"Thomas Sowell is an American intellectual treasure whose words need wider recognition" Comment to this post
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
Monday, December 26, 2022
What Will the FBI Not Do? Who watches the watchers?
What, if anything, should the people do about a once-respected law enforcement agency that repeatedly smears its critics, most recently as “conspiracy theorists”?
AF Branco
Victor Davis Hanson "The FBI on Wednesday finally broke its silence and responded to the revelations on Twitter of close ties between the bureau and the social media giant—ties that included efforts to suppress information and censor political speech.“The correspondence between the FBI and Twitter show nothing more than examples of our traditional, longstanding and ongoing federal government and private sector engagements, which involve numerous companies over multiple sectors and industries,” the bureau said in a statement. “As evidenced in the correspondence, the FBI provides critical information to the private sector in an effort to allow them to protect themselves and their customers. The men and women of the FBI work every day to protect the American public. It is unfortunate that conspiracy theorists and others are feeding the American public misinformation with the sole purpose of attempting to discredit the agency.”
"Almost all of the FBI communique is untrue, except the phrase about the bureau’s “engagements which involve numerous companies over multiple sectors and industries.”
"Future disclosures will no doubt reveal similar FBI subcontracting with other social media concerns of Silicon Valley to stifle free expression and news deemed problematic to the FBI’s agenda.
"The FBI did not merely engage in “correspondence” with Twitter to protect the company and its “customers.” Instead, it effectively hired Twitter to suppress the free expression of some of its users, as well as news stories deemed unhelpful to the Biden campaign and administration—to the degree that the bureau’s requests sometimes even exceeded those of Twitter’s own left-wing censors.
"The FBI did not wish to help Twitter “to protect themselves [sic],” given the bureau’s Twitter liaisons were often surprised at the FBI’s bold requests to suppress the expression of those who had not violated Twitter’s own admittedly biased “terms of service” and “community standards.”. . .
FBI Confirms Payments To Twitter…
FLASHBACK: That Time When Joe Biden Was Tricked Into Saying 'Let's Go Brandon'
PJ Media "A year ago today, Joe and Jill Biden did a video call into NORAD to see where Santa is and to speak with kids before Christmas. One particular call remains the most memorable exchange from this historical event.
'“I hope you have a wonderful Christmas,” Biden told the father of the children at the end of the call.
“ 'I hope you guys have a wonderful Christmas as well,” he replied. “Merry Christmas and Let’s go, Brandon.”
“ 'Let’s go, Brandon. I agree,” Biden said in response.
"The video still makes me laugh.
It still seems unlikely that Joe Biden’s handlers have kept him so safe that he didn’t know what “Let’s go, Brandon” meant. It was widely believed that Biden skipped the Army-Navy football game last year to avoid chants of “Let’s go, Brandon,” which, as I’m sure you all remember, became a national story after an NBC reporter claimed she “misheard” chants of “F—k Joe Biden!” at the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Talladega.". . .
A Vapid Biden Christmas?
For the Orthodox and Catholics, Christmas is deeply personal and religious. There is none of the childhood lore in services; the Gospel dominates. Advent and the birth of our Lord is the beginning of the liturgical year.
American Greatness "Nothing is special about Christmas at the White House this year. In fact, not all the Bidens are represented in their Christmas decorations as the family continually ignores one of their grandchildren—Navy Jones Roberts. There is more of a representation to dogs and cats than bloodline this year. This is not a family who cares about family. Even mafias treat their own better.
"When Jill Biden gave her overview of the White House Christmas decor, there was nothing special about it. It was all secular praise. Except for the end of her speech when she (finally!) mentioned God’s blessings as if an afterthought, her speech only recognized the temporal. At least there are no decorations of Chinese communist despots, as there were during the Obama Administration. With Biden, we have to lower our expectations.
"Biden’s Christmas message was full of . . . nothing. It was a word salad of pablum: “And we look to the sky, to a lone star, shining brighter than all the rest, guiding us to the birth of a child—a child Christians believe to be the son of God; miraculously now, here among us on Earth, bringing hope, love and peace and joy to the world . . . Yes, even after 2,000 years, Christmas still has the power to lift us up, to bring us together, to change lives, to change the world.” . . .
. . ."Now even the wholesome Santa Claus mythology is passing from us. We ran the Church out of public discourse long ago. Today we are bumping up against uncharted territory where “science” is our god, man is poised to be remade into man 2.0, and the Bidens are fully on board with this program. But as a wise man once noted, “Science without morals degenerates into cynicism, and thus destroys the basis of the scientific effort itself; and morals without science degenerates into superstition and thus is apt to become fanatic cruelty.” This is where “progress” has led us.". . .
Jan 6th; There Certainly Was an Insurrection, But Not by Trump
Brian C. Joondeph Beginning Jan. 6, 2021, the government-media deep state cabal sharply pivoted from accusing President Donald Trump of “colluding with the Russians to steal the 2016 presidential election” to “incitement of insurrection,” a charge for which he was impeached a second time and now the farcical January 6 committee is recommending criminal charges.
Britannica defines insurrection as,
An organized and usually violent act of revolt or rebellion against an established government or governing authority of a nation-state or other political entity by a group of its citizens or subjects.
As for Trump’s supposed role, in his January 6 speech, he promoted the First Amendment’s protections of “freedom of speech and assembly” and “the right to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Here are his exact words, "I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard."
Trump went further tweeting, “I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence!” How exactly was this a call for a violent overthrow of the government?
This was not a call for violence, revolt, or rebellion. In fact, President Trump authorized National Guard troops, but only Speaker Pelosi or D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser could order deployment. And neither did. The January 6 Commission ignored this.
Capitol Police welcomed protesters inside the U.S. Capitol building, and the only death was at the hands of a Capitol Police officer, fatally shooting an unarmed female military veteran.
Leaked Document Exposes EU’s Secret Plan for Palestinian Authority Takeover of Judea and Samaria
"A newly-leaked European Union document has exposed a clandestine plan to expand the Palestinian control over Judea and Samaria.
"The 6-page confidential policy document, reportedly written by the EU mission in East Jerusalem, shows the European bloc’s intent to help Palestinians gain full control of Judea and Samaria, even the areas inhabited by Israeli Jews.
"Judea and Samaria, also referred to in the media as the West Bank, was split into three “Areas” under the Oslo Accords of 1993. The Area A is to be exclusively administered by the Palestinian Authority (PA), the Area B jointly by the PA and Israel, and the Area C by Israel. The Area C is home to some 400,000 Israelis.
"Citing the leaked EU document, the news agency Jewish News Syndicate noted that ” Brussels is actively working with and on behalf of the Palestinian Authority to take over Area C of Judea and Samaria, with the overall objective of integrating the region with Areas A and B.”
"The EU also wants to undermine the historic Jewish claim to the biblical land. “The six-page document calls for mapping the territory in order to prove Palestinian rights to the land and monitoring Israeli archaeological activity, as ancient Jewish ties reinforce Israeli claims,” the JNS noted. (Read excerpts of the EU document summed up by the JNS here.)". . .
Christmas 1944: The Battle of the Bulge
Heroism on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the snow and cold in the Ardennes Forest.
"Here’s an excerpt from his story (emphasis added):
In December 1944, Ginther became one of the 23,000 Americans captured or missing by the end of the Battle of the Bulge, Germany’s final and ultimately unsuccessful offensive on the Western Front.
He began a 150-mile march into Germany 67 years ago this month. He remembers feeling humbled in defeat, even more so as the POWs met German artillery pulled by horses or one truck pulling another on its way to the front….
The column of POWs passed through a countryside devastated by war and damaged by Allied bombing. At one village, the POWs had to clear rubble so German artillery could pass through. An American bomber pilot joined the prisoner ranks.
“The people seemed to be more hostile to airmen, whom they blamed for being bombed,” Ginther said.
Germans harassed the downed pilot. They’d rush the sides of the column, trying to grab him.
The villagers were starving, exhausted and angry.
When the hostility was at its worst, all the prisoners had reason to be afraid — though none so much as the captured bomber pilot.
Yet at that moment, an American in the ranks began singing “Silent Night.”
“Pretty soon the Germans were singing ‘Silent Night’ too, so it calmed things down,” Ginther said. “Halfway through the first verse, you could hear the German words, too.”
If not for the song, which for one moment brought a measure of peace to a one small corner of Germany, “I don’t really know what would have happened,” he said. “The guards would have tried, I guess, to protect him.”. . .
THE WERETH 11, A LITTLE-KNOWN MASSACRE DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE
"WASHINGTON – As we near the 69th anniversary of one of the decisive battles in Europe during World War II, U.S. Reps. Jim Gerlach (PA-6th District) and Chaka Fattah (PA-2nd District) have introduced a resolution that would formally recognize the valor and sacrifice of 11 black soldiers captured, tortured and ruthlessly executed by Nazi troops in a pasture in Wereth, Belgium on the second day of the Battle of the Bulge.
"The resolution, H. Con. Res. 68, also calls on the U.S. Senate’s Armed Services Committee to revise a 1949 subcommittee report to include an appropriate recognition of the massacre of the 11 black soldiers of the 333rd Field Artillery Battalion of the U.S. Army who were beaten, stabbed and shot multiple times at the hands of their Nazi captors almost seven decades ago on December 17, 1944. The original subcommittee report documented a dozen similar massacres during the Battle of the Bulge, but did not include any reference to the killings in Wereth.". . .
Excerpts from the Democrat-to-English dictionary: updated for 2023
"Dr. Fauci: a God-like figure who actually exists, and selflessly serves humanity in the blessed name of “science.” Hallowed be His name and peace be upon Him forever and ever. Amen.
Eric Utter "Ableism: the idea that ability, competence, achievement, and merit are somehow better than their opposites. A disgusting remnant of a White, patriarchal society that must be eviscerated with all due haste.
"Bigotry: opposition to any belief or opinion held by a “progressive.”
"Conservatism: an existential threat to our democracy, practiced by bad people. Must not be tolerated.
"Diversity: the lifeblood of our democracy, enriching all of us.
"Dr. Fauci: a God-like figure who actually exists, and selflessly serves humanity in the blessed name of “science.” Hallowed be His name and peace be upon Him forever and ever. Amen.
"Extremist: someone who disagrees with a Democrat.
"Fairness: when progressive ideas and/or candidates carry the day. (Antonym, unfairness: when conservative ideas and/or candidates carry the day.)
"Far-right: this term is rightfully applied to any individuals or groups who oppose Democratic/woke policies and talking points.
"Fascist: someone who disagrees with a Democrat.". . .
Hollywood loses over $500 Billion in market value in 2022
Rajan Laad . . ."There are myriad reasons for these losses.
"A major reason is the high inflation and the fragile economy that is a consequence of Biden’s catastrophic misgovernance.
"When the prices of essential items such as food and energy rise steeply, consumers cut down spending on non-essential items such as movie tickets, subscription to streaming services or cable TV, music concerts, music albums, etc.
"Another fact is the cratering of the advertising market as households cut spending.
"Ironically Joe Biden, the man most of Hollywood championed is responsible for their doom.". . .
. . ."Alas, those occasional outbursts have become a norm — worse, the content was also infected.
"As time went by the lectures got shriller.
"Now there is almost no pushback at all because the brainwashed can’t see reality while the rest in the echo chamber will be petrified to state the obvious for the risk of being blacklisted.
"There is blatant sanctimoniousness and barefaced disdain for those who see the world differently and vote differently. Some attacked their own family for having different political leanings.
"The condescending lectures are relentless. However, they stayed mum when Will Smith engaged in violence right before their eyes, an occasion on which they should have actually spoken up.
"It must also be stated that their talks are hypocritical. They lecture everyone about respecting women but enable predators such as Harvey Weinstein. They lecture about the environment but travel exclusively in private jets that pollute the environment. They talk about gun control at events that are protected by armed guards. They also think they have earned their wealth and fame and hence they no longer need their audience.". . .
In 2003, Michael Moore attacked President George W. Bush after receiving his Oscar. Moore even engaged in election denialism. But unlike today, there were many who showed disapproval by booing Moore and refusing to applaud.
Sunday, December 25, 2022
The Gentle Wit of Robert Benchley
The Gentle Wit of Robert Benchley; American Heritage
A founder of the Algonquin Round Table and frequent writer for The New Yorker and Vanity Fair, Benchley influenced generations of humorists from James Thurber to Dave Barry
Comedians yammer on and on, but humorists are a somber bunch. Though funny in print, their party personas tend to brooding. Their lives are often a mess. You don’t have to be Freud to see that sorrow is the soul of wit. But then, meet Robert Benchley.
"During the Depression, as one of America’s most beloved humorists, Benchley was asked for a brief bio. Here is his response:
BORN: Isle of Wight, September 15, 1807. Shipped as a cabin boy on the Florence J. Marble, 1815. Arrested for bigamy and murder in Port Said, 1817. Released 1820. Wrote A Tale of Two Cities. Married Princess Anastasia of Portugal, 1831…Wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin, 1850… Began Les Miserables, 1870, finished by Victor Hugo…Died 1871. Buried in Westminster Abbey.
"Benchley’s mock bio hid an upbringing so ordinary it does not bear repeating. Still, here goes. Born in very unfunny Worcester, Massachusetts, he grew up sadly lacking the pathos that demands joke after joke. Benchley was the pampered son of prosperous parents, groomed for corporate board rooms. He declined such a fate, however, preferring to mock it. The mocking began early.
While touring Europe, Benchley cabled an editor from Venice: “Streets full of water. Please advise.”
"While at Philips Exeter, where prep school students studied Milton and Shakespeare, Benchley wrote his senior thesis on “How to Embalm a Corpse.” Thus began a lifelong penchant for laughing at death. But death would not have the last laugh.
“It took me fifteen years to discover that I had no talent for writing,” he recalled, “but I couldn't give it up because by that time I was too famous.” While working as an ad copywriter, Benchley submitted humorous essays to magazines. In an America already glutted by expertise, his touch was deft and delightful. One essay reviewed “The Social Life of the Newt.” In “The Most Popular Book of the Month,” he wrote a review — of the phone book. “It is the opinion of the reviewer that the weakness of plot is due to the great number of characters which clutter up the pages…”
Idiot Leftist Of The Year Nominees: The Honorable Mentions
These are but a few of the “progressive” leftists who’ve distinguished themselves as a special kind of stupid this year. I’m sure I’ve missed some, it’s impossible to keep up – supply easily out-strips demand. The scary thing is these are the top of the list. The scarier thing is Democrats haven’t even come close to the bottom they’re apparently capable of with these people and their nominees. Merry Christmas.
"First off, Merry Christmas. I know it’s not very Christmas-y to write out a list of leftist losers who’ve been so awful throughout 2022 that they could qualify as the worst. Then again, it is truly very Christmas-y to write out a list of people who’ve been, shall we say, “less than good.” Therefore, it is in that spirit I run this today, of all days.
"There are a lot of leftist idiots in our country, with each seemingly seeking to out-crazy the other on a regular basis. How can you just pick five to represent all of them without acknowledging the many, many others who, for whatever reason, just fell short of the expanded podium? The fact is, you can’t. So these are the honorable (or dishonorable) mentions for idiot leftist of the year.
"Yoel Roth. Twitter’s former head of “Trust and Safety” has proven himself to be unworthy of trust and rather “safely” stupid. While meeting regularly with the FBI, Roth was fed a line of BS about Russian hackers and the prospect of a fake story involving Hunter Biden. Shortly thereafter, those FBI contacts had Roth gleefully preventing the very real Hunter Biden story from being disseminated. Roth was a fiddle, played to perfection by the FBI and he never once appears to have questioned his handlers. While his stupidity didn’t occur this year, it was exposed and he was the person who proudly announced it to the world. Well deserving of an honorable mention.". . .
The Most American Christmas Ever
No Antifa in this man.
"The old farmer was there with Washington when he crossed a frozen Delaware River in blizzard-like conditions on Christmas 1776. And so the photographer took a daguerreotype photo of Conrad Heyer in 1852, who 103 years early was the first European child born in Waldoboro, Maine. At 24, he had enlisted in the Continental Army and spent 1776 with Washington, whose rag-tag army went from victory in Boston to defeat in New York to a daring raid and stunning victory in the Battle of Trenton, New Jersey.
"The New Market Press reported on July 25, 2013, “According to the Maine Historical Society, Heyer may be the earliest born human being ever photographed. He is also the only U.S. veteran to be photographed who crossed the Delaware River alongside George Washington in December 1776.”
"There is some dispute as to whether he was the earliest born person to be photographed. Three claims of earlier birth have been made, including a slave who would have been 115 when photographed.
"But there is no dispute about Heyer’s service to our country. He was a farm boy who became one of thousands of patriots who took up arms to force the best army in the world to leave the colonies so that Founding Fathers could set up a government that protected our rights.". . .
“The victory was not particularly significant from a strategic point of view, but news of Washington’s initiative raised the spirits of the American colonists, who previously feared that the Continental Army was incapable of victory.”The morale boost continues today. People use the Internet to boast about a victory by others nearly a quarter of a millennium ago.
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