Flotsam and Jetsam - Biden Syndicate Scores $20M in Foreign Cash, Special Persecutor Taps Trumps Tweets

John Solomon at JTN reports Foreign oligarchs moved millions to Biden-tied firms before meeting Joe Biden. "House Oversight Committee now has traced more than $20 million in funds from Russians, Chinese, Ukrainians, Kazakhs and Romanians to Biden-tied entities."  Capt. Ed at Hat Hair, House Oversight Republicans tracked $20M in foreign sources to Biden Inc, including the cost of a $142,300 sports car from a Kazakhstani Oligarch to Hunter. Insty quips HEY! THOSE WEATHER REPORTS DON’T COME CHEAP: Foreigners Paid More Than $20 Million to Biden Family, Associates: Bank Records and I’M SURE THIS IS PURELY A COINCIDENCE. At the Wombat's In The Mailbox: 08.09.23 (Evening Edition),  Louder with Crowder, Jake Tapper can’t understand why so many Americans hate Joe Biden, his guest stumbles on the perfect reason, The Geller Report: Monstrous! Biden Has Handed Taliban Over $2 BILLION In 2 Years, Bidens Got Another $20 MILLION in Bribes from Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Newly Released Bank Records Show. At Da Caller James Lynch adds Burisma Lobbyists Tied To Hunter Biden Worked For Ukrainian Prosecutor Who Let Burisma Off, Emails Show and Burisma Was Told To Remove Picture Of Joe Biden And Devon Archer From Its Website, Emails Show. At Red State, Mike Miller thinks the 'Money Guy' Eric Schwerin's Testimony Could Make Devon Archer's Pale in Comparison as Biden Scandal Deepens. Ace, Kevin McCarthy Demands Biden Turn Over His Banking Records; Says That Impeachment Inquiry Will "Empower" Congress to Get The Answers to Questions About the Biden Bribery Scandal, but at Breitbart Mitch McConnell Urges House Republicans to Avoid Biden Impeachment.  NYPo, notes Washington Post quietly ‘updates’ Hunter Biden story after Devon Archer testimony. At RCI, For Washington Post's Feared 'Pinocchio' Fact Checker, Forthrightness Dies in 'Updates' to Biden-Burisma Story , he had to change his 'facts' six times. From Front Page, Biden’s Defense: ‘I’m Not Corrupt, I’m Just a Horrible Father!’ TNP repeats the claim WH Coke Came From 'Biden Family Orbit.' Ace has the Report: White House Cocaine Belonged to Someone in "The Biden Family Orbit;" Joe Biden Knows Exactly Whose Coke It Was. Kevin Downey at PJM lists Five Nauseating Reasons Why Joe Biden Is a Terrible Human Being. And at the Wombats  In The Mailbox: 08.09.23 (Evening Edition), Da Fed, Joe Biden Needs To Stop Lying To Gold Star Families That His Son Died In Iraq, and Biden’s Designation Of Million-Acre Monument Is Blatant Abuse Of Presidential Power

Nick Arama at Red State reports Biden Descends Into Complete Incoherence in New Mexico. Descends? More like hovers. Hat Hair's KT sees something more sinister, Biden interview from the Grand Canyon: He's already declared a national emergency for climate change. Also from the NM speech, Da Caller sees Biden Just Threw A Wrench In Efforts To Reduce America’s Reliance On Russian Uranium. At Hat Hair, Movin' on UPS: Joe Biden "may save the whole middle class" w/ UPS drivers' new $170K yr contract, is that all it takes? Shades on Solendra, Jazz Shaw reports EV company promoted by Biden files for bankruptcy. They sure know how to pick 'em. From Da Wire, Biden Admin Cites ‘Community Tensions’ As Mandate To ‘Mediate’ School District’s Adoption Of Youngkin’s Trans Policies. Does Joe sniff transgirls? 

Fox reports Twitter served with warrant for Trump's account in January, fined $350K for delay: court filing. "The warrant was served with a nondisclosure order that prohibited Twitter, now known as X, from making it public." Cutie Pavlich at Town Hall, The Special Counsel Broke Into Trump's Twitter Account. CNN cited at Hat Hair, BREAKING: Special counsel got secret search warrant for Trump Twitter account -- and Twitter got $350K fine for delay. Capt. Ed, "This seems really strange. Trump’s tweets would have been public, no? He didn’t take his account private, after all — he was suspended and then canceled prior to Elon Musk’s acquisition. The secrecy was supposedly because the court was worried about Trump interfering with evidence and the investigation, but exactly *how* would that have been a risk? UPDATE: I had completely forgotten about the issue of DMs, which would explain the need for a search warrant. It still doesn’t explain the need for a *secret* search warrant." Althouse, reads WaPoo, "The social media company Twitter was forced to hand over records from former president Donald Trump’s account..."

"... to the special counsel investigating the events leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack and pay [$350,000] sanctions for failing to do so more quickly, as disclosed in an appellate court ruling unsealed Wednesday.... Attorneys for Twitter did not oppose the search warrant but argued [unsuccessfuly] that a gag order preventing the company from alerting Trump to the search violated the First Amendment.... [Federal district judge, Beryl A. Howell] found that there were 'reasonable grounds to believe' that disclosing the warrant to Trump 'would seriously jeopardize the ongoing investigation' by giving him 'an opportunity to destroy evidence, change patterns of behavior, [or] notify confederates,' according to the appellate ruling. Howell also found the former president might 'flee from prosecution,' although the special counsel’s team later said they did not intend to make that argument and it was not included in her final analysis.... The ruling does not specify what was turned over, but the grand jury indictment against Trump handed down this month includes references to 18 of Trump’s tweets...."

At the Wombat's In The Mailbox: 08.09.23 (Afternoon Edition) from the Volokh Conspiracy, How Can Jack Smith Prove That Trump Knew He Lost the Election?, Clearing up Common Misconceptions About the Charges Against Trump.  And at the Wombats  In The Mailbox: 08.09.23 (Evening Edition),  Legal Insurrection, DC Indictment “is long on alleging Trump’s deceit but very short on showing criminality”,   Bruce Thornton at Front Page, says A Never-Trump Prosecutor Threatens Free Speech, "What the Trump indictments are really about." At Breitbart, Sebastian Gorka discusses Jack Smith’s Hidden Victims. PM reports Judge Chutkan sets Friday hearing on gag order in Biden DOJ's Jan 6 case against Trump. "The DOJ said last week that "the proposed order seeks to prevent... improper dissemination or use of discovery materials, including to the public."" Althouse has Trumps reaction "I will talk about it, I will, they’re not taking away my First Amendment rights." "Said Trump, quoted in "Trump on possible court-ordered limits: ‘They’re not taking away my First Amendment rights’/The former president campaigned in New Hampshire and called the latest charges against him 'bullshit,' saying, 'I will talk about it'" At Am Spec, Geof Shepard says the Third Trump Indictment Is a Replay of History "Parallels of personnel and procedure from “Get Hoffa” to “Get Nixon” to “Get Trump.”" Jonathan Turely on How Donald Trump’s Indictment Could Backfire on Joe Biden. I'm pretty sure Biden doesn't want to criminalize lying. PJM's Matt Margolis thinks The Latest Trump Indictment Looks Like It's Backfiring. Rabbi Fischer at Am Spec, The Left Has Plenty More Reasons to Indict Trump, "It is determined to make him the American scapegoat." Atop Da Summit, Nancy Pelosi Declares America Will Cease To Exist If Trump Becomes President Again. Hat Hair's Dave Strom asks Why are so many people determined to defend Donald Trump, including me? See Nancy Pelosi, above. Dan Greenfield at Front Page calls them The Anti-Democratic Party. "The party that protects democracy by arresting political opponents." 

 PM reports Trump leads Biden 41% to 34% in national Premise poll. PJM's Tony Gonzalez, Poll Shows Most New Hampshire Voters Would Vote for Trump Even if He's Convicted and Ramaswamy First to Officially Qualify for GOP Debate After Signing Pledge to Support Eventual Nominee. At Da Caller, ‘Not In His Interest’: Trump Shouldn’t Participate In GOP’s First Republican Primary Debate, Experts Say. Capt. Ed, "That’s probably true in the most transactional sense possible — but definitely misses the point. The debates are supposed to be for the benefit of the *voters*." Hat Hair's KT, DeSantis makes major announcement - suspends Soros-backed state attorney. Jeff Lord at Am Spec on What DeSantis Won’t Admit "The 2020 election was rigged." From the Wombats  In The Mailbox: 08.09.23 (Evening Edition), at Am Think Don Brown questions Mike Pence, 'Constitutional Hero'? PJM's Stephen Kruiser wonders  What if They Gave a Republican Primary and Nobody Came?  and  at Da Fed,  Jordan Boyd NBC Spewed Abortion Lies In DeSantis Interview, Then Cut Off His Answer Exposing Them As Bunk, which is why you don't do prerecorded interviews, and Tristan Justice notes Nikki Haley Supports Breaking The Law To Make Taxpayers Pay For Soldiers’ Abortions and  Psych! College Board Loses Big In Its AP Psychology Standoff With DeSantis.

 At Breitbart  Issue 1 Fails in Ohio Special Election, Raising Stakes for State Abortion Battle and TNP reports  BREAKING: Ohio Voters Unable to Scan Ballots, Told to ‘Come Back Later’. "Reports suggest ballot scanners in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio are not working – leaving voters unable to securely scan their completed ballot during today’s state-wide plebiscite that decides whether or not to amend the Ohio constitution. The issues appear similar to those faced by Republican, Kari Lake voters in Arizona’s Maricopa County last year." Hey, it worked in Arizona. They'll keep doing it until they get busted.

On da Summit, Democrats Fret As Young Voters Show Signs Of Discontent. Ace, Dianne Feinstein Hospitalized After Tripping and Falling At Home. "She's 89 90. This is elder abuse."

Dave Strom reports January 6th committee didn't turn over its records to the House. Fox, J6 Committee failed to preserve records, has no data on Capitol Hill security failures, GOP charges. "The J6 Select Committee disbanded in December 2022 and was required to preserve documents from its investigation" More proof, as if we needed more, that it was purely a partisan show. PM, Unearthed Jan 6 Cop VIDEO: ‘Going Undercover as Antifa in the Crowd’.

From the Wombats  In The Mailbox: 08.09.23 (Evening Edition)  Da Fed's Shawn Fleetwood reports   Unredacted FBI Memo Contradicts Christopher Wray’s Claim Only ‘A Single Field Office’ Targeted Traditional Catholics. Dave Strom, Christopher Wray is a low-down dirty liar and should be gone. He lied to Congress about the infamous Catholic targeting. It was multiple FBI offices over a period of time. Jennifer Oliver at Red State,  O'Connell Christopher Wray's FBI: First They Came for the Catholics. No, first they came for the Muslims, Jazz Shaw,  How many paid FBI operatives are "villains?" 

In 20111, a group of Muslim men who became known as the “Newburgh Four” were convicted of plotting to blow up some Synagogues in New York and shoot down National Guard planes. It was a shocking plan, but sadly not all that surprising in the post-9/11 world. Last month, however, a federal judge in New York ordered them to be granted a compassionate early release after reviewing the FBI’s case that led to the men’s arrests. She described the men as “hapless, easily manipulated and penurious petty criminals,” saying that the real “villain” in the case was the paid FBI informant who lured them into the plot. She also described the FBI and the United States government as “the real coconspirator” in the case.

The peacock crows FBI shoots and kills Utah man wanted for threats against Biden, New York prosecutor."Court documents say the FBI described Robertson as a white man “approximately 70-75 years old” who was surveilled “wearing a dark suit (later observed as having an AR-15 style rifle lapel pin attached), a white shirt, a red tie, and a multi-colored (possibly camouflage) hat bearing the word “TRUMP” on the front.”" I just wonder if they didn't deliberately provoke a shoot out. 

At the Daily Fetched, Rand Paul Escalates Fauci Criminal Referral after Inaction from DOJ: ‘I’m Demanding an Investigation. He clearly lied to Congress about gain of function research. 

Sundance at CTH is disappointed that Elon Musk Partners with Global Disinformation Index, the Progressive Disinformation Specialists, to Diminish Advertiser Fears. Ben Shapiro at Hat Hair wants you to Meet the Company Trying to Control Your Mind. At Am Think, Vince Coyner thinks about The Stifling Effect Of Living In A Surveillance State Like The USA.

And just because I'm running so late, Culture War stuff DIY style.

U Chicago Runs Religious Course on 'Queering God' - The National Pulse+
The Bud Light boycott inspires Native Americans trying to reclaim their brand - American Thinker
Texas Outlaws Men In Women’s College Sports « Lawrence Person's BattleSwarm Blog
Campus Reform | Pro-woke professors leave Florida universities in protest
Virginia university ludicrously cancels Robert E. Lee's HORSE - Human Events |
California's Math Framework Is Flawed - City Journal
UC Faculty Members Rebelling Against DEI in Math Classes – PJ Media
Joe Rogan and Patrick Bet David Begin to Figure It Out - "There Are Trillions at Stake"... - The Last Refuge
U. Nebraska-Lincoln ‘Black Public Media Residency’ Challenged By Equal Protection Project
Is This the Media's Nastiest Attack on 'Sound of Freedom?' - Hollywood in Toto
Hmm: Conservative investor sues Target over woke-to-broke policies – HotAir

Footage shot by a police officer at the infamous January 6th riot at the U.S. Capitol reveals him telling uniformed colleagues “we go undercover as Antifa in the crowd,” adding to the mountain of evidence 

The Wombat has FMJRA 2.0: Time For New Water Coolers ready for prime time at the Other McCain.

Tattoo Thursday

UPI, FDA offers tips on tattoo removal. How about being very sure you want that tattoo before you get it?

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Potato On The Beach ready for prime time at the Other McCain.

Local Girl Scores on the Beach

Skull as initially found

WTOP, Dolphin fossil found in Calvert Co. could help ‘write the books’ on ancient marine mammals

On Saturday night, Calvert Marine Museum volunteer Emily Bzdyk was collecting fossils at Calvert Cliffs in Maryland when she made a discovery that could help write history books on marine life from long ago: In the beach, the water and surf uncovered a 15-million-year-old dolphin skull.

“Rarely are they in this good of condition,” said Stephen Groff with the Calvert County Marine Museum.

Emily with skull in place

 

It is not uncommon to find fossils from marine mammals. Dolphin skulls are typically found twice a year in southern Maryland. But this find, according to Groff, stands to be the most intact of the finds. It could also turn out to be a species that was previously not known about.

Bzdyk’s discovery led to Groff and others joining her on Sunday for a dig at the beach to unearth the skull. It is a process that takes patience and precision to not damage the fossil. Once removed from the sand, the skull was taken by boat to the museum.

Skull being excavated for removal

Now, it is in the process of being dried. When wet, glues and other material used to preserve fossils cannot be used. Next, work to carefully remove remaining sediment will take place.

Bzdyk will be in charge of that process.

“It’ll probably take her a few months, takes several dozen hours to completely clean one of these skulls because we have to be very careful that we don’t break anything or cause any damage,” Groff said.

While work is done, museum visitors will be able to see Bzdyk conduct the work in the coming weeks.

 

Groff said one misconception is that all fossils found in the area are found in the cliffs. But some are found in the beach like this one was.

During the Miocene period, when the marine mammal swam the earth, the sea level was much higher, according to Groff. What is the beach now was once the ocean floor. Now, as the ocean is eroding away part of the beach, more fossils are being uncovered.

Skull wrapped in plaster for removal

Groff said while the term dolphin is used, the species of marine mammals didn’t look like bottled nose dolphins.

“You can kind of think of them like a modern swordfish, or sailfish,” Groff said. “They have a long snout, they probably use it to club fish just like modern a billfish do, or to maybe probe around in the mud on the seafloor to stir up fish,” said Groff.

Groff said there is a good chance this isn’t a new species, but only a full exam of the fossil will tell. That said, he does suspect there are more species that have yet to be discovered, since it is believed during that time that 40 toothed marine mammals lived in the area.

Tee Smith carrying skull to boat

Groff said it is discoveries like this that has him looking forward to coming to work each day.

“To be able to go out in the field and, you know, recover and preserve a piece of our local natural history, it’s just wonderful. I can’t describe how exciting it is,” he said.

Emily (as well as most of the people involved in recovering this specimen) are regulars on the Facebook page  Calvert Fossils and Trip Reports where I go to brag, and ask the pros about my finds.

Good job, Emily!

Oregon, My Oregon

Mia Cathell at Town Hall reports The Jury's Verdict in Andy Ngo's Case Against Antifa Sends Shockwaves

At the conclusion of journalist Andy Ngo's multi-day civil trial against Rose City Antifa, whose far-left militant members brutally beat the investigative reporter when he went undercover to expose Antifa's extremist activities on the riot-torn streets of Portland, a 12-person jury reached a verdict in the case Tuesday evening, reportedly finding both of the defendants not liable for all claims.

The Post Millennial's senior editor—represented by attorney Harmeet Dhillon's nonprofit Center for American Liberty—sought almost $1 million in damages in a lawsuit accusing the co-defendants of assault, battery, theft, and intentional infliction of emotional distress over a series of violent Antifa attacks beginning in 2019, when Ngo was hospitalized for a brain hemorrhage.

In closing statements, defense counsel Michelle Burrows told the jurors that not only does she self-identify as an "anti-fascist," she strongly declared, "I am Antifa," and insisted upon making herself an "I am Antifa" t-shirt, which the activist attorney said she would wear after the trial. In spite of Antifa's well-documented history of violence, Burrows told the jury that Antifa's unfavorable reputation is untrue and depicted the organized militants as activists fighting for social justice and civil rights. "Resistance in this country has never been peaceful," Burrows argued in defense of Antifa, admitting that Ngo's tormenters were, in fact, "terrorists."

Rather than taking the time to provide evidence as to why the defendants should be free of liability, Burrow instead defended anti-fascism and attacked Ngo's credibility as a journalist. Burrows also told jurrors that she "will remember each one of their faces."

So pretty much open, in court, jury intimidation. 

Before jury deliberation commenced, Judge Chanpone Sinlapasai announced that the jurors have raised safety concerns about being "doxxed" and claimed that people have been trying to identify them, according to a Post Millennial report by Seattle-based correspondent Katie Daviscourt. Prior to the trial's conclusion, Sinlapasai issued court orders banning the public and non-credentialed press from the courtroom for the duration of Ngo's jury trial as it was underway in Multnomah County Circuit Court. The judge's decision was made due to multiple in-court disruptions since the trial began on July 31 as well as security issues.

Portlanders have only themselves to blame. 

Random Celebrity News

For some values of "random," "celebrity" and "news."

Althouse notes, "Russian soprano Anna Netrebko, one of opera’s biggest stars, sued the Metropolitan Opera... alleging discrimination when the company dropped her after Russia invaded Ukraine."

"The suit... includes claims of national origin discrimination, breach of contract and defamation.... Met general manager Peter Gelb said at the time she 'is one of the greatest singers in Met history, but with Putin killing innocent victims in Ukraine, there was no way forward.' Netrebko had made several statements opposing the war and violence at the time of her ouster, but did not agree to Gelb’s request that she specifically condemn Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to her suit..."

WaPo reports.

 Of course, forcing her to denounce Putin could make her return to Russia impossible, or even put her family in jeopardy.

OutKick continues their obsessions with Paige Spirinac and Donna D'Errico Paige Spiranac Is Giving Away Beer For Life, Donna D'Errico Celebrated National Underwear Day & Fight Night Broke Out In Cleveland  "Stuff You Guys Sent In & Stuff I Like :"

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Paige Spiranac (@_paige.renee)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Donna D'Errico (@donnaderrico)

Elena Rybakina

And Althouse again, "At Wimbledon earlier this summer, Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and Shelby Rogers of the United States were among the first competitors to wear dark shorts under their tennis whites..."

"... as the All England Club finally relaxed its all-white rules in recognition of female menstrual reality. At the EuroHockey Championship later this month, shorts will be an option for every participant as well as the traditional skorts, and the decision about what to wear will be left up to each individual player. And some track and field competitors have swapped their bikini-like 'buns' for shorts and leggings in competition."

From "From the Women’s World Cup to Wimbledon, a Victory Everyone Can Share/Across sports, female athletes are fighting a battle over what they put on their bodies and how much of those bodies they display" (NYT).

We're prompted to ask: Wait, why are we doing things this way:

Hollywood in Toto,  Will Elon Musk Fight Disney on Gina Carano’s Behalf?

The man who oversees X (formerly Twitter) vowed to battle on behalf of those unfairly punished for their social media views.

“If you were unfairly treated by your employer due to posting or liking something on this platform, we will fund your legal bill,” Musk said. “No limit. Please let us know… and we won’t just sue, it will be extremely loud and we will go after the boards of directors of the companies too.”

Musk is one of the world’s richest people, but even his deep pockets could take a hit from the declaration. Many people have faced punishment for their digital actions. The cases we hear about likely represent the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

One of the most prominent victims of social media culture quickly weighed in on the matter.
Gina Carano @ginacarano I think I qualify. Quote Tweet  Elon Musk@elonmusk "If you were unfairly treated by your employer due to posting or liking something on this platform, we will fund your legal bill. No limit. Please let us know."

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Potato On The Beach ready for prime time at the Other McCain.

Flotsam and Jetsam - Schwerin to Blow Doors Off Biden Bribery?

Matt Vespa at Town Hall asks hopefully, Could This Man 'Blow the Lid Off' the Biden Bribery Scheme?

House Oversight has their latest witness who must be interviewed regarding this sleazy side business the father-son duo was peddling, Eric Schwerin. Mr. Schwerin was a partner in Hunter's firm, visited the Obama White House some 36 times, but more importantly, managed every aspect of their family's financial business, according to Hunter’s ex-wife.

I expect as serious case of amnesia. 

Ace, Dan Goldman (The New Adam Schiff) Claims That Burisma Wanted to Keep the Prosecutor Shokin in Office. In Fact, Hunter Biden Was Working for the Illegal Foreign Agents Who Wanted Him Fired. This is a talking point liberals always try when discussing the Ukraine thing, that Shokin was corrupt, and the "world community" wanted him fired. The "world community" was (and probably still is) party to the corruption in Ukraine, and the thought of an honest (or at least more honest) prosecutor threatened to end their cut, so yes, they wanted him gone. 

At RCP, Megyn Kelly: I'm Just Now Understanding That Joe Was Using Hunter, Not The Other Way Around

Hat Hair's Jazz Shaw, FBI agent caught lying under oath about Hunter's laptop, but he won't be charged because lying to Republicans is legal with Merrick Garland's DOJ. Hat Hair's Capt. Ed catches NBC: Republicans sure are pouncing all over Biden's "brand," or something.

Ryan King at NYPo reports White House cocaine may have belonged to someone in ‘Biden family orbit.’ "“If you want the name, ask Joe Biden,” one source told Keating. “He knows who it is.” “It was someone within the Biden family orbit, and it wasn’t Hunter,” said a second source, referring to the president’s adult son — an admitted recovering drug addict." 'Becca Downs at Town Hall, Joe Biden Was Reportedly Told Who Brought Cocaine Into the White House. Matt Margolis, SOURCES: Joe Biden Knows Who Brought Cocaine to White House. I never believed that the SS, helped by the FBI, couldn't figure out who put it there.

At NYPo, Biden calls Grand Canyon one of world’s ‘nine wonders’ full of ‘ironic’ species. He's not that smart, and never was. Sister Toldja at Red State notes One 45-Minute Stretch of Joe Biden’s Tuesday Schedule Raises Eyebrows - and Questions. Hey, it was his afternoon nap. I like mine too.

Becca Lower at Red State finds Jake Tapper Perplexed by Biden's Policies Failing to Persuade Americans, NPR Host Insists She Knows Why. Astonishingly, it's not racism! It's bad messaging!

Mickey Kaus @kausmickey "Still don't understand why it's illegal for Trump to have "pressured state election officials," especially if he thought he'd actually won. Levinson analogizes it to breaking into someone's house. It is not at all like breaking into someone's house." Isn't pressuring officials what they are for? Rachel Alexander at Townhall ridicules the The Three Politically Motivated Phony Indictments of Trump so Far. Althouse read the NYT so you don't have to, 
"The indictment alleges that Mr. Trump lied and manipulated people and institutions in trying to shape law and politics in his favor."

"Exaggeration and truth-shading in the facilitation of self-serving legal arguments or attacks on political opponents have always been commonplace in Washington. Going forward, these practices will likely be disputed in the language of, and amid demands for, special counsels, indictments and grand juries.... Watergate deluded us into thinking that independent counsels of various stripes could vindicate the rule of law and bring national closure in response to abuses by senior officials in office. Every relevant experience since then — from the discredited independent counsel era (1978-99) through the controversial and unsatisfactory Mueller investigation — proves otherwise. And national dissensus is more corrosive today than in the 1990s, and worse even than when Mr. Mueller was at work...."

Writes Harvard lawprof Jack Goldsmith, in "The Prosecution of Trump May Have Terrible Consequences" (NYT).

Ace, Judge Questions Very Special Counsel's Use of Out-of-State Grand Jury to Persecute, I Mean Prosecute, Trump. "Lefties who live in leftwing areas get leftwing juries to try their cases. Righties who live in rightwing areas also get leftwing juries to try their cases. That's the Unamerican Way." 'Bonchie' at Red State, Judge Chutkan's Controversial Denial to Trump Team's Hearing Request Previews Really Rough Seas Ahead. Jonathan Turley, Pritzker’s Truth Police: How the Illinois Governor Made the Case Against the Trump Indictment. "Pritzker declared that the law is “just like the case against President Trump. You have a right to free speech, but you don’t have a right to lie.” In his mind, it is that simple. It is not, of course. Lies are generally protected under the Constitution. In 2012, in the United States v. Alvarez decision, the Supreme Court held 6-3 that it is unconstitutional to criminalize lies in a case involving a politician who lied about military decorations." So even assuming that Smith is correct, and Trump knew he lost and lied about it, it's still not a crime. Now, I believe he still thinks he was cheated out of the win, and I think evidence exists to support that position. At ET, Pelosi Says 2nd Trump Term 'Cannot Happen,' Calls Indictments Against Him 'Beautiful', so the ends justify the means. Althouse, "As Mr. Trump showed in 2016, when it comes to media coverage, quantity has a quality all its own."

"The indictments make everything about him more so than is the case ordinarily. His motorcades haven’t been covered as extensively since he was president, and his latest Truth Social posts denouncing his mistreatment are being covered as breaking news. It all contributes to the miniaturization of the rest of the field. . . . Writes Rich Lowry, in The New York Times, in "Imagine What Another Indictment Could Do for Donald Trump." Lowry compares Trump to the historical figures Huey Long and Adam Clayton Powell Jr.

PJM's Ben Bartee reports Liberals Accuse Cornel West, a Black Man, of 'Stealing Votes' From Biden. Isn't that a federal crime? ET, Most Americans Unclear About Inflation Reduction Act as White House Touts Economic Record. At Da Fed, Dave Harsanyi notes ‘Bidenomics’ Has Been A Disaster.  "“Bidenomics” encompass anything and everything that’s convenient for Democrats. And in this moment, it’s convenient for them to take credit for merely letting people go back to work. Biden, who once claimed that the Democrats $3.5 trillion “Build Back Better” plan cost “zero dollars,” isn’t exactly a math whiz. But when he says stuff like “13.4 million jobs have been added to our economy” under his watch, more than “any other president in a full 4-year term,” anyone with even a passing familiarity with the events of the years preceding 2023 knows it’s a lie of omission." Steve Moore at Hat Hair fears New Banking Regulations Could Sink the Economy.

From the Messenger, DeSantis Replaces Campaign Manager with Florida Chief of Staff As He ‘Reloads’ (Exclusive). Never-anybody-but-Trump sundance at CTH, An Anniversary Message – DeSantis Removes Campaign Manager, Shuffles Campaign Team in Relaunch 4.0, Latest Effort to Save Failing Campaign. Hat Hair's KT is taking A second look at Doug Burgum? 

WATCH - Mike Pence released a campaign ad filling up his truck at the gas station, but forgets to push the button.
🤔pic.twitter.com/BqU4bMrpJ1

— The First (@TheFirstonTV) August 8, 2023

Hat Hair's KT, Pence avoids humiliation as he qualifies for first GOP primary debate. From the Wombat's In The Mailbox: 08.08.23 (Afternoon Edition), EBL, Mike Pence’s New Respect.

Sundance, Michigan State Police Discover Widespread 2020 Voter Fraud and Turn Over Evidence to FBI – Who Apparently Did Nothing. 

 From the Wombat's In The Mailbox: 08.08.23 (Afternoon Edition), Director Blue: Summarizing The Allegations Of Vote Fraud In The 2020 Presidential Election.

Dave Strom at Hat Hair catches the WaPo: calling D.C. "The Swamp" is racisss... Ace, Taxpayer-Funded, Government-Authorized "Researchers" Are Devising Fresh New Schemes to Censor the Right -- and Hiding That Censorship From Us, So That We Cannot Complain, "Might as well enjoy your next several years of censorship -- you're paying for it." At Breitbart, Emails Show New York Times Collaborating with State Government to Target Orthodox Jews.

 From the Wombat's In The Mailbox: 08.08.23 (Afternoon Edition), Twitchy: “The Crack Team Of Degenerate Journos At The NYT”, Racist Texas Teacher Who Openly Bragged About Wanting To Kill White Men Has Been Fired, and Riley Gaines Takes Man Claiming To Be Lesbian Apart For Mansplaining Lesbianism, Louder With Crowder: Roseanne Barr’s BACK, teams with anti-woke company and is bringing new comedy show to Elon Musk’s X, Defiant Jason Aldean surprises restaurant with acoustic performance of anti-woke anthem “Try That in A Small Town”, and Elon Musk savages NYT making excuses for a viral song calling for the killing of white people, Gab News: Yes, You Can Legislate Morality, Gab Tells Governments Who Demand Censorship To Get Lost and Don Surber, How Dare Americans Not Cheer For A Team That Hates The Country.

Riley Gaines

Hat Hair's KT again, Gov Abbott held ceremonial signing of Save Women's Sports Act as protesters chanted and Mic drop: Ne-Yo reverses apology from publicist over remarks on transgender kids. Breitbart has the VIDEO: Riley Gaines: Leftists Spat On, Attacked Pro-Women’s Activists at Texas Bill Signing. Dave Strom thinks he has A great way to fight back against pornography in schools "Well, parents in Texas have found a way to make the choices very specific indeed. They have begun a campaign to force school administrators and policymakers to look directly at the books that they have been pushing into classrooms and school libraries." Gina Louden at Town Hall explains What  the Trans Radicals, Pro-Abortion Activists, and Sex Traffickers All Have In Common. "The thread that connects all three is that they destroy the lives of children." Mark Tapscott at PJM says Don't Bother Applying to Foster or Adopt Children if You Are Traditional Catholics and Live in the People's Republic of Massachusetts and won't coddle gender dysphoria. According To Hoyt the war on boys is Destroying the Future. 

Bummer dude, Beege Wellborn at Hat Hair reports on Skid row: Anheuser-Busch now selling off craft brands. 

Jazz Shaw at Hat Hair, Watch The Atlantic defend liberal university culture. "As you see, if any of you rubes had actually been bright enough to graduate high school and go on to obtain a liberal arts or gender studies degree at an Ivy League university, you wouldn’t be so confused. You’d understand how all of the elites are actually putting policies in place to make sure that you don’t sink completely into the quagmire of your own ignorance and professional shortcomings. Don’t you feel ashamed now?" From the College Fix, Three University of Kansas professors now accused of falsely claiming Native American ancestry.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Potato On The Beach and FMJRA 2.0: Time For New Water Coolers ready for prime time at the Other McCain.

The Wednesday Wetness

 With  Vera Giampietro:

Vera Giampietro was born in Bellinzona, Switzerland, in 1990. She studied and lived in Lausanne for 10 years. She discovered freediving in 2018 and quickly became an instructor. She started competing on the same year, but because of an unfortunate accident she was forced out of the water for two years. In 2020, she moved to Egypt during the pandemic to reconnect with the sea. In her first month in Dahab, she broke all the Swiss depth records winning a gold medal in her first competition after the accident. Ever since, she kept breaking records in international competitions and she took part in two World Championships.

Yoga teacher, freediving instructor, athlete, passionate climber, Vera is in love with movement and nature. She is based between Switzerland and Egypt, travelling all over the world to train and compete. She finances most of her expenses organising yoga and freediving holidays and workshops about stress management for companies. Vera is on a mission to bring more awareness and mindfulness to others. She loves to talk in public about her experience, hoping to inspire others to follow their dreams.

 The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Potato On The Beach ready for prime time at the Other McCain.

Beach Report 8/8/23

Another remarkable August day, a sunny sky,  temperatures in the low 80s, a pretty decent breeze, and lowish humidity.

Georgia excused herself, so it was just Skye and I. 

The tide was very low, and we got all the way up past the big tree, but the surf was dirty after a storm last night, and it was hard to look in the water. No repeat of the Meg, but I did get one good medium Snaggletooth.

Flotsam and Jetsam - Florida Judge Whacks 'Special' Prosecutor

Mary Chastain at LI recounts how Judge in Trump Documents Case Questions Prosecution’s Use of Out-of-District Grand Jury "Judge Aileen Cannon of the Southern District of Florida denied the DOJ’s request for sealed filings and questioned its use of D.C. grand juries in the Mar-a-Lago case." The way 'Bonchie' at Red State tells it, Judge Cannon Lights Up Jack Smith, Questions Use of Out-of-State Grand Jury. James Lynch at Da Caller, Trump’s Florida Judge Orders DOJ To Unseal Documents, Justify DC Investigation.

Also at Da Caller, Harold Hutchinson sees Jonathan Turley Slam Attempts To Silence Trump With Gag Order During Election Cycle:   ‘Bulldoze The First Amendment’. Althouse, "If Trump were accused of using fraud for pecuniary gain or of lying to federal investigators, there would be no free-speech problem."

"The complaint, however, focuses on the lies rather than any larceny or standalone crime. It is diffuse in saying that raising doubts over the election undermined the value or results of voting. Previous challenges have been made to certification of presidential elections with little basis (including by Democrats) and even alternative sets of electors have been submitted without criminal charges. This criminal intent is based on Trump being told by many people that the election was not stolen and he could not stop its certification.... However, Trump followed the advice of a second, albeit smaller, set of lawyers who told him there was a basis for challenging the election. That is not a crime. It is, in my view, protected political speech...." Writes Jonathan Turley in "How Donald Trump’s Indictment Could Backfire on Joe Biden"

At Am Great, Josh Hammer thinks  Jack Smith’s Sham Indictment Shows Biden Regime Wants To Face Trump  "The ceaseless lawfare makes Trump more likely to be Republican nominee"  and Chris Roach worries the Trump Indictment Is a Mockery of Common Sense "Attempting to criminalize Trump's dispute of the election could stunt healthy political dissent." That's just a side benefit. Breitbart has a Poll: Most Americans Think Trump Indictments Are Effort to Derail Campaign. Cutie Pavlich at Town Hall, explains Why This April 2022 New York Times Story Is Suddenly Gaining New Attention. PJM's Matt Margolis wonders Is This Proof That Joe Biden Ordered the Indictment of Trump? Greg Price@greg_price11, "Biden: "We have to demonstrate that [Trump] will not take power if he does run. Making sure he under the legitimate efforts of the Constitution, become the next president again." Dave Catron at Am Spec, Why Trump Wasn’t Charged With Insurrection, "Jack Smith’s indictment suggests that his bosses at the White House and the DOJ have a different goal." Ace is shocked, shocked, by the Return of the Angry Democrat Prosecutors: A Prosecutor on the Get Trump Squad Has Donated Thousands to Extreme Partisan Democrats, Including Joe Biden and Kamala Harris "A prosecutor in the office of the Very Special Counsel Jack Smith has donated thousands to get Democrats elected, including Joe Biden and Fiercely Heterosexual Cory Booker. He also donated to Dan Goldman, aka the New Adam Schiff. So he donates exclusively to leftwing weaponization-of-government warriors." At Am Think Joe Fried wonders Did Trump Know Election Fraud was a Lie? and Andrea Widburg shows that Mike Pence admits he believes that he could have stayed the Senate count. 

Watch this clip

Pence just accidentally admitted he could have turned the 2020 election over to the House of Representatives but he didn't because he was worried about 'chaos'

That means he admits he knew that he had the legal ability to do that pic.twitter.com/0hHRHLQdq6

— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) August 7, 2023 

Chris Queen at PJM reminds us of That Time Democrats Tried to Overturn an Election in Georgia (and Didn't Get in Trouble). Hat Hair's KT explains Here is why Trump's indictment in Georgia may not come until next week. Are they holding it for more bad news on the Biden front? At Da Caller, Federal Judge Tosses Trump’s Defamation Suit Against E. Jean Carroll. At Compact Alexander Nazaryan describes Trump Against the Machine.

At Fox News, Hunter Biden’s longtime business partner visited the Obama WH, VP residence more than previously known "Former President Obama appointee and top exec at Hunter Biden's now-defunct firm visited White House at least 36 times.? Mary Chastain at LI, Hunter’s Former Associate Visited Obama White House, Then-VP Biden Residence at Least 36 Times, snarks, "It could be nothing or it could be something. With the Biden family I tend to lean towards the latter." From Front Page, Tucker Releases Full Interview With Ex-Hunter Biden Business Partner, Devon Archer "Hunter’s "value": he brought the “Biden brand” to the table." Christopher Chantrill at Am Think thinks Tucker Shows Us Devon Archer's World, corrupt. Matt Margolis explains why he thinks The Cover-up of Cocainegate Continues. At Hat Hair Beege Wellborn finds the press  Working wicked hard to separate Joe from the smartest guy he knows. Steve Richards and John Solomon at JTN report the Silk Road is Paved with Cash: Court records confirm millions flowed to Biden family from China. "Prosecutor's evidence trail in Hunter Biden case directly contradicts claims made by President for years." David Ennocenti at Am Think thinks he knows The perfect speech for Joe Biden to plagiarize, "I am not a crook!" 

Ace on the case, Jim Jordan Accuses FBI's Pointman on Government-Directed Censorship, Elvis Chan, of Perjuring Himself Before Congress Regarding the Hunter Biden Laptop "Another Regime agent who won't be prosecuted -- unless we can elect a Republican president who can and will take out the trash. Apparently a single FBI agent, when asked by the social media companies the FBI was demanding censor the story, confirmed that they knew the Hunter Biden laptop was real. However, after that, the FBI executed a walkback, insisting they had no comment on whether the laptop was real or not, and were even unsure about it. Elvis Chan lied when he told Congress he did not speak to the social media companies after that initial, unguarded admission by an unknown FBI agent that the laptop was real."

NewsBuster features a Former Jill Biden Press Aide on Fox: Biden Team Sees the Press as a 'Threat' and 'Hazard'! Breitbart shows us that Jill Biden Courts Drag Queens: ‘This Photo Says It All.’ Hat Hair's KT reports Shot fired by Trump-supporting PAC at Biden: Coincidence or Corruption? At TNP, ‘Leaked’ Dem Memo Accepts Trump’s Populist, America First Stance Is A Vote Winner, which is why they're trying to disqualify him through lawfare.

At News Week, 'Bidenomics' Is Heading Toward a Crash. The Latest Housing Data Could Not Make It Clearer. Jed Babbin at Am Spec on The Bidenomics Scam, "Inflationary government spending and obsessive regulation burdens the US economy." Jeff Dunetz at Da Lid notices Here We Go Again. Gas Prices Jump In Past Month. Me too. Breitbart calls Biden Out of Step with Non-White Working Class as Democrats Champion Upper-Class Liberal Values. Matt Margolis hears Former Kamala Staffer Has a Theory Why the VP Is Unpopular, and You Can Probably Guess What It Is. At the Free Bacon, Manchin Begs Schumer to Boost Potential Reelection Bid Amid Flailing Poll Numbers "Two-term senator trails GOP governor Jim Justice in polls as he contemplates political future." It's a tough fence to straddle.

Da Wire reports Newsom Team Appears Agitated That DeSantis Accepted Debate Challenge. Steve Cortes at Am Great explores Divergences: DeSantis vs. Newsom, "This showdown will prove valuable and revealing for the American people." Eddie Scarry at Da Fed explains Why Ron DeSantis Is Nuts For Agreeing To Another Pre-Taped TV Interview. They always cut it in ways to try and make you look bad. I&I claims DeSantis Escapes Car Wreck – But Not Campaign Train Wreck. Hat Hair's KT hears Team Haley say the quiet part out loud about the first GOP debate, it'll be about knocking down DeSantis, not Trump. At Breitbart, Mike Pence Confronted in New Hampshire: ‘You’re a Sellout’ and ‘Traitor. HE sees The Back Up Plan! Youngkin Meets GOP Mega Donors in Hamptons. Hmmm. Arnold Steinberg at Am Spec predicts Republicans Win Presidency! Expand House Majority! Regain Senate! "Spoiler Alert: Not really!"

Da Fed's Shawn Fleetwood asks a good question, How Can Mail-In Voting Be ‘Secure’ When Postal Theft Is Rampant? Jay Valentine at Am Think sees A New Day, a New Type of Election Fraud. Like all of his articles it's filled with scary facts about our elections. 

Deroy Murdock, Joe Biden's DOJ: Where Justice Goes to Die. At Da Wire, Congressman Threatens to Cut DHS and DOJ Funding Ahead of Spending Fight, why fund your enemies? Hat Hair's Dave Strom considers the question Was COVID response a coup by the intelligence community? and decides probably not, but they certainly took advantage of it. The great Victor Davis Hanson questions The Remaking of America "Every aspect of American life and culture is under assault"

And just because I'm running slow today, Culture War stuff below the fold DIY style:

A Tuedsay Tune - Psycho

 

The SoapGirls, French born sisters from Cape Town, are often described as the world’s hardest working duo even during lockdown they never stopped performing over 400 live streams with varied theme nights and dark humor. Armed with unforgettable melodies and catchy choruses, The SoapGirls energy, rawness, and authenticity live, has earned them a deserved formidable reputation. Touring continuously since 2015 these fearless French born sisters Millie and Mie, have an impressive ever growing global dedicated base of followers known as the ‘The SoapSuds’.

Guitarist /vocalist Mie sets the pace beautifully as she powers through each song with a certain style and grace with guitar riffs that captivate every audience. Her vocals have been likened to an early Blondie. Drawing musical influences from Fleetwood Mac, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Heart, Nirvana, The Butthole Surfers and R.E.M her preferred style of music being more melodic.

Bass player/Vocalist Millie is an onstage force to be reckoned with encompassing a unique bass technique with contortioning that you would rarely see in a live rock performance whilst never missing a note coupled with an insane vocal range often likened to Brodie Dalle, Tina Turner and Randy Blythe from her angelic notes to metal growls that will leave you disturbed Mille is undoubtedly a force on her own terms. Being a fan of heavier music from acts like Alice in Chains, Marilyn Manson, The Smashing Pumpkins, Korn, Alanis Morrissette, Hole, Nirvana, Napalm Death and L7. which is evident in her furiously energetic performance as she connects and shocks the crowd.

They are whiter than a bar of Ivory soap. 

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Potato On The Beach ready for prime time at the Other McCain.

Oregon, My Oregon

 At Front Page, When Portland Died. "A city crumbles under a wave of anarchy and crime."

For several years, Portland was the pinnacle of artistic community. Its oddball style appealed to many and drew thousands to the city. There was even a comedy series, Portlandia, that celebrated its diversity. But…those days are gone. And you can blame anyone that supported the “defund the police” campaign.

A new report from Fox News reveals that the city, which was one the “crown jewel of the West Coast,” has now fallen into hard times, mainly due to rising crime within the communities. In fact, police data shows that crime has dramatically increased over that of other states – including Chicago and New York.

Speaking with Fox News, Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton explained, “Each area has different challenges, but what we’re seeing in the metro area is absolutely rising crime.”

Spread across Multnomah County, Washington County and Clackamas County, the crime has reached astronomical levels, forcing both citizens and businesses to flee elsewhere.  “The increases that we’re seeing are nothing like the increases that we’re seeing in our neighbors,” Barton explained.

“What’s happening is with our de-carceration and elimination of bail culture, we’ve got all these people running around,” Kristin Olson, a trial attorney and host of the Rational in Portland podcast, added. “And it’s really scary because we also have this anti-police culture.”

At CJ,  This Is Your City on Fentanyl, "Oregon’s decriminalization law has transformed large parts of Portland’s downtown into an open-air drug market."

They vote poorly.