Leftism Makes People Meaner: Reflections on the Torture of Paul Manafort

"Angry over the possibility that Manafort may be pardoned by President Trump, the Manhattan District Attorney, Cyrus Vance, charged Manafort with additional crimes based on state law. That way, if found guilty of state offenses, he cannot be pardoned by Trump, as the president's power to pardon applies only to federal -- not state -- crimes."

Dennis Prager

"The sadistic treatment of Paul Manafort illustrates something I have believed since I attended graduate school in the 1970s and saw the behavior of left-wing students: Leftism makes people meaner. 
"There are kind and mean conservatives and kind and mean liberals. Neither liberalism nor conservatism makes people kinder or meaner. But this is not the case with leftism. 
"With the handful of exceptions that accompany every generalization, leftism makes people meaner, even crueler. 
"Take the transfer of Manafort, the one-time Trump campaign manager, from a federal prison to New York's Rikers Island prison. Rikers Island is universally regarded as a wretched place. As Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz wrote: 

"The decision to move Paul Manafort ... from the decent federal prison to which he was sentenced to solitary confinement to the dangerous hell hole that is New York City's Rikers Island seems abusive and possibly illegal.
"I know Rikers well having spent time there visiting numerous defendants accused of murder and other violent crimes. It is a terrible place that no one should ever be sent to." 

"Mass murderers and torturers are among those incarcerated at Rikers Island. Moreover, Manafort, found guilty solely for white-collar crimes, will be placed in solitary confinement -- "for his own safety.' "  . . .

Liberal Activists Prepare Secret List of Judges for Potential Dem President

Free Beacon  "Liberal activists are beginning to identify progressive judges to fill the courts should a Democrat win the presidency in 2020.
. . . 

"The liberal activists do not intend to publicize their recommendations.

"Russell Wheeler, a judicial expert at the Brookings Institution, has estimated the number of judges who would be eligible for senior status by election day:

Under a formula that is based on age and years on the bench, Mr. Wheeler estimates that 35 Democrat-appointed appeals court judges are now eligible for senior status, a number that could grow to 39 by Election Day 2020. Among district court judges, 53 appointed by Democrats are now eligible, with the potential to grow to 58. And some Republican-appointed judges out of the 100 now eligible for senior status might prefer not to be replaced by Mr. Trump, as well, expanding the possible field of post-2020 vacancies.

"Judicial Crisis Network president Carrie Severino raised questions about the list of judges.

" 'Shocking @nytimes story reveals left wing dark money groups working with Democrat pres candidates on a secret list of nominees for SCOTUS. Why are they hiding this list? Why are they scared to show the American people the kind of judges they want? #SecretList #StopHiding," Severino tweeted on Monday.

" '@realdonaldtrump had no problem revealing his list of potential judicial noms. He made it public, campaigned on it, & let the American people see the kind of judges he would appoint. Why are left wing dark money groups and Dems not willing to do same? What are they hiding?" Severino asked."

Joe's convictions: unshakeable to the bitter end.

Picture this man giving a State of the Union address. 

Joe Biden, 1973: Nixon Must Be Seen as ‘Innocent’ Until Proven Guilty
So very true and the honorable position; who could ever dispute it?

Tony Branco

"Joe Biden Plans to Mention Trump 76 Times in Iowa Speech" . . . "The establishment media is driving Biden’s message even before Trump gets to Iowa where both men will be participating in campaign activities, thanks to the leaked copy of the speech this morning.
"CNN reported that Biden will “eviscerate” Trump during his speech today and other news outlets offered a similar preview of the showdown." . . .

Biden reverses course: 'We need to get tough with China' . . . "Both the GOP and President Trump's reelection campaign have used Biden's remarks as a potential opening to convince swing voters that Democrats can't be trusted in dealing with trade negotiations with China."

Joe Biden Lied in 1987 with Claim He Marched in Civil Rights Movement  . . . "And when Biden made that false claim that he had marched in the Civil Rights Movement when in fact he had not done any such marching, his aides cringed, per the Times’Flegenheimer.
“ 'More than once, advisers had gently reminded Mr. Biden of the problem with this formulation: He had not actually marched during the civil rights movement,” Flegenheimer wrote. “And more than once, Mr. Biden assured them he understood — and kept telling the story anyway.”
"A few months later, in September 1987, Flegenheimer writes that Biden’s lies and “recklessness as a candidate” had finally “caught up with him.”
“ 'He was accused of plagiarizing in campaign speeches,” Flegenheimer wrote. “He had inflated his academic record. Reporters began calling out his exaggerated youth activism.' ” . . .
1990’s Biden Called Barr ‘One of the Best’ AG’s  "Former vice-president and current Democratic frontrunner Joe Biden praised Attorney General William Barr in 1995, calling him "one of the best" attorneys general Biden ever worked alongside. But Biden went back on his praise of Barr when he called for the attorney general to be fired in early May." . . .

John Dean, Aunt Maxine, and the Queen of Mean go after President Trump

"[Dean] frequently appears on CNN as a paid contributor, in which he's usually criticizing Trump."

terrellaftermath.com

'The Return of Dean,' or another sign that they got nothing on Trump  "How desperate are the Democrats?  
"First, Speaker Nancy Pelosi allegedly said that she wants to send President Trump to prison.  On what grounds?  We don't know, but that's not the point.  Speaker Pelosi has to keep putting anti-Trump nuggets on the table so that the beast doesn't devour her.

"Second, they've brought back a real oldie, John Dean of Watergate fame.  He is apparently going to tell the Democrats how to impeach President Trump, or something like that.  
"This is from NPR: " . . .

The Real Lesson of Watergate Ignored in John Dean's Testimony and Media Commentary  "With the return of John Dean to the witness’s chair in a congressional hearing room yesterday, false analogies between that incident and the current day Russia Hoax are everywhere in the mainstream media. But the one real lesson of that era is still valid today: Don’t trust the government’s Administrative State bureaucracy -- and in particular prosecutors, who are, too often, henchmen using their power and resources unethically, carelessly and ruthlessly.  Too often they do not deliver justice; they hunt and destroy and cheat when necessary.  (See here, here and here.)" . . .

Republicans assail Dean’s record: 'How many presidents have you accused of being Richard Nixon?' . . . “ 'Mr. Dean has made a cottage industry out of accusing presidents of acting like Richard Nixon,” Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., said.

"Dean, the ex-White House counsel in President Richard Nixon's administration, was convicted of obstruction of justice after striking a deal to cooperate with the Watergate investigation. He has spent decades critical of the GOP and wrote a book in 2004 accusing President George H.W. Bush of acts “worse than Watergate.' ” . . .

Pelosi: Impeachment Is ‘Not Off the Table’

Anti-Trump Amash Quits Freedom Caucus Only Days Before Protest Planned In Front Of His MI Office

100%FedUp  "Rep. Justin Amash announced tonight that he’s quitting the conservative House Freedom Caucus.
“ 'I have the highest regard for them, and they’re my close friends,” the Michigan Republican told CNN. “I didn’t want to be a further distraction for the group.' ”
. . . 
"Amash said he had not attended a caucus meeting in months and only had gone to Monday’s meeting before House votes to inform them of his departure." . . .

Here’s How Trump’s Michigan Supporters Are Hoping to ‘Squash Amash’ After His Impeachment Talk

The 2020 News Cycle Will Look Very Different

Victor Davis Hanson

"The Russia collusion narrative and associated Robert Mueller hysteria are all but over.

"Mueller’s obstruction of justice narrative involving the non-crime of collusion is ending, too.

"Donald Trump’s tax-return psychodrama is going the way of the Emoluments Clause, the Logan Act, the 25th Amendment and the comical in-house coup attempt of former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe.

"What takes the place of Mueller and “the noose is tightening” bombshells? Perhaps the new narratives involving Inspector General Michael Horowitz and FISA abuse, or Attorney General William Barr’s investigation into the origins of the Russia collusion probe—far quieter, far more serious.

"The media for three years obsessed over a false “Trump did it” story. But in the next 17 months, the storyline may change from the myth of the “walls are closing in” on the president to the reality that Obama-era officials committed serial felonies—from perjury and lying to federal officials, to leaking classified documents, spying illegally on a political campaign, deceiving a FISA court, and obstructing justice.

"As we have already seen with the flare-up between former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein (who signed a FISA writ, who wrote the memo for Comey’s firing, who appointed his old boss Robert Mueller as special counsel, and who, McCabe says, joined him for a moment in contemplating removing Trump) and former FBI Director James Comey (who likely lied under oath, deceived a FISA court, leaked classified documents and ordered informants placed in the Trump campaign), at some point, these culpable grandees will start turning on each other, and it will be hard to stop.

"Even Christopher Steele is rumored to be offering his expertise about the birth and life of his fallacious dossier." . . .

What Melania's Hat Can Teach Us About First Impressions

Intellectual Takeout

"I caught my first glimpse of Melania’s outfit soon after she and President Trump arrived at Buckingham Palace, kicking off their 2019 state visit.

“Did you see the footage of Trump and Melania visiting Buckingham Palace?!” ran my text to a friend. “I love Melania’s hat!”

"Checking it out for herself, my friend sent back, “I like her whole outfit!” Indeed, it was a classic fashion choice reminiscent of the Edwardian period, capable of measuring up to the proper fashion standards the English Royals commonly exhibit."

. . . 

"But Melania’s classic clothes signal more than a time-tested outfit that fits any occasion. They signal dignity, respect, and grace.
"We live in a time when almost every individual craves these qualities. We want to be treated with dignity. We want others to respect us. And while we may not always think of it, those who have the ability to present themselves with grace through a calm, composed, and considerate manner are often those we most admire." . . .

What Saint Augustine Would Have Thought of Joel Osteen

Intellectual Takeout

“ 'This guy is the best thing that has ever happened to Twitter,” ran a text I recently sent to friends. The occasion? A tweet from “St. AugOsteen.”

"Taking quotes from famed Prosperity Gospel preacher Joel Osteen and mixing them with those of St. Augustine of Hippo, St. AugOsteen creates some pretty fantastic statements. For the sake of your enjoyment, here are a handful of his lovely tweets:" . . .
. . . 

"But most significantly, Augustine’s theology, understanding of self, and view of the world centered around God. He famously wrote, “[God] hast made us for [Himself] and our hearts are restless until they rest in [Him].”

"Joel Osteen, on the other hand, has an arguably human-centered approach to theology, urging people to “speak the miracle” in their own lives and take hold of their “best life now.' ” . . .

My Buddy and Me! Biden Mocked Over Photo of Obama Friendship Bracelet

Legal Insurrection  "On Saturday we celebrated National Best Friends Day because everything has a day. I guess former Vice President Joe Biden thought he could seize the day to remind people that he served next to President Barack Obama for eight years by posting their friendship bracelet.

"Cringeworthy doesn’t quite cut it. Even some of Obama’s closest aides rolled their eyes.

"Do you know what I find hilarious? The media, the left, and the right loved the Obama-Biden bromance… until now." . . .

Top Obama adviser on Biden ‘best friend’ claim: ‘This is a joke, right?’ . . . "Biden claimed in his memoirs that Obama repeatedly discouraged from running in 2016, believing that Biden's entrance into the race would unnecessarily "rock the boat."

" 'In January 2015 the president was convinced I could not beat Hillary, and he worried that a long primary fight would split the party and leave the Democratic nominee vulnerable in the general election," Biden wrote.

"Axelrod, who was the chief strategist for Obama's presidential campaigns, has expressed skepticism at Biden's ability to maintain his momentum through 2020, either, especially given his flip-flop on the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits the federal funding of abortion.

" 'His rollout was flawless in my view, and he’s had a very solid spring," Axelrod said of Biden's campaign Friday on CNN. "But this underscores questions that people have had about whether he can go the distance."

"Backtracking from his moderate, decades-long stance on the Hyde Amendment, Biden acknowledged Thursday that "times have changed," and that he supports its repeal." . . .

Newsweek reports: "TWITTER ROASTS BIDEN'S TWEET OF BRACELET PHOTO FOR OBAMA ON 'BEST FRIENDS' DAY"

Following Mr. Jordan, representative Matt Gaetz: “the ghost of Christmas past“….

The Conservative Treehouse  "House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Judicary Chairman Jerry Nadler constructed a political hearing to kick-off their impeachment narrative and fuel their base.  In an effort to create the appearance of hearing credibility the plan was to use testimony from former Nixon White House Counsel John Dean.  The plan failed, miserably…  Dean was showcased for what he is, a political prop for the left-wing base of MSNBC moonbats.

"Committee members Jim Jordan and Matt Gaetz spotlight the ridiculous positions of Mr. Dean by highlighting his ideological history and presenting questions which showcase the absurdity of it all.  First up, Jim Jordan:

. . . 

The Nadler Democrat clown show invites John Dean to the hanging

California could use a management change

It does seem to be true that people get the government they deserve. TD

Silvio Canto, Jr.  "Over Sunday lunch, a friend was saying that he just got back from Los Angeles.  He added that he had not seen that much filth in some of the third-world countries that he visits for business regularly.  He looked at me and asked: " How do the voters put up with that?"

"My answer was that voters have been voting with their feet for years.  In other words, they leave the Golden State.

"California is a mess indeed, as Jim Bredo wrote:  

It has the worst ranking for homelessness, 8th worst for roads, and worst for teacher-to-student ratio. Its prisons are so crowded that the Supreme Court determined them to constitute cruel and unusual punishment, and it suffered the worst budget crisis of all the states during the Great Recession.

But residents are so mesmerized by the amazing weather and beauty of the place that they tend to overlook the quality of the services. And as a result, management does not change. The state has been under the same Democratic Party management for years. Their monopoly on power is so safe that they now hold supermajorities in both houses of the Legislature despite California’s worsening condition. Management has no incentive to change when it keeps getting re-elected.

Californians may not be voting out Democrats at the ballot box, but they have been voting with their feet. While California’s population has grown from 29 million to 39 million over the past 30 years, in each year during that period the state has seen a net loss in migration to other states.

The American President and the Queen

Earl of Taint