R mantra: Don't just ban books, ban even talking about banned books

A large school district tried that stunt.

It didn't turn out well for them.

.From The Guardian (UK) -

North Carolina bans ‘Banned Books Week’ but retracts after media backlash

North Carolina’s Charlotte-Mecklenburg school district appears to be a bit confused as to where it stands in the ongoing battle against books around the US: they banned educators from participating in a weeklong series of events drawing attention to banned books and then … said there was no ban.

The American Library Association (ALA) holds “Banned Books Week” annually, with this year’s iteration running from 1-7 October, to celebrate the freedom to read and discuss attempts to censor books.

According to WFAE, a public radio station serving North Carolina, district officials in Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools told principals to cancel events, readings, suggestions, announcements, messages or displays linked to the program.

Information about the ALA's Banned Books Week is here.

When all is said and done, Kevin McCarthy will be as famous as Neville Chamberlain.

Of course, that's not a good thing.

From the National Archives of the UK -

Chamberlain and Hitler 1938

After the First World War, the map of Europe was re-drawn and several new countries were formed. As a result of this, three million Germans found themselves now living in part of Czechoslovakia. When Adolf Hitler came to power, he wanted to unite all Germans into one nation.

In September 1938 he turned his attention to the three million Germans living in part of Czechoslovakia called the Sudetenland. Sudeten Germans began protests and provoked violence from the Czech police. Hitler claimed that 300 Sudeten Germans had been killed. This was not actually the case, but Hitler used it as an excuse to place German troops along the Czech border.

During this situation, the British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, flew to meet Hitler at his private mountain retreat in Berchtesgaden in an attempt to resolve the crisis. Use this lesson to explore documents concerning Chamberlain’s original meeting with Hitler and advice given to him at home in Britain.

Kevin McCarthy, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representative, is doing his best Chamberlain imitation (don't misunderstand me - the most extreme members of the House's R caucus are NOT Adolph Hitler and the Nazis, but neither are they honorable public servants or even simply decent human beings).

From Truthout (but many other outlets have stories on the same topic), from 9/27 -

A Small Cadre of GOP Hard-Liners Is Pushing US 

Toward Government Shutdown

If the shutdown occurs, it will be because Speaker McCarthy let the far right 

dictate critical legislative decisions.

The U.S. government is set to run out of money later this week, not because the U.S. has suddenly gotten poor, but because hard-liners within the GOP are looking for major policy concessions from the White House and the Democratic-controlled Senate simply to keep government operations afloat. Without those concessions, many Republicans have made it clear they will refuse to cast their votes for the 12 appropriations bills that keep the system ticking along.

This is the latest installment of what has become an entirely dysfunctional congressional ritual — using vital legislative deadlines as bargaining chips in a high-stakes effort to impose a far right agenda on the body politic. If the borrowing limit needs to be raised, a significant number of Republicans simply refuse to vote for the increase. If government needs to be funded through appropriations bills, as is the case this week, these same hard-liners see it as an opportunity to leverage their votes in exchange for massive cuts to federal spending and the adoption of a raft of other policy demands.

Guess that McCarthy would rather be called "Mr. Speaker" than "Mr. Public Servant."

I've already predicted that McCarthy will be a one-termer as Speaker; his performance regarding the potential shutdown of the federal government doesn't change that prediction.

Legislative schedule - week starting 10/01/2023

This week's theme at the legislature:

"Gimme."

Note: HHR refers to a hearing room in the House building; SHR refers to one in the Senate building.

Note2: Generally, I'll only specify bills that look to spread propaganda.  Other bills may be more conventionally bad (think: corrupt or other misuses of public monies and/or authority).  My recommendation is that if an agenda covers an area of interest to you, read the entire agenda.

Note3: Each chamber's respective Rules Committee meets on Monday, the House's in HHR4 at 1 p.m. and the Senate's in Senate Caucus Room 1, also at 1 p.m.  Both committees serve as rubber stamps for bills leadership wants to be advanced and gatekeepers for measures that leadership wants stopped.

Note4: Meeting start times may be listed, but are flexible.  Before journeying to the Capitol or viewing the meeting online, verify the start time.

Note5: Watch for strikers, or strike everything amendments.  Those involve inserting language that replaces the entirety of a bill.  Those can be introduced at any time and can make a previously harmless bill into a very bad one.

On Monday, 10/2 

 -

Joint Legislative Committee on DES Block Grants meets at 10 a.m. in HHR1.

They're scheduled to hear three presentations, including one from Wildfire, a community action organization headed up by Kathy Senseman, former president of the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools.  She's married to Paul Senseman, a renowned lobbyist/fixer at the Capitol.  Both Sensemans are regular donors to AZ political campaigns.

Pardon my cynicism, but I expect the thinking on the part of the R members of committee to be "well, we can recommend helping real people or recommend using the public monies in block grants to line private pockets  Not really a dilemma.".

On Thursday, 10/5 

-

Urban Air Mobility Study Committee meets at 2 p.m. in SHR1.  It's a joint committee.

It looks to be about combining flying vehicles with self-driving cars.

They're scheduled to hear three presentations, all given by corporate executives/lobbyists and at least two of them are members of the committee.

Since I'm letting my cynicism run wild tonight, I'll speculate about the presentations: "enhance our bottom lines and give us public money."

Wait, didn't they get Capone for tax evasion?

Pointed at this by Taegan Goddard's Political Wire.

Like Cheeto, he did a lot of bad things, most them far worse than tax evasion, but the pragmatic part of me says "hey, whatever works."

From The Messenger -

Trump’s Tax Representative Said in 2020 He ‘Agrees’ With $26.6 Million Appraisal of Mar-a-Lago (Exclusive)

Former President Donald Trump has sought to discredit a New York judge’s blockbuster ruling threatening his business empire by arguing that Mar-a-Lago alone is worth more than a billion dollars.

But less than three years ago, his tax representative told Palm Beach County officials that Trump “agrees” his private club in South Florida is worth just $26.6 million, according to records obtained by The Messenger.

“The petitioner agrees with the determination of the property appraiser or tax collector,” Michael Corbiciero, the CEO of the tax consulting firm Marvin F. Poer & Co., attested in a letter dated Nov. 16, 2020.

Maybe the next time that Cheeto, he should enter to a song.  Of course, that song should be Fortunate Son, written by John Fogerty, and performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival.

From Austin Community College -

[snip]

But when the tax man comes to the door,
Lord, the house looks like a rummage sale.

A court ruling may remove the core of Cheeto's self identity

Before he committed treason...before he bankrupted a casino...even before he was a media "personality"...he was a a real estate developer in New York City.

For most folks in that line of work, their favorite building materials seem to be concrete, wood, and drywall; based on the judge's ruling, it seems that Cheeto's were smoke, mirrors, and bullshit.

From The Hill -

Trump could lose control of famed properties under New York fraud ruling

A major loss Tuesday in former President Trump’s New York civil fraud case raises the potential for him to lose control of some of his famed properties and ability to do business in the state.

A New York judge ruled Tuesday that state Attorney General Letitia James (D) proved core elements of her far-reaching case, narrowing the scope of the trial that is set to begin as soon as Monday.

The decision finds Trump, two of his adult children — Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. — and their businesses liable for fraud after James’s office sued them last September. They have denied any wrongdoing and vowed to appeal.

"Smoke, mirrors, and bullshit."

Those are the basic building materials in his political career, too.

The MAGA crowd has a new dance-the hypocritical two step: Cheeto wants to overturn the Constitution while claiming it protects him

Pointed at this by Taegan Goddard's Political Wire.

From PBS -

Trump argues First Amendment protects him from ‘insurrection’ cases aimed at keeping him off 2024 ballots

Attorneys for former President Donald Trump argue that an attempt to bar him from the 2024 ballot under a rarely used “insurrection” clause of the Constitution should be dismissed as a violation of his freedom of speech.

The lawyers made the argument in a filing posted Monday by a Colorado court in the most significant of a series of challenges to Trump’s candidacy under the Civil War-era clause in the 14th Amendment. The challenges rest on Trump’s attempts to overturn his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden and his role leading up to the violent Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Congressman Paul Gosar again brings notoriety to Arizona

And again, cements his hold on the title of "Most Bigoted Member of Congress."

From Media-ite

Republican Congressman Calls For General Mark Milley to Be Executed in Shockingly Homophobic Screed

Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) published a shockingly violent and homophobic tirade against General Mark Milley, suggesting the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff be put to death.

Gosar’s Congressional office released a newsletter on Sunday which claimed that the FBI, the DHS, and other federal agencies allowed the U.S. Capitol to be attacked by Donald Trump’s rioting supporters on January 6. From there, the newsletter blasted Milley for speaking with Nancy Pelosi after the riot, agreeing with her that Trump was “crazy,” and assuring the former House speaker that Trump wouldn’t be able to seize control of America’s nuclear arsenal during his last days in office.

Short Attention Span Musing

...Apparently, the U.S. Senate thinks it's better to look good than to be good.

From NPR -

The Senate's dress code just got more relaxed. Some insist on staying buttoned-up

There's a lot for lawmakers to be stressed about these days, from the looming threat of a government shutdown to debates over additional funding for Ukraine. But one of the most divisive issues on Capitol Hill suddenly seems to be what senators can wear to work.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer directed the Senate's sergeant-at-arms to stop enforcing its unwritten dress code — only for its 100 members — starting this week.

There may be much angst among Senators over their dress code, but some things don't bother them.

From USA Today -

Read the full indictment: Menendez faces second round of corruption charges

Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., is facing corruption charges after being indicted Friday in the Southern District of New York.

It marks the second time the New Jersey lawmaker has been indicted in the last 10 years − previously facing corruption charges in 2015.

They can wear tutus and propeller beanies or suit and ties or whatever.  It doesn't matter, as long as they don't take bribes.

Which is what Menendez (allegedly) did.

FWIW, this isn't a partisan thing - the political class in New York and New Jersey seem to believe that society's law or even standards of simple decency do apply to them, regardless of professed partisan affiliation.

We still have to claim Andrew Cuomo and Anthony Weiner as Democrats.

Of course, Republicans still have Chris Christie and, of course, Cheeto.

And Arizona State Senator John Kavanagh is from New Jersey, too.

...And speaking of Cheeto, it wasn't a good week for him.

From Good Morning America, via Yahoo! -

'You were warned': Judge reprimands Trump's lawyers in New York AG's $250M fraud case

A judge in New York expressed frustration at Donald Trump's defense counsel while considering sanctioning the defendants and their lawyers for making frivolous arguments in the state's civil case against the former president and others.

"When I first heard those arguments, I thought that was a joke," said Judge Arthur Engoron, who added that he has repeatedly ruled on and been upheld on some of the arguments rehashed by defense.

"The rule on sanctions is if you've been warned, don't do it. You were warned," Engoron said.

Legislative schedule - week starting 9/24/2023

Nada.

As in "nothing official scheduled as of this writing."

As in, "regular Arizonans should be verrrry worried."

Note: HHR refers to a hearing room in the House building; SHR refers to one in the Senate building.

Note2: Generally, I'll only specify bills that look to spread propaganda.  Other bills may be more conventionally bad (think: corrupt or other misuses of public monies and/or authority).  My recommendation is that if an agenda covers an area of interest to you, read the entire agenda.

Note3: Each chamber's respective Rules Committee meets on Monday, the House's in HHR4 at 1 p.m. and the Senate's in Senate Caucus Room 1, also at 1 p.m.  Both committees serve as rubber stamps for bills leadership wants to be advanced and gatekeepers for measures that leadership wants stopped.

Note4: Meeting start times may be listed, but are flexible.  Before journeying to the Capitol or viewing the meeting online, verify the start time.

Note5: Watch for strikers, or strike everything amendments.  Those involve inserting language that replaces the entirety of a bill.  Those can be introduced at any time and can make a previously harmless bill into a very bad one.

Dear attorneys for Cheeto and his followers: Get your money up front

In other words, wait for any retainer checks to clear.

From Mother Jones -

Trumpworld Lawyers Keep Getting Stiffed on Fees

Robert Costello represented Giuliani and Bannon. Neither paid him.

Working as Donald Trump’s lawyer, or just being his lawyer’s lawyer, is a tough gig. The former president’s tight-fisted ways, not to mention his legal problems, are trickling down through Trumpworld’s legal ecosystem.

On Tuesday, Rudy Giuliani’s lawyer, Robert Costello, sued the former New York mayor for more than $1.3 million in allegedly unpaid legal fees dating back to 2019. That lawsuit, Costello says, is a consequence of Trump’s own refusal to pay Giuliani for years of work as Trump’s personal attorney.

Lawyers for Trump have landed in legal jeopardy due to his lies. They’ve been forced to testify against him, sanctioned, fined, stripped of law licenses, sued, and indicted. But none are in as much trouble as Rudy.

Another blast form the (recent) past: Kari Lake is running for a U.S. Senate seat

Last month, Axios thought this poorly-kept secret was a big deal; now, it's Politico.

Former newscaster and failed 2022 candidate for AZ Governor (she lost in the general election, even though she is still insisting that she didn't).

From Politico -

Kari Lake to launch Arizona Senate bid next month

Arizona Republican Kari Lake will launch a Senate run as soon as early next month, according to three people familiar with her plans.

Lake, an ardent supporter of former President Donald Trump who refused to concede her narrow loss in Arizona’s governor race last year, has been hinting at a bid for months. She has been active in national politics since her 2022 loss and this week alone she’s headlining events in Iowa and Michigan.

Blast from the (recent) past: Michelle Ugenti-Rita is running for the Maricopa County SD2 seat

Former state legislator and failed 2022 candidate for AZ Secretary of State (she lost in the R primary) Michelle Ugenti-Rita is running for the 2nd district seat on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.

From Maricopa County's website -

(Note: I'd link to the committee paperwork, but the County's hyperlink to that isn't working)

SD2 is currently held by R Thomas Galvin.  As of May, he formed a committee to run for re-election.

Water protection for AZ doesn't seem to be his thing.

Caveat:  I live in SD2, but have not decided who to vote for.

Hunter Biden may be a lousy human being, but I hope he wins his lawsuit against the IRS.

I've said it before - Hunter Biden is  a poor excuse for a human being (being a deadbeat dad will earn someone that designation).

But he's now suing the IRS for talking about his taxes.

From Politico -

Hunter Biden sues IRS, alleging violation of his privacy

Hunter Biden is suing the IRS over disclosures two agents there made to Congress and the media about his taxes.

The lawsuit says two longtime IRS criminal investigative agents, Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, illegally revealed tax details when they publicly raised concerns about the handling of the criminal investigation into the first son. It also accuses the IRS of failing to keep the two men from sharing Biden’s financial information.

Bottom line: if silence was good enough for Cheeto, it's good enough for Hunter Biden.  

And if yapping about Biden was fine, why wasn't yapping about Cheeto?

While I'm no fan of Hunter Biden, I'm *really* not a fan of hypocrisy.

NBC's Meet The Press interviews Cheeto

Meet The Press (MTP) has a new host, Kristin Welker.

NBC celebrated the change from Chuck Todd as host with an interview of Cheeto.

OK - it was a ratings grab by NBC; the suits there don't actually care about Welker or Todd.

Cheeto was his usual self - arrogant, misogynistic, and hostile.

His disdain for women was on full display - he blamed Nancy Pelosi for the insurrection of January 6, 2021 and regularly talked over Welker - when he didn't just loudly refuse to answer one of her questions.

NBC's transcript of the interview is here, but I suggest watching the video of the interview in order to see Cheeto being Cheeto.

Interestingly, Cheeto's raging misogyny might help MTP address one of its glaring problems.

Like most other Sunday morning talkfests, MTP tends to give a platform to many Republican "insiders" of the DC genus but Cheeto has such a hold on R politicians and their thinking, that his misogyny might motivate them into avoiding any outlet hosted by a woman.

Is the opposite of "limited value" "unlimited value"?

If so, who has it?

BTW - I saw the video, and heard the laughter.  "Misunderstood"?

My  ass.

From CBSNews -

Bodycam shows Seattle cop joking about "limited value" of woman killed by police cruiser. He claims he was misunderstood.

A city watchdog agency is investigating after a body-worn camera captured one Seattle Police Department union leader joking with another following the death of a woman who was hit and killed by a police cruiser as she was crossing a street.

Daniel Auderer, the vice president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, responded to the Jan. 23 crash scene where another officer, Kevin Dave, struck and killed Jaahnavi Kandula, 23, in a crosswalk. Dave was driving 74 mph on the way to an overdose call, and Auderer, a drug recognition expert, was assigned to evaluate whether Dave was impaired, CBS affiliate KIRO-TV reported.

It seems to be time to state one thing clearly: all public officials, be they hired, appointed, or elected, work for civil society and the people in it.

And if any of those folks are contemptuous of their employers?

They should rethink their chosen path in life.

Betcha there was some laughter in 2013 in the Pearce household when then-Deputy Sean Pearce used his vehicle to kill John Harding and didn't even get points on his insurance.

I admit - when I first saw the video of the Pearce crash, I thought it was accidental.

Then two agencies went all in on protecting him.

Now I have reason to doubt that the killing was accidental.