Constitutional Fairyland

Conrad Black

"Another week, a new harvest of insane Democratic pre-electoral hobby horses. Various of the numberless swarm of presidential aspirants in that party have glibly chimed in with their views of how to modify American government to assure a permanent “progressive” majority. Gathering steam now are absurd ideas to side-step the Electoral College, pack the Supreme Court, lower the voting age to 16, and divide the political rubble heap of California into three or four states to create more Democratic senators.

"All of this is nonsense, emanating from the same political fairyland as the 12-year elimination of carbon use and bovine flatulence. La Pasionaria Occasion assures us her Green New Deal will not lead to millions of unemployed as the leaders of organized leaders claim, but too a “reinvigorated workforce.” That is a (presumably) unintended recourse to Orwellian newspeak: involuntary unemployment is rarely reinvigorating.

Would-Be Rulers East and West

"The bunk about the Electoral College is an attempt to subvert the basis of the American federal system. Little states such as Delaware and Rhode Island had the same number of senators as large states like Virginia (which then included West Virginia) and Pennsylvania, for the reason that their interests as states were just as significant as those of the large ones—and probably in need of even greater protection. (Philadelphia in 1787 was the second largest English-speaking city in the world, with 34,000 people, though a long way behind London, 20 times as populous.)" . . .

Democrats: untrustworthy stewards of this nation for over 160 years

In the 1860's just as in the 2000's, Democrats have been the party to cut and run in the face of adversity. During the Civil War, Democrats ran on the platform of "forget the countless thousands who died, let slavery continue to exist". TD

The Democrat Party is the real symbol of the Confederacy  . . . "Polities where the Democrats enjoy one-party rule today include basket cases like Detroit, where African Americans endure some of the worst living conditions in the country, and creative-class playgrounds like San Francisco, whose black population was purged in the period of urban renewal. " . . . 

Now today, regarding the Electoral College, Democrats would be happy to discard the wisdom of the nation's Founders if it hinders their quest for power. Their cause is greatly aided by ignorance in the media and in our educational system that produces their candidates we see this election cycle and the voters who support them. Bear in mind this all started when Hillary mentioned the Electoral College as just one of many reasons she claimed for losing. TD

Restoring States' Rights to Presidential Elections  . . . "Restoring the rights and powers of the sovereign states is the linchpin of everything we need to begin to solve our problems.  The power of state legislatures remains in the language of the Constitution, and those rights ought to be given life again.  If that happens, we can begin the peaceful revolution our nation needs.  It is doable and ought to be done.  Nothing keeps Republican state legislatures from beginning the process but the guts and grit of their own members — and there is no reason for delay at all."

Oh, yes, and they all suddenly want to abolish the Electoral College! Had HRC won, they would be singing its praises.

Warren Wants to Eliminate the Electoral College, Which Would Cause Havoc in Our System
"You hate third party candidates now? Try competing without the Electoral College."

"I wouldn’t call our Founding Fathers perfect, but man did they leave us one of the greatest documents penned in the English language. Their brilliance provided America not only with the Bill of Rights, but with the Electoral College.

"Grumbles about the Electoral College have existed for a long time, but after President Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton, its elimination shot to the top of the Democrats list of issues in their campaigns.

"Sen. Elizabeth Warren proclaimed her wish to abolish the Electoral College at a recent town hall, but I don’t think she’s given it much thought to the mess this would create."

. . . 

People forget that Hillary only received 48% of the popular vote, not 50% and above. In other words, she did not receive the majority of the popular vote. In 2000, Al Gore received 48.38% of the popular vote.

"Without the Electoral College, we could end up with a president who only had 25% of the vote. Wallison "points out that the government could add a run-off amendment, which means the top two or three candidates would hold another election:

Of course, we could graft a run-off system onto our Constitution; the two top candidates in, say, a 10-person race, would then run against one another for the presidency. But that could easily mean that the American people would have a choice between a candidate of the pro-choice party and a candidate of the pro-gun party. If you thought the choice was bad this year, it could be far worse.

"A mess. An absolute mess. These Democrats have to think long and hard before they shout from mountain tops stupid ideas just to appease the feels of some people."

Wake up Democrats, our party is un-American  . . . " 'Democrats and many in media now accuse Mr. Trump of totalitarian methods and objectives,” wrote Ted Van Dyk recently in the Wall Street Journal. “There is much to fault in the Trump presidency, but the totalitarian tendencies appear to flow from our own party.' ” . . .

UK Denies Asylum To Iranian Convert To Christianity, Saying The Religion Is Not ‘Peaceful’

Weasel Zippers  "Formerly Great Britain has fallen to Islam."  
No longer the Britain of Winston Churchill.

"Via Fox News:

The U.K. government agency in charge of immigration has come under fire for denying political asylum to an Iranian convert to Christianity and explaining its decision on its contention that the religion is not peaceful.

The Iranian man had said in his asylum petition that he converted to Christianity because it was a “peaceful” religion. The U.K. Home Office, which oversees immigration and passports, among other things, sent the Iranian national a letter that said the book of Revelations is “filled with imagery of revenge, destruction, death and violence,” according to the Independent.

It cited excerpts from the Bible, according to the newspaper, and added: “These examples are inconsistent with your claim that you converted to Christianity after discovering it is a ‘peaceful’ religion, as opposed to Islam which contains violence, rage and revenge.” The newspaper said it reached out to the Home Office for comment and was told that the letter the asylum seeker had received did not follow its protocol for handling petitions based on religious persecution. The agency said it was trying to improve training for officers who decide religious conversion-related cases.

Legal experts are holding the case up as an example of what they say is the agency’s pattern of over-reaching to deny political asylum.

Nathan Stevens, the asylum seeker’s caseworker, tweeted: “I’ve seen a lot over the years, but even I was genuinely shocked to read this unbelievably offensive diatribe being used to justify a refusal of asylum. “Whatever your views on faith, how can a government official arbitrarily pick bits out of a holy book and then use them to trash someone’s heartfelt reason for coming to a personal decision to follow another faith?”

Stevens said that his client is appealing the decision.

On Twitter, Stevens mentioned another asylum case to illustrate what he sees as the agency’s flawed system. “A comment from another refusal,” he tweeted, “You affirmed in your AIR that Jesus is your savior, but then claimed that He would not be able to save you from the Iranian regime. It is therefore considered that you have no conviction in your faith and your belief in Jesus in half-hearted.”

Legal experts say the Home Office is notorious for questionable asylum denials.

Keep reading…

‘Another Day in Trump’s America’ Ad Shows Media’s Perception of ‘MAGA’ Versus Supporters of the Slogan

This ad by mem-er Paul Martinez offers dueling views on MAGA — a must see!

. . . "A memer going under the name Paul Martinez has released a video ad that promises to go viral. The ad is titled, “Another Day in Trump’s America” and offers dueling narratives; the perspective of a spectator turned activist and fueled by the media’s partisan agenda versus the truth of the situation.

"The video offers as much analysis on President Donald Trump’s famed slogan as it does mainstream media’s role in dividing the American public with partial or inaccurate information — or “fake news.' ” . . .

. . . "Their goal is to incite us to fight each other because articles of baby ducks aren’t what is going to generate 10,000 comments. We — and I include myself in that — need to put the phone down, turn the TV off, and spend time with our neighbors. 
"I think we will find the world is a much friendlier place than we are lead to believe."

The Consequences Of Andrew Cuomo’s Climate Agenda Hit Close To Home. His Home

"Pipelines are needed to get natural gas to customers, energy companies say, and there currently aren’t enough to reliably meet demand, especially during harsh winters. Con Edison said Cuomo’s policies have chilled construction of new pipelines in the region. Two counties in Massachusetts have also had moratoriums on natural gas hookups since 2014 due to a lack of pipelines."

Daily Caller

“ 'It’s just a question of how people are going to be able to heat their homes and cook their food with the energy that’s available right now,” Con Edison spokesman Michael Clendenin told The Times Thursday.

"The natural gas moratorium was announced in January and went into effect March 15, sparking a rush to get applications for natural gas hookups filed before it was too late.

Cuomo banned fracking in 2014 after years of study and delay. Cuomo said the risks to New York’s groundwater and public health were too great, despite Pennsylvania moving ahead with extracting oil and gas from shale.

"In the years since, Cuomo’s administration has blocked major natural gas pipeline projects. At the same time, however, natural gas was becoming an increasingly important part of New York’s electricity and heating mix.

"Cuomo’s policies have made environmental activists happy, and he’s not done yet. Cuomo’s in the midst of pushing his own “Green New Deal” plan to push more solar and wind power onto the grid.

"Cuomo’s goal is 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2040. Current state law mandates 50 percent renewable electricity — hydropower, solar and wind — by 2030. About 28 percent of the state’s electricity comes from renewables, mostly hydroelectric dams.

Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw fighting for fellow Navy SEAL being held on war crimes charges

The letter was signed by Crenshaw, Mac Thornberry (Texas), Jim Jordan (Ohio), Kelly Armstrong (N. D.), Jim Banks (Ind.), Paul Cook (Calif.), Louie Gohmert (Texas), Paul Gosar (Ariz.), Jody Hice (Ga.), French Hill (Ark.), Brian Mast (Fla.), Ralph Norman (S.C.), Pete Olson (Texas), Guy Reschenthaler (Pa.), Austin Scott (Ga.), Greg Steube (Fla.), Van Taylor (Texas) and Michael Waltz (Fla.).

Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw fighting for fellow Navy SEAL being held on war crimes charges

Fox News  "A retired Navy SEAL is now leading the charge in Congress for answers regarding the treatment of a fellow SEAL who's been locked in a brig for months ahead of a controversial war crimes trial.

"Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw -- who lost sight in his right eye after being hit by an IED explosion in Afghanistan -- and 17 other House Republicans have sent a letter to the Secretary of the Navy this week urging him to review the pre-trial confinement of Eddie Gallagher, his office exclusively tells Fox News. The lawmakers are raising concerns that Gallagher, a decorated Navy SEAL, has been receiving limited access to food, medical care and his legal team.

“ 'Chief Gallagher is a decorated warfighter who, like all service members, is entitled to the presumption of innocence while awaiting court-martial,” the Republicans wrote in their letter to Richard Spencer.

“ 'We have received reports that Chief Gallagher’s access to counsel and access to food and medical care may have been restricted,” they added. “As a result, we respectfully request that you review the Navy policies governing pretrial confinement for Chief Gallagher and other service members to ensure compliance with the Uniform Code of Military Justice.' ” . . .

Dems: We Have To Enact Socialism So We Can Find Out What It Is

Babylon Bee

. . . "Democrats across the country have begun urging the nation to enact socialism “so we can find out what it is,” stating that we won’t know exactly what the politico-economic system entails unless we pass it into law.

"Speaking to CNN Wednesday, Christine Hallquist, one of the nation’s first transgender gubernatorial candidates stated, “I’m not sure I even know what socialism is,” but added that she agrees with her party’s increasingly favorable view of the failed economic system.

“ 'We need to pass it so we can find out what’s in it,” Hallquist added. “That’s the best reason to pass sweeping overhauls of things like healthcare and our economy: so you can test your policies on the nation like a bunch of little guinea pigs.”

"Congressional Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer also pushed for enacting socialism as soon as possible so the nation can find out what’s in it. “It worked for Obamacare. Well, for us, anyway,” Pelosi said in a press conference.

"Finally, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez chimed in on the conversation, stating that socialism should “like, double the economy or something because we take away all the money and then give it all back so that’s like 2 or 3 times as much money as there was at first.” . . .

Source:The Babylon Bee: "The Babylon Bee is Your Trusted Source For Christian News Satire"

McCain and the Russian Dossier

McCain’s Key Role in Fueling Post-Election Trump-Russia Hysteria  . . . "It is true that McCain was an outspoken critic of Putin. But the big problem with McCain’s defense is that by the time he wrote those words—presumably the end of 2017, since the book was published in late May 2018—it already was public knowledge that the dossier had been authored and distributed by political pimps funded by the Hillary Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee. When McCain was writing his book, many of the culprits were in serious legal jeopardy.

"Christopher Steele, the dossier’s author, was being sued for defamation and was under congressional scrutiny in 2017. (McCain had sent his close associate, David Kramer, to meet Steele in London shortly after the 2016 election to track down gossip about the president-elect.) Steele also remains the subject of a criminal referral at the Justice Department for lying to federal officials." . . .

As Russia collusion fades, Ukrainian plot to help Clinton emerges  "After nearly three years and millions of tax dollars, the Trump-Russia collusion probe is about to be resolved. Emerging in its place is newly unearthed evidence suggesting another foreign effort to influence the 2016 election — this time, in favor of the Democrats."
. . . 
We now have strong evidence that retired British spy Christopher Steele began his quest in what ultimately became the infamous Russia collusion dossier with a series of conversations with top Justice Department official Bruce Ohr between December 2015 and February 2016 about securing evidence against Manafort.

"We know the FBI set up shop in the U.S. embassy in Kiev to assist its Ukraine–Manafort inquiry — a common practice on foreign-based probes — while using Steele as an informant at the start of its Russia probe. And we know Clinton’s campaign was using a law firm to pay an opposition research firm for Steele’s work in an effort to stop Trump from winning the presidency, at the same time Steele was aiding the FBI. 

"Those intersections, coupled with the new allegations by Ukraine’s top prosecutor, are reason enough to warrant a serious, thorough investigation." . . .

Here's a List of Democrat Presidential Candidates Who Want to Abolish the Electoral College

Townhall

. . . "Other candidates haven't been directly asked about the issue, but when they are, this list will be updated."

Beto: 'I Think There’s a Lot of Wisdom' in Abolishing Electoral College   "Former Rep. [Robert Francis] O’Rourke believes abolishing the Electoral College is a wise idea—apparently knowing better than the founding fathers.

"Responding to a question posed by MSNBC correspondent Garrett Haake about getting rid of the Electoral College, O’Rourke said he “sees a lot of wisdom in that" idea. 
“ 'I think there’s a lot to that. Because you had an election in 2016 where the loser got 3 million more votes than the victor,” O’Rourke said. “It puts some states out of play altogether, they don’t feel like their votes really count.' " . . .

Bobby O'Rourke Refuses To Support Law Protecting Babies Who Survive Abortion

Daily Wire  "Democratic presidential candidate [Bob] O'Rourke refused to voice support on Wednesday for a law that would protect babies who are born alive after surviving an abortion."
. . . 
"Thank you for being here," the student began. "You gave me a good excuse to be out of school. I wanted to ask you about a recent bill that just went through the Senate about two weeks ago and the bill was that if an abortion was performed on a viable fetus and the fetus survived the abortion the doctor would then be compelled to give that living baby the same care as any other pregnancy baby that came out and put that baby through the care."
"Would you support this bill that does not in any way limit abortion, it simply seeks to keep babies alive that have been born alive?" the student asked.
"The student was referring to the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which Fox News notes would require that "any health care practitioner present" at the time that the baby is born alive following an attempted abortion "exercise the same degree of professional skill, care, and diligence to preserve the life and health of the child as a reasonably diligent and conscientious health care practitioner would render to any other child born alive at the same gestational age."

"The way that I would approach your question and this issue generally is to trust women to make their own decisions about their own bodies," . . . 

Watch: Feminist Caught Stealing Crosses From Pro-Life Display. Then The Cops Show Up.  O'Rourke voter?

"On Friday, a feminist tried to steal crosses from a pro-life display organized by Students for Life at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, before police officers stepped in.
"The unidentified female abortion activist (it’s unclear if she is a student), is seen picking up pink crosses in a display known as the Cemetery of the Innocents; the crosses commemorate the lives of babies killed by abortion.
"Is there a reason why you're doing this?" she asked the purple-haired feminist holding a white garbage bag full of their crosses.
"We disagree with it," the abortion activist answered." . . .

Who needs Fox News?

"Feisty" no longer; Charles Krauthammer is even more sorely missed by this writer.

Rich Terrell

Don Surber  "Paul Ryan cashed in on his congressional career by joining the board of directors of Fox News.
"The channel also hired Donna Brazile, whom CNN fired for giving Hillary questions in advance of a debate. CNN never said how a commentator like Brazile got the questions.
"Finally, Fox News suspended commentator Judge Jeanine Pirro for calling out Democrat Congresswoman Ilhan Omar's anti-Semitic comments.
Well, that is three more reasons why I skip Fox News.
"Its strength was neoconservatism.
. . . 
"The once feisty channel that rebeled against the establishment has become establishment. Suspending a commentator for giving an opinion is as stupid as firing a comedian for telling a bad joke.
"And yet Judge Pirro was suspended, and Roseanne Barr fired.
"The moves by Fox News make no sense unless its purpose is to drive viewers away." . . . 

If Fox becomes CNN, then what will we do?