powerlineblog--2020-11-26--A Heroine For Our Time?

A Heroine For Our Time?

Larvita McFarquhar owns a little bar and entertainment venue called Havens Garden in Lynd , Minnesota , a town of 448 in the southwestern part of the state .
She is black , a single mother and a Christian .
I don ’ t know whether McFarquhar is a conservative , but she is standing tall against our proto-fascist governor ’ s order that all bars and restaurants shut down indefinitely .
She posted this video on Facebook , saying that her establishment would be open for business on Friday : That seems pretty innocuous , but it brought Minnesota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head : In a video posted to Facebook last week , McFarquhar announced that Havens Garden plans to host live music and an open mic night on Friday .
She was then contacted by a deputy with the Lyon County Sheriff ’ s Office , who asked McFarquhar if she was aware of the governor ’ s new order and told her she could face fines and jail time for remaining open .
*** She said the sheriff ’ s office also called her DJ and threatened to arrest him if he performs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Attorney General Keith Ellison ’ s office intervened Monday , according to a letter sent to McFarquhar and obtained by Alpha News .
“ Emergency Executive Order 20-99 empowers this Office to investigate and take action against businesses or persons that are operating or threatening to operate in violation of the Order , ” Assistant Attorney General Noah Lewellen said in the letter .
That is the same guy who tried unsuccessfully to shut down the program on voter fraud that my organization put on in October .
The power of the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : As of now , McFarquhar said she plans to proceed with the event , but warned that patrons could each face a $ 1,000 fine .
“ I ’ m not going to give up my liberties , I ’ m not going to teach my daughters to give up their liberties , and I want them to learn how to fight , ” she said .
“ If I ’ m not that example — which is very hard for me — who else is going to do it ?
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we all should ask ourselves .
Larvita posted this video , which says that she will be open on Friday but warns patrons that they could be fined by the Walz administration : In an interview with Alpha News , McFarquhar added this background : McFarquhar said the last several months have “ been horrible ” financially , noting that small business owners are already “ struggling as it is.
” “ These are the things that you have to struggle with .
I ’ m struggling to keep my lights on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing that makes me mad during this whole thing is we still have to pay our bills .
I have to still pay taxes on the building.
” The government can order McFarquhar to close her doors , but “ they still want their taxes ” and can put a lien on her property if she doesn ’ t pay her bills , she said .
“ The bills that were there before — they don ’ t go away because we ’ re not open .
They ’ re still there and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” McFarquhar said Monday .
“ Then to have the threat above that .
That ’ s the worst part.
” Power Line is a national site , so there is little chance that you live within driving distance of Lynd , Minnesota , a tiny town in the middle of what liberals call nowhere .
But my wife and I plan to be there Friday night .
It is in such venues that the fight to maintain our heritage of freedom is taking place .

Larvita McFarquhar owns a little bar and entertainment venue called Havens Garden in Lynd, Minnesota, a town of 448 in the southwestern part of the state. She is black, a single mother and a Christian. I don’t know whether McFarquhar is a conservative, but she is standing tall against our proto-fascist governor’s order that all bars and restaurants shut down indefinitely. She posted this video on Facebook, saying that her establishment would be open for business on Friday:
That seems pretty innocuous, but it brought Minnesota’s law enforcement down on her head:
In a video posted to Facebook last week, McFarquhar announced that Havens Garden plans to host live music and an open mic night on Friday. She was then contacted by a deputy with the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, who asked McFarquhar if she was aware of the governor’s new order and told her she could face fines and jail time for remaining open.
***
She said the sheriff’s office also called her DJ and threatened to arrest him if he performs during Friday’s event.
***
Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office intervened Monday, according to a letter sent to McFarquhar and obtained by Alpha News. “Emergency Executive Order 20-99 empowers this Office to investigate and take action against businesses or persons that are operating or threatening to operate in violation of the Order,” Assistant Attorney General Noah Lewellen said in the letter.
That is the same guy who tried unsuccessfully to shut down the program on voter fraud that my organization put on in October. The power of the state. But McFarquhar didn’t yield:
As of now, McFarquhar said she plans to proceed with the event, but warned that patrons could each face a $1,000 fine. “I’m not going to give up my liberties, I’m not going to teach my daughters to give up their liberties, and I want them to learn how to fight,” she said. “If I’m not that example — which is very hard for me — who else is going to do it?”
Good question! It is a question that we all should ask ourselves. Larvita posted this video, which says that she will be open on Friday but warns patrons that they could be fined by the Walz administration:
In an interview with Alpha News, McFarquhar added this background:
McFarquhar said the last several months have “been horrible” financially, noting that small business owners are already “struggling as it is.” “These are the things that you have to struggle with. I’m struggling to keep my lights on,” she added. “The thing that makes me mad during this whole thing is we still have to pay our bills. I have to still pay taxes on the building.” The government can order McFarquhar to close her doors, but “they still want their taxes” and can put a lien on her property if she doesn’t pay her bills, she said. “The bills that were there before — they don’t go away because we’re not open. They’re still there and I still have to pay them,” McFarquhar said Monday. “Then to have the threat above that. That’s the worst part.”
Power Line is a national site, so there is little chance that you live within driving distance of Lynd, Minnesota, a tiny town in the middle of what liberals call nowhere. But my wife and I plan to be there Friday night. It is in such venues that the fight to maintain our heritage of freedom is taking place.


powerlineblog--2020-11-26--Go Ahead and Celebrate Thanksgiving

Go Ahead and Celebrate Thanksgiving

Minnesota is one of a number of states that are living under what amounts to martial law .
Our proto-fascist dictator Tim Walz , in his latest edict , purports to ban traditional Thanksgiving get-togethers : So it is “ illegal ” for me to invite any of my four kids to Thanksgiving dinner .
Better send the heat , Timmy , because I have no intention of complying with your grotesque order .
For a while , Governor Walz told us he was “ following the science , ” and his dictatorial orders were required by “ the data.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Scott reported , with Walz now saying , pathetically : “ It ’ s not about numbers .
It ’ s not about data .
It ’ s about neighborliness.
” So one naturally wonders : is there any rational basis for Walz , and like-minded governors , to purport to ban Thanksgiving dinners ?
My colleague John Phelan says there is not .
Let ’ s start with a dose of reality : Minnesotans have been very poorly served by their media during the Covid-19 pandemic .
For example , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally , which led to four hospitalizations and one death in Minnesota , but an almost total silence on the failure of the state government to protect Minnesota ’ s care homes , where 71 % of Minnesota ’ s Covid-19 deaths have occurred .
How about having guests for Thanksgiving ?
John Phelan quotes the New York Times : [ A ] re dinners and backyard barbecues really the engine driving the current surge of infections ?
The available data do not support that contention , scientists say .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases are attributed to social gatherings , compared with more than 4,000 from correctional centers and jails , 3,300 from colleges and universities , nearly 2,400 from assisted living facilities , and 450 from restaurants , bars , casinos and bowling alleys .
In Louisiana , social events account for just 1.7 % of the 3,300 cases for which the state has clear exposure information .
Here in Minnesota , we have no idea where COVID infections are coming from .
Phelan notes that the state ’ s Department of Health admits that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of cases .
Back to the New York Times : Gov .
Tim Walz of Minnesota on Wednesday took the extraordinary step of banning people from different households from meeting indoors or outdoors , even though evidence has consistently shown the outdoors to be relatively safe .
But the executive order allows places of worship , funeral homes and wedding venues — while they are encouraged to hold virtual events — to host as many as 250 people indoors .
*** These recommendations are unscientific and “ bizarre , ” said Ashleigh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the University of Toronto .
Unscientific and bizarre .
That sums up the approach to COVID taken by Tim Walz and a number of other governors .
When a far-left governor has lost the New York Times , it might be time for a new approach .
Meanwhile , Happy Thanksgiving !
And don ’ t let the proto-fascists intimidate you into uninviting your family .

Minnesota is one of a number of states that are living under what amounts to martial law. Our proto-fascist dictator Tim Walz, in his latest edict, purports to ban traditional Thanksgiving get-togethers:
Saturday, Nov. 21 through Friday, Dec. 18, Executive Order 20-99 requires all Minnesotans to: * Limit social gatherings to one household.
* Not gather outside of your household.
* Postpone all celebrations, events, receptions, and parties, including any social gatherings for weddings and funerals.
So it is “illegal” for me to invite any of my four kids to Thanksgiving dinner. Better send the heat, Timmy, because I have no intention of complying with your grotesque order.
For a while, Governor Walz told us he was “following the science,” and his dictatorial orders were required by “the data.” That pretense has been abandoned, as Scott reported, with Walz now saying, pathetically: “It’s not about numbers. It’s not about data. It’s about neighborliness.”
So one naturally wonders: is there any rational basis for Walz, and like-minded governors, to purport to ban Thanksgiving dinners? My colleague John Phelan says there is not. Let’s start with a dose of reality:
Minnesotans have been very poorly served by their media during the Covid-19 pandemic. For example, we get a constant stream of stories about the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which led to four hospitalizations and one death in Minnesota, but an almost total silence on the failure of the state government to protect Minnesota’s care homes, where 71% of Minnesota’s Covid-19 deaths have occurred.
How about having guests for Thanksgiving? John Phelan quotes the New York Times:
[A]re dinners and backyard barbecues really the engine driving the current surge of infections? The available data do not support that contention, scientists say.
***
In Colorado, only 81 active cases are attributed to social gatherings, compared with more than 4,000 from correctional centers and jails, 3,300 from colleges and universities, nearly 2,400 from assisted living facilities, and 450 from restaurants, bars, casinos and bowling alleys. In Louisiana, social events account for just 1.7% of the 3,300 cases for which the state has clear exposure information.
Here in Minnesota, we have no idea where COVID infections are coming from. Phelan notes that the state’s Department of Health admits that it can identify no source for 69% of cases. Back to the New York Times:
Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota on Wednesday took the extraordinary step of banning people from different households from meeting indoors or outdoors, even though evidence has consistently shown the outdoors to be relatively safe. But the executive order allows places of worship, funeral homes and wedding venues — while they are encouraged to hold virtual events — to host as many as 250 people indoors.
***
These recommendations are unscientific and “bizarre,” said Ashleigh Tuite, an infectious disease modeler at the University of Toronto.
Unscientific and bizarre. That sums up the approach to COVID taken by Tim Walz and a number of other governors. When a far-left governor has lost the New York Times, it might be time for a new approach.
Meanwhile, Happy Thanksgiving! And don’t let the proto-fascists intimidate you into uninviting your family.


powerlineblog--2020-11-27--COVID Shutdowns and Masks

COVID Shutdowns and Masks

Many are hysterical over the second COVID wave that has hit a number of states , and governors are responding with harsh shutdown orders .
Here in Minnesota , Governor Tim Walz blames our citizens for not wearing masks , deeming it self-evident that if his brilliant anti-viral strategies are not working , the fault must lie with us .
That is , to the extent that the fault does not lie with our neighboring states ; the Sturgis motorcycle rally , along with Wisconsin ’ s more laissez faire approach , has assumed a Goldstein-like level of villainy in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
What is really going on ?
This map , from the New York Times , shows new cases per 100,000 people over the last week : It is pretty obvious what is happening .
The Wuhan flu is surging in the Midwest , especially the Upper Midwest .
Why ?
Because the weather has gotten colder .
The cold and flu season is under way .
The states where cases are rising fast cover the gamut from harshest restrictions ( like Minnesota and Illinois ) to least intrusive ( South Dakota ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apparent difference .
There aren ’ t so many new cases in the Northeast , where the weather is also getting colder , I assume because those areas where hit much harder earlier this year .
Note , in particular , that Tim Walz ’ s repeated assertion that Minnesota ’ s lax neighbors are dragging his state down are ridiculous .
It would be at least as easy to argue , from the data , that Minnesota is infecting neighboring states .
But , as Walz says , “ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not about data .
It ’ s about neighborliness.
” In other words , he just makes stuff up .
Mask wearing is a particular focus of social posturing these days .
In many parts of the country , venturing outdoors without wearing a mask risks being accosted and yelled at by strangers .
But is there actually any correlation between wearing pieces of cloth over our faces and rates of COVID infection ?
It doesn ’ t seem so .
This map , from Carnegie-Mellon University , shows the current percentage of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the time while in public , based on Facebook surveys–which are certainly not infallible , but are the best data I know of : If you compare the states in these two maps , there is no evident correlation between mask wearing and new Wuhan infections .
In particular , Tim Walz ’ s repeated assertion that Minnesotans are letting him down is shown to be ridiculous .
According to the Carnegie-Mellon survey , Minnesota has a 93 % rate of face masking , one of the highest in the country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it from having a higher new-case rate than Wisconsin or the Dakotas .
In truth , though , mask wearing doesn ’ t seem to vary much–from 96 % in New York and Massachusetts to 79 % in South Dakota and 75 % in Wyoming , states that have never had a mask mandate .
In my opinion , the current surge in COVID cases is a good thing .
The virus needs to work its way through the population , and delaying its progress , if that is even possible , can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus and the measures taken to “ fight ” it .
Meanwhile , there is little reason to think that the supposedly urgent restrictions being put on our freedoms are doing any good , even if we assume that slowing the spread of the virus is desirable .

Many are hysterical over the second COVID wave that has hit a number of states, and governors are responding with harsh shutdown orders. Here in Minnesota, Governor Tim Walz blames our citizens for not wearing masks, deeming it self-evident that if his brilliant anti-viral strategies are not working, the fault must lie with us. That is, to the extent that the fault does not lie with our neighboring states; the Sturgis motorcycle rally, along with Wisconsin’s more laissez faire approach, has assumed a Goldstein-like level of villainy in the Walz administration’s press briefings.
What is really going on? This map, from the New York Times, shows new cases per 100,000 people over the last week:
It is pretty obvious what is happening. The Wuhan flu is surging in the Midwest, especially the Upper Midwest. Why? Because the weather has gotten colder. The cold and flu season is under way. The states where cases are rising fast cover the gamut from harshest restrictions (like Minnesota and Illinois) to least intrusive (South Dakota). These factors–shutdowns and mask mandates–make no apparent difference. There aren’t so many new cases in the Northeast, where the weather is also getting colder, I assume because those areas where hit much harder earlier this year.
Note, in particular, that Tim Walz’s repeated assertion that Minnesota’s lax neighbors are dragging his state down is ridiculous. It would be at least as easy to argue, from the data, that Minnesota is infecting neighboring states. But, as Walz says, “It’s not about numbers. It’s not about data. It’s about neighborliness.” In other words, he just makes stuff up.
Mask wearing is a particular focus of social posturing these days. In many parts of the country, venturing outdoors without wearing a mask risks being accosted and yelled at by strangers. But is there actually any correlation between wearing pieces of cloth over our faces and rates of COVID infection? It doesn’t seem so.
This map, from Carnegie-Mellon University, shows the current percentage of people who wear masks most or all of the time while in public, based on Facebook surveys–which are certainly not infallible, but are the best data I know of:
If you compare the states in these two maps, there is no evident correlation between mask wearing and new Wuhan infections. In particular, Tim Walz’s repeated assertion that Minnesotans are letting him down is shown to be ridiculous. According to the Carnegie-Mellon survey, Minnesota has a 93% rate of face masking, one of the highest in the country, which doesn’t appear to prevent it from having a higher new-case rate than Wisconsin or the Dakotas. In truth, though, mask wearing doesn’t seem to vary much–from 96% in New York and Massachusetts to 79% in South Dakota and 75% in Wyoming, states that have never had a mask mandate.
In my opinion, the current surge in COVID cases is a good thing. The virus needs to work its way through the population, and delaying its progress, if that is even possible, can only increase the damage done by the virus and the measures taken to “fight” it. Meanwhile, there is little reason to think that the supposedly urgent restrictions being put on our freedoms are doing any good, even if we assume that slowing the spread of the virus is desirable.


powerlineblog--2020-11-26--Behind the Left’s Primal Scream Over the Supreme Court’s Religious Liberty Ruling

I ’ ve noticed today that the left is in a fury about the Supreme Court ’ s 5-4 ruling last night striking down New York ’ s wholly arbitrary restrictions on churches and other places of worship because the Court is “ ignoring the advice of the experts.
” True indeed .
I could go on at some length about old cases involving the arbitrary ( and therefore unconstitutional ) use of the government ’ s police power , but in this case it is worth dwelling for a moment on this rote belief that the Court should defer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other branches about restricting fundamental constitutional rights , like religious liberty .
Maybe more to the liking of liberals is this language from an old case : It should be noted , to begin with , that all legal restrictions which curtail the civil rights of a single group are immediately suspect .
That is not to say that all such restrictions are unconstitutional .
It is to say that courts must subject them to the most rigid scrutiny .
Pressing public necessity may sometimes justify the existence of such restrictions .
.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ no fair peeking yet !
To continue a little further down , though here I am going to omit ( with elipses ) a few terms so as to highlight the logic of the opinion calling for judicial deference to “ experts ” : We can not reject as unfounded the judgment of .
.
.
authorities and of Congress that there were .
.
.
members of that population , whose number and strength could not be precisely and quickly ascertained .
We can not say that the .
.
.
branches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for believing that , in a critical hour , such persons could not readily be isolated and separately dealt with , and constituted a menace to the .
.
.
safety which demanded that prompt and adequate measures be taken to guard against it .
.
.
It was because we could not reject the finding of .
.
.
authorities that it was impossible to bring about an immediate segregation .
.
.
that we sustained the validity of the curfew order as applying to the whole group .
.
.
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the hardships imposed by it upon a large group of American citizens .
Congress , reposing its confidence in .
.
.
our leaders — as inevitably it must — determined that they should have the power to do just this .
There was evidence .
.
.
on the part of some , the .
.
.
authorities considered that the need for action was great , and time was short .
We can not — by availing ourselves of the calm perspective of hindsight — now say that , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Yes , this is the language from the majority opinion in the Korematsu case in 1944 , upholding the internment of ethnic Japanese in World War II , now thought by liberals to be a great disgrace in American history as well as civil rights law .
But note a key feature of this case—that the Court should defer to the expertise of the military that thought the internment to be a necessary war measure .
So in arguing that the Supreme Court should defer to “ experts ” like Governor Cuomo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acupuncture clinics are “ essential ” services while churches are not , the left has returned to its logic in Korematsu , because for the left , government power is more important than civil rights .
In other words , I could easily re-write the Korematsu opinion almost word-for-word , merely swapping out “ health experts ” in place of “ military command ” and “ potential COVID spreaders ” in place of “ Japanese , ” and present a ruling that coincides with the left ’ s view today .
P.S .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Court would likely bless a more uniform lockdown that didn ’ t make these clearly nonsensical and arbitrary distinctions about what can be open and what must be closed .
In other words , if New York wants to close down everything , then the closure of churches would likely pass muster with the Court .

I’ve noticed today that the left is in a fury about the Supreme Court’s 5-4 ruling last night striking down New York’s wholly arbitrary restrictions on churches and other places of worship because the Court is “ignoring the advice of the experts.” True indeed.
I could go on at some length about old cases involving the arbitrary (and therefore unconstitutional) use of the government’s police power, but in this case it is worth dwelling for a moment on this rote belief that the Court should defer to the “experts” in the other branches about restricting fundamental constitutional rights, like religious liberty.
Maybe more to the liking of liberals is this language from an old case:
It should be noted, to begin with, that all legal restrictions which curtail the civil rights of a single group are immediately suspect. That is not to say that all such restrictions are unconstitutional. It is to say that courts must subject them to the most rigid scrutiny. Pressing public necessity may sometimes justify the existence of such restrictions. . .
So far so good, but no fair peeking yet! To continue a little further down, though here I am going to omit (with elipses) a few terms so as to highlight the logic of the opinion calling for judicial deference to “experts”:
We cannot reject as unfounded the judgment of . . . authorities and of Congress that there were . . . members of that population, whose number and strength could not be precisely and quickly ascertained. We cannot say that the . . . branches of the Government did not have ground for believing that, in a critical hour, such persons could not readily be isolated and separately dealt with, and constituted a menace to the . . . safety which demanded that prompt and adequate measures be taken to guard against it. . . It was because we could not reject the finding of . . . authorities that it was impossible to bring about an immediate segregation . . . that we sustained the validity of the curfew order as applying to the whole group. . . In doing so, we are not unmindful of the hardships imposed by it upon a large group of American citizens. Congress, reposing its confidence in . . . our leaders — as inevitably it must — determined that they should have the power to do just this. There was evidence . . . on the part of some, the . . . authorities considered that the need for action was great, and time was short. We cannot — by availing ourselves of the calm perspective of hindsight — now say that, at that time, these actions were unjustified.
Yes, this is the language from the majority opinion in the Korematsu case in 1944, upholding the internment of ethnic Japanese in World War II, now thought by liberals to be a great disgrace in American history as well as civil rights law. But note a key feature of this case—that the Court should defer to the expertise of the military that thought the internment to be a necessary war measure.
So in arguing that the Supreme Court should defer to “experts” like Governor Cuomo, arbitrarily deciding that liquor stores and acupuncture clinics are “essential” services while churches are not, the left has returned to its logic in Korematsu, because for the left, government power is more important than civil rights. In other words, I could easily re-write the Korematsu opinion almost word-for-word, merely swapping out “health experts” in place of “military command” and “potential COVID spreaders” in place of “Japanese,” and present a ruling that coincides with the left’s view today.
P.S. If I read the opinion correctly, the Court would likely bless a more uniform lockdown that didn’t make these clearly nonsensical and arbitrary distinctions about what can be open and what must be closed. In other words, if New York wants to close down everything, then the closure of churches would likely pass muster with the Court.


powerlineblog--2020-11-26--Sidney Powell’s Georgia lawsuit

Sidney Powell’s Georgia lawsuit

Sidney Powell has filed her federal lawsuit challenging the outcome of the vote in the presidential election in Georgia .
The lawsuit is brought against Georgia state officials including the governor , the secretary of state , and the members of the election board on behalf of six Republican Georgia electors and two Georgia Republican Party officials .
Given that the complaint runs to 104 pages , readers may want to turn to John Solomon ’ s brief Just the News Just the News summary .
Andrea Widburg goes into greater detail on the allegations in her American Thinker column @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find that our old friend Atlanta attorney Harry MacDougald signed off on the complaint as local counsel ( and “ more than a mere conduit , ” he kindly advised me in response to my email inquiry this morning ) .
Harry is the perceptive gentleman who began the unraveling of the Rathergate fraud late on the evening of September 8 , 2004 , with a Free Republic comment he posted under the name “ Buckhead.
” ( Then Los Angeles Times reporter Peter Wallsten identified Harry as “ Buckhead ” with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this story ten days later . )
The lawsuit raises a host of factual and legal issues with respect to which I have no knowledge or expertise .
Among other things , the complaint sets forth a legislatively unauthorized alteration in the method prescribed by statute for the handling of absentee ballots .
Among other things , the complaint alleges the huge international conspiracy that Powell previewed at the Trump legal team press conference last week .
There seems to be some distance between proof of what theoretically could have happened and proof @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case , according to the affidavits ) .
I may well be mistaken , but there also seems to be some distance between proof of what actually happened and the relief requested .
The complaint relies on affidavits and exhibits I haven ’ t seen and devotes significant attention to the voting machines and software .
According to a footnote , the exhibits have been filed with the court under seal .
I have embedded a copy of the complaint below .
Take a look for yourself .

Sidney Powell has filed her federal lawsuit challenging the outcome of the vote in the presidential election in Georgia. The lawsuit is brought against Georgia state officials including the governor, the secretary of state, and the members of the election board on behalf of six Republican Georgia electors and two Georgia Republican Party officials.
Given that the complaint runs to 104 pages, readers may want to turn to John Solomon’s brief Just the News Just the News summary. Andrea Widburg goes into greater detail on the allegations in her American Thinker column on the complaint.
I was surprised to find that our old friend Atlanta attorney Harry MacDougald signed off on the complaint as local counsel (and “more than a mere conduit,” he kindly advised me in response to my email inquiry this morning). Harry is the perceptive gentleman who began the unraveling of the Rathergate fraud late on the evening of September 8, 2004, with a Free Republic comment he posted under the name “Buckhead.” (Then Los Angeles Times reporter Peter Wallsten identified Harry as “Buckhead” with some detective work of his own for this story ten days later.)
The lawsuit raises a host of factual and legal issues with respect to which I have no knowledge or expertise. Among other things, the complaint sets forth a legislatively unauthorized alteration in the method prescribed by statute for the handling of absentee ballots.
Among other things, the complaint alleges the huge international conspiracy that Powell previewed at the Trump legal team press conference last week. There seems to be some distance between proof of what theoretically could have happened and proof of what actually happened (in each case, according to the affidavits). I may well be mistaken, but there also seems to be some distance between proof of what actually happened and the relief requested.
The complaint relies on affidavits and exhibits I haven’t seen and devotes significant attention to the voting machines and software. According to a footnote, the exhibits have been filed with the court under seal.
I have embedded a copy of the complaint below. Take a look for yourself.
powell GA lawsuit by Natalie Winters


powerlineblog--2020-11-26--Macron—Defender of the West?

Macron—Defender of the West?

Who would have thought that French President Emmanuel Macron would emerge as a Defender of the West against the multicultural @ @ @ @ @ foundations .
In the aftermath of the beheading of a French schoolteacher for the sin @ @ @ @ @ Charlie Hebdo cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed , Macron has not been mincing words .
@ @ @ @ @ been sounding like the polar opposite of an American-style “ inclusionary ” diveresicrat .
The @ @ @ @ @ rundown : According to Le Monde , Macron , in a recent cabinet meeting , @ @ @ @ @ American multiculturalism is a form of defeatist thought… Our model is universalist and not multiculturalist… @ @ @ @ @ someone is black , yellow or white , whether they are Catholic or Muslim ; @ @ @ @ @ foremost a citizen… ” There ’ s lots more at the link .

Who would have thought that French President Emmanuel Macron would emerge as a Defender of the West against the multicultural nihilism eating away at our foundations. In the aftermath of the beheading of a French schoolteacher for the sin of displaying some of the Charlie Hebdo cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed, Macron has not been mincing words. In fact he’s been sounding like the polar opposite of an American-style “inclusionary” diveresicrat. The Gatestone Institute has a good rundown:
According to Le Monde, Macron, in a recent cabinet meeting, said: “Alignment with American multiculturalism is a form of defeatist thought… Our model is universalist and not multiculturalist… You should not care if someone is black, yellow or white, whether they are Catholic or Muslim; the person is first and foremost a citizen…”
There’s lots more at the link.


powerlineblog--2020-11-26--Cutting back on Cuomo

Cutting back on Cuomo

Near midnight last night the Supreme Court granted temporary injunctive relief from the strictures of the edicts setting capacity limits in houses of worship in certain designated hotspots .
The Court ’ s per curiam ruling in favor of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn and Agudath Israel of America , limited as it is , nevertheless represents a shift in the Court ’ s center of gravity on the application of basic First Amendment principles to one-man rule in the era of COVID-19 .
The one-man rule in this case is that of Emmy Award-winning New York Governor Andrew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curiam opinion , concurrences , and dissents are posted here .
The New York Post story the ruling is a marvel of concision , but Josh Gerstein ’ s Politico story captures the underlying dynamics that are evident in the opinions .
If you think you ’ ve had it with Chief Justice Roberts , rest assured that Justice Gorsuch concurs , as they say .
Gerstein writes : Gorsuch appeared to skewer and diminish Roberts ’ concurring opinion in the California cases that went before the court on an emergency basis in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 and face the prospect of entering a second calendar year living in the pandemic ’ s shadow , that rationale has expired according to its own terms , ” Gorsuch wrote .
“ Even if the Constitution has taken a holiday during this pandemic , it can not become a sabbatical .
Rather than apply a nonbinding and expired concurrence … courts must resume applying the Free Exercise Clause.
” Gorsuch also accused Roberts of “ a serious rewriting of history ” for now insisting that his May opinion did not rely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed mandatory smallpox vaccinations in Massachusetts .
“ We may not shelter in place when the Constitution is under attack .
Things never go well when we do , ” Gorsuch warned .
Justice Gorsuch ’ s concurring opinion is only six pages long .
For those of us who chafe against dictatorial rule , it makes for inspirational reading .
Gorsuch concludes with a dig at Justice Breyer : It is easy enough to say it would be a small thing to require the parties to “ refile their applications ” later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ none of us are rabbis wondering whether future services will be disrupted as the High Holy Days were , or priests preparing for Christmas .
Nor may we discount the burden on the faithful who have lived for months under New York ’ s unconstitutional regime unable to attend religious services .
Whether this Court could decide a renewed application promptly is beside the point .
The parties before us have already shown their entitlement to relief .
Saying so now will establish clear legal rules and enable both sides to put their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ devoting it to endless emergency litigation .
Saying so now will dispel , as well , misconceptions about the role of the Constitution in times of crisis , which have already been permitted to persist for too long .
It is time—past time—to make plain that , while the pandemic poses many grave challenges , there is no world in which the Constitution tolerates color-coded executive edicts that reopen liquor stores and bike shops but shutter churches , synagogues , and mosques .
In his dissent Roberts responds sharply to Gorsuch .
Let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ruling in favor of the faithful was 5-4 ?
Justice Barrett made the difference this time around .
Today we can give thanks for President Trump and the justice .

Near midnight last night the Supreme Court granted temporary injunctive relief from the strictures of the edicts setting capacity limits in houses of worship in certain designated hotspots. The Court’s per curiam ruling in favor of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn and Agudath Israel of America, limited as it is, nevertheless represents a shift in the Court’s center of gravity on the application of basic First Amendment principles to one-man rule in the era of COVID-19. The one-man rule in this case is that of Emmy Award-winning New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. The Court’s per curiam opinion, concurrences, and dissents are posted here.
The New York Post story the ruling is a marvel of concision, but Josh Gerstein’s Politico story captures the underlying dynamics that are evident in the opinions. If you think you’ve had it with Chief Justice Roberts, rest assured that Justice Gorsuch concurs, as they say. Gerstein writes:
Gorsuch appeared to skewer and diminish Roberts’ concurring opinion in the California cases that went before the court on an emergency basis in May. “As we round out 2020 and face the prospect of entering a second calendar year living in the pandemic’s shadow, that rationale has expired according to its own terms,” Gorsuch wrote. “Even if the Constitution has taken a holiday during this pandemic, it cannot become a sabbatical. Rather than apply a nonbinding and expired concurrence … courts must resume applying the Free Exercise Clause.” Gorsuch also accused Roberts of “a serious rewriting of history” for now insisting that his May opinion did not rely on a century-old Supreme Court precedent that allowed mandatory smallpox vaccinations in Massachusetts. “We may not shelter in place when the Constitution is under attack. Things never go well when we do,” Gorsuch warned.
Justice Gorsuch’s concurring opinion is only six pages long. For those of us who chafe against dictatorial rule, it makes for inspirational reading. Gorsuch concludes with a dig at Justice Breyer:
It is easy enough to say it would be a small thing to require the parties to “refile their applications” later. [Citation omitted.] But none of us are rabbis wondering whether future services will be disrupted as the High Holy Days were, or priests preparing for Christmas. Nor may we discount the burden on the faithful who have lived for months under New York’s unconstitutional regime unable to attend religious services. Whether this Court could decide a renewed application promptly is beside the point. The parties before us have already shown their entitlement to relief. Saying so now will establish clear legal rules and enable both sides to put their energy to productive use, rather than devoting it to endless emergency litigation. Saying so now will dispel, as well, misconceptions about the role of the Constitution in times of crisis, which have already been permitted to persist for too long. It is time—past time—to make plain that, while the pandemic poses many grave challenges, there is no world in which the Constitution tolerates color-coded executive edicts that reopen liquor stores and bike shops but shutter
churches, synagogues, and mosques.
In his dissent Roberts responds sharply to Gorsuch. Let the healing begin.
Did I say the ruling in favor of the faithful was 5-4? Justice Barrett made the difference this time around. Today we can give thanks for President Trump and the justice.


powerlineblog--2020-11-27--A day in West Yorkshire

A day in West Yorkshire

I ’ m thankful for lots of things .
One of them , although far down the list , is that I was able to make my soccer pilgrimage to the north of England before the Wuhan coronavirus hit .
( We were even able , in early February of this year , to take a vacation in the Dominican Republic . )
Last year on this date I was in Huddersfield , a city of about 160,000 in West Yorkshire .
Harold Wilson , the Socialist Party prime minister of England , was from Huddersfield .
There ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ train station .
Wilson wasn ’ t a very good prime minister in my opinion .
He had a sense of humor though .
After a party meeting on what position to take regarding the European Community , a reporter asked him , “ What is the result ?
” Wilson responded by giving him a soccer score .
Soccer is what brought me to Huddersfield .
I came to see the local team , the Huddersfield Town Terriers , take on Swansea City .
Huddersfield Town is one of those north of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early days of soccer , but then fell on hard times .
After being relegated from the first tier of English football in 1972 , the Terriers spent 45 years in the three lower tiers , and almost fell out of the fourth tier in 1993 .
The Terriers finally returned to the first tier in 2017 , despite having given up more goals than they scored that season .
Somehow , they managed to survive a season in the top fight before being relegated in 2019 , just in time for me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talked to praised David Wagner , an “ American ” who managed the club those two season .
He now coaches in his native Germany .
I had long wanted to see a second tier English football match .
The desire began when the first tier went all “ continental ” with so many foreign players and coaches .
I was fine with that development , but wanted to see an English match played the old fashioned “ kick and run ” way .
At that time , I fancied I might see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Before long , however , second tier teams were playing the same style as teams in the first tier .
They all aspired to be promoted and to thrive at the highest level of the game .
So it made sense that they would import foreign players and play the continental way .
The starting eleven in the Huddersfield team I saw featured five non-British players , and all three substitutes used were foreigners .
Swansea also had five non-Brits in the starting lineup .
By comparison , the Everton team I saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the lineup of their opponent , Norwich City , featured five .
The quality of the Huddersfield-Swansea match was comparable to that of the Everton-Norwich EPL clash .
Norwich ( now back in the second tier ) played the best of the four teams and Everton played the worst on the day .
Swansea played the dirtiest .
Huddersfield was non-descript — neither good nor bad .
However , the refereeing , by an Australian , was well below the EPL standard .
The ref ’ s unwilling to call clear fouls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chant , “ you don ’ t what you ’ re doing ” on multiple occasions .
Whether poor refereeing is characteristic of the second tier , I can ’ t say .
The home fans were pretty passionate , though not as wound up as the Everton fans in the notorious Gwladys Street End .
The atmosphere suffered , though , because of the near absence of Swansea fans .
The distance from Wales to Yorkshire , coupled with the match being played on a Tuesday night and perhaps a discouraging weather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Wales at home .
A Huddersfield supporter told me that if I wanted to see Terriers fans at their best , I should attend the derby against Leeds United .
Leeds , though , has since been promoted to the EPL and , with a capable squad , will not likely be playing Huddersfield in the foreseeable future .
At this match , I heard none of the foul language hurled so freely in the Gwladys Street End at Goodison Park a few days before .
However , I did see signs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sink saying , “ now that you have washed your hands , wash your mouth ” and noting that children attend these matches .
The match ended 1-1 .
Huddersfield struggled to get a foothold and never looked like winning .
It didn ’ t help that the ref sent off a Huddersfield midfielder towards the end of the match .
Twenty-one year old Lewis O ’ Brien , playing at left back , was the standout player for Huddersfield on the night .
My seat give me a great view of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was impressed — all the more so when I learned that he was a midfielder playing out of his normal position .
At the end of the season , Huddersfield supporters voted O ’ Brien their player of the year .
Karlan Grant scored the Huddersfield goal .
He looked a handful , but didn ’ t get enough opportunities to excel .
Grant now plays regularly in the EPL for West Brom — the only one of the 28 who played that night who , to my knowledge , now plays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players for Swansea were their central midfielders , Jay Fulton and Matt Grimes .
Forward Andre Ayew , a veteran of many successful years in the top flights of England and French football and scorer of 19 goals for Ghana , looked dangerous at times .
He would be named Swansea player of the year .
I left the match thinking that neither team would be promoted or relegated .
I was right , but only barely .
Huddersfield had to scrap to avoid being dropped a second year in a row .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Swans came in sixth .
They made it to the promotion playoffs on goal difference , but failed to advance .
Finally , a note about the people of Huddersfield .
I found them very friendly , as I did the folks I encountered throughout the north of England during my week ’ s stay .
This stands in marked contrast to my impression of Londoners on recent visits .
At the time of my visit , the north , traditionally a bastion of the Labour Party , was poised to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conservative Party .
This reinforced my favorable view of the region that I was so fortunate to visit just a few months ahead of the pandemic .

I’m thankful for lots of things. One of them, although far down the list, is that I was able to make my soccer pilgrimage to the north of England before the Wuhan coronavirus hit. (We were even able, in early February of this year, to take a vacation in the Dominican Republic.)
Last year on this date I was in Huddersfield, a city of about 160,000 in West Yorkshire. Harold Wilson, the Socialist Party prime minister of England, was from Huddersfield. There’s a big statue of him outside the train station.
Wilson wasn’t a very good prime minister in my opinion. He had a sense of humor though. After a party meeting on what position to take regarding the European Community, a reporter asked him, “What is the result?” Wilson responded by giving him a soccer score.
Soccer is what brought me to Huddersfield. I came to see the local team, the Huddersfield Town Terriers, take on Swansea City.
Huddersfield Town is one of those north of England teams that achieved glory in the early days of soccer, but then fell on hard times. After being relegated from the first tier of English football in 1972, the Terriers spent 45 years in the three lower tiers, and almost fell out of the fourth tier in 1993.
The Terriers finally returned to the first tier in 2017, despite having given up more goals than they scored that season. Somehow, they managed to survive a season in the top fight before being relegated in 2019, just in time for me to see them play.
Fans I talked to praised David Wagner, an “American” who managed the club those two season. He now coaches in his native Germany.
I had long wanted to see a second tier English football match. The desire began when the first tier went all “continental” with so many foreign players and coaches. I was fine with that development, but wanted to see an English match played the old fashioned “kick and run” way. At that time, I fancied I might see this style in the second tier.
Before long, however, second tier teams were playing the same style as teams in the first tier. They all aspired to be promoted and to thrive at the highest level of the game. So it made sense that they would import foreign players and play the continental way.
The starting eleven in the Huddersfield team I saw featured five non-British players, and all three substitutes used were foreigners. Swansea also had five non-Brits in the starting lineup.
By comparison, the Everton team I saw a few days earlier had six non-Brits and the lineup of their opponent, Norwich City, featured five.
The quality of the Huddersfield-Swansea match was comparable to that of the Everton-Norwich EPL clash. Norwich (now back in the second tier) played the best of the four teams and Everton played the worst on the day. Swansea played the dirtiest. Huddersfield was non-descript — neither good nor bad.
However, the refereeing, by an Australian, was well below the EPL standard. The ref’s unwilling to call clear fouls on the Swansea players caused fans to chant, “you don’t what you’re doing” on multiple occasions. Whether poor refereeing is characteristic of the second tier, I can’t say.
The home fans were pretty passionate, though not as wound up as the Everton fans in the notorious Gwladys Street End. The atmosphere suffered, though, because of the near absence of Swansea fans. The distance from Wales to Yorkshire, coupled with the match being played on a Tuesday night and perhaps a discouraging weather forecast, must have kept the chaps from Wales at home.
A Huddersfield supporter told me that if I wanted to see Terriers fans at their best, I should attend the derby against Leeds United. Leeds, though, has since been promoted to the EPL and, with a capable squad, will not likely be playing Huddersfield in the foreseeable future.
At this match, I heard none of the foul language hurled so freely in the Gwladys Street End at Goodison Park a few days before. However, I did see signs in the men’s room above the sink saying, “now that you have washed your hands, wash your mouth” and noting that children attend these matches.
The match ended 1-1. Huddersfield struggled to get a foothold and never looked like winning. It didn’t help that the ref sent off a Huddersfield midfielder towards the end of the match.
Twenty-one year old Lewis O’Brien, playing at left back, was the standout player for Huddersfield on the night. My seat give me a great view of his play in the first half and I was impressed — all the more so when I learned that he was a midfielder playing out of his normal position. At the end of the season, Huddersfield supporters voted O’Brien their player of the year.
Karlan Grant scored the Huddersfield goal. He looked a handful, but didn’t get enough opportunities to excel. Grant now plays regularly in the EPL for West Brom — the only one of the 28 who played that night who, to my knowledge, now plays in the top tier.
The best players for Swansea were their central midfielders, Jay Fulton and Matt Grimes. Forward Andre Ayew, a veteran of many successful years in the top flights of England and French football and scorer of 19 goals for Ghana, looked dangerous at times. He would be named Swansea player of the year.
I left the match thinking that neither team would be promoted or relegated. I was right, but only barely. Huddersfield had to scrap to avoid being dropped a second year in a row. The Terriers finished finished 18th of 24. The Swans came in sixth. They made it to the promotion playoffs on goal difference, but failed to advance.
Finally, a note about the people of Huddersfield. I found them very friendly, as I did the folks I encountered throughout the north of England during my week’s stay. This stands in marked contrast to my impression of Londoners on recent visits.
At the time of my visit, the north, traditionally a bastion of the Labour Party, was poised to give victory to Boris Johnson and his Conservative Party. This reinforced my favorable view of the region that I was so fortunate to visit just a few months ahead of the pandemic.


powerlineblog--2020-11-28--More Evidence That Liberals Hate America

Actually , I am not sure that more evidence is needed , now that hating America has evolved from an allegedly scurrilous accusation to the essence of the liberal program .
But , for what it is worth , Thanksgiving brought liberals out of the woodwork in Minneapolis as elsewhere across the country .
The Star Tribune reports on two instances of vandalism last night : This is the George Washington statue .
It was torn from its base and may not be salvageable : The graffiti on the Pioneer statue in Minneapolis appeared to be protesting colonialism .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family standing before sheaves of grain , which illustrate the agricultural product and flour industry that played a large part in creating the city .
The Pillsbury family , founders of the famous Pillsbury flour brand , gifted the sculpture to the city during the Great Depression , Sommers said .
The front of the monument features men are holding a rifle , ax and plow .
A woman and her newborn stand at their side .
On the back of the statue ’ s base , an engraving shows an American Indian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Park Board was already defensive about the idea of a monument to white settlers : This spring , the Park Board placed a sign near the statue acknowledging the complaints and invited people to share their thoughts .
“ The Park Board is working together with the community to address and respond using a racial equity lens to determine next steps , ” Sommers said .
Shockingly , kneeling down to the leftists did no good .
One is tempted to say that such destruction of innocuous public monuments , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington , shows that leftists are irredeemably stupid .
What is most striking , though , is that not a single Democratic politician , to my knowledge , has even criticized , let alone done anything to try to stop , this anti-Americanism .
On the contrary , many Democratic politicians have encouraged it : That is an objective way of describing the discoverer of the New World !
The Star Tribune , like many other “ news ” outlets , ritually refer to the “ killing ” of Floyd by police officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested in court , but so far the evidence suggests that Floyd died of a fentanyl overdose , and the police had nothing to do with it .
Maybe the evidence at trial will warrant a different conclusion–the one that the Star Tribune casually , and without evidence , asserts–but the fact that Floyd had two to three times a lethal dose of fentanyl in his blood and showed the classic symptoms of fentanyl poisoning , like inability to breathe , suggests , at this point , that Floyd died of a drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Because Tim ( “ Dim Tim ” ) Walz hates America , and thinks it was unfortunate that his own European ancestors ever came here , to disturb the bliss that the Indian tribes enjoyed prior to 1492 .
That is now , apparently , the official position of the Democratic Party .

Actually, I am not sure that more evidence is needed, now that hating America has evolved from an allegedly scurrilous accusation to the essence of the liberal program. But, for what it is worth, Thanksgiving brought liberals out of the woodwork in Minneapolis as elsewhere across the country. The Star Tribune reports on two instances of vandalism last night:
Vandals toppled a statue of George Washington in the Washburn Fair Oaks Park across from the Minneapolis Institute of Art and also splashed it with paint. A few miles away in northeast Minneapolis’ B.F. Nelson Park, unknown suspects spray-painted the words “no thanks,” “no more genocide,” “decolonize” and “land back” on the large granite Pioneers statue.
This is the George Washington statue. It was torn from its base and may not be salvageable:
More:
The graffiti on the Pioneer statue in Minneapolis appeared to be protesting colonialism. The monument depicts three generations of a pioneer family standing before sheaves of grain, which illustrate the agricultural product and flour industry that played a large part in creating the city. The Pillsbury family, founders of the famous Pillsbury flour brand, gifted the sculpture to the city during the Great Depression, Sommers said. The front of the monument features men are holding a rifle, ax and plow. A woman and her newborn stand at their side. On the back of the statue’s base, an engraving shows an American Indian handing a peace pipe to Father Hennepin.
The Park Board was already defensive about the idea of a monument to white settlers:
This spring, the Park Board placed a sign near the statue acknowledging the complaints and invited people to share their thoughts. “The Park Board is working together with the community to address and respond using a racial equity lens to determine next steps,” Sommers said.
Shockingly, kneeling down to the leftists did no good.
One is tempted to say that such destruction of innocuous public monuments, including memorials to indisputably great men like George Washington, shows that leftists are irredeemably stupid. What is most striking, though, is that not a single Democratic politician, to my knowledge, has even criticized, let alone done anything to try to stop, this anti-Americanism. On the contrary, many Democratic politicians have encouraged it:
The destruction comes six months after protesters pulled down a Christopher Columbus statue outside the State Capitol this summer. Columbus, a 15th-century Genoese explorer, has long been a target of activists for his role in colonizing, killing and exploiting Indigenous people.
That is an objective way of describing the discoverer of the New World!
The monument’s expulsion at the Capitol marked the first of many statues on public grounds felled by protesters in the nationwide reckoning over institutional racism that followed the May 25 killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers.
The Star Tribune, like many other “news” outlets, ritually refer to the “killing” of Floyd by police officers. That allegation has yet to be tested in court, but so far the evidence suggests that Floyd died of a fentanyl overdose, and the police had nothing to do with it. Maybe the evidence at trial will warrant a different conclusion–the one that the Star Tribune casually, and without evidence, asserts–but the fact that Floyd had two to three times a lethal dose of fentanyl in his blood and showed the classic symptoms of fentanyl poisoning, like inability to breathe, suggests, at this point, that Floyd died of a drug overdose.
Gov. Tim Walz decided not to restore [the Columbus statue].
Of course he did! Because Tim (“Dim Tim”) Walz hates America, and thinks it was unfortunate that his own European ancestors ever came here, to disturb the bliss that the Indian tribes enjoyed prior to 1492. That is now, apparently, the official position of the Democratic Party.


powerlineblog--2020-11-28--Back to the Future of Conservatism

Back to the Future of Conservatism

There is much talk these days about the future of conservatism .
Donald Trump has decisively changed the Republican Party ; most of us think , for the better .
Republicans are now seen as the party of the middle and working classes .
I would say that we really have been that all along , but Trump brought the populist core of conservatism to the forefront .
And “ America First , ” far from being scandalous as the Left believes , is the president ’ s job description .
But there is one way in which President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While he did great work in reducing federal regulation , he showed little interest in reducing the size of the federal government .
To be fair , of course , it has been a long time since any Republican made a serious effort to shrink government .
Trump is hardly alone .
But in my opinion , the future of conservatism lies in a fusion of Trumpism with the older conservative virtues , as exemplified by leaders like Calvin Coolidge .
So this video by the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation titled “ Less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more timely .
Quotable quote : “ If the government does less , the people can do more .
”

There is much talk these days about the future of conservatism. Donald Trump has decisively changed the Republican Party; most of us think, for the better. Republicans are now seen as the party of the middle and working classes. I would say that we really have been that all along, but Trump brought the populist core of conservatism to the forefront. And “America First,” far from being scandalous as the Left believes, is the president’s job description.
But there is one way in which President Trump departed from conservative orthodoxy: spending. While he did great work in reducing federal regulation, he showed little interest in reducing the size of the federal government. To be fair, of course, it has been a long time since any Republican made a serious effort to shrink government. Trump is hardly alone.
But in my opinion, the future of conservatism lies in a fusion of Trumpism with the older conservative virtues, as exemplified by leaders like Calvin Coolidge. So this video by the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation titled “Less Is More” couldn’t be more timely. Quotable quote: “If the government does less, the people can do more.”


powerlineblog--2020-11-27--Reminder: Live Three Whisky Happy Hour Today

For those of you sleeping off your Thanksgiving dinner coma , a reminder that this afternoon at 4 pm ( @ @ @ @ @ ) , “ Lucretia ” and I will be hosting a live taping of the @ @ @ @ @ via Zoom .
We ’ ll be covering the highlights of the week , as @ @ @ @ @ .
We ’ re making this event open to all Power Line readers as a @ @ @ @ @ Our Zoom account is limited to 500 participants in the Webinar format , so one @ @ @ @ @ is not just audience demand , but whether a potential overflow audience ( we do @ @ @ @ @ time ) causes technical problems .
In any case , if you want to listen @ @ @ @ @ questions or comments , you ’ ll need to use this link at 4 pm @ @ @ @ @ Cocktails optional , but highly recommended .
And if this time slot doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ to the podcast as usual tomorrow .

For those of you sleeping off your Thanksgiving dinner coma, a reminder that this afternoon at 4 pm (Pacific)/7pm (Eastern), “Lucretia” and I will be hosting a live taping of the Three Whisky Happy Hour podcast via Zoom. We’ll be covering the highlights of the week, as well as taking audience questions.
We’re making this event open to all Power Line readers as a bit of an experiment. Our Zoom account is limited to 500 participants in the Webinar format, so one thing we want to see is not just audience demand, but whether a potential overflow audience (we do flatter ourselves from time to time) causes technical problems.
In any case, if you want to listen in and send in some questions or comments, you’ll need to use this link at 4 pm Pacific time this afternoon. Cocktails optional, but highly recommended.
And if this time slot doesn’t work, you can listen to the podcast as usual tomorrow.


Reading palms

Does Joe Biden know that “ P ” in Psalms is silent , as in Psmith and pshrimp ( to @ @ @ @ @ .
Wodehouse ) ?
Or did he at one time when he was in full @ @ @ @ @ The question is raised by the homily captured in the video clip below , in @ @ @ @ @ the “ s ” silent , as in aisle , apropos , debris , and @ @ @ @ @ wonder if any of the betting services have set the over/under on Biden ’ s @ @ @ @ @ a prospective Harris/Biden administration , as they say .
Offhand I would set it at @ @ @ @ @ Jeannie DeAngelis has much more on the homily in the American Thinker column “ Joe @ @ @ @ @ .
”

Does Joe Biden know that “P” in Psalms is silent, as in Psmith and pshrimp (to borrow a note from P.G. Wodehouse)? Or did he at one time when he was in full possession of his faculties? The question is raised by the homily captured in the video clip below, in which the old man renders the “s” silent, as in aisle, apropos, debris, and island. It makes me wonder if any of the betting services have set the over/under on Biden’s possible tenure as president in a prospective Harris/Biden administration, as they say. Offhand I would set it at two years.
UPDATE: Jeannie DeAngelis has much more on the homily in the American Thinker column “Joe ‘palm-tificates’ on Thanksgiving.”


powerlineblog--2020-11-27--Why not “my fuhrer”?

Why not “my fuhrer”?

At the College Fix Greg Piper has posted a mind-boggling account of the oral argument of the appeal in the First Amendment case brought by Shawnee State University Professor Nicholas Meriwether against university administrators .
Piper introduces his long account this way : A public university ’ s lawyer bumbled his way through oral argument last week on whether his taxpayer-funded client can force a philosophy professor to address a male student with female pronouns .
Sharp questioning by the 6th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals repeatedly left Keating Muething ’ s Paul Kerridge at a loss for words @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shawnee State University could similarly force a Jewish professor to address a student as “ My Fuhrer.
” Meriwether lost his First Amendment case at the trial court earlier this year .
U.S. District Judge Susan Dlott ruled that his quarter-century practice of addressing students as “ miss ” and “ mister ” was not “ a matter of intellectual debate ” on gender identity protected by the First Amendment , but rather a “ teaching method ” that was “ only of personal interest ” to him .
The Sixth Circuit has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the university officials begins his argument at about 20:30 of the audio recording .
Alliance Defending Freedom attorney John Bursch did an excellent job on behalf of Professor Meriwether .
The highlight from which Pipes draws his headline comes at 27:15 .
The frame of reference for the argument is set by the Supreme Court cases of Pickering v. Board of Education and Garcetti v. Ceballos , to which frequent reference is made in the course of the argument .
I believe that the larger context of the case is set forth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , The Age of Entitlement , reviewed by Helen Andrews for the Claremont Review of Books in “ The law that ate the Constitution.
” Piper ’ s detailed article has an end of the world as we know it quality to it .
I ’ m not given to predictions , but I am afraid that there is much more of it in store for us in coming days .

At the College Fix Greg Piper has posted a mind-boggling account of the oral argument of the appeal in the First Amendment case brought by Shawnee State University Professor Nicholas Meriwether against university administrators. Piper introduces his long account this way:
A public university’s lawyer bumbled his way through oral argument last week on whether his taxpayer-funded client can force a philosophy professor to address a male student with female pronouns. Sharp questioning by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals repeatedly left Keating Muething’s Paul Kerridge at a loss for words, including on whether Ohio’s Shawnee State University could similarly force a Jewish professor to address a student as “My Fuhrer.” * * * * * Meriwether lost his First Amendment case at the trial court earlier this year. U.S. District Judge Susan Dlott ruled that his quarter-century practice of addressing students as “miss” and “mister” was not “a matter of intellectual debate” on gender identity protected by the First Amendment, but rather a “teaching method” that was “only of personal interest” to him.
The Sixth Circuit has posted the oral argument here. Counsel for the university officials begins his argument at about 20:30 of the audio recording. Alliance Defending Freedom attorney John Bursch did an excellent job on behalf of Professor Meriwether.
The highlight from which Pipes draws his headline comes at 27:15. The frame of reference for the argument is set by the Supreme Court cases of Pickering v. Board of Education and Garcetti v. Ceballos, to which frequent reference is made in the course of the argument. I believe that the larger context of the case is set forth in Christopher Caldwell’s new book, The Age of Entitlement, reviewed by Helen Andrews for the Claremont Review of Books in “The law that ate the Constitution.”
Piper’s detailed article has an end of the world as we know it quality to it. I’m not given to predictions, but I am afraid that there is much more of it in store for us in coming days.


Science, Minnesota Style

My friend Mitch Berg posted this on Twitter : The shutdown regime here in Minnesota is idiotic : bars and restaurants , which account for 1.7 % of infections according to the state ’ s own data , are shut down , while big business roars along as it has throughout 2020 .
Mitch ’ s comparison means a lot to me because these places are within a few miles of my house , and Jensen ’ s is one of our favorite local restaurants .
There was never any coherent explanation ( or incoherent explanation , for that matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down for months while big businesses ( Target , WalMart , Costco , Home Depot , Total Wine , etc . )
remained open throughout 2020 .
Dim Tim Walz ’ s administration has now said that retail stores are not a source of COVID spread , so that was all a mistake , and small shops are now , belatedly , permitted to do business .
Sorry about all those needless bankruptcies .
( Those are my words ; Dim Tim has not apologized . )
But restaurants , bars and gyms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school activities are shut down , with zero empirical basis .
People will catch COVID at Jensen ’ s , but not at the dozens of stores ( pretty much all big business outlets ) across the parking lot , crowded with shoppers ?
I ’ d like to hear Dim Tim explain that one .
Minnesota owns the distinction of having the only governor who is explicitly anti-science .
Others , to be fair , are implicitly anti-science based on their actions , but Dim Tim Walz is the only governor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banner of ignorance : “ It ’ s not about numbers .
It ’ s not about data .
It ’ s about neighborliness.
” You can see the fruits of Walz ’ s anti-science approach in Mitch ’ s photos , and many thousands of Minnesotans are feeling the effects of his arrogant ignorance .

My friend Mitch Berg posted this on Twitter:
Science, Minnesota style: crowds at the Eagan outlet mall (a clump of big box National outlets), versus Jensen‘s restaurant right across the street (local standalone joint). Remember – we’re all in it together. pic.twitter.com/8WtN8vmtuN — Mitch "The Wałęsa Project" Berg (@mitchpberg) November 28, 2020
The shutdown regime here in Minnesota is idiotic: bars and restaurants, which account for 1.7% of infections according to the state’s own data, are shut down, while big business roars along as it has throughout 2020. Mitch’s comparison means a lot to me because these places are within a few miles of my house, and Jensen’s is one of our favorite local restaurants.
There was never any coherent explanation (or incoherent explanation, for that matter) of why small businesses were shut down for months while big businesses (Target, WalMart, Costco, Home Depot, Total Wine, etc.) remained open throughout 2020. Dim Tim Walz’s administration has now said that retail stores are not a source of COVID spread, so that was all a mistake, and small shops are now, belatedly, permitted to do business. Sorry about all those needless bankruptcies. (Those are my words; Dim Tim has not apologized.)
But restaurants, bars and gyms are now closed, and schools and school activities are shut down, with zero empirical basis. People will catch COVID at Jensen’s, but not at the dozens of stores (pretty much all big business outlets) across the parking lot, crowded with shoppers? I’d like to hear Dim Tim explain that one.
Minnesota owns the distinction of having the only governor who is explicitly anti-science. Others, to be fair, are implicitly anti-science based on their actions, but Dim Tim Walz is the only governor, so far, to proudly fly the banner of ignorance: “It’s not about numbers. It’s not about data. It’s about neighborliness.” You can see the fruits of Walz’s anti-science approach in Mitch’s photos, and many thousands of Minnesotans are feeling the effects of his arrogant ignorance.


powerlineblog--2020-11-28--Havens Garden Defies Shutdown Order

Havens Garden Defies Shutdown Order

I wrote here about Larvita McFarquhar , a single mother who owns a bar and restaurant called Havens Garden in Lynd , Minnesota , a town of 448 in the southwestern part of the state .
McFarquhar announced on Facebook that her establishment would be open for business with music and food service from 9 to 11 last night , despite last week ’ s order from Minnesota ’ s governor purporting to close all bars and restaurants and despite the threats she received from government agencies .
Larvita sent me a nice message on Facebook , which I trust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quote : Thank you so much for writing such a beautiful article about me .
Yes , I am a Constitutionalist-conservative .
Thank you for standing with me .
It really means the world to me .
Thank you for all that you do on getting the real news out to the people .
Thank you , Larvita Last night Havens Garden was open as promised , and drew a nice , mellow crowd .
McFarquhar posted this short video on Facebook : The authorities apparently believed ( wisely ) that discretion was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no arrests were made .
But Larvita isn ’ t out of the woods yet .
The Southwest Health & Human Services has written to McFarquhar , threatening to cancel her food service license along with other fines and penalties .
This is the letter : What does it say about our country , and Governor Walz when he uses our Sherriff ’ s department , Attorney General and our citizens to harass , threaten , bully , intimidate , coerce with fines , litigation fees , loss of licenses , and jail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They are not going after hardened criminals , they are going after our small BUSINESSES !
Thank you to everyone who is standing with me .
McFarquhar has questioned whether Governor Walz has the power to issue the arbitrary and capricious orders that have devastated thousands of small businesses in Minnesota , while consistently favoring big business .
As she says , it is the legislature , not the governor , that makes laws .
Someday the courts likely will rule that our governor has no power to declare a permanent emergency and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the meantime , however , many thousands of lives will be damaged or destroyed .
In an interview with Alpha News , Larvita added : I ’ m not going to give up my liberties , I ’ m not going to teach my daughters to give up their liberties , and I want them to learn how to fight .
If I ’ m not that example — which is very hard for me — who else is going to do it ?
Her Facebook page indicates that she also opens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
No doubt that is strike three in the eyes of Minnesota ’ s Democratic politicians .
In the space of a week , Larvita McFarquhar has become a heroine to small businesspeople and conservative activists across the State of Minnesota .
It will not be easy for the authorities to crack down on her , but it also will not be easy to crack down on others if they don ’ t .
Stay tuned .

I wrote here about Larvita McFarquhar, a single mother who owns a bar and restaurant called Havens Garden in Lynd, Minnesota, a town of 448 in the southwestern part of the state. McFarquhar announced on Facebook that her establishment would be open for business with music and food service from 9 to 11 last night, despite last week’s order from Minnesota’s governor purporting to close all bars and restaurants and despite the threats she received from government agencies.
Alpha News picked up the story and I wrote about it here. That led to stories in the Daily Wire and the Daily Mail . The Daily Mail represents international fame. I was a guest on the Howie Carr show on Friday, and the next guest after me was Larvita McFarquhar.
Larvita sent me a nice message on Facebook, which I trust she won’t mind if I quote:
Thank you so much for writing such a beautiful article about me. Yes, I am a Constitutionalist-conservative. Thank you for standing with me. It really means the world to me. Thank you for all that you do on getting the real news out to the people. Thank you, Larvita
Last night Havens Garden was open as promised, and drew a nice, mellow crowd. McFarquhar posted this short video on Facebook:
The authorities apparently believed (wisely) that discretion was the better part of valor, and no arrests were made. But Larvita isn’t out of the woods yet. The Southwest Health & Human Services has written to McFarquhar, threatening to cancel her food service license along with other fines and penalties. This is the letter:
In an earlier Facebook post, Larvita wrote:
What does it say about our country, and Governor Walz when he uses our Sherriff’s department, Attorney General and our citizens to harass, threaten, bully, intimidate, coerce with fines, litigation fees, loss of licenses, and jail time for wanting to be open? They are not going after hardened criminals, they are going after our small BUSINESSES! Thank you to everyone who is standing with me.
McFarquhar has questioned whether Governor Walz has the power to issue the arbitrary and capricious orders that have devastated thousands of small businesses in Minnesota, while consistently favoring big business. As she says, it is the legislature, not the governor, that makes laws. Someday the courts likely will rule that our governor has no power to declare a permanent emergency and use it to establish dictatorial rule. In the meantime, however, many thousands of lives will be damaged or destroyed.
In an interview with Alpha News, Larvita added:
I’m not going to give up my liberties, I’m not going to teach my daughters to give up their liberties, and I want them to learn how to fight. If I’m not that example — which is very hard for me — who else is going to do it?
Her Facebook page indicates that she also opens up Havens Garden for non-denominational church services. No doubt that is strike three in the eyes of Minnesota’s Democratic politicians.
In the space of a week, Larvita McFarquhar has become a heroine to small businesspeople and conservative activists across the State of Minnesota. It will not be easy for the authorities to crack down on her, but it also will not be easy to crack down on others if they don’t. Stay tuned.


powerlineblog--2020-11-28--Podcast—The Three Whisky Happy Hour: Counting Courts

At one point during the livecast recording of this week ’ s episode on Zoom , a commenter said the score was “ Lucretia 6 , Hayward 0 , ” so naturally I thought I was only behind by two field goals , and thus easy to make up in the 4th Quarter .
But then the commenter clarified that he was using soccer scoring , which meant that I was getting crushed .
“ Ask Paul , ” he added unnecessarily .
Oh well .
What led to this ignominious rout ?
I foolishly tried to make the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the occasional clusters of twins born in small towns from time to time ) are proof of something wrong , including voting , but Lucretia wasn ’ t having any of it , and to be sure while statistical anomalies may be just that , when you have several “ anomalies ” all trending in the same direction , pattern recognition takes over .
But what are the legal remedies ?
It is not clear we can count on the courts to correct the counts .
At least the Supreme Court delivered one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and our second whisky shot this week went beyond this ruling to talk a bit about the police power generally , and why many legal histories—but also Chief Justice John Roberts , alas—get this wrong .
We still didn ’ t get to our promised seminar on “ snobbish snobology , ” but promise to do it next week .
If all the ballot counting and recounting is over .
The new whisky for this week is another Japanese blend , Kisoyama , which can ’ t be said three times fast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shots without lapsing into “ your momma ’ s so fat ” jokes .
Listen here , or over with our hosts .

At one point during the livecast recording of this week’s episode on Zoom, a commenter said the score was “Lucretia 6, Hayward 0,” so naturally I thought I was only behind by two field goals, and thus easy to make up in the 4th Quarter. But then the commenter clarified that he was using soccer scoring, which meant that I was getting crushed. “Ask Paul,” he added unnecessarily. Oh well.
What led to this ignominious rout? I foolishly tried to make the case that not all statistical anomalies (like the occasional clusters of twins born in small towns from time to time) are proof of something wrong, including voting, but Lucretia wasn’t having any of it, and to be sure while statistical anomalies may be just that, when you have several “anomalies” all trending in the same direction, pattern recognition takes over. But what are the legal remedies? It is not clear we can count on the courts to correct the counts.
At least the Supreme Court delivered one clear remedy for religious liberty this week, and our second whisky shot this week went beyond this ruling to talk a bit about the police power generally, and why many legal histories—but also Chief Justice John Roberts, alas—get this wrong.
We still didn’t get to our promised seminar on “snobbish snobology,” but promise to do it next week. If all the ballot counting and recounting is over.
The new whisky for this week is another Japanese blend, Kisoyama, which can’t be said three times fast after you’ve had a few shots without lapsing into “your momma’s so fat” jokes.
Listen here, or over with our hosts.


powerlineblog--2020-11-28--Crime In My Old Neighborhood [Updated]

Crime In My Old Neighborhood [Updated]

The city of Minneapolis has become a lawless place , and the crime wave now extends to the city ’ s more prosperous neighborhoods .
I lived in Tangletown , a part of South Minneapolis where the streets are a spaghetti-like maze , for some years .
Yesterday morning a carjacking was photographed in progress in my old neighborhood : The two “ youths ” seen committing the crime were driving a perfectly nice car , the red one on the left .
They apparently cut off a driver and forced him or her to stop .
They then jumped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ photo , taken from across the street ( likely a still from a Ring video or something of the sort ) one of them is pointing a gun at the driver .
A few moments later the two “ youths ” drove away in the two vehicles .
Fortunately , I sold my house in Tangletown some years ago and moved to the suburbs .
One can only imagine what the current crime wave is doing to Minneapolis property values .
Also , note the Biden sign in the yard .
Minneapolis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liberal place .
The people who are now crime victims voted heavily for Joe Biden and Ilhan Omar , as well as the city ’ s inept mayor and city council .
They are contributing to their own demise , and so far , there is little evidence that they are rethinking their politics as their city collapses around them .
UPDATE : As their city circles the drain due to rising crime , Minneapolis City Council members have the perfect solution : cut the police force .
You can ’ t make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do you conclude that these people deserve what they are getting ?

The city of Minneapolis has become a lawless place, and the crime wave now extends to the city’s more prosperous neighborhoods. I lived in Tangletown, a part of South Minneapolis where the streets are a spaghetti-like maze, for some years. Yesterday morning a carjacking was photographed in progress in my old neighborhood:
Picture sent from a page follower reportedly from the carjacking in Tangletown area of south Mpls this morning. pic.twitter.com/EIYezsWou0 — CrimeWatchMpls (@CrimeWatchMpls) November 28, 2020
The two “youths” seen committing the crime were driving a perfectly nice car, the red one on the left. They apparently cut off a driver and forced him or her to stop. They then jumped out of their vehicle and in the photo, taken from across the street (likely a still from a Ring video or something of the sort) one of them is pointing a gun at the driver. A few moments later the two “youths” drove away in the two vehicles.
Fortunately, I sold my house in Tangletown some years ago and moved to the suburbs. One can only imagine what the current crime wave is doing to Minneapolis property values. Also, note the Biden sign in the yard. Minneapolis, like Portland and Seattle, is a liberal place. The people who are now crime victims voted heavily for Joe Biden and Ilhan Omar, as well as the city’s inept mayor and city council. They are contributing to their own demise, and so far, there is little evidence that they are rethinking their politics as their city collapses around them.
UPDATE: As their city circles the drain due to rising crime, Minneapolis City Council members have the perfect solution: cut the police force. You can’t make this stuff up:
Three Minneapolis City Council members have unveiled a plan to cut nearly $8 million from the Minneapolis Police Department and limit the number of officers it can hire. https://t.co/lEhySeBTvA — Star Tribune (@StarTribune) November 28, 2020
At what point do you conclude that these people deserve what they are getting?


powerlineblog--2020-11-28--Key to the Keystone State

Key to the Keystone State

A Pennsylvania state court judge has enjoined the governor and secretary of state from taking any further steps to perfect its certification of the election , including but not limited to appointment of electors and transmission of necessary paperwork to the Electoral College .
The case attacks the legality of the massively expanded absentee voting that took place without legislative warrant .
Bill Jacobson has posted the opinion along with a good summary .
The case raises issues of law — state and federal — that are more straightforward than those in Sidney Powell ’ s lawsuits , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ straightforward .
The Democratic hacks on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court will obviously reverse the judge ’ s preliminary injunction order .
I therefore look to Bill ’ s conclusion : “ I don ’ t see how this survives the PA Supreme Court .
From there , the next stop is the U.S. Supreme Court where we know John Roberts and the three liberal Justice will defer to the state supreme court .
But the Court is now 6-3 , so a Roberts defection would not result in a 4-4 deadlock again if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

A Pennsylvania state court judge has enjoined the governor and secretary of state from taking any further steps to perfect its certification of the election, including but not limited to appointment of electors and transmission of necessary paperwork to the Electoral College. The case attacks the legality of the massively expanded absentee voting that took place without legislative warrant.
Bill Jacobson has posted the opinion along with a good summary. The case raises issues of law — state and federal — that are more straightforward than those in Sidney Powell’s lawsuits, but the question of remedy is unfortunately not so straightforward.
The Democratic hacks on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court will obviously reverse the judge’s preliminary injunction order. I therefore look to Bill’s conclusion: “I don’t see how this survives the PA Supreme Court. From there, the next stop is the U.S. Supreme Court where we know John Roberts and the three liberal Justice will defer to the state supreme court. But the Court is now 6-3, so a Roberts defection would not result in a 4-4 deadlock again if the 5 conservative Justices voted together.”


powerlineblog--2020-11-29--Police chief escapes from Washington D.C.

Peter Newsham is Washington D.C. ’ s police chief .
He has been with the D.C. police force for 31 years .
Newsham will step down from his job , which pays him nearly $ 300,000 , right after Joe Biden is inaugurated .
He will become the police chief of Prince William County , Virginia , a D.C. exurb , earning a salary of a little more than $ 200,000 .
Newsham ’ s resignation continues a trend of big city police chiefs stepping down in the wake of BLM-inspired attacks ( rhetorical and physical ) on the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Seattle , and Rochester resigned .
Newsham has been a fairly progressive police chief .
He mandated body-worn cameras before many other departments did , and he supports a number of reforms being pushed in the aftermath of George Floyd ’ s death .
Newsham has had the support of D.C. ’ s liberal mayor , Muriel Bowser .
However , he has clashed repeatedly with the leftist city council .
He spoke out bitterly after the council cut $ 15 million from the police budget .
He accused the council of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that victims of homicide were “ getting lost in the conversation ” over policing changes , and decried the council ’ s move as a “ knee-jerk ” reaction to demonstrators .
There ’ s a good chance that , next May , the council would not have approved retaining Newsham .
Thus , his resignation can be viewed as preemptive .
However , my sense is that Newsham no longer wanted to serve in D.C. , given the anti-police sentiment that prevails among city council members .
Better to serve in Prince @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate and its pro-law enforcement leadership .
Prince William County Supervisor Yesli Vega told the Washington Post that she was “ impressed by [ Newsham ’ s ] willingness to stand up to the DC City Council ’ s attacks on his officers and efforts to cut tens of millions from the police budget earlier this year.
” The D.C. council ’ s anti-police sentiment is reflected in the reaction to Newsham ’ s resignation of council member Trayon White , the anti-Semitic moron who claims that Jewish financiers control the climate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as homicides rise , D.C. residents are demanding more police patrolling of their neighborhoods .
Perhaps one day they will see the connection between cutting police funding and less patrolling , and stop electing clowns like Trayon White who want to slash the police budget even more .

Peter Newsham is Washington D.C.’s police chief. He has been with the D.C. police force for 31 years.
Newsham will step down from his job, which pays him nearly $300,000, right after Joe Biden is inaugurated. He will become the police chief of Prince William County, Virginia, a D.C. exurb, earning a salary of a little more than $200,000.
Newsham’s resignation continues a trend of big city police chiefs stepping down in the wake of BLM-inspired attacks (rhetorical and physical) on the police. Recently, the chiefs in Dallas, Seattle, and Rochester resigned.
Newsham has been a fairly progressive police chief. He mandated body-worn cameras before many other departments did, and he supports a number of reforms being pushed in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death.
Newsham has had the support of D.C.’s liberal mayor, Muriel Bowser. However, he has clashed repeatedly with the leftist city council.
He spoke out bitterly after the council cut $15 million from the police budget. He accused the council of “abandoning his force,” noted that victims of homicide were “getting lost in the conversation” over policing changes, and decried the council’s move as a “knee-jerk” reaction to demonstrators.
There’s a good chance that, next May, the council would not have approved retaining Newsham. Thus, his resignation can be viewed as preemptive.
However, my sense is that Newsham no longer wanted to serve in D.C., given the anti-police sentiment that prevails among city council members. Better to serve in Prince William County with its much lower crime rate and its pro-law enforcement leadership. Prince William County Supervisor Yesli Vega told the Washington Post that she was “impressed by [Newsham’s] willingness to stand up to the DC City Council’s attacks on his officers and efforts to cut tens of millions from the police budget earlier this year.”
The D.C. council’s anti-police sentiment is reflected in the reaction to Newsham’s resignation of council member Trayon White, the anti-Semitic moron who claims that Jewish financiers control the climate. He tweeted:
I don’t see no one crying about Newsham leaving.
Maybe not, but as homicides rise, D.C. residents are demanding more police patrolling of their neighborhoods. Perhaps one day they will see the connection between cutting police funding and less patrolling, and stop electing clowns like Trayon White who want to slash the police budget even more.