Supreme Court justices appear to favor allowing memorial shaped like a cross to remain on public land

Washington Examiner  "A majority of Supreme Court justices appeared inclined to allow a nearly century-old, 40-foot Latin cross honoring 49 men who died in World War I to remain in place on public land as they questioned litigants contesting whether the memorial's presence on public lands violates the separation of church and state. 

"But during the 70-minute-long argument, the court appeared more divided on the question of when a religious display located on public land is permissible. The dispute may jeopardize other cross-shaped war memorials around the country. 

"The Peace Cross, which is part of the Bladensburg World War I Veterans Memorial located in Prince George’s County, Md., was erected by bereaved mothers whose sons died in the war. Several of the justices noted that while the cross is the preeminent symbol of Christianity, Latin crosses were often used to memorialize service members killed during World War I. Additionally, the cross bears no religious writings and is part of a larger park with other monuments for past armed conflicts. 

"But Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the lead member of the court's liberal wing, stressed the prominence of crosses in the Christian faith, noting that “people wear crosses” to show their devotion to Christianity.

"In one exchange, Chief Justice John Roberts, who often sides with conservatives, questioned American Humanist Association attorney Monica Miller, who challenged the constitutionality of the cross, whether a Native American totem erected on property owned by the federal government would have to be taken down. Ginsburg, meanwhile, asked Neal Katyal, representing the Maryland commission that owns the monument, whether a cross-shaped memorial honoring those killed during a school shooting would be permissible." . . . 

SCOTUS Blog: Argument analysis: Peace cross appears safe, if not stable

"For nearly a century, a 40-foot-tall stone and concrete cross has stood on a traffic median in the Washington, D.C., suburbs, just a few miles from the Supreme Court. But seven years ago, a group of local residents filed a lawsuit seeking to have the cross removed. They argue that the presence of the cross on public land violates the Constitution, which bars the government from establishing an official religion and favoring one religion over another. The state of Maryland, which owns and maintains the cross, and the American Legion, which built it, counter that the cross – which is badly in need of repair – is simply a secular war memorial. Today the justices heard oral argument in the dispute, and it seemed likely that the cross will survive the challenge, even if the court’s ruling proves to be a relatively narrow one that allows the peace cross and other historical monuments to stand while making clear that new religious symbols may not pass muster in the future." . . .

The Cohen hearings, first day

The Three Times When Michael Cohen's Testimony Accidentally Exonerated President Trump   "Because attorney-client privilege is apparently no longer a thing, Michael Cohen, President Trump's former lawyer, is on Capitol Hill this week testifying against his old employer. The media tells us that his testimony is like a carpet bomb on the Trump Administration, full of explosive and damning revelations that will surely spell doom for the President. Something closer to the opposite is the case, I think.

Cohen Testimony: No Evidence of Trump Colluding with Russia, But Lots of Dirt

Michael Cohen testifies about Trump, Roger Stone-WikiLeaks plot at House hearing -- live blog  "Questions have been raised about whether I know of direct evidence that Mr. Trump or his campaign colluded with Russia," Cohen testified. "I do not. I want to be clear. But, I have my suspicions."

Meadows confronts Cohen in testy exchange on Trump racism accusations 
"Rep. Mark Meadows on Wednesday brought in Trump administration staffer Lynne Patton, who is black, to push back against Michael Cohen's allegations during testimony before a House panel that the president is a racist.

"You made some very demeaning comments about the president that Ms. Patton doesn’t agree with. In fact, it has to do with your claim of racism," Meadows said.

"She says that, as a daughter of a man born in Birmingham, Ala., that there is no way that she would work for an individual who was racist," the conservative Republican added.

"Patton, who serves in the Department of Housing and Urban Development, provided a statement to the House Oversight and Reform Committee that was entered into the record but not read aloud during the hearing.

"Cohen during his testimony noted that he is responsible for Patton joining the Trump Organization and for "the job she currently holds."

"Meadows said he's spoken with Trump "over 300 times" and has not heard any racist comments from the president. He pressed Cohen for proof of his allegation, including whether he had recordings. 

" 'No, sir," Cohen responded, acknowledging that he has recorded other conversations." . . .

Rashida Tlaib goes off on ‘racist’ Mark Meadows inviting Lynne Patton — and outs herself as a flaming racist [video]   . . . "We expected Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib to make an ass of herself at Michael Cohen’s congressional hearing, and she did not disappoint.
"As Twitchy told you earlier, Lynne Patton, who worked for the Trump Organization and currently serves as a senior HUD official, was a guest of GOP Rep. Mark Meadows at today’s hearing. And, according to Tlaib, that’s “in itself a racist act”:"....Video

Michael Cohen Admits Discussing ‘Topics’ with Adam Schiff Before Testimony. . . "Schiff, who is expected to question Cohen Thursday when the former Trump attorney testifies before the House Intelligence Committee Thursday, said earlier Wednesday that the president engaged in illegal activity while in office if this testimony is factual.
 “If Mr. Cohen’s allegations are correct, it means the president, while in office, literally while in the Oval Office was engaged in criminal activity, and that is furthering this campaign fraud scheme,” Schiff, chair of the House intelligence panel, told CNN’s New Day Wednesday morning." . . . CNN, of course!

Cohen Admits He Can’t Corroborate His Allegations Against Trump  . . . “ 'How can we corroborate what you’re saying?” Democratic Rep. Deborah Wasserman Schultz of Florida asked Cohen, referring to the former Trump confidant’s allegations that the president was aware of Stone’s contact with WikiLeaks’ founder Julian Assange.

"She is among a slew of Democrats and Republicans grilling Cohen during a congressional hearing.

“ 'I don’t know, but I suspect the special counsel’s office and other government agencies have the information that you’re seeking,” Cohen said in reply." . . .

UPDATED: Spike Lee Is an Ass

Kyle Smith

"His public tantrum was unseemly, ungracious, and embarrassing — but it may pay off."

. . . "A man who acts like a churl in his late 30s is liable to remain one forever. You may correct me if I’m wrong, but I think Lee made Oscar history Sunday night. As far as I know, he was the first Academy Award loser ever to throw a public tantrum right there in the auditorium.
"'ABC’s cameras didn’t catch it, but showbiz trades reported what happened in the audience after Best Picture was predictably awarded to Green Book instead of Lee’s film, BlacKkKlansman. Deadline noted that a “furious” Lee left his seat, stalked back toward the rear of the theater, then turned back and appeared to get into an intense conversation with Get Out writer-director Jordan Peele, who was behind him. Then he paced in the aisle and headed for the back of the theater again. When he got back to his seat he pointedly turned his back to the stage as Green Book producer-director Peter Farrelly gave an acceptance speech.

Lloyd Marcus: Spike Lee's disservice to black America . . . "In his speech, Lee cited that slavery in America began 400 years ago.  And yet, while standing on stage, receiving an Oscar, Lee, a black man, acts as if slavery continues today.  Lee said his grandmother funded his college education.  He said his grandmother was the daughter of a slave and a college graduate.  Doesn't Spike Lee's and his grandmother's success confirm the truth that America is the greatest land of opportunity on the planet for all who choose to go for it?
"As I watched Spike Lee, I thought, what is wrong with this man?  Does he actually believe his anti-American garbage, or is it simply his niche to make movies?  Promoting her movie, Selma, billionaire black woman Oprah Winfrey spread the lie that blacks are still suffering the 1965 racism featured in her movie.  White moviegoers have made black actor Samuel L. Jackson worth $220 million.  Like Spike Lee, Jackson whines about how blacks can't catch a break in racist America." . . .

Update:

GOP Rep.: Michael Cohen Is a ‘Fake Witness’ and His Testimony Is a ‘Travesty’

National Review

"Representative Mark Green (R., Tenn.) labeled President Trump’s former personal attorney Michael Cohen a “fake witness” during Cohen’s appearance before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday and suggested there was no value to hearing the testimony of a proven liar.

“ 'Ladies and gentlemen, how on earth is this witness credible?” Green asked. “With all the lies and deception, the self-serving fraud. It begs the question: What is the majority party doing here? No one can see this guy as credible. He will say whatever he wants to accomplish his own personal goals. He’s a fake witness. His presence here is a travesty.”

"Green criticized Representative Elijah Cummings (D., Md.), the chairman of the Oversight Committee, for restricting the topics that lawmakers are permitted to question Cohen about, listing each approved topic and arguing in detail that Cohen’s testimony on those matters lacked credibility.“Mr. Chairman the first topic in your limited scope that I can ask Mr. Cohen is about the president’s debts. 

" 'Mr. Chairman the first topic in your limited scope that I can ask Mr. Cohen is about the president’s debts. But Mr. Chairman, didn’t Mr. Cohen plead guilty to lying to banks about his personal finances? So we’re asking a guy going to jail for lying about his debts to comment about the president’s debts. He’s the expert,” Green said." . . .

Updating continually: Who Is the UC Berkeley Puncher?

Campus Reform  "The University of California-Berkeley told Campus Reform Tuesday that it is seeking a felony arrest warrant from the Alameda County District Attorney's Office as a result of its investigation into the Feb. 19 assault against Leadership Institute Field Representative Hayden Williams." . . .

. . . "Berkeley is no stranger to anti-conservative violence. During a number of violent riots that broke out in early 2017 in response to appearances by several conservative speakers such as Milo Yiannopolous, a Diablo Valley College ethics professor named Eric Clanton smashed at least one person upside the head with a bike lock. 
"Clanton later took a plea deal which entailed the dropping of all three felony charges against him.
"Another rioter sprayed Trump supporter Kiara Robles in the face with pepper spray for wearing a hat that read, “Make Bitcoin Great Again.”

"This is a developing story. Updates will be added.

Editor's note: The Leadership Institute owns and operates CampusReform.org.

PJ Media is puzzled over this as well   . . . "That's it. The cops now claim they've identified the attacker, but they haven't arrested him and they're not releasing his name to the public.
"Would they be protecting this violent thug's identity if he had been wearing a MAGA hat?
"And what triggered the black-clad hooligan? What drove him to such a violent rage? It was a sign reading "Hate Crime Hoaxes Hurt Real Victims," a reference to the Smollett hoax. This coward got so triggered by a fake hate crime that he committed a real one." . . .

Update, 2/27:   Hayden Williams slams UC-Berkeley admin. 'for allowing it to get to this point'   . . . "On Fox & Friends, Williams was asked by host Ainsley Earhardt the identity of the man who was caught on video punching him in the face while he helped conservative campus groups recruit new members. Police in California told Campus Reform recently that they have identified the suspect but have not released his name publicly." . . .

. . . " 'But what I do know is that there is a culture at Berkeley that sort of harbors this mentality. It’s embedded at the university and you know, some people of the campus community were even hailing this guy as a hero for what he did and encouraging members of the community not to snitch on this individual," Williams said.

" 'What do you want to happen to him?" Earhardt asked Williams, referring to the man who punched him in the face.

" 'Well, I respect due process and, you know, I’m confident that he will be found. The police are doing good work on this case. And my main critique is with the administration for allowing it to get to this point where this sort of violence is accepted and even encouraged by some," Williams said." . . . 

Al Gore Says Ralph Northam Can Atone For Blackface Scandal By Opposing Gas Pipeline

WUWT  "Al Gore said Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam can fulfill his “racial reconciliation” pledge by opposing the Atlantic Coast pipeline, which he called a “racist rip-off.”  Racist Again!

“This is an ideal opportunity for him to say, ‘I’ve seen the light,’” Gore said at an anti-pipeline town hall in a historically black part of Buckingham County, Virginia, as part of an “Environmental Justice Tour,” the AP reported.

"Gore appeared on stage with his daughter Karenna Gore, Rev. Dr. William Barber II, environmental activists and residents of Union Hill, a historically black neighborhood, who oppose the Atlantic Coast pipeline.

"Gore and climate activists see Northam’s recent blackface controversy as a way to turn him against the Atlantic Coast pipeline. 

"Northam’s political future was thrown into doubt early in 2019 after his medical school yearbook photos surfaced, showing a picture of an individual in blackface and another in a KKK hood."... .Michael Bastasch | Energy EditorFormer Vice President
When everything is racist, then nothing will be racist.

(RELATED: Trump Will Officially End Negotiations With California On Fuel Economy Rollbacks)

Rich Terrell /on Boss Tweed

AOC dismisses Green New Deal critics: ‘Like, I’m the boss’ . . . “ 'Like I just introduced the Green New Deal two weeks ago, and it’s creating all of this conversation. Why? Because no one else has even tried.

“ 'So people are like, ‘Oh it’s unrealistic. Oh it’s vague. Oh it doesn’t address this little minute thing,’ ” she added. “And I’m like, ‘You try. You do it. Cuz you’re not. Cuz you’re not. So, until you do it, I’m the boss.’ How about that?’ ” . . .How, like, Churchillian.

AOC Is Not ‘the Boss’ for Coming Up with a Plan That Can’t Work  . . . "Sorry, AOC — but this line of thinking is completely ridiculous. For one thing, someone should probably remind her that her job title is “representative” and not “God.” Her job is not to be a “boss,” but rather a servant of the people whom she represents. We aren’t supposed to be working for her; she’s supposed to be working for us.

Ocasio-Cortez flunks another intelligence test  . . . "Obviously, Ocasio-Cortez has no clue that Mussolini was a socialist through and through — nor that in German, "Nazi" is a contraction for "National Socialist."  But even with the deficient yet expensive education she received at Boston University, she should have been able to comprehend that she was being mocked by comparison to a tyrant.  She is unable to go beyond primary school–level understanding of a text." 

Occasional-Cortex: The Twilight Zone's monster  . . . "Over the weekend, Ocasio-Cortez released a video of herself cooking in her kitchen.  There is a microwave, refrigerator, etc., all the fossil-fueled comforts of home.  She pours herself some wine.  She says "like" every other word like a middle school–age child.  She misuses the few words she thinks she knows, and her voice is increasingly unlistenable.  She resembles a wind-up doll." . . .

Ele

Behold, A Green Horse

Noisy Room

Behold, a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him.” – Revelation 6:8

"The original New Deal (11933-’36) was a series of programs, public works projects, financial reforms and regulations enacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, designed to rescue the US from the Great Depression.  The artfully-name Green New Deal, proposed by Democrat-socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY), is a series of drastic changes designed to divert the US from the path of improvement and greatness set by President Donald J. Trump and propagate Obama’s disastrous and divisive policies. 

"President Trump’s focus on energy has been removing the Obama era’s burdensome energy regulations so that we are now experiencing an unprecedented boom in domestic oil production and energy independence.  We are exporting more oil than importing for the first time in 75 years.   Trump has been so successful, in fact, that Obama has tried to assume the credit in the hope of salvaging his eight years of failure.  The unscientific, childish Ocasio-Cortez endorses the climate change hoax, blaming every winter storm and summer hot spell on corporate America and on cattle with normal gastrointestinal activity.  As clearly clarified by Paul Driessen on cfact, “AOC wants to lead the world in economic suicide, environmental degradation, plummeting living standards, shorter life spans, and societal upheaval.“ 

"Her desire to raze, rebuild, and refurbish every building with, allegedly, non-polluting solar or wind-power equipment, would create an insurmountable debt.  Considering the revelation that she is supported by anti-American, globalist and Nazi-sympathizer, George Soros, it may be that she hopes to erase all remnants of our national history, a common aspiration for every tyrannical regime that has not the ability to improve on what others have achieved.  Alexandra has described herself in divisive intersectional terms, as a Puerto Rican descendant of African slaves, Indigenous people, and Spanish colonizers.  She does not call herself an American and seems to have no affinity for the welfare of our country and our fellow-Americans." . . .  By Tabitha Korol