus
Gave us the Heliocentric centered Universe
Happy Birthday to Nick!

G'nite.

[rse]

There is a wine bar in Ferrara, Italy to the left on city square behind the cathedral that has been in continuous operation since the 14th century. Copernicus lived upstairs at one point.

In Lower Manhattan I always recommend stopping by the AmEx HQ and telling guard you want to see the 13 tears exhibit fountain there in the lobby. It's a 'moving memorial' to the AmEx employees killed at Cantor Fitzgerald on 9/11. The theme is "Never Alone" and you will see why when you see it in person.

[hoyden]

Smollett should be required to issue a personal apology to everyone he slandered with his criminal hoax; President Trump and his supporters for starters.

[Buckeye]

Every day bat-shit crazy journalists wake up looking for a Jussie Smollett story. Just a different kinda whore.

Wonder what might get served up today?

[Captain Hate]

FWIW, I still think Rod Rosenstein's dirty as they come

Why is McCabe, who we all agree is a filthy integral part of the coup, trying so hard to make him look like he's part of them? Be specific and show your work.

[pagar]

"John Yoo calls the president's actions legal."

IMO, everyone should call the President's action legal because it is. The anti American crowd needs to quit their hate and support America and the President who is working to make us Great.

[Buckeye]

Why is McCabe, who we all agree is a filthy integral part of the coup, trying so hard to make him look like he's part of them?

Simple CH. Misery likes company.

In all honesty, don't know what part Rosie played.

Regardless, he strikes me as a suck up, teacher's pet kinda wuss.

[pagar]

"He's Back" - Bernie Sanders Officially Enters 2020 Race"

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-02-19/hes-back-bernie-sanders-officially-enters-2020-race

Stuff no one in their right mind would make up. Get your bets in early.

[MissMarple2]

Smollett has run into the Trump Curse.

It's amazing. And OL wonders why I am confident! Ha!

[clarice]

CH, Roger is no longer the editor but he posts there regualrly , Hoyt is good and Chaco posts there, too.

[MissMarple2]

Donald J. Trump
‏Verified account @realDonaldTrump
28m28 minutes ago

“....(The Witch Hunt) in time likely will become recognized as the greatest scandal in American political history, marking the first occasion in which the U.S. government bureaucrats sought to overturn an election (presidential)!” Victor Davis Hanson And got caught! @FoxNews

[MissMarple2]

Donald J. Trump
‏Verified account @realDonaldTrump
19m19 minutes ago

Had the opposition party (no, not the Media) won the election, the Stock Market would be down at least 10,000 points by now. We are heading up, up, up!

[MissMarple2]

Donald J. Trump
‏Verified account @realDonaldTrump
6m6 minutes ago

As I predicted, 16 cities, led mostly by Open Border Democrats and the Radical Left, have filed a lawsuit in, of course, the 9th Circuit! California, the state that has wasted billions of dollars on their out of control Fast Train, with no hope of completion, seems in charge!

[MissMarple2]

s Tweets, current page. Tweets & replies Media

Donald J. Trump
‏Verified account @realDonaldTrump
3m3 minutes ago

The failed Fast Train project in California, were the cost overruns are becoming world record setting, is hundreds of times more expensive than the desperately needed Wall!
42 replies 44 retweets 174 likes

[MissMarple2]

Laura Jarrett
‏Verified account @LauraAJarrett
38s38 seconds ago

McCabe confirms for first time to @SavannahGuthrie on Today that the FBI informed the Gang 8 in May 2017 the FBI had opened a counterintelligence investigation into Trump and "no one objected. Not on legal grounds, not on constitutional grounds, and not based on the facts."

[MissMarple2]

He's in.

Bernie Sanders
‏Verified account @BernieSanders

I'm running for president. I am asking you to join me today as part of an unprecedented and historic grassroots campaign that will begin with at least 1 million people from across the country. Say you're in: https://bsanders.us/tw

[henry]

re Rosenstein being dirty. If he's clean, why did Holder let him keep his job?