Thursday, September 5, 2024

California’s anti-business, high-tax policies are driving businesses and people away -

 "Chevron’s departure should serve a wake-up call for California and other high-tax states. The movement of people and wealth across state lines is not just a coincidence—it’s a direct result of policy decisions." 

California had the chance to be rid of Newsom but chose to keep him. How could the man and his voters not have known what his policies would do? TD

California Political Review  "Chevron, one of America’s largest corporations, recently made headlines with its decision to relocate its headquarters from San Ramon, California, to Houston, Texas. This move is not just another routine corporate shuffle; it is a loud and clear message to high-tax states like California, which have long been suffering the economic consequences of their own policies. Chevron’s exit serves as a stark reminder that poor economic practices, overregulation, and high taxation have real consequences—and they are driving businesses and individuals away.

"Chevron’s CEO, Mike Wirth, was refreshingly candid about the reasons behind this move. In a statement to The Wall Street Journal, Wirth pointed out that California’s policies have raised costs, hurt customers, and discouraged investment, ultimately stifling economic growth in the state. This is not just Chevron’s opinion; it’s a reflection of a broader trend where states with burdensome regulations and high taxes are losing their competitive edge, while states with more free market and business-friendly environments, like Texas, are thriving.

"Chevron’s decision to relocate is also a testament to the power of favorable economic conditions. Texas, with its lower cost of living, no personal income tax, right to work and other free market policies, has become a beacon for companies looking to expand and thrive. The state’s recent $18 billion property tax cut, the largest in its history, shows its commitment to sending surplus dollars back to hardworking taxpayers. In contrast, California has continued to fall in economic rankings, recently sinking to 47th place for economic outlook in the 2024 edition of Rich States, Poor States. This is no surprise, given the state’s sky-high tax burden and oppressive regulatory environment, which stifles innovation and growth." . . .

Banned In California – Issues & Insights

   . . ."California is the land of the banned. And plastic bags aren’t the only products to be sacrificed on the steps of the green temple. Other items that are either restricted in some way or are entirely verboten include polystyrene takeout food containers, natural gas connections in new home construction, new gas stations, plastic shampoo and conditioner bottles in hotels, milk and juice cartons, condiment packages, plastic straws and utensils, and gasoline-powered lawn equipment."

From the state that produces the likes of Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, Maxine Waters, Adam Schiff....... 

UPDATE: California City Council Fights Back Against Newsom, Legislature's Attack on Parental Rights – RedState   "The State of California in July passed a law prohibiting teachers and other members of school staff from informing parents if their children exhibit symptoms of gender dysphoria." . . . Sadly, the rest is behind a paywall.


Positioning Kamala Harris, the California Candidate - Robin M. Itzler  

"Harris and Walz are fraudulently campaigning as moderates in their quest to make America into the United States of California. When she debates Donald Trump on September 10, that might be the first time Harris is forced to defend her past views and ever-changing current positions. Positions that started in Willie Brown’s bedroom."

 The little 'tell' that suggests Kamala Harris never worked at McDonald's - Monica Showalter  . . ."Based on that lack of work skills and inability to apply herself, I seriously doubt she ever worked at McDonald's. She wouldn't have lasted one day even if it were true."

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Another Lie: Biden Is Deporting More Illegals Than Trump

 Ann Coulter (townhall.com)

. . ."Even if Biden were deporting more illegals than Trump -- and he's not -- he's got a lot more to deport. In the past three years, more than 10 million illegal aliens have come in, with his and Harris' active encouragement." . . .


"The media have always engaged in mass lying about immigration, but they're really going the extra mile this election cycle. Lie No. 1 is the toughness of the "bipartisan" border bill, covered in last week's column. (Quotes on "bipartisan" because not a single congressional Republican supports it, even the guy who co-sponsored it.)

"Immigration Lie No. 2 is even more comically, straw-graspingly wrong: The Biden-Harris administration is deporting MORE illegals than Trump!

"It's been reported everywhere. I'll include bylines so you know whose reporting never to trust:

-- Reuters by Ben Kellerman, Mica Rosenberg and Ted Hesson: "Biden is now deporting more people than Trump";

-- Politico by Jack Herrera: "Even as Trump slams the president for open borders, the Biden-Harris administration has kicked out far more immigrants than Trump ever managed to";

-- The Washington Post by Nick Miroff, Maria Sacchetti and Sarah Frostenson: "Biden officials deported or returned roughly 740,000 people ... exceed[ing] Trump's totals, which averaged roughly 500,000 annually";

-- CBS-Austin by Andrew Freeman: "Biden on track to exceed Trump, Obama in deportations in first term, data shows";

-- The Hill by Maria Cardona: "DHS under Biden is deporting 3.5 times as many people per month as DHS did under Trump";

-- Cato Institute by David J. Bier: "In absolute terms, the Biden DHS is removing 3.5 times as many people per month as the Trump DHS did."

. . ."This manifest absurdity originated with an illiterate misreading of a White House proclamation that said: "Total removals and returns in the 12 months following May 12, 2023, exceeded removals and returns in every full Fiscal Year since 2010." . . .

Deportations under Trump:  2017: 226,119 illegals deported; 2018: 256,085 illegals deported; 2019: 267,258 illegals deported; 2020 185,884 illegals deported.

Deportations under Biden: 2021: 59,011 illegals deported; 2022: 72,177 illegals deported; 2023: 142,580 illegals deported.   Full article.

Inauguration Day at the border.

Walt Disney World Updates Hall Of Presidents...

 . . ." By Placing President Biden In Beach Chair"   Babylon Bee

ORLANDO — The Hall of Presidents attraction at Walt Disney World Resort has been updated with a more realistic Joe Biden animatronic that is vacationing while asleep in a beach chair.

"When people think Biden — they think of an elderly man relaxing on a Delaware beach somewhere while the world burns," said Disney CEO Robert Iger. "We are proud of this true-to-life likeness."

Imagineers reportedly visited President Biden and recorded real audio of him snoring for the attraction. The lifelike animatronics were also updated to allow for a sitting position.

"It was actually really easy," said Imagineer Dirk Vantom on the work that went into the update. "We just laid him back in a beach chair. We actually spent more time deactivating most of his animatronics. Now he just sits there, seemingly dead except for the rise and fall of his abdomen to show that he's breathing."

At the attraction's grand re-opening, fans gushed when they saw the reimagined Joe Biden in action.

" 'Wow! He doesn't do anything — just like the real president!" said Disney World annual pass holder Steph Demetria after seeing the more realistic Joe Biden. "Uncanny!"

"At publishing time, Donald Trump's animatronic was also updated to perform his signature dance and given a realistic bullet wound in his ear." 

Bereaved Israeli families ask police to prosecute former judge who tore down photos of hostages, fallen soldiers

 JNS.org  "This criminal act committed by the retired judge harms the holiest of holies," said Itzik Bunzel of HaGvura‒The Forum for Families of Fallen Heroes.

The death toll among Israeli troops since the start of the Gaza ground incursion on Oct. 27 stands at 340 and at 706 on all fronts since the Hamas-led Oct. 7 cross-border massacre, according to IDF figures. 

Members of HaGvura‒The Forum for Families of Fallen Heroes during a protest demanding
 the continuation of fighting in the Gaza Strip, Sept. 2, 2024.

"HaGvura‒The Forum for Families of Fallen Heroes filed a complaint with the Israel Police against former magistrate’s court judge Sara Haviv on Wednesday after she was filmed tearing down a poster with pictures of fallen Israel Defense Forces soldiers and hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

"The sign, which had been put up by the HaGvura forum, featured pictures of IDF Staff Sgt. Oron Shaul and Lt. Hadar Goldin, whose bodies have been held by Hamas since the 2014 war, as well as Staff Sgt. Amit Buntzel, who was killed fighting the terror group in Gaza on Dec. 6.

“ 'This criminal act committed by the retired judge harms the holiest of holies, disrespected, and causes harm to all of the bereaved families in Israel,” said Itzik Bunzel, Amit’s father and a member of the forum.

“ 'These are pictures of the holy ones in whose merit she breathes the air that she breathes,” Bunzel added. “In the coming days, we will file a complaint with the Israel Bar Association, asking to revoke her license.

“ 'She should not be allowed to enter the courtrooms of the State of Israel and must be excluded from every firm and every organization because she crossed the clearest and most sacred red line in the State of Israel and harmed the dignity of the fallen,” the bereaved father stated.

"The former judge refused to apologize, telling Israel’s Channel 12 News, “I did tear down the signs which, anyhow, were put up illegally. The HaGvura forum prefers dead hostages in exchange for future real estate, while I choose life. We will meet in court regarding the complaint.' ” . . .

Kamala must have spent too much time with Joe "Walter Mitty" Biden the past four years

Kamala Harris Mocked for Claim Grandmother Promoted Abortion in India  "Harris relayed that she comes from “a long line of tough, trailblazing and phenomenal women,” recalling how her grandmother would visit villages armed with a bullhorn, promoting access to abortion.

“ 'My grandmother would go into villages in India… with a bullhorn talking with the women about the need to have access to reproductive health care,” she recounted, in what was considered a revolutionary stance in a culture where women’s rights were often suppressed.

"The 2024 Democratic presidential candidate noted that her grandmother persisted despite facing backlash and her grandfather’s concern that her activism might end his career.

“ 'She was an extraordinary woman,” she added."  Video

Comrade Kamala's Tie-Breaking IRA Vote Broke Medicare; She’s Covering it Up with a Taxpayer-Funded Bailout  . . ."Americans know that everything has become more expensive under Biden and Harris – gas, groceries, housing. But perhaps the worst impact the IRA had was breaking health care for America’s seniors, spurring the biggest spike in Medicare Part D premiums ever. The IRA re-wrote Medicare Part D, changing it from a program that relied on markets and competition to keep costs down, to a command-and-control style program with price controls set by bureaucrats in Washington, DC. And the consequences have been devastating." 

"For the 50 million Americans enrolled in Medicare Part D, after 15 years of stability, premiums went up more than 20 percent in 2024 and are expected to increase by almost 50 percent in 2025.

"And here’s the latest. To temporarily defray the premium hikes on seniors right before the election, the Biden-Harris administration is bailing out Part D insurers with billions in taxpayer dollars to conceal the increases. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is calling it a “premium stabilization” for stand-alone prescription drug plans, the full details of which have been spelled out in an excellent report by Paragon Health Institute."...

Harris just confirmed that packing the Supreme Court is DEFINITELY on the ballot... - Revolver News   "The US Supreme Court isn’t perfect, but it hasn’t been completely weaponized… yet. In fact, the court has recently come through on several key issues, voting in favor of truth and justice. One recent ruling, which affirmed presidential immunity, was a huge victory for President Trump—and for the entire country. But don’t get too excited, because the entire US Supreme Court is on the ballot this election season.
"VP Harris made that painfully clear when she was asked about “stacking the court,” something the American people clearly don’t want—but her radical, extremist base would love to see.
"Americans don’t like the idea of messing with the US Supreme Court because, let’s be honest, there’s literally no reason to do it—except for a blatant power grab.
"The only reason Dems are pushing to “stack” the court is because they don’t like some of the decisions it’s made. Sorry, but that’s not a good enough reason to upend our entire system." . . .



Victor Davis Hanson: Can They Really Reinvent Kamala Harris in 70 Days?

  American Greatness

Harris is not so much a flip-flopper as a padder, who supports anything, without any worry about framing each new position by renouncing her original and opposite one.

Trump’s challenge is to expose Harris for the radical she is; Harris’s is to mask the radicalism that she once proudly asserted and will do so again immediately upon election. 

AF Branco

"An Opportunistic Mediocrity"  "In theory, it should be hard for Kamala Harris to win the presidency of the United States.

"Under pressure, Harris just completed her first “live interview”—a disastrous performance that was mysteriously taped, edited, and emotionally supported by her co-interviewed running mate. During the interview, she claimed that her values remain the same even though her manifestations of them have admittedly changed. Translated, that means for the next 70 days, she will advocate for popular policies antithetical to her own values, which will inevitably resurface after the election once the current façade fades away.

"She is a Berkelyite who, as attorney general of California, had a proud far-left tenure. The lifelong large corpus of Harris’s left-wing enthusiasm and causes are only now being unearthed. But they are singular in that her riffs of embracing wokism, being a radical, erasing ICE, doing away with private health insurance, or being the last person in the room when Joe Biden made his disastrous decisions were all given to sympathetic media or pandered to crowds.

"As a result, she often doubled down. Her emphatic statements were intended to stun audiences. Unlike other leftists, she really was a proud woke, radical and wanted everyone else to be one as well—broadcasting her leftism as openly as she is now cloaking it.

"In one respected survey, Harris’s voting record was rated as the most left-leaning in the United States Senate. If she voted to the left of the admitted hardcore socialist Bernie Sanders, what exactly does that make her?

"Otherwise, Harris was undistinguished, and often overtly so, as she was exposed as inane in Senate hearings. Her envisioned 2019-2020 primary bid proved an utter disaster. When liberal Democrat voters nationwide were first made aware of her radical record, her left-wing agendas, and her weird wash/rinse/spin word-salad chats, they ran.

"Harris’s well-funded 2019 campaign quickly blew up early. Indeed, she never entered much less won a single primary–and captured no delegates through voting.

"In the frenzy following George Floyd’s death, and the mayhem and nationwide rioting and violence of late spring and summer, panicked 2020 nominee Joe Biden announced in advance he would select a diversity candidate as a running mate. And in no time, and under increasing pressure to trump his braggadocious promise, he boxed himself in by assuring his handlers that his running mate would be preselected as a black woman.

"Given there were then no black female governors and only two black women in the Senate, Kamala Harris was a choice of last resort—even though, as a candidate and competitor of Joe Biden, she had condemned him before a nationwide audience as a veritable racist who had habitually cozied up to segregationists. When she labels her own running mate a racist it becomes hard to take her charges of racism against Trump seriously." . . .

UPDATED: Thought for the Day: Bonhoeffer on Stupidity vs Evil

  Power Line (powerlineblog.com)

"The great theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer offers a useful observation:

Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice. One may protest against evil; it can be exposed and, if need be, prevented by use of force. Evil always carries within itself the germ of its own subversion in that it leave behind in human beings at least a sense of unease. Against stupidity we are defenseless. Neither protests nor use of force accomplish anything here; reasons fall of deaf ears; facts that contradict one’s prejudgment simply need not be believed…  For that reason, greater caution is called for when dealing with a stupid person than a malicious one.

Case in point: Greta Thunberg and mentors.

UPDATE: Greta Thunberg Arrested at Copenhagen Palestine Protest


. . ."Around 20 people blockaded the University of Copenhagen on Wednesday morning, leading to six arrests as police cleared the institution. Among those seen being arrested was green extremist Greta Thunberg, who was photographed wearing the distinctive keffiyeh scarf and being led in handcuffs to a police van." . . . 

Harris Hangs On To Overall Lead, But Trump Maintains His Hold On Vital ‘Swing States’: I&I/TIPP Poll

"With just over 60 days until the election, no single poll is definitive. However, contrary to claims made in the media, the election remains too close to call. It’s vital to understand, as we noted above, that Trump has outperformed his polling numbers, for a variety of reasons." . . .

 Issues & Insights "Presidential candidate Kamala Harris still holds a slight lead over former President Donald Trump, but will it last after last week’s interview with CNN? Harris still enjoyed an edge with prospective voters as Labor Day approached, the latest I&I/TIPP Poll suggests, but it might not be sustainable as Trump consolidates his strength among swing-state voters.

"In a head-to-head matchup, Harris holds a 48% to 45% advantage over Trump in the September I&I/TIPP Poll, with 1,386 registered voters answering the survey from Aug. 28-Aug. 30. The poll has a margin of error of +/-2.8 percentage points.

"Harris appears to have solidified her Democratic base by continuing to run a campaign without a real policy platform that could be discussed or debated by voters, instead appearing at staged events with vice presidential candidate and current Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz in tow. She has 92% of the Democratic vote, while just 5% of her party say they will vote for Trump.

"Trump retains a solid 88% of all Republicans, but his support shows some leakage in the latest poll with 9% of GOP party members saying they will vote for Harris. That’s a net loss of 4% for Trump, compared to Harris." . . .

Blame should be on Hamas, not Israel! Why is that not obvious to the scarf people in the streets?

 . . ."In 2010, Tim Smith wrote a book entitled The Strong Horse, and in it he posited that Arab culture decrees that when faced with the choice between a weak horse and a strong horse, an Arab will always select and follow the strong horse. Israel: Stop acting bat s–t crazy and be the strong horse!" 

AfterMath

. . ."One can arguably posit that Israeli security was inadequate on October 7th. But Israel’s initial wrong-headed response to the tragic attack was shaped by tradition and societal expectations. 

"Consider the slogan “Bring them back.” Those words placed the burden on innocent Israel and not on the drugged-up psychopaths who had perpetrated the horrors.

"Moreover, Israelis expected the IDF to bring home both the living and the dead; even if it meant that some Israeli forces might die bringing back a corpse.

"All of this focus took the onus of responsibility away from the perpetrators of unspeakable crimes. “Release them” should have been demanded of Palestinians and Hamas, rather than “Bring them home” which was the Israeli cry." . . .

Sadly, Israel seems to be required to please the United States which tends to require a wimpish, democrat-influenced response that will satisfy MSNBC and "The View" ladies.

Minister Ron Dermer says blame should be on Hamas, not Israel - The Jerusalem Post   . . ."Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer directed the blame for the failure to reach a hostage deal at Hamas, stating that they have failed to accept any of the hostage deal proposals brought forward by Israel, the US, and other Arab mediators, according to an interview conducted on Wednesday on CNN.

"When asked whether the Israeli government is "moving the goalposts" regarding the hostage deal, Dermer responded, "The government is doing all it can, returning 150 of the 250 hostages taken by Hamas, with 110 of them returned alive."

"When pressed about the anger felt by the Israeli public over the execution of six Israeli hostages, Dermer said, "We should all be angry and outraged, but at Hamas, not the Israeli government. It was Hamas that killed the hostages, it was Hamas that invaded Israel and murdered twelve hundred people in cold blood.' ". . .

Hamas? Because this is what Hamas does! Israel Eliminates Hamas Terrorist Who Murdered Father in Front of Kids on October 7 (legalinsurrection.com)

"Hamas terror commander, who murdered an Israeli father in front of his small kids, was eliminated in an Israeli airstrike, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) disclosed Tuesday.

"Ahmad Fauzi Nasser Muhammad Wadia, the commander of the Hamas terrorist Nukhba forces, paraglided into the Israeli border community of Netiv Ha’asra and oversaw the massacre there. Wadia was captured by a security camera drinking Coca-Cola before the bleeding kids, aged 9 and 13, while their father lay dead.

"Gil Taasa, a 46-year-old firefighter, was killed when he jumped on a grenade to shield his sons, Koren (13) and Shai (9). Gil’s 17-year-old son Or was murdered by Wadia’s Nabuka terrorist forces. Koren and Shai managed to escape along with their mother despite severe injuries. Shay later lost his eyesight from a shrapnel wound during the attack." . . .

Hamas vows to kill hostages at 'risk' of rescue, and Biden ups his pressure on Israel (nypost.com)   "Hamas has now basically admitted it killed those six hostages rather than risk their liberation — indeed, all but boasted of it.

"Meanwhile, the Harris-Biden administration seems to be taking the tragedy as license to push Israel into a cease-fire deal that could let the terrorists re-supply." . . .

Feckless Biden and Kamala have thrown Israel to the wolves with their ignorance and betrayal - Michael Goodwin  

"As fate would have it, the 79th anniversary of the formal Japanese surrender in World War II came on the same day that Joe Biden all but encouraged Hamas to keep fighting and holding hostages in Gaza.  The contrast suggests that had Biden been president back then instead of Harry Truman, America would have lost the Second World War."

Trump’s rhetoric vs. Harris’s policies

"[Harris’s national security adviser Phil Gordon]'s pro-Iran and pro-Hamas positions are shared by his colleague and fellow Harris adviser Ilan Goldenberg. Both men are expected to receive senior foreign policy positions in a Harris administration." Caroline Glick



Trump’s rhetoric vs. Harris’s policies - CarolineGlick.com  . . ."Since Oct. 7, Harris has been the most outspoken critic of Israel in the administration. Just three weeks after the Hamas invasion, and in the midst of the worst eruptions of antisemitism in the United States in 90 years, Harris announced on X that the Biden administration would develop “the first ever U.S. National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia.” She then added, falsely, “As the result of the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, we have seen an uptick in anti-Palestinian, anti-Arab and Islamophobic incidents across America.”

"Last week Harris raised concerns about her commitment to Israel’s security when she met with the heads of the most viciously anti-Israel and pro-Hamas group in the Democratic party ahead of an election rally in Michigan. 

"Harris spoke with the heads of the so-called “Uncommitted National Movement,” the group that convinced thousands of pro-Hamas voters in Michigan to vote “uncommitted” rather than vote for Biden in the Michigan primaries. According to the Washington Free Beacon, the two leaders in the conversation with Harris were Abbas Alawieh, former chief of staff for Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), and Layla Elabed, sister of Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.). Tlaib and Bush, of course are outspoken in their hatred for Israel and for American Jews who support Israel. After losing her Democratic primary in a landslide defeat on Aug. 6, Bush committed herself to destroying the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. In her words, “AIPAC, I’m coming to tear your kingdom down!”

"Alawieh and Elabed told Harris that they want the United States to impose an arms embargo on Israel. Harris reportedly responded that she is “open” to a discussion on the issue. While Harris’s aides have breathlessly insisted that she never expressed any support for an arms embargo and that she opposes an arms embargo, Harris supported the administration’s decision to block shipments of several critical weapons systems to Israel."

For the past hundred years, Jews have favored Democrats over Republicans by averages of over 60%. This week pollster Richard Baris released a survey that found Harris’s support among Jews stands at a mere 52.7%, with 45.9% favoring Trump. Trump has a narrow lead against Harris among Jewish voters in New York. 

Trump’s rhetoric is doubtless hard for liberal Jews to absorb. But Harris’s policies and positions on Israel and on Jews are much worse.

Kamala Harris visits black audience in Detroit, slaps on a brand new 'Foghorn Leghorn' accent

 Monica Showalter  "Kamala Harris has often been criticized for the rote quality of her speeches on the stump.

"She's actually made herself a figure of fun for giving the exact same speech in each city she visits, going word-for-word:

But while her words are the same, Harris does change one thing around now -- the regional accent she uses to deliver them in, according to how she thinks the audience speaks. 

In Detroit, she spoke with this brand new accent:   

  "Omg listen to how Kamala Harris says “64 days” in Detroit vs. how she says it in Pittsburgh just a couple hours apart.. The accent change is insane https://t.co/Gwo1lRnS76" / X

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

US announced terrorism charges against Hamas; FM Katz urges countries to sanction Hamas and Iran

 World Israel News   

"Attorney General Merrick Garland announced terrorism, murder conspiracy, and sanctions-evasion charges against six senior leaders of Hamas."


"US Justice Department charges Hamas leaders with terrorism as Israel’s Foreign Minister urged countries around the world to condemn and issue sanctions against Hamas and Iran.
"Attorney General Merrick Garland announced on Tuesday the unsealing of terrorism, murder conspiracy, and sanctions-evasion charges against six senior leaders of Hamas.
"Hamas was charged with playing a “central role in planning, supporting, and perpetrating the terrorist atrocities that Hamas committed in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.”
"Garland continued, “Hamas terrorists … murdered nearly 1200 people, including over 40 Americans, and kidnapped hundreds of civilians.”
"He added, “This weekend, we learned that Hamas murdered an additional six people they had kidnapped and held captive for nearly a year, including Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23 year old Israeli American.”
"Garland said, “We are investigating Hersh’s murder, and each and every one of Hamas’ brutal murders of Americans, as an act of terrorism. ”
"Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz urged embassies around the world to influence governments to sanction Hamas and Iran following the news that 6 Israeli hostages were executed shortly before their bodies were discovered by the IDF in Gaza.
" 'An execution is crossing a red line, a shocking war crime by a murderous terrorist organization,” he wrote.
"Katz added, “Israel demands the international community categorically condemn the heinous murder of the six hostages and take all possible measures, including sanctions and legal measures, against Hamas and its supporters, led by Iran.” . . .